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

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would nod "Family is always important" he'd agree with her and had another bite of his food "I do have a favorite food, personally, mine is a nice pasta with a glass of red wine" he would say "though it does get lonely, just eating a lovely meal alone, watching the sun set" he looks to her and dabs a spot of pasta sauce from her nose with a napkin.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari hadn't noticed the sauce on her nose and as such was surprised when Ash reached over to wipe it away, "Oh? Thank you. Your ideal meal sounds lovely, though I'd have to skip on the wine. Stimulants and depressants, even mild ones, don't agree with me very much. Still, perhaps I could ease your loneliness should the occasion arise?" 

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd smile at her "You're welcome and with what you've told me about what you're capable of, I'm not surprised that stimulants and depressants would effect you badly" he'd smile a bit more, reaching over to gently hold her hand in his "How-ever I will be glad to take you up on the offer to ease the lonliness should the occasion happen" he'd say to her, going back to eat some more of his steak.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari wondered if Ash's forwardness was the result of something she had done, or if it was all his idea. She was a little disappointed that he wasn't asking many questions in return for hers.

She allowed Ash to hold her hand but didn't do anything to further it on that front, instead asking, "Suppose we decided to try and make things work between us, what do you imagine our future would be like?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"I could see us finding a nice small house to settle down in instead of continuing to live in the upstairs apartment, and I'd make you co-owner of the cafe" he'd tell her "And possibly discussing having a family in the future" he'd smile a bit more, "How about you? oh, do you ever get nightmares?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari seemed happy as Ash listed out his idea for their future, until he mentioned starting a family, where her face fell a bit, though it was obvious enough that the disappointment she felt was inward.

She was about to respond when Ash asked his rather, at least to her, strange question, "Nightmares? I mean, of course I do, a bit more often recently all things considered, but I'm sure they'll settle as I adjust. Per your other question... I haven't been here long enough to know what would be possible, but I like your plan for the future, except..." She sighed, "I can explain in better detail later, in private, but the simple explanation is that... I can't give you children, I'm infertile." She looked nervous, "I understand that that might be a big deal for you, many creatures look forward to having their own children, and if that's something important to you I won't get in your way, I just think it's good to get that out there before things go to far."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd nod at her answers "Yeah I guess having nightmares are a pretty normal thing, I've just met some people who don't remember their dreams or don't even dream at all. Strange really" he'd say then looks to her, smiling "I uh..can't have children either" he'd say "But there is always adoption if we get that far" he says to her, thinking for a moment "what was your home world like?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari still looked a little down as Ash mentioned possibly adopting, "Maybe..."

Her attention shot back up when he said 'home world', and she gave him a look that said 'you're not even trying' she then rolled her eyes, "My home town was fairly similar to here actually. It was a fairly big city, lots of buildings and creatures all around, very easy to lose yourself in, get lost in the crowd, perfect for someone like me. Before I came here though, I lived a few months in a plains area, very rural farming community, much harder to blend in when there's only twenty people in town."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would look at her and nod "Well at least you don't have to go through culture shock too much then, right?" he'd ask then think of something "You know, I'm surprised that with your ability, you hadn't mentioned anything about getting emotions from at least some of my old plushies, though they wouldn't be anything like the photos, just there are some there I had since I was a little one" he then looks around and finishes his meal, leaning back a little "Is there anything you'd like to do after this? The parks nearby are quite lovely this time of night and pretty safe too" he'd smile "Private too, so we can talk about some things more in depth if you'd like"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

In reference to the culture shock Mari shrugged, "While the aesthetic is the same, the creatures are not, so I'm sure there'll still be plenty to get used to here."

In regard to the plushies Mari looked unsure, "Well... I didn't look as deeply into them as I did the photos, as the photos had much heavier emotions to them. I'll definitely look into them now that you've piqued my interest."

Finally, in response to his question of what to do next, she smiled, "That sounds lovely, I would like that very much."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd nod, standing up after paying for their food and drinks, leaving a decent tip "I suppose that would be the case, but just know I'm here to help you through it" he'd say, holding his hand out to her as he'd then help her up out of her seat. After helping her up, he'd get his coat and wrap it around her shoulders "It'll be a bit chilly outside, so best for you to keep warm" he smiles, leading her out of the restaurant and down to the park, where there were walking tracks.

After they had arrived at the park, and had started down a track, he'd gently squeeze her hand in his "Is there anything you'd like to discuss now that we are alone?" he would ask her with a soft and gentle smile.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

She chuckled as Ash lent her his coat, but didn't comment on it just yet. Once they were alone she sighed, and returned his coat to him, "I literally have fire running through my veins, so I am good on warmth, but I appreciate the gesture."

She thought a moment on what exactly she should clarify, "So, earlier when I said I couldn't give you children.... well, Infertile isn't quite the word, because that would imply I had the capability to be fertile. Better said, I lack any of the necessary equipment to bear a child. Only Changeling Queens can reproduce, and as I am not one, I cannot. You've seen I don't have any breasts when undisguised, everything else is just for show, so that I can fully pretend to be female. I can also pretend to be male, though similarly I cannot impregnate anyone."

She sighed, "I hope that makes sense, and doesn't, like, creep you out."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd put his jacket back on while listening to her, nodding "I see, that's actually quite interesting, I mean I'm no biology major, but it certainly is something I'm interested in learning more about" he'd say to her "I mean, I've read some insect species are like that, for example, Ants. bees, wasps and termites for examples" he'd say "Though you're a lot prettier than any of those" he'd smile warmly at her, hoping he didn't upset her with his comment about the insects.

"But, you're alright Mari, it didn't creep me out or upset me, I mean..the family thing is a in the future thing, we could be one of those couples who decide not to have children, it's in the future, take each day as it comes and see where the future leads us is probably the best way to go about things, right?" he'd ask her, holding her close as they walk.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari smiled at the comparison, "Yeah, more or less, I think bees is the favored comparison as bees help the flowers who in turn provide food, just like changelings and those around them. Thank you though, you're sweet to say that."

She was contemplative for several moments after Ash's comment, "Why... how are you so accepting of all this? I came from another world, no doubt the strangest thing you've ever seen, wholly different from anything you've experienced, and you just accept whatever I tell you. Does nothing surprise you? Or am I just not as strange as I think?" She motioned around, "Everything here is so very strange, yet still familiar, it's uncanny. I've never felt so close to someone as I do with you, and yet I feel so very alone, the only one of my kind here, and no hope of making more myself. I may well be the first and only changeling this world will ever have, and you may be the only one who will ever know I was here."

She shook her head, "It's all so surreal to me, yet through all of it you've been so tranquil."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would smile gently at her "To be honest, it is new to me for sure, and some of what you are telling me is taking some time for my brain to properly process, but in all honesty, it's partially how I was raised and partially just how I decided to live when I turned of age" he'd tell her "My parents raised me to be understanding and accepting, And I decided to just accept others, regardless of species or where they are from" he would tell her.

Just then, he'd frown as he would see a group of obviously drunk males approaching them, they also looked pretty dangerous. He'd step in front of her protectively as the group got closer to them "Can I help you gentlemen?" He'd ask in a firm yet calm tone.

"well, well, well, what do we have here boys?" One of them, obviously the leader, would ask the rest of the group "We have someone who thinks they can stand up to us, and he looks weak" he'd say, then look at Mari, licking his lips "And this pretty little thing, she'll be mine"

"I beg to differ, you see, I may not be strong, but I do have very serious backup on the way, as for my partner here, you will not touch her" Ash would say, still firm but staying calm, as he had in fact quickly texted a particular "Family" member to alert them of the situation, he just hoped they would arrive in time.

----

Just as the group were getting close enough for them to smell the alcohol on their breath and sweat, and Ash was starting panic, a group of three rather strong looking men would come behind them, they were well known to belong to Flip's "Family", would be enough to make the group of drunks think twice, which thankfully it did, while one of the "Family" went after them. The largest of the three would pat Ash on the shoulder "You okay there Ash?" he'd ask

Ash would nod as he would let his guard down "Y-yes thanks Blake" he'd say to him, then look to Mari "Mari, you alright there?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari had been considering her options as the drunk men approached, Ash was a decent source of unease that she could push their way to lower their resolve if it came to a fight, and while she tended to sport a thin figure she was far from defenseless. Her natural armor allowed her to take blows without much injury, as well as dish them out. Being able to turn her hands into knives didn't hurt their odds either.

Ultimately she was disappointed that they didn't end up teaching the thugs a lesson, "I could've handled them. Thanks for the assist though, you friends of Ash?" 

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Blake would nod "Yeah, the boss Flip is quite fond of Ash's coffee, plus..." he looks to Ash, who would nod "Ash's departed fiance Natsumi was also Flip's daughter's best friend" he'd tell Mari, as the other one came back "Alright, those thugs won't be bothering any one for some time, if at all now" he'd say with a sheepish smile "you two take care now" Blake would say as the three left them.

Ash just sighed "Thank goodness the Family boss likes my coffee" he'd say softly, gently squeezing her hand "Do you want to continue or would you like to go home?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari shook her head, "I think I've had quite enough excitement for one evening, you being friends with the mayor is one thing, but friends with what is clearly a mafia or similar... is another thing entirely. I don't know how to feel about that." I could probably disappear if I needed to, with a fresh disguise even Ash wouldn't recognize me. I hope that doesn't need to happen.

She sighed, "These past few moments aside, I've had a wonderful time tonight, thank you."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would nod, beginning to lead her back to the road "Well, friends is a strong term, it's more..acquaintance" he'd say with a bit of a shrug "Like, I mean with the mayor I do sometimes have tea or dinner with, but Flip.." he shakes his head "Truth is...I used to pay him protection money, I mean, I do get mistaken for a girl a lot" he'd look at her "but after he discovered Natsumi was his daughter's best friend, he said he'd do it or free, but I don't have dinner with him or anything...personally, I can't stand him"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari wasn't as surprised by the explanation as she would have liked. "That's... not better... but it's not like I can do anything about it. I hope this doesn't end up causing us issues, like them withdrawing their protection now that you're moving on."

If it came to it, Mari concluded that she'd rather leave than put Ash in danger. While she could protect herself well enough, she couldn't guarantee that same protection to Ash.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd shake his head "I doubt Nina would allow that" he'd say "Nina is Flip's daughter" he explains and calls for a cab "I wouldn't be surprised if we get a visit from Nina tomorrow" he'd hold her close and sigh a little "Anyway if worse comes to worse, I'll just have to be more careful" he closes his eyes, and Mari could probably feel the apprehension coming from him, he'd then open his eyes and hug her close "I'll tell you the reason to why I started paying protecting when we get home"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari could only nod as Ash led the way back to the café, the situation only seemed to become more precarious the more Ash described it. It very well could end badly when Nina learned of her presence and place in Ash's live, effectively replacing her departed friend. Would she be angry? Hurt? Who could know?

Still, she hoped for the best, that a peaceful solution would come of it all.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The journey home was uneventful, but then as they arrived, he'd see Nina and smiles "I see, she wanted to check we are okay sooner rather than later" he'd say, hugging Mari close as the young girl rushes forward them and hugs Ash.

"Oh Ash, when Blake told me about what happened, I was so worried" she'd say, hugging him for a moment, then upon seeing Mari, she'd smile "Oh where are my manners" she would say and hug her too "I'm Nina, I'm sure Ash told you about me, and you must be..oh what was your name again? Mina? no, no, oh Mari, right?" she'd smile brightly at her.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

(Sorry for the delay)

Despite not detecting any ill will towards her from Nina, Mari was still hesitant about the situation. Nonetheless, she was nothing if not a good actor, so she didn't let her hesitation show through, "Only in name and just barely. He mentioned you were friends with his late... Fiancé? Or were you two not engaged yet?" She posed the question honestly, "I hope I'm not causing any issues."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle(dats ok)

Ash would nod "Close enough to being engaged" he'd say, as Nina nodded in turn "You're not causing any problems at all Mari, in fact I'm really happy that has you now. He's been quite lonely" she'd hug her "and I'm just so glad you two are okay, Blake told me what happened"

Ash rubs the back of his neck "Y-yeah, just a couple of drunk thugs" he'd say "Still..I was pretty scared"