She leaned against the column, hands folded neatly in front of her. The tight, latex dress was uncomfortable, the tall platform stilettos making her feet ache. Long black curls were bound up, but she had left a few to frame her heart shaped face. She shifted her thighs a little, smiling at passing men and women both, but none seemed interested. Coming to this spaceport had been a bad idea, it seemed. She flexed her fingers, glancing up at the window to the small room she had rented.

Two passed by that both sent eyes in her direction. The first, a long-haired man with a thick accent, elbowed the second, a tremendously tall woman in what could have been armor or some kind of second skin.

"'ere y'go, Violet." The woman shook her head. "I don't drop mith for something I can get for free." They'd clearly mistaken the woman for a prostitute, although there was no judgment in their tones. The tall woman did let her eyes wander for a while, however, before drawing out a blood-red cigarette and setting it alight. "Speaking of payment, did you get your cut?"

The man shook his head at that. "Naw. Tryin' t'lay off th'shit. Y'know, y'could stand t'give it a rest too." His words only earned him a tired glare, as if she'd heard this before, too many times. "Anyway, I'ma get outta here. Vic's back, an 'is lady's all kinda fucked up. I been droppin' stuff by th'house. He won't let 'er outta 'is sight, an sh'won't leave th'place."

Her gaze dropped just in time to see the taller woman. A light lick of her lips, as she tilted her head to listen to the conversation going on between the two. If she were insulted about being mistaken for a prostitute...well, it didn't show. A bare finger clad tapped against her lips, and she nodded to herself. She pushed up from the wall, and took a few long steps towards the two. "Excuse me, I hate to bother you. I'm new here..." She paused, ducking her head. Did she look naive? Yes, yes she did. "Well, do you know any computer repair or supply places? I'm trying to find work."

She shifted in her heels, appraising the two again. The woman was tall...even with her heels on Eirlys only came up to her chest. She licked her lips again, fingers toying with each other in front of her.

"C'mputers?" The man quirked an eyebrow, as if he had a difficult time taking her seriously, until a somewhat sharp elbow hit his ribs from a piece of that armor that seemed to extend just for that purpose, then retract once it was done. "Not in this town." Smoke poured from her lips as she spoke. "Not sure how much of it you've seen yet, but most everything around here is quite primitive." She stared off in thought for a moment before the man piped up again. "Kazon's gotta fuckin' ton o'computers."

The woman shook her head. "Yeah, but he runs them all himself from home. The only work he hires is manual labor to move material, and wrench turners for the machinery." She too pressed a finger to her lips, thinking. "Hmm. Where are you from, and what's the tech like?"

"I'm from Earth, actually, but I've had more experience with ship computers than the computers back home." She tilted her head to the side, thinking a moment. "I've run with a couple of Broncos, had training working on power armor. Navigational systems in ships that run on water, cycles..." One shoulder lifted in a shrug, cornflower blue eyes studying them again. "I've got other skills as well, but that's for when I start getting paid." She lifted her chin a moment. "What's your name?" She was looking at the woman, when she asked, as the man had seemed to dismiss her already.

"Earth..." There were twenty-seven inhabited planets the SSP had discovered so far that had given themselves that name, but Melinda was sharp enough to figure out which one she spoke of. Vorn looked clueless. "Heh. They've got real ships there now? I thought they were still burning oil." Then she remembered her manners, with a sheepish smile. "Ah. Melinda Larin... and this moron is Vorn." As her hand reached out, an astute eye would notice that a man with silver wings watched from the dock she'd emerged from.

She tilted her head to the side, again. A nod to the man with silver wings. "Oh... On one plane, it probably did. I dropped through a dimensional rift, onto a world where spaceships with interdimensional drives were common. I learned fast. I like tech." She took the woman's hand, squeezing her fingers a moment. "My name is Eirlys Monroe. Pleased to meet you, Miss Larin." Yes, despite her outfit, she had manners. She inclined her head politely to the man, but dismissed him, focusing on Melinda again.

"Anything else you'd like me disclose will have to be a one on one professional basis. I may be naive, but I'm not stupid." She winked. "It's two on one, three, if you count the gentleman on the dock. Until I know you better...." She shrugged, pulling a cigarette from a small pocket in her dress, and lit it. It looked, and smelled....very familiar.

Vorn was already on his way, stepping around them with a strange, almost knowing smirk. "Well, I told Kazon I'd have th'stuff out there t'night, an' it's later'n shit already. Y'know way more 'bout any o'this than I do anyway. I'll be seein' ya." Was it just their imagination or did he seem to mean that toward both of them? Not a moment later he was gone, a speeding blur into the city.

"Well, Vorn comes and goes as he wants." Mel smirked at the sudden departure, seemingly unshaken or just unaware of the smirk. "Don't mind the seraph, he just keeps an eye on me. Of course, we could go somewhere... out of sight... if you'd like." Somehow through the rasp of her voice, she made those words walk the line perfectly between innocence and decadence. Just a few short months ago, she'd have been stammering by now. The cigarette, however, took her off guard. "...hmm." At that point she decided to drop the subtlety. "What are your other skills? I'm quite curious to know what my crew's been up to. There's only one place on this planet you can find Solarfall 11s, and that's my cargo hold."

"Those are your.....crew?" She let out a low chuckle. "They have some interesting tastes, then. As for my other skills..." She tilted her chin up at the room. "Why don't you come upstairs, and we'll talk about them. I'd rather not ... on the street, that is." Another slow inhale of the smoke, the tension easing out of her shoulders. She held out her free hand. "Come inside, said the spider to the fly..." A slow grin.

((Adapted from Live Play))

With a soft laugh, she took the outstretched hand. "I'm quite disappointed in them, keeping a secret like you from me." It seemed like Melinda already knew exactly who the two were that had most likely visited this woman, so well did she know everyone aboard her ship. "A spider, hmm? I've learned to be careful with spiders... everything tends to get sticky." Smirking, she followed Eirlys' lead.

She tugged closer to the woman a moment, pressed against her as she brought her lips close to Melinda's neck. She inhaled deeply of the woman's scent, and then turned away. Pulled her towards the stairway that led up over a small, empty shop to the room she had acquired for herself. The stairwell was narrow, and dark, but smelled of sweetgrass and sage. The door to her room was open, since the stairs were the only entry.

The room itself was small, without a kitchen. A small bathroom area was separated into another room, the door protected by a decorative screen. There was a chest against one wall, and rather large bed. Surprisingly, the comforters and sheets were of a high quality, and neatly made, besides. There were two chairs, both rather comfortable looking, with rather high backs and cushions. A small table set between them. She took a seat, crossing one leg over the other, and waved the other woman towards the opposite chair.

The smells and the very atmosphere had Melinda's mind wandering to places she didn't often go with someone she'd just met, but for the moment she kept her decorum. Taking the chair, her legs seemed to slither over and under, and her head leaned back into the high back, a rare luxury anywhere other than her ship. Usually she was too tall for the furniture. A cigarette was drawn out and lit with the last embers of the one before it, a common habit when she started to feel too warm under Kethel's cover, even though it left much of her skin to air as it often did these days. "So, Eirlys..." Mel seemed to taste the name as she spoke it, and if the slight lick of her lips was any indication, she was quite fond of it. "...Are you really looking for computer work, or am I here for something else? ...or both?" Her smile was almost sinful. "Did one of my crew mention me? Is that why you picked me out on the docks?"

She shook her head. "I don't ask about their personal lives, usually. Unless they want to talk." She shifted her legs, the sound of latex slithering smoothly across latex was as sinful as the smile Melinda was giving her. She tapped her full lips with a finger, then lifted the cigarette back to her lips. "I really was looking for computer work.... but if you'd like something else..." She waved her hand, leaving it open ended for the moment. Eirlys spent a moment studying the taller woman, the material sheathing her like a second skin. It made her curious to see how she would react to.... but that was only if she asked for it.

She'd get a display of one of the second skin's abilities, as a section turned black over her upper arm, Melinda grinding out the old cigarette on it without leaving as much as a mark. Dropping it into a pocket, her eyes turned back to Eirlys curiously. "What's the 'something else', hmm?"

She put out her cigarette in a more conventional way - a small ashtray on the table. Leaning back against the chair, a smile drifted over her lips. "I'm a dominatrix." One eye opened to look at Melinda. "I have a.... talent. This isn't my true form, just the one I was born with." She shifted in the chair, licking her lips. "For some of my clientele, they prefer that form over this." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "I give pleasure, pain.... humiliation.... love. Whatever I'm needed for." Ahhh, a cold one, she was. She didn't seem to ask the same in return. Blue eyes opened to study Melinda, and she leaned forward reaching out to touch Kethel on her leg. "This seems interesting... what is it?"

A deep inhale of smoke followed the explanation, and Melinda found herself lost in thought. Her face was a mask, however, refusing to let through what she may have thought of this woman's profession. "This," a hand slowly drifted down the space between her breasts, to her stomach, "is Kethel, an Ikural symbiant. How we came together is a long story, but it requires a host to live. It gives quite a bit in return, and doesn't mind my habits, so we tend to get along rather well." The rest she did not speak on just yet. It was obvious she was weighing something in her mind, although what it was would be difficult to tell. Even a master telepath would read nothing but static.

She touched the symbiant on Melinda's leg, stroking with her fingertips a moment, before leaning back against her chair again. "I don't have much by way of a kitchen... but I'd like something to drink. Would you like some tea?" She stood, smoothing the latex over her thighs. She moved to a small stand near the bathroom, with a hot plate and a tea kettle. She slipped into the bathroom to fill it with water, and put it on. She was giving Melinda time to think... A small smile on her lips as practiced movements had her preparing a small tincture for her small tea ball.

"Sure." The touch had sent a small spark through her, even with Kethel's hard plating in the way. It was a small, but noticeable hint that, when she chose to, she could feel through its extensions. Her eyes followed the woman's ever move, studying. "It's interesting... I've seen a lot of things on a lot of worlds, but never anyone with two lines of work that were quite so... distant. Is this something you do until you find what you really want? Or is it something you enjoy too much to stop, even if you feel it's not using your more intellectual talents?"

She thought about her answer a moment, as the kettle began to whistle. She pulled it from the hotplate, poured herself a mug. She turned, leaning against the wall, watching the woman almost as much as she was being watched. "I enjoy it, to a degree. It allows me to drop this..." She waved her hand at her body... "Facade, and enjoy my real self for a while. It's not very satisfying, though. These people that come to me... they could care less who I really am. Most don't even know about my other abilities, nor would they care, if they found out." Another careless shrug, a common gesture of hers when she was at ease. "I have every girl's wish... Someone who understands me for me, and can take the bad..." A wicked smile... "With the good."

"There's a clich? in there somewhere," Mel grinned. "But I do understand. Hell... I usually just scare people." With that, Kethel extended into its full armored form, spikes emerging, tendrils slipping under the skin of her cheeks, holding but for a moment before retracting once more. "Then again, the way you talk, I assume you've had your share of that. What's behind the... facade?"

Another long breath of smoke and she sought for a place to drop the ashes, as they threatened to come off of their own accord at any moment. Even as she looked about, however, it seemed her eyes never truly left Eirlys.
A slow sip of tea, and she set the mug aside. "Ashtray, to your right, darlin'." She took a few steps back towards her seat, sitting, so she could begin to unbuckle those platform shoes. "I'll show you... but I have to undress first. I like these clothes, and I don't want to rip them to shreds." The boots were set neatly side by side, and she stood, turning her back to Melinda. A shy smile over her shoulder. "Would you unzip this for me?"

Melinda had gained a lot of her lost confidence over the last few months, but this was much more forward than she'd anticipated. Her rise from the chair was slow, almost tentative. Even more so was the delicate touch of fingertips against skin just above the zipper. She had to take hold of the dress itself, of course... at least that would be a good enough excuse. The zipper itself came down very slowly, just as it did when she'd undressed the woman with her eyes on the way up the stairs.

Hands came up once it was done, and helped slide the latex from her shoulders. It was something she'd always liked the feel of, and had she not spent most of her waking hours covered in Kethel, it would likely be the first thing she'd add to her nonexistent wardrobe.

She lifted her heavy hair from her shoulders, a small smile on her lips. Melinda's name rolled off of her tongue in an almost purr. She turned to face her, taking a couple of steps back, and looking upward with a smile. She slipped the latex from her skin, revealing the rest of her body. Scars riddled her stomach and back, her buttocks and legs. She didn't seem to notice them, however, folding the dress neatly over the back of the chair. She stood in only a lace thing. She took another step back, and closed her eyes. "Are you ready?"

Eyes widening, she fought like a devil to restrain the pained gasp at the sight of all those scars. "...Eirlys... what... happened to you?" The shock was anything but repulsion or pity, both things she knew all too well. No, this was genuine empathy, despite having known this woman for not even the space of an hour.

She shook her head, slowly, eyes flashing briefly open. "I don't....know you well enough, yet, to tell you that story. Let me... show you this first." Her shoulders hunched forward, her voice a quiet whisper. "If, after my change, you can still look me in the eyes... We'll talk."

She arched her back, as her skin began to flood as brilliant red color. Cornflower blues disappeared in the sudden glow emanating from her eye sockets. A tearing noise, and two bat-like wings stretched themselves out from her back. Horns sprouted from her head, pushing up through the dark curls. She opened her mouth wide, almost impossibly so, as her canines lengthened, and glistened metallic. She spread her hands wide in front of her, as with a crack and a grown, her fingers elongated. Serrated talons ripped through the tips of her fingers, glittering for a brief moment, before disappearing again.

Leather appeared on her skin... a bra top, fingerless gloves to her forearms, and thigh high boots, but they appeared to be sewn into her flesh, the stitches looking fresh. A collar appeared at her throat, with a single ring dangling in the hollow of her throat, and two, silver skull-like coverings capped her shoulders. She was breath taking, and when those glowing eyes fixated on Melinda again, it seemed that she would fall into their depths. A musk filled the room, stirring the senses. Her voice was softer, even sweeter than before. "This... is my other side."

She'd watched in silence, although her teeth clenched more than once at the sounds that had come from the change. The cracking, groaning, tearing... it seemed... painful. Once complete, however, Melinda could not take her eyes away. "...wow." A hand reached out curiously, fingertips seeking the skin of her cheek. "Reminds me of someone. Not quite the same, but lovely nonetheless."

The other hand followed, toward the strap of the top. "Where'd.. this come from?" A sweet smile, but suggestive all the same, took her lips, dropping the slightest hint of surprise. Shifting, she had seen, but phantom clothing?

It was phantom clothing... It literally appeared to be sewn in her skin. The stitches where flesh met leather were visible, and their appeared to be no seam between them. Eirlys caught Melinda's fingers in her own, the delicate digits tracing Kethel and then skin. She shivered at the sensation. "It's...part of me. Part of this... It's my flesh, but leather..." She shook her head. "It's hard to explain, but I can feel just as though you were touching bare skin." She smiled, those teeth flashing in the glow of her eyes. "Melinda.... Are you ready to decide if you want something else this evening?" She took a step closer, enough so that their chests barely brushed. She didn't have to look up so high now to meet her eyes.

Her fingers squeezed slightly, then stroked the hands that held them. "...why the rush? We have all the time in the world, Eirlys." It wasn't a dismissal, and the look in her eyes was nothing short of a promise that this was far from over, but other than the soft touches of her hands, Melinda did not move. "There's more to you than what I'll find in your bed, and you promised me something if I could look you in the eye." She did just that, holding her gaze, despite the bright glow. Her own seemed to darken somewhat, as an internal extension of Kethel shielded her retinae.

Oh, how respect for the woman before her grew. The smile that cross her lips wasn't tempting or shy. It was a genuine thing of warmth, despite the glitter of teeth behind it. "My fingers and hands are very sensitive in this state. When I'm doing complex tech work, it's easier to be like this, than otherwise." She raised one hand, flexing it gently. Slowly, sharp talon slid from her fingertips. "And I can protect myself as well." She shook her head, withdrawing them, and laying a hand on Melinda's side. "Those scars you saw.... My father nearly beat me to death.... as I lay there, trying to breath, suddenly I ...became this." Her eyes became narrow slits. "He paid for his mistake." She shivered a moment, and shook her head, midnight tresses bouncing. "Enough of such morbid thoughts. What do I need to do to prove I'm a good investment?"

One could almost taste the innuendo in that, but she was really interested in seeing what Melinda had to offer her as far as work with computers.
?Oh gods..." Even as she still spoke, Melinda took a hand in both of hers, holding tightly through the shiver. So much was her distress that it took a moment for her mind to shake it loose and put her mind to the last. "...investment?" She snickered softly. "Investments are what executive slime do to fuck you out of your mith. You said you pick things up fast. I could use someone who isn't drunk all the time on the Q-drive, and if you're really a quick study, Don would be more than happy to stop wearing two hats and focus on his real job."

As much as she tried, however, Melinda could not keep her eyes from the occasional trip downward. Each time, the retinal shields retracted, and there was an unmistakable lust in her gaze. Once she'd spoken her piece, her eyes closed for a moment, and she took a deep breath before fixing them back into that glowing light.

She chuckled, shaking her head a moment, but he curiosity in her face was obvious. "Q... drive?" She closed her eyes briefly, the glow dimming beneath her eyelids. "It sounds like.... hard work. Nothing I'm averse to, mind you. Is this form going to be alright around your crew, if I need it?" With her free hand, Eirlys stroked Melinda's cheek, barely brushing her hair. "Do I get room and board?" She frowned a moment, and looked down. "Before... I like those smokes they bring me. Maybe a little too much. Is that going to be a problem?" Her excitement about working on a ship was obvious, unlike the lust creeping into the edge of her thoughts. It was hard to tell where that glowing gaze settled, but her fingers were restless.

"The work isn't easy, no." Her cheek leaned into that touch almost unconsciously. "It's not always... safe, either. But you look like you can take care of yourself, that much is obvious." She had to keep talking. It was the only thing keeping her from melting into the nightspawn on the spot. "We... smuggle slaves from their owners. Medical supplies into hospitals in war zones. Drugs." With a smile, she added, "...and no, just about all of us smoke the damn things... everyone but Don and the doc. That's why we bring them in from Gamma by the crate... only half of them even get sold."

Her body gave in a little, leaning ever so slightly into Eirlys, and her pulse grew a little harder and faster. Keep talking, Melinda... "...and of course you'd have your own quarters, although you can still keep this place as well. That and eight mith a week. Around here you can typically pull somewhere around six hundred gold crowns with that."

"Of course, I won't put you into anything dangerous... unless you really want it." Something in her obviously hoped she would say no. "Usually Lya, Gill and I do most of that... and Vorn and Kazon if they're around."

The reassurances caused her to take a deep breath, and she nodded. Her eyes were closed, the sensations flowing through her fingertips at the touch of skin and hair making her smile more. "I don't mind danger. And I don't mind the hard work, either. I can be of use in tougher missions as well. I've done some demolition work, in the past, as needed." Don't screw this up. Yeah, you want her. Business first, than pleasure. "As far as this room goes... If I can move my things onto the ship, this room can rot as far as I care. The money's welcome, but I don't need that much to get by." She was leaning closer, unconsciously. "What about your ....well, the crew members I've already met. Will they be okay with this?" She danced her fingers along Melinda's neck, gently cupping her cheek. A soft sigh from her lips, and she dropped her hands to her sides, reluctantly.

"I don't want you to think I'm trying to ...." She shook her head. "I'm not a whore. I won't be one on your ship, either. If they want my services like that... I think they should have to ask your permission first."

A hand reached out, fingertips sliding over her cheek, a few strands of hair sliding between them, one in particular rising to trace where a horn emerged. "These guys... my crew... we have been together for sixteen years. They won't question me over this." Grinning slightly, she added, "...of course, you might get a few long looks when you show up. Then again, someone as lovely as you... I'm sure you're used to that." A moment's pause came as she chose the next words very carefully. "What else you do... as long as it doesn't interfere with our work... is completely up to you. I'm quite sure Duke and Lya won't mind... paying you a visit from time to time, if you allow them."

"Undying loyalty to their captain... Gotcha." She winked, shaking her head. As Mel continued, she nodded slowly, and the words tumbled out of her before she really thought about them. "And you? Will you come visit me?" She covered her mouth a moment, blinking. It was the closest thing to a blush a person with red, red skin could have. She closed her eyes again, fingers drifting to Melinda's side, stroking down over her hips.

"No." Mel shook her head, but as she spoke an arm wound slowly around her, hand flattened against her skin, almost as if tasting her. "...but you may come visit me. Deck thirteen. There are only two rooms. Mine's on the left." Leaning closer still, she relied on Kethel to keep her knees from weakening.

She found herself pulled in closer, and her fingers lightly squeezed Melinda's hips. Her wings fluttered briefly behind her, delicate tips tracing over her arms and hands. She tilted her face up, eyes opening once more. "I think that....concludes the business portion of our evening." A single daring moving, as she pressed her lips against the underside of Melinda's chin.

"Mmm... yes..." Kethel started to retract a piece at a time as she melted into the red-skinned beauty before her. The hand that had wound came over the line of stitching, tracing it around to her side. Oh, how I wish I could take this off... Meanwhile, the other sank deeply into her hair, tilting Eirlys' head back to press a deep kiss to her lips.

((Adapted from Live Play))