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There was something about her that caught Zanka’s eye.
It wasn’t everyday that Zanka got an intimate look at someone else’s vital instrument. And even if he did get the chance, he rarely ever took it.
Lovely Assistaff had his heart. She was beautiful, sturdy, and strong. The wood was well polished, indicating that it was taken care of regularly. In her normal state, she was magnificent; tall, majestic, glowing. When activated, she became a weapon of the gods in Zanka’s eyes. Nothing could be more beautiful to him.
Yet, his blue eyes stared curiously at five blades, mesmerized by the shine of the blade’s body. The sharp tips actually glistened in front of his face, all of them close enough to pierce his skin. There was no fear in his eyes. Only curiosity and admiration. Zanka even began to smile lightly as a rosy color appeared to his cheeks.
“Hey there, beautiful,” he said, his voice low and he let his gaze melt over the blades. The rings had turned into such a beautiful maroon holder for the blades to sprout from. She was perfect the way she fit onto her owner like a glove…
That was right…Jabber’s vital instrument.
The Raider stood there perfectly still while analyzing the softness of Zanka’s face. His own expression was slightly confused. What was supposed to be a heated battle immediately turned into Zanka, at first defensive, smiling sweetly at the weapon about to claw his face off. It was…interesting.
Slowly, the blades came closer together as Jabber brought his fingers inward. All five tips touched and Zanka focused on the end point, silver and gleaming, right in front of him like a star.
“You’re a cute little thing, aren’t ya'?” Zanka had his focus on Mankira.
She was pretty.
Dangerous, too, but Zanka found that even more attractive.
Mankira was well taken care of. It was no surprise with Jabber’s obsessive need to make sure it was the most brutal weapon known to man. Not a single scratch was on the body of her blades. No knicks her scratches. And the base where the three rings were free of imperfections, the shade of the triple notches a deep wine diamond that was captivating. The black sleeve underneath that covered Jabber’s knuckles and half his palm stuck to him tight as if it was truly a part of him. Of course Mankira was just an extension of Jabber. Was that not how all vital instruments were? Well, she was doing an amazing job, Zanka could commend her for that.
He tilted his head to the side as he continued to stare.
In his mind, he was telling her all the wonderful things about her. He’d hold her. Stroke her. Show her how tender he could be.
He’d be so good to her.
He’d be good for her, too.
Zanka sought Jabber out, not because he wanted a thrilling fight to the death. He wanted to see her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
His hand stroked the wood of Lovely Assistaff with grace. His fingers trailed along her shaft, drawing circles on her lightly as he waited patiently for the other vital instrument to show herself.
He was greedy to think that he could have both Lovely Assistaff and Mankira all to himself. But they were both so captivating, he just had to have them together.
His hand wrapped around his vital instrument slowly. Tightly. He took a deep breath in, letting the familiar scent of her fill his lungs. Then he exhaled with a sigh and a slight shiver. Lovely Assistaff made his heart flutter.
But then he thought about those beautiful claws wrapped around her wood and he started to spiral.
“You’d love her.” He whispered to Lovely Assistaff.
In the distance, he could see a faint gleam. It wasn’t from the golden jewelry around long locs. Instead, it was the shine of thirty rings on the hands of the person coming closer.
Zanka’s heart began to beat faster. He got antsy just waiting for Jabber to come over to him. He was lightly bouncing on his toes with excitement, a smile creeping onto his face as he realized that the beautiful vital instrument was coming to see him again. There was never a time where he was more excited.
When Jabber was just a few paces away, his eyes started to glow a bright purple. He lifted his hands at his sides and instantly sharp claws emerged from his fingers. Zanka could hear that unsettling sound of the blades coming out. What he saw was Mankira coming to life before him as Jabber came closer. She was beautiful and he could see all of her this time. All ten blades were shining, threatening to slice through anything it touched. She was so dangerous but that made her so beautiful that Zanka seemed to ache with want. His hand grasped tighter on Lovely Assistaff, his knuckles turning white from the strain. He squeezed her so tight and somehow he could feel her excitement, too.
Mankira was here.
“That’s hot,” Zanka's voice came out as a low drawl as he replayed the image of Mankira showing herself in his mind. He was attracted to her. Hell, he yearned for her. He bit his lip at the thought of her touching him.
Oh, this was so scandalous.
The meet up wasn’t exactly a good idea, not with the looming threat of Jabber changing his mind on playing nice. His own personality was volatile, especially now that Mankira was out; however, he remained quiet, surprisingly, as Zanka had this full look in his eyes. They should not be meeting up in private. They shouldn’t be meeting in any capacity. The kinds of consequences they’d face if they got caught were unimaginable.
Yet, Zanka looked like he was in love. His gaze was soft and warm as the blades were brought up closer to his face. Five beautiful claws greeted him and he couldn’t help but smile wider.
Zanka tilted his head to the side as he shifted his stance to one hip. Now his hold on Lovely Assistaff wasn’t so tight. He loosened up now that the other object of his affection was in front of him. “Hi, cutie,” Zanka spoke to her, completely smitten by her shine.
“You fallin’ in love, Zanzan?” Jabber asked, smug.
“Maybe I am,” he admitted.
Luckily, Zanka knew better than to get too close. That didn’t stop him from imagining laying a kiss on one of Mankira’s blades. It would only be on the tip. A quick peck, nothing too crazy. Unfortunately, saying Mankira was razor sharp was an understatement. Even the slightest touch on his lips could draw blood. And the neurotoxin the right side of her was coated with was incredibly unpleasant.
It was dangerous that Zanka wanted a taste.
His lips tingled at the thought of one kiss. Only one. He liked her, he had to show her, right? That right side was staring back at him, blades gleaming and begging for affection. Zanka was practically purring while he stared at her.
For his own safety, the rational part of his brain kept him from leaning forward.
Instead, Zanka brought his hand to Jabber’s, letting his fingers slide up his palms first before spreading into the notches. He was careful to not let the blades touch his skin as he laced his fingers between Jabber’s.
To him, Mankira was warm.
She was strong and rigid. There was this looming threat of her blades just grazing over Zanka’s skin, but the curves didn’t quite get there. His fingers rubbed lightly on the base, tracing soft circles on to the back of the notches. They were tough, like knuckles, but delicate enough that it didn’t hurt him to touch. For a second, he wondered if he could attempt to draw his fingers on the claws. He wanted to feel that curve at the tip, as if that was a vulnerable part of her. He wanted to stroke her there, feel here and get a taste.
Zanka had been scratched by Mankira before but this was different. He yearned for her attention, her gentle touch, to feel her reach inside him.
He shivered and his hand squeezed Jabber’s.
“I want you,” he whispered quietly to her. His eyes remained full and loving while he looked at her.
He kept his hand in Jabber’s as he admired the way his fingers settled in between Mankira’s blades. They were beautiful together, at least that was what he thought. He’d never let go if that were an option.
She was perfect.
And he liked her.
“You wanna see her fully released?” Jabber asked Zanka curiously, eyeing Zanka’s face and waiting for even the most miniscule of reactions.
That question was naughty.
Did Zanka want to see all of Mankira, every single part of her unrestricted? Yes, he did. He wanted to see all of her so badly that he almost yelled at Jabber to let her free. His voice caught in his throat and he stopped whatever outburst that was about to happen.
“I think I’d need to coax her a bit before I’m lucky enough for that.” Zanka answered calmly.
However, his heart was thumping hard in his chest. He needed her so bad that his body was screaming for it. Oh, he was so in love.
Mankira was right in front of him. Jabber was waving the blades around, easily getting Zanka’s attention with the way he moved. The way she moved. If he got too close, her sharp tips would stab his skin but was that such a bad idea? She was stunning.
Zanka actually believed he’d need to flirt with her harder to get the reward of seeing her full form.
“Yeah?” Jabber was entertained by Zanka’s infatuation. “Let’s play a bit then, Zanzan. You and that stick of yours can bring her out if you really want her.” He planned to use this as fuel for the fight of his life. Maybe Zanka would go all out for him if he promised to show off what Mankira could truly become.
Zanka’s eyes began to glow bright blue as he brought Lovely Assistaff closer to him with both hands. His vital instrument transformed into the graceful weapon he loved so much. He’d never be so cruel as to use her to get the attention of someone else’s vital instrument. In fact, he thought this was a perfect way for him to get both his crushes together.
Mankira and Lovely Assistaff would actually go great together in Zanka’s hands.
Zanka agreed to Jabber’s offer without an ounce of hesitation. “It’s a date.” He said with a smile before taking the first swing.