ㅤgeneral ic

@enya. she tries not to giggle seeing her companion's flames begin to extinguish themselves. a single word dances on her tongue – ‘cute’ – but she refrains for letting it fall. she does wonder, however, why this ball of fire continues to be the most prominent thought among her memories. ‘these memories are not mine,’ she recognizes, or more so, they do not belong to her alone. the warm look the elemental sends her way is not addressed in her name. the closeness. the fondness. they feeling and emotion are all on loan. and for some reason, that .... didn't sit well with her. in the brief moments lost in her own mind, she finds her bearings once more in time to meet the burning gaze across from her. she shakes her head at the proposal.
no. i would not want them to become too spoiled. to be truthful, i am not sure why i am here. it seemed as though there was ... something ... or perhaps ... someone..? telling me i needed to come.

@zakariya. proud that one of his many lessons was finally sinking in, he feels as though he could shed and wipe a singular tear from his eye, but he solely expresses this joy by taking a sip of his own drink and reaching over to pat zak's head. a habit he has yet to shake even after all these years. "crazy how it's taken you so long to start listening to me," he teases, spinning in his seat some to look out at the bar and the ruckus near charming and nikolas. eyes scanning the exits just in case. "there's a certain souvenir i gotta get my girl..." of course, he had other... business to tend to while traveling with zak, but he couldn't divulge any details. that, and he'd heard stories of people going missing along the travel route zak mentioned taking before setting out. he can't let anything happen to his baby bro. "but i'm also here to make sure you get where you're going safely."

@nikolas. nuzzles against niko's fingers, fully snuggling up close to the other and genuinely beginning to doze once more. the larger male was so warm... so firm yet gentle. just like charming's mattress at home. all he needed now was a blanket, but right as he was about to drift off for good, he is startled awake by the crash of a bottle falling to the floor. instinctively, he clings closer to niko and reaches for one of his weapons, but as soon as he sees the drunkard that knocked it over, he his teeth. this wasn't a good place to sleep by a long shot, no, but after 2 all-nighters, he just needed to relax a little. tugging niko's top for his attention, he lifts his face and gives him a sleepy, silent plea to move them somewhere calmer.

@ialu. he chuckles, taking a swig of the drink in hand as his brother slips into something more suitable, more familiar. “weren't you the one who always told me getting comfortable led to complacency?” nods a head in the other's direction, more so to where the shifter had situated himself at the bar, “comfortable and complacent.” taps the bottom of his glass against the counter, precariously teetering it on its edge though keeping a steady hand close to the lip. “so what brings you along this time? word of giant scorpions? high sand tides?” he wasn't ignorant to ialu's rather ... protective nature. a quality that has undoubtedly saved zak plenty of times. but those were years now far behind him, during a youth that he imagines is perhaps lost on long-life species.

@charming. hm.
somehow he finds that hard to believe, silently wondering how anyone could fall asleep in these conditions. but, he guesses, that the dragon must just be that worn. his fingers play with the ends of the few strands of hair that tickle against them, thinking to himself – well, now that he's stuck here, how's he supposed to pass the time?

as if her flames were dimmed, a small and slight pout makes her lips twitch but she tries to brush off the comment. having been surrounded by riffraff because of the arm wrestling, she supposes it made sense that carmen didn't notice her, but it still brought about that pout nonetheless since enya very quickly laid eyes on her counterpart. in fact, her eyes never left carmen for more than a few seconds once she entered the vicinity. just... stings a little, but she's quickly over it and sliding beside carmen, respectfully not too close, and leaning her head against a propped up palm over the table.
this isn't usually your scene, so what brings you here? we can go feed the fish in the pond nearby, if you want.

her head slowly turns in the direction of that familiar beck and call, for a nickname she hasn't heard in quite some decades but could only be uttered by one. she sits up a little straighter as the hand holding up her head falls to rest on the table along with the other. her veil shifts as she does, brushing over her shoulder so she may address the sole entity who could leave her skin tingling for more.
but i did not pretend? i did not notice you were here.
she speaks truthfully, her words gentle and languid paired with a small smile that rises at the same pace.
but i am glad to see you are.

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naturally, charming shifts to lean more against niko's warm figure and a small yawn emanates from his mouth before his words do.
i am now.
he admits with a little smile while bringing his arms around the other's middle. both for comfort and to make sure niko didn't move away while he rested with his eyes closed.

having been caught, he huffs a sigh. he shifts back into his usual form, also finally swiping at the dust that'd been bugging him from the corner of his eye. "what gave me away this time?" ialu is pretty used to getting caught by zak at some point. still, it at least takes a few minutes of conversation before the other grows suspicious. to be caught without even uttering a word in this instance? perhaps he was losing his touch.

his ears catch sound of the approaching dragonier before his eyes do, only to be confirmed upon feeling the familiar weight lean into him. he does as told, save for an arm he wraps around the man's shoulders to keep him steady should he end up falling as he drifts.
are you comfy like this?

he orders a nonalcoholic alternative to his typical choice, discreetly eyeing the presence that has seemed to hitch a ride on his metaphorical coattail and only since made themself known in a neighboring seat. it's not uncommon to be followed across desert land, particularly by those unaccustomed to the sands and seeking salvation from those who may be, but he could tell his company was far from that type. he turns his sights back on the barkeep at they return with his drink, picking up the glass and swirling the content in its confines before addressing the being next to him. “do you plan to also follow me into the bathroom – big bro?”

spots niko nearby and gets up to move closer to him, shuffling close enough to rest his head against the other and allow his eyes to close again.
stay still.

well, well, well... if it isn't the little waterbug.
she calls not too far from where delphine was seated. she happened to catch her finally, and right after winning an arm wrestling match with another patron, so it was all smiles and confidence as she approaches her beloved "carmen" and leans a palm to her table.
what's got you lost in thought, huh? you didn't even pretend not to notice me on your way in.

was trailing behind zak disguised as a small, 2-foot faerie to keep watch over him so the other didn't catch on to his protection, though he makes the mistake of hopping into the stool right next to the other and ordering his usual immediately after. he also habitually scans zak's immediate surroundings and then the younger to make sure he looked okay, tempted to flick the dust off of him, but trying to remain under cover at least.

his nose wrinkles as tension begins to bloom between his brows. he waves a hand in front of his face, hoping to air the room's smoke and scent from his senses.

sits at a lone table near a dust and rust-caked window, peering through the cracked mosaic to nothing in particular, simply lost in thought with her chin cradled in her palm.

strides into the room, heavy soles knocking against floor as he makes his way to the bar in only a few relaxed, deliberate steps.

picks up on a familiar scent that makes him stir somewhat, unfolding his arms and stretching them out as he glances in the direction of it.
come.
he orders, waving a hand to beckon the other closer.
need pillow.

zuri peeks, ears twitching as he scans his surroundings.

dozes in his seat, head nodding to the side off and on and eyes struggling to remain open.

sits on the windowsill of the farthest window and gazes out, watching the passersby and very quietly humming to himself idly. he leans into the wall and huffs softly, thinking about how he doesn't get many moments like this often enough.

sits.
...lonely today.

@kain. "oh, you so will," she refutes, her demeanor and body language overall perking right back up the closer they get to the bar and her spirit lifted the closer she gets to a drink. "you wouldn't dare leave our clan's next chief out to fend for herself. plus," she says skipping forward a few steps to hop right in front of him and boop his nose just as they were about to head in. "you think i'm suuuuuper cute so you always wanna stay by side, i just know it!" with a triumphant smirk and snicker to herself, she heads inside and quickly orders two large beers and whatever meat was on the menu that night. snacking on the pretzels they offered as she went to sit and wait for him to join. her silliness aside, she points her finger at him seriously as he takes his seat. "as your sweet and lovable and ever hardworking student, i think this one's on you for tonight, yes?" she doesn't even hesitate to bat her lashes.

@juniper. lost in thought as he walked up the slight incline back to their residences, kain could not admit to almost losing his footing once a sharp pull came to the back of his neck— feeling something like an animal pulled by the scruff. “i don’t recall,” kain spoke with a hint of mischief in his voice, masking his surprise for nearly falling down and taking juniper with him. “and the criteria you’re meeting is mine, in case you forgot too.” though a tough trainer, kain was not mean. in spite of his words, he turned paths and instead walked towards the bar nearby. “come now, i’m not carrying you home if you drink too much.” though he probably will.

@kain. fully out of breath and trudging in behind him, jun reaches for the back of his shirt in an attempt to stop him... or at least slow him down. "you... you promised me ale if i trained hard enough," she huffs out, leaning forward to rest her hands on her knees after such an intense training session. she was getting better technique and strength-wise, sure, but her stamina still needed much more improvement it seems. today's lesson more than proved that, but she couldn't focus with how parched she was. "c'mon, can we break for at least one— no, two drinks? pleeeeeeease? i'm dying over here!"

@altair. though reluctant to give in to such tempting offers, she remains steadfast in her... minor annoyance at this point. he had successfully worn her down over the past few days and she /was/ beginning to miss his sweet side, being in his embrace too. oh how she wants to forgive him, and they both know she will, but she can't let him off without some kind of fight. some kind of struggle. and as he speaks, something he says catches her attention and distracts her from everything else he said. her eyes flick down and then back up to meet his oh so stupidly grinning face. he's so cute when he's nervous. "you'll do anything?" she repeats, one hand coming up to tap at her lips. mostly in feigned thought as she already knows exactly what she wants, but she's trying to play it off. "anything i want?"

[ ] not the best i sowwy but i wanted to reply still.

@circe. “i got you your favourite flowers, surely that’s not enough?” he tries to reason. then when she huffs, a chill runs down his spine. next, when they make eye contact—her gaze as sharp as her bristling feathers—another chill does, and he offers the most charming smile he could ever muster, yet it is unbeknownst to him that his smile is awkwardly lopsided instead. he notices that they are making what seems to be progress—though perhaps it’s all merely a play in his head—no, he’s /certain/ he’s making progress. whatever it takes, he’s going to steal his beloved’s heart back. carefully, he reaches for her hands, rubbing the back reassuringly with his thumbs. “you look like a doll right now too, my darling dearest. i’ll do anything you want me to, i could get you more flowers, get you good food? hell, i could take you out on a date right now even! just please don't give me the silent treatment again, i’ll be just as good as dead meat!”

@altair. as his face begins to come into view, she immediately averts her focus so she doesn't have to rest it upon his. instead, they land on the flowers he presents to her and she immediately frowns. they were her favorite... but that wasn't enough to sway her just yet. "the 'most gorgeous avian of all and she's yours' yet you failed to successfully prove that to her with your last attempt, how embarrassing for you." her arms cross in front of her chest and she huffs, rolling her eyes before pointing them at his with narrowed suspicion. she already knows she'll fold to his persistence so she may as well humor his attempt at reconciliation now, but she wasn't going to make it easy for him in the slightest. he had to not only work for it, but beg for it if he were smart. "i looked like an idiot all dolled up and on my own. what are you going to do to make it up to me? you have one chance."

@circe. altair messed up. big time. he tried to keep his cool, but the moment circe avoided him entirely, giving him the silent treatment, his mind went—and still does go—into an alarming state of fight or flight that not even ferocious battles could compare. he’s been thinking of what to do and say, really, and eventually opting to following her around like a sad abandoned hound with a bouquet of flowers he was supposed to give her last night hidden behind his back. a small light appears in his eyes when she finally talks. “oh, come on, my honeybunch, sugarplum, pumpy-umpy-umpkin, my sweet pie— the mooost gorgeous avian of all, and she’s /mine/,” he begins a little nervously, jogging up a few steps to see her face and present her with the bouquet, “i’m so sorry! i don’t mean it, i really don’t! why won’t you look at meeee?”