Remnants of the Earth

When she'd offered her hand in greeting, Lavender took it, pressing his lips to her knuckles. Breathing in her scent that just made him ache and pulse. Why did they have to come here right after work? A brief glance to his coworker who had a smarmy smirk on his face that Lav wanted to punch off.

Everyone had seemingly noticed his little stiff problem. Not that he thought it was a problem. Gentle advertising. He had totallg preened quietly in his head when she'd glanced down. Then again, nothing about him was small. She didn't smell afraid though, so that was good news.

"My coworker comes here, said there was an act with a beautiful woman in it like me," he motioned to the scales on his face before looked at hers. Fuck she was beautiful. Perfect. "I had to see myself. This is my first visit," he smiled leaning back in his chair and finishing his drink, enjoying the lingerkng buzz.

"So far it's just a few things shy of being unforgettable," he grinned wide and glancdd down and away, playing shy. "Do you do more than one number?" his voice took on a purr, "I'd really like to watch you dance again, watching you made the whole room stop existing."

[Cheesigatoooor]

Work hard, play hard.

Going to see some sort of strip show wasn't exactly Lavenders ideal way to start his weekend but his co-worker ( who he hesitated to call a friend) had paid his cover and promised him a few drinks the first of which, Lavender swirled around in his glass was almost done. It took a bit to get him drunk, he couldn't remember the last time he could afford it. Still, he could get buzzed and that was the goal tonight. Lavender licked his lips, shifted in his seat so his tail could relax down and curl around his chair.

Having tripped his fair share of people before, Lavender knew better than to just let it hang out and about. He pressed his tail to his boot and sighed, pressing a hand to his face and imagining all the other more fun things he could be doing. Like who. Where. Lavender couldn't help when he licked his lips and stared off into space before the low hum of music happened at the lights turned onto the stage. Bright blue eyes were taken instantly.

"Well, fuck." He rushed out, voice a low purr.  That wasn't a human. Fire. His eyes turned to his coworker, a big buy, blonde, green eyed. Lavender liked imagining holding him down and giving him the ride of his life, hearing the man moan and gasp. Pant. Well, kind of moan. The blonde was always wearing a gag in his imagination.  Of course, he'd never actually do it - Lavender didn't fuck his coworkers - but damn. The man knew what he liked. It was easy, Lavender liked everything.

Really liked this girl though. He watched like she was water and he was dehydrated and begging for it. The rest of the whole world melted away and he just... Stared. Ears twitching while he wanted, shoulders straight. Was his mouth watering? His mouth was probably watering and he licked his lips and tried to look more professional. Like he wasn't a slobbering idiot but holy fucking fire. She'd look hot with a gag. No, a silk scarf just pressing against her lips.

Lavender wasn't aware when he began to purr his appreciation but he didn't stop until his coworker slapped his arm and told him to shut the fuck up.  A grunt and he just... Turned back to staring. Damn. Damn damn.  Hot damn. God she had great tits. "Can we meet her?" He asked his coworker, eyebrows up, looking at the stage and the little glass she was in. "I really wanna meet her."

"You and sixty thousand other people dude," the blonde said, rolling his eyes.

Lavender grinned widely, "Yeah, but fifty-nine thousand other people aren't Kulshedra," He tapped his cheek and licked his lips again before he rested his head on his hand and just continued to watch. Was there a room behind him? Probably.

"She mingles after the show a little sometimes," the blonde man said, giving Lavenders elbow a nudge, "Maybe she'll come say hi."

"fuck, I hope so," Another purr and Lavender still couldn't tear his eyes away.

Teal felt creepy because he noticed it.

Who noticed a complete stranger leave a party? Besides him. No one. Her friends didn't notice because they were too busy staring at him. An exotic animal. Non-human. Built. Pretty teal scales. He closed his eyes and went through the motions and through the music he almost didn't notice the beeping. His ear twitched and he felt a hand smooth down his chest, over his hip, squeezing his thigh.

He needed to go.

Not just because the few hours they paid for were up but because he needed to follow that tiny red fluff thing. Teal had never had his breath catch like that or his attention stolen so thoroughly. Luckily, they were mostly pretty fucking drunk and once one of them noticed there was pizza... Off they went.

Ouch.

The last remaining lady gave his leg a nibble before he backed off and slipped his clothes back on, leaving his tunes behind-- But Teal didn't notice. There were other things to get. His street clothes were pretty normal and except for the made up face he could pass as a regular plain old guy. As it was, he was a little sweaty, a little overheated and he really wanted to nibble on someone elses legs and what was wrong with him?

Teal sucked in a breath, throwing his backpack over his shoulder and looking around the hall way. Elevator was closed. Was she leaving? Did she go outside to take a breath of fresh(ish) air? His heart was thumping in terrible ways because he knew that if he lost her he'd never find her again and she was just so perfect he had to do something - anything.

He thanked the fire that there were stairs in case of fires because he went down them as fast as he could, jumping whole flights and landing with a grunt, his tail slapping heavily onto the concrete steps behind him. Why were these apartments so huge. Holy fuck. By the time he got to ground level - swear to all fires he'd go into that elevator and track her scent if he had to - he was slightly more sweaty, his black and teal hair a mess and falling into his face. Cheeks flushed. Mouth open. He didn't smell her in the lobby. Maybe she was still in the elevator?

The attempt to look non-nonchalant was comical, his arm rested heavily on the wall and he took in deep steady breaths, eyes intent on the elevator door. Please come out. Please. The idea of never seeing her again made his chest hurt but the idea of her coming out of them made his heart flutter and the fuck was going on but she was amazing and... Teal sucked in a breath when the door dinged and he stared perhaps a little intently at them while they opened.

Kirkley didn't want to go? He disliked it for personal reasons. Aesir didn't even notice Otto come by, didn't notice anything really until he moved his arm and bumped into the other mans. The contact made his head jerk up and he slowly looked to pale man, purple eyes wide. It took a moment, but he moved his arm to press fully against Otto's, slowly lifting his head while he relished the contact. His eyes lingered on everyone for a moment.

He didn't really know Hes or Vargas. His interactions with Nero and Wolf were friendly but nothing extensive. A few days. Aesir moved his hands to his face to press his palms over his eyes, breathing in slowly.  Tired. Always so tired. By the time Kirkley turned around, telling them they would be safe with him instead of safe alone on the ship with the ring-man Aesir's head moved to rest on Otto's shoulder and he stared ahead.

Trying to remember and think of something he'd never seen before but he knew he knew. A place that he was so sure he'd seen before. Been to before. At the sound of Kirkley's voice, Aesir lifted his head and slowly blinked, pushing his green hair from his face and chewing on his bottom lip.

"Yeah, I think so," He said as honestly as he could. "I think I'm going to go to bed before we go, I'm really tired," Aesir said softly, giving Otto's arm a squeeze and pushing himself up to stand, leaning heavily on the wall.  He flicked his eyes to the other crew members again. Staring at Hes for a moment before looking back at Kirkley. What a tangled web this all was. He couldn't see it but he wondered what tugging on one string would do to all the others.

Though, instead of going to bed, he smoothed a hand over Kirkley's shoulders and... Wandered to where wolf was, taking his elbow and slowly moving to hold the smaller mans hand in his own. "Have you ever seen nature before?" He asked softly, looking between Wolf and Nero, trying to alleviate some of the discomfort Wolf was clearly feeling. "I don't know where we're going but I can feel that it's really pretty. Maybe even comforting." He gave Wolf's hand a squeeze, "You trust me right?"

What?

Annaluna frowned deeply at Virgil for a moment, looking at his hand before she turned to stare at his face a little confused.  Welcome home hug? The way he curled his arms around her surprised her but she melted into it all the same. The moment she was in his embrace she melted against him, sighing long and tucking her head in beside his, eyes closed tight. There was no motion to pull away, instead she nuzzled down against his ear and just took deep steadying breaths.

Her pounding heart slowed to a more normal pace and the red headed woman let out a shaky breath. "Two in about ten minutes," She said, leaning back to look at his face before she practically crawled into his lap and curled her arms around his neck again, a leg on either side of his. "Hi," She finally sighed, voice muffled by his shoulder, "Welcome home." A little shaky breath and she just stayed, snuggled tight against her friend. Her rock.

"Virgil," she finally said, pulling back, tears now in her bright flower pink eyes, "Arek's a candidate." her hands moved to her face and she rubbed at her eyes, "What am I gonna do?"

"I'm not spoiled!" Aesir practically barked out, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. It wasn't intentional but the pout pulled at his lower lip and he glanced down and away, arms slowly crossing over his chest and turning to look around. Spoiled. A little frown and he ducked his head down and looked at Kirkley through his bangs. He liked it like this. He liked being seated on the counter like he weighed as much as a bag of feathers.

Aesir sucked in a breath while Kirkley made the pancakes.

How many did he want? Forever.

What? No. "two?" His voice squeaked at the end because he wasn't sure how many he wanted. Two was good. Seemed like a decent amount for food. "Exploring?" Aesir questioned, his voice going soft and curious, sucking his lower lip into his mouth to chew on it while he thought.  "The Cancer Station?" Aesir ducked his head down, trying to imagine it, "How does all of this stuff work without the Dragons?" he finally questioned.

Ha. He knew it.

Aesir was pleased with his fantastic skills of observation when Shen confirmed that was indeed where his mouth was.  The air grew heavy though and Aesir's purple eyes were stuck on the big man beside the firey hoop guy. The rest of the room turned grey and fuzzy and he just... Watched Kirkley. Frowning ever so slightly while he listened to the pair speak. Transportation was the headhoop? Yeah okay. That wasn't weird.

Then again. Aesir listened but slowly looked down at his hands. The scars over his finger tips that never stayed long but... He made new ones. He thought to the plants in his room and how just a few drops of blood when he watered them kept them... Beautiful. A sigh and he tried to imagine this 'Meeting Place' - boring name.

Two guardians. One was there. One was... Somewhere else? Aesir was mostly trying to imagine it still, his eyes sort of glazed because... Sure, Margad had green stuff but it never felt quite right there. Just like Space doesn't feel right. Aesir pressed his fingertips together, realizing he was still staring at them. The Meeting Place. He'd never heard of it before. Right?

The words felt familiar though. Maybe he dreamed of it? A slow breath in. Slow exhale. He moved his hands to his hair to draw his fingers through it, looking through the crew at Kirkley who seemed so tense and withdrawn. He opened his mouth. Wanting to say something - anything - to lighten the mood. Instead, he just backed up as far as he could go while remaining in the room, stopping only when he felt a cold wall through his shirt against his back.

Why did this make his heart beat so fast? He'd never heard of this place before but... He needed to be there. Aesir needed to go there. He also needed to calm down first. So, he let himself slide down the wall until his butt was on the floor and he was taking deep calming breaths. Odd reaction to seeing some actual real green stuff that may or may not be infested by monsters. Did he want to go? He wanted to go.  There was something important there. He didn't know how he knew it, but he knew it.

[Lion!]

It was bittersweet.

Annaluna sighed, leaning up against the elevator door, head down. Cap pulled down to cover her face, sunglasses so large they covered half her cheeks. She'd been crying all morning since she read the message from her mother.  Arek had been accepted into candidacy. That was the greatest gift right? Annaluna licked her lips and shifted her shoulders, snuggling down into the puff coat and hefting the case of alcohol in her hand.

It was still too fresh a wound to go visit her parents - they should be excited. Her mother had seemed excited. A Pilot! Little Arek would be a Pilot. That was amazing right? Get to be a world leader maybe. Her little... Another sigh and the ding of the elevator let her know she'd reached the right floor. The one person she knew she could cry on. Let some heartache out. She let herself into his apartment, putting her case down before she toed off one of her boots and shut the door loudly.

The scarf went on the floor, the hat went on the floor, the coat went on the floor.  Annaluna sank down to the floor, too. It took a moment for her to wrestle a drink from the container but she opened it and guzzled half of it before belching and frowned down at her remaining boot. How was she gonna get that shit off?

"Honey, I'm hoooome," she singsonged from the door, seating in her pile of outside clothing. "Come grab a drink, take off my boot and carry me to your couch so I can cry on you please." Was Virgil even home? Annaluna didn't know, really, so she resorted to getting on her hands and knees and dragging the case down the hall with her while she crawled some of the way there - at least until her knight in shining armor woke her from the weird dream nightmare.  Too much effort.

Annaluna tossed her braid of red hair over her shoulder and sat up again, frowning at her boot and finishing off the first bottle. Perfect. One down, eleven to go. Maybe seven to go so she was still half-awake enough to go get more later. Maybe get delivery. Anything to forget. What the fuck was she supposed to do? Encouraging letters?

A watery sigh and she ducked her head down, tears filling her lovely pink eyes. Off went the sunglasses onto the floor too, replaced by her hand to cover them instead. A watery sigh and she sat there in Virgils hallway, one boot on, a case of something at her side and an empty bottle in one hand. That was her son. Why would they... "Virgil?" He was home right?

The no eye-contact and swift change of subject wasn't lost on the man.

Lune took in stride though, watching the kid while he clearly tried to decide if Lune had poisoned the sandwich or something. Another sip of coffee and a content sigh, eyes closed while swallowed and soaked up all that delicious bitter drink.

From somewhat around here.

Nice and vague. Lune felt bad for the kid. Pity bad. Not about to tell him that though. No one liked being pitied. Luna chewed on his lower lip and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand while the kid turned the questions on him and he let them.

"Practice," Luna said, smiling ever so slightly, "Brew a few thousand liters of coffee and you'll be a pro in no time." A tease and he closed his eyes briefly, his head on his hand making him tired. Quickly he sat up and sipped his coffee again, rolling his shoulders and pursing his lips. "Kid," - because he still hadn't given him his name yet - "You looking for work?" A tilt of his head, curious eyebrows up.

Lune knew of the kid. Saw him in the shop. Noticed how he stayed for too long over a single cup of coffee - Lune would never complain or make note of it. The atmosphere was nice here. He'd done his best to make it comfortable. It was one of the few places people could speak freely, as a reflectivist, even the most talented dragons couldn't read his mind. "I have a few things that need to be cleaned if you wanna make a few extra bucks," He jerked his hand back to the coffee area, a door that said 'staff only'.

"I'm closing up shop here pretty soon. I pay handsomely," He teased, another sip of coffee and another bite of sandwich. It had been quiet all afternoon and the kid had been one of a few customers - but they'd all left with their coffee. Not the kid though.

Cinnamon's ears were doing a dance. Going from being perky up like a bunny to pinned back in an effort to hold back his urges. Twitching to catch all the sounds, the pants and moans and strange string of words Soba said that made no sense. All he could do was smile down at His as he couldn't figure out what to do with his arms  and seemed to have forgotten how to string words together. Finally though, Cinna's determination to get Soba off paid out and he gave a wolfish grin down, red hair falling into his face on the side, near panting with his own uneased need.

"Yessss," Cinnamon hissed, mouth hanging open a little too wide, fangs on display before he brought his hand up to his mouth to lick come off his hand in a broad swipe before wiping the rest of it off on his chest. It never tasted good but it was an odd possessive impulsive thing. "That's it," He whispered, eyes hooded, flushed brighter. His ears pinned back in mild concern when Soba sat up suddenly, but there was little more than a whimper when he smashed his face into the kulshedra's.

It was like he forgot how to breathe. Whenever he was with His he just... Didn't want to exist anywhere else. So consumed with making everything wonderful and perfect and perfect and wonderful. Cinnamon pressed into the kiss, his hands moving to Soba's hips give give him a gentle squeeze. A silent request to not wriggle on his lap. Cinnamon pressed a kiss to Soba's neck when he looked over his shoulder, pressed kisses to his shoulder before he looked over his shoulder too and...

"Ah-ha," Cinnamon purred, reaching back - making sure to hold Soba close so he didn't fall off his lap - to grab that bottle of lube.  Cinna nibbled at Soba's rose along his throat, tongue reaching out to trace petals with nips and nibbles before the snap of a lid and cool slick fingers pressed to Soba's hole. A heavy purr, one that vibrated near Cinna's whole body while he worked Soba with his fingers, in effort to make it easier for actual intercourse and because Soba had asked him for a whole night event.

Wouldn't do to finish himself off quickly. Mentally he'd promised himself to exhaust His out so much that he wouldn't even be able to dream - or his dreams were just replays of the evening at hand.

Cinna didn't let up with his fingers, though he did raise his head from Soba's rose to make some intense eye contact, pupils little slits because he needed to see Soba come apart in his arms. "You're so beautiful," Cinnamon whispered, eyes hooded, mouth open and hot pants leaving his mouth. "All flushed with your hair everywhere," Cinna moved in for a deep kiss, adding a third finger and working him harder, his other hand squeezing Soba's hip. "I'm not going to stop until you beg me to," He finally whispered, biting at his scaleless shoulder and nuzzling at his throat. "All you gotta do is tell me what you want," He teased, a delightfully evil grin on his face as he did his very best to drive Soba just a little bit crazy, "Or just smash your face into my face."