Pondering Purchases of Particularly Pleasing Pythons [Æros, Khyan]

[Aeros]

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To Khyan's commentary regarding his apparent shyness, Æros looked at the other with a teasing sort of expression, a soft, lopsided sort of smile on his lips. "Really? Is that the case?" A question asked with a slight cant to his head, though what the Færie actually wanted to say was more along the lines of 'I've had you folded beneath me every which way and we've woven our æther together time and time again, yet you've still a place for shyness?' but that would simply be uncouth given the setting. He would, however, likely make such a comment later. "...the transformation is the most fascinating part; perhaps when you're more comfortable with it, then?" He didn't want to push too hard here; there was a balance to be struck.

Plus, their excursions today held purpose beyond poking at Khyan about his Animancy. While Æros initially perused the little babes, his servus had wandered away, returning behind him only when called. The boy's interest in reptiles was something Æros found endearing, and combined with Hilana's had fostered such an interest of his own. That…and since he really couldn't carry around Khyan as an asp as much as he may wish to, another serpent simply must be acquired to fill such a void.

When Khyan informed him of his observations, Æros nodded. He had looked upon the little ones with Semblance, but lacking proper experience with reptiles, he didn't quite understand what their physical differences projected in terms of their health. Looking at them again, the white-gold limbal rings, a sign of his Craft, reappeared and he studied the little creatures, intent on observing the anatomical oddities his lover had pointed out now that he knew what exactly they meant. While such anomalies ultimately could not be helped, it would serve him best to pick the healthiest one.

As he listened to Hilana and Julis quip about this supposed 25' behemoth of a snake, Æros made to switch the wee one in his hand with the healthiest noodle, the almost solid purple girl, looking now into her beady little eyes. Passively, he commented, "...you've really that many? I've yet to visit but I'd like to look at them all some time." The number was a lot but to be frank, he wasn't all that surprised all things considered. "Do you intend to take that one, too?" He gave her a scrutinizing look, though it was one clearly in jest.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

"It is." Khyan confirmed to Æros with a single, albeit pointed, nod. Sex was another matter. He was good at sex and well practised in it. He knew better how to keep the lines beautiful, and the motions graceful in that context. He knew, withal, when to let those things go in favour of more feral throes. Animism was another matter. It was not a Craft in which he was altogether properly oriented. And, as far as he could tell, there wasn't much in the way of grace in anyone's transformation. The best one could do was speed it up so the unprepossessing transition was over more quickly and thus less disagreeably noticeable.

He arched an eyebrow and chuckled to himself at the exchange about Hilana's potential purchase. Though Khyan's own father would have chastised him for making such an assertion, there were those in his former friend group who'd have commented on the Equestrian propensity for living beyond their means with superfluous purchases. The smile fell from his lips as he considered his current state, and the fact that he was living well beyond his present station due to the largesse of the half-elven noble at his side. After a moment's introspection, he leaned closer to Hilana and mouthed, 'You should do it'. And nodded to the snake in her hands with a wan smile, before turning his attention to the one on his shoulders who was now flickering a curious tongue against his smooth, tanned cheek.

"And what would you like to see in this miniature menagerie, Tiaz?" He inquired in that childlike sort of tone one took when speaking to animals or small children, as he peeled away from the group again to browse the enclosures lining the walls. This time his focus was more upon Tiaz' Aura than his own interests, following the thread of what seemed to please his python pal.

[Hilana Chenzira]

When Æros wanted to switch the little hatchlings, Julis did so easily, passing him the desired female snakeling. The steely female Hilana was holding settled at last, wound as she was around the girl’s wrist, and relaxed in her fingers. Apparently, she had decided that the giantess holding her wasn’t going to hurt her, and the nomadic girl’s thumb caressed the now soft sides, encouraging tension to leave the baby’s body. Faex. She reminded Hilana of baby Tiaz, and she knew one thing: if she decided to breed them later, the temperament of the offspring would be phenomenal. And when the baby melted into her hand, so too was Hilana’s resistance and resolve not to get herself yet another pet. The merchant let out a sound of amusement when Æros asked her if she was going to get her, and Hilana glowered at the man. But it was in good fun; she was not at all put out. “Julis exaggerates. I have 24 and Tiaz, but I do have two more coming from Tertium from my Great-Aunt. They’re for making antivenin.” She explained to the starry Senator. Among other things. But that wasn’t something one talked about in polite company. She didn’t think Khyan remembered their second encounter in which Hilana had mentioned the poisonous plants that she was working with, and she wasn’t about to remind any of them.

Some things were better left unsaid.

All the same, the servus had been in that apartment before, and unless there were additional rooms, 25 snakes, plus a cat, plus a dwarf tegu… maybe the girl slept on a bedroll now. But when Khyan leaned in and mouthed silent encouragement, she smiled at him. Well, that settled that. “And Fiya makes 26,” the girl decided. Julis just shook his head. “What do you think of her?” Hilana nodded at the hatchling in Æros’ hand. But Khyan’s wan smile stuck with Hilana as he turned away to let Tiaz lead the way. The python was enjoying his time with Khyan, and his tongue flickered again. Nothing in here in the room was prey; the snake had eaten recently and he didn’t associate reptiles with food. But there was the smell of prey in the secondary tent, and he might have liked to go look there… but Tiaz apparently wanted to see the chameleons that were on display in a larger glass terrarium. There were different coloured objects in the terrarium to help show off the little lizards’ abilities to change colours to blend in. Flowers of different colours, painted wooden blocks and hides, vines… the little veiled chameleons were of interest to the python, because part of his lower half wrapped around Khyan’s bicep while his head lifted from his shoulder peering at the glass. Something smelled interesting to him in there.

Hilana considered as she watched them. Khyan was a servus, yes, but his Dominus was pretty indulgent. Æros was unlikely to take offense to an offer from her, and so she made it. “Do you see something here that you might like for a pet, Khyan?” she asked him. If he did… she would get it for him, provided Dominus Æros was in agreement.

[Aeros]

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In truth, there was something about the way the body bent and broke, the way flesh stretched and transformed that Æros found fascinating, and perhaps a little erotic; well, more than a little. That, however, he was well aware most would consider more than morbid– for more reasons than one. It was also, unfortunately, not a conversation to be had in present company or circumstance. A shame, indeed.

Æros eyed Hilana curiously at the notion of her acquiring a few more serpents for the sake of antivenin, though it was not as if this was out of surprise. He knew her to be a botanist, an apothecary, a healer…so would it really be out of line for her to also explore what further fields those talents would serve her well with? No, it wouldn’t. Suppose, then, he knew to whom he’d go to if he wanted after poison of a type beyond Atraxian asp. On this subject, however, he would inquire later.

For now, he was focused on his own acquisition. “Oh, she’s lovely…I do think I’ll take her.” In a way, it was hard to believe the tiny thread of a snake in his hand would ever grow to be the size of Tiaz, but everything that breathed started small. “How long would it take for her to grow, do you think?” The question was asked curiously, because on some level, he worried about losing sight of her. Granted, the master Mesmer would very likely be able to find her by Symphony, but still.

The elven Fæ briefly followed Khyan with his eyes as the boy wandered ‘round the rest of the tent, Tiaz in tow. There were plenty of animalian oddities to be found here, that much was for sure, and he could tell from the notes of the snake’s Symphony that it had found fascination with something in one of the tanks, though precisely what it was he didn’t care to figure out. And when Hilana spoke, Æros added, “...if you’ve the desire, you can take whatever you’d like.” His family’s manor could accommodate most things space wise and he had little doubt whatever he’d pick would be well cared for.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

Khyan was lingering nigh of the chameleon enclosure with Tiaz, when he heard his name on Hilana's tongue. He glanced over his shoulder, taking a moment to process the question. He chuckled softly and shook his head.

"I think not, but gratias." His feelings were complicated on the matter of pets, but he came to the negative conclusion quickly enough. On the one hand, it felt odd to keep for a pet an animal into which one could metamorphosise. Ironic that he'd made no bones about keeping slaves before he was one, but felt averse to calling himself master to a serpent, but here they were. On the other hand, he also felt that he remained the dominus to a wyvern who had been cruelly stripped from his ownership. Græcos had been one of the most difficult losses he'd suffered at the fall of his father. It also felt odd and off to own things, these days... at least things that weren't ephemeral, like alcohol. Having lost so much, he was disinclined to grow attached to things he might miss again should the whims of Fate twist against him once more.

He turned his face back toward the chameleons and regarded the strange, independent motion of their eyes musing over what that might feel like. A chameleon might be an interesting totem to explore at some point, and not just for their vision. There was also their infamous camouflage. It wasn't anything akin to what one could achieve with Masquerade, naturally, but that didn't diminish his curiosity. He wondered if it felt like anything to alter their hues, or whether it was an involuntary reaction to the environment like sweating or turning flush. He didn't imagine it was a totem he'd wish to take on permanently, but he imagined there was much to learn from the humble chameleon. Tiaz seemed to think so, after all.

[Hilana Chenzira]

“As you will, Dominus,” Julis nodded his head, putting the chubby noodles that had not been selected back into the terrarium and closing the lid. “Would you like a basket or a bag to carry her home with?” the merchant wanted to know. He already knew Hilana would take a bag; so the only question was the Re’hyaean hybrid that seemed enchanted with the little purple snakeling. He was glad - he may have been a merchant, but he did care for his animals, and he wanted them to go to good homes. He could tell that this one was going to be spoiled rotten, though, and he didn’t need a Rune to see it from the way Æros held his new baby.

“For what it’s worth, I like the bags,” Hilana offered Æros, her attention soon returning to Khyan. When he declined her offer, the girl just nodded. She wouldn’t push it. He had already lost everything, really, and this was surely his way of trying to protect himself. It did remind her, however, that she and the Dominus should go visit the Nykara estate and see about Graecos. Maybe that would make him feel better. It was impossible to forget how he had looked when he had talked about him before, and Valerian had told her at her last lesson that they were still looking to sell him. Tiaz brought himself back around Khyan’s shoulders, his coils tightening as if he understood. Not likely, of course, because while snakes were smart, that was perhaps asking a bit too much, but the large male was settled on the servus’ shoulders, holding on as he inspected the little veiled chameleons through the glass. His attention went from one to another on another branch, and he leaned forward, his snout against the glass now. He wasn’t quite hunting, but the snake was sensing something. If Khyan looked, he would find a small kangaroo mouse in the bottom of the enclosure, eating away at a locust. Ahh. That was what the snake had sensed. For a snake that was bordering on too spoiled to kill his own prey, he was at least able to scent that one.

“Python females grow at the rate of about 12” a year, whereas males tend to grow a bit slower than that. So long as she is fed regularly and appropriately, the first year she’ll grow quite quickly. Baby pythons are essentially impossible to overfeed because they have very active metabolisms. For now, you’ll want to feed her a small rat pup about every five days. The size of the prey depends on the size of the snake,” Julis advised, having retrieved either the woven basket or the cloth bag depending on Æros’ preference. "To get to Tiaz's size, I would estimate two years, since he is four," he glanced at Hilana to confirm, and she nodded. The bag that went to Hilana was cotton with a drawstring, and Hilana slipped the newly-named Fiya into it, tucking her in and then drawing the string closed tight before knotting it. Perhaps surprisingly, the grey snake was not too bothered or afraid of this; the enclosed space was at least comfortable to her, so that was at least reassuring for tucking his own little one away until they got her home and got her enclosure set up. The drawstring bag went into her large rucksack, and Hilana got out her coins to pass over to the merchant, stacking ten gold coins on the counter.

[Aeros]

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When Khyan declined the offer for a reptilian friend of his own, Æros could hear the reasons why reflected within the rhythms of the boy’s Symphony. Though he understood, what information he’d gleaned saddened him. His lover’s predicament was a precarious one, circumstances being as they were. Opting not to respond verbally, he flexed a bit of æther and sent a Mesmeric trill over to the other; the boy would feel comforted, but there was also reassurance and a flare of hope. The half-elf had already begun the process of locating Khyan’s wyvern with the intention of bestowing it upon him once found and acquired.

The shopkeep’s question pulled the starlit one’s attention back to the little noodle that had slithered ‘round clawed fingers and the transaction he was supposed to be making. “Ah…yes; I’ll go with the bag. How much do I owe you?” Æros knew he brought more than enough but it wasn’t as if he could give a random amount and call it a day. Once the price was named, he’d pay it. Though he’d just watched Hilana pay for her own new little friend, he was not quite sure if all snakes were equal even if from the same clutch of eggs. Didn’t their patterns influence value…? He thought he’d heard that, at least.

“Ah…well, in the meantime, while small, I can’t really lose her since I can easily keep track of her by her Symphony, given my skill with Mesmer.” Æros continued with a smile, as he did intend to carry the little one around with him, circumstances permitting.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"

[Khyan Nykara]

Khyan felt the familiar ease of Æros' magical manipulation. It was easy to forget what it was or that it was happening at all, but more so when they were in private. Khyan tended to be more on edge and more attuned to his Runes when they were out and about. He'd been harassed before and, while he knew it was unlikely for such an occurrence to take place in the company of a senator, there was still the matter of the social discomforts. Knowing that a former friend might walk through the door at any moment whose mocking or pity would be palpable in their Aura, even if it never crossed their chops. Such as things were, he was more keenly aware of Æros' Aura as he plied his favourite Craft to quell Khyan's concerns.

Assuaged, such as he was, he stood by as the free citizens went about the business at hand and made their purchases with the merchant. He was content to browse and dote upon Tiaz as they did so, lest the elder statesman of Hilana's serpentine senate worry that the fond attentions accorded him might be soon supplanted by younger stock. Khyan was entirely aware that these musings were based on a premise that was absurdly complex for a snake, and yet it amused him to ponder them to pass the time.

With their purchases complete, Khyan would quit his daydreams and reveries to return to the core group.

"Would you like me to carry anything for the trip back, domini?" He inquired, more for the benefit of the shopkeep than his two social superiors. Hilana wasn't wont to make demands on him in his role as servus, and Æros wasn't one to beat around the bush when he wanted something from Khyan.

[Hilana Chenzira]

Æros was right in that different colours could be different prices, as rarer morphs usually costed more, but Hilana was watching. Julis had made plenty from her and both of them knew it, considering she routinely bought even common snakes from him, in double digits. She also got her feeders from him, from the different sizes of mice and rats right up to rabbits if she didn’t snare those herself. And if she ever did get her Banana Behemoth, those snakes ate quite a bit, and the Vastiana would keep on purchasing from him. Unless she was out in the wild, she didn’t see them that often in the city. The amount of reptiles that freely inhabited the city helped reduce the pests, not to mention the cats that sometimes roamed. Lavender or not, the trader already knew the price for it for the exotic hybrid that outranked all of them in the shop. “Just 10 gold Avens, Dominus,” he inclined his head to him.

It was very clear that Hilana's friend was a wealthy one, and it was quite logical to offer a good price and continue to grow the customer base. Because when he had more clutches another year, there was a good chance that the senator might come back for another to go with the beautiful little purple and yellow female. Exotic colours were excellent status symbols and accessories, since they could match whatever outfit they had on or wherever they put them. The unique was prized, and while much could be enhanced with Masquerade... something that didn't have to be? That was rarer still.

"You won't lose her," Hilana chuckled. "You'll have her out with you as much as possible, I can tell. Tiaz practically lived on me or in a basket when he was digesting. Still does, really," she smiled at her friend, and looked on at her big boy that was contentedly hanging out on top of Khyan. The more things changed, the more things stayed the same. Now she just had to teach Tiaz to ignore Fiya, which likely wasn't hard. Pythons were not inclined towards cannibalization, and especially when they were fed as well at he was. But she knew well that Æros would have his little one absolutely charmed, and why wouldn't she be? When Khyan offered to carry anything, Hilana considered. "Would you like to see Fiya?" she offered when they got underway. Tiaz was still contentedly lounging and draping over Khyan, relishing the snuggle time with one of his favourite Vastii. But if he did, Hilana would retrieve the little silvery female that looked as if she was Moonborn for Khyan to enjoy and make friends with, and swap for her most constant companion.

[Aeros]

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Acute as his Mesmeric perceptions were by default, Æros always paid particular attention to Khyan. The boy’s Symphony was prone to rhythms most melancholic at times, some more wistful, some touched by nerves and paranoia, by pain, and none unfamiliar to the senator’s senses. These things did pain him.

In theory, he could erase all these things, but when it came to those he cared at all for, he preferred not to strip them of their natural emotions completely; he did want his lover to maintain his sense of self, as well as his autonomy, to the extent that such a thing was afforded, status considered. And so as much as he was compelled to take the boy’s pain away in its entirety, it was through this principle that he suppressed the urge. That did not, however, bar him from assuaging these things with a softer touch; Æros opted to push such feelings to the back of the other’s mind rather than to erase. If nothing else, his magical ministrations were meant to serve as a reminder that the boy was loved, that he was cherished.

Though it took very little effort on his end to do this, he did, for but a brief beat find himself distracted, his focus on Khyan rather than what he was meant to be doing. Julis’ words snapped his attention quickly back, however, and Æros acted as if the interruption to his thoughts had never occurred. The price felt cheap to him, what with avens flowing like water as they often did for those of his status. As such, he did not question the shopkeep and paid with little fanfare.

“A pleasure doing business, then,” he said, voice and expression maintaining a sense of cordiality.

And in response to Hilana, “...one can never be too careful, but aye, I’ll likely keep track of her by her Symphony, anyways.” Such a thing would be the easiest method, certainly.

With the serpent now acquired, he looked to his lover, a faint smile on his lips. “Not this time– I’d like to keep mine on my person.” It’d take a second to think of a name.

And with those words spoken, the trio would be on their way out of the merchant’s demesne.

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'Thoughts'

"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"

"Vastien Tongue/Speech"

"Valasren Tongue/Speech"

"Common Tongue/Speech"