[PP F1: Shaya] Side Act: Pull Harder on the Strings

[Astraeus 0]

Astraeus was walking about the Starting City, minding his own business, but all the same he was keeping up with the humdrum community because you never know what sort of information someone might have to sell or even tell! And knowledge was everything to Astra, he could feed off of it for eternity and never get full of it.

It was mildly depressing to hear cat calls every now and then from other men, and he tried…again and again to convince people he was indeed a male. Perhaps the audacious look of his was too much for these troglodytes to comprehend. The unique avatar that he has been accustomed to has grown in flavor, long thigh high boots showing more than enough to make anyone blush. Though his provocative apparel is what is needed to be. He needs to stand out from the rest of the crowd, he needs to be nurtured by the other’s light, for he will drink it all into the darkness and throw it into the endless eons of the abyss when the time is ripe. But now, now he needed something more. A puppet? A mannequin? A stringed up…

 

“Doll?” He watched as female was walking by him, her long brunette hair swaying in the wind of Aincrad as she strolled down the street. He touched his chin with one hand as the other folded, “Ahh yes, little canary. You will do…”

 

With the glint of those soft blue dreamy eyes of his, he caught up to the unfamiliar woman and stood in front of her with his hands out. Dramatically he bowed in place, his eyes still on hers as he took her by the hand and kissed it lightly, “Yes! You are a fantastic creature of Aincrad, are you not? Such wondrous beauty walking down these undeserved paved streets, mingled before the absolute drawl of the urban community. I find myself looking at a beauty personified by even the Goddess Aphrodite who swings enraptured by the golden rays of light….Ahh! But I digress; I am getting off on the wrong foot and have yet to introduce myself. My name is Astraeus…I was wondering if I could buy you a drink or two? Perhaps we can escape for a bit to chat for a little while?”

[Shaya 0]

Shaya was walking along on her way to nowhere, she was simply enjoying the daylight. She listened to the birds chirp mixed in with the crowd of people. The laughter of children brought a smile to her face as she continued along the path. Her hair, pulled through her usual ponytail, swayed as she walked. Her dress reaching only a little above the length of her fingertips. She felt at piece with this world. Seemingly out of nowhere a girl, no a man walked in front of her blocking her from continuing. As he spoke Shaya blushed not knowing what to say back, I-I only understood like half of what you said, but I must say you are quite the charmer. My name's Shaya nice to meet you. She gave a heartwarming smile to the kind gentleman. He then mentioned getting a drink. Well, it might be a bit early, but I'm always up for a drink.

[Astraeus 0]

He smiled back showing his pearly white teeth. As they communed from the city, they came across a quaint little café shop where they could get out of the sun and relax a little bit. Astraeus, being the charmer that he was, pulled out a seat for the young woman he had just met.

He moved to the other side of the table and sat down, moving the half skirt away from his body as he did so. Sitting gracefully now, he smiled at her and simply marveled at her perfection…It was odd to see someone half as good looking as he was. He turned his head to the side, “You must have been a model in the real world at one time or another if I am not mistaken. Wondrous beauty is captured on film, perhaps you were an actress as well? I am sorry if I just popped out of nowhere as I did, I saw you across the street there and I couldn’t be more magnetized by you. I just had to talk to you, and learn a bit about yourself. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on making any moves on you. I simply wish to—“

 

“Can I help you ladies with anything…Oh! I’m so sorry; the long hair totally threw me off. I’m sorry about that, sir.”

 

The look on Astra’s face, dismal, gloomy, depressed, then…a bright smile, “Ahh! Yes! Drinks! A glass of your citrus flavored beverage would be exquisite, thank you. And this young lady may have whatever she wishes…Sorry, I don’t believe I caught your name…?”

 

A moment passed to allow her the privilege of telling her name to him, “Ahh, such a wonderful name…”

The waitress left the table with their order. Astra gave a slight cough, “Yes well, it can be confusing can it not? I do look a bit wild in this garb; however, trust me when I say it has its reasons for being as such. So, little canary. As I was saying I wanted to chat a little, I find myself drawn to people and you were very much a vibrant young rose in the midst of all those weeds…” his voice trailed off for a moment, something caught the corner of his eyes, something he did not like outside. He blinked for a moment and allowed the moment to pass briefly, undisturbed by the flow of time.

 

“Actress? Model? Surely you have the looks, you must have been racking in the dough. How did you come to be one of the victims of SAO?” A cheery smile, dressed to sway.    

[Shaya 0]

The kind man pulled out a chair at the small cafe they arrived at for Shaya. He then continued to barrage her with compliments, staring at her with a charming gaze, making her blush once again. She waved her hands out in front of her, No no nothing close to that! I'm just a high school dropout. She spoke without even thinking admitting something she didn't want to. She then instantly had to hold in her laughter when their waitress referred to Astraeus as a girl. Before she realized it was her turn to order, she didn't realize he meant something non-alcoholic, Your most powerful wine please. The waitress then replied that they didn't serve anything alcoholic. Oh.. um.. coffee please...  He then asked her name again, I'm Shaya. The waitress nodded and walked away quickly. Astraeus then made a few comments on his attire, Why does he dress like that? I can't imagine walking around in clothes of.. the opposite sex. Thus he complimented her even more, How I got here. Well, it was my boyfriend at the time. But he's not here so what could I care for him. She scoffed at the thought of her former boyfriend and looked around the cafe.

[Astraeus 0]

The charming fellow smiled and nodded when she mentioned she was a high school dropout. That wasn’t too obscene this day and age, he assumed.  It was rather common back when he was in school, and that was a very long time ago. She must be in her early twenties, perhaps…Astra’s eyes fell on her body examining her unintentionally, “Oh! I’m sorry. Forgive me. I did not mean to ‘scope’ you out. I was merely wondering why you wouldn’t induct yourself in such a career as a model or actress. “

 

“Order’s up! One citrus beverage for the gentlemen--”  Astra was irritated, she didn’t have to fix her previous mistake as if correcting the problem now would do her any good. There was a slight twitch in his brow before he put on his ‘happy face.’ “—And a coffee beverage for girlfriend…You two enjoy…” the waitress walked off with a wink after saying that last line. “I’m terribly sorry, some people can just blow things out of proportion. I mean…You are an enticing young woman, I have no doubt and you carry yourself well…But hardly, you and I…Well…maybe it is not too far now…?” he joked and clapped his hands for a moment or two before settling down.

 

“Mmm, seems a bit fizzy…” he mentioned about his orange drink. “I was a lawyer before I came to this world. I was actually on vacation but I was helping a local firm with a case. And then somehow…” he gestured and shrugged, “I was stuck…here…inside a game. Hahaha! Isn’t that ironic?” he laughed and clapped his hands a few more times, there was odd looks coming from other sides of the room as Astra gave a smiling glare at them.

 

“But that is mostly my past; I have been atoning for some serious crimes against humanity for some time now. Perhaps this world is my punishment for such crimes. You mentioned a boyfriend, did you not? Was he not good to you…or just ended on bad terms? I don’t mean to pry; I think it’s good for all of us to remember what was in our true world. Home. Well, for some of us at least…I honestly don’t mind this place. Its far more exciting than that office, I can tell you. And because of how the game is set up…we can be anyone we want to be. A Queen…?” His sipped his drink and his eye brow raised at the woman.

 

“Oh come now, don’t look startled. Do you not think you have what it takes to be the Queen of Aincrad? All you have to do is look beautiful and have an unselfish love for the people here. Once you gain their trust, they will surely name you Queen! Hahaha! Perhaps I am being a bit verbose, just going on and on. But I believe anyone can be anyone if they set their minds to it. Tell me, Shaya. What goals do you have here?”

[Shaya 0]

Shaya noticed Astraeus looking a little lower than she liked, giving him a glare he quickly apologized. She replied with a firm, Mmmhm. The waitress from before then broke the glare setting their drinks down in front of them. I-I'm not his- The waitress already walked off before she could correct her. Shaya tilted her head at Astraeus not understanding exactly what he said. He then laughed and clapped his hands together, Shaya joined him, though not exactly knowing the cause. He then did it once more after talking a little about his life in the real world, Shaya joining him again. She didn't care that people were staring, she liked the attention either way. He then mentioned Shaya's "boyfriend." No he was good to me... and other girls.. Shaya clenched her cup, she absolutely hates talking about her former boyfriend. She calmed herself enough to notice Astraeus's remark of her being the queen of Aincrad. She put her hands on her hips making a face of slight disappointment, Queen? If anything I would want to be the princess... Goals? Hm.. come to think of it I've never set any goals. I don't think it's completely necessary, I just go with the flow.

[Astraeus 0]

He grimaced slightly from the response he received from the brunette about her ex-boyfriend perhaps that was one skeleton best left in the closet for now. He noticed the change in her tone when she talked about him and the way she was gripping her cup, she had strong feelings about the situation...and yet, she did not talk about it; just allowed it to bottle up.

 

“Ahh, I’m quite sorry to hear about that, Miss Shaya. I must beg and plead for forgiveness about opening up such a wound. I was once married myself, you see. I understand the loss due to…” Astra searched for the answer in his head, it took a split moment for the answer but the hesitation was clear and concise, “unfortunate…circumstances. Haha…If you could call it that. You see, she worked long hours into the day, had very little time for me it seemed. Or rather, not me…but much more time for someone else. I found her with another man, we had an argument…then the next thing you know…”

 

He looked down at his ring finger, what would be an object of Forever gone in the wind as he twisted nothing but flesh from his digit, “So cheers to us, yes? For surviving such vial and detest people! For we are much stronger now as we stand here now in the present in the form of brilliance and clarity!” A chug from his drink and he placed the glass back down on the table with a clank.

 

He looked back up to the woman and her eyes continuing the conversation, “I see. A Princess, huh? I suppose that would be an equally compelling Title, Princess of Aincrad…” he flashed with his hands curving the words in the air as he gestured, “Has a nice ring to it, don’t it?” he laughed to himself and continued. “I think we all have goals, we just don’t know it yet. All of us are here for a reason, Shaya. I mean, there is a whole world outside these walls for us to build, to venture, to see! We are not slaved to one place here. It just takes a little time and effort. You’ll see, you may be just a woman going with the flow now…But you will find something so desirable that you will want it to be yours and you will eventually set out and get it.”

 

His manicured nails sketched circles into the table lightly as he was talking to her, but his eyes never left hers. It was important to look into her eyes, see deep within her very essence and to know who she was. If he could play her into his spell, the transition in this world would be brimming with fervor for him as King. And there, the mere thought caused a curious grin to find its way to his face.

[Shaya 0]

Shaya smiled and raised her glass not knowing half of what Astraeus said, Cheers! She attepted to chug her cup as well, but she then felt the burn of her coffee. She spit it back out being as hot as it was and waved into her mouth with her tongue out. She spoke in a whining voice, Why does this keep happening? She smiled at Astraeus and blushed a little thinking of the thing she wanted most at the moment, tapping her cheeks lightly, she focused back on the guy in front of her. She noticed he was looking at her seemingly engrossed by her, he then grinned. She tilted her head, What?

[Astraeus 0]

'What??" he asked back as a matter of shock. He then chuckled, hiding his big grin behind his hands, "I was just day dreaming, my dear. I was thinking...what it would actually be like if there WAS a Princess in Aincrad. I think...No! No, I don't think! I KNOW people would flock to the idea of YOU being their Princess, and how do I know this? Well...Because I, Astraeus de Vylyn, will make sure of it. I shall make it my sworn duty to do so! Though..I may need to bend a few truths here and there..."

 

He sat back in his seat and pondered tapping his finger against his chin. His blue shimmering eyes danced back to the female and he smiled, "Alas, for this to work...We would have to slightly alter your image a wee bit. We can't have a Princess running around in such attire. No! We need to dress you up in something extravagant so that there would be no unequivocal question to your Royalty...So what do you say, Princess? Would you like to have all of Aincrad at your finger tips? I shall be your homely adviser and tutor, if we are to be stuck in Aincrad for awhile, should you not live in luxury and be the center of attention? BUT! This is not for mere selfish desires, we must give the people hope, a dream that this nightmare shall soon come to an end. You could walk the streets, escorted of course with your Royal Guard, and greet the people, find out their woes and try to help fix their problems. For a Princess is not just symbol! She is a verb! One that will take action for her people and then all of Aincrad will shout your name, Noble Shaya! The Princess of Aincrad!" 

 

Astraeus whipped his hands apart nearly knocking his glass over in the process, he wore a giant grin as he stood there smiling at her allowing her to soak up the moment.Could he indeed coax her into doing this? Or did he need to pull at the strings harder?

 

 

[Shaya 0]

She looked around at all the people imagining them applauding her. That sounds like way too much work for me though. Speeches, meetings.. it's not really my thing. She looked back at Astraeus and shook her head. Sorry hun, but I don't think that's for me. Even so, I don't think having two princesses would make much sense. She shrugged, It doesn't really seem like something for Jevi either. What would everyone think when they saw both of us holding hands or kissing just anywhere in Aincrad? She blushed more thinking of her girlfriend. I'm gonna have to give up my partying days too, and I would never give that up.

[Astraeus 0]

Astraeus beamed a smile, inside he was scorning the foolish girl with her sentimental ties. Alas, he nodded his head, "That is quite alright! I just seem to have fallen short of snagging you in my little web. But within the short amount of time that we have spent together, I believe I have learned a great deal from you...IF anything, I enjoyed that much. You are a sweet woman, you seem to care for this Jevi..." Astra leaned on hand and tilted his eyes up, the name Jevi surfaced. But...This woman, Shaya, probably gave out her greatest weakness as well. She has a boyfriend...name Jevi, he just found the right strings to pull...But that...that would come later.

 

"So you two are close then? I suppose seeing a Princess making out in public would draw some attention. Hahaha! But its the drama of the scene that I find to be...exciting. Well, if not a Princess then surely something else. I am a performer...everyone has their role to play in my little script," the contents of his citrus beverage had gone dry. There was a frown on his face when the glass was empty.

Edited August 8, 2015 by Astraeus
Shaya does not mention Jevi is a female, that was fixed.

[Shaya 0]

Shaya smiled and nodded, not really understanding yet again. She looked at Astraeus, picking out the word Jevi every time her mentioned her. Did he say something about a web? I hope it has nothing to do with spiders, those things are so gross. But I suppose.. She heard Astraeus ask her if the two of them were close. Yeah, we are pretty good. She usually keeps my mind in check, so far as not letting me do dumb things like taking people on that I know I can't. Ah, she really is one of a kind. Shaya looked in the air daydreaming about the past days she has spent with Jevi. I hope she's doing alright.

[Astraeus 0]

Dreamy eyed; Astra knew that look all too well when mentioning a loved one... Alas, all the love in his heart has escaped and replaced with nothing but hatred and ferocity. He smiled, "Ahh! Youth! It must be the budding rose of maturity. For in the air the pheromones whisper our lover's name, our essences pull into one another, twisting, fusing and becoming one..." he said with a simple hand gesture, his digits gliding over his other fingers and clasping to make one giant fist. Perhaps that was a bit much for the woman in front of him...

 

"I am sure she is doing quite fine, m'lady! To think of her so often even now, she must be one lucky find and the lucky one to be in a relationship with you..." his voice trailed off, a waitress coming by the table once more. 

 

"Can I help you with something else?" Big blue eyes flashed at her, "YES!! A small bowl of yogurt! Or the equivalent of it. I have no idea if they sell yogurt. I will be depressed if they--"

 

The waitress nodded with a happy smile, a true one, he forgot what true smiles were worn like. It has been a long time since he genuinely smiled at someone. He'll smile one day, one day perhaps, "And for you, Miss?"