Private Finished Lily in the Sky

KirMir nodded back at Lily as she glanced at each of their bodies in turn. Even without the attraction they felt to her they would have made the same determination. From everything they had seen of her she would do well if she decided to take that career path

When she had tightened her grip they had immediately thought maybe they had said or done something wrong. But then almost as soon as that thought had entered their mind they realized that no, she was simply thinking about things. And possibly being happy to share them just as KirMir was glad to be able to share what they had been doing too.

KirMir were quiet for a moment as they really thought hard about what Lily was saying. But only a moment, because their mind worked quite quickly even though there were so many factors to consider.

Kir continued to hold onto Lily's hand and Mir left her arm draped around Lily as Kir began. "We enjoy learning. About anything and everything. We enjoy dancing, as you saw at the Ball, and we enjoy being with you. We were extremely happy during the night of the Ball," he listed things off and then brought Lily's hand up to give it a quick kiss at the last bit. That had seemed to properly express how they felt last time.

Mir picked up exactly as Kir stopped talking though. "However we admittedly also enjoy handling weapons," she began with a bit of a cautious look towards Lily in case she reacted poorly. "We work part time at an armaments shop planet-side and we are excellent at that. Truthfully though we are still learning what things actually make us happy but we do know we tend to be at our happiest usually when we feel safe." Really their ingrained purpose was survival above all else and that was why. It was something they struggled with because it made them appear cold to a lot of people but they had no choice- it was part of the many modifications that had been done to them before they escaped.

KirMir were not just saying that Lily made them happy to be romantic either. They were genuinely happy each time they had interacted with Lily so far. Even the texts back and forth to finish setting up this very outing had made them smile a little.

They relaxed a little bit when she hadn't seemed upset. Actually she was far more excited than they had anticipated. But they weren't sure they wanted to stay there in the lab hallway when there was so much more to show Lily.

Mir gave Lily a hug with the arm she already had draped around the girl and then let it slip back to just holding Lily's hand again. Kir gently turned to gesture down the direction they had been heading when they came to the lab and they started slowly walking as a group further down the hallway as KirMir replied.

"We are not as familiar with the bow or crossbow, but we would enjoy learning to use them properly. Firearms and blades are what we are most proficient with," Mir addressed Lily and her eyes almost seemed to shine with anticipation as the topic of learning how to use bows came up. They weren't kidding when they said they were happy to learn about anything.

"In fact we own several types of firearms that we take to the firing range for practice regularly, including handguns we carry openly when it is legal to do so," Kir added thoughtfully. Both as an answer and as a test to see if she would be uncomfortable with them carrying weapons while in public areas. Which they normally did. "Although... we realized that we did forget one more thing we tend to enjoy that you might find interesting. We have been doing yoga along with our normal fitness regimen and we have come to find it both calming and rewarding." They had always known to do plenty of stretching to stay flexible but yoga was enjoyable in and of itself. Although they mostly just did it in private, using training videos.

After a little walking and talking KirMir and Lily stood on another set of the transport pads within a small room off the main hallway. With a small tablet-like panel attached to it for them to select their destination. Mir reached out to select a specific location in the eastern partition of one of the lower levels of the station. A district where there was a large marketplace and many cultures mixed to create what KirMir knew as a very interesting and impressive, if confusing landscape. "Before we transport we should warn you that the destination may be a little overwhelming at first. We will be donning our holstered firearms but it should not be dangerous and we will be there to hold onto," Kir explained and wrapped a protective arm around Lily. Mir stood very close as well, with one hand holding Lily's and the other hovering over the button as they waited to make sure Lily was ready.

KirMir were puzzled at first by Lily's pause. Was she hesitant to ask about learning to use more weapons or was... oh. She was likely not allowed to posses a firearm yet even if she wanted to learn that.

Mir smiled back at Lily, most definitely interested in having her teach them such a skill. "We would very much enjoy that Lily. There was no need for us to have learned such a skill in space but as we said, we do enjoy learning. Perhaps if can be something we arrange for the future," Mir offered and then paused their talk for a moment as she was forced to move behind them as they all walked to keep from blocking another person coming down the hall towards them. This one wasn't so friendly and just sort of glared at them as he passed, wordlessly.

As soon as they passed Mir stepped back up next to Lily and resumed talking. "We are adept at throwing knives, yes. Technically there are very few times when throwing your knife is the appropriate choice, but as far as a recreational activity that could be fun too," she finished, perhaps being a little too dry with their explanation. It was something that had been drilled into them during their training. If you were close enough to move in with the knife you used it as a melee weapon. If you were far enough to consider throwing it then generally you should instead by finding cover and making them come to you rather than discarding your weapon.

Kir picked up where Mir finished though as they had arrived at the transport pad. "We cannot legally carry them in the academic wing here, just like while on the campus of the Academy, but in the public areas of the station the laws are similar to that of the city of Manta Carlos. You can carry a weapon if you are old enough but it must be secured and not brandished except to protect yourself," he explained. There were many visitors to the station that would be loathe to travel in public areas without some form of protection, even though security was fairly tight and the likelihood of real danger was low. That was exactly the mindset KirMir followed as well. It was a comfort thing for the most part.

Kir held Lily close as she leaned into him. It was... well most of it was probably unnecessary because it wasn't like they were entering a warzone or anything. Just a very crowded marketplace. But it felt nice to hold Lily close, and they really did expect it to be a bit of a shock.

Mir tapped the button once Lily indicated she was ready and the transport was engaged a moment later. There wasn't really much actual feeling to it. They were just suddenly in a different section of the station, in an alcove off of the main concourse that housed a large marketplace. Glowing signs in a myriad of languages marked food stalls and retailers of almost anything imaginable. And a few things that looked a little like they came from a random science fiction novel and had no place actually existing. Aliens and humans and all the various races found down on the planet bustled back and forth between the various stalls calling out. In short, it was very busy and fairly loud with all the voices.

Mir patted Lily's hand comfortingly and then together KirMir led her out of the transport alcove so they wouldn't interfere with other travelers. Indeed the transports were being used nearly continuously. Stepping off to the side to give Lily a moment to just take it all in, Mir reached into a rip in the air in front of her to pull out a utility belt complete with a holstered handgun on the right side. She carefully fastened it to her waist before pulling another one out to fasten around Kir's waist.

Meanwhile Kir just remained there to hold Lily while she looked around.

It was decided then. They would definitely find time to teach Lily about knives and she could teach them about using a bow. Firearms could come later as well. KirMir would learn quickly, as they did for everything else, but they were thinking it might be a set of shared hobbies that they could practice somewhat regularly. Something to figure out another time though.

KirMir weren't fluent in the many languages on display in the marketplace but with a couple years worth of experience up here and rapid learning they knew enough to get around so it was less distracting for them. Still, the area was full of lots of people moving around and that put them on guard. Or... more on guard than they always were.

Mir had fastened the two holster belts onto their respective bodies, briefly brushing against Lily as she fastened Kir's around his waist but otherwise Kir was the body holding Lily close as she marveled at the sights and other stimuli.

"At first, no. Large crowds of unknown people and unknown threats make us feel unsafe. We didn't come down here regularly until more than a year after we arrived," Mir replied over her shoulder as she stepped forward a few paces. Remaining close enough to Lily and Kir, but sort of taking a position that would allow her to prevent anyone from wandering too close to the others. In effect creating a little bubble of calm.

"However after repeated trips we have learned to be more comfortable here. You might notice we are more on edge here than we were before but that is more of a personal issue than anything. This section is still fairly safe," Kir quietly whispered to Lily as he leaned closer so she could hear him and gestured at a passing security patrol. They looked official but casually greeted many of the passers-by. Plenty of people carried weapons secured properly in holsters but no one paid it any mind.

Kir looked over at Lily as they tried to gauge whether she was reacting like they had the first time they had experienced this place or if she was going to be ready to walk though the market a little bit. She was probably less likely to immediately head back through the transport system like they had years ago. "We can remain here as long as you need Lily, our schedule is empty except for spending time with you today," Kir reassured as they enjoyed the sensation of having her lean on them for a bit.

KirMir were perfectly fine with waiting a little longer to give Lily more time to get acclimated. Though they couldn't know all the turmoil and unease that Lily was feeling specifically they were quite familiar with the feeling of being in an unfamiliar situation and having that cause distress. They could feel her holding onto Kir tight and slowly taking deep breaths.

Mir nodded at Lily and Kir gave her a pat on the shoulder as he left his arm around her. "Take any time you need. We can always leave for another part of the station if you decide this is too much for now," Kir whispered again. They were close enough that there was no need to raise his voice that much even with the general noise of the area.

But she had composed herself and said she was ready to move on so Mir smiled and looked towards where Lily was gesturing. They knew one or two of the booths over there and the ones they weren't as familiar with still looked interesting.

KirMir began casually leading Lily in that direction. There was no hurry and Kir was still walking with his arm around Lily. Mir led the way by walking just in front of them, causing the crowd to part a little bit and give them space to move through. She was being very careful not to get too far ahead though. KirMir were paying careful attention to their surroundings but no one bothered them as they walked.

Eventually they came to a particularly interesting booth that seemed to sell intricate jewelry that looked to be made of some kind of metal like brass, twisted and shaped into small but extremely complex shapes. The necklaces some of these charms were fastened to seemed to be woven from strands of material that had been treated and binded to an almost leather-like consistency though they were a deep greenish color.

Kir led Lily over to the booth and nodded in greeting to the keeper of that shop. Mir stood nearby, watching the rest of the crowd as Kir said something short and almost gurgling in nature to the large man running the booth. He appeared to have gills, though they were closed at the moment and had iridescent scales across his entire body and webbing between his fingers. A small nozzle was set up in a corner for him to stand by while not helping customers and it lightly sprayed a mist over him.

"Ah, you know of this trick then? Good. Take a look and see if these bear interest to you," the owner of the stall grinned toothily as the translator on his wrist helped him convert his language to english. He eyed the "twins" and the girl they were accompanying. Perhaps pondering if this male would wish to buy jewelry to impress her.

Kir returned his attention to Lily and gestured to the trinkets. "We believe the jewelry made by their species is empathic in nature. These...," he paused as he looked closer at one of the bands, "are effectively mood-based jewelry. Based on the holes along the edges here we would assume they emit something in response to the wearer's mood."

The owner of the shop chuckled. "Yes, they glow in color for mood. Try if you like," he offered, though very astutely he had decided to direct his attention at Lily instead of Kir. As if targeting her.

"But some would consider revealing their mood to be an invasion of privacy. You do not need to touch one if that makes you uncomfortable. Mostly we stopped to show you some of the excellent craftsmanship here," Mir added over her shoulder for Lily's benefit. They didn't want it to appear like they had brought her there to judge her mood or anything like that.