[ closed ] simmer for seven days

[seafloor]

WHO: kaito and pals
WHAT: post-surgery and mid-month event shenanigans
WHERE: around town
WHEN: from april 12 to the end of the month
WARNINGS: potential discussion of body horror; will update as things Go On

Comments

[immortalpoet]

...

[Kaito pulls out of his grip. Vergilius's hands hang in the air, before slowly dropping down to his sides.]

[Of course, he caught what he said, or was trying to say. Maybe it was gripping the man's face that centered him, because he feels more calm - its not as if he's back to normal or anything, but focusing on Kaito for the time being makes his breath stay steady.]

[There might be a twisted knot of emotion still churning in his belly, but there's one thing that isn't there. Hatred.]

[He does not hate this man.]

You...don't need to apologize for anything, Kaito. Really.

[seafloor]

[ 'I'll find a way to make things right, Vergilius.'

The thought, resolute, settles heavy in his mind. Kaito closes his eyes—partly so Verg can continue to recover, but mostly to hide the glow from his optics as he puts a new note in his reminder app. 'Make up for being an idiot, whatever you did.'

When he's done, a slightly stronger smile tugs at the corners of his lips. ]

I hope you know that you're only further convincing me that I did something worth apologizing over, Boss.

But for now, I'll take your word for it. Do you wanna replenish that coffee and take a walk? My treat.

[immortalpoet]

[He said to remind him of what he just said. But what if he does, and he just forgets it all over again?]

[Vergilius raises a hand to brush through his bangs and back over his head, and in that time...he settles himself, puts the restlessness and stress behind mental doors.]

[(Kaito pulling him into an embrace so easily - like it was natural to him, as if it could always be offered - a gesture like that lingers, warms him, even if he knows he doesn't deserve it.)]

[A low sigh. A lot to think about, but he'll do it later. Not now. Like he's always done for things before, he'll keep moving forward.]

Sure. I'd be okay with that.

[A beat.]

What do you want? And don't tell me water.

[seafloor]

Then it's settled!

[ Kaito claps a hand on Verg's shoulder—softly, despite the speed of the motion. He has a lot on his mind, and though the empath wants nothing more than to ask and figure out what he did, there's probably a good reason why the Fixer isn't clarifying.

Or there isn't, and they're both just idiots bottling up their problems and feelings. Either way, Kaito directs them back to the stand. ]

I'm more of a tea person, if we're being honest. But black coffee is okay—it's a reflection of my soooooulll.

[ Idiot. ]

[immortalpoet]

[He moves to lightly whack the man on the back of the head.]

Don't be obnoxious. Tea it is.

[And he's moving forward to drone out his orders - black coffee, black tea - before pulling back to Kaito to wait. He is definitely ignoring the odd look from the stand owner.]

Are you...a fan of sugar?

[seafloor]

That's like telling me to suffocate, Boss.

[ Kaito takes the hit in stride, offering an apologetic bow of his head to the owner. He has no idea how it looked last time, after all.

The call for sugar tempts another bad joke, but he relents. ]

Nah. I don't like sweet things.

[immortalpoet]

You can handle it. Its like learning to hold your breath.

[Ah, another similarity. He nods, somehow not surprised.]

I see. Guess you didn't make much dessert as a chef...here we go.

[The drinks are ready - he pulls back with them in hand, offering the man his tea.]

Let's walk a bit.

[seafloor]

Funny thing about that...

[ He trails off, taking the proffered tea before immediately sipping. ]

Wriothesley thought the same, but I make desserts fairly often for others. It's good to have flexibility, even if you don't like eating what you make.

[ The sidewalk's looking real attractive now that they have drinks, so Kaito takes off first. ]

Have you gotten comfy with anyone else outside of Cityfolk yet, Boss?

[immortalpoet]

A man ready to satisfy the people, huh...

[And there's a difference. He wouldn't bow down to just provide what anyone wanted just because they wanted it.]

[....Maybe if he liked them, though.]

[He follows along, giving a shrug at the question.]

...There's been a few I've talked with. Not sure about "comfy", but some aren't especially irritating.

[seafloor]

Well, I was a chef. It was kinda my job. But I suppose some guests had it better than others.

[ His tongue pokes out. Kaito takes another sip while they stroll Neo Tokyo's scenic dingy streets. ]

That's good. You need plenty of tolerable company in order to balance me, I'm sure.

...It'd be funny if you've made more connections than I have by now. But I didn't think I'd be surprised.

[immortalpoet]

...

[Now that makes him let out an unbelieving scoff.]

Why is that? Haven't you met me?

[Its not like he's unaware of how offputting he can be.]

[seafloor]

[ Let him just pop his Malkuth mask on rq... ]

Your type attracts everyone, Vergilius. Tall, not so dark, prickly as hell...

[ Kaito drains his tea cup and bumps shoulders with the Fixer, grinning. ]

Everyone wants to either tease you or get past that spike wall and get to know you. Or in my case, both.

And before you ask—I know from experience.

[immortalpoet]

[What is this. Isn't he supposed to be this big scary Color Fixer, huh? Attracts everyone?]

[He makes a bit of face even with the shoulder bump, still disbelieving, but wondering if that's why people like Kaito and Malkuth keep wandering back into his life.]

And what experience is that? Your rose-colored glasses are on.

[seafloor]

No, I think I remember my childhood quite well. I was the little monster of the neighborhood, picking fights with kids twice my size and terrifying mothers everywhere.

I hated everyone, and everyone feared me. I thought that was the best way to live.

And then I got to high school, and idiots popped up everywhere—all wanting to make friends with Shibuya's little demon.

[ Kaito glances back to Verg, popping a smaller smile. ]

Maybe it's not the same as your story, but I recognize my type when I see them.

[immortalpoet]

...My childhood was different than yours.

[And it isn't as if his reputation asked for people to befriend him. It carried a level of intimidation he always liked to use. It worked out for him.]

[Except for....his Office. And he remembers Siegfried and his damn smiling face, like some golden retreiver who didn't understand anything in the world.]

[He looks back at Kaito, sees that smile, and lets out a little sigh.]

Regardless of you being a little monster...you're a charmer. I'm not. So there.

[seafloor]

One, you're going to make me blush. Two, I sure as shit wasn't a charmer when my attitude was closer to yours.

[ It's too bad. He really wants to mess with Verg for acknowledging him as a charmer. Anyway. ]

Point is, regardless of upbringing, you've got those qualities that draw people in for the aforementioned reasons.

[ He smiles again, patting the other's arm. ]

And you're just likeable enough for us to stick around, it seems.

[immortalpoet]

So you're saying I'm not a charmer if you're saying your previous attitude didn't make you one.

[TRYING TO ESCAPE THE CHARMER ALLEGATIONS STOPPPP HES GRUMPY AND CROTCHETY AND HE KNOWS IT!!!]

[He finishes off his coffee, shoving the man with his elbow lightly back. Tsun. >:/]

[(It feels a little strange, to be joking around after...all of that. But he can't think of it, now.)]

Yeah, yeah. Don't push it.

[seafloor]

[ Oh, Verg.... ]

You are many things, Vergilius. A charmer definitely isn't one of them. But you do have your own charm about you, that's for sure!

[ Laughs. Old tsun. ]

If I don't push it, who will? Malkuth doesn't count. You have absolutely no defense against her to begin with.

[immortalpoet]

...

[Yeah he is....going to lead this conversation away from her. He doesn't want a return to before.]

March 7th is trying to do her best on her end, too. Don't you all have better things to do?

[seafloor]

...

[ Hmm. Did Malkuth play a factor in Verg's mental state earlier? He'll have to keep that in mind.

For now, he shrugs. ]

Not really, no. We're all just doing part-time jobs in between kaiju attacks, y'know? I'm not surprised March wants to get to know you better. Best friend things.

Hey, that's a good topic. What the heck do you do for a living here, Boss?

[immortalpoet]

She's a bit of a busybody.

[please stop being mean old man]

[The question makes him shrug back his shoulders.]

Bodyguard. You?

[seafloor]

...Dietician.

[ Siiiiiigh. ]

I quit last week. I'm opening up a food cart.

[immortalpoet]

...

[pffffff]

Telling people to eat less. What a career. Can see why you changed.

[seafloor]

You should see my username on the network.

[ Kaito sends a quick text. ]

canesugar: LILITH thinks it's so fucking funny.

[immortalpoet]

[...]



[thats hilarious, actually]

Looks like I'm not the only one who thinks you need to be taken down a peg.