Rogue Sloth

New World Contention [AnnaWinters & Summer]

The thought of purpose was one that resonated strongly with Azdrei’in. He still didn’t know if he would have been as trusting as she was if their positions had been reversed, but he did understand why she would be so determined to find a new meaning for her life. Most of her species had been wiped out by the virus that his people had released, and it seemed like she hadn’t encountered many others like herself who were somehow immune to its effects. She had spent many of her days just passing the time with no real aim or goal. He didn’t know what it would have been like to go through something similar, and he was uncertain what it would have done to him mentally if he had.

Lunvalgans were hyper-social beings who centered their purpose around the good of their communities. Their social hierarchy was rigidly defined and hive-like, with the Eilix at the top and every other member of the colony trickling down into different jobs that were needed for their survival. Their individual purposes were handed to them when they were assigned to their lifelong roles. His purpose as a warrior was to both defend his people and to provide for them once they descended on the Earth. And later, whenever the Om’phaers determined his compatibility with a female of his race, he would share the secondary purpose that all Lunvalgans did: procreating to escape extinction. He’d never found himself without a purpose because he was part of a cohesive society, and it was beyond his scope of experience to comprehend what it was like for Artemis to lack such an essential part of her being.

“Even among my people, I’ve always been a fast learner,” he mused, a gratified smile pulling at his lip. “I might have been a… an engineer if I hadn’t tested so well during my physical exam. Because we were going to begin colonizing your planet soon, my leaders decided we needed more warriors than engineers though, so that was where I was placed.” He shrugged noncommittally. Either way, he would have enjoyed his placement. Learning new things was exciting to him, and he had plenty of opportunities to do so as an engineer or a warrior. As the latter, he’d been able to visit the Earth before most of his people, to see it and feel it and explore the terrain as it was before the Lunvalgans came down and made it their own. He’d even had the luck of finding a living, miraculously uninfected human who was teaching him more about her kind than he’d ever hoped to learn. It was a satisfying job.

When Artemis showed him different animals on her screen, Azdrei’in decided definitively that he didn’t see her as a dolphin. If she looked different, then it would have been an accurate comparison, but she was too similar to his own species for that. He glanced between the video of the gorilla and her face, seeing a slightly closer resemblance but still unconvinced. Gorillas and humans bore some obvious likeness to one another, but humans and Lunvalgans were so similar, it was uncanny. The biggest differences between them were their diets, mental capabilities, and the color of their hair, skin and eyes.

“I don’t believe you,” he said, studying her amusedly. “Even if most of your people are violent, I don’t sense that trait in you at all. When I tracked you down, you had a chance to kill me but didn’t take it. Even I think you would have been in the right if you had finished me off. I was there to kill you. It would have been natural for you to protect yourself, but you didn’t. You put my health before your own. That is the furthest thing from violence.” It was also what had intrigued him about her, during the first few moments after he’d woken up in her hideout. She hadn’t behaved like he’d been told humans were supposed to.

Turning around to face the wall, he waited for Artemis to change clothes, honoring his word not to look over his shoulder even though it was tempting to find out how similar she was to a Lunvalgan female underneath the outfits she wore. When she was done, he stood up and turned back around, only to pause as his eyes swept almost involuntarily over the new clothes she’d put on. The bold red of her shirt was eye-catching, and he couldn’t help but notice the way her pants clung to her hips. Distracted by the sight, he nearly missed what she said to him as she walked back out and had to wrack his brain to belatedly translate the words before he cleared his throat. “Space?” he echoed, buying himself a little time as he peeled his gaze away from her to walk back to his bed and sit down. “I’m sure we can if the doctors don’t need you all the time. We have breaks for rest and meals built into our days here. If you are given the same freedoms as the rest of my people, we can take my spaceship for another drive later.”

Currently, that was a big ‘if,’ since he had no idea what the Om’phaers were going to do with her, but he knew he would have liked to get off the mothership again for a little while. He liked watching her light up at the sight of the endless expanse of black and stars that surrounded them. To him, the cosmos had become mundane, but her enthusiasm revitalized some of his interest in it.

Reclining on his bed, Azdrei’in watched quietly as Artemis applied a pigmented substance to her face. He’d never seen anything like it, but when she asked him how she looked, he gathered that she wore it to enhance her appearance. “I am dressed,” he replied, unsure what she meant by ‘dress up.’ Pausing, he considered the first half of her question. While his own people didn’t paint their faces, he could see the appeal of it. The red tint on her lips was pretty, and the black lining she’d applied to her eyes made the green color of her irises look even brighter. “I like it,” he said after a moment, deciding it was a positive change. Even more than he admitted, he thought she looked beautiful. However, she still wasn’t a Lunvalgan, so he kept that to himself.

Not long after, the door to their room slid open, and he glanced at the open passageway, where another warrior was standing with his white eyes fixed on Artemis and one hand resting on his gun at his waistband. “The Om’phaers wish to see the Earthling now,” he said in a gruff tone. “I will take it to them.”

“I will accompany you,” Azdrei’in stood up from his bed. “She does not speak our language, so the Om’phaers will need me to translate their conversation.”

The other warrior nodded, “Very well then. Both of you, come with me.” He waved a hand in a beckoning gesture and stepped back out into the hallway.

Azdrei’in turned to Artemis, switching to English, “Our doctors are ready for you now.”

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

For the upcoming part, I remember you saying you wanted to have Ethan get more active. When did you want him to come in? Just so I know how to pace my next few posts so you aren't left with nothing to write :)

Amnesia [Suki & Summer]

“You owe me nothing, got it?” Cas met Iris’s gaze solemnly. “You’ve already paid me back in full by just being here for me… more than anyone else in my life.” Really, he felt like she didn’t need to pay him back at all, but there wasn’t time to debate about it now. That was a conversation he could save for the next time they had a moment to sit down properly and discuss the fact that because they cared about each other, there was no reason to always keep score. He was there for her because he loved her and wanted to lift her up, and he knew she felt the same way about him. He didn’t understand why she felt the need to keep tallying up points and worrying about who was doing more for who, but he wanted her to understand that to him, none of that mattered.

“I’ll be okay,” he added to assure her. Although he wasn’t sure what was going to happen from here, and he was pretty sure he was still numb from the shock of finding out his father was dead, he had to keep moving forward. There was no other option. Jacob was right; Aspiria needed a king, and he was the only man eligible for the job. As ill-equipped as he felt, he was the only one with the training, the education, the resources, the connections and everything else he would need to take over as the next monarch. And knowing that Iris would call him after ten helped too. If there was one thing he was certain about, it was that hearing her voice at the end of what was bound to be one of the most stressful days of his life would be the best way to decompress before he went to sleep.

When she pulled him into another embrace, he wrapped her in his arms just as tightly. A part of him was tempted to forget about everything he’d just learned and stay at the hotel with her, but he knew he couldn’t do that to all the people who were waiting for him back home. “I will… You don’t have to worry about that,” he told her when they parted from one more kiss. Even if he chose not to take care of himself, he had an entire mansion full of wait staff and security guards who would make sure he didn’t let himself go. Not to mention the fact that the hired health specialists that once took care of his father would now be assigned to him. There were too many people invested in his wellbeing for him to even think about skipping a meal without facing a series of checkups from doctors who would be worried that he was ill.

At her reassurance, he nodded, a half-smile on his lips. “Thank you,” he said softly, placing his hand on top of hers and giving it a grateful squeeze. “I love you too, Iris.” Touching one last kiss to her forehead, he reluctantly stepped away from her and turned for the door, heading out into the hall that would take him to the elevator. On the way, he noticed a few housekeepers and guests walking to and from different rooms, most of whom gawked in surprise as he passed by. However, he didn’t care about hiding anymore. His father was gone, so there was no reason to duck his head or turn his face away. Instead, he was focused on pulling up Jacob’s number on his phone and calling the guard. The dial tone rang for no more than two seconds before he heard the other man pick up.

Prince Caspian, forgive my bluntness but where in the hell have you been? Jacob asked sharply.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m on my way back right now,” Cas sidestepped the question. “My phone was off until this morning. I just got your messages… Is it true?” He swallowed. “What you said about my dad?”

There was a pause on Jacob’s end before the guard replied, It is. The funeral is scheduled to happen this evening at nineteen hundred. The news that His Majesty passed away last night was released no more than an hour ago, and there are already reporters swarming the palace hoping for a word from you. We’ve managed to hold them off by telling them that you want privacy to mourn alone, but be prepared for crowded roads when you come back.

“Thanks for the heads up,” Cas exhaled, glancing away from another staring man in the hallway as he waited for the elevator to pick him up on the top floor. “I’ll be there in about half an hour.”

I’ll send someone to meet you at the gate, Jacob promised, then paused again before adding: It’s good to hear your voice again, Your Highness. I’m glad you’re safe.

“Me too,” Cas agreed in a low tone as he stepped into the lift. Ending the call, he slid his phone back into his pocket and leaned back against the elevator’s wall, letting his eyes drift up to the ceiling. “Well, dad… looks like we’ll finally find out if I’m strong enough to handle being king,” he murmured, swiping his key and pressing the button to go down to the garage below the hotel. It was going to be a long week.

New World Contention [AnnaWinters & Summer]

We managed to get our fridge moved into the garage and cleaned up the flooding in the kitchen, so that's one more disaster dealt with! Hopefully no more.

It's been good so far! She's a TON of work, but we expected it since we raised our other dog up from when he was a puppy, so I have more knowledge under my belt this time around :) She's acclimating quickly though and slept for almost 4 hours last night, so I got a little more sleep than I was expecting to!

New World Contention [AnnaWinters & Summer]

Cool cool. No rush as always. We’re getting that puppy today and also our fridge started leaking everywhere, so we’re scrambling to move it out of the house so it doesn’t damage anything

New World Contention [AnnaWinters & Summer]

Okay! Take your time. I’m with my parents until this weekend helping out with a lot of emotionally exhausting stuff, and then we may be taking in a new puppy when I go back home, so I’m really busy.

~Bonsoir~

“Not particularly,” Sylvia chuckled melodically at Victoria’s question as they walked away together. “We’re just very close friends. I’ve known Vail for decades, so I think he’s simply more comfortable around me than he is with most other people… I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, but he’s rather taciturn. Being both the next heir of the Hygrace clan and the son of Peter puts him in a difficult position because he’s expected to uphold certain expectations of the clan and her allies, but his father restricts his freedom to do so.” She sighed. “I’ve watched them for a long time. Peter is a controlling man, and his constant criticisms have made his son feel like he needs to bend to his will to earn everyone else’s respect. That’s why he’s so quiet. He makes his own voice smaller because it seems insignificant, and he prefers to avoid causing a conflict by smothering his own thoughts and opinions.”

As they stepped outside, Sylvia smiled at the sight of the quaint garden and fireplace. “Anyway, Vail teases me because we’ve built up that rapport. He knows he doesn’t have to pretend to be polished around me, so sometimes we squabble like siblings. I enjoy it. He has a sharp wit, and I do wish he wouldn’t hide it from everyone else.” She took her seat on a bench in the veranda and casted Victoria an amused expression. “It is interesting, though… how much he’s started speaking out recently. I wonder who I can thank for that positive change, hm?”

Drawing her shawl a little further around her shoulders for warmth, she fixed her crystalline eyes on the fireplace while she considered Lady Crest’s further questions. They were somewhat broad, and while she was talkative by nature, she still preferred to answer as concisely as she could. “Thinking about babies already, are we?” she teased first as she turned back to the other woman. A good-natured smile played on her lips, and she crossed her legs elegantly. “In simple terms, we ‘breed’ the same way humans do. I’m sure you already know what that means, so I’ll spare you the details… If you really want to know more, I’m sure Vail would be more than happy to give you a more thorough lesson.” Alongside the sultry joke, she shot Victoria a wink and giggled lightly.

“The biggest difference between vampires and humans in that realm is that we have more control over how and when we have children. Instead of becoming fertile once a month, we’re only able to get pregnant once a year,” she continued obligingly. “The trickiest part is figuring out when you’re inside your window for the first time, but you’ll know it when both blood and sex are more appealing to you. For example, mine is at the beginning of every summer. For about fifteen to twenty days, I’ll feed twice as often as I normally do, and I’ll notice how handsome my prey is as I bleed him dry.” She ran her tongue across her fangs delightfully at the thought. “Male vampires can tell when we’re fertile too because our scent changes. I don’t quite know how, since I don’t notice it myself, but I’ve been told by my brothers that it’s sweeter.

“Many of us avoid intimacy during that two to three week period because we prefer the fun without the brood, but if you decide you want to start a family, it’s incredibly easy to get pregnant. We don’t have the same difficulties that humans do as long as we aren’t starved of blood. Our bodies are more perfectly regulated, and since we’re fertile for weeks instead of days at a time, you’re practically guaranteed to be with child if you try intentionally. All you need to do is decide when you’re ready.” She sipped at her hot tea and smiled again at Victoria. “I enjoy these candid talks… What else would you like to know?”

--

In the lounge, Vail took the offered cigar and seated himself beside James. He’d always been intrigued by the various inventions of humans, so he’d smoked before. The smell and taste of cigars was pleasing, so he cut off the cap and placed the cigar on his tongue as Francois had. “Of course,” he said through his teeth, toasting the foot over a tinderbox. Relieved felt like an understatement. He was glad that she had woken up again, but he was even more elated that she was a vampire now. Gone were the worries about losing her to disease or old age. As long as neither of them became victims of slayers or the Wynters, they were finally able to be together for the entirety of their immortal lives. It was the best outcome he could have hoped for.

Reclining comfortably, he nodded when James brought up the tome. “It would be a help if you found it,” he agreed. “As long as no one else has moved it, the book should still be in my bedroom on the second floor of the manor. I read through part of it, but there were quite a few pages left that may be useful to Victoria.” Pausing, he puffed on the cigar and then went on as the smoke left his lips, “Speaking of your visit to London, though, how do you intend to approach the Order if you find them? Not all of them are as willing to engage with us as Ray and Gerald were, and now that the Wynters have taken over, they may be even more hostile toward our kind.”

~Bonsoir~

Thanks! Currently we're just waiting on an update from the hospital, which could take a few hours, so I'll probably get some writing done while my parents take a nap.

~Bonsoir~

Things have been on the down slope for a few months for a lot of different reasons and my fam had the misfortune that all of it crashed and burned at the same time this morning. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure none of it is going to end well, but at least we’ll come out on the other side of it soon. Until then, I came to Phoenix to help out however I can while they need me here.

On a separate note: I got the phone call while I was halfway done with my post for our RP, so it’s at the top of my list when I’m able to sit down and finish it! :)

New World Contention [AnnaWinters & Summer]

When Artemis answered his question, Azdrei’in was pleased to find out that he understood her just as well as he could speak her tongue now. The communication barrier that had made it difficult for them to speak to each other at first was quickly evaporating. Once he’d started practicing English, it hadn’t been difficult for him to pick it up. After two nights of dedicated studying, he was to the point where he comprehended the grammar and most of the phonetics. All that was left was to memorize words and phrases that were common to the humans who spoke it, and then he would be just as proficient as any of them.

“Really? That is surprising to me, since you’re in a new place surrounded by members of a species you don’t belong to,” he remarked amusedly. “You’re either very brave or very trusting.” If their positions had been reversed, he knew he wouldn’t have slept soundly among an entire colony of humans. There was just something unnerving about the thought of being the only member of his kind in a room, especially if he knew very little about the other race that was in there with him. His instinct was to protect himself, but Artemis had demonstrated multiple times now that she didn’t care much about that. She hadn’t tried to fight him off when he’d threatened to bury his claws into her throat two days ago either.

Her following comment gave him pause though. It was true that humans didn’t seem to be as technologically advanced as his people were, but he wasn’t sure what that meant about his impression of her. Quietly, he studied her face while she ate, drawing his legs up slowly toward his chest and crossing his arms over his knees. He’d been so caught up in his assignment that he hadn’t given it much thought at all. She was interesting to him, certainly. Having lived his entire life on the mothership, he’d never encountered another being that was intelligent enough to communicate with him, so he was intrigued by the conversations they’d had so far.

However, he didn’t see her as just a novelty for his own entertainment. If anything, he probably could have done a better job of reminding himself that she was just a human. Too many times now, he’d caught himself looking at her the same way he would look at a female Lunvalgan whom he found attractive. They were similar enough that she sometimes felt more like an exotic member of his own kind to him than an entirely different species. He liked the brightness of her hair and eyes and the softness of her pale skin. Even her smile made his hearts beat a little quicker, and he had to continually chide himself for forgetting that she wasn’t a Lunvalgan. It would have been strange and unnatural to take on a human as a partner over a female of his own race. And that was what he kept telling himself whenever he caught himself wondering if their species would be compatible in a more sultry setting.

“I don’t know what a dolphin is,” he said first, taking a moment to think through a response before he articulated it. “You may not be as advanced as we are, but you still have something to offer that we can’t find anywhere else… My people are dying, Artemis. We need a solution to the infertility issue that followed us from Ashad’te, and everyone here knows it. If they scowl at you, it is only because they don’t know your value yet. They just look at you and see a violent human, not someone who has knowledge that can help us. Give them time. They may change.”

He wanted to think that his people would come to realize that not all humans were the savages that they had been made out to be. It was impossible to tell though. Elitism ran through the ranks of the Lunvalgans since they saw themselves as the new apex species of the Earth. To many of them, humans were just animals that needed to be put in their place. Not all of them shared his odd fascination with their kind, so he wasn’t sure if they would be convinced that humans were valuable even if Artemis helped them. Only time would tell.

At her question, Azdrei’in drummed his clawed fingers against his forearm in thought, trying to ignore the familiar uptick in his pulse when she mentioned getting dressed. “Soon, I think,” he answered. “I was only told that our doctors will see you in the morning. Someone could come here to retrieve us at any time, so if you want to put on warm clothes, you should do it now.” He paused for a second and then turned around to face away from her, crossing his legs on the floor. “Go ahead,” he said, glancing at her once over his shoulder before he turned and faced the wall. “I won’t look.”