chavaniac | asgard au; vampire murder posse edition

Entry tags:

asgard au; vampire murder posse edition

[Well, that month or so of being away from Asgard was entirely unpleasant as far as Diva was concerned. Which wasn't entirely accurate, since she couldn't really remember it, but still. She had vowed to herself that she was always smart enough to not take off her bracelet for even a second, and yet, the past month was a grey fog. She had just come out of the fog by a bracelet being slipped on her wrist, and the vague memory of seeing her silver bracelet bounce off the pavement and roll into the sewer drain out of reach as she had taken it off for just a moment.

Her life is so hard, clearly.

She sighs a little as she opens the door of her home, not really yet aware of just how long she had been absent yet—She had guessed a week or so. It was going to be annoying to explain what had happened, so she had already resigned herself to feigning ignorance.]

Hey, I'm home.

[She didn't usually announce herself when she returned home, but it seemed appropriate for now.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They went bad. [it sounds less like an actual answer and more like he's just parroting back her question, but he doesn't really have time to answer questions in a sensible way, that would just be ridiculous. he doesn't make any comment on his appearance either.

what he does do is walk a few tentative steps into the kitchen, and then a few more until he's close enough to Diva to reach out and touch her arm. he's visibly startled when his fingers actually make contact instead of phasing through or something equally sci-fi.]

[She watches him with a small and curious smile, but seeing him be startled by touching her is what finally alerts her to the realization that her absence, however brief, would be a shock to Charles. He was her Chevalier, after all. It's a rare moment of understanding and empathy for her Chevalier, and she chooses to indulge it by taking his hand in her own and moving it to touch her face. The small smile stays, but the playful curiosity is gone.]

I got lost. So I'm sorry for worrying you.

[he's not entirely sure what to feel at this point. relief, definitely; he's not the most optimistic person by nature and had convinced himself by the second week that he would never see her back. anger, too, and it shows in the rigid tenseness of his face for a split second. she never watched herself closely enough.

in the end, the tension leaves him and he stands with sloped shoulders, looking like he's about to cry.]

I thought-- I didn't think you would be back.

[What she sees the most is that flash of anger, and her immediate response is to steel herself. She had seen their anger directed to her before, though rarely, because on occasion the whim did possess her to run away from her Chevalier. It was much more purposeful than this, because sometimes that hollow feeling became too much to bear, so she would just try and leave them. Of course, these occurrences all ended with her either being found (because she could never truly wander out of their reach) or her voluntary return (because she could never live without them), but their anger was always the same. So she's relieved to see that pass, and responds to try and keep it at bay by pulling him close into a tender, near maternal sort of hug.]

Ah, did you? I guess that makes sense, though, since I guess you can't tell the difference between when someone leaves and when someone gets lost, huh?

[She runs her fingers lightly through his hair] But I'm back now, so it's alright.

[in the end, the anger never wins out when Diva is the target. she's just about the only person that applies to, and he wonders sometimes if she knows that since every now and then it seemed like she would do unreasonable things just because she knew only a scolding waited. as far as he knew, this very different Diva was quite similar in that regard, being unable to tell one placating gesture from another. it does work in calming him, and he nestles close and clings tightly as if she could disappear from under his fingers at the drop of a hat.]

Don't get lost again. [a childish demand, and he knows it, but he stands firm behind it nevertheless.] What if the bracelet being returned hadn't helped you? What if you waited too long and its effect couldn't protect you from that damned disease anymore? If you left... [she'd be dead and he would be utterly useless and the thought makes him feel winded.]

Well, I didn't mean to... [And her response is similarly childish as a light whine, but she accepts his clinging easily. The what ifs are like an abstract concept, partially because she has the mindset of being invincible, and partially because even knowing what would happen, she can't really muster the emotion to care very much.]

You know I wouldn't just leave here.

I know you wouldn't leave if given the choice, but those gods-- [the anger is back, but it's directed about as far away from Diva as possible this time. gods in his book are naturally cruel, out to harm and deceive even if everything is working in their favor. to say he didn't trust them would be a massive understatement.]

They're the sort of miserable creatures who would send you away because you're so content there.

[She frowns a little, because that idea does worry her slightly, so she responds by hugging him a little more tightly.]

Mm, do you really think so? [She laughs a little, though it's fairly humorless] Ah, but if that's the case, they wouldn't send that many people away, would they?

[he shifts a little in response and goes silent for a moment before shaking his head.]

I wouldn't put it past them, not in the least. [the underlying bitterness in his tone quickly replaces the more prominent anger, and he pulls away just far enough to be able to look at her again.] They could send others away at random, but I wouldn't be surprised if they targeted the ones with the most to lose just to fuel the fire. They're after whatever inspires genuine emotion, isn't that so? That's all they're after.

[She looks thoughtful at that, then smiles warmly, setting her forehead against Charles']

Well, in that case, I bet that you gave them a lot, right? Because you thought I left.

[well... that's definitely one way to look at it. it upsets him to some extent, knowing that he had actually aided the gods without intending to, but the soothing nature of Diva's presence right now is enough to keep him from freaking out.]

I would take it right back if I could. [both bitter and petulant this time, leaning heavily toward the latter in his next words.] I don't care if this town should remain grey forever as long as they leave you be.

Well, honestly, I don't really care that much if it stays grey either... It doesn't really interest me other than it just being ugly.

[Diva's world is so simple...]

But I guess it doesn't matter now, huh? As long as I'm back, then Carl is happy and I guess they're happy too.

We could paint over things if it starts to bother you. [which is an absent-minded suggestion and not one he sounds very certain of. the last time he had a hand in "painting the city", he wound up having to clean it off. seeing Sena's magpie suit was almost worth it though

he's starting to feel the beginning of a tension headache - something he still hasn't entirely gotten used to - and pulls away save one hand that clings to her sleeve.] ...I'm glad you're back. [which could not be more of an understatement, but if he tried putting everything into words it would come out as a nonsensical babble fountain.]

Well, I'm glad to be back!

[She gives his forehead a little kiss before he pulls away completely, then starts to wander toward the living room. She doesn't motion for him to follow, but since she continues the conversation, it's clear that she expects him to.] But you know, that's usually what people suggest. To paint it, I mean. But actually, it looks nice now, I think. Even the places where it's kind of gray, that muted look is pretty. It was ugly when I first got here, but it's pretty good now.

[he would without question one way or another, since he is definitely not ready to let her out of his sight yet. at the same time, he doesn't hover too closely, preferring to keep at a small distance.]

Do you think it makes the place feel cozy? [he doesn't really care and hadn't noticed much of a color change in the first place, but a nice light conversation topic seems the perfect route to go right now.] Not that painting it would do much good in the end, I suppose.

[She smiles back at him with a laugh briefly, but then sits on the couch, patting the seat beside her]

I guess so! I think cozy is a good word for this city too... And our home. It's weird, because I thought I would hate living in such a small place, but it's actually kind of nice. It doesn't feel so...

[She trails off lightly, catching herself from revealing something that she probably wouldn't otherwise to a Chevalier. She pretends to have her attention caught by something at the window, because now of course she'll have to finish the sentence regardless. But she takes the pause as a way to build up to it anyways, though she brushes it off with a half-laugh.] It doesn't feel so lonely, I think it would be.

[he's at her side in an instant, perching on the offered seat. though he briefly follows her gaze to the window, the statement distracts him quickly.

there is a part of him that takes a mild, reactionary offense to it. he probably would have been much angrier if he didn't have any experience himself with how lonely a big house could be, even if it was full of people. his posture becomes a little less rigid for a moment, and he casts her a curious look from the corner of his eye.]

It's truly less lonely for you here, then? You don't mind the amount of space or sharing it with so many? [the concept is a little difficult for him to grasp, being a person who craves company but only in small doses and on his time, but he thinks he understands where she's coming from.]

[She shakes her head] No, it wasn't so bad... And of course I like it here because it's with people that I like! But the person I shared with at the hall, he was alright. We didn't talk much, but that's alright.

[Diva shrugs, then decides on a whim to reposition herself to instead lay on the couch with her legs dangling over the arm of it, her head set in his lap. And just continues the conversation like this is no big deal...] It's not like I don't completely want a mansion, though... They're definitely more beautiful! And filling them up with beautiful things is fun too. But I think if I had one here, I'd like lots of people to live there with me, since I could.

[good thing he's had ample time to adjust to her bizarre mid-conversation quirks. there's a brief moment of hesitation, but he soon begins to absently weave his fingers through her hair, shifting his gaze to the window again.]

Your house doesn't seem to have very many irritating people, I've noticed. That's fortunate. [granted he still wouldn't deem any of them worthy of Diva's presence but... he'd definitely approve of the company of her house over his own or Baldr's or Loki's. he's feeling even more envious and protective than usual now which certainly isn't helping things, though he's at least doing a decent job at keeping it from showing.]

But if you'd like to move into one of the larger houses here, you ought to tell me. I wouldn't mind taking on a few more hours to make the rent. Do you have any other people in mind to share a larger space like that with? Hypothetically speaking for now, of course.

[She smiles happily to have him doting on her so, and she's quite comfortable this way. Of course.]

Hmm... I'll think about it! This one is good for now, but maybe one day we can get something in Freyr's district... Those are the nicest. Ah, but really, there's only a few people I wouldn't mind living with too, I think. Johan, of course, but Castor and Jacob would be nice too. Oh, and Shu would be alright too!

[why are they all boys... diva...]

[Diva why, it's like that list is designed specifically to deliver him a heart attack in a silver package. ...so Johan he had been expecting as much as he would rather they stay far away from each other, but he doesn't even recognize two of the other names!]

Shu? The one who couldn't get out of that finger trap he got stuck in with Yozora? [clearly unimpressed...] And who are Castor and Jacob? [even if this is hypothetical, he clearly has to scope out all of her friends and make sure they pass the Worthy of Diva Test, impossible a feat as that is...!]

[She nods]

Mm, that was Shu! And he was the person I fed off of before you got here. But he didn't just forgive me, but he apologized too. [She laughs] He's a weird boy. But I like him.

[Another nod, but this one is as if to confirm her decision] Ah, but Jacob and Castor... [Diva makes a thoughtful noise] Castor is just a nice person who likes me. He's a knight, like a real one from a fairytale or something, so he's very polite and gentle. And Jacob is a person I met because he healed Johan once, and actually, he's healed me a couple times too. He's a very kind person too.

[She says it casually to play it off, but as if that will happen] He's a lot like a father.

He sounds extremely bizarre. [which immediately sets off a whole bunch of red flags in his head because weird humans are even worse than regular ones!! sometimes...] Doesn't he spend a good deal of time with Yozora? Would you want to invite the possibility of her visiting?

[but he's quickly distracted by the mention of someone knightly since that sets off even more red flags. having competition from regular weirdos is bad enough but he never measures up well to suave people! and before he can even say anything about that, he's caught completely off guard by the comparison.]

A lot like a father? [it isn't angry so much as surprised. at least there's nothing accusatory in his tone...] You think so highly of him? What's he like? [he'll get back to captain knight and Shu the weirdo later this is important]

Hmm...

[She closes her eyes for several moments to think about it. But her tone is obviously very fond when she speaks again.]

Jacob is very... soothing. I think that's the best word. He's the kind of person that just has a really calming sort of way about him, and he's almost always smiling, just a little. He's lived for a really long time, but he still always seems interested in everything I say. He listens, but he doesn't really... {Another thoughtful noise] When I tell him something bad, he doesn't get upset about it. He just always listens, and then he'll say something if he feels like he needs to. Even if it's to say I've done something wrong, I feel like I can listen to him anyways.

[Which is like a one up on pretty much everyone else in her life... why...]

I think you might like him too. He's a good person, but he wouldn't hate people like us.

[there's some definite and obvious bristling throughout the whole of that description, especially at the "you might like him too" part since that never really bodes well for him for some strange reason!]

Is he not human, then? [that's the impression he gets from both the personality description and Jacob being long-lived, which settles a few of his frayed nerves. it doesn't do much for the envy, though.]

I'm glad to hear that you've found someone like that, but you still shouldn't lower your guard too often. Even if he doesn't hate people like us now, who's to say that opinion isn't fluid? Sometimes, the people who smile the most are the ones who can't be trusted as far as they can be thrown, and it's best to err on the side of caution either way. [LECTURE MODE...]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

THIS IS SO LATE I'M SORRY /backflips back into this thread

NO WORRIES in museboxes no one can hear you backtag