A blog for many muses.

[leneemusing]

PROMPTS FOR PLATONIC OR NEUTRAL DYNAMICS

obviously context can be determined by you and your writing partners but wanted to provide a less inherently shippy list!

❝ i've missed hanging out with you. ❞

❝ you needed help so here i am. let me help. ❞

❝ i really value your friendship, you've always been here for me when no one else was. ❞

❝ every time you show up i know i'm about to get a headache. ❞

❝ i'm not sad i'm...i'm smad! ❞

❝ i'd wish you'd call me sometimes when you're not in a relationship crisis. ❞

❝ you're important to me—so if it matters to you it matters to me. ❞

❝ i actually have no idea what you just said but sure. ❞

❝ if you don't eat the last muffin i will. ❞

❝ i'm not really sure what to say to that. ❞

❝ if you really wanted to cheer me up you could buy me a drink. ❞

❝ look you've been running around here with a chip on your shoulder and i've put up with it for long enough without asking questions. ❞

❝ either tell me whats wrong or stop cutting into everyone. ❞

❝ i don't really wanna be around most people but it's okay when its you. ❞

❝ no one else really understands. but i knew you would. ❞

❝ i really hope you stay in my life. makes shit easier having someone like you by my side. ❞

❝ i just really need my friend right now. ❞

❝ come on, it's boring if i go by myself. ❞

❝ stop pouting, i brought something that'll cheer you up. ❞

❝ stay over with me tonight. we can rent a movie, eat shitty food and drink cheap wine. just like we used to. ❞

❝ you don't always have to look out for me. sometimes it's my turn to take care of you. ❞

❝ i know you're going through a lot right now, but those emotions mean you're alive and they are beautiful, even if it hurts. ❞

❝ lets go get something to eat and then we can talk about it. ❞

❝ i needed you! i needed my friend and you weren't there. ❞

❝ you've been a shit friend lately. you really hurt me. ❞

❝ why can't you ever just say you're sorry? ❞

❝ you know how sometimes it's about your thing and sometimes it's about my thing? this is a 'it's about me' moment. ❞

❝ i know you didn't call me at three am to talk about the moon. what happened? ❞

❝ i'll always forgive you. we've known each other for too long for anything else. ❞

❝ cheer up. it only gets worse from here. ❞

❝ i'm sorry i wasn't there when i should have been. ❞

❝ i didn't realize how bad it'd gotten. ❞

❝ i can't help you unless you tell me you need help. ❞

❝ i guess you've already seen me at my worst, huh? ❞

❝ you're an asshole but you're my asshole so. ❞

❝ don't be such a dick and come help me out, will you? ❞

❝ you're kind of bitch. it's why we get along so well. ❞

❝ ha. i knew there was a reason i kept you around. ❞

❝ you are so not driving. ❞

❝ okay lets beat the dead horse into a pulp, what happened? ❞

❝ i have thee juciest gossip. ❞

❝ you said you had something i'd wanna hear? ❞

[ 1 ] for our muses to cook dinner together.

[ 2 ] for one muse to rescue the other from a bad date.

[ 3 ] for our muses to go on a roadtrip together that goes wrong.

[ 4 ] for one muse to take care of the other who is sick or injured.

[ 5 ] for one muse to call the other in a time of need.

[ 6 ] for one muse to show up at the other's house with ice cream after a bad day.

[ 7 ] for one muse to give the other a gift.

[ 8 ] for one muse to help the other get ready for a night out.

[ 9 ] for our muses to go shopping together.

[ 10 ] for our muses to give each other tarot/rune readings.

[ 11 ] one muse accompanies the other to visit the graveside of a loved one.

[ 12 ] one muse is upset and will only let the other near them.

[ 13 ] for our muses to make a blood oath.

[ 14 ] receiver reveals a secret to sender.

[ 15 ] sender reveals a secret to receiver (feel free to add context)

[rpmemes-galore]

send "you're just like your father..." for my muse's reaction to yours saying that.

[rpmemes-galore]

bittersweet reunions ... sentence starters

"You abandoned me."

"I didn't come back for you."

"You're too late. It's already over."

"I didn't mean to leave you behind."

"Where did you go? Somewhere better than here?"

"I'm glad you're okay. But, don't come back, again."

"Just because I'm back doesn't mean I forgive you."

"Did you think about me at all while you were gone?"

"You should have taken me with you. Why didn't you?"

"I wanted to come back sooner. I did. I just… I couldn't."

"Nothing here is the same. It hasn't been since you left."

"You broke (her/him/them) when you disappeared, you know?"

"I brought you something back. I know it doesn't fix anything, but…"

"Did you meet anyone…? It's been a long time. I wouldn't blame you."

"You thought about me? But, not enough to come back for me sooner."

"I'm not back for long. I have to go, again, but… I just wanted to see you."

"Did you think you could come back and everything would be the same?"

"Look at you. Triumphant hero's return! You must feel so proud of yourself…"

"You couldn't even call? Send a postcard? All this time I thought... I thought you were dead!"

"Don't be mad at me! I asked you to come with me! You said no. You don't get to be mad at me for leaving!"

[rpmemes-galore]

For winged muses  …  Send   ‘ crash landing ‘    for a starter of my muse falling out of the sky in front of yours due to injury, exhaustion, ect.

[myriad-ofmuses]

She smiled through the continuing tears when he leaned against her, sure to work up a good, cleansing lather all throughout before she gave the verbal warning and moved to dunk him again, rifling her hand through his hair under the water to ensure the soap was thoroughly rinsed.

The humming resumed when the conditioner was applied the same way, though giving it a bit more time after being scrubbed in to settle, before another warning was given and he was dunked and rinsed out again.

She hadn't realized the second time he'd fallen into a stupor however, and winced apologetically from the splutter that he came up with, briefly concerned that he may have sucked in some soapy water, but quickly reassured by the follow-up chuckle and tease.

"I enjoy all parts equally, thank you. If you get a shower nozzle installed, it'd be a lot easier to rinse you."

She stated with a feigned little huff, but any hope of playing off the lingering, and blatant signs of heartache were dashed the moment he slicked his hair back and the teasing smile died on his lips.

More glittering tears wavered in starry sockets as they squeezed shut, sniffling and curling herself around the warm shelter of his embrace, her head gently resting atop his when he buried into her bare shoulder, ears down.

"M'sorry.. think it's..- just gonna keep hitting for a while."

She gave a weak giggle, her tail curling around both of them under the water, while her hand pressed to the back of his head with a light grip to his wet, cookie-scented hair.

"At least.. you know that you were missed..?"

[thetraumazone]

"You don't need to apologize....out of the two of us, I'm the one that should be apologizing." He replies quietly, letting the pointed tips of his fingers gently scratch along her lower spine in a soothing gesture.

"It...is good to be missed, but...you've always been the one to miss me during these times." He murmurs, placing a kiss against her shoulder.

He really didn't deserve any form of apology. He'd been the one to be stupid and...get in his own ditzy head.

"I'm sorry...."

There were conflicting emotions with this current situation, on the one hand....it was nice to be missed, that she cared enough to be so upset...but on the other hand, he didn't like seeing her so upset. Especially when he was the cause of it.

At the very least, he could make up for it now that he was home and had time off.....and now that he wasn't being an absolute dramatic idiot.

He has to take in a small breath and nuzzle against her harder in an attempt to shake the depreciating thoughts from creeping in. It wasn't good to do that and she'd be even more upset if anything managed to slip out of his mouth.

"Getting a shower nozzle does sound like a good idea, before I develop an enjoyment for getting waterboarded." he chuckles a little, an attempt to distract from his self-depreciating thoughts and maybe to help lighten her own mood just a little.

"I think, it's about time to get into bed proper...how does that sound?" As nice as the warm water was, it would be nice to be snuggled up into blankets right about now.

[myriad-ofmuses]

"But you have apologized, I don't want you to think that isn't enough. It absolutely is. It's just.. still raw."

Soft purrs started up anew when the pointed tips of his fingers scratched along her lower vertebrae, stretching out a little from her curl with another sniffle, rubbing at her teary sockets with the back of her wrist, fighting against the sleepy haze his targeted scritches had instilled in her.

She nodded at the follow-up apology, her head pressed to his in the quiet that accompanied, hoping his lingering self-deprecation over it wasn't eating him alive again.

His comment to her earlier remark, and tacked on little chuckle earned a giggle from her as well, letting her fingers brush through his wet hair with another nod against him.

"It sounds good to me. Think we're nice and clean now."

She glanced down at herself, noting that while the glowy magic radiation was still visible in a glitter over her bones, it had mostly faded in the time they'd spent getting cleaned up, and the same went for the sheen of hers over his metal.

"I'm glad bone and metal.. or even your synthetic skin doesn't prune.. we've been in here a while."

She smiled teasingly, ruffling his slow-drying hair with her palm and stealing a kiss, before she released her hold and slipped herself out of his lap, using the bench to stand up and properly clamber out onto the mat, shivering from the contrast of temperature and grabbing one of the towels he'd prepared in a bid to get both warm and dry, water dripping onto the mat, careful not to get the glow tiles wet.

[myriad-ofmuses]

He snickered quietly at his sheepish apology and after adding some simple salt to season, covered the pot of slow-boiling potatoes to reduce the release of steam, pausing at his oiling of the skillet and open of the ground beef package at Emil's questions.

Foot tapping a little in thought, he slipped the booklet from his pocket to skim over again, mouth twisting just a little.

"Well honestly.. the tomato and olives are even pushing da envelope a bit.. so don't eat too many of those just on their own. Acidity, I guess."

With a sigh, the booklet was returned to his pocket, moving first to the cabinet to pull a bottle of sesame oil, then to the fridge, where a half block of wrapped feta was fetched, breaking off a piece and returning the rest to the cheese drawer.

Returning to the sink, the chunk of feta was run under the cold water for several seconds to wash away the brine and harden it, before it was passed off to his husband to crumble into the salad, setting the sesame bottle beside the tumbled salad bowl.

"A little feta won't hurt, but.. didn't see any dressings or vinaigrettes that were approved. Gonna have ta' make do wit' that."

With that decided, he consolingly pat his head and left him to it, going back to his own tasks, emptying the ground beef into the skillet and breaking it up with a wood spoon to cook evenly, the meat soon sizzling under the heat and releasing a beefy aroma through the space, lamenting the lack of sautéd onion and garlic that would usually accompany it.

"At least da damage done this time was minor.. won't be without our seasonings and dressings for too terribly long."

He paused to regard his spouse with a slight squint of red-pink eyes, spoon pressing down the meat with an emphasized sizzle.

"..So long as nothing else happens ta' prolong that.."

[thetraumazone]

He watches the approved things be passed over and lets out a lamented sigh of his own, picking up the feta and beginning to sprinkle it over the top of the salad, taking up the salad tongs and giving it another light tossing to make sure that the cheese was mixed up all through out the salad.

The oil would have to wait until they were serving and actually eating the food. So for now he let his arms fold onto the counter and rest his chin a top them.

Stupid Acidity.

He feels that squint, and his gaze trails over to meet it. Puffing up a cheek just a little at the emphasized pressing down of the meat. That not so subtly veiled threat is received and noted.

"It won't be as long no....and so far....I don't have any plans to get injured again. I have plans but none that should result in injury that is." he replies with a quiet chuckle. Pushing himself up from his stool with a slight wince. Shifting to rinse his hands of any residue and to be fully dried before he wrapped his arms around his spouse's waist.

"At the very least, I'm in decent enough condition to do things like this." He replies before smooching the slightly grumpy rabbit's cheek. Though being able to be in positions such as these, did lead to....other tempting thoughts.

But he was supposed to be behaving....

Having a very attractive spouse, makes that quite the difficult task.

[myriad-ofmuses]

He continued to break up the ground beef with the spoon and spread it around the skillet for each layer to brown evenly, marked ear flicking at the scraping of the stool when his husband stood, catching the wince from the peripheral of his vision.

It was hard to stay grumpy at him when he was pained, and made even more difficult when he was being sweet. The corner of his mouth twitched with a smile at the kiss to his fluffy cheek, followed by a quiet sigh, nudging his head against his with a quiet purr.

"Yeah.. at least you aren't bedridden, or stuck in dat chair. It's hard.. to see you that way."

Hearing the bubbling of the potato pot, he reached to pull off the lid to allow it to boil uncovered, setting the hot lid aside and turning his attention back to browning the meat.

"So what plans are we referring to, dear? Anything you've yet ta' share?"

He leaned back lightly against his taller spouse as he held secure around his waist, enjoying the closeness but ever aware of putting too much pressure on his soul's bruising.

Tattered ears twitched while his head moved back to meet his gaze, resting in a press against his shoulder, red-pink eyes curious but also questioning.

[rpmemes-galore]

knight and royalty vibes ... sentence starters

to the royal

"It's my duty to protect you."

"Go! I will hold off the intruders!"

"I wouldn't advise that, your highness."

"Your majesty, I have failed in my duty."

"You are not a ruler worthy of my sword."

"Some of the guards are whispering about us..."

"You've been hiding a secret from me, your grace."

"I swore to your parents that I would keep you safe."

"I will stand guard as always. You can sleep soundly."

"I know I'm but a knight, but please heed my council."

"I took an oath to guard you, whether you want me to or not."

"Crown or not, you are still my ruler, and my oath still stands."

"My allegiance is not to you, your highness. It never has been."

"The other knights grow jealous. They do not like that I have your ear."

"There are secrets I am not permitted to share, even with you, about this palace."

to the knight

"You are not like the other knights."

"You betrayed me? My own knight?"

"You truly are my knight in shining armor."

"Always my stalwart protector... thank you."

"What need would I have for a lowly knight?"

"What are waiting for?? Kill them! Protect your ruler!"

"The maids will whisper... rumors are a dangerous thing."

"Would you swing your sword on them if I commanded it?"

"You have never been only a knight. To me, you are a friend."

"A gift for you… a new set of armor. The finest our coffers could buy."

"Would you still obey me? Even without my throne to command you from?"

"You must know more about this castle than any ruler that's walked these halls."

"My parents insist you stay with me, fine. But need you follow me around like a sad puppy?"

[myriad-ofmuses]

"As if you'd need confusion for that."

She quipped with a giggle, ears fluttering with a little triumphant wiggle in his lap when he assented to her request, shifting out of his lap to stand in the center for a moment, the water lapping at her collarbone as her head tilted with a small smirk.

"Well if I'm gonna do that, gotta wet your hair first, silly. Take a breath."

Her hand moved behind his head and after her warning, she swiftly dunked his head under the water for a moment, hoping he'd followed her instruction and she hadn't just.. slightly waterboarded her lover.

When he popped back up, he seemed no worse for wear, so she assumed the head's up had been adequate for the momentary head down, so to speak.

Once his hair was hanging down and properly soaked, she clambered back up into his lap for the better vantage, first taking the shampoo from the shelf to pour some into her palm, and begin to thoroughly lather up his hair with the sweet-smelling liquid.

He did look rather silly at the moment, but she relished these candid, goofier moments with him, a stark difference from his prim and poise on the silver screen and on stage, special snapshots of him that only his closest loved ones were privy to.

She blinked when she realized there was a flash of warmth down her freckled cheek, dropping off into the frothy water. Crying, again? She thought she was done with that.. but then, if she could get over nearly losing him that fast.. that would indicate her not really caring at all, wouldn't it?

It was annoying, but.. seemed inevitable when that fallacy was still so fresh, on top of just.. really missing him the weeks he was gone. Even though she'd caught his stage shows here and there it.. wasn't the same.

She supposed she should be relieved that his eyes were covered by hair and probably (hopefully) closed to avoid getting soap in them. Maybe.. it'd stop by the time she'd finished the two-parter wash.

To distract from the slow trickle of tears, she began to hum an upbeat tune under her breath, little fingers thoroughly digging through the thick layers of purple hair to scratch the cleanse into his scalp as well.

[thetraumazone]

He can't help the amusement that tries to bubble up in his chest when he's given on a few moments before his head is shoved under the water. Thankfully, he was able to suck in a breath fast enough to not choke on water.

He does have to spit a bit of water from getting into his mouth when he does come up, dark wet locks curtained around his face, carefully leaning a little bit onto her while she worked the lather through his hair.

The scent combination was nice, if he hadn't known any better he would've thought that someone had been baking fresh cinnamon cookies in the house......he had been joking earlier but this scent might actually be a bit dangerous.

There came a bit of whiplash in energy when it came to the gentleness that she started with and the more thorough scrubbing, that while still was nice, was just a little amusing at how much it had turned when she'd gotten focused on the task at hand.

Managing to get another breath in before he was waterboarded for the sake of rinsing the shampoo out. Wiping off the streams of water from his face from under his curtain of hair.

The soft pleasantness of her voice combined with the warmth of the water and relaxing sensation of the deep scratching of his scalp as the conditioner is applied....while he'd managed to stave it off with the shampoo, in this case he wasn't quite as successful of avoiding the stupor that he'd current found himself in.

In fact he had almost started to drift off a little from the sensation until it had been time to rinse, almost forgetting to pull in a breath before he was dunked down again.

This time he came up with a little bit of spluttering, but nothing to be concerned over considering a small chuckle left him shortly after, bringing his hands up to slick his hair back out of his face.

"I'm starting to suspect that you might be enjoy that particular part of the process." though his teasing remark had come with a smile, it had stopped when he'd gotten a clear view of her tear stained cheeks.

His next movements are gentle and quiet, a wrap of his arms around her smaller frame accompanied by nuzzling into her shoulder.

[myriad-ofmuses]

She smiled through the continuing tears when he leaned against her, sure to work up a good, cleansing lather all throughout before she gave the verbal warning and moved to dunk him again, rifling her hand through his hair under the water to ensure the soap was thoroughly rinsed.

The humming resumed when the conditioner was applied the same way, though giving it a bit more time after being scrubbed in to settle, before another warning was given and he was dunked and rinsed out again.

She hadn't realized the second time he'd fallen into a stupor however, and winced apologetically from the splutter that he came up with, briefly concerned that he may have sucked in some soapy water, but quickly reassured by the follow-up chuckle and tease.

"I enjoy all parts equally, thank you. If you get a shower nozzle installed, it'd be a lot easier to rinse you."

She stated with a feigned little huff, but any hope of playing off the lingering, and blatant signs of heartache were dashed the moment he slicked his hair back and the teasing smile died on his lips.

More glittering tears wavered in starry sockets as they squeezed shut, sniffling and curling herself around the warm shelter of his embrace, her head gently resting atop his when he buried into her bare shoulder, ears down.

"M'sorry.. think it's..- just gonna keep hitting me for a while."

She gave a weak giggle, her tail curling around both of them under the water, while her hand pressed to the back of his head with a light grip to his wet, cookie-scented hair.

"At least.. you know that you were missed..?"

[myriad-ofmuses]

Her arms went around his neck again to reflexively secure herself in his lap while he scooted along the seat to reach up for the no doubt quite heavy shelf of lather bottles, ears twitching curiously when he brought it down for her to select something herself.

Freeing one of her arms now that he'd stopped moving, she quietly perused the available options, picking them out one by one to read the labels, checking their scent profile rather than picking one at random, or by their various alluring colors.

"Mm.. you have a lot of floral ones, but mixing those would probably be pretty cloying. What about.. cinnamon and sugar cookie?"

She smirked playfully, leaning over to lightly kiss his warm cheek and huskily whisper.

"You did liken me to a pastry, maybe I'll smell like one, too."

At his assent, she picked out the bottles in question and carefully twisted each open to carefully pour some of each liquid into the swirling water, the glittery surface foaming up a bit with the mix of scented soap and water, effectively getting them clean just with the gentle push and pulling current of the jets.

Putting the bottles back in their designated spots on the shelf, she noticed there was also a matching sugar cookie shampoo and conditioner, tilting her head a bit.

"Were you wanting to wash your hair too, Luci? I bet these would smell really nice. And they wouldn't clash with one another."

The jacuzzi tub made it unnecessary to assist in bathing one another, but this was one aspect of aftercare that she did enjoy doing, if he'd let her.

She pouted just a little, finger lightly toying at the peeling corner of the shampoo label in its shelving, starry gaze tentatively looking up into his while she waited for him to decide.

[thetraumazone]

"Hmm...true the floral ones can be quite intense, and typically not best for mixes." he chuckled, watching her narrow things down before coming up with the more dessert scented of his lathers. Amusement on his lips in particular at her rather husky whisper into his ear.

"Careful, I might get confused and take a few bites out of you~" He purred, followed by a playful light snap of his teeth and bounce of his brows.

Not that he needed any encouragement on that front.

He tilts his head in consideration of washing his hair, truly if he went ahead and did it this time, he wouldn't have to do it himself later. Not only that but as he met her gaze, the adorableness of the sight he was met with was perhaps a bit too effective on his soul.

"Even if I were to consider no as an option, that little face of yours would most certainly be my demise." he sighed with amusement and a soft shake of his head.

"So yes, I think I would like to. Since you seem so very eager to assist me~" he taps the tip of her aperture on his final word. Before leaning forward just enough to gather up his hair and bring it more to the front for easier access.

His own starry gaze now hidden behind curtains of dark purple and bright pink highlights, It was a very silly position to be in, but he didn't mind. It kept things simple and easy. Though for the sake of avoiding potential lathering in his eyes, he did close them for the time being.

[myriad-ofmuses]

"As if you'd need confusion for that."

She quipped with a giggle, ears fluttering with a little triumphant wiggle in his lap when he assented to her request, shifting out of his lap to stand in the center for a moment, the water lapping at her collarbone as her head tilted with a small smirk.

"Well if I'm gonna do that, gotta wet your hair first, silly. Take a breath."

Her hand moved behind his head and after her warning, she swiftly dunked his head under the water for a moment, hoping he'd followed her instruction and she hadn't just.. slightly waterboarded her lover.

When he popped back up, he seemed no worse for wear, so she assumed the head's up had been adequate for the momentary head down, so to speak.

Once his hair was hanging down and properly soaked, she clambered back up into his lap for the better vantage, first taking the shampoo from the shelf to pour some into her palm, and begin to thoroughly lather up his hair with the sweet-smelling liquid.

He did look rather silly at the moment, but she relished these candid, goofier moments with him, a stark difference from his prim and poise on the silver screen and on stage, special snapshots of him that only his closest loved ones were privy to.

She blinked when she realized there was a flash of warmth down her freckled cheek, dropping off into the frothy water. Crying, again? She thought she was done with that.. but then, if she could get over nearly losing him that fast.. that would indicate her not really caring at all, wouldn't it?

It was annoying, but.. seemed inevitable when that fallacy was still so fresh, on top of just.. really missing him the weeks he was gone. Even though she'd caught his stage shows here and there it.. wasn't the same.

She supposed she should be relieved that his eyes were covered by hair and probably (hopefully) closed to avoid getting soap in them. Maybe.. it'd stop by the time she'd finished the two-parter wash.

To distract from the slow trickle of tears, she began to hum an upbeat tune under her breath, little fingers thoroughly digging through the thick layers of purple hair to scratch the cleanse into his scalp as well.

[myriad-ofmuses]

He nodded along while continuing to dice, pausing mid-chop when his husband mentioned just buying something new at the shops, back straightening a bit while his head turned to regard him with a bemused smirk, marked ear flicking.

"Emi.. you didn't just tell a former cuoca to forsake her own cookware. I may be a cuoco now.. but those old tendencies still reign supreme. Mm.. very bold.~"

The paw not occupied with the chef's knife, reached over to frame his face against the glove, before giving a playful few pats over the newly warmed metal at the teasing admonishment.

"I will be bringing some of my own things. But, I will refrain from going overboard. Just what we'll need for planned meals."

Returning his attention to the cutting board he scraped the second pile into the cooking pot, turning to the island to grab the salad ingredients to prepare while his spouse finished peeling the last of the needed potatoes.

Unfortunately he would have to leave out the radicchio, red onion, and pepperoncini that gave a salad most of its flavor, but some romaine lettuce, carrots, cherry tomatoes and olives would still be safe to include, albeit make for a very bland assortment.

He set about chopping up the lettuce and carrots, carefully plopping it all into a large serving bowl, halving the little tomatoes in a similar fashion before adding them and the olives.

With that done, he noticed Emi's last two prepped potatoes and moved the salad bowl closer to the counter where he could reach, dicing the last potatoes to add to the pot before getting it boiling, and finally starting on the ground beef.

"While I focus on the rest, mind mixing up the salad for serving, amore mio?"

[thetraumazone]

"mi dispiace, I seem to have forgotten my surroundings for a moment." he chuckled scratching at the none gloved cheek. It was only for a few days...but he knew better than to argue against the cookware.

He takes a moment to wipe off the peeler with a rag that was in his reach, before passing back over to be dealt with properly later. Stretching a little bit as he watched his husband throw the ingredients together into the salad bowl, tilting his head just a bit.

He supposed....it wasn't quite a full meal with what he'd proposed. Had to find a way to get leafy greens in there somewhere.

He wasn't the biggest fan of them.....but they were important.

Salads were more tolerable when there was more things put into them. Unfortunately due to his current dietary restrictions....it was looking rather...leafy, in flavor.

Taking up the salad tongs into his hand, he started to work through mixing the various veggies together, having snagged a tomato half out to pop into his mouth for the time being.

"Mm...no cheese? and which dressing are we using?" he asks curiously with a tilt of his head. "Considering you have tomatoes and olives mixed in....Feta would be best for what little flavor profiling that we have."

He couldn't quite recall if cheese was including in the not allowed food section, but it was probably fine.

It wasn't like they were inviting Reyna over for dinner, and what she perhaps didn't know, wouldn't particularly hurt her. He wasn't particularly sensitive to any foods either. Just a little picky when it came down to it. Dressing and cheese definitely made the vegetables easier to tolerate.

If he was also denied these luxuries, he might tear up just a little. From the small pain caused to his very core.

[myriad-ofmuses]

He snickered quietly at his sheepish apology and after adding some simple salt to season, covered the pot of slow-boiling potatoes to reduce the release of steam, pausing at his oiling of the skillet and open of the ground beef package at Emil's questions.

Foot tapping a little in thought, he slipped the booklet from his pocket to skim over again, mouth twisting just a little.

"Well honestly.. the tomato and olives are even pushing da envelope a bit.. so don't eat too many of those just on their own. Acidity, I guess."

With a sigh, the booklet was returned to his pocket, moving first to the cabinet to pull a bottle of sesame oil, then to the fridge, where a half block of wrapped feta was fetched, breaking off a piece and returning the rest to the cheese drawer.

Returning to the sink, the chunk of feta was run under the cold water for several seconds to wash away the brine and harden it, before it was passed off to his husband to crumble into the salad, setting the sesame bottle beside the tumbled salad bowl.

"A little feta won't hurt, but.. didn't see any dressings or vinaigrettes that were approved. Gonna have ta' make do wit' that."

With that decided, he consolingly pat his head and left him to it, going back to his own tasks, emptying the ground beef into the skillet and breaking it up with a wood spoon to cook evenly, the meat soon sizzling under the heat and releasing a beefy aroma through the space, lamenting the lack of sautéd onion and garlic that would usually accompany it.

"At least da damage done this time was minor.. won't be without our seasonings and dressings for too terribly long."

He paused to regard his spouse with a slight squint of red-pink eyes, spoon pressing down the meat with an emphasized sizzle.

"..So long as nothing else happens ta' prolong that.."

[myriad-ofmuses]

Mm.. right, it made sense that the artist would pull him into some kind of recreational project to do together while they visited. Visual evidence was also apparent in this, the tips of his phalanges still somewhat stained with paint, that he hadn't noted until now.

Usually such details didn't escape his notice.. blasted medicinal brain fog.

With a displeased huff of annoyance, he stuffed another coin of salami into his mouth, minus the cracker and cheese to pad its supposed nutritional value, raising a brow at the bratty poke out of his tongue.

Briefly, he contemplated the display of a magic forked one in response, but dismissed it as the childish reaction that it was, his tail thumping the couch to his side again when the other questioned an earlier remark.

Vaguely slitted red-blue eyelights shifted fully to his roommate, another beat of quiet between them as if the dragon was searching for something specific, before his hands lifted to begin to sign.

'Multiple times now, today included.. I have caught the visage of purple discoloration over your skull. I know what this means for Griffin, albeit a different hue.. but as the same origin cannot be shared.. and knowing of your omittance to snack today, I can only assume it is a sign of ailment.'

His head tilted with a barely perceptible narrow of his sockets, the slow taps of his tail gradually picking up in intensity.

'Thinking back.. it started around the time of my.. incident. Cooper, have you been neglecting your health to prioritize managing mine?'

[thetraumazone]

He shouldn't have asked.

He really, really, shouldn't have asked.

'The same origin cannot be shared.'

That shouldn't sting as much as it does, shouldn't....send a spike of agitation through him like it does.

When did he become an expert on what was possible and what wasn't?

Right. Sick.

That must be it. It couldn't possibly be a single other thing. He couldn't have possibly been driving himself insane for weeks now, couldn't have possibly been stupid enough to open his mouth about it.

Totally wasn't being overly sensitive right now either. Everything was just hunky dory. nothing to have a cow over.

Shades had gone blank as he sat there for a few moments, before he pushed himself up off the couch. Smacking the side of his skull with his palm. An attempt at a mood reset.

"Mm...Not on purpose, but you're probably right. I dunno what's going on. Just been feeling a little wack for awhile now. My bad, It hasn't impacted Griffy-boi aside from lack of little snack breaks though." Tendrils curled tighter inside the socket, hidden by shades.

"So it's all good, chillax, Just gotta set a little timer for myself or something to remember to take a little snack break. Nothing to get all bristly about." If beef stew was going to be the choice for dinner then he needed to get it going. And admittedly, having something else to do was needed right now.

Distance wasn't going to happen, he'd told him he could help with dinner. But at the very least having a secondary task to distract.....might be a decent buffer.

Complete and total doofus, maybe he should've just gone with that initial urge and bitten him. maybe then it would've just....gone away?

Nah, he wouldn't get that lucky.

Giving himself the task of not only washing his hands again but also to rinse off the various vegetables he'd pulled out seemed like a good start. Then he could leave them in a bowl and let the designated chopper, do his job.

Keep focus on making the food. Bite into the food, not the dragon.

[myriad-ofmuses]

The slit of his eyelights became more apparent due to confusion being tacked onto already-present agitation, remaining quiet through Wyrm's attempt at nonchalance that fell miserably flat.

It was painfully obvious that his words had in turn agitated him, but why? What had he said to get upset over? And so much so that he had to put immediate distance between them?

Add this to the aberrant behavior he'd taken note of since the incident, it was.. becoming quite the mental list, and subsequently, mental quandary as to the source of it all.

Touchy, was the best way to sum up how his roommate had been as of late. A direct contrast to his usual sangfroid behavior under duress.

His mouth twisted with a slow squint of his sockets, spiked tail thumping hard at his side, with a slow trickle of smoke from his closed mouth.

Something he'd implied so carelessly had stuck under his scales, he needed to take a pause before he followed after him, or he was liable to be snappier than necessary and potentially cause a legitimate fight, especially when Wyrm's moods were so unpredictable as is.

With a huff that released a bit of smoke, he reached for his partial water bottle and drained the rest of it, the cold liquid quelling some of the burn in his chest, just enough to abate the smog.

Testing the background vertigo in his skull, he slowly slipped down off the couch and once the world had mostly righted, he started for the kitchen to assist with dinner prep, pulling his hood back up to anchor with his horns, clawed feet clicking on the kitchen tile.

He stared quietly at his roommate's turned back, contemplating whether he should express his fleeting annoyance at his heedless words, but in the name of peace, and express dinner prep, he would shelve that for later.

Turning to the counter and the pre-washed vegetables, he got to work with the vegetable slicer, focused on his task, but ever aware of his surroundings, tail motionless so as not to smack against the other in their close proximity.

[myriad-ofmuses]

She smiled when he nestled a bit into her palm with another chirruping purr, letting her thumb brush affectionately over the warmed metal beneath his eye while listening to him respond to her expressed worry.

Her ear flittered a bit when he described his natural shell as being limiting, while yes.. in a strictly physicality sense that was true enough, it still rang a little hollow of verity, since he could pretty much do everything he could in his created shell, just with the compensation of magic behind it.

Really the main aspects this shell afforded him was a more generalized outlet for the gene, and of course, more widespread sexual appeal. Something that, for her at least, was equally shared in both his forms. Though, sadly, his squishier one was more elusive.

His playful quip and follow-up laugh drew a giggle out of her as well, that was.. certainly true, especially now that she could tick his soul off of that list for the first time. The reminder of which made her rosy all over again, in both feeling and visage on her freckled face.

"That's true.."

She admitted a bit sheepishly to his very convincing points, she hadn't necessarily connected the two vulnerabilities in parallel, but she couldn't deny that it made sense he would be equally comfortable with both, when it came to just the two of them.

She blinked at the moniker he'd addressed her by, dissolving into flustered snickers while she nuzzled close to him, an amused quirk to her usual cattish little smile, her tail freeing from its curl to surface behind her and sway to and fro.

"Moon-puff? Am I a delicious snack food now?"

She paused, then let out a little groan with a shake of her head and a giggle, already seeing the mischief gleaming in his eyes.

"Don't answer that. Hush."

She lightly pressed her fingers to his lush lips, eyes still bright with amusement herself, before she continued.

"So.. since you're sure.. we'll plan for it, then? I'll.. be looking forward to it, immensely."

Another pause, then she glanced up to the high shelf of bottled shampoo and lathers, gauging that it would likely be a little high up for her to manage to peruse them like she'd like.

"We should pick a lather so we can get properly bathed. Just bubbly water isn't going to do much, hehe.~"

[thetraumazone]

He was more than content to sit here and be affectionately petted, until however you'd made the mistake of asking that question. Eyes lighting up as a grin spread over his lips that soon had her fingers pressed against them.

Oh how temptation was such a tease.

He might not have been able to verbalize his response but the bounce of his brows were plenty enough to get his point his across. Though truly Moon Puffs weren't a good comparison in regards to taste.

It had mostly been due to their pale moon like hue and how much the pastry tended to expand when made by hand and baked. Much like how her cheeks seemed to find new ways to get more puffed up as her fluster or agitation grew.

No, if he were to compare her taste to something it would very much be a lot sweeter of a food. While Moon puffs were a little sweet by nature from the sugar that is usually sprinkled on top. However...it wasn't quite right.

Her anguish had been reward in itself, rather than furthering that 'pain' and torment...he'd take this instead.

He nodded his head quietly in agreement at the mention of planning for it. Feeling a bit of fluster in his chest at the mention of just how much she'd be looking forward to it. Thankfully, there's an easily provided distraction.

He brings his gaze up to the shelf in question, adjusting into a supporting hold of her frame as he scooted along the seat of the tub, so that he could bring the shelf down without having to do an acrobatic bend. Bringing it all the way down so that the bottles could be easily seen and grabbed by the other.

"Mm...True enough. Pick whichever one or ones you'd like." In typical fashion, he had far too many in his possession than one technically should. But it was fun to mix and match the pleasant scents together or choose one in particular for the day.

[myriad-ofmuses]

Her arms went around his neck again to reflexively secure herself in his lap while he scooted along the seat to reach up for the no doubt quite heavy shelf of lather bottles, ears twitching curiously when he brought it down for her to select something herself.

Freeing one of her arms now that he'd stopped moving, she quietly perused the available options, picking them out one by one to read the labels, checking their scent profile rather than picking one at random, or by their various alluring colors.

"Mm.. you have a lot of floral ones, but mixing those would probably be pretty cloying. What about.. cinnamon and sugar cookie?"

She smirked playfully, leaning over to lightly kiss his warm cheek and huskily whisper.

"You did liken me to a pastry, maybe I'll smell like one, too."

At his assent, she picked out the bottles in question and carefully twisted each open to minimally pour some of each liquid into the swirling water, the glittery surface foaming up a bit with the mix of scented soap and water, effectively getting them clean just with the gentle push and pulling current of the jets.

Putting the bottles back in their designated spots on the shelf, she noticed there was also a matching sugar cookie shampoo and conditioner, tilting her head a bit.

"Were you wanting to wash your hair too, Luci? I bet these would smell really nice. And they wouldn't clash with one another."

The jacuzzi tub made it unnecessary to assist in bathing one another, but this was one aspect of aftercare that she did enjoy doing, if he'd let her.

She pouted just a little, finger lightly toying at the peeling corner of the shampoo label in its shelving, starry gaze tentatively looking up into his while she waited for him to decide.

[myriad-ofmuses]

Marked ear twitched at the other's teasing response, continuing to dice the potato into even cubes, so as to make it easier to parboil and later mash, a smirk on his lips.

Lifting the cutting board he carefully scraped the first pile of diced potato into the pot filled with water, gauging how many more would need to be added to make enough for at least two servings, though leftovers were never a bad thing, either.

"Even I don't know that, I'm too caffeinated to be in that sort of bad-tempered mindset. I still don't imagine it would be pleasant, though. Mm.. that said, you are a bit of a masochist, I suppose. So maybe.~"

Returning the board to the counter, he feigned a slow stretch before abruptly planting himself in his spouse's lap, one gloved paw gently taking the potato he'd nearly finished peeling, while the other brushed exposed claw tips through his hair, leaning in to steal a kiss.

"Though, I still wouldn't recommend it. Those headaches really are da worst."

His forehead pressed to his for a beat, with a quiet purr, before he pulled away with the potato still in paw, scraping the last bit of peel off with a claw into the trash, before hopping back up and returning to his cutting board, paw taking up the knife again to resume dicing.

"Thinking we just need a few more. Don't want to use up too many if we're pushing off groceries until we leave."

He went quiet for a moment in thought, continuing to chop despite his mental preoccupation.

"I should.. probably pack some kitchen essentials too, shouldn't I? Ma probably took hers with her when she moved to her new place. I don't imagine she'd leave much behind."

[thetraumazone]

There were pros and cons to that situation he felt. The biggest con is that his husband would be in immense pain and utterly exhausted without the shared vice. Which....he was very much not looking forward to having to face with himself.

Though he didn't have much time to mull on it before he had his lap full of rabbit. Not that he would ever company about such a luxury. A rumbling purr escaping him from the affections that he was more than happy to reciprocate.

"Hm...good point. Speaking of those headaches...I apologize in advance for the combination of grump, whiny and clingy bastard that will more than likely surface once mine are in full swing."

He'd have to be sure to give the poor staff at the manor a heads up, while he'd certainly try to be snappy.....he couldn't guarantee it either. Most of the headache should be dulled by the painkillers he was already taking for his abdomen. But, the other symptoms that came with caffeine withdrawals...more than likely would remain unaffected.

Alas....also a fleeting moment. Leaning back in his chair with a small forlorn look at the just out of reach ass that he if he was determined enough...he could probably stretch just a little and be in range.

But he was supposed to behave.

Irritation at his twin has been brought back to the forefront of his mind for a moment, before he makes his focus return back to skinning the potatoes.

"Oh no doubt she took the entire kitchenware with her if she was able to. There might be a few pots and pans that were left behind but not much. If there is kitchenware, it's most likely staff supplied. In the off chance that there's not...might be a good idea to bring some necessities." he chuckles a little at the mental image that had been supplied of several suitcases filled with the various pots, pans, and utensils that his mother had been so attentive to over the years.

"Though if you'd rather not pack up half the kitchen, we could always get some things in town instead." It wasn't like there was a lack of shops that would be more than happy to supply.

[myriad-ofmuses]

He nodded along while continuing to dice, pausing mid-chop when his husband mentioned just buying something new at the shops, back straightening a bit while his head turned to regard him with a bemused smirk, marked ear flicking.

"Emi.. you didn't just tell a former cuoca to forsake her own cookware. I may be a cuoco now.. but those old tendencies still reign supreme. Mm.. very bold.~"

The paw not occupied with the chef's knife, reached over to frame his face against the glove, before giving a playful few pats over the newly warmed metal at the teasing admonishment.

"I will be bringing some of my own things. But, I will refrain from going overboard. Just what we'll need for planned meals."

Returning his attention to the cutting board he scraped the second pile into the cooking pot, turning to the island to grab the salad ingredients to prepare while his spouse finished peeling the last of the needed potatoes.

Unfortunately he would have to leave out the radicchio, red onion, and pepperoncini that gave a salad most of its flavor, but some romaine lettuce, carrots, cherry tomatoes and olives would still be safe to include, albeit make for a very bland assortment.

He set about chopping up the lettuce and carrots, carefully plopping it all into a large serving bowl, halving the little tomatoes in a similar fashion before adding them and the olives.

With that done, he noticed Emi's last two prepped potatoes and moved the salad bowl closer to the counter where he could reach, dicing the last potatoes to add to the pot before getting it boiling, and finally starting on the ground beef.

"While I focus on the rest, mind mixing up the salad for serving, amore mio?"

[myriad-ofmuses]

While the stroking over her cheekbones continued, she was falling into a gradual sort of haze, leaned a bit against the trailing warmth of his fingers, enough so that she had to slightly readjust her focus with a shake of her head, when his arms moved around her middle instead.

She flushed just a little when his forehead pressed to hers again, going quiet with a blink, just to listen to his corrections to her assumption, that it actually was possible with an adjustment to hold.

She let him move her at his whim, offering no resistance when he emphasized his dancing tutelage by physical example, her eyes eventually closing as she lightly squeezed his arm where her hand had been placed, re-imagining it with his stated adjustments.

She'd never seen anyone with their difference in stature dance before, but he was making it seem so simple.. she could almost picture it in her mind's eye.

She hadn't been expecting the casual reference to a wedding however, nor did she anticipate the gentle admonishment and contradiction to her earlier cynical words, both blushing more noticeably, and feeling a stinging behind her eyes when they opened to gaze up at him.

The tears that threatened, fully escaped to drip down into the water, from the shocked blink at the flustered suggestion that had followed, her soul visibly picking up in pace in her ribcage and emanating small ripples in the glittering water from the magic buffer around it.

Her hand moved from his arm to instead frame his cheek as he had hers earlier, the dimmed luster in her gaze, slowly lighting up again as she gazed back into his, mirroring a hesitant sparkle.

"My fuchsia nebula.. are you sure? You so rarely leave your shell these days.. I know you said my comfort is important but.. yours is too. I can't deny that it would be easiest to start with.. and it would also be nice to be assured I couldn't trip us up. But.. not at your expense."

[thetraumazone]

His smile softens as her hand frames his warmed cheek, leaning into her touch with a quiet purr of his own.

"It wouldn't be at my expense, per say." He purses his lips in thought, trying to find proper words to explain it. "It's not that I'm uncomfortable with my regular shell...It's more so that I'm....limited?" he scrunches his nose a bit, unsure if he's entirely happy with those words either.

"It's a lot like....the soul play situation....in a way. Another form of vulnerability, severely different levels of vulnerability....but still in that realm of exposure. Which is why, it doesn't bother me when it comes to things with you. At this point...you've seen quite literally every bit of me." He replies with a small laugh.

Truly this shell's purpose was two things, offering more opportunities and being an outlet for gene management that didn't involve his soul directly.

It was oddly....flustering? exciting? that in a rare instance, his inner shell was more preferable/useful than his outer. It also wasn't a bad thing to leave his shell and stretch out a little.

"Height difference certainly wouldn't be a problem anymore either, like you said. It's the easiest way to start off and build up your confidence."

If they could get the foot work down pat, to where she was more than confident in where she needed to step, then it wouldn't be an issue at all aside from finding a good rhythm for both of their bodies properly down the line.

But that was something that was later on. Getting her comfortable was the first step in that regard.

"So yes, I'm very certain, Moon-puff~"

[myriad-ofmuses]

She smiled when he nestled a bit into her palm with another chirruping purr, letting her thumb brush affectionately over the warmed metal beneath his eye while listening to him respond to her expressed worry.

Her ear flittered a bit when he described his natural shell as being limiting, while yes.. in a strictly physicality sense that was true enough, it still rang a little hollow of verity, since he could pretty much do everything he could in his created shell, just with the compensation of magic behind it.

Really the main aspects this shell afforded him was a more generalized outlet for the gene, and of course, more widespread sexual appeal. Something that, for her at least, was equally shared in both his forms. Though, sadly, his squishier one was more elusive.

His playful quip and follow-up laugh drew a giggle out of her as well, that was.. certainly true, especially now that she could tick his soul off of that list for the first time. The reminder of which made her rosy all over again, in both feeling and visage on her freckled face.

"That's true.."

She admitted a bit sheepishly to his very convincing points, she hadn't necessarily connected the two vulnerabilities in parallel, but she couldn't deny that it made sense he would be equally comfortable with both, when it came to just the two of them.

She blinked at the moniker he'd addressed her by, dissolving into flustered snickers while she nuzzled close to him, an amused quirk to her usual cattish little smile, her tail freeing from its curl to surface behind her and sway to and fro.

"Moon-puff? Am I a delicious snack food now?"

She paused, then let out a little groan with a shake of her head and a giggle, already seeing the mischief gleaming in his eyes.

"Don't answer that. Hush."

She lightly pressed her fingers to his lush lips, eyes still bright with amusement herself, before she continued.

"So.. since you're sure.. we'll plan for it, then? I'll.. be looking forward to it, immensely."

Another pause, then she glanced up to the high shelf of bottled shampoo and lathers, gauging that it would likely be a little high up for her to manage to peruse them like she'd like.

"We should pick a lather so we can get properly bathed. Just bubbly water isn't going to do much, hehe.~"

[myriad-ofmuses]

He nodded at the given concession, the so-named 'veggie chopper' did seem much quicker with more consistent results than any knife-work could manage, plus.. that wasn't very advisable when his hands were shaky off and on from dulled pain and the medicine to manage it.

Listening to the hasty chops of their snack food, he flicked his tail out of the way to the opposite side, before the other sat down next to him, even without flesh to pierce, getting a bony rear of spikes wouldn't necessarily be pleasant.

A bandaged wing also shifted to slightly rest behind his roomie's back when he settled with the tray, reflexively, though at one time the same reflex would have been to create a scaly barrier between them, very protective of his personal space with most people.

Leaning back more against the couch with a barely perceptible wince from a pinch at his back, he reached for one of the prepped coins of meat to pair with the cheese and another cracker, head tilting while red-blue eyelights quietly searched his face, though for what, wasn't readily apparent.

'Did your homemade pretzels really take up so much time? Percy is usually a good host, I can't help but wonder what had you so distracted so as to not snack, Wyrm.'

He signed carefully with a slight purse of his mouth, tail tapping the couch a bit to his side. Clearly somewhat suspicious, but the three-ingredient cracker soon pulled his attention from it for a time, also giving his roommate the opportunity to snack unhindered as well.

It did beg the question though.. that flush of purple from earlier, was that a result of being unwell from neglecting to eat all day? It was hardly the first sighting, but until now, he hadn't questioned it.

'Please, be more careful. I don't want you to siphon more from Griff than necessary, and you also seem unwell. If I'm forced to eat regular meals, you certainly shouldn't be skipping for anything.'

[thetraumazone]

Of course it was a little suspicious that he'd not only been out so long, but also had forgotten about making sure he'd evened out the host energy levels.

Those were rookie mistakes on his part, but it wasn't like he was about to explain what exactly he'd been so distracted about that had caused negligence on his side of things.

"Eh....well we did some painting and stuff together too before the pretzels came up. Kinda just.....got distracted with conversation and such. Just gabbing and what not." He replies with a nonchalant wave of his hand, the words 'no worries' crossing over his shades.

Though at the chiding reminder, his own mouth pursed.

"Mmn...It's not like I skipped meals per say. Just....the required snacking times." he replied before chomping down on a cracker, Letting his head fall back against the couch cushions, but in a position to where he could still see the others signs clearly.

"So I wasn't completely irresponsible, just a little. Not enough to be a detriment to Griff." It was just...a titch insulting, Though he knew there were good intentions behind the reminders.

"Aaaand I'm fixing my bad behavior a little by snacking on some crackers. Soooo there~" he replied with a small stick out of his tongue.

He quirks a brow however at the tacked on bit of his sentence. "I seem unwell?"

It wasn't an entirely wrong statement, he wasn't sick per say...just very tired. While yes, the body had energy stored up. The emotional roller coaster of the evening, had definitely started to take it's toll on him.

[myriad-ofmuses]

Mm.. right, it made sense that the artist would pull him into some kind of recreational project to do together while they visited. Visual evidence was also apparent in this, the tips of his phalanges still somewhat stained with paint, that he hadn't noted until now.

Usually such details didn't escape his notice.. blasted medicinal brain fog.

With a displeased huff of annoyance, he stuffed another coin of salami into his mouth, minus the cracker and cheese to pad its supposed nutritional value, raising a brow at the bratty poke out of his tongue.

Briefly, he contemplated the display of a magic forked one in response, but dismissed it as the childish reaction that it was, his tail thumping the couch to his side again when the other questioned an earlier remark.

Vaguely slitted red-blue eyelights shifted fully to his roommate, another beat of quiet between them as if the dragon was searching for something specific, before his hands lifted to begin to sign.

'Multiple times now, today included.. I have caught the visage of purple discoloration over your skull. I know what this means for Griffin, albeit a different hue.. but as the same origin cannot be shared.. and knowing of your omittance to snack today, I can only assume it is a sign of ailment.'

His head tilted with a barely perceptible narrow of his sockets, the slow taps of his tail gradually picking up in intensity.

'Thinking back.. it started around the time of my.. incident. Cooper, have you been neglecting your health to prioritize managing mine?'

[rpmemes-galore]

the muses who don't think they deserve love ... sentence starters

"You deserve better than me."

"I don't know how to be loved."

"You're not… going to hurt me?"

"Why do you want to be around me?"

"Why would you choose to stay near me?"

"I can't believe you're still sticking around."

"No one's ever cared about me like you do."

"You… actually want to know how I'm doing?"

"You're too nice. You shouldn't be nice to me. "

"Why aren't you scared of me? Everyone else is."

"You're the only person who gave me a chance, so thanks."

"I've done a lot of bad things… why don't you care about that?"

"You shouldn't love me. Bad things happen to people who love me."

"No, there's nothing I need from you. There's nothing In need from anyone!"

"Nobody's ever treated me this nicely before. It's weird. What do you want?"

"I'm just gonna hurt you eventually. I hurt everyone. That's what they told me."

"This is all really new to me. So, just give me some time to get used to being cared for, okay?"

"Why won't you leave me alone?! Why can't you just get it through your skull that I don't need anyone!"

[myriad-ofmuses]

Pinned ears reflexively perked in surprise from the expressed excitement of the other, complete with a twinkling display of the backdrop stars in his irises that weren't easy to light up under most circumstances.

It was hard to stay puffy in the face of such genuine thrill at the notion, and it had mostly deflated by the time he'd realized and taken her face in his hands, purrs starting up despite herself, from the soothing strokes over her cheekbones.

"Well, I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't want to, but.."

Ears drooped this time rather than pin in vexation, pink eyelights downcast toward the glittery water, a juxtaposition to the lack of sparkle in her own gaze, still holding onto him with one linked arm, while her other hand trailed little fingers dejectedly along the bubbly surface.

"I'm.. too small, aren't I? Wouldn't our height difference.. be too much for something like that..?"

Her long tail wrapped around her waist self-soothingly under the water, with a heavy sigh.

"I'm also less than a novice and you're so adept in comparison.. it was a silly thought, any way you look at it. A fleeting whimsy. You don't have to entertain it, Luci."

[thetraumazone]

He waited, listened to her explanations and kept his hands on her cheeks, continuing his soothing pets with his thumbs. Though her explanation admittedly, caused a pang in his soul.

His eyebrows knitted together, the twinkles of excitement still present in his eyes, he moved his hands from her cheeks and instead wrapped his arms more securely around her middle in a similar fashion to her tail. pressing his forehead lovingly against hers.

"You're not too small Nessi, It would just take some adjusting regarding hold. So instead of the typical hold, like this." He takes her hand that swirled in the waters surface, adjusting his hold to 'proper form', since she was currently in his lap, this kind of hold was easy and comfortable. It would not be the case, were they standing.

"However, since you come up to roughly under my chest. Instead of having one arm around my neck..." Similarly to how he had before, letting go of her other hand for a moment for easier movements, he took her hand that clasped the back of his neck. Gliding it down to instead rest over his tricep. "That way you're not stretching and I'm not slouched." He explains. "As for the 'skill level' situation, dancing is supposed to be about having fun, connecting with your partner. and Especially so in this case."

"There's no reason that we can't take things slow, readjust, etc. And with your idea in mind, a wedding style waltz would suit just fine." He adjusts his own positioning to rest his hand properly along her the middle of her back.

As far as dips were concerned, all he'd have to do is adjust his stance to be a bit wider. Nothing too extra.

"So it's not a silly thought or fleeting whimsy. You, my dear, are capable of anything. I will be damned, before I allow your whimsical ways to diminish. It's one of your many charming traits." and one of the more specific things that had drawn him in to begin with.

"Another option....if you'd rather avoid the risk of stepping on my feet all together, though truly, I don't mind...I could always just dance....out of shell. The tiles would need to be adjusted to react differently to magic signature instead of pressure, but I don't imagine that would be too difficult." He's well aware that he's rambling a bit with these tiles, but the option he'd presented was just....a titch more flustering than he'd anticipated.

He didn't leave his shell often. Let alone to do specific activities, usually it was just.....to redo his layers, and frankly....it'd gotten to the point to where he'd gotten the hang of doing them from inside his body. It was a similar fashion as to what others called 'meditating'. It was just laying down and not using his energy so that he could build up the protective layering.

It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with himself in that form...it was just rather inconvenient when it came to most things. And it was not as sexually appealing to most to be a formless blob.

[myriad-ofmuses]

While the stroking over her cheekbones continued, she was falling into a gradual sort of haze, leaned a bit against the trailing warmth of his fingers, enough so that she had to slightly readjust her focus with a shake of her head, when his arms moved around her middle instead.

She flushed just a little when his forehead pressed to hers again, going quiet with a blink, just to listen to his corrections to her assumption, that it actually was possible with an adjustment to hold.

She let him move her at his whim, offering no resistance when he emphasized his dancing tutelage by physical example, her eyes eventually closing as she lightly squeezed his arm where her hand had been placed, re-imagining it with his stated adjustments.

She'd never seen anyone with their difference in stature dance before, but he was making it seem so simple.. she could almost picture it in her mind's eye.

She hadn't been expecting the casual reference to a wedding however, nor did she anticipate the gentle admonishment and contradiction to her earlier cynical words, both blushing more noticeably, and feeling a stinging behind her eyes when they opened to gaze up at him.

The tears that threatened, fully escaped to drip down into the water, from the shocked blink at the flustered suggestion that had followed, her soul visibly picking up in pace in her ribcage and emanating small ripples in the glittering water from the magic buffer around it.

Her hand moved from his arm to instead frame his cheek as he had hers earlier, the dimmed luster in her gaze, slowly lighting up again as she gazed back into his, mirroring a hesitant sparkle.

"My fuchsia nebula.. are you sure? You so rarely leave your shell these days.. I know you said my comfort is important but.. yours is too. I can't deny that it would be easiest to start with.. and it would also be nice to be assured I couldn't trip us up. But.. not at your expense."