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nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6251: Jul 11th 2012 at 12:02:33 AM

[Ocean]

Qrlil blinked. "Er. I was actually hoping the opposite. But never mind."

I hope this doesn't cause problems; I know it's not normal for non-qrtxians.

She dove underwater momentarily and surfaced near Xavier. "Well, er. The first thing I would like to do is - I don't think you have a specific word for this in your language - is discuss what our relationship is, right at this moment. As I have said, I hope - if we ever meet again, and nothing has changed in the time in-between - to resume where we left off, but, at least from my perspective, it is best if we have a common idea of where that is."

She floated a moment. "You first?"

[Dining - Beach]

Havlak nodded to Frank and Vincent, then rose from his seat. Taking his Spear in one claw and his mug of beer in the other, he ambled across the dining area, out the doors, and onto the beach.

For a moment, he stared reverentially at the setting sun, eyes half-closed against the light. Then he turned and sniffed the air, detecting a couple of humans nearby. He walked over to them.

"I don't believe I've met you yet."

Ysa Slayer of Sporks, he's talking to your characters.

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#6252: Jul 11th 2012 at 4:19:44 AM

[Ocean]

Malo and Avea watched Qrlil and Xavier go, and Avea said, "they're a nice couple, obvious oddness aside. So... I don't know, the way they've got this all sorted out. Not too much of this sappiness. Heads aren't in the clouds."

Malo, forgetting herself, added, "don't worry, Avea, I'm sure you'll meet a girl like that some day."

Quietly hoping not too big a deal was made of this, Avea added, "yeah. Well, 'plenty of fish in the sea', I think is how the Earthborn put it."

[Bar]

Julia just listened, nodding appropriately. Then she said, "you don't have to thank people. For me... I guess, and I'm gonna have to sound really cheesy again, but helping people really is its own reward. That peace, that knowledge that somebody is just happier, better off because I touched their lives... I don't think I want much more out of life."

Then, more softly, she said, "I know you have blood on your hands. Many good people I have met do. Sometimes, there's not a better way. I... my hands are clean now, and I'd rather them stay that way. So..." She turned her eyes downward, to avoid the Retriever's gaze for a moment. My... that dress does flatter her legs... She let the thought drift away, and continued, "I still don't really understand everything about what made you who you are." I think I know how Zach feels, actually. "And I won't lie... I'm not sure I ever will. I'm not sure I want to. But... I can listen, without judging. I'm glad that's helped, at least."

[Bar]

Frank nodded, still watching his daughter and the Retriever, and said to Vincent, "yep. Over soon, though. Then back to the crazy. The mages, the demons, the corporate goons. I ever mention I'm getting too used to it? I think I have."

edited 11th Jul '12 4:28:13 AM by KillerClowns

YsaSlayerOfSporks Since: Jan, 2012
#6253: Jul 11th 2012 at 8:34:46 AM

[Beach]

"No, you haven't." Keli answered. "Who exactly are you?" She turned to see a worried expression on her companion's face. "Calm down, he's not going to eat you." She told him, rolling her eyes. "Sorry about that." She said to the other guy. Why did she have to come here with the guy that would embarass her?

Azler thought Keli was overreacting. He didn't look that scared. And anyway, non-human creatures tended to dislike him for some reason, so a bit of worry was perfectly justified.

This is a signature. It is not interesting. Please continue whatever you were doing, it is surely more fascinating.
TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#6254: Jul 11th 2012 at 9:19:59 AM

[Ocean]

Xavier bit his lip. "Hng. That's... kind of tricky. Give me a moment to think." He let himself drift on the currents as he thought.

"I think," he said eventually, "that we're more than friends. Quite a bit more, actually. And this could blossom into something more if we let it, but we're not letting it, because of the whole..." He waved a hand. "...trans-dimensional thing. But other than that, we're going strong, and it looks like it'll stay that way unless something really bad happens."

He paused. "Like that?"

[Bar]

"Better getting too used to it than not getting used to it at all," said Vincent. "You can adjust to anything, given enough time." He took a swig of his beer. There wasn't much left. "Just think, for a moment, what would happen if you didn't get used to it. Your life would be like some massive, constant scream of stress."

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6255: Jul 11th 2012 at 12:13:18 PM

[Ocean]

Qrlil began to adjust her posture to an affirmative one, stopped as she realized it wouldn't make much sense in the ocean, and nodded slowly instead. "Yes, like that," she said. "That is also mostly how I feel, although I am not thinking too hard about the future; there may not be one, and if there is it will develop on its own."

She again splashed the water and watched the ripples. "Which brings me to my other 'serious' question. Is there anything you wanted to do, er, with me that you have not done yet? I don't know what it would be exactly, but now is close to our last chance."

[Beach]

"No," Havlak agreed, "I'm not."

Stupid humans and their fear of large predators.

He sat down on the beach next to the pair. "I am Havlak, tribune-priest of the gluvpaki. And you two are?"

YsaSlayerOfSporks Since: Jan, 2012
#6256: Jul 11th 2012 at 12:49:56 PM

[Beach]

"My name's Keli." Keli answered. "And that's Azler." She had no idea what it meant to be a tribune-priest of the gluvpaki, but she didn't really care. It's not like she'd ever see this guy after today.

Azler was calming down after the initial shock of having an alien talk to him. However, he was still a bit uneasy, and trying to remember if he'd ever heard of it. Even if it said it didn't mean them harm, he'd still rather not forget if it could shoot laser beams out of its eyes or something.

This is a signature. It is not interesting. Please continue whatever you were doing, it is surely more fascinating.
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6257: Jul 11th 2012 at 5:16:09 PM

[Beach]

Havlak nodded. "I am pleased to meet you."

He turned and, half-closing his eyes, once more stared into the setting sun.

YsaSlayerOfSporks Since: Jan, 2012
#6258: Jul 11th 2012 at 6:06:43 PM

[Beach]

"Yeah, nice to meet you too." Keli said. She wondered why he was staring at the sun like that. It was just a sunset, it wasn't a big deal or anything. She turned to look at Azler and realized that he was doing the same thing.

Azler had missed seeing a proper sunset, and was taking the time to appreciate it. He knew he'd be going home pretty soon. Unfortunately.

This is a signature. It is not interesting. Please continue whatever you were doing, it is surely more fascinating.
Stormthorn The Wordnomnom Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
The Wordnomnom
#6259: Jul 11th 2012 at 7:33:56 PM

“You may not feel like I need to thank you, but I do.”

She turned back to Julia then, once more collected and cool.

“I want to kiss you, really kiss you, but your father is eyeing us as he talks with his friend.”

Her eyes remain on Julia as she says this, and she places one hand on the girl’s cheek to restrain her from looking about to find Frank.

While the breath's in his mouth, he must bear without fail, / In the Name of the Empress, the Overland Mail.
KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#6260: Jul 11th 2012 at 8:02:27 PM

[Bar]

"Oh, c'mon," Julia said, "he's not that bad." More quietly, she said, "unless you've got something really dirty planned..." she leaned in and proceeded to lean in to let the Retriever give her a proper kiss... "I'm sure he'll let us be."

As Julia hoped, Frank saw where it was going and politely, very pointedly, focused his attention on Vincent, clearing his throat. "Hmm. Yes. Yeah... you're right, about the whole getting used to things being good, just sorta makes me wonder if I'll ever get a normal life. Y'know. I like having a normal life. Still, I"m almost worried that when — if — this all ends, I'll be able to get back to the normal. Or if I'll miss having a demon-vulture providing cranky commentary."

TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#6261: Jul 11th 2012 at 10:18:19 PM

[Ocean]

"No, I don't think so," said Xavier, shaking his head. "I've done what I've wanted with you-" oh Caln that sounds so dirty "-I mean-" He coughed. "I've done everything here that I'll probably want to do. With or without you. If you have any suggestions, though, I'd be happy to listen."

Noticing Qrlil's interest in the ripples, Xavier sent some of his own towards her. However, he twisted them with magic, curling them into simple loops and spirals that would have been impossible otherwise.

[Bar]

"I dunno," said Vincent. He finished off his beer. "You might readjust perfectly. Or you might not readjust at all. Can't say for sure." He looked at the bottom of his cup, then shook his head and slid it towards a maid.

"Personally — you want my advice?" he asked. "Go with the flow, you know?" He made wavy motions with his hands and small whooshing noises. "It's a lot easier to just roll with things than to try to fight them. It worked well enough for me. If it all ends and you can't get used to stuff being normal, maybe you'll get used to not being used to stuff being normal, if that makes any goddamn sense."

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6262: Jul 11th 2012 at 10:25:20 PM

[Ocean]

Qrlil hissed and watched the ripples. "Hmm. I don't believe there is anything on my part, either. I was thinking less of attractions at the Resort and more of - how to put this, courting rituals? No, that sounds too clinical - at any rate, things between..." She shook her head. "The point is, I am fine as I am - anything more, more 'intimate' would be pushing things at an undesirable speed - but I still know very little about how chimeras, or even humans, express affection. So I was simply, er, confirming that the same was true on your part..."

She hissed again, this time partially at herself. Still nervous. One would think you had never done this before. Which would be true, but... "So: small talk, then?"

[Beach]

Havlak, having nothing else in particular to say, continued to sit and mediate upon the sunset.

edited 11th Jul '12 10:26:18 PM by nrjxll

Stormthorn The Wordnomnom Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
The Wordnomnom
#6263: Jul 11th 2012 at 10:38:02 PM

The Retriever smiled at Julia, put an arm about her, and pulled the younger woman into a kiss. It was a long and passionate kiss; a kiss that a connoisseur would note had elements of desperation and a tone that fell closer to lascivious than loving. The Retriever left her eyes open during the kiss, but they were just shimmering lenses totally unfocused on the world.

When she separated from Julia the Retriever had to quickly wipe clean her mouth. That was the sort of kiss it was. What she said in the breathless moment after that kiss was simply: “Now I can be sure you will remember me.”

While the breath's in his mouth, he must bear without fail, / In the Name of the Empress, the Overland Mail.
KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#6264: Jul 12th 2012 at 4:19:03 AM

[Bar]

Julia gasped for breath for a moment, wiped her own mouth, then said, "wow. Yeah, wow, uh... okay, yeah, that'll be something to remember." Then, more softly, she said, "...thanks. Thanks, that meant a lot to me."

She said to the nearest maid, "another of the same I had before." Then she conspiratorially whispered to the Retriever, "I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but be honest with me: do you really want to watch the fireworks show?"

[Bar]

"Thanks," Frank said. "I s'pose you're right 'bout that. Life goes on. Heck, I s'pose I've seen normal even break 'fore, when me and my wife — infertile, thanks to Western Amalgamated's old chemical dumping policies — found Julia bundled up on our doorstep." He sighed, speaking more to himself as he reflected. "Wasn't sure at the time what made us totally sure she was meant to be our daughter. Some nights I lose sleep worrying it might've been a mage easing the process along for their games. But if so I guess I owe 'em a thanks."

edited 12th Jul '12 4:21:55 AM by KillerClowns

YsaSlayerOfSporks Since: Jan, 2012
#6265: Jul 12th 2012 at 7:35:41 AM

[Beach]

"So... you come here, make introductions, and then everyone stares into space." Keli said. "I don't know about Havlak, but Azler, you at least should know that's not how this works."

Azler sighed. "Keli, shush. I'm trying to watch the pretty sunset."

This is a signature. It is not interesting. Please continue whatever you were doing, it is surely more fascinating.
TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#6266: Jul 12th 2012 at 9:22:16 AM

[Ocean]

"Small talk," said Xavier, nodding. He briefly raked his mind for ideas, then said, "Do you have anything you want to talk about? I know that, previously, it's been me grilling you on stuff, so I want to give you a chance to ask, if you want. Otherwise, I've got some stuff I'd like to talk about."

[Bar]

"Yeah," said Vincent. "Talk about backfiring." He frowned. "At least, I think that would be backfiring. Not sure what they'd want to be doing with that."

He shook his head to clear it. "Anyway, I've recently found that behind-the-scenes manipulations are more trouble than they're worth. Either that, or I suck at manipulating people. In a video game," he added quickly, "not with real people or anything. Which means I'm probably worse at it in the real world." Dangit, I forgot to get that blood sample from Qrlil.

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6267: Jul 12th 2012 at 1:02:41 PM

[Ocean]

"Go ahead and ask your... stuff," Qrlil said. "There are a few things I am wondering, but they can wait; if you don't say what it is you would like to talk about now, it will... nag at me the entire time."

[Beach]

"I am mediating upon light," Havlak offered without opening his eyes. "I simply wished to do it in the company of others."

YsaSlayerOfSporks Since: Jan, 2012
#6268: Jul 12th 2012 at 1:17:59 PM

[Beach]

"Okay then..." 'Meditating upon light'. Great. Another crazy alien that spends hours contemplating every little thing that nobody cares about. Light was light, Keli decided, and there was no need to meditate upon it. Her other companion appeared deep in thought. She hoped he was trying to figure out how to fix the mess they were in at home.

Azler was simply enjoying the final moments of relaxation, and thinking about various unimportant things that Keli would have probably considered a waste of time.

This is a signature. It is not interesting. Please continue whatever you were doing, it is surely more fascinating.
Stormthorn The Wordnomnom Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
The Wordnomnom
#6269: Jul 12th 2012 at 4:07:28 PM

The Retriever frowned thoughtfully.

“I don’t dislike fireworks but you see them over the cities fairly often. Do you have an alternative suggestion?”

While the breath's in his mouth, he must bear without fail, / In the Name of the Empress, the Overland Mail.
KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#6270: Jul 12th 2012 at 4:20:16 PM

[Bar]

"Not yet," Julia said, "but, I dunno. A fireworks show after all this — not just our time together, as special as it has been, but everything I've seen here — just feels so anticlimactic." She paused, thinking. And vaguely wondering if she'd made the right decision last night.

[Bar]

Frank figured they'd be done by now, and turned to watch Julia and the Retriever from the corner of his eye again. He then said to Vincent, "well, Amu's got a taste for memories — that's why he needed me and Julia to be a happy little family. Good, tasty memories before he sacrificed my daughter to keep his immortality going." He shuddered. "Pleasant." Then he said, "and truth be told, if it weren't for the Hosseinis and — it still burns me to admit it — those goons at Western Amalgamated, Amu's little game would have worked. One day he'd have walked right into my town, erased every memory of Julia from our minds, and taken her away, crushing her mind without breaking a sweat."

TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#6271: Jul 12th 2012 at 10:17:51 PM

[Ocean]

"Oh, it's not that important," said Xavier, waving a hand. Briefly; treading water with one hand was hard. "I'm just a little curious about something. I, um, I don't think I caught how long after Earth's contact with qrtxians and other aliens you're from. How many Earth years has it been? And how did most humans react?"

Just in case it matters, and as a reminder, the chimeras' masquerade breaking has been changed to have all aliens removed, and chimeras coming out on their own. Assume any talk Qrlil has had about the original has been retconned; I can send you more details if you want.

[Bar]

"Pleasant," said Vincent faux-cheerily. That more or less fits up with how he was earlier. He paused, frowning. "Although erasing all traces of someone is harder than you might think. Paper trails are everywhere, and with the Internet, you can never really get rid of them all. And then there's all the people she's interacted with besides you, and... Well, he's probably got plans for that, too." He shrugged.

"Anyway, it's stuff like that that makes me glad of how illegal psychic magic is in my world. Someone trying that would have no contact with anyone else whatsoever for ten years. Or the six months until they committed suicide." He shivered a little. "Absolute solitary does that to you."

edited 12th Jul '12 10:18:56 PM by TeraChimera

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6272: Jul 12th 2012 at 10:24:40 PM

[Ocean]

"Er," Qrlil said slowly. "That. I think I have mentioned it before, but... our first contact was not exactly a peaceful one. So I don't know the human 'side of the story', at least not then..."

She thought for a moment. "Now? It has been six" - she ran a mental check - "slightly over six Earth years since first contact, and I would say that humanity has, from what I can tell, adjusted. Although I'm not quite sure what it is you're asking."

[Beach]

Havlak tried his best to concentrate, but he hadn't been able to fully commune for a while, and he continued to get the feeling that someone was watching him. Eventually, he opened his eyes and looked over at the human girl (Keli?), who seemed annoyed.

"Is there something you wish to say?"


The sun reached the horizon and began to dip below, lighting up the ocean waters one last time as it appeared to sink into them.

[[ Current Time: Twilight to Dusk ]]

TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#6273: Jul 12th 2012 at 10:53:47 PM

[Ocean]

"Oh," said Xavier. "I... I'm kind of envious. It's been half a century for us, and humans still aren't completely used to everything. I mean, my life's mostly pretty good, but I don't like the stares I get." He tread water silently for a moment.

"But, um, yeah," he said eventually, "that's kind of what I was hoping for. A little more detail would have been nice, but that's fine. I was just wondering." He cleared his throat, but didn't say anything.

Stormthorn The Wordnomnom Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
The Wordnomnom
#6274: Jul 12th 2012 at 11:04:26 PM

“Anti…climactic? Hmm. The last really big solo job I did ended with me jumping off a skyscraper onto a slightly lower skyscraper. We could try that. The last job I did period I had to smuggle a bomb in a very uncomfortable place. Bombs are climactic, aren’t they?”

She waved a maid over and ordered a Sidecar.

“We could certainly offer up a few farewells and slip away but I don’t have the means to top a fireworks show stuffed into my outfit.”

While the breath's in his mouth, he must bear without fail, / In the Name of the Empress, the Overland Mail.
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#6275: Jul 13th 2012 at 1:47:10 AM

[Ocean]

Qrlil's posture stiffened reflexively, and she made a long "oh" noise.

"Er, if that is what you meant - I mean, that you were seeking a point of comparison - it, it is not the same situation at all," she said quickly. "My species and the rest of the galactic community simply made contact with humans. Your people live among them. Those are quite different situations; I am sure that those few aliens that have migrated to Earth since first contact get just as many stares as you do - more, actually, considering that humanity does not have a great many friends right now, and those that they do have tend to look quite a bit more different then chimeras; at least you have the same" - she glanced at his wings - "essentially the same number of appendages, which is far more than the zzym' might say.

"When I say humans have adjusted, I mean only that they now accept a reality in which other species are a known fact, not that they consider them a part of every-day life."

She swam a little closer and patted his arm. "Please, do not let me worry you."

edited 13th Jul '12 1:50:10 AM by nrjxll


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