They enjoyed watching over the lantern lit city together. "I wonder if this is what Gyl the First saw when he was greeted to Kinte for the first time. Hundred of lanterns and people below,"she mused as the glowing paper lanterns wafted further into the skies along the breeze. They would sometimes fly as far as Pyrta if not farther by the time their lights went out and they were biodegradable, so the next rain would melt them away to nothing but a good nest for a flower to bloom in. She learned against the railing and stayed tucked under her Chip's arms until it was time to return to the ground again. "The dancing should be really going now," Calysta grinned as she stepped out of the basket, her dusky skirts following behind her, and lead Illya over to where hundreds of Kaereleans from all over the planet had congregated. It never ceased to amaze her how so many people could come together for a dance without ever having met and execute it with a fair amount of grace. "If you get into the outer ring and I get on the inside one, we should match up perfectly for the finale," she smiled.
She dove into the dance, gripping one woman's hand and then another. Her long skirts were flipped over her wrist, freeing her feet to take on the the lively grapevine move as the circle spun. "Ooh ye have ye'self a bright eyed man there," one of the woman crowed, "Ye lucky woman with a green eyed man. Makes a good lover." Calysta grinned but the blush flashing across her cheeks gave away he truth. He was quite a fine lover and it had little to do with green eyes alone. The women in the circle around her laughed and she joined them, for once feeling like she belonged as one of their number. When they circled back around she caught Illya's eyes and smiled brightly, only to cause him to miss the direction change. He stumbled but recovered quickly for a man who couldn't feel one of his feet and then kept right on dancing into the finale. When they finally made it across from each other, he swooped her up without hesitation. Her feet left the ground as she wrapped her around around his shoulders out of instinct. "Illya!" His name came out a ringing laugh of joy and her head titled back from the spinning. Her Chip had every bit of control over her at the moment and she let him take the lead on the dance floor.
Breathless from their dance, they made their way over to the plate smashing and Calysta giggled while Illya tested out different different ways to throw them. She was able to keep up with Illya fairly well until he challenged her to use the opposite hand, teasing her about not being ambidextrous. It only made her all the more determined. She could fly with both hands, couldn't she? Surely she could throw a plate properly with her right hand too. Licking her lips, she was poised to throw the plate like a Frisbee into the pen area when a warm hand slipped around her, taking away any hopes of concentration. "My naughty Chip," she chuckled before tossing the plate without a care. In the surrounding area there were a few drunk Yurian's smashing the plates over each others heads and guffawing over the sound of the cracking until her wayward plate intervened. It smacked on of the men in the back of his head, shattering on impact and causing a low 'ooh' to echo from the crowd. The man turned on his heels to is buddies with an accusatory look in his eyes and picked up another plate to exact his revenge. Before it could be stopped, a plate smashing war to end all wars was being fought. They tossed plate at each other in a furious flurry, laughing the whole time at the ridiculousness of it all. "Oooh, maybe I should stick to my left hand," she giggled.
Eventually, Illya suggested they ride home in the ancient carriages pulled along by one of Kaereals only mammals. The carriages were all decorated especially for new years and she climbed into the open air cabin, eager to ride through the narrow streets of Kinte. It wasn't a smooth ride like a skimmer or flying would be, but she got to bounce along between kisses with her Chip and that made it perfect.
Calysta paused just inside the doorway and looked around at the dozen candles stacked around the room leading out onto the balcony where the hot tub was already bubbling away over the open sky accompanied by two soft towels and a tray of treats to along side it. Did she like it? Finally, her eyes turned to her Chip, traveling up the length of his waist, to his chest and then to his bright green eyes where she could see the tiny flames reflecting against them. What did she say to this? It was a little overwhelming. He had done all of this for her and wanted to watch the fireworks too. Her eyes widened some as her throat caught with a feeling she had no idea how to express other than to break out into her grandest smile and take up his hand. "It's more than I ever could have imagined," she said. It was cheesy, and she knew it as her cheeks turned pink at such a remark, but it was no less true. Leading him into the room, she wrapped an arm around his waist and stood on her toes to kiss him. It wasn't some simple peck this time, but a deeper kiss until they both needed a little air and then she tugged off her mask which was sitting atop her head. Between each other they managed to undress enough to warrant getting into the tub. They were high up enough no one could see them. Calysta lead him over to the hot water and sank in first before he joined her. The water level rose with such an large body joining the mix and Calysta laughed as the waves sloshed her around, bumping her into side.
The look on Calysta's face was hard to read at first and then she broke into that broad grin that Illya loved. It was the smile that told him she was pleased. At least she wasn't disappointed with the plan. Kalizda grabbed his hand and pulled him along into the room where they shared a gentle kiss and then a more passionate one. The two of them got changed and then Illya slipped off his pants, but left his boxers on. He'd forgot his swimshorts, but the boxers would work just fine. He had extra boxers with. Kalizda scrambled into the hot tub first and Illya walked out to join her. As soon as Illya sank into the water it rose a bit, but not quite over the top. Reaching over Illya pulled the little side table closer to the tub. "We have drinks on dah second level of dah table and snacks on dah top." Grinning at Kalizda he nodded. "Yah want tah come sit wit meh. Rest yah head on meh shoulder and yah closer tah dah snacks and yah get tah watch dah fireworks from better angle. Maybe more comfortable too eh?"
The water was nice and hot while the bubbles felt nice against her back. She was glad that she hadn't worn her hair down and it could stay exactly as it was so long as she didn't dunk her whole head under water. At Illya's proposal, her smile grew even wider, of that was possible, and she floated over to him as he settled into the curvy bench hidden by the frothy water. It didn't take much to find herself with her back pressed against his chest, her head tipped to his shoulder. His thick arm wrapped around her, keeping her close and she helped him reach for what she suspected was a caramel treat from the little table. He had thought of everything. Not only that, but he was going to try watching the fire works with her! She was sure he would have to miss them because they made him understandably uncomfortable and she wasn't about to make him sit alone in a room at the stroke of midnight. They would bring in the new year together, fireworks or not. A giddy giggle escaped her as she plucked up a delicate sweet from the table and offered it to him, holding it at the ready for him to bite. "I think this is definitely more comfortable," she told him, "We'll be able to see the fire works perfectly from here. I'm just glad I'm getting to watch them with you." When he took the bite, nipping at her fingers she chuckled and reached for a small chocolate for herself. "You know, if someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be sitting with my husband ready to watch fireworks at a new years ball, I probably would have laughed and shook my head." The years had been hard won sometimes but for as hard as they could be, she was happier than she had ever been.
Illya felt a spark of pride as Kalizda settled into him and reached for some of the sweets. She did enjoy this and he was proud to be able to offer it to her. "I tink ten years ago dat I would never find anoter woman tah agree wit meh. I dun tink I would have anymore children and dat I would die wit meh people trapped on Quoti. Dis es far better." Pulling Kalizda a little bit closer he moved slightly so he could grab one of the caramels. "Yah know I always like dat yah fiesty woman. Yah see what yah want and yah go get et."
Illya was blunt in his reply but it was no less true and it made her hug him just a little closer as he reached for another treat from the tray table causing the water to slosh against the sides. She chuckled when he called her fiesty. It wasn't the first time she'd heard it from someone but the only one who seemed to like that part about her. Of course she had never quite viewed the last ten years that way. Sometimes it felt like she had tumbled into place here despite what she had done to the contrary. Agreeing to marry Illya had been entirely her choice though and it was something she had never once regretted. "Aye," she laughed lightly as she leaned back into him. "Sometimes I think it's the reason my father started graying so early." She was thinking back to when they first met and she remembered waking up to find him laying her bed, trapping her against the wall with a kitten on his head. "It's how I ended up with Keysha too."
Listening to Kalizda was interesting and she naturally had some thoughts that were slightly shocking. How people could choose not to enjoy the fiesty side of her he didn't understand. "Well, dat was one of dah reasons I tink I want yah so much. Nut all women are made wit so much fire." Turning his head to the side he sniffed her hair. "Mmm...yah smell good." It was impossible not to chuckle some when she mentioned the cat. "Well, ets hard tah say no when et es beautiful woman dat asks and she es in yah eye." It wasn't quite the translation he wanted, but he figured she could make sense of it. "One of meh favorite tings dat I remember about yah es dat yah very patient woman even after all dah wrong dat was done to yah. Meh Kalizda es very beautiful en many ways."
She couldn't help but blush when he said it was one of the reasons her wanted her so much and then told her she smelled good. She had used the vanilla scent he liked on her hair earlier in the day and it was pleasing to hear he still liked it. The feeling of his chest rumbling as he chuckled made snuggle a little further down into his arms, her cheeks all flushed from his words. He was so good to her and sometimes she wished she could show him as much as he did her. She slipped her fingers up to his cheek and gave him a kiss before looking back at him. He didn't just love that she was fiery, but that she was kind too. It probably didn't make much sense in Chippeqouti terms why, though she had tried to explain it once to him. Even if he didn't understand it fully, he still loved her for it. Gazing at him for a long moment, she searched over his face, taking him in as much as she could before smiling softly. "I did my best and some how I was rewarded beyond measure with you and the children. Thank you for tonight Illya." It meant more than she had words for in any language and by the time she leaned in for a there was a chime through the city and the first firework popped off into the sky, marking the beginning of the new year.
Kalizda was showering him with love and Illya soaked it in. He was starting to sink a bit further in the tub when the first blast sounded. For a brief second Illya jolted and a little splash of water seeped over the edge of the edge of the tub. "Ooh." Snickering a little at himself he reached for the bottle on the second tray of the table and popped the lid. "Dat's dah new year." Pouring some of the pink sparkling champagne Illya winked at Kalizda. "I got someting dat es high quality. Et es nut dat stuff dat makes yah sick." Handing her the first glass he poured the next for himself. "Happy Birtday to meh wife, meh agreed, meh little bird, meh best friend, meh love." Clinking his glass with hers gently he nodded slightly and took a sip before he set his glass down and then plucked a chocolate off the tray and offered it to Kalizda. "Because I love yah."
He jumped some underneath her when the first fire work boomed, blossoming into the air with bright silver and brilliant blue. At first she was concerned he might not be able to stay out there but rather than retreating, he gave a sheepish snicker and retrieved a bottle of sparkling champagne, popping the top off with ease. He winked as he poured it up and she smiled back, relieved he remembered to get the real stuff and not anything Terran or synthetic. With the glasses poured up, he clinked his against hers wishing her happy birthday and she giggled before taking a sip. "Thank you, love. Happy New Year. May our winds be fair and if they're not...well...we'll fly on them together anyways." The champagne was sweet and fizzy making her nose tingle as Illya offered over a chocolate for her from the tray. These were the delicious ones she'd had with the terran sweet coconut in the middle and some how he had remembered she liked those best. With gentle bite, she took the treat into her mouth and enjoyed the warmth of being close to him as the fire works began in earnest overhead. Relaxing back with her glass, she sipped on her champagne with one hand and massaged his arm wrapped around her waist with the other. On occasion she would tilt her head all the way back and kiss his chin or his jaw, whatever she could reach, and whisper to him that it was because she loved him. She watched the fire works display from the comfort of his arms and the best ones were by far the ones which expanded into pictures. "Oh...that one is a tyrei...." she marveled. She felt a bit like a kid, getting so giddy over something so simple, but Illya seemed to enjoy it too which made it all the better. "And a balloon....oh! That one is a flyer."
As the fireworks continued Kalizda seemed to get more and more excited. Her fingers would tighten on his arm slightly whenever she leaned forward a little to exclaim in her great excitement over the next firework. "Dat one es dah little bird." Pointing to the gold bird in the air Illya grinned. He knew very well it was a falcon, but he liked to say it was the little bird. "Now dis es a good firework show. Yah tink maybe we can celebrate yah birtday like dis again? Dis es good night."
She smiled as the golden falcon flared high over head and then rained down over the cheering crowd. Illya called it a little bird though and his hug tightened over her while he pointed. What was even better was the idea they should do it again next year. He'd had fun coming to the ball with her and wanted to do it again with her, something that made her feel even more excited than before. "Aye, I think we can celebrate it as many times as possible," she told him then she added a bold little wink, "This was the best date we've had yet and it's not over."
"Ef dis es dating den I tink dat I will want tah have many more wit yah." Illya managed to find a way to angle himself so he could kiss her and he snickered a little. "We finish watching dah fireworks and den we go get more food and yah show meh more tings tah do at dis party."
He always made her feel like he couldn't get enough time with her and it sent tiny thrills of joy through her to think he wanted to do something like this again because he enjoyed it. "Aye," she smiled, "I think round two of food and then there are a few things in mind I want to show you."
* * * * * * *
They ventured back into the streets with their masks and costumes on once more feeling even better after some relaxation time. Calysta held his hand and they entered the food line for their second dinner of the night. The table had been changed over from mellow flavors to brightly colored and exotic things from all over the contents. There was brilliantly purple omne cake, stacks of pink bread pudding with thick, sweet sauce. An entire Nyte beast sat roasted on the table and covered in sweet fruit drippings while one of the attendants carved up slice after slice for the streaming line of revelers. Calysta pointed out some of her favorite things and could see her Chip eyeing the nyte beast rump glistening with juice and held up her fingers, asking for a two servings size all for him. This was their night and they were going to enjoy it, food and all.
After dinner, she lead him through the streets to the different booths. Laurels of green with pink flowers were placed on their heads as they walked between the gaming booths. At one point, they passed by one of the gaming booths where someone had the potential to win one of the bigger prizes, a good lump sum to start the new year. All you had to do was run the course, do the the small scavenger hunt and finish the puzzle at the end before returning to your partner. Most people were drunk by this point and Calysta looked up to Illya with a big grin. "I think we could do that. What do you say?" About that time, she saw a familiar face lining up for the race. Commander Adrynt Swyft was standing in a tailcoat jacket and a mask tucked behind his ears. His salt and pepper colored hair stood in stark contrast to his wife's red locks spilling over her shoulders. The man's grey eyes shifted from the person they were having a conversation with to settle on Illya, giving him nod of recognition. His wife noticed who he was looking at and guided him over with her arm linked into his. "Commander Swyft," Calysta nodded as she rubbed Illya's back gently, "It's been awhile."
* * * * * * *
Priscilla enjoyed seeing Sien have fun with the horses, but as time went on it became increasingly obvious that Ehud was not having the same experience. After finding himself tossed off more than once, he had taken to walking along with them. That was probably for the best. If he was uncomfortable with animals, she wished he might have said something before she offered to take them out on the little adventure. She already felt strange given how he had acted the night before and how distant he had been through the day. He wore a distinct frown all the way until the end of tour when he flicked a hesitant smile her way. "I think I could eat," she said amicably as she trailed behind Sien, "Riding always makes me hungry."
They dined at a fast food stand akin to a McDonalds, only a McCheeses served stacked up grilled cheese sandwiches with meat stuffed inside every inch. Cheese was one of her favorite foods and having it grilled on bread was the best and possibly the most comforting thing she'd had in awhile. She ate along side Sien, laughing along with him as he strung cheese between his fingers and his sandwich. Ehud didn't eat and it didn't take much to guess that he didn't feel well. Maybe it was because he had fallen from the horse? His face was pale and she wanted to ask how he was feeling. Was there anything she could do? But she didn't ask at the risk of making him more uncomfortable some how or for some mysterious reason. She kept a safe distance from him by using Sien between them as a buffer and then went to the hotel when they called for the curfew.
It surprised her when Ehud asked her to watch Sien, claiming he needed to go out to regarding the work issue. If he was having work issues that was fine. He still looked stressed out and she would make sure to have dinner waiting for him when he returned. "Of course," she nodded, "I'll order us some dinner in a little while and we'll hang out, huh Sien?" The boy was already piling into her bed and pulling out the deck of cards and offering them over. "Can you show me more of the magic tricks, Priscilla?"
* * * * * * *
A man waited for Ehud outside the hotel lobby door and fell into stride with him as soon as he left. It was the same one from the elevator and he tucked his hand into his pockets. "General," he said casually, "I didn't introduce myself last time, but I will now. I'm Agent Bryant. I'll be your contact here on the colonies when you're here or elsewhere." That was the end of the conversation as he lead the general down the side streets then to a cellar door. He flashed a bracelet near a seemingly innocuous lock and the door clicked open revealing that it was much more than a wooden construct. It was a well sealed steel door with Tannas gas detectors along with metal detector as they entered. Cool, florescent lit hallways waited for them beyond the door and seemed to dig deeper into the hillsides until leveling out into a broader corridor. People either ignored Ehud or gave the pair of men a nod. Finally they arrived a small living quarters which comprised of a couch, a coffee table and beyond in an open room was a large hospital bed surrounded by various types of machinery. A woman in scrubs stood over the frail looking figure occupying the bed and seemed to be changing something on his remaining arm, murmuring to each other.
After a minute, the woman packed up her equipment and rolled a cart out, her eyes not even passing over Ehud. She was far too deep in thought. Agent Bryant nodded to Ehud and gestured for the general to enter the room where the dilapidated form of Harry Kai sat waiting. As soon as the milky eye of the former president met the Chip's his twisted mouth curled slightly into at least some semblance of a smile. "General..... You delivered my message?"
Nodding at the man's answer, Harry hacked up a cough, his form shaking miserably. "Apologies. ....Going out took its toll.... My man on Zkree.... has not reported to me since his last message warning of the.... movement. I'm fairly sure he's been ....compromised. "
A quiet settled between them for a long moment and Harry's wheezing breaths were only made all the more prominent now. Both of them felt a bit strange and as much as he hated to, Harry didn't have time for awkward anymore. "I thought...about what you said...." He paused to cough and his hand shifted over a button designed to give him a dose of pain medication. "Priscilla....she'll be better if...I give her the chance...to let go. If you promise to stay....with her...protect her...as you've said...then bring her to...me." She deserved to know the truth and he wanted to see her one last time before he died. It wouldn't long before he was gone and Priscilla could be better for this man in front of him if she had the chance to say goodbye properly.
She dove into the dance, gripping one woman's hand and then another. Her long skirts were flipped over her wrist, freeing her feet to take on the the lively grapevine move as the circle spun. "Ooh ye have ye'self a bright eyed man there," one of the woman crowed, "Ye lucky woman with a green eyed man. Makes a good lover." Calysta grinned but the blush flashing across her cheeks gave away he truth. He was quite a fine lover and it had little to do with green eyes alone. The women in the circle around her laughed and she joined them, for once feeling like she belonged as one of their number. When they circled back around she caught Illya's eyes and smiled brightly, only to cause him to miss the direction change. He stumbled but recovered quickly for a man who couldn't feel one of his feet and then kept right on dancing into the finale. When they finally made it across from each other, he swooped her up without hesitation. Her feet left the ground as she wrapped her around around his shoulders out of instinct. "Illya!" His name came out a ringing laugh of joy and her head titled back from the spinning. Her Chip had every bit of control over her at the moment and she let him take the lead on the dance floor.
Breathless from their dance, they made their way over to the plate smashing and Calysta giggled while Illya tested out different different ways to throw them. She was able to keep up with Illya fairly well until he challenged her to use the opposite hand, teasing her about not being ambidextrous. It only made her all the more determined. She could fly with both hands, couldn't she? Surely she could throw a plate properly with her right hand too. Licking her lips, she was poised to throw the plate like a Frisbee into the pen area when a warm hand slipped around her, taking away any hopes of concentration. "My naughty Chip," she chuckled before tossing the plate without a care. In the surrounding area there were a few drunk Yurian's smashing the plates over each others heads and guffawing over the sound of the cracking until her wayward plate intervened. It smacked on of the men in the back of his head, shattering on impact and causing a low 'ooh' to echo from the crowd. The man turned on his heels to is buddies with an accusatory look in his eyes and picked up another plate to exact his revenge. Before it could be stopped, a plate smashing war to end all wars was being fought. They tossed plate at each other in a furious flurry, laughing the whole time at the ridiculousness of it all. "Oooh, maybe I should stick to my left hand," she giggled.
Eventually, Illya suggested they ride home in the ancient carriages pulled along by one of Kaereals only mammals. The carriages were all decorated especially for new years and she climbed into the open air cabin, eager to ride through the narrow streets of Kinte. It wasn't a smooth ride like a skimmer or flying would be, but she got to bounce along between kisses with her Chip and that made it perfect.
Calysta paused just inside the doorway and looked around at the dozen candles stacked around the room leading out onto the balcony where the hot tub was already bubbling away over the open sky accompanied by two soft towels and a tray of treats to along side it. Did she like it? Finally, her eyes turned to her Chip, traveling up the length of his waist, to his chest and then to his bright green eyes where she could see the tiny flames reflecting against them. What did she say to this? It was a little overwhelming. He had done all of this for her and wanted to watch the fireworks too. Her eyes widened some as her throat caught with a feeling she had no idea how to express other than to break out into her grandest smile and take up his hand. "It's more than I ever could have imagined," she said. It was cheesy, and she knew it as her cheeks turned pink at such a remark, but it was no less true. Leading him into the room, she wrapped an arm around his waist and stood on her toes to kiss him. It wasn't some simple peck this time, but a deeper kiss until they both needed a little air and then she tugged off her mask which was sitting atop her head. Between each other they managed to undress enough to warrant getting into the tub. They were high up enough no one could see them. Calysta lead him over to the hot water and sank in first before he joined her. The water level rose with such an large body joining the mix and Calysta laughed as the waves sloshed her around, bumping her into side.
The look on Calysta's face was hard to read at first and then she broke into that broad grin that Illya loved. It was the smile that told him she was pleased. At least she wasn't disappointed with the plan. Kalizda grabbed his hand and pulled him along into the room where they shared a gentle kiss and then a more passionate one. The two of them got changed and then Illya slipped off his pants, but left his boxers on. He'd forgot his swimshorts, but the boxers would work just fine. He had extra boxers with. Kalizda scrambled into the hot tub first and Illya walked out to join her. As soon as Illya sank into the water it rose a bit, but not quite over the top. Reaching over Illya pulled the little side table closer to the tub. "We have drinks on dah second level of dah table and snacks on dah top." Grinning at Kalizda he nodded. "Yah want tah come sit wit meh. Rest yah head on meh shoulder and yah closer tah dah snacks and yah get tah watch dah fireworks from better angle. Maybe more comfortable too eh?"
The water was nice and hot while the bubbles felt nice against her back. She was glad that she hadn't worn her hair down and it could stay exactly as it was so long as she didn't dunk her whole head under water. At Illya's proposal, her smile grew even wider, of that was possible, and she floated over to him as he settled into the curvy bench hidden by the frothy water. It didn't take much to find herself with her back pressed against his chest, her head tipped to his shoulder. His thick arm wrapped around her, keeping her close and she helped him reach for what she suspected was a caramel treat from the little table. He had thought of everything. Not only that, but he was going to try watching the fire works with her! She was sure he would have to miss them because they made him understandably uncomfortable and she wasn't about to make him sit alone in a room at the stroke of midnight. They would bring in the new year together, fireworks or not. A giddy giggle escaped her as she plucked up a delicate sweet from the table and offered it to him, holding it at the ready for him to bite. "I think this is definitely more comfortable," she told him, "We'll be able to see the fire works perfectly from here. I'm just glad I'm getting to watch them with you." When he took the bite, nipping at her fingers she chuckled and reached for a small chocolate for herself. "You know, if someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be sitting with my husband ready to watch fireworks at a new years ball, I probably would have laughed and shook my head." The years had been hard won sometimes but for as hard as they could be, she was happier than she had ever been.
Illya felt a spark of pride as Kalizda settled into him and reached for some of the sweets. She did enjoy this and he was proud to be able to offer it to her. "I tink ten years ago dat I would never find anoter woman tah agree wit meh. I dun tink I would have anymore children and dat I would die wit meh people trapped on Quoti. Dis es far better." Pulling Kalizda a little bit closer he moved slightly so he could grab one of the caramels. "Yah know I always like dat yah fiesty woman. Yah see what yah want and yah go get et."
Illya was blunt in his reply but it was no less true and it made her hug him just a little closer as he reached for another treat from the tray table causing the water to slosh against the sides. She chuckled when he called her fiesty. It wasn't the first time she'd heard it from someone but the only one who seemed to like that part about her. Of course she had never quite viewed the last ten years that way. Sometimes it felt like she had tumbled into place here despite what she had done to the contrary. Agreeing to marry Illya had been entirely her choice though and it was something she had never once regretted. "Aye," she laughed lightly as she leaned back into him. "Sometimes I think it's the reason my father started graying so early." She was thinking back to when they first met and she remembered waking up to find him laying her bed, trapping her against the wall with a kitten on his head. "It's how I ended up with Keysha too."
Listening to Kalizda was interesting and she naturally had some thoughts that were slightly shocking. How people could choose not to enjoy the fiesty side of her he didn't understand. "Well, dat was one of dah reasons I tink I want yah so much. Nut all women are made wit so much fire." Turning his head to the side he sniffed her hair. "Mmm...yah smell good." It was impossible not to chuckle some when she mentioned the cat. "Well, ets hard tah say no when et es beautiful woman dat asks and she es in yah eye." It wasn't quite the translation he wanted, but he figured she could make sense of it. "One of meh favorite tings dat I remember about yah es dat yah very patient woman even after all dah wrong dat was done to yah. Meh Kalizda es very beautiful en many ways."
She couldn't help but blush when he said it was one of the reasons her wanted her so much and then told her she smelled good. She had used the vanilla scent he liked on her hair earlier in the day and it was pleasing to hear he still liked it. The feeling of his chest rumbling as he chuckled made snuggle a little further down into his arms, her cheeks all flushed from his words. He was so good to her and sometimes she wished she could show him as much as he did her. She slipped her fingers up to his cheek and gave him a kiss before looking back at him. He didn't just love that she was fiery, but that she was kind too. It probably didn't make much sense in Chippeqouti terms why, though she had tried to explain it once to him. Even if he didn't understand it fully, he still loved her for it. Gazing at him for a long moment, she searched over his face, taking him in as much as she could before smiling softly. "I did my best and some how I was rewarded beyond measure with you and the children. Thank you for tonight Illya." It meant more than she had words for in any language and by the time she leaned in for a there was a chime through the city and the first firework popped off into the sky, marking the beginning of the new year.
Kalizda was showering him with love and Illya soaked it in. He was starting to sink a bit further in the tub when the first blast sounded. For a brief second Illya jolted and a little splash of water seeped over the edge of the edge of the tub. "Ooh." Snickering a little at himself he reached for the bottle on the second tray of the table and popped the lid. "Dat's dah new year." Pouring some of the pink sparkling champagne Illya winked at Kalizda. "I got someting dat es high quality. Et es nut dat stuff dat makes yah sick." Handing her the first glass he poured the next for himself. "Happy Birtday to meh wife, meh agreed, meh little bird, meh best friend, meh love." Clinking his glass with hers gently he nodded slightly and took a sip before he set his glass down and then plucked a chocolate off the tray and offered it to Kalizda. "Because I love yah."
He jumped some underneath her when the first fire work boomed, blossoming into the air with bright silver and brilliant blue. At first she was concerned he might not be able to stay out there but rather than retreating, he gave a sheepish snicker and retrieved a bottle of sparkling champagne, popping the top off with ease. He winked as he poured it up and she smiled back, relieved he remembered to get the real stuff and not anything Terran or synthetic. With the glasses poured up, he clinked his against hers wishing her happy birthday and she giggled before taking a sip. "Thank you, love. Happy New Year. May our winds be fair and if they're not...well...we'll fly on them together anyways." The champagne was sweet and fizzy making her nose tingle as Illya offered over a chocolate for her from the tray. These were the delicious ones she'd had with the terran sweet coconut in the middle and some how he had remembered she liked those best. With gentle bite, she took the treat into her mouth and enjoyed the warmth of being close to him as the fire works began in earnest overhead. Relaxing back with her glass, she sipped on her champagne with one hand and massaged his arm wrapped around her waist with the other. On occasion she would tilt her head all the way back and kiss his chin or his jaw, whatever she could reach, and whisper to him that it was because she loved him. She watched the fire works display from the comfort of his arms and the best ones were by far the ones which expanded into pictures. "Oh...that one is a tyrei...." she marveled. She felt a bit like a kid, getting so giddy over something so simple, but Illya seemed to enjoy it too which made it all the better. "And a balloon....oh! That one is a flyer."
As the fireworks continued Kalizda seemed to get more and more excited. Her fingers would tighten on his arm slightly whenever she leaned forward a little to exclaim in her great excitement over the next firework. "Dat one es dah little bird." Pointing to the gold bird in the air Illya grinned. He knew very well it was a falcon, but he liked to say it was the little bird. "Now dis es a good firework show. Yah tink maybe we can celebrate yah birtday like dis again? Dis es good night."
She smiled as the golden falcon flared high over head and then rained down over the cheering crowd. Illya called it a little bird though and his hug tightened over her while he pointed. What was even better was the idea they should do it again next year. He'd had fun coming to the ball with her and wanted to do it again with her, something that made her feel even more excited than before. "Aye, I think we can celebrate it as many times as possible," she told him then she added a bold little wink, "This was the best date we've had yet and it's not over."
"Ef dis es dating den I tink dat I will want tah have many more wit yah." Illya managed to find a way to angle himself so he could kiss her and he snickered a little. "We finish watching dah fireworks and den we go get more food and yah show meh more tings tah do at dis party."
He always made her feel like he couldn't get enough time with her and it sent tiny thrills of joy through her to think he wanted to do something like this again because he enjoyed it. "Aye," she smiled, "I think round two of food and then there are a few things in mind I want to show you."
* * * * * * *
They ventured back into the streets with their masks and costumes on once more feeling even better after some relaxation time. Calysta held his hand and they entered the food line for their second dinner of the night. The table had been changed over from mellow flavors to brightly colored and exotic things from all over the contents. There was brilliantly purple omne cake, stacks of pink bread pudding with thick, sweet sauce. An entire Nyte beast sat roasted on the table and covered in sweet fruit drippings while one of the attendants carved up slice after slice for the streaming line of revelers. Calysta pointed out some of her favorite things and could see her Chip eyeing the nyte beast rump glistening with juice and held up her fingers, asking for a two servings size all for him. This was their night and they were going to enjoy it, food and all.
After dinner, she lead him through the streets to the different booths. Laurels of green with pink flowers were placed on their heads as they walked between the gaming booths. At one point, they passed by one of the gaming booths where someone had the potential to win one of the bigger prizes, a good lump sum to start the new year. All you had to do was run the course, do the the small scavenger hunt and finish the puzzle at the end before returning to your partner. Most people were drunk by this point and Calysta looked up to Illya with a big grin. "I think we could do that. What do you say?" About that time, she saw a familiar face lining up for the race. Commander Adrynt Swyft was standing in a tailcoat jacket and a mask tucked behind his ears. His salt and pepper colored hair stood in stark contrast to his wife's red locks spilling over her shoulders. The man's grey eyes shifted from the person they were having a conversation with to settle on Illya, giving him nod of recognition. His wife noticed who he was looking at and guided him over with her arm linked into his. "Commander Swyft," Calysta nodded as she rubbed Illya's back gently, "It's been awhile."
* * * * * * *
Priscilla enjoyed seeing Sien have fun with the horses, but as time went on it became increasingly obvious that Ehud was not having the same experience. After finding himself tossed off more than once, he had taken to walking along with them. That was probably for the best. If he was uncomfortable with animals, she wished he might have said something before she offered to take them out on the little adventure. She already felt strange given how he had acted the night before and how distant he had been through the day. He wore a distinct frown all the way until the end of tour when he flicked a hesitant smile her way. "I think I could eat," she said amicably as she trailed behind Sien, "Riding always makes me hungry."
They dined at a fast food stand akin to a McDonalds, only a McCheeses served stacked up grilled cheese sandwiches with meat stuffed inside every inch. Cheese was one of her favorite foods and having it grilled on bread was the best and possibly the most comforting thing she'd had in awhile. She ate along side Sien, laughing along with him as he strung cheese between his fingers and his sandwich. Ehud didn't eat and it didn't take much to guess that he didn't feel well. Maybe it was because he had fallen from the horse? His face was pale and she wanted to ask how he was feeling. Was there anything she could do? But she didn't ask at the risk of making him more uncomfortable some how or for some mysterious reason. She kept a safe distance from him by using Sien between them as a buffer and then went to the hotel when they called for the curfew.
It surprised her when Ehud asked her to watch Sien, claiming he needed to go out to regarding the work issue. If he was having work issues that was fine. He still looked stressed out and she would make sure to have dinner waiting for him when he returned. "Of course," she nodded, "I'll order us some dinner in a little while and we'll hang out, huh Sien?" The boy was already piling into her bed and pulling out the deck of cards and offering them over. "Can you show me more of the magic tricks, Priscilla?"
* * * * * * *
A man waited for Ehud outside the hotel lobby door and fell into stride with him as soon as he left. It was the same one from the elevator and he tucked his hand into his pockets. "General," he said casually, "I didn't introduce myself last time, but I will now. I'm Agent Bryant. I'll be your contact here on the colonies when you're here or elsewhere." That was the end of the conversation as he lead the general down the side streets then to a cellar door. He flashed a bracelet near a seemingly innocuous lock and the door clicked open revealing that it was much more than a wooden construct. It was a well sealed steel door with Tannas gas detectors along with metal detector as they entered. Cool, florescent lit hallways waited for them beyond the door and seemed to dig deeper into the hillsides until leveling out into a broader corridor. People either ignored Ehud or gave the pair of men a nod. Finally they arrived a small living quarters which comprised of a couch, a coffee table and beyond in an open room was a large hospital bed surrounded by various types of machinery. A woman in scrubs stood over the frail looking figure occupying the bed and seemed to be changing something on his remaining arm, murmuring to each other.
After a minute, the woman packed up her equipment and rolled a cart out, her eyes not even passing over Ehud. She was far too deep in thought. Agent Bryant nodded to Ehud and gestured for the general to enter the room where the dilapidated form of Harry Kai sat waiting. As soon as the milky eye of the former president met the Chip's his twisted mouth curled slightly into at least some semblance of a smile. "General..... You delivered my message?"
Nodding at the man's answer, Harry hacked up a cough, his form shaking miserably. "Apologies. ....Going out took its toll.... My man on Zkree.... has not reported to me since his last message warning of the.... movement. I'm fairly sure he's been ....compromised. "
A quiet settled between them for a long moment and Harry's wheezing breaths were only made all the more prominent now. Both of them felt a bit strange and as much as he hated to, Harry didn't have time for awkward anymore. "I thought...about what you said...." He paused to cough and his hand shifted over a button designed to give him a dose of pain medication. "Priscilla....she'll be better if...I give her the chance...to let go. If you promise to stay....with her...protect her...as you've said...then bring her to...me." She deserved to know the truth and he wanted to see her one last time before he died. It wouldn't long before he was gone and Priscilla could be better for this man in front of him if she had the chance to say goodbye properly.
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