[PRP] The Highblood Houseguest [Tamiya x Sinter]

[Sypon]

[ Tamiya requests Sinter's aid in housing her after the strange and exhausting WACKY incident. ]

 

[Sypon]

Shoeless and trying to pick clumps of sand out of her tabi and the many folds of her geta, Tamiya looked pathetic sitting on the outskirts of Chittentown. She was tired, haggard, hungry and raw. Her fine attire had been blasted by the weather and the natural grittiness of the landscape (or should she say sandscape) was anything but forgiving for her mood. The hunt for the WACKY was laughably poorly conceived... Royalist workers trundled about the scene where many adventurers returned back, some in support and handing out water and medical aid, and some clearly trying to leech information about the apparent rebel win. There was nothing to even show for their adventure, except an intriguing trinket she'd picked up at a peculiar stand. An ill-fated quest filled with unlawful swine.

The redblood was with her. He lived here, after all. It wasn't a surprise. Tamiya quietly wondered when he'd be going home to whatever he called a lusus, and huffed as she drew a protective symbol in the sand.

At least soon she'd be home -- home in her clammy livingspace with mounds and mounds of cuddleplanes and a steaming cup of some saccharine tea that was Kabukidad's specialty. It was the only thing keeping her positive, and she let slip a couple of curses to keep up her nightly quota. Until then, she'd have to settle for whatever seedy, likely infested hotel that Chittentown had to offer. But it would be fine, so long as they had made the arrangements that Kabukidad had requested. He was very apt at pulling strings.

After a while of buzzing activity from drones and royalists, a tinny megaphone rang out above the crowd. “ATTENTION. DUE TO WEATHER DAMAGE, THE FOLLOWING ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AMONG THEM ARE A NUMBER OF RESPITE STATIONS, SO IF YOU ARE FROM OUT OF TOWN, PLEASE PLAN YOUR DAYTIME SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS ACCORDINGLY, AS VACANCIES ARE UNLIKELY.”

Tamiya perked up. This could not be good. Kabukidad growled harmoniously. “…THE DUSTBOWL, FOURTY BLINKS, THREE SUNS…” Her fingers curled in the sand around the symbol. A quiet mouthing of prayer. “THE DAYLIGHT INN…”

“s**t!” Tamiya yowled and smashed her fist closed, squishing the etching into a tight ball of sand. “Motherfffff-- s**t!”

A high-pitched scream began to emit from the child, whose eyes beaded immediately with tears. It was the beginning of a tantrum. Kabukidad did nothing. Tamiya began to kick and wail.  

[seekingCylem]

[ Sinter kicked a pebble across the dusty street. It wasn't like him to drag his feet, but he was still with Tamiya. The rest of his WACKY party (boy, was that a misnomer) had already wandered off. Sinter wanted to go back home. His hive was there on the outskirts of Chittentown, anyway, while Tamiya had likely booked an inn towards the center of the city. However, Sinter felt weird just up and leaving. It wasn't like talking to the highblood was easy. Sinter was left at a loss as to how to politely escape from the company.

Sinter had to give Tamiya credit, though. Her presence hadn't been nearly as bad as he'd anticipated at the start of their adventure. It was pretty impressive, considering her... quirks.

Sinter pretended he wasn't hearing Tamiya mumble behind him. Soon enough an announcement from the drones drowned her out anyway.

Before Sinter could let out a "Huh," of dull pity and feigned interest, Tamiya was again the loudest sound in the desert. Sinter whipped around, prepared to defend himself.

It was almost kind of funny--a tall, scary highblood throwing a fit like a wiggler. The noise, panic, and second-hand embarrassment muffled the humor of the situation for Sinter. He needed her to quiet down. People were staring!

"Hh... H-Hey... C'mon now..." Sinter would have to be louder. He cleared his throat and tried again. "HEY! CUT IT OUT!"

Too loud. Sinter was too tired to deal with this. His eyes widened in horror and he began to backpedal furiously.

"I! I mean! You don't need to worry, I mean! I--You... You can stay with me! I live really close and have a spare recuperacoon!" Oh god, what was he saying, "I mean it's one of those inflatable ones, but I can take that one, and you can use mine..." What was he SAYING. ]

 

[Sypon]

Tamiya roared and whimpered, apparently inciting spirits with her wiggler tantrum. Kabukidad stayed perfectly still. Perhaps it was the breeze, but the only motion elicited from him was a flap of an ear. Sinter's words pierced through her tortured screaming, and soon they were the only words audible in the desert air. Tamiya was tired and breathless. She laid with her back in the sand for a moment, shutting her eyes tightly to expel everything inside of her.

She had been yelled at by the redblood. It was cathartic. Tamiya laid still and her lusus seemed to take over her movement. Kabukidad rose from his haunches and paced curiously around Sinter, stopping to tilt his neck to look at him more directly. The idea had struck a chord.

"Tamiya. This is a cultural opportunity that the Messiahs have granted you. Don't be a whiny-a** b***h." Kabukidad's cryptic growls reached only Tamiya's ears. She whimpered.

Kabukidad huffed and trotted over to his charge, placing a paw on the back of her shoulder in the dirt. She winced with pain and sat up on her own, looking blearily at Sinter. She was not as composed as before. Her hair had fallen out in places, and she dearly needed a wash.

"Sinter... I have... Many requirements," she stated between hyperventilating breaths. Tamiya wiped at her eyes fruitlessly and rubbed off some of her make-up. She sniffled sadly, the sand irritating her further.  

[seekingCylem]

[ The close proximity between Sinter and Kabukidad put a swift end to Sinter's rambling. He straightened his posture and held his breath until the lusus moved away. In that time, Tamiya has mostly calmed down. Sinter tried to hide the intensity of his relieved exhale.

"Um..." Sinter kind of figured as much about Tamiya. "I guess you'll have to catch me up to speed on all of that... The specifics, I mean! I have a very nice hive as it is!" Sinter added the last bit hastily as his brain caught up to the words he'd been saying. He was quite confident in his hive, as well as his hosting skills. Not only was this his first opportunity to show off, but for an actual highblood, no less! The circumstances were starting to look less like a death sentence and more like a challenge.

"I... Uh, nice enough given my caste," Sinter amended. He wasn't sure what level of amenities Tamiya was used to in her own home. "It's small, but I've put a lot of work into it. It's not made out of glass or full of spiders or anything, I promise."

Sinter was reminded of something else by a light wiggling sensation in his coat pocket. "Oh! And these gerbils..." Sinter pulled open a pocket to make sure they were okay before buttoning them back in. "We should head back now. I've gotta put together a bed for these guys too until I can get them a proper enclosure..."

Sinter was fully cheered up by the thought of finally keeping pets. It gave him the confidence to walk up to Tamiya and offer her a hand up from the dirt.

"My hive is this way," he pointed with his free hand, "You can use the ablutionblock first." ]

 

[Sypon]

"I will be sure to let you know," she mumbled. She didn't say much for once, but listened to him go on about his hive. She wasn't sure. If it was anything like the lowblooded hives and hostels she'd toured with Kabukidad, she feared the worse. Though she was tuckered out. Tamiya hoped that at the very least it would be ... Free of weather. And please, Messiahs, let the recuperacoon face West. Tamiya looked up at him. She was rather a pathetic sight as she tried to adjust her makeup to where it should have been.

She gave up (at least with one hand) and took his hand in hers. It was warm. She wasn't used to the hot-blooded side of the spectrum, and nearly jerked her hand back at the sensation. He was a lowblood after all. Could she trust him?

Kabukidad stalked around them, assuring Tamiya that his presence was certain (and would be throughout the experience). If she went missing, there were bound to be questions asked. She hoped he knew how to dispose of her body correctly, though, and couldn't help but narrow her eyes as she stumbled to her feet with his assistance.

"I would like to use the ablutionblock first," she repeated. She gave him a quick nod and looked to Sinter's coat pockets. "Also, I will purchase you the necessary amenities for your wiggly little ********."  

[seekingCylem]

[ Sinter looked down from Tamiya to his coat pocket and back again. "Th-Thank you!" Sinter would have normally refused the charity, but this was more like payment for letting Tamiya use his hive. Sinter expected to earn those gerbil pellets by the end of the day.

"Uh, for now, let's head back, uh, to my hive." Sinter had let go of Tamiya's clammy hand the moment she'd stood up. Her discomfort was obvious. Sinter struck out ahead of Tamiya down the road towards his hive.


Sinter's hive did end up being close by, but with how tired Sinter was, every step felt like five. He reached the front stoop and began to shuffle through his coat for his keys.

It was a cute hive--almost bizarrely so, given the surroundings (or lack thereof). It was a wooden cottage. It was small, as Sinter had said, but inoffensive in design. At least, compared to what many other wrigglers had come up with fresh out of their trials. There were planter boxes hung on shuttered windows that contained little cacti. Out back was a barn as big as the hive itself, if not bigger, but lacking in the homey charm of the main building.

"Um, out there is where my lusus stays when she's around." Sinter nodded in the direction of the barn as he opened the door. "I haven't seen her in a while, so she might be coming home soon. Um... Either way, there are, uh, rafters in there. And my lusus can't climb or anything if your lusus would be interested in sleeping out there."

Sinter's offer came more from a place of not wanting Kabukidad in his hive than one of generosity.

"Or he can be, uh, in here if he'd prefer... I just mean it's a small hive..." Sinter amended.

Sinter walked into the hive and removed his shoes, then his coat, which he hung on a designated set of coat hooks. It was filthy, but he'd have to get to cleaning it later. He scooped the gerbils out of the pocket and cradled one in each hand.

He backed up enough to let Tamiya come in. The foyer was a small tile area in front of the wood floors and rugs that made up the rest of the hive. In front of the door was a staircase leading up and a hallway leading to the back of the hive. On the left was a sittingblock, and on the right was the diningblock and the nutritionblock.

The interior was warm and largely made of wood--a rare commodity out in the desert. It was probably responsible for the small size of the hive more so than Sinter's caste. The theme was clearly quality over quantity in the hive. Sinter had accented his furniture with throw blankets, decorative pillows, and doilies where appropriate.

Sinter stood in the doorway to the nutritionblock with his gerbils, out of the way of the hall. "The ablutionblock is down that way," he nodded, "On the left. My respiteblock is on the right. You can, uh... Take something out of my closet if you'd like. I can, um, wash what you're wearing now. Since I'm going to be doing laundry anyway." Sinter shrugged in gesture to his entire, sandy outfit.

"I'm going to set these little guys up in a box with some food and water for now." Sinter took that as his cue to leave Tamiya to her business. He ducked into the kitchen, where he was still visible, but was at least doing something that wasn't mumbling next to Tamiya. ]

 

[Sypon]

She nodded as his acceptance of her gift. It was the least she could do for his services. Caging the animals was also the most appropriate way to keep them out of trouble. It was a sensible choice. Tamiya stuck her chin into the top of her kimono idly – an odd habit. She stumbled along beside him, her lusus keeping close. Her choice of footwear was challenging her faith.

Tamiya was stunned. She clacked through the door with her woefully tarnished geta and immediately stood stock still in the entryway of Sinter’s hive. A warm, inviting scent wrapped her up. What was this sorcery? Was that cinnamon? Tamiya’s eyes nearly dilated to saucers as an inexplicable sense of restfulness came over her. She would have to investigate the aura in this… Most pleasant hive… When she was not so exhausted.

Sinter was saying something. The purpleblood snapped to attention, her rigid posture returning for a moment. Kabukidad. Yes. He was sitting and cleaning himself on the doorstep – he hadn’t entered, but he hadn’t made a fuss when Tamiya had stepped foot inside. Tamia blinked, and at that moment realized that possibly for the first time in her life she had entered another’s hive of her own volition. In fact, this was the first time she’d entered any doorframe without her lusus leading the way. A stab of confusion plagued Tamiya’s pumpbiscuit. Even more concerning was that Kabukidad didn’t seem alarmed. He hopped off to the barn without another word, before Tamiya could speak on his behalf.

“Oh… I… Yes,” Stuttered Tamiya. Sinter was already getting undressed. She flushed at her poor manners and quickly made a prayer for assistance. This was a lowblood. No need for embarrassment. Do what feels right in your heart.

Tamiya placed her geta carefully in the entrance and adjusted Sinter’s slightly to match. She resisted the urge to dust herself off – the hive was far too immaculate for such a travesty as dirt on the floor. This could not be a redblood’s home. Tamiya wondered where he would practice his rustblooded rituals in such a sanctum of order. She tiptoed into the hallway hesitantly, feeling the wood floor’s surface between her tabi. “I will leave my clothing…” She began. Tamiya turned about and was strict in manner immediately. “Outside of the ablutionblock. With a note. Your assistance may be efficient or a goddamned farce from which you will receive higher punishment, but I will make sure that you succeed in your duties.”

If he mixed unlike colors, she would possibly go ballistic. Tamiya turned on her heel and scuttled to the ablutionblock. Warm hand, warm hive… She even bet he had warm water. After an adventure of wasting in the hot Alternian desert (and other climates), she was happy to melt in the mild temperature. Perhaps, treasonously, it would even beat out the frigid water of her hive.

Gazing drearily in the mirror, Tamiya looked at the robe she’d borrowed from the redblood. Neatly hung. Well arranged in the closet with the other garments. Everything seemed like that here – well put together. She scrunched up the robe in a hand, feeling its soft fabric between her fingers. Tamiya brought it to her nose and sniffed. Same clean smell. No surprises. Tamiya wiped the rest of her make-up off and blinked at her reflection, but after no longer than a beat, twirled around to face the shower – or whatever lowbloods called it. Perhaps she was too tired and dirty to find danger in the hive and the redblooded boy – surely with a good morning’s sleep she’d be more astute. Tamiya wondered what Sinter would be making for breakfast.  

[seekingCylem]

[ Sinter had plugged the sink and left the little gerbils to run around in the basin Meanwhile he shuffled through cabinets in search of a suitable temporary gerbil containment unit. Eventually he decided upon a sizable shoe box he'd been using to organize the snacks in the pantry. He lined the interior with an old newspaper and a dishtowel. Sinter transferred the gerbils and completed the furnishing with a shallow dish of water and a carrot. That would hold them over for the day, Sinter decided. He moved their box across the counter into a corner under a cabinet--out of the way of the window. Sinter brushed off his hands. A larger cloud of dust was created than expected, causing Sinter to hack and cough. Was Tamiya done with the ablutionblock yet?

Sinter wandered out into the hallway. Running water could still be heard. Sinter sighed, but relented that a long shower could only improve Tamiya's mood.

Sinter looked down to see Tamiya's clothing folded neatly outside the door, like she'd said. Indeed there was a note resting on top of the pile. Sinter would hazard to say there were several notes here, judging by the amount and density of writing on this scrap of paper. He gingerly took the note and looked it over. His eye twitched at the level of detail Tamiya bothered to go into. Some of this he obviously would have never thought to do. (Did clowns actually keep salt in their laundryblocks?) However, Sinter felt a tad bit insulted that he didn't look like the type of troll who didn't know how to wash and dry pleats. Sinter sniffed. He was a redblood wearing a white shirt. Any loss of diligence in his garment maintenance would result in a catastrophic display of treason.

Sinter chalked this lack of faith up to having just come away from an extended camping trip in the desert. His clothing had tragically dulled and wrinkled over the course of the week.

He gathered up the black and purple clothing carefully. They were likely folded in an extremely specific manner he'd best replicate later. He carted it off to the laundryblock at the back of the hive. This was just an opportunity to show off his skills to a highblood. And get clean.

Yes. This would be a nice end to their adventure. ]