uhmani | TDM #14

If the main hub and its features don't appeal to you, that's perfectly fine. This is the perfect time to configure your Digitized Technical Friend or your DTF status. A DTF is similar to a dæmon from His Dark Materials in that it is connected to and a reflection of a character's soul. These DTFs take shape accordingly and are projections similar to the NPCs. Think of them as your own personal Clippy except less annoying. Hopefully.

Once that's set-up, there are other locations of the main hub to investigate! You can visit the training grounds, music lounge, library, and onsen. Also, feel free to leave an offering for the deity of sleep (Hypnos) at his shrine! You can even visit The Peacekeeper themselves on the second floor. They're always happy to have visitors! They're also conveniently where you might place a complaint about that status of the main hub and its amenities. Even if you do complain, The Peacekeeper will encourage new inhabitants to set off and find their own place to live out in the simulation.

Granted, the housing market in the afterlife isn't exactly robust. It doesn't help that nearly every place you find has a leaky roof or broken window. No, unfortunately, that will need to be fixed the peaceful way. If you'd like more lighting or even cozier clothes, simulation inhabitants are reminded that 'peaceful interactions' are very important!

It might be a good idea to stick close to someone you know, for now, since even the smallest amounts of intimacy might see subtle changes occurring where they're staying. Perhaps that broken window is now fixed, the grime and dust seem a little less, or the floor doesn't creak quite as loud.

Larger changes, however, will only come after demonstrating more powerful peaceful interactions. If you want new hardwood floors or a fresh coat of paint on the walls, you're going to have to demonstrate how well you 'get along' with others against them first.

THE SEXY COMPENDIUM

Upon arrival to Amani, new inhabitants will be notified almost immediately of the sexy compendium that's uploaded to their DTF! This compendium lists all of the flora, fauna, unique geography, and miscellaneous items in Amani that might be worth looking at.

This database will update with seasonal highlights or places and items that might follow a theme! For example, the current theme is love for Valentine's Day and dragons for The Year of The Dragon!

While established inhabitants already know about all these things, it can't hurt to be reminded of what this simulated afterlife has to offer!

The Dragon Onsen

outdoor pool

dragon statue

blue tint

They suddenly look a lot more draconic than they did before.

Heart Jellies

jellyfish shaped like hearts

Wyverns

Taasunni Beach, and can range far into the Aditus Grasslands

Love Blossoms

gorgeous, pink flowers

pheromones

SEXY STAMP CARD

If you're wondering about these 'peaceful interactions' that keep being mentioned or what the kinks of the month are for... Here's your answer! Upon arrival, all characters will receive a digital copy of their very own sexy stamp card.

Sexy Stamp Card

Issued by: The Peacekeeper

1 2 3 4 ♡

6 7 8 9 ♡

❤

<div style="width:100%;padding:10px 10px 0;font-family:garamond, georgia, serif;font-size:20px;font-style:italic;letter-spacing:2px;text-align:left;">Sexy Stamp Card</div>
<div style="width:100%;padding:0 10px 10px;">Issued by: The Peacekeeper</div>

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<div style="max-width:300px;width:100%;margin:-10px auto 0;text-align:right;font-size:10px;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#eee;">❤</a></div>

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Completing peaceful interactions (i.e. kinks) will reward characters with stamps that they can turn in for re-gains and many other things! While the example one here is the standard issued card by The Peacekeeper, players are more than welcome to customize it how they see fit. Have fun with it! NOTES

★ Feel free to check out the sexy compendium and also use whatever is listed there as you like! What's mentioned on the TDM are just suggestions and not only what's available! We want interested players to be able to make their own fun with what Amani has to offer and not feel limited to just the prompts provided here.

★ We are currently at 24/40 slots taken! Anyone wishing to claim a character must have an invite from someone currently in the game and follow the proper rules in place to be accepted into the community!

NAVIGATION

F.A.Q. ★ RULES ★ CHARACTER CLAIM ★ LOCATIONS ★ MAIN NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ there's a moody sigh for mithrun at that, and he watches the elf's face, gaze flicking across the familiar features. mithrun seems— well enough. he hasn't been uncared for here. there must be people who have stepped in to help— kabru knows he's not privy to that, as intrigued as he is to find out more about the time that they've spent apart.

finally, he nods, and offers the former captain a smile. ]

Okay. I'll wait here for you. Maybe you can introduce me to your new friends once we've had a chance to talk about things. [ gentler, now.

odd, he thinks— there's something that feels like tension in the air between them. probably shouldn't have admitted that thing, earlier, but that's the nature of this place, right?

he nods towards the bakery, meeting mithrun's eye afterwards once more. ]

Don't get lost on your way back here. [ was that. flirtatious. was it. ]

[That sigh gets a faint, barely-there raise of Mithrun's brow. He supposes there's probably something to say there that Kabru isn't saying - but they can address whatever it is in private.]

Sure. I'm sure they'll want to meet you.

[And... after a moment of hesitation, he reaches out and sort of... sets a hand on Kabru's shoulder for a moment. It's not much, as comforting gestures go, but-- it's also Mithrun.

It's not a slap, at least?]

I should be able to see you, but if I can't I'll have Lamb lead me back. [Said very seriously. If he understood that as flirtation, he's not showing it.

Either way, Mithrun turns to find the bakery again (with a helpful bleat from his DTF) and makes his way over.

The actual conversation, which Kabru can doubtless see pretty much in its entirety through the storefront windows, goes pretty quickly. An absolutely massive tall-man, with most of his chest exposed by a white button-up, hurries to Mithrun, looking him over with hands tapping anxiously over his shoulders and arms and a general attitude that one might expect if Mithrun had been missing for much longer than an hour. Mithrun, in turn, responds to that flurry of concern as if it were just a normal, everyday greeting, before asking something and nodding toward Kabru waiting outside.

The tall-man looks up, and seems to study Kabru for a moment. He looks back to Mithrun, and asks something in turn, to which Mithrun seems to hesitate, glances over his shoulder, and mutters a reply.

After a moment of consideration, the tall-man gestures for Mithrun to wait, and steps behind the counter, only to return a few moments later with a sizable transparent container, packed with bread and sandwiches. He passes Mithrun the container with a few more words, and sends him back out the door. ...Not without a quick, one-handed ruffle of the former Canary captain's hair, which Mithrun also responds to as though it's completely normal.

Mithrun leaves the bakery again, container in hand, and returns to Kabru in the street with Lamb at his heels.]

He said it's fine, [He announces, perhaps a bit pointlessly.] And that it's your and Lamb's job to make sure I eat my share of lunch.

[ look, he was going to go for casual here. he was going to just loiter around on the street corner with his cat (who wailed pathetically when lamb walked away from it? what is this clingy, pathetic behaviour? why were the DTFs fawning over each other so much— embarrassing display actually). instead, naturally, kabru has managed to drift across the street to the pavement outside the bakery, and he's— yeah, he's spying. it's fine; he's technically just keeping an eye on mithrun— the guy gets himself into all kinds of trouble the second he's out of sight, and kabru's suspicious of an establishment that has him in an outfit like that (it's undignified okay).

there's also the matter of that narrow hand on his shoulder; he can still feel the press of it where it had lain against his shirt. kabru's passingly aware that he and mithrun seem to— touch each other all the time. it's a habit, maybe, it became a habit back in the dungeon; running his hands over the other's limbs as he helped him to dress and undress. hand-combing his hair, positioning him this way or that. it was care, wasn't it?

he'd just seen him, back in their world. but for some reason, all of that feels very far away. and mithrun here— who has been here for months— feels far too. it's natural to want to be close to someone who represents home, surely.

he meets the eyes of the tall-man in the bakery, a preternatural flicker moves with that gaze. blue, he notes— but a blue that glows.

they seem friendly, kabru thinks, and nods at the pair, then goes back to pretending he wasn't absolutely not minding his own business. his cat struggles from where he'd picked her up, shoving her back legs into his stomach and throwing herself towards lamb and mithrun. he'll pick mithrun's brain about his new colleagues when they're alone; for now, kabru's all smiles at the staff there. charming guy, right here!

his cat is all over lamb the second they're reunited, as if she'd thought they would be separated for good.

he steps around the DTF's and comes to stand in front of mithrun again, conscious that the bakery's staff are watching them now, through the windows. he doesn't make a move to touch mithrun (is he.............shy suddenly.........pathetic), and instead gives him a nod in greeting, offering the elf a smile. he reaches a hand out. ] Here, I'll carry that for you.

[ their lunch.... he looks over at where lamb and the cat are being weird at each other in public again (tmw your pet embarrasses you). ]

I assume your lamb knows the way to the library, Captain.

[The moment they're back outside, Lamb goes bounding toward Kabru's cat, too, bouncing around her and nuzzling her with its little muzzle. Mithrun just watches them for a moment before turning his attention back to Kabru.

He lets Kabru take the box of sandwiches, and answers with a nod.] It does.

[Lamb takes that cue and sets off down the street (making sure Kabru's cat is close behind), and Mithrun follows it with the same confidence with which he sets off in completely random directions. At least... he's being directed this time.

The walk to the library is a short one, at least, since it's another part of the main hub. When they get there, Lamb leads them to one of the "reading rooms" - a small, comfortable space, furnished with a single chaise and an assortment of books and pillows.

So, y'know. Very workable for reading, even if that's... not necessarily the main reason these soundproofed rooms are here.

Mithrun nods to it, closing the curtain behind them both.] There. We can talk here.

[ it's as if lamb and the cat have been separated by some kind of tragedy on the level of teen lovers aboard the titanic. it's actually a little pathetic to witness. these are their— supposed— souls, acting out some weird cat-lamb k-drama reunion. kabru scratches his head at them, and even does a bit of a salty hey knock it off you two gesture at the pair. he turns back to mithrun, shaking his head, before following along to the library, staying close to the former captain's side.

the reading room is— pretty much what one might assume a reading room to look like. the soundproofing does register (he's aware of the nature of this place overall— so he has the suspicion that things happen in here; not going to think about the state of that chaise too deeply). their sandwiches are set down on the short table nearby, and kabru himself finally— finally sits down, for what feels like the first time since he arrived, jolted to life in that hospital bed.

he tips his head back, eyes shutting, head tilted towards the ceiling. between the dim light, the comfortable presence of their DTF's, and— having mithrun back, he feels as if he could nod off at any second.

but— no. blue eyes open, and he watches the elf, his brow creasing as he stretches a hand out— an ambiguous gesture; come here, sit too, take his hand—? any number of those, and any combination. kabru himself hasn't settled on which. ]

We'd have been happy to find a room like this back in the dungeon, huh? There are a few at the palace too, but I don't think anyone uses them except Marcille.

[ his smile fades somewhat. he's fond of his colleague— was fond. he waits for mithrun to join him on the chaise, and on the carpet, the cat has curled itself around lamb's body, resting its head on the thing's back. ] You seemed pretty annoyed with me earlier.

[ his tone isn't accusatory, though, just searching. as if he doesn't want to quarrel with mithrun at this point. ]

[Mithrun stands by while Kabru gets settled - he does half expect Kabru just to fall asleep, honestly. That might make talking things out difficult.

Kabru opens his eyes, though, and... reaches out toward him. Mithrun stares at that offered hand for a moment before making a guess and going to sit next to Kabru on the chaise.

He stays quiet while Kabru reminisces... about the dungeon, and about this palace he mentioned before. About Laios's party member - the new dungeon lord. But that's not how he talks about her.

There is, obviously, more Mithrun is missing.

He stares at the DTFs, arms crossed and resting on his legs.]

...Do you remember helping Laios's party get away from Lycion?

[ mithrun sits beside him, and something in the atmosphere, kabru decides, feels very faintly— strained. he's not interested in bickering with the elf, of course— more than anything, he's pleased to have found him at all, to have found anyone from his world here. that it is mithrun is— probably one of the best case scenarios; but this mithrun, who is still, absolutely mithrun, doesn't seem to— remember. it's hard to tell, kabru thinks, but there's a disconnect.

they're close, back in the golden kingdom. oddly so.

it doesn't seem quite the same here. close, yes, but not like there.

he sits up straighter now, and shifts a little closer to the former captain, laying a hand against his upper arm. there's a smile there, though, and kabru shrugs at him. ] You were furious at me, yeah. Of course I remember that. But everything turned out okay, in the end. Why are you bringing that up?

[ a slight squeeze to that narrow arm. ] You mentioned Laios earlier, too.

It did, did it...

[He says it mostly to himself, even if Kabru can doubtless hear him, in such close quarters.]

And how long ago do you remember that being?

[ a tilt of his head, and he drops his hand from where he'd laid it on mithrun's arm, leaning back against the chaise in order to watch him. ]

About— ah, three, three and a half months now? You'd left the Canaries, our birthdays passed. Yeah, three. [ cute that he remembers their May birthdays, right. ]

Why? [ he's concerned again, sitting back up abruptly, and moving to sit close to mithrun once more, knee propped on the cushion, brushing mithrun's thigh. ] What's that got do with this place?

[Three and a half months. Mithrun knew it had clearly been a while from Kabru's perspective, but... that long? And he'd left the Canaries?

There's no hiding the surprise that flits over Mithrun's face. He hesitates, lacing his fingers together - but his pause doesn't last long.]

This place is... detached from time, in a way. Others here have already found that those from the same world can come from entirely different points in time, in memory and body alike. People who recall dying at one point and ending up here, who must therefore assume their world died when they did, have spoken to others who knew them - and who remember years passing after that point, with their world alive and well.

In my memory... the last time I saw you was when I found out you'd helped Laios get away. I went to fight the new dungeon lord. I lost. I found myself here.

Laios remembers making a deal with me - apparently after I was revived from that death. He arrived here before he could follow through.

...And you remember another three and a half months.

[ the look of surprise gets its due consideration from kabru, and though both concerned and nursing a sinking feeling, he listens to the former captain's explanation without interruption. he nods, watching mithrun's face closely, a crease forming in his brow as the story goes on. those three and a half months were— vital, for mithrun. for mithrun and for himself. they grew closer. mithrun stayed.

but you and i are lucky, marcille had parroted to kabru once, copying mithrun's monotone after the former dungeon masters' support group, we have people around us whose love can fill the hole that was left by the demon. love?, kabru had repeated, eyes wide. faint heart that kabru is, he'd assumed platonic love— in his gut, he'd known differently; an elf doesn't forsake his homeland for some fair-weather friendship. marcille had watched his reaction, and then she'd smiled, and refused to tell kabru the reason for it. that woman and her romance novels, he'd thought, simmering.

—the fact remains that those three months are not theirs anymore. kabru's, but not mithrun's.

kabru's kind of torn up about it, but also he's going to fake his way to the top. there's a laugh from him, and he sits back, doesn't touch mithrun again. ] Hah, that's going to be a little awkward, right? A lot of things happened in those three months. It was a really good time. The best, I think.

[ a flurry of activity, yes— but there were banquets and balls, feasts for the summertime festival, and the end of spring.

blue eyes meet mithrun's, and kabru offers the elf a smile. ]

We spent a lot of time together, after things cleared up. You and Pattadol stayed in Merini. And the prisoners went back to the Elven continent, so. But, it was you and me after that.

Edited (wear glasses while tagging @ me) 2024-02-28 13:37 (UTC)

...Yeah. Awkward.

[He's not sure "awkward" quite covers it, really. Three months isn't a long time to an elf, generally speaking - it's not a long time compared to five years spent losing his mind, or twenty struggling and clawing to get enough of it back to function, or fifteen after that seeking nothing but destruction - his own, he's finally realized.

But those three months still feel like more time lost.

He's quiet for a few more seconds, turning that over in his mind.

Then... one thing does click. Not something Kabru said, but what it all implies. He turns to him, suddenly a slight bit more energetic - and, just for a moment, there might be a glimmer of silver to his eye.]

Did... Laios's plan work, then? Is the demon gone?

[Even with what he's realized, the thought is still... exciting, honestly. That it could finally be over.

And, now, he actually has other reasons to live.]

[ he looks at mithrun now with a slip of something more like pity— the desperation, the lick of silver about those irises; like the most sudden appearance of a crescent moon. how to tell mithrun that he didn't lose that last desire, that it stayed— because demons don't die, they just stop existing. there was no end to it; and kabru wasn't sure if it faded, wasn't sure if mithrun simply hid it— or if, specifically, the elf concealed it from kabru, above others. mithrun's story ends as well as it could, and he's sure that this mithrun, the mithrun of several months ago, must wish for a better outcome than was gifted to him.

he has kabru. he has something like a purpose, but— he does not have peace. kabru's all too aware of it; he'd spoken him through that terrible day— where he'd seemed like a dead thing, slumped against a tree. and mithrun had cried to him, after that, and he'd known that there was some hope.

idly, he reaches over, nudges the back of his fingers to the backs of mithrun's, eyes on the elf's scarred hand. ]

It's gone, yeah. We won. The plan worked. [ a nod. it's better than destruction though, isn't it? he extends a forefinger, running it along mithrun's. ] I think you're happy, actually. Happier than now, maybe.

[ home is still home, after all. there's a huff of a breath from kabru, and he finally meets mithrun's eyes again. ]

You're getting pretty into cooking, in my time. Obviously I benefit. [ obviously. his smile warms further, and kabru looks at mithrun fondly. ]

I hope we can get back there.

...Huh. Hard to say, when we can't exactly compare the two.

[As Mithrun says it, though... he smiles, just slightly, watching Kabru's hand against his. Regardless of which him is happier... he's doing better here than he has in decades. And the same is true in their own world, in Kabru's memory of things.

Either way, it's... more than he could have hoped for, frankly.

He looks up again with a glimmer of amusement, when Kabru mentions cooking.] There, too, huh...? Well... I don't see any reason you couldn't benefit here. Though, all I'm much good at so far are creme brulees.

[One day he'll get to branching out, but consider: He likes doing this.]

[ it seems that chef mithrun is a thing, regardless of the time period— a real vocation, kabru thinks, and leans back, finally seeming to relax entirely, his shoulders slumping. ] The bakery's putting you to work, huh? You know, Captain, I can see it.

[ kabru seems more mild now; a little restrained— he supposes there's still more to go over; the state of things here, the situation that he's walked into. it seems— alright, though, when they're here, like this. kabru's had plenty of days that have thrown him off kilter, but this one; being brought to an entirely new land, told his world has collapsed, being rapidly reunited with a mithrun that doesn't remember those important, recent few months— well. one could say he's had a time of it.

he didn't miss that very slight, nearly imperceptible smile.

he offers one in return, a match to mithrun's. ]

We should— ah, you know. [ a small gesture of his hand; one to encompass the whole of the situation; the library, this place— all of it. ] I got the memo. About how this place works.

[ sex.............basically. intimacy. kabru doesn't look too shy about it, just— serious. ]

It's inevitable, isn't it. [ blue eyes seek out mithrun's. ] You're okay with it?

[ he'd been brazen about it earlier, but alone here, like this? he feels he should ask; it's the next topic— there will come a time, sooner, rather than later, when they'll have to follow the natural course of this place. ]

Mm-hm. Angeal thought having something to do with my time would be good for me... and he wanted to make sure I was eating. [He huffs quietly, nodding toward the container of sandwiches.] So, the two lined up well.

[But, right. The intimacy thing. He nods.] Of course. ...Are you?

[ he supposes he'd kept the intimacy question pretty vague there— but what he'd meant, really, was if this was something that needed to be addressed between them. mithrun had looked at him with such accusation when they'd first seen each other, he wonders if that particular argument has been swept by the wayside.

the idea of sex with mithrun isn't too foreign to him— in recent months, of course he's thought about it. things have been— close, between them, and there has been a physicality to the relationship since the very beginning.

if anyone, it would be mithrun. surely, it would be the easiest thing on earth to reach out for him, slide a hand along his hip, taste his mouth. it's not taking advantage if someone is willing. the degree of that willingness needn't be questioned. kabru never said he was unselfish, after all.

he tips his head back against the chaise, eyes tracking to the ceiling, and he can feel the warmth of mithrun's body where he sits nearby. ] I think so. If it's you.

[ they've never even kissed each other. but, he raises his head, seeks out mithrun's eye, and offers the ghost of a smile. ]

I meant what I said earlier.

[ when it's with me, he'd said, hadn't he. ]

[Honestly, Mithrun has... forgotten a little bit that Kabru might expect the whole "betrayal" thing to be a factor. As mad as he was (and kind of still is, though it's slipped to the back of his mind by now), the fact still remains: Of course, he would sleep with Kabru, no problem.

Part of it is that Mithrun just generally isn't picky, of course. He rarely cares enough to object to sleeping with any given person. But-- distant and half-obscured as his understanding of it may be, he knows there's more, too, with Kabru. More, in fact, in the same way that there was more to his anger at Kabru siding with Laios than having simply been inconvenienced. It wasn't just an obstruction to his goal, and intimacy with Kabru isn't just something he might as well do here, where it's so strongly encouraged.

Mithrun studies Kabru's face in silence, for a few moments.] ...So did I.

Just let me know whenever you want to. [Whether that's now or later.]

[ there has been more to all of this, for kabru too, since those days in the dungeon. kabru's not known for his honesty— he dives and weaves around questions, chooses indirect answers, talks in circles. but, not with mithrun. there is something in the elf that seems to force him to honesty; he'd found that they spoke openly, that caring for someone who could not care for himself— well. he'd never felt so needed.

sex isn't so different, is it. a different need, a different sort of care, but still— when he thinks of mithrun needing him, even if it's just a matter of physicality, there's that same satisfaction. it's nice too, to have it go both ways. he can picture that scarred, bony body underneath him; imagines what it will be like to press his thighs apart, to dig his fingers into skin and coax an arch from his back.

he's thought about it before now, too. so. and here mithrun is, saying things like just let me know whenever you want to, as if that's on the table whenever kabru's inclined. what an offer.

odd— the air feels more humid. when he meets mithrun's eye now, that sizzle of tension seems to snap quietly; like a subsurface pulse. he'll write all of this down to the shock of being brought here— why wouldn't he be off-kilter? he shifts, moves closer to the elf, sitting directly beside him, a leg bent to bracket the elf's thigh. ] You shouldn't just say things like that, you know. You have to make me wonder.

[ but, his eyes are warm, and kabru reaches, lays a hand on mithrun's forearm, fingers closing around it. they're close, the height difference putting them at a curiously intimate angle. kabru's lashes raise and lower as he studies mithrun's face in turn. ]

I nearly kissed you at the harvest festival, when we were both drunk. You were wearing blue, and I thought you were beautiful. [ it didn't happen; courtly business took over, as usual— and of course, that's a kabru memory. he seems to sober, and there's a self-conscious furrow of his brows. ] Should I have told you that?

[Mithrun doesn't move - just lets Kabru adjust around him, his eye tracking him.] What do I have to make you wonder?

[And... he nearly scoffs.] You really must have been drunk, [he murmurs, and moves on from there with a shrug.] It's fine. Since I wasn't there, it's... probably better I know what happened than not, right?

[It's not quite the same; he's still missed a lot. But it feels, just, a little bit less like he's been cut off from his own life if he at least knows what he missed.]

I suspect we're both going to have to get used to catching the other up for a bit... though it's likely to be a stranger experience for you, telling me things you remember me being there for.

Must have been, [ he says, and offers a widened smile, and pats mithrun's forearm with his palm, as if involving him in the joke. ] I don't mind telling you what you missed. You took time by yourself often enough, too. The prisoners left, and you went off, hunting monsters.

[ he remembers the point at which this mithrun and himself left off. there aren't two mithruns, of course, but still— mithrun can't remember, he has to consider the difference in knowledge. also, there's this: he hasn't been that drunk at the harvest festival; just drunk enough to have leaned a shoulder into the captain's, and silver hair had brushed his cheek, and— well. there were times like this, after. people whose love can fill the hole the demon left. he hadn't mentioned that marcille told him that.

idly, he draws a line down mithrun's arm, as if counting out the missed days. ] I was very busy at the palace, studying, mostly. But advising when I had time. It was difficult, because we were often separate. I think I got used to being around you in the dungeon, so. I didn't have time to discuss a solution with you.

[ his smile is unchanged, even talking about this— a life that he no longer has. kabru's eyes raise, meeting mithrun's. ]

Guess we found a solution. [ well— were given one. being here.

his smile has faded by now, and there's a long look, for mithrun. ] I'm supposed to remind you to eat, aren't I?

[Mithrun takes in that added information in silence. His own continued monster-hunting. His subordinates' departure. Kabru's busy schedule and their separation.

His gaze stays on Kabru through that explanation, all the way until Kabru's eyes meet his.] ...I guess so.

[At that reminder, he finally breaks eye contact, glancing back to the container of sandwiches.] Ah... right. [He leans over to grab it.] Take anything you want from it, too.

[ kabru offers mithrun a nod, and selects a sandwich for himself. there's some— similarity here to how things were in the dungeon. rooms appearing from nowhere, sitting beside mithrun and eating whatever they could find. he gives the elf a gentle nudge, nodding to the container. ] Eat too, captain.

[ apparently, even displaced and whisked off to a new land, he can't not mother-hen mithrun.

there's silence as kabru finishes his lunch— the last meal he had was probably back home, before he'd been spirited away to amani. and he polishes off quite a few of the sandwiches, fussing over mithrun at the same time.

their meal tidied up, he slumps back now— hit with both the drowsiness after a meal, and the culmination of. everything that's happened up until now. the library room is quiet, and being surrounded by books and the soft light from the reading lamp makes the space feel very contained. he's fighting off the tiredness, though, and shuffles over on the chaise to make space for mithrun, gesturing with his chin. ] Maybe we can talk a bit more. If you'd like. I don't have much of a grasp on this place yet, I'll be the one leaning on you, this time.

[ a softer look follows. ]

Sit with me?

Edited 2024-03-04 13:13 (UTC)

[At the very least, Mithrun follows his direction without complaint - that much hasn't changed from when Kabru last saw him. He's gotten a lot less petulant about meals with Kabru than when they first met, and he'd turn away or mumble about not being hungry despite knowing perfectly well it didn't matter.

He never really thought about why he did that. Why, every so often, he felt that little flare of rebellion against those directing him.

Maybe it was about control. He's had so little of that, for so long - over his life, his actions, himself.

Now, though, he eats, patiently-or-impassively letting Kabru fuss over him, and helps clean up when they're finished and the time comes.

He scoots into that space, kicking his heeled shoes off before pulling his legs up to his chest.]

Alright. I can tell you anything you're wondering, then... I know it's quite a lot to take in.

[What's a lot? The stamp system? The presence of people from countless different realities? Mithrun's new job? All of the above? Yeah.]

[ mithrun crowds into his space, and those shoes are discarded on the floor, and it's strange, because it feels as if they've done this before— something casual, and close. kabru, still careful, settles an arm around the elf's back, letting the other's folded legs fall against his own. he tips his head back, and watches mithrun's face— it's still a comfort just to look at him, because it's so familiar to be near him. there's something of a gift here, he supposes; like being given a home comfort, even if there's still that crackle of things being at odds recently.

maybe it matters less when you're set adrift, because at least the person is there, regardless of the history, or the contention, or any of it. he wants to, he thinks, protect mithrun too.

knuckles graze against mithrun's back, moving upwards, and then down again— just an idle thing, but it can't be described as friendly. it's too intimate; they're like that, in his time— always dancing around the one thing that they've both been careful not to allow to bloom entirely.

he doesn't have a name for it. he absolutely has a name for it. hadn't he said it, on the network— he wanted to live with mithrun, he wanted to make him happy. it sounds simplistic to him now, but it's only ever been the truth.

reaching up, kabru twists a silver lock around his finger, carefully moving it behind the former captain's ear. ] I guess. I just want to know how you are. There are a lot of new people, but you can trust that I'll figure that stuff out myself.

[ is this... kabru growth...

he shrugs, sighs, tugs on that strand. ]

Did you miss me, just a little? Say yes, even if you didn't.

[ ;) ]

TDM #14

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