![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
i. modern au
[It was supposed to be the two of them.
With no true home to return to during summer break at the uni they both attended, Lup had managed to talk her twin brother into a spontaneous road trip in their beat down Ford. They wanted to see the world they'd grown up in in an all new light. Sure, they'd spent a portion of their childhood out there already, struggling to survive and so very scared, but now they were returning to their roots with an adult perspective. There was nothing to be fearful of now, not when they were grown and capable and so very bright. Whatever was out there, they'd prove to themselves, and to anyone who doubted them, that the Taaco twins were the biggest badasses around.
And Lup knew just how to do it.
A few weeks into their trip, she'd pulled up a website on her phone and pushed it straight under her twin's nose, showing off the image of an abandoned shack out in the middle of a nearby forest. There were rumors that the place was haunted, that the spirits who lived there were violent and just wanted to be left alone. According to the site, no one had dared venture out that far into the woods, that it hadn't been visited in well over a decade, the fear of the ghosts surrounding just too much for the locals to take.
So, she'd asked with a grin, wouldn't it be bomb to shoot a vid of us out there in the middle of the night, livin' it the fuck up? Post that shit online an' rack up the views? Internet famous before the sun even rises. And that had been that.
But then Taako had caught the eye of a dashingly handsome man while they'd been complaining over their soggy dinner at a nearby diner. Leaving her with only a wink and the bill to pay, Taako slipped into the seat across from the stranger to chat him up instead. And later that night in their crummy motel, instead of prepping for their trip into the woods, he'd given Lup's cheek a condensing pat and grinned, promising they could go the next night. He was out the door too fast after that, blowing a kiss from the doorway, and quickly disappearing.
It was supposed to the two of them, but now Lup's trudging through the woods on her lonesome, grumbling angrily under her breath with each step forward.
Maybe it's foolish to be out in an unfamiliar part of the woods nearing midnight, the only light guiding her the tinny beam of her flashlight, but now she had a brother to show up. She could do this all on her own. Then she'd be the one with all the recognition, the total badass to take on a whole shack of spooks all on her own. And what would Taako have? A crappy one night stand in a shitty motel? Booooring.
So wrapped up in her own thoughts, the woman didn't even catch on that she wasn't completely alone. Was that the sound of approaching footsteps? The beat of wings from above? Or just the wind rustling through the trees on her way deeper and deeper into the woods?]
ii. come get this monster gf
[There's something very off about the woman perched at the bar, but the what seems to dance along the tip of your tongue, always just out of reach.
She's been in the same spot every night for the last week, always walking in alone with the same heavy, wool cloak draped over her slender frame. Hood pulled up past her ears to obscure the sharp features other patrons have only caught quick glimpses of.
It's the same routine nightly. She comes in close to dusk, drops a few coins on the bar, and ignores all the attention she's garnered in favor of just enjoying a drink or two alone. There's rumors floating around that the regular patrons who've tried to approach her suddenly stopped coming by, but that's just a rumor, right? She's been coming to this same tavern for seven days now, sitting in the same exact seat, and speaking to no one. And the routine has never once changed in the slightest.
Until now.
For whatever reason, the woman's eyes drift up from her drink to slip cross the room and catch yours. The rest of her face is shadowed beneath that heavy hood of hers, but her eyes seem to bore right through you, like she's seeing right through you, slipping straight into your soul.
And then she grins, beckoning you closer with a crook of her finger.]
iii. wildcard
[Hit me up with anything or leave me a prompt to write a starter for. M O N S T E R S]
[It was supposed to be the two of them.
With no true home to return to during summer break at the uni they both attended, Lup had managed to talk her twin brother into a spontaneous road trip in their beat down Ford. They wanted to see the world they'd grown up in in an all new light. Sure, they'd spent a portion of their childhood out there already, struggling to survive and so very scared, but now they were returning to their roots with an adult perspective. There was nothing to be fearful of now, not when they were grown and capable and so very bright. Whatever was out there, they'd prove to themselves, and to anyone who doubted them, that the Taaco twins were the biggest badasses around.
And Lup knew just how to do it.
A few weeks into their trip, she'd pulled up a website on her phone and pushed it straight under her twin's nose, showing off the image of an abandoned shack out in the middle of a nearby forest. There were rumors that the place was haunted, that the spirits who lived there were violent and just wanted to be left alone. According to the site, no one had dared venture out that far into the woods, that it hadn't been visited in well over a decade, the fear of the ghosts surrounding just too much for the locals to take.
So, she'd asked with a grin, wouldn't it be bomb to shoot a vid of us out there in the middle of the night, livin' it the fuck up? Post that shit online an' rack up the views? Internet famous before the sun even rises. And that had been that.
But then Taako had caught the eye of a dashingly handsome man while they'd been complaining over their soggy dinner at a nearby diner. Leaving her with only a wink and the bill to pay, Taako slipped into the seat across from the stranger to chat him up instead. And later that night in their crummy motel, instead of prepping for their trip into the woods, he'd given Lup's cheek a condensing pat and grinned, promising they could go the next night. He was out the door too fast after that, blowing a kiss from the doorway, and quickly disappearing.
It was supposed to the two of them, but now Lup's trudging through the woods on her lonesome, grumbling angrily under her breath with each step forward.
Maybe it's foolish to be out in an unfamiliar part of the woods nearing midnight, the only light guiding her the tinny beam of her flashlight, but now she had a brother to show up. She could do this all on her own. Then she'd be the one with all the recognition, the total badass to take on a whole shack of spooks all on her own. And what would Taako have? A crappy one night stand in a shitty motel? Booooring.
So wrapped up in her own thoughts, the woman didn't even catch on that she wasn't completely alone. Was that the sound of approaching footsteps? The beat of wings from above? Or just the wind rustling through the trees on her way deeper and deeper into the woods?]
ii. come get this monster gf
[There's something very off about the woman perched at the bar, but the what seems to dance along the tip of your tongue, always just out of reach.
She's been in the same spot every night for the last week, always walking in alone with the same heavy, wool cloak draped over her slender frame. Hood pulled up past her ears to obscure the sharp features other patrons have only caught quick glimpses of.
It's the same routine nightly. She comes in close to dusk, drops a few coins on the bar, and ignores all the attention she's garnered in favor of just enjoying a drink or two alone. There's rumors floating around that the regular patrons who've tried to approach her suddenly stopped coming by, but that's just a rumor, right? She's been coming to this same tavern for seven days now, sitting in the same exact seat, and speaking to no one. And the routine has never once changed in the slightest.
Until now.
For whatever reason, the woman's eyes drift up from her drink to slip cross the room and catch yours. The rest of her face is shadowed beneath that heavy hood of hers, but her eyes seem to bore right through you, like she's seeing right through you, slipping straight into your soul.
And then she grins, beckoning you closer with a crook of her finger.]
iii. wildcard
[Hit me up with anything or leave me a prompt to write a starter for. M O N S T E R S]
Edited 2018-02-02 07:27 (UTC)
[Barry doesn't usually go to the bar this often. Certainly not several days in a row. It was supposed to just be one beer after a long day in the lab, something to take the edge off before returning to his empty bed in his empty apartment. But it somehow turned into him returning to the bar every night after work, utterly transfixed, all so he can keep watching the woman sitting at the bar. No matter how hard he tries, he just can't get her out of his head. At work, at home, in bed, whenever he closes his eyes, there she is.
There's something about the unseen, the unknown, that is completely irresistible to Barry - as a physicist that's kind of par for the course, but this is something entirely new to him. Even though she's been there every night this week, he's never seen her face. Not once. Not only because her hood is always pulled up, but because whenever he tries to study her, whenever he looks at her for just a little too long, he starts feeling... strange. Waves of goosebumps, chills up and down his spine. He doesn't understand why.
Maybe he's just lonely. After this many years alone, anyone would be. He's never been like this though, where just the thought of a person gives him chills, no matter how lonely he is. But there's no other logical explanation for it.
He's also heard the strange rumors from the other patrons, watched a few charming and not-so-charming men approach her, only to watch them give up and leave when they were met with silence. Maybe she just wants to be left alone. And well, those rumors certainly can't be true. They can't.
Barry is in his usual spot tonight, gaze going between the woman and his beer, when all of a sudden her head is turned towards him. The man stiffens in his seat, watching her intently. He can see her eyes now, just barely, staring at him. Something about the way she's looking at him is making him tremble, cold sweat prickling at his forehead, his neck, hair standing on end. Then she beckons him closer. Barry swallows. Why is he so nervous? She's just a mysterious woman who likes her privacy... Nothing to be scared of... right? It takes him a beat or three, but he finally picks up his drink and walks over to her, his heart racing.]
You, uh... [How does one conversation again?] You lookin' for some company?
There's something about the unseen, the unknown, that is completely irresistible to Barry - as a physicist that's kind of par for the course, but this is something entirely new to him. Even though she's been there every night this week, he's never seen her face. Not once. Not only because her hood is always pulled up, but because whenever he tries to study her, whenever he looks at her for just a little too long, he starts feeling... strange. Waves of goosebumps, chills up and down his spine. He doesn't understand why.
Maybe he's just lonely. After this many years alone, anyone would be. He's never been like this though, where just the thought of a person gives him chills, no matter how lonely he is. But there's no other logical explanation for it.
He's also heard the strange rumors from the other patrons, watched a few charming and not-so-charming men approach her, only to watch them give up and leave when they were met with silence. Maybe she just wants to be left alone. And well, those rumors certainly can't be true. They can't.
Barry is in his usual spot tonight, gaze going between the woman and his beer, when all of a sudden her head is turned towards him. The man stiffens in his seat, watching her intently. He can see her eyes now, just barely, staring at him. Something about the way she's looking at him is making him tremble, cold sweat prickling at his forehead, his neck, hair standing on end. Then she beckons him closer. Barry swallows. Why is he so nervous? She's just a mysterious woman who likes her privacy... Nothing to be scared of... right? It takes him a beat or three, but he finally picks up his drink and walks over to her, his heart racing.]
You, uh... [How does one conversation again?] You lookin' for some company?
i. mermaid au
[Above all else, Taako enjoys being a little shit.
It's so, so easy to tool with humans- a shove to a rowboat here, putting fun things on their fishing lines there, chucking skipped rocks directly back at people who think they're alone all over the place. It's fucking hilarious. Others have warned him plenty of times not to get too cocky, too close- humans are still dangerous, and hurt what they don't understand. But between him and his sister, there's nothing that's going to get the jump on them. The shimmering pale blues in his tail blend in perfectly with the water, long pale hair braided back with pearls and shimmering rocks to show off long, pointed ears. He looks more like a ghost than a merman most of the time; nothing's going to mess with him. Nothing would dare.
On this instance, he's by himself, Lup promising to catch up with him later, just his torso peeked out of the water by the beach. He's looking for a target, but don't worry. You'll be fine.
That rumor about mermaids wanting to drown people for fun are just rumors. Right?]
ii. fae au
[Depending on who you ask, Taako is either the best or the worst fae to ever exist.
Objectively, he's confusing and tempting; eyes just too bright, tongue too quick, charming in a way that makes people give up things precious to them. It's seldom a night he spends in the mortal realm that he doesn't return with a name, a heart, a lover trailing through the wood to get lost for all eternity, and there's always entertainment in the courts to figure out just what he's doing at any given point. Taako isn't as malicious as others could be, not in the way that he means to cause harm- he just doesn't care when he's done it. He's confusing even to fae folk, and his allegiances can only be tracked truly to his sister. But he's funny. He's funny and keeps his place and only ruffles the feathers that please the court, not the ones that could be done with him.
But tonight, he's over again on the human side of the world, stepping with the click of heels through a dark bar with the music pounding, long hair left free and shimmering when the lights hit it, with his too-bright eyes and his too-sharp smile. And it seems, tonight, he's picked you to saddle up to, those too-bright eyes meeting yours in a flash.
And he waves. Smiles. Let's see what he can get tonight.]
iii. modern au
[The show has been going incredibly well lately. Taako knew that he and Lup were always made for TV, but it was only a matter of time before they were finally noticed. Sure, their cooking was slamming, and their faces more so, but the real talents were in their quick tongue and their incredible ability to bullshit. So when they skyrocketed to youtube sensations for their 'totally haunted' tours for ghosts in abandoned buildings, bigfoot hunting in the woods, and how to end a vampire with thirty garlic clove chicken, it was only a matter of time before they were offered a deal to produce for their first webseries. The promo they aired had been a hit, and now, halfway through filming, everything was going impeccably well.
Of course, it was all crock. There's no such thing as monsters-- they knew that. They were basically getting paid to bullshit online, which in Taako's opinion, was the best kind of bullshit.
They needed to find a location for their next episode, and Lup and Taako had broken off to different sides of the small town they'd found themselves in, Taako currently sliding into a (possibly) abandoned building right at the edge of the woods. Perfectly spooky. He's got his phone out, snapping a selfie or two by the busted door for ambiance, poking around to see if there's anything he could set to really freak her out.
But y'know, it's empty in here. He's got time. Right?]
iv. WILDCARD
[hit me with fucking anything, a prompt, an idea, more monsters??????? FUCK, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T CARE, I WANT IT]
[Above all else, Taako enjoys being a little shit.
It's so, so easy to tool with humans- a shove to a rowboat here, putting fun things on their fishing lines there, chucking skipped rocks directly back at people who think they're alone all over the place. It's fucking hilarious. Others have warned him plenty of times not to get too cocky, too close- humans are still dangerous, and hurt what they don't understand. But between him and his sister, there's nothing that's going to get the jump on them. The shimmering pale blues in his tail blend in perfectly with the water, long pale hair braided back with pearls and shimmering rocks to show off long, pointed ears. He looks more like a ghost than a merman most of the time; nothing's going to mess with him. Nothing would dare.
On this instance, he's by himself, Lup promising to catch up with him later, just his torso peeked out of the water by the beach. He's looking for a target, but don't worry. You'll be fine.
That rumor about mermaids wanting to drown people for fun are just rumors. Right?]
ii. fae au
[Depending on who you ask, Taako is either the best or the worst fae to ever exist.
Objectively, he's confusing and tempting; eyes just too bright, tongue too quick, charming in a way that makes people give up things precious to them. It's seldom a night he spends in the mortal realm that he doesn't return with a name, a heart, a lover trailing through the wood to get lost for all eternity, and there's always entertainment in the courts to figure out just what he's doing at any given point. Taako isn't as malicious as others could be, not in the way that he means to cause harm- he just doesn't care when he's done it. He's confusing even to fae folk, and his allegiances can only be tracked truly to his sister. But he's funny. He's funny and keeps his place and only ruffles the feathers that please the court, not the ones that could be done with him.
But tonight, he's over again on the human side of the world, stepping with the click of heels through a dark bar with the music pounding, long hair left free and shimmering when the lights hit it, with his too-bright eyes and his too-sharp smile. And it seems, tonight, he's picked you to saddle up to, those too-bright eyes meeting yours in a flash.
And he waves. Smiles. Let's see what he can get tonight.]
iii. modern au
[The show has been going incredibly well lately. Taako knew that he and Lup were always made for TV, but it was only a matter of time before they were finally noticed. Sure, their cooking was slamming, and their faces more so, but the real talents were in their quick tongue and their incredible ability to bullshit. So when they skyrocketed to youtube sensations for their 'totally haunted' tours for ghosts in abandoned buildings, bigfoot hunting in the woods, and how to end a vampire with thirty garlic clove chicken, it was only a matter of time before they were offered a deal to produce for their first webseries. The promo they aired had been a hit, and now, halfway through filming, everything was going impeccably well.
Of course, it was all crock. There's no such thing as monsters-- they knew that. They were basically getting paid to bullshit online, which in Taako's opinion, was the best kind of bullshit.
They needed to find a location for their next episode, and Lup and Taako had broken off to different sides of the small town they'd found themselves in, Taako currently sliding into a (possibly) abandoned building right at the edge of the woods. Perfectly spooky. He's got his phone out, snapping a selfie or two by the busted door for ambiance, poking around to see if there's anything he could set to really freak her out.
But y'know, it's empty in here. He's got time. Right?]
iv. WILDCARD
[hit me with fucking anything, a prompt, an idea, more monsters??????? FUCK, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T CARE, I WANT IT]
(Not so abandoned as he might think, but does a lonely ghost count for much?
Lucretia's lived in this house for as long as she can remember, and she's more or less always been alone. Something things that come in here have noticed her; mostly animals. Enough people that her house has a light reputation for being haunted and is kept away from. Every so often somebody will come to investigate but Lucretia has found over time that fewer and fewer people are able to see her at all. It's made for a pretty bleak existence, all in all. She spends a lot of her time with her consciousness spread out across the house, living through it in a way. Living in the little plants that grow up through the rotting floorboards, living in the spiders and the webs they make in the corners.
She's ebbing this way in the flow of the house when somebody comes to pay her an unexpected visit. Lucretia draws herself up out of the fireplace from where she'd been settled amongst the rotting logs and stretches out aches that don't exist. There's a person at the door, and he's taking snaps with a phone. Lucretia's seen it all before.
Though she doubts he can see her, she still does a quick rush by in the background. If Taako were to look back through his camera roll he might notice in one or two pictures there's a blur of unexpected motion behind him, maybe even something that looks like a face...)
Lucretia's lived in this house for as long as she can remember, and she's more or less always been alone. Something things that come in here have noticed her; mostly animals. Enough people that her house has a light reputation for being haunted and is kept away from. Every so often somebody will come to investigate but Lucretia has found over time that fewer and fewer people are able to see her at all. It's made for a pretty bleak existence, all in all. She spends a lot of her time with her consciousness spread out across the house, living through it in a way. Living in the little plants that grow up through the rotting floorboards, living in the spiders and the webs they make in the corners.
She's ebbing this way in the flow of the house when somebody comes to pay her an unexpected visit. Lucretia draws herself up out of the fireplace from where she'd been settled amongst the rotting logs and stretches out aches that don't exist. There's a person at the door, and he's taking snaps with a phone. Lucretia's seen it all before.
Though she doubts he can see her, she still does a quick rush by in the background. If Taako were to look back through his camera roll he might notice in one or two pictures there's a blur of unexpected motion behind him, maybe even something that looks like a face...)
(It's definitely a rush of wings, but whether or not this is fortunate for Lup remains to be seen.
Lucretia had sensed the unrest in the forest, so closely tied to the particular silence of it that the unnatural noise had at once registered to her. Better, perhaps, that she had been the one to go and look. She's a force to be reckoned with for sure, but nowhere near the nastiest thing that lives amongst the trees.
Has Lup ever seen a harpy before? Because she's about to meet one.
Lucretia lands right in front of her, and tries not to look as irritated as she feels. Humans sometimes stumble in here by mistake, and while she's not especially fond of them she'd still much rather deter them instead of watching them get lulled into a horrible death. Hard to enjoy your forest when somebody is, like, getting torn to pieces and screaming their head off or whatever.)
What are you doing here? (She's a lot taller than this human. She probably looks pretty intimidating too, with her large wings instead of arms, talons instead of fingers, long and wickedly curved. She does at least bear the naked torso of a human woman, but her skin descends into dark feathers at her hips that trail right down to her birds legs and feet. While she's mostly dark brown and mottled black in colour, her hair is a shock of white.)
You need to leave.
Lucretia had sensed the unrest in the forest, so closely tied to the particular silence of it that the unnatural noise had at once registered to her. Better, perhaps, that she had been the one to go and look. She's a force to be reckoned with for sure, but nowhere near the nastiest thing that lives amongst the trees.
Has Lup ever seen a harpy before? Because she's about to meet one.
Lucretia lands right in front of her, and tries not to look as irritated as she feels. Humans sometimes stumble in here by mistake, and while she's not especially fond of them she'd still much rather deter them instead of watching them get lulled into a horrible death. Hard to enjoy your forest when somebody is, like, getting torn to pieces and screaming their head off or whatever.)
What are you doing here? (She's a lot taller than this human. She probably looks pretty intimidating too, with her large wings instead of arms, talons instead of fingers, long and wickedly curved. She does at least bear the naked torso of a human woman, but her skin descends into dark feathers at her hips that trail right down to her birds legs and feet. While she's mostly dark brown and mottled black in colour, her hair is a shock of white.)
You need to leave.
[Barry nervously approaches with his drink in hand, no doubt feeling the eyes of the other bar patrons following along with his every step, before he's finally in front of her. The atmosphere within the tavern suddenly goes tense and and heavy, even the old jukebox in the corner falling silent when the woman tips her head up and smiles from beneath her hood at this single man chosen over all of the rest.]
What can I say? [Her tone holds a surprising amount of strength behind it, but it remains soft enough that no one else but Barry would be able to hear her words.] I was starting to feel a little lonely.
[She finally reaches up to push her red hood back, giving the man his first real glimpse of the woman who's been haunting his every waking thought. Her fingers slip through thick hair, shaking out the loose waves that had been tucked up inside of her hood, her hands just lightly skimming over the tops of her pointed ears. Light freckles are splattered like constellations across her dark skin, her mouth pulled to the right in a curling, playful grin. Overall, the stranger is beautiful, sharp-featured and taller than most men in the room, but not nearly half as intimidating as the heavy cloak she wore would made one think.
But if Barry stared into her eyes long enough, they'd feel off, like he was looking straight into swirling inky pools instead of the unusual, but pretty golden eyes watching him right now.]
Care to buy a gal a drink?
[The rest of the tavern patrons seem absorbed in their own conversations again, the jukebox piping out a slow, static-filled song in the corner, the bartender right back to cleaning glasses. It's just the two of them.]
What can I say? [Her tone holds a surprising amount of strength behind it, but it remains soft enough that no one else but Barry would be able to hear her words.] I was starting to feel a little lonely.
[She finally reaches up to push her red hood back, giving the man his first real glimpse of the woman who's been haunting his every waking thought. Her fingers slip through thick hair, shaking out the loose waves that had been tucked up inside of her hood, her hands just lightly skimming over the tops of her pointed ears. Light freckles are splattered like constellations across her dark skin, her mouth pulled to the right in a curling, playful grin. Overall, the stranger is beautiful, sharp-featured and taller than most men in the room, but not nearly half as intimidating as the heavy cloak she wore would made one think.
But if Barry stared into her eyes long enough, they'd feel off, like he was looking straight into swirling inky pools instead of the unusual, but pretty golden eyes watching him right now.]
Care to buy a gal a drink?
[The rest of the tavern patrons seem absorbed in their own conversations again, the jukebox piping out a slow, static-filled song in the corner, the bartender right back to cleaning glasses. It's just the two of them.]
i: monster-integrated society!!
[For being run by humans, this is one of the best spots in the whole city.
It’s a small establishment, nestled in a side-street between a bakery and a flower shop, the smells of both mingling with the strong scent of coffee and liquor and the various patrons frequenting this place. It’s never busy, at least not when Barry comes around, which suits him just fine. After a long day of work and mandatory integration-classes, the last thing he wants is the hustle and bustle of a busy bar or coffee shop. He just wants peace.
The owners seem... okay with the whole Other thing. So do most of the human patrons. Not that he’s spoken much with anyone here, human or Other. Barry tends to keep to himself when he comes here, tucked away in a corner with either an incredibly strong coffee or a cold beer in front of him, lost in thought or pouring over notes in writing so tiny it’s a wonder he can read any of it through the thick glasses perched on his nose. He is one of the more humanoid-looking Others around, but... there's prejudice everywhere. Some humans just resent what they don't understand.
Do you join him at his table? Approach him at the bar? Looking to pick a fight with this furry... thing daring to show their face around good, honest human folk? Either way, you'll be met with a tired, quiet gaze from the Other as he waits for you to speak.]
ii: long-time star-crossed friends/lovers *w*
[As soon as the sun starts setting, Barry is lacing up his boots, stuffing his backpack, and heading out the door. It's the first new moon since the winter solstice, the air is chill and crisp, and the streets are abandoned. Perfect. Barry prefers making this annual trip with as little attention on him as possible.
He's giddy with nerves for the whole trek into the woods. Getting to see them again is always exciting, getting to spend that one precious day with someone he's come to care for so deeply. Every minute in their presence is a gift he doesn't take for granted - they risk so much even showing up, both from their own tribe and from possible human interference. But ever since that first freezing winter night almost a decade ago, they've kept showing up, and Barry has been right there by the little lake to greet them. Every year, on their anniversary.
Finally arriving by the pond deep in the woods, Barry gets settled by the water's edge and starts building a fire, to keep himself warm and signal that it's safe to come out now. Even though he's freezing, he's smiling. He's so thrilled to see them again.]
iii: barry is a borrower kind of fight me
[Don't mind that bit of scurrying you just heard, that little rustle of something-or-other that interrupted the silence just now. You didn't hear that. Must've imagined it. You're all alone, aren't you? There's only you in this room, right? Of course.
Pay no attention to the soft, panted breathing you thought you just heard off to your left. It's pretty late at night, after all. You must be tired. How else would you explain the little glimpse of something tiny and blue ducking to hide behind your dresser? The light must be playing tricks on you.
The scratching inside your dresser drawer... That must be a mouse. You have mice! That must be it. It certainly isn't a tiny man the size of a mouse, wearing tiny glasses and tiny jeans with a tiny, fluffy tail peeking out from the hem, his tiny hands rooting through your stuff.
What an absolutely absurd concept.]
[For being run by humans, this is one of the best spots in the whole city.
It’s a small establishment, nestled in a side-street between a bakery and a flower shop, the smells of both mingling with the strong scent of coffee and liquor and the various patrons frequenting this place. It’s never busy, at least not when Barry comes around, which suits him just fine. After a long day of work and mandatory integration-classes, the last thing he wants is the hustle and bustle of a busy bar or coffee shop. He just wants peace.
The owners seem... okay with the whole Other thing. So do most of the human patrons. Not that he’s spoken much with anyone here, human or Other. Barry tends to keep to himself when he comes here, tucked away in a corner with either an incredibly strong coffee or a cold beer in front of him, lost in thought or pouring over notes in writing so tiny it’s a wonder he can read any of it through the thick glasses perched on his nose. He is one of the more humanoid-looking Others around, but... there's prejudice everywhere. Some humans just resent what they don't understand.
Do you join him at his table? Approach him at the bar? Looking to pick a fight with this furry... thing daring to show their face around good, honest human folk? Either way, you'll be met with a tired, quiet gaze from the Other as he waits for you to speak.]
ii: long-time star-crossed friends/lovers *w*
[As soon as the sun starts setting, Barry is lacing up his boots, stuffing his backpack, and heading out the door. It's the first new moon since the winter solstice, the air is chill and crisp, and the streets are abandoned. Perfect. Barry prefers making this annual trip with as little attention on him as possible.
He's giddy with nerves for the whole trek into the woods. Getting to see them again is always exciting, getting to spend that one precious day with someone he's come to care for so deeply. Every minute in their presence is a gift he doesn't take for granted - they risk so much even showing up, both from their own tribe and from possible human interference. But ever since that first freezing winter night almost a decade ago, they've kept showing up, and Barry has been right there by the little lake to greet them. Every year, on their anniversary.
Finally arriving by the pond deep in the woods, Barry gets settled by the water's edge and starts building a fire, to keep himself warm and signal that it's safe to come out now. Even though he's freezing, he's smiling. He's so thrilled to see them again.]
iii: barry is a borrower kind of fight me
[Don't mind that bit of scurrying you just heard, that little rustle of something-or-other that interrupted the silence just now. You didn't hear that. Must've imagined it. You're all alone, aren't you? There's only you in this room, right? Of course.
Pay no attention to the soft, panted breathing you thought you just heard off to your left. It's pretty late at night, after all. You must be tired. How else would you explain the little glimpse of something tiny and blue ducking to hide behind your dresser? The light must be playing tricks on you.
The scratching inside your dresser drawer... That must be a mouse. You have mice! That must be it. It certainly isn't a tiny man the size of a mouse, wearing tiny glasses and tiny jeans with a tiny, fluffy tail peeking out from the hem, his tiny hands rooting through your stuff.
What an absolutely absurd concept.]
Edited 2018-02-10 13:08 (UTC)
[Barry doesn't read much poetry. He doesn't like the floral language, doesn't put any stock into the wildly inaccurate descriptions of the world, written in such a way to manipulate him emotionally. He may be a romantic, but he's still a scientist. The world doesn't stop moving because his eyes land on someone beautiful. The globe doesn't stop spinning on its axis, the universe doesn't hold its breath in anticipation. It's absurd.
But... for some reason, when the woman speaks, when her hood falls back to reveal her face, the noise around them fades, the silence deafening. Artificial. Imagined. It has to be. He can barely hear his own breathing over the silence in a manner almost... poetic. It doesn't make any sense, but very few things about Barry's week has.
She's even more beautiful than he'd imagined. Almost too beautiful to be real. Her eyes... something about her eyes is so captivating, he feels like he's being pulled into them... like if he gazed into them long enough, he'd lose himself forever...]
Y-Yes. Yes, of course. [Barry returns to his senses, finding the world still spinning and the universe having caught its breath. How absurd. He slips into the seat next to the beautiful stranger, mind reeling as he motions for the bartender to prepare another drink for the lady. Maybe there is something to the odd musings of poets after all. Barry has no other explanation for what he just experienced.]
So, uh... [He takes a slow, calming sip of his beer.] You... Have y'been in town long?
But... for some reason, when the woman speaks, when her hood falls back to reveal her face, the noise around them fades, the silence deafening. Artificial. Imagined. It has to be. He can barely hear his own breathing over the silence in a manner almost... poetic. It doesn't make any sense, but very few things about Barry's week has.
She's even more beautiful than he'd imagined. Almost too beautiful to be real. Her eyes... something about her eyes is so captivating, he feels like he's being pulled into them... like if he gazed into them long enough, he'd lose himself forever...]
Y-Yes. Yes, of course. [Barry returns to his senses, finding the world still spinning and the universe having caught its breath. How absurd. He slips into the seat next to the beautiful stranger, mind reeling as he motions for the bartender to prepare another drink for the lady. Maybe there is something to the odd musings of poets after all. Barry has no other explanation for what he just experienced.]
So, uh... [He takes a slow, calming sip of his beer.] You... Have y'been in town long?
i; hello my name is lup im 30 and im a monster fucker
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
restinglichface
2018-02-10 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Not all of the stares directed at the creature are entirely disapproving or scandalized.
Lup's certainly heard stories of the man who wasn't really a man who seemed to enjoy the establishment next door to the bakery where her brother was apprenticing, the place carefully tucked just off of the main path, hidden to those who weren't already frequent patrons. The Monster-Human integration laws were new enough that finding any non-humans in any human establishments was still fairly rare, the monsters seemingly content to stick with their own kind for the most part, attempting to avoid what lingering prejudices remained.
So it was only natural that Barry's frequent appearances would catch a lot of eyes and start a lot of rumors.
But finally getting to see him in person? Lup's kinda disappointed that the shit she's heard doesn't really fit the man. For one, he doesn't look nearly as uncivilized as he's been described and he certainly isn't doing anything to disrupt the other patrons. To be perfectly honest, he just looks awfully boring, like a quiet nerd just pouring over his notes in public instead of socializing. Who does that?]
What are you doing?
[Looking up at this unexpected interruption, Barry would find a human woman, dark-skinned and grinning widely at him, her squinting gaze focused down at his tiny scrawl. She's trying to read over his shoulder. How rude.]
Lup's certainly heard stories of the man who wasn't really a man who seemed to enjoy the establishment next door to the bakery where her brother was apprenticing, the place carefully tucked just off of the main path, hidden to those who weren't already frequent patrons. The Monster-Human integration laws were new enough that finding any non-humans in any human establishments was still fairly rare, the monsters seemingly content to stick with their own kind for the most part, attempting to avoid what lingering prejudices remained.
So it was only natural that Barry's frequent appearances would catch a lot of eyes and start a lot of rumors.
But finally getting to see him in person? Lup's kinda disappointed that the shit she's heard doesn't really fit the man. For one, he doesn't look nearly as uncivilized as he's been described and he certainly isn't doing anything to disrupt the other patrons. To be perfectly honest, he just looks awfully boring, like a quiet nerd just pouring over his notes in public instead of socializing. Who does that?]
What are you doing?
[Looking up at this unexpected interruption, Barry would find a human woman, dark-skinned and grinning widely at him, her squinting gaze focused down at his tiny scrawl. She's trying to read over his shoulder. How rude.]
[Guess what, bitch. It's later.
Taako's near the beach, sticking up out of the water, probably flipping his long hair around to lure some idiot human in for entertainment. But before he can find a new plaything, Lup's swimming up from behind him to grab him around the waist, dragging him under the surface with a laugh.]
Taako's near the beach, sticking up out of the water, probably flipping his long hair around to lure some idiot human in for entertainment. But before he can find a new plaything, Lup's swimming up from behind him to grab him around the waist, dragging him under the surface with a laugh.]
[Is it a gawker?
She sounds like a gawker.
Barry is not in the mood for a gawker today.
He blinks at her a couple of times, looking wearier by the second as she spies over his shoulder. If she's able to decipher his cramped handwriting at all, she'll see a few pages with notes about employment rights and various laws and agreements regulating the human labor market. A couple tabs running down the side of his notebook denote sections devoted to religion and ethics, health care services, human ways of life, and other typical subjects for integration classes. It seems this one is a particularly fastidious student.]
I'm reading, ma'am. [Fastidious and polite. Though he clearly aches to go back to his work, he holds her gaze, one huge furry ear twitching expectantly.] Can I help you with something?
She sounds like a gawker.
Barry is not in the mood for a gawker today.
He blinks at her a couple of times, looking wearier by the second as she spies over his shoulder. If she's able to decipher his cramped handwriting at all, she'll see a few pages with notes about employment rights and various laws and agreements regulating the human labor market. A couple tabs running down the side of his notebook denote sections devoted to religion and ethics, health care services, human ways of life, and other typical subjects for integration classes. It seems this one is a particularly fastidious student.]
I'm reading, ma'am. [Fastidious and polite. Though he clearly aches to go back to his work, he holds her gaze, one huge furry ear twitching expectantly.] Can I help you with something?
[Lup can catch a word here and there in his writing, but the notes aren't nearly as interesting as she'd hoped, her attention immediately shifting to the man instead. Her eyes run up and down him, lingering at the thick fur that covers his body and those long, twitching ears. Though his body language very clearly says that he wants to be left alone, the woman's smile curls as she invites herself to steal a chair at his table, plopping down next to him.
She leans forward almost immediately, chin propped up in her palm, eyes bright when she catches his gaze again.]
What even are you? Just a normal dude under all that fur? [Her words may be a little blunt, but her tone is simply curious, like she hasn't had very much one-on-one interaction with monsters before. Educate her a little, Barold.]
She leans forward almost immediately, chin propped up in her palm, eyes bright when she catches his gaze again.]
What even are you? Just a normal dude under all that fur? [Her words may be a little blunt, but her tone is simply curious, like she hasn't had very much one-on-one interaction with monsters before. Educate her a little, Barold.]
[It isn't much longer after the fire's lit that she appears from the forest.
It would be far safer for the both of them for Lup to show a little cautious restraint in these annual meetings, to hold back until she's completely certain they're alone, but ever since the fateful day of their first meeting, she's never been able to leave Barry waiting for long. Not when the time they do get to spend together is so little.
The naga slithers silently out into the open, his old dark cloak wrapped tightly around her shoulders, while she slips forward to close the distance between them with a few effortless curls of her powerful tail. Even in the low light between them, Barry wouldn't have a chance of missing the happiness that dances across her expression at the sight of him, the genuine brightness of her smile. She lifts her arms out from under the cloak in greeting, the bangles along her limbs and the dangling jewelry of her ears glinting in the fire's growing light.
And whether he's prepared for her or not, the woman launches herself right at him, with just enough force to send them both tumbling backwards to the ground.]
It would be far safer for the both of them for Lup to show a little cautious restraint in these annual meetings, to hold back until she's completely certain they're alone, but ever since the fateful day of their first meeting, she's never been able to leave Barry waiting for long. Not when the time they do get to spend together is so little.
The naga slithers silently out into the open, his old dark cloak wrapped tightly around her shoulders, while she slips forward to close the distance between them with a few effortless curls of her powerful tail. Even in the low light between them, Barry wouldn't have a chance of missing the happiness that dances across her expression at the sight of him, the genuine brightness of her smile. She lifts her arms out from under the cloak in greeting, the bangles along her limbs and the dangling jewelry of her ears glinting in the fire's growing light.
And whether he's prepared for her or not, the woman launches herself right at him, with just enough force to send them both tumbling backwards to the ground.]
[It's worse than he'd feared.
Barry's whole body seemingly deflates at the way the human phrases her question, ears drooping and everything, instantly making him look about a decade older. What are you. He's a person. Looking past the fur and the horns and the snout, he's more human-looking than a lot of Others populating the city. Four limbs, knees bending the right way, circular pupils, language, a job, opposable fucking thumbs. But no, he's a what. That's all he'll ever be.
With a long-suffering look down at his notes, Barry sighs deeply before he starts explaining, the same speech he always gives when this question comes his way.] I'm a bipedal humanoid ursine, with some spattering of cervine DNA from millennia back. If you've ever heard of Bigfoot or the Yeti, you've heard about us. We prefer foozles - I know, okay, y'don't have t'say anythin'.
[He can't quite help himself from adding:] As for who I am, I go by Barry. I'm forty-eight, a research assistant, a student, a pianist, I have a library card, I like old movies and brown liquor and long hikes in the woods.
[It's been a long day.] Does that satisfy?
Barry's whole body seemingly deflates at the way the human phrases her question, ears drooping and everything, instantly making him look about a decade older. What are you. He's a person. Looking past the fur and the horns and the snout, he's more human-looking than a lot of Others populating the city. Four limbs, knees bending the right way, circular pupils, language, a job, opposable fucking thumbs. But no, he's a what. That's all he'll ever be.
With a long-suffering look down at his notes, Barry sighs deeply before he starts explaining, the same speech he always gives when this question comes his way.] I'm a bipedal humanoid ursine, with some spattering of cervine DNA from millennia back. If you've ever heard of Bigfoot or the Yeti, you've heard about us. We prefer foozles - I know, okay, y'don't have t'say anythin'.
[He can't quite help himself from adding:] As for who I am, I go by Barry. I'm forty-eight, a research assistant, a student, a pianist, I have a library card, I like old movies and brown liquor and long hikes in the woods.
[It's been a long day.] Does that satisfy?
[Barry perks up as soon as he sees her, barely even hearing the snow creaking under her formidable tail as she emerges between the trees. She's as beautiful as the night they'd met. Tall and dark and graceful, her smile illuminating the chilly darkness. And she's still got that ratty old cloak draped over her shoulders, the sight of which makes his heart swell with joy. If any of the bangles she'd gifted him fit around his wrist, he knows he would wear them all the time. For now, they're safe at home, treasured gifts treated with the utmost care.
He's certainly not prepared for the naga to shoot towards him, arms and tail wrapping around his body as they crash into the snow. Though he cries out with surprise, he's soon laughing, bright and happy, arms looping around her neck.]
Scared th'shit outta me! [He says that, but he squeezes her tightly in a hug, getting comfortable in her embrace.] It's so good t'see you again.
He's certainly not prepared for the naga to shoot towards him, arms and tail wrapping around his body as they crash into the snow. Though he cries out with surprise, he's soon laughing, bright and happy, arms looping around her neck.]
Scared th'shit outta me! [He says that, but he squeezes her tightly in a hug, getting comfortable in her embrace.] It's so good t'see you again.
[Barry sighs, then deflates, then explains himself as politely as possible to this random stranger, the woman's bright expression not shifting in the slightest during his whole spiel. By now it would make sense for someone else to at least feel a little ashamed of their insensitive line of questioning, probably finding a quick reason to excuse themselves from the conversation before making a fast exit.
But Lup just continues to smile, her brows arched curiously as she takes it all in, listening intently without interruption until Barry finishes.]
Shit, gettin' all scientific on me, huh? [Lup's always had an interest in science, but it's one of the many things she's never had the resources to pursue studying. Still, the man speaks plainly enough that his words come across easily, the explanation of what he is exactly enough to make the woman's lips curl in interest. Or maybe she's just grinning because of the name foozles. Either way, at least she keeps it to herself.]
Barry, [Lup repeats before the woman's thrusting a hand his way in greeting.] I'm Lup. Cool to meet you an' all that.
[She's still making no move to get up and leave yet.]
But Lup just continues to smile, her brows arched curiously as she takes it all in, listening intently without interruption until Barry finishes.]
Shit, gettin' all scientific on me, huh? [Lup's always had an interest in science, but it's one of the many things she's never had the resources to pursue studying. Still, the man speaks plainly enough that his words come across easily, the explanation of what he is exactly enough to make the woman's lips curl in interest. Or maybe she's just grinning because of the name foozles. Either way, at least she keeps it to herself.]
Barry, [Lup repeats before the woman's thrusting a hand his way in greeting.] I'm Lup. Cool to meet you an' all that.
[She's still making no move to get up and leave yet.]
Edited 2018-02-10 22:30 (UTC)
Of course. I'm a scientist. [Research assistant, but. As close as he's going to get until he graduates anyway.
This one can't seem to take a hint, huh. Barry eyes the hand the woman - Lup - holds out for him to shake, all cheery and casual. He doesn't want to shake it. What he wants is to go back to his notes, to prepare for his test over the weekend, to drink his coffee, to be alone without invasive questions from humans looking for a thrill with a monster. He wouldn't be surprised if she uses that term, even if she doesn't know that it's hurtful.
But he can't ignore human etiquette. And despite everything, Lup seems sweet enough. There's no scorn in her eyes when she looks at him, no distrust or disgust on her face, no hesitation.
She's beautiful too. For a human.
So Barry reaches out and takes her hand, small and smooth and hairless against his fuzzy palm.] Nice to meet you too, Lup.
[Seeing as she's not leaving...] Uh, can... can I get you anythin' t'drink?
This one can't seem to take a hint, huh. Barry eyes the hand the woman - Lup - holds out for him to shake, all cheery and casual. He doesn't want to shake it. What he wants is to go back to his notes, to prepare for his test over the weekend, to drink his coffee, to be alone without invasive questions from humans looking for a thrill with a monster. He wouldn't be surprised if she uses that term, even if she doesn't know that it's hurtful.
But he can't ignore human etiquette. And despite everything, Lup seems sweet enough. There's no scorn in her eyes when she looks at him, no distrust or disgust on her face, no hesitation.
She's beautiful too. For a human.
So Barry reaches out and takes her hand, small and smooth and hairless against his fuzzy palm.] Nice to meet you too, Lup.
[Seeing as she's not leaving...] Uh, can... can I get you anythin' t'drink?
[The two tip over into the snow, Lup's delighted laughter echoing out around them once the human's arms settle around her neck, his body heat suddenly enveloping her slighter frame fully.]
Someone's gotta keep you on your toes, Bluejeans. [And it's a good thing that Barry's settling there beneath her because Lup's full body hug doesn't ease up in the slightest, her tail coiling affectionately around his legs. She leans in close to press her forehead against his, eyes closed as she falls silent for just a single moment, like the emotions of this anticipated reunion are overwhelming her. One of her palms, cold and smooth, presses over his cheek.]
I missed you. [Each year apart felt longer and longer. Here they are reunited and Lup's already feeling a familiar sense of dread at the next year apart.] Missed your stupid face so much.
[Yet even that touch of worry isn't going to dampen the time that they do get together. The hand not touching his face slides downwards to give a teasing poke at Barry's belly, the woman catching his gaze playfully.] You're squishier around the middle. I like it.
Someone's gotta keep you on your toes, Bluejeans. [And it's a good thing that Barry's settling there beneath her because Lup's full body hug doesn't ease up in the slightest, her tail coiling affectionately around his legs. She leans in close to press her forehead against his, eyes closed as she falls silent for just a single moment, like the emotions of this anticipated reunion are overwhelming her. One of her palms, cold and smooth, presses over his cheek.]
I missed you. [Each year apart felt longer and longer. Here they are reunited and Lup's already feeling a familiar sense of dread at the next year apart.] Missed your stupid face so much.
[Yet even that touch of worry isn't going to dampen the time that they do get together. The hand not touching his face slides downwards to give a teasing poke at Barry's belly, the woman catching his gaze playfully.] You're squishier around the middle. I like it.
[God, it's good to hear her voice again. Hearing her brilliant laughter, feeling her body against his, her breath on his face makes his stomach to excited flips, his heart hammering in his chest. He really did miss her. Every lonely night spent apart has been torturous, counting the days until they could be together again, until her tribe passed through his neck of the woods once more and she could sneak off to see him.
There's nothing keeping him here in this awful, boring town. Nothing but her. If her tribe allowed humans in their midst, he would leave everything behind in a heartbeat, just to spend every day with her. Just to wake up every morning like this, held securely against her, her hand cupping his cheek.] This stupid face missed you too.
[Lup's fingers poke at his soft belly, indeed softer since last time they met, and he wiggles in her strong grasp, feeling her tail coiling tighter around him. That tickles. She knows it does.] What, good enough t'eat? Thought y'promised y'wouldn't.
[Barry can't wait any longer, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to her lips, hot against her cool skin. His voice is softer when he pulls away.] Don't tell me y'reconsidered. Walked an awful long way out here just t'get eaten.
There's nothing keeping him here in this awful, boring town. Nothing but her. If her tribe allowed humans in their midst, he would leave everything behind in a heartbeat, just to spend every day with her. Just to wake up every morning like this, held securely against her, her hand cupping his cheek.] This stupid face missed you too.
[Lup's fingers poke at his soft belly, indeed softer since last time they met, and he wiggles in her strong grasp, feeling her tail coiling tighter around him. That tickles. She knows it does.] What, good enough t'eat? Thought y'promised y'wouldn't.
[Barry can't wait any longer, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to her lips, hot against her cool skin. His voice is softer when he pulls away.] Don't tell me y'reconsidered. Walked an awful long way out here just t'get eaten.
[It's exactly the kind of future that Lup had never once thought possible for herself, but since meeting Barry, it's been the only thing looping endlessly in her mind. The more time spent apart, the more she dreams him into her daily life living with the others. Imagining him bantering good-naturedly with her brother, working hard to find a place within the tribe where his talents would net him some respect, getting to spend every single day of their lives together, hand-in-hand. Never wasting another second apart.
She wants it more than anything. Every day without Barry gets more and more difficult. The others have noticed how much harder the winter months are for Lup now, how little she can concentrate on anything but their migration schedule.
But the tribe leaders continue to refuse all requests relating to humans, citing them as too dangerous and unpredictable, a threat to their relatively peaceful lifestyle. If they won't even consider opening up trade negotiations in the future with them, the chances of them allowing a human to enter into their ranks are just nonexistent.
What else can they do?
Thankfully, Barry's kiss is everything, a kiss that's been a year in the making, the kind that melts straight through all of the naga's worries. Lup chases after his mouth when he pulls away and doesn't let up until the fifth or sixth kiss, when she finally grins down at him, fangs peeking out from beneath her curled lips.] I made that promise ten years ago, when I was a lot less hungry than I am now. You might need to make this gal a new offer before I eat you right up.
She wants it more than anything. Every day without Barry gets more and more difficult. The others have noticed how much harder the winter months are for Lup now, how little she can concentrate on anything but their migration schedule.
But the tribe leaders continue to refuse all requests relating to humans, citing them as too dangerous and unpredictable, a threat to their relatively peaceful lifestyle. If they won't even consider opening up trade negotiations in the future with them, the chances of them allowing a human to enter into their ranks are just nonexistent.
What else can they do?
Thankfully, Barry's kiss is everything, a kiss that's been a year in the making, the kind that melts straight through all of the naga's worries. Lup chases after his mouth when he pulls away and doesn't let up until the fifth or sixth kiss, when she finally grins down at him, fangs peeking out from beneath her curled lips.] I made that promise ten years ago, when I was a lot less hungry than I am now. You might need to make this gal a new offer before I eat you right up.
Edited (words) 2018-02-11 23:31 (UTC)
[Lup would like to think that she's seen a lot of shit during her twenty-some years of life, but nothing could really prepare her for the size of the bird that swoops down in front of her out of nowhere, making the young woman jump.
Wait. Woman? Bird woman? Woman bird? Wasn't there a specific term for that? She really should have brushed up on her monster knowledge before she went rushing straight into the forest in the middle of the night. Never know who you'll run into.]
Uh, you're... [The harpy descends, enormous and intimidating, all feathers and talons, a beautiful clash of white hair against gorgeous dark skin. Lup points lamely at the harpy in front of her, clearly taken back, but a lot less scared than she probably should be.] You're...kinda hot. I mean... oh shit. Does that mean I'm a furry? Fuck. I think I owe my brother money.
Look, I'm just kinda passin' through. [That 'kinda' is stretching it.] Total accident. Think you can just forget you saw me?
Wait. Woman? Bird woman? Woman bird? Wasn't there a specific term for that? She really should have brushed up on her monster knowledge before she went rushing straight into the forest in the middle of the night. Never know who you'll run into.]
Uh, you're... [The harpy descends, enormous and intimidating, all feathers and talons, a beautiful clash of white hair against gorgeous dark skin. Lup points lamely at the harpy in front of her, clearly taken back, but a lot less scared than she probably should be.] You're...kinda hot. I mean... oh shit. Does that mean I'm a furry? Fuck. I think I owe my brother money.
Look, I'm just kinda passin' through. [That 'kinda' is stretching it.] Total accident. Think you can just forget you saw me?
Just a few days. [Now that he's sitting with her, attempting some casual conversation, the woman turns on her stool to face him, smiling at the question. She props up an elbow and leans casually against the countertop while the bartender slides another beer her way, but her attention is focused solely on Barry.]
Business slowed down enough that I could take a few weeks off. Thought I may as well get out of town, try to get lost in someplace new. Meet the people, see the sights. Try the cuisine. That kinda thing. Feels like ages since I've been out this way. [She finally curls a hand around her beer, tapping a dark fingernail against the glass.] Doesn't seem like the city's changed much.
[Her eyes finally flick away from Barry to briefly drag across the other bar patrons. When she reaches Barry's gaze again, she huffs out a laugh and rolls her eyes.] People haven't changed much either.
But your face is new to me. Been in town long?
Business slowed down enough that I could take a few weeks off. Thought I may as well get out of town, try to get lost in someplace new. Meet the people, see the sights. Try the cuisine. That kinda thing. Feels like ages since I've been out this way. [She finally curls a hand around her beer, tapping a dark fingernail against the glass.] Doesn't seem like the city's changed much.
[Her eyes finally flick away from Barry to briefly drag across the other bar patrons. When she reaches Barry's gaze again, she huffs out a laugh and rolls her eyes.] People haven't changed much either.
But your face is new to me. Been in town long?
[The world is a big and scary place for small slimes.
Towering trees and seemingly bottomless lakes, rocks and boulders as insurmountable as mountains, and much bigger, much more dangerous creatures looking for a squishy snack. Barry can't imagine he tastes very good, but he's more than happy to stay out of their way anyway.
Young slimes don't get much in the way of parental guidance however, so for the time being, he just has to explore the dense forests on his own, trying and failing and learning as best as he can. It might be scary out here, but it sure is beautiful!
At the moment, he's splashing around in a shallow puddle, bouncing and squishing his little body around, enjoying how the water feels against his slippery gel-like exterior. The splashing water and the sounds of his soft giggles might be what draws the attention of another...]
Towering trees and seemingly bottomless lakes, rocks and boulders as insurmountable as mountains, and much bigger, much more dangerous creatures looking for a squishy snack. Barry can't imagine he tastes very good, but he's more than happy to stay out of their way anyway.
Young slimes don't get much in the way of parental guidance however, so for the time being, he just has to explore the dense forests on his own, trying and failing and learning as best as he can. It might be scary out here, but it sure is beautiful!
At the moment, he's splashing around in a shallow puddle, bouncing and squishing his little body around, enjoying how the water feels against his slippery gel-like exterior. The splashing water and the sounds of his soft giggles might be what draws the attention of another...]
[Each greedy little kiss is met and returned eagerly, happily, his hands running over her body, enjoying the feeling of her slender frame against his. The way her smooth, almost human skin fades into slippery scales halfway down her waist, over her hips, the strong muscles of her tail shifting under her skin, feels so good. She's as captivating now as she'd been ten years ago.
Ten years ago. It's been ten whole years since their paths crossed, since every dream Barry has rudely woken up from has featured the beautiful naga. Not a day has gone by where she hasn't been on his mind, morning to evening. Not just her incredible body, not just her mouth on his skin, but all of her. The conversations they have, the teasing back and forth, the sound of her laughter, brighter than the sun, louder than life. Everything about Lup is entrancing and hypnotic.
He never wants this night to end.]
You've gotten hungrier since last, and I've gotten fatter, huh? [Barry returns her toothy grin, the sight of her fangs glinting in the fire's light making shivers rush through his body. He blames that on the cold.] That's almost serendipitous. [His fingers trail teasingly up the sides of her chest.] Can't get kisses and cuddles this good if ya eat me, though.
Ten years ago. It's been ten whole years since their paths crossed, since every dream Barry has rudely woken up from has featured the beautiful naga. Not a day has gone by where she hasn't been on his mind, morning to evening. Not just her incredible body, not just her mouth on his skin, but all of her. The conversations they have, the teasing back and forth, the sound of her laughter, brighter than the sun, louder than life. Everything about Lup is entrancing and hypnotic.
He never wants this night to end.]
You've gotten hungrier since last, and I've gotten fatter, huh? [Barry returns her toothy grin, the sight of her fangs glinting in the fire's light making shivers rush through his body. He blames that on the cold.] That's almost serendipitous. [His fingers trail teasingly up the sides of her chest.] Can't get kisses and cuddles this good if ya eat me, though.
[She's been watching him for some time.
Lup and her brother had been alone for as long as either can remember, no memories of loving parents or any other figures having ever been there over the course of their short life. It's always just been the two of them against the world, clasped hands while they've just worked on surviving, never quite understanding just what they were, but accepting it easily because they were the same.
And as a rule, they both tried to keep to the shadows when others were around, to stay unseen and remain forgotten. All they'd ever needed was each other, so what was the point in ever making themselves known?
But there's a weird boy splashing in a nearby puddle, his body slippery and strange, like he's a melting candle, thick drops of something rolling down his round sides. And he's laughing, completely alone, but making his own fun by himself, kicking up water and giggling when it rains back down on him.
Lup's hiding while she watches him, just out of sight behind a nearby tree, but when the boy gives a particularly enthusiastic hop, she can't help but laugh just a little too loudly from her hiding place.]
Lup and her brother had been alone for as long as either can remember, no memories of loving parents or any other figures having ever been there over the course of their short life. It's always just been the two of them against the world, clasped hands while they've just worked on surviving, never quite understanding just what they were, but accepting it easily because they were the same.
And as a rule, they both tried to keep to the shadows when others were around, to stay unseen and remain forgotten. All they'd ever needed was each other, so what was the point in ever making themselves known?
But there's a weird boy splashing in a nearby puddle, his body slippery and strange, like he's a melting candle, thick drops of something rolling down his round sides. And he's laughing, completely alone, but making his own fun by himself, kicking up water and giggling when it rains back down on him.
Lup's hiding while she watches him, just out of sight behind a nearby tree, but when the boy gives a particularly enthusiastic hop, she can't help but laugh just a little too loudly from her hiding place.]
Page 1 of 11