In the Heart of the Sea

**Date Started:** May 18th, 2022
 **Date Completed**: TBA
**Previous Role-Play** None
**Next Role-Play:** TBA
**Users Involved:** User:Blackdagger01 & User:HoloArc
**Setting:** Ogonsekai
**Characters Involved:** Vivian Fiore, Delilah Basil, Minerva Fiore.

Outside the window she could see up above them, the darkwater that made up the sky of their city. Thousands of lights seeming to imitate the night sky on the surface. With the fire of the hearth at her back the Raven-haired woman let out a quiet yawn as she turned the page of her book, paying no mind to the table set out before her. On said table was laid out a feast of great magnitude, seafood of all shapes and sizes from large legs of the nearly dog sized crab that walked the sea floor to the broiled meat of salmon, and even several plates of mussels. The entire meal gave the room a fishy smell though no one seemed to mind. Despite the feast, Vivian did not eat a single bite, rather engrossed in whatever story she was reading but that wasn't why she'd elected not to eat. Rather, it was because she was awaiting a guest. Not friend, business partner, or even family. Rather, she awaited the arrival of the man who was soon to be her husband.

Yes, indeed, her betrothed, the one who would take her hand in marriage not out of love but for political standing just like most of her siblings before her now that she was of marrying age she would help further the family by marrying someone of an equal or greater house than their own. She'd always known the day would come and she'd accepted that for her family though the idea of having another around she did not know frustrated her to no end. *"I hope he isn't dim. So many of the noble families have such dim sons who rely on nothing but their family name to get by."* Her mind wandered away from her story as she let out a sigh, looking at her watching and seeing that the time for meeting was soon approaching.

*"I suppose, if he is I could always..."* She shook the thought from her head, mad at herself for thinking such a thought though it wasn't as if that wasn't how she'd been taught to think, to feel, to solve her problems. Still, the point of the marriage was political, if she up and wiped the man from existence there'd be no marriage and no benefit to her family. She'd asked her eldest sister how to handle such feelings and had been told to give it a chance, that they would learn to love one another. *"Minerva has always seemed happy in her marriage, maybe she's right? Perhaps one truly could learn to love another in these circumstances."*

The purple haired woman traversed the floors of the Fiore mansion, feeling completely nervous as she was guided down the halls by a servant. It all felt so unnerving to be between the walls of a notorious family of sketchy backgrounds. She was constantly wondering when and if an attack was coming her way. Slithering across the floor, her upper body clad in a dress which left a lot of space for her cleavage to be seen, as had been encouraged by her family. Classy and nice, but still distinctly meant to come across as physically appealing. Her purple hair that reached down to her chin with the exception for two locks of hair which reached her collar bone. She wore a blindfold to keep her eyes hidden, yet even so, she was able to perceive her surroundings thanks to reading vibrations and heat waves. Her scales of her snake-half were purple with a cyan-green belly, reddening as they reached upwards towards her human half, and with pink feathers at the end of her tail. Her hands were avian-like with feathers at her wrists and and lower arms, along with elongated finger nails, almost a bit claw-like.

When the servant stopped before a door, her heart raced to a million beats a second. As the door opened up, she swallowed her nervousness before slithering inside. Within the confines of the room, she felt the heat and outline of a variety of edible items. A feast indeed. And across the room she saw a woman. An attendant? A family member to see how the meeting went? An assassin? She didn't know, and she was scared to ask. Slithering up, she curtsied gently before speaking. "Greetings! I am pleased to be allowed into the Fiore abode. My name is Delilah Basil. Who might you be?"

Vivian looked up from her book as the woman entered though she gave her little thought at first, knowing no one who wasn't supposed to be here wouldn't have made it this far into the manor, had she made a wrong turn somewhere someone would be along shortly to fetch her. However, at her loud declaration of 'greetings' the woman nearly dropped her book in shock of the sudden loud noise being made over the crackling of the fire. Closing her book with a loud thud as she threw it down onto the table she stood from her seat with a furrowed brow.

"What is the meaning of this?! I'm awaiting a very important meeting right now, where did you slither in from? Who are you here to see?" Vivian asked with frustration in her voice, perhaps taking a bit more frustration out on the woman than was really necessary, perhaps some of her own bottled up anger rising to the surface at this first sign of annoyance. She checked her watch to see the time for the meeting to begin had passed a few minutes ago, her eyes drifting to the door only to furrow more as any sign of her betrothed was nowhere to be found. "Bastard can't even be here on time. Worthless, the whole lot of them." She spoke under her breath before turning to the snake woman again. "Unless you're some envoy here to explain the tardiness of my betrothed?" She all but stomped her feet, almost like a child on the verge of starting a tantrum.

Delilah was taken aback, flinching for a moment as the woman lashed out at her. She considered turning tail and leaving, only to remember what father had taught her all her life. She was not just gonna accept this verbal lashing from some nobody.

"Who are you to talk to me in such a manner?" Delilah retaliated. She was still afraid, but it needed to be done. "I am Delilah Basil of the noble Basil family. A family approaching a seat on the coral enclave, and I am here on business with the Fiore family to find my bethrothed. Now, I would ask, no, I demand an apology for lashing out in such a manner before he arrives. Or maybe I should inform my elders that the deal with House Fiore is off the table." She proclaimed. She then looked towards the woman, mouth curling in discontent.

"What are you on about? I'm the only member of the Fiore family scheduled to marry anytime soon and I'm awaiting to meet my bethrothed here. You must be out of your..." Vivian's speech was brought to a slow halt as her mind processed everything. "Mind," She finished before falling back into her chair again. "A member of the Basil family? That can't be right. It makes no sense..." She began to think outloud, brining a finger to her lips in thought before looking back up at the woman. "You don't think..? No, it couldn't possibly be..." Vivian continued to think aloud before leaning back in her chair and letting out a sigh. "Do you think we're here to meet each other?" She asked the woman, a soft and almost tired tone to her voice.

"I'm Vivian Fiore, fourth youngest of the Fiore family's nine siblings, and I'm here today to meet the member of the Basil family I am bethrothed to." She introduced herself and her reason for being there with a tone of disbelief in her voice.

Delilah showed the same confusion at first, only to come to the same unsettling realization that this Vivian was having. When Vivan finished her words, the Vart'hya slithered up to a nearby seat, placing her hand on it as if to steady herself. "It... Sure does seem to line up, doesn't it?" She replied softly, phrasing it very much like a question. "As I said, I am Delilah Basil. A, uh, pleasure to meet you, ms Fiore. I... I am not quite what you expected, huh?" She trailed off, feeling a bit more at ease to see how unprepared the woman opposite of her was as well. "I don't exactly blame you if so. Certain aspects of me can be... Less than appealing to some... So a Fiore and a Basil... Alone in a dining hall which we both have been told to be... Seems like... Seems like we are the ones meant to marry." She said, hesitance in her voice, but whether that was because of concern or just the surprise was anyones guess.

Vivian adjusted the tie around her neck, loosening it and taking in a deeper breath before giving the woman a once over. She was indeed different, she'd never before seen even a Vart'hya with a tail in place of legs, but in a way she was relieved even if such a feeling was getting ahead of herself. *"At least it isn't a man."* was the first thought that crossed her mind as the both of them came to the realization that they were most likely the two meant to marry. Reaching over she took a glass into her hand before sipping at its contents to recompose herself for a moment.

"The pleasure is mine, Delilah. I apologize for my earlier rudeness, it seems that neither of us is what the other was expecting. All the same, starting things off by apologizing for these 'aspects' of yourself leaves a bad first impression. Either way, it appears you are correct, we are to be married. Part of me is a bit relieved, truthfully. I'd half expected some Oaf of a nobleman's son to appear before me. That said, the way things are tell me that this marriage is purely political." Vivan began to state the facts of their situation casually, being blunt about the roles they were being made to play.

Vivian motioned for the woman to take a seat, "Please, be seated if you can. If you cannot I can call for something else to be brought out, a pillow for your lower half to rest upon perhaps?" She asked, finding herself in the awkward position of not even fully understanding how the one she was meant to marry might even sit. All the same, the body of her bethrothed did indeed explain why her family had taken over her home to make certain rennovations to it as things like the bath and bedroom would no doubt need to be refitted and resized to accomodate the woman before her.

The serpentine woman nodded at her offer to take a seat. "No, don't worry, I'll make do." She said as she lowered herself to sit in one of the chairs. She seemed indeed capable of sitting, but her tail made for a very long bit of her body just splayed out. Which was the point to her next move. Her tail began to encircle her chair until she had it coiled and she was comfortably seated. "I am not apologizing for any of the sort. I merely remarked that my appearance was probably just not what you expected. I am in no interest of giving excuses to my looks." She said with confidence. Sitting in a bit of a silence for a while, Delilah continued. "But it is as you say, this marriage is just something that sits well with both our families. Something that will benefit the two." She said equally bluntly. "But for whatever that is worth... At least I get to marry someone with a good head on her shoulders. Beautiful to boot, as it would seem."

Vivian was unamused by the compliment. Had she simply complimented her appearance she could take it in stride but for the girl compliment her character when the two had not only just met but gotten off on the wrong terms she couldn't help but take both compliments as anything other than pure flattery. However, this was not the time to call out this or that, she was to make nice with this woman after all. "Why, yes, thank you. I'd be remiss to say that I could not find the same in you. I assume if you're paying such compliments that the fact that I am a woman does not bother you. I have no qualms with marrying a woman, in fact, I prefer women myself. I find them more attractive than I do their male counterpart, often cleaner, smell nicer as well." She remarked before reaching forward and grabbing hold of one of the giant crab legs and placing it onto her plate, with a quick motion she snapped the shell of the leg with ease to reveal the steaming meat inside. "Please, do enjoy dinner, it was made for us after all. Let us use this time to get to know each other better. As apology for my earlier ill manners I'll allow you to lay out your curiosities first. What might you like to know?"

The snake woman nodded, turning to whif the air at the multitudes of scents from all manner of food and beverages. Taking a plate she gently put on a crab leg, some sallad, and a large piece of salmon, along with several other assortments. She followed suit with the woman by cracking the shell to reach the juicy meat. Taking a bite, she almost moaned sweetly at the taste, only hampering herself soon after to not seem indignified. Clearing her throat, she spoke up: "My compliments to the chef. They sure seem to know how to make good food. As to your first remark, no, I have no qualms in marrying a woman either. I find both of the sexes attractive for various reasons. And in regards to any questions... I suppose I can start simple: What are your hobbies? Always good to know if there is anything we can bond over later, yes?"

"Indeed." Vivian responded, taking a moment to think before she cleared her throat and answered her question. "My hobbies include things such as reading, calligraphy, collecting weapons and firearms from different nations, yoga, brain teasers, puzzles, games such as pool, air hockey, and skeeball, and martial arts. Do any of those happen to cross over with any of your own interests?"

"Hm. Interesting hobbies. I will admit to a certain interest in yoga, more so one of curiosity, as I have never had the opportunity to practice it. In part because I haven't found any good positions which aligns with me, and in part because my mother was always more intent on me learning the theory and practicality of being a wife of nobility. I like puzzles, reading all manner of literature as well. The rest? Again, an interest of curiosity. I was always forbidden to partake in 'rougher' activities, but I'd love to try if you'd show me the ropes. I love arts as well, so I guess calligraphy might apply? I just don't get to practice it much. 'Too passionate', she says."

"She sounds rather boring, I suppose I should be glad those traits didn't stick if you truly are interested in such things. I don't know what one might mean by 'wife of nobility' persay, a submissive thing for pleasure and procreation perhaps? You needn't worry about such things if we are to wed. I don't have much interest in on and as two woman we are incapable of the other. The servants will take care of cooking and cleaning so unless you intend to have some sort of job then you should have all the free time you'd like to partake in whatever you find interesting." Vivian explained to the woman, finding it rather frustrating that the girl had been raised as little more than a pawn to be married off.

Slurping down a mussel she chewed slowly before washing it down with a sip from her glass, "If you so desire it I don't mind trying to help you put your curiosity to rest when I have the time. It would be for the best that we find something to do together as we'll be spending quite a bit of time in each other's company from here on out. I would much rather that time be spent enjoying ourselves rather than not being able to stand one another." She spoke as though their relationship was a business dealing, and in many ways she was not wrong, it wasn't as though they really had much say in how this would work out. Sure, they could voice their dissatisfaction but it would fall on deaf ears.

"I do have a question, do please answer as honestly as possible if you would." Vivian leaned forward to rest her chin on the back of her hand. "Which do you perfer? The town mouse or the country mouse?" She asked, pausing a moment to gauge the woman's reaction to the question before continuing. "You see, the town mouse gets to live a life tasting all the wonderful food of the city but lives in constant danger. The country mouse in comparison lives a life of relative safety and comfort but doesn't get to taste all the delicious food of the city. Which would you prefer?"

Delilah blushed quite a bit at the mention of what she had been raised to be. She knew she was right, spot on even, but it didn't make it less embarrasing and humiliating to have put into words. "Y-Yes. Quite. Such... things, is basically what I had to look forward to. I don't mind so much either, but to be all but forced to it was always scary to me. I'm glad to hear you will grant me more liberty than such, even if it is for more personally obvious reasons." She spoke, feeling a bit tense to have already delved into the topic of intercourse, even if it was in passing and wasn't explicitly said or delved into.

She gave the woman a curious look when she proposed the question of the mouse. Or rather, a quizzical and confused one. As she elaborated and explained her reason and purpose of the question, she leaned back with a big piece of crab meat, pondering it for a good while before giving her reply. "Hard to say, as I have only ever experienced one, but I think I'd like the town mouse more. Yes, it is scarier and more dangerous, but doesn't that make the wonder of the meals and experiences all the sweeter? Besides, what good is it to have a life if you can't actually live it?" She suggested, not sure if it was a good explanation or not.

Vivian nodded her head, giving no indication if she was satisfied with Delilah's answer or not as she leaned back to sit upright in her chair again. "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, that wasn't my intention. I'd thought it would be a comforting thing to hear as I myself shared similar worries as regards to what purpose I would hold in this relationship. I was not raised to hold such submissive characteristics and thus, I worry I would not fit into such a role even were it placed upon me." She apologized with an exaggerated shrug before continuing on their meal, finishing up one of the legs before she tilted her head as though noticing something for the first time.

"Is that some sort of blindfold or is it a visor? If it is the former I might take a bit offense to your earlier compliment, beauty in the eyes of the blind? I think not."

"Such a life isn't for everyone." the snake woman said, trying to play off what she had just said, indeed having been raised to be a humbled housewife. She was meant to be submissive. "You didn't make me uncomfortable. I was just a bit confused. Never really having been posed with such a question before. At least from another person. Books have taught me a thing or two about similar topics." She said with a bit of a smile.

Delilah almost choked on her salmon at the question of her eyewear. Processing the question, she scrambled to recompose herself. It was not the question of the headband in itself, but rather what followed next: about how she might just feel offended. Taking a deep breath, moving to save the situation, she spoke up, voice a bit raspier from the salmon than before. "Forgive me... Salmon. It... It is a blindfold. My eyes are very perceptive and attentive to movements and lights. Especially lights. They are rather... unique. Both in appearance and how I react to what I see." She explained softly, hoping that she was doing a good job so far. "But I am far from blind. Even now, I can see most things. The vibrations, the heat you emit, the smells... I can read most of you and get a feel of how you look. I can see your contures and shape of your body. Granted, it does not allow me to perceive the coloration of your clothes, eyes, hair and so forth, but it gives me a good idea." She explained softly, wringing her hands. "I didn't mean to come off as rude or shallow. I was just trying to point out something that could be perceived as positive."

Vivian crossed her arms, the way the woman had described it sounded almost invasive... However, seeing how nervous the woman seemed to be she waved a hand as though by that command alone she could wipe away those feelings from her bethrothed. "You didn't worry, the possibility of offense was a jest. All the same, I have to admit the way you described it sounds rather... What's the word I'm looking for, I'd rather not offend. Off putting? Perhaps that works? Anyway, I suppose that has something to do with your snake-like features. If my understanding of the creatures is sufficent that is." She explained, hoping to put the woman at ease.

"My hair is raven and my eyes are crimson, I have pale skin and beauty mark directly under my left eye. If any of that helps you get a better sense of who you are to marry looks like." She described herself with her most stand out characteristics to give the woman a vague imagination of what she might look like paired with what she could percieve.

Delilah nodded. "Off putting? I can see that. People usually have such reactions to me. Whether by traits or appearance." She said stoicly. As stated before, she was not about to apologize for how other people reacted to her. "But thank you for the color references. Helps me get a better idea." She spoke, feeling discomfort as it felt as if she was botching everything. She had prepared to face a man and to play up her feminine wiles and entertain the man however was neceassary. This was quite different. "How about you? Got any more questions for me? The mouse was an interesting analogy, but is there anything else you'd like to know?"

She looked at the woman for a moment before she leaned forward and rested her chin in her palm. Frankly, she'd hoped the girl would speak up and maybe share what she wanted to share over what was asked of her. But given what she's said of her upbringing Vivian wasn't surprised to see her act like this, she seemed so strong willed when it came to not fussing over her appearance and speaking up without being spoken to seemed a bit more difficult for the girl. "Well, you asked me of my hobbies so how about your own? Anything beyond what I said that interests you? If that isn't the case, then perhaps tell me about the things you want to tell me about, things you enjoy, your favorite color, season, so on." She asked, partly in impatiance and partly to help the girl escape her shell a bit more. If she had to make the girl forget everything she had been taught then so be it.

"Well... When my family haven't been looking over my shoulder, I have done the odd painting and drawing. I love contributing to the world of art, even if they may never be seen by anyone else. I do realize I am a bit boring in my hobbies as I don't have many beyond that which I haven't already detailed, but I would love to try more things. I do love the idea of winter. It seems to beautiful. The white blankets across the fields and plains. The crystaline treetops and the snowball wars... It just sounds like such a beautiful and good time. My favorite color is purple as, well," She jokingly said as she gestured to her hair and tail. "You might be able to tell." She said with a half-hearted giggle. "I also enjoy that treat from Lubbock! What's it called again... It was refered to as some sort of cake. It was a long time ago now. A paper thin cake with whipped cream and jam. It was wonderful. Kind of got to my hips though, my family used to say. Considering I was meant to carry children one day, I can't quite tell if that was a compliment or not these days."

"Crepes perhaps?" Vivan responded to the woman's inability to recall the name of the food item she enjoyed, "And purple is indeed a pretty color." She added on, paying compliment to the woman and showing interest in her likes to kill two birds with one stone. However, among all she had said, it was the point that the woman had dismissed that she'd found the most interesting. "Perhaps some day you can show me this art that you create? I have little interest in the way of making art myself but I do enjoy observing it and its eccentricities." She explained, tilting her head a bit, somewhat disapointed that she did not have any on hand. Though, perhaps it would be unfair to think she otherwise would. After all, she'd expected to be meeting a man. Her clothing and the way it highlighted her physical features showed plainly exactly how she'd intended to impress her bethrothed. Vivian found such a tactic lazy if not understandable and had Delilah indeed met a man here perhaps such a tactic would have worked. But Vivian wanted more, to see more of the woman she would marry. But maybe she expected too much of the woman during their first meeting. Dolling oneself up was easy, appealing to the mind of a woman you'd only just met is much harder. Thinking about it, Vivan decided that maybe she should throw the woman a bone?

"I cannot for certain say if your parents meant to compliment you or not at such a time but I can say that, in my own opinion, you do have marvelous hips." Vivian tried to better appeal to what Delilah had prepared for, paying compliment to the effort she'd taken in looking as good as she did.

Delilah got a visible blush on her face at the compliment of her hips. She had reaccustomed herself to the idea that there wouldn't be much in terms of physical talks and expressions of such a nature. Now she threw that remark at her, and the blush crept up. brusing a strand of hair behind her ear, she smiled. "Thank you... And yes, I would be happy to show you my works when we have the time. My mother can't exactly reprimand me for it when my bethrothed herself asks to see it!" She said, feeling rather excited at the end, something her tone betrayed, to which she cast her excitement low again. Bowing her head to the woman, she said, "Pardon me. The idea of sharing my work after so many years got me a bit too excited." She said with a restrained, yet pleased, sigh. "I hope I can offer more in the times to come beyond voluptous shapes and drawings. I hope I can bring something of value to your life. I hope we can grow to like each other."

"Perhaps. I don't believe it to be impossible. I believe this meeting, all things considered, has gone well enough." She responded, pursing her lips for a moment as she thought before smacking them together with a quiet exhale that didn't quite qualify as a sigh. "Yes, if you continue to be interesting I might indeed find a place in my heart for you as my sister said. And if not? Well, I suppose there isn't much we can do about it either way now is there?" She continued, a certain coldness to her tone, so casually speaking about spending the rest of ther lives together even if they could not stand one another.

The woman checked her watched, eyes narrowing as she saw the time. "The rennovations to my home will be completed tomorrow, your things will be brought there in the morning. Be sure to bring your art with you, I'd like to see it after we've explored the aftermath of whatever has been done to my home to accommodate your physiology." She continued, her fingers counting down from them after she'd finished, the moment her final finger fell did her eyes fall upon the door to the dining room. As if on command there was a knock at the door, one Vivian seemed to expect.

"Enter!" She responded to the sound before returning her gaze to Delilah. "My elder brother. We have business to take care of today."

"You're free to return home or remain here. If you chose the latter, the servants will see to your wishes. It has been nice to meet you, Miss Basil. You are among the more pleasent outcomes I could have hoped for." She finished before the door began to creak open.

Delilah nodded softly to that. "I understand. I'll just finish up my meal and I'll be out of everyone's hair. Thank you for your time, Lady Fiore." She spoke before proceeding to finish up, not wanting to be rude and leave her plate half-finished. As Vivian took her leave, Delilah allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. There was clearly much that needed to be done and improved personally, but that would come later. For now, she just enjoyed the food as she tried to still her nerves.

"Enjoyed your time in there?" Gallant asked slyly as Vivian stepped out of the room, an attempt at a passive look on his face. And failing completely at it. He looked as if in absolute glee at the prospect of his sister being thrown out of whack with what happened. "She live up to your expectation? Could you restrain yourself?" He asked with a grin, giving up on being coy about it.

Standing next to the man she looked at him from the side, her eyes not carrying any emotion or reaction to his comments or taunts. "I don't know what you mean. However, I suppose I can say with confidence that I was not completely disappointed by the meeting. I am glad that things did not meet my worst expectations, not that you would remember if they had." Her monotone voice not matching the darkness of such a statement that only on who was aware of her abilities would understand the context of.

"Ah, and thank you for arriving on time. I do hate tardiness greatly." She continued as she reset her tie to its tightened state now that they were about to begin conducting busniess. "What do we have to look forward to this time?"

He shrugged. "Some punk in the lower wards. I don't care much about the details of his crimes or deeds." He said, thrusting a collection of notes into Vivian's arms. "He has caused some manner of ruckus for the higherups though, it seems. He needs to go." He said, not explaining it further than that. As they wandered onwards, he left her to be reading it at her own pace.

Vivian looked through the notes that had been thrusted into her hands, reading over them caring little for the details that did not concern them. "I see, we're to handle the matter at our own discretion. For his sake, I hope he has to money or perhaps that would be the worst outcome for him?" She folded up the notes and stuffed them into the inner pocket of her suit jacket. Letting out a sigh, she continued alongside her elder brother.

## In the Depths of Darkness

Though the dark waves far above their heads would suggest it was night time the city did not seem to care one bit. Much like the city seemed to care little for logic or the rules of nature, having been built beneath the ocean, but it also cared not for the distinction between the time for waking and for sleeping as the streets still bustled with all manner of activity. The coral pillars topped with bioluminescent flora lit the streets with a warm orange glow that barely contrasted with the light of the sun that shined through the water in the day time. The two walked through the crowd that minded them just as much as they minded it, which was little. Moving out of the more populated and richer district of the city they found themselves among the 'slums' as they were often referred to by the residence of the city despite the inhabitants still being far better off than many on the surface. Still, in the light of all the grand indulgence of the finer districts one could indeed call this a slum in comparison. Tall apartment complexes were found on both sides of the streets stretching up into the air several stories tall. Neither needed to remember the address as they'd memorized it already, they only needed to make the climb.

And climb they did, up several flights of twisting stairs that one might have worried were endless had they found themselves suddenly appearing on them. But to the two they were simply part of the trip. Upon arriving at the floor their neerdowell lived on they exchanged a glance before proceeding, walking up to the door and checking the address to confirm it was indeed the residence their client had specified. The lights were off according to what she could see from the window, meaning the resident was either sleeping, not home, or most likely, hiding. She raised a fist and pounded upon the door, waiting a minute before repeating the process once again. When no one came to answer she looked to her elder brother, "Would you do the honors?" She motioned toward the door, stepping back to give him some room.

He smiled wickedly at the proposition. With a swift motion of his hands, he crafted a hammer which he swung down upon the handle, breaking it open in one swift motion. Stepping inside to the scream of its occupants, Gallant sighed. "More than just one punk, huh? Pity. I had hoped no one would have to see." He shrugged, seeming a bit disinterested despite sounding concerned. As the two of them entered inside, they found a man standing a bit taller, though clear that he had been hiding for a while before now. Behind him cowered a woman and a child. "Well! This is a bit of a complication you've found yourself in, isn't it?" He mocked.

"P-Please, just leave them alone. They are innocent." He pleaded for them.

"Family are not except from their head's crimes." He said, brushing past him, a shiver running down the man's spine as life trickled out of him. "Now. To business then." He said as he nodded towards Vivian. "You've angered the wrong people. Gotta do something about it."

Vivian paid them no mind, not to man, woman or child. With hands in her pockets she seemed to survey the dwelling as though looking for something. "You're past due for your debt payment. Way past due in fact. You understand the implications of that, yes?" She spoke without looking at the man, not even giving him a second to answer before she continued. "To accept a loan from someone with the intention to pay it back is a contract of trust and good faith. To violate that trust is an egregious act of betrayal, how can we expect a society to function, especially one such Ogon's, if people cannot trust one another? It's for that reason people like us exist. In a way I should be thankful that scum like you exists and yet I'm to deal with you all the same." She continued on, letting out a loud sigh before she turned to face the man. "The money? All of it."

"I don't have it. I'm doing my best, I told them I'd have it in the next few weeks. They told me that was fine, I swear!" The man pleaded but Vivian knew a lie when she heard one not that one needed such a skill when the lie was so poorly told.

She shook her head, her raven locks moving from side to side with it. "That's wrong, we were sent here by the people you owe money to. If you were given an extension, if they trusted you to keep your word, we would not be here." She moved past the man to look around the home, moving into the bedroom and then to the closet. Throwing open the double doors she found what she was looking for, a safe, but not just a safe, but many suitcases, luggages, as if someone were planning a trip. Pointing her finger down upon the lock of the safe it seemed to vanish as if it had never existed in the first place leaving behind a hole in the metal. The absence of the lock saw the safe swing open to reveal it was indeed stuffed with many coins and jewels. "Just as I'd suspected."

Returning to the living room where the scared family remained with her brother watching over them she nodded to him. "It seems they intended to flee. Such a foolish endevour and above all, a deadly one." She explained with a scoff and a shake of her head before she turned her attention back to the man. "What did you think would happen? You would flee the city and live happily ever after somewhere in the countryside? Fairytales, the whole lot of it. Bleh."

"You're wrong, it isn't like that, I swear! We were going to pay them back. I just wanted to get my family out of here first, somewhere safe away from here." The man continued to plead and make excuses for this and that but Vivian was having none of it.

"Gallant, do you hear that? A corpse is talking." She exhaled from her nose in amusement before with a swift motion of her hand to point at the man the entire top half of his body disappeared leaving nothing more than a pelvis and pair of legs that crumbled to the ground before the remaining residents began to scream a wailing scream.

Ignoring their cries she turned back to her brother before motioning toward the bedroom. "The money is in there. It looks like enough to cover what he owes and for their sakes I hope it is. Collect the money and be done with it or take them as well just in case it isn't? The mother likely isn't worth much now that she's had a child but the kid might sell well on the right market, they always do." She spoke with a tone as casual as asking what they should have for dinner.

"I house no particular love for them. Nor for their coming plights. But let us remember how we manage to avoid scrutiny so far. We know what battles to pick. Plucking a woman and child like this with so many witnesses won't sell well as slaves." He said as he dismantled his weapon and nodded to the side, telling her that it was time to leave. As they left the home, he spoke back to her in a more proud and louder tone; "But let's keep an eye on that until everything is settled. Could maybe use a new sleeve for a few coins." He said with a grim tone.

"Yes, I suppose it would be a pain to lug them around anyhow. It isn't as though the guards could simply ignore us if they were kicking and screaming the entire time, they don't have anywhere to run to either." She said as they began to make their way down the stairs past the people who'd heard the commotion but dare not look the two in the eyes, the raven haired woman reaching into her pocket to pull out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter before noticing a small bloodstain on her white button up. She rolled her eyes as she placed one of the sticks between her lips before offering one to her brother. Using her hand to pop the other one out of her mouth for a moment she looked to him. "Tell me, Gallant, which would you prefer? The town mouse or the country mouse?"

"City mouse." he said without hesitation. "What fun is there with a lack of chases and adventure? Living on the edge is what makes life worth living." He said cheerfully. "Country life means nothing. A concept I'm sure you girls understands as well." He said with a cheeky grin, clearly insinutating that he had overheard something.

Vivian stared blankly at her brother as she lit her cigarette, taking a long drag from it as they walked down the stairs before exhaling a thick stream of smoke in a sigh. *"Then why do we all act like country mice?"* She thought as she looked out over what they could see of the city from so high up.

## A Shred of Light

The sun shone through the waves above to give everything in the city a cool blue glow as the mid-morning time slot was filled with things that needed to be done. Standing in front of her home, Vivian looked up at the tall building. Though she owned the entire six story complex her own home consisted of only the top three floors, the other two were occupied by her servants while the ground floor was home to security. She watched the men and women hired by the Basil family unload boxes and totes of things before carrying them into the building, no longer was she in her black and white suit, instead, she wore a white sleeveless shirt with a deep cut color, a pair of black boot cut pants, and white slip on shoes. She awaited the arrival of her bethrothed, partly out of courtesy and the other in hesitation of seeing just how her home was changed. She was a particular sort of person, the type who placed things a certain way and did not like them moved. The weeks she'd spent in her family home had made her anxious of what it would be like to return here, more so now that she knew that her bethrothed would certainly have specific needs that would need to be met. She pondered the thought of smoking while she waited, to calm her nerves, but decided against it lest she smell of smoke when Delilah arrived.

Slithering down the streets, Delilah approached, having a rougher time to find her way when in a less confined area. Luckily she had guards and attendants to accompany her. It was a great help for the self-imposed blind girl. When she arrived by the building which would now be her home. Quite possibly forever. She sensed the heat and smell of Vivian as she came close upon it. "Ms Vivian." Delilah called out with a bow. She held in her hands a briefcase, and the men beside her held her other carrybags. "I'm glad to meet you. I swear that I will make a good guest in your abode." She said happily, or at the very least a good immitation of happiness.

"This is your home, then? Or... I guess our home now?" She spoke, feeling a bit nervous of living under the same roof as this woman. Any other person than her family would probably have been a nervewracking sensation. This one was even more so. She has heard and knows of the dangerous people of this family. She felt inclined to always do her best to be on good terms with this woman. Probably for the best for both of them, even if she had to act disingenous for the sake of it. "I did bring my art pieces with me. Mom was not too keen on seeing them, but I hope you'll like them."

Vivian pulled together a tight lipped smile toward the woman before her eyes fell upon the guards and others that accompanied the woman, giving them a side eye before returning her attention back to Delilah. "Our home, yes, indeed. I'm glad you remembered to bring your pieces, should they prove interesting perhaps we can find a place to hang them inside." She said, turning back to look up at the building. "I'm not sure how well you can sense it but the building here is about six stories tall. Our home is made up of the top three floors, the others are for our servants. I hope you will enjoy it here." She responded, motioning that her guards could leave them be before making the opposite motion toward Delilah to follow her as they both carried the things she'd brought with her toward the building.

The two road the elevator up to the third floor, the door opening into a hallway that ended in a singular door at the end of it. Making their way to it the door she opened it to reveal a spacious and well lit living room. Vivian immediately turned the lights down lower as to not be too uncomfortable for the snake woman should she choose to take off her blindfold to see the place. Above them one could see up into the second floor, in the middle on the ceiling was a large crystal chandelier. The first thing Vivian noticed however was that her couch was different, still atop the large red carpet the still same black leather but a different shape, much larger than her old one. Likely so that Delilah could place her entire tail upon it if she so desired. It was a change she hadn't expected but understood in hindsight. Along the same wall they'd entered from was large fish tank not filled with fish of the ocean but rather of the rivers in Doma'Khane, the low light of the tank was to better match the environment from which they came from. Inside the water was all manner of strange creatures with large teeth and fangs. Directly in front of that was a bar, fully stocked and more for show than anything as Vivian herself rarely drank.

"The first floor consists of the bathroom, living room, kitchen, bar, and my- or well... our home gym. The second contains the bedrooms, a restroom, the recreational room, and my study though if you wish to use it as a library fell free. The third floor consists of the garden and pool area. At least, so long as most everything has remained the same since the rennovations that is." She explained to her as she sat down the things she'd carried up down onto the couch. "I'm unaware if you have them in your home but in every room in the house there is a string on one of the walls, pull it and a bell will ring downstairs and a servant will come to assist you."

Delilah nodded as she got everything explained to her. "It sounds lovely. I'm sure I will be more than at home here. I know the idea and function of such strings, I've just never used them. The Basil's like to keep servants close at hand at all times. So there was never a need for them when you could just turn your head and demand something. Always felt so dehumanizing to me." She explained. She turned to her betrothed with a smile. "I think I will have fun exploring this place. Do you have any habits of routine that you usually stick to? Something that I can learn and get acquainted with? So we try and find something to bond over, that is. Regardless of whether love or any of the sort will come from this, I think it would at least be good if we could learn to like or tolerate one another. No need to feel miserable with each other."

Setting down her bags, she slithered around the floor, getting a feel of the area through what little heat was emitted in the area. It was all so grand. Her family had a bigger estate, but this felt all the more spaceous. Maybe it was the knowledge that she had a lot more liberty of movement. "Shall we find a place to view the works?" She asked, completely forgetting that she had the liberty to show off her pieces wherever, used to having to hide it at all times.

Vivian thought about her habits, "Every morning that I am able I like to eat breakfast in the garden. I have some yard furniture there, just a table and two chairs that I like to sit at. You may join me there if you would like though I will say I tend to get up with the sun. While I said you may use my study as a library I believe it would be best if you did not use it when I work in there. That is not something I can wholly predict nor will I kick you out when I have use of it but I do believe it would benefit the both of us for you to remain aware of such things. I try to be in bed by nine every night during the fall and winter months but tend to stay up a bit later during the spring and summer as the sun sets and rises later than normal during those times of year. Should we begin sharing a bed outright or wait until later it would do well for both of us to know the sleep schedule of the other." She gave her the most consistent habits she could think of. "We can help arrange such things another time. As for now, I am curious to see your art, would you be so kind?"

Delilah felt a bit nervous at the prospect, but decided to see what Vivan would want. "I wouldn't object to sleeping in the same bed if you would want it. Might be a good idea to try and get a grip on how to share it with my body's little exotic quirks." She said, trying to pull a bit of a joke. "You can always just tell me when and if you need your privacy. Whether that be work or just personal space, you can just tell me. I'm ready to oblige your desires. But yes, the paintings."

Opening the bag, she took the rolled together papers and laid them out on a nearby table. Many of them were of different sea creatures in their natural habitat, often taking some creative liberties with their properties and sizes, but it was clear to see that judging from these pieces, she had never properly seen anything outside of the windows into the ocean depths. Beautifully painted, but eventually it only made way for redundancy. Talent was there. The subjects of what to paint was not. There was a progression in the work as it became clear which pieces were from long ago and which were recent, with the rougher but still good artwork from her younger days. There was a few pictures of winter landscapes, but it was clear as day that she had essentially painted off of a picture instead of any actual view or understanding of the surroundings of such a place and season. No animals, as she had no idea what to find there. No birds, for she did not know what they even were. It was abundantly clear just from these pieces; She had been sheltered for a very long time.

Vivian looked through the paintings and drawings, though they did not lack talent in artistry there was nothing about them that really impressed the woman either. In a way, she was rather disappointed, having expected something more enlightening to have come from the woman but alas, perhaps she'd expected too much from her. She tapped her chin gently in thought of what to say or more importantly, how to say it. "You do not lack talent, that much is certain. Rather, perhaps you lack in subject? Unless of course you simply enjoy painting fish. If that is the case then it's simply not the sort of art that interests me it is tolerable all the same. So, I must ask in that case, why creatures of the sea? Do you not get enough of them in a place like this? It would be one thing if they were simply fish from all over but it is another entirely that they are fish from the sea." She explained her thoughts, blunt but still trying to remain constructive in her own ways.

"And as for how we will handle the bedroom, I've no opinion of my own. I've never slept beside someone before and thus I cannot say if I would prefer it one way or another. I'll leave the ultimate decision in your hands."