Remnants of the Earth
AEDOLIS => The Rest of Aedolis => Topic started by: Zero Undead on September 30, 2017, 07:00:19 am
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Most people looked forward to the weekend. Most people actually had plans for their weekends. Even Harley was going off to Havina for the weekend to visit Yavul and Grisham at DoSaM.
Just thinking about Yavul still there in the hospital, missing an arm and a lung, made Neeko’s chest tighten painfully. He had spent days sitting helplessly in the waiting room; first at the hospital here in Solarta, then a few more in Havina at DoSaM. It had been the worst days of his life in recent memory; even losing his eye hadn’t felt so terrible to him. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t a Valkyrie; they were still his squad, the ones he was supposed to be looking after in a sense.
At least Yavul and Adal were still alive.
Once they were both stable Neeko hadn’t been able to excuse remaining at DoSaM with them. There was too much work to catch up on. He’d hated leaving. All he could observe of Yavul now was the brief shenanigans in the Pilot chat between his resting. It was maddening.
When the office was officially closed, Neeko headed home. He was housed in the same building as all the other Pilots stationed in Solarta, up on the Royal floors. As the highest ranked Pilots they obviously had the biggest, best apartments. Years and years ago when he was first promoted he’d thought that was amazing, but the years had taught him that a Royal apartment was just far too big for just one person to occupy.
The bed was huge, obviously not meant for a single person. Who needed that much bed? It was cold and lonely. Why did he need such a big living room? Who needed a couch, two sitting chairs, and a recliner?
Neeko had come up with a clever solution to having way too much space – clutter. His apartment wasn’t dirty, but papers and books were stacked on most available surfaces. Only the recliner and part of the bed was clear of the mess. Since almost no one ever visited him anyway, it didn’t matter that there was nowhere else to sit or lay down. It had been years since the last time he’d actually had someone in his bed with him.
He went straight to his recliner and settled down with little intention of moving again until Monday except for feeding himself or taking the odd shower.
-
The rail pulled into Solarta, waking Nishi as it came to a stop. A moment later she heard the trumpeting cry of Draconem sounding in her head. "Rise and shine the night's a'wastin'! Got a husband to meet...and boink!"
The Kitsuni groaned as she stretched, shouldered her bag, and exited to meet her overexcited dragon. "One would think you were the one getting married," she grumbled back to him. "I'd rather do this alone if you don't mind..."
The dragon huffed, shoving her from behind with his muzzle. "Housing's that way. Don't forget to shake that ass!" Nishi could hear him laughing at her even as he took to flight and headed off to his nest.
Her heart was racing, though she tried to convince herself it was just from the pace she had set for herself. Each step closer to her new fiance was counted to the beat of her heart. She reflected on how she even got into this mess. It had taken a day to get home to Aurora but the greeting she had expected was far from the warmth she craved. The first words out of her carrier's mouth were "we found you a husband, Nishi. He's a Pilot Royal stationed in Solarta. Isn't that wonderful! Isn't that just convenient!"
It had made her cringe. "Convenient" he said, as if. Nishi knew better. She was back from training and what better thing to do then to rush to marry her off to another Kitsuni before she found someone for herself and brought shame to the whole community. No the Kitsuni could certainly not have that. Those last two days at home felt like two years with the way her family went on and on about her upcoming marriage. It was a blessed relief then when she finally could hop on the rail and spend the next two days in relative isolated silence.
'1001, 1002, 1003...' Her thoughts were brought to an abrupt end as she found herself toe to toe with his door. Nishi's palms began to sweat as she fussed over her appearance before taking a deep breath and tentatively banging her fist against the door. 'Here goes nothing...'
-
Nobody ever knocked on his door. Usually he knew someone was coming to his apartment long before they showed up. Nobody visited him but the odd Valkyrie anyway, and most of them were not in town right now on account of Yavul and Adal being in the hospital in Havina.
Neeko groaned and pulled himself out of his chair, which was a right shame, because recliners were insanely comfortable. His silver hair was disheveled from having his fingers run through it so many times, and his blue stripped dress shirt was untucked and already becoming wrinkled from lounging for those precious few minutes of peace.
When his door slid open a small Kitsuni female was not at all what he was expecting to see. Certainly not a bright white one, which would definitely make her ice just like him, and why was she here?
“Can I help you?” Neeko tilted his head, looking at her with puzzlement. Was this girl lost? She was far, far from home. Was this the new Pilot? It wasn’t what he was expecting, and he still had no idea why she was knocking on his door. Maybe she just needed help finding her assigned quarters.
-
Unintentionally a nervous whine echoed from within Nishi's throat. She could not bring herself to look him in the eye. Truthfully she could not look up from his feet. "Pilot Royal Reynard um," Nishi paused to lick her lips and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "My name is um I mean I'm Pilot Cardinal Tokala and I um that is um...I'm your wife!"
She flinched as it suddenly came bursting forth from her mouth. That was not at all how she had meant for this to go. Thank goodness Draconem was not around to mock her. "I mean...I'm supposed to be your wife...I...sorry," the Kitsuni whimpered, fighting back tears of frustration. "Can I come in, sir?"
-
Oh man, was she whining? The sound made his hears twitch, such a familiar sound, but one he hadn’t heard a lot since leaving Aurora. Had this girl really made it out of Candidacy? Part of him felt bad for her, being so nervous. She looked ready to cry. That wouldn’t really do at all for a Pilot to be a sniffling mess on anyone’s doorstep.
Neeko never thought she was going to get the words out, but damn when she did that was the last thing he expected to hear. She was his what?
He had been through a lot of things in his life, and heard a lot of things, but this had to top the cake on all of it. Honestly it shouldn’t surprise him. His mother was a meddlesome person, his marriage had been arranged four times already and he’d failed to show up for any of those weddings. Sending the next poor bride right to his doorstep should make perfect sense.
Didn’t expect her to be so nervous, though, figured she’d be forceful and demanding not about to fall over herself.
“Pilot Cardinal Tokala…” Neeko let her name roll around his tongue for a moment before he sighed heavily and stepped to the side. “Well the least I can do is let you in. I take it they didn’t actually assign you an apartment here? Of course they didn’t, they’d expect you to stay with your…fiancé.”
-
He was surprisingly...kind . She had expected to be sent out on her rear at his first sight of her. Instead he was letting her in his home...their home. "Thank you, sir," Nishi murmured, dipping her head respectfully to him as she entered, her tail tucked in tight against her legs.
Once inside though she did not know what to do with herself. Nishi adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder before remembering herself and straightening to attention. "No sir, I was not assigned anywhere else. I'm supposed to report to duty on Monday. I'm sorry for the imposition. I...I can find a hotel or something if you prefer. I was just told to report...to meet you as soon as I made it into the city."
-
After Nishi was inside, the door slid shut behind her. This was already going to be an awkward situation and conversation, no need to have it out in the hallway where nosy people could overhear. Of course one of the few Royals in the city was in Havina instead. Fuck but he wished Yavul was still in town. He’d have at the very least had some advice for him!
…maybe he was awake and in the chat.
Neeko fixed his one eye on her with a soft frown. Well nobody could really help him with this pickle, could they? He always was living on borrowed time when it came to the family.
“First of all, please don’t call me ‘sir’. My name’s Neeko, and if my own fiancée can’t call me by my own name there’s a bit of a problem with the world. Don’t you think?” There wasn’t exactly an easy solution here, well there could be. It would be simple to just throw her out and demand they give her an apartment down in the Cardinal sections. He’d never hear the end of it, though. “Second, a hotel won’t be necessary.”
He ran a hand through his hair with another sigh, closing his eye and carefully adjusting the eye patch concealing the injury that had put him behind a desk and in Solarta in the first place.
“Excuse the mess, I wasn’t expecting company. Let’s get your things settled in the bedroom and we can talk, or you could take a relaxing shower. I know that rail ride is rough.” Neeko glanced around at all the stacks of papers, books, and notes. He’d have to pick up the place if she was staying for now.
-
"Neeko," she spoke softly, raising her chin finally to look at him. Silver eyes widened in surpriseat the sight of him. The Pilot Royal certainly was a fine specimen of a man. He even had two tails! Nishi felt a tiny spark of jealousy that she smothered as quickly as it formed. She always wished she had a second tail too like the rest of her kin.
"It's not messy. But thank you...um bedroom?" She gripped her bag tighter, allowing it to fall across her chest to form a slight barrier between the two of them Kitsuni. "I wouldn't mind a shower if it's not too much trouble. But we can talk first if you'd rather that. Whatever you want sir, uh Neeko."
-
What was that look? Neeko was suddenly trying to decipher the meaning behind every glance. Did she find him attractive? Was she disappointed with him? He wasn’t sure how much she knew about him before showing up at his doorstep. It wasn’t like their families would have cared about much other than they were both Kitsuni, both Pilots, and both single.
It sucked not knowing anything at all about her. At least she knew about the engagement before two minutes ago.
“Yeah, the bedroom, that’s where most people stay, isn’t it?” Neeko tried to smile at her, she seemed nervous and maybe even straight up frightened. Hard to miss the way she clung to that duffle bag like a shield from him. “Don’t worry, you can have the bed and I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.”
He gestured for her to follow him, the door leading into the bedroom was right off the living room, and the kitchen was open as well. The cluttered mess occupied the bedroom too, with the bed and dresser littered with ever more books and notes. Most of the books were of a historical and research nature, with a few self-help and writing handbooks scattered among the rest.
“Through that door there is the master bath, and the door next to it is a walk-in closet.” Neeko pointed out, giving her a very quick tour of sorts. “Uh, is that bag it? I mean, that doesn’t seem like a whole lot of things for you to have packed to bring. Is more being shipped?”
-
She paused watching his rear depart without even realizing she was staring before she shucked off her shoes and hurried to follow him. "I can sleep on the couch. It's your bed and I'm...the intruder here." Her eyes darted about, taking in her surroundings quickly and mapping it in her mind for later reference.
"Candidates aren't allowed a lot of possessions," Nishi commented, glancing down at her bag. "I'm just freshly graduated. Besides two days with my parents and...you could say I was in a bit of a hurry to leave. It's not everyday you hear you're getting married. Well...I guess for you it's a bit more common, sir...Neeko."
Looking him in the eye with a tight expression she admitted awkwardly, "I'm not very good at making conversation. Sorry..."
-
“Do you know how much my mother would complain if he found out that I made you sleep on the couch? No way. Take the bed; I sleep in my chair half the time anyway.” It seemed like a perfectly good reason for him to give up his bed for her. He was even telling the truth, most nights he passed out in his recliner with the T.V. on some stupid late night show. “Besides, you’re not an intruder; you’re my fiancée, right?”
If they were actually going to acknowledge the engagement then this was as much her place as it was his now.
Neeko laughed when she mentioned hearing you’re getting married. Well, it wasn’t a big secret; she’d probably heard her family griping about him. Everyone knew Neeko the Traitor. It didn’t surprise him she might know he’d been engaged four times already and had failed to make an appearance to any of his own weddings as of yet, much to the family’s displeasure.
“Yeah, I’ve been engaged four times now, it never stuck. Of course this is the first time they sent my fiancée to me. You gave me a little shock when you first announced yourself as my wife, I won’t lie.” He eyed her for a few moments before shaking his head.
“What do you want to do about this? I mean, do you actually want to marry me? You seem awful nervous for a girl that’s eager to snag herself a husband. They pressuring you into this too? If you want to call it off, just go ahead. I know it’s rough going against the family, but we’re Pilots now. We can say no to them if we really want to.” Neeko had four times already, but he doubted this would be the last time they tried to force a wife on him if he turned this one away.
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"And you think mine would be any more pleased kicking a man out of his bed? He'd hop on the next rail out here." Nishi dropped her bag on the floor and ran her hands through her hair, causing it to ruffle and her ears to twitch.
"Marriage? I'm female. It was a given I'd be married off the first chance they got especially after the stunt I pulled to get into ATC. What difference is it to me if it's you or the next guy, with all due respect of course? You outrank me, of course I'm nervous. They've got me setup to marry a war hero and I'm nothing but a tiny little Pilot Cardinal, knobby-kneed and fresh out of school."
She blushed and looked away from him, embarrassed that she had spoken in such a way to her superior, fiancee or not he could still probably make sure she stayed a Pilot Cardinal for the rest of her career. "If you don't want to marry me then just say and I'll get my stuff and leave. But, don't think you're saving me from anything. If they had their way I'd be stationed back in Aurora as their kept pet, Pilot or not.
"However, if we could make this work, form some sort of compromise then maybe we could both have some of the freedom we sneak. Seems to me I won't be the last one they send to your doorstep even if I am the first."
-
Well this was all proved either of their mothers actually found out. Knowing his mother, they were probably expecting them to share the bed tonight, and more than for just sleeping. If he had never been pulled away from the family he probably would have married the first person he was presented with just as he was told.
None of this would seem strange at all.
Sometimes he really wished that he had never been taken away.
Neeko’s lips pursed into a thin line as he glared at her through his one eye, he had been a Royal for a very long time, and her tone was not one he liked, especially not from a fresh Cardinal; even if he was supposed to marry her.
“A war hero, am I?” A low growling started rumbling in his chest as he stalked forward, eye narrowed angrily and his expression very much looking like a predator stalking prey as he used his superior size to back this mouthy little female against the wall. He had one hand on either side of her head, his arms acting like a cage to block her in as his face lowered close to hers. “Maybe you should be a little more grateful at having been given to me, then?”
From the moment she’d appeared at his door and told him she was his wife, Neeko had been trying to decide what to do with her. He could refuse. It would be very easy to refuse and maybe it would be the right thing to do in the eyes of most non-Kitsuni. He still held those deep-seated ties to his kin, though, and being away caused him severe trauma.
Every day he carried a weight most people couldn’t even imagine.
Neeko had always preferred men, sexually, but women held their own appeal. More importantly, here was a female of his own kind, thrown at his mercy. He could turn her away and make the family angry with them both, or he could accept her and help them both regain some reputation with the family. His decision would ultimately decide both their futures.
She had a cute face, her hair was practically itching to be ruffled, and her lips were begging to be kissed; poor kid, such an innocent little lamb. He kind of liked the way her eyes had dilated and her ears were pinned back. How was this calming her when trying to be the nice guy had made her more nervous?
“I think maybe you should go take a shower, little girl, before I decide to get angry about your running lip.” Neeko stepped back, eye closing and scowling softly. “I’m not going to contest the engagement.”
-
He easily boxed her as Nishi offered no resistance. She heard the warning growl deep in his voice and instinctively obeyed without question. It was the same tone that all of her previous mentors had used with her to control her into obedience during her Candidacy. While her ears did lay flat against her skull her chin was raised to attention. The Kitsuni before her though her husband to be was also a Pilot Royal, the Neeko Reynard in fact. She had read his file when she first heard the news of their impending marriage. She knew everything about him there was to know, at least that had been written down.
"Yes, sir," she barked, already forgetting his invitation to call him Neeko as she ducked under his arm and scuttled off to the shower. Her bag was forgotten where she left it as the door to the bathroom was shut and she rushed to obey her commanding officer's orders.
Only once she was in the shower and under the warm spray did she actually take in and comprehend what had just happened. 'He said yes...I'm going to get married..to a male with a...' Nishi blushed and drowned her thoughts out by dunking her head under the shower head. 'I made him angry though. I should expect further reprimand and punishment when I'm done here I suppose. I definitely deserve it for mouthing off like that. Draconem is going to kill me. This is certainly not what he had in mind.'
Nishi growled to herself and tried to return her focus to scrubbing herself clean. Her skin would be red with scrubbing if she had her way about it. 'I wonder if he's eaten yet. Maybe I should make something...but I can't cook. It would be rude to make him make food. Hmm maybe there's somewhere nearby I can order food? I could ask the other Pilots. I'm sure they could make a recommendation or two. That's wife-like enough, right?'
-
Neeko watched her scuttle off to obey, letting out what seemed like the hundredth sigh since she arrived in his home. What was he even thinking? Of all the times to actually accept an engagement was this really it? The girl was cute, and actually a Pilot. None of the others had been Pilots. Maybe he just was that desperate. When was even the last time he’d gotten laid or gone on a date?
It wasn’t just that, though.
As a Pilot he was expected to show a certain degree of competency and to be put together. Nobody knew how broken he was, how miserable and alone he felt. The other Pilots weren’t enough to replace the void of his family. Not that he could talk about it. Neeko would never admit the depth of his depression.
Marrying the girl would commit him for life, but he would have another Kitsuni to bond with. It was probably his only chance to have children. Breeding outside of the species was insanely taboo. Even removed from the culture it was one he’d never dared to question.
Waiting for her to shower, Neeko shrugged off his thoughts and began cleaning off the bed, putting his things away on numerous shelves. If she was sleeping in the bed tonight he had to at least make sure she had all the room she could want or need. It really was a huge bed, but he doubted she wanted books all over the bed with her.
He wondered if she was hungry, having just gotten home Neeko hadn’t gotten food yet. Well if she was hungry she’d mention it when she got done in the shower. The bed cleaned, he moved to the dresser, frowning at the single duffle bag lying on the floor.
They needed to go shopping and get her more things. It would take time to build her back up from the sparse belongings of a Candidate.
Pulling out his com, he decided that now was as good as any time to let his friends know. It was undoubtedly going to be juicy gossip. Hopefully they would be supportive, understand, and respect his decision. They were all human, though, and he was expecting at least a little drama, but maybe not quite this much.
Having Rando call Nishi a dumb bitch set his blood on fire. It wasn't her fault that they were engaged. She was just doing as she was told by her family, the same as him!
A furious exchange later and he was still raging internally, but he pushed it down.
Neeko pulled out a fresh, fluffy towel from the linen closet and lightly rapped his knuckles on the bathroom door. Should he go in? Would that be too presumptuous? They were engaged, but that didn’t seem like automatic permission to barge in on her naked in the shower.
“I’ve got a fresh towel for you. Do you want me to just, uh, set it on the vanity? I won’t peek…” Yeah, that seemed like the right thing to offer.
-
Nishi was just finishing off the last of her rinsing off and starting to turn the water off when she heard the knock on the door. "One moment!" she shouted while hurrying to hop out of the shower.
With her curls plastered straight and flat against her head and her skin rosy from scrubbing she whipped the door open, coming face to face with Neeko. It was a few heartbeats before she realized her very naked mistake and what he had been trying to say to her. She was not being rushed out of the shower and into line up but instead being offered a towel.
With a wide-eyed squeak and a fierce blush, she yanked the towel away from his hands and quickly slammed the door shut again. "Sorry!" she yelped. In a flustered rush she went about trying to dry off and calm her racing heart all at the same time. With the towel firmly secured about her middle, Nishi scooped up her com and attempted to make good on the idea she had come up with in the shower. "Maybe food will help," she muttered as she logged in, completely unaware of the things her fiancee and others had been saying about her.
-
Why did he have to wait a moment to crack the door and leave a towel? He already promised not to peek! Of course not peeking only worked when she didn’t throw the door wide open while naked and dripping. Neeko’s singular eye bulged slightly as he got a good eyeful. It was hard not to let his gaze roam up and down her body for those few heartbeats. He was marrying this girl, might as well take a look while she was just presenting so beautifully.
A moment later the towel was ripped from his hands and the door slammed in his face, he could even feel the wind coming off it she had shut it so hard and quick. Not fast enough to keep him from seeing her break out in that blush, though.
Neeko chuckled and pulled his com back out, chatting with them while he was left to wait yet again on his future wife.
The Pilot Chat was going to drive him nuts. Grisham was high as a fucking kite, but did he have to ask about Nishi’s tits like that? He hadn’t even gotten to play with those and here Grisham was being a pervy dick to her. Maybe it shouldn’t bother him, because he barely knew this girl, but already he felt just a little possessive. She was his fiancée!
Before he could really get into it again, Nishi was posting her own response to the crude teasing of the chat, and Neeko found himself howling with laughter. So his blushy bride had some bite to her after all. He liked that.
“Alright, alright,” Neeko snickered as he got control of himself again, dropping the bag just outside the door and turning his back to it. “Come get them. I’m not looking.”
-
So much for trying to ask where to get dinner and surprise Neeko. She should have known better though. This was his home turf after all. Hearing his laughter after her response though made her stomach tingle like snowflakes were dancing about in it. He approved of her fire so to speak. Even if she did admit that she liked women he had not seemed to notice or perhaps care which suited her just fine.
His truce over her clothes was a welcome relief. Still, Nishi opened the door slowly, peering her head around to make sure he was not trying to sneak a peek before she stepped forward and kicked her bag behind her into the bathroom. All the while her eyes never once left boring holes into the back of his head.
"Thank you," she chirped before slipping back in and shutting the door, though this time more quietly. She slipped into a pair of loose sweatpants and a thick hoodie before taking to task with toweling off her tail followed by brushing it until it was velvety smooth and soft.
Eventually despite all of her stalling there was nothing left for her to do but to exit. Her dirty clothes were packed back into the bag and the towel was carefully hung up to dry. Sheepishly, Nishi exited the bathroom, all but attempting to sneak out even though she knew it was no use. Her perky ears poked out of holes in the hood of her hoodie and swiveled about listening for where Neeko might be even as she prepared herself for a double reprimand: once for her behavior earlier, and then twice for slamming a door in his face.
-
Neeko couldn’t fault her for liking a bit of pudding when he enjoyed a lot of sausage. That would just have been hypocritical of him! Besides, it really didn’t matter who they enjoyed sleeping with before, they were engaged now. Kitsuni obviously weren’t always exactly monogamous, what with the females picking up males left and right to marry.
When she got her bag he looked around at the mostly tidied bedroom and moved to the living room, working on cleaning off chairs, end tables, and the couch. Neeko really didn’t even consider that he was already altering his apartment for her by picking up all the crap he usually just left lying around.
Living alone he could come up with plenty of excuses not to pick up those things as long as he kept dirty dishes and laundry up. With Nishi moving in it seemed wrong to crowd the apartment selfishly.
Next he moved to the kitchen. Nishi had asked chat about places to get food, so she must be hungry after all. He got into the fridge and pulled out everything he needed to make sushi. It was cold and with his little rolling machine it was easy to make. Quick too, as he managed to fix two rolls while she dried her hair and changed.
Neeko’s ears twitched as he heard her sneaking out of the bathroom, but he didn’t turn from the kitchen counter where he was working. Most of the clutter was gone now, put on the shelves where it belonged.
“Most of the food places around here serve hot things. I don’t know if hot food bothers you, but I can’t eat it without upsetting my stomach. If you want something hot just let me know, we can go out and get you whatever you want to eat, but I’m making sushi if you want some.” Sharing a first meal together might be nice, and they could talk more. He knew nothing about her or her expectations of him.
-
"You didn't have to make me food," she told him softly, her ears folding down over the hood dejectedly. "I...I was asking because I wanted to do something nice for you. I wanted to thank you and apologize and...I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry I just showed up out of the blue and that I'm the marriage you don't want. But, I want to make it work with you."
Nishi shuffled up closer to stand beside him. Unconsciously her tail reached out to brush against the back of his leg. She did not even realize that standing so close to him made her long so desperately to be comforted and forgiven. She could run from The Family but that way of life would never be far behind her.
"Sushi would be nice. How can I help?"
-
Looking behind him at his voice, his own ears drooped a little. At attention and slightly aroused was a cute look for her – dejected was not. Once again Neeko found himself thinking she was just a poor kid swept up in shit that she shouldn’t be. It was the way of the family, though. She didn’t seem ready to break out of those traditions. If she was she wouldn’t be here hoping to ‘make it work with him’.
He tilted his head, continuing to look down at her as she crept up to his side. Most of the rolling was done. White rice with tuna, cucumber, avocado, and cream cheese on one, and the second was the same except the tuna was replaced with salmon.
It was impossible to miss the soft caress of her tail on his leg. His tails moved with a mind of their own, gently curling around her one tail in a comforting manner.
“If I really didn’t want to marry you then I wouldn’t.” Barely knowing her or preferring men had nothing to do with marriage. This was a societal and familial contract to take care of each other and her future offspring – a contract that could be expanded to include more males eventually that would also take care of her and her future offspring. Love wasn’t required in a Kitsuni union, only a willingness to form a partnership was necessary.
Love could come later, it almost always did.
“If you want to help, go ahead and cut these rolls. I made them a little thick; I wasn’t sure how hungry you were. The knives are in that draw there.” He pointed out the drawer and put the dirty utensils in the dishwasher.
-
The feel of his tails wrapping gently about her own sent a shiver racing up and down her spine as a soft purr reverberated in her throat. "I can do that," she whispered, her ears perking up slightly as she retrieved the knife and began to evenly slice both of the rolls carefully and with precision. Nishi wanted it to be perfect for him. She did not want to disappoint him when their first meeting was already off to a rocky start.
"Um did you have plans for the weekend?"
-
Hearing the soft purr coming from her made Neeko’s lips twitch into a slight smile, which was another familiar sound he had not heard in a long time. He was torn between homesickness and her making him feel like home. It was a strange disharmony battling inside him. She made him uncomfortable and relaxed at the same time.
He was sure it would pass as he got used to her presence. Neeko had been fighting against himself for too long. Once he found acceptance with the situation he was sure it would be better.
“No, I don’t really make plans. Was there something you wanted to do?” Most of his weekends were just spent moping about the apartment or getting drunk. If there was something she wanted to do it might be good for them to spend time together to bond a little; probably good for him to get out of the apartment too.
-
"Mmm, no." Nishi finished slicing and then looked through cupboards until she found plates and began to help set the table. "I mean if it's alright I'll probably go for a run tomorrow and explore the city a bit. But, if you want me here or to do something for you I'll of course stay. Whatever you want," she added shyly. She was glad for her hoodie that helped hide some of her nervousness or at least in her opinion. He probably could still see the faint blush to her cheeks or the way she kept avoiding looking him in the face.
"If I'm in your way you just need to say. I don't wish to be a bother. Engaged or not this is still your home first."
-
“You can do whatever you want in your spare time.” Neeko mused, watching her set the table thoughtfully before he picked up the bamboo cutting board with their dinner and brought it to the table, setting it between the two places set for them. “You just got to the city, so don’t know your way around yet, going for a run and exploring is a great idea. Solarta gets really, really hot after the sun gets high, though, so just be aware.”
The Solarta heat was barely noticeable to Neeko, even at its hottest. His Cryokinesis kept him cool no matter how hot it got around him. He wasn’t sure if hers acted the same way, but probably pretty similar.
Neeko reached out to grab her wrist gently with one hand, using the other to tilt her chin up so that she had to look at him. He’d noticed the way she avoided raising her eyes to his face. It wasn’t that he couldn’t relate to the urge to be shy around him. They were strangers and supposed to get married.
“We can’t get married and live together if you don’t feel at home here with me. This is your home now, and you belong here. With me.” His voice was a soft purr, trying to be soothing and reassuring even when he was uncertain of his own words. Neeko let her go and stepped back, moving towards his seat at the table. “Now let’s just sit and try to have a nice first dinner together, okay?”
-
Nishi nodded as she listened to him and his approval of her tentative plans. The snowflakes were returning at the sound of his acceptance though her stomach quickly turned into a full on blizzard at his sudden and unexpected touch. His closeness, his purring, the look in his eye, it was all enough to turn her mind into mush and her tail swishing from side to side. She barely heard a word he was saying as long as they were in contact with each other.
It was only when he told her to sit that she finally snapped out of it and plopped heavily down into her chair. "Dinner...right," she said shakily before trying to clear her throat and have a sip of water. Her ears twitched happily as her tail continued to sweep behind her. "Um...it looks good!"
-
It was hard not to notice the effect that he had on her. Neeko had been worried she’d pull away from his touch and be reluctant to have him so close to her despite the positive response in the bedroom when he’d pushed her to the wall. Instead he got her tail swishing so sweetly and he could feel the flutter of her pulse against his fingers.
Neeko took his seat, watching her raise the glass to her lips and mulling over things further. He didn’t expect to jump immediately into a physical relationship with her, but he thought Nishi seemed fairly receptive to him. That was a good sign. He had already decided that she was cute, and the attraction seemed to be mutual. Maybe this could work out after all, he’d had his doubts, but honestly as long as they had the attraction to one another everything else could fall into place over time.
“Thank you, I like making sushi, it’s one of my favorite things, since I can’t eat hot food.” He loved cold pizza too, but like with most hot foods, he couldn’t appreciate them in their intended state of consumption.
-
"I can't either...eat hot foods that is. At ATC I just ate a lot of salads. They're actually not so bad if you soak the lettuce in ice water first. Sushi's definitely a treat though," she added, smiling softly as she glanced up at Neeko. "I can't believe you know how to make it though. If I made it everything would just fall apart. What's um...other things do you like to eat or do? Do you have any um hobbies?"
Nishi popped a few pieces onto her plate and worked at nibbling her rolls, savoring each bite as if it was a piece of heaven. "So good," she mumbled with a soft purr.
-
Salads, one of the few things he was allowed to eat in its natural state. It wasn’t that they were awful, but when there was only so many dishes you could prepare for meals everything got bland and stale pretty fast. For Neeko salad was one of the worst offenders on the short list of easy meals.
“Oh I have this nifty little roller that does most of the work for me. I can show you how it works next time if you like?” Neeko got a couple slices from both of the rolls he had made, setting them on his plate as he smiled at Nishi. “You should look in the freezer; it’s full of ice cream, lots of flavors. Ryuu complains that it’s bad for me, but I eat ice cream pretty much all the time. I could almost live off ice cream and frappuccino.”
It was probably super childish, but again, bachelor with no one to think of but himself.
“I don’t know if you could really say I have any hobbies. I work hard all day during the week and generally come home and eat ice cream while watching trash television before passing out in my chair.” Honestly seemed like the best option if they were going to live together she’d find out how dull he really was pretty fast.
-
Nishi's eyes snapped up to meet his expression at the mention of ice cream. "A whole freezer full," she repeated in awe. "Do you have a favorite flavor?" She was desperately trying to keep subdued in her seat when all she wanted to do was race up to check the freeze and revel in the glory of cold foods she could eat.
"Sounds like you come home to a much deserved break then. Although perhaps your chair isn't the best place to sleep?" Her voice went up in pitch at the end of her question. She was already anticipating him growling at her again with her making suggestions to a clearly set in his way and superior Pilot.
-
"Well most ice cream is good, but I would have to say either cookie dough or banana split would be my favorite." Neeko grinned at how excited she seemed to be by the fact he had a ton of ice cream in the freezer. Then again, she was fresh out of the ATC, and they didn't have great food for normal eaters, let alone ones like them that couldn't eat hot food.
An ear perked up at the suggestion his chair wasn't the best place to sleep, but he simply popped a piece of sushi into his mouth with a smirk. It wasn't like he didn't already know that, but he just sat there until he passed out.
"Maybe not." Sleeping on the chair was just the byproduct of him not wanting to go to bed most nights.
-
It was a relief when no growl came. Perhaps she was skittish for no reason after all. She had been mouthy earlier and this was a dinner conversation. She could afford to be playful, right? Testing the waters she pressed on. "Good choices," Nishi conceded with a slight smirk. "But, Rocky Road is the best." She giggled softly, her nose crinkling up and her tail wagging with her mirth. "All that chocolatey, marshamllowey, almondey amazingness mmm." She licked her lips just thinking about it before finishing another piece of sushi.
"Is there anything you wish to know about me, Neeko...sir? I mean if we're going to get married and all, we should know things right?"
-
"Mm, another really good flavor, I know there's some of that in the freezer. We'll have to have dessert after the sushi's gone." Neeko couldn't believe how well this was actually going, if he was being honest with himself. Getting married had been something he'd avoided and dreaded for a long time, but Nishi was pretty adorable if he had to take a wife she wouldn't be so bad to be stuck with.
"Well I guess my first question would be what are you actually looking forward to with getting married? I've been alone a very long time, and I know the family talks shit about me for a lot of reasons, not least my constant rejection of their marriage candidates, but I'm very...lonely. Maybe we're strangers right now, but I'm really hoping that we can be close - truly partners. Also, kids. I'm getting kind of old to still be childless." He smirked a little at that, watching her reaction carefully.
-
Nishi put her eating utensils down and sat up straight at his question. It was certainly very serious and she hoped to be able to express herself and her feelings properly. "The first thing that comes to mind is that it would get the family off my back about marriage and responsibility. Ever since I was small it has always been talked about who and when I would marry. Even who I would play with was monitored and adjusted to fit their expectations.
"I all but jumped at the chance to become a Candidate. I wanted my freedom. I wanted to run as far away from home and family as I could. I know I'm lucky Draconem, my dragon, was in an obliging mood and granted that wish to come here. The family though has their ways," she added with a mirthless chuckle. "I was already engaged to you before my feet hit Aurora's soil again."
Nishi glanced down to her hands where they fiddled with her napkin in her lap. "The family are wrong about you. They don't understand what we're doing, why we're needed. I've read your file," she blushed darkly and looked to the side before looking him in the eye, "and I think you're amazing. I don't feel I deserve to be marrying you, female cryo kitsuni or not. You've done so much already.
"That wasn't your question though," she stated nervously with a shake of her head. "I suppose I'm trying to say that I want things to work. I want to live with someone that understands me and all that I am. Someone who understands the family and someone who understands the Pilot. I feel you would get that at least."
'Because I'm also so tired of being alone in a crowd,' she thought miserably, unintentionally allowing her thoughts to project quietly. It had been many years since she had shield against another kitsuni.
"As for children," Nishi cleared her throat and took a sip of water to stall on that point. "I'm still young for having them and I would like to advance my career if I can. But...if we find ourselves happy together and compatible," here she could not help but think of all the women she had been with instead of men, "then I would not be opposed to children at some point."
Nishi did not think she could feel anymore flushed. She was practically dizzy with sudden heat. Downing the rest of her water was not helping her either. "Sorry...I didn't mean to ramble so much."
-
Neeko had not wanted to be taken away from the family. He had fought them when they came for him, and spent a great deal of his time as a Candidate crying when alone in his room or after his roommate had fallen asleep. It had taken years for him to give up on going home and to begin transferring his loyalty from family to the Pilots internally. Outwardly he had done his best to show loyalty from the start, but only because he had been afraid of TRIM.
At least he could understand her desire to get the family off his back. While he had always wished to remain with them, once removed he had struggled to truly break with them. Neeko was pretty sure it was the only way to ever truly become at peace with his life. Unfortunately the family still refused to let him go. Marrying Nishi would at least appease them enough to reduce their interference.
His brow arched and a smirk crossed his lips as she said she thought he was amazing. Well that was definitely a plus, wasn’t it? Marrying someone that thought so highly of him wouldn’t be so bad, but his amusement slipped quickly when he realized she didn’t think much of herself, apparently. How could Nishi not think she was worthy of him? Being female alone was reason enough for her to be worthy of taking any male she chose, but when you added that she was cryo and powerful enough to become a Pilot, well…
Nishi could have had anyone she wanted. Neeko was the one that felt like she was the one settling for something less here.
It was too bad about her reaction to children, although not really surprising. The poor girl was insanely young to be forced into a marriage at all. She should have had another thirty years before the family started pressuring her, but Neeko knew that they had reasons to make the exception. As Pilots they were beyond true family control, but that didn’t keep the family from exerting as much control as they still could.
“Ramble to your heart’s content. I understand your reluctance to have children too quickly, and I support your decision to wait. Nothing about this is typical even for Kitsuni. Hopefully we’ll both feel comfortable and compatible with each other enough to explore the option of offspring in the future.” He wanted children, but there were hundreds of years still for it. They had time to wait a little while.
-
"You're really okay with this? With me, and the situation, and," she motioned between them trying to express something she did not have the words for. "The compromises I suppose. Granted it seems you're the one giving up so much to be stuck with me." Nishi nudged the last roll on her plate, watching as it finally gave into her prodding and flopped over like a dead fish. She was finding it so very hard to focus now that she had seen him smile. It was like her heart had decided to go for a run of its own without her.
She reached for her glass and found it empty, sending a nervous flush through her that crawled up her neck and ended in a soft chuckle. "Um, I should uh get some more water." Nishi snatched up her glass before attempting to brush past Neeko on the way into the kitchen again.
-
Why did she agree to the marriage if she felt like she was such a burden or inconvenience to him? Neeko really couldn’t understand how Nishi could view him so highly. It had been a very long time since any of his own kind had thought very well of him. His family made their opinions about his status quite clear, but they still included him where he had let them.
Neeko didn’t let her brush past him, his hand darted out to once again take her by the wrist, looking up at her seriously, and his one eye fixed on her face. “I don’t view this as giving up anything, Nishi, but as gaining a great deal.”
His hold on her wrist was gentle, and lingered, but he released her as he let out a sigh and turned his attention back to his plate. Neeko's voice was quiet and slightly pleading. “Please don’t sell yourself short. I am the one honored with this engagement.”
-
His touch gave her pause, bringing her to an abrupt stop. He was so surprisingly gentle with her. All of her previous companions had been with her simply for the sex. Even then it had always been about fast, groping carnal pleasure in the dark and nothing like the soft touches that sent fire and ice up and down her spine. She would be lying if she claimed that she did not feared it. But, she would also be lying if she said she did not enjoy it.
Nishi reached out, cupping his cheek within her palm and tilting his face up to hers. She marveled at how his skin was even cooler to the touch than her own. With a soft smile, Nishi leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his brow. "Thank you," she breathed against his skin before straightening again.
"If you're nearly done I can get us some ice cream and maybe we can talk more?" Nishi continued to smile down at him softly as her tail once more reached out for his.
-
Neeko was quite the opposite in his experiences, never one to rush into bed with anyone for simple carnal pleasure. It felt empty and cold without first gaining that connection, that caring for the other person was always so precious to him. Being here with Nishi was a very odd sensation, because this little female was a total stranger, and yet he already felt that bond growing with her. She was to be his wife, and he felt the strong desire to explore and develop their connection quickly.
It was a surprise to feel that gentle hand against his cheek, Neeko hadn’t expected her to touch him like that, innocent as it was. She seemed so shy around him. His left eye was half-lidded as he gazed up at her with a mixture of confusion and pleasure at the simple touch. Next to his skin, her hand felt almost warm, and a soft purr vibrated in his throat.
His eye slid closed as her lips pressed to his forehead and he smiled softly. Those twin tails had begun swaying lightly without his notice, but they quickly wrapped themselves around the seeking white tail of their mate.
“It’s always time for ice cream around here.” Neeko informed her with a playful chuckle, eye glinting lightly.
-
She adored his purr. With the lighter atmosphere present again and their tails intertwined, Nishi found herself reluctant to pull away from Neeko. Smiling softly she moved her hand to ruffle his hair lightly before giving an ear a gentle squeeze and pulling away. "I like the sound of that," she giggled as she headed back into the kitchen.
Nishi opened the freezer to find it chock full of ice cream flavours. The Kitsuni found herself smiling giddily. Her husband-to-be really was like her and loved ice cream. Remembering their conversation, she pulled out a tub of cookie dough and serving up three generous scoops for him and two for herself.
She returned, placing the bowl and a spoon before him with a shy smile. Wordlessly, Nishi pulled her own chair right up to the corner of the table so that they were sat side by side and well within reach of each other. Her tail once more curled into the embrace of his own pair as she took her seat once more.
A dainty spoonful of ice cream was gathered up for her to savour with a gentle purr. "So good," she moaned with closed eyes. "I've missed this." Self-consciously she peeked over to him as she quickly remembered herself. "Sorry, I'll be quiet now."
-
A playful grumble left Neeko’s lips as his hair was ruffled, though he sucked in a light breath when Nishi squeezed his ear. Both those fuzzy extensions that jutted up from his hair twitched as she giggled and pranced away like she’d done nothing at all. They were both Kitsuni, so she should know as well as he just how sensitive to touches those ears really were.
With a childish pout, he popped another slice of sushi into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully as his wife-to-be fixed them both a bowl of dessert.
It was still hard for him to wrap his head around. His mother had been trying unsuccessfully to marry him off for the better part of eighty years. Was he really going to just accept it after all this time? Nishi was adorable and shy and so very different than what he really expected to find himself loving in another person.
For starters she was a she.
Neeko Reynard, Pilot fucking Royal, and not at all shy about his sexual preferences leaning towards the masculine. Nishi wasn’t even a butch female. She was tiny and delicate and very much feminine. He supposed the real question was - did it even matter? Marriage wasn’t half as much about love as it was reproduction and partnership.
Nishi could give him healthy offspring and as a fellow Pilot she could give him companionship in a way none of the previous prospects could have. She understood the things he had been through, the pain and isolation he still went through.
The bowl being set in front of him jarred him out of his thoughts and he looked over at his fiancée, the woman he had agreed to marry. She’d gotten them one of his favorites, but he was far more interested in watching her take her first bite than eating his. He smirked softly at the sounds she made, and even more so at the apology that came afterwards.
“No, you enjoy it. I don’t remember them having ice cream in the cafeteria…or many foods that didn’t make me feel sick…” He pulled his ice cream closer and started eating so he wouldn’t make her too self-conscious by staring.
-
"That much has not changed," she commented in return. "Salad, salad, and more salad. Oh and cereal. Definitely the diet of champions." Nishi shook her head, her ears swaying slightly with the movement. "I fear your freezer may experience quite a dent in its stock if I keep this up though. I'll try to be good though," she teased him with a playful wink.
For a while she was content to just eat in silent. Her purring did not cease though as each spoonful was allowed to melt slowly on her tongue. Unbeknownst to her though, she was having similar thoughts as Neeko's earlier ones. What if she was too familiar with him earlier? What if he changed his mind and rejected her like his previous fiancées? Or what if he realised she had only ever been with women before and as far ash she knew she only preferred them?
Nishi had loved the feel of a soft body pressed flush against her own. Curves and full lips had excited her many a night in Candyland. She was not even sure she knew what to do with a male beyond reproduction happens via Tab A goes into Slot A. With women she knew enough of her own likes to attempt them on others with very promising results. Would Neeko even enjoy slow, teasing kisses or the most featherlight touches? Would she even be able to bring him pleasure at all?
They were all roads she did not think she was ready to cross but it still weighed heavy in her mind. At the very least though she felt blessed that despite his gender, Nishi did find him very attractive. He was an ideal mate for a Kitsuni such as her. All she had to do now was make it work, if she could make it work.
"So what kinds of things are there to do here in Solarta?" Her statement sounded weak even to her ears but she was nervous and trying. She prayed that he would not know what she had been thinking about. Hopefully they could get past her awkwardness soon before she attempted to melt into the floor.