Tai-San and Siva:Salene and Ryan's Couch

[_tai_san_]

Tai-San walked slowly, keeping an eye on Siva, waiting for her as she paused to look at everyone in the Cafe. When she'd caught up, Tai-San continued, slowly, to Salene's room. When she reached the doorway, she walked a bit faster, picking her bag up off of the end of the couch, setting it on the coffee table instead. She picked up the blanket and

Comments

[_tai_san_]

Tai-San smiled softly at the memories flooding back to her slowly at Siva's question, "I haven't seen Lex in a long time you know, I can't tell you if he's better now, he seems calmer, that's true," she looked down at the couch, imagining their past, everything they'd been through together. "When I first arrived, he was quite a character, very headstrong, and I don't think he liked me very much," she said with a chuckle, looking up at Siva, a blushing smile on her face, amused by the thought now. "His first wife, Zandra, before they married, whenever I'd come into the room, he'd spend a lot of time running me down, being very opinionated against my ways in front of her, in front of all of the Mall Rats," Tai-San smiled, the memories flooding her quickly, trying to pinpoint another one down.

"Lex was very," she paused, trying to find the right word, "mouthy, he always had an opinion, and he wasn't afraid to express it, no matter how angrily he'd express it. He's always been a heated soul, you see, all of that negative energy, it boils inside of him, the positive underneath is struggling to break free, and if he goes for too long, he can have quite the outburst of energy, that doesn't always come across very favorably for him," she wagged a finger back and forth to emphasize her point.

"He's a kind soul, he can be very gentle in private, and he's not lacking in passion," Tai-San stopped herself and looked to Siva, embarrassed, "Of course, you know that I'm sure," she shook her head and turned in more, studying Siva. "He's the warrior of the Tribe, he's always been so, he uses a lot of big talk, but deep down inside he means it, and he wants to keep those he cares about safe, even those he pretends not to care about outwardly," she shifted a bit closer to Siva, just a teeny bit. "Back in the old days of the Tribes, the warriors always took more than one wife, did you know that?" She nodded her head slowly, a smirk on her lips, "Of course that wasn't only for the benefit of the warrior, when he'd go out on missions, his wife wouldn't be left alone in a cold bed, she'd have someone with her to keep her warm, his other wives, it was for the benefit of all," she watched Siva's face carefully, not showing her emotion or expectation, waiting for her reaction.

[_siva_]

What Tai-San was telling Siva, she practically knew already. She guessed that meant that Lex hadn't changed much, with the exception of a few more tender moments. She had to keep herself from laughing when Tai-San said he was the warrior of the tribe. Lex was as much a warrior as she was a housewife. He'd only won one fight and now he was a warrior? More like his mouth was a warrior. And it was true how he would do anything for anyone he loved and even those he acted like he couldn't stand. Like Bray.

Siva raised her eyebrows when Tai-San mentioned the warriors having more than one wife. "Really?" The remark left her mouth before she could even think and she moved closer. Of course Tai-San would talk about this. Anything to get Siva to agree to sharing Lex. Shaking her head, she sat back. "No way. That's crazy." She looked at her hands. "Besides, why would they turn to other women? There WERE other men."

[_tai_san_]

Tai-San lifted an eyebrow before she laughed softly, regaining her composure and speaking as knowledgably as she could, though a lilt remained. "It's not crazy, if you think about it. All of the warriors would go out into battle of course, and leave their women alone, besides," she shrugged easily, "There are more women in the world, maybe it was because there are more females born than males, or maybe it's because more men get themselves killed doing something stupid," an amused smile crept across her face, delightment in her eyes. She straightened up a bit again, she wasn't going to look serious if she was grinning like a fool, and she was being absolutely serious. "So, when all of the men would leave, the women would have each other, and within each Tribe," she motioned with her hands, forming a large circle as if she was holding a cup, "there are mini Tribes," she turned her hands out, showing her the fingers.

Tai-San put her hands in her lap, "Monogamy is a recent cultural adoptive practice, people back then weren't worried about one with one when one with many opened lots of doors for them," she gave Siva a knowing look. Siva had once been one of Ram's wives, along with both of her sisters, certainly she was open minded to alternative relationships. She cocked her head to the side, "You're not monogamous, are you?" She put her hand on Siva's knee, her eyes never leaving Siva's face, almost blank, and knowing, studying her. "It's such a middle aged morality, I just don't see how it could hurt to explore outside of the box," she took her hand back and straightened the blanket in her lap, looking down then back up at Siva sideways, a coy smile on her face.

[_siva_]

Siva's eyebrows shot up when it hit her that Tai-San was hitting on her. What the hell was going on?! She backed up a little, letting Tai-San's hand slip off of her knee.

"I'm not sure what your thinking, exactly, but no thanks Tai-San." She stood up. "I'm not so sure what the adults did, but I'd really rather not." Who did she think Siva was?! She wasn't just going to jump into bed with ANYONE. She loved Lex and the thought of being with a WOMAN never even crossed her mind.

"If this is what you wanted to talk about, this conversation is over."

[_tai_san_]

Tai-San sat up, leaning forward and pulling the blanket from her lap, "No, no I just," she shrugged, searching for the right words, "I was just speaking of different alternatives to relationships, I wasn't suggesting anything," she said, ending it with a quick thought of yet.

"I really wanted to make peace with you, that's all. I know this can't be easy, my being back in the Mall," she looked away, her face falling as she felt the tears piercing her eyes, "It's not easy on me either," she looked back up, her eyes sparkling from the tears. "I've been through a lot, you know, as a Techno, everything they put me through, you must know what I'm talking about?" She hoped the look on her face, sadness mixed with a hint of fear and insecurity, was getting to Siva. She wasn't really upset, Mega was a bastard at the best of times, but she had to find a common ground to walk with Siva, pull her in, find something Siva could give compassion towards. "I was tested on, in the end, with the Paradise program, I," she looked away, picking at the blanket next to her gently, "think I've got reality space sickness. I've tried meditation, and it helps, but it's still there, in the back of my mind, like a wall I can't knock over. Do you know what I mean?" Her eyes shot up, searching Siva's face, that look still there, hoping she could relate.

[_siva_]

Siva sighed when Tai-San started talking about reality space sickness, but she didn't sit back down. She did know what she meant, though, although her experience with reality space made her never want to go back. The memories of being trapped in there made her shiver.

"I know what you mean, but I'm not sure how I can help you. May and Pride never really seemed to get over it... And I'm not sure Patch has any medication for it... Maybe you'll just have to try to think of other things." She kneeled down in front of the couch.

"Is this what's been bothering you?" Tai-San''s sudden tears were making her feel..... somber. She didn't like seeing people like this.

[_tai_san_]

Tai-San nodded shortly, "It's one thing," and she shook her head, tsking, "Pride and May don't know what it's like to be us Siva, to be a Techno, and a Mall Rat. They were never in our shoes, and I highly doubt they could ever wear them," she wiped quickly at her eyes and scoff laughed at herself, "So silly, crying over spilled milk, you know? I know I'm stronger than this, but," she shook her head, looking back to her lap. Tai-San wasn't a crying type, she didn't usually dwell on things, but it was good to get to Siva's compassionate side, especially after she'd already planted the seeds of thought in her head. Within time, it would all come to fruition.

Tai-San wiped her face and shook it off, stopping the tears and taking a sharp breath in, "I should get ready for the Hen Party tonight, I should let you go so you can. Do you know if the showers in the office complex still work? Do you use them now?" Tai-San knew them from when she'd been Chosen, using them back then, she still didn't know how the Chosen had gotten them to work back then, but she hadn't asked. But the city's water supply was running now, and the electricity as well, surely they had hot running water?

[_siva_]

"I'm not a Techno anymore, Tai-San. I've pushed it behind me. Sure, I still have unspoken ties with them, but that's about it." She backed a little and stood in the doorway. "You know, sometimes things just weigh you down. I'm if you get whatever's bothering you off your chest, you'll feel a bit better." The first insightful thing she said in a while.

But Tai-San was right. They did need to get ready for the hen party. As she walked out she called over her shoulder, "The showers work perfectly. They may even help you clear your head." And stop trying to get me in bed...