[Nicolay]

It was when they were setting the whole store up that Nicolay noticed he enjoyed listening to Lazuli's voice. It had a kind of...'blanket-y' feeling to him, like a silk a curtain and her accented English only made it a little more...attractive. It was not perfect and was even 'strange' but that only made him...like it more.

Her whole life as a nymph was a mystery to him and wanting to know more about it (since it was a very important part of his friend), he asked her for more details about it when he could as he moved around the place, concentrated more on making the work easier for Lazuli. Once, he'd had to go out and entertain a gazing mother and child, answering their inquiries as to the store's purpose but walking away -- which was all good, he figured. The rest of the afternoon would see him doing pretty much the same thing, getting the artist to talk even in snippets and when he found a break in his activities, he would catch himself watching Lazuli move. He wondered if nymphs always moved so smoothly and slippery like her...

Eventually, they did finish -- Nicolay now setting aside the empty boxes although never folding them up, a thing he didn't know how to do. Dusting his hands and pushing his sleeves up, he turned and beamed at Lazuli. Her glee truly was infectious. “Ahhh, it was nothing. It was fun!” he said as he stepped closer to the nyad, patting his hands on his pants. Holding his sides now, he looked around the dimmer walls. “Place looks great!”

That was when he caught the lack of sunlight.

He hissed out a soft curse word as he gazed at his bare wrist then slipped the COM out of his pocket to look at the time. “Oh, I have to go. Fifteen minutes before I'm needed back at work.” He looked a little guiltily -- or sadly -- up to Lazuli. The day had been fun. “Would you mind terribly if I went ahead? I'll call you up later. I mean to ask you about my lessons, anyway...”

[Lazuli]

Whatever questions Nicolay asked her, Lazuli replied truthfully and cheerfully. It was so easy to talk and be honest in front of Nic. He was one of those wonderful people who could be curious yet respectful at the same time, not that Lazuli minded what questions he asked. She returned his questions whenever she could, for Lazuli was equally as interested in his life as well.

Lazuli also noticed that Nicolay was a kind of magnet. A cuddly, fluffy one, probably. Although setting up the shop meant that Lazuli couldn't stay by his side all the time, she still felt herself drawn in his direction. It seemed that happy, sparkly flowers blossomed inside her whenever their auras touched. And Nic's aura was friendly and warm -- the type of aura she liked best.

"Oh, it really is getting late."

Although Nicolay may have looked regretful that he had to leave, Lazuli did not feel as regretful. The intrusion of twilight had dawned on her the brilliancy of the day's perfection, and it would not do to be greedy now. "Of course, of course!" she said as Nic made it known that he had to head for work. "Duties call, after all. I hope that you aren't too tired to work, so good luck! And yes, call me whenever you want. I look forward to teaching you -- there's so much you will learn, Nic!"

Lazuli beamed. She walked with Nicolay to the door, placing a hand on his arm as she did so. She waved and smiled as the opening day officially closed. "See you later, Nic!" she shouted as they said their good-byes and he disappeared into the streets. "Thanks for everything!"


(( Good conclusion, y/n? *worship Lazolay* ))

anime rain | discolore | celestial-star | night-fate-stock