Como's Anthology Collection

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Courier: Cute.

His ears pull back in surprise immediately.

Styx: I-’m sorry?

Courier: Got a little title and all. Admittedly you come off as a con though, no offense.

Styx: Rude.. I’m a full fledged witch and my magic is legitimate. Whatever business choices I’ve made on the path are simply a necessity to survive.

Styx: Certainly more fleshed out than what you people around here work with.

Courier: That so? What makes it so different?

Styx: Quite a lot. Every locale has its own native form of witchcraft, much of which determines the views of those who practice it.  Sometimes it’s a common religion, sometimes it becomes the vessel of mass social movement, and sometimes it becomes a vital enough part of day to day life that it's a household concept..

Courier: Seems like the latter around here.

Styx: A luxury, one that certainly makes it easy for Gallows to allow me to operate…

Courier: Take it isn’t so back where you came from?

Styx: No… my region deemed it an occupation for grifters, eccentrics, and degenerates. You had to work within tightly protected circles or behind the scenes of an investor who understood our potential.

Styx: I chose both.

Courier: Ah, I’m sorry… I know sensitives around these parts tend to keep their location tight and hidden.

Styx: Mm… that’s more so because they’re dodging crown rule. For myself and those in my family, it was preserving our culture. That was a long time ago though and I haven’t had any luck tracking it all down… not that I could really settle back there anyway.

Courier: Why’s that?

Styx: My original body is long gone…

Courier: Ah… are you-

Styx: Deceased?

Courier: Mm…

Styx: Technically not.  Moreso transcended but…

He shakes his head at you.

Styx: Shame on you, you’ve got me dumping all this.

Courier: You’re allowed to.

Styx: Took a month for Gallows to get this far and yet you’ve managed to get me to spill so much on first meeting. Perhaps I’m growing soft…

Courier: Not a bad thing.

Styx: I’m sure I’m grating to listen to.

Courier: Nonsense, your voice is sweet.

His ears pulled all the way down.

Courier: You okay?

Styx: I’m a little volatile at the moment…don’t particularly like being mocked.

Courier: It wasn’t intended as mockery, I genuinely mean what I say there. 

Styx: It’s only because I have your friend’s voice…

Courier: Not really, your mannerisms are a bit more…. How do I put it? Prosed?

Styx: That’s given, had to work for high society clients to fund my own projects. If I spoke like you or your friend they wouldn’t give me the time of day… nothing against you, just…

Courier: I understand. Sounds like you certainly weren’t too happy about it yourself.

Styx: No… it was what needed to be done at the time. Talents and cultural practices wasted to entertain the interests of elites. But they paid well so I continued to be a clown for them.

Courier: Feel that.

Styx: O-oh?

Courier: Spent time bound above a fireplace before I was saved. Just a pretty sword to show off to guests.

Styx: Ah…I mean you certainly are at least one of those things.

Courier: Think I’m pretty?

Styx: You’re certainly a sword..

Courier: How curious..

You look him right in the eye, as much as you can…

His cheeks tint red before turning away..

Courier: Cute….

His long tail wags a little

Styx: Y-you don’t even know what I look like…

Courier: I can gauge. Based on what I understand, you’re one of those contract entities. And I’d guess… snake?

Styx: That’s correct…

Courier: But you’re certainly a lot warmer than me right now…

Styx: I mean… are you certain?

Courier: You and Styx are a bit of a package deal, no?

Styx: Mm…

Courier: At the very least I’d like to be on good terms with you.

Styx: You’d grow sick of me quickly… Gallows and I don’t have the most amazing relationship either.

Courier: He gave you time, didn’t he?

Styx: Conditionally. My power is his so long as I’m able to continue my studies…
Courier: What are they anyway? You mentioned projects?

Styx: Nothing of particular interest to you I think but… I am quite proud.

Styx: Immortality has been a massive interest of mine, painfully ill of death as a concept.

Courier: Understandable.

Styx: I dedicated much of my past life working towards the answer around having to make acquaintances with the grim reaper. At some point I realized that getting around our bodies aging is a matter of species or deal with a divine entity.

Styx: Not wanting to be tethered to some smug god, I tinkered some with creating a form from scratch…

Styx: But… I’d like to refrain from details for now. It’s very personal.

Courier: I understand.

Styx: Thank you.. I think I should head back for real now. Said too much…

Courier: You can stay longer, I don’t mind any.

Courier: Though I’m curious… you  popped in during the middle of something.

Styx:  Apologize for that..

Courier: Don’t! I’m wondering more if just…

Courier: Would you like to hold each other for a bit?

Courier: Still in the mood and… perhaps wondering if you’d be interested

Styx: Maybe… this isn’t a trick, is it?

Courier: Not in the slightest.

Styx: Has been quite some time…

Styx: And you are quite the looker yourself…

Courier: What’s got you?

Styx: Eyes, smile…

Styx: Wouldn’t be opposed to looking at that face all evening..

Courier: You’re allowed to…

Styx: I think I will make an attempt…

Styx: Can I have some time to brace myself? I’m nervous…

Courier: Take your time.