[center]
[h1][color=c1196b]Flash Backs and Memories[/color][/h1]
[/center]
[hr]
[color=808080]
His twilight blue eyes opened again to find himself in stabilized darkness. Once again surrounded by muted colors that were monochrome, though the air was thick with a strange stillness to it, and he was beginning to feel small and insignificant compared to the sea of nothingness. There was no pain, no hunger, no fear, barely even the sensation of being — [i]just…[/i] existence. A quiet, empty existence. 

The nothingness, however, was not truly still. It began to pulse, a slow, rhythmic beat that vibrated deep within him. In an odd way, it reminded him of his heartbeat, and he wondered if his mind was trying to warn him about his physical body. And then, the nothingness began to shift. The muted colors began to swirl, the stillness began to fracture around him, and a sense of unease took over his body. A primal fear that he couldn’t quite name, began to stir within him, and he wanted to hold his breath. 

The swirling began to intensify, the void that he was in began to twist and turn like a whirlpool around him. Asterion felt himself being pulled, once again, and inexorably drawn towards the heart of the maelstrom. He tried to resist like every other time this reality began to change in front of his eyes, trying to cling to something, but he found nothing. His body began to feel weightless. 

Suddenly, the whirlpool erupted, throwing him into a flood of images and sensations. He was much younger than he was before, he was so little, but his mind comprehended this was not real. A little Asterion, too young to be alone, stood there, and he began to cry. His little hands began to wipe at his tears as he could hear the echoing sounds of terrors in the dark corridors ahead and the dripping of the walls echoed out. 

Then a figure appeared out of nowhere, vague enough to not be distinguished in any way, and concerning enough to not be human. So tall and imposing compared to himself. Was that him? Was that the current him? For some reason that came to his mind while he began to look up at the figure and try to distinguish features from it. The figure spoke, its voice a low, resonant growl, “[color=c1196b]You will serve. [i]You. Will. Obey.[/i][/color]” 

A shadowed arm extended towards him and Asterion could feel a strange sense of awe and dread wash over him. The closer the figure came to touching him. The stronger those two sensations built up in his chest. He knew, with a certainty that transcended understanding, that his life, such as it was, would be forever bound to this creature, this being of power and darkness. 

The darker silhouette softly and almost unnaturally feeling placed two finger tips on Asterion’s third eye — that was when everything warped — and he slammed into a desk. He felt exhausted and he looked down at his hands. What happened? This wasn’t… this couldn’t be real, could it be? Asterion found himself sitting at his desk, confused, and exhausted. Looking around the room suspiciously before he could hear a knock at the door, “[color=c1196b]You have a visitor, Asterion,[/color]” Elara’s voice echoed out. Elara!? No, Elara wasn’t free. This wasn’t real but it felt so familiar. 

Asterion stood up and looked around a little more, “[color=c1196b]Let them in, please,[/color]” the man made sure his appearance was formal and crisp. He was meeting with someone today, upon their request, and he always had a little bit of time to entertain people and to hear something new from someone else. Elara opened the door for Khor. 

They walked in with hands in pockets, eyes innocent, wandering under the visor. Hands going for their helmet clip it soon slid off releasing a bob of black hair, straightened with a shake. She looked at Asterion, thin lips forming a small smile. “Have to say I’m pretty chuffed you let me up here to chat with you personally. Most potential client’s go on and on not even about security but appearances. Almost like they’re ashamed to be seen with me.” She scoffed. “You have no idea how many burner phones I go through because of that.”

She shrugged, eyes still wandering over the interior of the building. “Keeps customers happy though. That being said this is a nice change of pace, nice place as well. Really nailing that postmodernism look.” She said, not at all understanding what postmodern even meant. Her eye’s finally locked onto Asterion. “Khor Kosović, here to offer you a world of opportunity and wonders from beyond the wall.” She smirked. “I’d say The Eel, but I just earned the title, so… actually don’t worry about it. Akula tradition thing.”

She stood there gently rocking back and forth on her heels, hands behind her back as if waiting for Asterion’s instruction to come closer, to sit or anything else. She was fidgety but doing her best to be polite, not quite new to the game, but still learning how to command a conversation from the get go. Not too confident to be cocky, but probably too confident for her level of experience in negotiation. Despite her casual dress she still appeared clean and groomed for the occasion. A strange mixture of respect and whimsy. Her head tilted just slightly trying to read Asterion.

He listened respectfully and continued to stare at the individual he was meeting with. There wasn’t anything too abnormal for the moment, nothing to obsessively look at, so his stare was mainly respectful except for the parts of when it lingered away. Assertion chuckled a little and showed a faint smile that exposed a line of his teeth, “[color=c1196b]Think about it this way,[/color]” he approached the individual and gestured for them to continue to go into the room. To sit down. Make themselves at home. “[color=c1196b]If I was so embarrassed to be seen with you… [i]why[/i] would I ever consider truly working with you?[/color]” 

“[color=c1196b]It is a pleasure to meet you Khor,[/color]” he gently placed a hand on her upper back, barely touching her, “[color=c1196b]Sit down if you would like or anything. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like anything?[/color]” he slowly moved away but elegantly did so as he moved back to his desk. Grabbing a few papers that he forgot and picking them, putting them into a drawer, so eyes couldn’t pry on the information. 

Turning around and leaning against his desk, “[color=c1196b]I do not care for formalities and tend to have everyone call me Asterion,[/color]” he offered up. His body language was relaxed and not threatening at all even though there was a lingering essence that exposed him as potentially dangerous. 

Khor let Asterion guide her further into the room, taking his suggestion to settle down onto the couch. “Ah, most people think being associated with smugglers is weak or dirty, usually both.” She allowed herself a genuine smile. “Nice to meet someone who respects our trade for a change. Why waste time yourself when someone else can make your life a little easier?” 

She chuckled. “On that note, skipping the formalities. We can offer you the basics to begin with. Things your bottom line won’t notice, guns, armour, ammo. We take citizen’s of Nocturnia’s right to independence fairly seriously, and that would extend to yourself.” She relaxed some more, crossing a leg. “If you enjoy our services, we can find you much of anything, and I do mean anything. Just know that we don’t deal in human cargo.” She put her hand to her chin. “Also appreciate the offer. Could do with a drink if I’m honest. Anything you recommend?”

Asterion kept that charming smile with a light shrug of his shoulders, “[color=c1196b]There is a saying someone always used to say around me when I was growing up; if you itch my back, I will itch yours. Tomato-tomato. Plus, why judge someone for what they do unless it is purely evil and disgusting? People have to live and this city does not give people choices,[/color]” he chimed in with his personal thoughts — barely anyone had choices when it came to careers, education, or other aspects of life. A reason he focused so much time and resources into Nickel, to make it a little bit of civilization for people, but it was the same reason he was so strict with allowing people in as citizens of the district and living here. 

“[color=c1196b]I try to keep my fingers away from human cargo. It is too many variables and way too messy at the end of the day,[/color]” though he did have a top generator of Nickel being his night club; an adult entertainment area. It was a little different than human trafficking but it played into some very grey areas for sure. 

The man pushed off from his desk while he moved towards a cabinet in the room which was clearly a place for drinks by the different types of alcohol glasses hanging and stacked on it. “[color=c1196b]It depends. I have my favorites though if I was to recommend anything. I recommend things to show off my skills and abilities for presentation. Is there any type of fruits you enjoy?[/color]” Asterion’s voice sounded playful as he began to move things around. 

Khor followed Asterion to the cabinet out of interest, hoping he wouldn’t mind. “Well you know what people can be like. Entirely worried about what people might say and how they might appear. Not many break through that shell to judge others by their actions rather than how they look.” She gave a wry smile. “Guess that’s why I like the underground. Can’t see anything to judge, all that matters is what people do to help each other get by. Real community, you know? Would be nice if we had more choices beyond survival though.”

She nodded as she reached Asterion. “And glad to hear it. There’s enough bullshit people have to worry about streetside. Last thing we need is even more reason for people to be terrified of disappearing suddenly never to be seen again.” She shuddered, thoughts back to cages, men and women stored like things to be bought or disposed of.

She shook off the feeling. “But yes, sorry, fruit. Wait fruit?” Fresh fruit wasn’t exactly a common commodity in Nocturnia, in fact it was considered a luxury if it didn’t come out of a can, and here Asterion was offering it to her so freely. She smiled. “Um, yeah that sounds great.” She squinted her eyes, could she be so bold? “Say, might sound weird, but, lemon? I know actual, fresh lemons are really hard to come by but, if we’re going by favourites that’s me.” She laughed, then scratched her head. “I’ll definitely try anything fruitwise you have though, if lemons is asking too much.”

Glancing to the side of him where Khor stood, he went back to what he was doing, and he nodded. Taking the mobile device out of his pocket and calling someone, “[color=c1196b]Can you bring me a few lemons, please,[/color]” he spoke in an even tone while holding the device in between his shoulder and head so he had free hands. “[color=c1196b]Yes,[/color]” he added. “[color=c1196b]Thank you. I appreciate it,[/color]” he finished that before hanging up the call and putting the device into his pocket.
“[color=c1196b]Lemons are not too much to ask for,[/color]” he gave her a gentle smile before setting up two cocktail glasses. “[color=c1196b]When you have access to money, you have access to resources and people, Khor. Then you have access to lemons in quite a few ways,[/color]” he joked. He wasn’t very funny but he smiled a little because he found it funny. 

Khor raised her hand to the back of her head, swaying a little sheepishly. “Yeah I know how it sounds.” She chuckled. “Not to make it sound like we can’t get you something as simple as lemons. Hell, this one job we had.” She clapped her hands. “HOCJOC HQ, the [u]big[/u] tower in the Brewery district. They had to upgrade their personal generators and the amount of diesel they’d need was just exorbitant. So Otto being Otto designed some modular nuclear reactors. Obvious problem, where the [i]fuck[/i] are you getting fissile material to fuel something like that in Nocturnia?”

She closed her eyes, smiled and jabbed her thumbs into her shoulders. “Enter Akula’s. I remember standing guard over this ominous obelisk of a container and Crackler, our HAZMAT guy at the time, hovered the geiger counter over it and sure enough found a snip of radiation. Just a [i]tick… tick… tick…[/i]. The rookie wanders over and goes ‘does it really glow?’ and throws the bloody lid open. Counter goes wild! Wailing ‘gggrrraaaAGHCRcrCRGHRCRICKCKCK’. Crackler slams the lid, grabs the rookie and throws him into decon. Rookie was ok, earned the name Glowbug. Shit myself at the time but it was pretty funny aftward.”

Her chuckling faded off. “So yeah when I say we can get you anything, in enough time we can make it happen. That and I’m sure lemon’s aren’t an issue for you to get, I just don’t like imposing, you know?” She smiled. “That and I had this stupid dream, making a rooftop orchard or otherwise, growing fruit so everyone could enjoy what the outside world takes for granted. That dream just put something so simple into perspective for me, you know?” She slipped off a glove and took a moment to look at her own hand. “With the Gyft finding me though, I might not ever find the time for it.”

Asterion seemed amused by the story that Khor was telling. The smile on his face growing a little and the brightness in his expression showed he was genuinely interested or at least pretending to be. It was hard to tell with him yet he enjoyed most things even if they were simple stories. Everything had a meaning especially when someone wanted to openly share something like a memory. “[color=c1196b]I would have been nervous in such a situation myself. You never know what you are transporting at times and opening things…[/color]” he seemed to trail off in thought. “[color=c1196b]That can get you dead. A reason they say [i]rookies mistake[/i], mhm?[/color]” 

Khor chuckled. “Certainly so~.”

He shook his head, “[color=c1196b]How would you be imposing if I was the one asking?[/color]” he seemed interested in the answer she would give him. Then he listened to her and nodded, “[color=c1196b]Gyfts can be curses. A lot of people say they are a gift, but I enjoy arguing that stance,[/color]” he confessed while a knock on the door could be heard. 

“[color=c1196b]Come in![/color]” he raised his voice as the door opened only seconds after his vocals. An individual walked in, gave him two lemons, smiled at Khor, and walked away. Taking the lemons, he wiped them off, and he began to prepare the drink. “[color=c1196b]I want everyone to have time for what they want, Khor,[/color]” he began while his thoughts were on that. “[color=c1196b]I want people to have freedom and enjoy simple things. The reason that some of the parks in my district have grass, flower beds, but most of the plants in my area are fruit bearing is because I find it more…[/color]” he shrugged. “[color=c1196b]More understandable to have something that is multi-purpose than something that is just pretty,[/color]” he stated while continuing to zest and cut the lemon. 

Khor buzzed a little. “Public fruit gardens? I was going to get straight back to business when I left but now I might have to take a little stroll to see for myself.” Her hand cupped her mouth. “Public fruit gardens… that’s a really smart idea.” 

She blinked. “Sorry, I get in my own head sometimes. Before when I said I didn’t want to impose, I just grew up streetside. Where I work now I know people like us have the world at our fingertips but, yeah, a part of me is always going to have that little local inside me who sees Nocturnia as most other people do. Always that bit of respect that even though things are bad, they could be worse, help out where you can and never try to over extend someone’s generosity. It’s rare enough as it is. Especially with the way some exploit others.”

Her eyes warmed up a bit. “With that being said, it’s really nice to do business with someone who actually seems to give a shit about the people living here. Most other guys start off with the fucking cowboy speeches of how ‘our partnership will lead us to rule this city’ or that ‘people must be forced to obey order for peace’. I smile and nod but I’ll be honest there’s been a couple times I wish I just punched them in the throat. Go ‘how’s that for domination. Feel good?’. I’d probably cock up trying to say something cool but hey it's the action that matters right?”

Her smile fell into a sigh. “That’s the Gyft though. Even when it isn’t a curse it usually drives people to think they’re bigger than everyone else and we find ourselves at the end product.” She raised her arms to the side. “Nocturnia. A pit of a few fools trying to tell us all how to live when most of us just want to get along with our neighbours.” She huffed a laugh, quiet for a moment before looking at Asterion. “When you mentioned Gyft’s, you said you enjoy arguing the stance that they’re good.” Her eyes became softer. “Is that from personal experience? Or someone you know?” Her eyes danced away. “Sorry if I’m prying, don’t mean to, just. Genuinely interested. Inquisitive mind and all.”

Hearing how his idea was smart caused him to genuinely smile, just a little bit, but he was definitely not trying to hide his emotions either. He was relaxed. “[color=c1196b]Do not worry, Khor. I understand. You are not the only streetside person in this room,[/color]” he made the comment knowing they were the [i]only[/i] people in the room. “[color=c1196b]Exploitation is easier,[/color]” he shrugged his shoulders. “[color=c1196b]And if you want honesty… you cannot be at the top without walking on someone. That is not how the world works, sadly,[/color]” he huffed out a little bit as he continued to make the drink. 

His twilight blue eyes glanced over to her with that curl to his lips that resembled someone that would be proud of what she was saying, he nodded in response as his eyes lingered back to making the drinks, “[color=c1196b]Actions always speak louder than words.[/color]” 

“[color=c1196b]You misunderstood my words, I said, people think of gyfts as a gift. I would argue that since I believe it is more of a curse by human nature,[/color]” this was when he handed Khor a drink — [url=https://glutenfreespinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lemon-drop-martini.1.cpy_.jpg]a lemon drop martini[/url]. “[color=c1196b]I do not think a gyft is necessarily good or evil, Khor. However, I do believe people can be good or evil. I believe that good people can do evil things and evil people can do good things as well. And the giving of a gyft, wherever it comes from, does not discriminate against people.[/color]” He was facing the woman more while locking their eyes together. 

She took the drink, enjoying how well it’d been crafted for a moment before bringing it up for a taste. The kick of the vodka combined with the flick of the lemon brought an immediate grin to her face as she savoured it. “Favourite fruit and favourite spirit. Goddamn you know how to impress.” She swirled the drink, thinking just to stop and savour it and the moment for a while. Looking back to Asterion though she thought it respectful not to take up too much of his time just wistfully staring into a drink.

She allowed herself another sip before speaking. “Fair enough. I guess you're right in that sense, blaming the Gyft alone would be lazy. The power imbalance, I think that’s what frustrates me so much about it. Everyone deserves the chance to at least fight back, and the Gyft doesn’t take that away from those without it, but…” 

She considered her words. “I think it’s power, wielding it responsibly. Regardless of being good or bad. Obviously I prefer it be used for good but even then so many impose themselves on people who have nothing to do with the game they’re playing. And I know it’s never perfect. There’s always collateral at some point, but there’s a difference between those who avoid it and those who don’t care.”

Her words began to become somewhat more jumbled, unsure what she was trying to say until she stopped, recollected, reflected, and returned her eyes towards Asterion with a little smirk. “I think I’m just being freudian, and at the center of it I’m just afraid I won’t be any better than what I’m describing. Now that the Gyft has found me, I suppose it’s my time to be tested, to find out whether I’ll rise above what I feel like I am or just, drown in it.” She sighed with a weak laugh. “Sorry, I’m rambling now.”

Asterion stood there, taking a sip of the drink, and his face didn’t twist or turn. He had to be familiar with the sour-tart of lemons. Showing that he had access to such flavors. There was an eerie silence from him as he listened to Khor and stared into her eyes. Focusing. Analyzing. “[color=c1196b]Freudian or not. You are showing me who you truly are,[/color]” he chuckled a little with that response before a sigh let out. He looked away and out the windows of the office. It was a large area with multiple sitting areas, a large table with multiple chairs, and his desk, and other things. 

Walking over to the window, he looked down at the city, “[color=c1196b]You are fine. Do not apologize,[/color]” he glanced over his shoulder. “[color=c1196b]I would be open with you, if I was losing patience or entertainment,[/color]” he confessed casually while taking another sip of the drink before looking out the window. 

“[color=c1196b]I understand from our prior communications, you are willing to work with me, but I have not yet asked what you desire in return. What do you desire from this…[/color]” he paused for a second. “[color=c1196b]Could you say partnership? I would not say that I am really employing you like a boss would nor am I trying to take advantage of you either. What would you say of it?[/color]” 

Khor stood more professionally. Business, you're here on business, stop talking about yourself. He said he didn’t mind though, no be polite, business. “Yes, of course. Think of it as two organisations reaching out, establishing something of an embassy between each other to navigate future events or relations. Something to avoid miscommunication and miscalculation, beginning with simple trade of basic necessities that our professions require. An opportunity to glance onto the surface of our operations to establish a sense of who we both are.” 

She raised a hand while pacing up beside Asterion. “From there, who knows. Maybe we’ll get along, maybe we’ll be weary of each other. Perhaps we won’t even care, but at least this way we’ll both know what to expect of the other and be able to reach out to the other's services should we be interested.” She looked up to Asterion as he stared out the window. “How does that sound to you?”

Taking a sip of his drink, he seemed to absorb all of her words and everything she was saying, but he was in thought. Staring out the window. Thinking about what she had said. His eyes showed most of his emotions for the majority, “[color=c1196b]Then this is only testing the waters of how compatible our potential with each other could be,[/color]” he summarized her words in his own, vocalizing them as if he needed to hear himself say it, and he seemed to consider it. 

“[color=c1196b]Mhm…[/color]” he responded after a moment of silence. “[color=c1196b]I think that is doable. As I said earlier, this is simply, itch my back and I will itch yours, simple, far from perfect, but very flexible, and much potential to build on. Plus, the ease of being able to break out of it without many negatives,[/color]” he shrugged his shoulders. “[color=c1196b]I am fine with that,[/color]” he added with another sip of the drink. 

That was when he turned a little towards the woman and looked at her, “[color=c1196b]I believe your skills, you, and your people could possibly or at least situationally be very beneficial to my work,[/color]” he saw potential even if it didn’t benefit him as much. He wasn’t going to snuff anything out. There was no reason to be harsh towards Khor or her people, not yet, and he wasn’t against playing the game of lines and boundaries with her at all. 

Khor couldn’t help but beam somewhat. “Excellent. Honestly I wasn't sure how well a job I’d do playing diplomat but hey, that worked out pretty well I think! I guess other Akula’s see something in me for a reason. Honesty always works I suppose.” She was way too open in her stance, something that only put the power of the sun on to highlight the fact she was very new to this side of the life. Something she felt the need to clarify despite how obvious it was.

She rocked on her feet much before when she first entered the room, face a blank smile. “So, now what? Still new to this whole to playing the ‘face of your organisation’ thing. I think I’m definitely going to enjoy a walk through those gardens before heading off properly, but if there's anything else I can do for you, you have my attention for the day, especially if my whole rambling is growing on you.” She nudged her elbow out, not touching Asterion, but slightly obnoxious regardless.

Asterion was going to tell her that the meeting was pretty much over. They talked about what they had slight communication over — his twilight blue eyes wandered around her face as she continued to talk and he smiled a little, “[color=c1196b]Let me accompany you,[/color]” he should go outside anyway. At least once today. June is always telling him that he needs to get more sunlight even though he argues that he sunbathes through the windows. 

“[color=c1196b]I only mind when people ramble if I have asked them once to stop,[/color]” Asterion casually admitted. He wasn’t against listening to people. That was a lot of his job since he allowed the people of his district to come and complain to him. It was similar to being in the position of a king. People are complaining about certain things? Fix it. Or at least he would try his best to fix it, upgrade it, or figure something out. 

Going over to his desk, he set his drink down, gesturing for the door, “[color=c1196b]Come.[/color]” 

Khor kicked up a pace to follow in tow. She liked him, or at least she felt like she’d end up liking him. Maybe there was a catch behind that kindness he’d shown in the things he said, maybe it hid something deeper, but all that mattered to Khor right now  was that he was a good dude who at the very least helped put together community fruit gardens. That was proof enough for her right now. “I should’ve asked before? What’s your favourite fruit? Or do you have something more like a theme of fruit? Is that how you’ve organised the gardens?” She bounced in her step. “Man. Public fruit garden. Today is great.”

Asterion glanced at the woman, “[color=c1196b]My favorite fruit would be pomegranates. I really do love anything with those in it,[/color]” he mentioned while walking down the hallway with Khor. “[color=c1196b]And they really are not public fruit gardens. They are more like very well kept parks that have some grass, flower beds with fruit bearing plants, and so on. Sadly, my organization has not been able to fully flesh out public gardens in a sustainable way but we are working on it.[/color]” 

Khor nodded. “Ah. Makes sense. One day maybe, maybe I’ll even get to help out.” She threw her hands up. “Still- [b]Fruit Garden![/b].” Her eyes danced with contemplation for a moment. “I’ve never actually [i]had[/i] pomegranate. I am so excited for pomegranate~.”

The man couldn’t help the genuine smile that beamed off from him. The type of smile that people had on the very rare sunny days in Nocturnia or the days where barely anything bad happened. It was pleasant to see another person so excited for such simple things, “[color=c1196b]I’ll make sure you can take a pomegranate home after our walk,[/color]” he added. That was when Asterion would lead Khor out of the Kairo Skyscraper and into the safer areas of his district. 

It was a pleasant walk through the gardens and wasn’t long until Asterion pointed out the pomegranates growing amongst the greenery. Khor gently plucked one from the small tree, but before Asterion could instruct one on how to peel and eat the seeds inside the fruit she took a meaty bite from it as one would an apple.

[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/28391]Khor’s pomegranate discoveries:[/url] [b]6 outta 6 [/b]

 [i]{Khor’s writer: Holy good god this woman loves the ‘granate}[/i]

Perhaps Asterion winced at the sight. Perhaps his hands were held above her, futile in their attempt to stop her. Perhaps he was standing there completely and utterly dumbfounded. Khor didn’t know. Khor didn’t care. She was embracing something akin to a gift from god, either willingly passed onto her or stolen away if so to be a retelling of Adam and the apple. Her helmet dropped into the grass for her now free little rat hand to slowly approach another, tantalizing forbidden pleasure.

Plucking it she carefully maneuvered it to her jacket pocket before allowing the fruit to tumble into its place of holding before its eventual and inevitable consumption in totality, her mind embracing the totality. It was only now that Khor turned to Asterion, still blind to his expression, helmet still on the ground. She spoke clearly. “This day is a good day, the best, even.” She chewed slowly before looking back to the prize in her hand. “Pomegranate~.”

Seeing the woman happily pick a pomegranate, Asterion seemed a little interested until she took a huge bite of it, and his skin crawled. Internally, it made him scream, as he stared at her twistedly because he was surprised — however, he needed to remind himself that most people of Nocturnia didn’t have access to fresh fruits, especially exotic ones like pomegranates. The only reason Nickel had any growth is because he was insistent on learning how to benefit it into such a barren ecosystem and achieved his goal. He loved them and getting pomegranates smuggled in or access to them without being the sole provider was quite useless. Though… with the amount of love he had for them. The man found it difficult to filter through the emotions of someone literally biting into the oddly round red shaded fruit like it was a common apple. 

Asterion’s lips parted to correct her but he couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing. Not at the moment. His hand came up to rub his face a little bit, similar to a disappointed father, or possibly an embarrassed brother. Her reaction was beginning to unfold before him, she grabbed another one for later, and he sighed in relief. At least she enjoyed them even if it was in such an odd way. 

“[color=c1196b]You know…[/color]” he chuckled a little because he couldn’t help himself as he rubbed the back of his neck and head with some puzzlement to his body language. “[color=c1196b]You are supposed to peel those before you eat them.[/color]” 

The man wandered over to the small bushy shrubs that were quite pathetic compared to the counter parts that were possibly outside the wall or possibly something that could never be seen in their day and age. However, they were fine for what they were. They produced quite a few of the fruits even though they were way smaller than ones that would be rich and full of nutrients because of a variety of dense dirt. Sadly, Nocturnia did not have access to the best of the best — Asterion always tried to make things that he or his people wanted possible. 

Grabbing one that fit nicely into his hand, he had both hands on it, his thumbs at the bottom of the fruit where it still appeared to try and be a flower in some misshapen way. Applying some pressure as the fruit echoed out a [i]crack[/i] that sounded quite juicy and appealing to the ears. Once he split it into two, the shiny darker seeds that were translucent reds and dashes of purple could be seen which was even more delicious to the eyes. “[color=c1196b]See,[/color]” he started when he picked a few of the seeds and plopped them into his mouth with a faint but charming smile. “[color=c1196b]The flesh of the pomegranate, the creamy-white pith around the seeds is quite bitter and most people cannot bring themselves to eat it. I know I cannot,[/color]” Asterion explained while picking more seeds out of the pith of the fruit and putting them into his mouth. He handed Khor the other half to give it a try in a different way. 

Khor cupped her hand to receive Asterion’s gift and tipped a few into her mouth, chewing before a sensation of immediate delight. Savouring what remained she retrieved the pomegranate from her pocket to marvel at its wonders. “A bastard of many secrets and possibilities. Delightful~.” She pocketed the fruit again, beaming at Asterion. “This has been educational, I’d go as far to say a formative experience. I’m making a fruit garden. I don’t care who tries to stop or murder me. I’m making it till I make that fruit garden.”

She pumped her fist in the air locking eyes with Asterion, an obnoxious smear of a smile across her face. “And should you wish for such wonders and whimsy you’ll find me a staunch ally, with plough and hoe ready to carve such a future! To toil under the sun until every Nocturnian can enjoy such treasures! For it is right! It is just! And it is [i]delicious![/i]”

She tried to hold the pose but burst out laughing. “Ah man. Imagine if we could just pledge ourselves to citrus and berries. Knights of the fruit salad. Tilling the land for the noblest of professions.” Her laughing subsided. “Well at the very least, turning swords into ploughshares, it’s a nice thought at least. Maybe one day.” She looked back over the garden, a warm smile pulling at her cheeks as she entertained the thought of just looking after the greenspace to sustain herself without a worry in the world.
She looked back at Asterion, still beaming. “This has been fun. A lot of fun. For what it’s worth I’m looking forward to doing more business with you in the future. If we don’t, well hopefully I’ll see you round. Maybe even bump into each other in a fruit garden sometime so I can horrify you with how I butcher eating fruits again.” She laughed, short and hearty.

From his understanding, Khor was a handful of years older, but she acted years younger in this situation. He honestly envied it. The man didn’t know the last time he could just be child-like in a sense… simply… never. Having a wild imagination such as being knights of the fruit salad and bowing to the citrus and berries rulers sounded quite pleasant — too bad they lived in such a hateful and war-stricken society. 

A smile appeared on his lips, one of genuineness, and one that showed his pearly whites. “[color=c1196b]I will look forward to you horrifying me again.[/color]” he teased. The man was honestly concerned because he knew the pith of the pomegranate was edible but how edible? Would it upset her stomach later? It might. He had no idea since he had bit into the pith accidentally before and it tasted so bitter to him that he avoided it at all costs. 
[hr]
[b]Collaboration[/b] Khor [@flux]
[hr]

[center][h1]Unlikely Situations[/h1][/center]

A gasp awake was what brought him back into reality though he felt so much different compared to what had been. This was not his body. His body was filled with pain and suffering. This body was smaller and weaker than his own even though it was fine. Whose body was he in? Darkness. Darkness was everywhere. This confused him. A delicate hand compared to his own reached up to touch the face of whose body he was in, mainly around the jawline, since he grabbed people by the chin and jaw a lot to make them look him in the eyes. [i][color=c1196b]Erik... When did I jump into you?[/color][/i] There was surprise that he was in Erik's body. He had never dared jump into the younger man's body before and there were plenty of reasons for that. He was horrified of Erik's mind but at the moment Erik wasn't awake. He could feel him sleeping. 

Asterion lifted his hands up with some nervous energy to be relieved when he felt the fabric around Erik's eyes. "[color=c1196b]Oh thank god...[/color]" he whispered out. He was terrified that the young man accidentally made himself blind or something. However, he was proven wrong and happily so. 

Slowly taking off the fabric that was when he lost control of the body and a wretched headache rung out and he gasped in pain. Erik woke up and stopped him from removing the fabric, tying it, [i][color=ffffff]Asterion, do not remove that. You can't. My body might force you out of it,[/color][/i] he explained while tying the fabric tighter. Making sure it wouldn't shift, move, or fall off in anyway to keep Asterion in his body. 

Erik's thoughts were way too much for Asterion though it was definitely better than what it could be. Erik couldn't see anything, meaning he wasn't using his full abilities, and the extraordinary thoughts were not eating at his soul and tearing him apart. [i][color=c1196b]Ok... I need to get out of your body.[/color][/i] 

[i][color=ffffff]I don't know if we can do that for you just yet...[/color][/i] the younger man almost seemed nervous telling Asterion that. 

Then there was silence. He wasn't sure if that meant Asterion was pissed off by such a statement, if he was to exhausted to argue with him or what, but Asterion stopped talking. 

[/color]
[hr]