coconut bottle.

     ❝     the schematics for machines throughout the city . why --- do you have any input ?     ❞

     ❝     don’t flatter yourself . you’re an acquaintance , duarte . nothing more . i’m not repeating the DEROGATORY word , you may exacerbate someone else with it .     ❞

     ❝     the cats would be PREFERABLE , would they not ? i assume you were distressed upon realising he was there .     ❞

     ❝     i do not believe in something as RUDIMENTARY as fate , merely being in the right place at the right time --- COINCIDENCE .     ❞

     ❝     i find that lemons are more practical than oranges --- they provide many more uses on top of INGESTION . such as various applications in regards to cleansing agents . therefore , i will have to disagree with your judgment .     ❞

     ❝     be my guest .     ❞     initiating an unwavering eye contact , ayasha continues eating conservatively . a brow arches as the corner of her mouth curls faintly --- like smiling was an AFTER THOUGHT , rather than the punchline .     ❝     though i must notify you , i’ve been informed that i speak rather inhumanely . “ like a robot ” i believe their phrasing was .     ❞

     ❝     fine , i’ll contort to your wishes . to quote my past sibling , you’re a DUMBASS ... did that meet your expectations ?     ❞

     ❝     would all children not prove to be annoyances , as they cannot comprehend the simplest of ideas ? though i suppose their brains have not yet grown into their true potential but i digress ; josh may only be as ANNOYING as the rest of the children . bonds between adults and children are healthy and stimulate the mind which is good , especially from an early age --- i will THANK YOU on their behalf for your enhancement to their upbringing ... furthermore i’m sure they appreciate your artistic skills . i am only good when the topic is on machinery ; and the like . what would be your preferred fauna , if i may ask ?     ❞

     ❝     i am familiar with these terms , yes . why -- do they apply to this situation ?     ❞

her reply is automatic , rehearsed . one of the many things chanted into her ear by her STEP FATHER from her early childhood .     ❝     fear of god is illogical --- if they were real , they would forgive non believers regardless of their non belief . as they are so forgiving .     ❞     the brunette turns her gaze to a ruined cross -- the edges chipped throughout . resilient little thing ; how SYMBOLIC .     ❝     my mother wasn’t fearful either , she cherished the time she shared with her GOD .     ❞     thought she leaves the words “ cherished it more than her own husband ” unspoken . leather boots slightly scuff the mahogany floor as she shifts a comfortable two paces away ; however , the slight hunch in her shoulders remain .     ❝     i imagine RITUALS would be important to them . the longhouse religion was a topic of conversation with many of my acquaintances throughout my childhood . though they cared only for the conversation , not the god .     ❞     umber eyes return to the seated redhead , with a slight inclination of her head .     ❝     i’m sure your god APPRECIATES what time you have together .     ❞

     ❝     with age comes experience -- and an affinity for COMBAT in a situation not unlike our own . i can assure you , any SKILL you believe you possess will be outmatched by my own .     ❞

     ❝     i would not find any imaginings of myself as a “ fuck toy ” pleasurable in any way , i assure you ... however , if you removed the man’s hands , he definitely would pose only further complications that would be incongruous for surrounding individuals . would it not be more BENEFICIAL to your time , to educate him on the proper way of labour and polite conduct ?     ❞

     ❝     no duarte , you may not address me as YASHI . a simple marrin would suffice , but i may grow accustomed to ayasha , if you would prefer ... i am not aiming to be WINSOME in any way , i only wish to vocalise my various hypotheses --- and ideas . such as improving your exercise ; i find it most distressing you would lounge during the time allocated for your selected vocation . are you ill ? have you endured any physical injury ? have you sustained a CRANIAL injury , as “ getting out of a situation ” only postpones future quarrels , rather than solve them . furthermore , you demonstrate a certain inanity that i hope to never encounter in another person .     ❞

     ❝     --------- during what periods of the day do you ponder upon these questions ? this establishment may be secure , but it requires a continuance of UPKEEP from personnel such as ourselves . i want to contribute to this upkeep -- at all times ... but i can’t say i have been close to a lion --- from a distance perhaps . i didn’t think it wise to disturb a sleeping predator , due to the possibility of their ASSAULT upon myself . nevertheless , their overall structure has a certain ... aristocracy that i’ve grown fond of over the years .     ❞

her dark gaze remains focused on the coloured light flittering through the STAINED glass . she stares for hours , finds that the colours RELAX her -- remind her of home . movements of a figure shatter her concentration and features default to an expressionless MASK . the red headed woman -- praying to her god . interesting decision for a SOLIDER but she doesn’t pass judgment , notes it for future inquiry instead . ayasha doesn’t understand people who turned to RELIGION in times like these --- fabrications won’t lay waste to the INFECTED outside ; however , lips remain sealed . her restraint arises due to a muted respect for the soldier .     ❝     you may return to your WORSHIP , i simply came for a quiet place to think .     ❞     her head tilts , a slight lowering of a brow and her petite frame turns fully towards the older woman .     ❝     would you prefer i sat elsewhere ? it was not my intention to disturb you . i apologise .     ❞     brown eyes fall to the rug and she purses her lips .     ❝     my mother used to pray everyday -- i understand if you’d prefer i moved .     ❞

     ❝     your logic is flawed --- arguments emerge due to two individual parties believing in OPPOSING ideas . winning would ideally involve a vocal agreement that one was in the wrong , while the other was in the right . therefore , verbal agreements lead to your LOSS , not a victory . and you’re sprouting even MORE nonsense . doing your job is an exercise , unless you go for your afternoon stroll during runs . which i’d suggest remedying -- it’s a blatant misuse of resources ... how is the way i speak something that’s “ going for me ” ? i do not understand your context .     ❞

     ❝     i don’t need entertainment to SURVIVE , especially when there’s a chance of getting BITTEN by a stranger that will result in my imminent death . i can appreciate the humour ; however , puns were never my speciality ... aesthetically , i find the LION to be most pleasing -- if that is the question you were posing .     ❞