It was...peculiar.

Liara watched her green-haired crewmate's face intently. She didn't seem to display any of the signature traits that the people back in Skypea would adopt whenever they saw her abnormal wings. Then again - she could be acting. Liara had no idea of Locke's capabilities as of yet. After all, they'd only just met a little while ago... The redhead watched the other woman's lips part and she mentally prepared for some form of insult or belittlement. Yet it never came. "I-It's okay Liara... If you're that sensitive about them, I wont tell anyone about them." The Knight did not understand for a moment. She'd expected Locke to say something rude or threaten her in someway but nothing came out like that. The greenette's reaction was nothing that Liara could have anticipated.

Was this genuine? Could she actually trust that someone truly enjoyed the sight of her wings after living amongst people that despised them? Warmth filled her bare hand. Liara's eyes widened at the sight of her hand in Locke's. What was she to do now? She stared at Locke's smooth, pale skin for a moment longer before deciding to return the gesture of kindness that this strange woman extended to her. In the depths of her mind, she knew it was rude of her to think of Locke's reaction as strange and deem her as such but she couldn't help how she felt. Living amongst such fearsome racism all her life left Liara was a schism towards things of beauty and all of the like.

"Why are you so afraid of your wings? Their a gift, a...a blessing! They make you, you! Plus they are really pretty..." Liara was astonished by Locke's sincerity and words. She didn't think that anyone - let alone someone from the Blue Sea - would actually appreciate her misshapen wings. She didn't know how to feel about this. Part of her knew that she should be happy but another piece demanded time for reflection to make sure that these words were legitimate. As Locke spoke, Liara found that the warm sensation in her hand traveled up her spine and her skin broek out in goosebumps all of a sudden.

Liara looked at Locke with her usual Knightly intensity.

"Is Naga outside?"

• ### words
• outfit
• tagged: Naga & Kai~
• notes: Equipment: T2 Armor & Bastilla Shards 1 & 2

Liara was somewhat grateful towards Locke. She was happy that someone found her deformities pleasant to look at but she was also a bit weary. Liara's trust was something that had to be earned. She did smile to her green-haired crewmate when she mentioned about fixing her armor for her. Her armor's durability was always something that was a topic of worry for her. Since it was one of the main things that she held her wings in - she prized it greatly. Liara had plenty of smarts but blacksmithing was beyond her talents for now.

It was then that the redhead actually noticed the stain upon Locke's clothing. Deciding not to dwell on how her friend acquired the blemish on her clothing, she decided to guard the woman's dressing room while she changed. Liara took that chance to secure her wings and then tuck her whips into the deep folds of the kimono. The would be accessible with just a flick of her wrist. When Locke emerged from the stall, Liara nodded approvingly of her new garments before walking out with her to where Naga was sitting. Liara stopped as she noticed the pink-haired girl sitting across from the captain. There was something oddly familar about her. The bone structure was a bit different but Liara could not mistake that cute little smile or stature anywhere.

"Mea-chan? You look so cute!" Almost forgetting about her troubles entirely, a motherly instinct kicked in as Liara smoothly made her way over to the little Amazonian and pulled her into a gentle hug. Smiling with her usual knightly aura, the redhead looked at Naga and nodded her hello. Locke might find this change to be somewhat astonishing. If anyone was the actress here...

Perhaps it was Liara.

• ### words
• outfit
• tagged: Naga & Kai~
• notes: Equipment: T2 Armor & Bastilla Shards 1 & 2

After consoling Mea-chan once more for apologizing for deceiving her crewmates, Liara grabbed the bag with her disassembled armor inside and sat next to Naga. She sat back in the chair carefully. Even though her wings were tucked snugly against her back, she had to be careful to not stress the muscles inside them. After Naga offered some of her food, Liara leaned forward and separated a piece of the very appetizing looking roast beef and plopped it into her mouth with a gleeful zeal.

Liara absolutely adored food. It was one of the most beautiful expressions of art that she could think of. Besides, you could also eat the art afterwards which is just the epitome of practicality. The Knight acknowledged Locke subtly towards the debacle about her wings. The fact that she kept it under wraps made Liara feel very good. She wasn't ready for someone as gorgeous as Naga or as cute as Mea to know about her hideous wings. She didn't know if she ever could. "I was initially here to find some new clothes. After all, it seems like every island has it's own fashion sense. Enies Lobby is very...militaristic. It's...less than satisfactory, I'll admit. But other than that, I've been looking at upgrades for my equipment. You know, scouting and such. What about you all?"

• ### words
• outfit
• tagged: Naga & Kai & Mea~
• notes: Equipment: T2 Armor & Bastilla Shards 1 & 2

Poor little Mea-chan. Liara quickly leaned forward and wiped her fingers on a napkin before grabbing another one and giving it to the bleeding doctor. It was sad but also kind of ironic that her nose would bleed whenever she was overstimulated. For being a doctor and all.

Liara leaned back and grabbed more roast beef as her crewmates continued talking. Sometimes she wished that they could live normal lives and not have to worry about looking over their shoulders. But then again... Being a pirate - sailing the seas with your lovely friends - and having a good time almost all the time was something that she would always cherish. Hearing that Mea-chan had tagged along to watch Liara's back was most certainly flattering. It was nice having people that genuinely cared about her, unlike those jerks back in Skypea... But something else also occurred to the Knight. She didn't even know she was being followed. She had to concede that Mea-chan was a Kuja so she had some latent stealth and stalking abilities but Liara still should have been able to tell that she was being tailed. If Mea-chan could follow her around undetected, who else could do it as well? Who could be doing it right now?

Liara was going to expound on Locke's question but Naga's sudden change piqued her attention. She seemed to have sensed something or another or noticed something that Liara couldn't. Liara didn't want to question it. Upon Naga's order, she also picked up her things, tidied up, and followed her captain back to the safety of the Melusine.

• ### words
• outfit
• tagged: Naga & Kai & Mea~
• notes: Equipment: T2 Armor & Bastilla Shards 1 & 2