Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Mm," Soljyr mused, glancing over his shoulder. He knew that he could certainly fend for himself against any "dangerous" gang or monsters, but Sita... "I'd be fine, I assure you, Seth. It's the little naga I'd worry about." He sighed to himself as they walked into the parking lot. As soon as he got a glance at the lone vehicle, he groaned, knowing Arytiss hadn't exaggerated. She had certainly made plenty of modifications... Maybe she didn't want all the extra room. Anything inviting more people certainly must not have appealed to her. Still. This was their only option. He refused to part with Sita, and walking home in the dark was too risky. He glanced down into his arms, a fountain of vibrant lime hair concealing the sleeping girl's eyes from him. She breathed in, then out, her arms limp at her sides in an almost cradled embrace. Well, at least he'd get to learn more about Arytiss.

A daring idea came to him. "Seth, do you think you'd be able to hold Sita for me in the car? I'm going to see about riding in back," he asked, looking at the back of the car. He could ride on top, if the woman would let him. It's not like they'd have any sharp turns, right?

He glanced down at his hands, then back at the car. Not necessary today.

And so Soljyr learned that this woman was not one to follow rules. Being strictly raised in royalty, he relished the idea of busting a few rules. Well, as long as it was safe; Sita's safety was his first priority. "Wasn't aware of that," he muttered to himself, crouching as he slid into the seats. He reached around and felt around for the seatbelt. He pulled it across his chest and more importantly over Sita and pushed it into the clasp until it clicked. He looked in front of him and examined the interior. "I won't touch anything. All I want to do is get this tired little girl home," he answered firmly. The inside did look fresh, very smooth, though. She was an interesting character. "So you like speed." He slammed the door shut and leaned back. The seat belt fit awkwardly over Sita; nevertheless, he'd shield her better than any safety belt or airbags could. "Mind talking about yourself a little bit? Or I can answer anything you want to ask."

Soljyr was stunned; who was this creature to pry underneath his guise and fully exploit it!? Nevertheless, he knew how to look nonchalant under accusations. "What makes you think that?" he asked, looking at her hard, cool eyes. "Take a left out of here; we're just up the road a ways. I can tell you where to turn. It's not honestly hard to get there." The road they were on would take them most of the way, and it was just a matter of two right turns and they would sit before their house. He visualized it in his head. By her acute vision, he figured she definitely wasn't human either; or she had been gifted with the genetics of a hawk, and acquired its predatory behavior. This woman's attractiveness just seemed to bloom even more right before his eyes...

Honestly, he was still stunned she could discern all that. He felt a bit insecure about his deceptive powers now; he'd been so proud of them not so long ago.

Damnit! How could he be so unattentive as to allow his aura to slip! Ever since he had arrived in this world, he thought he had always been so careful to conceal his aura, and yet here he had been caught! Soljyr had caught several women's eyes while he was at the beach, but he was certain it wasn't because they had discovered his alien descent. And yet, none of them were as perceptive as Arytiss. "Ah, well, that is just carelessness on my part," he muttered, glaring at the floor. He reached up and quietly folded away the sunglasses, frustration eminent. He looked up the road in front of them. "Turn right on Lakeside; it's just a couple streets up from here." It felt like he'd jsut gotten into the car; she wasn't kidding when she claimed to drive fast.

But now, a question? She would permit him one question? But what should he ask? There were things that he could figure out on his own. For instance, she seemed to attributed with ice; the hair and eyes were dead give aways. Oh, and the attitude. He could pull the curtain off right away and ask exactly what she is--it certainly nagged at him. And yet, there were more important things. Had Seth neglected to mention that she was already with somebody else? Hm.

"Actually, I was wondering where you live? Maybe the two of us could talk again sometime. Sita certainly seemed interested in you," he asked, wondering if maybe he should have asked something else. But he had to see this powerfully enchanting woman again.

Soljyr shrugged. "Well, I prefer to keep my identity somewhat concealed, but thank you for letting me in on that information," he answered firmly. And there was that ugly bitchiness rearing up again. "What was the point in me asking a question, then? Sita gave you an interested look as well." What right did she have making assumptions about Sita? Pah.

Despite Seth's slip, however, he had no intent on showing himself if he was going to have the door slammed in his face. Well, at the moment at least. "Take the right onto Cobblestone," he muttered. "I don't need to stop by; I just find you to be an interesting being with a unique personality. Perhaps I figured you might think the same of myself." Irritation was clear in his expression, his eyes brows arched slightly down. Maybe she was just in a bad mood; she had seemed to work a late shift.

Yep, he had a feeling that was the case. Still, he couldn't help but feel a bit deflated by the confirmation. He simply looked ahead down the road, refusing to look at her and be captivated by her eyes once more. How did relationships work in gaia? Were duels commonplace? He expected not, based on some interactions he had had with its inhabitants. It wasn't his place, anyways, and it was selfish of him to consider it.

Then again, she was holding quite a venemous amount of angst toward him when he was perfectly innocent in the matter. Was asking to see somebody again really so offensive and intrusive? His head buzzed with thoughts... but mostly frustration. Sita tried to flip over in his arms.

"All right. There," he pointed, grumbling slightly. He'd recognize the quiet, suburban house anywhere, it seemed. It was nothing ostentatious; there were two stories and a basement, and it seemed fresh. There was a scenery of woods in the background, and a tree standing firm in front of the house. Gray panels of wood boarded the outside, white bricks just beneath them as the house stetched out. Another house was lit up down the street aways. An olive curtain was draped over the front window, but there was no welcome mat, no decorations, no particular arrangements. A dingy front light was on, but everything still appeared so utterly dark. It didn't really seem homely at all from the exterior. As Soljyr looked on the house, he sighed to himself, glancing down at Sita. Sometimes it seemed like she was all he really had, or knew. He'd wanted to get away from all the attention of his homeworld, and yet now he realized how utterly pathetic and hopeless loneliness felt for the first time. He knew it would get better in time as he accustomed himself, but he had to pass through the rough patches first.

"All right, been nice meeting you, I guess," he muttered, unbuckling and reaching for the door handle as he waited. "Thanks for the ride."

As Soljyr stepped out of the van, he was surprised to see the naga boy squirm his way to the front and offer him a scrap of paper. He closed the door with Sita in his arms, and began walking up the rest of the driveway. He reached in his pocket for his one key and opened the door. Darkness quickly swallowed him up as the door closed softly behind him. He flipped off his shoes into the corner of the entryway and walked soundlessly into Sita's bedroom, the piece of paper crumpled in his other fist.

Once Sita was gently lowered into her bed, he pulled her blanket up to her shoulders. Sita shifted slightly to the side and pulled her tail closer to her body. He leaned back with a sigh and smiled down on the serene, adorable image before him.

He strolled out of the room and turned on a lamp. Finally, he unraveled the piece of paper. Soljyr blinked. Two numbers? Seth had pointed to the top number when he'd left... Was this other one...? It had to be; Arytiss' number was right there on that piece of paper. But after the way she'd confronted him earlier, was it even negligible? He sighed to himself. She was with some other guy, anyways, and those blue eyes could never look at him that way. Those crystal eyes only broiled with contempt.

Then again, she had been in a bad mood. Maybe he'd give it a shot sometime. Well, if he could figure out how to use the phone...