312 Cultural exchange 1

"... Even if you ask me I have no idea."

Guided by the hand by a lamia he had just met, Dax was currently sitting on a cosy woven rug inside a primitive cottage, in his hands, he had a large cup filled with a tea like substance. Across him was the red haired lamia who had guided Dax and the others to what appeared to be their village, while Dax had attempted to communicate with her, she appeared to either have no interest in such things or simply unable to do so. With nothing better to do for the moment and the lamia seemingly encouraging him to drink the greenish tea like substance he had been offered, Dax took a cautious sip from the cup, mimicking the way the lamia used both her hands to drink in an attempt to appear polite.

(This is actually pretty good… IMI, any toxins?)

(NO KNOWN TOXINS DETECTED.)

(So no known ones? Just to make sure, analyse the compounds.)

(DIRECTIVE CONFIRMED.)

While the tea had a strong, grassy flavour at first, it's harsh first impression gave way to elegantly balanced floral notes complimented by a strangely satisfying spice which served to complement and balance the initial harsh impression. 

With Dax showing his positive evaluation of the tea on his face as he continued drinking, the lamia showed a satisfied smile as others of her kind appeared to serve the rest of Dax's group a similar substance.

"Dax?"

"IMI found no traces of toxins and it's actually not that bad, go ahead."

With Dax explaining that there was no danger, Lux retracted her XMRA helmet as she brought the cup up to her face, timidly smelling the substance she took a cautious sip before coming to an agreement with Dax, it actually wasn't that bad. With Lux and Dax having taken the first step, the rest of the present Hellwalkers followed suit and started drinking. Although the consensus was quite favourable, with Lilly and Phillipa finding the strong and balanced taste quite nice, those with more sensitive senses like Mare and Lia found the strong tasting tea hard to drink, Solaris likewise wasn't much for the taste, but this was more due to a sense of pride than anything else.

"Well then."

Having finished his tea, Dax sat the cup aside as he faced the lamia, in response she seemed to realize something was going to happen and looked at Dax's with a somewhat odd look on her face.

(Normal issues of differences in culture aside, there's only really one way I can communicate when she doesn't want to / can't talk… This is going to piss off the girls, I can already tell.)

With an internal sigh, Dax accepted his fate and just went for it. Baring his hand from the armour he was wearing, Dax inched slightly closer to the lamia while still remaining on his knees.

"To communicate I need to establish a physical connection, please don't kill me."

(IMI, map the central nervous system please, establish a common language base.)

(DIRECTIVE CONFIRMED, COMMENCING MAPPING PROCEDURE, STAND BY…)

While IMI scanned the lamia, Dax had to maintain physical contact for that to work, as such he did his best not to scare her off, that included not pulling away when she started tracing her free hand across his armour.

(Calm down, she's just examining me, same as I am her…)

It wasn't until her free hand found its way to Dax's cheek that he realized what was going on, but before he could open up the range the lamia freed her other hand and used it to trap Dax's head before she closed in with her own.

"W-w-w-w-what the hell is going on!?"

Suffering a short circuit it took Lilly a few seconds to realize what was going on, but when she heard the sound of the lamia's long tongue invading Dax's mouth she finally caught up with the situation, a deep crimson blush spreading all across her face by a mix of surprise, second hand embarrassment and sheer, unholy rage. 

"My~ What a troublesome child he is~ Dax needs to be punished~"

Also following Lilly's sentiment, anger couldn't be seen on her smiling face, but her eyes were another matter entirely.

"Yeah, I agree. Let's flay him alive."

Following the two others' sentiment, Alice's face was completely void of emotions as she spoke in a chillingly cold tone and like Solaris, Alice's eyes revealed her true emotions behind her rapidly cracking exterior. As the lamia continued kissing Dax he quickly attempted to free himself from her grasp, only to find that she was not only much stronger than him, but she could easily crush his skull between her hands if she wanted to. 

(Fuck it…)

Already resigned to getting killed by his girlfriends, Dax decided to win the ongoing 'battle' and get the lamia to retreat as fast as possible, preferably before the girls behind him decided to just slaughter him then and there. While he had kissed before, getting together with Lilly, Solaris and Alice had definitely increased his experience in that subject, especially due to the latter, as Alice really loved to kiss for long periods of time, enabling Dax to perfect his techniques. Going on the offensive against the lamia she was quite surprised, and while she attempted to fight back it seemed like she didn't have that much experience, further working in his advantage Dax didn't really need to breathe as often as a normal being, and he could keep his heartbeat under control so his body didn't run out of oxygen. Finally defeated after what seemed like an eternity the lamia finally parted with Dax's mouth, leaving a trail of saliva behind as she struggled for air with an enchanted look on her face.

"... That was amazing."

Expressing her satisfaction the lamia breathed a deep sigh before she moved in for another kiss, but Dax quickly blocked her mouth with his hand as he realized he could understand her.

(I guess we did have quite a physical connection for a while there… No, this isn't time to zone out, I need to survive this!)

"Could you please let me go now?"

"Why? It was amazing, so I want to do it again..."

Not even surprised that Dax suddenly spoke her language, the lamia edged closer to Dax's face as her lower body continued wrapping itself around Dax's body, trapping him in a tight, wise like grip which didn't seem to take no for an answer.

"Because I already have people that are special to me like this, and I hardly know you."

While doing his best to keep calm as he was slowly getting crushed, Dax continued to try and convince the lamia to release him.

"Then in that case, what's one more? This was my first time kissing, where I'm from it has a very special meaning."

"Yeah I'm sure, but if you don't release me right now we're both going to die."

"Huh?"

Finally expanding the focus of her senses to the wider room after focusing on Dax, the lamia faced the full force of Solaris, Lilly and Alice's bloodlust which made her surprisingly meek.

"Are those?"

"Yeah they are, please let me go."

"Okay then…"

With heavy resignation the lamia finally released Dax who then quickly separated himself from her, the instant nature of that action left her with a strangely cold feeling on her chest which had been so warm and fluffy ever since she had seen Dax's face. Shooting quick glances to the group of women behind Dax who was releasing bloodlust her way, the lamia's lips curved into a confident smile.

(Is that all my competition is? Should be easy enough.)