For practical reasons, the Guild grounds are divided by Sphere, but not in the classical manner, for Water and Fire are placed next to one another - just in case. The fanciful dancing fountains hide the dry, sandy patch that is the Fire testing area, and after a long day of casting spells it isn't unusual for mages to seek comfort in its cool forest of spraying water.
Mage Xander Lightfoot, exhausted from his first trials for receiving an Alumnus certification (which, among other things, means less of his wages are garnished to pay his tuition costs). He sits on a short bench within the water forest, letting the white noise of the cascades relax him and the cool water of the nearest pool soothe his toes.
Xander has a feeling that he's being watched from behind, but before he can actually look, two slender, golden, gauze-and chain covered arms slide over each of his shoulders. The taloned fingers splay, the deadly-sharp claws sparkling from the paint and gem work. They cris-cross over his chest and there the claws drag just enough that the tips can be felt pricking through robe and fur. That's also about when he can feel a slender body press up against his spine...
Catching his breath, Xander says, "I really hope that's you, Umeko, and not Master Xilph..."
The person in question practically coils around Xander and slides into his lap. It is most definitely Umeko. Even with the veils and gems her distinct build shines through. she's still dressed in her dancer's garb, the black mesh with green gem highlights and feathers everywhere. Her bejeweled brow-ridge arches as the kiriga has a mix of a predatory and mischievous smile curling across her lips.
This time the Lapi utterly fails at catching his breath, and just gasps. "Umi?" he manages to squeak, looking up and down. "You've got.. things on your chest! And.. almost nothing else.."
Umeko has yet to say a word. Instead she brings her hands up. There she cups, then caresses his cheeks lightly.
Whimpering, the buck can't stop babbling. "And jewels.. and.. feathers.. and.. and.. and.." he says, starting to stutter at the end.
And that's right when Umeko kisses him. Not only is Umeko's aggression more than usual, he quickly notices her slender tongue feels different. Two points where it feels solid, one that bears a rough surface, the other that is a smooth, small, dome-like object. She also doesn't seem to let him go for a few minutes (or it seems that long, anyway). She does finally draw back and release the lapi from the kiss. That playful and predatory smile still remains on her lips.
The Lapi looks like he's been stuck in a sauna for an hour, and a bit dazed. "What.. tongue.." he mutters. "And if this an illusion, someone is going to be killed tonight.."
Umeko licks Xander's cheek next and he feels those two odd points again. This time when she leans back she has a silly grin on her face ... and then sticks out her tongue and waggles it. The kiriga must have visited the life clinic since her tongue looks its normal color, save for the two silvery studs gleaming in its surface. "Surprise..." she finally says.
"Guh!" Xander goes, realizing it really is Umeko. He holds onto the sides of her torso and asks, "Did.. did my mom do this to you?"
"She had her hand in it, yes," Umeko agrees as she bobs her head slightly. "She took me to one of her artisan friends to get attire more appropriate for these lands. She even inspired my tongue-work since she was able to have her navel bejeweled. I couldn't have similar done, so ..."
"My mother has a pierced navel?" Xander gasps. "You look delicious by the way. You knew this would drive me crazy, didn't you?"
"I wasn't sure what you would think," Umeko admits as her head tilts a bit. "It is quite different for me. Do you really like it?" she asks. Wow, when she talks the way those studs tend to catch light makes them a little distracting.
After breaking the hypnotic spell of the studs, Xander says, "Well, you could wear cheese and I'd still find you sexy, but this is.. off the scale! It's a good thing the Guild Hall has been practically emptied out for some sort of expedition, or we'd both be in big trouble about now!"
"Actually, it is glued on the scale," Umeko explains, "And through." The past bit has Umeko showing that the studs do indeed go all the way through her tongue. "It really isn't too much? Or too strange for you? The studs come out pretty easily so if they bother you I can remove them..."
"They're neat!" Xander says. "Do they hurt? Are they really silver? Is.. hey, this makes you a silver-tongued dragon now doesn't it?"
"Yes, silver. It hurt a bit when it was done, but a life mage clinic on Dream Street healed them faster for me," Umeko explains, "They do feel a bit strange. Very noticeable when I talk or do anything with my tongue. And yes, they are silver. The man who did the work, a mage, offered to tattoo my entire tongue if I wanted. The studs were simpler and allow me a way to conceal a bit of ... deviant behavior in my life."
FIX THE REDUNCANCY LATER
"Your boyfriend is a bunny," Xander points out with a grin. "I don't think some tongue jewelry is going to be considered deviant after that!"
"Well, that depends..." Umeko says as she pets Xander's chest lightly. Ut-oh, she's got a scary look in her eyes.
"D-depends?" the buck asks, looking around nervously to make sure there isn't anyone else out and about in the gardens.
"On what work you will have done, of course," Umeko says. Sometimes when she smiles it really does look like she's contemplating devouring him.
"Oh.. ah.. hehe.." Xander stammers. "You mean like.. ear clips?"
"Oh, maybe something more than that," Umeko teases and then leans in and licks his nose. Yep, they feel weird. "Do you think we should go somewhere else? You seem worried about being seen here with me."
"Well, the proctors are pretty strict about... visitors," Xander notes nervously. "But I'm not staying in the dorm, so.. And you are my employer.. And it's not like I'm going to be able to walk out of here now without hunching over to hide.. things! And I can tell from that look you want me to get a nipple piercing or something, don't you?"
"Now there is an idea. It is not something I can have done," Umeko teases and finally slides off Xander's lap to stand. She extends one of her hands to the buck. "You really cannot stand?" she asks.
The buck hops up to his feet - gets dizzy - then makes some adjustments. With judicious use of his belt, he seems to be presentable. "I could get a stud for my tongue if you want," he says. "It might help in.. uh.. warming you up.." he whispers.
"If you do anything at all, it should be your choice alone," Umeko says Xander and takes a moment to rub the back of his neck. "Something you would like too," she adds as she unhooks the two arm-chains she wears and starts braiding them together.
"That is so elaborate," Xander mutters in appreciation. "How'd you get here without being mobbed by men?"
Umeko hands one end of the braided chain to Xander. The other is still attached to the sparkly chain around her neck. "It is all in how you present yourself. People may look, few can touch," she says. "And now I look owned, so people will be even less likely to bother me."
The buck's mouth drops open as he stares at the chain - as if it might turn into a serpent and bite him. "You.. you want me lead you out.. on a leash?" he squeaks.
"Haven't you had fantasies like this?" Umeko asks the lapi.
"I will now," Xander admits, and takes a few cautious steps. "But.. never with me being your master like this. It's.. odd. But, at the same time, I feel really honored. I mean.. you're offering this to me.. but you killed Hakuu for trying to force it."
Umeko follows Xander's steps. "You once told me how you knew you would never have anyone in your life who would be both beautiful and special," she says, "And now I hope you believe otherwise. As for offering ... I trust you; I know the kind of person you are, and I feel safe in doing so as you would never abuse it or try to force me to do anything."
"You'd eviscerate me," Xander notes. And while he seems to be enjoying the situation, he still keeps his eyes and ears alert. It's one thing to be granted the honor in private.. but quite another for anyone to actually see Umeko like this! "I'm afraid to ask for a dance later. I still don't know how to get you past my dad and brothers.."
"Why do you need to hide me from them?" Umeko asks as her finned ears flare slightly. "And you can always just hand me back the chain before we get there if it embarrasses you too much."
Xander blinks, as if that never occurred to him. "Oh, they'd be... well... ogling," he notes. "More than usual."
"And ... if you really do want a tongue stud like me," Umeko adds, teasing, "We can go down to Dream Street and have it done..."
The buck pauses, with the back gate in view now through the unoccupied Earth garden. He licks his lips, and asks, "It didn't hurt a lot right? And it won't give your dad an excuse to eat me? And.. you'll kiss it and make it all better, right?"
"The spot is numbed first and there is a clinic that can heal near," Umeko explains, "But ... only do something you want to do. You are not obligated to do anything. If you need time to think about it, that is fine." The kiriga is also really playing this up, she's keeping exactly two steps behind Xander at all times as they walk. "If you had the choice to pick for me at the time, would you have chosen tongue, or something else?"
"I'd have been too frightened to choose without knowing what it was like first," Xander admits, as he sneaks them onto the street and closes the gate afterward. "And.. well, yeah, I still have tests to do tomorrow and that means lots of chanting. Wouldn't want to slip up because I had my tongue poked tonight." He starts the walk back towards the merchant's neighborhoods, and glances at the low sun and the Procession. "Do you want me to hail a cab?"
"Since you seem uncomfortable walking me home as I am, then yes I think a cab would be best," Umeko agrees and bobs her head. "And of course there is always the opportunity to allow the artisans of Jadai to work upon you."
"Artisans?" Xander asks, immediately thinking of Hakuu! "Err, you mean.. like groomers?" he asks for clarification, while trying to wave down a rickshaw.
"And tattooers," Umeko adds as she grins slightly. "In truth this city is the last time I will get to explore anything new without fear. I will have duty and appearance to return to once I return to Jadai and then Viper's Hold," she admits, sounding slightly sad about that. "It is there that I will lead you..."
"Will I get a nice leash?" Xander asks, half in jest as a hack pulls up to the pair. Despite holding the chain, Xander still offers Umeko a hand up, so that she would precede him.
Umeko takes the offered hand and steps lightly into the cab. Her head dips slightly to the driver in passing. "You will have a nice monogamy setting," the kiriga claims, completely straight-faced, as she settles into the seat.
"A.. what?" Xander asks, sitting down and telling the driver where to go. The man (or woman, maybe, under that heavy jacket and hat) clucks to the dray and off they go.
"I am teasing you, Xander," Umeko explains, smiling. "That is, unless you want the metal worker to pierce there for a gilded lock..."
It doesn't really dawn on the buck just what Umeko is saying, but when it does... his hands go protectively to his lap! "That's.. that's not where the leash attaches too is it?" he squeaks.
"Now there is an idea," Umeko admits and taps her chin as if actually thinking about it. The kiriga then actually giggles (though it always sounds more like a disturbed hiss). "Relax, I would not do that to you," she says.
"Oh, I know," Xander says, forcing a laugh and relaxing a little. "It's your parents I'm not sure about.."
"My father would likely suggest a firm ring through your nostrils," Umeko says, "Much like the beasts of burden have. But ... as my employeee, you should be generally safe. My mother might appreciate the tongue stud, however."
"Uh... how might she appreciate it?" Xander asks. "As.. a sign of commitment?"
Umeko's only answer to that is to look at Xander and smile. Sometimes it seems like she has this compulsion to make others worry.
"Here we are," the drive notes, as they reach the street where the Lightfoot house resides. Xander passes over some coins, and then hurries around to help Umeko down.
Umeko steps down from the wagon with Xander's help. "Thank you, master," she even says to Xander while in earshot of the driver. She's an evil dragon.
The Lapi's fur tufts out a bit, and the driver shoots them both a grin before driving off again. "I hope people don't think I'm bringing home.. umm.. a professional.." he worries.
"I am a professional ... warrior," Umeko notes as she now grins. She offers her hand in case Xander wants to relinquish the chain before they enter the house. "Your choice," she offers.
"I don't want to give my family weird ideas," Xander notes with a grin, and hands back the chain. "I mean, no weirder than they already have. You got on well with mom and sis though, right?"
Umeko unbraids the chain and reattaches it to each of her wrists. "I got along fine with both of them. Alas your sister Nawar would not get any jewelry," she says, "Not would your mother allow her to."
"She's.. well, not too young anymore, but she's mom's last child and she wants to hold on as long as possible to her daughter," Xander notes, and pokes his head into the door. "We kept dinner for you!" Sabah announces cheerfully from inside.
"Ah, wonderful. I will not be required to devour Xander," Umeko remarks as she peers around Xander and into the household. She looks around a bit, namely for Xander's brothers and Father.
The entire family is there, sitting at the low dinner table. A pot of rice is steaming nearby, and there's even a smell of fish and seaweed. It seems Sabah decided to try some Jadaiian recipes. "Welcome home, so-" Adham starts to say, and then chokes when he gets a full look at Umeko. Heydar and Zeke both stand up at attention and offer the Kiriga a seat next to them (even though it means moving over a few). Nawar just smiles and waves.
Umeko smiles and waves to Nawar first, as if the way the men react is perfectly normal. "Good evening to you all," Umeko then says to the others, enunciating just so, so that the tongue studs are visible when she speaks. She then pats Xander's shoulder and whispers to him in Imperial. The gist he gets from it is she intends to torment his brothers a bit for having been cruel to him, that is if he understands it correctly. Her lessons in imperial have been a bit difficult. Umeko then saunters over with exaggerated hip sway to the other brothers and sits between them.
Xander looks appropriately defeated, and has seat next to Nawar and his mother. He musses up his little sister's ears and asks if she had fun today.
Umeko licks over her lips, the tongue studs glinting in the light as she does so. "So ... Zeke, Heydar," she says with an almost purring rumble to her voice, "I hope your day was good. I have learned much about your culture from your mother and lovely sister. About how a woman has a duty to shine and captivate." Her lips curl back just a little when she finishes with, "And always be just a little out of your reach..."