@fortuniis sent:
"akivili, akivili!" aha's voice already ripe with amusement. "oh, my dearest akivili! it has been so long since you've played catch up!" then a thoughtful pause. the taller, humanoid figure hides their face behind a mask yet their expression almost seems to burn through, shifting the artistic flair at will. the tip of their finger hits where their chin would be, contemplating. "perhaps you don't really like that game... ah, but you'd at least like to tell aha what fun you had on your last excursion, yes?"
The distinctive thrum of Aeonic energy makes Them cognizant to Aha's appearance seconds before Akivili can even lay golden, starry eyes upon Their figure. Whispers of Elation brush against the Trailblaze. A laugh escapes, unbidden. Yet another long overdue reunion with the cosmic being They're most familiar. Reignited fondness fills Them with gentle warmth.
Gripping the brim of Their cap, head slightly bows in greeting. ❝Only because it's one I've never been particularly skilled at.❞ Akivili grins, albeit sheepishly. Fully understanding just how fleeting Their presence tends to be in the lives of most others. Eternally drawn starward as They are; laying down the silver rails and charting courses to planets unknown. ❝Hopefully The Laughter can find it within Themself to forgive my perpetually extensive absences? Regaling you with tales of adventure, escapades, and camaraderie is the least I can do. There's certainly no shortage of them to tell.❞ A brief pause as They idly tap Their cheek, reflecting on all recently transpired events. ❝Hm, but where to begin...❞
They shift, meaning to uncross Their legs and lean forward in Their current sitting position, but abruptly fall still instead. Within a fraction of a second, pain flickers across Akivili's shadowy features and is concealed just as swiftly. Quietly, They exhale, before continuing without any acknowledgement of what had prompted such a reaction.
❝Ah, I know! I believe you'll find our short stop at Vonwacq quite entertaining. It's a truly vibrant planet. Full of lush, abundant flora and a multitude of interesting fauna. Now, prior to a single Nameless departing from the Express, I ensured they understood the rule by which Vonwacq abides. Watch where you step, I told them. For the sacred forests will see any debt owed repaid in kind. Unfortunately, a couple of the newcomers got ahead of themselves. Giving little more than absent-minded nods to my warning; perhaps too taken by visions of grandeur to adhere. The first victim was a man named Yanming, who's experience decidedly changed his mind about trailblazing. He tread upon some twigs; not a single ounce of attention paid. Thus, the forest took its recompense.❞ They snap Their fingers. ❝Two of his ribs. Broken, just like that.❞ Akivili sighs, fighting an amused smile in the face of humanity's hubris. Considering Their own recklessness, however, They didn't judge. It was oft not that different, having received Their fair share of scoldings from an irate Pom-Pom. ❝Aside from Yanming, Pom-Pom and I tended to a few more who ended up in similar situations, sporting injuries varying in severity. The newcomers learned to take my words much more seriously after that.❞
