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[twocomplex]

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[noctiphile]

[He takes the case, fingers running over it curiously and then in disgust.]

It's fake. What? Is real leather too hard to find? [He points that question at the shopkeeper who glares at him and points away from the stand. Mattias rolls his eyes and follows after Oren.]

If there's one thing I've learned about space it's that it's full of unexplained trinkets. I'm sure we'll find something else. Maybe next we'll find a—a talking cabinet or something.

[He throws his hands up in the air at that, nearly knocking the sunglasses off his head.]

[twocomplex]

Cases like these make me doubt the legitimacy of these sunglasses. But I suppose only time will tell.

[This is fun. Fun, without the bitter worries in the back of his mind that Mattias was with someone else, or in trouble, or doing something stupid. His steps are lighter, the tension has been completely wiped away, and he doesn't allow himself to stop and think on it for too long, for fear that it will return.]

Have you seen some of the food here? Just the other day, I witnessed someone's meal crawl out of the bowl!

[noctiphile]

Oh goddess, that sounds horrifying. [He looks at Oren as if he doesn't know him.] You didn't try any of it, did you? That can't be meant for human consumption.

[He turns back to the road ahead.] You know, I've tried that green drink they've got everywhere. Horrible stuff. Too sweet. Tastes like liquid sugar. But it gets you horribly drunk.

[twocomplex]

I do so enjoy adventure, but the line may end at adventuring in food. At least quite so far... I couldn't even enter that building.

[Gross as fuck man. He laughs, and their arms brush lightly against one another as Oren keeps his pace with Mattias. Ah, right... Drinking. He won't allow his smile to falter.]

I can't recall if I've had that one in particular, but I do know I've experimented plenty in that area. Have you tried the purple and blue one? It almost looks like it holds stars.

[noctiphile]

I—No. I haven't.

[Surprisingly. One would think he'd be the first to try a drink that holds stars.] Is it good? Does it taste like the universe?

[The last question is probably a joke from the way he's lip is curling.]

[twocomplex]

[He laughs at that.]

Really? I'd imagined you'd have gone for it first. I've only found it at one place-- I'll have to show you.

[He looks to him.]

Not quite that good, but it is one of my favorites so far. A unique flavor. Smooth, but with a bite.

[noctiphile]

"Smooth with a bit of a bite"? [It reminds him of someone and it shows in the way he gazes at Oren, looking him over with eyes far from innocent. But it's merely momentary, and soon enough he's looking away.]

Take me there after we've finished.

[Though he's hesitant to drink with Oren. His feelings are too close to the surface to prevent them from rushing out.

But the idea of going back to what they once were is enticing. Alluring. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want to go back to it.] I'll pay.

[twocomplex]

[It's clear that he's hanging onto those words. His mouth parts just slightly, his eyes move down from Mattias' face, but he stops himself at his neck. A smile twitches onto his lips, and he looks forward.]

Then it's a deal.

[He doesn't want to say date and scare him off. But he is oddly excited at the possibility of it. Is that what it is? Is that what Mattias wants?]

But first, I see our next stop already. [Grinning, he nods up ahead. The shop should be clear as day, with neon lights and flashy advertisements. A gift shop for anyone, it claims.]

[noctiphile]

[Mattias squints at it, sneering at the garishness of the thing.]

What exactly is a gift shop? Can't you get a gift from any of these shops?

[He gestures to the rest around them.] For all it's creativity, space comes up with such useless things.

[twocomplex]

You may be right, but these gifts look far more entertaining.

[Just looking from the window, where there are shirts with sayings on them in foreign languages, crude images, and moving devices that Oren can't even begin to understand. He hooks his arm around Mattias' elbow, pulling him along lightly into the shop. The aisles are tight and crowded, and so they stick close as Oren peers around.]

It's awfully dark in here. These sunglasses have proven to be useless so far, as well.

[noctiphile]

Well, we've yet to try them on the actual sun. [He speaks distractedly, prodding at a bobblehead dalmation... thing with slight awe. Before he dismantles it. Just to see how it works. Thankfully, this time the shopkeeper can't see. God bless cramped stores.]

Really, most of the items in here seem tragically pointless. [He squeezes something that looks like an alien version of a duck. It squeaks.] Almost like that bird of yours.

[twocomplex]

They could be for amusement.

[So he did remember the bird. That makes Oren smile, and while he does let his arm slip out from gripping Mattias', he doesn't stray too far. He eyes some of the things himself, though he mostly keeps his hands to himself.

Except for when he sees a strange bag labeled "snake eggs", and picks it up to investigate. Attempting to squeeze it open causes a vicious rattling sound, and he startles backwards before laughing and holding it out for Mattias.]

[noctiphile]

[Mattias gives him a confused look before giving it a light squeeze. The thing rattles and he jolts in place, dropping the toy to the ground. When no snakes slither out of it, he scowls and kicks it away.]

What type of trickery—Snake eggs don't rattle! The snake does! [There's a light blush on his cheeks, and he's quick to look away, pretending to have great interest in another item. It lasts only a minute though before something else catches his eye. He rushes towards it, brushing past Oren and trotting towards...

A lava lamp.]

It' a demon.

[He regards it with great awe for a mere second before dragging it from the shelf and tapping at it.]

But this is merely glass. How are they containing it? You can't simply trap them with that, you need—need stone or something. Metal. Oren, look. [He tries to turn but reaches the limit of the cord. Frowning, he places it back on the shelf.]

[twocomplex]

[Undeniably cute, that reaction. He watches the bag of 'snake eggs' slide off under some shelf, ignoring the stares of aliens nearby as he chuckles to himself. He can't believe those drunk calls paid off in some way--

He hears the word demon and turns over, watching Mattias toy with something out of his view. Slowly, he walks closer, half expecting Enkythos to cause a reaction, and when he sees the blobbing mass inside of the glass-- he's amazed he feels nothing.

He squints, stepping closer to touch the glass with a hesitant finger.]

There's no reaction. [He says it in a way that Mattias would understand and no one around them. Another step closer, and their arms are brushing again, but he's fascinated by this... whatever-it-is moving inside the glass.]

Could they block its power completely?

[noctiphile]

With the technology and magic available, it could be possible. But with a higher [demon] god like Enkythos... I've never heard of something that could stop them from sensing each other.

[He tries to take it down again but becomes distracted by the shelf of boxed lava lamps just below the display. Stepping back, he picks one up, opening the box quickly and pulling out a new lava lamp. The liquid isn't moving.]

They're able to make them dormant? [He holds it out for Oren to hold, opening another box and doing the same thing. This time, he shakes it and yelps softly when the liquid moves.] It's not—It shouldn't react like that!

[twocomplex]

[He holds the thing when he's forced to, making a tense face down at it as Mattias tears through another boss.]

Don't shake it, what are you thinking?

[Setting what he's holding down to the side, he reaches forward to take Mattias' shoulder, urging him back.]

Be more cautious! Imagine what could happen if you break one of those. [It doesn't seem like a good idea no matter what they are. Though, he does glance back up at the active one, almost curiously.

Is it a demon, really?]

[noctiphile]

[He's about to protest when he catches the look on Oren's face. Flatly:]

You're thinking of breaking it, aren't you.

[Stuffing the other lava lamps into their respective boxes, he shoves them back onto the shelf and drags Oren away.] Come now, no meals for you here.

[But he's totally going to buy one of those lava lamps. Maybe two. He still needs to figure out how they glow.]

[twocomplex]

[The comment gets a smile even when he thinks it shouldn't, and it may be because of the ridiculous sight of Mattias shoving those things back into their boxes.]

Not here, of course.

[It's not Mattias as a meal, so what's the problem? But he follows after the tugging, leaning closer as something up ahead draws his attention. It's a neon green, long and shaped out in beads, and it's vibrating at its top level, edging itself off of the hanger it's hanging on. Just in time for some giggling girls to leave the aisle themselves.]

What is that? Do you see that?

[noctiphile]

Is it an animal?

[It's moving. That qualifies it as something sentient. There's no cord or wires attached and it definitely has a tail, however bulbous and inconvenient it may be. With an outstretched arm, he holds Oren back, watching warily as the creature vibrates off the shelf and drops to the floor.]

It doesn't have any legs. Nor any eyes. [But it's moving with a steady purr.] Does it crawl by vibrating? Perhaps that's how it sees as well.

[He crouches low, inching towards the vibrating butt plug.] Do you think it's dangerous?

[twocomplex]

[The arm holds him back, but he places his hands on it to lean closer. It lands so loudly on the floor, and somehow the noise is even louder. When Mattias crouches, Oren does, as well, gripping lightly at his shoulder.]

I don't see how... It looks awfully smooth at least, doesn't it? If it were poisonous, I doubt they'd leave it out in the open.

[Bad for business and all. But really, what the heck is this...]

Where is it going?

[noctiphile]

I'm not certain it knows...

[He glances back at Oren, expression grave.] I'm going to catch it. Stay here in case it does anything.

[He's moving before he can be stopped, keeping low as he maneuvers his way behind the creature. With a cautious hand he waits for the time to strike, snapping up the tail and holding it aloft in the air. Slowly, he rises from the ground, holding the beast away from him and watching as it hums and trembles. Minutes pass before he deems it safe enough, nodding to Oren to step closer.]

You're right. I believe it's harmless.

[twocomplex]

Wait!

[Ah, it's too late. Mattias can't be stopped. Oren moves to his feet, standing there for the good few minutes it takes Mattias to deem a vibrating butt plug as harmless. By that time, he steps forward, slapping lightly at his shoulder for just running after it and squinting closer himself.]

It's awfully noisy, as well. Is it still trying to move? [Hesitantly, he reaches a hand out to try and touch it.]

[noctiphile]

[Mattias resists the urge to jerk it away from Oren, convincing himself that the butt plug is harmless. That it won't lash out at any minute and they'll have to spend the night in a suspicious hospital catering to the drunk and foolish.]

Be careful. We've yet to learn where it's mouth is.

[twocomplex]

[His fingers touch despite the warning, and what he's met with is... A nice sensation. This thing is really vibrating.]

How does it do this without pause? Is it breathing, perhaps?

[Or... what. He doesn't know. But he moves his hand still to touch a little lower, a little higher. No change.] Or it's frightened. Does it even have a mouth?

[noctiphile]

If it's frightened then it must be frightened all the time. It was quivering with the girls before us, as well. [He nods in their direction.] Breathing is more likely. Though to propel yourself through simply breathing...

[He'd love to dissect it. Take it apart, see how it works. After surveying it, of course. This is far too intriguing an animal to kill without watching it's natural habits.

He cants his head towards Oren.] Shall we get it?