Private The City of Lights

[Zaiya Ceti]

Vseri City
Volik
Interacting with: Aris Noble


"Are you ready?!" Zaiya gave a joyful bounce as she double checked her own satchel and called out to Aris. It was a trip they had been planning for quite a while, and now they had the time and the funds to do it. They had traveled to her homeworld before, exploring the jungle and the bioluminescent areas, even finding the beautiful ore they now used in their matching necklaces, which made their growing bond resonate all the more strongly.

This time around, however, they were going to visit one of the cities. In this case, it was Vseri City, a massive cliffside city where tents and homes were carved from the cliff face. They were going to meet the more vibrant species of Lovalla, which, for Zaiya, was both equally exciting and a bit anxiety-inducing. She was brighter than she had been at fourteen now, and her connection with Aris was only enhancing her color-shifting and glow. But part of her was still a little self-conscious.

 

[Aris Noble]

"Very much so."

Aris smiled faintly as he watched the rippling colors over Zaiya's skin. This was something he'd wanted to do for a while now, but time hadn't been on their side. That changed, thankfully. He reached down, squeezing her hand just a bit. Silent reassurance. He could feel her doubt. Their connection wasn't exactly what Lovalla had with each other, but she was none the less shining.

There were none brighter than her.

"Got a place you want to go first? Could get lunch. Something to eat to settle the stomach after the trip?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Just feeling the pressure and support from Aris's squeeze of her hand, along with the resonance from their necklaces, made Zaiya's smile widen, and the iridescence over her rosy golden skin shine even more vibrantly.

Just being near him was as if the Lovalla Knight were charging up with Aris's presence, her own little sun that, like a sunflower, seemed to beam in response.

Hilariously, her mind blanked on the question. Food first or walk around. However, her stomach made that decision, giving a grumble of hunger that made Zaiya's mottled spots shine a vibrant magenta pink in embarrassment.

"Food! Food it is!" she chirped out, before taking a step forward and charging ahead, tugging at his hand even as the ramp to their Shuttle closed shut behind them.

"... we can try what local foods Lovalla like to eat!" she suddenly thought, the idea making her equally excited as curious, a ripple of joyful blues and ambers dancing over her mottled spots.

Up ahead, they were able to see the colorful banners flying from strung netting. It was a curious city that utilized technology in a way that complemented its jungle environment with sustainable means. And it wasn't long before they caught sight of the locals.

Tall, slender and willowy, with utterly vibrant colors in shades no human eye could be able to pick up. Ultraviolets and ultrareds, iridescence unlike anything Zaiya had ever seen. They were so... Bright. All the more so because it was evident that Lovalla took the sort of opinon of clothing that Epicanthix took -- very little as possible to allow as much of their colorshifting skin to be seen to communicate properly.

Oh.

A thought came to Zaiya then, and she turned to Aris.

"... Maybe we overdressed?"

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris had quite the amused smile at the flicker of colors over Zaiya's skin. Amusement and teasing, really, at the flicker of magenta. At least her stomach was able to decide where they couldn't. He followed right along with her, grinning all the while. What the Lovalla enjoyed to eat? It'd be good to finally figure that out, for both of them!

He did let his gaze wander over the locals though. His eyes couldn't properly pick up all the colors, but it was still quite the sight to behold. All the shining, rippling colors he saw from Zaiya on every person here. People dressed more like his own kin. He tilted his head at Zaiya's question, glancing down towards her before squeezing her hand with an even wider grin.

"Well. Do you want to go clothing shopping first to look the part before lunch?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x |
Interacting with: Aris Noble

Clothes shopping?!

Oh how did Zaiya's mottled spots shine and glow! But nothing compared to the brillant smile that stretched wide over the Lovalla's face as vibrant teals and blues went rippling over her rosy golden skin.

"Oh, can we!?!" Zaiya asked, giving a little bounce on the pads of her boots even as her multicolored hair gave a shimmy about her shoulders. A few curious gazes were cast at their direction, and while most spoke in Volik and through their colorshifting, there was a murmor of Basic woven in their.

The question was, where would the shops be?

Biting her lip, Zaiya glanced around, before she saw a sign with a clothing sigil that made it easier to spot as a potential store to go.

"Okay, let's see what we can find then!" she sang, clinging to Aris's arm even as she was the one already trying to tug along the eight foot tall redheaded Epicanthix along.

As they walked -- and Zaiya chatted about happily about what they could potentially find to buy -- it was evident that there were a lot more females around than males. For every three females, there seemed to be one male, and those who walked around were of such a vibrant color that it was almost as if walking through a living kaleidoscope.

 

[Aris Noble]

"I mean, that's why I suggested it." Aris snickered. Seeing how much that lit her up had the warmest of smiles on his face, but the idea that there was a chance they wouldn't go clothes shopping here? Gave him a bit of a giggle. His laughter only grew as she pulled him along. He followed happily, chatting her up about the clothing and how it might be similar enough to his own people's. He did glance about here and there, mostly for references on said clothing.

Skin was important to show off colors, that much was obvious.

".. It looks like men are brighter. Fascinating. You think it's an attraction thing? Calling for a mate?" Like birds. Epicanthix were similar in that showing strength was how they'd flirt.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

It was an attraction thing.

That was the point. Zaiya knew that now, after all her studies with Dr. Nova through correspondence -- especially since things were progressing with Aris in a way that led them both to want to experience what it would be like to get closer, fully knowing that could very well bond them in the way Lovalla mates do.

The flush over the Lovalla Knight's face grew brighter, and she resonated with a flurry of her own shifting colors that dappled over her rosy golden skin like a mesmerizing canvas. And while the shift in color codes may not be as easily picked up by Aris's eyes because he was not a Lovalla, the length of time that they had been together and coming to know her more and more, along with his enhanced eyesight, meant that he would pick up on it more.

"Yes. It would be." Zaiya finally admitted, although this time, instead of being embarrassed about it, she was flirty, the mischievous sensation dancing through their resonance via the necklaces.

"Why do you think I get so shiny around you more?" she teased him, the pair crossing the threshold of the small local shop. A very colorful attendant with bright cobalt blue hair turned to them, a bit of surprise over her face, but a bright smile nonetheless.

"Welcome!" she beamed, greeting them both. A curious dart from Zaiya to Aris, and then back again.

"We are looking for something more local to wear," Zaiya told her, deciding that she was going to go a bit more boldly into this.

 

[Aris Noble]

Amusement filled Aris's expression as he watched her colors shift and shimmer once more. He didn't need the necklace to recognize what the colors he could see meant. As passing as a muse his spoken thought was, she'd gone into thinking it over logically. He was going to have to tease her about that. There was nothing more fun than the banter they had with one another, especially when he had something he could poke a little more fun at.

He was going to, in fact. Aris had opened his mouth to speak just as she did.

"Yes. It would be."

He blinked.

"Why do you think I get so shiny around you more?"

Ah. She got him. His mouth closed into the calm smile he always had, expressions as muted as ever. Zaiya knew, though. The subtle red on his ears, the idle tension in his jaw before he could relax it. He was the flustered one. Still, the Epicanthix took it in stride as he stepped under the doorway to glance around the shop before focusing on the merchant. A brief nod of affirmation.

"It's our first time here. It'd be nice to fit in more, if you think you have anything that could fit me at least."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

A pleased little trill escaped Zaiya's rosy lips before she could stop it. She had gotten him! That happy little realization spread across her heart-shaped face as did the way the delighted teal and pink hues went rippling over the mottled spots over her cheeks.

"Oh I don't know.. your ears turned shiny, so-o," she whispered with unmistakable satisfaction, leaning just enough that only he would hear how she caught the way the tips of his ears turned red. "That counts."

"I am keeping score now." She told him, the impish grin grew wider as she also gave a waggle of her eyebrows before giving him a wink.

Deciding it would be fun to tease him a little more, the Lovalla Knight turned to the merchant and gestured proudly toward Aris.

"He is very handsome," she informed them matter-of-factly. "But he does not know what colors look best on him yet."

A forefinger and her thumb began to rub at her chin as Zaiya let her gaze wander appreciatively over Aris's tall, rugged form.

"I volunteer as the expert." Her opal blue eyes flicked back to Aris dancing with a bright with playful challenge.

"I have... extensive research." The pause lingered just long enough. "Maybeee one or two observations. Or several."

And with that, the Lovalla went on to say, "He looks great in white. Green too. Brings out the colors of his eyes and the bright red of his hair now." It was still startling how vibrant a shade of red Aris's hair had turned. IT shone with the sheen of corseca gems, reflecting the light in fiery highlights that made anyone give a double-take.

"Free-flowing styles that give him the best freedom of movement!"

 

[Aris Noble]

"You sure that's the game you want to play? I'll have to start tallying up all the times in turn." He flashed only the faintest of smirks her way at her wink. A flash of a memory. The smell of booze, an obviously drunk Zaiya. A distant memory, but one he still quite enjoyed. One he knew how embarrassed she was over it. His smile softened as she continued to speak though, his gaze shifting instead to the attendant.

She was really going in on it all.

"She, in turn, looks best with her skin showing as much as possible. All her colors. You'll never see the same colors she gives off from another here."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

Oh... Right... well...

Zaiya's answering flush was immediate and extremely colorful. Pink embarrassment shimmered through brilliant teal delight and warmer shades of affection, every stripe and mottled marking across her rosy golden skin lighting up in a spectacular little confession. To most people it might have simply looked pretty.

To Aris with his super awesome sight? He could read the whole kriffing thing.

"Well, obviously," The Lovalla barely managed with a playful lift of her chin, practically glowing with shy, coquettish pride. "... someone makes me very colorful."

Their necklaces resonated warmly between them even as Zaiya blinked rapidly, taking a deep breath as warmth seemed to seep over her skin.

"Oh wow. Is it hot in here?" She immediately began fanning her face, which only made the associate laugh before offering a few teasing suggestions of her own. Thankfully, before Zaiya could become an entirely new shade of mortified, several outfits were gathered and deposited into their arms.

"The fitting room is right through there! Let me know if you need anything!"

"Thank you!" Zaiya hurried inside, bracelets jingling, only to stop once the beaded curtain whispered shut behind them -- annnddd Zaiya came to a stop.

All around them were beaautifully polished mirrors from metallic stone. So very beautiful, almost floor-to-ceiling amidst the wide circular fitting room. One fitting room. One joint fitting room.

Oh.

Zaiya's multicolored hair gently shifted over her bare shoulders as she slowly looked around. Then at Aris. Then back at the curtain.

"...Huh." It clicked, and there was no hiding the way the bioluminescence promptly performed another spectacular little ripple.

"So-o," she began, a tiny grin tugging at her lips.

"I suppose they're very committed to us getting each other's opinions."

 

[Aris Noble]

She would, in turn, very much see the subtle mirth in his gaze. Easily unseen by any other, but even without the necklace Zaiya was the only soul who could see it. Just how much he was enjoying her colors and what they meant. He glanced to the attendant here and there, listening to her speak, looking at the outfits suggested, but his gaze was more focused on Zaiya than anything else.

Aris only laughed once they were given the clothing before he followed Zaiya through the beaded doorway. A laugh that turned to a blink, then turned to a tinge of red in his ears. Sometimes the gears in his head turning gave him so much stress. Everything here made sense. For Lovalla, they just wouldn't go out during a red day.

For partners, it made sense for them to not leave each other. Bonded, why would they?

Aris and Zaiya though, were very different. He closed his eyes for a moment as he took a breath, idly stilling a surge of different thoughts that rushed through his head. Thoughts he knew she'd see but he certainly didn't want to let linger.

"It's very Lovalla, I suppose. We'll have to be mindful, hmm?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Aris Noble

Zaiya caught it.

Not the red dusting his ears, although that certainly helped. No, what the Lovalla caught was the flutter beneath it. The subtle current of emotions that Aris could never quite put into words, but that she could feel nonetheless. And lately, there had been something in the way he looked at her too. It was in the way the warmth in his gaze would linger over her. They were adults now, and with that, and with all their conversations about their physiology, their differences and similarities, it was growing easier to recognize with every passing day. Especially when their necklaces resonated between them.

It reminded her increasingly of the bonds Lovalla formed with their mates. Which was...well. Zaiya didn't mind at all how Aris looked at her. No. She liked it. A lot.

There was no mistaking the way a shimmering ripple of pink immediately bloomed across her cheeks with a touch of gold bioluminescence, chased by curious amber through her mottled spots.

That was a thought.

"Mindful," she echoed, rocking slightly onto her toes with a tiny grin. "Yes. Very mindful."

Zaiya idly let her fingers catch on the breezy fabric of one of the outfits, but she hesitated before doing anything else. With all the teasing aside, her iridescent opal-blue gaze searched his green with clear purpose.

"But... are you comfortable with this?" she asked softly. "With me changing here?"

"Because I am okay with it if you are."

 

[Aris Noble]

Impulsiveness wasn't truly a characteristic of Aris. For all his mind wandering and brief flustered demeanor, the moment Zaiya looked up to him with a clear purpose, with care and concern, a much softer smile took over his expression. He reached out toward one of the outfits set out for him, already and casually shrugging off his shirt in the process.

"Don't look too deeply into whatever thoughts I might have. My attraction to you doesn't make me uncomfortable." He paused before grinning. He'd turn, arms crossed over his bare chest as he leaned a shoulder to the wall. Smugness.

"Unless you think I've no self control. Are you worried I might act, dear Zaiya?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya's iridescent blue eyes very deliberately stayed on Aris's face.

We-l-l maybe mostly. Kinda. Sort of. There may have been a tiny downward flick when the shirt came off.

Okay maybeee two.

The immediate adorable bloom of a pink bioluminescent ombre across her cheeks betrayed her anyway, mingling with bright teal delight as she felt that warm pulse of attraction through their bond.

"I was just being considerate!" she protested, although the twitch at the corner of her mouth ruined any indignation she might have managed.

Then came his whole dear Zaiya. Oh, he was being smug, was he? Her eyes immediately plafully narrowed at his direction.

"No. I know you have self-control," She stepped closer, chin tilting upward even as curiosity sparked amber through her markings. "I was wondering whether you thought I did."

That spunky quirky confidence totally lasted impressively long! Approximately three seconds.

"...Although taking your shirt off before asking that feels suspiciously like cheating." she gave a half silly pout, but smiled anyways, stepping closer to hold out the first outfit for him to try.

It was silly, because for the longest time, both had become increasingly comfortable with each other. So much of their early friendship and when they had become best friends, the mere act of Lovalla biology and the lack of a mating bond meant that physical attraction to Aris had fallen simply into admiration of his physique for being pretty. She had looked at Aris as her best friend. And with Epicanthix culture, it meant he was well used to keeping his chest bare and using the flowy clothing style of his people

It made him look super handsome. But the thought of him trying out what would be Lovalla outfits only made her heart twist more. And become more and more aware of him. Living together had strengthened their bond, and as such, had begun to change her own psychology in ways that were becoming more and more apparent.

"Besides. I like that you are attracted to me. A lot." She admitted, the blush growing brighter.

 

[Aris Noble]

"Very considerate, I imagine."

Smugness didn't fade in the slightest as he watched Zaiya's colors shift all over again. Knowing what they meant, where they lead, just had him smiling that much more. There was nothing he love more than being able to see her colors shimmer and shine. Pride, in being able to have those colors show as any Lovalla should be able to.

There was a pause as he took up the outfit and started to put it on. It was light, comfortable. That wasn't what gave him pause though. The blush that had formed, what Zaiya said. He blinked, looking towards her in actual surprise before he could control that emotion. It took only a second before he cleared his throat and smiled again.

"That's a very dangerous line of thought. I'm supposed to have self-control after all."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

Oh, there was the blush. And while their necklace couldn't relay whatever images their minds would wander to, the emotions that made her belly flutter and tickle did.

Zaiya saw the surprise before Aris tucked it away, and the Lovalla absolutely sparkled with delight. Teal chased mischievous cyan through the pink still warming her face as she rocked back on her heels.

"Mmhm. Supposed to." And while the Lovalla tried to seem innocent, the bright little mischievous grin ruined everything.

"But now you have me curious." Her colorful head tilted, opal-blue eyes gleaming with iridescence as the Lovalla also reached for her own outfit. It was super airy and colorful and would certainly fan about her legs if she spun in it.

"Why is it so dangerous?" she asked, taking a step away only to turn her back to him. A quick glance over her shoulder and she too began to change clothing.

"Do you not want me to tell you that I like that you are attracted to me? That I like when you look at me?"

 

[Aris Noble]

"You're playing with a fire you're not sure how to manage yet. That I don't know how to manage yet." Was the blunt way Aris could speak of it. Blunt, and still round about. He watched her for a moment before leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Keeping his hands to himself, really. He certainly needed to make sure he was on his best behavior right now.

"It all just makes me want to toss that self control away." He whispered as he closed his eyes. No, that wasn't something he was going to do now. "It's something to discuss, I imagine, eventually. But not something we need to do now."

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Interacting with: Aris Noble

Zaiya listened to the warning Aris had to say, and after a moment she gave a nod.

He was right. They were still learning things. He was so smart with things. Able to pick up on them far faster than even she, as an Empath, could. Maybe that was the way his logical mind gravitated to?

"You are right," she told him, turning away from him to finish getting dressed. "Right now it is all about trying out these clothes and spending time with you as we learn more about my people. "

And that was why they were originally here.

"Which I really do appreciate." She added, securing the soft, shimmery pink waistband in place. It was flowy and sheer along her legs and arms to allow her bioluminescence to shimmer. It was evident that Lovalla clothing did their best to highlight and allow their method of communication through the shifting of their skin colors and mottled spots to shine. Not just for discourse, but as an artful design.

"This is almost similar to the styles Epicanthix have."

 

[Aris Noble]

He watched her for a moment longer before he took a breath, then stepped over. He'd just hug her to his chest, squeezing a bit. "That wasn't supposed to be a lecture or anything. I like these feelings. I'm not sure what to make of them, or where they're going to go, but I do enjoy them." Just a gentle hug, keeping her close. He wanted to hold her longer, in truth, but he did put that thought down in favor of stepping back to appreciate her new outfit.

A single nod.

"It looks really good on you. We might have to find a way to blend this style with the Epicathix and show off whenever we end up visiting Niv Hani again." He rubbed at the back of his neck, hiding the blush that had formed there.

Zaiya Ceti