This time there's no maiming...for real! (Tegaea)

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis certainly appreciated the gorgeous Eldorai attendant. She certainly felt that customer service was excellent at this store. Presumably the redhead's eyes were focused on the woman's shapely backside. To be fair, it was rather eye-catching and swayed so elegantly.


"And riding crops. Don't forget those!" Elpsis added cheerily when the three talked about showing her the ropes. "Ms. Alcori is very nice. I'm happy about staying with her." Fawning? Little bit, but she genuinely looked up to the Firemane matriarch. "By the way, what's the pillar? Does that have something to do with your special room and the ring Sio wears sometimes?" Presumably Elpsis would be an eager convert to the cult of the Goddess Adarvia.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

Tegaea gave the attendant and Harmony stern looks.
“The Pillar is a special group. In time we’ll see about whether you can join. I have no doubt you will show the required enthusiasm and secrecy.”

The upper floor had a whole other stock of merchandise. Harmony produced an exact list of Elpsis’ measurements…even ones the redhead would not have thought of measuring!

“Take a look around. Feel free to try things on.”

Tegaea meanwhile went to check out a dress she had ordered. With uncharacteristic modesty, because Elpsis was there, she went behind a screen to change into it, then emerged.

“What do you think, Elpsis? Harmony?” she asked, turning in it.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis pouted slightly when Tegaea refused to spill the secret. Apparently she needed to gain more approval points first. However, for the time being those thoughts were cast aside when they entered the magnificient store.


Truth be told, it was all a little overwhelmning for the redhead. The girl had lived in poverty for a long time, so this was very new to her. "Uh, yeah. I'll go look," she said. It took her a moment or two to compose herself and look around.


The redhead was not the girly type and preferred practical stuff, but she did look a bit curious. Like someone exploring an alien environment. Her eyes were drawn to two of the short red dresses and a blue one. However, while she was examining the rich fabrics, Tegaea suddenly returned. Elpsis, her eyes are up there, she chided herself. In all fairness, it wasn't her fault that her spiritual auntie was hot. "You look great," she said sincerely. "Black suits you."

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]
“Thank you, my dear,” Tegaea said.
“You look magisterial as ever, Lady Mistress,” Harmony said with a nod.
“Excellent. I’ll take this one, Tarna.”

Returning, dressed in her old clothes, she went to Elpsis’ side.
“So, anything catch your eye yet?”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


By now Elpsis had stopped fangirling about her aunt and was checking out clothes again. She smiled shyly at Tegaea when the older woman approached her. "Uh, not sure. I was looking at these. What do you think?" she pointed at the short dresses she'd been looking at. The ones her writer hyperlinked in their preceding post. The expression on Elpsis' face resembled that of a schoolgirl trying to decide what to wear to her prom date.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

“I think the second red one is nice. The blue one also gives a nice contrast with your hair. Up to you of course. I was thinking we could get you some nice leather boots too. The feel of leather on bare skin is always lovely, I’m sure you agree?”

She headed back and changed back into her regular clothes, giving her new dress to Harmony to fold up and deal with.

“Anything else you want whilst you’re here, Elpsis?”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis thought for a moment, then grinned broadly. Clearly she and Tegaea had something to bond about! "I love leather and my old boots are kind of worn." Well, that was an understatement. "I'll take the red one. Hmm. Maybe get some undies, too? Something sexy Tempest'll like."

Apparently the little girl was awakening in her and she sounded excited. However, her tone was still a bit tentative, as if she was afraid of taxing Tegaea's generosity too much. Elpsis had probably realised that her behaviour had been atrocious during their first meeting, now she was trying not to offend.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

“Ah yes, underwear, a complex and pleasant art of balancing tact with seduction,” Tegaea said philosophically.

“My suggestion to you, my dear, is that comfort trumps titillation…though naturally you want it to show you off too. Strike the balance. Let me show you some of my favourites.”

She took Elpsis to a special display with all manner of exotic underwear, bras and other unmentionables. She selected some nice red sets for Elpsis to choose from.

“This’ll have Tempest eating out of your hand and…well…” she smiled knowingly.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


"Oh, I get what you mean," Elpsis smirked. "Siobhan likes them, does she?" She seemed to be bonding well with her auntie! She looked over the shiny pieces of underwear, then selected a few.


Therey were quite on the raunchy side, but she seemed to be trying to be practical about it. "Well, I'll got get changed. Thanks, Tegs." Elpsis was the exact opposite of modest, but she seemed to realise that her aunt would prefer not seeing her stark naked, even though it would be a lovely view. So she went behind a screen to change, and then emerged a few moments later in her red dress, looking adorably nervous. "What do you think?"

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

“She does indeed…though she prefers me out of them entirely, but that’s another matter.”

When Elpsis reappeared Tegaea went to her and made a few minor adjustments before walking around her critically.

“It looks good,” she finally pronounced. “Comfortable? You want to get that ensemble?”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis took a few steps in her new dress, examining herself in the mirror. Unsurprisingly, the girl did not know how to strut or be even remotely elegant in her walk. But though she lacked grace, the dress looked quite stunning on her. While being simple enough to soothe her fears about being corrupted by the Cult of Girliness. "Thanks, auntie! I like it," she finally said after having finished scrutinising herself. It still seemed weird to her.


She went over to look at some leather boots and after a couple minutes decided on a pair that were very sexy, but still practical. Contrary to what certain action holovids might tell you, wearing thigh-high leather boots was extremely uncomfortable and she was smart enough to realise that.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]
Tegaea examined the boots and nodded her acceptance. “You look a proper firebrand now, Elpsis. Right, get changed and we’ll pay for them.”

She didn’t tell Elpsis the price; and this was one of those stores where ‘if you had to ask, you can’t afford it’. It was a gift, one of the more odd aunt to niece gifts around, but still!

Harmony had also gotten some…items…which clinked and jingled mysteriously in a metal box as she laid it on the counter. Just what they were was hidden from the kiddies in case they were scarred for life.

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis could not remember anyone giving her a gift before. Excluding Tempest giving her flowers. She did not ask about the price, but you did not need to be a genius to figure out that it cost an absurd amount of credits.


It was probably not much for Tegaea...but it meant the world for the young redhead. In short, Tegaea's approval points skyrocketed and the young woman gave her a big hug. "Thank you, auntie. Means a lot to me," she said happily, before looking a bit embarrassed. "I'll, uh, go change." The silly grin remained on her face as she took off and quickly switched back into her street clothes, giving the dress and the other items to Harmony.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]
Tegaea returned the hug happily then shooed the girl off to get changed. When Elpsis returned Harmony took the clothes and folded them so they could be paid.

“I really enjoy having you around, Elpsis. You should watch out or we’ll end up adopting you too!” she joked.

The ability of the Kerrigan-Alcori family to adopt random girls was becoming legendary.

As they walked out of the emporium with their purchases she looked to Elpsis. “So, what would you like to do now? I’ve got an hour free before I need to get to a meeting, so you choose.”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Elpsis Elaris Greatly Approves +1500 affection! Maxed out approval. Instant fangirl acquired.


Tegaea's words made Elpsis' giggle. "I don't think my mum would like that and it would make flirting with your kids feel all sorts of weird..but thanks. It feels good to be accepted," she was grinning like a fool but she could not help it.


Anyhow, they departed the lovely shop and made their way through the Skyport, which as usual was bustling with activity. Apparently Tegaea had a meeting soon. That sounded terribly dull to Elpsis. "We could go to a cafe and get a bite to eat and something to drink. Watch the stars a bit?" she suggested. After all, she was feeling a bit hungry by now.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

Tegaea smiled, coughing to hide her amusement. “Yes, it might make that a bit awkward. Best hold off that. I think three is fine for now.”
Little did she know that a fourth would be unexpectedly joining them!

“I know a nice place, and best of all it should be almost planetview now.”

Swiftly she led Elpsis to one of the highest levels of the Skyport and there a boutique café and restaurant was waiting. The staff fell over themselves to get them a prime table by the window.

That window was perfectly positioned so that one could see either planet or stars depending how they sat.
Tegaea offered Elpsis the choice of which way to face and took the other.

“My wife and I have part ownership of this place. It is so amusing to see them all look so industrious and busy even though there’s only 5 customers in here. Who knew that counter could be more polished than it has been?” she asked.

Tegaea was amused by it, but she was not malicious with her power. Experience had taught her that everyone had their part to play, and no job was to be scorned for being ‘easy’.

“Please, look through and order what you wish, Elpsis. I’ll take the Mazarak Eggs on Amikaron Bread and a caf.”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


Tegaea's words made Elpsis giggle a bit and she sat down. "I'll have a coke and the Saan and meat salad with flatbreads and spicy relish. Looks tasty." The redhead liked it when her food got spiced up a bit. She liked it hot in more than one way.


A waitress came to take their orders. Elpsis leaned back into her chair, biting her lip. There was clearly something on her mind, but she wasn't sure how to approach it. It was probably one of the rare instances where she thought before opening her mouth. "How do you do it?" she finally blurted out.


"Everyone in your family's a wizard with a glowstick and fancy space magic. How do you get people to listen to you? Cause they clearly do." Hopefully she hadn't caused offence by implying she thought lesser of Tegaea because she didn't have the Force, since it was far from it. She'd observed that when the two wives argued, Siobhan backed down more often than not.

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]
Tegaea raised an eyebrow. “How?” She seemed genuinely at a loss.

“I don’t really understand the question, Elpsis. The Force is not what makes a person, not what makes them respected, not what makes them honourable or decent. You can, sitting in that chair across from me, make fire from your hand, my wife can move things with her mind, Tempest can summon lightning and storms. This is all very impressive, and something I will never do, but tell me, does it make you a better or worse person? People listen to me, I like to think anyway, because I have experience in matters both business and military. I have shown good more than bad judgement, and so people listen to me. Were I to gain the Force tomorrow none of that would change.”

“The Force is in many cases the equivalent to having a weapon others do not have. The reason why Jedi and Sith and others with the Force dominate the galaxy is because they essentially have a weapon the rest of us do not. Imagine yourself as the only one armed in a room full of unarmed others. Your word carries weight because of the threat you have, but that does not make you wise or people listen to you.”

“What you must remember, Elpsis, is that the Force is not what defines you. It is a skill you have, but your personality is yours, what you make of your life is yours. People will respect you for your actions, not because you have an inherent power. My wife I did not marry for her power, I married her because I loved who she was as a person, not what she can do with her power.”
She smiled, chuckled. “Though it was a nice extra!”

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Tegaea Alcori"]


A waitress showed up and brought their drinks and food. Elpsis took a sip from her coke while Tegaea spoke. "I think I get what you mean, Tegs, and I agree. Most Forcers I've met were just a bunch of arseholes and arrogant dicks who thought they were special snowflakes because the Force said so. And they completely failed at real life. Especially Jedi. Self-entitled, elitist pricks."


Reconciling with her mother had not reduced Elpsis' Jedi hatred. Instead it had intensified it since the Order had treated [member="Coryth Elaris"] so poorly. "So, I...kinda admire you a lot for getting where you are now without needing space magic as a crutch."

 

[Tegaea Alcori]

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]
“Arrogance and self-entitlement are not sole domains of the Force. There are many a wealthy and powerful person who feels they deserve undue attention because of this, and they don’t need ‘space magic’ as you call it. But yes, being wealthy is oddly more egalitarian than the Force since the Force is something you are either born with…or nor.”

Tegaea leaned forward, a little smirk on her face. “I’ll tell you a secret, Elpsis. Most Force users are so convinced of their superiority and correctness that they are actually rather easy to flatter and deceive. Play into their sense of destiny and most will not see the trap you lay for the flattering words you say.”

“But as for me, well, I worked hard, had a fair measure of luck and had the talent to choose good people on the way. I would rather be a good judge of character than a Sith Lord who has to electrocute people because they are not.”