[ A month has passed since the two had first arrived upon the grand, intergalactic (and interdimensional) cruiseliner. Named the Nightingale, it weaves through nebulae and asteroid belts alike with ease, the vessel flying through the fields in a direction no one has yet to discern. With almost all amenities provided to its newly acquired, otherworldly residents for free, the liner is a luxury to some, a respite of their homeworlds. To others, it is a prison with mysterious omnipotent, android deckhands that keep them in the dark to the mysteries of their voyage. They will find their ways home, they promise, but it has already been a month. What's more, some residents seem to disappear at random; others claim that they've returned to their homeworlds only to be back, sometimes without memories of their previous stay...
Tonight, however, their hosts are holding a simple gathering upon the viewing deck to showcase the crossing of the Scarlet Nebula. Pyra plans to attend, if only that she might mingle among the few there who are equally curious to their circumstances. But who to go with remains the question, for the androids emphasize bonds for whatever reason. Appearing as suitable a citizen as she can would benefit her in the interim; therefore, she needs a partner.
A soft exhale of air accompanies the hydraulics sliding door opening to their shared residence. Lifting her head from where she sits upon one of the couches in the living room, she greets him with a soft smile as he enters. ]
Oh, Cloud... Welcome back. [ Rising from her seat, she makes her way over to him, her tone warm and genuine. Truly, it is marvelous to be among others here. She shouldn't, but she is. Having someone with whom to live isn't something she takes for granted; to that end, she has been mindful of him, polite and warm. ] What a coincidence! I was just about to contact you.
[ Being ripped away from his home world right when he'd finally started to feel truly at peace there and being dumped here on the Nightingale under some shadowy benefactor's questionable authority has not been the easiest thing for him to contend with. So to say it's been a difficult adjustment period would be putting things a bit mildly. But Cloud has been trying his hardest not to turn his anger outward on anybody and cooperate with his fellow passengers, even if some of them seem a lot less disturbed by their circumstances than he thinks they should be.
The one thing he does hate above everything else here is that there's very little in the way of privacy. Even when he can manage to escape the other residents for a short period of time, one of those so-called android things always seems to be lurking somewhere nearby. Cloud has wondered more than once if that's intentional; if they're really as harmless and unobtrusive as they claim to be. He wouldn't be surprised if they were actively spying on them all but he's been keeping those kind of paranoid thoughts to himself.
As far as roommates go, however, Pyra isn't a bad one. She keeps her part of the cabin clean and she doesn't prod at him too much for conversation, even though he can tell that she's the friendly sort who'd probably be happier being shacked up with someone at least a little more outgoing. A tiny prickle of guilt accompanies that last thought and he resolves to try a little harder going forward. ]
[ Her expression remains casual but welcoming as she approaches him, one hand reaching into her backpocket for the communicator they've all been assigned. ] Well, ah, if you could...
[ Flipping open the screen, she steps closer beside him to show him the screen, revealing the gaudy banner of the the network-wide invite. ] There's a starviewing happening. [ Happening right now, from what the advertisement says, along with free food and drink (but when isn't food free on this ship?). Her gaze leaves the communicator; from the corner of her eyes she watches his expression, her smile remaining the same: quiet, but curious.
He seems... young to her. Young and mindful of others, really. It would be a shame not to learn more about him-- something beyond a name that alludes to the sky. ] Interested?
[ He'd intentionally ignored the message earlier so this is Cloud's first time actually hearing anything about the event. He quickly skims over the ad a few times, until he's sure that he's read all of the important information like where it's taking place and what time it's supposed to start and end. ]
Not really. [ However, it's obvious that she's showing this to him for a reason. ]
[ Her smile widens at his words, her eyes brightening, genuinely delighted, at his response. It's an agreement to go with her as much as it can be, and she'll take it. It will be good for him, too, if he goes, she's sure of it.
Pyra will gladly reach for his hand if she can, giving it a tug. ]
Then-- let's go, let's go! [ Cheerily, she motions to the door through which he had just entered. She turns part way, pauses, and then angles her head to look back at him. ] The stars are waiting, Cloud. [ A beat, and the smile upon her lips betrays just hint of coyness.] --And we wouldn't want to miss the free meal, either.
[ He's surprised when she takes his hand and has to forcibly tamp down on the instinct to pull it back away from her. ]
They already feed us every day. You think it's actually something different? [ He'd never willingly be caught getting his hopes up but... She can probably tell that he sounds a bit more interested than he did before. ]
[ Hearing the new inflection in his voice, she continues without missing a beat: ]
It just might be! [ With that she begins to lead him out the door, which shuts automatically behind them. She continues to speak, not at all one to shy away from conversation. ] Or it could be some sort of bizarre alien spicy curry, the likes of which you've never seen before.
If I'm not breathing fire off my tongue by the time I'm done, it's not worth it.
[ This reply comes out quite proudly. That, or she's completely exaggerating (she is indeed exaggerating), and from the whimsical quirk of her lips, he should be able to tell as much.... if the hole breathing-fire statement is not enough. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Tonight, however, their hosts are holding a simple gathering upon the viewing deck to showcase the crossing of the Scarlet Nebula. Pyra plans to attend, if only that she might mingle among the few there who are equally curious to their circumstances. But who to go with remains the question, for the androids emphasize bonds for whatever reason. Appearing as suitable a citizen as she can would benefit her in the interim; therefore, she needs a partner.
A soft exhale of air accompanies the hydraulics sliding door opening to their shared residence. Lifting her head from where she sits upon one of the couches in the living room, she greets him with a soft smile as he enters. ]
Oh, Cloud... Welcome back. [ Rising from her seat, she makes her way over to him, her tone warm and genuine. Truly, it is marvelous to be among others here. She shouldn't, but she is. Having someone with whom to live isn't something she takes for granted; to that end, she has been mindful of him, polite and warm. ] What a coincidence! I was just about to contact you.
no subject
The one thing he does hate above everything else here is that there's very little in the way of privacy. Even when he can manage to escape the other residents for a short period of time, one of those so-called android things always seems to be lurking somewhere nearby. Cloud has wondered more than once if that's intentional; if they're really as harmless and unobtrusive as they claim to be. He wouldn't be surprised if they were actively spying on them all but he's been keeping those kind of paranoid thoughts to himself.
As far as roommates go, however, Pyra isn't a bad one. She keeps her part of the cabin clean and she doesn't prod at him too much for conversation, even though he can tell that she's the friendly sort who'd probably be happier being shacked up with someone at least a little more outgoing. A tiny prickle of guilt accompanies that last thought and he resolves to try a little harder going forward. ]
Hey. Was there something you needed?
no subject
[ Flipping open the screen, she steps closer beside him to show him the screen, revealing the gaudy banner of the the network-wide invite. ] There's a starviewing happening. [ Happening right now, from what the advertisement says, along with free food and drink (but when isn't food free on this ship?). Her gaze leaves the communicator; from the corner of her eyes she watches his expression, her smile remaining the same: quiet, but curious.
He seems... young to her. Young and mindful of others, really. It would be a shame not to learn more about him-- something beyond a name that alludes to the sky. ] Interested?
no subject
Not really. [ However, it's obvious that she's showing this to him for a reason. ]
... But I'll go if you want to.
no subject
Pyra will gladly reach for his hand if she can, giving it a tug. ]
Then-- let's go, let's go! [ Cheerily, she motions to the door through which he had just entered. She turns part way, pauses, and then angles her head to look back at him. ] The stars are waiting, Cloud. [ A beat, and the smile upon her lips betrays just hint of coyness.] --And we wouldn't want to miss the free meal, either.
no subject
They already feed us every day. You think it's actually something different? [ He'd never willingly be caught getting his hopes up but... She can probably tell that he sounds a bit more interested than he did before. ]
no subject
It just might be! [ With that she begins to lead him out the door, which shuts automatically behind them. She continues to speak, not at all one to shy away from conversation. ] Or it could be some sort of bizarre alien spicy curry, the likes of which you've never seen before.
Think you'd be up for the challenge?
no subject
[ Or if someone made it otherwise worth his while; he's still a merc deep down at heart. ]
What about you? Feeling particularly adventurous?
no subject
[ This reply comes out quite proudly. That, or she's completely exaggerating (she is indeed exaggerating), and from the whimsical quirk of her lips, he should be able to tell as much.... if the hole breathing-fire statement is not enough. ]
no subject
[ That grin of hers... May be catching on. Just a little at first, but there it is nonetheless -- a tiny smile, from Cloud. ]