private A Pony in Anima City (Private with Illiad Easle)

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

There was a lot of romantic and platonic love attached to the photos, it would seem that the wolf girl and Ash were once lovers. There was sorrow, so maybe the wolf girl had died or left. Ash hadn't mentioned a past love, but maybe there were some painful memories attached to it. He was how-ever in the kitchen, cooking up his favorite meal for dinner.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari would leave the pictures in the box and close it, not wanting to bring in a physical reminder if it would trigger a bad memory. Room clean and a bit more welcoming with the addition of the several plushies, she headed downstairs to find Ash. Entering the kitchen she announced herself, "Hey Ash, I um, finished going through those boxes, I've adopted the plushies if you don't mind. I, er... I found some old photos in one of the boxes, of you and a wolf girl, I could feel the sorrow you felt in regards to them... do you want to talk about it? If not, if you want I can take care of them so you don't have to look at them or think about them again if you don't want to be reminded."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd hear her approach and then would nod to her adopting the plushies, but at her question about the photos, he'd sigh and sit down "Its alright, I suppose I better let it out" he'd tell her, "The girl's name was Natsumi, she and I had grown up together, and we dated for a few years" he'd say, looking to her, "I was actually going to propose to her, but..she was in a car accident and..she didn't make it" he would say, looking down "And..through my grief, I..destroyed the photo frames and glass, I jsut could..never bring myself to either replace or throw them away"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari looked a bit unsure about how to proceed with the information she was given, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, and I'm sorry for reminding you of it." She'd take a seat as she tried to think of a way to offer some comfort. "I... I don't know how one typically deal with the grief from losing a loved one here, but among changelings we have this tradition: When a changeling dies, the magic within them consumes the body, leaving nothing but ash. This ash is highly flammable, often collected and sold by other races but anyway, we take some of the ash and make it into a candle emblazoned with the mark they chose to represent themselves in life. This candle is lit and placed in the hall of remembrance, and so long as it burns they are remembered and grieved over. If there is enough recovered ash, often it is used to make more of these candles to be given to those they were close to in life. Once the candle is fully consumed, usually after a few years time, their name and mark is passed along for a new changeling to carry on, in a sense giving new life to the one that was lost."

She sighed, "I know most of that won't be very applicable to you or her, but perhaps you could find some solace in the symbolism? For us, when the candle is burning it is as if their spirit is still there with us, and when the candle goes out it is when they've moved on to start a new life. If you want, and I'd be totally fine if you didn't, I could make a candle out of the broken frames and glass. Some of the pictures could form a good wick as well, saving the best one to sit by it. Seems a better use than simply discarding them."

She looked at Ash, her expression one of deep concern, "Again, I hope I'm not overstepping."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would smile and just hug her "You're fine, I am actually glad you asked, I had been holding in the grief for so long" he'd tell her, before getting his food and starting to eat "Her family had her cremated and I got some of her ashes in a urn" he'd explain to her, wiping some tears away "It was two years ago" he'd say with a soft smile "I'm ready to find new love, Natsumi would want that"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari returned Ash's hug, a bit relieved that she hadn't caused him harm by her suggestion. Given he didn't comment on her offer of making a memorial candle for Natsumi, se figured he wasn't interested and she wouldn't push the matter. Forcing someone to accept a gift they don't want cheapens the whole experience.

Once Ash was done talking Mari nodded, "I'm glad to hear that you think you're ready, I'd be happy to help you in any way I can." She considered asking what to do about the box of pictures, but figured since he was now aware of it he'd make a decision on his own without her prodding.

Seeing as the situation was more or less resolved she stood to leave, "Well, I should get some rest, should be the best nights sleep I've had all week. Thank you again, Ash, for everything."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would smile and nod "Thank you Mari, and I'll think about your offer for the memorial candle" he'd say, standing up and bringing his dishes to the kitchen "I do hope that you sleep well" he smiles some to her as he then begins to do the dishes "I'll knock on your door when its time to wake up" he finishes the dishes and gives her another hug "Also, if you ever need anything during the night, my room is right next to yours" he would then make his way to his room and flop onto his bed.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari would head off to her room as well. As comfortable as the clothes she had were for the day, she didn't think they'd make the most comfortable sleepwear, so she took them off before shedding her disguise, going to sleep in her changeling form.

Or rather, she would try to.

It wasn't that the bed wasn't comfortable, it was the most comfortable she had ever had, it was that it didn't feel like hers just yet. Sure, the cardboard boxes hadn't been any better, but out on the streets she had slept only when truly exhausted. Here? Sure she was tired, but she wasn't desperate for sleep, and as such she was alone with her thoughts with all of her needs met for the first time since she had first arrived.

I wonder if time passes the same here as at home. Have they noticed that I went missing? Do they even know? They might think I was killed by the spell, then they wouldn't even come looking. Without my ash to fuel the candle... I wont sit on the memorial long before my name is passed down to another. Maybe they'll be better at all this than I was.

If they are looking... I wonder how long it will take them to give up? Maybe my queen, my mother, maybe she won't give up hope? And I'll sit in the remembrance until I would have died of old age? That might be nice.

She sighed, And what of me here? Hardly any magic, it's unlikely they'd have the power to even find where I came from, much less help me get back there. Maybe I should just settle in, get used to life here, see where that takes me? Ash seems genuine in his kindness. No doubt he'd let me stay here as long as was necessary...

She paused in silence, Is it wrong that I don't want to leave?

It was with that troubling thought that she finally fell asleep.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash how-ever was having a restless night of his own, the memories of Natsumi coming to his mind as he sat up and went through a photo album. He sighed and hugged the photo album before putting it away and laying on his back, thinking "I miss you Natsumi, but I'm sure you're glad to know your clothes and stuffies are going to a good person" he sighs once more and closes his eyes, trying to get some more sleep.

The next morning, he'd put on a clean outfit and go to Mari's door, knocking "Mari, time to wake up and get ready for the day" he'd say in a gentle tone, before going to the kitchen to fix himself a breakfast and some coffee.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari had already woken up by the time Ash came by and knocked, she had simply been lying awake in bed thinking along the same lines as she had the night before.

When Ash nocked she got out of bed, stretched a bit, then donned her disguise along with the clothes that Ash had picked out the night before, since she hadn't worn them long the night before, and as a changeling she didn't hardly sweat, she figured they'd be fine to wear today.

She took a few moments to silently ready herself mentally, getting ready to start her first full day not hiding nor scavenging for food, before heading downstairs to join Ash in the kitchen, "So, what's the plan for today?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would cover a yawn, "Morning Mari" he would say with a soft smile "Same as yesterday, serve customers" he'd say with a smile "We get breaks whenever business is slow, which does sometimes happen" he sips on his coffee, "Did you sleep well?" he would ask her as he finished his coffee and rinsed his mug, while thinking to himself "She really is beautiful like that, maybe later..she'd let me take her on a date"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari nodded at Ash's description of the day, and shrugged when asked if she had slept well, "I mean, it was loads better than a cardboard box, it'll just take some getting used to is all. I... wasn't kidding when I said I had never been treated so kindly before, part of me refuses to believe I deserve everything you've done for me. I'm sure it will pass in time."

She'd pour herself a glass of mineral water, converting it into emotion gel the same way she had done the day before, "Well, I'm ready when you are."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would nod "well I'm glad you got some sleep, it took me ages to get to sleep" he'd say "It was a pretty restless night for me, but it happens" he smiles and goes to the front door and flipped the closed sign to open and went behind the counter to wait for the first customers of the day.

He'd smile over at Mari, his tail slowly swaying behind him "you look really pretty by the way"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari blushed at the complement as she took up a place to wait, not hidden, but out of the way so customers could head straight to the counter or a table. "I would hope so, it was your idea and you did help. I guess now we'll see how well it holds up to public scrutiny."

The thought struck her, wouldn't it be odd to repeat customers if on consecutive days there was a zebra waitress and a gazelle waitress both named Mari? She quickly caught Ash's attention, "So as not to confuse anyone who was here yesterday, call me Posa. It is typical, after all, to get a new name with a new skin."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would nod as he listened "Well I am glad to have been of help" he would say "And alright Posa" he'd say as the first few customers came in. He'd serve them and time would pass by pretty quickly until about lunch time, when more and more people would come in, meaning they would be super busy, and Ash was certainly thankful for Mari's help.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari kept up pace with the increasing customers, gaining confidence in her appearance as she did, taking and delivering orders like she had done it for years. She didn't slow down any as the lunch rush came in, if anything she seemed invigorated by the additional people in the café.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

After the lunch rush and a few more hours, Ash would close up shop and smile as he took a break "Must be something big going on soon, that's the busiest the shop has been in a while" he'd tell her, getting himself a drink, "you did amazingly by the way Mari" he'd say, using her actual name while no one was around, "are you tired?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari chuckled, "Hard to be tired when I'm full to capacity with energy." She idly looked about the café before sighing, "I'm harvesting as if I had a hive to help feed, but I don't. Most of what I've collected will simply go to waste, even if we did have enough mineral water to contain it."

She looked over at Ash, "Speaking of, I'll need to figure out how to get a regular supply of it, given it's a strong majority of my diet. I'll just have to get used to harvesting less."

She looked out the window at the street, "So, what do creatures here typically do when they're not working?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"I can always make sure you have enough, how much do you think you'll need weekly?" he would ask her and then think for a moment "as for you question about what others do on their time off, well some, lets say couples, spend time together, like go to a nice restaurant or a movie" he'd say "though I suppose the restaurant may be difficult, seeing as you don't eat regular food" he thinks "Some others go running to exercise or curl up on the sofa with a nice book" he shrugs

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari nodded thoughtfully, "One or two liters a day ought to be enough, so like 10 liters a week? We can go from there. I should clarify though, I can eat regular food, I just don't need to. At least, not in the same way you need to. There are certain nutrients I need that are only found in the gel. That said, I do like food, and I'd love for you to show me one of these restaurants if you'd like."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

His ears would perk up as Mari told him about wanting to go to a restaurant with him "Well then, how about we go tonight?" he'd ask "You'll have to put on something a bit less...revealing but I am sure we can find something for you" he'd say, walking with her to the kitchen "You can have the shower first, as I'll have to make the reservation first"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari didn't really need a shower, but figured she could clean her chitin a little more thoroughly this time, now that she wasn't in a rush and felt safe here, "Sounds good, I look forward to seeing what exactly you have in mind."

She'd head upstairs to the shower and drop her disguise before getting in, while she could shower with her disguise on, it wouldn't do much more than get her wet, dropping and re-applying the disguise would do 99% of the cleaning via magical fire anyway. Still, she set to work scrubbing her chitin, taking care and enjoying the warm water this time rather than rushing through it. She'd put her disguise back on when she was done and head over to where Ash kept the clothes she had been choosing from before, idly wondering to herself if Ash wasn't in the room, "I wonder what he'd like?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash wasn't in the room, not until he'd hear the shower turn off and he'd go to the bathroom, choosing to not get undressed until he had closed the bathroom door. He was a little shy after all.

Inside of the wardrobe, was a lot of skirts, tops, dresses, and one in particular, was rather beautiful. It was a deep blue and looked like it was made of a fabric that would sparkle in light, and was a bit form fitting. Underneath it, was a pair of deep blue heels.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

The dress seemed to speak to Mari, sure she'd have to adjust her proportions a bit to fill out the dress properly, but that wouldn't be difficult at all. As she held it up to the mirror she chuckled, imagining Ash wearing something like it.

An idea struck her, with a roll of fire she did her best approximation of Ash's appearance, which was fairly accurate all things considered, then tried on the dress. She'd be modeling it in the mirror when Ash got out of the shower, and she'd turn to him with a mischievous smile and say, in his voice, "I don't think this really suits me."

If Ash showed an adverse reaction to the prank she'd quickly change back and apologize.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

As Ash exited the shower, he'd see Mari in the dress as his form and blink a moment, then chuckle "Nice one, and yeah, not quite my style" he would say "Though it would suit your Gazelle form perfectly dear" he'd give her a kiss on the cheek before getting out a pair of casual dress pants, a shirt and a jacket. "I got us a nice window table, so we can look out while eating" he gets dressed, thinking "Oh she has a sense of humor, I am liking her more"