[PT-PP-F04] To Spite the Chains

[Mari 1]

 

How many days had it been? Two….three? They all kinda blended into one. To have him walk away hurt - but it was honestly the best thing he could have done in the situation. The two were not in the right headspace. They had been hit with hard and heavy truths. Anything between them would have been far too emotionally charged. Mari spent most of the time alone - aside from the quest she did with Freyd - But there was too much going on for her to mention anything to do with Lancaster.

The rest of the time, Mari spent alone. Mostly in her home - curled up by the fire, never once letting it go out. Watching the flames. There were times where her longing overwhelmed her and rippled into anger, it made her feel sick. If anyone were to inspect the trees outside they’d see countless slash marks across the thick trunks. Signs of a tantrum thrown by a woman who couldn’t understand her own feelings.

There was a deep seeded sadness in their separation. She wasn’t sure the last time she felt something like this. She missed him. She missed the warmth of his crimson gaze, the passion and fire that brought solace to her. In those heated eyes…she saw home. And without it upon her, everything felt cold.

What was this feeling?

 

♫♫♫

His last appearance had been corny as hell. Two could play at that game…besides. Mari knew what kind of life he must lead. Could only guess at the absolute chaos and carnage that it was… Mari had once lived that life. She had once walked those steps. So much so that the very place he lived had considered recruiting her. Maybe…if they had asked several years ago when she was completely lost they’d have a chance - but not now. Not ever. 

Mari reminded herself to thank Freyd. At some point he had quite literally broken into her fucking house to clean it. To fill the pantry and cupboards with food. To prepare everything so she could comfortably stay in it. It was…incredibly sweet and kind and Mari still didn’t know how to repay him. Maybe she could invite both him and Elora over for a meal?

But, right now - she was preparing a meal for someone else. Someone who would surely need it. On the stove sat a medium sized pot that had been slow cooking a rich beef ragu sauce all night. Her kitchen, living, and eating space were all one room on the lower floor - so the smell permeated throughout the entire small house. Mari wasn’t big on grand buildings with several rooms. She preferred the quaint quiet of a smaller abode. On the kitchen counter sat dessert - a more complicated one, but one of the only ones Mari had learned to make. She was never a fan of sweet things - so the small slightly lopsided Tiramisu was her go to. If Lancaster didn’t want it - it’d just mean more for herself.

The front door was unlocked; Mari didn’t feel like she was in danger - no one came out this far unless invited. The frozen trees and the long half hour trek from the city put most people off. 

Directly opposite the door is a small table; enough to fit two if they were to squish together. To the right; a roaring fireplace, there is a place to put a pot to cook food, but the hook is currently empty. The floor before the fireplace looked like it had been draped in a few different indescribable animal skins. In front of the fireplace are two chairs facing opposite each other; made from a rich red velvet, adorned in pillows.  There is also a small mirror on the left hand wall, round without trimming. The mirror had a cloth hanging over it. Mari still hadn’t quite managed to get the courage to take it off yet.

To the immediate left, right by the window is a small corner that looked like it didn't quite belong in the room - the cobble floor fell away to a light tatami mat - and atop that sat a Kotasu table. It's surface was made of a wood that had been stained a golden brown. The surrounding material, thick and plush, is made of blue. Atop the table sat a small ornate teapot - painted with the images of the 'Great Wave of Kanagawa' and beside it four matching cups.

Beyond that, a staircase leading up to her room.

“I think…that might be everything…” She said as she wiped her hands on a tea towel and threw it over the sink. She wasn’t wearing her usual attire. Gone were the fishnets and shorts, replaced with a long burgundy coloured oversized sweater, and black thigh high socks, thick, fuzzy.

Mari normally would have had several drinks. But she wanted to be completely sober. What would she even offer him if not alcohol? Mari had tried to recreate a drink from her home country, Lemon Lime and Bitters - it was a soda based drink that tasted of lime, lemon - with aganstona bitters. Not for everyone. But if the man wanted to add alcohol to it, several options would have accompanied it well.

She shifted her eyes to the time…he was late. Or maybe…he wasn’t coming? It had been a number of days. Maybe she was too late…but she really had to think, to contemplate things. There was still so much unsaid between the two.

It hurt.

 

<<Assist System Engaged>>
Level: 11
Paragon: 0
Tier: 2
True Tier: 10

Final EXP reward: +5%

Mari | HP: 240/240 | EN: 50/50 | DMG: 15 | MIT:32 | ACC:5 | AA | EVA:4 | BH:13 | BLI: 16/-10 | ENV-O: 16 | PARA-V | LD:1

Spoiler

Name: Mari
True Tier: 10
Level: 11
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 240/240
EN: 50/50

Stats:
Damage: 15
Mitigation: 32
Accuracy: 5
Evasion: 4
Battle Healing: 13
Loot Die: 1
Stealth Rating: 5
AA BLI: 16/-10
ENV-O: 16
PARA-V

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket:
- Paralytic Contagion | T4 | Absolute ACC I | Paralytic Venom I | Envenom OFF I | Blight I
Armor/Trinket:
- Infernal Shadow-Redemption | T4 | EVA III | MIT I
Shield/Armor/Trinket:
- Glasses | T1 | ACC III

Combat Mastery:
- Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
- AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
- Rending Familiar

Custom Skill:
-

Skills:
- Battle Healing R5
- Charge
- Cloth Armor R5
- Energist
- Polearm R5

Extra Skills:
- Survival
- Hiding R5
- First Aid R3

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
- Focus
- Nimble
- Precision
- Resolve
- Stamina

Mods:
- Athletics
- Night Vision
- Surpise Attack: Trickster
- Untraceable
- Vanish

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:
- Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
- Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
- Alchemist[exp] R10
Gathering Profession:

 

Edited Thursday at 06:57 PM by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

Digging through a pile of garbage, not entirely sure what the hell it was that Mirianna was looking for. The man was basically just going through the motions, the huge swaths of scrap metal and little trinkets seemed utterly worthless. A notification rings out, and working through dreary eyes he'd expect it to read off something exceedingly stupid. Lancaster sighs as he'd trace his finger over and tap the little blue flashing envelope, on the grounds he'd have to go clean up someone's dumb plan that had jumped off the rails and pile drived itself straight through a brick wall. The little message window opens, but the name was not what he'd thought it'd be.

Mari

The blinking white to grey, he'd push it down.

From Mari:  Mia Fiamma. Come to my home, I miss you. *Insert Narrative Coordinate Here* We need to talk. Sent 9:38 am

"Lancaster, a little help..." A member of Mirianna's little troop remarks to which Lancaster bats an open hand toward him "Shut the fuck up. I don't care amico, get bent." Lancaster barks angrily as his eyes trace the message. Like a dog to water he no longer gave a damn about any of it, he'd been waiting for a response for the past week and then some. Every minute excruciating, Lancaster underhand tosses the little gold necklace at the dude holding a huge metal crate. It bounces harmlessly off his forehead. "Good luck, hope you find...." Pointing a pair of fingers toward the man like guns from his chest before he no longer cared "...Whatever, ciao."

"LANCASTER!" would echo out amongst the decayed buildings, as he'd leave them to fuck around.

---

Into one of the rundown chapels, he'd grunt and toss a fallen over pew off to the side revealing a hidden warp pad underneath. "Location: 12" The man barks ominously and sees this manufactured gate scream to life in a red glow. The man was immediately met with an empty cavern of glass, and he'd hop down and look to both sides. A clap of his hands together, he'd fiddle with his hair and lick his thumb to straighten it. "No time to freshen up, It will have to do." Lancaster spoke to the empty chamber, turning his hand and opening that annoying little window and starting to scroll through it. A handful of coin fall out and roll around harmlessly, a random carpet drops in a roll and starts to slide. Random shit he stole, that he kept dropping entirely by accident while trying to move quickly. Eventually he found it, tapping it and seeing it flash into existence. The Stradivarius, burned and yet restored to a working instrument.

A glance to his map, he'd squint and get a sense of where to head. His first two steps see him slide having to jerk to keep his footing. The journey was short but still quite the walk, the pleasures of being a player killer on full blast. It was a bitch to get around, especially with bright red hair in the middle of a white blanket tundra. The moment he sets his sight on the log cabin in the middle of the woods, a homely warmth breathing through it. A glance to the trees would show pure outrage carved across them in a way that almost confirmed he was in the right place. The consuming tyrant looks down at the instrument, and back to the building finding his nerves reaching level's he'd never had to bear before.

The man inhales sharply, swallowing his pride and embarrassment to make way for resolve. He'd take the bow and start to drag it across the strings. It was a little rough to put it bluntly, screwing up a note out of every fourth, and his fingers still hurt like hell given he never called it quits. This was her passion, her instrument, and he wanted to share them with her. No matter how stupid he looked doing it.

♫

 

---

<<Assist System Engaged>>
Level: 11
Paragon: 0
Tier: 2
True Tier: 2

Final EXP reward: +5%

---

Lancaster | HP: 220/220 | EN: 40/40 | DMG: 1

Spoiler

Name: Lancaster
True Tier: 2
Level: 11
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 220/220
EN: 40/40

Stats:
Damage: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP) x3

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

[Mari 1]

The music started, a jagged and broken chord, the screech of a bow against string which made Mari flinch. What the…. She had been stirring the meat laden sauce with a ladle when she heard the tune. Mari shut the lid and half ran to her front door. Someone was playing the violin? And if she had to be honest…quite badly…they would be cutting up their poor fingers. Only one person would be idiotic enough, crazy enough to do such a thing.

Her door swung open to see Lancaster. His stance was completely wrong. His fingers were battered and bandaged. Every so often the violin would slip out from under his chin. Was that her violin? It looked like it. Bits of black still charred its surface but it was unmistakably hers.

Mari felt her heart churn. Suddenly beating hard and fast. A heat spread through her that she couldn’t describe, odd, considering she had just stepped out into the cold. He was completely vulnerable, exposing and expressing himself completely through a warbled song. Just for her. Just..for her… 

Red dripped from the ladle, hanging loosely from her hand - then, it dropped into the snow as Mari bought a hand to cover her face. She was smiling. The scene blurred as tinges of tears welled up in the corner of her eyes. What a ridiculous thing to do. Mari couldn’t help it, she tried to hide it but halfway through the song Lancaster had almost completely dropped the violin. He faltered in white slurry. Clearly not used to it. She laughed  - then clapped her hands lightly together.

“Lancaster…” The way she said his name as she stepped into the snow, uncaring that her socks were instantly soaked was filled with a delighted relief. A warmth that beguiled feelings of love and affection - even if the woman didn’t know or couldn’t admit to them. Closing the gap between them Mari found his hand, tangling her fingers into his and squeezing. She missed that. “Let’s get you out of this weather. It doesn’t suit you.” She pulled him, perhaps a little too forcefully into her home.

“I don’t know where you stay.” Mari began as she shut the door behind him. “But. This is my home. la tua casa.” Also a place for him to stay, if he so chose. Mari paused to discard her soaked socks. Still holding tight to his hand with her other. Afraid that if she let it go he’d disappear and she’d wake up alone in front of an empty fireplace.

The two were hit with the strong smell of sauce - the sound of a bubbling pot. A roaring fire. Mari led Lancaster to one of the two plush chairs in front of the fire - and proceeded to push him into it. Not giving him a chance to say otherwise. “I..” Mari wiped her face with the back of her hand. “I…just - You’re here.” She said finally, as though she had struggled with what to say. There was a lot she had wanted to say. He was corny. Sweet, insane. Mari shook her head as she leaned down to kiss his cheek. “What kind of madman tears his fingers apart learning a song like that?” She chastised. She thought it would be awkward, with how he had left. She thought there’d be trepidation. But every action, every moment she was close to him felt so natural.

There was so much freedom and power in his actions…He had given her such a gift. “You spoil me.” Her hand went to his cheek, hoping the action would help warm him from the cold. “I only hope what I had planned today will match.” She turned to glance over her shoulder. All she needed to do was drain the pasta and plate up. Thankfully she had already taken all but the sauce off the heat - so it should still be al dente. 

Mari turned her attention back to him. He looked exhausted, she probably did too. Hair tousled and tied back in a messy half ponytail. She hadn’t really slept, and it showed. “Stay here and warm yourself up, Mi Caro.” Her hand slid down his cheek to his neck, then his shoulder, offering it a tight squeeze. “I’ve made you dinner.”

She stood and took one step toward her stove before realizing she had dropped the ladle outside, and with a frustrated sigh she went back outside to retrieve it, shaking the snow off it as she returned to the stove - running it under the sink then opening the lid to the bubbling meal.

Her back to Lancaster, Mari would prepare two bowls. “Normally…I’d never get to do something like this - but a very close friend had broken into my house. Filled it with food and cleaned it.” Mari laughed. “Quite the opposite of what one is supposed to do but…”  Her cheery tone faded.

“But…” Mari first grabbed tongs, and placed fettuccine into two bowls. “Normally…I can only eat what I am given, or what I find. Rarely…if ever is it a hot meal. Being a Pker means I lost that luxury. My past guilt made it worse.” She felt like she was rambling, but these were all things she wanted to say. Mari dipped the ladle into the sauce and made sure to give them both an extra helping of it. The smell made her mouth water, and her stomach growl.

Right…

She hadn’t eaten for two days.

“For most of my life within this digital world - I’ve lived off of rations. So…I can only assume its similar for you.” Mari picked up the bowls and approached the small table for two in the corner. It already had a pitcher of Lemon Lime and Bitters sat in the center of it, with two glasses.

“Unless of course, I’m just making an ass of myself.” Mari added her tone brightening again. She pulled out the first wooden chair, and waited for him to come sit down.

“Tonight, you’ll be eating a Ragu fettuccine. Then, a tiramisu. Talking…can come later, or during…but…” Her hands ran nervously across the back of the chair. Blue eyes lowering. She was so worried. “But you …I…I think we both need a hot meal first.”

[Lancaster 1]

Wobbling in the snow, the damn stuff was everywhere. He actively avoided this floor for somewhat obvious reasons, with the added truth that snow like this didn't fall often where he was from. It was alien. But yet the moment he saw Mari he couldn't help but smile with that coy grin, a single step seeing him slide almost doing the splits. Into the warmth of her home, the fragrant aroma of food matched with a warmth. A quaint little space that in another moment, he would be utterly appalled. Yet this was different, given it had a unique intrinsic value that made it worth a mansion. It was Mari's.

“But. This is my home. la tua casa.”

He'd be lead to a seat and enjoy the change in temperature, wasn't quite suited to the cold. The guy cannot help but notice the woman's bare little toes as he'd sit. "Of course I am here, mi bambina... What are we cooking? I apologize... I did not get the chance to grab anything..." His brain getting fixated on the cute wiggle with a slight redness. He'd raise a finger in a point but fall silent trying to offer to become a good guest as she'd lean in to peck his cheek. Yet the man would pull a fast one by tilting into it then turning at the last second to steal a kiss. Unfurling his fingers, he'd reveal the bandages on each and every one right beneath his rings. They were frayed and torn up from the strings. He was clearly just happy to exist, happy to get the response like a dose of sweet relief. It was as if this last week he was holding his breath and now he could finally breathe again.

“Stay here and warm yourself up, Mi Caro.”

“I’ve made you dinner.”

He'd squeeze her hand as it sought his shoulder "Se non ti dispiace. Mi amore, grazi" and would watch her walk away even taking to leaning a bit, inhaling another waft of the smell as he'd raise his hands toward the fireplace. As soon as he'd get a good tilt, the fire would glow just a bit brighter. "still so perfect, bella donna. My heart burns...A meal." The sheer volumes of meaning, of value that he couldn't even begin to fathom. Allowing her the floor to speak, the man began to get drunk on the moment. Like a sweet nectar, he was relishing in it.

“Unless of course, I’m just making an ass of myself.”

Lancaster pushes his hands together in a prayer. "No tesoro mia, do not discount yourself." As if pleading the woman for what she had made. The finest meal could sate an appetite, but one cooked by your lover would nourish the soul.

[Mari 1]

Lancaster hadn't moved from the chair. Mari couldn't blame him. "Before this game, I had never really seen snow before." She said in an attempt to keep the conversation light. She picked up first the pitcher and two glasses, and placed them on the small coffee table beside Lancaster, then she went back to the table to grab the two bowls of food. Steaming with warmth. Mari returned to his side. Pausing to put her own bowl down on the ground Mari made to kneel in front of him. Staring up at him from between his legs she couldn't help but offer him a coy smile. She reached out, tracing one of his hands with her finger, letting it gently run along the bandages. Her eyes shifted downward. "You speak of gifts, Amore - but what you gave me out there...You shouldn't discount yourself, sei perfetta." She paused...wishing she could be as good with words as he were. "You make this bearable." She leaned down to kiss his palm, then the top of his hand, then shifted upwards to kiss his neck - and finally she stole her own kiss. Pressing her lips lightly against his. She held it for a few seconds, her heart yearning for more. To be closer. How was a man so volatile, in arguably the worst place in Aincrad...so kind to her? It was hard to picture him looming over someone and ripping off their fingers when he looked up at her with such a goofy grin on his face. It was almost jarring.

Mari pushed the bowl gently into his hands, and passed him a fork. Kneeling back down between his legs, Mari poured him a drink and set it on the side table. "No alcohol in this one tesoro - but feel free to add if you wish. I'm not the type to be offended." She poured herself a glass then finally grabbed her own bowl and spun herself around, using her feet to move. Mari leaned back against the chair. Still sitting between his legs. Somehow. This was more comfortable than the table.  Her legs stretched forward and her toes wriggled in front of the fire.

"Even my consuming tyrant...deserves a hot meal once in a while. Many more, if he so chooses." Mari said quietly as she picked up a fork and spun it in the pasta. The sauce, rich with red wine dripped back into the bowl as she leaned forward and shoved it into her mouth. The taste...the meat practically fell apart. The pasta still held a firmness. This was nice. Good. She hoped he'd enjoy it.

Mari swallowed. "I wasn't sure you'd come." It was a painful admission. If he had caught the state of the trees outside...it was also an embarrassing one. She allowed a few moments to pass quietly, as she ate another few mouthfuls, every so often a spot of sauce would fly up and land on her face. Then, another admission. "I cannot promise the company I keep will leave you be, I do not have that power. I'm barely a frontliner." It was true, she hadn't told anyone about this yet, and was afraid of the reactions.

"But I would do everything in my power to protect you, Mia Fiamma." Then, so she didn't have to say any more, she shoved another large forkful of pasta into her mouth. A part of her was glad she was facing away from him, she wasn't sure what look was on her face. Her chest hurt. It hurt at the realization that her calling him here today could mean he would get hurt in the future. It hurt because Mari adored her friends, and would do anything to see them safe - and didn't want them to be at odds with someone she...

Someone she...

Just what did she feel for the man behind her?

 

[Lancaster 1]

Lancaster traced Mari's movements as if she was the only interesting thing in the room, locked to her like glue. The way she poured out drinks and wandered about, it was so teasing. "Me neither, is not really my bag. Too....bagnato." Lancaster responds to her statement regarding the snow, given the journey he'd just had to trek through the stuff there was a reason he always passed the buck, for this floor. His unique bag of tricks had reduced effects when it came to structures, although it worked great against some of the mobs. Very meltable. His train of thought derailed as a Mari starts to kneel down, and his first instinct is to glance to the chair on his left and back in a quick snap. The tap of her bowl, a billow of steam as she'd move in for the kill. Lancaster's eyebrow raises, causing his blood to pump through his veins and leaves him a little light headed. Teased beyond compare his fingers tingled with a mix of pain and pleasure, before its traded for a bowl. A tension held, and yet he bare it for the chase.

The man would accept the bowl and could feel the warmth through the bottom, his heart would all but melt. As the woman sat in front of him, on the floor between his knees he figured this game was fit for two to play. He'd grab the strand in her hair and pull it out letting that messy bun fall in a frazzled fray. "I saw your frustrations, mi amore. I am a little offended. Perhaps I am harder then the floor?" He'd set the food on a table on his left, sliding back in the chair and leaning forward. Those arms of his slide right underneath hers, wrapping around her chest and scooping her up into his lap on the tiny bit of space left. "la tua casa." he'd grab the bowl and put it in her lap with his hands, leaning forward over her right shoulder to take a bite.

"far venire l'acquolina in bocca"

[Mari 1]

Lancaster told her the floor was too wet, Mari laughed covering her mouth so she wouldn't make a mess. Swallowing her food she shifted her head, tilting it upwards at him. Tempted to make a joke - Her eyes sparkled, she didn't say the words but his lop-sided grin showed he got what she was going to say. Instead of teasing him further Mari simply shrugged her shoulders and turned back to her food. This felt...nice. Wasn't it just a week ago she was saying she wanted something just like this? Calling it a childish fantasy. Mari lowered the fork into her bowl, pausing. A fantasy...was that what this was? Two people who shouldn't be together. Ignoring everything and everyone around them for a few peaceful moments within each others arms? Was this right? Was this fair, to him? to her? Her fork circled her bowl, half eaten. Mari was about to say something but Lancaster's laugh had pulled her from her spiral - a growled chuckle that reverberated from deep within his chest.

"I saw your frustrations, mi amore. I am a little offended. Perhaps I am harder then the floor?"

Then without warning he had pulled her hair free, letting it spill over her shoulders. She heard him put his food down and before she could turn to question him he leaned forward and pulled her up into his lap. Truthfully...Mari had thought about sitting here originally but there simply wasn't the space. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, la tua casa. This is her home. Not the building. But his lap. Enshrouded by his warmth. "H-Hey.." She struggled to shift her own bowl. Making room for his own in her lap.

"far venire l'acquolina in bocca"

One of the few things he said that she didn't immediately understand, she tilted her head - going over the words in her head. Bocca mouth - then there was water...was he...calling her mouthwatering? Or the food? Was she getting that right? Or was her basic understanding of the language messing her up? She felt him shift, as he started to eat. Yeh...harder than the floor alright. Mari coughed. Clearing her throat. She tried to take initiative sometimes, but at times like this she simply melted into a blithering mess. She leaned back, giving him a chance to eat a little easier. Cerulean eyes watching him. Did he like the food? A question, almost stuttered - riled and jolted by his actions. 

"I-Is it really that mouthwatering?" Timid. Then, she rose a hand to brush against his cheek, pushing hair out of his face. "Just like you." That was said with more confidence. Then, she turned to her own meal in an attempt to finish it. She needed it. She was hungry. 

[Lancaster 1]

Nice and comfortable, but this poor little chair was really earning its paycheck. A little of the red sauce dripped on her shoulder, causing him to be forced to lick it up. "Of course mi dolcezza, the red wine comes through wonderfully. Is grandeur." He'd tap her thigh with a single bandaged finger to confirm his meaning. "I would not do so well... Magnifico." He wanted to pop a smoke in to stave the stress of the topic he danced over until she was in his arms, but there was something sacred about this place that made him honor it. "I know mi cara, there is a time where your amico and I will butt heads. This will not be easy." He'd wrap her waist and hold her tight, allowing his chin to rest on her shoulder, leaning his forehead into her neck. "Do not put yourself in harm for my sake, is the battle I have accepted. Invia. You are worth it." He'd twist and enjoy the smoothness of her skin on his cheek, continuing to eat as the ill taste of what the future may bring and his choice to push it back and live in today with the woman he adored.

"My days before, our meeting. Were bleak, uninteresting. Like a grey. I had all, but had nothing." The man leans forward and presses his chest into her back, very weighted to just keep her close. "I wish to share this dream as long as I can, before it turns to a nightmare. To be selfish before it all goes up in flame."

[Mari 1]

Mari felt a well of pride as he complimented her cooking. "Then all the more for you." She smiled as her head tilted into his, kissing the underside of his cheek. Breathing in that intoxicating scent, a merriment of fire and spice. "It doesn't need to be here. Too cold, even for me most the time. But I shall do my best, to bring you everything you deserve and more." She was drunk on his compliments, and his happiness. Wanting more than anything to bottle it up and hoard it all for herself. These smiles, these moments were for her, and her alone.

He continued to eat, then paused. Holding her close, tighter. A level of fear in his actions. She felt him lick her shoulder then press his forehead into her neck. His tone shifted. Addressing what she had said earlier. "With all due respect, Lancaster...my precious consuming tyrant...." Mari said cooly, placing emphasis on his title. She'd protect him. All of him. "I can do whatever the fuck I want. Including putting myself in harms way for you. You are worth it." She said. Practically throwing his words back in his face. She wouldn't harm her friends. She wouldn't let him hurt them. But she wouldn't let them harm him either. Even if she had to stand between them.

She listened as the man she adored said his days before were bleak, uninteresting. He had everything and yet nothing. Mari could relate to parts of that. before she was in prison...she was just going through the motions of everything. Little excited her - an the things that did - had all been taken from her, or all had left of their own accord. It was why the woman kept expecting Lancaster to leave. Just another painful blow to her heart. One she wasn't sure she'd survive this time.

"-To be selfish before it all goes up in flame."

It felt like that. The two precariously dancing, teetering upon the edge of a crumbling cliff - and when they'd both fall...they'd fall hard, each in different directions - and a ravine may form that would separate them forever. Mari shuddered at that. It was a wrenching feeling. She looked down into her bowl, with only dregs of sauce and a single line of pasta stuck to the bowls side. She let it go, watching it clatter to the floor. No. 

"No."

Mari said firmly. She carefully shifted, albeit it was difficult, with every motion Lancaster seemed to tighten his grip. Afraid that if he let go she'd disappear, Mari could understand - she felt the same. "No flames. No ravines. To hold someone close, is to Soffrire." Mari allowed him  the space to eat, holding his bowl with one hand. "I'm a stubborn and obsessive asshole, Mi Amore." Her other hand gently pressed to his cheek, wiping away an errant speck of sauce. "Let me suffer in my avarice of whatever romance we share. I don't think I want to let that go. You're mine, Lancaster." 

Edited 22 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

The man would watch on as her bowl clattered to the floor, making the fork go flying and bouncing before grinding to a halt. "It seems you've dropped you meal. mi cara" A smooth transition from a heavy topic, as he couldn't help but raise his hand "Sottostare, mi fiamma~" The smile wide as he'd cup her hand in his on his face. "Cross my heart..." he'd run an index across her chest gently, drawing an x where her heart would be. A level of assured and mutual decision despite what the future would bring, they'd both agreed in a headstrong refusal to fight for this. Lancaster knew what it would end up coming to, but frankly he was already content with raging on and fighting tooth and nail.

"You're mine, Lancaster." 

A dagger through the heart, but one laced with an unforgivingly potent poison. One that caused it to swell. It was as if she stole the words right out of his mouth and beat him to the punch. "You wound me, mi amore." moving the bowl to the side table. He'd pull tight against her chest and lift her fully onto his lap allowing her the space to lean into him as he'd tilt back "You're damn right I am, mi anima gemella. You belong to me, our pleasant little reality." He'd bite her earlobe gently and make motions to the cup of yellowish mixture unknown to him, with some rather interesting thoughts on how to drink it. The divine atmosphere, one of pleasantries the man couldn't have fathomed. His mind would look down from the stars and fall to the now, the burning decay and ravines would have to wait their turn. Until that day came, he'd live for the now. Let the pieces fall where they may.

[Mari 1]

Sottostare, mi fiamma~"

Mari offered him a small smile, it was a victory. One of many. "Damn right you do." She repeated. Pounding her point home, he could submit to her whims all he wanted, just as she would to his. She lifted her own manicured hand and crossed it over his chest - drawing an x where his heart would be. Mimicking his actions. Two equally obsessive, self destructive and idiotic souls falling for one another. It wouldn't end well. But neither of them cared.

Lancaster moved, placing his own bowl on the small side table then leaned back as far as the chair would allow, pulling her further atop him. Her hands sat on his chest and moved upwards to his shoulders, then to his cheeks, cupping each one in her hands, warming them in a way that burned far brighter than any fire he could conjure

"You belong to me, our pleasant little reality."

A gentle smile, and a soft laugh, resting her head in the crook of his neck as he nibbled her earlobe. "You're damn right I do." The intimacy of such an action sent a surge of emotion through the woman. It wasn't just lust. It wasn't just the desire to claim him right then and there. It was something else, something far more powerful and potent, something far more toxic. Mari shut her eyes. Again, breathing in his scent as her fingers turned downward, clawing into his shirt. Mine. They said with a fevered ferocity. She adored the man, wanted to be with him, wanted to know him. Wanted him safe, happy and warm. She wanted to pluck the world itself from its orbit and hand it to him just to see that goofy grin of his.

It took willpower to pull away. She still had a lot she wanted to show him today. And if the two got out of hand now she feared they'd not have the time. Her head tilted over to the bubbly drink, seeing his eyes and motion. "Ah. Its...like a semi sweet, semi bitter syrup you add to soft drink. I used to drink it back home. I didn't have the wine to pair - and honestly. For once... I didn't want to be drunk...on alcohol." She'd squeeze her legs together at that comment. A tease. A sign. A declaration. 

"Lancaster." Her tone turned serious again. "You told me a lot last we spoke, shared things that would have us both killed." She tilted her head to the side. "Would you like me to show you something, that would offer the same?" She had wanted to show him, but the mystery, and the choice - it was up to him. What she was offering to show him...she wouldn't even offer Freyd.

[Lancaster 1]

There was something about the playful tension that was almost its own form of ecstasy and euphoria, a share of skin on skin or locked lips. Desires that breathed so readily past simple lusts, the scrunch of her fingers on his clothing and the tug. The man couldn't help but run his fingers through her hair and enjoy the tickle of it across them. The smell of her slaving over a stove, the slight mixture of chemical and fire with a natural scent that was unmistakably her. With it the memory where it was imprinted. When she'd laugh, he couldn't help but smile. When she'd smile he couldn't help but imagine the next dumb gesture he would do to make it permanent.

Lancaster found himself enraptured and clinging to her warmth, her mind body and soul. It was clear she fit in his life so perfectly, keeping him on his toes and pulling on all the strings that kept him infatuated and astonished. Absolute perfection, to which there would be no equal. As she'd break away, his hand slid almost desperately off. The comments of being drunk on him didn't slip through, but this cat and mouse had its own taste of entertainment. It would make the dish all that more sweeter. The flick of his eyes and a coy smile, his tired eyes would trace her figure. "I am sure there will be plenty to get drunk on tesoro mia, in time." Taking a sip with a bit of hesitation, it was a bit sweeter then what he'd frequent. Lancaster stirred it "Is a bit sweet, a spritz of.... lemon..." a pause and settling of his palette trying to pick it apart. "Aromatic...no" he'd raise a finger to his lips as if allowing his tongue to decode it "Angostura. Very fragrant, refreshing. Wine you say?" The man found it interesting, new. He held a rather well trained palette, given his history of seeking out the finer things. "Perhaps a fine marlot would be a good compliment. It pairs well with the dish."

Another sip, he'd stir it to pull the flavors back to balance and mix them. "You never fail to impress mi cara."

"Would you like me to show you something, that would offer the same?"

The man would stand up, and move for the front door. "Come, lets talk." He'd crack it open and lean through before lighting up a smoke. Blowing the smoke out of her house as he stood precariously in the doorway. It was clear the woman wanted to level the playing field, and it was her choice and he'd respect it.

[Mari 1]

"You're so addicting," Mari said in a voice that was almost like a soft purr as his fingers dragged across her head. She chanced a lick at his neck, savoring the taste of his skin. The slight mustiness of ash. Salt. Sweat. Him. "I could sit here for hours." She may very well would have, but Mari had a list of things she wanted to talk to him about, and to show him today. And she'd ensure she'd get through each and every single one first. Excessive in trust and vulnerability, difficult conversations that the two were too stubborn to ever fully acknowledge. 

Lancaster took a sip from the nearly forgotten pitcher; commenting on its tart sweetness. "Mmm...yeh it normally has a little more lemon in it." She traced circles on his chest. "I'm still limited in what I can get. Mia Fiamma." He perked up at the mention of wine. Of course he did. Mari wasn't a big wine drinker, so wouldn't have known what to pair with her dish. Simply that it would have worked, considering the sauce already contained a heady helping of a rich red. "If you wish for me to make you the meal again, you will need to procure that wine - I fear I know little of such things."

After enjoying a drink he stood up, and Mari had to slide off him - but not before she stole another nip at his neck, another  kiss beneath his chin - another possessive pull of his clothes and skin toward her. Small intimate touches that constantly reminded her he was still her, and that he was hers. Tiny motions that caused her heart to ache and swell in ways she didn't expect it could. 

Before leaving her house Mari's attire would flash - with the wave of a hand over her menu - and she was wearing something he'd yet to see her in. Thick and heavy leathers clung to her form, smelling of sulfur and acrid acidity. They had a slight sheen to them. She wore thick and heavy pants, and her jacket almost engulfed her form - one would struggle to figure out of it was a young boy or a woman. Her boots clunked as they walked the few steps to the door then past Lancaster.  "It's not far from here." she'd slip a gloved hand into the belt of his pants and pull him along a few steps before releasing him - having him follow. 

Her heart beat hard against her chest. She had wanted to show someone...anyone this special place - but had dared not to. Come close to allowing Freyd in a few times, but fear stopped her. She valued his thoughts, opinions, and feared they'd sway her to destroy the place. She walked quickly, with purpose - every so often pausing to glance over her shoulder - at a rustle in a bush. The amicable laughter and merriment from earlier falling sway to a careful caution. Some ten minutes later they found themselves at a small crack in the mountain. "In here." Mari paused to look over her shoulder at Lancaster. "Never come here without me. I will protect you from my friends, but I will not protect you from ignoring this warning."  It wasn't a threat, it was the truth. She had no way of helping him if he got stuck in there alone, even worse - if he ran into Atan. The two slipped into the very narrow opening - several steps in and Mari paused - leaning down to release a tripwire that would have blown a nasty chemical into your face if tripped. The space was so small that only someone of Mari's size and stature would be able to safely diffuse it. She used her height, or lack thereof to her advantage. They continued -

You could hear the slight hum of steam, and whir of twisting and turning wheels. Just before the entrance to the cavern Mari stopped - another tripwire removed, and a small stone lifted to pull out a nasty looking clump of green. It was clear she didn't want anyone in here. It was very clear that whatever in here - was not to be seen by anyone.

Finally in the opening Mari turned to Lancaster, another flash - and she picked up her plague mask and placed it on her head, completing the outfit. Her voice was slightly obfuscated. Yet still undeniably Mari.

"This is my workshop. It's where I made your present, Mia Fiamma."

The place was much warmer than outside, to the right was another entrance to a different chamber. On the right back corner sat various tables with all manner of machinations on them. Beneath them dials and wheels and valves with tiny needles that ticked silently back and forth in a green zone. The first table had an assortment of shelves, almost like a tackle box - and two burners. One was currently simmering a clear chemical - whose gas followed up a winding tube and into another chamber, mixing with something unseen to cause a soft red hue.

Another table; with what looked like a very slap-dashed put together microscope - hanging on a wall behind it was a large tube with a parasite in it, the parasite wriggled around dangerously in a clear liquid. Notes and papers scattered across the table. It also had a large glass jar of wasps atop it.

The third, covered in various glass orbs. Some misshapen, some too thick to use, others were straight up flat. More books, more notes.

To the left; a chemical bath basin filled with distilled alcohol. Mari pointed to that. "Do not use your flame here, Mi Caro - else the entire place may blow." 

Mari stepped forward, beckoning him to follow and get a closer look.

[Lancaster 1]

The pair would continue to enjoy this slice of heaven, pulling and tugging at each other in a mixture of passion and existence. Licks and gentle bites, just savoring each other like fine treats that fed an insatiable hunger.

The man sat idle in the doorway as she'd change her clothing into something very thick, and glossed. The darker thing did well to obscure her features, and the man cannot help but tilt and take it in. "This can be arranged, quite a number of rich folk unwilling to part with fine wines. This is an interesting get up, but I am not one to judge. Is a bit of a shame though." Lancaster allowed his words to drop out in honesty, taking a drag of his cigarette and moving back as she'd start to lead. The pungent smell on that leather rung through his memory as she'd pass, some of it familiar but some of it not. Mari clearly knew her stuff, a fact that did not surprise him. "Brillante." He'd mutter as she'd pass him by, following behind her as he'd tuck his hands into his jacket pockets to avoid the cold.

The trail of smoke oozes upward as he follows Mari to the mouth of a cave hidden behind her house. 

"Never come here without me. I will protect you from my friends, but I will not protect you from ignoring this warning."

Lancaster offers her a nod "I understand mi amore... Best keep my head. I know how clever you can be." but he'd tilt a bit curious looking down the length of the cavern. The firecracker would be the first in, and Lancaster would step in gingerly looking up to not rake his head. The red glow of his cigarette would bloom within the darker interior. Every so often, the woman would disarm some mechanism set to stave off intruders. They had a few like them but nothing so elaborate, he'd catch the glimpse of something green in it but does not ask. Evidently they'd end up in some large open room, the hissing causes the man to jump at first catching him off guard. Mari would dawn some odd shaped mask, with a big bill. He'd tap the end gently trying to get a sense of it. "Interesting look, very grim." The cigarette perks up as it starts to light up with clicks, looking up into the ceiling and then sweeping. Without any real input the man perks his lips.

*whistle*

"Somehow tesoro mia, I expected such la intelligenza but I never imagined this" The man follows her guiding hand with a bewildered smile, taking the habit to lean in and inspect things. Liquids, Bugs, all sorts of strange things without much context. The puffs of smoke coming out of some big brass thing, like a car engine. Metal veins ran along the walls. It was a lot to process, yet it is matched with that grin. An appreciation of brilliance.

"Do not use your flame here, Mi Caro - else the entire place may blow." 

The man swallows hard and plucks the cigarette out of his head, holding it uncomfortably out to his side as to not cause it to detonate.

[Mari 1]

“Right!?” Mari said, practically in sheer delight as she took off her mask, showing him a bright and exuberant smile. She knew he’d understand. She just knew it. Mari turned on her heel. “I wish I could take all the credit for this but I had an…” She paused, tapping her lip. What to call Atan? “An associate set this up for me in exchange for some research.” Yes. That was safe enough. Completely anonymous. Lancaster of all people would understand. It was one thing telling Freyd - but she wasn’t sure she wanted Lancaster to know who Atan was. The Laughing Coffin having access to such a man…was not a good thing - and Mari even in her love drunk delirium knew that. She knew he’d use the information, because she would use the information if the positions were reversed.

Mari sighed as she pulled a bewildered Lancaster away from the basin of literal boom juice. “Here!” She pulled him to the table with the parasite on it. “Did you know this is called a horsehair worm?” She asked. “Normally they're much smaller - and hide in wasps. They hijack the nervous system to alter behaviour. Normally to water but I thought - I mean..what if it was bigger?” She pointed to a vial containing the original one, about 1/5th of the size of the second. “Is it possible to create other behavioural changes? Normally these things have no effect on people but what if they did? They’d cause damage to the limbic system.” Mari turned and tapped her temple, “That regulates emotions and motivation.” She turned back to the test tube and tapped it with a gloved finger. “I thought it could be useful to infect an npc village with it - who knows what you could get those digital assholes to do but..” she paused the elation fading slightly as she thought of her friend. How concerned he was. He was right. It's why Mari had scrapped the project. It was too dangerous.

“But…I was kinda given a wake up call. It’s too dangerous. Sides that kinda stuff, I’d be throwing things at a wall till I see what worked.” her voice was quiet. She shook her head. It didn’t matter. She’d show him something else.

Another drag of his belt close to her side as she pulled him over to where the gas was slowly filling an orb. It was here she took off her gloves. “This is where I distill and fill those lil’ orbs. Yanno the ones I throw? This one is like nitrous oxide - I wanted to colour code it. Essentially a non lethal way to stop attackers. People can’t shank me if they’re too busy laughing their asses off. I kinda got a scolding for the mustard gas so I am trying alternatives. Oh!” Mari turned to Lancaster with a bright smile. “You actually helped me make this process easier!” Her attention went back to the orb, turning a small dial the bunsen burner flickered off - and with a snap of her finger she lit up the end of it and would point the small flame at the orb, sealing it off and pulling it away. The gaseous cloud swirled innocently inside. “Neat, huh?”

She was like a damn child in a toy store, too excited to stay focused on one thing for long. Too much stimulation, too much to show him.

“Oh! Oh I want to show you something else!” Mari said as she looped her hand in to drag him to another place in the small workshop.

[Lancaster 1]

The man would look on as she'd remove the mask, allowing her beauty back out of all that thick leather. "An associate..." He'd look at all the little dials and knobs, turning a bit and attempting to glean what half of them might do. The man knew glassware but that was more for distilling fuels in his real life, or the odd mixture here or there as was normal for their members. But it was hardly to this same caliber. "Give them my regards, this clearly allows you to pursue your passions. It makes you happy, which makes me happy." A light twist of one sees the little hiss of gas, the man had taken to touching only things he had a vague grasp on what it was.

Mari would wrap her hand around his arm, pulling him to a table with the insects. "Horsehair?" Looking closely at it, the little white strip of spaghetti rattling around in a tube. The one on the table being much larger. "I believe I understand. Could prove relevant, have all the NPC's walk off a cliff. Problem solves itself, very clever mi fiamma. Why stop?" The man could slightly taste that her wake up call might have been someone telling her to stop. "The danger being it may work on people too? If anyone could crack it, mi dolcezza its you." Mari would excitedly rush off to the next station, showing him the glass spheres which he immediately recognized. This at least somewhat would align with his own expertise and he'd spark into the same jubilant expression. "Ah, mi amore. If the goal is to ignite, why not put opposed mixture into the same sphere?" He'd lean down to her little station of biofuels and others, waving his hand in front of his face to sort through the accelerants. "This. and...." He'd hand her a vial of Acetone... "Ah.." After taking a whiff. He'd hand her a vial of Nitroglycerine "Reduce and run through the process to make Nitrosyl Petrachlorate. Make a slightly smaller sphere and fill it with one. Fill the other with the Acetone. Basically a self contained hand grenade. Very Neat." There was something rather unique about being to share his hobbies with her in ways that Mari had brought to possibility, like a melding of minds. 

"Lead the way, I am right behind you."

[Mari 1]

"If I gave them your regards they'd kill me for sharing this." Mari said honestly. Atan was an incredibly private person, practically an enigma, an illusion - nothing more than a fairy tail whispered to bad children at night. Still, she knew the man would appreciate someone intelligent who admired his machinations. Not that she could ever tell Lancaster that. Or Atan for that matter. A special secret all to herself.

"Could prove relevant, have all the NPC's walk off a cliff. Problem solves itself, very clever mi fiamma. Why stop?"

Mari glanced to Lancaster with a loving gaze, it was...nice to share her passions with someone. who simply listened with the same excitement, who offered different solutions, different theories she couldn't conjure herself, because she was too focused.  "Could get out of control, once a parasite like that gets out there - its impossible to contain. And yeh. I could imagine what certain groups would do with it if it mutated to people." She didn't have to tell him she meant his own, the two of them knew the answer, it was stated as a matter-of-fact. When Mari spoke about his guild she didn't do it with hate or distaste. A careful caution, a curiosity. But not a hate. Mari appreciated the compliment but she had other projects to work on. "I also got side tracked with other things."

"Reduce and run through the process to make Nitrosyl Petrachlorate. Make a slightly smaller sphere and fill it with one. Fill the other with the Acetone. Basically a self contained hand grenade. Very Neat."

 

"Oh...OH!" Mari would jump him then and there if she could. She clasped her hands together. "Lancaster! You might have just solved my problem! You brilliant, brilliant man. " She showed him the notes strewn across the other table. Then with a pause she grabbed hold of his collar and pulled him down for a kiss, wanting to show her appreciation for such a mind. Such a talent, how wasted it was to just be sitting idle.

“The orbs aren’t too difficult to make, I mean…time consuming. Blowing glass is…” She turned to Lancaster, another grin. “I’d much rather be blowing something else.” A laugh, happy to be able to make such a comment to a man who was so reciprocate. “But they’re clunky. You can only really carry one or two at best in a satchel, even then they’re incredibly delicate and brittle. Smaller does help - and I can't wait to try. But fuck blowing something that tiny might be hard. So I was trying to figure out another way. An aerosol can? But something I can kinda flick and throw. Small and compact - like a lighter.”  They were just sketches right now, With very messily scrawled notes talking about flint - or some other form of ignition. A list of notes for what to house the chemicals in.

She grabbed a pencil and a loose sheet of paper and started scribbling notes Nitrosyl Petrachlorate + Acetone She circled it then drew a rough sketch below it of two ampules in a rectangular casing. She then drew what looked like a pressure device- something that would snap the two ampules in half, pouring the liquid into a larger chamber. "That might work..." She mumbled. "then I - I..." Shit. Lancaster was still here, Mari gave him a sheepish grin as she stepped away from the paper. "That's that uh - one track mind thing going on." Mari said in an attempt at an apology. 

"This...is something I wanted to show you because you might be able to help." Mari opened a draw and pulled out a single finger-less leather glove. She turned it over and showed a metal square, with a push of a button she began to pull out a garrote wire. "A garrote wire that can be set alight I actually…was wanting something like this even before meeting you. I…The pole arm is, nice. I guess. You know I used to be a dagger user - I was thinking of speccing into another kind of weapon, one that would allow me to utilize something like this - but I haven’t quite figured it out yet."

She let the wire go and it snapped back into the glove with a dangerous recoil that licked at her leather arm - it would have left a deep gash if she were unprotected.

"That is the first issue. The second was how to get it to set alight willingly without damaging the wire, or the item itself. But..." She turned to glance up at him. "I think I could work some of what you know into this. It'd be- I guess maybe classed as a whip? It'd take some practice to use though."  She hadn't shared all her creations like this before. Not to this extent. Every little vial and potion, every little plume of smoke. Every gadget both failed and in progress. it was so exciting being able to talk to someone about it. Her hands trembled with sheer excitement.

"I...this is so amazing." She breathed. "I'm not - Oh god Im not getting too excited am I?" Mari asked, brief concern for Lancaster. "I just kinda keep dumping all this information on you."

Edited 17 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

"Then best avoid it, I know a few a little secreted myself. He listens but has a mouth and a temper." Lancaster would offer as a response toward her unseen aid, leaving that secret for her to keep given it may be more comfortable that way. He was referring to his fifth, Hiroshi that loved riding his own little laboratory. If he could get away with it, Lancaster even had the thought of sneaking Mari in it and letting her snoop. But that would be asking for trouble. "As to the worm, I understand the hang up. What if they all become mindless zombies trying to stab everything that walks around. Could prove, doloroso. Should be salvageable, but needs a control I would think..." His mind raced with possibility, pressing his index horizontally into his lips as if in deep thought. "Does the bug survive heat?" Mari was already onto the next topic, but the question stuck in his head as he'd tack it to his own mental peg board.

Before getting surprise attacked by a pair of lips leaving him with a goofy grin. “I’d much rather be blowing something else.” He couldn't help but smirk at the comment. But something inside wanted to see her spark on full display, and enjoy this sharing of minds in a completely different taste of unity. 

"This...is something I wanted to show you because you might be able to help."

He'd stare at the glove, "Let me see." The man would wave his fingers, slipping the glove over his hand it was a little snug. "First, low temperature flames will be your best bet. All metal has a melting point, I know this...." A glance to Mari "First hand. Use steel or some of the fantasy stuff in here." He'd pull out the cable "Is too close to your palm, Garotte only needs so much distance." The man would pull it out toward his other hand, basically T-posing. "The retract should be a swivel, like a drawer. Slide in and out easily without the recoil but quick to hide. This much is more then enough, but really about one third this. The length isn't nearly as important."  He couldn't help but notice the following innuendo, even raising an eyebrow with a smirk. "It's how you use it. Bella donna. Wrap, turn to close the loop and weight do the rest. If need be, use your opponents or your own. For a primo but small frame such as yours, drop and break their neck. See?" 

Back to the fact of the spheres, Lancaster offers a slightly expressive fold of his torso "I am to please, this is intriguing. Tesoro mia, I am eager to see what you construct." but he wanted to explain a bit further. The man was an organic engineer who specialized in accelerants outside of the game, didn't imagine any of it ever being close to relevant here. "Here's my point mia amore." He'd take a large round bottom flask and pour in the acetone, and taking a small bit of the stuff he'd borrow her stations burning down and mixing the reagent. He even enjoyed watching her flare as he'd work, setting himself once in a while. The greenish hued pellets are dropped into a vial, and carefully Lancaster lowers it into the neck of the larger bottle leaving the hole sticking out. "See how the chemicals do not touch, mi cara? A sphere in a sphere would perform the same. One combined package, no fuse." He'd wag a finger. "But toss it hard enough, and..." He slams is hand into the bottom causing both to shatter, cutting the hell out of his hand but he didn't care, as the flames roared to life in a smoke that roared into a frenzy on his hand so bright it was like looking at a sun. His other turns and he snaps it, sending it instantly out. "Hopefully this was D'aiuto, mi dolcezza. Bellismo"

But the issue still stood about carrying them, and the possibility was there for alternate materials. "Although... Perhaps a container outside of a bag...like a tube or capsule..." He'd wave his finger deep in thought.

[Mari 1]

"Does the bug survive heat?" 

The woman paused as Lancaster shifted the topic back to the little parasite. "Mmm, No. They're water based - usually they infect a host and lead it to water - it lays its eggs in the host, host dies, water babies - something drinks water babies..." Mari rolled her hand. "Rinse and repeat. But that's the issue, if it gets into the water source that water source would be permanently contaminated." Mari appreciated the sentiment, and the feedback. Even if it was a failed project it was nice to bounce ideas back and forth with someone. Truly, it just showed how much they think alike. Which...was scary. 

Mari handed Lancaster the glove prototype she had been working on, head tilted. Eyes watching every flicker of movement. She tapped fingernail against fingernail, feeling restless as she had wanted to note this down. But instead she kept her eyes on the man she adored before her. As though she couldn't pull away. Entranced by his ingenuity. It was only when he finished his explanation that she turned around - shifting and sorting through her draws till she found a long, thing length of steel wire. "I actually have some, taken from an artisan. This steel here." Mari placed it on the table as she kept looking. pliers. Wire cutters. "If I can just get a working prototype..." She pulled out the thin piece of wire- reaching out her arms like Lancaster hand shown her, and then snipped off the end, she did this several more times to ensure she had the right length for other projects if she so needed.  Mari placed the cut lengths on the table with all the notes. Pausing to have a hand reach his waist and run up his back. In a comforting motion she idly rubbed it. Tapping her finger against the table in thought. The woman wasn't even aware of the action, of how close she was trying to be with him, even with an absent and distracted mind. "You're brilliant..." She muttered. "I'd have struggled with the placement..."  Mari began going through the drawers again. Till she found something else from an artisan - a small nut and bolt with a swivel attachment. "Hey..would it be better if this swivel part here..." She leaned into him, resting a head against his chest as she showed the man the small component. "If the ridges on the scrwe stay, or would it be better for it to be smooth? My guess would be smooth- else it'd catch, but the ridges would also give a base for it to be set in place." 

 "It's how you use it. Bella donna."

Pausing from her work Mari would look up at Lancaster, and a silent moment passed before she offered him a grin. "I'll be sure to use you later, Mi Fiamma. So we shouldn't get too carried away, you'll need your energy."

"For a primo but small frame such as yours, drop and break their neck. See?" 

He certainly sounded knowledgeable. "This something you used before?" Mari asked.

With the work on her new glove prototype under way Lancaster shifted his attention back to the spheres. Even going so far as to offer her a bow when she apologized for overloading him with information. He gestured for her to come closer as he made himself at home amongst her chemicals. Mari bristled slightly as he started to go through them, someone else going through your workspace was always very nerve wracking. Still, Mari let him. Curiosity burning, she wanted to learn, she wanted to watch him. He was in his element - his eyes lit up. his tone became lighter. He'd take a large round bottom flask and pour in the acetone, and taking a small bit of the stuff he'd borrow her stations burning down and mixing the reagent.

"Ah." Mari finally understood what he meant as he showed her how the chemicals did not touch.

"But toss it hard enough, and..."

"Fucking Christ Lancaster!"

Mari roughly grabbed him by his wrist, and started to pull out shards of glass, carefully so. "God you're just like me, now I see why people get frustrated." It sucked seeing someone you care about hurt, although Mari was slightly more sympathetic to his cause, purely cause she had her own wounds and scars from doing practically the exact same thing. "I'm happy..." Mari said, her voice turning quiet. "That you enjoy this as much as I. If you ever want to use my place. Let me know. I'll watch over you. Seems like you know a lot of this stuff." She picked up a cloth and started cleaning his blood away. Carefully blotting it, then wrapping gauze - and bandage around it.  "I guess from out of this digital scape." Mari finished bandaging him and tugged Lancaster forward - bring up his hand to kiss it lightly. "You make me almost want to leave this place knowing you could be out there." A slight joke, an insight  to her mindset. 

"I have nothing out there. Nothing worthwhile, and the longest time. I had nothing in here. I was just going through the motions. I don't even really like the frontlines, the politics, the battles. The egos. The suffocating sense of righteousness...But I know those people are just fighting because they have things waiting for them outside this place." She ran her thumb gently over his hand. "But you know...I'm finding myself seeing something very worthwhile." She looked up at him. 

"I still had a few things I wanted to talk to you about. Did you want to stay here, and work on things or would you prefer dessert?"

Edited 15 hours ago by Mari

[Lancaster 1]

The man would drink her scent and even kiss her forehead when given the opportunity, his eyes locked in a dark curiosity to her lethal little toys. The level of ingenuity, the creativity. Elegant, yet so simple. "I am...." He'd look to his hand leaving little droplets in red taps, that didn't even compute as he'd gotten so fixated on his thoughts flowing and bouncing ideas back and forth. He'd gesture with a pinched index and thumb on the unfucked hand: "I got a little swept up, scusa." Lancaster unfurls his fingers as she'd pull the bits of glass out, carefully wrapping it to which the man would tighten it into a fist a couple of times. "Food for the belly, food for the mind. Not all of this I understand, but your inspiration and excitement are contagious. Cuore mia I would not dream of being here without you." Watching as her thumb dragged on that bandage, he'd reach across her shoulders with the other and pull her in. The acrid scent from that thick coat of hers wasn't nearly as inviting, so he'd bury his face in her hair to drink her in.

Inhaling "This place is a lot more, forgiving. There is not much worth saving out there. I am in no hurry to return, to enjoy this little playground for as long as I can. Where I am free to do what I wish...to who I wish." The man would pause and shrug his shoulders, rethinking the statement for its validity "Give or take. You bella, mi dolce amore. Are it, no one else matters. I do not care for them, like I do you... Milan." The man drops off the cuff, without even the slightest hesitation. "If the game should end tomorrow, I live in Milan."

He'd stroke her hair "So about that dessert, I remember spotting a cake."