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Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
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Sweet Seals For You, Always
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Love Begins
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@howlofthewolf
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"How do you go about raising him?" She wondered.
"You mentioned not being married."
"He's not just raised by me." Yuki said, "The clan raises all the kiddos together."
"Like cat colonies." Asta whispered.
"You read too much." Michi shook her head.
“Something about cat colonies?” Yuki raised an eyebrow.
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"How do you go about raising him?" She wondered.
"You mentioned not being married."
"He's not just raised by me." Yuki said, "The clan raises all the kiddos together."
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
"We'll start with fairy tales and then we can get into adventure books and books on botany. You want to practice medicine? We can help you identify medicinal herbs."
"Okie." Mikoto said, still bouncing happily.
"Too cute." The Khan said.
"He's the cutest." Asta praised.
"Is there anything else you need before we move you to the scribe's tent?" The Khan asked.
"More soup, please!" Asta requested.
"She enjoys soup." Michi nodded. "And mayhaps some water to drink."
"I'll got get you more soup." The khan said, leaving them be, "And water, let's not forget that."
Asta looked to her maid, smiling. "At least we get to stay together."
"That is a comfort I do not take for granted, my lady."
"Call me by my name. We're equal here." She dismissed.
"She's right, y'know." Yuki said to Michi, "Though I think part of that is muscle memory."
Soon, the Khan was back with more soup and fresh water.
"Here we are." He said.
Michi took both from him.and sat next to Asta.
"Mayhaps the boy can show us where we shall sleep later?"
"I can do that." Mikoto nodded happily at that.
"Thank you, Mikoto." Asta smiled.
“My good boy.” Yuki said, kissing the top of his head.
Sishian Girl RP
Sishia's morning sun was coming over Lunadang’s canals, turning the water into a shifting sheet of gold and blue. Three days after Typhoon Manapoya, the air still carried that clean, rain-washed scent mixed with the usual smells of wet wood, Kaorangia diesel, and someone’s breakfast cooking on a nearby houseboat. Workers and volunteers were everywhere, and they were all clearing debris, checking mooring lines, arguing good-naturedly in a mix of Tagalog, Mandarin, and the local creole about whose boat had taken the worst beating.
Chloe Xin Yi Chua stood at the edge of Pier 7, one hand resting on her hip, the other holding her diving bag. At 1.78 meters she was easy to spot thanks to her long legs that were all bare beneath the loose cargo shorts that she wore over her one-piece diving suit. The suit was already half-zipped, the dark fabric clinging to her athletic frame, ready for the water she was itching to get into.
She exhaled through her nose, half a smile tugging at her mouth.
Finally.
After two weeks of paperwork, waiting on approvals, and dealing with that stubborn silt near the old island site, today was supposed to be straightforward. Simple inspection dives on the new canal extensions. Nothing dramatic. Just her, the water, and the quiet satisfaction of doing her job well.
And tomorrow… ah, well, tomorrow was that, wasn't it? She was going to get that big payout that the government was gonna give right to her account. The one for the rare-earth survey job she’d finished two weeks ago. Government bonus on top of her regular fee. She hadn’t let herself think too hard about the number yet, but it was enough. Enough that she could finally stop just thinking about body mods and actually start looking into them seriously.
She shifted her weight, feeling the familiar stretch in her long legs as she glanced down the row of boats. Her usual ride — the sturdy little workboat Kabit — was still up on the repair cradle two piers over, hull patched but engine still in pieces after the typhoon had tried to throw it into the breakwater. The dockmaster just shook his head at her and told her politely to wait and come back next time when she asked this morning.
So now she was here, bag at her feet, trying to decide whether to rent something overpriced from the commercial side or beg a favor from one of the smaller operators she knew.
Chloe ran a hand through her dark hair, pushing a few strands out of her face as she scanned the docks. The water looked so good. Calm now, but still carrying that post-storm energy that made diving feel a little more alive. She wanted to be in it. Wanted the pressure on her body, the silence, the way everything else just… quieted down when she was under.
Her thoughts drifted again to tomorrow’s money. Again. Maybe, just maybe... Maybe she’d finally do something about her legs. Or her waist. Or just… whatever made her feel better when she looked in the mirror after a long dive. Nothing drastic, nothing too fucking expensive. Just enough to feel like the outside matched how strong she already felt on the inside.
She let out a soft huff at herself and picked up her bag again, slinging it over one shoulder.
“Alright,” she muttered under her breath in a casual mix of English and Tagalog. “Let’s find a boat before I start swimming there myself.”
Chloe started walking along the pier, long strides eating up the distance as she headed toward the rental board and the cluster of smaller operators who sometimes took on day jobs. Her eyes flicked across the boats still tied up, looking for anyone she recognized or any sign that someone might be willing to make a quick deal.
She was already mentally running through how much extra she was willing to pay today just to get wet on schedule. Hopefully, just hopefully, she's able to get this all done and done without something fucking up for her. She was getting so lost in her thoughts that she was failing to notice that someone was approaching her.
Sishia.
Unique place for a security job.
Wolf and his mercs had been hired by the local government to act as hired muscle to protect the work site following the hurricane that had passed through. With the destruction caused, there were worries of pirates coming in to try and score an easy payday from the crews as they repaired the docks and cleared the silt.
Sighing, the mercenary captain slung his rifle and began to walk down the pier when he noticed someone... that rather tall, but really attractive woman he'd seen around. Deciding to try his luck, he walked over to her.
"Hey, you leading this op?"
Chloe blinked, caught off guard by the sudden approach. She turned around and found herself looking at a group of mercenaries, by the look of their gear and the way they carried themselves. Her eyes flicked over the rifles and the confident posture of the man who had spoken before settling on his face. For a second she just stared, clearly trying to figure out why they were talking to her. Then she let out a short breath and shook her head once.
“No, not leading anything,” she said, voice calm but direct. “I’m just one of the divers for the Lunadang Development Authority. I was heading out to do some inspection work on the new canal extensions.” She gestured toward the water with one hand, her tall frame shifting slightly as she adjusted the strap of her diving bag on her shoulder. The movement made the long line of her legs even more obvious beneath the cargo shorts.
She studied the group for a moment, then looked back at the man who had approached her.
“You’re the security team the government hired after the typhoon, right?” she asked, tilting her head a little. “Wolf, was it? I heard they brought in outside muscle because of the pirate rumors.” There was no judgment in her tone, just quiet acknowledgment. “I’m Chloe. Chloe Xin Yi Chua. If you’re looking for whoever’s actually running the site today, I can point you toward the foreman. He’s probably over by the big crane on Pier 4.”
She paused, one eyebrow lifting slightly as she glanced between him and the water she was clearly eager to get into. “Or… did you need something from me specifically?”
He nodded along as she talked, nodding at the mention of pirates.
"Yeah, I'm Wolf." He said, "Pirates around these parts seem to love getting bold after a big storm. We're just here to make sure they don't try anything stupid."
He looked away a little bashfully as she asked that next question.
"Yeah... you wanna get a drink later? Maybe get to know each other a bit better when we're off the clock?"
Chloe felt heat rise to her cheeks the moment Wolf asked. For a second she just stood there. She... was clearly not expecting the question. A guy walking straight up to her like that was… new.
She opened her mouth, closed it again, then let out a small, slightly nervous laugh. “I— yeah. Sure,” she managed, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand. “A drink sounds good. I’m usually done around… five, five-thirty, depending on how the dives go.” She gave him a small, almost shy smile, the kind that reached her eyes even if her posture was still a little stiff from surprise. “I don’t usually get asked out on the docks, so… yeah. I’d like that.”
Before she could say anything else, someone from further down the pier shouted her name, waving a clipboard. “Chloe! They’re doing a same-day discount on the rentals if we grab one before noon! You still need a boat or what?”
She turned toward the voice, then back to Wolf, looking a little caught between two things. “Oh, uh, I should... I need to get out there before the good light’s gone,” she said quickly, already stepping back. “But… later? Five-thirty? I’ll come find you if you’re still around. So, yeah, there.”
She gave him one last quick nod — a little flustered, but clearly not unhappy — before turning and jogging toward the rental office, long legs carrying her easily across the pier while her diving bag bounced against her hip as she went.
Later that afternoon
The sun was lower by the time Chloe climbed out of the water for the last time. She was tired in that good, satisfied way — salt on her skin, muscles pleasantly sore from the dives, and another solid day of work behind her. She peeled off her wetsuit top and tied it around her waist, leaving her in the fitted rash guard underneath as she walked along the pier toward the small changing area the Authority used.
Halfway there, she slowed down.
Right. The drink.
She had almost forgotten in the middle of the work, but now that she was done, Wolf’s invitation came back clearly. Chloe glanced around the docks, scanning for the group of mercenaries she’d seen earlier. When she didn’t immediately spot them, she started asking around.
“Hey,” she said to one of the dock workers she knew, “you seen the security guys the government brought in? The mercs? Tall guy named Wolf leading them?”
The worker pointed her toward one of the larger piers that had been turned into a temporary staging area for the security teams. Chloe thanked him and started walking in that direction, still in her work clothes, hair damp and pulled back, diving bag slung over one shoulder again.
She wasn’t entirely sure what she was going to say when she found him. Part of her still couldn’t believe she’d actually said yes earlier. But she was here now, and she wasn’t the type to back out once she committed to something. And so, Chloe kept walking, eyes moving across the groups of armed men and the makeshift command area they’d set up, looking for the one who had asked her out so bluntly that morning.
For his part, it had been a rather quiet day. Most of it was coordinating patrols with other mercenary captains that had also been hired. Thankfully they were all people Wolf knew and was friendly with, so it wasn’t a total chore. Just making sure things went smoothly… that’s what took the time.
With his shift over, he put his rifle in the locker area, and looked it up. After that, he walked out of the command area, and saw Chloe walking up.
“Hey!” He called out.
Chloe smiled when she heard him call out, raising a hand in a small wave as she walked over. She stopped a comfortable distance away. She reached up to her hair and realized that it was still damp from the last dive.
“Hey,” she answered, a little more relaxed now that she’d actually found him. “Yeah, it’s Wolf, right? You still up for that drink?”
She shifted her weight onto one leg, the movement making her long frame look even taller for a moment. But she realized that she wasn't as tall as Wolf. The man looked way taller than her. At least that didn't spook her. The rest, though... Chloe said, “I figured since you’re new around here, I could show you a decent spot. Most of the good places are along the canal walk a few piers down. Nothing fancy, but the food’s good and it’s quiet enough to actually talk.” She paused, then added with a small, slightly awkward laugh, “And yeah… it’s just you and me, right? I don’t mind grabbing food too if you’re hungry, but I’d rather it stay that way, with you and me, nobody else. No offense to your guys or anything, I just… don’t want to be surprised.”
She looked at him directly, waiting for his answer. There was still a hint of nervousness in her posture, but she wasn’t backing out.
"Oh yeah, it's just me and you." He said, "I wasn't expecting it to be anyone but."
He smiled at her assuringly.
"Well? Lead the way." He said, "And food would be good. Anything to get rid of the taste of old MREs."
Chloe visibly relaxed when he confirmed it would just be the two of them. The tension in her shoulders eased and a small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
“Okay, that's good,” she said with a soft laugh. “I know a place not too far from here. We can just walk. It’s a quiet little spot along the canal walk. It's got good food, nice atmosphere, not too crowded. A bit on the pricey side, but… it’s worth it after a long day in the water.”
She shifted her diving bag higher on her shoulder and glanced at him. “Before we go though — any allergies or things you don’t eat? I don’t want to accidentally suggest something that’ll mess with you.”
When she looked over at him and asked that question, he shook his head.
“Nothing that I know of.” He said, following her as they began to walk, “I’m mildly allergic to dust, but nothing food-related.”
Chloe smiled when he said he had no food allergies. “That’s cute,” she said lightly, the corner of her mouth lifting. “Dust is the worst. At least you don’t have to worry about anything on the menu.”
She led the way through the quieter parts of the canal walk, the two of them walking side by side. The place she had in mind wasn’t far — a small, cozy restaurant tucked between two larger buildings, with warm lights glowing from the windows and soft music playing inside.
When they stepped in, the place was almost empty. Just the two of them and the owner behind the counter. The tall woman looked up and immediately smiled when she saw Chloe.
“Chloe! Long time no see,” the owner greeted warmly. She was beautiful, around Chloe’s age, with striking features and a calm, confident presence. “Table for two?”
“Yeah, Meilin. Thanks,” Chloe replied, returning the smile. She led Wolf to a quiet corner table near the window and sat down, placing her diving bag on the empty chair beside her.
Zhan Meilin came over personally to take their order. Chloe didn’t even need to look at the menu. “I’ll have the jumbo fries and the duck chops,” she said easily. “And an apple beer, please.”
She then looked across the table at Wolf, tilting her head slightly. “What about you? Order whatever you want. I’ve got it covered tonight — as long as it’s not too crazy,” she added with a small, playful smirk. “I just got paid for a job, so I can afford to treat someone for once.”
And so, she waited, clearly comfortable now that they were seated and away from the docks.
Wolf looked at the menu at that.
"I'll go with the shrimp and scallops." He said, "And an apple beer as well."
He leaned back at that.
"Nice place." He said, "Also, never have I seen more seafood."
Chloe let out a soft laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Oh, there’s definitely plenty of seafood here,” she said, smiling. “You’re in one of Lunadang’s coastal districts. This whole province is built around the water! You’re actually pretty lucky to be eating here tonight.”
Zhan Meilin took their orders with a quick, professional smile and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet little restaurant.
Chloe leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the table. She studied Wolf for a moment before speaking.
“You know… it was kind of cute how you just asked me out like that,” she admitted, a faint blush touching her cheeks. “That’s not really how things usually go around here. But I appreciate the directness. It’s been a while since anyone’s had the guts to try.” She gave a small, self-deprecating shrug. “I’m usually way too busy with work to even notice. Diving all day, paperwork, more diving… it doesn’t leave much room for anything else.” She paused, then tilted her head curiously. “Anyway, I’m guessing you’re not from around here. Off-world, right? You don’t really look like you’re from any of the provinces I know — not even the stations or outer fleets.”
"Oh yeah, no, I'm not from here." He said, "I'm from way away from here."
He sighed wistfully at that.
"Sadly, I can't go back." He said, "People who leave my homeworld can't return."
Chloe tilted her head, her dark eyes softening with curiosity. Way away from here… and he can’t go back? That sounds lonely. She could see the wistful look on Wolf’s face and immediately felt a small tug of sympathy. They had literally just met — she didn’t want to come across as nosy or pushy. Still, she couldn’t help wanting to know a little more.
“I won’t ask too many questions if it’s a sore subject,” she said gently, offering a small, understanding smile. “But… if you’re comfortable sharing at least a little, I’d like to hear about it. What was your homeworld like?” She paused, then added with light curiosity, “And the others with you — are they from the same place?”
He chuckled at that.
“We’re all exiles from that planet.” Wolf said, “Our kind… we stick together. Doesn’t matter where we end up, we always come back together.”
He sighed at that.
“To put it simply, it’s a dark place. Almost always night. Dangerous… but also strangely beautiful.” He said, “The moon is always full… and shadows dance amongst the trees… it’s a mysterious place, and not welcoming outsiders or exiles.”
He brought out a holoprojector, and showed her the location in the galaxy.
“It’s within the Shadow Nebula.” He said, pointing to it, “It’s the largest of the planets within the nebula. Isolated… and isolationist.”
Chloe listened quietly, her dark eyes fixed on Wolf the entire time. She didn’t interrupt, only nodding occasionally to show she was following. When he finished and showed her the holoprojector, she leaned in slightly, studying the glowing image of the Shadow Nebula with open curiosity. After a moment she sat back, a small, thoughtful smile on her face.
“Sishia is a system built by exiles too,” she said softly. “My family — like billions of others — came here to protect what we had. Our languages, our traditions, our food, the stories from back home… everything that made us who we are. We wanted a place where we could keep being ourselves instead of disappearing into someone else’s idea of unity.”
She glanced down at the table for a second, then continued.
“I dive into very dark water sometimes. The kind where you can’t see your own hand in front of your face. I used to be terrified of it… still am, a little. But I love the water too much to let the darkness stop me.” She gave a small, self-conscious laugh. “So I got used to it.”
Her gaze returned to him, warmer now.
“I’ve never heard of the Shadow Nebula before… but I’m curious. You’re interesting, Wolf. Like the strange things I find down in the deep water. I think you’re worth knowing more about.”
Before she could say anything else, Zhan Meilin returned carrying their orders. The tall owner moved with quiet efficiency, setting down the jumbo fries, duck chops, shrimp and scallops, and two bottles of apple beer with a friendly smile.
"I mean, I'm not that interesting." He said with a shrug, nodding his thanks to the owner of the bar, "I'm just a simple man trying to make his way through the galaxy."
He turned the holoprojector off.
"I'll never see my family again, that's for sure." He said, "Not much I can do about that, though."
Chloe listened quietly, her expression softening. She felt a small pang in her chest at his words, but she didn’t linger on it. It wasn’t her place to pry or dwell on things he clearly carried alone. Still, she couldn’t help but feel for him. And oddly enough, she liked him a little more for it.
She picked up a fry and twirled it between her fingers before popping it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
“You feel that way,” she said after swallowing, her voice gentle but certain, “but I think you’re more than just a simple man trying to make his way through the galaxy.” She met his eyes with a small, sincere smile. “Most people in your position would’ve stayed closed off. Or tried too hard to sound mysterious. You just told me the truth. That takes something. And the way you and your people showed up after the typhoon to help protect everyone. That’s someone who still chooses to do good, even when they’ve lost everything.”
She shrugged lightly, her long legs shifting under the table as she reached for her bottle of apple beer. “Anyway,” she said, her tone brightening as she twisted the cap off, “enough of the heavy stuff. Let’s actually enjoy the food and drinks while they’re hot.”
Chloe took a long sip, then let out a soft giggle, half from the crisp, slightly sweet taste of the beer and half because of the simple relief of shifting the mood. She picked up another fry and bit into it happily, her shoulders relaxing. “Mmm. These are good,” she said around a mouthful, cheeks slightly puffed. She looked at him with warm, curious eyes. “What do you think? Want some of my fries?”
“Hmmm, how could I say no?” He smiled, “A girl with a pretty face offering me fries? I’d be a fool to say no.”
He put a shrimp in his mouth at that.
“Good shrimp.”
Chloe smiled at the compliment, a soft laugh escaping her as she shook her head. “Flattery will get you free fries, apparently,” she said, scooping a small pile of the jumbo fries onto the edge of his plate. “Here. Consider it a peace offering for making you order seafood in a place that specializes in it.”
She leaned back a little, picking up one of her own fries and dipping it before taking a bite. After a moment, she glanced at him with mild curiosity. “So… Wolf,” she said, tilting her head. “Is that just a name, or is there more to it? Do you actually turn into a wolf, or did you pick it for yourself? Something new after leaving home?”
There was no real pressure in her tone, just light curiosity. After a short pause, she shifted the conversation a little, her expression turning more thoughtful.
“Not sure how free you usually are with work, but… if we ever end up doing something like this again, would you be up for the beach sometime? Maybe go for a swim?” She gave a small shrug, still casual. “Only if you’ve got the time, of course. I don’t want to get you in trouble with your team. I’m guessing you and your people do get some downtime though, right?”
She waited, hoping he'd tell her a thing or two, so until then, she just contented herself with watching him with a quiet, open expression while she continued eating.
“Oh, well, it’s a translation, actually.” He said, “My family name is Okami. One of our native languages back home is a derivative of Japanese. My full name is Okami Takeshi, but I just go by Wolf in most cases.
He smiled at her asking about the amount of freedom he had.
“My team wasn’t the only mercenary team hired.” He said, “I’m sure I could find the time easily, depending on the shift.”
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
"We'll start with fairy tales and then we can get into adventure books and books on botany. You want to practice medicine? We can help you identify medicinal herbs."
"Okie." Mikoto said, still bouncing happily.
"Too cute." The Khan said.
"He's the cutest." Asta praised.
"Is there anything else you need before we move you to the scribe's tent?" The Khan asked.
"More soup, please!" Asta requested.
"She enjoys soup." Michi nodded. "And mayhaps some water to drink."
"I'll got get you more soup." The khan said, leaving them be, "And water, let's not forget that."
Asta looked to her maid, smiling. "At least we get to stay together."
"That is a comfort I do not take for granted, my lady."
"Call me by my name. We're equal here." She dismissed.
"She's right, y'know." Yuki said to Michi, "Though I think part of that is muscle memory."
Soon, the Khan was back with more soup and fresh water.
"Here we are." He said.
Michi took both from him.and sat next to Asta.
"Mayhaps the boy can show us where we shall sleep later?"
"I can do that." Mikoto nodded happily at that.
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
"We'll start with fairy tales and then we can get into adventure books and books on botany. You want to practice medicine? We can help you identify medicinal herbs."
"Okie." Mikoto said, still bouncing happily.
"Too cute." The Khan said.
"He's the cutest." Asta praised.
"Is there anything else you need before we move you to the scribe's tent?" The Khan asked.
"More soup, please!" Asta requested.
"She enjoys soup." Michi nodded. "And mayhaps some water to drink."
"I'll got get you more soup." The khan said, leaving them be, "And water, let's not forget that."
Asta looked to her maid, smiling. "At least we get to stay together."
"That is a comfort I do not take for granted, my lady."
"Call me by my name. We're equal here." She dismissed.
"She's right, y'know." Yuki said to Michi, "Though I think part of that is muscle memory."
Soon, the Khan was back with more soup and fresh water.
"Here we are." He said.
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
"We'll start with fairy tales and then we can get into adventure books and books on botany. You want to practice medicine? We can help you identify medicinal herbs."
"Okie." Mikoto said, still bouncing happily.
"Too cute." The Khan said.
"He's the cutest." Asta praised.
"Is there anything else you need before we move you to the scribe's tent?" The Khan asked.
"More soup, please!" Asta requested.
"She enjoys soup." Michi nodded. "And mayhaps some water to drink."
"I'll got get you more soup." The khan said, leaving them be, "And water, let's not forget that."
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
"We'll start with fairy tales and then we can get into adventure books and books on botany. You want to practice medicine? We can help you identify medicinal herbs."
"Okie." Mikoto said, still bouncing happily.
"Too cute." The Khan said.
"He's the cutest." Asta praised.
"Is there anything else you need before we move you to the scribe's tent?" The Khan asked.
Sishian Girl RP
Sishia's morning sun was coming over Lunadang’s canals, turning the water into a shifting sheet of gold and blue. Three days after Typhoon Manapoya, the air still carried that clean, rain-washed scent mixed with the usual smells of wet wood, Kaorangia diesel, and someone’s breakfast cooking on a nearby houseboat. Workers and volunteers were everywhere, and they were all clearing debris, checking mooring lines, arguing good-naturedly in a mix of Tagalog, Mandarin, and the local creole about whose boat had taken the worst beating.
Chloe Xin Yi Chua stood at the edge of Pier 7, one hand resting on her hip, the other holding her diving bag. At 1.78 meters she was easy to spot thanks to her long legs that were all bare beneath the loose cargo shorts that she wore over her one-piece diving suit. The suit was already half-zipped, the dark fabric clinging to her athletic frame, ready for the water she was itching to get into.
She exhaled through her nose, half a smile tugging at her mouth.
Finally.
After two weeks of paperwork, waiting on approvals, and dealing with that stubborn silt near the old island site, today was supposed to be straightforward. Simple inspection dives on the new canal extensions. Nothing dramatic. Just her, the water, and the quiet satisfaction of doing her job well.
And tomorrow… ah, well, tomorrow was that, wasn't it? She was going to get that big payout that the government was gonna give right to her account. The one for the rare-earth survey job she’d finished two weeks ago. Government bonus on top of her regular fee. She hadn’t let herself think too hard about the number yet, but it was enough. Enough that she could finally stop just thinking about body mods and actually start looking into them seriously.
She shifted her weight, feeling the familiar stretch in her long legs as she glanced down the row of boats. Her usual ride — the sturdy little workboat Kabit — was still up on the repair cradle two piers over, hull patched but engine still in pieces after the typhoon had tried to throw it into the breakwater. The dockmaster just shook his head at her and told her politely to wait and come back next time when she asked this morning.
So now she was here, bag at her feet, trying to decide whether to rent something overpriced from the commercial side or beg a favor from one of the smaller operators she knew.
Chloe ran a hand through her dark hair, pushing a few strands out of her face as she scanned the docks. The water looked so good. Calm now, but still carrying that post-storm energy that made diving feel a little more alive. She wanted to be in it. Wanted the pressure on her body, the silence, the way everything else just… quieted down when she was under.
Her thoughts drifted again to tomorrow’s money. Again. Maybe, just maybe... Maybe she’d finally do something about her legs. Or her waist. Or just… whatever made her feel better when she looked in the mirror after a long dive. Nothing drastic, nothing too fucking expensive. Just enough to feel like the outside matched how strong she already felt on the inside.
She let out a soft huff at herself and picked up her bag again, slinging it over one shoulder.
“Alright,” she muttered under her breath in a casual mix of English and Tagalog. “Let’s find a boat before I start swimming there myself.”
Chloe started walking along the pier, long strides eating up the distance as she headed toward the rental board and the cluster of smaller operators who sometimes took on day jobs. Her eyes flicked across the boats still tied up, looking for anyone she recognized or any sign that someone might be willing to make a quick deal.
She was already mentally running through how much extra she was willing to pay today just to get wet on schedule. Hopefully, just hopefully, she's able to get this all done and done without something fucking up for her. She was getting so lost in her thoughts that she was failing to notice that someone was approaching her.
Sishia.
Unique place for a security job.
Wolf and his mercs had been hired by the local government to act as hired muscle to protect the work site following the hurricane that had passed through. With the destruction caused, there were worries of pirates coming in to try and score an easy payday from the crews as they repaired the docks and cleared the silt.
Sighing, the mercenary captain slung his rifle and began to walk down the pier when he noticed someone... that rather tall, but really attractive woman he'd seen around. Deciding to try his luck, he walked over to her.
"Hey, you leading this op?"
Chloe blinked, caught off guard by the sudden approach. She turned around and found herself looking at a group of mercenaries, by the look of their gear and the way they carried themselves. Her eyes flicked over the rifles and the confident posture of the man who had spoken before settling on his face. For a second she just stared, clearly trying to figure out why they were talking to her. Then she let out a short breath and shook her head once.
“No, not leading anything,” she said, voice calm but direct. “I’m just one of the divers for the Lunadang Development Authority. I was heading out to do some inspection work on the new canal extensions.” She gestured toward the water with one hand, her tall frame shifting slightly as she adjusted the strap of her diving bag on her shoulder. The movement made the long line of her legs even more obvious beneath the cargo shorts.
She studied the group for a moment, then looked back at the man who had approached her.
“You’re the security team the government hired after the typhoon, right?” she asked, tilting her head a little. “Wolf, was it? I heard they brought in outside muscle because of the pirate rumors.” There was no judgment in her tone, just quiet acknowledgment. “I’m Chloe. Chloe Xin Yi Chua. If you’re looking for whoever’s actually running the site today, I can point you toward the foreman. He’s probably over by the big crane on Pier 4.”
She paused, one eyebrow lifting slightly as she glanced between him and the water she was clearly eager to get into. “Or… did you need something from me specifically?”
He nodded along as she talked, nodding at the mention of pirates.
"Yeah, I'm Wolf." He said, "Pirates around these parts seem to love getting bold after a big storm. We're just here to make sure they don't try anything stupid."
He looked away a little bashfully as she asked that next question.
"Yeah... you wanna get a drink later? Maybe get to know each other a bit better when we're off the clock?"
Chloe felt heat rise to her cheeks the moment Wolf asked. For a second she just stood there. She... was clearly not expecting the question. A guy walking straight up to her like that was… new.
She opened her mouth, closed it again, then let out a small, slightly nervous laugh. “I— yeah. Sure,” she managed, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand. “A drink sounds good. I’m usually done around… five, five-thirty, depending on how the dives go.” She gave him a small, almost shy smile, the kind that reached her eyes even if her posture was still a little stiff from surprise. “I don’t usually get asked out on the docks, so… yeah. I’d like that.”
Before she could say anything else, someone from further down the pier shouted her name, waving a clipboard. “Chloe! They’re doing a same-day discount on the rentals if we grab one before noon! You still need a boat or what?”
She turned toward the voice, then back to Wolf, looking a little caught between two things. “Oh, uh, I should... I need to get out there before the good light’s gone,” she said quickly, already stepping back. “But… later? Five-thirty? I’ll come find you if you’re still around. So, yeah, there.”
She gave him one last quick nod — a little flustered, but clearly not unhappy — before turning and jogging toward the rental office, long legs carrying her easily across the pier while her diving bag bounced against her hip as she went.
Later that afternoon
The sun was lower by the time Chloe climbed out of the water for the last time. She was tired in that good, satisfied way — salt on her skin, muscles pleasantly sore from the dives, and another solid day of work behind her. She peeled off her wetsuit top and tied it around her waist, leaving her in the fitted rash guard underneath as she walked along the pier toward the small changing area the Authority used.
Halfway there, she slowed down.
Right. The drink.
She had almost forgotten in the middle of the work, but now that she was done, Wolf’s invitation came back clearly. Chloe glanced around the docks, scanning for the group of mercenaries she’d seen earlier. When she didn’t immediately spot them, she started asking around.
“Hey,” she said to one of the dock workers she knew, “you seen the security guys the government brought in? The mercs? Tall guy named Wolf leading them?”
The worker pointed her toward one of the larger piers that had been turned into a temporary staging area for the security teams. Chloe thanked him and started walking in that direction, still in her work clothes, hair damp and pulled back, diving bag slung over one shoulder again.
She wasn’t entirely sure what she was going to say when she found him. Part of her still couldn’t believe she’d actually said yes earlier. But she was here now, and she wasn’t the type to back out once she committed to something. And so, Chloe kept walking, eyes moving across the groups of armed men and the makeshift command area they’d set up, looking for the one who had asked her out so bluntly that morning.
For his part, it had been a rather quiet day. Most of it was coordinating patrols with other mercenary captains that had also been hired. Thankfully they were all people Wolf knew and was friendly with, so it wasn’t a total chore. Just making sure things went smoothly… that’s what took the time.
With his shift over, he put his rifle in the locker area, and looked it up. After that, he walked out of the command area, and saw Chloe walking up.
“Hey!” He called out.
Chloe smiled when she heard him call out, raising a hand in a small wave as she walked over. She stopped a comfortable distance away. She reached up to her hair and realized that it was still damp from the last dive.
“Hey,” she answered, a little more relaxed now that she’d actually found him. “Yeah, it’s Wolf, right? You still up for that drink?”
She shifted her weight onto one leg, the movement making her long frame look even taller for a moment. But she realized that she wasn't as tall as Wolf. The man looked way taller than her. At least that didn't spook her. The rest, though... Chloe said, “I figured since you’re new around here, I could show you a decent spot. Most of the good places are along the canal walk a few piers down. Nothing fancy, but the food’s good and it’s quiet enough to actually talk.” She paused, then added with a small, slightly awkward laugh, “And yeah… it’s just you and me, right? I don’t mind grabbing food too if you’re hungry, but I’d rather it stay that way, with you and me, nobody else. No offense to your guys or anything, I just… don’t want to be surprised.”
She looked at him directly, waiting for his answer. There was still a hint of nervousness in her posture, but she wasn’t backing out.
"Oh yeah, it's just me and you." He said, "I wasn't expecting it to be anyone but."
He smiled at her assuringly.
"Well? Lead the way." He said, "And food would be good. Anything to get rid of the taste of old MREs."
Chloe visibly relaxed when he confirmed it would just be the two of them. The tension in her shoulders eased and a small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
“Okay, that's good,” she said with a soft laugh. “I know a place not too far from here. We can just walk. It’s a quiet little spot along the canal walk. It's got good food, nice atmosphere, not too crowded. A bit on the pricey side, but… it’s worth it after a long day in the water.”
She shifted her diving bag higher on her shoulder and glanced at him. “Before we go though — any allergies or things you don’t eat? I don’t want to accidentally suggest something that’ll mess with you.”
When she looked over at him and asked that question, he shook his head.
“Nothing that I know of.” He said, following her as they began to walk, “I’m mildly allergic to dust, but nothing food-related.”
Chloe smiled when he said he had no food allergies. “That’s cute,” she said lightly, the corner of her mouth lifting. “Dust is the worst. At least you don’t have to worry about anything on the menu.”
She led the way through the quieter parts of the canal walk, the two of them walking side by side. The place she had in mind wasn’t far — a small, cozy restaurant tucked between two larger buildings, with warm lights glowing from the windows and soft music playing inside.
When they stepped in, the place was almost empty. Just the two of them and the owner behind the counter. The tall woman looked up and immediately smiled when she saw Chloe.
“Chloe! Long time no see,” the owner greeted warmly. She was beautiful, around Chloe’s age, with striking features and a calm, confident presence. “Table for two?”
“Yeah, Meilin. Thanks,” Chloe replied, returning the smile. She led Wolf to a quiet corner table near the window and sat down, placing her diving bag on the empty chair beside her.
Zhan Meilin came over personally to take their order. Chloe didn’t even need to look at the menu. “I’ll have the jumbo fries and the duck chops,” she said easily. “And an apple beer, please.”
She then looked across the table at Wolf, tilting her head slightly. “What about you? Order whatever you want. I’ve got it covered tonight — as long as it’s not too crazy,” she added with a small, playful smirk. “I just got paid for a job, so I can afford to treat someone for once.”
And so, she waited, clearly comfortable now that they were seated and away from the docks.
Wolf looked at the menu at that.
"I'll go with the shrimp and scallops." He said, "And an apple beer as well."
He leaned back at that.
"Nice place." He said, "Also, never have I seen more seafood."
Chloe let out a soft laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Oh, there’s definitely plenty of seafood here,” she said, smiling. “You’re in one of Lunadang’s coastal districts. This whole province is built around the water! You’re actually pretty lucky to be eating here tonight.”
Zhan Meilin took their orders with a quick, professional smile and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet little restaurant.
Chloe leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the table. She studied Wolf for a moment before speaking.
“You know… it was kind of cute how you just asked me out like that,” she admitted, a faint blush touching her cheeks. “That’s not really how things usually go around here. But I appreciate the directness. It’s been a while since anyone’s had the guts to try.” She gave a small, self-deprecating shrug. “I’m usually way too busy with work to even notice. Diving all day, paperwork, more diving… it doesn’t leave much room for anything else.” She paused, then tilted her head curiously. “Anyway, I’m guessing you’re not from around here. Off-world, right? You don’t really look like you’re from any of the provinces I know — not even the stations or outer fleets.”
"Oh yeah, no, I'm not from here." He said, "I'm from way away from here."
He sighed wistfully at that.
"Sadly, I can't go back." He said, "People who leave my homeworld can't return."
Chloe tilted her head, her dark eyes softening with curiosity. Way away from here… and he can’t go back? That sounds lonely. She could see the wistful look on Wolf’s face and immediately felt a small tug of sympathy. They had literally just met — she didn’t want to come across as nosy or pushy. Still, she couldn’t help wanting to know a little more.
“I won’t ask too many questions if it’s a sore subject,” she said gently, offering a small, understanding smile. “But… if you’re comfortable sharing at least a little, I’d like to hear about it. What was your homeworld like?” She paused, then added with light curiosity, “And the others with you — are they from the same place?”
He chuckled at that.
“We’re all exiles from that planet.” Wolf said, “Our kind… we stick together. Doesn’t matter where we end up, we always come back together.”
He sighed at that.
“To put it simply, it’s a dark place. Almost always night. Dangerous… but also strangely beautiful.” He said, “The moon is always full… and shadows dance amongst the trees… it’s a mysterious place, and not welcoming outsiders or exiles.”
He brought out a holoprojector, and showed her the location in the galaxy.
“It’s within the Shadow Nebula.” He said, pointing to it, “It’s the largest of the planets within the nebula. Isolated… and isolationist.”
Chloe listened quietly, her dark eyes fixed on Wolf the entire time. She didn’t interrupt, only nodding occasionally to show she was following. When he finished and showed her the holoprojector, she leaned in slightly, studying the glowing image of the Shadow Nebula with open curiosity. After a moment she sat back, a small, thoughtful smile on her face.
“Sishia is a system built by exiles too,” she said softly. “My family — like billions of others — came here to protect what we had. Our languages, our traditions, our food, the stories from back home… everything that made us who we are. We wanted a place where we could keep being ourselves instead of disappearing into someone else’s idea of unity.”
She glanced down at the table for a second, then continued.
“I dive into very dark water sometimes. The kind where you can’t see your own hand in front of your face. I used to be terrified of it… still am, a little. But I love the water too much to let the darkness stop me.” She gave a small, self-conscious laugh. “So I got used to it.”
Her gaze returned to him, warmer now.
“I’ve never heard of the Shadow Nebula before… but I’m curious. You’re interesting, Wolf. Like the strange things I find down in the deep water. I think you’re worth knowing more about.”
Before she could say anything else, Zhan Meilin returned carrying their orders. The tall owner moved with quiet efficiency, setting down the jumbo fries, duck chops, shrimp and scallops, and two bottles of apple beer with a friendly smile.
"I mean, I'm not that interesting." He said with a shrug, nodding his thanks to the owner of the bar, "I'm just a simple man trying to make his way through the galaxy."
He turned the holoprojector off.
"I'll never see my family again, that's for sure." He said, "Not much I can do about that, though."
Chloe listened quietly, her expression softening. She felt a small pang in her chest at his words, but she didn’t linger on it. It wasn’t her place to pry or dwell on things he clearly carried alone. Still, she couldn’t help but feel for him. And oddly enough, she liked him a little more for it.
She picked up a fry and twirled it between her fingers before popping it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
“You feel that way,” she said after swallowing, her voice gentle but certain, “but I think you’re more than just a simple man trying to make his way through the galaxy.” She met his eyes with a small, sincere smile. “Most people in your position would’ve stayed closed off. Or tried too hard to sound mysterious. You just told me the truth. That takes something. And the way you and your people showed up after the typhoon to help protect everyone. That’s someone who still chooses to do good, even when they’ve lost everything.”
She shrugged lightly, her long legs shifting under the table as she reached for her bottle of apple beer. “Anyway,” she said, her tone brightening as she twisted the cap off, “enough of the heavy stuff. Let’s actually enjoy the food and drinks while they’re hot.”
Chloe took a long sip, then let out a soft giggle, half from the crisp, slightly sweet taste of the beer and half because of the simple relief of shifting the mood. She picked up another fry and bit into it happily, her shoulders relaxing. “Mmm. These are good,” she said around a mouthful, cheeks slightly puffed. She looked at him with warm, curious eyes. “What do you think? Want some of my fries?”
“Hmmm, how could I say no?” He smiled, “A girl with a pretty face offering me fries? I’d be a fool to say no.”
He put a shrimp in his mouth at that.
“Good shrimp.”
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
"We'll start with fairy tales and then we can get into adventure books and books on botany. You want to practice medicine? We can help you identify medicinal herbs."
"Okie." Mikoto said, still bouncing happily.
"Too cute." The Khan said.
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
"I'll teach you!" Asta promised.
"I guess I can help..." Michi rolled her eyes.
"He's so cute!" Asta gushed.
"Yay!!!" Mikoto bounced happily on his mother's lap.
"Yep, he liked that idea." Wolf smiled,
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"I could teach you how to read. My writing hand won't be of much use until my shoulder heals." Asta offered.
"Teaching the Khan's son how to read? You'd have your hands cut off and your eyes blinded back home for that bit of treason." Michi shook her head.
"We're not there anymore, and we can't go back. This is home now... So we'll need to be useful, won't we?"
"Please?" Mikoto gave her puppy dog eyes at the suggestion of learning how to read.
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"We could be worse..."
"My books!" Asta realized. "I need my books!"
"Oh, right... I'm gonna take a guess that our stuff is now in the hands of whoever got to it first."
“The only things we grabbed for ourselves was the huge bag of cash.” The Khan poked his head in “if you’re talking about the chest full of books, I can has that moved to the scribe’s tent?”
"I need my books!" She repeated.
"Yes, have then moved to the scribe's tent." Michi translated. "And her clothes?"
"Same deal, I can have that moved there too." The Khan said.
"And her jewels?" She raised a brow.
"They were gifts from my mother in case I ever needed my own money." Asta added.
"Mikoto, this is your father?"
“Your jewels… those are in my tent.” The Khan said, “I can have them moved to yours.”
“Yep!” Mikoto chirped happily.
"That would be most appreciated. Some of those pieces are heirlooms and some where custom for the lady."
"You take after your mother." She noticed.
"He does, doesn't he?" Michi agreed. "Good for him. He ended up quite cute."
"Yeah, he's his mother's boy." The Khan said, coming in and running a hand through Mikoto's hair. The way he said that, there was a tinge of pride.
"Mikoto, does that mean that you're the heir?" Asta asked him.
"What if he would rather practice medicine than go on raids?" Michi wondered.
"Heir?" Mikoto looked confused.
"We don't necessarily do that here." The Khan said, "Just cuz I'm Khan doesn't mean he'll get that title. And he seems to prefer medicine and other stuff."
Asta looked to the boy.
"How old are you, Mikoto?"
"I'm 5." Mikoto said with a big grin.
"Five is an important age." She nodded.
"Where we come from, five is the age where the children can begin reading out the evening stories to the family." Michi added.
Asta smiled. "After dinner, the families would gather to hear a story together. Usually it's the youngest who starts the story and the eldest in the family will choose what is read."
"We like telling stories here!" Mikoto said, then he deflated, "I... Don't know how to read though..."
"Neither do I." The Khan said, bashful at that admission, "We tell stories orally though."
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"We could be worse..."
"My books!" Asta realized. "I need my books!"
"Oh, right... I'm gonna take a guess that our stuff is now in the hands of whoever got to it first."
“The only things we grabbed for ourselves was the huge bag of cash.” The Khan poked his head in “if you’re talking about the chest full of books, I can has that moved to the scribe’s tent?”
"I need my books!" She repeated.
"Yes, have then moved to the scribe's tent." Michi translated. "And her clothes?"
"Same deal, I can have that moved there too." The Khan said.
"And her jewels?" She raised a brow.
"They were gifts from my mother in case I ever needed my own money." Asta added.
"Mikoto, this is your father?"
“Your jewels… those are in my tent.” The Khan said, “I can have them moved to yours.”
“Yep!” Mikoto chirped happily.
"That would be most appreciated. Some of those pieces are heirlooms and some where custom for the lady."
"You take after your mother." She noticed.
"He does, doesn't he?" Michi agreed. "Good for him. He ended up quite cute."
"Yeah, he's his mother's boy." The Khan said, coming in and running a hand through Mikoto's hair. The way he said that, there was a tinge of pride.
"Mikoto, does that mean that you're the heir?" Asta asked him.
"What if he would rather practice medicine than go on raids?" Michi wondered.
"Heir?" Mikoto looked confused.
"We don't necessarily do that here." The Khan said, "Just cuz I'm Khan doesn't mean he'll get that title. And he seems to prefer medicine and other stuff."
Asta looked to the boy.
"How old are you, Mikoto?"
"I'm 5." Mikoto said with a big grin.
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"We could be worse..."
"My books!" Asta realized. "I need my books!"
"Oh, right... I'm gonna take a guess that our stuff is now in the hands of whoever got to it first."
“The only things we grabbed for ourselves was the huge bag of cash.” The Khan poked his head in “if you’re talking about the chest full of books, I can has that moved to the scribe’s tent?”
"I need my books!" She repeated.
"Yes, have then moved to the scribe's tent." Michi translated. "And her clothes?"
"Same deal, I can have that moved there too." The Khan said.
"And her jewels?" She raised a brow.
"They were gifts from my mother in case I ever needed my own money." Asta added.
"Mikoto, this is your father?"
“Your jewels… those are in my tent.” The Khan said, “I can have them moved to yours.”
“Yep!” Mikoto chirped happily.
"That would be most appreciated. Some of those pieces are heirlooms and some where custom for the lady."
"You take after your mother." She noticed.
"He does, doesn't he?" Michi agreed. "Good for him. He ended up quite cute."
"Yeah, he's his mother's boy." The Khan said, coming in and running a hand through Mikoto's hair. The way he said that, there was a tinge of pride.
"Mikoto, does that mean that you're the heir?" Asta asked him.
"What if he would rather practice medicine than go on raids?" Michi wondered.
"Heir?" Mikoto looked confused.
"We don't necessarily do that here." The Khan said, "Just cuz I'm Khan doesn't mean he'll get that title. And he seems to prefer medicine and other stuff."
Surprise gems
Raiders Verse Re-do (@howlofthewolf)
Wedding days were great days to be kidnapped.
"We could be worse..."
"My books!" Asta realized. "I need my books!"
"Oh, right... I'm gonna take a guess that our stuff is now in the hands of whoever got to it first."
“The only things we grabbed for ourselves was the huge bag of cash.” The Khan poked his head in “if you’re talking about the chest full of books, I can has that moved to the scribe’s tent?”
"I need my books!" She repeated.
"Yes, have then moved to the scribe's tent." Michi translated. "And her clothes?"
"Same deal, I can have that moved there too." The Khan said.
"And her jewels?" She raised a brow.
"They were gifts from my mother in case I ever needed my own money." Asta added.
"Mikoto, this is your father?"
“Your jewels… those are in my tent.” The Khan said, “I can have them moved to yours.”
“Yep!” Mikoto chirped happily.
"That would be most appreciated. Some of those pieces are heirlooms and some where custom for the lady."
"You take after your mother." She noticed.
"He does, doesn't he?" Michi agreed. "Good for him. He ended up quite cute."
"Yeah, he's his mother's boy." The Khan said, coming in and running a hand through Mikoto's hair. The way he said that, there was a tinge of pride.
Sishian Girl RP
Sishia's morning sun was coming over Lunadang’s canals, turning the water into a shifting sheet of gold and blue. Three days after Typhoon Manapoya, the air still carried that clean, rain-washed scent mixed with the usual smells of wet wood, Kaorangia diesel, and someone’s breakfast cooking on a nearby houseboat. Workers and volunteers were everywhere, and they were all clearing debris, checking mooring lines, arguing good-naturedly in a mix of Tagalog, Mandarin, and the local creole about whose boat had taken the worst beating.
Chloe Xin Yi Chua stood at the edge of Pier 7, one hand resting on her hip, the other holding her diving bag. At 1.78 meters she was easy to spot thanks to her long legs that were all bare beneath the loose cargo shorts that she wore over her one-piece diving suit. The suit was already half-zipped, the dark fabric clinging to her athletic frame, ready for the water she was itching to get into.
She exhaled through her nose, half a smile tugging at her mouth.
Finally.
After two weeks of paperwork, waiting on approvals, and dealing with that stubborn silt near the old island site, today was supposed to be straightforward. Simple inspection dives on the new canal extensions. Nothing dramatic. Just her, the water, and the quiet satisfaction of doing her job well.
And tomorrow… ah, well, tomorrow was that, wasn't it? She was going to get that big payout that the government was gonna give right to her account. The one for the rare-earth survey job she’d finished two weeks ago. Government bonus on top of her regular fee. She hadn’t let herself think too hard about the number yet, but it was enough. Enough that she could finally stop just thinking about body mods and actually start looking into them seriously.
She shifted her weight, feeling the familiar stretch in her long legs as she glanced down the row of boats. Her usual ride — the sturdy little workboat Kabit — was still up on the repair cradle two piers over, hull patched but engine still in pieces after the typhoon had tried to throw it into the breakwater. The dockmaster just shook his head at her and told her politely to wait and come back next time when she asked this morning.
So now she was here, bag at her feet, trying to decide whether to rent something overpriced from the commercial side or beg a favor from one of the smaller operators she knew.
Chloe ran a hand through her dark hair, pushing a few strands out of her face as she scanned the docks. The water looked so good. Calm now, but still carrying that post-storm energy that made diving feel a little more alive. She wanted to be in it. Wanted the pressure on her body, the silence, the way everything else just… quieted down when she was under.
Her thoughts drifted again to tomorrow’s money. Again. Maybe, just maybe... Maybe she’d finally do something about her legs. Or her waist. Or just… whatever made her feel better when she looked in the mirror after a long dive. Nothing drastic, nothing too fucking expensive. Just enough to feel like the outside matched how strong she already felt on the inside.
She let out a soft huff at herself and picked up her bag again, slinging it over one shoulder.
“Alright,” she muttered under her breath in a casual mix of English and Tagalog. “Let’s find a boat before I start swimming there myself.”
Chloe started walking along the pier, long strides eating up the distance as she headed toward the rental board and the cluster of smaller operators who sometimes took on day jobs. Her eyes flicked across the boats still tied up, looking for anyone she recognized or any sign that someone might be willing to make a quick deal.
She was already mentally running through how much extra she was willing to pay today just to get wet on schedule. Hopefully, just hopefully, she's able to get this all done and done without something fucking up for her. She was getting so lost in her thoughts that she was failing to notice that someone was approaching her.
Sishia.
Unique place for a security job.
Wolf and his mercs had been hired by the local government to act as hired muscle to protect the work site following the hurricane that had passed through. With the destruction caused, there were worries of pirates coming in to try and score an easy payday from the crews as they repaired the docks and cleared the silt.
Sighing, the mercenary captain slung his rifle and began to walk down the pier when he noticed someone... that rather tall, but really attractive woman he'd seen around. Deciding to try his luck, he walked over to her.
"Hey, you leading this op?"
Chloe blinked, caught off guard by the sudden approach. She turned around and found herself looking at a group of mercenaries, by the look of their gear and the way they carried themselves. Her eyes flicked over the rifles and the confident posture of the man who had spoken before settling on his face. For a second she just stared, clearly trying to figure out why they were talking to her. Then she let out a short breath and shook her head once.
“No, not leading anything,” she said, voice calm but direct. “I’m just one of the divers for the Lunadang Development Authority. I was heading out to do some inspection work on the new canal extensions.” She gestured toward the water with one hand, her tall frame shifting slightly as she adjusted the strap of her diving bag on her shoulder. The movement made the long line of her legs even more obvious beneath the cargo shorts.
She studied the group for a moment, then looked back at the man who had approached her.
“You’re the security team the government hired after the typhoon, right?” she asked, tilting her head a little. “Wolf, was it? I heard they brought in outside muscle because of the pirate rumors.” There was no judgment in her tone, just quiet acknowledgment. “I’m Chloe. Chloe Xin Yi Chua. If you’re looking for whoever’s actually running the site today, I can point you toward the foreman. He’s probably over by the big crane on Pier 4.”
She paused, one eyebrow lifting slightly as she glanced between him and the water she was clearly eager to get into. “Or… did you need something from me specifically?”
He nodded along as she talked, nodding at the mention of pirates.
"Yeah, I'm Wolf." He said, "Pirates around these parts seem to love getting bold after a big storm. We're just here to make sure they don't try anything stupid."
He looked away a little bashfully as she asked that next question.
"Yeah... you wanna get a drink later? Maybe get to know each other a bit better when we're off the clock?"
Chloe felt heat rise to her cheeks the moment Wolf asked. For a second she just stood there. She... was clearly not expecting the question. A guy walking straight up to her like that was… new.
She opened her mouth, closed it again, then let out a small, slightly nervous laugh. “I— yeah. Sure,” she managed, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand. “A drink sounds good. I’m usually done around… five, five-thirty, depending on how the dives go.” She gave him a small, almost shy smile, the kind that reached her eyes even if her posture was still a little stiff from surprise. “I don’t usually get asked out on the docks, so… yeah. I’d like that.”
Before she could say anything else, someone from further down the pier shouted her name, waving a clipboard. “Chloe! They’re doing a same-day discount on the rentals if we grab one before noon! You still need a boat or what?”
She turned toward the voice, then back to Wolf, looking a little caught between two things. “Oh, uh, I should... I need to get out there before the good light’s gone,” she said quickly, already stepping back. “But… later? Five-thirty? I’ll come find you if you’re still around. So, yeah, there.”
She gave him one last quick nod — a little flustered, but clearly not unhappy — before turning and jogging toward the rental office, long legs carrying her easily across the pier while her diving bag bounced against her hip as she went.
Later that afternoon
The sun was lower by the time Chloe climbed out of the water for the last time. She was tired in that good, satisfied way — salt on her skin, muscles pleasantly sore from the dives, and another solid day of work behind her. She peeled off her wetsuit top and tied it around her waist, leaving her in the fitted rash guard underneath as she walked along the pier toward the small changing area the Authority used.
Halfway there, she slowed down.
Right. The drink.
She had almost forgotten in the middle of the work, but now that she was done, Wolf’s invitation came back clearly. Chloe glanced around the docks, scanning for the group of mercenaries she’d seen earlier. When she didn’t immediately spot them, she started asking around.
“Hey,” she said to one of the dock workers she knew, “you seen the security guys the government brought in? The mercs? Tall guy named Wolf leading them?”
The worker pointed her toward one of the larger piers that had been turned into a temporary staging area for the security teams. Chloe thanked him and started walking in that direction, still in her work clothes, hair damp and pulled back, diving bag slung over one shoulder again.
She wasn’t entirely sure what she was going to say when she found him. Part of her still couldn’t believe she’d actually said yes earlier. But she was here now, and she wasn’t the type to back out once she committed to something. And so, Chloe kept walking, eyes moving across the groups of armed men and the makeshift command area they’d set up, looking for the one who had asked her out so bluntly that morning.
For his part, it had been a rather quiet day. Most of it was coordinating patrols with other mercenary captains that had also been hired. Thankfully they were all people Wolf knew and was friendly with, so it wasn’t a total chore. Just making sure things went smoothly… that’s what took the time.
With his shift over, he put his rifle in the locker area, and looked it up. After that, he walked out of the command area, and saw Chloe walking up.
“Hey!” He called out.
Chloe smiled when she heard him call out, raising a hand in a small wave as she walked over. She stopped a comfortable distance away. She reached up to her hair and realized that it was still damp from the last dive.
“Hey,” she answered, a little more relaxed now that she’d actually found him. “Yeah, it’s Wolf, right? You still up for that drink?”
She shifted her weight onto one leg, the movement making her long frame look even taller for a moment. But she realized that she wasn't as tall as Wolf. The man looked way taller than her. At least that didn't spook her. The rest, though... Chloe said, “I figured since you’re new around here, I could show you a decent spot. Most of the good places are along the canal walk a few piers down. Nothing fancy, but the food’s good and it’s quiet enough to actually talk.” She paused, then added with a small, slightly awkward laugh, “And yeah… it’s just you and me, right? I don’t mind grabbing food too if you’re hungry, but I’d rather it stay that way, with you and me, nobody else. No offense to your guys or anything, I just… don’t want to be surprised.”
She looked at him directly, waiting for his answer. There was still a hint of nervousness in her posture, but she wasn’t backing out.
"Oh yeah, it's just me and you." He said, "I wasn't expecting it to be anyone but."
He smiled at her assuringly.
"Well? Lead the way." He said, "And food would be good. Anything to get rid of the taste of old MREs."
Chloe visibly relaxed when he confirmed it would just be the two of them. The tension in her shoulders eased and a small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
“Okay, that's good,” she said with a soft laugh. “I know a place not too far from here. We can just walk. It’s a quiet little spot along the canal walk. It's got good food, nice atmosphere, not too crowded. A bit on the pricey side, but… it’s worth it after a long day in the water.”
She shifted her diving bag higher on her shoulder and glanced at him. “Before we go though — any allergies or things you don’t eat? I don’t want to accidentally suggest something that’ll mess with you.”
When she looked over at him and asked that question, he shook his head.
“Nothing that I know of.” He said, following her as they began to walk, “I’m mildly allergic to dust, but nothing food-related.”
Chloe smiled when he said he had no food allergies. “That’s cute,” she said lightly, the corner of her mouth lifting. “Dust is the worst. At least you don’t have to worry about anything on the menu.”
She led the way through the quieter parts of the canal walk, the two of them walking side by side. The place she had in mind wasn’t far — a small, cozy restaurant tucked between two larger buildings, with warm lights glowing from the windows and soft music playing inside.
When they stepped in, the place was almost empty. Just the two of them and the owner behind the counter. The tall woman looked up and immediately smiled when she saw Chloe.
“Chloe! Long time no see,” the owner greeted warmly. She was beautiful, around Chloe’s age, with striking features and a calm, confident presence. “Table for two?”
“Yeah, Meilin. Thanks,” Chloe replied, returning the smile. She led Wolf to a quiet corner table near the window and sat down, placing her diving bag on the empty chair beside her.
Zhan Meilin came over personally to take their order. Chloe didn’t even need to look at the menu. “I’ll have the jumbo fries and the duck chops,” she said easily. “And an apple beer, please.”
She then looked across the table at Wolf, tilting her head slightly. “What about you? Order whatever you want. I’ve got it covered tonight — as long as it’s not too crazy,” she added with a small, playful smirk. “I just got paid for a job, so I can afford to treat someone for once.”
And so, she waited, clearly comfortable now that they were seated and away from the docks.
Wolf looked at the menu at that.
"I'll go with the shrimp and scallops." He said, "And an apple beer as well."
He leaned back at that.
"Nice place." He said, "Also, never have I seen more seafood."
Chloe let out a soft laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Oh, there’s definitely plenty of seafood here,” she said, smiling. “You’re in one of Lunadang’s coastal districts. This whole province is built around the water! You’re actually pretty lucky to be eating here tonight.”
Zhan Meilin took their orders with a quick, professional smile and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet little restaurant.
Chloe leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the table. She studied Wolf for a moment before speaking.
“You know… it was kind of cute how you just asked me out like that,” she admitted, a faint blush touching her cheeks. “That’s not really how things usually go around here. But I appreciate the directness. It’s been a while since anyone’s had the guts to try.” She gave a small, self-deprecating shrug. “I’m usually way too busy with work to even notice. Diving all day, paperwork, more diving… it doesn’t leave much room for anything else.” She paused, then tilted her head curiously. “Anyway, I’m guessing you’re not from around here. Off-world, right? You don’t really look like you’re from any of the provinces I know — not even the stations or outer fleets.”
"Oh yeah, no, I'm not from here." He said, "I'm from way away from here."
He sighed wistfully at that.
"Sadly, I can't go back." He said, "People who leave my homeworld can't return."
Chloe tilted her head, her dark eyes softening with curiosity. Way away from here… and he can’t go back? That sounds lonely. She could see the wistful look on Wolf’s face and immediately felt a small tug of sympathy. They had literally just met — she didn’t want to come across as nosy or pushy. Still, she couldn’t help wanting to know a little more.
“I won’t ask too many questions if it’s a sore subject,” she said gently, offering a small, understanding smile. “But… if you’re comfortable sharing at least a little, I’d like to hear about it. What was your homeworld like?” She paused, then added with light curiosity, “And the others with you — are they from the same place?”
He chuckled at that.
“We’re all exiles from that planet.” Wolf said, “Our kind… we stick together. Doesn’t matter where we end up, we always come back together.”
He sighed at that.
“To put it simply, it’s a dark place. Almost always night. Dangerous… but also strangely beautiful.” He said, “The moon is always full… and shadows dance amongst the trees… it’s a mysterious place, and not welcoming outsiders or exiles.”
He brought out a holoprojector, and showed her the location in the galaxy.
“It’s within the Shadow Nebula.” He said, pointing to it, “It’s the largest of the planets within the nebula. Isolated… and isolationist.”
Chloe listened quietly, her dark eyes fixed on Wolf the entire time. She didn’t interrupt, only nodding occasionally to show she was following. When he finished and showed her the holoprojector, she leaned in slightly, studying the glowing image of the Shadow Nebula with open curiosity. After a moment she sat back, a small, thoughtful smile on her face.
“Sishia is a system built by exiles too,” she said softly. “My family — like billions of others — came here to protect what we had. Our languages, our traditions, our food, the stories from back home… everything that made us who we are. We wanted a place where we could keep being ourselves instead of disappearing into someone else’s idea of unity.”
She glanced down at the table for a second, then continued.
“I dive into very dark water sometimes. The kind where you can’t see your own hand in front of your face. I used to be terrified of it… still am, a little. But I love the water too much to let the darkness stop me.” She gave a small, self-conscious laugh. “So I got used to it.”
Her gaze returned to him, warmer now.
“I’ve never heard of the Shadow Nebula before… but I’m curious. You’re interesting, Wolf. Like the strange things I find down in the deep water. I think you’re worth knowing more about.”
Before she could say anything else, Zhan Meilin returned carrying their orders. The tall owner moved with quiet efficiency, setting down the jumbo fries, duck chops, shrimp and scallops, and two bottles of apple beer with a friendly smile.
"I mean, I'm not that interesting." He said with a shrug, nodding his thanks to the owner of the bar, "I'm just a simple man trying to make his way through the galaxy."
He turned the holoprojector off.
"I'll never see my family again, that's for sure." He said, "Not much I can do about that, though."
