#or something equally nonsensical . the way they tied their shoe was sinister or something

[angclnumber]

" IT'S NOT ." tobi shrugs . " not everyone attracted to you is a loser . but a lot of people you give the time of day ?" their head tilts as they arch their brows vanessa's way . " seem to be losers . and i know because i've met a lotta of 'em and i've got a pretty good loser radar ." tobi nods decisively . " and every time i meet someone you're daing it goes ding ding ding ding !" tobi moves to put the car in reverse then, driving carefully even as their face scrunches in confusion at her question . " what d'you mean ?" tobi asks in bewilderment as they glance at her, brows furrowing before they're gesturing to vanessa emphatically . " van, you're objectively fucking hot . i've got eyes ." tobi shrugs then, easily adding, " and as someone who is also really fucking hot, trust me on that . i know these things ."

"maybe i'm missing something because that basically sounds like the same thing. and besides, how do you know they're all losers? i'll have you know they were actually great." it was vanessa who ended up being the problem, either letting work consume her life or just letting her own insecurities push them away. vanessa's eyes narrow at tobi's following quip, sitting there as tobi closed the door for her. she'd wait for them to slide right into the driver's seat, only to be taken by surprise at tobi's words. "do you really mean that?" vanessa asked as she then put on her seatbelt. "or are you just teasing me again? you have that tone where i can't tell if you're being a jerk on purpose or not."

[seven--eyes]

sometimes, distance is love

“But do we have to…?”

“Of-fucking-course we have to. Mr. Sparrow has been nothing but kind to us for months, everyone in the branch that I care about is going to be there, and there’s an open bar.” Kerigo wrenched sheets from Eiuus, and pulled the dragon to his level, nose to nose. Looking into his eye, Kerigo whispered, “You don’t just not go to parties that buy an open bar.”

Eiuus paused. “Let me change,” he said sheepishly.

.

Sparrow threw his arms around the dragons, tying them together and forcing them into a huge, uncomfortable group huddle. “There she is! The final destination of the night, boys! A dinner party!”

“An open bar!” Kerigo quipped from underneath Sparrow’s bicep, muffled out by the fur. “It’s your birthday, but I feel pretty thankful for this particular gift.”

“Only for the best for my best friends,” he purred happily and satisfied. Letting go of the group, each of them gasped for air and steadied their balance. Sparrow guffawed by how dramatic they were. They’d better get used to that quickly, Jack thought to himself. “Everyone else is already here, so make yourselves known, fellas! Everyone would love to hear about this, err, storm in the north.”

Eriq straightened out his sweater, pressing out the folds and dusting off the bugbear hair. “No, they won’t,” he commented quietly.

Eriq wore a simple, comfortable outfit. He wore a stiff, navy blue vest and short cloak over the shoulders. Underneath he had a clean, sharp undershirt with the top two buttons undone. His pants were  fitting to his form and at mid-calf length. His new metallic addition peeked out from under the rim, and he frequently stood with that leg behind the other.

Paypur stepped up to the building first. He blinked, holding a finger below the sign and reading out the words in common. “It’s… The, Rainy, Harbor. Cute! I like it!”

Albeit without much change to it, Paypur wore his adventuring gear. The thin cloak draped over his shoulders and flowed down his back. His shirt and sleeves were long, and styled elven in nature. He wore ankle high boots that clicked with each step on the pavement. All of his outfit and accessories were in silver or black metal. Even his hair was done neatly, his usually wild look was now combed, curled, and styled into a cute haircut to frame his face. His locks bobbed with each step. Finally, with the added confidence his fine new look gave him, his tail wagged sheepishly behind his ankles.

“We’re familiar with it.” Kerigo cleared his throat, noticing how suddenly Hydra folded his shoulders in a defeated way. “Regardless, there’s more celebration to be had. Let’s go.”

Lakken had a similar sense of the occasion, as most of his gear, belts, equipment and accessories were still on his person. He wore no hood, but a dress coat of a sailor. It had a long collar, thus, creating the same sense of style. Though the top two buttons were as they always are, his shirt was tucked and without creases or cuts. From head to toe, his scales were clean and groomed. His work boots and tailcoat free of dirt or blood stains. This one of the few nights it would remain that way.

One after another, the group stepped in. Cadets and admirals alike, friends and potential enemies of Sparrow together, scattered throughout the large main room. The lights and magical lanterns glowed in shades of soft white or summer yellow. The party goers were dressed in all colors of the rainbow, and in variations of those hues. All of them were dressed fashionably and appropriately, many with their exploration base emblems on pins or coats. A majority of them were sat down at large tables. Every booth filled to the brim. And most importantly, their drinks and plates half empty, thus leaving the bar free and for the taking.

Sparrow slapped Hydra on the upper back so hard, it nearly sent him forward. “Enjoy the time and drinks together. After all we know, fellas, the state of the kingdom might not allow us a second chance next year.” And he sent the party on their way.

.

KERIGO LAKKEN

“Hey, Kerigo!” The bartender greeted the pair as they came to the bar. She made quick work of their requests, and continued down the line to help the crowd of party goers.

He chuckled to himself. Leaning his elbows onto the slab, he nodded his head as thanks to her. Turning back to Odin, he had rested his arm on the bar. Between Kerigo and his order.

Odin swayed his drink at the wrist. He held up a claw to Kerigo, suggesting for him to wait a moment. He spin on his stool until he faced Kerigo completely, and subtly leaned his head so that his eyes peered just from underneath the rim of his hat. “You know, darling,” Odin began slow, pausing for a moment to allow the bartender to move out of earshot. “It takes two hours of rigorous, passionate love making to work off a glass of this vodka you like. It’s pretty high in alcohol, after all.” The barbarian moved his claw to the glass. With his ring finger, he nudged it across the counter into Kerigo’s reach. He winked. Otherwise, he maintained a level composure. “I have plans after this.”

“Hm,” Kerigo grunted. He calmly accepted the drink. Observed it. Swirled the ice cubes around in it. As though to delve into thought. “I’m gonna need a lot more of these, then.” He chuckled with a sinister, sideways grin. Wagging his ring finger, he tipped the glass back. “You don’t take the opportunity to flirt a lot.”

Odin chuckled to himself. Clearing his throat after a healthy, burning swig of ale, he leaned his head back and regarded Kerigo with full attention and less lewd suggestion.  “Usually, I don’t even need to.”

“Hmm, sure, I suppose I’m better at it.”

“You have more experience,” Odin commented in a low voice. He gestured to himself. “I was a cultist.”

Kerigo’s shoulders folded over. Those words felt equally as painful as the experiences themselves were sweet. “I… Let’s… Not talk about my experience. Let’s drink.”

.

PAYPUR CHAMBERLIN

Paypur tiptoed along the snack table. Careful to mind his tail when turning and ensuring each step was soft. A small heel make a great click on such perfect floors and echoing rooms. His cloaks made him stand out in the crowds. Even tall women with flowing gowns didn’t stand out as much as his styled, heavy cape. Thus, he was easy to spot for those looking for him.

Gantu stepped to his side just as Payp popped a piece of vegetarian sushi into his mouth. Halfway through eating, he answered before being questioned, “I didn’t do it.”

The dragonborn snickered slightly. He reached for a larger piece with shrimp tails and sauce. He threw the slice into his maw with so little care, he had the same demeanor of an okakapi. “Do you want to get something to drink? Make this night less mingling nonsense and more interesting.” Gantu glanced from the tables and foods before them, angling his head in the direction of the bar a few feet away.

Payp made a thoughtful hmm noise. Considering it. “Ehh, not there, no thanks. I don’t really like drinking unless it’s from my mom’s winery.” He took the opportunity to truly get a full look at the dragon in dress. Truly, this was his element.

Captain Gantu didn’t feel adventurous this evening, and thus chose the outfit and color that suits him best. His jacket and shirt were tailored specifically for him, and thus accentuated and complemented everything about his colors, fins and shapes. His deep v-neck shirt was laced at the sides in gold thread tied into bows. The jacket was at knee length in a typical Sea Exploration dressy way. It was dark pine green with accented silver along the zippers, edges and pockets. The additional latches and chains for his jacket hung loosely in a simultaneously lazy and professional, dressy way. Sea Exploration emblems commonly are worn at the broadest point on the back, nearly large enough to stretch shoulder to shoulder. But his jacket was open back for his fins, thus, he wore his silver and blue attack division emblem on his left shoulder.

The dragon waited. Impatiently.

“-Which I have, of course,” Paypur continued, reaching from behind his cloak and revealing that deep purple and red wine bottle. He swirled it around, teasing.

The Captain reached for the bottle by the neck.  He considered the proposal. “It’s not full, but… It’ll do. It’s a little weird to bring your own alcohol to a gathering like this, however. Don’t you think?”

“It’s weird only if you’re a coward.”

“I’m a coward.” Gantu replied. He regarded the room, and thought for a moment. “I’ll tell you what. I know this place. We’ll compromise. Follow me.”

While Gantu turned to make his way, Payp put a hand out to hold. He paused. But in the moment after, he accepted the invitation and grasped Paypur by the palm. He pulled the tiefling along a few hallways and stairwells of the building. Along the way, he attempted asking ‘where are we going,’ and ‘what is this’ a few times. But to no avail, Gantu maintained his composure and continued onward. No party goers dared to stray far from the main room or man of the hour, but what’s a little detour between coworkers?

“Close your eyes, for a moment.”

Payp did as told. “Ooh, I didn’t know you were into this, Gantu.” He snickered, hearing Gantu hiss in protest.

“It’s not like that,” he sighed. “Just come.”

Truly grasping at each other for balance and guidance, Payp stepped up and around a few objects. He felt the hardwood floor no longer click. Breathing in, the air was saltier and colder. Wind licked at their lose jackets and cloaks.

“Okay, open.”

Paypur did so. He blinked a few times to truly take in the area. Looking to the tip of his shoes, they were standing on black, clay roof shingles. The Elviasa streets, buildings, trees and people were dwarfed in size. They were far away and far below where Payp stood. The torch street lights flickered and shuttered across the city. Burning low and dim, a thousand numbers strong. In contrast to the small, gentle street lights, the stars were beginning to twinkle in the night sky. A million strong. Shining brighter in the clear atmosphere. The moon was barely new. It hung like a sliver of string in the sky. He remained frozen in wonder, above the city and ocean, looking to it. “I-- Wait, Where are we?!”

Gantu sat, making himself comfortable. Minding Payp standing star struck, he folded his tail on the opposite side. “Just the roof of the Rainy Harbor. Look.” He pointed down to the sign, still swinging in the cold ocean breeze. Gantu folded his arms onto his knees, waiting for Payp to calm and sit beside him. “I would always climb onto roofs and high towers as a kid.”

“It’s beautiful. I can see why.”

“Sometimes it just, it was just something to do, though.”

Paypur clutched his cloak, holding it back from flipping and turning in the wind. He was still standing straight, hardly noticing Gantu settling. The view of the ocean here was too dear to let go of. The faint, soft crashing of waves tickling at the very edge of his hearing. The sharp, salty and fishy air of it lingered in his breath. His eyes traced along the horizon. Just beyond where the sun set hours ago. He thought of the land beyond. He thought of Ayami for a moment. Thinking to himself, he hoped Ayami was feeling warm in the sun. He hoped Ayami was okay. Is that so strange?

“Are you okay?” Gantu said.

The moment passed. Payp was back here, his mind’s curiosity satisfied. “I used to climb onto the trees around my granddad’s tree house.” Payp folded his legs underneath him, just beside the other. “There was one outside our forest. High above the rest beside the mountain range, East of the house. And when I got on top of it,” Payp continued, pulling his cloak over his body like a blanket comforter, “I could see the entire tree house, the entire winery… Our forest and our home.”

“That’s beautiful.”

“Yeah. It made me feel small. It made our home feel small, but weirdly special. But I saw Areona for the first time, too.”

Gantu leaned back and sat comfortably. Taking the wine bottle from Payp’s loose grip, he stuck his claw beneath the cork and forced it open. “Heh, and what did you think of Areona?”

Paypur took the bottle back and sipped it. “I thought it was huge. I thought it shadowed me and my home, and it made me feel even smaller. Not like I was scared of it, though. I was curious of it. I wanted to see more of it. Meet other people, see things…”

The other stayed silent. He listened to Payp speak in wonder, almost as though everything coming to mind was what crossed his tongue. It was like music to the ears. Magical to experience. “What do you think of Areona now?”

“I want to see more of it. Like I just did.”

ERIQUUS

“Is this… Is this enough of, what did Mr. Sparrow call it? This party? I don’t like this place.” Hydra had been making tiny hints of discomfort the whole night. Asking what time it was and when ‘parties’ end. Being around so many people, so many faces he had seen and hadn’t seen. Both were equally difficult to cope with. Hydra’s hair was clean, freshly cut and just conditioned. It was free of stray hairs. Otherwise, Hydra’s shifted form and sense of style were the same. He wore his kimono, but kept his lance at his side where it was comfortable to keep.

“We’re just here a bit longer, Kerigo’s probably done drinking. He’s had like, at least three.” He said slowly. He moved behind Hydra’s chair, slipping fingertips under the kimono, and setting his palms onto his shoulders. Gently massaging. Careful not to cut his claws into Hydra’s skin, Eriq pressed his fingers into the knots of his muscle.

Hydra cast his eyes down and tensed his shoulders. “Eriq, not here. Not here. Lechnka, I feel sick.” He pulled his thick locks over his shoulder, and ran his fingers through them.

Eriq immediately took his hands off of Hydra. “O-oh. What did I...?”

“I don’t like it here. I don’t feel welcome. I feel sick,” Hydra said again, wrinkling his nose in response to the heavy aroma of alcohol, sweets, snacks, and meats. He pinched the bridge of his nose, then covered his face. “Just… Let me have a moment.”

Agreeing, Eriq stepped back. Hydra turned his attention over his shoulder, hands still tugging at his soft locks of hair. A look in the back of his eye apologized. Apologizing for the inconvenience, the miscommunication, for his sickness. He stood. Eriq took another, larger step back. Hydra moved to the Rainy Harbor exit, and left for the street.

Eriquus watched the door latch. That was the only thing he heard for a moment. After the moment passed, the world came back to him, and the polite chatter of the crowds around continued. As though nothing had happened. What did happen? What is happening? The dragon pulled his sleeves down, and hurried for the door opposite of the room. Putting his hand around the door knob, he hesitated only slightly. He opened it.

Stepping through the threshold of the door, Eriq pressed his palm flat to it, closing it behind him. The ‘click noise’ caused a stir in a person at the far end of the deck. Seosul stood with her back to Eriq, but she jolted upon hearing a sound. Her senses alert, she turned to see who joined her outside. Wearing a pine green halter dress and long silver earrings, a single shift of balance sent her skirt into curls at the knee and jewelry to tangle with her hair. “Good evening.”

“Hey, Seosul. Anchor. I- Admiral Anchor.”

She pressed her back to the guard rail and folded her hands behind her. She smiled once, “That’s okay, I...” she paused. “I’m not in uniform. How are you settling back into Elviasa?”

“It’s better than the alternative... and I love listening to the sea.” They allowed a brief breath between words, just to listen to the waves crash beyond the railing for a moment. “How are you?”

“It’s great,” she responded, a bit too prepared to answer. “Very few of our sailors ever contracted this plague after the monster attacks. Those who do, however, are under low-intensity duty, with regular check ups from the Light Magic students around.” She absentmindedly twirled a finger around her dress skirt. “Twenty-seven sailors all each received their fitting prosthetics from Ms. Hyo. Our people are taken care of, as always, so... It’s great. Outstanding, even.”

Eriq blinked. “I asked ‘how are you?’ So how are you, Seosul?”

She bristled ever slightly. She pursed her lips, embarrassed, forcing expression back to neutral just after. “I’m outstanding, Eriquus.”

“I… good to hear.”

“If you’ll excuse me.” Admiral Anchor nodded her head slow, regarding him with a respectful bow of the head. Then she moved past him back into the party.

How odd of her.

Eriq couldn’t help but sigh once the area was safe enough to. He threaded his fingers through his fur. Finding comfort in the feeling. His feet wandered around the outer seating area, tracing his steps around the dark wood tables and chairs just as he did a few weeks prior. Just before… This spot is where I… Where he– Then he placed his hands on the guard rail. Steadying his balance and calming the rising unease in his mind. He sighed again.

Eyes rising to the horizon, Eriq glanced around and took in the atmosphere. The ocean felt strangely empty after being beneath it. The waves rolled into the shore. Flowing across the sand like a cup about to spill over. Standing just at the edge, in the sea foam and sandy beaches, was a humanoid figure walking along it. Completely unaware of those watching above. Their shoulders relaxed and demeanor neutral. Their thin tail trailed at the back of their heel, curling at the very end so as to not dip into the water. No other defining features to their silhouette in the moonlight.

Wait. Eriq leaned over the railing. Bending at the hip, he squinted. There was a tiny glow to their face. A golden metallic shine around a curve to the point, like a hook. A golden hook.

Eriq hurried out of the party and to the beach, catching up to the leisurely character in a few moments. He came to a halt to fast, he threw a cloud of sand into the air and sunk into it. He wondered how it might feel through both feet, between all his talons, balancing on the back of his heel. The bits of sand hit the back of this person’s pant leg, and they came to attention. They turned.

“Oh. Oh!” A smile cracked across Sergeant Sipian’s face. His eyes bobbed from Eriq’s up to down, toe to horn tip. “Hey, Eriq. You look nice.”

The man was dressed with surprising detail. His leather dress shoes shined, blemished only by the sand on the sole. He wore jet black slacks and striped white suspenders, a tucked in buttoned shirt underneath. All so iron pressed there wasn’t a single crease in his entire wardrobe. Not even a button- all of which were fastened- or thread of fabric was out of place. This was the sharpest Eriq had ever seen the man. He could hardly recognize the sergeant.

“Sipian. I- what are you doing out here?” Eriq asked. He stuttered, noticing the invasive tone of his voice. He corrected, more slowly, “I… You know there’s a uh, an open bar, right?”

The tiefling bared his teeth in a chuckle. “Yeah, I know. I said hello to Admiral Sparrow, but, I’m just not feeling a party right now.”

“Me neither.”

Silence fell. They just accepted the other’s presence. The mere closeness, standing ten feet apart, was enough comfort in contrast to the Rainy Harbor packed back to front.

“Can I join you?”

Resting his hands low into his pockets, Sipian rolled his head back, and glanced down the far side of the beach. He offered a sideways smile. A crook of the expression that shifted the light on his face, and the shine in his hook. Eriquus took the invitation in a heartbeat.

.

They caught up. Moving through the motions of ‘how’s it going’s and ‘it’s going.’ Things are happening, whether they will it to or not. They had that in common. But as Eriq’s voice lowered upon mention of Hydra, Sipian made no moves to reply. He just listened to the voice Eriq put out there.

“I need some advice.” Eriq folded his arms together, tight to his sides. Every gust of wind that shuddered through him made him feel right at home. Eriq wasn’t sure if home was supposed to feel good or bad in that moment.

Sipian made a small, choked laughing noise in the back of his throat. “You’re coming to me for advice? Me? Damn, I’m sorry. How many other people have you asked?” As he spoke, he was combing through the sand in search of flat rocks or seashells. He found one from the sand. Pulling his arm back and rotating at the hip, he sent the rock skipping across the calm sea water until it sank.

Eye tracing the ripples of water out to sea, Eriq simmered. His claws gently tugged at his vest, and sat down in the sand. “Just you, actually,” he replied quietly.

The tiefling’s improper posture froze. “Oh.” He straightened. Then invited himself to take a spot in the sand just beside the snow dragon. “What’s… What’s wrong?”

“Everything’s been really different since I was last here. A lot happened, and… A lot has happened. I don’t know how to fix any of it. I don’t know what to do, or even how to feel about some of it.” Eriq was hesitant to relax for a moment, reluctant to mess his outfit too much. But after a few moments, he let the stress of his body flow out. He stretched his legs and tail straight outward. Eriq paused, and let himself listen to the waves again. Without meaning to, his eyes fell to the metal half of himself. The paint has been worn and scratched off in small places. Dull white revealed the shiny, metallic, empty shell underneath. “I feel like Hydra doesn’t want to touch me because of this. Like he’s scared. I want to hold him but every time I do, it’s like it hurts him.”

Sipian made a frustrated groan. “Tell me about it.” He tensed unconsciously, and the gears in his robotic arm whirred as though to speak for the words he wasn’t saying.

“And it’s Hydra. A literal beast with the softest touch, and he’s scared to embrace me. Absolutely terrified,” Eriq trailed off, planting his palms to his thighs. Feeling along the fabric and loathing how different each felt. “Even when we’re… together…. I love it, but I think I’m a little scared too.”

Samael watched Eriq in his peripherals. His shoulder facing the dragon, like completely seeing the brunt of that pain Eriq held in his hands and chest was a bit too much to bear. He tilted his head upward. “When I, personally, got my limbs torn off… In that darkest moment of my life, fighting for it... and felt all my blood dilute into the seawater, experiencing just what one imagines it’s like to feel one’s soul leaving their body… In a slow, gruesome-”

“Sipian, this isn’t helping.”

“-Hang on. When I felt like I was dead, or I sure was gonna be, I was sad.”

Eriq’s attention shifted suddenly to Sipian. He raised a brow, confused. “Sad?”

“Mmhm. I was sad. Because I knew Seosul was going to blame herself for not protecting me. Did you feel that?”

That gave Eriq pause. He took a deep breath, putting himself back into that feeling. A dark moment, blood flowing out the wound like life out of a body. He winced as that memory put himself through the exact pain again. “I… I did.”

“Hydra blames himself for not protecting you. And… that’s all he’s following; a sense of protection. Sometimes distance is how people show closeness. Sometimes distance is love.”

Eriquus’s breath shook and shuttered. He steadied himself after running through a long, brutal memory. He put his hand to his chest. Slowing the beat of his panicked heart. Calming, he finally spoke. He repeated, “Distance is love.” Eriq looked up to Sipian who still faced the open ocean. He was serene. Cool. His head and eyes were straight, like he was searching for something at the far side of the world. Yet, his thoughts and his mind were here. His heart was here. “Do you love Seosul?”

Sipian smiled. Blinking a few times and casting his eyes down to his feet, he was quiet as he regarded the question. The slow tide licked at the front of his shoes. He found the strength to meet Eriq in the eye, and feel that pain. He opened his mouth to speak.