I had it made, but yes. It took forever... you'll see.
[ She reaches into her hammerspace pocket and pulls out a small box that's wrapped in folded red and gold fabric, just scraps from some of the DBF clothes she's working on. When he opens it there's a solid metallic hair pin inside, rounded in a way that makes it clear it's to hold his ponytail in place. The design has a cut red gem in the center and is shaped in such a way that invokes thoughts of a bat without strictly being one, with more red gems curling along the sides. ]
That's some of my gems in it. I wanted to give you one to wear, but I didn't want to interfere with your hands since you work with them so often. [ And necklaces were out of the question, of course. ]
Part of what took so long is that finding a machine that could cut one made from a live Chiropteran was an endeavor, part was that the enchantment took forever to get right.
Heat it up. Gradually, but don't hold back the heat.
[ As he heats it, the gem starts to glow a deep crimson like the magic of Saya's fires. As the temperature increases, a red flame rises from the gem in the vague shape of a bat stretching its wings. ]
I made it extra durable, no need to baby it. That sucker will survive anything short of the Samadhi fire.
[He holds out his hands for the box and there's a bit of a chuckle when he first sees it, just because there is a bit of irony there.]
[Then he fully takes it in, smiling as he runs his hand over it.]
[Until she says its her gems and he looks up in surprise. He imagines gems from living Chiropteran wasn't as big of a deal as a live one, but he is also certain it still means a whole lot.]
[He hesitates a moment, looking down as he heats up the hair pin. And its thoughtful. Pragmatic too, with how often he sets his hair ablaze. He always has to regularly coat his hair ties in enchantments so they don't burn up like his clothes.]
[His face is getting red, embers flickering his his hair and]
[Ugh, he needs to talk to her, but this was-]
[He holds it back out to her with one hand.]
[Turning so his back is to her, tilting back his head so she can easily get to his hair.]
[ Having him wear a piece of her will Help with the talking, trust. ]
[ She watches him take it in, hoping the silence isn't a bad sign. She doesn't think this is overstepping but... ]
[ Oh, that's why he's turning his back. She scoots forward, removes his hair tie and puts the pin in his hair. Then a brief kiss to the back of his neck. And she takes a quick picture with her phone, which she shows him. So he can see it in. ]
I had wanted to get something you could see, but this will have to do. We can't have you wearing something that will get in the way of your work.
If calming down is what you're after then I'm pleased about that, but you being so passionate is part of what I love about you. I'd never try to change that.
[ Intensity isn't a bug, it's a feature. ]
[ She beams when he kisses her. ] I'm glad you like it.
--Do I get that box now? [ Or does the Talk come first ]
I can be passionate with less wanting to set my work on fire if I'm particularly frustrated.
[He's just saying.]
Yes, yes.
Its not as nice, but. [He'll open up the box for her to see a golden haircomb, with a red ruby heart and red ruby tears surrounding it.] The coincidence is amusing. [He takes the comb out of the box.] May I?
[She just gave him a very sweet and thoughtful gift and he doesn't want to utterly ruin the mood, but he's already delayed ONCE because it would have been THE WORST TIME and if he keeps delaying, MK may start thinking he's ashamed or something asinine and there is a greater risk of Saya finding out some other way that WOULD make it hurt more and-]
[Better to ruin a good mood, than a bad one.]
[He just might never get to air this hair piece in front of her and she may never be able to look at pandas again, but...but that was the real worst case scenarios, right? The reasonable ones?]
[ It's a good thing she's also a fast eater, because she has the sandwich down by the time he speaks. ]
[ The first thing Saya does is shut her eyes, because she knows they'll be glowing a fierce red. Her instincts rising up enough to choke her. She doesn't want to project the wrong idea, and she's scary when she's -- angry. Hurt. ]
[ But there is more than hurt and anger, much more. As she's said, she never feels just one way about anything. So it's not a lie when she says: ]
Thank every deity in the multiverse. You two were driving me crazy.
[ And if her voice is a little pinched, a little bit too cheerful to be fully genuine, don't mind it. She's doing her best. Even if her instincts are screaming and roiling and she wants to hoard what's hers and unleash her fists and fangs on the threat, to take and take and-- ]
[ No. Breathe. She curls her knees to her chest, arms wrapped tight around her legs. Protectively. ]
[ She's not a hatchling anymore, she can manage this. Her newly enhanced instincts can't compete with how much she loves both Red Son and MK and wants them to be happy. She encouraged this, she pushed for this. She knew it was inevitable. (If she tried to forbid it, to make Red Son choose, she's so certain that she wouldn't like what he chose.) And she has a new partner herself, her sixth, and he's not losing his mind over it, in fact he's happy for her, so don't be a hypocrite. Red Son is so understanding of her having so many partners, and they have an agreement, and she knew, she knew this was coming, she should have been ready, she thought she was ready-- ]
[ She has his bite on her neck, his family crest on her wrist. Her position with him is secure. Unless he goes back to his world without her, unless he forgets... a fear that will become all the more potent within a few days when Venti is suddenly gone. ]
[ She pictures her wings bursting out, how quickly she could be up and away, the air a cold snap in her lungs as she escapes this feeling. Flee from her problems as she is so wont to do, fly at top speed to the edge of the map and maybe outrun all the dark thoughts in her head. ]
[ Breathe. ]
[ It's going to be fine. She knows he loves her. Without question. She knows MK wouldn't want her to feel this way, feel threatened. He wouldn't want her to run, she'd only hurt them both. So she stays put. For now. That could change at any second. Doing this outside was perhaps not the best move, there's too many ways she could run. She's considering all of them. ]
[ She doesn't dare open her eyes yet, or say anything else. ]
[ She just needs a minute. It might be a rough minute. ]
[Red Son hadn't wanted her to feel cornered. He hadn't wanted to ruin some place important to her. He hadn't wanted to do this in a place where others would see. Even as he hopes it'll be fine, the dark voices are too strong to dismiss to not decide on the ultimal place to tell her.]
[And when there wasn't one....]
[Well, that's why there's a tracker in the hair comb.]
[A nice hair comb, a gift for her to keep, but in this specific instance, it was to be sure he would be able to go after her, regardless of how fast or where she chooses to run.]
[He'll tell her about it when this conversation is done and they're somewhere stable.]
[He glances at her at the sentence and just]
[Waits]
[Waits for her to say anything else. To ask questions. Or give a sign for him to talk.]
[Instead she just curls up and]
[This is difference. Because if she had any doubts in his feelings, it had been because he messed up. They had talked about Mei, but it was over the phone and hypotheticals, nothing solid and real.]
[This was something solid and real and it was the first time where Red Son had definitely turned eyes away from her for certain. Not pulled away, but his eyes weren't just for her.]
[He leans against her. Reaching out to put his arm over one of hers. Angles his arm so she can still see the mark.]
[ She flinches away when he leans against her. Eyes squeezed shut. She doesn't keep shying away past that initial burst, but she doesn't lean back against him. ]
[ Her feelings are what they are, and right now things are dark in there. She's wondering if she's destined to lose everything she loves, if part of him is already gone. ]
I just... need a minute.
[ She tries to focus on breathing. On the way her scar tugs when she moves her head. It doesn't work all that well, but it's something. ]
[ She doesn't want to hear that when she is struggling to believe it. And she tenses to move, to run, to get some space and do what she does, what she warned him about, which is be alone to punish herself. ]
[ She's not forceful about moving since she doesn't want to shove him off, so he has every chance to snag her. Hopefully he's ready for it. ]
[ That's not it at all. She doesn't begrudge MK who he is or the bonds he makes. She happens to think he's wonderful and deserves every good thing. ]
I lost every piece of my past. Most if it gladly. Some of it...
[ Like Haji. Like Kai. Like... she can't think of his name, but she knows the feeling she gets when she thinks about him. Like Nem and Ren and Pentium, and soon Venti-- ]
I'll never have that history with anyone again. And my instincts don't take well to being... substract. [ It's an archaic word, but it's the closest one she can think of. An accessory, inferior, unnecessary... it's some combination of all those. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:05 pm (UTC)[A pause.] You got me a gift?
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:14 pm (UTC)[ She reaches into her hammerspace pocket and pulls out a small box that's wrapped in folded red and gold fabric, just scraps from some of the DBF clothes she's working on. When he opens it there's a solid metallic hair pin inside, rounded in a way that makes it clear it's to hold his ponytail in place. The design has a cut red gem in the center and is shaped in such a way that invokes thoughts of a bat without strictly being one, with more red gems curling along the sides. ]
That's some of my gems in it. I wanted to give you one to wear, but I didn't want to interfere with your hands since you work with them so often. [ And necklaces were out of the question, of course. ]
Part of what took so long is that finding a machine that could cut one made from a live Chiropteran was an endeavor, part was that the enchantment took forever to get right.
Heat it up. Gradually, but don't hold back the heat.
[ As he heats it, the gem starts to glow a deep crimson like the magic of Saya's fires. As the temperature increases, a red flame rises from the gem in the vague shape of a bat stretching its wings. ]
I made it extra durable, no need to baby it. That sucker will survive anything short of the Samadhi fire.
[ So hopefully he likes it. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:22 pm (UTC)[Then he fully takes it in, smiling as he runs his hand over it.]
[Until she says its her gems and he looks up in surprise. He imagines gems from living Chiropteran wasn't as big of a deal as a live one, but he is also certain it still means a whole lot.]
[He hesitates a moment, looking down as he heats up the hair pin. And its thoughtful. Pragmatic too, with how often he sets his hair ablaze. He always has to regularly coat his hair ties in enchantments so they don't burn up like his clothes.]
[His face is getting red, embers flickering his his hair and]
[Ugh, he needs to talk to her, but this was-]
[He holds it back out to her with one hand.]
[Turning so his back is to her, tilting back his head so she can easily get to his hair.]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:28 pm (UTC)[ She watches him take it in, hoping the silence isn't a bad sign. She doesn't think this is overstepping but... ]
[ Oh, that's why he's turning his back. She scoots forward, removes his hair tie and puts the pin in his hair. Then a brief kiss to the back of his neck. And she takes a quick picture with her phone, which she shows him. So he can see it in. ]
I had wanted to get something you could see, but this will have to do. We can't have you wearing something that will get in the way of your work.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:34 pm (UTC)Maybe it'll help me calm down.
[He's still blushing as he leans over to look at the picture.]
[Its sweet. Its so sweet and he doesn't want to ruin the memory of it, but they need to TALK and that's important-]
[He leans over, kissing her cheek.] Its beautiful.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:54 pm (UTC)[ Intensity isn't a bug, it's a feature. ]
[ She beams when he kisses her. ] I'm glad you like it.
--Do I get that box now? [ Or does the Talk come first ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 09:58 pm (UTC)[He's just saying.]
Yes, yes.
Its not as nice, but. [He'll open up the box for her to see a golden haircomb, with a red ruby heart and red ruby tears surrounding it.] The coincidence is amusing. [He takes the comb out of the box.] May I?
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:03 pm (UTC)Honestly, that's too funny. Seems we're getting to know each other quite well indeed.
It's lovely. Thank you.
[ She lengthens her hair so it will be easier to put up, then turns her back. ]
Go right ahead.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:07 pm (UTC)[He will carefully gather her hair to put in the hair comb. He's done his mother's hair, so its easy enough for him to do it.]
[And leans down to kiss over the mark on her neck.]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:12 pm (UTC)[ A brief hum when he kisses the scar. She does so love having that reminder. And the one on her wrist, and the new one in her hair. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:15 pm (UTC)I like your mind. [He sits down beside her and picks up a container of fruit sandwiches to hold it out to her.]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:23 pm (UTC)Well, that's a relief.
[ She takes a sandwich and starts eating it in her dainty way. She has excessive food politeness syndrome. ]
So, what did you want to tell me?
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:27 pm (UTC)[Steeling himself.]
[She just gave him a very sweet and thoughtful gift and he doesn't want to utterly ruin the mood, but he's already delayed ONCE because it would have been THE WORST TIME and if he keeps delaying, MK may start thinking he's ashamed or something asinine and there is a greater risk of Saya finding out some other way that WOULD make it hurt more and-]
[Better to ruin a good mood, than a bad one.]
[He just might never get to air this hair piece in front of her and she may never be able to look at pandas again, but...but that was the real worst case scenarios, right? The reasonable ones?]
[He takes a deep breath and lets it out.]
...Noodle boy and I spoke.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:33 pm (UTC)[ The first thing Saya does is shut her eyes, because she knows they'll be glowing a fierce red. Her instincts rising up enough to choke her. She doesn't want to project the wrong idea, and she's scary when she's -- angry. Hurt. ]
[ But there is more than hurt and anger, much more. As she's said, she never feels just one way about anything. So it's not a lie when she says: ]
Thank every deity in the multiverse. You two were driving me crazy.
[ And if her voice is a little pinched, a little bit too cheerful to be fully genuine, don't mind it. She's doing her best. Even if her instincts are screaming and roiling and she wants to hoard what's hers and unleash her fists and fangs on the threat, to take and take and-- ]
[ No. Breathe. She curls her knees to her chest, arms wrapped tight around her legs. Protectively. ]
[ She's not a hatchling anymore, she can manage this. Her newly enhanced instincts can't compete with how much she loves both Red Son and MK and wants them to be happy. She encouraged this, she pushed for this. She knew it was inevitable. (If she tried to forbid it, to make Red Son choose, she's so certain that she wouldn't like what he chose.) And she has a new partner herself, her sixth, and he's not losing his mind over it, in fact he's happy for her, so don't be a hypocrite. Red Son is so understanding of her having so many partners, and they have an agreement, and she knew, she knew this was coming, she should have been ready, she thought she was ready-- ]
[ She has his bite on her neck, his family crest on her wrist. Her position with him is secure. Unless he goes back to his world without her, unless he forgets... a fear that will become all the more potent within a few days when Venti is suddenly gone. ]
[ She pictures her wings bursting out, how quickly she could be up and away, the air a cold snap in her lungs as she escapes this feeling. Flee from her problems as she is so wont to do, fly at top speed to the edge of the map and maybe outrun all the dark thoughts in her head. ]
[ Breathe. ]
[ It's going to be fine. She knows he loves her. Without question. She knows MK wouldn't want her to feel this way, feel threatened. He wouldn't want her to run, she'd only hurt them both. So she stays put. For now. That could change at any second. Doing this outside was perhaps not the best move, there's too many ways she could run. She's considering all of them. ]
[ She doesn't dare open her eyes yet, or say anything else. ]
[ She just needs a minute. It might be a rough minute. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 10:44 pm (UTC)[And when there wasn't one....]
[Well, that's why there's a tracker in the hair comb.]
[A nice hair comb, a gift for her to keep, but in this specific instance, it was to be sure he would be able to go after her, regardless of how fast or where she chooses to run.]
[He'll tell her about it when this conversation is done and they're somewhere stable.]
[He glances at her at the sentence and just]
[Waits]
[Waits for her to say anything else. To ask questions. Or give a sign for him to talk.]
[Instead she just curls up and]
[This is difference. Because if she had any doubts in his feelings, it had been because he messed up. They had talked about Mei, but it was over the phone and hypotheticals, nothing solid and real.]
[This was something solid and real and it was the first time where Red Son had definitely turned eyes away from her for certain. Not pulled away, but his eyes weren't just for her.]
[He leans against her. Reaching out to put his arm over one of hers. Angles his arm so she can still see the mark.]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:00 pm (UTC)[ Her feelings are what they are, and right now things are dark in there. She's wondering if she's destined to lose everything she loves, if part of him is already gone. ]
I just... need a minute.
[ She tries to focus on breathing. On the way her scar tugs when she moves her head. It doesn't work all that well, but it's something. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:02 pm (UTC)[She told him. She told him she isolates when she wants to hurt herself and to not let her.]
[So he keeps leaning against her.]
I'm not going anywhere.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:14 pm (UTC)I lose everyone I love.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:17 pm (UTC)That's why I'm putting together the addresses to get back to you and I'm going to get them tattooed onto my skin.
I have eternity to figure out the mystery and I will get back to you. That is what I do.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:27 pm (UTC)[ She doesn't want to hear that when she is struggling to believe it. And she tenses to move, to run, to get some space and do what she does, what she warned him about, which is be alone to punish herself. ]
[ She's not forceful about moving since she doesn't want to shove him off, so he has every chance to snag her. Hopefully he's ready for it. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:28 pm (UTC)Never.
You accepted my mark. This is part of the deal.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:39 pm (UTC)I'm sorry. It's not-- not that I object. Just...
[ She's struggling to put into words why she's having such a reaction. It's instinct, and those are not often able to be neatly described. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 16th, 2023 11:46 pm (UTC)[His hold tightens on her.] And that's terrifying.
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 17th, 2023 12:01 am (UTC)[ That's not it at all. She doesn't begrudge MK who he is or the bonds he makes. She happens to think he's wonderful and deserves every good thing. ]
I lost every piece of my past. Most if it gladly. Some of it...
[ Like Haji. Like Kai. Like... she can't think of his name, but she knows the feeling she gets when she thinks about him. Like Nem and Ren and Pentium, and soon Venti-- ]
I'll never have that history with anyone again. And my instincts don't take well to being... substract. [ It's an archaic word, but it's the closest one she can think of. An accessory, inferior, unnecessary... it's some combination of all those. ]
(no subject)
Date: Oct. 17th, 2023 12:11 am (UTC)Do you really think you're not a defining person for me, Saya?
(no subject)
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