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[twocomplex]

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[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?

[twocomplex]

So long as it's not a fortune, I don't see why not.

[He's just sort of watching it now, baffled and in wonder. What kind of a gift would this small thing be? It's a mystery as to how it functions. Its shape is odd, it's noisy, it lets itself loose...

He pulls his hand back.]

You'll have to find a way to keep it close until you return to your room. Through drinking and all, that is.

[noctiphile]

[He frowns at that, glancing down the creature in his hand.] It seems quite satisfied like this. Perhaps I could simply hold it.

[He mimics holding a glass with his other hand. Shrugs.] It could work.

[twocomplex]

At least that way it can't run free.

[So... works for him. He's not sure how well he'll hold onto that thing once they've had enough drinks, but... It's fine. It'll be fine.]

Shall we explore any other areas in this shop first, or are you satisfied with your strange gifts today? [His lips curl up as he jokes, brushing past him with a few slow steps.]

[noctiphile]

Oh, I think I'm quite satisfied. Let me get those containers and meet me at the counter.

[Without asking for permission, he thrusts the animal into Oren's hands and leaves, shuffling back to the counter a few minutes later with two lava lamp boxes.]

One for experimenting. [He explains once Oren's beside him.]

[twocomplex]

Experimenting? I do so enjoy that look you give while saying that.

[He really does... But he leaves it at that, staring at the 'animal' that he's holding out a little bit from himself. He gestures to the three items for the cashier, who simply looks up from her magazine before scanning over the three items with some sort of green light.

Without a barcode, it reads, and untroubled by their purchases, she waits for the total expectantly.]

I can't say if I'm surprised at the prices for these containers or not. [Is it cheap or expensive, this total?? He's not really sure how to weigh it...]

[noctiphile]

[He blushes at the compliment but says nothing in return, his small smile fading within a matter of minutes. Without a word, he gives the woman her credits only glancing back to Oren when the receipt is passed over.]

Honestly, all prices here are a mystery to me. I've yet to figure out the conversion rate.

[Tucking the receipt inside the bag, he nods to the entrance.] Shall we go? You've yet to show me my signature drink.

[twocomplex]

[He raises a point about the money. But it's the signature drink comment that gets him excited. Hopeful. All the awkwardness from earlier is gone, and any tension seems to have evaporated by now. Alcohol may only help.

...Hopefully his own mood wouldn't crash so much that he grew pathetic.

He touches Mattias' arm and brushes past him, encouraging him to follow. The touch lingers like all of his have been today, and he smiles back at him as he heads out.]

You'll like this one, I promise. Come with me.

[noctiphile]

[Following after him seems permanent. A new road he had yet to consider. Not a path to forgiveness but one towards the future. A land of solutions instead of burnt bridges.

If he thinks of it like that, it's easier. Feels less like a betrayal to the burning corpses and thousands of people he left behind. It makes his footsteps feel lighter as he trails after him, his smile unburdened.

All his suspicion, all his anger, all his hurt and fear still lurks beneath but it's muted. Overwhelmed by the joy of being with him again, of feeling alive and light and free.

Maybe that's why he reaches out and touches him. The barest thing, the brushing of his arm. But it's enough.]

I'm here.

[It just seems like the right thing to say.]