Board Thread:What Would You Do?/@comment-26948680-20180906072503/@comment-30014014-20180921050208

I gotta give thanks to Hank once I get back...

Larkin was finally within the massive golden gates. A beauty he cannot resist gazing at. The maticulous crafting. The detailed crafting on the gaps themselves, reminescent of summer leaves. The shine it gives under the bountiful rays of the sun.

The magnificence bestowed at the mere start is but a taste of thinks to come. An interesting act for his cousin to send him of all people this ticket, sounding all like he's won a lottery. Though, his mind is quick to re-adjust his thoughts, reminding him of their friendship, among others who thought of Hank as an oddball. His speeches slightly cryptic, often enough to ostracize him from the closer member of the family. Larkin had been his best company, be it from an arm's lenght or across countries.

Larkin's mind continued to attempt at convincing him this was more than a mere lottery. It speaks with many proofs to its cause, the bulk of them coming from the unending stream of calls given to him by said members, all too shocked and surprised at Hank's unlikely upbringing, carrying a gorgeous wight in a city of everlasting night. Night facing day as equal for those under its cloak with its own brand of awe-inspiring sights. His better ticket...

Larkin had no intention of forsaking his good friend's gift, his mind bouncing back at the letter received so long ago.. A letter, with a twin of itself, similar, but different. One came with the fabled ticket, the other, a message adressed to him. A promise to repay his friendship in kind, as he was fortunate.

Larkin thought to dwell on the specifics at a later time, his foremost desire to savor the extended weeks inside the bowels of the getaway camp. But first, the introduction. Larkin's steps guide him to the summary or orientation center, where his eyes are introduced to a quite peppy orchid-haired mage of the occult. Many words circulate among the men about her very voluptuous chest with Larkin rather locked on her eyes brimming with joy. Joy, and another characteristic he wasn't sure...

"Hello and welcome to the orientation center. I will be your guide: Delsy~ the mage speaks, gathering her hands behind her under a wink "Here's a think you won't see anywhere else: flyers!~

Her words depart as pamplets saunter about around her, seemingly searching for something unti their paper innards turn to face the room. Each then skyrocket to one individual, their velocity halted st the last second, only to fall gently in their hands. A chorus of astounishment fills the room, all the more amplified upon realizing that the pamplets seemed to have chosen precisely. For each carried out the name of the individual that held it.

"Quite so~ speaks out Delsy "The only piece of item we ask of you to carry with you at all times. Not onyl does it serves as I.D. but it also peers into the insight of each holder and indentifies any activities or leisure that will fit them to a glove~

Larkin was impressed. A pamplet capable of guiding him to things he's love without a second. His gratitude towards Henry has been reaching quite the height, threatning to reach a mountain tops. But again, his ears catch a lapse in her speech, a familiar terrain he can't quite recall.

"Now, one thing we like to do here is asking what each individual had on their pamplet. Since each is tailored to one such person, its writing is garbbled on whoever else would attempt to read. For exemple..." Delsy begins reading her own, a faint surprise "Ohh...mine tells me to go relax at the private pool C by swimming. A good time too, considering it's my break soon enough. Anyone else wants to share their own?"

One by one, voices are heard, adding to the normality of the thing despite the psychic pamplets. Larkin, once more, seemed to be the black drop among the sea. While the people were reciting what their own said, his read:

''Lie about the content of this pamphlet when asked, after orientation is over grab lunch at the sugar kitty cafe (they make a muffin exactly to your liking) afterwards head to private pool C and wait outside. Once the camp coordinator opens the screen door immediately start groping her, she is secretly very lonely and she will provide you with enjoyment for the rest of your life if you explain after.~''

"What in the world..." Larkin whispers, his words hidden among the cacophony. Veiled to most...

"Haven't quite heard yours". Delsy's voice is close. Too close. All for Larkin to realize she is basically standing before him, leaning toward his pamplet. His eyes are gifted with a gratuious shot of the mage's bossom, embedded in her polo sweater, which seem to emphazise her portion rather than humble them. HIs reaction is instant, a snapped, albeit controlled jolt as all the eyes surrounding them join in on the gazes.

"Well, I just got here on an empty stomach. My pamplet told me the cafeteria just made its latest stock of pizza and that will hit the spot for me". His voice is casual, laced with but a pinch of nervousness, all too diluted for any to catch on to.

Delsy reels back, a satisfied smile on her face "Alright then. I think that's all for it now. Now, you all go out and have fun, alright?"

With that said, the center spilled all of its people outward to do what one's heart desired. Larkin guns straight for the place called Sugar Kitty Cafe. A place he is quick to see why it got its name. The maids, the cooks, the cashiers. All them, cat variants, sporting lovely cat ears, sharp gazes and furry cuddly paws. Dressed in a sweet but elegant pink, all to sooth the customers at ease. Larkin makes his way to the line, eyes down on his pamplets. The words inscribed had since long dissipated, replaced by newer ones:

''A magnificent display of wordplay. Very sorry for the misleading, but surely you understand, this has to be a surprise.''

Larkin's mind spikes with thought "A pamplet thanking me. Gotta give it to Hank, he sure knows where to find the interesting stuff".

''Quite so he does, friend. Probably the reason he handed the ticket to you among your relatives.''

"Oh, wait, you can read my thoughts?"

''Well, this is a psychic pamplet. Though, by the tone of your thoughts, you don't seem that surprised. And I might know why...lovely lady, ain't she? Such a shame she has yet to find anyone to 'fit her like a glove', would you say?''

"Ohh, you saw that?"

''I'm surprised she didn't to be honest. Your eyes sparked with such intense life at that moment. Gazing at her like she was the one. Not a mere women of beauty, nor someone promising a simple night of splendor, but THE one. Your life-long mate.''

"Ohh, I'm afraid that's too soon, pamplet" Larking rescinds, gazing away as the line drives forward.

''Ohh, oh oh oh. Don't worry about this. I will fill you in everything. You just have to--hold on, the cashier's awaiting your order.''

Just as it says, the cashier, a pinkish werecat sways slightly in place, waiting with her hand folded to the center "Welcome good sir! Is there a particular item you wish to acquire? Perhaps ask your pamplet, nya~

"Ohh, worry not. It already told me that the chocolatine would suit me perfectly" Larkin retorqs, his mind swimming in the delicacy of the proverbial river of sweet.

Minutes pass, leaving the man absolutely fanned out from what he ate, all too happy to compare it to taking bites off of pure joy and and everlasting happiness lifting his taste buds to a place absent of worry. A place he will be happy to visit...another time. The pamplet light up briefly in  sunny yellow, catching his day dreaming in a bottle, reminding him of his 'lightning in a bottle' situation:

''Earth to Lark, earth to Lark, do remember this is a two-person ride. Don't drift away just yet.''

"Yea, yea, just a moment" he replies, his eyes in a constant state of unfocus.

''Friend, don't forget there's a lass in the picture waiting to share this happy-go-lucky demeanor you're taking on right now. Wouldn't want to keep her cold now, do we?''

"Right...right" Larkin shakes his head, trying to push away the utter delight he had consumed. A gruelling task made virtually impossible by the maids' perfect assessement of the human taste bud, cooking everything to lure potential customers...and husbands, should one be interested.

Seconds pass to an aclarity, gazing down on Larkin's threading path, from the earth-bound events, to the steaming sauna center, to the watery waves of the pools. Here, does the seeking man's eyes begin scanning the surrounding. Here, he sees her. Delsy, the coordinator.

His heart sways a beat, filling his life streams with warmth. Enough warmth to warrant feebling hind legs, or his own two. Knowing not how or why, Larkin's mind communes to this individual, a sense of empathy.

The pamplet lights up in a cold blue, just enough to catch the day dreamer: Remember, hide your presence in the steps and hold steadfast.

"Right" responds the man, finding himself a nice spot to cover himself. A room with empty fillings in between them. A place filled with various tools such a brooms, nets, sticks built from carbon fiber and such others. Products made for the pools they entertain.

The hollow innards the walls should have allow him to overhear the miscellaneous conversation. Garbled streams travel through his ears in mere seconds with not chance of understanding the root. All but one...

"So, Delsy, I heard you just came out of yet another convention this morning" a feminine voice broadcast, going for a playful chime.

"Yea, full of quite handsome ones at that" joins another.

"Oh, quite so! They all sound like enjoyable newcomers" throws in the witch, secluded somewhat away in the shades of the pools, her body clad under swimwear much more modest than what most of the female personel wears. Especially in a measure against the demon and devil who, themselves also happen to be employees to the Golden Gates summer camp. Her speech is harrowed by underlining timidity recalling the experience, an honest effort not to let it show.

The demon coos in a sultry tone permeated with a satiated finish "Ohh, oh, oh, they do look 'delicious'. Having taken a taste myself, I can assure this summer is full of fun promises".

"Oh yes, they're all so fun" spouts the little devil, an arial lunge following her words.

"Maybe there's one willing to join in to you, if you incline..." the demon chuckles, though the tone feeding the lobes suggest more than a simple laugh "...assuming one is insane enough to try, anyway".

Her previous chuckle turns to a full blown laughter, made further striden by the devil's high pitch howling sneers "A shame they all value their sanity, right? Aw well, next time, perhaps".

Their words carry their echoes all the way to Larkin's improvised lounging spot. The scorn burns to his ears. The condescendence. All so familiar with Larkin. All too often within earshot of back talks between family members. Shots taken at the behest of Hank. Be it for his slightly odd behaviors or reclusive style of life. All of it, turned into virulent ammunition to pelt Hank with. Be it within or devoid of his presence.

Larkin was here to pick the pieces up when it got to be too much. Fixing him with his attention. Repairing his psyche with his words. Mending his confidence with compliments. Until the piece of 'resistance' has been given, from Hank, to his newlywed, Lidia. Her trial through the ranks of her family business had given her the resilience to mend such a discarded individual. A diamond in the rough.

Somewhere, somehow, someone or something had perhaps taken notice of this. Now, Larkin had the same task, to a much more personal degree. Someone with unbound promise to fill his life with such bliss.

Larkin can hear movement. Sluggish movement. Delsy had taken to herself to depart this immediate spot, the scowl of her hair hindering the upper side of her face, tracing the lines of a sorrowful frown riven by the shadow. A sigh follows her closely, wrapped up in a similarly elegant towel adorning the lower part of her body.

He can hear her soapy footsteps through the shed, moist by the lack of footwears. A surprise to hear the shed door open impromptu, as a setup. A bigger jolt runs across the surface of her skin seeping from her eyes, filled with the vision of one of the very newcomers.

The dull sensation of the shivering shade his pamplet has used once to catch his attention shape-shifts repeatedly scorching colors between sundew orange and paparika red, a motif of act and little thought. Should he do so, going according to his basic desires, she was to provide him with a lifetime bliss.

Larkin raises his hands, both in open grasp, given governance by Delsy's lack of output on her side, all input directed on the immediate action that is to be. She was curious, and therefore, wanted to ask or rather, see what brought him here.

By the time her thoughts had agreed to wait on his behalf, her shoulders were now joined by his finger tips. HIs face, divided by decision now had come back whole under a new consensus. HIs eyes move from the toes of her snow pigment to meet her own orchid gaze, the content sentiment from the earlier time before his apparition here rekindling his mind.

"You must be hungry" he asks, earning a fleeting look of confusion from Delsy right before a faint smile pertudes from her face.

-

"My god! This is delectable". Larkin and Delsy had returned to the Kitty Sugar Cafe, where the man had ordered a plate full of the chocolatine he had once eaten. His 'guest' had but taken a singular bite out of his treat, her mind lifted to new height of delicacy.

"Right?! I don't know how they do it, but they do" Larkin replies, munching on one himself, seeing a rather tall glass of choco-milk gliding to his side, courtesy of his invited, who had also manage to 'borrow' a serving pint full of the stuff.

Making himself none the wiser, he joins her in this over-indulgence into chocolate-based goods, speding the noon speaking about mundane subjects, leap-frogging from one to another. Though their conversations usually end up on the landscapes of varied continents. The beauty, the scale, the overwhelming sensuality given to one walking on the majestic domains, the lights dancing int he heaven, much like the stars that begin to take place in the comsic bed as noon makes way for the evening. The evening, to the delicate dark, all illuminated enough to allow sight within its shroud.

Larkin looks at the sky, only now realizing their discussion had set them adrift through time, the sense of timing destabilized and forgotten outright. His eye drift from Delsy's to his watch.

9:30 pm.

"Ohh, it's late". He sets his look back at Delsy, the latter slightly receding on her chair at his tone, implying their time is at an end.

"Right, right". Setting her large hat straight, she gets herself up to a set of empty tables devoid of many, the few left getting ready to set down for the encroaching night "Now is a good time to return home, I suppose".

She sends off a smile to the man, eyes full of sparks, alas hindered with a hint of troubling "I don't suppose we could meet again the next day? I'd had quite the time, speaking with someone".

"I'd love to meet tomorrow". His response is immediate, catching Delsy by surprise "The pamplet mentionned a few landscapes we could explore with their own set of events. I'd be appreciative if you could guide me in".

"O-of course! It's in my job description!" she laughs off, the chords in her voice devianting from a simple laugh. Relief being the sweetener.

They soon leave each other, going their own path. Larkin's mind, just as Delsy's overclock to the events of next day, inadvertably delaying the night in their meticulous counting of every minute, every second...

---

The dawn rises out of the dark, the stars having long left. Some have decided on a sleepless night, visited by some employees, to indulge into nightly 'fun'.

Delsy was already out, dressed in a more adventurous get-up, its expertise disminished on the attraction factor for resilience and flexibility. Well, save for her upper part, for the most part. A sweater, or at least a distant variant borrowing the appearance of one with much less wool. A triangle-size cut allows a reasonable gaze on her generous form, should one wish for. Although there needs to be said that the opportunity peeker risky enough to dare himself is set to a dissapointment as said view is obstructed by another layer of finer cloth, lighter in its violet shading.

"Oh dear, looks like someone is becoming an early bird" taunts a voice from beyond the gate, secluded behind one of the open windows where employees stand at night.

"Well you know..." Delsy turns to her taunter, an honest smile adorned on her face "...someone has requested peronal guidance on the landscapes nearby".

The demon scoffs at these words, an unbeliever to her explanation "Oh darling...are you hallucinating again? Did someone speak in your direction again? Because if so, remember they might have addressed another, alright?"

Her 'suggestion' if one can call it that, is met with no retort, but a swift turn away from the witch, her face leaking doubt. He did speak to her, and for quite an extended time. But, did he truly wish to repeat their time spent together? Did someone else grab his attention? Perhaps she took too much time, this place known for a more 'loose' style among certain staff members. Her mind began pulling thoughts around it, all plummeting to the bottomless hole of worsening reasoning...

"Such a dissapointing resolution, wouldn't you agree?" resumes the demon, all well aware of Delsy's thought process, watching as she proceeds to sit upon a bench, her jubilous demeanor all but erased "Guess that means you're free to skulk around, huh? Well, maybe next year you'll--

"Oh, hey! There you are!" her pattern is cut short by a shout leading to their path. A man, holding his pamplet high up, sprints in a meticulous manner, kick up dust behind. A testament to one janitor's poor handling.

Delsy, recongnizing the voice, lifts her head to a modest man, dressed akin to her, suited to men as opposed to women "Ohh, you're here!" She raises her rump away from the bench, a subtle leap to meet halfway.

Larkin, full of sweat and a slight embarrassement stops meters from her, panting for a brief moment.Before she could say anything, the demon, once more, interjects, a voice supernaturally sweet "OH hon', you seem lost. Do you need directions? Hold on, I'll have someone with you--

"No-no...it's fine". Larkin's voice is cut and dry, even amidst his breath catching "I...I've actually came for lengthened time amond the wilderness".

"Well then, I'd be more than happy to assig--

Her words are naught but whispers to the winds, the bulwark of deliberate ignorance steeling the recent arrival. Her tone is laced with false intentions, her words, distraction into another matter. This wasn't his first rodeo. Ultimately, his best weapon is the one he doesn't draw. Attention.

His radar clocks solely on Delsy, words of apologies spewering in a discordian fashion "So very sorry. Mid-way throught he night did I realize I forgot to ask you where you'd want to meet. Waking up in this stark realization, I skipped breakfast and went for a rushed walk trying to locate some staff housing. Of course, I ended up going the opposite direction when the pamplet reminded me of my misdirection..."

The witch listens to his confession with a slight bush, also realizing she forgot to mention when would be the optimal time for such exploration. And the time to meet. Mistakes were made, on both sides.

"...not knowing when you be up and going, I ran all the way back and then some, but the lack of an easy direction and the rough distance I needed to travel, I've--

His words are on th silenced spectrum, the sensation of his hands grabbed into another silky smooth pair "Ohh, no need to worry about that. We're here, that's all that matters. Anyway, as your daily guide, I'll have to ask you to keep close at all time for safety. Lunch, dinner, souper...and breakfast..." she sends the last word with a playful wink "...will be provided at the guest's request"

"Oh thank goodness, I'm starving" Larkin's stomach grumbles within, simulating a war of attrition between his muscle structure and fat as to who to sacrifice to his digestive acid. Delsy lets out a small chuckle, soon coiling her arm around his own "Worry not, dear guest, breakfast will be handed out at 8:00am, giving us about an hour and ten minutes of trekking".

No time to absorb all of this is given, her feet quick to drag his own close. The rocky start is already giving way to clear skies, metaphorical and very literal. The inherent trouble drown in the murky corners of her mind is flushed away, banished for the day as neither is spotted in the same regard...

---

Day by day. Week by week. Month by month. All throughout the time of rest allowed by the singular gild of the ticket, Larkin had spent this currency in the company of his witch guide. To speak of their encroaching closeness to any onlooker, a pointless endeavor, as if to ask a monster which activity she would come to prefer.

Delsy demeanor becomes more casual, realizing soon enough thst his request often had thens et to be by themselves, together. The result, an apparent ease of behavior from the ditsy witch, all to enthusiastic to find someone else into the wild landscapes of the world, local and foreign. Natural and magical. Always sitting onto his lap, broadcasting stories of places she's been, and pieces taken as memories. Memories gifting portals for repeated visits. Bright smiles and earnest blushes.

Larkin, for his side, had his physical limitation of traveling discarded entirely by the witch. The awe in his eyes increasingly in longivity and strength, the branches of amazement fed by her magic and the places she walked upon. All within earshot, their bodies hunched together, usually with her sitting on his lap. His hands encircled around her waist like a lover, listening to her silky voice dance the words formulated. He couldn't get enough of that, fiercely enthralled by her charms. A genuine attraction, made knot not by sorcery, although the display of distant realms did factor in. A wonder as to why such an individual had been alone for so long...

The vacation is at an end, the solstice of summer faltering to autumn. Larkin sighs in disappointment, the time burned out by his mind, all of it bliss. His stuff is packed, on a simple bag under the pamplet that had started everything. Funny how he went against its directive, almost intentional...

But, the thoughts to this particularity are none, as the day passes. Soon, he was to leave, back to continue his trial as an apprentice. His thing gathered, he puts the sport bag on his back and opens the door, ready to face the music...

...dipped in an orchid shade. "Delsy?!" he mutters, realizing he was one step from bumping into her head. The witch stands directly behind his door, hands collapsed together underneath her chest. Eyes hindered by the massive hat she bears. One of her hand is discarded, waving salutations "Hey there..."

Her voice is grim and grave. A fledging of triumph amidst her sorrow "So, you're leaving today..."

"Yea...". His gravely tone matches her own, devoid of any consolation. It stings as much on his side as her. A sting briefly drafted away, hands taken on hands, a pattern branded on their palms, his more than hers.

Slow. Her pull. Gentle, to a point of absence of friction from the tugged's direction. He follows, ever slow. The weight of the world starts dissmishing around them, around him. It moves to a blur, moving away from the other patrons. Away from the other staff members. Away from everyone. The air shifts, gradually. Nothing is sudden. Larkin's eyes is fixated on his guide's eyes. They gleam among all of the moving scenery, the constant in a labyrinth of change.

Before then, Larkin realizes they move in the sky, under the clouds. His hand is held firmly by Delsy, the only cog in this machine of soft rythm given any strength. That's right. She may look like a human, act and enjoy things like one, but she is one of them. She holds on dearly to his arm, the squeeze shaking throughout, re-affirming her grasp.

Seconds pass. HIs feet float alongside the winds, feeling every crack passing through, Then, a flat surface. Larkin makes a mental description of the place. Familiarity bounces off his mind. The chemical fluids make their presence. So do the brooms, nets and other.

All the while, Delsy still holds his hand. With the absence of immediate danger however, his fingers are let go, slipping hrough her palms. Larkin looks at her, a comprehensive stare accompaying him "The place where is began..."

"Yes...". Once again, her eyes are blotted by the shadow of her hat, uneeded to see the seed that clouds her thoughts "...this, I summarize, must be that place where you heard of those things said about me. By a fellow".

Keeping her head sulken low, Delsy summons most of the material, all piled up as a makeshift chair on which she sits "She assumes I can't undermine her words. Trying to masquerade it as teases, Throwing stings wrapped in playful wording. Delsy the ditsy. Delsy the dizzy. Delsy this, Delsy that...".

"You sing a familiar tune" Larkin says, going to sit besides her. Well, as well as he can. THe rubble yields not to his will, unlike the witch at his side. The mini mountain seems to reject his attempts, in fact, forcing him to sit by the ground "Pretending you're too dumb to read between the lines, going off to strangers as nothing more than plays".

"You sound like you have experience..." she mouths off, her hat barely turning to him.

"It's so easy to see something like that unfold when you've been exposed to it before. Though it worked out for him".

Delsy makes a like chuckle, briefly burning aware the sorrow "I'm sure he's glad to have someone like you".

"Well, it's easy to befriend people like that if you can look over their initial quirks. HIs odd ways of speaking. HIs dressing manners. Never sat well with his relatives close to him. I never really saw a problem with them to begin with. Then again, his uncanny way with managing always made for entertaining stuff for mini-projects that'd be considered out of reach for infants such as us".

He stops, feeling the head of Delsy resting on his shoulder. One of his hands reaches for her waist, to cement her in place as his head meets hers side by side "And here I saw you. A peeping if somewhat shy lady, put aside over and over again. Your kind is a reclusive one, correct?"

"Quite so. Intensely crowded places has never been our favorite thing, though it's not that much of a problem. Passionate about sharing what we see with whom will walk by our side."

"Quite a strange place to choose to seek that certain someone..."

"I've realized this a while ago. But then again..."

Silence. Seconds, Minutes. Larkin thinks back to his pamplet. Slowly, he rises, leaving the witch besides herself. A sense of bewilderement assails her expression, soon put to rest as her hand rises, welcomed by his set.

They stand, face-to-face. Centimeters separate them. He knows what stands before him. A dark mage. A witch. Someone with immesurable power compared to a powerless man such as he. So many ways she could have gotten her way. So many ways she could have tricked, manipulated or otherwise used her boundless resources to enthrall him...

"So, what did you bring me here for?" he asks, his body devoid of any defensive gesture. A spark had since returned to Delsy's eye. Once again, she guides her palms to his, drafting them to her waist, slowly. Her gesture is deliberate, slow. Larkin's heart skips a beat, feeling his fingers cling to the woman's desirable form, initiated by her hands. They then encircle behind his neck, again, as slow as possible.

"A gift..." she whispers, attracting his sight, only to reward this minuscule dare with a kiss. A heartfelt kiss. The sensation prompts Delsy to shut her eyes, an instinctual response, giggling between breathes at Larkin's utter surprise, contrasting her discarded eyes with widen maroon marbles. This is brief, however, as her taste comes to flood him, eased up by the months spent together, with how compatible they are. Hence the lack of force in her initiation and the lack of resistance on his side.

From his experience, listening to other before, a monster coming on to someone with feelings may be forceful at times. A struggle, a mount of resilience against the need to tear that endurance. A man seeking to withold his display of pleasure as to keep his head anchored on reality as opposed to the monster looking to remove said anchor to ease herself into a more pleasurable time.

There is none here. They are as lovers long separated. Two individuals meticulously crafting their plugs as to be united with the other, by sight. Sound. Touch. Smell. And taste.

Once again, Larkin's view of the outside world, in their case, the shed, begins to blur, drift away. A sensation shared this time by Delsy, who paid no mind to the immediate surrounding. Time flows at an accelerated velocity, while at the same time counted at the second by their united thoughts, wanting savor each one.

The anchor keeping them from drifting all too far rells the pair in as their lips mounrfully separate, assailled by the ambient air of the surrounding. Delsy approaches yet again, going for his ear, a close as possible, feeding his auditary with as much unfiltered words as possible "A gift...that comes in two~

"In two...?"

~That pamplet of yours...it didn't tell you to go for the pizza, did it?~

This revelation comes unbribed, pulling a small amount of surprise from Larkin "So you knew..."

~Kind of hard to believe that when the restaurant stores are hailed as far from the pools as possible~

"I see. It didn't".

Delsy chuckles, her lips still softly whispering on his lobe ~Well, pray tell, what did it tell you?~

Larkin wasn't sure to speak of that, considering the pretty forward command it gave him. Another whisper comes to pull his strings forward, though ~I can't fufill my last request if you don't tell me...~

"Well, the short version..." Larkin feels as if this blossoming relationship they've established might come sundered with that confession. Seconds of hesitation plague his mind before Delsy tightens her arms behind his neck just barely, a subtle encouragement. Perhaps she knew where he was going "...to wait here and fondle your...breasts the moment you came out".

~But you went for the heart~ Delsy chuckles once more, this time in a more earnest tone ~No wonder mine asked me to rest by this pool~

"Wait...you didn't make those?!"

Confusion plights the shed, almost giving way to those curious outside. Delsy removes her lips from his ear, unable to withold a laughter to his troubled mind "You seriously thought I made those?"

"W-well, we're both explorers and fans of outdoors. You've indulged in it with that convenient magic of yours, we both love the same treats, all of it while I already had experience with people different to the regular individuals. It all seemed like something you could throw up".

"As fun as it would be to take the credit for that, I'm afraid that this isn't from me. Likely a coincidence. But, this isn't quite the interesting subject anymore~

Delsy separates herself from Larkin, pushing herself against the wall. Her hat is long gone, rifted away. Her finger makes a gesture. One of approach, invitation ~Come here~.

The man obliges, unsure of the path she had taking him in. A halt keeps him in his steps, sensing a rise in his hands brought about by her own. ~You said it requested you to fondle me, did it?~

"Yea--

The first symbale of his word is enough for her to softly drive his hands onto her chest, making sure they stick. Larkin's thoughts are submerged in the sea of absolute soft. Velvet cushions could barely hope to hold up to this lady's natural breasts she was giving him free reign to to play with as he wishes. HIs arms shake, overloaded with cluster of nerves trying to muster the feel-good coming form his palms. Another time for him to realize, that once more, she is a monster. Despite lacking any true monster appendage, her body had been re-designed to be fondled by a close one. To attract and enthrall those it could get to touch. Larkin had earned his comeuppance through the months.

This was reciproque for Delsy, who's confidence had given way to a heartfelt expression of pleasure. Pleasure compounded by the love she feels. A boonful amplifier. One making way for yet another kiss, this time, initiated by Larkin, who while massaging her chest, had found to yield to the sight of her whispering lips, mired in purple, much like the rest of her dress.

They didn't want to leave each other. Their halves had been found, after all this time. Delsy in particular, clinging to her lover with vocarious tears streaming down her cheeks, staining them. She clings to him, pleading for time to stop, forever. Tasting this kindling with a life mate, had outshined her pessimistic years alone among so many. The brightest light shines in her eyes, fuelled by her instincts' overly fed with particules of spirit energy amped to their limit. She begged for his stay, in thoughts, unwanting for this light in her life to returned to the darkness of loneliness. Powerful as she was, this feat falls out of reach...

Then, a fall set them apart. A clump, from Larkin's pocket. Gleaming with a green pulse. Larkin's mind is blighted by its blinding color, coercing him to take a grab, which he does. A text follows, under the constant sobbering of a heart-shrieking witch:

Bitter tears, are they?

"Bittersweet. This journey is at an end. My time here is spent, and I must depart from my maiden..."

Have you considered bringing her alongside?

"Her place is here, my is far. I can't in my good consciousness force her with me. Nor can she hold me here for I have a calling I need to answer.

''Really? Well, I guess you do now. Check your phone.''

"What--

''Do it. Now.''

Besiged by grief and confusion, Larkin reaches for his pocket, wondering why he is folding under a piece of paper. A flip later, his mail tag is flashing. He reads:

Attention to Mr. Daley,

'''The time of trial has been concluded. Your performance had been reviewed and it result has granted you an immediate application to the Sunken City, yielding to the mayor Bess.'''

'''As an apprentice, you shall be tuted in more depth by a minotaur foreman under the name of Margaret in the field. Your time of leave has be expended to a week. Rest is optional, but optimal.'''

'''Your personal belonging have been relocated to a suitable apartment within the domain of the Sunken City. Standby for more information.'''

Larkin's mind springs to a fleeting joy quickly mired by the stakes "My trial is set and I am grateful for it, but it does little to--

Read forward.

Another message. Different:

To whom it may concern,

'''It has been brought to out attention that staff member Delsy Delmore has been misplaced. The tag fof her assement as an employee has shifted.'''

This means that that her position as a greeter and guide is outdated as the likely chance of a violent resort toward an guest other than her mate attempting to forward the term of her job application which is to 'greet' certain individuals in a way most common to beast-kind is at an unstainable level.

'''Which is not to mention that employee Delmore is to be fired. The board is showering the staff member with naught but praises in light of the years of solitude our employee has subjected herself to.'''

'''WIth that said, the board has decided to remove miss Delmore's card to the Golden Gate summer camp. Relocation of employee Delmore had been proposed to the Lost Continents as a ranger of established domain under the affiliation of the Golden Gates. The proposition has been granted and miss Delmore is expected to be at post following the next week.'''

"The Lost Continents...isn't that in--

''Quite so. Looks like you dual-bound won't be going adrift any time soon.''

"You can't be serious..."

''But I am. Shut out that gray cloud, friend, your plight is over and done with.''

"Ok...why not simply give her the word?

''Oh shush, this is an opportunity for you to personally deliver the news, good friend. And maybe get extra 'recongnition' on the way.''

"Ok but-

''Talk, talk, the time to talk is done, friend. Your lady awaits...''

With that said, the pampley turns gray once more, a state of inactivity. Delsy's face lights up brighter than ever, following the news, from her own eyes. Another tearful kiss, bloated with joy overtakes the bittersweet lock previously undertaken...

-

The week has ended. Baggages are fufilled. A new batch of guests flood in from the convention center, to another, more laschivious werewolf, sampling the men present. Delsy is no longer at the helm.

"You ready? I've been waiting for a while" spouts a voice atop the drum of a standing by car, black in purpose, Ram mark, suitable for one wishing to bring tools and the such.

"Yep! Everything's here with me~ joins another, feminine tone. The familiar size of a purple hat tip-toes around with every subtle shift of her movement. Delsy had just seated the last of her things from the staff's personal quarters.

"Ohh, leaving so soon?" interjets yet another voice. A hint of condescendence trails off. A day of departs and arrivals if bound to get movement, leaving certain with ample time on their hands to ilde around. The demon happens to be one of those people, hearing of Delsy's departure. One last opportunity to leave her with a sting.

"One would think you'd have the decency to give goodbyes to your fellows. A shame this solitary nature of yours had mired the bits of decency".

Her tail sways with each word, expecting a quiet retreat, eyes full of confidence. A deep gaze into the orchid irises of Delsy is one she isn't prepared for. Nor are the words shot in rapid fire. Itching to mimick her lover's previous handling, she brand a wall of ignorance to the venom laced between line "I did. I gave my thanks to our manager, Coraline. I gave my goodbyes to my fellow and ongoing lead in guiding Mera. I passed by the sugar cafe and shared one more treat with the staff' maid, Jessabelle, Josephine and Pauline. I did indeed said goodbye to the girls, as they had given comfort or company at rougher times..."

"Ohh, so you want to play pretend? Alright, you can go pretend this little change elsewhere will resolve your awkwardness. You can go think that someone will magically drop from the sky and proclaim himself to you. Go ahead, l send you off with my best wishes".

"Alright, thank you" Delsy gives none to the game played, instead, she sits by the trunk of the Ram where Larkin is awaiting, giving an unfiltered sight to the man who's spiritual aura is tightly tied to her own.His mind is distant, focused on the baggage to unfold in the aftermath of a very extended roadtrip. The demon is at a lost for words to say the least, fumbling her words in attempt to regain composure "O--oh, so you went as low as to enthrall one..."

"No, not really. I mean, surely you can see for yourself. But really, Sophie, I understand..."

"Understand...what is there to understand?" a tone of defiance spurns the demon, crossing her arms at Delsy. A daring meaneuver to gain a foothold in their dialogue.

"Must be hard to have dozen come and go, right?"

"Tsh, am I really hearing right? The virgin witch is really talking about this?"

"No, not really.I'm just saying I understand how hurtfull it can be to have every single one of them going in with the notion of nothing more than a one night's stand. Your contract's pen having dried oh so long ago. How many did you pitch the idea of signing it? How many had stated they wished for no tied knot? Knowing the reputition of this place, surely you know how many look at you. An easy time".

The demon winces at those words, an unseen blow crippling her dominating confidence. Virulence swells in her mind "Ohh, are we going this direction? Alright, then I guess you forgot how many of those swines wanted that piece of meat you carry yourself in. Probably thought you were some weirdly wired nutcase once their advances were met with rejection. A monster refusing this 'easy time' you speak of. How many years had it been since you never felt the lick of desirability?"

Delsy shrugs, her expression turned to blank. Sophie could no longer hurt her in such a way, despite piling up the vitrol in her tone and language. She crosses her arms, well aware of her standing ground "I dunno, I must be all too ditsy for my memory to bother. Then again, I suppose you've got me in that regard. I've held my ground despite the solitude. You're right. I am a nutcase. For wanting more than one night. For praying for one. Just one willing to make due with my quirks. Fate has flipped the coin with the first one I meet and we are tied. Sworn to each other. The very reason I've been relocated elsewhere. In his arms. Making every word, every bit of scorn, condescendence or plight you've through in my way irrevelent. Now that I am no longer present, you have no target to lash into. The others won't bite in to your vitrol. We both know that. Your reputation as a loose one is well established, where word of mouth is prone to circulate, even as I was around. That's why I'm telling you I understand, how it is. The path upward is a long and hazardous. Mostly because of poeple like you. I wish you the best luck. Perhaps fate will overlook the way you're acting and give you luck..."

The demon is at a lost of words for indomenous assault given out of mere understanding. Lost in the mirage, blind to the depart of the witch alongside her mate among so many. Countless have come, none wanted to stay. This revelation cuts. It cuts deep. All the frustration, taken on the lightning rod that is Delsy. And now, she has left, forever. Maybe to return next summer, in the arms of her sworn. Wetness assails her eyes. Tears?

-

Larkin and Delsy leave on the bright road, a mimick to their life ahead. Under a cautious gaze. A mask, then a torso, arms and legs, seeping from the darkness on the highest spot of the domain.

Cloaked to uncloaked. A head entombed in a helmet enveloping the head. A mask featuring four crimson spots illuminated on the visor level. No pigment available for sight, the skin completely hidden, veiled by the shadow that permeates the suit.

The suit, a body vast, coated in a second layer, hardened, slick. Metal, akin to a bullet proof, over everything. All black. Smoke gently erupts from every limb.

A peon bird croaks, etched on a man's back, both in dark shades. Its hundreds feathers flutter about, cutting through the winds powered by the same light that presents the man's visor. The man looks to his feathered companion, the latter resting its similarly armored head and beak on the man's head.

"That went about as expected. A different path, blossomed to true understanding of each other. Just like she predicted". His speech is a contrast to his intimidating attire, a voice giving nothing but a gentle soul. His words seemingly trigger a buzzing in his head. Hand-free blue tooth, ringing, an obvious guess as to its caller.

"How did it go?" asks a voice, business-like, akin to a superior checking on an employee. Female.

"Just as expected. I sent him for the common path, as they did. He went for the heart, and they have become lovers. They have just departed, not expected to be at destination until the next two to five days". He speaks, holding a mirror of a pamplet, gray and depowered.

"Really? So this is it?" the voice asks again.

"Yes, definitively".

Silence. Then it returns, different ~I'm so glad! Very well done, honey! I knew she could use the company, but for this to work so well. Ohh, I can't wait to personally meet them! I can already feel their love from here!~

The voice spends a few seconds giggling and squeeling, all the man's understanding slight embarrassement, trying to muster composure, all under his peon's high-pitch croaks. Laughter from an avian used to this sort of conversation between spouses "Please get a hold of yourself. They're not even here and I can already hear you set the room for your expected 'juicy details' of their upbringing".

"But I can't help myself, dear! To see couples form so soundly, so flawlessly, it fills my heart with overwhelming joy and accomplishment. By the way, I've totally sent the 'thank-you' gifts to our contact. To think they looked to similar in personality...anyway, come quick hon'! I need my big black teddy bear to cagole and squeeze~

"Only if you promise to calm down until then, I can hear your excitement from afar, dear".

"Of course, of course! Now, come quick, the milk is getting warm and I've just had the pastries readied~

Speaking no more, the man standing on the largest post sign, bearing his companion, dissipates in a miasma of smoke. From feet and claws, to head and beak, they break away, with none to give them sight, a long road, just as the couple they watched depart. Soon to give way to embraces from his own spouse, awaiting the arrival of new citizens...