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 Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 6:36 pm
Andrei fit in with humans decently enough that he didn’t stand out as he hurried through Destiny City to meet up with Lionel. The Vanguardian’s temporary home wasn’t too far, and it helped that Andrei had long legs and a powerful will.
Fashion was difficult; it had taken him a long time to shift from ‘Winter’ to ‘Spring’ to ‘Summer’ but after the heat, he’d gotten a little better with dressing himself in seasonally appropriate outfits.
He wore only neutral colors–black pants and a cream shirt, and matching brown boots, belt, and an open vest. His button down shirt was rolled up and immaculate, and though it was comfortable he missed his very large sweaters so much. Lionel was fancy and handsome and liked clothes, so he’d done his best to look at least decent when he showed up.
It wasn’t hard to find him; he was in the third aisle Andrei checked, and he hadn’t even felt like he needed to text him to try and hunt him down.
He treated the craft store a bit like a library and waved, but didn’t call out. Instead, he hurried over, unable to resist looking at what Lionel was examining and what he’d already collected. “Hello!” he greeted, still somewhat hushed. “I hope you were not waiting long!”
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 7:07 pm
Lionel hadn’t been waiting long, but he had been waiting and that was clear by all of the supplies he had held in his hands…and the small basket that he had managed to grab from the front of the store. When he heard Andy’s voice though, he looked up and grinned brightly. “You can’t leave me in places like this unsupervised, Andy. I tend to start buying everything! Come on, let’s go to the check out so we can find something to eat, yeah? I have so many ideas for new clothes for you and Steve.”
He looked fine, obviously. His glamour had him looking just like he always did, bright and full of energy, and there was still a good two hours left on it, far more than enough time to eat and spend some good, quality time with Andy. They could head back to his house and get these put away even.
“Yeah, come on and let’s check out, then we can pick up something to eat on the way back to my place. Sound good to you? I have a few more things for Steve there waiting anyway that I want to give you.”
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 10:50 am
“I did not leave you here, I found you here,” Andrei pointed out. “You have not purchased things yet, you can still put them back if you have changed your mind.”
But, humans were strange. He didn’t think Lionel would have changed his mind, so he just stood close to him while trying to stay out of his way.
“I would love to get food on the way back. I smelled many wonderful things on the way here. Steve is very spoiled, I should have brought him to visit. Maybe the next time we meet up, he can come. Do you think he is tired of looking at the same room? I have not put his tubes next to the windows. I am afraid someone will see him and give me a hard time, or harass him. I am not entirely sure that the others would understand. But his happiness and health is of the upmost importance to me. I should have brought him,” he lamented suddenly, and looked over his shoulder as if he were trying to estimate how long it would take him to run back and grab him.
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 2:54 pm
Lionel only grinned, walking through the check out line and paying for his new goods. “I think Steve would like to see the outside, Maybe…just put a little bit of his tubes up there, so that he can see? I don’t think he’d get tired of looking at the same room, but…”
He seemed thoughtful, nodding for Andy to follow him towards his car. “Maybe you could print out some pictures of the outside and tape them to the back of his tubes? So that he has different sights to see? It might get a little boring…oh! You should get one of those electronic photo frames, that way he could have changing scenery!”
That was a fantastic idea and if he ever got a hamster of his one, he would do that for it. BUt.
There was no way to keep a hamster in negaspace, nor would he want to so…
The thought was kind of moot but. That was all right!
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 4:28 pm
Andrei seemed a bit hesitant to build Steve’s tubes up and out anywhere he could see; in his quest to ensure Steve’s happiness, he also had to ensure his safety–and the fewer people who knew about him, the better.
It didn’t take him long to warm up to Lionel’s idea, though, and he trailed after him to his car eagerly. “Oh, I like that idea. Will you help me find some nice sights? I get a little overwhelmed by all of the things on Earth. The things I like might not be what he likes. Although, I should research what planets hamsters like to live around. I bet I could grow him plenty. I just want to make sure he lives a wonderful life. I love him very much. Have I told you? I will say it again. He is one of my favorite things about Earth, and one of my very best friends. Thank you for introducing us. I never would have met him if you had not brought us together. I would still only be watching them from behind the glass. He has improved my life greatly. And he gives me more patience and care for the people on Earth. No offense. I just have a hard time liking most of you.”
Steve was perfect enough to make up for all of their imperfections, though.
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2022 4:40 pm
“I would be happy to help you, Andy. You know that. I’m so glad that you and Steve have become friends, that…has always been my greatest accomplishment, bringing you two together. Making you smile and a little more comfortable on this planet is one of my favorite things to do.”
He seemed thoughtful and glanced at the male, thoughtful. “I might…are you going to be terribly upset if we stop for some fast food? It’s not my normal but, I am hardcore craving some fries…and it would be nice and quick and we can eat on the go!”
The smile he gave was almost apologetic but, damnit. He wanted some fries really badly.
Next time they hung out, Lionel would be prepared and have some of the hamster bread and some actual good food again but. This was an impromptu visit and when Andy understood why things were different...it would be much easier to plan.
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2022 12:05 pm
“I will not be upset. It is human nature to eat like that. You cannot tell anyone, but I too enjoy fries. It is not healthy, but they are so good that I can eat until my stomach hurts and still want more. They are very dangerous!”
But so good. His mouth was already watering.
“Will you drive carefully? I do not like cars. I am just happy to spend some time with you, it has been a while. And you have to tell me what you have been so worried about. I am very anxious. You look okay. You look healthy. Very fashionable, too.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2022 2:56 pm
“I always drive carefully, but I’ll be extra careful because you’re in the car, Andy. I don’t want anything to ever happen to my best friend.”
He gave a smile and set off, making for the well known fast food restaurant and pulling into the drive thru line. “I’m not worried about anything. I’m just. You know how the Negaverse have youma, right? Well. Some of our officers are…half youma, and I’ve…chosen that path for myself. So I can only really be human for three hours a day now, but it’s all right! I’m happy with my choice, and I’m happy with what I’ve become I just. Didn’t want you to think that I was avoiding you or anything since I can’t be Lionel for very long anymore…”
As the line moved, Lionel was rather glad that he had the chance to let Any think about what he said as he told their order to the unassuming black box and moved forward to pay for it. Though, as they got in yet another line, he glanced towards Andy and gave a half nervous smile. “...I hope this won’t end our friendship. Is another worry I’ve been having.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2022 8:07 pm
Andrei was visibly complexed, and no amount of magical human glamour could hide that. “Where are you hiding the youma parts?” he asked suddenly, and shifted in his seat so he could look at him a little better.
“I would not throw away our friendship. You are a good human, I think. You introduced Steve and I. I cannot claim to understand why you would change yourself but I still want to be your friend. I was worried you were going to tell me that you had found Caedus and decided to team up with him.”
He seemed to relax; even if he didn’t understand the whole ‘half youma’ thing, he was glad that they didn’t have to be enemies.
“How do you hide it? What do you have to do?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2022 8:37 pm
“Same as you hide your pretty pink skin, I’m assuming. Magic or whatever. We have a few hours a day where we can hide it.” Lionel paid for the food and drove up, grabbing it from the next window and then pulled away, passing the bag over to Andy.
“I’m very glad that you think so. And there’s not that much to hide. I’ve got some scales and some fangs and some like…sharp nails. But oh god, I get so cold now! I’ve become cold blooded? I guess? So like…I get cold super easily but…my boyfriend, he’s another half youma and he’s why I did this…he’s kind of on fire? So he can’t normally touch people without burning them but me. Me, I just soak up his heat and it’s fantastic.”
He snuck a quick look at Andy and grinned broadly. “That food smells so good.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2022 11:21 am
Andrei huffed and for a split second looked a bit flustered when Lionel mentioned his pretty pink skin. He accepted the bag and held it in his lap, steadying it with both hands.
“It is not magic, it is science, Lionel.” He reached into the bag so he could pull out a few french fries and then he carefully offered them to after Lionel said it smelled good. “You have a boyfriend? You have been very busy. I have a friend with scales, his name is Dylas. He also likes the heat. I met him when he was using the generator in my greenhouse for warmth this past winter. He does not have nails though, just very pretty, very kind eyes. Why is your boyfriend on fire? You humans have so many strange quirks. Is that a half youma thing, too? Is this the ideal companion on your world? I would study your social methods and mating habits but if we are being completely honest, I think it is all very gross. Sorry.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2022 12:17 pm
Lionel grinned and took the fries, giving a nod of thanks and eating them slowly, happily. “He is a half youma, yeah. That’s the reason he’s on fire. It’s not normal at all, no! Neither is having scales but…he and I aren’t really human anymore so. And it is ideal for me. I need the warmth. For other people…they prefer when he’s not on fire but. That’s just their loss, I feel.”
He glanced at Andy once more and hummed thoughtfully. “There’s nothing wrong with thinking it gross. Humans can be really gross, I’ll give you that one. How is your friend Dylas? Could I meet him some time?” There was an excited note in his voice, though he knew that the answer could be no, still. Any friend of Andy was worth becoming friends with too.
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2022 1:07 pm
“Yes, you can come meet him. He is very charming, he helps me with my experiments. I think you would like him,” he said, with absolute confidence. Everyone should like Dylas, he was perfect. Like Steve, but scalier.
He offered Lionel a few more fries and then helped himself to a few. He seemed a bit cramped in the car, like he didn’t quite know where to sit, or how to position himself, but he could at least distract himself with his favorite Earth food while talking about his other Earth friends.
“I am glad you are happy. Even if I cannot really understand human things, I know that if you are happy, I am happy for you. Thank you for the fries, also. Today is full of my favorite things. I am glad we got to see each other. I am glad you are not a traitor, too. I would not know what to do if you were working against me or the Vanguard. You are one of my very best friends here, I think. So, thank you.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2022 1:28 pm
“Perfect! Then I will come and meet him sometime.” Lionel pulled smoothly into his driveway and parked the car, sighing as he withdrew the key. “Okay, let’s go eat and figure out some clothes for us and Steve, and we can go out in…” His eyes flickered to the clock and he sighed. “An hour and a half and you can see my new…well. Everything. Sound good?”
He felt rather warm with Andy’s words, and couldn't stop the pleased smile that he wore on his face. Of course he wasn’t a traitor. He had nothing against the Vanguard, and definitely had nothing against Andy himself. This was just friendship, and one that he was terribly proud of. And honestly, he couldn’t see those feelings ever changing…even if orders were to change.
Friendship was something that was too important to betray.
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