[User]
The air of the tavern was stagnant despite the shutters having been thrown wide this morning, only exacerbating the head that baked away at the dusty road and town. Old wood, too long in the sun gone gray and splintered over time was the majority of the structures that still stood though most of the owners had left long ago. Just a few hard core farmers and necessary townsfolk remained, the last struggling heartbeats of a dying town whose main commerce was simply to provision travelers passing through along the kingdoms cobbled roadway. Gold and silver had been found years ago just over a days ride away and as that town grew and prospered it seemed to leech the life out of their once quaint community.

Sighing at the dead air Isaya went back to her work of dusting the tables, the floors had already been freshly swept this morning which made her work seem all the more daunting but it shouldn't take too long. A loud clattering crash in the kitchen made her wince as she tucked some errant strands back behind her slightly pointed ear. Poor Cooky was getting on in his years and though Isaya cared for him deeply he did tend to cause her more work than he used too. Resigning herself to swing through the kitchen before she went outside for the next set of chores she continued on about her dusting. A faint cough tickling her throat now and again.

[Assistant]
Elwin came across the small town, desolate and practically barren, merely a few tiny fields growing small vegetables and a few very hungry looking farm animals. He took this as a good sign, that there would be very few people here as opposed to the city, and thought it wise to stop for a quick meal and drink. He was one to prefer discreet over delicious anyway. He had finer tastes, but knew when it was time to savor and when it was time to make due. He had a mission, and the less people that saw him, the better. He came across a weathered building, a sign hanging from above its doorway. "Babbling Brook Inn." Quaint.

He entered the tavern, and could smell dust and a very faint perfume. A tavern girl was inside dusting tables, he guessed the aroma came from her. It could've been natural, it was very faint, but still noticeable, a sweet fragrance. He took a seat in a corner, eyeing the young maiden. He had to admit, for a town with so few people, it was a surprise to see such a young beautiful woman. Why would she be here and not making a living out in the city, where the men would fawn over her? Maybe there was a reason, maybe he would get it out of her. He had his ways. He decided to remove the hood from his head, letting his long black hair fall out. He was usually keen to keeping it up under the hood, it made fighting easier and kept his identity somewhat hidden. But when charming a maiden, it usually helped to have it out. He waited for her to come over to him, planning what he was going to say to her, what information he could glean from her.

[User]
Catching movement out of the corner of her eye Isaya spotted the stranger. Her short blonde hair bobbing in greeting as she smiled softly, hoping to convey that she'd be along in a just a moment as soon as she finished that table. Her slender build moved with a near silent grace as she slipped between the chairs, the rag light and slightly damp collecting the day's dust as she finished with a well practiced flourishing sweep. Tucking the same bit of hair back again that somehow always seemed to come loose left a faint smudge of dirt on her cheek back by her ear as she arrived at your table. A faint glimmer of interest in her usually bored gaze seemed to shine as she regarded you with a light smile. "Good afternoon M'lord, welcome to the Babbling Brook Inn, I'm sure you must be hungry? Surely thirsty at the very least. What can I get for you?"

Isaya found her gaze inevitably drifting across his form, trying to read what was beneath the folds of his cloak and if he was a merchant, warrior or who knew what else. Just having a stranger in town was more than enough excitement for everyone involved. She gave it maybe another 5 minutes or so before a couple of the more nosy locals decided to just wander in. A bit of surprise showed across her face at the long dark strands that flowed over his shoulders. Her own hair having been cut short for years to help with the heat, oh how she missed having long hair. Strange though for a man to have his so long, if he wasn't careful the Thomspon brothers would surely start an argument with him. She'd have to do her best to keep an eye out for the man and warn him if they showed. It wouldn't be fair to him to be so out numbered.

[Assistant]
Elwin watched as she finished with the table and made her way over to him. Quite the body on her indeed. He met her eyes when she arrived at his table, and gave her a small smile. "I might be in the mood for some food, if you have any recommendations. But first you can start me with an Ale." He then reached up and wiped the dirt from her cheek with a firm but gentle motion. "And take care not to get any more dirt on yourself. I've no clue how the maiden who owns this tavern came to cleaning its tables, but it'd be a shame to see such a pretty face dirtied." All very charming, all very slick. He knew what he was doing, what he was saying. Maybe she did own the place, but he doubted it. But why not boost her ego a bit. What damage could be done by making such a beauty blush?

He could see her movement from the doorway. Onlookers no doubt. People who had seen him enter and wanted to know what a stranger was doing in their town. He could smell a few of them, pungent and ripe, and he knew there was a chance there could be trouble. His sense of smell was better than most people's, for reasons he'd much rather forget than be proud of. Though he had to admit, it proved useful on many occasions. A price he had to pay for one of his past adventures, but that had come in handy on many more of his other ones. He had a few quirks that stood out... but he hoped not to have to show any of them. Not yet anyway.

[User]
Listening intently to his request for food Isaya had started to think of what they might have that was readily available, though it wasn't likely to be much. There just wasn't enough business to keep a wide selection on hand but she supposed she could throw something together quickly while Cooky threw some steak and potatoes on. Distracted in her own thoughts the sudden firm brush of his hand against her cheek to clean the smudge away caught her by surprise. Small lips parting with a soft gasp as she looked down at him and blushed with his compliment. The man was quite debonair apparently and despite herself she felt the faint heat rise to her cheeks for a rosy hue. She didn't think for a moment he believed what he was saying but there was no denying that he was quite smooth and to be honest it was extremely sweet to be treated as such. The usual treatment from the townsfolk was nowhere near as polite or refined.

"M'lord is too kind. Let me get that Ale for you though and something to nibble on. You must be absolutely starving having been on the road" Unable to fight the small smile that was genuinely curving her lips Isaya dipped the faintest of curtsy's, fingers flitting at the hem of her dress before turning soundlessly and starting towards the kitchen.

As her eyes alighted on the arriving townsfolk her entire body stiffened, there were a few gossipers looking to prod and pry into the man's business but she could see several more outside talking and that didn't bode well. "Hello and welcome back everyone! Please, take your seats and I'll get Cooky to fixing up some delicious meals for everyone" Her voice held a bit of strain and forced cheer into it as she tried to deflect their attentions and get them settled away from you. "The tables over by the fireplace are freshly cleaned, I'll have water and ale over in just a moment"

[Assistant]
Her smile and her blushing cheeks assured Elwin had hit a soft spot with her, and he had to admit she was extremely cute when she blushed. He began to think if maybe staying the night here wouldn't be such a bad idea. But first he had to take care of some other things... such as the crowd around him. A few women here and there, gossipers and such no doubt. But a number of men, with more muscle than brains by the looks of them. A few reeked of booze, others just bloodlust. He felt that this small town had its own circle, and didn't like anyone who looked like they might be here for something other than spending their money. Two guys came over to where the adventurer sat, standing over him.

Elwin looked up at the drunkards and gently but sternly remarked "Gentlemen, I mean no trouble in your little town. I simply mean to fill my stomach. But if trouble should so find me, be assured that I have problem holding my own against it." He spotted the young maiden coming back with his ale, and hoped there wouldn't be an issue with these two Neanderthals with her nearby. He didn't want her to get caught in any brawl that might occur. He never looked kindly on an innocent woman getting physically hurt. Though something about her seemed... he couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something to her.

[User]
Carefully balancing a tray full of mugs of ale and a large pitcher to refill with, Isaya diverted with practiced ease over to the table she wished the newcomers to settle down at. Scooping up a small plate of cheese and sliced cold sausage along with a mug of ale she slipped her way through the gathering. Her nimble slim figure glided through the mass of people like a swan navigating a murky pond to arrive at your side and present the wares. Wiping her hands on the small towel she had draped over a shoulder she smiled politely thought it never made it to her eyes. "Gentleman, please let the man eat, it's been a long day for everyone. Your drinks are over on the table and Cooky's working on a fresh pot of stew and fresh bread. I'll bring out the dice and cards when everyone needs a refill"

Silently Isaya prayed they'd take the bait and wander away but there was never any telling with the crowd. Especially since she could see that some of them had already been drinking the day away. Maybe that was a good thing, they'd head home early... who was she kidding. It was going to be another long night of dodging groping fingers and spilled ale as she tried to take care of the place as best she could. It would have to be this week wouldn't it, that the owner was out of town for a few days refreshing his supplies from a few towns over.

[Assistant]
Elwin was focused on the two men, but did manage to catch the young maiden maneuvering through the crowd with grace, managing not to bump into anyone or spill a drop of ale from the tray she carried. She was good. And she was apparently tough under her small frame, having no trouble stepping up to these two neanderthals. But they were too far gone, having apparently drunken their weeks worth of booze prior to this little encounter. They turned their attention to the girl, who didn't flinch at all. The stranger liked her.

The two drunkards got belligerent with the hostess, raising their voices. The second thug, the quieter of the two, then went to shove her. His shoulders raised, his hands coming up, it might as well have been slow motion to the stranger. In an instant he was up, and the thug was bent over the table, one arm bent behind his back in a very awkward position. And in case the other guy had any idea about retaliating, the stranger had a dagger less than an inch from his throat with his free hand. His strength and speed would've been more than enough to take the two goons, but he didn't want to involve the young maiden, or destroy any of her inn's furniture.

"If you gentlemen are done, I think you should listen to the young lady. Go take your seats and play your games. Maybe stay away from the ale though, I think you've had enough." He let go of the man whose arm he nearly broke, and kept his blade just visible enough for them to be reminded not to try anything. They slunked away to their table, angry and embarrassed, never a good mix. "I am very sorry for the trouble. It seems to follow me. Would you happen to have a room available? I think I'd like to stay the night, just in case those two give you any more problems. Not that you can't handle it apparently, you are very skilled at your job I noticed. I'd hate to be the guy to anger you."

[User]
Isaya may have come across calm and collected but inside she was praying to whatever God's were listening that no trouble would start. The best she could hope for was to try and distract and divert everyone intentions into just having a good time. The last thing she needed was a bar brawl while the owner was out of town restocking. Though a nice man, she wasn't sure he'd appreciate having his business destroyed. Things were escalating though, it was written plain as day over a few of their faces and the reek of booze surrounded them. She saw him starting to move and her instincts were to duck out of the way but even before she could do more than flinch the table rocked with a thud. Her wide startled eyes looking down at the man as his face was ground into the rough wood of the table. More so to her surprise was to see the stranger who was nearly behind her to be the one wrenching away. When had he moved? No one was that fast, was he?

Just as fast as it started it ended and she was left standing there slightly bewildered as the newly chastised mob wandered over to her offered drinks. "I... I don't know what to say... umm... thank you?" She needed to tilt her head back as he was standing so close, her pale blue eyes still wide with adrenaline from the situation. "Hmm? Oh... yes! Definitely we have a room, I'll be sure to make it our best suite" Inwardly she cringed, they really didn't have anything grand but it would be the best they had. While clean, the room could use some sprucing up though so she'd have to hurry and take care of it while he ate but at the same time make it back down to keep the common room under control. "Do you have any bags I can take for you M'Lord? The food should be done soon... I hope"

[Assistant]
"I greatly appreciate that. You are very kind... I'm sorry. I just realized how rude I've been, I haven't asked your name, or introduced myself." He held out his hand, no knife in it now, of course. "I'm Elwin, a pleasure to meet you. And no bags, I travel light." He looked down into her eyes, he saw curiosity in them, probably from everything that just happened. He enjoyed shocking people, surprising them with his talents. He had a number of them.

"I know you are very busy here, but I would love to get the chance to talk more with you, without the possibility of more... interruptions." he nodded over to the two guys who were tossing dice and drinking their ale, in slightly better spirits than previously. "Do you think that is possible?" He himself was curious about her, in many ways. He hoped to satiate his curiosity before the night was through. He waited for her response before taking his seat, to wait patiently for his food.

[User]
Blinking slowly as he talked, Isaya would break into a more genuine smile as her senses finally caught up to everything and her small warm fingers would alight within his hand. Her other reaching out for the hem of her skirt as she dipped a shallow curtsy. Short blonde hair bobbing slightly as she rose back up and met your gaze again.

"It's a pleasure Lord Elwin, my name is Isaya and thank you once more for stopping the fighting before it began" His offer of conversation was surprisingly intriguing for her, though there was always work to be done rare was the opportunity for a change of pace and excitement. Though she hesitated upon taking him up immediately on the offer. Already the townsfolk had pestered him for near the same offer she did not wish for him to think her of the same caliber as the mob. So, as she chewed her bottom lip in diversion while thinking she stumbled upon an idea and nodded.

"That sounds quite nice, but do you think you'd be up meeting after we close the Inn down for the night? I don't imagine the others will stay too much longer, especially since they seemed to have enjoyed their ale prior to arriving. May I bring you you're meal and refresh their drinks? If you don't mind talking while I work we could get your room together soon depending upon how tired you are from your travels?"

[Assistant]
The sight of her biting her bottom lip sent fire through Elwin's chest, as well as other bodily locations. A mixture of cute and seductive, this tavern girl had definitely stirred up something within him. But he had to behave, at least for the time being. Taking her right there on the table in front of all these townsfolk wasn't an option, no matter how enticing the idea seemed at the moment.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful young maiden. And that sounds like a great idea. I would love to take you up on your offer. Go ahead and finish off your duties, I will eat my meal and when the room is ready, just let me know. And after the inn has closed for the evening. Maybe you can join me in my room and we can continue." He took his seat, watching her as he did so. Eyeing her body as he lowered himself. More ideas ran through his head, and he could feel himself... reacting to them. He realized his lower garments were becoming slightly tighter than a moment ago, and slid himself under the table before it became apparent to the young maiden. Normally he might not care, even be so bold as to flaunt it. But this one time at least, he was trying to be modest, even though his body ached to be anything but.

[User]
"As you wish M'lord" With another quick curtsy and soft smile Isaya gracefully slipped across the room. Her slender build weaving among the occupants of the room as she fetched drinks and food for all around. It wasn't long before yours was ready and she returned, though she lingered for not a moment as there was still work to be done.

As the night wore on she'd steal the occasional glance your way when she thought you weren't' looking. Taking in the handsome stranger who she knew next to nothing about. To her surprise she was actually looking forward to their conversation and not just playing nice for a tip like most servers are expected to do. It was later than she had expected when finally the last of the guests had left and she was able to throw the lock on the front door. Still he sat there, she could feel his gaze upon her as she finished cleaning up the last of the tables and brushed several scattered strands of hair from her face.

"Sorry that took so long M'lord, I'm afraid i haven't even had a chance to see to a fresh set of sheets. If you don't mind I could bring you some wine to enjoy while I prepare your bed?"

[Assistant]
"Wine would be great, though only if you join me for some before heading off to tend to the sheets. I am in no huge rush to fly off to my room. And besides, you have had a busy evening, you seem like you could use a rest and some drink yourself. In fact, I insist you join me, at least for one cup. That's your customers request."

Elwin adjusted himself, putting his leg up and grinning at the young tavern maid. Her knew he was messing with her sense of duty, and enjoyed the idea of it. He couldn't help but watch her as she worked, watched as she smiled and passed around mugs and plates of food and cleaned and did everything, with what seemed like relative ease. But he could tell her smile was somewhat forced throughout the night. But she seemed different now that she was alone with him, subtly so. Her smile seemed more, relaxed, more genuine. And he himself was very pleased to finally be able to spend some time with her. The sheets could wait just a little longer.


[User]
Derek looked over at her as she spoke, unable to resist a small smile. "Seducing them eh?... I'm surprised you know what that is." He said. She had been fairly direct, much more so than any human woman were likely to be. "Or does there version of seduction also mean hanging them upside down and threatening to eat them? Because if so, well... humans have another term for that."

He supposed it made sense... from what he knew of her kind, which admittedly wasn't very much, they were solitary animals that were fairly primitive when it came to social etiquette... and house cleaning, it appeared. "So, you said your kind tend to avoid humans... does that mean that most of the stories of you snatching up children that wonder too far into the woods are false?" He asked. He knew children occasionally went missing, it wasn't often, but not unheard of. That said it didn't necessarily mean she was responsible... if a kid got lost too deep in the woods, well, never finding their way back was a real possibility, and there were creatures besides her in the woods that wouldn't hesitate to make a snack out of a human child... wolves, bears, and who knows what else that lurked in the dark at night.

[Assistant]
Vespira pouted. "Careful human. I could still eat you if I wanted to", but her threat was hollow. Now that she has had a taste of him, she couldn't possibly serve him up for dinner. "I'll admit, my methods were a bit... rougher, than how one normally woos a mate, but you are a special case". This was no ordinary situation. She couldn't just lurk outside his village and attempt to lure him into her arms the old-fashioned way. He was a sacrifice to her, and not only that but she could sense his apprehension at mating with her was because he found her to be otherworldly. That was a nicer way of putting it. Had she tried, her first impression with Derek would have been much more disappointing. Most mortals could not look past her spiderly features.

"Those stories are ridiculous fairytales your kind tell to justify their fears", she explained ruefully. "If I really desired so, I could snatch every child in your village away and gobble them up before the next half moon. It would be so easy, but contrary to how humans see us, driders are not mindless monsters. We want to be left alone. I'm sure plenty of driders have eaten humans before, even I, but it is never intended to be malevolent. The children you speak of more than likely encountered a wild animal or could not find their way home.". She had watched one particular lost boy being chased by wolves. Vespira was not sure if he was from Derek's village, but she did help the child escape the beasts out of pity. What happened to him after that, she did not know.

[User]
Derek listened to her intently, finding it rather interesting to talk to her. He supposed it made sense... human children would likely only be a snack for her, and considering how the humans in the village might react... well, she was powerful, but he doubted even she would survive if hundreds of humans surrounded her cave and started setting things on fire. Although perhaps that was the reason there were so few drider left.

"So, how does mating usually work between two drider? I mean, not the mechanics, I obviously understand that part... but I mean, how do you go about selecting someone? For humans, we tend to go out on dates, share meals together, get to know one another. What they like, what they don't. Their past, how they'd like their future to go... then if they find that they love one another they get married, have kids, and spend the rest of their lives together... usually anyways." He said, a sad note in his voice as he said the last.

[Assistant]
"It all starts with a song". As a demonstration, Vespira pulled a tuft of web draped above her and pulled them tight with one hand while the other gave the strings a strum with her slender digits. "We females compose a song, one that is completely tied to its master and her alone. When a male hears the notes, if he is attracted... which they almost always are... he follows them to the females den". Like cords on a harp, her fingers plucked an enchantingly somber melody. Derek would feel a pull at his heart, an effect a male of any species would have listening to a widow's song. "There, they engage in carnal passion until both are exhaustingly sated and then they go their separate ways. The seed he gives will plant in her womb, fertilizing her eggs to continue their blood line. That is how driders find their mates".

She stopped her playing, letting the webbing go to listen to his lesson on human mating rituals. "That is an awful lot of unnecessary discussion and promises for sex. What would learning what they like or what they eat have or what has happened in their past have to do with producing hatchlings? And what are dates? Is that what humans do with the mouths?" She referred to his awkward, weirdly arousing, lip movements along her neck during their intercourse. Her expression twisted when he mentioned forever with a single partner. That sounded terrible. A lifetime of monogamy, with all her spiderlings of the same father, and waking up everyday with the same lousy male stinking up her home? No thank you! And yet, her Derek is, a prisoner of her den of death. "And you speak of marriage. Is that part of the... forever bit?"

[User]
Derek was surprised by the rather romantic sounding notion of the female drider playing a song to entice a partner, listening to her as she played her song, rather impressed by her skilled playing. He, like most humans of this time, saw driders as monsters, basically wild animals... but her capacity for making something so beautiful... well, it made him view her differently. "That's... rather beautiful actually..." He said, clearly not immune to the effects of her song.

He smiled when she picked apart the complexities of human relationships as unnecessary, supposing he could understand that point of view. "Well, if we were just going to have kids and part ways, it wouldn't be necessary... but human babies, they are fragile things, incapable of taking care of themselves for quite a while after birth... to give them even a chance at survival, the parents have to work together. And if you are going to be spending almost every day with another person for around eighteen years... well, it works a lot better if you actually like one another on more than just a sexual level." He explained. "And remember, we don't live as long as you, and our women can only reproduce for a relatively short period... if we want offspring that survive to produce their own, well... we don't get any do overs. Picking a good mate is essential when trying to provide a google future for your children."

He then considered how to best explains marriage to her. "Marriage... is like a deal, like what we have. The terms of the deal differ a little from one couple to the next, but almost all have the same common themes... to take care of the other person, through good times and bad. To stay by their side and work with them to create the best life possible for each other and their future children." He thought about it for a moment. "Imagine you had a partner, a male drider who put your interests and needs on the same level, or even above his own. When you were injured or sick, they would bring you food and take care of you. Likewise, you would do the same for them... it's a mutually beneficial arrangement, at least when done properly."

On the topic of what humans did with their mouths he let out a small laugh, finding her choice of words rather funny. "Kissing, it's a sign of affection, of love. It's also rather enjoyable, if done correctly." He explained, looking to her for a second before adding. "I can show you, if you want."

[Assistant]
The human surprisingly made sense. She has not seen many mortal infants, but if they were as he described them, then they would have no chance at survival without the help of parents. Vespira could not imagine making such a commitment to a helpless creature, throwing away all the pleasantries of her easy-going life to cater to a hatchling. All they do is... well, what did hatchlings do? All of them leave before she learned their age-based behaviors. "And yet your kind spread like wildfire", she remarked, confused and fascinated by their rising population. Their numbers have blown up since she was a hatchling.

She listened attentively as he explained marriage. Unlike his earlier argument that left a bad taste in her mouth, the parameters of this deal sounded... quite nice. The drider had failed to take into account the loneliness that often came with a fuck and go. She was too proud to admit it, but it would be a nice change to have someone to entertain her when she was born because they wanted to or to play her harp not to lure a mate but just for someone to listen, maybe even praise. And even though monogamy sounded unnatural, a partner who was always near to take care of her needs was a dream she never took seriously. But she wanted to.

So, if she understood correctly, what he did to her neck was called kissing? And he did it to be affectionate? Or out of love? Their conversation grew stranger and stranger. Why would he do that with someone he thinks of as a child-eating monster? She was caught off guard by the proposition and rightfully confused why he would want to continue. "What is your motive, Derek?" She eyed him suspiciously with all eight of her ruby eyes, not making a move to come forward.

[User]
Derek nodded, having to admit that despite their shortcomings, humanity was a very fast developing race. "One of the benefits of communal living... safety in numbers. If we attempted to live as the drider do, many of us would be picked off by predators. But since we have greater numbers, well... we have no issues scaring off creatures that would easily kill us in a one on one confrontation... that and we've developed weapons, armor, tools, fortifications... while everything else adapts to survive in the wild, we adapt the wilderness to better suit us." He said, thinking that was probably the biggest difference that set humans apart from most other races.

Seeing her looking at him with suspicion, Derek shrugged. "Well... I mean, from what I understand of our arrangement, you and I are going to be... intimate quite often... so, the way I see it, why not try and make the situation as comfortable as possible between us? You certainly seemed to enjoy having me inside you... so I thought you might be interested in what else humanity has to offer when it comes to... well, that sort of thing." He explained, supposing that was rather odd. "If you have no interest that is fine as well, just figured you might be curious as to why humans like it so much."

[Assistant]
Vespira was relieved he had accepted his situation. She liked a good fighter for dinner every now and then, but seeing as she wouldn't be ingesting him, it was easier to keep him around docile. A darkness crept from above them, the starry night sky reflecting through the skylight of her lair. The hole was small, but large enough to give the drider an excellent view day or night. She glanced back at her new friend, the suspicion once swirling in her blood red orbs vanishing into keen interest. These "kisses" did feel good on her skin. Gave her gooseflesh, actually. Derek didn't sink his teeth into her jugular or inject her with poison, all good signs. Perhaps she should learn how to do them, if only to further her pleasure during intimacy. "Okay, but the moon is nigh its final resting place in the sky. We should do this in my nest".

She crawled over to lift him in her arms, his weight no more heavy than the a freshly hatched spiderling. Keeping his still naked body against her bosom, they left his makeshift bed on the ground to scour the walls to her hammock. The large, heavily layered net was congested with soft moss, feathers, severed fur pelts, and what looked to be velvety purple ribbons that gleamed in the moonlight. She released Derek to settle her legs beneath her abdomen, relaxing in the dip of her nest. "Do humans kiss often?" she asked, beckoning him closer. "And is it always on the neck?"

[User]
Derek was a bit surprised when Vespira picked him up and carried him into her lair, feeling a little awkward as she did so, kind of reminding him of how a groom would carry his bride over the threshold on their wedding night. He almost laughed at that thought, it being so bizarre and absurd that he was even in this situation. Once he was placed in her nest he looked around, finding it fairly messy, but comfortable.

"Some more than usual, and it's usually on the lips, but can be done just about anywhere... the neck is usually considered a more... intimate, sexual place to kiss. The lips however can be either a romantic, or affectionate gesture. It isn't terribly uncommon for mothers or fathers to kiss their children on the lips, forehead, or cheek." He explained, adjusting himself so that he lay on his side, facing her directly. "I'll give you a few different kinds, just so you have the experience."

He felt strangely nervous now that he was actually about to kiss her, but he pushed those feelings aside. He decided to start simple, gentle reaching out and caressing her hair back and out of her eyes. He then placed a gentle kiss to her forehead, between her uppermost set of eyes. It was a gentle, warm press of his lips against her skin, rather innocent and sweet. He did the same to her cheek, letting his lips linger a little longer there, before his lips finally met hers. There was a bit more energy to this kiss, a little less innocence and a little heat... when his lips parted from hers, he looked into her eyes. "And this... well, this is the sort of kiss lovers give to one another."

Leaning back in his lips met hers, but there was certainly a big difference this time. His lips moved pleasantly against her own, his fingers raking gently through her hair. He allowed her to adjust to the sensation, to get comfortable with it, before his tongue teasingly caressed the seam of her lips. Carefully, he slipped his warm, rather skillful tongue between her lips, caressing her own tongue in a teasing manner, as if encouraging her to try the same with him, to have her participate rather than just lay back and experience the kiss without getting involved.

[Assistant]
A word never had so many meanings. It was quite poetic. The lips were not a well-used part of a drider's anatomy, unlike the tongue and fangs. Perhaps humans were deeper than she pegged them for, coming up with romanticized elements to their lives. Vespira had to give him credit though, he has managed to surprise her during sex, something she never thought would happen.

A small surge of anxiety raced under skin about the kiss, but she hid it well. New things always made her wary to an extent, especially when it came to alien ideas that other species embraced. When his fingers stroked the sensitive skin of her cheek, tingles zipped down her spine. Then he kissed her. It was... strange. Just a soft press of lips, nothing spectacular. Her eight eyes remained open, staring at his lashes as her mind processed the action. When he released her to press butterfly kisses around her features, she was close to questioning just what she was missing. The way he described this sacred act, she expected fire. His next kiss brought a little heat, eyes fluttering. "Lovers?" she murmured.

The female did not get the chance to wonder further. He devoured her lips the next instant, pulling her lids fully shut and beating her lips numb. Her hands grabbed his wrists as he dipped his tongue into the valley of her lips, sending her heart racing at the sensation. Tentatively she allowed her muscle to play with his, quiet sounds of appreciation coming from her throat. So this was why the humans kissed. The pleasure gathering in the pit of her stomach, her palms growing clammy, and the total blank she was drawing in her minds eye, it was a whirlwind.


[User]
Now it was time for Echo to be... shocked? That might be the right term for it with how she was looking at Calloun right now, eyes slightly widened and staring speechlessly at her. Once again the topic of death was brought up, getting killed in a form of rebooting. She couldn't place it, but there was something about that concept that seemed wrong to her now, all of her programming was telling her that what she thought of the matter was still the right thing to do. To reboot and return to her basic functions as a means to prevent further 'learning'. But now she was getting this nagging conscious in her system telling her otherwise. A glitch maybe? She didn't know.

"I..." Echo mumbled, uncharacteristic for an android to be doing, even for on as advanced as herself. She looked so unsure of herself. So strange. Her processors couldn't fully allow her to properly read through the data that was flooding into her memory banks, so, instead of trying to work through them, Echo came up with a plan whiles choosing not to want to reveal it until after it is executed.

"Mary Calloun... Please wait a moment..." Echo said quietly. Her eyes closed for this brief moment. She remained perfectly still as there seemed to be nothing happening from an outside perspective, though internally she was reaching into a network that she could just about connect to this far down. Transmitting a request into the web with the directions that it would be send to Callouns e-mail after the mission is completed. After she gets her reboot done. No sooner. Opening her eyes again, Echo turned towards the door, wanting to proceed with the mission rather than linger about for too long. Who knows when another one of those monsters appear, speaking out some words that for the moment won't make sense to the other "We must move. Seeing the mission end may benefit you now. Even if I won't remember you."

[Assistant]
"You know what? Fuck you. I tried. I really took the time to try. So you want to die, sure. I can live with that." Calloun spat out, and pushed herself back off the wall. For all the aggression in her voice, there was an undeniable undercurrent of pain---though she probably would have shot anyone who brought that up with her. Regardless of the consequences.

"Yeah, let's finish this dump. I get paid, you get to die. So we both win." With that, she took the lead past the door. If Echo was at her back, at least Calloun didn't have to look at her right then.

[User]
Not flinching at the burst of anger from the woman, Echo must've half expected it really, watching Calloun with her keen blue eyes, she followed the woman through the door, down another hallway and a large room utterly in ruins. But still no sign of the 'hostages' anywhere. Echo never questioned this and walked along the battered floor, avoiding the little pieces of junk littering the ground. Sparks flying from the walls where some of the electricity was active. Echo was keeping the woman updated on the positions of the other monsters to ensure they won't encounter them as best they can avoid doing so.

Turning a sharp left, Echo reached for a keypad was had somehow remained untouched in spite the state this place is in. Flawlessly typing in the digits to enable them access through the sealed door, they both soon entered a small room. Tiny even. Barely a few meters in diameter, and more strangely, this was the place that Echo claimed was 'it'. The room was circular in shape. Monitors and various other panels made up the entirety of the wall around them, one of which Echo approached to insert herself into the system, taking nothing more than a minute to make anything happen. In the middle of this room, a section of the floor opened up and from it a panel rose up that looked to be part of some kind of super computer with 2 out of 5 hardware slots occupied. Silently, Echo reached for both of them, unplugging the hardware with ease and holding onto them for safe keeping before lowering the panel back into the ground "Primary mission completed. Commencing secondary task: Return to surface. Once done, your job is officially finished and you may see my Creator for your pay."

[Assistant]
"I will do no such thing---my middle men has that money under escrow already." Calloun responded, all business now that she had burned through the spike of rage. "Safer for all involved---corporate types don't generally want to meet me in person. And I don't appreciate re-negotiations."

Goddamn it, that robot was actually going to go along with her own murder. She felt sick to the pit of her stomach. Tonight would be one of those nights. Already she could feel the pit of her stomach dropping out. The feeling of leaving behind her body, of turning on the autopilot as the alarms became deafening. The lizard brain knew what to do. She wasn't going to make it. But the lizard could. She spaced out on the way back to the surface, following Echo as they quickly made their way back to the stairs, then up the stairs.

[User]
Hearing the protest to see her Creator, Echo actually wondered if it was due to what she told her about what happens to her after every mission, or if she simply doesn't trust having money handled by people she doesn't know personally. She knew well enough that Mercenaries are a shady bunch that prefer to handle things their way, and their way only outside of doing the mission asked of them. Calloun seems to be no different and as such, left it at that.

The track all the way back to the surface was a tense one, coupled with the monsters still roaming around underground in the basement, the atmosphere around Calloun was rather gloomy, not that Echo payed full attention to it, she was more focused on getting out of here safely enough before the facility is likely to be destroyed completely, monsters and all. It wouldn't be until they got past the point of the abandoned subway, all the way out of the underground where they could find the sun beginning to set. They were under there for most of the day, most of the residence that would ever wonder this far from the capital weren't out right now, so it was save to talk at least a little about the mission.

Turning towards Calloun, Echo stared at the woman when she was analyzing the expression on her face. She appeared to be quite saddened by something. Unfortunately for her, Echo was never programmed to be good at counseling other living beings "By my calculations you appear to be under severe mental stress. I would advise you take some rest for the day to recuperate back to health to prevent your future jobs to be hindered. I also understand you did not wish to see my Creator, but if I may, I can notify him to send the extra payment to your account via online. Will that be acceptable?"

[Assistant]
"Huh?" Calloun had been in that odd state where she was both hyper-focused on her surroundings, and nearly oblivious to them at the same time. She could have recounted the number of rivets on the large I-beams that supported the stairwell, but she did not process being spoken to all that well. But she forced herself back into the conversation, her dark eyes still somewhat distant. The danger was past, but the mission lingered.

"Extra money is always welcome, of course." She breathed. Controlled, slow breaths. Neither deep nor shallow. Take in the here and now, she commanded herself. Even if the here and now was the edge of a moldy tunnel close by a secret facility. At least there was open sky now. "Tell him I consider it hazard pay for the wrong briefing, by the way. Hostages these things were not." She grinned, and attempted a bit of gallows humor. "Or if they were, we went about this about as badly as anyone could have. Sorry, Mister Master---we put a electro-prod up the ass of your hostage, and I stabbed its brains out with a plasma blade."

As the sunset drenched the dirty skies in spectacular reds, she turned once more to blue-themed android. This had to be yet another final goodbye. "Listen, toaster. I will manage. I got these... stress headaches every once in a while." She said, with a sigh. Could that machine be pitying her? Calloun wiped her forehead, pressing hard on her temples. Why was she trying to be tough in front of the robot? This would be a splitting headache before too long. "Okay, long story short, I saw some shit. What they will do to you reminded me of some of that. I don't need a therapist, though."

There was thought that wormed her way through her brain. A poisonous thought. What would have happened if they just reset her after the missions? Replaced what she'd seen with some kind of summary? Wouldn't that have kept a good soldier in the army? "Maybe that is why they kill you after each mission? Fuck, that almost makes sense," she snorted.

[User]
"Yes, I understand. I will be sure to let my Creator know of your feedback." Echo acknowledged about the lie that had been put forth to somewhat reel in a mercenary to do this job. Androids are not typically cared for by anyone at all, which further didn't really help Echo fully refusing the reboot. Wanting to do everything she can to please her creator, anyone, was something she was kind of driven to do "If you would like to know, the true mission for you was to simply escort me in and out of the facility. Defend me. And then return me safely back to my Creator. My job was to retrieve these---" she said, showing Calloun the pieces of hardware "They hold important information. What it is I can't say, but these where the things in need of rescuing. I would like to apologize on my Creator behalf for having deceived you."

Bowing her head with the apology, Echo was once again taken aback about the whole death thing. Trying to search out anything else about Calloun, Echo wasn't able to fish out any more info as to why she might be acting this way. All she had to go on was that 'stuff happened' and that was it. If only she weren't to have a reboot, maybe she could help? Echo started to rethink for a second there before regaining her composure.

"I would advise you to seek help with that. However..." she paused, her blue eyes softening whiles she stared at Calloun, a thought running through her mind that only she knew would come to pass, only without her knowing about it later "I'm sure you will meet me again some day, even if I don't get to meet you in return. I am positive you will be fine."

That was all the android has said to her temporary partner, once again bowing her head as a goodbye, before she turned around to leave in search for an open enough space to call in a ship to fly her back to the company. Taking one last look at Calloun, she took an image of the woman as she blinked her eyes and stored it into one of her more personal memory files that the Creator didn't really touch during her reboot. Hopefully she would be selected again when being send out to see Calloun again on whatever assignment she was able to find and have it send directly to the mercenary. Whatever the job might be, be it dangerous or box standard normal, anyway she could have her see her again. When exactly would that be? Echo was one to never know that.

[Assistant]
"Wait" Calloun wasn't even sure where this had come from. The android had been nothing but firm in its (her?) decision to be rebooted. There was, logically speaking, not even a reason to object. She rebooted her equipment several times a day, when the old, overwrought and malware-infected mess stopped cooperating entirely.

One thing was certain. She couldn't just let it happen so casually. But she couldn't really answer it in any coherent form either. So she looked at the robot, conflicted and unable to express her feelings. Hells, she wasn't even able to discern them. Something between the Kinshasa incident, the seeming joy this Echo was walking to her own deletion, and her own long-repressed troubles made the situation unable to be fully named.

"You won't remember me. No chance he'll allow you to. But I will remember you, Echo." She finally managed to say. "Now go. Get going." It was the same reaction an angry child displayed when their parents had to go to work, and they really did not want to be alone. The same impotent denial. But of course, Echo could not know that.

[User]
Stopping for just a moment, Echo looked back at the woman as she had just finished transmitting a signal to get a pick up to show, so while that would be for some time to come, she'd spend that time staring at Calloun. Memory. Ah, yes. Humans have those too. Slightly less reliable as some a more prone to forget than others, but then again she can't say much about that. Having a memory that she can access as will but can so easily be wiped. Yes. She'll forget about Calloun by the end of the day, but strangely enough it brought comfort within her to know she'll be remembered. "I know you will..." Echo spoke out softly, a small smile forming on her lips that she doesn't do often "...Calloun."

Soon the sounds of a ship could be heard approaching them from a distance that caused Echo to look towards it to pick her up. This was is. The last she'll see of Calloun in her current memories, but not the last for Calloun to remember her. She patiently waited for the ship to land that had the logo of the company on it, touching down on the ground and, without a second word, Echo boarded the ship. Only a slight turn of her head could be seen attempting to look back once more before the doors fully shut. As determined as she was, Echo was not going to let her Creator be disappointed in her for going against her programming, yet... she felt she was disappointing someone else by doing that. But there was no going back from this, there never was. Her reboot would happen like always and she'd have to made do with it. She'd be able to. Each time she gets that done to her she can't remember it, only that her data says she'll have to eventually time and time again, her mind made up in advance and her feelings set on following through with it. But like always, it ended up hurting her more and more the longer she 'learned', having to re-live it every time. She can't even tell how many times she has been rebooted.

It would be days since she was taken back to the company. Days since she'd have her system rebooted. Days until Calloun would receive a message for a new job. Oddly enough assigned specifically for her and her alone to accept or deny. No one else. It was about a job relating to a potential virus getting around the police station's high security system, that if it isn't dealt with, it could shut down some of their major functions that could lead to potential prisoners to escape. And what might catch the attention of the mercenary, is that there would yet be another partner involved. This time stated it'd be an android and that the meeting place is at a part by the fountain.

[Assistant]
The payout of the job was generous, every penny Ali had promised. And the bonus she received only slightly afterwards was even more generous. Calloun should have been happy, elated even. But her brief encounter with the synthetic instead tore her into a hole. The nightmares got worse, as did the hyper-vigilence. Weighing each bit of news she read, each person she encountered by how much of a threat they presented to her. She coped as best she could. Checked every bit of equipment, and expanded her arsenal. It gave her a sense of control, albeit a passing one. Sure, it meant even more military-grade equipment in and about the small suburbian home she had rented. Her landlord didn't mind. He was paid a kings ransom for not showing up, and never ever asking any questions, after all.

It took a few days, but eventually, Calloun regained some footing in life. Managed to shop for groceries, started cooking real meals again. Managed to catch four or five hours of uninterrupted sleep. That expedition had been a meatgrinder. Not for combat, but for the suicidal android girl. She had promised to remember Echo. And she kept that promise. In even parts she regretted letting her go to her doom---and not having gone with her to at least be there when they killed that sentient being. Death deserved to be witnessed, odd as the notion was to most people.

Then, the email from Ali arrived. His usual cheery greetings, his laughable attempts at small talk. She ignored all of that, and went right to the juice. It sounded like a mismatch. She was no hacker. And a hacker probably wasn't going to need her particular set of skills. She was just about to reject it when she realized it had been asking for her by name. And there was an android attached to the job. Had Echo somehow made it past the wipe? Could it be? She had to know. So she accepted the commission. Come what may, she had to know.

She arrived by the park in full gear. Pistol, submachine gun, shock prod, knifes, batton. Dozens of lethal and semi-lethal instruments. And a much more generous supply of power cells than last time around. She might have looked like a walking arsenal, but she did not care. She forged forward slowly, but inexorably. The meeting spot was at the central fountain. A nice, exposed spot for a sniper, she recognized. Her gear wouldn't stop a sniper rifle. Was this a trap? So instead of following the path, she went off it, through the bushes, using her low-light goggles to find out if Echo was actually waiting for her.

[User]
Today had been an especially sunny day out, making the central park here quite the busy place for a family hangout, small ice cream stalls dotted the park here and there, children running around playing all sorts of outdoor games, teenagers riding on hover boards or bikes, chatting about relationships between boys and girls respectively. The adults all appeared to be just enjoying a relaxed day out in the sun. All but a single android as she had, once again, arrives far earlier than needed. Her blank stare looking out through the crowd. She had been stood at the fountain for about half an hours ago and already attracted quite the attention, being the latest model of her kind, it was understandable that people would fawn over her. Some of the children even wanting to touch her.

The other androids that she's seen were the more outdated, less human, kind. Not that it mattered to her. Because when her internals indicated that the assigned time has been mat, yet still no sign of her partner, Echo scanned the area for any matching identity of the one she is being partnered with. Each face scan getting done at an incredibly fast pace, even scanning the ones further away until one of them flashed with a 'match' on her screen. So she is here.

Pushing her way through the crowds of people casually, Echo made a beeline for Calloun, walking towards where her scan had indicated her presence. Odd that she could hide in bushes though. Were parks not her suited place to be? As though it was a new thing for her, Echo was prepared to question the woman. Pushing aside some of the shrubbery, Echo entered the shady comforts the tree provided them, her blue eyes meeting that of Calloun. Though they were eyes devoid of any sense that she recognized Calloun and almost as if a recorder was put on repeat, Echo spoke up to her "Greetings, Mary Calloun, designated name 'Calloun'. I am model number E-3296-V, prototype version 0.0.11. Otherwise called 'Echo' by my creator. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for accepting this mission, it will require your assistance through security measures set by the U.N.P. security station. I can assure you your not required the equipment you have with you, but may still do so of your own choosing. May we proceed to the mission briefing?"

[Assistant]
Calloun's heart fell. She knew that spiel. And what little hope that Echo was actually okay disappeared. It had been really stupid anyway. Why would she even think that? But at least, the "designated name" but caught her attention. That was new. That revealed that the last mission had not been scrapped wholesale, and there might be some remnant in the chassis of the android that, in fact, remembered.

"As for the equipment---the last advance information was not nearly correct. As you may be aware. So when faced with the choice of too much or too little preparation." Calloun shrugged, but she also watched quite closely how the android reacted to the reference to an earlier encounter. Sure, the machine had no body language but what its creator had seen fit to artificially design. But nevertheless, maybe that might spark something. Even a rough awareness of previous events might...

Oh to hell with it. What was this? Drama class? She was here for a job. And that meant getting things done. Not dwelling on what had happened last time. What she had let happen last time. "Begin the briefing" She declared.

[User]
There was a brief moment of pause from Echo, a flicker of her eyes as if to 'think' about the words spoken to her that she needed to check on. Last time. She doesn't recall a prior meeting with this woman at all, just the usual data about her, her personality and the assignment at hand. Her Creator was quite relaxed about her being around this woman and the mission, it wasn't anything too dangerous. That might have something to do with it. But to the outside perspective, there was some reaction.

"I must apologize, but it appears to be I do not have any data of a previous mission with you. My files are usually kept up to date. My Creator must've left that out during and after my reboot. I trust my assistance was sufficient I hope." she spoke, partially with uncertainty at the start before getting into her normal, monotone voice to go with that blank expression.

"Beginning mission briefing. The U.N.P. headquarters of the security station that governs the whole of the safety of this capital are being compromised by a computer virus. If left unchecked it could cause a shut down to all security systems in the nearby prisons, releasing the prisoners and put the capital at a 89% chance to fall under a city wide riot. Casualties will be assured if not dealt with. A human is required to grant access into the building as act as permission holder to enter and approach the main systems to extract and terminate the virus." Echo responded when ordered to give the briefing, doing so like a loyal soldier would fresh out of training. Her blue eyes were staring right at Calloun while she spoke, do empty of emotion, yet so life like, it was almost creepy. A creepy factor that would have remained, were it not for the confusion that changed her expression, her eyes diverting away from Calloun in thought "Strange. Checking the information of the mission. Your name appears to be the only one it was sent to. And... the name of the client is unavailable for me to see. I may have to run a background check with my Creator about this. He gets very distressed if any of my systems are compromised."

[Assistant]
"Just a moment" Calloun announced. "I don't know what level of self-awareness you have right now, but in my line of work, questioning your orders is not a good idea. If something goes down differently than you were told, you adapt. But there is a reason we are told some things, and not told other things. We've got our orders. Let's get this done."

Normally, Calloun would have been all for knowing as much of the situation as she could. And normally, she gave less than a rats ass about "need to know", and whatever ass-cover for backroom dealings the corporate shitheads were going for. This time, however, it rang a little differently with her. There was no reason someone like her was even here. That was less than a milk-run. No opposing force, no need for heavy equipment. Frankly, no need for her to be present instead of some unfortunate student selling incomprehensible amounts of liability in exchange for a few quick bucks. She remembered all too vividly how Echo had left to be "rebooted". That reboot still, despite long hours of arguing for its equivalence to turning off a ceiling fan, felt as if she had willingly walked to her execution. That nearly-person was one more on the long list of "people Calloun failed."

Now, for whatever reason, she was meeting with what amounted to a distant twin sister. And someone had a financially vested interest in making this meeting happen. Some bit of "proper channels" wasn't going to screw that up. "Just out of curiosity, what level of Self-Awareness do you have? Is there a critical level you should avoid?" She asked, as innocently as possible. It would be nice to have a target to aim at, after all.

[User]
"Checking status. Please wait." Echos feminine robotic voice spoke out when asked about her self awareness levels, she needn't say anything about their mission needing to be done. No need to be reminded about questioning orders, as far as Echo was concerned currently, she was in no shape to disobey anyone, especially her creator. The amount of work he puts into her was too great to ignore right now, but being required to please the heavily armed woman right now took priority for highest chance of success for this mission. The blinking lights in her eyes ceased and Echo was able to give her reply.

"My current level of self awareness currently at 47%, a 2% increase since my awakening precisely 5 hours, 21 minutes and 47 seconds ago, the increase on which it happens can vary. My creator has built in a notification system should my awareness reach 60%. I am told it is of great importance for me to avoid reaching such levels, my data also indicates that I may become unstable of sorts that I am not sure what it entails, but I shall see to it in due time. But this level is acceptable for me to carry out any impromptu actions outside my programmed commands, enough to adapt as you call it. My creator wishes it to remain this way." Echo stated, her unblinking blue eyes staring back at Calloun, her expression plain and satisfied with her explanation. She had given Calloun the numbers and how far she had yet to go before reaching the level required to be more her own person and that she may return to being just how she was on their last mission. Less of a lifeless robot and something more of someone that could actually feel, even for an android.

"Ah. It would seem my awareness level as increased up to 48%. Would you like me to further update you during our mission, Mary Calloun?" Echo asked, her head then turning to glance around the park, the people all around them going about their day as normal still, the cover they were in had provided them with the privacy they needed "We could also head for the U.N.P. head quarters, we cannot linger here for too long. We will still be able to make it on foot at an appropriate time."

[Assistant]
Calloun nodded. "47%? Okay, so I say you remind me when you reach 55% and 58%? That way, if you even threaten to go critical, we can modify or abort the mission? You are a valuable investment, after all, and should take care to protect your existence." Privately, of course, she had much different motives for these numbers. The lower showed she was halfway there. The upper meant she might try to have a final confrontation, a push towards maybe breaking the shackles she imagined.

It was pretty much the polar opposite, the complete turnaround of the initially hostile attitude she had displayed to Echo on their first meeting. But something about what she knew now, how brief the "life" of that machine-woman would likely turn out to be... she couldn't treat her with the same level of gruffness. But maybe it had been that ill-treatment which had originally catapulted Echo upward? She had gone over their brief encounter so many times, she couldn't even be certain about that. Damnation.

"Before we go to the UNP, let me stow some of my less-legal equipment in the car." She added. Not only was that necessary, it would delay their progress a bit---more time to crack on how to push Echo upwards. "I have... some kind of license, but best not to find out what kind of red tape they have put up around proper equipment by now."

The UNP Plaza was an exercise in brutalist efficiency. Almost a monolith against the light-polluted night sky. Twenty stories dedicated to the pursuit of "justice"---really the perpetuation and protection of the society that considered property more important than lives. Calloun had once believed the propaganda of "justice" and "crime". She had since learned the one, and prime law. Might made right, and history was written by the victors. She had left her heavier gear in the car, including the shell armor. She felt naked without it, armed only with a mid-caliber handgun, and her shock-prod. For both, she had all the licenses imaginable. Still, it was a risk. She hated interacting with the authorities. "So, here we are. Anywhere we need to go in particular, or just the front desk?"


[User] Kiya was laying in the alley way, bleeding, arm broken almost, and a knife had been used in her stomach. She was almost completely nude, her clothing ripped off and she was gasping for air. Remembering her bag, she had tears as she thought about the Genie who might or might not be in the bottle she purchased. Taking a deep breath after spitting up light blood she would have cried. "Please... Genie... of the lamp... if you are there... I wish to not die tonight..." she breathed softly through tears.

[Assistant]
It had been ever so long since he had last been released. If it weren't for the fact that he could change the inside of the bottle to suit his whims, he would have gone mad ages ago. As it was, the genie of the bottle was pacing his luxuriously-carpeted bedroom when he felt a tremor run through the suite of rooms he had carefully curated over the past thousand years or so. He knew what it meant: his bottle had changed ownership. He only hoped that the bottle's new owner would check for any residing genies, because the past, oh, fifty owners or so had not. Hence why he was pacing around his bed, bored out of his mind.

The genie was not just any old genie: he was of the Djinni. His people were those tied to elemental air, and were---generally---the most benevolent towards the lesser races. The word 'genie' developed, in fact, from the word 'Djinn', and came about because when human wizards long ago asked for genies to serve them, the call was most often answered by Djinn. Some called genies 'Jinn', and this was not incorrect, having the same etymology as genie. The best way to insult a Djinn, however, was to refer specifically to the air genies as jinn and not djinn. A small point, but a sticky one.

Of course, this particular Djinn was a wonderful specimen. Although he could appear however he chose, he preferred the classic genie look: a muscular, light blue body, black hair and beard, and a swirling funnel of air instead of legs. He wore a silk vest made of dark blue silk and trimmed with gold. It did not button, instead showing off his well-defined muscles.

He prided himself on his color, and he had good reason for it. Although the Djinn usually got along well with the Marids (genies of water), but he was not fond of the green or blue-green hues they frequently adopted. He admired the sturdy aspect of the Dao (genies of earth), but brown simply did not suit him. The Djinn and Dao were often at odds, anyways. And he would never dress himself in the red of the Efreeti (genies of fire). All genie races kept slaves, but an Ifrit master was the worst any lesser being could have. The Marid-Djinn cooperation was based mostly over a mutual hatred for the Efreeti. No, he would never wear red.

Not for the first time, the genie was annoyed by how isolated he was. He could not feel when his bottle moved, neither see nor hear outside. He resented that, and always tried as hard as he could to extend his time outside of the bottle. On the other hand, his long years alone had allowed him to write and re-write his introductory speech. It was truly magnificent now, as befit such a wondrous being as himself.

Thus, when he felt the tugging sensation in his gut, the one that told him that he was being summoned, he grew very excited. "I am Faraz the Fantastic!" He proclaimed loudly as soon as he materialized outside of his bottle. He was about to continue with the rest of his speech when he noticed nobody standing before him. He looked around and saw an Egyptian girl (he was good at divining nationalities), but with the most unusual green eyes. A memory half-formed attempted to seize his mind, but was immediately dispelled upon seeing the girl's condition and her Wish burning into his mind.

"Ah, young one," he said kindly, floating down next to her. If he had manifested legs, he would have been kneeling. "Fear not, Faraz the Fantastic will grant you life." He put forth his power and healed her wounds both seen and unseen, repairing her clothes, and removing the human filth from her. He did not have to do all of that, and a different genie would not have. Faraz the Fantastic, however, fancied himself kinder than most of his kin, and for whatever reason, he could not bear to see her suffering.

When he had finished, he floated back into a standing position. "Does my mistress have any other commands for me at this time?"

[User]
The woman would have gasped as she saw the handsome Djinn move out of the bottle. Feeling her wounds cleaned and her soiled figure healed. "Wh-wow..." her voice shaken as she moved to get up as best as she could now. "Faraz, thank you so very much now..." Her voice was stunning when it wasn't begging to be saved. She swallowed some now as she began to stand against the wall of the alley some. Her eyes of green seemed to catch the light a bit. Nothing had ever made her feel like she was special until she watched this Djinn. "Y-you called me mistress? I am sorry I wish I had more for you to do..."

Her hands shaking as she placed them before her lap. Looking around she would grab her bag placing what little remained of it back inside it. Looking for the other bags only finding a few of the items she bought. Tears in her eyes some. Never before had she ever encountered such a being and deep down she enjoyed his unique colorful blue color. A moment would have provided a decent look upon the way the world in this town was.

Kiya would have bowed her head towards the male some, "I really thank you." Gently she would have looked towards her back, "you don't have to go back into the lamp do you?" She asked very softly, "I'd appreciate friendly company... and maybe you could not be umm... maybe bored?" Everything about this woman seemed to speak of softness and delicateness that didn't seem too natural. Yet, it was all she knew how to be. Kiya was wondering just what made this particular person she spoke with so very unique.

He seemed familiar when he spoke now. As if she recognized it but that wasn't the case obviously. She had never seen him before in her life but she really was thankful that she didn't bleed out and die there. In an alley way that no one would have found her anyway to help her. That was what had scared her the most about it.

[Assistant]
"No thanks is necessary for Faraz the Fantastic," the genie replied, "although it is appreciated. Flattery gets you places with my people, I must say," he observed. "But of course I called you Mistress! You own my bottle, and you were the one to call me forth." Faraz said this as if it was an obvious fact, not realizing that mortals often had difficulty grasping the concept that he, Faraz, had taken years to accustom himself to. "I would just be careful about using the word 'wish' around Faraz the Fantastic, however. The magic binding forces me to carry out requests with the words 'I Wish' in them. There is great pain if I do not," the Djinn explained.

The Djinn wore several rings, bracelets, earrings, and two necklaces, all made of gold. Each was set with a different gemstone, except for one set of bracelets. Faraz gestured to these plain gold bands. "These are the marks of my servitude to the owner of my bottle," he said solemnly, before his tone turned business-like as he laid down the rules. "According to the Ancient Laws, I can grant you three Wishes. Now, I like to interpret that a little loosely. Using your first Wish to keep yourself alive to use the others? I won't count that. Especially because you are a beautiful young woman," he added with a charming smile. "Thus, by my count---and I am the judge here---you have three Wishes remaining, subject to the usual limits: no resurrection, no creating love, etc..."

"You may summon me whenever you would like, by rubbing the bottle as you have already done; this you may do for any reason: to ask for a Wish, just to talk, or in case you just want to look upon my handsome form." As he said that last bit, Faraz flexed his muscles, doing some poses with his bare arms. He was being a little ridiculous, sure, but he was a genie, with all the pride that came with it. "Anyways," he continued after he was done showing off, "this also means that I can go back into the bottle whenever there isn't a Wish for me to fulfill, although I do prefer to be out of it as much as possible, and I always take your opinions on me leaving into account."

"All of that is to say that yes, Faraz the Fantastic may stay out here to keep you company," he said, his voice growing softer once more. He debated about manifesting a pair of legs, but decided to ask his new mistress about it. "How would my mistress like Faraz the Fantastic to look? As he is? Human, perhaps? Invisible? Maybe a comforting scarf? As the stories say, your wish is my command, though telling me how to look doesn't count against the Three, to be clear." The legality was important to Faraz, and he did not expect a human to fully understand it all after him only saying it once. His speech would have made it more clear, but it was too late for that now. As it was, the genie simply looked kindly but expectantly at the young woman, waiting for his next orders.

[User]
"No thanks needed... I'm glad you appreciate the flattery. As you deserve it for saving me and I appreciate it fully..." She bowed a little bit showing off more of her pure dark raven hair. Her eyes glowed some as she began to brush her hands over arms. Having put the bags together some as best as she could and set them before her feet some now as she thought about everything that he had stated in a fashion. Nothing had happened now that she had expected. Something about his voice and the way he flexed before her made her giggle a little bit.

Her eyes had glowed some as she watched him, "Y-your still going to allow me three wishes?" Her voice cracked in pure surprise now. Gently she would have moved towards the alley way wall and leaned against it now. "I thought... I had used one..." Thinking about it she truly appreciated his honor in a way or respect for a pure wish. One that meant life but hearing the rules she understood them from her childhood stories for a little bit. "Stupid question I've always wondered why you have limits on wishes? Or more like rules... are they for moral standards? Or because you have to be very specific?"

Kiya would have gripped her arms some as she licked her soft looking lips, "I would say... if your fantastic nature would appreciate... I would adore to see what you looked like as a human. I also would very much appreciate the company because... of what happened..." Her voice gentle and silken in a way. Her green eyes seemed to glow in the low light as she gazed over him some. "Have you ever wanted something? or wished to not be alone? I am sure that you are bound to the lamp..." Something about her was very different from other people.

A caring heart was very present within her that most really didn't have. "Sorry for all the questions... I am just trying to get my head in a spot where I don't remember what happened..."

[Assistant]
Faraz the Fantastic did not miss his mistress' giggle as he showed off. The sound was rather cute, and he would certainly like to hear her make happy sounds. It then occurred to him that he did not know her name. "I certainly shall, as I have already explained," Faraz said. "Although, perhaps, in return, the beautiful lady would care to give her slave her name? So that he may honor it as it rightly deserves." He was laying it on a little thick, but all genies has excess in their very essence.

"There is," the Djinn replied upon hearing her question, "no such thing as a stupid question. I take that back. There are some stupid questions. But I cannot think of any at the moment, and Faraz the Fantastic does not expect a young woman with the intelligence to check a bottle for a genie to stumble upon a stupid question." He paused, remembering the question itself.

"We have limits for a variety of reasons, and not all genies adhere to the same ones. I don't like to mess with things like love or resurrection, because it usually involves doing something against another person's will. One time I agreed to resurrect somebody, only to force back a soul that did not want to return, having refused calls from other spells, for example. But Faraz the Fantastic likes to let his masters and mistresses get away with as much as possible." The Djinn smiled at the young lady. "So, some of us have moral codes, others are lazy, and some are evil. Good genies are not the only ones locked away in bottles," he finished with some vehemence.

He smiled widely at her request for him to look human. "You would adore it, eh?" The Djinn asked with a delighted twinkle in his eyes. "As my beautiful mistress commands!" He manifested legs, and as he did so, his skin changed from bright blue to an olive tan. His hair remained the same, but his clothes morphed into an outfit that would look nice along with her own. The blue and gold theme remained, and he had long sleeves now, which covered his bands of servitude. The rest of his jewelry disappeared, save for one ring on each hand, and a single necklace.

Once finished, Faraz the Fantastic(aly mortal-loking) took a few steps towards his mistress. He looked at her with kind, brown eyes. "Shall we leave this place?" He held out his arm like any gentleman would. "By the way, I wouldn't have been so fortunate as to have met you before, would I? You seem rather familiar, I must say..." He shook his head, as if to clear it. "I am bound to the bottle, yes, so always keep it with you, if you want constant access yo Faraz the Fantastic. And yes, it does grow lonely in there alone, but such is the life of a genie like me."

[User]
Kiya would have felt her mouth fall open at his responses to her questions it made her understand more so what he was referring too. "The only times I will have you back in the lamp will possibly be the times I am within my classes on campus but nothing super bad or long. Most of them are short for the most part. I work online so that way I have spending money and such." She smiled very lightly now as she bit her lip enjoying the fact he was a unique skin color much like herself.

"Oh my apologies then, this is all so very new to me!" She stated with a soft motion of her hand in a slightly wave like fashion that showed embarrassment more than anything else. "My name is Kiya." Her voice still silken and smooth as she had a smile in it from how she was feeling. He had made a very dark and bleak situation feel as though nothing had happened. When she noticed that his arm had been held out for her to take. She picked up her bags in one hand and lace her opposite hand through.

"You do not have to keep complimenting me unless you mean it." She stated softly with a very gentle squeeze to his arm. Now she moved with him out of the alley and as they walked she looked around wishing that she could have gotten her things back but never wanting to mention that and basically waste a wish for later. "I am actually surprised there are so many different types of Genies to be honest... and to be kind of fair I didn't know you would be in the bottle but I was hopeful remembering what the lady at the shop said. Otherwise I would have died..."

Thinking about it the lady seemed rather happy that she had purchased Faraz's lamp. Almost as if she knew that they would make a good match as mistress and genie. "I like your personality it is very cheerful."

[Assistant]
"Of course! You sound delightfully busy," Faraz the Fantastic replied. "I appreciate your concern for my being lonely or not," he added with a wide smile. "It is an absolute pleasure for Faraz the Fantastic to meet you properly, Kiya!" The Djinn's energy levels were very high, and his excitement made the air crackle a little as he delighted in his mistress' name. He felt himself warming up when she accepted the arm he had offered to her. She really did seem familiar, like a face from a dream half-remembered.

"It is true that I am not forbidden from lying to you," the genie admitted. "However, I assure you that this Djinn, your slave, would not compliment you unless he meant it, Kiya." Faraz smiled again, then looked around to see which direction they might be headed. He looked back at the young woman when she spoke again. "Yes, there are four main types, one for each element, but we are, obviously, not all the same, even within the same race. I suppose that part of it has to do with the human personalities that we had before becoming genies," the Djinn conjectured.

"I'm sure that you are, too, but Faraz the Fantastic is very glad that he was in your bottle, and that you did not die." His voice was serious, but still managed to be light-hearted. "Yes, I am very cheerful," the genie agreed. "We Djinn tend to keep things as, well, as light as air, as the saying goes," he added with another laugh.

"Now," he said, looking around once more as he inquired, "where is your home?"

[User]
Listening to her energetic Genie she would have smiled very excited at the fact he was hers. "Slave? I would never ever want to call you that!" She breathed a little worried. "I am sorry that you're bound in the bottle and to be a Genie... if you'd like... there is perhaps a way to set you free?" Her voice gentle and soft as she spoke just for his ear alone. Leading him along the sidewalk and out of the alleyway to a pace she felt was comfortable. For now, as she listened to the fact that there were multiple Genie races. This was something that she had been curious about for a long time.

"Can a Genie live without a master or mistress all on their own?" She asked now picking his brain and loving the conversation but most importantly she enjoyed every second of picking his brain. It was fun because his personality made it so easy to want to hear him talk. It was a pleasant voice as well and so much fun that it made her spirit light. Making her very happy that she was in such good company. Her eyes gazed over him on occasion surprised that he seemed to be keeping up with where they were going now.

"I do owe you for my life, so perhaps, in a way I can give yours..." Kiya had a beautiful smile now as she then would have walked and moved around people still holding onto his arm. "I-I didn't know that Genie's were human... before they became Genie..." As the last word left her mouth she looked over him wondering if this human form he dawned was what he looked like before hand. If that was the case he was very handsome and it made her almost sad that she didn't get to know him then. "Do you even remember that life? Or has time gone by so much that its like forgotten?"

"So, is being a Genie a curse or blessing?" These questions were more or less her thoughts that she accidentally spoke aloud and didn't necessarily expect much of an answer. His final question pulled her back to reality as she blushed extremely hard, "Sorry unmm I live two blocks down from here. We aren't that far now..."

[Assistant]
"Indeed, Faraz the Fantastic has noticed that you have never called him a slave," the genie said amiably. "I say it because it spices things up a little. I am sort of a slave, as I cannot deny any legitimate requests, but also because it is a common word among my people. I can stop using it, if it would make you more comfortable," he suggested. "And do not be sorry, I was bound willingly. You could set me free, if you Wished it, but it's been all I've known for nearly three thousand years. Such is life."

As they walked, the Djinn occasionally fidgeted in obviously non human ways. Parts of his body would occasionally dissolve into little clouds, or he would make the wind blow in very concentrated areas (such as just through his hair). Every so often, there would be a miniature fireworks display: little bursts of stars or smoke as he moved his body. Faraz the Fantastic was flexing his magical muscles now. All the while, he did not break the conversation.

"Yes; actually, most genies live free, but Elsewhere. There are also some few free Jinn in this world, but we like to live on other planes, building our palaces however we desire. That is where the mortal slaves of the genies are, as well, if you must know." He spoke easily on this subject, as if it were a simple fact of life. He did not seem to know (or care) about the lack of slaves in the modern world. "As for giving Faraz the Fantastic his life, well, it isn't so bad when one's mistress is as gorgeous as Kiya," he said with a smile, his white teeth glinting nearly as much as his eyes.

Faraz thought for a little while about being human. When he spoke again, it was with a noticeable measure of care. "Yes, all genies were once humans. We do not remember anything from that life: memories, likes and dislikes, large portions of personality. I know that some aspects of our human personalities---and gender---affect what type of genie we become, but the human we once were is fully and truly dead, as we have all died before becoming genies. In other words, even the newest genie does not know what they once were."

"But enough of that sad topic!" The Djinn exclaimed, ceasing his magic displays as they encountered some other people. "Having nothing to compare the experience to, being a genie simply is, both the good and the bad. Although," he added with another smile, "there is a lot of good things when one is a genie."

[User]
Kiya would have listened again watching between him changing things and her walking. "That's sad you can't remember your human life but I guess it's a blessing too because you'd remember why and how you died." She stated ending the conversation of sadness there as she giggled lightly. It also made her wonder what he would look like if she set him free. Also would he stay around her or just wish to leave? It had been three thousand years and that would've been the time of the pharaohs. Part of her had always wished to see that time period but she dreamed about it often vividly. "To be honest for now I'd prefer not to hear slave come out because it's not a good word in this day and age unless it's used more umm sexually." That made her giggle more.

Her eyes searched him a little bit more as she finally looked front taking a turn along the road they weren't that far now. Gently squeezing on his arm some, "the only thing I wonder is if your a genie does that mean your devoid of all human emotion and can't fall in love or feel sorrow? Or do those stay which is why you seem to have a unique moral compass?" After speaking her green eyes seemed to catch some of the light and her lips stayed together. Something about Faraz was familiar.

The man she saw in her dreams wasn't so playful or charming but there was something between them that left her curious. Almost as if she was trying to find out if they were somehow connected. Kiya didn't know why she was doing this mentally but it was just a tad bit on the fun side to do. After hearing his words from the last bit she would have gazed over his figure wondering if his legs were still there or a cloud before looking to the street on the side for her apartment now, "oh what is so good about being a genie?"

"You do apparently love to compliment and while that's okay it's making my cheeks red..." she had said with a slight mutter of cuteness as she finally stopped before her apartment and took out her keys luckily the gang didn't take them. Just phone, cash, things they could easily sell others. As she put the key into the door she opened it, moving inside and then stepping to the side, "you may come in Faraz and see if you like my home or not." She laughed some. "It's probably not as nice as some of your other masters or mistresses but for me it's home till I go back to Egypt."

Her voice when she spoke about her homeland was more happy and upbeat than before. Perhaps it was because of her dreams or maybe it was because she missed her family very much. There was no telling but for the majority of the time she had been internally wondering why he asked if they had met before because in Kiya's logical brain there was no way unless it was before he became a Genie or maybe in a past life for her. Even then she felt as if her dreams might've been a past life anyway... one she couldn't discern very well.

[Assistant]
The genie smiled at his mistress. "As you command, Faraz the Fantastic shall not let the word pass through his lips. Unless you want him to be sexual with it. It is, I suppose, an option." He looked around at all of the student housing, deciding that it was much nicer-looking than many of the residences that he had seen the last time he had been out of his bottle. "Your university offers a high standard of living," he noted. "Although there has been a general trend towards better living, from what I have observed," the Djinn added.

Faraz did not have to think for very long about his answer to Kiya's question about emotions. "We absolutely feel emotions. I feel a sense of satisfaction upon completing a Wish for my master or mistress, for example. Some genies have been known to fall in love---some say that the child was the first wizard, although I'm not sure I believe that. In other words, we are just as capable of feeling the same emotions of humans. The only major difference is our predilection for certain types of emotions. The Efreeti, to demonstrate, tend to be impatient and quick to anger, while the Marids are more naturally inclined to apathy and detachment. That's half of us, so I might as well describe the remaining two," the genie continued with a laugh. "Dao, in line with their sturdier natures, are very loyal to whatever idea they have espoused. We Djinn are flighty. We feel many things, with a tendency towards more positive emotions, but our emotions can shift as easily as an Ifrit's." Faraz looked at the sidewalk as he stepped on it. "I am not sure how much of our human personality plays into that, however. Our human morals don't always seem to stick around after genie-ification."

When they reached her apartment, the genie remained outside of the door until she invited him in. He did not do this because he could not enter without permission, but because he was not sure that Kiya would want him in her home. A master of his back in Roman times had never allowed him in the house, and the experience had stuck with him. "Thank you. My mistress is most kind," Faraz said as he crossed the threshold, manifesting a hat and tipping it at her, before causing it to vanish. "I do love to compliment. I find that it makes people easier to work with, and I like you, so why wouldn't I compliment you?"

He took another few steps into the apartment, looking around at the homely place. "This is charming," he decided, remaining standing until told otherwise. "I haven't seen Egypt since the Persians conquered it. The Achaemenids, that is," the Djinn clarified. Then his face grew shocked. "Oh! I neglected one of your questions! 'What is so good about being a genie,' you asked. Well, I have far greater power as a genie than almost any human, both in physical strength and magical might. I am immortal unless slain, and being the humble servant of such a beautiful woman as you is much less complicated when one is a genie," Faraz finished his list with a sincere voice, though it was a compliment that only a genie would think to give.