CitrusArms

A New Light Amongst The Stars (CitrusArms and LadyAnnaLee)

Lyra looked up from the bowl she was holding steady for Jesse to spy Zarah, Zigma, and another villager. She waved as they washed up before turning back to the bowl and pitching it this way or that, to get all the scraps off the edges and into the mix. Zarah was, predictably, excited about seeing something new. The barrage of questions elicited a grin from the Terran, so charmed by Zarah's zest for unknown technology.

The Terran giggled, her tail flicking like a cat's, "I can tell; it's something that's so adorable about you." She gave Zarah a sweet smile and George a nod, before she turned back to their mixing, "it's a good thing Zigma's here to introduce me, ey?" She extended a hand to take George's, turning her head to look at him, "seems everyone knows my name already. Good meeting you, George. I don't mind if you tag along at all."

Once pleasantries were out of the way, she'd turn her mind to Zarah's questions, "let's see, in no particular order... It's powered by me, it's called hardlight, it's not collapsible, but it doesn't need to be. You want to touch it?" A sphere of the hard yet lightweight "material" formed in front of Zarah, "here." It was hard and smooth, like glass, but warm to the touch.

"No idea where they came from, but an Aeva is, simply put, a kind of spirit. I guess you could say they come from crystals, like the one you found, but I don't think that's what you were asking. The crystal you found was a material we call Aevon." She'd finished mixing the dry and wet ingredients together, and grabbed a loaf baking tin, to fill with batter and shove in the oven. She began to pour, "when you wore the crystal, you began to give to it. Eventually, you gave enough and the energies in the crystal mixed and reacted, forming Zigma."

If she wasn't careful, this one would ask questions and render the careful dance around the subject of the Scourge useless. They were a few layers of questions away, yet. It wasn't a pleasant topic, and was liable to scare poor George. And Zarah. And Zigma. And that wasn't condusive. Lyra would probably be better off throwing out a bunch of chaff, "sure, we can go see my ship. It's probably not what you're expecting, we don't build 'em like we used to. You know, Zigma can probably do hardlight, too. Most Aeva can, to some degree. Hardlight and holograms are pretty common. Have you tried it before, Zigma?" Lyra looked up from her pouring for a moment, only briefly.

When Lyra was done pouring, Jesse reformed the hardlight beaters into a vague scoop shape, scraping up the batter from the bowl and pushing most of it into the form. The rest went in Lyra's mouth again. The fox reached up to where Jesse was perched on her shoulder and rubbed her back carefully. After that little bit of affection, she'd take the bread form and pop it in to the oven at last.

"If you want to go see my ship, it's down the mountain face, in the forest. It'll be a bit of a trek, but I was planning on making a trip either today or tomorrow."

A New Light Amongst The Stars (CitrusArms and LadyAnnaLee)

Yeah, I figured that's what happened. That's a good mental image, though. xD

A New Light Amongst The Stars (CitrusArms and LadyAnnaLee)

Saucy thing you've got there. I aughta teach that computer some lessons. Is it a laptop? Those things can get nasty with dust.

Scene imagined as: absolute unit Headman Kilpatrick pulls a boy from his back pocket.

Avalia

Aiko Yume

Time: Evening
Location: River Port, Tipsy Tavern
Interactions: @dreamingflowers Nur

Was it her succubus charm? Maybe. It had almost worked on him once before. He want used to guarding against it. But, no, there was something about her. Certainly, the vulnerability was something that queued him to let his guard down. However, he thought it must be the idea of being around another succubus. Someone like himself, in a way, someone that subsisted off of the desire of others. Certainly, after growing up in a demi-human orphanage, he didn't think like other demons.

A meal would not help? Oh dear. He feared he did not hold the knowledge necessary to help her, but at least he could offer her shelter. "It is unusual for me to return this early, but I shall manage." He would usually prowl for a while longer, to ensure a plethora of dreams to choose from, but his luxury of choice should not suffer much for one night of loss. "Cling as you please, dear Nur."

So he began guiding her inland, toward a residential district. The walk would be somewhat lengthy, but not overly so. He led her to a house in the suburb of the port city, up to the door and in. It was a two story building, with an attic on top. "They've lent me the attic for my services. The gracious things furnished it and put in a deck, they're really too sweet to me. They say they'll rent out the space after I've gone. Of course, I may have aided their negotiations..."

"And turned the design to suit my needs, maybe just a little. Let me tell you about construction crews..." As he brought her around to the back, am amazing rear deck came into view. A spacious platform on the first floor contained a fire pit with built-in benches, and a staircase up to a second-floor balcony, which contained a garden. Another staircase led up to a door to the attic.

"Okay, so they might be loaded, and I may have... convinced the crew to do a, little more than they were paid to. I think it's wonderful, details be damned." He stopped on the second floor, turning to the door there. "I should see how my hosts are doing. I can usually tell how the night will be, at this point. Oh, it's..." he gestured with his hand, the latch above coming open, "open. Please, go in."

The attic itself was somewhat sparce on furnishings, though the bed was large and well-dressed, as one might expect. There was a very deep, comfortable-looking couch parked in front of a solar cube, with a small bookshelf beside it. The couch had been a careful choice, but like any good succubus, their bed had been an investment. King size, respectably. Silk everywhere: Pillow cases; sheets; weighted blankets on the bottom layer, easily ignored for a more active evening, but... An odd choice for the usual succubus. A shrine to sleep, more so than sex; the weighted blankets would make it harder to move, though they were on the bottom.

Bed aside, there was quite a bit of space. A small studio apartment, to be sure. Kitchenette with a small fira and ice cube, even a sink. Some things, it seemed, would need to be sought downstairs... There was no bathroom in the attic, for instance. He counted himself lucky to have a sink in such a space.

The trap door opened from somewhere else in the attic, and soon Aiko emerged, "tonight shouldn't be busy, for me. There are drinks in the cube, if you'd like one. I-" he looked in his hand, "have... Mine." From the bar. He wasn't supposed to run away with the glass, was he? He must have grasped it with his tail, before, when he took his jacket off and cradled her shoulders with it. "You've got great taste, by the way," he took a sip. He'd let her decide if she wanted to talk about what was troubling her while he tried to figure out what she might need. "Tea, perhaps? I have chamomile, for sleep, if you would like."

He hadn't seen her leg before, only the scale fading away to ash. He got the same feeling either way. "Want to talk?"

A New Light Amongst The Stars (CitrusArms and LadyAnnaLee)

Has your computer come to behave itself? Shame I can't put my degree to use for you.

Avalia

Aiko Yume

Time: Evening
Location: River Port, Tipsy Tavern
Interactions: @dreamingflowers Nur

"Oop-" before Aiko could have a seat, he found himself dragged away by the more mischievous companion Arod had been with. This was unexpected, and not to his plan. Would Nur be alright? She could take care of herself, surely, but this set-up... What he saw at the flower shop concerned him. But, well, if he made a fuss now, he'd ruin the whole plot. He managed to grab his drink, at least. Mmm~, something with strawberries! Nur had great taste.

"You've, left your date with mine." No beating around the bush, he felt a bit of pressure to get back to Nur. He'd dumped a situation in her lap and fled. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have been a concern, but... Again, the flower shop.

"Arod is a nice guy, but he's so timid. He won't even try to make a move. It's frustrating... I'm Vena."

"Vena." Aiko repeated the name, slowly, letting it hang in the air. Before Vena could take him any further, he tugged her back into him and leaned himself against a post. He spun her about gracefully and put her back to his chest, one arm lazily draped over her shoulder as he sipped from the other. "If you want him to be more forward, you've gotta let him know. He's not psychic. Look at that oaf, your oaf. He's even being a prude with a succubus." He could tell from here. Ooh, poor, repressed soul.

"The first thing you two did when I approached you with my offer was look at each other, right? Maybe he's too innocent, but, well... It falls to you to spoil him, then, doesn't it? We'll help, if you like, but- oh." Ah, young love. Nur, for her part, seemed to be having a rough time. This wasn't how he planned to do this, he was supposed to be at her side. She pulled a scale from her neck and slapped it down.

"Things don't seem to be going well. Let's get back-" Nur's power flared too strong. He could tell from here. Arod physically reeling back was another big tell, Aiko began to extricate himself to go to Nur's aid. "I need to take care of her. You might take him to a room, yes? One way or the other."

He could smell the bile before it came. He couldn't reach them before Nur fled, but he was right behind her. He draped the outer layer from his garb over her frame, lightly laying his hands on her shoulders. "Nur. I'm sorry, that didn't go the way I planned. I can't help but feel responsible, it was my idea that went awry." He stood beside her and looked her over. She looked awful. Well, she was still stunning, but she seemed... Tired.

"We can call it an evening, if you like. I'm staying with someone, but it's normal for me to have... Guests. The owner has a lot of nightmares, and I help them with that." He hesitated, looking her over once more, "Nur. Your scale disintegrated. Do you, need a meal?"

Avalia

Aiko Yume

Time: Evening
Location: River Port, Tipsy Tavern
Interactions: @dreamingflowers Nur

His delightful new friend, so spirited and playful just moments before, was so defeated now. It was difficult to behold, such a beautiful thing so down on herself. Aiko let Nur sit first, placing himself next to her and watching her fuss, oh, it was heartbreaking. He glanced at the cat callers, usually a good thing to find for their kind but now was the wrong moment. "Darling, you're gorgeous. Anyone who couldn't appreciate that is blind."

She didn't want to play right now, her game, his game, anything. She was checking herself over as though she were worried she'd fall apart. Poor dear. She asked him for a drink and he smiled warmly, "we'll get you fixed right up, Nur." He flagged the barkeep down and set a bit of money on the counter, "whatever the lady wants, and I'll take the same."

Now, this was a trick to pull, here. There were, he could see, a few couples at the bar. Ah, but which one? Hmm... He'd have to get closer to get a read on them. "One moment." He rose and crossed behind the bar, brushing his tails against the couples as he passed them, on his way to the restroom.

He hid himself in the stall in the restroom and got comfy, before focusing his mind. He projected himself out to listen, for a moment, to the minds he'd just touched. The first couple... No, the guy was into it but the woman wasn't. The second couple was, he realized, a couple of gay dudes. Great for him, but not for Nur. The third, however, seemed more open to the suggestion. It might take a bit of doing, but it was worth a shot to convince them.

He washed his hands and stepped back into the main room, stepping up to the couple in question and lightly touching their shoulders, grazing their necks with his thumb, "excuse me, this may be sudden, my dear friend and I were wondering if you'd like to go on a double date with us?"

They hesitated for a moment, looked at each other. Each seeing the other so relaxed, they agreed.

Aiko led the couple back to Nur's seat at the bar, letting the male sit next to his friend, "they were interested in a double date with us, isn't that wonderful?"

Avalia

Aiko Yume

Time: Evening
Location: River Port, Seaside Park
Interactions:@dreamingflowers Nur

A succubus? On a quiet walk through the park in the evening, with nary a ulterior motive? And he's actually a beastkin. "That does sound boring, you kidder. I would offer to slake your thirst for the evening, but... well." They both knew why that wouldn't work. If they were to do anything together, it would just be for fun, or because one of them was particularly well fed. Or affection, but that fit under the umbrella of "fun", if you asked him.

Men were her poison of choice, as she put it. Made sense, that's how most succubus felt. At any rate, he didn't really think she was lying. It was odd, though. "Must have some things on your mind, if there's any truth to that."

Ah, but his wonderful new companion wanted to play a game! A game attuned to their kind. "I like your games, Nur." He watched the succubus cross the street and claim her turn, closing in slowly after her.

She seemed... Irritated, when she came to meet him again. He saw her powers at work, but something had seemed, off. Her foul mood only proved that. "Hmm?" He placed his hands gently on her, one at her hip and the other cupping her face. She'd won her round, at least, so, "excellent work. But, you know, I think I've got a fun game we can play together. Let's make sure his offering goes well, and then I'll tell you about my idea." It didn't seem like she really wanted to play this game, anymore. Something had upset her. Perhaps she was in need of a snack, after all.

He approached the barkeep, smiling, "excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear, you're presenting this to someone special?" He'd gathered a complimentary suggestion while Nur had taken her turn. A fern and honeysuckle. "If you put these flowers together, I think it might send the kind of message you're looking for."

He arranged them carefully in the man's hand, relaxing the barkeep to make him now suggestible. The ferns were set as a frame to a pink rose surrounded by the small blooms of honeysuckle. "There, that looks good, doesn't it? Ask a fairy to freshen up the honeysuckle before you present it. It's delicious."

He sent the man off and didn't bother to see if he bought the flowers and ferns he suggested or not. He slinked an arm around Nur and started them toward a nearby tavern, "hopefully his evening goes well. I think we did some good work, there, don't you think?" He was completely ignoring the competition, "oh, that's another idea. We could make sure his night ends well. But we're not some cherubs, the idea I was going to tell you..."

He chuckled devilishly, a grin he couldn't contain curling his lips, "why don't we see if we can rope a couple into something fun? Or maybe a small group... I wonder how big of a party we could put together?" It sounded like a fun thing to do occasionally. That was one thing he missed about the mountain, things weren't so... Uptight. One extreme or the other, was it?

Avalia

Oops

A New Light Amongst The Stars (CitrusArms and LadyAnnaLee)

I touched my latest post up just a bit. Still basically the same, just more satisfactory to me. I'm kinda funny about touching others' NPCs, even though that's usually seen as fine.

Not that I'm against doing so. I dunno, I'm just funny about it. Something I aughta get over.