tunasub | OPEN POST 2021

Entry tags:

OPEN POST 2021

1. Post here with the character you want to play with in the header or body
2. Put your prompt in the body of the comment (or leave it to me - i don't mind coming up with something!)
3. ????
4. Profit

IN THE MOOD FOR:

--> FULL MUSELIST

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[ The environment is a strange mix of too-advanced technology and a misshapen, decaying building, some kind of office or research complex. At first, there's not much to find or see; what technology there is to interact with is either defunct or requires passcodes or an interface with another unknown device to access.

But Catherine is starting to lose patience and get desperate. She thinks she'd rather be deactivated than left in isolation until her power source runs out. Whoever or whatever else is here has got to be better than being stuck in a terminal and unable to move under her own power. Being stuck in Phi with Simon pissed at her for eternity would even be better. ]

Hello? [ she calls out as loudly as she can through her one tinny speaker. By now she's a little emotional, frustration and urgency underlining her words. ] Is anyone there? Please, I need help! I'll take anything at this point!

[ He's taken to exploring the island when things are quiet. Sometimes on foot, sometimes by air, usually in the woods, but sometimes along the coast. Not a terribly exciting task, given many afternoons go by yielding no new information, but it's far preferable to the oddly nerve-wracking tedium of listless evenings with nothing to do.

He hasn't had this much time to himself since he was eight.

So this afternoon, like many others, finds Vangeance making his way through vaguely-familiar scenery, his breath fogging cold before him as he casts about in search of anything unusual, and -- he spots something, for once.

A ... hut? Some sort of shelter. Certainly nothing he expected to find away from the housing district.

There's the quiet rustle of his footsteps as he approaches, his grimoire already out and floating beside him, just in case. But otherwise just trying to figure out exactly what's going on here ... ? ]

[ and Cinnabar, as they usually are in the afternoon, is asleep. There are many factors that make them stay awake through the night - habit, anxiety, a desire to minimize damage - but it's still in defiance of their biology, and by the time the sun rises, they're exhausted, in spite of their inclusions hungrily absorbing the light. In the winter, it's even worse, with less light and more overcast skies. They've long become accustomed to the shame of sleeping through the day in a dark corner while their peers work, though, and it's no different here. They can hardly feel the bite of it.

The hut is more specifically some kind of gardening shed, by the looks of it - or, at least, it was one at some point. Now, it looks abandoned, sitting at the edge of the woods a little ways beyond the housing row. A keen eye might be able to tell that it isn't. There's a small pathway recently cleared of leaves and debris in front of it; the windows have spiderwebs in them, but they've been cleared of dust, though it's too dark to see inside.

Most notably, there's a freshly-planted sapling sitting at one of the shed's corners, making a familiar whistling noise. ]

[ Well. What else is new.

He's become all too used to this kind of thing in too short a time - or maybe it's more that it still doesn't feel real. No matter what imagery appears before him, he finds himself still going forward as if in a dream, approaching some vague endpoint that isn't even clear to him. And every time he thinks he's putting things together, or thinks there's nothing left to frighten him, everything gets turned upside down again. Case in point: he doesn't recognize this place at all, from anything, not his memories, and not Joseph's or Walter's or anyone else's.

Maybe. He doesn't really know anymore.

But, again, he feels numb to the shock, and the strongest emotion in him is a vague relief that nothing's tried to kill him yet until hearing a disembodied voice shocks him out of his dreamlike reverie. Henry realizes he is in a storage room, or something - he's not great with technology, he doesn't know what he's looking at, and he's also not sure where that voice came from in the clutter of the room, or if responding to it is even a good idea. Fortunately, wise decision-making has never been his strong suit, "receiver of wisdom" title be damned. ]

... Hello?

[ a meek, confused voice. now he's talking to empty air... ]

[ Usually, Lupin spends his nights working. It's the reason behind his erratic schedule and frequent catnaps; there are some things that just don't work as well during the daylight hours, and committing crimes is most certainly one of them, if only in terms of pure aesthetic. But there are also nights where he has nothing to do but wait. Being a perfect thief means seizing the perfect opportunity, and that requires a careful plan, knowing what day the guards' schedules will be off just a little, what hour precisely the museum begins to pack up its exhibition. Traditionally, he wasn't a fan of sitting on his hands at home and biding his time. That changed quite dramatically once he had someone to spend that time with - and now, suddenly, the nights off are his favorite.

Unlike the heists, he doesn't really need any elaborate plans with Cairngorm. He delights in surprising them and spoiling them with grandiose gestures as much as he always has - make no mistake - but he's just as happy to spend evenings like this, whiling away the time talking about everything and nothing, like they used to in Chroma, his only goal being to someday succeed in making them laugh.

He hasn't gotten there yet, despite his best efforts. Lucky for him that those shy smiles from Cairngorm aren't as rare as they used to be, then, because they're just as good. And he's even luckier that they're so much lighter and softer than they had been, too, because that means that he can reach out and pull them in close just the way he always wanted to when he saw that bit of actual happiness on their face. Luckiest of all, they don't mind. Lupin might even dare to say that they like his attentions, even if the little grouch would never admit it.

That's how the two of them end up like this time and again. Easy conversation becoming something warmer and gentler, playful. Cairngorm almost in his lap, Lupin's arms around them, hands at their back. His lips on theirs. It feels like it's been ages since that first kiss in the snow. But his heart still races to feel them so close, even now, like he's doing something he shouldn't, still giddy with the knowledge that someone so different could feel the same. That someone so hard could be this soft with him. He's still mad about them, just like he'd said. And that's precisely why he needs to watch himself. It's too easy to get lost in them and their dark eyes and shy affections. Sometimes the only reminder to behave he gets is when his body remembers he needs air. ]

-- It's getting late, [ he murmurs, breaking the kiss that had gone on just a little bit longer than he'd meant and loosening his hold on them that had gotten just a little bit more ardent and desperate than he would have liked. He leans back from them, putting a friendly amount of space between them, and does an impressively good job of mostly quashing the blush burgeoning on his cheeks. ] You're helping Impey and Cardia with the ornithopter early tomorrow morning, aren't you? Skimp on sleep, and you'll wind up hammering your thumb by accident.

[ At their core, they've come to enjoy having free time for what it means in the human world, too. They'd never been too fond of it in the world of gems; having free time in that desolate and open world had always been mundane and boring, especially before they were broken apart from Ghost. It always had given them too much time to think. It was like that in Chroma, too - anytime their hands were idle, their mind would wander too far down the path of what they'd have to when they left, and so on.

But here, in the life they've made for themself in Steel London, there's never a shortage of things for them to do. Wearing new clothes, eating new foods, studying new materials like chemistry and the arts, doing whatever they can to help Lupin on heists... it's been good. The pages of their day to day life are full and teeming, rather than empty, bare, and an utter struggle to fill as they had for so many years before.

That had always been the point, too, of coming here. They wanted to get away from everything that had held them down in the world of gems. Selfishly, perhaps foolishly, they abandoned everything familiar to them to come here, to a world where they'd spend the remainder of their shortened lifespan trying to keep up. But it was all worth it, because they were able to cast away everything that kept them apart from Lupin. That inescapable duty. That cold, heavy body. Like this, they're able to be close to him, experience so much more with him than they would have ever been able to otherwise - and wholly, honestly, its better that way, in their mind.

They only had so much exposure to the way things were between humans in love when they were in Chroma; there were the few other pairs of people in love there, too, and there were storybooks. But when they came to Steel London, they saw it more. Couples down by the river, sneaking more than chaste kisses and laughing when they thought no one was looking. Star-crossed lovers on the stage at the opera house, passionate and almost sensual. Slowly, but surely, they found themself wanting to see themself in that way, becoming greedier, wanting to be affectionate with Lupin the way other humans were with other humans. They're the same now, aren't they? Them being a gem was the only thing that had kept them apart all this time, so with that cast away, there shouldn't be any problems. Whenever they get close, there's a certain pleasurable thrill to it, one they'd like to chase, now that they have the opportunity to and that they've built up the courage to.

But the same thing always happens whenever they feel like they're getting closer to him, closer to having an intimacy with him that they're not even sure they can name. He always draws back from them, somehow or some way, and they can't help but wonder if it's because they'll never match up to what a human should be like. Maybe he doesn't see them the same way he would another human, and that's why they're... different. Or, perhaps, they misunderstand some part of the equation. It's a foreign sort of longing that they feel, afterall, wanting to kiss him and be kissed, wanting to be as close as they can be. What they have had and what they have now never feels like it's enough to quell this wanting.

So, when he breaks away, they sit back on their perch on him, pursing their lips in a hint of displeasure. They keep their eyes down from his. ]

...I am, but I know that's not why you did that just now.

[ They sigh, refreshingly blunt as they always are. He's never so obvious that he flat out tells them to get away - he's way too conscious of their feelings to do something so rash - but they always end up easing down like this. Cairngorm had always accepted it before, out of either 1) actually needing to slow down, or 2) not being fully convinced that he was doing it on purpose. They've taken time to understand themself and their own feelings, between now and all the times before. And now that they have, they'd rather just confront him. ]

Am I bad at this? You can just say it.

[ The delivery is dry, characteristic of their typical brand of humor, but it doesn't really seem like they're fully joking. ]

[ The shack seems to have been recently cleaned, at least, judging by the windows. But it's too dark to see inside. And Vangeance is just about to send a few of his vines creeping under the tiny crack in the door to sense the mana of whatever's inside -- when he's interrupted by a whistling sound. One that he's awfully familiar with.

Of course, it only takes him a moment to step around the shack and spot that sapling, with the wooden birds he'd crafted. And that's all the confirmation he needs.

Cinnabar had seemed awfully cautious about being around other living beings. Of course they'd sequester themselves to something lonely like this, away from others. The thought makes his chest ache for a moment, and Vangeance is all the more glad he'd stopped before invading their privacy. Nobody deserves such an indignity, but especially not someone who already seems to hurt and careful.

So instead, he waits. He's well-accustomed to wiling away the hours in the company of nature; it's something he's found comfort in since early childhood.

By the time Cinnabar finally emerges from their little shack, they might notice a few tiny changes. A few footsteps in the grass near their shack. The sapling with the carved birds seems more lively -- it's sprouted a few more tiny buds, and its leaves are greener and fuller, though the birds are untouched. And there's the flutter of red up in the branches of a tree nearby. Vangeance, nestled up in the branches, gazing off at the darkening sky; a few blackbirds keep him company, but he otherwise seems deep in thought. ]

[ it takes an hour or two, but they do emerge eventually. They've always slept fitfully; no doubt trying to sleep through the daylight hours makes it worse. After waking up sporadically here and there, they finally give up on sleeping for the time being, forcing themself to their feet to confront the ordeal of existing once again. For Cinnabar, there's little to do here. Maybe less than there had been back home.

In that sense, the gift from Vangeance has been nice. It's something to do - caring for a plant like that. Their presence will probably kill it off sooner or later, but they've been doing their best to be careful with it, and so far, it seems okay. When they open the door, their shoes in one hand, they turn their head to glance at it, and their expression relaxes the slightest bit, nearing something like a smile, at seeing it looking healthy, before they return their attention to the ground, dumping some excess poison out of their footwear and onto the dirt. They'd fallen asleep wearing them - they're always afraid they'll step on something hard and fracture their leg if they're not on.

The brief peek into their daily doldrums comes to an end when the flash of red catches their eye - and, instantly, their gaze shoots up into the trees, where Vangeance stands out like a sore thumb in that getup of his. Immediately, they stiffen, surprised or defensive - probably both. ]

... What are you doing out here?

Edited 2021-01-23 04:55 (UTC)

[ He looks over swiftly enough at the sound of the familiar voice, and as he glances down to see the shimmer of red off Cinnabar's hair, Vangeance smiles to himself. Good to know he was right; he'd harbored the very faint worry that perhaps Cinnabar had rejected his gift and someone else had absconded with it, so he's relieved to see that worry was unfounded. ]

Good evening, Cinnbar.

[ There's the rustle of leaves as Vangeance slips down to the ground, easily maneuvering down one, two three branches until he lands lightly on the ground. He gives Cinnabar a small nod in warning before doesn't draw any closer, instead gently smoothing his hands down the folds of his cloak and picking out any errant leaves as he speaks. ]

I've taken to searching the island for anything unusual, and happened upon the your shelter. [ A nod towards the little shed. ] I had my suspicions it was yours, but I couldn't be sure. And in case I was correct, I didn't want to disturb you. I assume you rest during the day if you're able to patrol during the night.

[ A pause as he straightens up and properly looks to Cinnabar with a faint smile. Polite as ever. ]

I do apologize if I startled you. I promise you I wasn't deliberately looking to invade your privacy.

[ Cinnabar watches his descent carefully, as if he's some wild beast come out of the woods that they aren't entirely sure how to handle. In a sense, to them, he is. They're still not sure what to make of him. The mask might be weird, but combined with his politeness, he's completely impenetrable. Not that they're suspecting him of anything nefarious. No - they're still just having a hard time acclimating to such plain and basic kindness, and their cynical mind can't help wondering if it's all fake.

Though it's become somewhat harder to doubt him. Very briefly, their eyes flick over to the sapling with the carved birds again - and then straight to the ground. That little puddle of mercury they just poured out sure is interesting!! ]

... Well, you found something unusual, [ they reply dryly. Despite the previously-mentioned concern about breaking their foot on some unseen rock, they idly scuff some dirt onto the mercury puddle just to have something to focus on that isn't Vangeance. ] It's fine. I was just surprised to see you during the day.

[ he's really wearing some crazy colors, isn't he? he stands out a lot. it's harder to tell at night. ]

[ to be fair, it was not his smoothest escape, and Cairngorm isn't stupid. Perhaps he should have seen this coming - and to an extent, he did know it would come up eventually. Just not now. And not like this. It's rare that Cairngorm truly catches him off guard, even if they surprise him now and again... but, judging by the expression on his face, they've just done it. For a moment, he's speechless, eyes widening. ]

Are you -- no. No, not at all! Of course not.

[ Lupin manages to get that out, at least. First and foremost is making sure they're not blaming themself for anything going on. Or... not going on. Now he's left to contend with the fact that Cairngorm is -- not satisfied? He knows them well enough to understand they aren't just giving him a hard time here. While they look away, his eyes remained trained on them, trying to read them while also trying to act like his heart didn't just leap into his throat. ]

... The opposite, actually. I can't get enough of you. [ now some of that pink is leaking onto his face. His brow furrows a little, somewhere between troubled and embarrassed. ] We'd be here all night.

[ even saying that much feels like a step into dangerous territory, but they're already standing at the edge of it here. They have a human body, yes, but their heart is still a gem's. He'd never be so selfish as to try and coerce them into anything - he'd made peace with this ages ago, long before they even came to Steel London. He loves them so earnestly that he's happy just to be near them, to spoil them with words and gentle touches; his heart is full enough that he hardly minds the occasional ache from his body. Lupin can't ask for more. But Cairngorm... ]

[ He laughs gently at the dry response, brief and low. ]

I suppose I did. I was wondering what to do if I'd stumbled on something related to the Administrator. Whether to examine it myself or seek company from someone else, or if it might pose a risk -- so it was a pleasant surprise to realize it was only a friendly acquaintance.

[ Note: 'friendly acquaintance,' not 'friend.' Because something tells him Cinnabar would balk at the latter. And Vangeance doesn't draw any closer, either. Because as much as Cinnabar treats him with caution, the reverse is also true. Though Vangeance worries less about any underhandedness or malice, and more that he might inadvertently scare Cinnabar off.

So he only gives his usual, genial smile -- friendly without being too intimate, warm but maintaining a certain distance. And though his gaze does briefly fall on that tree and its little birds, he notices the way Cinnabar quickly looks away, and decides not to mention it. Instead, he settles for: ]

I do prefer working during the day. But I've been having some sleepless nights lately. [ A small tilt of the head. ] Are you about to embark on your patrol?

[ the Administrator, huh. It would probably behoove them to look into that, too. It's obviously suspicious. But Cinnabar has never been the type. If there are answers, they're sure someone better-suited to being the hero will be the one to find them. ]

Waiting for the moon. It's still early. [ the sun's still setting, and there are still people milling around. case in point: there's one in front of them. They continue on in a neutral tone. ] ... You aren't the only one who can't sleep.

[ not sympathy, just a frank answer. true, their sleep schedule is backwards, but they're also nervous being here. They've gotten good at ignoring it, but it's insidious, creeping into their thoughts when they're still - the fear of being alone, stranded here, not knowing anything at all. After so many years, Cinnabar had liked to pretend they were numb to the strain of isolation; little did they know that they'd end up here and feel the sting of it more strongly than ever. ]

[ Honestly, it could be worse. They're human-bodied or at least human-shaped, and they're speaking sensibly, without the kind of incoherent violence she'd seen in the confused, WAU-riddled robots back on PATHOS-II.

She'll take meek and confused.

Catherine's voice jumps in eagerness and transparent excitement. ] Hi, you heard me! Thank God! I've been stuck here for ages, I don't know how long - this system's internal clock seems really unreliable - and I wasn't picking up anything on the cameras...

I'm Catherine. What's your name?

[ Vangeance only gives a small cant of the head at first. He's already gotten the sense that Cinnabar isn't the type to speak frankly about their intentions or desires, which means he needs to read between the lines. The last thing he wants to do is say something insensitive to someone who already seems to wary. ... aah. That wasn't sympathy, was it. ]

Mm. I suppose it isn't surprising that this sort of place would make for many restless nights.

[ He gets it, in other words. He gets why Cinnabar might prefer to wait for nightfall before getting started.

There's a longer pause before he continues. ]

Cinnabar, I wonder if you'd permit me to ask about your homeland? [ His tone of voice is relentlessly calm and gentle. Not particularly enthusiastic, lest he sound invasive, but just a little curious. ] Of course, I understand if the subject is too painful to speak of. I wouldn't wish to exacerbate any feelings of homesickness.

[ It is a step in dangerous territory - their heart jumps a bit, in secret, when he says that, unable to help themself. It never gets less addicting to feel sought after, to feel desired in some way. Still, they can't meet his eyes, despite color growing in their own features, as well. ]

Not all night.

[ But they wanted a little bit longer than where they're stopping now, is the implication. They're almost pouting when they say it, fidgeting with their own fingers where they're laced behind his neck. They'd felt bold when they immediately brought it up, but confronted with having to talk about or explain their feelings on the topic? If they could, they'd just skip over it. But they have a feeling Lupin wouldn't be satisfied with that from them - he never is. ]

If you keep doing that for my sake, you don't have to. [ Pulling away from them, dodging anytime they might accidentally wade a little further into intimacy. While they don't make any motion to get closer, they finally meet his gaze, expression a carefully crafted neutral. ] But if you're actually worried about not sleeping enough, then...

[ Are they joking, trying to distract from their forward behavior? Or are they serious, trying to be considerate of how he's mentioned the notion of them losing night hours twice? It's really hard to tell - as if they're letting the interpretation be up to him to guide the incoming response and ensuing night. ]

Uh... Henry.

[ he replies even though he thinks he might be talking to a ghost, because he's Henry and he doesn't think that deeply about what he's doing or saying here. It's better than the ghost trying to kill him?! He's sort of peering at the shelves, trying to find out where the voice is coming from, hesitantly moving things around on occasion. ]

... Where are you? I don't, uh, see anything.

[ preparing to uncover something horrific underneath a stack of old papers - he doesn't even know what, but when things like this happen, it hasn't ever surprised him in a pleasant way. ]

[ Catherine has the misfortune of showing up under suspicious circumstances in unsettling environments to two protagonists now. It's not her fault she's always in a situation that makes her seem untrustworthy! Really! ]

Nice to meet you, Henry. Boy, am I glad to see you. ... What are you doing over there by the shelves? I'm in the Omnitool. I mean, the handheld device currently plugged into the terminal behind you.

[ She's spent enough time with Simon that she finds herself automatically explaining further. If she had a physical body, Catherine might swallow against the emotion thinking of Simon raises in her; fortunately, being digital gives her a convenient distance from that sort of physical reaction, and as unhappy as she is that she's still stuck in the Omnitool, at least she's not human again. ]

[ so he's going to linger, then. They shift on their feet slightly, feeling a bit of unease bubble up from inside. Of course, they could always just say no - but Cinnabar is caught between wanting to flee and wanting company, as they often are, and, much like the last time they met in person, they can't quite bring themself to just shut him out. It's true that they find him hard to read, but it's also true that he just doesn't feel that dangerous to them, as suspicious as he appears. ]

Fine. What do you want to know?

[ they're not homesick, not exactly, even if they miss the other gems. It's a complicated topic. But not so complicated that they can't talk about it. Cinnabar doesn't exactly have any secrets. While they continue speaking, they drop their shoes on the ground, stepping back into them. ]

But don't get your hopes up. There isn't much to say about it.

[ Lupin is going to bet on "it's both of those things." Cairngorm's preferred method of deflection is the half-joke, after all. He's quiet for a moment, contemplating briefly on what to say. They're giving him an out here, too, after all. ]

I'm not.

[ what would be the proper thing to do here - find a better excuse? Pull away more? Both of those feel ingenuous at best and patronizing at worst. They aren't stupid. And they certainly aren't some pure saint he has to protect. He's never thought that. He did think that their interest in human affection was mostly them playing along with him, and that he was being responsible as the senior human in the relationship - but maybe that was just something he convinced himself of so that he wouldn't get the wrong idea. Apparently, Cairngorm doesn't think the idea is so wrong at all. One hand shifts, moving to cup their face, instead, grazing his thumb across their cheek, his gaze more serious. Lupin won't ask if they realize what they're saying or anything of the sort. He knows they do. ]

Do you want more?

[ that, ultimately, is all that matters: what they want. Lupin, ever the gentleman, is happily at their beck and call. His voice is low, absent of the usual dramatics, and his golden eyes watch them carefully, looking for honesty wherever he can find it in their expression. There's no need to wonder what he wants; he's lowered his guard, and it can be felt in the delicate press of his fingers and the quiet intensity of his gaze, restrained, yearning. He wants Cairngorm - he always wants them, in any and every way that pleases them. ]

[ As he reaches out to touch them, their eyes don't waver from his, looking at him searchingly - for the same hints of honesty that he's looking for in them. He's admitted that all that talk had been a ruse - not that it was a convincing one, anyway - so they find themself oddly in control of the situation again. But, these days, they're not nearly so clumsy as they used to be when handed over such power by him - no, they almost accept it with grace. Almost.

Their head leans a little into his palm, and then they're sitting forward, closing the distance he'd made between them by a few inches. ]

Don't you?

[ They ask, less joking than they were before - serious, and almost sounding a little insecure. Lupin hadn't meant it, of course, but it's a simple fact that they can't help but compare themself - to the other people he'd been in love with before, the other people he's gotten close to like this. Those people, whoever they were, are out of his life now, but with each time he drew away, they found themself thinking more and more if it was because they couldn't compare. Stupid, maybe, after all the two of them have overcome to get here. But Cairngorm's life has been fraught with relationships that were unreliable at best and merely imitations at worst. Feeling like they aren't good enough, aren't doing enough comes nearly as second nature - and the smallest sign to confirm those feelings, seemingly innocuous as it may be, was enough for them to obsess over. They'd just like it if they could feel like they stand on equal footing - share what two people in love do. They want to feel sought after by the person they love more than anything, be longed for like they long for him. Surely, that'd quell this feeling.

Their hands shift from where they rest at his nape, thumbs coming to frame his jaw - gently, just as gently as they'd always touched him before they'd turned from stone.

I want to feel closer to you, is what they should say. I don't ever want to let you go — but they can't manage either. All they can manage is to tip forward until their foreheads touch, until they can kiss him again, slowly, carefully, quietly. ]

[ that touch of insecurity breaks his heart. Can they really still doubt him? If they had reason to believe he didn't want everything with them, then it's his fault for not loving them enough. Lupin knows that their doubts aren't the kind he can whisper away, though - he's known that since before he fell in love with them - and, perhaps, aren't even the kind that time can fully ease. Cairngorm might always wonder if they're good enough. And knowing that only makes him more determined to be the one to tell them they are, always. That feeling has never changed.

He's warm under their hands, his gaze softening at the gentle touch, no longer probing for an explanation. Those two words told him enough, he thinks. Now he's only left with that feeling - that desire to hold them, to steal them away from their worries and into his arms and keep them so close that the world shrinks away until it's just the two of them. There are plenty of flirtatious responses he could use here - God knows he has an arsenal - but Lupin opts for honesty. ]

More than anything, [ he breathes out, plain and simple, like confessing a crime. He does. He wants to touch them. He wants to learn every inch of them. He's thought about it more often than he'd ever admit. The reply isn't hungry or heated - just frank, and a bit embarrassed. But Cairngorm deserves a straight answer, and he doesn't care a whit if he's vulnerable in front of them. His eyes flutter shut as they lean in, letting them come to him, letting their delicate touch send a comfortable shiver across his skin even as his pulse beats heavy in his throat. And when he stops, it's only so that he can breathe; this time, he doesn't draw away, and instead leans in to continue, softly pressing his mouth to theirs, lips parting to kiss them more deeply at last. ]

[ He blinks at that before exhaling softly, just shy of being a gentle laugh. At the same time, leaning back against the tree he's standing before; it keeps his body language from being too invasive, he thinks, and might lessen the pressure that Cinnabar is feeling. ]

I'm not seeking any information in particular.

[ Vangeance gives a soft hum in thought as he glances off into the foliage surrounding them. And while it's not really in his nature to speak to frankly in most situations, he gets the feeling being forthright might help put someone like Cinnabar more at ease.

There's the quiet 'thunk' of his helm as he rests his head back against the tree, keeping his gaze shifted aside. ]

... It's simply that I felt I've been far too ignorant about the ways of those other than humans. And perhaps it's somewhat crass of me, but our drastic differences made me curious. What kind of place you come from, how your days are spent, what kind of landscape you're accustomed to. What kind of life you live.

[ A pause before he offers Cinnabar a small smile, meant to be reassuring. ]

I'd be grateful for anything you'd be comfortable talking about.

[ Their brow knits, wanting to turn over what he'd said for clues, think about it more deeply - was he telling the truth? or just being nice for the sake of being nice? - but they get lost when he comes close, their mind not working much farther past cataloguing the give of his lips against theirs.

He comes to them again, and they meet him, settling their full weight on him without remorse. Something about this alien feeling, love, makes them want to be close as they can manage, a desire they never fully understood before Lupin. What they'd thought before is that they felt most at ease when apart from others, when sectioned off, when nothing came close enough to them that elicited so much as a stir in their conscience. Only through falling in love with him did they discover that it's rather the opposite. Being close to someone, being touched; it's grounding, affirming, in a way they can't fully articulate - and they don't try to. Their lips part, kissing him open mouthed once, twice, hands dragging down from his jaw to his neck, then lower, nearly beneath his collar— he's so warm there, always, and a chance to touch him for more than a fleeting second, a chance to commit the feeling to memory, isn't one they'll pass up. When they splay their hands at the sides of his neck, their fingertips are cold, but their palms are warm, soft, and when they feel his pulse there, they sigh against him - a breathless, dreamy, ghost of a sound, as they press against him firmer, indulgent for once in their life. ]

[ At least he's honest about his curiosity. It might have irritated them from someone else, but, again, he's very polite and straightforward, and Cinnabar does feel a little bit like they owe him for the present. They can't hold it against him. They're curious about humans, too - they just aren't brave enough to ask people. (And there's something admirable about wanting to rectify one's ignorance, too.) ]

Anything. [ a small huff. ] That's not helpful.

[ and they're not a normal gem, anyway. How unfortunate that the only one Vangeance can ask is Cinnabar - as if they could tell him anything about what kind of life their people live... if Cinnabar was honest about themself, it would just be humiliating. Despite their dismissive response, though, they continue after a small pause. ]

... We live on an island in an endless sea. Me, fourteen other gems, and Kongou-sensei. It's green in the summer, and snowy in the winter. The insects and plants disappear. But they come back again every year, because they can make more of themselves. [ a pause. ] ... We aren't like that. Gems don't die. But if one of us disappears, there's no guarantee we'll be replaced. So we have to work hard to defend our home.

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OPEN POST 2021

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i am here for you, cinny-chan

van-kun...

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infinite cornloop

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heart fingers at cinnabar

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