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
[ He feels it before she confirms, but Kaito still feels a frown pull at his lips when he hears the delivery.
When he pulls away, it's to the door he retreats, not her bed. He stares at the steel, pensive, maybe a little... He can't quantify the other blip of emotion he's feeling right now. ]
Okay. [ Belated, but a reply nonetheless. ] A simple 'no' would have sufficed—that kinda hurt—but I think I understand a ltttle better now.
[ The dragon turns his gaze over and down, offering an apologetic smile. ]
This seems like a good time to separate and process our feelings. Where we can both be in control.
[ It's going to be a task to navigate that base need, he realizes. To control, and to be in control.
A beat. Kaito smiles again. He isn't pushing forward just yet. Something odd yet familiar gnaws at him from the recessed of his memories. ]
...I would like to stay, though. I just... don't know if you want me to anymore.
[ is all she offers up, slowing her heart as she watches him with some uncertainty. they're still friends. at base, they're still friends. but just as he doesn't know if he can give her all she might want, she doesn't know the same. ]
... I hope someday, you feel comfortable enough not to read me like that. So if you feel like it's better to go, for yourself or for me, then go ahead. I'm only a few doors down.
[ and she always ever will be, as long as she has a say in it. ]
[ malkuth'd turned back to her carving, careful to skim just enough
skin off her finger, staring at the welling blood with a groan as she wraps it tight in her shirt to stem the scrape and set the cat aside again, knocking the door open with her ankle. she is trying so hard not to be annoyed but it's just the irritation of being startled it's her fault for not using the gloves she promised rodya she'd buy.
He's changed into black sweatpants and a bright fucking yellow Everlight shirt that's seen a few paint and food and soil stains. A pair of gloves are tucked under his arm and a few birch blocks sit haphazardly in his hands.
He also immediately squints at her wrapped finger. ]
...
Good thing I brought gloves.
[ A beat. He looks up, sheepish. ]
...Hi. I'm Stupid, from down the hall.
I'd like to spend some time with my best friend doing something fun instead of going a week and a half straight full of guilt.
[ ... she really didn't think he'd be back, so she stands there a moment before glancing at his materials and easing, a grin tugging at her lips. ]
There might be. As long as you promise to clean your space when you're done.
[ and she'll step back in with a wave of her uninjured hand, searching through her nightstand before finding the needed bandages (few as they are, now) and going back to sit at her desk. don't worry she'll put her gloves on before she starts again. ]
There's not exactly a lot of room though, so... make do. What're you thinking of making? I've been asking people's favorite animals and using that as practice myself.
[ Despite his nonchalant reintroduction, the relief that washes over Kaito is palpable even to cinderblocks. He's quick to dart in and chuck his things on the bed. ]
I'm literally eighty-five percent water elemental. What part about me isn't clean, huh? And you should let me heal that cut.
[ There it is. Finally. A no frills grin. But he does hold his hand out expectantly. ]
I'm making a surprise, so I can't talk about it yet. I have a teeeeeeny bit of experience from the one time I read a whittling book in university, so we're basically on par with each other.
No, I have more experience. I've been doing this for a week or two now.
[ ha!!! ha!!! she's the senior here!!! but she'll narrow her eyes at him, playfully suspicious, before tugging off her glove with her teeth and handing her. well. hand over. ]
It's a pretty good way to keep myself busy though, when I'm not dragging people out to eat with me. And they make fine little gifts.
[ Kaito sticks his tongue out as his eyes spark blue. He flourishes his fingers in a circle over Malkuth's hand, dousing her finger in his regular healing magics—slow and steady.
A bandaid is then snatched and wrapped around the digit. ]
There. All better, soon. [ Kaito grabs a slender block and... doesn't put his gloves on. ]
By the way, I'll have to borrow a knife. I hope you have a spare. Don't ask where this wood came from.
[ please. she's taking his gloves and tossing them at his face first, then turns away to peer at her carving knives before handing it back at him. her hand tingles from his magic, and stays that way once she's tugged her glove back on. ]
Start with that one, it'll be easiest to score off larger swipes than what I'm using for detail work... and probably that weird pocket dimension Rumba's in. How's he doing?
[ Kaito sticks his tongue out again before slipping his gloves on. A little fiddling with the knife serves as a quick reboot on the memories of his time carving in university.
...Nostalgia. Within a few minutes, he's carved out an evenly-shaped prism, spinning it on the flat or the knife. ]
The library will be fine without a chunk or ten. Rumba's... okay. A little lonely. He's been getting lethargic lately. I'm worried.
[ it's nice to listen to, careful as she carves out the tail of the sleeping cat. maybe she should see if netzach would like to do something like this too... mm. ]
Poor guy... Maybe he just needs something to play with. Why don't you adopt one of the strays that love you so much? I'll come by and visit with my ducks when I get them, too.
[ Ducks? A quirky smile quirks it's way into Kaito's quirky face. ]
...And here I thought that was just a preference from the Library. Are you really planning on housing ducks here?
[ Snicker, snicker. Kaito reaches for a detailing knife, but doesn't start working with it just yet. ]
I had originally wanted to adopt a stray or two, but... I think they're better left alone.
The outside is their home, after all. They belong there. Rumba and the other hybrids being withheld from LILITH...
They're like us. Outsiders with no proper home. I wouldn't want to cramp any of those cats in here with Rumba. I'll find a proper playmate for him.
[ With that, he sets about flicking the top of the detailing knife into his prism. ] But that's just my personal opinion. Until then, I'll try bringing a few more toys. And maybe your ducks will bring him some joy.
I am. Ryoji said he'd help parent them, so we're gonna work something out together.
[ mama malkuth and papa ryoji... it makes sense though, that he'd leave them there; at the same time, she thinks they might be happier indoors. or could become happier indoors. they'd certainly live longer, wouldn't they?
the questions press at her mind as she sets the cat aside, finished, and reaches for a small resting duck she'd carved only a little bit earlier. its partners thus delivered. ]
... I dunno. I mean, they're only strays because they lost their homes, right? What's wrong with trying to give them new ones? And your domain was pretty spacious... I could see feeding them being a hassle, though.
Ducks have been my favorite animal since my first life, by the way.
[ she stops playing with the carved animal for a moment to pluck a yellow pen from a cup, a small similarly colored duck head set atop it, and wiggles it at him. ]
This is a birthday gift I got from someone at the end of March, and it's my current most prized possession. It sort of reminds me of the one I used to have back then, and in the Library too, so... I'm really touched. Especially since I doubt Yesod remembers the before times too well.
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no subject
When he pulls away, it's to the door he retreats, not her bed. He stares at the steel, pensive, maybe a little... He can't quantify the other blip of emotion he's feeling right now. ]
Okay. [ Belated, but a reply nonetheless. ] A simple 'no' would have sufficed—that kinda hurt—but I think I understand a ltttle better now.
[ The dragon turns his gaze over and down, offering an apologetic smile. ]
This seems like a good time to separate and process our feelings. Where we can both be in control.
[ It's going to be a task to navigate that base need, he realizes. To control, and to be in control.
A beat. Kaito smiles again. He isn't pushing forward just yet. Something odd yet familiar gnaws at him from the recessed of his memories. ]
...I would like to stay, though. I just... don't know if you want me to anymore.
Thoughts?
no subject
[ is all she offers up, slowing her heart as she watches him with some uncertainty. they're still friends. at base, they're still friends. but just as he doesn't know if he can give her all she might want, she doesn't know the same. ]
... I hope someday, you feel comfortable enough not to read me like that. So if you feel like it's better to go, for yourself or for me, then go ahead. I'm only a few doors down.
[ and she always ever will be, as long as she has a say in it. ]
no subject
[ It seems Kaito's finally out of words. He just bumps his knee forward on the door, prompting it to open.
I'm only a few doors down.
An effortless, fathomless distance. A distance regardless. Kaito just nods before silently walking out. ]
no subject
loud and insistent.
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-smack. ]
no subject
skin off her finger, staring at the welling blood with a groan as she wraps it tight in her shirt to stem the scrape and set the cat aside again, knocking the door open with her ankle. she is trying so hard not to be annoyed but it's just the irritation of being startled it's her fault for not using the gloves she promised rodya she'd buy.
what is it.............. who is it........ ]
no subject
He's changed into black sweatpants and a bright fucking yellow Everlight shirt that's seen a few paint and food and soil stains. A pair of gloves are tucked under his arm and a few birch blocks sit haphazardly in his hands.
He also immediately squints at her wrapped finger. ]
...
Good thing I brought gloves.
[ A beat. He looks up, sheepish. ]
...Hi. I'm Stupid, from down the hall.
I'd like to spend some time with my best friend doing something fun instead of going a week and a half straight full of guilt.
Is there an opening tonight?
no subject
There might be. As long as you promise to clean your space when you're done.
[ and she'll step back in with a wave of her uninjured hand, searching through her nightstand before finding the needed bandages (few as they are, now) and going back to sit at her desk. don't worry she'll put her gloves on before she starts again. ]
There's not exactly a lot of room though, so... make do. What're you thinking of making? I've been asking people's favorite animals and using that as practice myself.
no subject
I'm literally eighty-five percent water elemental. What part about me isn't clean, huh? And you should let me heal that cut.
[ There it is. Finally. A no frills grin. But he does hold his hand out expectantly. ]
I'm making a surprise, so I can't talk about it yet. I have a teeeeeeny bit of experience from the one time I read a whittling book in university, so we're basically on par with each other.
no subject
[ ha!!! ha!!! she's the senior here!!! but she'll narrow her eyes at him, playfully suspicious, before tugging off her glove with her teeth and handing her. well. hand over. ]
It's a pretty good way to keep myself busy though, when I'm not dragging people out to eat with me. And they make fine little gifts.
no subject
[ Kaito sticks his tongue out as his eyes spark blue. He flourishes his fingers in a circle over Malkuth's hand, dousing her finger in his regular healing magics—slow and steady.
A bandaid is then snatched and wrapped around the digit. ]
There. All better, soon. [ Kaito grabs a slender block and... doesn't put his gloves on. ]
By the way, I'll have to borrow a knife. I hope you have a spare. Don't ask where this wood came from.
no subject
Start with that one, it'll be easiest to score off larger swipes than what I'm using for detail work... and probably that weird pocket dimension Rumba's in. How's he doing?
no subject
You're not allowed to guess, either.
[ Kaito sticks his tongue out again before slipping his gloves on. A little fiddling with the knife serves as a quick reboot on the memories of his time carving in university.
...Nostalgia. Within a few minutes, he's carved out an evenly-shaped prism, spinning it on the flat or the knife. ]
The library will be fine without a chunk or ten. Rumba's... okay. A little lonely. He's been getting lethargic lately. I'm worried.
no subject
Poor guy... Maybe he just needs something to play with. Why don't you adopt one of the strays that love you so much? I'll come by and visit with my ducks when I get them, too.
no subject
...And here I thought that was just a preference from the Library. Are you really planning on housing ducks here?
[ Snicker, snicker. Kaito reaches for a detailing knife, but doesn't start working with it just yet. ]
I had originally wanted to adopt a stray or two, but... I think they're better left alone.
The outside is their home, after all. They belong there. Rumba and the other hybrids being withheld from LILITH...
They're like us. Outsiders with no proper home. I wouldn't want to cramp any of those cats in here with Rumba. I'll find a proper playmate for him.
[ With that, he sets about flicking the top of the detailing knife into his prism. ] But that's just my personal opinion. Until then, I'll try bringing a few more toys. And maybe your ducks will bring him some joy.
no subject
[ mama malkuth and papa ryoji... it makes sense though, that he'd leave them there; at the same time, she thinks they might be happier indoors. or could become happier indoors. they'd certainly live longer, wouldn't they?
the questions press at her mind as she sets the cat aside, finished, and reaches for a small resting duck she'd carved only a little bit earlier. its partners thus delivered. ]
... I dunno. I mean, they're only strays because they lost their homes, right? What's wrong with trying to give them new ones? And your domain was pretty spacious... I could see feeding them being a hassle, though.
Ducks have been my favorite animal since my first life, by the way.
[ she stops playing with the carved animal for a moment to pluck a yellow pen from a cup, a small similarly colored duck head set atop it, and wiggles it at him. ]
This is a birthday gift I got from someone at the end of March, and it's my current most prized possession. It sort of reminds me of the one I used to have back then, and in the Library too, so... I'm really touched. Especially since I doubt Yesod remembers the before times too well.