Thread: The Scarlet Crossing (DeliciousLust & darjeeling)

Aurelia shrugged at Mariko. Its useful. Staying up, waking up coffee has its uses. She would never admit it, but on some occasions when she knew she was to walk her way to the Scarlet Crossing to visit the bakemono, she would down three cups of strong coffee to keep herself awake. She also enjoyed some types of coffee liqueur but though she could truthfully say that she had never gotten drunk before any of her visits. She found Mariko to be potent enough to intoxicate the redhead to the point of awkward stupidity. Of course, that was also something else she would be hard-pressed in saying aloud. The phrasing of the others assumption did give her pause however. You look like a coffee girl , Aurelia repeated in her thoughts. What else, she wondered but not for the first time, did she look like to the exotic monster who dwelt in a lust-filled den beneath the ground, surrounded and worshiped by men and women alike? It seemed almost surreal that Mariko would take interest in her, and it was a fact that she dared not to question as if the bakemono would suddenly see the error in her ways, turn tail and vanish, leaving nothing more but that fleeting scent Aurelia had come to memorize. It might suit you, she repeated, seemingly caring not for the gender of the animal in question nor about for the peacocks supposed overtly bright coloration. Aurelia wanted to explain herself Mariko was surrounded by males much of the time either way, the tails would represent them and the bird itself with its vibrant, azure blue feathers would be the reptilian girl herself. But she thought that might be too much on her part, not to mention it would imply much of which the redhead did not want any part of. As she drew herself from her reverie, she realized that the topic had moved on without her so she hurried to catch up, though upon doing so, stumbled and blushed once again at Marikos audacious verbiage. Aurelia was finding it difficult to reply, the somewhat vague images doing wonders on her skin as she struggled to take hold of a sentence that sounded even remotely educated. That sounds a little painful. She finally said, blinking and turning away. Even when her monster companion suggested that she get one as well, Aurelia was well on her way to winning a staring competition against the window of an office building in front of her. Ive thought about getting one in the past. She replied, finally blinking when she felt the sting of tears emerge. Not an owl, the grin was lost on her but Aurelia did smile. Maybe a woodpecker? She didnt know what possessed her to mention that, but found, strangely enough, that she did not regret it as a light laugh escaped her. The idea of sauntering into a tattoo parlour with a bakemono wrapped around her arm was oddly amusing at the same time, it filled the human girl with a sense of pride, even if it was all imagination and proposition. Mariko wasnt a trophy, of that she knew, but it was normal to want to let the whole world know that something so special belonged to them even if Aurelia really owned as much as a pair of socks and a signed vintage CD. Suddenly feeling rather foolish for even entertaining the thought, she shook her head. But I dont really like birds. She finished off, sounding a little dourer than she had a second ago. It wouldnt be hard to hear it Aurelia only hoped that the scarf she was currently putting a lot of faith in was doing its job in muffling her voice enough. Mariko was intensely perceptive, something she was rather amazed at though not at all shocked. It was just another little thing that made Aurelia want to down another cup of coffee. It had taken a good five minutes for Aurelia to feel discomforted by the stares, but was made slightly better by the fact that they werent really being thrown at her, only at her general direction. It was strange to think that and at the same time, she offered Mariko a look of apology before realizing that she didnt need to. The bakemono was used to this, as much as Aurelia was, yet Mariko looked to be handling it far better than the redhead ever could. She felt the shrug shift against the fabric of her shirt, only heightening her awareness of how close the other was to her. A thought hit her quickly and just as unrelated. Do you eat human meat? She blurted out, realizing yet again that it could have been misinterpreted. I mean human prepared meat. Beef, chicken cooked? Raw? She was fumbling now, as one with shaky hands might with a candle and lighter, except she was certain she had lit herself on fire. As the bakemono continued, Aurelia was setting her own sentences in order, except they tumbled out in a mess and mass of vowels and sounds. Theres a kebab place around here, they skewer the meat. I dont think they sell raw stuff, unless you like fish. They dont sell coffee there though, but I think theres a place over there She was tugging the girl forward, eying any tables that might be available and far away enough from the general drone of conversation. Spying one, she surged onwards without pause like a girl on a mission. I think this is quiet enough. You can talk enough if you want. I mean, I want you to talk. I mean, if you want Aurelia finally pulled away from the bakemono and plopped herself into a plastic chair before burying her face in her hands. Gods, why was she so awkward!? And stupid. Definitely stupid. Im sorry. She sighed, rubbing her palms across her cheeks. What I meant was Id really like to talk to you. As you are. The redhead loosened her scarf and smiled, her unpainted lips curving in a genuine look of appreciation for the others company as she gestured for the other to take the seat opposite her. The table was situated relatively close to the back of the food-court, near the wall and somewhat out of the general eye of the walkway and lining of shops. The kebabs are really nice here.