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Asking a lady how old she is? [It takes everything in her power not to grin here. He's only teasing.] Shame on you!
Maybe I won't be going out with you, sir.
Maybe I won't be going out with you, sir.
Huh?! I don't get it, y'just said --
Wait, no! I take it back! I'm sorry! Please go out with me, Miss Stryfe, I won't do it again!
[the freakout is very low-key, at least. he's more confused than panicked.]
Wait, no! I take it back! I'm sorry! Please go out with me, Miss Stryfe, I won't do it again!
[the freakout is very low-key, at least. he's more confused than panicked.]
[Her composure finally wavers, and she starts laughing outright. It's forceful enough to shake her shoulders and crinkle her eyes.]
Okay, okay. I'll forgive you. Just this once! [Another titter.] And I'm 25, for the record.
Okay, okay. I'll forgive you. Just this once! [Another titter.] And I'm 25, for the record.
Oh.
[he still doesn't get why it went from not a big deal, to one, and back away from it again... but he sure as hell isn't going to look at gift thomas in the mouth!]
Yeah, I don't think I'm that old. Not -- that that's old, I just meant -- ah, hell, y'know what I meant.
[he still doesn't get why it went from not a big deal, to one, and back away from it again... but he sure as hell isn't going to look at gift thomas in the mouth!]
Yeah, I don't think I'm that old. Not -- that that's old, I just meant -- ah, hell, y'know what I meant.
[It's because she's being silly, Livio. A fact which she quickly points out.]
It's okay, Liv. I'm not actually upset. Just messing around. [Is she starting to look a little guilty? Maybe.]
I'll see you Wednesday, right? Just me and you?
It's okay, Liv. I'm not actually upset. Just messing around. [Is she starting to look a little guilty? Maybe.]
I'll see you Wednesday, right? Just me and you?
[the fact that he gives up on trying to explain himself is enough proof he's trying to take it not quite so seriously... but nonetheless he offers one of his sheepish smiles.]
Yeah, sweetpea, just you 'n me.
Yeah, sweetpea, just you 'n me.
[Hardly weird, when Night Sky has all but bared her soul. She makes her way down the stairs and looks around. It's very comfortable, every bit the image of what she would have expected of Night Sky.
The bed is plopped down onto, but she doesn't get too comfortable yet. Her arms open for Night Sky.]
Don't keep me waiting. Come here.
The bed is plopped down onto, but she doesn't get too comfortable yet. Her arms open for Night Sky.]
Don't keep me waiting. Come here.
Sounds like a date. [That smile turns just a bit shier. Her cheeks start to warm.]
I'll see you soon, Livio.
I'll see you soon, Livio.
( She wouldn't have to tell her twice. Night Sky turned the lights down to a dim glow and headed toward the bed, blankets tugged up and over them both as she snuggled into Meryl's waiting arms, head on her chest and tilted so she didn't gore her with her antlers. ) Thank you again, my love. You have eased my mind more than you know.
That's all I can ask.
[She angles her head, chin coming to rest within Night Sky's hair. No need for antler harm here.]
It will be okay, I promise.
[There isn't much she can do, but anything she can, she'll put her all into.]
[She angles her head, chin coming to rest within Night Sky's hair. No need for antler harm here.]
It will be okay, I promise.
[There isn't much she can do, but anything she can, she'll put her all into.]
[when he knocks on the castle door around lunchtime, livio is for once not simply in his ratty old t-shirt, but a tunic fresh from clotilda's! it isn't anything too fancy, but it is a nice material of a familiar deep, dark blue with off-white stitching. and he's got a bouquet of red and pink tulips already in hand.
he shifts back and forth on his feet as he waits, clearly nervous but not shouting or bouncing out of his skin like he did over the oracle. announcing himself to the whole castle would be just a little humiliating, probably.]
he shifts back and forth on his feet as he waits, clearly nervous but not shouting or bouncing out of his skin like he did over the oracle. announcing himself to the whole castle would be just a little humiliating, probably.]
[Meryl practically throws the door open the second Livio knocks. She certainly wasn't pacing frantically the last twenty minutes or so, waiting for his arrival or anything. And her face definitely doesn't bloom into a warm, adoring smile the second she sees him. It isn't lost on her that the last time he dressed up like this was the first time they shared a kiss. Even the memory sends a thrill through her.
He isn't the only one dressed up, of course. Meryl's hunted down a blue dress, and covered it with a white cardigan. Her shoes are little more than a strappy pair of blue flats. Comfortable and cute. Naturally, she's paired it all with their shared earring, as well.]
Hi, Livio. [Her voice is on the softer side, dripping with affection. Already her ears show a faint shade of pink. She's staring just a little too hard at him.]
He isn't the only one dressed up, of course. Meryl's hunted down a blue dress, and covered it with a white cardigan. Her shoes are little more than a strappy pair of blue flats. Comfortable and cute. Naturally, she's paired it all with their shared earring, as well.]
Hi, Livio. [Her voice is on the softer side, dripping with affection. Already her ears show a faint shade of pink. She's staring just a little too hard at him.]
( vash doesn't even know about everything β he can't, with how their memories seem to be skewed, and even though he hasn't asked directly, he's already come to the conclusion that there are things missing for his brother that are still fresh in his own memory. one day, they're going to have to have that conversation β
and he doesn't want to have it. he doesn't want to think of his twin, that he's finally managed to reconnect with so intimately pushing him away and wanting nothing to do with him. because he's convinced that's how it would go.
meryl was there. meryl had seen every single bit of it, and she still accepts him. his faults, his flaws and everything in-between. the things that he would go back and change, given the chance, would make right as though they had never happened in the first place.
vash has always been the forgiving one, yes β but would he be able to forgive him if he knew everything?
he's quiet for a moment once she's finished her piece, and there's something β something warm and soft and safe that urges him to reach out to her, gently cupping the side of her face with one large hand, thumb stroking lightly over the highest point of her cheekbone. it's a small gesture in comparison to everything she's offering him here, but he can't think of anything else to give her. not yet. )
But it does mean something, coming from you. You aren't obligated to say any of the things you've said, and here you are β¦ sounding so much like my brother that it's almost uncanny. ( he chuckles at his own poor joke, but sobers up quickly enough. ) I don'tβ ( he shakes his head, more to himself and whatever intrusive thoughts are trying to encroach on this feeling of belonging. ) I don't think I could ever explain how much it means, just know β¦ please know that it makes all the difference in the world.
and he doesn't want to have it. he doesn't want to think of his twin, that he's finally managed to reconnect with so intimately pushing him away and wanting nothing to do with him. because he's convinced that's how it would go.
meryl was there. meryl had seen every single bit of it, and she still accepts him. his faults, his flaws and everything in-between. the things that he would go back and change, given the chance, would make right as though they had never happened in the first place.
vash has always been the forgiving one, yes β but would he be able to forgive him if he knew everything?
he's quiet for a moment once she's finished her piece, and there's something β something warm and soft and safe that urges him to reach out to her, gently cupping the side of her face with one large hand, thumb stroking lightly over the highest point of her cheekbone. it's a small gesture in comparison to everything she's offering him here, but he can't think of anything else to give her. not yet. )
But it does mean something, coming from you. You aren't obligated to say any of the things you've said, and here you are β¦ sounding so much like my brother that it's almost uncanny. ( he chuckles at his own poor joke, but sobers up quickly enough. ) I don'tβ ( he shakes his head, more to himself and whatever intrusive thoughts are trying to encroach on this feeling of belonging. ) I don't think I could ever explain how much it means, just know β¦ please know that it makes all the difference in the world.
[The hand settles against her face, and Meryl jumps instinctively. It isn't Knives fault by any stretch. The problem with Meryl is that she spent so much time back home with her nose in a book, in her studies, in her work, that she never gave herself the chance to live. And so any contact is bound to startle her. Especially when it comes from Millions Knives.
(It doesn't help that she hasn't had the crash course in physical contact and affection that the masquerade would come to provide. This is probably the first time anyone has ever touched her, save for one very unwarranted manhandling out of a certain city.)
That doesn't mean she stays away, though. When her brain finally processes what is happening, her head leans back into the touch. Her cheeks, as Knives will undoubtedly feel, begin to warm. She doesn't mind this at all, it would seem, especially given the way her hand rises up to settle above his own.]
Vash has a way of changing the people he spends time around, doesn't he? [The words are warm, just as affectionate as any she's dished out to Knives. Vash is probably the person she's closest to, her best friend. Of course she would be changed by him.]
Just don't think it's because of him. Or an obligation to him. I'm here because it's my choice. I want to - uh, take care of you - because that's my call.
(It doesn't help that she hasn't had the crash course in physical contact and affection that the masquerade would come to provide. This is probably the first time anyone has ever touched her, save for one very unwarranted manhandling out of a certain city.)
That doesn't mean she stays away, though. When her brain finally processes what is happening, her head leans back into the touch. Her cheeks, as Knives will undoubtedly feel, begin to warm. She doesn't mind this at all, it would seem, especially given the way her hand rises up to settle above his own.]
Vash has a way of changing the people he spends time around, doesn't he? [The words are warm, just as affectionate as any she's dished out to Knives. Vash is probably the person she's closest to, her best friend. Of course she would be changed by him.]
Just don't think it's because of him. Or an obligation to him. I'm here because it's my choice. I want to - uh, take care of you - because that's my call.
[to be fair, this is still leagues more casual than his masquerade 'fit had been. but this is also far more authentically livio.
he's got the other half of the earring set, though he hasn't taken it out since the second time he shoved it in after they decided they wanted to be together. having it with him all the time keeps meryl on his mind. not that he needs the reminder right now, where she's standing right in front of him looking pretty and surprisingly shy. everything from livio's jaw up feels exceptionally warm.]
Ah -- hi, Miss Meryl. [his intent isn't to be overly formal or disrespect that she's told him to drop the "miss" before -- he's just a little short-circuited in awe.] Y'look... real beautiful.
he's got the other half of the earring set, though he hasn't taken it out since the second time he shoved it in after they decided they wanted to be together. having it with him all the time keeps meryl on his mind. not that he needs the reminder right now, where she's standing right in front of him looking pretty and surprisingly shy. everything from livio's jaw up feels exceptionally warm.]
Ah -- hi, Miss Meryl. [his intent isn't to be overly formal or disrespect that she's told him to drop the "miss" before -- he's just a little short-circuited in awe.] Y'look... real beautiful.
[Just when she thought she couldn't have felt any warmer, she spots the identical earring. A grin practically splits her face in half, wide and delighted. She can't help herself as she pushes herself up on her tiptoes and grabs the hem of his tunic. She gently draws him downward so she can press a kiss to his cheek.]
I could say the same to you. [Not handsome. Not hot. Beautiful.] Did you want to come in? Or are we heading out?
I could say the same to you. [Not handsome. Not hot. Beautiful.] Did you want to come in? Or are we heading out?
[livio just blinks at first, even though he returns the innocent kiss without thinking twice.]
Huh? Say what?
[... actually, he doesn't give her a chance to answer that.]
Out, if that's okay? I, uh, got somethin' waitin' at my place...
Huh? Say what?
[... actually, he doesn't give her a chance to answer that.]
Out, if that's okay? I, uh, got somethin' waitin' at my place...
[Well, alright. They can pretend she never said it'. It's fine, Meryl knows the truth. That's what's really important.]
Your place then.
[She wraps a hand around his upper arm. Or part of it, at least.]
Lead the way. [A beat.] Though you could have just told me to meet you there. You didn't have to come all this way.
Your place then.
[She wraps a hand around his upper arm. Or part of it, at least.]
Lead the way. [A beat.] Though you could have just told me to meet you there. You didn't have to come all this way.
( he's never been so tactile, and such a move surprises him just a little bit, too β but it doesn't feel wrong by any stretch of the imagination, though there is a flicker of concern that disrupts his expression and he does think, for a small moment, that it had been too much, too soon. he's never been impulsive, not like this, anyway. maybe she's bringing it out of him.
he almost retracts his hand, his touch entirely but she ends up leaning into it in a way he isn't really expecting, but to say he'd been expecting any of this in the first place would be trying to get away with the biggest, fattest lie he's ever told, and while he might be a damn good manipulator, that doesn't mean he's a very good liar when it comes to things like this. he'll actually be pretty terrible at it, if he ever tries, but let's just hope that he doesn't.
her skin is warm, and soft, and pleasing in a way that he doesn't think he has a word for, yet; it's remarkably essay to be like this with her, sharing space and quiet conversation and, previously, tea. it's been mentioned before that this is something he thinks he might be able to get used to, were it to continue to happen, but only time will tell on that front, won't it?
he lets her finish talking, a ridiculous and all-encompassing urge rising up in him to pull her into a hug, but that's β¦ not something he's very well-versed in, either. vash hugs him, and rem had β he's never actively sought out something like that for himself. funny, that. )
He definitely has no issue bringing others into his orbit. ( he says softly, fondly, the sort of warmth dripping from his voice that could only ever be meant for vash. ) I believe you. I'm not very good at letting another take care of me, but I don't think I would mind if you gave it a try. ( a beat. ) So long as I'm allowed to return the favor. ( and that, uh β¦ doesn't exactly mean the blanket thought of 'i'm going to learn how to cook because i want to feed everyone'.
this is just for you, little one. )
he almost retracts his hand, his touch entirely but she ends up leaning into it in a way he isn't really expecting, but to say he'd been expecting any of this in the first place would be trying to get away with the biggest, fattest lie he's ever told, and while he might be a damn good manipulator, that doesn't mean he's a very good liar when it comes to things like this. he'll actually be pretty terrible at it, if he ever tries, but let's just hope that he doesn't.
her skin is warm, and soft, and pleasing in a way that he doesn't think he has a word for, yet; it's remarkably essay to be like this with her, sharing space and quiet conversation and, previously, tea. it's been mentioned before that this is something he thinks he might be able to get used to, were it to continue to happen, but only time will tell on that front, won't it?
he lets her finish talking, a ridiculous and all-encompassing urge rising up in him to pull her into a hug, but that's β¦ not something he's very well-versed in, either. vash hugs him, and rem had β he's never actively sought out something like that for himself. funny, that. )
He definitely has no issue bringing others into his orbit. ( he says softly, fondly, the sort of warmth dripping from his voice that could only ever be meant for vash. ) I believe you. I'm not very good at letting another take care of me, but I don't think I would mind if you gave it a try. ( a beat. ) So long as I'm allowed to return the favor. ( and that, uh β¦ doesn't exactly mean the blanket thought of 'i'm going to learn how to cook because i want to feed everyone'.
this is just for you, little one. )
[It's a good thing he doesn't pull back. Already, she's acclimating to every whorl on the pads of his fingers and every bump of the knuckles. Her eyes close for just a split second, relishing the contact and reciprocating it in kind. Her own thumb moves against his skin, as if to help him adjust to her presence in kind.]
You know... you're not so different, even if you might try to deny it. [Her lips crack into the faintest of smiles, mirth dancing subtly within the notes of her voice.] You managed to pull me in, after all.
[Her eyes finally crack open, shifting this way and that until they finally settle on his own. She hesitates only for second, only because it circles back to her. But even that isn't enough to fully stop her.]
I... think I can accept that. Potentially
You know... you're not so different, even if you might try to deny it. [Her lips crack into the faintest of smiles, mirth dancing subtly within the notes of her voice.] You managed to pull me in, after all.
[Her eyes finally crack open, shifting this way and that until they finally settle on his own. She hesitates only for second, only because it circles back to her. But even that isn't enough to fully stop her.]
I... think I can accept that. Potentially
Hey.
Sometime in the next... month? Ish? Red Son is going to need me for something. I'll try and warn you closer to when it happens, but I might be unable to see you for a week or... several. Sorry.
Sometime in the next... month? Ish? Red Son is going to need me for something. I'll try and warn you closer to when it happens, but I might be unable to see you for a week or... several. Sorry.
No need to apologize.
I tried to look around too.
And unless you count a bunch of novelty polaroids, I didn't have much luck either.
I tried to look around too.
And unless you count a bunch of novelty polaroids, I didn't have much luck either.
Sky?
That's... fine and all. I understand.
But.
Are you two going to be okay?
That's... fine and all. I understand.
But.
Are you two going to be okay?
I might be tired, but beyond that we should both be fine.
I'll make it up to you, too. Before and after.
I'll make it up to you, too. Before and after.
Edited 2024-03-02 16:47 (UTC)
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