[StarRail PSL]

[themightybosstone]

[The world was one of a constant, strange, cyclical war.

When the night fell on the highest moon of the furthest month, a Howling Storm took the planet, cut its cities off from each other and the visitors from their homes, When the Storm's first whining, hot wind struck, the imposing gates of the iridescent metal of this world would close, folding up and over, in a wall only Qlipoth could love.

The thud of bodies, the scrape of claws, mandibles and fangs added to the cacophony that the setting of the red sun provoked. It ebbed in the morning, but never enough to be safe. Never enough for the walls to come down.

In defiance, however, in these little hubs of survival, the nightlife was something quite impressive. Loud music played, lights blared, the night market was a roar of throats - the call of sellers and the flirtation of buyers.

All to carry on like a shield wasn't holding back the certain death of nearly everyone in the spaceport.

But you're here, waiting for the tired relief of morning. For the spaceport to open back up in a week.

It should have already ended. It SHOULD have been open yesterday.

But the Storm is longer than it's ever been here...]

Comments

[vitainmorte]

[ Surely! (She does, actually, not to mention whatever her branch of the Family has cooked up for its hunters.)

She does give him a slightly confused look, though. ]

You can fit on my ship, surely?

[themightybosstone]

[Processing-]

Wait. You're RICH?

[vitainmorte]

[ There's a visible cringing back as multiple people in the crowd turn their heads to look; and it wouldn't be unusual, exactly, for a Halovian to be wealthy. ]

... Please keep your voice down. My wealth is neither here nor there; I have my own ship, as many do. it isn't some kind of cruise-liner or anything so extravagant.

[themightybosstone]

[ He absolutely is not paying any attention to the crowd. ]

Oh. Right.

Hey, long as there's enough room for me to stretch out a bit. It's luxury to me.

[vitainmorte]

So you must take the transport ships...

[ "I'm surprised you're allowed in them," she does not say, but she supposes it would be strange for a "normal" foxian to be denied. She half-turns, considering, then starts walking, fully assuming he'll follow. ]

I didn't think the Xianzhou would allow a foxian to travel for reasons unrelated to business.

[themightybosstone]

[ They make an interesting pair. On the plus side, Val doesn't have to worry about the crowds bumping into her. ]

Yeah. Well. I'll deal with that when I go home.

[vitainmorte]

[ so he left without permission... she glances at him, but doesn't respond.

Eventually she slows to a stop before another food stall, this one serving some sort of meaty hand pie, and considers. ]

... are you just traveling to find this person?

[themightybosstone]

That's it. I'm out of everyone's hair after that.

[vitainmorte]

"Out of everyone's hair?"

[themightybosstone]

[ He grabs one of the meat pies from the stand and starts walking again, ignoring the squawk of the vendor-

Who swings a look at Val instead. ]

[vitainmorte]

You--

[ bristles, then turns back to the vendor-- apologizing profusely and paying for the pie (with a healthy tip). Face burning with embarrassment she ducks her head, huddling into her scarf, and trotting after Sett's longer stride. ]

[themightybosstone]

Oh hey, these are pretty good!

[OFFERS A MESSY HALF.]

[vitainmorte]

[ she leans away from it, voice quiet. ]

No, thank you. Please don't-- do that again.

[themightybosstone]

Offer... you food....? You only eat salads or somethin?

[Absolutely eating the rest now thanks.]

[vitainmorte]

Steal from someone and leave me to handle it.

[themightybosstone]

...


Aint on me if you go do weird things.

[vitainmorte]

You-- it was you that--

[ she's mortified and red, bristling-- and just turns heel and quickly walks in a different direction, out of the crowd and back towards the quieter streets near her hotel. ]

[themightybosstone]

Hey- wait!

[Following after. LOOK. SPACE TO STRETCH OUT ON A SHIP!!]

[vitainmorte]

[ he can catch up easily, being so much taller, but once they get to the hotel (fancy.) she turns. ]

You stay here. I'll only be a few minutes.

[themightybosstone]

[... He straightens a bit, staring down at her.

He's not the brightest light in the docking bay, but he's still alive after all these years. Stay here alone is not one of those phrases that is conducive to life.]

Why?

[vitainmorte]

Surely even you must understand it's wildly improper to enter a lady's hotel room. Not to mention I would rather not be seen taking a man to my room.

I'm getting my things. We'll sleep on the ship.

[themightybosstone]

Oh... [Hang on he's still hung up on the first implication.]

... Wait... [And it gets tangled in the second implication.]

With me? SURE! [BRIGHT BEAMING SMILE of abject misinterpretation.]

[vitainmorte]

[ goes BRIGHT red, mortified ]

No! Listen to the words I'm actually saying!

Just wait here!

[ and IMMEDIATELY turns to go in and check out ]

[themightybosstone]

[WHAT JUST HAPPENED??




... Fine he'll?? wait???]

[vitainmorte]

[ she's out as promised a few minutes later, with her duffel bag and her rifle case--

And she pauses when she sees him sitting taking up much of the sidewalk, but. Just. Starts to walk towards the port to go to her ship. ]

... come on.