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

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari grew a bit more flustered by the racoon's words, "I, er... I wouldn't know. I only just met him this morning. Don't know why he bothered with me, I'm no one special."

She would look over and see Ash's movements, as well as the positive emotions in the air, His happiness is based on a deception. No doubt he'd be horrified to know the truth.

She pushed the feelings down again and continued working almost as if on autopilot, which was pretty reasonable considering how little sleep she'd gotten over the past week. It was a wonder she was standing at all at this point.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The raccoon smiles "That's just how he is, he likes to see the good in others and help others" she would say, her own tail gently swaying, but she detects a hint of sadness in Mari's voice "I don't mean to pry, but why do you sound sad?" she'd ask her with a concerned tone.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

She noticed. I'm even a failure at keeping my emotions in check.

Mari looked a little shaken, "No, um... it's nothing, don't worry about it. I'm fine."

She'd hurry away from that table in an attempt to escape the conversation and distract herself from her growing anxiety. She looked for another customer to help, or if the dolphin's order was ready she'd go to retrieve and deliver it.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash noticed the actions and would pull her aside "Excuse me Mari, please come with me to the back" he'd ask and went into the back room, waiting for her.

Once they were alone in the back room, he'd ask her "Is there something you need to be telling me? I noticed your demeanor shift a fair bit earlier" he'd ask her, concern in his tone, but his voice still had the gentle touch to it.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

He knows...

When Ash called her to the back Mari had half a mind to take off running. Where? She didn't know, just away. Still, she held out hope that it was nothing.

46 minutes ago, Scarlet Rose said:

"Is there something you need to be telling me?

HE KNOWS

Her chest tightened considerably when the question was asked, and her hesitation was no doubt obvious on her face as she considered her options.

I could teleport out, no one seems to use magic around here... Maybe magic is banned too?

I could also risk trusting him... If I am all alone here, it might be useful to make some Friends...

Ultimately she sighed, looking down she spoke softly, "T-there is something, but... I need you to promise, give me your word, that after I tell you... I'll be free to go if I want to. You won't attack me or call the guards or anything... Please? If you can't... then just let me leave, and I won't bother anyone."

Please promise... I... I don't want to be alone...

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would look at her and listen to her "Oh my, it's that serious?" he'd ask, getting her a chair to sit down on "you have my word that you will be free to leave if you want and I won't call the guards" he'd say to her "though the police are usually busy trying to keep the Family's in check"

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari looked unsure, and declined the chair for the moment, "I..." she sighed, "I trust you."

She took another deep breath as she thought about how exactly she should break the news to him. "I... I'm not a zebra." No doubt that would cause some confusion, so she'd quickly follow up with, "I... I should show you. That'd be easier."

She'd quickly strip out of the clothes she was wearing, not wanting to risk burning them, and with a roll of teal fire dropped her disguise, revealing her changeling form. "I... I don't know if you know anything about my kind... I'm a changeling. I couldn't find any others of my kind... So I got scared."

She was still visibly tense, waiting for his response.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The confession of not really being a zebra did indeed confuse Ash, but only for a moment. After she had changed to her true form and told him what she was, he'd simply smile and chuckle "Well, I can see why you've been so nervous now" he would tell her, shaking his head "As for there being other Changelings here, I don't think I've seen or heard of any" he'd say to her kindly "But as I said before, this is a place for outcasts, really" he'd tell her.

After a moment, he'd just smile at her "I stand by my word, you are free to leave if you truly want to, but honestly, it's been so nice to have another work here, it makes things a bit smoother and faster" he'd tell her.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari looked confused and conflicted, "Y-You're... you're not mad? I..."

She sat down heavily, a wave of relief washing over her, "You... You're not just saying that right? You mean it?"

She looked around before looking back at Ash, "I... I would like that, to work here. I'd like to stay here too, if that's not too much trouble."

She looked over at the discarded clothes on the floor, "I... I don't think I can tell anyone else though, that I'm a changeling. It's supposed to be a secret. Could you.... would you help me with my disguise? I know I didn't look quite right before, maybe you could help me look more normal?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would smile "Do not worry, your secret is safe with me" he would tell her and then looked to the clothes on the floor, nodding "And you are right, you did kind of stand out wearing those, my offer on the clothes upstairs is still there, and I would be more than happy to have you continue to work with me, and I'll be more than happy to tidy up the guest room for you" he'd tell her. "How about we go upstairs, so I can help you fit in so to say?"

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari looked a bit confused when Ash talked about the clothes, "Oh, I thought the clothes were fine? I was talking about my skin, you know, how I looked like a zebra instead of," she motioned to herself, "like this. I didn't see any other zebra when I was out there, so I couldn't adjust it to fit in better. I'm sure if one saw me they'd've been horrified."

Nonetheless she'd gather up the clothes she'd discarded and nod, "I'd like your help in any case of course. I appreciate that you're willing to do that for me."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

 

@Illiad Easle

He'd tilt his head and then chuckles "Ah right, that too" he'd say "Yes, I wouldn't say that Zebras are common, but we do have some other exotic beasts here, such as a gazelle" he'd say to her, leading her upstairs to help her fit in more.

"Alright, first of all, your zebra disguise was pretty good, our customers didn't seem to even realize anything different from you" he'd say "Anyway, pick out any clothes that you like and I'll tell you if they look good on you"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

There was little safety in disguising as something exotic, while it lowered the chance of one having seen one before, and thus recognizing a flaw in the disguise, it also drew quite a bit of attention, which was the exact opposite of the purpose of a disguise.

"Maybe I should disguise as something else then, they may not have seen a zebra before and that's why they didn't notice how odd I looked." She sighed, "Though they'll definitely notice if I change species mid day. I'll have to stick with zebra for now, maybe we can try something different tomorrow? You've seen a lot of creatures, so you'd be a good judge of if I look right."

She looked over the selection of clothes, but didn't look too sure, "I... er, I thought what I had on was fine. I was never much one for fashion. Maybe it would be better if you picked something out for me? I prefer neutral subdued colors, so as to not stand out."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would think for a moment and nod "You're probably right about the changing species mid day, and sure we can try something different tomorrow" he would reassure her and then would look at the clothes, nodding "For out of work and at home maybe, but let's see... This skirt, these thigh high socks, this tshirt and this sweater" he'd say to her with a smile, giving her the clothes "Here, I'll wait outside my room to give you  some privacy"

 

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari nodded, "It's not what I would have chosen, but I'll trust your judgement."

She idly wondered why he had such a selection of clothes, back home she had only had like two outfits.

She wasn't opposed to Ash being present when she got dressed, but she figured he probably had his own reasons and didn't want to put him on the spot if that were the case, so she waited for him to leave the room before donning her disguise with a roll of fire, then getting dressed, adjusting her form as needed to properly fit the clothes, making sure they weren't too loose nor too tight.

Once she was confident enough in the fit of the clothes she went out to see if Ash was still waiting.

If he was there she'd do a little spin and ask "How do I look?"

If he had gone back down to the café she'd head down there and get back to work.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash wouldn't have minded seeing Mari change, but he was a beastman of principal and would only watch a lady change if he was in a relationship with her. "I bet she looks great under the clothes" he'd think to himself with a small smile "Poor girl though, lost in a new land, well I'll just have to do my best" he'd continue thinking before Mari would come out of the room and do a spin, he smiles "You look great" he'd say to her "You'll fit in perfectly now"

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari looked a little embarrassed by the comment, "I... I don't know about perfectly, I couldn't even pull off perfect back home, where I knew what everyone looked like, but I appreciate your help."

If Ash seemed receptive, she'd give him a hug before heading down the stairs, "We... we should be getting back to work now, I'm sure your customers are wondering where you've been."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"Well, there are so many different species here, that I don't think people will find too many defects in your disguise, one rule of thumb, is to not stare at someone here" he would smile and then nod, "And you are more than welcome, helping others is something I love to do" he'd say as he would then hug her in return, nodding "you're right, we should get back to work, we can talk more after" he'd say, walking back down to the cafe with her.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari was a bit surprised to hear the suggestion to not stare, "Oh! I'll, er, try not to stare then. Glad I heard that before I offended someone."

It'll be hard to get a proper disguise without staring, I'll just have to be discrete about it.

She followed Ash back down to the café, thinking on what he said, Changelings aren't supposed to get attached, at least, not those from my hive. Why do I want to stay here?

She shook off the thoughts and got to work, looking for a customer in need of her attention, far more confident now that she wasn't so worried about her secret.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would smile "Oh it's just a general rule of thumb of here, so if someone is staring at you, just tell me and I'll deal with them" he'd tell her as they walked back into the cafe and he'd go to the counter.

The dolphin girl from before, would smile at her "Excuse me miss, I finished my drink and food, how much do I owe?" she would ask her

Ash would smile as he looked at Mari, "She's doing rather well, and is a fast learner" he'd think to himself before waving her over to tell her how much the girl owed for the drink and food "you're doing great Mari, your attention to the customers and friendly demeanor is great" he would smile "Tonight, after close up, we can discuss your pay" he smiles "the drink and food the dolphin girl had is a total of 12 dollars"

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari blushed at the compliment, "I would hope so, I was trained in customer service after all."

She only hesitated a beat when the total was said, Ah dollars, like in Troy probably. Is 12 expensive or cheap? She nodded, "On it, thank you."

She'd then head over to the dolphin girl, "He says your total comes to $12, I hope it was to your expectations." 

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"It's so nice to have someone actually trained in customer service for once" Ash would think to himself as he keeps an eye on her while serving a customer who had come to pay for their order. He'd smile and watch her,

The dolphin girl smiles and pays "It was thank you" she'd say before standing up and leaving.
 

A few hours later

It had come to closing time for the cafe, and Ash would stretch, popping his back while covering a yawn "good work today Mari" he'd say to her "Lets say we have something to eat and drink, wind down first then talk about your wages"

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari was feeling a bit drained from all the work she had put in, but she did have a good collection of positive emotions stored up ready to convert and metabolize provided she could find some mineral water.

When Ash mentioned discussing pay and getting food she was slightly nervous again, "Sounds good, You wouldn't happen to have some mineral water? Some two or three liters? I could really use some."

I hope he pays me fairly, I've no basis for good wages here.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would smile, closing up for the day and going to the rest room with Mari. He'd pour himself some soda and nodded "Got about three bottles of it" he'd say to her, getting two two liter bottles for her "Here you go" he'd say before sitting down and smiling and pulling out his tablet, "So, it says here, that most places would put new employees in a trial period at 12 dollars per hour, how-ever I don;t think a trial period is neccessary" he'd smile at her "You're more than capable, and as you'll be living here with me, would you like to work full time? If so, I can pay you say..25 dollars an hour, otherwise part time would be 18 dollars an hour"

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Scarlet Rose

Upon receiving the mineral water she would find a glass and fill it halfway, filling the other half with a teal mucus from her mouth before stirring the two together. Once it was mixed she held it for a moment until it started to glow faintly, then she downed it and started to repeat the process.

She looked surprised at Ash's offer, That sounds rather generous, twice what is advised. Does he really think so highly of my abilities?

She nodded, "I... I would like that, yes. I don't have anything else to do so I may as well help you here, until..." She shook her head, No sense dwelling on that, there doesn't seem to be magic here to get home with. I'm not strong enough on my own. She looked back at Ash, "Thank you again."