lost13th

[lost13th]

"I see, someone who lurks in the shadows, then? While I prefer the flamboyance of being up front, I can appreciate someone with your...talents." She would likely find the woman's tail and talents amusing even if she were being intimidated, but instead her lips were stolen.

It was not sweet, it was not vicious, but it was not undesirable. And so she leans in and captures the other woman's lips once more, a deeper kiss than the initial one, before pulling back.

"Perhaps interesting isn't quite the correct word, now that I've more of an inclination on what kind of person you are." Were she someone who wished to lack notoriety, someone who did knife tricks, someone who stalked such a place at night - all of these combined would mean that this woman was likely just as dangerous as she is.

A reassessment, if you will.

🐀 "More of a threat, hm? I'd love a name like that myself, but I can't imagine the notoriety would do me any favours." The thiren shrugged. Her job would be a lot more difficult if she had a reputation. But it was also difficult to hide amongst criminals while balancing a lack of notoriety. It had bit her in the butt before. At least her knife trick got a laugh. Most people found her tail amusing.

If it wasn't being used to intimidate them at least.

"Is it really that interesting that I'm out here?" Jane didn't even blink when Elendira lifted up her chin. This was either a dare or an invitation, but Jane decided to take it as both without considering too carefully which it was. She leaned in and stole the other woman's lips for a few seconds, smirking and licking her own lips when she pulled back ever so slightly. She was still close enough to do it again. "Well that was interesting, if anything."

[lost13th]

"A flower." It's not a question, it's a statement, as she laughs at the bold announcement. Still, the compliments flood her with pleasure, and she won't be leaving him dead on the side of the road tonight if this continues.

"Crimson, actually. Elendira the Crimsonnail." Turning around, she holds out a hand to him, palm down, lips pursed in respond. "Steel, gold, and diamonds, though, I enjoy that. And a goddess? Well, I only serve one god," two, now, actually, "But I can accept a compliment from someone."

What a strange man, willingly following a viper into the nest. Still, he can provide some sort of entertainment for her. Once he kisses her hand, or not, she'll turn back around and continue walking.

"Tell, me, what kind of outfit would you design for me, then? I am quite interested in fashion, and have my share of personal designers here on the island so far. What could you give me that they cannot?"

There are different ways to phrase a threat, but the way she's said hers sounds more attractive than alarming. He only has a vague idea of all the regions she's rattling off her tongue, but exploring them together with her should be a delight.

❛ I sew, ❜ Cecil replies to her question. ❛ and I stitch, for myself and my friends, all for fun. ❜ His fingers fondle the lush lavender bow adorning his one-shoulder cape before he jogs a little ahead to twirl for her.

❛ I made this for myself. I want to make things for you too. ❜

❛ Beautiful people suit beautiful things, but that boutique still falls short. ❜

He can't began to guess what she means by "typically human," but it's safe to say Elendira puts herself in a different category.

❛ I already know what you are, ❜ he teases brightly. ❛ A flower. A goddess. Or, acier, lumière, et diamants. ❜ Gold, steel, light, and diamonds.

[lost13th]

"Oh, sweetie, you will care." She simply leaves it at that, continuing to walk at her typical pace, allowing for him to scramble to catch up. It makes her laugh, and for that reason she'll let him continue living for the moment.

That, and while she's not one for baseless compliments, he was at least being specific enough to not be false about it. And gifts? My, my, this stray may prove interesting yet.

"You do certainly have a way with words. For that reason, I'll leisurely walk home. From here, we travel through the Mistwood, and then through The Land of Burnt Umber. So," she smirks, "A while, walking at a typical human pace."

She considers that if he decides to be more predator than stray, perhaps killing him in the Mistwood, but dragging his body to the runt's house would be more fun. Oh, but she's really supposed to be the prey here herself, right?

She's quite terrible at this sort of thing.

"Are you a designer? I take it the clothes in that store are not up to your personal standards?"

Roommates?

He's surprised. Despite her flawless style, was his queen still forced to sharing her living space with others? The Stars here certainly favored the proletariat.

❛ I don't care who you live with, ❜ Cecil replies, following behind her by echoing every step she takes with his own. Naturally, her strides are longer than his, but the marquis has no trouble keeping up as he skips foot after foot.

❛ I've already decided I like you best. ❜

❛ You're pretty with a sense of style. I want to drench you in jewels and clothe you with all the fabrics of the world. Yes? ❜

He speeds up his pace until he's at her shoulder, peering up at her elegant profile. ❛ You are what we at Chaumont say...un coeur de neige à la blancheur des cygnes. ❜ The cygnet's whiteness with a heart of snow.

❛ How far until we get home? ❜ He hopes the road is a long one.

[lost13th]

Apparently he has lost his absolute fucking mind, as she successfully drags him down the street, arms locked together, laughing loudly at his pain. Oh, she did miss him, didn't she? Amusing as this place has been, how else was she supposed to get her kicks without the most dour ass to ever walk the planet to laugh at.

"Why would we kill the alternate ones?" She graces him with, not deigning to respond to his implication that she's full of shit, because she's not, and she knows her next move is a killer, one that will pierce that shriveled little heart of his.

Oh, perhaps, through the spine! He was rather pathetic for that, wasn't he?

"Unless..." Her voice falls into a mock whisper. She tugs him flush with her, lips close to his ear. "You would ever think to hurt any version of Master Knives? I'd never even consider that."

"My, perhaps the grave has made a traitor out of you yet! I'll gladly take your head for even the implication that you would harm a hair on his." Either of them, really, but she can't help the razor sharp grin that forms on her painted lips.

If Legato was the pinnacle of low self-esteem and fragile ego, Elendira embodied the opposite side of the spectrum, and that was all too evident as she laughed at Legato's frustration and confusion. Under normal circumstances, he would spit back at her with a harsh word or two, requesting that he be left alone.

Unfortunately (maybe for the BOTH of them) that was not an option.

" I don't understand. Alternate versions? "

Before another word is gotten out, Legato is pulled into a disgustingly close predicament, and he scowls, annoyed.

" You've lost your absolute fucking mind if you think I'm going to happily traverse down the street with you arm in arm-- " Legato deadpans, though his debate clearly didn't matter.

" That doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense. And I think you're full of shit, " his already thin patience was wearing out.

" Alternate humans-- two of our very same lord-- and we're not doing anything about killing the fake ones? "

[lost13th]

Given how far she lived, she naturally had no desire to carry her purchases that far. Bundled back in her coat, she notices the man standing outside, but she is far from someone who feels remote concern when walking around in the evening.

So, when he speaks, she can't help but laugh at his admission, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder as she turns to him.

"Really now? My roommates aren't really the type to enjoy company at all, never mind strays."

She chuckles, pulling her stole around herself as she continues on her way, not caring one way or the other if the stay does continue to follow her. It would be hilarious for him to appear following her at the Ark, simply to be faced with not one, but two versions of Millions Knives.

She could hardly contain herself at the prospect, actually. She could play bait.

"However, I am curious as to why. Given how courteous you were about it."

@lost13th

What an incredibly tall woman.

Enough that it seems almost comedic for Cecil to step into the doorway to block her way out of the chic boutique shop. She doesn't have any purchases with her—perhaps she's sent them on ahead?

He hasn't seen any carriages to that effect, either.

But he's sure he could dress her in more gorgeous threads than these, even if they'd be a little more extravagant than her usual fare. Ah, if only his fashion house was here!

❛ Ma chérie, ❜

❛ I am going to follow you home. I thought it best to inform you first. ❜

One-sided love was just that simple, when speaking to one's Muse.

[lost13th]

"Less an exciting story, and more of a threat to those who think to cross me." She practically purrs, relishing in having been sent out to punish those who disappointed her own master. The Crimsonnail, the lost thirteenth, the strongest of her name and of her peers.

She watches the woman's lithe tail flick out a knife, an fun trick, and it pulls a laugh from her lips. "I believe you just may end up being a person I take a great interest in, after all."

"And, really, you are right. A normal person would hardly be out here in this place. At this hour. And yet," The blonde, taps under the strange woman - Jane's - chin, tilting her head up, a dare, given how close they were. "Now we've run into each other. How interesting."

🐀 Jane often chose not to offer her last name unless it was specifically requested. There were those who wouldn't recognize what "Jane Doe" referenced, but anyone with half a brain would be able to tell that it was a fake name. It was just easier to go by it these days than her birth name, and doing so kept her safer in the long term.

"The Crimsonnail, hm? That's quite the illustrious title." One she couldn't even fathom to begin how the woman had received it. "I'm sure there's an exciting story behind it." As Elendira explained her desire to find someone interesting, Jane took the moment to lean forward so that her lips within earshot to whisper. "So am I interesting enough for you?"

"I don't imagine a normal person would choose to be out here at this hour." The thiren's own tail grabbed the wooden knife holstered at her hip and tossed it into the air with a twirl, catching it effortlessly. "And I have skills that not just any old gal would possess. I'm sure you can tell."

[lost13th]

"And are you doing your job in the mall?" She responds voice cool, but as the kid turns red, and she observes the material more, she sighs. The shaking I need it, she pinches her brow, speaking to a god she didn't believe with, as her God was here with her, she thinks is this my job?

But were she to be frank, it would have been ideal had adults been kinder to her requests, so she turns back to the kid sharply, heel clacking as she does.

"That can hardly be healthy for that purpose. Child, we live in a place where your particularly needs can be met in a far more comfortable way. Come on, then." She clicks her tongue and turns back around, gesturing for the boy to come with her without turning back to make sure he does.

Soon enough, they come upon a store with a pastel coloration, at least on the front. Striped flags that Elendira has not exactly parsed the meaning of, but understood they meant she was welcome, decorated the windows at the front of the store.

A small wave from the helpful cashier as Elendira demands, "Binders for smaller frames." And moves in the direction that she is prompted, teenager in tow, looking far more like family than two people who did not know each other's names should.

"Here, these are made for what you use your work uniform for, to go under different clothing. Pick out some."

At the sound of a woman's voice, Freminet freezes automatically. Tucking the helmet he was about to wear to his chest instead, he looks up trepidatiously. For a few seconds he sees a different blonde woman, but he blinks back the warm memories before they can begin to fill up his eyes.

"It's for my job..." Freminet protests in a tiny voice, more confused than strictly anxious because... What Freminet was wearing wasn't that different than what he saw the other divers wear? Just who was supposed to stop him from walking around? And who wasn't wearing any shoes? Still, Freminet finds himself trotting after the woman. If there is one thing he has always been good at, it's following orders.

"Madame, I... It's not that I don't appreciate the thought... But, my wetsuit I..." The idea of explaining to a stranger that the thick, stretchy material of the wetsuit keeps his chest flat - that the long sleeves keep him from becoming overstimulated by the rough material of his coat is too much to bear and he feels the words become stuck in his throat as he begins to turn red. Still, he swallows around the lump and tries his best. "...I need it..."

[lost13th]

chewing on them

[lost13th]

special operatives (silly interaction beneath read more)

[ID: Digital Art in color of Trigun Maximum, characters included are Wolfwood, Elendira, and Legato in a casual meeting situation. The piece consists of orangey yellow lighting and purple shadows. Wolfwood sits on the left side, facing Elendira who’s on the right. He’s seated on a plain wooden chair with one knee up and he’s holding the strap to his Punisher in his left hand while his right sits against his thigh, He has an irritated expression as he speaks to Elendira. Elendira is sitting in a fancier seat, her right arm rests against Wolfwood’s propped up knee, her left hand holds her suitcase. She’s sitting cross legged with an amused expression. Legato can be seen in the back at the center of the image in his mobile body case, one of his eyes shown to be glaring at Wolfwood. End ID]

Keep reading

[lost13th]

She laughs, high and lyrical. His irritation a salve to her soul, his pursed lips and drawn brow bringing her the utmost joy. Oh, had she missed him? Perhaps like one misses a splinter once it's removed, relishing in the intrusion and the ecstasy of pain.

"I know," she drawls, long and low. To all of it. That he doesn't have his abilities, that he doesn't know. "And that depends on what you mean by alone. By the time I arrived, there were already others from our world here. And, yes, dear, that means that our world is one of many.

"Perhaps, most interestingly," oh, how she relishes this. This moment before she changes his life forever. "There are alternate versions of us and the people we know. Some of which are here."

She loops her arm through his, tugging him along, letting him off easy this time without filling his mind with visions of how she would harm him, here on this street.

"Including Master Knives. Two of them, here with us!"

Insufferable.

The quarreled like brother and sister. They looked at each other as friendly competition. And, most importantly, they knew how to get under each other's skin effortlessly. Legato scowls to himself, a subtle 'hmph' escaping his nostrils, and with narrowed eyes he pivots to the side in an attempt to evade Elendira's physical intrusion--

But not until fingers and pressed to his forehead, and an aggravating pain shoots through him, just enough to irritate Legato.

" You piss me off, " he hisses.

Alas, Legato could not deny the relief that begins to surface in his frigid core; if Elendira was here, and proclaimed that she had risen from her grave, then Legato had not been delusional.

He had died.

And one ally, albeit a miserable one, was better than none.

" Enough about competition. I can't properly use my ability, " it's shameful to admit, but Legato's frown is ever permanent on his face as he announces this to Elendira. " I don't know why or how either of us are here, that has to mean that others are nearby as well. It's troubling. "

He takes in a breathe, and exhales.

Oh, Master Knives. How will he look at him when he sees that his most loyal disciple had been dwindled into nothing more than a lame pauper?

There were dozens of questions that he had for the Crimsonnail, but perhaps the best one to start with was:

" Did you come here alone? "

[lost13th]

"It occurs to me...I've hardly committed any atrocities since arriving here..." Is she losing her touch...?

[lost13th]

the haterrrrrs

Inspiration:

[lost13th]

"Elendira." She responds simply, stepping forward to meet the inhuman woman. Not intimidated, at the very least, and that was something she could respect.

"Elendira the Crimsonnail. Although I believe my nails are more of a rouge at the moment." Holding out her hand, she observes them in the lowlight, smirking at her own joke.

"The feeling is, well, mutual might be the wrong word. I'd much rather know the person I'm speaking to is interesting, name or not." Synonymous with dangerous in her mind. A small hope, to find something interesting to do while she bides her time.

"I've been here, oh, on and off for nearly a year now. I live out in Umber, but I do like to spend time in the city proper."

🐀 She'd had a feeling at first, but it did seem like this woman was someone who might be able to "match her freak", so to speak. It was fun to tease people who couldn't play along or dish it back, but when they did? Well, that was a different kind of thrill for her. Jane's tail wrapped around her own left leg to keep it out of the way for the time being as she pushed off the wall to catch her lipstick tube.

She immediately opened it and reapplied her own coat. "There, now that kiss has gone both ways." There was a hum and a giggle as she stepped closer to the stranger, a smile plain on Jane's lips. "Well, a girl has to be careful in a new city, right? I may not look it, but I at least like to learn the name of the person I'm kissing before I kiss them."

The rat was within arm's reach now. "I'm Jane, by the way. A newcomer. But you could say I'm a quick learner."

[lost13th]

"Kid, I know this is an island, but that doesn't mean this, right here, is the beach." Hands on her hips, she raised an eyebrow at the...Unfashionable youth. And while, my god so many kids hardly knew how to dress themselves, this,

"This," she gestures to the wet suit.

"It's unconscionable, really, that someone lets you walk around like this. Come on." Turning on her heel, she gestures for him to follow her. "God, first he doesn't wear shoes, and now we have some child in scuba gear walking around the mall. Come on, now, someone has to buy you something to wear."

@depthsofdreaming

[lost13th]

CRIMSONNAIL

[lost13th]

"Then we're one and the same." The woman's tail swished, and while Elendira hardly perceived such an idle thing as a threat, she certainly couldn't help but take in the whole of the woman. Stylish, in her own way, and certainly not shy.

A pleasant start.

Catching the lipstick, she uncaps it, twisting the tub to admire the color, "You backed down from that offer rather easily. If I were a less confident woman, I might be offended." Still, the indirect kiss was clearly accepted as she pulled out a compact, opening it to apply the dark color.

It was gorgeous. Rosewood red. She'd have to get some for herself. Tossing it back, she can't help but grin devilishly.

"Such a beautiful and deep red that if one were to bite your lip, you could hardly tell. Ah, well..." A toss of her hair as she puts her compact away. "Such a shame it never came to that."

🐀 'That's why I'm here'. Jane thought to herself when she was approached. She'd been leaning against a wall, people watching... or watching whichever people were still out and about. She wanted to see what the criminals in this city were like. The thiren hadn't expected a beautiful woman to approach her, but it was certainly a welcome surprise.

"Is that so? It's a dangerous place, isn't it? That's more or less why I've chosen to come here. Be surrounded by my people. You know?" Her tail lashed from side to side against the ground behind her. Not as a threat. It was more of a matter of keeping it busy.

"It's a colour I picked up in one of the city's shinier areas. Rosewood red, I think? Why? Would you like to try it?" Jane, being Jane, kissed the air as if to suggest she'd transfer it via her lips. But then she pulled a tube out of her pocket and tossed it at the stranger. "I guess that would still be an indirect kiss, though!"

[lost13th]

"Well now,"

"Rare to find someone else here at this time of evening." It was late, even for Crimson Lane standards. Typically only those looking for trouble tended to roam this area after the after-hours clubs closed, or those looking for information.

"Naturally, I only have one question-"

The Crimsonnail was looking for both.

"What shade of lipstick is that? It's gorgeous."

@passionrat