[To be fair, he was never going to let up anyway. He isn't one to break his word. One of the few things of his morals that is always present.]
[There is a bit of an amused huff.] Well, now I have wonder at my ability to be properly poetic. [The tone is teasing, though his face is also growing red. A soft crackle in the air that is almost assuredly his hair starting to light up.]
[He squeezes her hand on his cheek, his other hand moving to her side as he matched her gaze.]
I love you, Saya. [Tone soft, gentle, but it doesn't waver.]
[ Unfortunately seeing firsthand how much time he lost with his father makes her very hesitant to take up any more of it -- won't turn out to be an issue, shockingly. ]
[ She laughs softly at his light teasing. ] It's not your poetry that's at issue. I have a history of not believing good news the first time. [ SUCH a history. ]
[ The thing is though, that with Red Son she can't entirely disbelieve him. He was so deliberate and cautious with how he did this that he wouldn't say this casually. Even her looming hibernation isn't enough to make her run from it. ]
Besides, this way I get to say: I love you, too. [ Her smile turns a bit wry, ] Not that I expect you had any doubts. [ She's as subtle as a freight train. ]
I do have a few questions... [ Her tone indicates that this is nothing to be jumpy about ]
[At least this time he had friends before hand. Samadhi Fire was not conductive for friendships and those years between that and the imprisonment wasn't enough time for the fear of the fire to fade.]
[He hums. He does understand why she asked. He's not surprised she struggles with good news. It makes sense with her...everything.]
[The soft crackle definitely was more of that fwoosh sound, the blush getting worst, eyes flicking to the side, before meeting hers again with a shy smile.] I suppose that is a pretty good reason. Not that I had doubts.
[She is too much of a freight train to really doubt. As long as he wasn't deep in the insecurity.]
[ Much as she'd rather he be comfortable, the shyness is pretty cute. Her golden eyes aren't teasing in the way they look at him, though. ]
No, nothing unclear. It's more that "Kantera's place" thing. You could never step into his place... but he could never step into yours, either. I don't want us defining what we are based on what I have with him. Nor the other way around. What we have is only ours. [ She doesn't and will never rank the people she loves. She's not wired to think in that way. ]
So my question is... would you want this to be a courting gift? Because if you would, then I'll happily accept it as such. [ It's that simple, as far as she's concerned. ]
He's your husband. I didn't want to seem like I was disrespecting that. [The blush deepens at the question. Taking her hand, looking down at the bracelet, thumb tracing over her hand. Silent for several beats because he had already thought that it couldn't be a courting gift, so this was unexpected.]
I'd never think you were disrespecting my marriage to him. You value both of us too much for that. [ She has something of a different definition of "disrespect" than humans, is all. When you're from a truly polyamorous species this is how it goes. Kantera doesn't limit her and she can't imagine he'd have a problem with this. They might have to fiddle around with how much of their time they spend on Teyvat as a result, but again, she can't see a problem there. ]
[ The radiant smile on her face when he agrees was probably well worth the extra blushing. ]
Then a courting gift it is.
Which leads me to: I think we're at the point where I'll need an answer when I'm asked what we are to each other. [ The "no labels" thing doesn't work when you're wearing someone's family crest. And she doesn't think that's where he is anymore either. ]
[The room is definitely getting warmer with how much he's blushing and getting flustered, but he doesn't want to pull away either. Its]
[Its nice. There is a feeling of certainty now that helps his nerves. Knowing where he's at, and having those feelings returned. There are complicated emotions about a lot of other things, but having that much soothes something in him that he hadn't realized had been wound up.]
Ah...
I didn't think that far.
[A pause.] One who gives a courting gift is a suitor, and usually when courting progresses, its to fiance. Girlfriend and boyfriend is a term mortals have been using that is in that quasi point.
[ The warmth is pleasant actually, Saya's body temperature is cooling by the day. Even if she were uncomfortably warm she wouldn't want him to pull away, however. (She does feel herself getting tired again, but she shrugs it off. Her sleep won't take this moment from her.) ]
[ She wrinkles her nose in mild distaste. ] I never cared much for the mortal words. [ She spent so long letting humans define her. And anyway the words are so gendered. ] Chiropterans don't so much have a word for it, unfortunately. [ It's Chevalier or bust and she can't use that. ]
Suitor I like better. Or partner or paramour...
...It's not so important, I suppose. My resistance to being defined in human terms any further might be stretched too far in this instance, it's only semantics.
[He nods.] Labels can be difficult when the streamline between confirmed mutual interest to something like a marriage, or consort, or concubine was always so prevalent.
I would be fine with suitor. Or partner or paramour. [He kisses her hand again.] Since....well, you have more experience in regards to these things. I would be fine with a word that feels good to you.
Part of me belongs to you and part of you belongs to me and that's what mattes.
[ This discussion might be moot given that she has all of a handful of days to throw any such word around. But still... it feels nice to discuss little things as if that's not the case. ] A shame about consort, I like that one. [ She's teasing, clearly. Queens and consorts go together is all. ]
I do tend to use partner for even casual situations, just habit really. [ And so she doesn't call them hookups or something equally disrespectful, by and large these are people she cares for greatly. A whole slew of them. ]
[ Her smile softens when he kisses her hand. ] We can try some of them out. You're right, the sentiment is what matters.
I'm glad this could happen... before... [ well. The elephant in the room. ]
[Red Son hums and grins a bit despite the blush.] Consort might be a little too close to married and while I would not say that thought isn't appealing, I am pretty sure my mother would never forgive me if I ever had anything like a wedding without her present. She loves arranging an extravagant party.
We can start with partners as something solid, and try out the others to see what feels right.
Far be it for me to land outside your mother's good graces before we even have a chance to meet. [ Gotta stay in the parents' theoretical good books! ]
It's a little funny, assuming we get that far that would be my first wedding. My husband and I never really bothered. We did something together, made all the promises one makes, but not in front of anyone. [ They might also have had wedding trauma from D.Va's disappearing act. ]
[ Saya leans closer again to rest against him. Equally as a comfort as because she's tired. ] I know it will. I'll still know you. You called me back before, it won't be so hard to do again. [ Just a longer process. ]
It is best to air on the side of caution. Mother is extremely unforgiving.
To be fair, a demon wedding isn't quite the same of what humans do either. We do have our politics and proper etiquette, but that's usually only the start. Well, if you don't count the courtnapping as part of it, that is always debatable. It can get rather rowdy. There have been weddings that have wrecked villages before. [Demons go hard.]
[His smile gets a little more sad, but he pulls her close, moving to bury his face against her neck.] I did. I'll call you back again. If our next test fails. [Which it almost surely will, but he doesn't want her to think he lacks hope. He's just realistic of his own abilities.] It all just takes time.
I get more sure that I'll like your mother every time you speak of her. [ Saya is from a matriarchal species, she respects strong women. ]
That all sounds much better than the human version. Although now I'm wondering if I missed my chance to be courtnapped. That would be a shame.
[ Saya lets her expression falter when he pulls her close and can't see it, just for three seconds. Three seconds of being overwhelmed with grief about how very much she has to lose, and then she draws a breath and pushes past it. He needs her to. ] Whatever time it takes, it'll be worth it in the end.
Do you know when the next one will be? It's not an exact science to know how long before I...
She is quite the woman. [Just ignore how condescending she can be with Red Son. Centuries of codependency and depression isn't the best. They're working on it.]
Not necessarily. Courtnapping doesn't always have to be wholly unexpected. Its much like a proposal. If you've done the courtship right, you're aware your target isn't going to be truly invested in actually escaping. Testing is still common, of course, but not invested in succeeding at their escape.
...the next few days. I have some samples growing for the injections that will hopefully make the changes we need.
Much as I don't mind it here, I really can't wait to meet them. [ Hmm the Queen will ignore or not-ignore what she likes, thank you. But she does know how to be deft with diplomacy when she must, at least. One doesn't traipse all over the world peeking into hidden places without learning a thing or two. Also spending a year in Okinawa just outside the military base while being raised by an American put a fine point on things. ]
Wonderful. Do be sure to stash me somewhere comfortable, since I won't be wanting to escape. [ She's just lightly teasing, since the other thing they're discussing is so un-light. ]
[ She nods at his timeline. ] That should be fine. Ten days, perhaps, is my best guess. [ More like six but the progression is exponential toward the end, which none of them have any way to know. Nothing like getting a "surprise, it's now or never!" text, right? ]
They'll love you. [If they could decide to hang out with MK's family, then Saya would be a breath of fresh air honestly.]
[Sometimes your family is full of a lot of trauma, bad personalities, and codependency issues, and you just kind of need to work through it some months in the desert.]
Well, of course. Part of courtnapping is showing off your wealth. Strength, wealth, and capability. The room should be the nicest in the home with the best security.
[THE ABSOLUTE WORST TEXT.] That does seem to be the rate with how often you're sleeping. But I'm hopeful. [Hopeful he's on the right path, but working this time-]
That's the plan, yes. [ Wait until Red Son sees her aristocrat mode, he'll probably choke. Being a test subject to that human piece of shit wasn't fun but it did prepare her well for how to handle these things. She'll impress his parents or die trying -- although really she'd bet on her real trial being via combat. Which of course isn't a problem. ]
Best security indeed. It would take your technological wizardry to keep me locked away. Not that I recommend you try it at any other time. [ As she's mentioned, she doesn't do well with confinement. (This will get worse after her cure turns her instincts up to eleven.) ]
If things get desperate there's always trying to transfuse me with the blood of some of the various gods and immortals that are floating around here. [ Such as Wukong but she's not trying to poke that bear. ]
[Honestly, it just might be. Princess Iron Fan and Demon Bull King very much appreciate strength. And Princess Iron Fan will appreciate someone who can front better than her boys because Red Son and DBK are certainly the passionate and emotional sort.]
Of course not. I'll make sure its so nice you don't even notice. [He honestly would have skipped the courtnapping BECAUSE of that, but...well, she's the one expressing Interest.]
That is the base of the current premise. The Noodle Boy really was a lucky arrival. He's a clean stone monkey sample. Wukong has so much outside enchantments, it would be impossible to guarantee anything of the outcome, not without a lot more time than we had. Especially with Lao Tzu's work in the mix. A being born from a stone is closer to what you are than what we were working with before. [What with her turning to stone at death. There's definitely gotten be some similarities.]
[ Saya wouldn't bet on any test his parents have for her being easy, though she's confident she can at least be impressive throughout the process. ]
I don't doubt you for a second. You do things halfway about as often as I do. [ Which is to say, never. ]
[ The concept does interest her, mainly because it's a tradition of his culture's so how could it not? The confinement thing is easy enough to get around by wanting to be there, that's how she can be in small, crowded rooms without losing her mind. It's when she doesn't have the option, or can't convince herself that she has the option, that she starts getting twitchy. ]
Our initial chrysalis is petrified, as well. I wouldn't have made that connection until you mentioned it.
Hardly reason to not be excellent at everything you do. [Half assing things sounds like quitter talk.]
It did take me a bit to think of it. Noodle Boy offered to help with my project and while thinking about if there was something, I realized the similarities could be very helpful. And he was willing to just give me blood without asking questions...
[Since he hadn't known if she'd told him about it yet.]
My sentiments exactly. [ Saya's hardly exceptional at everything but mostly because she focuses on where her interests lie. Cooking being the lone exception and it's not that she's no good at it so much as she's convinced herself that she's not. Long annoying human-related trauma story. ]
I appreciate you letting me tell him myself. I didn't really know him yet, after all. [ And she generally likes to tell people about her horrific life herself. ] Even if doing it that way did lead to the scroll being here.
--By the way, his plan to use it to recover my memories won't work. While I was in there I found myself stumbling through the dark quite a bit. I thought there was something wrong with it until I started catching wisps of conversation or a flash of a scene. Only the memories I'm conscious of download into the thing and the rest is just a fog with occasional glimpses. Because I'm not from your world, I'm guessing.
He can get ahead of himself. Its the hero way. Rush off to help without really thinking it through. [A sigh.] If he had said something before had, I could have told him I had a tablet we could do tests with.
...more than likely, yes. Its a recorder. A robust recorder, to be sure, but if there is no reference, it can't make a copy. It likely only got as much of you as it did was because you went into it.
He was trying to help. He's probably not used to a situation he can't solve. I'd have told him no myself if I weren't completely out of it at the time. This was while I was still missing most of my memories. By the time I asked him what he meant, he had already requested the scroll.
In any case, I'm almost relieved. It would have been tempting if it had my whole history in there, and I can't imagine anything worse than walking through hundreds or thousands of years of memories that are mostly death and torture.
He has encountered situations he can't solve right away, and usually has to go back to them again. The whole reason we worked together during the Spider Queen thing was because he couldn't think of anything, so he decided to trust my plan. They had thought I was working for her at first, so that's where we were on the trusting scale.
That was also my concern. Its why I was going to wait a while to even try the tablet. Rewatching it all, especially that way...it could be far too overwhelming.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 15th, 2023 11:46 pm (UTC)[There is a bit of an amused huff.] Well, now I have wonder at my ability to be properly poetic. [The tone is teasing, though his face is also growing red. A soft crackle in the air that is almost assuredly his hair starting to light up.]
[He squeezes her hand on his cheek, his other hand moving to her side as he matched her gaze.]
I love you, Saya. [Tone soft, gentle, but it doesn't waver.]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 15th, 2023 11:59 pm (UTC)[ She laughs softly at his light teasing. ] It's not your poetry that's at issue. I have a history of not believing good news the first time. [ SUCH a history. ]
[ The thing is though, that with Red Son she can't entirely disbelieve him. He was so deliberate and cautious with how he did this that he wouldn't say this casually. Even her looming hibernation isn't enough to make her run from it. ]
Besides, this way I get to say: I love you, too. [ Her smile turns a bit wry, ] Not that I expect you had any doubts. [ She's as subtle as a freight train. ]
I do have a few questions... [ Her tone indicates that this is nothing to be jumpy about ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 12:14 am (UTC)[He hums. He does understand why she asked. He's not surprised she struggles with good news. It makes sense with her...everything.]
[The soft crackle definitely was more of that fwoosh sound, the blush getting worst, eyes flicking to the side, before meeting hers again with a shy smile.] I suppose that is a pretty good reason. Not that I had doubts.
[She is too much of a freight train to really doubt. As long as he wasn't deep in the insecurity.]
...what is it? Was I unclear about something?
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 12:23 am (UTC)No, nothing unclear. It's more that "Kantera's place" thing. You could never step into his place... but he could never step into yours, either. I don't want us defining what we are based on what I have with him. Nor the other way around. What we have is only ours. [ She doesn't and will never rank the people she loves. She's not wired to think in that way. ]
So my question is... would you want this to be a courting gift? Because if you would, then I'll happily accept it as such. [ It's that simple, as far as she's concerned. ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 12:38 am (UTC)[An unexpected turn.]
He's your husband. I didn't want to seem like I was disrespecting that. [The blush deepens at the question. Taking her hand, looking down at the bracelet, thumb tracing over her hand. Silent for several beats because he had already thought that it couldn't be a courting gift, so this was unexpected.]
I...
I think I would like that.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 12:45 am (UTC)[ The radiant smile on her face when he agrees was probably well worth the extra blushing. ]
Then a courting gift it is.
Which leads me to: I think we're at the point where I'll need an answer when I'm asked what we are to each other. [ The "no labels" thing doesn't work when you're wearing someone's family crest. And she doesn't think that's where he is anymore either. ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 12:56 am (UTC)[Its nice. There is a feeling of certainty now that helps his nerves. Knowing where he's at, and having those feelings returned. There are complicated emotions about a lot of other things, but having that much soothes something in him that he hadn't realized had been wound up.]
Ah...
I didn't think that far.
[A pause.] One who gives a courting gift is a suitor, and usually when courting progresses, its to fiance. Girlfriend and boyfriend is a term mortals have been using that is in that quasi point.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 01:15 am (UTC)[ She wrinkles her nose in mild distaste. ] I never cared much for the mortal words. [ She spent so long letting humans define her. And anyway the words are so gendered. ] Chiropterans don't so much have a word for it, unfortunately. [ It's Chevalier or bust and she can't use that. ]
Suitor I like better. Or partner or paramour...
...It's not so important, I suppose. My resistance to being defined in human terms any further might be stretched too far in this instance, it's only semantics.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 01:25 am (UTC)I would be fine with suitor. Or partner or paramour. [He kisses her hand again.] Since....well, you have more experience in regards to these things. I would be fine with a word that feels good to you.
Part of me belongs to you and part of you belongs to me and that's what mattes.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 01:46 am (UTC)I do tend to use partner for even casual situations, just habit really. [ And so she doesn't call them hookups or something equally disrespectful, by and large these are people she cares for greatly.
A whole slew of them.][ Her smile softens when he kisses her hand. ] We can try some of them out. You're right, the sentiment is what matters.
I'm glad this could happen... before... [ well. The elephant in the room. ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 01:57 am (UTC)We can start with partners as something solid, and try out the others to see what feels right.
[Ah. The elephant.] It'll still be happening.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 02:08 am (UTC)It's a little funny, assuming we get that far that would be my first wedding. My husband and I never really bothered. We did something together, made all the promises one makes, but not in front of anyone. [ They might also have had wedding trauma from D.Va's disappearing act. ]
[ Saya leans closer again to rest against him. Equally as a comfort as because she's tired. ] I know it will. I'll still know you. You called me back before, it won't be so hard to do again. [ Just a longer process. ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 02:34 am (UTC)To be fair, a demon wedding isn't quite the same of what humans do either. We do have our politics and proper etiquette, but that's usually only the start. Well, if you don't count the courtnapping as part of it, that is always debatable. It can get rather rowdy. There have been weddings that have wrecked villages before. [Demons go hard.]
[His smile gets a little more sad, but he pulls her close, moving to bury his face against her neck.] I did. I'll call you back again. If our next test fails. [Which it almost surely will, but he doesn't want her to think he lacks hope. He's just realistic of his own abilities.] It all just takes time.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 02:50 am (UTC)That all sounds much better than the human version. Although now I'm wondering if I missed my chance to be courtnapped. That would be a shame.
[ Saya lets her expression falter when he pulls her close and can't see it, just for three seconds. Three seconds of being overwhelmed with grief about how very much she has to lose, and then she draws a breath and pushes past it. He needs her to. ] Whatever time it takes, it'll be worth it in the end.
Do you know when the next one will be? It's not an exact science to know how long before I...
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 03:34 am (UTC)Not necessarily. Courtnapping doesn't always have to be wholly unexpected. Its much like a proposal. If you've done the courtship right, you're aware your target isn't going to be truly invested in actually escaping. Testing is still common, of course, but not invested in succeeding at their escape.
...the next few days. I have some samples growing for the injections that will hopefully make the changes we need.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 03:42 am (UTC)Wonderful. Do be sure to stash me somewhere comfortable, since I won't be wanting to escape. [ She's just lightly teasing, since the other thing they're discussing is so un-light. ]
[ She nods at his timeline. ] That should be fine. Ten days, perhaps, is my best guess. [ More like six but the progression is exponential toward the end, which none of them have any way to know. Nothing like getting a "surprise, it's now or never!" text, right? ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 04:30 am (UTC)[Sometimes your family is full of a lot of trauma, bad personalities, and codependency issues, and you just kind of need to work through it some months in the desert.]
Well, of course. Part of courtnapping is showing off your wealth. Strength, wealth, and capability. The room should be the nicest in the home with the best security.
[THE ABSOLUTE WORST TEXT.] That does seem to be the rate with how often you're sleeping. But I'm hopeful. [Hopeful he's on the right path, but working this time-]
[Well, close enough.]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 04:42 am (UTC)Best security indeed. It would take your technological wizardry to keep me locked away. Not that I recommend you try it at any other time. [ As she's mentioned, she doesn't do well with confinement. (This will get worse after her cure turns her instincts up to eleven.) ]
If things get desperate there's always trying to transfuse me with the blood of some of the various gods and immortals that are floating around here. [ Such as Wukong but she's not trying to poke that bear. ]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 04:52 am (UTC)Of course not. I'll make sure its so nice you don't even notice. [He honestly would have skipped the courtnapping BECAUSE of that, but...well, she's the one expressing Interest.]
That is the base of the current premise. The Noodle Boy really was a lucky arrival. He's a clean stone monkey sample. Wukong has so much outside enchantments, it would be impossible to guarantee anything of the outcome, not without a lot more time than we had. Especially with Lao Tzu's work in the mix. A being born from a stone is closer to what you are than what we were working with before. [What with her turning to stone at death. There's definitely gotten be some similarities.]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 05:06 am (UTC)I don't doubt you for a second. You do things halfway about as often as I do. [ Which is to say, never. ]
[ The concept does interest her, mainly because it's a tradition of his culture's so how could it not? The confinement thing is easy enough to get around by wanting to be there, that's how she can be in small, crowded rooms without losing her mind. It's when she doesn't have the option, or can't convince herself that she has the option, that she starts getting twitchy. ]
Our initial chrysalis is petrified, as well. I wouldn't have made that connection until you mentioned it.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 06:27 am (UTC)It did take me a bit to think of it. Noodle Boy offered to help with my project and while thinking about if there was something, I realized the similarities could be very helpful. And he was willing to just give me blood without asking questions...
[Since he hadn't known if she'd told him about it yet.]
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 06:40 am (UTC)I appreciate you letting me tell him myself. I didn't really know him yet, after all. [ And she generally likes to tell people about her horrific life herself. ] Even if doing it that way did lead to the scroll being here.
--By the way, his plan to use it to recover my memories won't work. While I was in there I found myself stumbling through the dark quite a bit. I thought there was something wrong with it until I started catching wisps of conversation or a flash of a scene. Only the memories I'm conscious of download into the thing and the rest is just a fog with occasional glimpses. Because I'm not from your world, I'm guessing.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 06:50 am (UTC)...more than likely, yes. Its a recorder. A robust recorder, to be sure, but if there is no reference, it can't make a copy. It likely only got as much of you as it did was because you went into it.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 06:56 am (UTC)In any case, I'm almost relieved. It would have been tempting if it had my whole history in there, and I can't imagine anything worse than walking through hundreds or thousands of years of memories that are mostly death and torture.
(no subject)
Date: Sep. 16th, 2023 07:02 am (UTC)That was also my concern. Its why I was going to wait a while to even try the tablet. Rewatching it all, especially that way...it could be far too overwhelming.
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