Hydra Offers Aaron a Favor
Hydra/Beta had just encountered Aaron in the Nexus and heard a mention of Hydra/Gamma being mysteriously happy, apparently singing about herself ceasing to exist and the fusion of Hydra back into a single entity. Hydra/Beta offered Aaron a deal in exchange for his memories of this incident, and System and Aaron arranged to extract them in a portable form which Beta consumed. Beta then proceeded to go off with Aaron in private to work out her own side of the trade.
I am showing this log because I consider it to have a good example of how to creep people out with a Strange character without invoking violence at all. Violence of some form is an extremely common Strange theme, and I originally created Hydra to be, among other things, a showcase of ways to play on Strange themes in other ways than violence and incoherence. Fear of the alien mindset can be a very powerful force.
Purple Cat - Main Room
You are greeted by a small mob of purple . They are quite friendly, and run their paws over your body sensually, preparing you for any activity you might be participating in while inside the establishment. As you push through the pawing kitties, you see you are in a very spacious room, made of the white strumulite seen elsewhere in Bottomwarp. There is plenty of room to move around, though you just might bump into a kitty while it's working. Many of the walls have protrusions shaped like genitalia and even whole people, obviously for use by the patrons; arms and tentacles beckon you into the embrace of the opalescent figures. Nozzles here and there have been capped with spigots that can be used to release more strumulite for one to build with. It looks as though several of the purple kitties are busying themselves smoothing the material over a large dragon, encasing it into the wall. You begin to wonder if the other figures in the walls have live beings inside them as well. Almost as if reading your thoughts, an erotically enveloped ferret girl bats her eyes at you.
Set up in a semicircle in the center of the room are a group of six frosted glass St. Andrew's crosses, facing each other. The restraints are shaped like hands that snap around one's wrists and ankles. Facing the semicircle is a short glass and strumulite table with plush violet cushions available for those interested in watching.
Cages of varying size and shape hang from the ceiling and can be brought down by tugging on a tasseled cord hanging from their bottom. Some cages are empty, while others contain people dancing, wearing VR gear and coupling with each other. Besides the obvious play furniture, there are also short frosted glass tables here and there with plush pastel cushions around them. The tables are equipped with stylish glass monitors and small control pads that are embedded in the table itself, enabling one to view different angles of the main room and it's occupants. No cameras are visible, but they must be there. The tables are also equipped with decorative, spiraling water
, which are refreshed periodically by the ever present purple felines. For those wishing more privacy, there are other rooms branching from here: the -gee room and room. The glass door leads back to Bottomwarp's main square.
Aaron says, "Have a seat here..."
Hydra/Beta whispers something directly into Aaron's ear, beneath all the noise, "So that you might comprehend the depths and scopes of the reward I offer, and so that I will not be known to cheat, I offer rewards nearly as enormous as you can imagine."
Aaron says, "Do you drink?"
Hydra/Beta wriggles her cute rear into a seat. "Whatever would make you comfortable."
Aaron looks at Beta, his eyes getting tainted with something familiar, but not the sort of taint one normally associates with contact with Beta.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "And, understand, I would offer you boons more enormous than merely a carnal encounter."
Aaron says, "Something clarifying. A little light ambrosia."
Aaron says, "I'm not interested in a carnal encounter, dear Beta. You are beautiful, do not let me insult you..."
Aaron says, "My mind is not in this warp."
Aaron waits for the drinks.
Aaron says, "You are from strange, I know. I know you are in contact with much in the way of incredible power."
Aaron says, "I also know how cruel and capricious some of your number are."
Hydra/Beta smiles warmly at the purple cats coming to serve the richly dewed glasses of a sweet-smelling amber fluid.
Somewhere on the muck, Einar partially disconnected.
Aaron takes his glass, "Danke."
Aaron says, "So tell me. Will you deliver me the moon?"
"Well understood," Hydra/Beta purrs as she drinks her glass. She tilts her head. "It depends on what you speak of when you say the word moon. I cannot deliver you Strange's Moon, for example. I can, however, get you a moon."
Aaron says, "So why not Strange's Moon? " (His tone is playful.)
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "It is not mine to give."
Aaron swirls his glass, his eyes meeting the doe's. There is arousal there. But still, it is not the sort of arousal you expect.
Aaron says, "What would you offer me? So I respect the level of power you are gifting me."
Hydra/Beta's mouth curves soothingly, as she meets that gaze back, recognizing the... arousal for power? "I know some things about you, but you know better what would suit you."
Aaron drops his head low. "I would love to have you. To be close to your dangerous, pro-offered flesh. That would be bliss upon bliss, and I would be thankful for such. But this trade is too important to leave on such lovely frivolities.
Aaron says, "I ask of you a favor that is well within your dominion."
Hydra/Beta leans forward, her smile still benign.
Aaron says, "I wish for an icon of the Strange to be laid low."
Aaron says, "I grow sick of her dances. Her arrogant displays."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Inhatti."
Aaron says, "Yes..."
Aaron says, "She poisoned me."
Aaron says, "If my mother and father had not been careful in my construction, I would be on a leash."
Aaron says, "I would have her robbed of her pleasure."
Slowly, Hydra/Beta leans back into her chair. "Lover, worshiper, our goddess and sister and mother and daughter. I love her, so you know. How would you have me betray her?"
Aaron says, "If it is too much to ask, then let it be. I will not corner you, not even in a pro-offered favor."
Hydra/Beta says all this in a tone that... Frighteningly enough, it does not sound as if it is too much to ask.
Aaron says, "I cannot expect you to betray family."
Hydra/Beta laughs gaily. "We betray each other routinely."
Aaron says, "Do you betray those you give your word to, even when it is just not to?"
Hydra/Beta begins purring, squirming in her chair. And then, she says, "It is love that we betray, not deals."
Hydra/Beta shivers happily.
Aaron says, "I do not understand your interest in your sister's -- Gamma -- little musical scene. What do you see in that?"
Aaron says, "Is that all a part of the betrayal of love you talk about>"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "For me to answer that would replace the favor you asked of me. The answer would be my favor, instead of my betrayal of Inhatti."
Aaron says, "Is that so valuable?"
Aaron raises his eyebrows.
Hydra/Beta just smiles.
Aaron says, "Do you do things, ever, because you care for someone?"
Aaron says, "Or are you just a creature of deals?"
Hydra/Beta looks at Aaron. Her eyes deep with facets that could almost be factored, understood if he was willing to expend hours of time and a piece of his sanity. "You have never tasted the depths of my love."
Aaron smiles at her. "I'd love to indulge, but I don't think you'd give me back... and I don't like being controlled."
Aaron brushes her ear gently.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "I let Atsuko go because of my love of her. I remade Purple Hase because of my love of her. I give what I gave to Sabina because of my love of her."
Aaron says, "I have not rightly earned that love though."
Aaron says, "It has been bought."
That gaze falls upon Aaron eerily, creepily. "You shall earn that love one day." She smiles. "I did let Atsuko go free."
Aaron takes in a deep breath. "Gift me with what you feel best suits me then, that does not enslave me or fetter me. I do not want to cause you grief against Inhatti. She is as she is."
Aaron says, "Or best yet, take what I offer for free and face value."
Aaron says, "I am not ready to embrace this fury..."
Hydra/Beta laughs again. "Dear, Inhatti would consider it routine to betray me, even as I consider the same for her."
"But if you wish, I shall grant you something else," Hydra/Beta says, her eyes sparkling.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Do know that where I released Atsuko because of my love for her, I betray Inhatti because of my love for her."
Aaron says, "I think I love her."
Aaron says, "And I know I hate her."
Hydra/Beta giggles. "Would you wish Inhatti as your slave?"
Aaron says, "No. Never. That is not Inhatti."
Aaron says, "She is free to do as she pleases. And she hurts freely, happily. If she ever draws a razor near me again, she will wish she had not."
"You understand," purrs Hydra/Beta.
Aaron says, "Yes, more than I'd like."
Aaron says, "Do you like her as she is? Suck in that butterfly cycle?"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "If you had asked for Inhatti as slave, the chain of events might have ended in her or me eating your soul, Aaron."
Aaron says, "Or do you ever think that she's just laughing in agony?"
Hydra/Beta smiles. "I love her regardless."
Aaron says, "I will sort out my own affairs with her then."
Aaron seems disappointed in himself for saying that.
Aaron sips his drink.
Aaron says, "Betray her for yourself and not for me..."
"Yes, you will earn my love," Hydra/Beta says with a closer lean. "What would you have in stead, then? A moon of your own? A few hundred copies of myself to keep as your own? The reason I so highly treasure this information you gave me?"
Aaron says, "I want to retain your friendship."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Or secrets to godhood?"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Though that is more for amusement value than anything."
Hydra/Beta quirks her ear at Aaron. "Your desire is that simple?"
Aaron says, "Beta, dear, I don't want to make you hate me."
Aaron says, "Mom said I make people dislike me too easily."
Hydra/Beta ponders, "I could give you a voice that would make the legions love you." And then, she begins laughing. And laughing. "Nothing you have said gives me any desire to hate you. Nothing."
Aaron says, "I don't want unfair boons. Maybe I should just ask you about yourself and your sisters. Since you crave the events around them so. So long as it does not pain you to tell me."
Aaron says, "I ask for that and the promise that you would treat me with kindness for not exacting a toll from you under such debts."
Aaron watches you with his violet eyes. He's only been out of decanting for two weeks.
"Just what do you wish to know about me and my sisters? I could give you some great and deep secrets, but it would cost you some things merely from the knowing." And Hydra/Beta flutters her eyelashes.
Aaron says, "Nothing is easy with you, just like my parent's remembered."
Aaron says, "And nothing comes without a price."
Aaron says, "Gamma gave hugs pretty freely. She was horrifically happy that day."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "What do you ask to know about me and my sisters?"
Hydra/Beta meets Aaron's gaze. "It would take Wheels to tell you everything about us. Everything. Even a summary would be too exhaustive for your tastes. Be specific."
"But not too specific. You can ask for big things after all."
Aaron says, "I don't know. Not to be frustrating on purpose... maybe we should off and leave this deal on the table. Unless I must burn it up with you. I hope not. I'd rather just remain warm and social."
Hydra/Beta giggles. "Just remember, I owe you the moon and a leg and two arms. If you need a favor, ask."
Aaron says, "Whose leg and arms? o.@"
Hydra/Beta waves her hand. "Whoever you asked for."
Aaron says, "Your sister is being strangely nice of late. I hope this means good things for all of you. And hopefully for everyone else."
Aaron says, "But it's so hard to tell with your mysterious lot."
Hydra/Beta grins. "It actually means bad things."
Aaron says, "For whom?"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Us."
Aaron says, "That's... I guess when the angry one laughs and sings, that does sort of feel wrong."
Hydra/Beta now stares at Aaron, the first ever hints of solemnity creeping into her. "There are reasons beyond that. But to say more would repay your price."
Aaron says, "I'm not going to ask anything this time. I mean, if you see me in trouble -- especially with Inhatti someday -- then I'd exchange my favor right there."
Aaron says, "But... I don't know if I should pry into your affairs."
Aaron says, "Though. I sort of worry about you."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Very well. You choose surprisingly well, to wait for a need for the favor."
Hydra/Beta smiles. "All will be okay. I will deal with it."
Aaron rubs his head. "I need friends, Beta."
Aaron says, "And I don't want them magically made to suit me."
Aaron says, "I'd like to have a respectful relationship with you. Do you know why I was angry at you earlier?"
Aaron says, "Cause I felt unimportant to you."
Hydra/Beta just quirks her ear again, her expression serene. "I understand."
Aaron says, "Just some small black stained dust kitten. Maybe that's all I really am to you, but I want to mean something."
Aaron backs down from his emotional outpouring of sensitivity, as if realizing something.
Hydra/Beta giggles. "Very well. Your proposed price has been accepted."
Aaron slugs down the rest of his drink. "And if you would, tell people we have great sex or something. I have a reputation to keep up." u._
Aaron says, "Otherwise people will be worried that I asked for something dangerous."
Aaron says, "It would probably behoove us both to pretend that I asked for nothing special."
Hydra/Beta now looks at Aaron. "What you have asked is one of the most powerful things you could have ever asked from me. To mean something to me. Most... have a far more narrow, more tiny of thinking grasp of power." She smiles. "You have my respect."
Aaron says, "You really are cute, but even without my father's cowardice, I'd rather not impinge upon you for carnal pleasures..."
Aaron says, "Thanks, Beta. I wish I could trust you, but we're not at that stage of a friendship. Let's just take it slow. Maybe we'll both learn something for free."
Hydra/Beta's ears wiggle as she giggles. And then she says, "So it is done. You have given me greatly desirable information, and I have given you meaning to me." A word, an /aligning/ of forces felt that empties the brain of blood as a wave of light-headedness washes over Aaron, before his proper circulation restores. "And thus it is sealed. And I will speak of this as if it was a light and casual dealing."
Hydra/Beta hands Aaron a origami deer with blood smeared on it in twisting, stomach-squirming patterns.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "A token of my esteem, with some small part of my power."
Aaron says, "You're probably less cute than you appear, but the illusion is still charming. How many souls have you devoured? I dare not imagine."
The cute deer just... purrs cutely.
Aaron makes a note of the token.
Aaron says, "Thanks. Hopefully the drinks sufficed in lieu of more substantive fluids."
Aaron is a little bushy.
Hydra/Beta giggles. And blows a little kiss. Then she stands up.
Aaron raises his glass to the doe. "Have a lovely evening."
Hydra/Beta bounces out, her doe-tail wagging.
You emerge into the sticky closeness of Bottomwarp...
I am showing this log because I consider it to have a good example of how to creep people out with a Strange character without invoking violence at all. Violence of some form is an extremely common Strange theme, and I originally created Hydra to be, among other things, a showcase of ways to play on Strange themes in other ways than violence and incoherence. Fear of the alien mindset can be a very powerful force.
Purple Cat - Main Room
You are greeted by a small mob of purple . They are quite friendly, and run their paws over your body sensually, preparing you for any activity you might be participating in while inside the establishment. As you push through the pawing kitties, you see you are in a very spacious room, made of the white strumulite seen elsewhere in Bottomwarp. There is plenty of room to move around, though you just might bump into a kitty while it's working. Many of the walls have protrusions shaped like genitalia and even whole people, obviously for use by the patrons; arms and tentacles beckon you into the embrace of the opalescent figures. Nozzles here and there have been capped with spigots that can be used to release more strumulite for one to build with. It looks as though several of the purple kitties are busying themselves smoothing the material over a large dragon, encasing it into the wall. You begin to wonder if the other figures in the walls have live beings inside them as well. Almost as if reading your thoughts, an erotically enveloped ferret girl bats her eyes at you.
Set up in a semicircle in the center of the room are a group of six frosted glass St. Andrew's crosses, facing each other. The restraints are shaped like hands that snap around one's wrists and ankles. Facing the semicircle is a short glass and strumulite table with plush violet cushions available for those interested in watching.
Cages of varying size and shape hang from the ceiling and can be brought down by tugging on a tasseled cord hanging from their bottom. Some cages are empty, while others contain people dancing, wearing VR gear and coupling with each other. Besides the obvious play furniture, there are also short frosted glass tables here and there with plush pastel cushions around them. The tables are equipped with stylish glass monitors and small control pads that are embedded in the table itself, enabling one to view different angles of the main room and it's occupants. No cameras are visible, but they must be there. The tables are also equipped with decorative, spiraling water
, which are refreshed periodically by the ever present purple felines. For those wishing more privacy, there are other rooms branching from here: the -gee room and room. The glass door leads back to Bottomwarp's main square.
Aaron says, "Have a seat here..."
Hydra/Beta whispers something directly into Aaron's ear, beneath all the noise, "So that you might comprehend the depths and scopes of the reward I offer, and so that I will not be known to cheat, I offer rewards nearly as enormous as you can imagine."
Aaron says, "Do you drink?"
Hydra/Beta wriggles her cute rear into a seat. "Whatever would make you comfortable."
Aaron looks at Beta, his eyes getting tainted with something familiar, but not the sort of taint one normally associates with contact with Beta.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "And, understand, I would offer you boons more enormous than merely a carnal encounter."
Aaron says, "Something clarifying. A little light ambrosia."
Aaron says, "I'm not interested in a carnal encounter, dear Beta. You are beautiful, do not let me insult you..."
Aaron says, "My mind is not in this warp."
Aaron waits for the drinks.
Aaron says, "You are from strange, I know. I know you are in contact with much in the way of incredible power."
Aaron says, "I also know how cruel and capricious some of your number are."
Hydra/Beta smiles warmly at the purple cats coming to serve the richly dewed glasses of a sweet-smelling amber fluid.
Somewhere on the muck, Einar partially disconnected.
Aaron takes his glass, "Danke."
Aaron says, "So tell me. Will you deliver me the moon?"
"Well understood," Hydra/Beta purrs as she drinks her glass. She tilts her head. "It depends on what you speak of when you say the word moon. I cannot deliver you Strange's Moon, for example. I can, however, get you a moon."
Aaron says, "So why not Strange's Moon? " (His tone is playful.)
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "It is not mine to give."
Aaron swirls his glass, his eyes meeting the doe's. There is arousal there. But still, it is not the sort of arousal you expect.
Aaron says, "What would you offer me? So I respect the level of power you are gifting me."
Hydra/Beta's mouth curves soothingly, as she meets that gaze back, recognizing the... arousal for power? "I know some things about you, but you know better what would suit you."
Aaron drops his head low. "I would love to have you. To be close to your dangerous, pro-offered flesh. That would be bliss upon bliss, and I would be thankful for such. But this trade is too important to leave on such lovely frivolities.
Aaron says, "I ask of you a favor that is well within your dominion."
Hydra/Beta leans forward, her smile still benign.
Aaron says, "I wish for an icon of the Strange to be laid low."
Aaron says, "I grow sick of her dances. Her arrogant displays."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Inhatti."
Aaron says, "Yes..."
Aaron says, "She poisoned me."
Aaron says, "If my mother and father had not been careful in my construction, I would be on a leash."
Aaron says, "I would have her robbed of her pleasure."
Slowly, Hydra/Beta leans back into her chair. "Lover, worshiper, our goddess and sister and mother and daughter. I love her, so you know. How would you have me betray her?"
Aaron says, "If it is too much to ask, then let it be. I will not corner you, not even in a pro-offered favor."
Hydra/Beta says all this in a tone that... Frighteningly enough, it does not sound as if it is too much to ask.
Aaron says, "I cannot expect you to betray family."
Hydra/Beta laughs gaily. "We betray each other routinely."
Aaron says, "Do you betray those you give your word to, even when it is just not to?"
Hydra/Beta begins purring, squirming in her chair. And then, she says, "It is love that we betray, not deals."
Hydra/Beta shivers happily.
Aaron says, "I do not understand your interest in your sister's -- Gamma -- little musical scene. What do you see in that?"
Aaron says, "Is that all a part of the betrayal of love you talk about>"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "For me to answer that would replace the favor you asked of me. The answer would be my favor, instead of my betrayal of Inhatti."
Aaron says, "Is that so valuable?"
Aaron raises his eyebrows.
Hydra/Beta just smiles.
Aaron says, "Do you do things, ever, because you care for someone?"
Aaron says, "Or are you just a creature of deals?"
Hydra/Beta looks at Aaron. Her eyes deep with facets that could almost be factored, understood if he was willing to expend hours of time and a piece of his sanity. "You have never tasted the depths of my love."
Aaron smiles at her. "I'd love to indulge, but I don't think you'd give me back... and I don't like being controlled."
Aaron brushes her ear gently.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "I let Atsuko go because of my love of her. I remade Purple Hase because of my love of her. I give what I gave to Sabina because of my love of her."
Aaron says, "I have not rightly earned that love though."
Aaron says, "It has been bought."
That gaze falls upon Aaron eerily, creepily. "You shall earn that love one day." She smiles. "I did let Atsuko go free."
Aaron takes in a deep breath. "Gift me with what you feel best suits me then, that does not enslave me or fetter me. I do not want to cause you grief against Inhatti. She is as she is."
Aaron says, "Or best yet, take what I offer for free and face value."
Aaron says, "I am not ready to embrace this fury..."
Hydra/Beta laughs again. "Dear, Inhatti would consider it routine to betray me, even as I consider the same for her."
"But if you wish, I shall grant you something else," Hydra/Beta says, her eyes sparkling.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Do know that where I released Atsuko because of my love for her, I betray Inhatti because of my love for her."
Aaron says, "I think I love her."
Aaron says, "And I know I hate her."
Hydra/Beta giggles. "Would you wish Inhatti as your slave?"
Aaron says, "No. Never. That is not Inhatti."
Aaron says, "She is free to do as she pleases. And she hurts freely, happily. If she ever draws a razor near me again, she will wish she had not."
"You understand," purrs Hydra/Beta.
Aaron says, "Yes, more than I'd like."
Aaron says, "Do you like her as she is? Suck in that butterfly cycle?"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "If you had asked for Inhatti as slave, the chain of events might have ended in her or me eating your soul, Aaron."
Aaron says, "Or do you ever think that she's just laughing in agony?"
Hydra/Beta smiles. "I love her regardless."
Aaron says, "I will sort out my own affairs with her then."
Aaron seems disappointed in himself for saying that.
Aaron sips his drink.
Aaron says, "Betray her for yourself and not for me..."
"Yes, you will earn my love," Hydra/Beta says with a closer lean. "What would you have in stead, then? A moon of your own? A few hundred copies of myself to keep as your own? The reason I so highly treasure this information you gave me?"
Aaron says, "I want to retain your friendship."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Or secrets to godhood?"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Though that is more for amusement value than anything."
Hydra/Beta quirks her ear at Aaron. "Your desire is that simple?"
Aaron says, "Beta, dear, I don't want to make you hate me."
Aaron says, "Mom said I make people dislike me too easily."
Hydra/Beta ponders, "I could give you a voice that would make the legions love you." And then, she begins laughing. And laughing. "Nothing you have said gives me any desire to hate you. Nothing."
Aaron says, "I don't want unfair boons. Maybe I should just ask you about yourself and your sisters. Since you crave the events around them so. So long as it does not pain you to tell me."
Aaron says, "I ask for that and the promise that you would treat me with kindness for not exacting a toll from you under such debts."
Aaron watches you with his violet eyes. He's only been out of decanting for two weeks.
"Just what do you wish to know about me and my sisters? I could give you some great and deep secrets, but it would cost you some things merely from the knowing." And Hydra/Beta flutters her eyelashes.
Aaron says, "Nothing is easy with you, just like my parent's remembered."
Aaron says, "And nothing comes without a price."
Aaron says, "Gamma gave hugs pretty freely. She was horrifically happy that day."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "What do you ask to know about me and my sisters?"
Hydra/Beta meets Aaron's gaze. "It would take Wheels to tell you everything about us. Everything. Even a summary would be too exhaustive for your tastes. Be specific."
"But not too specific. You can ask for big things after all."
Aaron says, "I don't know. Not to be frustrating on purpose... maybe we should off and leave this deal on the table. Unless I must burn it up with you. I hope not. I'd rather just remain warm and social."
Hydra/Beta giggles. "Just remember, I owe you the moon and a leg and two arms. If you need a favor, ask."
Aaron says, "Whose leg and arms? o.@"
Hydra/Beta waves her hand. "Whoever you asked for."
Aaron says, "Your sister is being strangely nice of late. I hope this means good things for all of you. And hopefully for everyone else."
Aaron says, "But it's so hard to tell with your mysterious lot."
Hydra/Beta grins. "It actually means bad things."
Aaron says, "For whom?"
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Us."
Aaron says, "That's... I guess when the angry one laughs and sings, that does sort of feel wrong."
Hydra/Beta now stares at Aaron, the first ever hints of solemnity creeping into her. "There are reasons beyond that. But to say more would repay your price."
Aaron says, "I'm not going to ask anything this time. I mean, if you see me in trouble -- especially with Inhatti someday -- then I'd exchange my favor right there."
Aaron says, "But... I don't know if I should pry into your affairs."
Aaron says, "Though. I sort of worry about you."
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "Very well. You choose surprisingly well, to wait for a need for the favor."
Hydra/Beta smiles. "All will be okay. I will deal with it."
Aaron rubs his head. "I need friends, Beta."
Aaron says, "And I don't want them magically made to suit me."
Aaron says, "I'd like to have a respectful relationship with you. Do you know why I was angry at you earlier?"
Aaron says, "Cause I felt unimportant to you."
Hydra/Beta just quirks her ear again, her expression serene. "I understand."
Aaron says, "Just some small black stained dust kitten. Maybe that's all I really am to you, but I want to mean something."
Aaron backs down from his emotional outpouring of sensitivity, as if realizing something.
Hydra/Beta giggles. "Very well. Your proposed price has been accepted."
Aaron slugs down the rest of his drink. "And if you would, tell people we have great sex or something. I have a reputation to keep up." u._
Aaron says, "Otherwise people will be worried that I asked for something dangerous."
Aaron says, "It would probably behoove us both to pretend that I asked for nothing special."
Hydra/Beta now looks at Aaron. "What you have asked is one of the most powerful things you could have ever asked from me. To mean something to me. Most... have a far more narrow, more tiny of thinking grasp of power." She smiles. "You have my respect."
Aaron says, "You really are cute, but even without my father's cowardice, I'd rather not impinge upon you for carnal pleasures..."
Aaron says, "Thanks, Beta. I wish I could trust you, but we're not at that stage of a friendship. Let's just take it slow. Maybe we'll both learn something for free."
Hydra/Beta's ears wiggle as she giggles. And then she says, "So it is done. You have given me greatly desirable information, and I have given you meaning to me." A word, an /aligning/ of forces felt that empties the brain of blood as a wave of light-headedness washes over Aaron, before his proper circulation restores. "And thus it is sealed. And I will speak of this as if it was a light and casual dealing."
Hydra/Beta hands Aaron a origami deer with blood smeared on it in twisting, stomach-squirming patterns.
Hydra/Beta murrs wonderfully, "A token of my esteem, with some small part of my power."
Aaron says, "You're probably less cute than you appear, but the illusion is still charming. How many souls have you devoured? I dare not imagine."
The cute deer just... purrs cutely.
Aaron makes a note of the token.
Aaron says, "Thanks. Hopefully the drinks sufficed in lieu of more substantive fluids."
Aaron is a little bushy.
Hydra/Beta giggles. And blows a little kiss. Then she stands up.
Aaron raises his glass to the doe. "Have a lovely evening."
Hydra/Beta bounces out, her doe-tail wagging.
You emerge into the sticky closeness of Bottomwarp...