[catch-all] I hear the words but the meaning gets lost

[lifemirror]

⌛ Who: Fan & whoever
⌛ What: Shenanigans over the course of the month. She's being hit by an Ayakashi curse in some prompts. More prompts will probably be added later. If you don't like any, please feel free to hmu for plotting!
⌛ When: Across November
⌛ Where: Western Kingdom, mostly
⌛ Warnings: None of note so far

OPEN	CLOSED
■ And I swear I will pay for this craving never again ■ Watch me become just an animal ■ No ties are binding me ■ She's habitually paradoxical	■ Never mind the hurt, even if you burn [Dohalim]

Comments

[ilqaras]

[honestly, with even his own hang ups, the fact that Dohalim was able to talk them out had helped immensely, as well as the offered (in person) apologies to those who warranted it. he... sort of carried himself in a lighter way, now, and while his transgressions still did weigh on him, the realisation that he needn't bear it all alone is a comfort he'd be seeking solace in for a time.

now, one of the last matters of business tied to the whole situation last month is the fact that he hadn't seen Fanerel since the fight. and he just simply couldn't let it go until, at least, apologised to her. so when he finds her in the courtyard, he's pleased as punch that he didn't have to keep searching for her.

however. seeing the mess around her and the fact that she's currently on top of the table with not a care in the world is... grounds for a little bit of concern]

...Fanerel?

[lifemirror]

[ignoring her own life, her transgressions and the things that weigh on her is just Fanerel's way of being. Burdening someone else with it... well. it's a tall order, to say the least.

and frankly it's a surprise, how much of a relief it is to hear the familiar voice. her gaze turns to Dohalim and she can feel the want to smile a little. suppressing it, she flicks the shiny object between her fingers, unhooking one leg and swinging it over her torso, remarkably graceful in her movements. flipping herself over is a quick, effortless motion, and she sweeps a lock of hair back over her shoulder when she's upright.]

Dohalim. Did you need something?

[... oh. it occurs to her that he usually wears so many shiny things... well, she'll cross that bridge when she comes to it, probably sooner than later. for now, she's making her way over to him, leaning forward a little more than she had in previous walks.]

[ilqaras]

[while he's not wearing his regalia, Dohalim does still have some of his embellishments donned, namely his jewellery. he would hate to lose those.

but yes, it seems that ground for concern is definitely justified; Fanerel seems so different from the last time he saw her. which may be a good thing as he does need to talk to her.

he hadn't seen her after that fight, after all, and he does need to apologise. however, Fanerel's wellbeing takes precedence over that, in this particular moment. once she's close enough, he reaches up to gently place a hand on her shoulder]

I do, but... Are you alright?

[lifemirror]

Mmm.

[it's not much of a promising reaction at first, the lacing of her hands behind her back doubtlessly intentional. sometimes it's harder than others to behave, to keep her hands to herself, and Dohalim wears too many embellishments. her own barely escape her absent attention as it is! but she's definitely determined to keep her hands to herself.

... he, on the other hand, doesn't seem quite so keen. likely, he'll feel it when a hand graces her shoulder, the flex of tendons beneath skin in preparation to reach, to grab. it's an effort not to, but she makes it.]

I'm fine. Well, for the most part. I can't seem to eat enough to satisfy me, and there are some... strange compulsions I've been dealing with. Not the worst compulsions I've dealt with, but...

[shrugging, she leans back a little, breaking out of his reach gently enough. it's hard to say if she dislikes it, though - Fanerel pivots to stand more or less next to him, no further than she was before.]

What is it? Or should we head back first?

[her fingers squirm behind her back as the urge to bat at an earring rises, and she forces her gaze away from it and to his face.]

[ilqaras]

[he does feel those slight tensions and flexes under his hand, which only just makes him concerned over her health. it's hard not to pick up on the fact that she's acting a lot differently than the last time he saw her, but then again, that circumstance was a lot different]

Hm, perhaps we should go back home first. It seems you may be unwell.

[he lets his hand drop as she steps back; he doesn't reach up to touch her again, wanting to respect her space]

Come. I've secured a new home and I was just looking for you to invite you over. If you would not mind, that is.

[lifemirror]

[alas, that part is just... her. every circumstance thus far has been some amalgam of her not acting like herself, but this one? he'll get used to that feeling, probably.]

I- [she exhales a huff, running fingers through her hair and glancing down the nearby path.] Yeah, something like that. I should make something to eat, anyway.

[when he brings up a new home, Fan's gaze slips back to Dohalim as if scrutinising his intentions, but she shrugs a shoulder eventually.]

Sure, so long as you don't expect much. A place is just a place, after all. Decided you were tired of the cramped quarters?

[ilqaras]

I suppose you could say that. I mostly wanted a place to call home, if I am honest.

[and a place where he can share with his friends. still communal, of sorts, but more personal]

If anything, it provides a more private living area. Something I hope you would appreciate. It is rather roomy, after all.

[is that a hint than anything? maybe. please live with him he likes his new friends here and he wants to make it up to you guyssss]

[lifemirror]

A place to call home...

[The idea feels ludicrous to her, after all this time. Being an orphan and then an adventurer sort of took its toll on her thoughts.]

... you're serious. [She seems a little surprised, even as she saunters over to him to just kind of... stare. Often at his jewelry.] I'll... think about it. I'll want to see the place first anyway.

[ilqaras]

If I was not serious, I would not have offered.

[he notices those glances at his jewellery, but he won't make any comments on it, for now. instead, he'll side step Fan]

It is a small train ride from here, so I hope you do not mind. But the house is already set up nicely and ready to be lived in.

[lifemirror]

It's really not necessary. I'm fully capable of living on my own, you know.

[if she had a tail, it would be swishing. she doesn't know why that thought comes to her, but she hates it. he mentions the train, and her nose wrinkles slightly.]

I can survive it, but they aren't my favourite. [they sure are just leaving her mess behind for someone else to take care of, aren't they. she doesn't even remember having done it at this point, too busy ignoring her own thoughts.]

... I really wouldn't know the difference, though. I haven't lived in a proper house since I was-- young. Anyway, lead the way.

[the pause is notable, her fingers running over the tattoo on one arm absently.]

[ilqaras]

[shhh the mess is fine, don't worry about it. ignorance is bliss... though Dohalim does feel bad for leaving it behind for the next poor soul to deal with. oh well, he has other things to worry about. like why Fan's acting so... aloof]

I am not trying to downplay your capabilities of living alone. Forgive me if it seems that way.

[a hand comes up to his chin, letting it rest in between his fingers]

It... Is more of an offering. An apology, for how I acted, last month.

[lifemirror]

[She's being perfectly normal, ok!! ironically, the instinct to lean on him alone is the rarity here... not that he knows that.]

... mm. I feel like I already told you I don't do apologies. [The scolding is practically a tease, and she stretches broadly while he speaks.]

It don't be stupid. If you'll recall, I nearly made mistakes of my own. [like strangling him. or slowly draining all his lifeforce...] If you really want to make it up to me, you can feed me. I'm starving.

[a beat, followed by the shake of her head.]

I've been ravenous for days, actually. It's getting irritating.

[ilqaras]

[oh yeah, normal. Dohalim hums to himself softly, hand sliding from his chin to rest on his shoulder. at least he doesn't know about her near murderous intent, so there's that...]

Perhaps so, but this time, it warrants an apology. I had acted in a way I should not have.

[then decided to deal with it in such a poor way that he's still ashamed of it. he really could be a mess, sometimes]

I should have something in the house, but if you would like anything on the way, we could get something on the go. My treat.