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LEI AND AURIEL'S HOME - AFTERNOON
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Lei goes to show off her swimsuit to Auriel~
Auriel hums, nodding. "It looks good on you. Sadly the beach and I do not get along."
Lei chuckles and grins. "Ever thought about installing a pool somewhere in your den?"
Auriel gives a rather flat response, "No." She pauses a moment, raising an eyebrow at Lie, "Why?"
Lei giggles. "Because if the beach doesn't agree with you, then you'd still be able to enjoy a good swim with a personal pool!"
Auriel shakes her head, sighing slightly, "It's not the beach so much as the water..." She taps a finger against her chest, "Fire dragon, after all. I choose not to submerge in water for 'fun'."
Lei hums thoughtfully, rubbing her chin at that detail. "Hmm... that's a good point. You've never gone diving underwater for food in the past, though?"
Auriel shakes her head again. "On the rare occasion I needed to hunt for food, I would much prefer forest game. That said, I am not THAT old that I needed to go hunting for food quite so often."
Lei thinks for a moment, then giggles again. "Well, I think I just found some errors in the collective's compiled knowledge. Hah! I get to make another change attributed to me~"
Auriel leans back and smiles, "Heh. I would wager your problem there is a bad data source. Humans like to make their classifications and generalizations. They see one dragon diving for fish, they assume we all must do that."
Lei nods. "That's true. A lot of the collective's non-firsthand knowledge comes from what others have already compiled before us. Of course, the assumption might also just be due to human versatility. Not everyone fishes for a living, but everyone could fish if they had to."
Auriel tilts her head a moment, thinking, then laughs, "Ah, so you think they were giving us more credit, hm? Perhaps. I certainly Could dive for food. If I wanted to."
Lei nods happily. "I think so, yeah! Of course, it could apply to a lot of other things, too."
Auriel leans forward again, "Hmm? What are you thinking? I will say that you should be quite cautious in applying the data you record about me to any other dragon, of you might be rather surprised. We are a rather diverse lot, often in extremes."
Lei giggles again. "Well, more in that I think the idea of versatility could apply to you in particular, Auri. You might not really swim or anything because of your flame... but I think you could still look really, really good in a nice swimsuit~"
Auriel ahh's as the understanding dawns. "So that's your plan, hm?"
Lei grins. "Maaaaaaybe~ Seriously, though, Auri. You'd look really pretty in one, with that figure you have in your humanoid form."
Auriel folds her hands together on her lap, studying Lei, "Acknowledged. I did make this form somewhat attractive, I suppose. I'm willing to entertain the idea... it's been a long time since I purchased one."
Lei blinks and tilts her head. "You've had a swimsuit before?"
Auriel nods, "Some... hmm... how long ago were bathing gowns in style?"
Lei takes a few seconds to access her store of historical information. "Bathing gowns... let's see, uh..." She hums quietly as she shifts about a bit, her arms crossed under her chest as she thinks and sifts through data, "...About... the late 19th century? So... at least one hundred years ago or so."
Auriel smiles, "That sounds about right. No wings or tail back then, of course, and I was a redhead, believe it or not."
Lei's eyes scan over Auriel's hair for a few moments, then nods. "I could imagine it, Auri. I bet you looked just as pretty back then as you do now." She hums thoughtfully, "Hmm... I'm guessing you had one back then to better blend in with the neighborhood?"
Auriel nods, looking slightly wistful, though that expression fights with a bit of guilt as well. "Yes. Those were different times. Better in some ways... but not in most. Simpler, I suppose. Going out to the beach with the 'other girls', in part just to blend in, of course."
Lei grins a bit. "Well, why not revive that little tradition, hm? Go to the beach, relax on the shoreline, soak up some sun, maybe have some fun playing games and such!"
Auriel chuckles, "Because it seems a bit gratuitous? Ah, but I suppose there's no harm in it. Even if I suspect you just wish to ogle."
Lei gets a bit of a sheepish smile on her face, and she'd probably be blushing right now if she actually had the ability to do so. "Welll... I'd call that more of a side benefit of getting you to socialize some more, you know? Besides, sunlight is good for you!"
Auriel gets up from her seat and walks closer to Lei, lifting her hand up to cup the side of her face, Auriel's tail thumping against the floor a bit excitedly. "Then I'll give it a try, Lei. For the sunlight." She smirks.
Lei smirks a bit and glances down at Auriel's tail for a short moment before she moves forward and gives her a warm hug. "Good! I can't wait to see what kind of swimsuit you decide to get~"
Auriel hugs back, her tail quickly moving to wrap around Lei's leg. "Nothing too risque, so don't get your hopes up."
Lei chuckles as she cuddles up against Auriel's warm front. "Spoilsport. Oh well, that's just more eyecandy for me in private~"
Auriel hums, pulling Lei close as well. "Hmph. You've already seen everything in private. I'm surprised you care so much about seeing me covered."
Lei giggles. "I've definitely seen you naked more than once, Auri, but clothing enhances things, sometimes~"
Auriel releases the hug, shrugging slightly. "If you say so..." She considers for a moment, "Maybe I'll buy some lingerie too? I've never owned any of that..."
Lei traces a hand along Auriel's tail as the hug breaks, and she perks up. "Oh! That's a whole different angle to try and figure out! That'd be fun~"
Auriel blinks as her tail pulls away from Lei, the tip of her tail wiggling at Lei's touch. "Oh? Well, I shall look forward to it."
Lei smiles. "And when you decide to get some, let me know, and I can provide some totally unbiased opinions~" She giggles quietly, then nods at Auriel's tail, "Also, your tail's got a bit of a mind of its own, huh~?"
Auriel pulls her tail back and examines it curiously. "No... it doesn't... I don't know why it's acting so strange right now."
Lei shrugs a bit as she looks at the tail as well. "Only recently too, right? I mean... I'm not complaining, of course. It's cute how it curls around my leg all the time."
Auriel blinks, confused. "All the time? What are you talking about? It doesn't do that. I would know if it were doing that."
Lei smiles a bit and nods. "That's not the first time it's curled around my leg. It tends to happen whenever we hug, so I figured it was just you getting snuggly~"
Auriel stands a bit slack-jawed, staring at Lei. "Err... no. No, that shouldn't be happening. I... I don't DO that." She pauses, face dropping, "Wait... unless..."
Lei blinks and tilts her head at Auriel's reaction. "Well, I know you don't get snuggly. It kind of surprised me at first, but I figured it was just some kind of super secret thing you rarely ever do." She pauses, then gives Auriel a curious look, "Unless...?"
Auriel shakes her head, "Unless... you... mated me. But you couldn't... except, when you had me bound..." She blushes suddenly, "Oh..."
Lei blinks, then smiles bashfully. "Mated, as in... actually bred you? I mean... I've helped you lay your eggs, and we've fooled around a fair bit, but... well, an AI chassis can do a lot, but fertilizing an egg isn't one of those things."
Auriel shakes her head. "Not actually, but sort of? You didn't fertilize an egg, but it must have been enough for some part of me to recognize you as a mate..." She sighs, "It's... all in my head. Old dragon biology... stuff that might make a territorial old bitch be... less so, towards the one they love..." She glances at Lei, then glances away, slightly embarrassed.
Lei thinks again, then nods as some details click into place in her head. "The synthetics we'd used. I remember you getting worried about hurting me if you went ballistic due to the effects of it all." She cringes a little, "I, er... think you passed out from it at one point. Oh, Auri... I'm sorry..."
Auriel nods, "Yes, I suspect that's what did it. It was quite intense. It might explain why my heats have been lessened of late as well." She breathes out, "Now... I am unsure what you are apologizing about. It is not as if we could have foreseen this."
Lei sighs and shrugs. "Maybe not, but... I don't know. It just feels like something I should be apologizing about? Like, I know we're already a thing together and all, but it almost seems like that's something we should probably have planned or something?"
Auriel hmphs, "Well you shouldn't be apologizing. It is just biology. Brain chemistry and natural instincts. All a lot of big scientific explanation that simply says my body wants to be with yours. I feel that's a conclusion we both already reached." Her expression grows a little more vulnerable and tender, as she reaches out her hands to take Lei's. "I already love you, and trust you regardless."
Lei gently grabs hold of Auriel's hands as she reaches out, and smiles softly. "Well, you already know I love you too, Auri. So... I guess, in a way, we managed to hit that final step to be, like... an official couple or something, even though biologically, it should have been kind of impossible, huh?"
Auriel smiles, squeezing Lei's hand. "The longer I am on this world, the more I see that makes me think nothing is impossible. Though, strictly speaking, yes, I would not have placed a wager upon this..."
Lei smiles some more, only for it to falter for a moment. "W-well... I can't say I feel bad at all for this development, but, uh... I hope you weren't planning on having children. I know some organics put a lot of weight on that."
Auriel hms, "I really hadn't planned on it... it may sound ridiculous, but... Ad-Hoc is my child. That is why I devote so much of myself to ensure its stability and future."
Lei chuckles quietly. "Mmh... makes sense. Then I guess we'll just keep working together to make sure AD-HOC grows to be something great together, eh, Auri? Just like we've always been doing!"
Auriel comes closer, wrapping her tail around Lei's leg and giving a rather deliberate squeeze. She wraps Lei in a hug, with both her arms and wings folding around her. "You are rather frustrating at times, and I rarely understand you... You are undisciplined in your work ethic, and sometimes quite overt in ways that I find strange... But I am glad you chose to be with me."
Lei snuggles up against Auriel, getting nice and cozy in the warm embrace. "Hehe, it's probably a good thing we don't integrate AIs from the collective that don't have units like me. The AIs that have never left the internet can be really odd in their thinking, you know." She looks up at Auriel and gives her a little kiss on the chin, "That said, I'm glad you decided to give me a chance even with my quirky habits, Auri~"
Auriel hums, leaning her head down to rest against Lei's as she closes her eyes. "I didn't mean any that because you're an AI. More just because you're... you. You're unique. Everyone is. It makes everyone so special to know... and so tragic to lose."
Lei hums quietly and nods as she simply cuddles against Auriel, the lack of clothing save for her swimsuit making the contact feel especially comfy. "It's... kind of just how things are, I suppose, when so many folks have such wildly differing lifespans. I try to keep records because it's a way of keeping others around, you know? I think organics like to keep mementos, trinkets, recordings, things like that... just to remember who they were close to."
Lei quiets down for a few seconds, then continues, "I think it's probably best that we kind of matched up, too. You live an extremely long time, and I... don't really age, even if my chassis will eventually need replacement."
Auriel takes a few breaths, "I... have had precious few people so close... childhood friends, mostly. A few throughout the centuries who got too close. Time with them has always felt longer." She sighs, "I do have some old trinkets saved... they are most precious to me. But perhaps I can keep you close, hm? And never need to add anything of yours to that collection. It's certainly never something I considered about you AI's."
Lei smiles softly again after a moment of consideration. "I suppose it kind of depends, Auri. I know you love me for who I am, but... how attached are you to my chassis? There's going to be a point some time in the future where I won't be able to upgrade my chassis further without a complete replacement, and it might not look exactly like I do now, so... I guess my appearance isn't precisely immortal? Given the choice, though... I'll always be around."
Auriel chuckles, "Well, you know this form is only a bit of magic and concentration. How attached are you to this form? I could change it as well, but you've seen the real me." She taps a clawed hand gently against Lei's chest, "Imperfect metaphor, but the point is valid. The chassis shell is not the part of you I love."
Lei smiles again, brighter this time. "Well... imperfect metaphor or not, I do get where you're coming from, Auri. Good! So a full chassis replacement won't cause any problems in the future!"
Auriel hmphs, "No more than one can expect from swapping out your entire body. But we can work through that together when the time comes. Maybe you can help change up my look at the same time? Though, I will warn you that I will get bigger as I age."
Lei giggles and grins at Auriel. "You say that as though it's a bad thing, Auri. That just means I'll have to get more creative with you whenever you're in your normal form. I like to think I'm plenty creative already with your humanoid form~"
Auriel smirks, "Well, I do appreciate your creativity quite a bit."
Lei smirks in turn. "Oh, I can tell, Auri. The best part is, the more I learn, the more creative I can get~"
Auriel chuckles, "I shall look forward to it." She leans in close to whisper to Lei, "You've proven you can dominate me as well as any male dragon could. I am excited to see you try to do so again~"
Lei's smirk simply grows more mischievous as she listens to Auriel's comment and subsequent whisper. She leans forward and gives her a kiss on the lips. "I'll have to see what else I can come up with to mix up the experience for next time~"