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[ Lyric steps back toward him and motions for him to lean down a little. Once he does, she balances on her tippy toes and whispers in his ear. ]
I don't think you're wrong. [ About what, she won't make clear. She lets him stand at his full height once more as she continues. ] You must be strong, if you thought you could take down my father. And I need someone who understands what's going on outside the castle.
I don't know when I'll become queen - [ Not tonight, at least. But it could be soon. ] - but I want to be ready.
You deserve better.
I don't think you're wrong. [ About what, she won't make clear. She lets him stand at his full height once more as she continues. ] You must be strong, if you thought you could take down my father. And I need someone who understands what's going on outside the castle.
I don't know when I'll become queen - [ Not tonight, at least. But it could be soon. ] - but I want to be ready.
You deserve better.
[ Ryoma makes a sleepy mumble that vaguely sounds like "okay" as he begins to drift off again. He doesn't mean to fall asleep again so quickly - but Leo's warmth, combined with the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat and the gentleness of his hands in his hair is enough to lull him back to sleep, at least for the timebeing.
Zzz... ]
Zzz... ]
[Keaton keeps looking but he?? Doesn't see anything?? Besides Laslow's tail, still wagging wildly.
Oh.
Oh boy. Keaton watches Laslow's tail making sure that he can grab it on the first try; no point in spooking Las more. He keeps a hold on it for a second or two, or three, and waits.] ... Issit still there, buddy?
Oh.
Oh boy. Keaton watches Laslow's tail making sure that he can grab it on the first try; no point in spooking Las more. He keeps a hold on it for a second or two, or three, and waits.] ... Issit still there, buddy?
[ Chance won't leave Vero waiting for very long - around ten minutes to walk in the door, and then a few more while he waits for his order - though seeing the textbooks he's brought along has him feeling a little guilty. High school.............. he sure doesn't miss those days. Not that his college coursework treats him any kinder.
But anyway. ] Hey, Vero. [ Despite agreeing to meet up with him, he's courteous enough to announce his presence before taking the seat across from him. ] What are you reading?
But anyway. ] Hey, Vero. [ Despite agreeing to meet up with him, he's courteous enough to announce his presence before taking the seat across from him. ] What are you reading?
[He can't help the "uUUUGGH."] Please. I would greatly appreciate that, Oboro.
[Because, yeah, trust him, he doesn't like the idea of having Oboro having to help him out every morning with this nonsense. And he can only take so much of his numbskull retainers.
It can't be that hard to learn if Oboro's teaching them, right? .. Right?]
[Because, yeah, trust him, he doesn't like the idea of having Oboro having to help him out every morning with this nonsense. And he can only take so much of his numbskull retainers.
It can't be that hard to learn if Oboro's teaching them, right? .. Right?]
[ Laslow doesn't even need to look - he feels Keaton grab his tail and he turns red, realizing his mistake. ]
Keeeaaaatooon...! [ Time to hide in Keaton's shoulder and never come out again!! This is the third time something like this has happened to Laslow in three weeks and he's just about ready to die from embarrassment now!!! ]
Keeeaaaatooon...! [ Time to hide in Keaton's shoulder and never come out again!! This is the third time something like this has happened to Laslow in three weeks and he's just about ready to die from embarrassment now!!! ]
Edited 2018-07-01 21:37 (UTC)
Hey -- Shirabu!!
[That brat. As if that's enough to deter Semi, though. He's very bad at taking a hit in favor of following through with his own conclusions.
Semi lets Shirabu walk away, sure. But he's back a short time later with a plate of food. When he approaches this time, he at least has the sense to be quiet about it. Cautious.] Don't fucking run away this time. I only brought some different food you might like. I won't stick around.
[HMPH.]
[That brat. As if that's enough to deter Semi, though. He's very bad at taking a hit in favor of following through with his own conclusions.
Semi lets Shirabu walk away, sure. But he's back a short time later with a plate of food. When he approaches this time, he at least has the sense to be quiet about it. Cautious.] Don't fucking run away this time. I only brought some different food you might like. I won't stick around.
[HMPH.]
Oh? [ That's... not what he expected, honestly. The last time he went on a shopping run with Leo was in search of a rare tome - and the memory of that brings a fond smile to his face, recalling just how excited Leo was at the time, talking about this and that arcane thing that he honestly couldn't follow at all, but listened intently to nevertheless. The invitation is not unwelcome, though.
He runs his thumbs over Leo's knuckles in a slow, gentle motion and hums in thought. ] Of course. Shall I call for a carriage for us?
He runs his thumbs over Leo's knuckles in a slow, gentle motion and hums in thought. ] Of course. Shall I call for a carriage for us?
[Vero grimaces.]
Book of poetry. [Vero is, decidedly, garbage at this sort of thing. Give him a long winded math or scientific equation and he can make sense of it in no time because there's usually only one right way to solve it and only one right answer. But analyzing poetry? The Stranger? How is he supposed to know what Camus meant when he was writing this shit. And when it comes to poetry, people are so complex; there's too many different ways to interpret writing. He hates it.
Chance is actually doing him a favor by pulling him away from this, so don't feel guilty.] What did you want to talk about.
Book of poetry. [Vero is, decidedly, garbage at this sort of thing. Give him a long winded math or scientific equation and he can make sense of it in no time because there's usually only one right way to solve it and only one right answer. But analyzing poetry? The Stranger? How is he supposed to know what Camus meant when he was writing this shit. And when it comes to poetry, people are so complex; there's too many different ways to interpret writing. He hates it.
Chance is actually doing him a favor by pulling him away from this, so don't feel guilty.] What did you want to talk about.
[ Analyzing poetry, Chance is not the worst at. He's no literature major, but he likes to think he understands how people think.
But that's neither here nor there - he didn't ask Vero to join him just to talk about his homework. ] Right - I wanted to make sure you were doing okay, after the other night. A lot happened back there that's... not normal.
[ The Dark Hour, their Personas... the Shadows... ......... He tries to smile, to try and make Vero feel more comfortable, but the corners of his lips won't lift. After a moment he gives up on that effort and takes a sip of his coffee. ] I'm also sure you have some questions for me about all this.
But that's neither here nor there - he didn't ask Vero to join him just to talk about his homework. ] Right - I wanted to make sure you were doing okay, after the other night. A lot happened back there that's... not normal.
[ The Dark Hour, their Personas... the Shadows... ......... He tries to smile, to try and make Vero feel more comfortable, but the corners of his lips won't lift. After a moment he gives up on that effort and takes a sip of his coffee. ] I'm also sure you have some questions for me about all this.
[ By the time Semi returns, Shirabu has finished all he wants to eat from his original plate of food, leaving the chunks of meat completely untouched, and has started to forage for some wild berries that he knows aren't poisonous. Still, Shirabu will give Semi his undivided attention for a bit as he scrutinizes whatever it is he's brought.
To his credit, there's more on this new plate that he likes, or is able to stomach. But that doesn't mean he's going to be gracious. ] I don't need it. Like I said, I can take care of myself - I don't know why you don't understand that.
To his credit, there's more on this new plate that he likes, or is able to stomach. But that doesn't mean he's going to be gracious. ] I don't need it. Like I said, I can take care of myself - I don't know why you don't understand that.
[ Inigo is good at reading people - or, at least, to an extent. So when he sees Vero's eyes linger on that armchair, he gives his arm a gentle squeeze to stop his thoughts from drifting too much. ] Come on - I'll keep the rest of the tour short, so you can come back here and start reading.
[ The rest of the day goes by in a blur. He shows Vero the rest of the castle (the gardens, the luxurious bathing area, the other hidden nooks and crannies for hiding away and getting a second of privacy), then together they join the rest of the Ylissean royal family and Lyric for a grand ol' dinner to celebrate the beginnings of their new alliance.
It's only once the moon's high in the sky and the majority of the castle's inhabitants have gone to sleep that Inigo feels like he can breathe. He's swiped a tea tray from one of the servants and carries two cups of tea toward the library. One's for himself, and the other's to share if luck's on his side.
He opens the door to the library and calls out to the room. ] Vero?
[ The rest of the day goes by in a blur. He shows Vero the rest of the castle (the gardens, the luxurious bathing area, the other hidden nooks and crannies for hiding away and getting a second of privacy), then together they join the rest of the Ylissean royal family and Lyric for a grand ol' dinner to celebrate the beginnings of their new alliance.
It's only once the moon's high in the sky and the majority of the castle's inhabitants have gone to sleep that Inigo feels like he can breathe. He's swiped a tea tray from one of the servants and carries two cups of tea toward the library. One's for himself, and the other's to share if luck's on his side.
He opens the door to the library and calls out to the room. ] Vero?
Yes, please. Thank you. [He squeezes Niles' hand.
The entire carriage ride into town Leo is sidled next to Niles, thigh to thigh. He's absently playing with Niles fingers while keeping his eyes ahead of him. Making pleasant small talk with Niles all while not giving a clue as to where they're going.
They have a couple different stops to make within the market and first up in a quaint little stitch shop that Camilla often commissions for her and Elise's gowns. He's always loved their work and if anyone is to make their wedding attire (that Niles doesn't know about yet), Leo wants it to be them.]
Niles, would you mind terribly if they took some measurements?
The entire carriage ride into town Leo is sidled next to Niles, thigh to thigh. He's absently playing with Niles fingers while keeping his eyes ahead of him. Making pleasant small talk with Niles all while not giving a clue as to where they're going.
They have a couple different stops to make within the market and first up in a quaint little stitch shop that Camilla often commissions for her and Elise's gowns. He's always loved their work and if anyone is to make their wedding attire (that Niles doesn't know about yet), Leo wants it to be them.]
Niles, would you mind terribly if they took some measurements?
[He has questions alright. Good ones too, such as: what is Lyric's deal? But Vero just leans his cheek to his fist and stares down Chance for a bit.]
You called them "shadows" right? And "Personas"? Like - what actually are they actually? Why are you fighting them?
[Because as far as Vero can tell, shadows only exist in the dark hour so if they aren't doing anything to affect the real world, why are Chance and Lyric fighting them? What harm do they actually cause? There are other questions to follow, too, but this is an okay start.]
You called them "shadows" right? And "Personas"? Like - what actually are they actually? Why are you fighting them?
[Because as far as Vero can tell, shadows only exist in the dark hour so if they aren't doing anything to affect the real world, why are Chance and Lyric fighting them? What harm do they actually cause? There are other questions to follow, too, but this is an okay start.]
[Leo burns, caught.]
Thank you.
[At that point, he very determinedly gives his whole attention to what the professor is putting on the board.
He knows he wont be so lucky to get rid of Niles easily, especially since a small nagging part of his brain is actually considering taking Niles up on that coffee. But this is the end of it for now...]
Thank you.
[At that point, he very determinedly gives his whole attention to what the professor is putting on the board.
He knows he wont be so lucky to get rid of Niles easily, especially since a small nagging part of his brain is actually considering taking Niles up on that coffee. But this is the end of it for now...]
[Joining up with this ragtag group along with the kitsune after the mess in Cyrkensia was turning out to be not so bad. They were never in one place for a very long time which was nice, they got to kill lots of faceless and bad humans which was extra nice, and there sure are some interesting people. Keaton knows he can't trust all of them quite yet but there are a good handful that he especially likes to hang out with.
One of those people is the second prince of Hoshido. Takumi's a little prickly with him but Keaton can respect some amount of uncertainty in people. It means they're smart. And more fun to heckle. Besides he knows Takumi doesn't really not like him or anything.
When he spots his favorite archer in the distance, he's sure to bound up to him.] Hey, Takumi! What'cha doing?
[Surprise, Takumi, he's here now.]
One of those people is the second prince of Hoshido. Takumi's a little prickly with him but Keaton can respect some amount of uncertainty in people. It means they're smart. And more fun to heckle. Besides he knows Takumi doesn't really not like him or anything.
When he spots his favorite archer in the distance, he's sure to bound up to him.] Hey, Takumi! What'cha doing?
[Surprise, Takumi, he's here now.]
[Vero's going to have to apologize to Inigo later; there's part of him that feels guilty for looking so obvious.
By the end of the night, though, Vero's exhausted and most of Inigo's tour has left his mind. The library is, of course, at the front of his mind. As soon as he gets a moment away from everyone else - late, late at night - Vero steals away to this safe place.
He knows Lyric will scold him for staying up late, but Vero can't help himself. He pulls himself a hefty stack of books and curls up in the armchair (damn, it really is comfy) Inigo had pointed out. He's reading through the second or third book in the stack when he hears Inigo call for him. W-why is Inigo seeking him out? Lyric's the princess not him?? Or does Inigo know Vero's stupid attracted to him and getting some sort of kick out of this? Vero's not sure what to think of it... ]
Prince Inigo...? [He calls back, voice small.] You've caught me. It's just like you said.
By the end of the night, though, Vero's exhausted and most of Inigo's tour has left his mind. The library is, of course, at the front of his mind. As soon as he gets a moment away from everyone else - late, late at night - Vero steals away to this safe place.
He knows Lyric will scold him for staying up late, but Vero can't help himself. He pulls himself a hefty stack of books and curls up in the armchair (damn, it really is comfy) Inigo had pointed out. He's reading through the second or third book in the stack when he hears Inigo call for him. W-why is Inigo seeking him out? Lyric's the princess not him?? Or does Inigo know Vero's stupid attracted to him and getting some sort of kick out of this? Vero's not sure what to think of it... ]
Prince Inigo...? [He calls back, voice small.] You've caught me. It's just like you said.
[Vero HATES that he's being won over by a child. He gives it one last fight.]
Who deserves better? Princess Lyric, with all due respect, you don't know me.
W-who's to say I won't use this as an opportunity to get closer to your father and kill him still? You're not ready to be queen? That's not my problem. I haven't killed you yet but --
[He can't even finish that. He does not want to kill Lyric. ]
Who deserves better? Princess Lyric, with all due respect, you don't know me.
W-who's to say I won't use this as an opportunity to get closer to your father and kill him still? You're not ready to be queen? That's not my problem. I haven't killed you yet but --
[He can't even finish that. He does not want to kill Lyric. ]
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