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[onevoice]

Voice. Text. Action.

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Action

[resonantcomplications]

[He'd at least had the forethought to find out when wasn't a good time to call on her, so it's just a bit after the earliest time she'd said it was okay to come by, that there is a knock at her door.

On the other side of it is a drow with coffee. He hadn't bought it, of course, but he'd had a couple tricks left up his sleeve when it came to smooth talking to get at least this out of a far too kind dominant. He wouldn't be able to keep that up forever, he knew, but it was fine for now.

The very first thing he offers is the steaming cup.]

Re: Action

[onevoice]

[ She's prepared for him and very... put together. She steps back to allow him in and gestures him to sit on her bed, but does so without a word because she has her face in her coffee. Once she's had the first couple of drinks- ]

I don't want to know how you got this, but thank you.

[resonantcomplications]

[He takes the silent invitation and moves to sit on her bed cross-legged, though he's soon floating a few inches off the surface, his cloak falling purposefully graceful around him.

To her words he only offers that small smile.]

Magic.

[Not at all, but it was a fun answer.]

My means are limited, it might be the only one I can offer for a time, but once I am able, I will be happy to take up our arrangement once more.

I...admit...I had hoped to ask for a favor, if I may.

[He flicks his left hand out and the city-issued device appears into his palm.]

I have managed some self-teaching with what of this device is intuitive, but it would be foolish and a lie to say I understand it fully. If you have traversed space, I would assume this technology may be familiar to you?

[onevoice]

I'll have a handle on my own means soon enough, but we'll still resume our arrangement.

[ She likes him. She also wants to know why he's always floating but that can wait. She listens to his request and smiles, just a bit. She settles down beside him, on the edge of the bed (and feet on the ground) near him. ]

Familiar enough. Was there something particular that's not intuitive?

[resonantcomplications]

[His smile turns softer with gratitude.]

I do not know this word.

[He points out the setting that says 'video' and watches her intently. As much as he wasn't a fan of asking for help, he liked her and a chance to learn was worth any potential vulnerability. Besides, there was nothing embarrassing about having gaps in knowledge, only in the reticence to fill those gaps.]

"Text" and "Audio" make sense to me, but this one I did not want to explore without knowing more about it.

[onevoice]

Ah.

[ She takes her own phone, 'calls' Esseck's device and then hands it to him. then smiles and waves into the camera on her own.]

It captures moving images and transmits them.

[resonantcomplications]

Ah...

[He smiles into the video and then back up to Kathryn once he's ended the call.]

Thank you. A trivial question, perhaps, but one I thought prudent to ask someone I knew and respected to answer truthfully. I will figure out the rest another time. It is a useful challenge.

[Something to do in the small hours when the city isn't yet awake but he is.]

Most of our long-distance communication is magical if it is to be more than written correspondence.

[He weighs his options for a moment, but then floats off the bed to allow his legs to stretch back out as he floats to the door.]

For example: stay here a moment, if you will.

[He goes out into the hall and casts Sending so that his words go directly into her mind, carefully aware of his twenty-five word limit.]

This is a common method of speaking to others over vast distances. However, there is a limited number of words. You may respond in kind.

[onevoice]

[ She is absolutely curious about being left but once he's out there she's additionally confused for a moment or two. Then there are words in her mind and okay, that's absolutely fine. ]

We'd call that telepathy. Come back in and shut the door.

[ Her thoughts are very, very clear. She knows how to make that work but also shut the door, elf. ...She's maybe a tiny tiny touch more on edge for being here. ]

[resonantcomplications]

[He smiles to himself, but does as requested and closes the door again behind him. He floats back over to the bed to sit a few inches over it again.]

Telepathy is an ability some have through various means where I am from as well, it is not the same and lacks the same limitations, but it is a suitable descriptor. I am not telepathic outside of the spells I may cast.

[And likely wouldn't use Sending unless he needed to, once he got used to using this alternate means. Anything to spare his daily energy.]

May I ask another question; this one a bit more personal? what sort of opportunity for employment does a previous ship captain look for? I very much doubt there is call for adventurers here.

[onevoice]

If you're doing this to delay the inevitability of me asking questions - it's working. [ For now goes unsaid, but implied at least a little in her smile. ] It really doesn't matter. I'll likely find something in retail or administration. I'm rusty on economics involving currency, at least when it comes to living within it and as much as I am determined to gain as much independence as possible, I'm not overly invested in how that happens.

How are you doing? Have you thought of things you might need?

[resonantcomplications]

[Not directly but he is interested in her answer. Perhaps because he hasn't fully decided what form of opportunity the former Shadowhand to the Bright Queen ought to be looking for either. Administration, probably...but he also couldn't afford to be picky.]

I understand that sentiment all too well.

I can do well enough for myself, but I will need many things soon enough. Most of my magic requires a material element and being able to find those materials without a way to purchase them has been...challenging. [And not in the fun way like the device.]

I also find myself thinking not only for myself. There is another here whose well-being I am concerned for, so finding something to support what we will both need is rather high up on my to-do list.

[He tilts his head a bit and makes a small gesture to her.] And you are always welcome and encouraged in your questions, I will do as I can to answer what is in my power to offer.

[onevoice]

[ She nods to show understanding of the first part of that statement, without entirely giving up her cup of coffee.

The second though? She laughs. It isn't mean, but it is definitely a laugh. ]

That didn't take very long.

[ She is not surprised, either, but moving along, and still with good humor. ]

The only question I have for the moment is why you choose to spend so much of your time levitating. Or if you choose.

[resonantcomplications]

[Ah...there's a miscommunication here, though it takes him a moment to spot it. He debates for himself a moment, but then decides it feels right to clarify.]

Ah...no. She is from home and a dear friend. She is used to having the rest of her group here and while I am a poor substitution, I am all she has currently. So. I will look out for her where I can.

[But that aside...the floating. It's a fair question and one he was likely going to be answering more often here. In Roshana, everyone knew he'd always done it and just expected it of him. Telling the Nein had been the first in a long while he'd discussed it. He was reticent to share as much as he was to share anything, but she'd proven a decent ally so far. At least part of the truth could be spared.]

Habit is why I float. It is an arcane trick I developed long ago as a prodigy of my craft and I have nearly always used it since. If I am honest, I intend to use it no differently here than I did there: to...demonstrate my ability and remind others they cannot be above me.

[He's absolutely certain this city has ways to neutralize magic, they would be fools otherwise, but until that time comes he can hold to his illusion.]

[onevoice]

That's very kind of you.

[ Not an insult, just recognition of it for what it is. Kindness. The rest though? The floating stuff? It makes her eyebrows go up a touch, because she's not quite sure how to take it. On one hand, yeah, sure gets it.

On the other- ]

I hope that is perceived the way you want it to be by the people here.

[ On the other she isn't sure it works that way and, yeah, for whatever reason she is reminded of Tom.]

[resonantcomplications]

[It wasn't kindness, it was selfishness, he was certain. He needed Jester far more than Jester likely needed him, but it wasn't a point worth arguing. He knew it and that was enough. To that end-]

They may perceive it how they like. It is a long-ingrained practice and their perception will not change my reality for its use. I appreciate the thought, however. I, too, hope it serves as well as it has in the past.

[He'd been just on the threshold of shaking the habits, with the others. Not just the floating, but the rest as well...but that was before being kidnapped to another plane of existence. He needed every ounce of armor he could bear.]

On the other hand, it has many other uses I admit to having become accustomed to.

[There's a small smirk as he waves a hand and an empty chair on the other side of the room lifts up to float in the air, then set itself upside-down.]

Now...your hair and then...?

[Were there plans to be had? Could they even make plans with how limited their options were at this time? Being a complete recluse, as tempting as it was, likely wasn't the best course of action.

[onevoice]

[ What she does not say but thinks is 'you're projecting insecurity'. Then she has to admit she isn't so sure it's really all that different than 'keep your shirt tucked in'. The Federation - and humans - have come leaps and bounds but it is far from entirely perfect and she is still a 5'4" woman.

And he is a 5'4" elf.

So she leaves it and blinks, instead. ]

Fine, but keep it off my collar. After that we are going shopping. I can't stay in uniform forever, my paperwork is in order, my income is secured and there is somewhere here designed to connect submissives to the things they need.

[resonantcomplications]

Easy to do.

[He moves behind her, his magic mostly cleaning, easing any tangles, and sorting her hair into something smooth and healthy and lovely. The style somes from practice with Verin's hair so many years ago, but muscle memory was a useful tool and the style is simple, braided, and still close enough to her head to keep it from touching her clothes.]

All set, let us see what resources we might secure. I will do my best to not be outspoken about our options.

[He was picky, a little snooty, and liked the finer things when it came to clothing...he was well aware. And it would all likely need to be shelved for now.]

[onevoice]

[ She has no idea what he's done to her hair but takes a moment to pat it a bit and get some feel for it. That it's up and out of her way is the most important part but.

She can enjoy a little curiosity about it, as well as a little vanity leading to her being delighted in spite of. Many things here. ]

Be outspoken. I am going to take anything that will function for me, but I'd like to hear what you... consider suitable. Or worthwhile.

Voice; un: shadowhand

[resonantcomplications]

[He hovers over her contact a long time before pressing the button to send her a message, hoping the small, nervous, waver to his voice is noticeable only to him.]

Kathryn. When you have a moment, I had hoped to...ask a favor. If I may. Hopefully, it may only be considered a small thing.

Re: Voice; un: shadowhand

[onevoice]

[ She gets back to him, immediately. Because she is concerned. And sounds it. ]

What's wrong and what can I do?

[resonantcomplications]

[Nope, not so successful in his attempt to sound calm, then. Foolish.]

Ah...nothing is...wrong per se. Except. Well, I told you once I did not need as much sleep as most others around me. It has afforded me much time to think on our situation here and the reality of it and to come to some decisions. Namely that I have need to...well- practice touch. Nothing overt or sexual or uncomfortable to you, mind, simply basic contact.

[He sighs again and is increasingly grateful the flush he feels likely wouldn't be noticeable with his darker skin even if she could see him.]

Forgive me if that sounds ridiculous or is wholly unappealing to you, I will not be offended in either case.

[onevoice]

[ Maybe she just doesn't think you'd ask her for a favor unless something was wrong.

The explanation is a relief ]

Of course I'll help with that. As long as you promise to tell me if you get... more uncomfortable than you'd like or need to be, in order to become familiar with it.

[resonantcomplications]

[Maybe she'd largely be right.

Still, there's a measure of relief through him when she doesn't laugh at him.]

I will endeavor to be aware of myself and my comfort. Thank you, I know it is not a normal request and what contact you afford me does not need to be much or last long, to your comfort.

[onevoice]

It isn't an abnormal request, Essek, and I don't have a problem with physical contact. We can use my room. It's private.

[resonantcomplications]

[There's doubt in him for that, but there's no point in arguing it either, not when the point of the request stood.]

Thank you. I will meet you there. Preferably soon, if you are available.