EXOTICA'S QUARTERS

The first thing that strikes you when you enter the rooms of Exotica the former High Owner, is the scent. The smell of warm, sweet oil is everywhere, and though it is not overpowering, it is strong. The quarters are kept clean, but filled with items from every far port in the universe which the ship has visited. Veils and cloth in every imaginable color and pattern are hung artfully from the walls and ceiling, even separating the rooms from one another, without walls. You do notice there are no rough cloths like denim or burlap, anywhere. Exotica greets all comers to her quarters the same way: nearly naked, and with a smile. Her beauty is not marred by the short curving spines along her arms, and very rarely interrupted by the thin colorful veils she uses as clothing. Her extremely sensitive skin means that she cannot wear anything heavy, or anything at all, for much time. She often spends time relaxing wearing a little bikini, and she changes into it the moment someone looks nervous. Exotica is Saxxon's daughter with long-dead Scandal Sengihr. Her father and she share a power, though she can control it better than he: through their skin they can cause acid burns, or pure pain. She never uses this power except to defend herself, though her father's power cannot, unfortunately, be turned off. The oil in the pots every few yards is for those who might stumble upon her in a bad mood... It soothes wounds, and heals skin rapidly. Exotica's skin is colored a very dark brown-green shade, while her hair is two-toned in "extremely dark" and "less extremely dark". Her eyes are very violet. The spines on her arms, as well as her finger and toe claws are charcoal colored. Exotica has the power to exchange her perception with another person's, and in this way she made money on Zekira by experiencing something "for" someone, such as a sky dive, a thrilling sea-race (Zekirans are notorious for sinking in water), mountain climbing... Or stranger things such as being bitten by an animal -- she'll regenerate quickly enough that she never worried about this!

This charming fellow is a Dragmire from EverRealm. He is called Efesta's Gemstones, named after a Zekiran mining city's favorite export, which came in the same colors as the Dragmire! He spends much time roaming the ship, but usually winds up sleeping curled beside a soft pile of cloth in Exotica's quarters. Adopt your own Dragmire at EverRealm!

Before settling on Planet Twenty, the Zekiran ship drifted by another planet where hidden mysterious animals roamed ready to be befriended. Exotica put on some clothes - it was rather chilly where she went, and flew with Efesta down to a shelter that was indicated on a map. "It should be around here somewhere," she said. "Brr it's cold.... I hope that these -- ooh look at her!" She said, and Efesta turned his eyes to see a colorful steed. She had only one horn, and two pairs of wings. It looked as though Efesta's Gemstones liked her. "I see you've found our refuge," said a young woman. She was bundled up for the chilly weather too. "Did you think you want a chance to adopt an Adomera?" "Is that what they are called?" Exotica asked, "they're wonderful." "We have several eggs. Come see." The woman led her around to a shelter. "They lay eggs? How odd. They look like mammals." "But they do lay eggs. They fly, like birds. Why shouldn't they lay eggs like birds?" "Good point!" Exotica said. Before her were several oval eggs. They almost glimmered in the daylight, shining brightly. "Choose one, choose wisely." She was told. So Exotica bent down and picked up one egg. It was warm, heavy. "This one. What should I do with it once it hatches?" She was given instructions on feeding and care. Exotica nodded, and then said, "you know, we're going to find a home soon. I know it. And you'll be able to run free and find new places to thrive in." "Perhaps you should come back when there is another nest," said the woman, "so it is not alone." "Good idea... Maybe we will! I hope so!" Exotica said, and then cradled the egg gently as they left.

It didn't take long at all for the egg to begin to shake and tremble open. From it, sprang the nose of a pale yellow colored foal! Efesta's Gemstones glanced over Exotica's shoulder, looking at the newcomer. "Oh we are definitely in for trouble," Exotica laughed, as the foal tumbled out of the shell. She rolled off Exotica's lap, onto the soft floor covering, and almost immediately sprang to her hooved feet to tangle herself in Efesta's legs! "Who's this?" Asked Viridia from the entrance to Exotica's quarters. "I heard you wanted to stop off and pick someone up, but this is new..." Exotica laughed as the foal rolled on the floor and Efesta looked a bit worried that he'd step on her. "I think her name is Kimi," Exotica said. "I get this nice tingly feeling from her when I think about calling her that. That, or trouble," she laughed again. The foal snorted, and trotted away as though she had always been able to walk perfectly well. "Then shall I add her to the roster of our beloved friends? We'll be making planetfall soon. We have this place charted - you will be able to find it again." "Oh," Exotica said, "I'll definitely be back there. She's a doll. And I think she's going to have a great time when we land."