Kal lead the woman through the crowd, holding his arm as if guarding an object out of view, making his way toward an emergency dock of the trading post they were in. He kept an eye out for if anyone were following behind Ayliana, a faint sigh leaving him.
“Right... Now that's +
Her mouth parted and on the tip of her tongue was a snarky remark-
But the tension in his body held it there. Her gaze cut through the nearby crowd scanning for hostility. Bouncing from eyes, looking for any that drifted their way. To mouths, listening for words mentioning them
+ out of the way...” he spoke softly when pulling his robe away just enough to reveal his hand firmly clenched around the lock of the capsule that contained super irradiated fuel.
“Watch your words. I hear an odd pitch in your tone, the slightest twitch in your eye, and +
@the27percent1 “I don't doubt it, not even for a second.”
There was a small moment of silence, where the two of them existed in bliss and confidence. The Tenno's gaze meeting the endless void before them with his thumb idly brushing along the back of Atieno's arm.
“I never fully get to+
@the27percent1 “Of course it's cherished... The stars on your skin is just shining bright with excitement.”
He pulled them into a warm hug with his hand gently cradling the back of their head, relaxing under Ati's touch.
@the27percent1 He barely parted from their lips when it came to respond with a soft smile on his face.
“Appreciation is an understatement, Atieno. I wholeheartedly worship you, but... Not in the way we had just spoken of.” the Tenno teased before planting another kiss to their lips.
@the27percent1 “I believe so too.”
He lightly ran one braid between his thumb and index, only to then raise Atieno's head by the chin to place a tender kiss against their lips.
“Mhm... ~ I think so too~”
@the27percent1 With the gentle hold on their hand, he pulled Ati closer and remained focused on their eyes with the other hand raising to gingerly brush loose strands from the entity's face.
“Are they as romantic as you, or did I just get really lucky?”
+ head tilting just partially.
“... Your void signature.. Who and what are-...”
His words came to a stop the moment he caught the world around the two of them continuing on as though nothing happened, a reality check that grounded him in that instance.
“.. We can't talk here.”
Though he remained stoic, he could feel the world around him begin to crumble at those words that slipped past her lips... Where he was once ready to attack, he is now as rigid as a marble statue.
“... The fuck did you just call me..?”
Eyes discerning her features, with his+
She tapped the power button on the holo-pad and stashed it in a satchel. Sea moss colored eyes met his and she inclined her head in a direction away from the crowd. She turned and walked through a doorway that lead to a quiet hall.
@the27percent1 “Exactly... It's probably why you and I work so well together.”
Kal teased when holding his hand out to them.
“You never spoke about other beings of your kind before... Do you know others?”
@the27percent1 “It was... Especially given the events that were taking place at the time.”
His arms folded under his chest when turning to fave Atieno.
“She is a being who cares enough to not allow complete devout worship.”
“It's the wasted effort I am factoring in, not your ability to cleave through as many as you can.”
The Tenno shook his head in disappointment.
“To warmachines like us, this is child's play... Unless that is the purpose here.”
She scoffed, placing a hand upon her chest.
"Oh, I'm quite certain I can strike into their heart with such precision. But, you underestimate the delight of them sending countless lesser numbers into my claws as if numbers alone can assure their victory."
@the27percent1 “It would be, given that she is not much of a speaker. I was lucky enough to hear her voice once, in the middle of a war for control of the system.”
Kal explained when returning the squeeze. Walking Atieno to the control panel of his ship where the Tenno would set the +
@the27percent1 “Where I reside would have to come after, unfortunately... I'll explain when I show you myself, but for now, said lovely dinner.”
He offered his hand and flashed a soft smile their way.
“Who knows, if you're lucky, you may even be greeted by the being.”
“Then perhaps you do fit in somewhere.”
A brow was quirked when turning his cold glare to the maimed figure beneath the frame.
“If you wish to strike them where it really hurts, it will serve you better to strike someone or something of more important than fodder.”
She rises from the slain Corpus beneath her, regal cape falling to her feet with grace before raising her claw, swinging it down to cleanse the newly added viscera.
She looks to the other, tilting her head to the side, observing them carefully.
@the27percent1 “Then allow me to take you someplace where we can start off. I don't think I've shown you much of what's within the system I reside in.
On New Earth, there is a literal wall of flesh that serves at feeding its followers. Makes for an amazing dinner when prepared responsibly. +