Crim Sans — ( @rubrumtimor )
Her reassurances actually did help to quell a bit of the jitters in his soul. The girl’s assumption had been spot on– he really wasn’t used to any of this– and while she had said it was normal, things like this… Certainly hadn’t been normal where he came from. Or at least, accepting these types of emotions hadn’t been. Letting them unfurl and truly manifest in the soul was dangerous back then. To a degree it was still dangerous now– but vastly less so than it had been. It was one of the reasons he was still fighting it to a degree. Her teasing and claims of him ‘whining’ being met with a quiet muttered ‘m’not’.
There was also a strange sense of satisfaction that came when Lacey had said she liked what he’d said. That it made her happy. It caused a warm feeling to radiate from his soul, ensuring that the steady red glow from beneath his sweater certainly wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Although, there was a small bit of coldness that crept its way in when she pushed him back– but not because he’d taken the action badly or thought he’d done something wrong. More so, it was the loss of contact that did it. The desire for said contact– still being something he was trying to come to terms with.
Confusion was only on his features for a brief moment, before cheekbones regained their red flush once he realized what she was doing. It should have been obvious, really, that he’d see her in the collar. Though apparently something in his skull hadn’t quite connected those dots. So when he was met with the visual of her in it– it caused his mind to short-circuit to a degree.
“U-uh… y-you…” It looked nice– he wanted to say, but seemed both his mind and words were failing him. So, all the flustered skeleton could get out was– “… Really beautiful.” To which, the color on his face deepened– seeming to realize what word he just said. Eyelights falling away to the side in an almost panicked way. How the hell did ‘it looks nice’ turn into that!? Also why did it feel different now saying that–? He’d called her beautiful before dammit!
“… How does… it feel?” He managed out, after thoroughly yelling at himself in his skull. Magic signatures of course were something he knew about– since well, he wore his brother’s. It was around this time, that a warmth would have been felt around the girl’s neck. Not something that was sweltering like how an actual heat might have been– but more so, it was like the warm sensation of a fire without the burn or overheat. Much like other sensations related to magic, with it was carried emotions. For collars, those emotions were centered around protection because of their purpose and application. Although for collars that were for romantic partners, along with that sense of protection– was affection. Subtle since it was an indirect contact, but very definitely there. Something that Crim actually didn’t know about– since well, his collar was completely platonic. Sure, Alphys wore a collar from Undyne– but such things had never come up in conversation. Mainly, since it seemed the skeleton hadn’t been keen on finding any partners anytime soon. Welp, that sure changed, didn’t it?
“If it uh… feels weird– the uh… sensation will be lessened if its placed elsewhere.” Which, was another reason he’d made the collar as adjustable as it was. He knew very well that humans weren’t accustomed to such things, nor were they familiar to the feel of magic.
There was a teasing lift to her smile as he stumbled with his words. This was another chance to affectionally poke fun at him. But that chance quickly burned up as, for the third time, the skeleton called her ‘beautiful’. Cheeks burning with embarrassment, her laughter turned into a giggle-snort. Seems that particular compliment was still very much effective against her. One hand lifted to hide a sheepish smile while the other ran its fingers through her messy curls.
“Whaaaat? Sorry, but I seriously think you need to get your eyesockets checked,” came her muffled voice before she lowered her hand to pull slightly at the hem of her tank top. Smile not wavering, though her gaze certainly did, drifting from his face and down to the coffee table. “I look like a mess! I haven’t even had the chance to change out of my PJs or brush my hair or any of that. Doubt a collar makes that much of a difference.”
Speaking of collars, his question brought her attention back to the strip of soft leather around her neck. Specifically, to the strange warmth that seemed to seep against the skin of her neck. It felt similar to when he’d used his magic to look at her wrist, holding that similar heat. Lacey wondered for a moment if that’s what all magic felt like, or if it was just a unique attribute of his. It felt... weird, but not bad. Kinda comforting, actually.
“Uh... I don’t know, it feels fine?” She brought a finger to tap lightly against it. “It’s strange, but I guess that’s the magic? I mean, it’s not bad or anything.” A pause as she considered her words and how to describe it as she lingered on the energy the collar radiated and how it made her feel. “S’kinda like... It makes me feel safe and... cared for and stuff? It feels like you, if that makes any sense.”
It was nice... Something she could get used to if she allowed herself. Lacey kinda scratched at her neck before shaking her head and waving a hand dismissively at his suggestion.
“Like I said, it’s not uncomfortable, and it’s just us right now so I don’t mind wearing it like this.” She gave a nonchalant shrug despite the still present flush to her cheeks. “Gotta get used to it, right?”
Ever shifting away from things that made her embarrassed, Lacey returned her attention back to Crim. His compliment might have thrown her off and saved him initially, but she still had some teasing remarks up her sleeve.
“By the way, very bold choice to give me something like this before we’ve even had a first date.” Of course, she knew it was for her own safety, and that collars were apparently a monster tradition, but that didn’t hold her back from the obvious and crude jokes that came with it. “Then again, you’re the type to give a gal a ring on a first meeting.” She winked, wiggling the fingers of her right hand. The index of which still wore his golden ring. “All these gifts, you really know how to make someone feel special. Guess I gotta get you something later.”