#herrschicken

[taixuandream]

🎲 gosh haha have i ever told you that you look soooooo hot haha-

A kiss in parting

Sentience was never far, no matter how many physical kilometers may sit between them. Bound in chains, in powers, in concept, Fu Hua was always a simple call away from finding the Herrscher. Now whether she actually every asked for such meetings was a completely different question. For as nice as the company may be, her way of solving problems was... not reliable. Usually inciting violence for common complaints, Senti was a tool that was often kept in the back of her mind.

Yet for all the trials and tribulations that came of this relationship, Fu Hua did value Sentience.

She was a part of her, a bond that could never be shattered. She was one that could withstand the sands of time. She would never leave Fu Hua. Of course this did mean there would never be enough money to buy the Ibuprofen required of such consistent headaches, but sacrifices must be made.

Though a new journey awaited her, one that would find her amidst the stars looking for the painter, she would bid a farewell to her dearest Senti.

"I know it's a lot of responsibilities, but you'll manage. Just make sure they're fed and you give them water." All things Senti knew how to do, yet still she repeated. Assurance that she would not come back to neglected birds. As dismissive as always...

Reaching to grab the grey haired girls arm, the Herrscher stops in her tracks, being pulling for a quick kiss. Held long enough to force Senti to grapple with it, yet not lingering enough, she continues, with the other now staring awestruck. "They're gonna need to bathe as well. Usually they're good about doing it themselves but..."

[taixuandream]

The past few days were not easy for Senti.

She was hard at work preparing for Fua Hua. Not just the gift, but the skills necessary to make the gift, the etiquette to present it, the discipline to keep the entire process hidden away from eyes that sit in the back of her own mind. In this way, Senti formed a bit of herself. She hardened her core as she picked fresh grains and kneaded dough, tempered it as she taught her hands how to work the material like clay. Setting it to the fire set fire to her mind as she experimented with different times and temperatures. It was all to make the experience ‘real.’ She knows, better than anyone, what her realm is and isn’t, precisely where the stretch of its shadow ends. It cannot feed Fu Hua, only make her feel as though she has eaten. Nothingness cannot nourish. So she sought to get her something that actually existed, could be touched, and didn’t need her to sustain its form. If the old-timer partook in this gift, it would really become a part of her. She’d break it down and use it to build some of her body–imperceptibly small–but real all the same. 

Is cooking a meal for someone not what it means to be ‘human?’

“Yo! Old-Timer~!” she chirps, having just discreetly tracked her down by their shared bond. No space in the universe would be too far for Senti to reach–not when it’s for Fu Hua. “How many years has it been since you were a baby? I’ve lost count myself. Honestly, it stops mattering once you get to your age.” Her words are soft as clouds, rising with the corners of her mouth. She knows that Phoenix probably knows. Maybe even down the exact minute, or the exact second. If anyone could get that precise, it’s definitely her.

Her head tilts to the side. Having momentarily lost the point of this visit–or rather, being so very distracted by the implications of Fu Hua’s age–Senti allows her mind to wander. “Most people get really good at a card game when they get a fraction of you-old, don’t they? Maybe we can pick one out, and I can smash you at it every time…” One of her digits pushes her own cheek as the fantasy deepens. Her eyes flutter shut. She sees the two of them at a tea house, and Fu Hua looks calm while Senti bulldozes their table…

Teahouse… Tea… That’s right–tea! 

Suddenly shocked into reality, Senti unveils her other hand from behind her back. “Oh yeah! I made you something. Check it out.” It’s a narrow tray holding two cups of tea, their pot, and an extra snack for Fu Hua. The tea smells like mist, but is unremarkably store-bought. It’s the treat that Senti has poured her very being into making, a piyo-shaped sticky cake with a warm, fragrant filling. The outside is chilled and offers gentility at first bite, but chew further and the heat takes hold–melting sweetness all over one’s tongue. Senti eagerly pushes the tray into Fu Hua’s chest, unafraid to poke her with its sharp edge. 

“Isn’t he cute? You should go ahead and eat him! I made sure he would be super tasty and filling for you, Old-Timer!” 

The benefit of binding is that one can always brace for the impact that comes. Senti could never surprise the Phoenix, for as she drew near, baited breaths become common. When she would appear is by far the most pressing matter, far more than whatever beast or bandit was trying to tear her throat out. Thankfully, such tension would be met only with a stroll interrupted rather than any sort of meeting with actual stakes.

Of course, such rosy tones are only offered when something is afoot. While not telepathic, eyes narrow, as if to gauge whether this doppelganger was here for some gain or purely of boredom. A rather pleasant surprise in finding the tray presented. While riddled with half-baked compliments and underhanded remarks, the intention is more pure than initially given credit for.

Perhaps Fu Hua needed to reassess herself.

A rather soft chuckle, eyes finding Sentience. "I do know a lot of different card games. If you were interested in learning, I would be willing to teach you."

A tilted head as the scent of the tea wafts forward. It is indistinct, unassuming and woefully artificial. While a shame, the thought of the rest of the treat are what truly catch Fu Hua's attention. The cake is handmade, though the quality of the tea makes her doubt whether Senti could truly make a cake from scratch. Not difficult, but for someone as difficult to keep still as her? Very difficult.

A wince, a quick inhale, bracing and taking the tray quickly. "He is very cute, though your delivery could use a little work, Senti." Glancing down, a warm gaze. Then, back up.

"Well, it would be miserable to eat this alone. I would get a stomach ache. Do you mind helping me?" A nod over to a nearby park table. "It's your birthday as well, is it not?"

[reverxiii]

[SNAKE PETTING]

Senti’s been hogging the snakes for the past half-hour. Nobody can seem to tell why, but they take a liking to the way she pets them. Maybe it’s her lack of fear letting her rub them in all the right places or a genuinely good hand. Either way, she gets them all to herself, and it’s quite relaxing.

It’s so relaxing.

So relaxing she, “Oh.. Man…” can feel the texture of their scales fall over her eyes. It’s like they’re pulling her in, and she just, “Mmn… Nap…” can’t not, you know? So she shuts them, and her body goes on autopilot. Just let her arm trace that gentle stroking motion again, and again, and again. Even as she nods this way or that, even as her feet shuffle and things bump around…

And when she comes to, she isn’t petting a scaly head anymore. That’s hair she feels, and ears. Big pointy ones. Snakes don’t have ears, do they? 

No no, they must. How else would they hear stuff…? 

Maybe Sis Snake was onto something, after all.

Compared to everywhere else in this festival, the stall with the snakes is warm. With heated lamps and basking rocks soaking up the warmth, it's the perfect place to take a nap! It just so happens that all of the snakes are distracted by all of the people coming by to pet them, so surely no one will notice if she just lies down for a little bit and...

When Pardofelis awakens from her nap mid-purr, it is to the sensation of someone petting her head, running their hands along her second pair of ears. She'd let the kids who were wandering about the festival touch her ears, but they'd been a little rough with their hands, so the change of pace is welcome. She might even say it feels nice.

More importantly, though, it's not a snake crawling on her and it's not the owner of the stall come to toss her out.

Pardofelis blinks her sleep bleary eyes up at the person petting her, barely making out a familiar silhouette. A more awake Pardofelis would be more concerned, but to be fair, this is a really good napping spot and she is really comfortable right now.

"Oh, it's just you, Hua." Come to think of it, was Hua the kind of girl forward enough to pat her on the head like this? Maybe she got braver recently or something. "Huh? When'd you get highlights? You put your hair down, too."

Well, maybe even Hua's the kind of girl to dress down for the holiday. Good on her for finally letting herself have fun.

"It looks good on you!"

[creationkissed]

from @herrschicken:

“...Gotcha!”  In the blink of an eye, Durandal’s world is eclipsed. The pitch white of the room gives way to a sudden flash of black, and Senti–who had shut herself up long enough to get the jump on her–is nowhere to be seen. For a moment there it looks like her world is going to end. But then, one blink later, she’s in a new room: this one more expansive and decorated with everything she could think of. Streamers, presents, frilly table cloths–even those triangular banners which alternate yellow-and-blue. And at the center of it all lies a cake. Tiered and doused in frosting, it towers over twice the blonde’s height. It’s the kind of thing that would be near impossible to make with mortal hands.  “So! What do you think?” she shouts, moving round the cake to flash her proud smile & allow her arms to rest on her hips, “Kiana told me it was your birthday today, and I thought to remind you that nobody does gifts better than me! I bet you’ve eaten plenty of cakes before, this one’s special.” To demonstrate, Senti takes a swipe out of its side. Not only does this reveal that its anatomy is composed of a spongy-sweet core lodged with various fruits, but that it regenerates. The Herrscher stuffs her fistful into her mouth with one gulp, and for the remainder of this ask speaks with her mouth full. “Here in my domain, you don’t have to worry about calories or feeling full after you eat. You can enjoy the taste as much as you want, and when you’re ready, I’ll kick you back out.” It’s a dieter’s dream. No bit of this is real, but the power of sentience makes it feel real. Durandal could eat and eat and eat if she truly hoped, and not gain a pound after everything was said and done.  “Mm, and I’ve got some drinks behind me, too. Heheh, aren’t my powers just the greatest?”

In the blink of an eye, Durandal’s world eclipsed, and in that short amount of time, out of reflex, the blonde valkyrie had summoned her lance into her hand, arm already mid-swing as she spun around, ready to attack whoever had managed to sneak upon her.

But as the dim light of the new surroundings steadied, the figure that met her gaze wasn’t an enemy but instead, Senti—standing there with that ever so wide smile of hers, brimming in full with mischief. Durandal froze for a moment, her grip on her lance loosening as realization slowly dawned, and with a short, sharp breath of mixed relief and exasperation, she dispelled her weapon in a trace of shimmering light.

“Senti… You surprised me.” She started with a shake of her head, though her tone was tinged with a hint of fondness. Taking a step closer, she finally took the time to let the surreal space sink in—the vibrant streamers hanging from invisible supports, swaying gently in a nonexistent breeze, the frilly tablecloths. the mountain of presents, and of course, the ridiculously tall cake... It was the ideal room for the most grand birthday party. A huff of a laugh escaped her, hand coming up to hide her smile behind a loose fist. “You certainly went all out, didn’t you? As expected of the Herrscher of Sentience, you truly are the best when compared to others.”

Durandal had come to learn this when dealing with the Herrscher of Sentience: Senti was less like a terrifying, untamed beast and more akin to an overly energetic, easily excitable puppy. All it took was the right combination of words—truthful ones, naturally—and Senti would puff up with pride, her nose tilted skyward, a contented smirk plastered across her face. She lived for praise, thrived on the acknowledgement of her supposed genius, and when satisfied, she was as harmless as a child showing off a drawing.

It was quite adorable, really. Like this, she felt more like a younger sibling hoping to receive head pats, and perhaps Durandal would have done so as a thank you if it wasn’t for the risk of getting her arm punched should Senti be against it.

“If that’s true, and I truly don’t have to worry about my calorie intake… Then,” A similarly mischievous smirk curling from her lips now, Durandal couldn’t help but tease, arms crossing before her chest as she quirked a brow up. Perhaps spending all that time with Senti in Penacony had influenced her more than she thought, to be taunting her like this. “Is our competition still on? Why don’t we see who can eat as many slices of cake as possible, hm? Of course, you are always welcome to forfeit before we even begin, Senti.”