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penancememes2021-05-25 01:59 am
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2021-05-25 01:59 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #24
Arrival
"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.
It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.
It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.
And so you do.
Darkness consumes you for a second.
Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody with a contract clutched in their uninjured hand that they don't remember signing.
Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples.
If they look at the list in their hand, they'll notice it's written on with their blood. That explains the wound then. It's an old piece of parchment that details every sin they've committed.
As they move along the queue, they'll find a demon waiting to pass them a communication device that looks almost like a very old Blackberry type phone.
"Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line. This trip is gonna take longer, but at least you get a vacation..."
Once characters have their device and their contracts, they're ushered further down the hall until they come to a set of stairs. They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a door that's alight with white energy. Stepping through, they find themselves on an island.
There's a demon with striking animal features waiting at the start of a long path where an old castle can be seen looming over a quaint, old village. There's music on the air, celebrations clearly taking place. It's explained that while Lucifer rests and recovers, Mammon will be taking his place. Hell is, for the moment, a pleasurable experience they will heartily insist.
Unfortunately, there is a bit of a trek ahead still. The demon urges them on.
Stand Your Ground The weather is crisp and pleasant in Mammon's domain. It seems to always be a beautiful day and a beautiful night, no matter what. Sinners should rejoice since this isn't very often the case when it comes to the actual Penance community.
While the energy in the air is as pleasant as ever, it's becoming quite obvious that there are unusual creatures roaming the area. Large dragons circle the woods surrounding the village and lately and often attempt to add to their hoard, other oddities have been slithering out. Chimeras of multiple animals wander free in any horrifying combination one can think of. Deer mixed with creatures far more predatory, bears mixed with wolves, other animals are sewn together in grotesque ways. It seems that with Mammon's attention directed towards the battle, he lost a bit of control over his... projects.
Some are aggressive, others are not. They are all, however, a very alarming show of Mammon's greed and lust for more.
Not to worry! Mammon and his servants will assure everyone that the situation is perfectly under control and that the animals are suffering very little to not at all. He just needs a piece to the puzzle to make certain that these new beasts have a productive, happy life. He will also be offering rewards to those who catch these critters unharmed and return them to the castle for safe keeping.
Rewards may take the form of extra food at the taverns, special rooms at the brothels, or a makeover at the salon and fine clothing to match.
Aside from the projects running around, guests may be delighted to see miniature dragons gallivanting around, no larger than the standard chihuahua but most the size of a palm. Some puff little bits of flame, others carry a slightly poisonous bite, but they're all absolutely adorable... and absolutely escaped the pet shop. To prevent larger animals from eating these little guys up, the shop is encouraging everyone to catch one or two or three. They may either choose to keep the little guys or hand them back to the store for safekeeping and a reward of golden Lucifer tokens for the upcoming Dark Carnival.
That's right! It's almost that time of the year again, folks! It seems like the annual affair will be held at Mammon's domain rather than Penance proper. There are promises of no clowns or human zoos this time around, so... that's a positive, right? A section of the village has been roped off and citizens are busy at work setting up decorations, booths, and a few other attractions such as rides and what appears to be a haunted house in a decrepit old building in the village. Careful! Whatever objects are being moved into the establishment do seem to carry actual spirits attached to them.
Should guests be inclined, they may offer a helping hand, but they will not be forced to do so this time.
Everybody Needs a Holiday While it may be a little disorienting to not only go to Hell, but to be on a sudden vacation, Mammon’s domain is actually very inviting!
Upon entry, there is lively music in the streets and, worth noting, the demons in this area of Hell seem far more hedonistic than those found in Penance proper. They wear fine clothing, silks and furs, and expensive jewelry. A lot of them have adopted animal characteristics or sport various types of body modifications. They're strangely beautiful creatures overall. Although with all of Mammon's 'projects' on the loose, it does make one wonder if they've adopted these characteristics naturally or if there's something more sinister going on...
Best to not wonder about that so much.
The village itself is quaint and old-fashioned, but everyone seems to be rather pleasant. There may be darker aspects to explore for those inclined, but they are nowhere near apparent on the surface. It's sure to be uncovered later, however...
The incubi and succubi in this area seem to be particularly breathtaking and enticing, but sinners will be urged back on track, should anyone seem to be drifting. There will be time to explore later!
For now, everyone will be encouraged to go to the castle and be shown to their rooms. While they will follow the usual housing assignments to avoid further upset to the sinners' routine, the floor plans will be a bit different. Bathing will be done in communal areas with walls separating the showers and large baths that always seem to run the perfect temperature. None of the rooms will have private bathrooms or kitchens attached. All rooms will have a common area attached to lounge in, however. It will have plenty of available seating for entertaining.
No one will have private kitchens, but room service is available at all hours with anything the sinners could desire available. Maybe even things they never thought they would...
TVs, computers, and other familiar electronics will be unavailable and non-existent in Mammon's realm, but there is a library contained within the castle with fiction and non-fiction from Earth (and beyond) all available for perusing. Devices will continue to function as normal.
Mammon's garden will be available for viewing. In every establishment and all around the castle, there's a cider available freely that seems to encourage a good mood and lower inhibitions. The effects aren't overwhelming, but the more one drinks, the stronger they may become as it builds up. Each night, there will also be an option to attend dinner in a rather grand hall, which Mammon frequently attends. There's always a large spread of food and spiced wines and ales available, as well as decadent desserts and other tempting treats. There's frequently live music or succubi dancing for entertainment.
Overall, the atmosphere in Mammon's realm seems to be focused on luxury, indulgence, greed, and sloth.
[It's recommended that everyone read thoroughly through the new location information as it contains helpful hints on what there is to do while on this vacation! It has a list of shops, animals, vendors, etc. Plus a little bit of information regarding Mammon's land itself.]
Reach Up High For those who still desire to work on their contracts and remove sins from their list despite the fact this is a vacation, there will be opportunities available! They won't even require suffering... much. Rounding up creatures, saving dragons, or helping the carnival set up are all considered good enough deeds to remove one sin from a contract. This is one sin over all, not per deed.
At least it doesn't require any painful torture... though there may be opportunity abound for that as well, if someone wants to go that route...
Under the Surface Of course this is still Hell. There has to be something going on once in a while, right? Walk down just the right street and sinners may see delectable tortures being carried out in seedy back alley establishments. Loving cuts with knives, harsh blows with whips while your sins are repeated for all to hear. Even the torture seems to have a hedonistic approach and debauchery about it.
Are the victims truly suffering or are they being redeemed in the best of ways? Those who decide to participate may soon realize that the cider everyone has been consuming seems to add a layer of euphoria to pain and punishments. While this isn't necessarily sexual in nature, it encourages a sense of good well-being after and sinners may become addicted to pain.
The crash may not be too fun though, watch out for that.
There are also other vendors in this area that are offering drugs of all varieties, as well as questionable photos of other sinners engaging in true acts of misdeed, unlike the comic shop that seems to be more embarrassing than not. Perfect chance to get that blackmail of your enemy killing that guy...
There seems to be a new vendor in town too. The figure's table seems to be set up like a fortune teller's booth, complete with a crystal ball and the pungent smell of cheap incense. He beckons those who dare look near, urges them to take a seat in front of the booth. The figure remains in dark robes, hood drawn to obscure their face. The only visible part of them seem to be their hands. Unlike the animal-like demons of Mammon's domain, this one seems to have human hands with sharp, yellowed nails. They offer knowledge in exchange for something you will not miss in return, they assure. What is it? Well, they refuse to say. Nothing important, nothing important.
Ask anything! It can be about a specific occurrence back home, the answer to life, the universe, and everything, or something as simple as what does Lucifer truly want. Keep in mind that a price will be taken down the line and it may not be something the sinner actually wanted to lose. Ah, well...
[For knowledge based transactions, please respond here. If a character asks a question of their homeworld or something in their future, players may assume they are told a bit of information on the topic without waiting for mod approval. If a character asks something related to Hell, please wait for a response. Regardless of answer type, please respond to the thread linked here so that you can later receive a decision on what your character has given up for this knowledge. It may be a memory, a temporary loss of a sense, a year or so off their lives (when they return home), lack of resilience to sin, etc. Please be aware that signing up does mean consequences at a later date... and these may not come from Mammon or Lucifer.]
Follow Me Down WARNINGS: sexual themes, animal-like behavior, dub/non-con potentials, implied bathroom play, mating.
It seems there's a trickster somewhere, somehow who spiked the cider. Naughty little devil! Those who are unfortunate enough to drink the tainted cider may find themselves developing animal-like traits, such as enhanced senses, animalistic urges, and a general need to be territorial or possessive. They may find the urge to keep to their pack or to branch out and find a new one. This may also result in features, such as fangs or claw-like nails that may or may not retract. Sinners will find themselves reverting back to a primal nature that they may not be able to resist.
How utterly embarrassing!
Don't worry, these effects only last a couple days at most before they will fade completely! Unfortunately, 'animal-like traits' may also extend to mating rituals. Sinners may find themselves going into heat. While knotting or other traits will not be apparent, sinners will find themselves desperate for intimate contact. This may mean a poor sinner in heat will be mated by several lovers in a row as their scent inevitably draws them in, there may also be possessive behavior displayed that results in biting and marking, and others wanting to mark their territory in ways that would make even the most seasoned succubus blush.
It may also mean those inflicted with the heat-like state, will present themselves to those they find attractive as mates or find other ways to entice them to get what they want.
Wildcard/Misc. Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.
And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the June 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
Navigation
| Premise
| Arrival
| FAQ
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.
It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.
And so you do.
Darkness consumes you for a second.
Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody with a contract clutched in their uninjured hand that they don't remember signing.
Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples.
If they look at the list in their hand, they'll notice it's written on with their blood. That explains the wound then. It's an old piece of parchment that details every sin they've committed.
As they move along the queue, they'll find a demon waiting to pass them a communication device that looks almost like a very old Blackberry type phone.
"Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line. This trip is gonna take longer, but at least you get a vacation..."
Once characters have their device and their contracts, they're ushered further down the hall until they come to a set of stairs. They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a door that's alight with white energy. Stepping through, they find themselves on an island.
There's a demon with striking animal features waiting at the start of a long path where an old castle can be seen looming over a quaint, old village. There's music on the air, celebrations clearly taking place. It's explained that while Lucifer rests and recovers, Mammon will be taking his place. Hell is, for the moment, a pleasurable experience they will heartily insist.
Unfortunately, there is a bit of a trek ahead still. The demon urges them on.
Stand Your Ground The weather is crisp and pleasant in Mammon's domain. It seems to always be a beautiful day and a beautiful night, no matter what. Sinners should rejoice since this isn't very often the case when it comes to the actual Penance community.
While the energy in the air is as pleasant as ever, it's becoming quite obvious that there are unusual creatures roaming the area. Large dragons circle the woods surrounding the village and lately and often attempt to add to their hoard, other oddities have been slithering out. Chimeras of multiple animals wander free in any horrifying combination one can think of. Deer mixed with creatures far more predatory, bears mixed with wolves, other animals are sewn together in grotesque ways. It seems that with Mammon's attention directed towards the battle, he lost a bit of control over his... projects.
Some are aggressive, others are not. They are all, however, a very alarming show of Mammon's greed and lust for more.
Not to worry! Mammon and his servants will assure everyone that the situation is perfectly under control and that the animals are suffering very little to not at all. He just needs a piece to the puzzle to make certain that these new beasts have a productive, happy life. He will also be offering rewards to those who catch these critters unharmed and return them to the castle for safe keeping.
Rewards may take the form of extra food at the taverns, special rooms at the brothels, or a makeover at the salon and fine clothing to match.
Aside from the projects running around, guests may be delighted to see miniature dragons gallivanting around, no larger than the standard chihuahua but most the size of a palm. Some puff little bits of flame, others carry a slightly poisonous bite, but they're all absolutely adorable... and absolutely escaped the pet shop. To prevent larger animals from eating these little guys up, the shop is encouraging everyone to catch one or two or three. They may either choose to keep the little guys or hand them back to the store for safekeeping and a reward of golden Lucifer tokens for the upcoming Dark Carnival.
That's right! It's almost that time of the year again, folks! It seems like the annual affair will be held at Mammon's domain rather than Penance proper. There are promises of no clowns or human zoos this time around, so... that's a positive, right? A section of the village has been roped off and citizens are busy at work setting up decorations, booths, and a few other attractions such as rides and what appears to be a haunted house in a decrepit old building in the village. Careful! Whatever objects are being moved into the establishment do seem to carry actual spirits attached to them.
Should guests be inclined, they may offer a helping hand, but they will not be forced to do so this time.
Everybody Needs a Holiday While it may be a little disorienting to not only go to Hell, but to be on a sudden vacation, Mammon’s domain is actually very inviting!
Upon entry, there is lively music in the streets and, worth noting, the demons in this area of Hell seem far more hedonistic than those found in Penance proper. They wear fine clothing, silks and furs, and expensive jewelry. A lot of them have adopted animal characteristics or sport various types of body modifications. They're strangely beautiful creatures overall. Although with all of Mammon's 'projects' on the loose, it does make one wonder if they've adopted these characteristics naturally or if there's something more sinister going on...
Best to not wonder about that so much.
The village itself is quaint and old-fashioned, but everyone seems to be rather pleasant. There may be darker aspects to explore for those inclined, but they are nowhere near apparent on the surface. It's sure to be uncovered later, however...
The incubi and succubi in this area seem to be particularly breathtaking and enticing, but sinners will be urged back on track, should anyone seem to be drifting. There will be time to explore later!
For now, everyone will be encouraged to go to the castle and be shown to their rooms. While they will follow the usual housing assignments to avoid further upset to the sinners' routine, the floor plans will be a bit different. Bathing will be done in communal areas with walls separating the showers and large baths that always seem to run the perfect temperature. None of the rooms will have private bathrooms or kitchens attached. All rooms will have a common area attached to lounge in, however. It will have plenty of available seating for entertaining.
No one will have private kitchens, but room service is available at all hours with anything the sinners could desire available. Maybe even things they never thought they would...
TVs, computers, and other familiar electronics will be unavailable and non-existent in Mammon's realm, but there is a library contained within the castle with fiction and non-fiction from Earth (and beyond) all available for perusing. Devices will continue to function as normal.
Mammon's garden will be available for viewing. In every establishment and all around the castle, there's a cider available freely that seems to encourage a good mood and lower inhibitions. The effects aren't overwhelming, but the more one drinks, the stronger they may become as it builds up. Each night, there will also be an option to attend dinner in a rather grand hall, which Mammon frequently attends. There's always a large spread of food and spiced wines and ales available, as well as decadent desserts and other tempting treats. There's frequently live music or succubi dancing for entertainment.
Overall, the atmosphere in Mammon's realm seems to be focused on luxury, indulgence, greed, and sloth.
[It's recommended that everyone read thoroughly through the new location information as it contains helpful hints on what there is to do while on this vacation! It has a list of shops, animals, vendors, etc. Plus a little bit of information regarding Mammon's land itself.]
Reach Up High For those who still desire to work on their contracts and remove sins from their list despite the fact this is a vacation, there will be opportunities available! They won't even require suffering... much. Rounding up creatures, saving dragons, or helping the carnival set up are all considered good enough deeds to remove one sin from a contract. This is one sin over all, not per deed.
At least it doesn't require any painful torture... though there may be opportunity abound for that as well, if someone wants to go that route...
Under the Surface Of course this is still Hell. There has to be something going on once in a while, right? Walk down just the right street and sinners may see delectable tortures being carried out in seedy back alley establishments. Loving cuts with knives, harsh blows with whips while your sins are repeated for all to hear. Even the torture seems to have a hedonistic approach and debauchery about it.
Are the victims truly suffering or are they being redeemed in the best of ways? Those who decide to participate may soon realize that the cider everyone has been consuming seems to add a layer of euphoria to pain and punishments. While this isn't necessarily sexual in nature, it encourages a sense of good well-being after and sinners may become addicted to pain.
The crash may not be too fun though, watch out for that.
There are also other vendors in this area that are offering drugs of all varieties, as well as questionable photos of other sinners engaging in true acts of misdeed, unlike the comic shop that seems to be more embarrassing than not. Perfect chance to get that blackmail of your enemy killing that guy...
There seems to be a new vendor in town too. The figure's table seems to be set up like a fortune teller's booth, complete with a crystal ball and the pungent smell of cheap incense. He beckons those who dare look near, urges them to take a seat in front of the booth. The figure remains in dark robes, hood drawn to obscure their face. The only visible part of them seem to be their hands. Unlike the animal-like demons of Mammon's domain, this one seems to have human hands with sharp, yellowed nails. They offer knowledge in exchange for something you will not miss in return, they assure. What is it? Well, they refuse to say. Nothing important, nothing important.
Ask anything! It can be about a specific occurrence back home, the answer to life, the universe, and everything, or something as simple as what does Lucifer truly want. Keep in mind that a price will be taken down the line and it may not be something the sinner actually wanted to lose. Ah, well...
[For knowledge based transactions, please respond here. If a character asks a question of their homeworld or something in their future, players may assume they are told a bit of information on the topic without waiting for mod approval. If a character asks something related to Hell, please wait for a response. Regardless of answer type, please respond to the thread linked here so that you can later receive a decision on what your character has given up for this knowledge. It may be a memory, a temporary loss of a sense, a year or so off their lives (when they return home), lack of resilience to sin, etc. Please be aware that signing up does mean consequences at a later date... and these may not come from Mammon or Lucifer.]
Follow Me Down WARNINGS: sexual themes, animal-like behavior, dub/non-con potentials, implied bathroom play, mating.
It seems there's a trickster somewhere, somehow who spiked the cider. Naughty little devil! Those who are unfortunate enough to drink the tainted cider may find themselves developing animal-like traits, such as enhanced senses, animalistic urges, and a general need to be territorial or possessive. They may find the urge to keep to their pack or to branch out and find a new one. This may also result in features, such as fangs or claw-like nails that may or may not retract. Sinners will find themselves reverting back to a primal nature that they may not be able to resist.
How utterly embarrassing!
Don't worry, these effects only last a couple days at most before they will fade completely! Unfortunately, 'animal-like traits' may also extend to mating rituals. Sinners may find themselves going into heat. While knotting or other traits will not be apparent, sinners will find themselves desperate for intimate contact. This may mean a poor sinner in heat will be mated by several lovers in a row as their scent inevitably draws them in, there may also be possessive behavior displayed that results in biting and marking, and others wanting to mark their territory in ways that would make even the most seasoned succubus blush.
It may also mean those inflicted with the heat-like state, will present themselves to those they find attractive as mates or find other ways to entice them to get what they want.
Wildcard/Misc. Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.
And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the June 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
no subject
[just in case she thought her priest had lost his edge. he's just as scheming as ever.
the whelp in her arms soon falls fast asleep. he keeps his steps slow and measured so she can see everything and process it at her own pace. he may not want to stay but he also has no desire to overwhelm an already overwhelmed woman. unfortunately, he seems to have crossed a line. she doesn't look mad about it but he quickly corrects himself.]
Sorry about that. Didn't mean to dredge up bad memories.
[finally, he finds his bravery and... brushes his fingers along her arm. reassuringly, ever so briefly.]
no subject
Little Kisara looks so peaceful with her eyes closed and the slow rise and fall of her small chest. Once her namesake felt comfortable looking up again, she does start observing their surroundings with more interest. Everything is so different here in everything from the architecture to what is being displayed.]
You don't need to apologize. [Though it was appreciated. Those "memories" were still fresh in her mind even if she must have been deceased for a considerable amount of time by now. Her soul had apparently been left to wander before it found this place] Although I'm not proud of.. certain things, I only did what was necessary. [Though the guilt for some of them were enough to weigh her down to this lower plain]
[The gesture however brief surprised her, and she looked to the place where his fingers had skimmed but the heat from her cheeks didn't fade even if it was for a different reason than embarrassment. Maybe she should look for an outfit without sleeves- it wasn't as if her pale skin tone was so out of place her that it needed covering. Seto was trying to make this easier on her, even though he needn't go out of his way to do so, so the least she could do is show some gratitude for his efforts] You're very kind, sir.
no subject
I don't generally apologize as a rule. But you're an exception.
[she was going to be an exception to many things, he could tell already. unfortunately.
there really was no need to dwell on that past, though, considering it was far behind them both. even as they walked side by side, even as he looked just like the man she loved, he was keen to move forward. it was just who he was and who she should be too.]
If you're comfortable with it, you can call me Seto. Or just Kaiba. No "sir" necessary.
[for once, he didn't prefer it. no groveling for his dragon, thanks very much.]
no subject
Then why should he feel the need to be so protective of her? Just because of the great beast he now carried in card form? He had spoken of a bond existing between them however so it must mean something more than that, and she already knew that she also wanted to see him to safety.
Giving it some thought she debated between "Seto" and "Kaiba". One invoked images of the man that was technically not among them, and the other was entirely new to her. In the end she chose familiarity.]
I think they have clothing in this shop, Seto. [Testing the word on her tongue to see how it felt. She smiled a little and decided she could deal with this. She came to a stop outside of the building, looking toward the door for signs of activity]
no subject
[ha, ha, ha. he's got jokes for days.
a few denizens surge in and out of the shop, so kaiba nods at kisara in a stiff sort of signal and drifts inside. claiming the dozing dragon in her arms, he once again allows her the chance to look around and explore for herself. some outfits are naturally inappropriate and he'll do his best to steer her around any awful displays, especially the bondage gear...
but there are some better suited to a more conservative style. such as an entire rack of summery sundresses, as if hell even had seasons.]
Maybe some of these...?
[he's not trying to be possessive. honest. she just deserves to look cute, that's all.]
no subject
Once they exchanged glances she aimed inside as well, trying to steer clear of any other shoppers. Keeping her away from the more risqué options proved difficult just due to the myriad of options available. Kisara blinked rapidly as her eyes settled on a particularly eye-catching ensemble that didn't leave much on the mannequin to the imagination, and it was in shocking pink. Her reaction was telling especially considering the time period she hailed from and how many Egyptians went with lighter, less covered outfits to combat the heat of the climate they resided in.
Ducking her head down, she moved past it and gladly looked upon the sundresses instead]
Sorry. [She murmured since she had selected this shop when they were outside and some of these things seemed to make him just as uncomfortable] We could take more than one? [Now more keen on deciding on something swiftly to get out of the confined space
When she really looked them over, her expression brightened. The dresses were nicer than anything she could have acquired before. She stepped forward to touch the hem of one of them, the material was soft and airy not a bit scratchy. She let it fall from her hand and stepped back. These were too nice for her.]
no subject
kaiba just barely suppresses a sigh and sets the little dragon down to expedite the quest for decent clothes. quite a bit bolder than his modest company, he takes the dress off the rack so she can get a closer look at it. he picks up a few different styles in different colors, though they are all lighter hues.]
Absolutely. And I know what you're thinking, you can't fool me.
[kaiba wasn't exactly known for his softer smiles, but in this case, he manages one.]
You definitely deserve it. You're my dragon, after all, so you have to look your best.
no subject
Sparing a glance to the temporarily discarded sleeping dragon, she smiled at it. Apparently it could sleep through just about anything when it so desired. She would keep a careful eye on it as they shopped as if it were her own responsibility to do so.
When she looked back to Seto he'd already grabbed an assortment of garments.]
You do? Then just what is it that I'm thinking? [The air about them was becoming much lighter than the setting should have inspired, his smile was infectious. It was as if they were in their own world]
[What he fired back with was accurate, she couldn't refute it. Kisara was going to have to get used to constantly being called a dragon since that is what Seto seemed the more enamored with, the possessive quality to his words hadn't been lost on her either. Maybe she was reading too much into it but he almost seemed to prefer dragons to people.]
I'm not sure about that.. but.. [She was starting to open up to the idea with the encouragement]
[Following his example she accepted one of the hangers and held it up in front of her. Although they had plenty to look at here, she looked past him at once point and moved over to pluck this number off the rack. She seemed fascinated by the abundance of ruffles. They served no purpose other than aesthetics as far as she could tell]
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but it was awfully strange to refer to kisara as his dragon. even if it was true, even if it was obvious that she had no objections to it, he just couldn't divorce her identity from the lifelike holograms or the precious cards that bore her image. it still felt like she couldn't be real and this was yet another illusion. maybe he wanted to cling to that dream.
or maybe she had it right, that seto kaiba really did prefer dragons to people.]
No need to check in with me. It's your turn to decide, Kisara.
[he's emphasizing those words for a reason, you can decide, to keep up that encouragement.]
Like I said, grab as much you want. I'll carry everything.
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[Once again Seto saw right through her mannerisms. She had been seeking his opinion and by extension his approval but he was having none of it. He didn't even give his opinions away on his facial expressions! Nearly pouting at that, she shook her head and resigned herself to having to make the decisions herself.
Gathering up a modest sum of outfits in various styles, including the previous two ensembles (slipping in at least one dress that was selected for it's durability over it's form) she looked hesitantly to the door. Would someone try to stop them as they exited?]
You don't need to do that, I can carry them. [Then she shot a look to mini Kisara, one of them would have to carry her]
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it's seto. seto will stop them.]
No way. I won't let you wear those rags outta here.
[and he puts his hands on her, oh no...!
...it's so he can push her to the changing room.]
Go pick one and put it on. I'll handle the rest.
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.. This covers everything.
[The rags that is- Responding with the first thing that came to mind. Looking at the small changing area, then back to Seto she hesitated a little longer before setting the stack down and selecting one of the dresses from near the top.
Heading inside she could see some of the discarded selections from other customers hung over some of the doors. Finding an unoccupied room, she hurried inside and fixed the door closed. It didn't take her long to return as she didn't want to leave him alone too long, not with the possibility of running into less hospitable denizens of hell out there. Her previous dress was in her arms, and the new one looked considerably better.]
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Uh...
[what a disgrace. seto kaiba never stumbles over his own words, except now, apparently. he recovers and nods in approval.]
Looks good. But there's one more thing you gotta do.
[tipping his head towards the trash, he says:]
Throw the old one out. And remember that moment. Remember how good it feels.
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When she rejoined him in the main body of the store she didn't wait for him to share his opinion because she thought he might try to conceal it as before. This time however Seto was unable to hide his approval. The brief tongue tied moment is flattering, and she's surprised that it was her that inspired it.]
This isn't enough?
[She looked down and pivoted from side to side to see for herself if anything was out of place. It looked fine to her]
[Throw it out? .. but there was still some usable fabric that could be repurposed if not reworn. So she spoke up and told him the following.]
That would be wasteful.
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It isn't. Wearing it would be a waste.
[he doesn't move to take it from her, but he may not have to. his feet are planted firm on the ground, unwilling to budge.]
Dragons are graceful and proud. Your clothes should reflect that.
[perhaps they've hit the first speed bump in their relationship: that possessiveness was clearer than ever.]
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I didn't say what I intended to do with it. [She gently corrected] Resources are precious, and often hard to come by- the edges are ruined but the rest can be repurposed. [Somewhat ironically given how he'd described her clothes before but the remainder of the dress could be converted into a literal bag]
[There he went again telling her what dragons were meant to be]
Dragons also have no need for attire at all, nor do they reside among humans- I don't see you suggesting I do likewise.
[The moment the words were out there she regretted them. Seto was in his way trying to help her, and she recognized it but he also needed to know that meek though she could be she was also capable of making her own decisions. Must they argue over something so minor?]
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[if she was going to play it that way, she'd have to play it to the end. he was a hard man to reach; being a dragon didn't make that much easier.]
Why bother with all that effort? To make yourself feel better about it?
[he tsks in distaste. yes, they had to argue about it, because seto kaiba had to argue about absolutely everything.]
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[It was going to be difficult convincing her not to hold onto things she didn't really need to. Kisara had to be resourceful to make it this long. Expression softening she drew in a breath wishing they could return to the part where he was admiring her new look. Maybe if she tried another approach he would understand her position better]
Are you really so used to being able to acquire whatever you desire, whenever you need it that you cannot see the practicality in saving material? You must have done quite well for yourself. [Genuinely meaning it, her tone devoid of envy. In fact she sounded pleased, both the priest and his reincarnation were now established in society securely... if she was reading this correctly]
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Yes.
[and also yes. not much more to say on that front.
setting the bags aside, kaiba folds his arms and starts to tap, tap, tap his foot on the floor. a sign that he was quickly growing impatient and quickly losing his willingness to entertain the current conversation. little kisara looks up with concern, tiny wings wilting. don't fight, mom and dad!]
Name one thing "we may need" which you could fashion out of your tarp that we couldn't get for free.
[hey, he's a businessman. so what's your business plan, dragon lady?]
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[That still didn't fully excuse his petulant behavior.]
A curtain? Bag? [Truthfully she could think of several items she could fashion her old dress into but she wasn't sure they met the second condition] A blanket for the small one. [The little dragon's apprehension was as easy to read as Seto's agitation. For that reason, Kisara glanced briefly to the trash bin. If she would just capitulate and discard the worn garment it would likely ease tensions for the poor thing]
You would be more aware of what is available here than I would.
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but it was still ridiculous and he had half a mind to refuse her anyway. so he did what businessmen do best: he offers a compromise.]
There's a favor I'd like to ask. Something only you can do.
[a very, very special favor. she might not like it, but that's why it was a compromise.]
If you agree to it, you can keep it.
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A favor? Now?
[Clearly caught off guard by the suggestion to the point that she didn't take exception with the terms which she also found ridiculous.]
What is this favor?
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Later. After we get back. And when you've had a chance to rest.
[if kisara needed a reminder that he hadn't forgotten his compassion, there it was. he wasn't trying to cause discomfort. he wasn't even trying to get his way, at least not as harshly. instead it was inherent to his personality, to his ever present paranoia. maybe they were alike in that sense. the world had scorned them both; kaiba took it personally.
and yet he extends his hand to her here. because every business deal ended with a handshake.]
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Yes, we can discuss it then.
[Not wanting to seem unreasonable. The formality of the handshake is amusing to her, the edge of one side of her lips quirking upward her eyes dancing with mirth. At least he is asking for her cooperation again, instead of demanding. She mirrors the motion and shakes with her free hand. Once that is completed Kisara placed her old dress in one of the bags then she want to collect the little dragon. It could probably follow along on it's own but she missed it's warmth.]
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the little dragon, of course, was getting into mischief without guidance. she had dug into one of the bags and was now flying around with a floppy straw hat on her head. chuckling to himself, kaiba retrieves the hat and places it on kisara's head instead.]
There. Perfect for all the sunlight we'll never get to see again.
[it did look awfully cute, though. maybe kaiba had an ulterior motive for steering her towards some of the dresses.
kaiba hauls all the bags and sets a brisker pace as they return to the castle. kisara had seen all she needed to see out here; there were more important things to show her now. things he was sure she would marvel at, that would raise her spirits and remind her of her place as a proper dragon. it was awkward but she'd grow into it. he was sure of it.
he's grateful that his hands are full, as he realizes he might have been tempted to hold hers otherwise.]
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