|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 5:54 pm
Crims had peeked out and was intrigued by the building structure. He only half listened to the senshi as she explained the clan system, instead focusing his energy to taking in his surrounding. He nearly clambered out of the cart when Iris turned her attention to him and had her finger just inches from his chest.
"Nah, I'm sure I'll be fine," he stated, waving a hand about to brush away her concern. "Besides," he continued grinning back at her, shoulders exposed to the sun. "We're not gonna be outside the whole time anyway, so I don't think a little sun is gonna kill me." His grin shifted into a cheeky one because a part of him was certain she didn't want him to go in because she might be keeping something from him.
"And how are you gonna know if it'll even fit me? I mean, I'm pretty tall for my age."
He took the opportunity to climb out of the cart, showing he was going to be pretty insistent on going with her.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:11 pm
The blonde sighed slightly as her guest seemed to assume his place and exited her vehicle. There were many reasons she wanted him to stay there. Practicality was part of the influence, but embarrassment was another aspect she had been attempting to avoid.
She stood herself up and hopped onto the ground and setting her reins down at the driver's seat. The senshi meandered up to the Muncher's side and gave him a firm pat along his side. "...we won't be too long... be good!"
Aque let out a huffing snort before lowering his head to start grazing once more. It wasn't too hard to keep such an animal entertained in a world made entirely of sand.
With that, the senshi then moved in front of her guest. "...Follow me..." She didn't sound very content with the fact he was coming along, but she also wasn't pushing the issue much either. As they walked, the sand eventually seemed to dissolve, making way for tiled ground. The pair eventually walked under an open archway and soon enough were walking along a relatively opened corridor. There were many individuals who were taking notes upon inventory, but many would pause to look not so much at the senshi, but the obvious foreign companion she had along for the ride.
The senshi's cheeks grew quite red just from the obvious judgment being passed from the company she kept.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:34 pm
Embarrassment wasn't exactly a word that Crims was familiar with, or one that he cared to keep in his dictionary. It was primarily because he didn't really care what people thought, well most people anyway. So it didn't cross his mind that she didn't want him around because of how he was dressed, or rather underdressed, and how people might perceive it.
Really the girl should have just come out and said it, then he would have been more likely to respect her wishes.
Of course, he might have been convinced that if his appearance didn't win the people of Iris his charisma would win them over. He was a people person! Swaying people his way was something he excelled out. Usually. Sometimes.
He fell inline behind her taking note of how hot the sand was. It burned the soles of his feet but he made no noise or sounds of discomfort. Soon his feet would adjust and he hardly noticed the p***k of heat. It was, however, enough to make him wish he'd put his boots back on before leaving the cart.
The feel of tile beneath his feet as a soothing one and he didn't miss the obvious stares, or the reddening of his companion's cheeks. He frowned slightly, more bothered by Iris's discomfort rather than the way people were looking at him. Still, the stares were enough to make him glad that Saturn's insignia was not plastered all over him as it had been in his powered state.
Maybe he should've powered up again when they got close to the great hall. A little more heat exposure wouldn't have killed him. But alas, he thought of it too late.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:57 pm
The pair would continue awkwardly for a while, getting an excellent chance to look over the simple structure of the building. Some of the walls did have different colored tiles in an effort to make the Hall seem more festive, but such probably was taken for granted by most of the natives.
Eventually, the pair came across a man and a woman whom had several others crowding about them. The man had dark skin and dark hair with a full beard upon his face, seeming to blend in with a majority of the others about. The woman, on the other hand, stood out, her skin paler than even the senshi's skin, her hair lighter, and her eyes of a light blue color. The pair stood out as their clothing were made of more eloquent cloth. The woman wore a rich purple cloth accented in gold stitching draped over her body, forming a sort of long trail at her feet which made it necessary for her to lift the front for her to walk. Both wore various jewelry accents which would have seemed impractical to a common traveler, a subtle hint that they were some of the few that were bound to the Grand Hall.
The whole group paused as they slowly seemed to note the new company. Even the center of the grouping stopped, eyes upon the senshi.
Minding her manners, the girl instantly dropped to a knee, head down humbly as she called out "King Scepiet and Queen Mariengeld, your Highnesses.... I humbly seek an audience with you!"
For a moment, a pair of golden eyes glanced back to the Squire, attempting to quietly tell him he should take a knee as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 5:06 pm
As he was not an ordinary, everyday citizen of the asteroid the dark haired boy could easily be found admiring the festive attempt. His head was tilted back, amber eyes bouncing from color to color before they came upon the larger crowed. It was then that Crims became more consciously aware of how under-dressed he was. He swallowed silently and kept his head up as they approached.
Iris would find that she wouldn't need to glance back at the squire, who had already dropped to a knee when she began to address the royal pair. While it seemed as though the boy lacked social conduct he was bright enough to know when to be respectful. If his appearance made him garner attention it would be his politeness and excellent (which was only when he tried) mannerisms.
He liked to show people that you couldn't always judge a book by it's cover.
An arm swept across his chest, resting upon his propped up knee and his head was bowed respectfully. It was in this instant that he was grateful for his shaggy locks because it provided him with the ability to peer up, towards the pair, without looking too obvious.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 6:58 pm
The King glanced to the current audience before gesturing for them to be on their way. Respectfully, a vast majority parted ways, seeming to be finished with their business with the Royal pair. Only a few remained, but kept a respectful distance away, only glancing occasionally out of curiosity for the sudden visit by the Senshi of their world. As attendants, they weren't permitted to leave.
The Queen lifted her trailing coverings just enough so her ankles could be seen before stepping forward a few more steps. There was an odd kindness to her expression as she narrowed the gap between herself and the Senshi, but eventually she stopped short of the yellow-suited soldier. Despite the harsh conditions of the world which she led, there seemed to be a gentleness to the woman who looked as if she had never been touched by the sunlight.
"Speak your request, Sailor Iris."
As she had received permission, the senshi rose to her feet, still humbly keeping her eyes down. "I request barter with your Highnesses. One Dance of Luck for one outfit for my current traveling companion here."
The Queen's blue eyes fell upon the partially clothed young man in the Senshi's company. Her husband came to her side as she assessed the situation rather easily. "....He is a foreigner, ill-prepared for our world's environment..." It was very obvious to a native, mostly due to the combination of his pale complexion and his manner of dress (even if the clothing was lacking on this one).
In contrast to the Queen's gentle mannerisms, the King's look was more skeptical as he gazed upon the boy. In a gruff voice, he announced "We humbly accept your offer, Sailor Iris." A hand went to touch his wife's shoulder before both stepped back.
The Senshi stepped back, just enough so she could lean down and tap Crims upon the shoulder. She didn't say it, but it was her way of telling him without words that she would need some room for her performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:08 am
In his defense, Iris hadn't exactly prepared him for this trip. Of course, in her defense, the pair hadn't really discussed the finer details of his visiting. He also couldn't do much research because despite being a thriving community, Saturn's people knew little to nothing of the asteroid. Well except that it was a desert and that it probably wasn't the best vacation destination.
As the King and Queen approached, he dropped his gaze. Gold eyes kept to staring at the tiles beneath them while he listened keenly. He only looked up when her offer was accepted. She touched him upon the shoulder and he looked to her. He rose to his feet, a quick nod, and he moved back with his head pointed down.
He had a feeling the King did not particularly care for him and he wondered, briefly, if he was like this with most or if it was just him.
When he thought he was a respectful distance back he hesitated unsure of whether he should sit once again or remain standing. He looked to Iris again, eyes sweeping across the rest of the people gather, hoping for direction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:17 pm
Once there was a decent distance, the senshi shed her draping coverings and tossed it to the side, revealing her fuku in all of its intended glory. The weight of such a restricting cloth while performing a relatively exact dance was not in anybody's best interest. There would be potential for tangles and tripping, which would then completely ruin the significance of the movements. Free of the excess weight, she took a stance, one foot solidly on the ground, the other extended forward in front of her.
With a huge breath into her lungs, she started. Her foot extended forward lifted up, and the back foot suddenly seemed to bounce up to the balls of her feet. She said something which was not in the common language, but sounded more ancient and lyrical. With that, she began to spin upon the single foot, driving in her lifted leg in and out to help give her the momentum to keep moving in such a manner. Her head would frequently spin about so that she kept to facing the royal pair, mostly as a trick to keep herself from getting dizzy.
And a way to keep count. Upon the 7th turn, she very suddenly stopped, foot lowered down to catch her sudden hault. It might not have seemed very significant to the foreigner in the room, but her very exact stop upon the 7th turn was culturally important. There was a long pause as Iris stood there, eyes upon the King and Queen.
Mariengeld merely smiled, but it was Scepiet who gave the nod to let Iris know that the transaction was complete. He then turned to one of the attendants still in the room and signaled for them to fetch his end of the bargain.
Having finished with her offered dance, the senshi went to grab her previous coverings, glancing to the half naked companion she brought with her. She couldn't explain to him now what all of that meant, but perhaps at another time after he was dressed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 8:59 pm
He did not understand the importance of her dance, of the specific number of turns and how she had to stop on exactly the seventh spin but he recognized her movement. He had seen it back home, on Earth and even occasionally on Saturn. Pirouettes, one of the trickiest dance moves particularly when in rapid succession. He was impressed and it showed on his face, though he did not move to clap or provide her with any sort of applause.
Tension seemed to remain in the room and he did not want to push the already thin boundary lines further. It seemed pretty obvious that the King cared little for him, so the smart thing to do was to stand there respectfully until addressed.
His posture changed and he stood tall, arms moving to rest behind him as he kept his eyes cast down but ahead. He glance to Iris briefly willing her to come to her side so he felt a little less out of place.
Well, he'd be properly dressed soon so there couldn't be much more to worry about.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 9:12 pm
The senshi soon enough had her own coverings and was replacing them upon her body, well practiced with putting the shimmering cloth on in the proper place. She didn't have enough time to return to Crims' side before the attendant returned to her, offering a bundle of pink cloth.
"...I thank you, your highnesses..." she said humbly, giving an approving nod to the attendant before giving the nod to the King and Queen.
Mariengeld stepped forward one time before speaking. "...please, do not be a stranger, Sailor Iris..." Despite the obvious formalities and respect, there seemed to be an odd fondness hanging upon the fair woman's words.
The senshi's eyes did not lift up enough to meet with the woman's blue ones, only able to see her lips. "...I will not keep you any longer from your busy schedule, your highnesses..."
With that, the senshi turned to her companion and signaled to him with a nod it was time to return to her home. As the pair began to walk away, she shoved the rose colored robes to him.
"...there you go... you should be more comfortable once you get into these..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 10:22 pm
He did not miss the affection that laced the Queen's tone when addressing Iris and Crims made a mental note to question Iris about the whole situation. It felt waaaaay too awkward, like meeting a girl's parents for the first time awkward. He wasn't sure when he had last been a room with as much tension as this one.
He mumbled a thank you, bowed his head and turned to follow the senshi at her signal. He needed more practice when it came to dealing with royalty of other planets, he wasn't keen to repeat the events here.
Once outside, with a bundle of clothing shoved at him, he looked up at the blonde. "So, wanna tell me why things were so...tense in there?" He looked down at the mess of cloth in his hands. Pink. They gave him pink robes. "Uh. Is there are particular reason these are...pink?" He asked head snapping up. He probably wouldn't have cared if they were any other color but these were pink and he wasn't exactly fond of the color. Come on. It was pink. "I...I don't think pink is really my color..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 11:01 pm
The Iridian noted his questions once they were outside again, but she only chose to address one of the inquiries. She ushered him back towards her home and Aque. Her eyes glanced over his body, seeming to take interest in his bare skin.
However, it wasn't what it seemed.
"They picked pink because pink works well with your skin tone, Crims." With her pinky, she gestured to her own eyes. "It's something all native Iridians have skill in. We have better color perception than most of the other races out there. I am sure if you had gone to any Iridian and asked for them to give you clothing, they all would have given you some variety of pink."
She smiled before turning towards where she had left her Muncher, easily spying his eager face. "Color doesn't have so much gender association here... so don't worry about anybody thinking less of your masculinity in those clothes."
As soon as the pair were close enough, Aque was thrusting his head to the both of them, seeking affections after the momentary separation. His long ears twitched, batting the girl in the face slightly. With a laugh, she commented "Oh, I missed you too!"
She was fully dressed, so she didn't have to worry. However, she meandered to the side of her cart and patted it. "...alright... time for you to get dressed... go on... get in there! I'll wait out here!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:26 pm
Now Crims didn't openly say that he did not agree or like Iris's explanation but it was written all over his face. He didn't bother to hide it either. This would probably be the first, –and only– occasion where he would wear pink. Yup, if he had anything to say about it in future matters then the color pink would be completely out of the question.
He opened his mouth to protest her assumption that his ties to the color were based on how people would assess his masculinity from it but he couldn't successfully argue against it. Was that actually his issue with pink? Maybe.
But he'd claim it was simply because he just didn't like the color.
"Well, you danced for it so I guess I can't complain too much but I still don't think pink is really my color," he told her climbing into her house. He peeked his head out briefly, hand holding on to the frame, with a wide grin on his face. "Are you sure you don't wanna come in and join me? I won't bite. Hard," he teased.
He didn't wait for an answer before he popped back in and tugged the robe up over his head. He looked down to observe the rose-colored fabric more closely. His fingers fiddled with the collar, sliding back to tug on the attached hood. It wasn't too different than the overcoat of his uniform. Except this breathed better in the heat and it was a little more formfitting than he anticipated. It fell just past his knees and had intricate patterns in a darker pink running along it. It was a puzzling piece of clothing but he'd wear it because Iris had gotten it for him.
He hopped out of her cart and tugged a hand through his messy locks. "Well this will take some getting used to." He was still barefoot so he scrambled back in, tugged on his boots and hopped out again. "Now what?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:47 pm
It was Iris' turn to not look amused. "...Pardon if I decline that offer, Crims... I think I will just stay out here with Aque..."
The Sandmuncher obviously did not seem to understand the content of the conversation and merely just seemed to settle his head to rest upon Iris', looking into the cart in a curious manner. The blonde mind not have cared about the teasing tone of the Squire, but the simpler animal seemed intrigued. However, Aque would return to reality the moment the senshi under his head commented "...do you mind?"
Aque attempted to glance down to let her know that he did not mind at all.
"...off..."
Grudgingly, the Muncher lifted his head and turned away slightly.
Eventually, Crims emerged from the shelter, almost fully dressed. However, he soon enough realized the error of his ways and returned with his boots. It didn't take long for Iris to move to his side and to start fussing with his clothing.
"...goodness... the whole point was to prevent heat exhaustion... you need to keep the hood up to provide some shade..." She was already reaching behind his head and lifting the hood up and over, fussing slightly with the looser pieces of cloth to sitting "properly" on him.
Ironically, Aque let out a whistle from his teeth again, almost as if he was expressing his approval of new clothing that Crims wore.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:58 pm
He backed up as she approached to mess with his attire. He backed into the cart, hand held up in the air like woah, what are you doing? Confusion melded into amusement as she tugged on cloth here, messed with fabric there and eventually tugged the hood up above his bush of hair. He reached out to grab a hold of her wrists.
"Hey," he said leaning toward her. "You don't have to fix it for me, just tell me where to adjust. I didn't really get a manual with the robes on how to dress." There was a mischievous glint in his bright eyes. "I mean, if you wanna keep touching me then by all means continue. Otherwise stop fussing about my clothing like a mom." He didn't mind being so close to the blonde, it was rather nice and funny to watch her adjust where things fell. "Though I do think my boots won't quite cooperate with this outfit." He seemed to move his head forward before he suddenly dropped his grip and stepped back peering down at his brown combat styled boots.
He looked up and peered around the senshi at her beast. "What do you think Aque? Is pink really my color?" He gestured to all of him. Then his attention returned to his companion.
"You know," he started, arms folding over his chest. "You didn't ever answer me about the royal pair. The queen seemed mighty fond of you. Like more than just the professional sort. And the king seemed to get all...huffy when he saw that you had me as a companion..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
