<div class="floatleft">(https://i.ibb.co/tD3hg7M/starfire1.jpg)</div><strong>Character Name:</strong><strong>Koriand’r</strong>(https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=304004.msg14848548#msg14848548)<br/><strong>Date/Time:</strong>Monday 29th April 2019 – Midday<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Perth, Australia – ‘Lux’ carpark<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>Tamaranean spacesuit (as pictured) paired with thigh-high, predominantly purple explorer boots (https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_medium/11121/111217258/6672662-starfire_by_mystic_oracle_dazegt6-pre.jpg).<br/><strong>Tagged:</strong>Lucifer<br/><strong>Warnings:</strong>---<br/><strong>Extra:</strong>Kori’s Spaceship (https://weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ferrari-spaceship-2.jpg)<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Koriand’r was actually very pleased that she could tease this Human without him trying to take advantage of the situation. After all, he<em>could</em>have tried to steal another kiss from her, but instead, he’d stood his ground and just accepted her playful little peck. Whilst she imagined that he was probably in as much awe as she was, given that he was her first<em>proper</em>Human encounter and she was presumably his first Tamaranean – or perhaps even his first ever alien encounter; she also appreciated the balance of open intrigue against slightly more reserved hesitation. She was as sensual as she was passionate, after all, and although she couldn’t be sure yet if his confident stillness was more a result of his awe rather than intentional self-assurance, she nonetheless enjoyed being able to tease him without the pressure or demands of instant gratification. Where was the fun in gratification if there was no chase building up to the thrill of it all?<br/><br/>It pleased her further that he seemed willing to help her ‘study’, though she supposed he also meant ‘research’, as there was<em>much</em>that she intended to learn about Humans and their home planet. Her satisfaction didn’t end there though. It kept coming in heaps and bounds, holding and fixating her interest on this first encounter, rather than exploring what else this planet had to offer; which she easily could have alternatively done in the blink of an eye, rather than remain at the crash site. But no, this Human was far too interesting to cast aside, especially when she returned from her ship to present him with ‘X’Hal’s Joy’. Koriand’r was yet to meet a single sentient being who did<em>not</em>approve of Tamaran’s most beautiful and iconic flower, so as the Human accepted it, a warm smile of approval spread across her purple tinted lips. The extension of his acceptance however, had her canting her head to the side slightly, as she watched how he inclined his head and bent forwards slightly at the waist. Was that a Human gesture of gratitude? Tentatively, she mirrored the physical expression, noting how similar it was to the Euphorian’s greetings; though their bows were respectfully reserved for people of high status only and had she been a Princess of Euphorix, Koriand’r certainly never would have been expected to incline her head in such a ‘vulgar’ manner. Fortunately, the Tamaraneans were generally very respectful towards other cultures, regardless of their status and breeding. The Okaraans too, were not adverse to bowing to one another, though that was usually conducted before and after sparring with each other.<br/><br/><em>The ‘in-ter-net’,</em>she mentally adjusted to the definition of this new word, and immediately compared it to the Citadelian’s<em>Complex-Complex</em>mainframe; minus the ‘ruthless subjugator of all worlds’ aspect, or so she hoped. It did strike her as quite odd though, to hear even the Human very humbly admit that his own planet’s information network was ‘exceptionally primitive’. Her pout gently parted to the sudden possibility that she perhaps wasn’t the first alien to visit this planet and make contact with all the Earthlings. Yet her attention was briskly distracted by the reveal of a rather small but thick device from his pocket, and she took a step closer to him again to peer at the very clunky object. Instantly, she lifted a hand to tap her index fingertip against the screen, and baulked slightly as it lit up to ask for a passcode verification. But why wasn’t the device talking to her? Why were the graphics and words and lights restricted to<em>behind</em>the screen? Had Humans not yet discovered how to create and project holograms yet? Did they not know how to utilise lightweight metals or even implement vast chunks of data into tiny chips that could fit in the palm of one’s hand? Her hand dropped to her side, and she pursed her lips with a furrowed brow.<em>Primitive indeed.</em><br/><br/>He mentioned a more private, intimate setting, and the Tamaranean Princess took that to mean somewhere with four walls and a roof overhead, not unlike the building directly in front of her, and behind him.<strong>“In there?”</strong>She automatically interjected, taking his offer quite literally, as she tilted her head slightly so she could glance beyond him at the very<em>dull</em>architecture. Humans had<em>much</em>to learn about beauty, of that she was certain of already! Her distraction was brief though, because the continuation of his words compelled her to stare directly at him once more. For one, she didn’t quite understand what he meant be ‘devilishly charming’, and the trail of confusion continued as he called himself ‘exceptionally atypical of Earth’. What did<em>that</em>mean? Well, it suggested that he was special, perhaps even unique. Her brows immediately furrowed, clearly perplexed by this new and unexpected information. The way he went on to talk about Humans again being very ‘primitive’, almost sounded like he was exclusively dismissing himself from the same species. Unless…! Koriand’r gave a surprised little gasp, as her eyes widened under lifted brows. Was he not a Human!? Ah! Of course! That would explain how he seemed to know of how advanced other Galactic information infrastructures were – he too, must be an 'alien'! Her hands suddenly clasped together in front of her, as she processed this<em>very</em>unexpected revelation. No other planet in the Sol system had the capacity for sentient life, so was he a native perhaps from a nearby system? Had the Earth accommodated others like him? He certainly didn’t speak very highly of Humans, she further noted, as he labelled them ‘dull’. Well, she’d have to be the judge of that herself, although if General Hokum was any indication as the model for the rest of Humanity, she’d be hard-pressed to disagree with him on that note.<br/><br/>But wait – why was he pocketing his phone device? Was that not for her?<em>Ah!</em>He was going to provide her with her very own phone? Not that was exciting. In that case, he could keep the plant, and Koriand’r trusted him to uphold his part of the trade. She was about to tell him how to more specifically care for X’hal’s Joy, but the way that he abruptly changed the conversation topic alerted her to the embarrassingly haphazard parking of her ship. Her palms found the swell of her hips, as she turned to regard her ship with a slightly unimpressed expression.<em>Ah</em>, yes… she should probably do something about<em>that</em>.<br/><br/><strong>“They will try to <em>steal</em> my ship?”</strong>Frowning, she stared back at him, in part for clarification, and in part looking rather vexed at the idea of anyone trying to steal from her.<strong>“That would be very impolite,”</strong>her tone had a scolding, unimpressed edge.<strong>“And incredibly unwise,”</strong>she concluded with a subtle warning within her voice and narrowing eyes. Since she wished to avoid that particular complication though – because anyone who tried to steal from her would undoubtedly face the wrath of her starbolts; she was therefore prompted to step towards the very edge of the crater, and assess the best course of action. Raising her arm, she tapped at what looked like a plain, metal set of bracelets around her wrist and forearm, but when one of the bracelets illuminated with a purple glow, it was clear even to the most primitive mind that it was more than just a decorative accessory. The mostly solar-powered ship gradually responded, quietly humming with a sudden surge of power within the hidden engine, but to her loudly huffed irritation, it refused to budge from where it was lodged in the crater. Now, she<em>could</em>, in theory, very easily try to pry the ship free, but that would require some multi-tasking with the controls on her wrist, whereas she’d probably need<em>both</em>hands to lift the ship. Then of course, she couldn’t guarantee that physically forcing the ship wouldn’t cause unintentional damage to it. She might have explored the option, at least, had it not been for a more curious alternative which she was far more inclined to pursue.<br/><br/>Turning back to the supposed ‘Human’, a frowning and evidently frustrated Koriand’r folded her arms underneath her ample bosom. Whilst she was even more curious about his nature now, given how he'd confused her so thoroughly, she was also a little bit ‘put out’ by the fact that he was putting a price on his assistance. It was in<em>her</em>nature to provide assistance to people for free, after all, and whilst she understood the concept and necessary practice of trade, she was beginning to think that he did not share her more compassionate sentiments.<strong>“<em>How</em>?”</strong>She was suddenly quite short with him, suspicious even, as she stepped closer.<strong>“How will you help.”</strong>The question becoming almost rhetorical, but rather than pause in front of him, she slowly began to circle around him. Whilst she was mostly a peaceful soul, she was not entirely a push over.<strong>“You call Humans primitive. You speak of them like you are not one of them, but you <em>look</em> like an Earthling.”</strong>Indeed, the purpose of her circling was mostly to eye him up and down. Check that he wasn’t hiding a tail or any other protuberance.<strong>“What are you?”</strong>She asked very pointedly, and having circled completely around him, finally paused in front of him.<strong>“Which planet did you come from?"</strong>Her blazing, green eyes narrowed slightly, and she continued to school him on the finer intricacies of her own culture.<strong>"On <em>my</em> planet, we do not make demands in exchange for good deeds. So tell me: What is it that you <em>want</em> from me, in exchange for your aid?”</strong><br/>