daughter of dragons

“I don’t consider myself a connoisseur, but you can say that,”   he says, humbly accepting it as a compliment.  But a lover of the drink is exactly what Eizen is.

“Besides, you’re thinking small !  Cider is often too sweet.  But bourbon━━ the smoothness hits the gullet just right.  It can even be used to improve cider, making it the ideal drink.”   He’s practically gloating as he gestures towards the crystal bottle.   

“Try some for yourself.”

     ✧ His somber attitude is instead traded in for one of mild enthusiasm and while it comes as a surprise to Tiki, it’s certainly a welcome one all the same. Truthfully she had been a bit curious what sorts of things tickled the blond’s interest, especially given his typically mild mannerisms.

     ❝ Ahahahaaaa. I did not take you as the sort to be a spirits enthusiast, ❞ she starts once more with another chuckle.

     ❝ Oh... Are you sure? You do not mind sharing a bottle with a mere acquaintance? ❞ she can’t help but ask now, gently taking the bottle and eying down its neck with an emerald eye.

@reapersluck​

      ✧ ❝ In a way, that is true, ❞ comes the woman’s calm reply, continuing to busy herself in beading a bracelet.

      ❝ People have a tendency to label others with this or that and for some time, one may believe those labels and assumptions to be true. After all, if you hear it often enough then who is to say that it isn’t true? ❞ she continues on, humming in thought for a moment.

✦“Flatter? It isn’t really like that… It’s just how divine beings look where I come from. I only ever obtained this hair colour because one gave me her powers.” Rest in peace, Sothis. She wasn’t really dead… Well she was, but she wasn’t. She just wasn’t around anymore. “Did you want to be flattered? If so, you’re very pretty.” Terrible at social cues as always.

“So it is different then? I suppose it would have been a little too lucky to be on the nose with that one. Sorry for being so nosy. After a long time spent here, you start hoping for something familiar, I think.” Even though she didn’t necessarily want to go home, either.

     ✧ ❝ Oh? ❞ she can’t help but hum with interest, Tiki’s curiosity now piqued. It’s a very strange thing for the girl to assume... And yet, Tiki can’t deny there has been some sort of ‘aura’ radiating from her. In this city, it can be hard to tell or discern her feelings at times... But now that the other has mentioned it, the manakete’s earlier suspicions have been proven correct.

     ❝ Firstly; thank you. What a sweet thing to say, ❞ she chuckles lightly at the stranger’s rather earnest compliment.

     ❝ You are also very pretty and I hope you are aware of that, ❞

Was she trying to make a joke ?  An inquiring look breaks the stern expression.  Perhaps the remark was a bit too on the nose, a little too silly, though Eizen is convinced it made for a fine introduction.  And, because it gave him answers to raised questions, he ultimately regards the notion with a nonchalant shrug.

“ I’ve seen dozens of strange characteristics on humans before, I try not to judge. "  

But the malak is quick to contemplate over her statement, turning over a thousand years of knowledge for anything that might resemble her kind; myths, theories, anything.  But not a hint or rumor would come to mind.  He figures the city and its inhabitants will continue to render his understanding of the world insignificant.  It’s frustrating yet inspiring all the same to watch the opening of grander doors, opportunities to discover realms worth of new information.

” Can’t say I’ve ever heard of a ’ manakete ’ before, “   he admits, looking back earnestly.   ” Is that transformation common for your kind ? “

     ✧ He seems to be deep in thought and for a moment, Tiki can’t say she’s terribly surprised. It seems that the topic of her species is always curious to many within this city, and often makes strangers rather confused, as well. However, the manakete doesn’t fault them for this, for why would they know about the divine dragon tribe if they are not from her own realm?

     ❝ It sounds as if you have heard of many different species and tribes before, ❞ she can’t help but comment with a smile.

     ❝ Oh, but yes; quite, ❞

✦ “I believe the hardest thing people adjust with is accepting this as their reality, so that’s a good mindset to have.” Should she ask? She was going back and forth on it. “If this is rude, sorry, but… are you some kind of goddess? From your hair to your ears, you remind me of one I know. Well, that and a dragon.” Even though Sothis’ divine power now was Byleth’s, and her own hair colour was pretty similar to Tiki’s.

     ✧ Before she has a chance to answer at her own leisure, it seems that the stranger is eager to inquire to Tiki about some thoughts she has been holding onto. While she had been expecting some sort of vague question about her ears or something of the like... A more specific inquiry like this one definitely catches the Manakete offguard, if only for a moment.

     ❝ Haaahaha. My, my, are you trying to flatter me? ❞ she can’t help but chuckle now.

@reapersluck​

      ✧ ❝ Ohh? What makes you think that? ❞ comes the soft chuckle from the Manakete, looking back to the blond for a moment. She had been attempting to reach something that caught her eye on a tree branch... But it seems to be just out of her reach. Climbing the tree was an idea; however, it’s not one she has confidence in, despite her battle prowess.

@ombraventi​

      ✧ ❝ Haha. Yes, I suppose curiosity is natural, ❞

     While he could walk for a good amount of time without taking a break, Rinnosuke always enjoyed taking a pause to enjoy the scenery a bit. Though the city paled little in comparison to the natural splendor of the Mistwood, there were spots here and there that were nice enough on their own— this park being one of them.

Plus it was quiet, which made it an ideal spot to take a break and have a snack at. Even if he did eventually have company as he sat there, drinking some hot chocolate he purchased nearby while relaxing like this wasn’t so bad. That’s said, when he suddenly felt something soft press onto him, the half-human found himself pausing mid-sip. And slowly, he turns to see a bundle of green hair in his face. Immediately, he feels some slight embarrassment.

Rinnosuke swallows idly, unsure if he should say something as the awkwardness of the situation begins to settle in. But before he can even decide— the manakete acts for him.

“E-err… that’s alright,” he slowly exclaims, raising a hand as if to calm her down. “It only happened for a moment, so it’s fine, really… you must be tired.”

     ✧ Regardless of the stranger’s reassurance, the manakete still finds herself incredibly embarrassed. While she’s not terribly bothered dozing off on people she knows... Well, it’s an entirely different story when it’s a complete stranger; even more so when it’s one that (seemingly) is unaware of the Divine Voice’s mannerisms and habits. Sliding to the other side of the bench now, Tiki’s emerald gaze looks down at her boots to try and avoid the man’s stare.

     ❝ Somewhat, ❞ comes her eventual answer, regaining her composure and finally looking over at the stranger.

     ❝ It is more akin to... Trying to become more accustomed to being awake for long periods of time once more, ❞ or something like that. Tiki isn’t entirely sure how to explain it in a simple manner...

✦“Oh, so you’re a new arrival?” The thought hadn’t even occurred to her. An unfortunate side effect of being around for so long, it seemed. “Or a returning one, I suppose. I guess that must be a little jarring?”

     ✧ ❝ A returning one, yes. ❞

      ✧ It is with a sleepy smile that the verdant-haired woman greets the other, soon waving her hand to dismiss the stranger’s worries. It hasn’t been the first time Tiki’s fatigue has been met with concern and frankly, she’s touched that so many people seem to care. Though she knows better than any other there’s no need for concern, the worry is appreciated all the same.

      ❝ No need to worry. I am still adjusting myself to being awake for long periods of time, ❞ she now tells the other with a small smile.