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NADA KHALID-ALI
↳ Clumsy Fire Elemental, Academic Rival Edition
↳ 3rd Year D.A.M.N Student
↳ they/them
↳ C H A P T E R - 0 1 [Finished] Bickering With Your Clumsy Academic Rival
↳ C H A P T E R- O 2 [Now playing] Getting to know your academic classmate
ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ－０3 [Lｏｃｋｅｄ]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
Nothing much, just- things that would happen from time to time. That’s all.
[He attempts to make the surprise less obvious, composing himself. He lets out a sigh, and the tip of his tail was flicking quickly, even while being wrapped around the chair leg.]
Things that would happen? So, you complain about me? Ouch.
[They laugh teasingly, only twisting his words to get on his nerves. Like usual.]
I did not say that.
[He playfully scoffs, rolling his eyes.]
I’d state things how they went, and sometimes he’d ask things. You just happened to come up from time to time.
[They replied with an un-convinced "uh-huh" under their breath.]
Here's to hoping he becomes as obsessed with me as my dads are with you. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
[Just the thought makes them chuckle, like it's the funniest thing in the world.]
[He picks up on what they said under their breath, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.]
Yeah, that sure would be interesting. The amount of times he’s asked about you is definitely quite absurd.
[He says that last sentence under his breath, wondering what exactly that could be about.]
[They ignore his quiet mumbling, opting instead to focus on the heat he's still radiating, and looking out the nearest window.]
[They also conveniantly ignore the voice in their head that wanted to focus on what Golden boy's steward thought of them. It didn't matter. Or, it shouldn't...]
[The rain sounded faint now, but not gone entirely. Maybe they could just walk home, and sleep this day away.]
[Aurelius continues to wonder about Alcor and his tendency to ask a lot of questions whenever he’d mention Embers. He supposes it wasn’t that important, and maybe he was just curious about what went on in his life. He’d have to ask Alcor about it eventually.]
[He pays attention to the rain outside, taking note on how it wasn’t as heavy anymore.]
We could probably walk home now.
[They state, but make no move to actually get up from their rather comfortable spot.]
Yeah, we likely could. The rain isn’t as heavy as it was earlier.
[His tail unravels from its spot it had coiled at, and he sits up straight again.]
[They finally push themselves to sit up, and shake the laziness away from their head, before slowly beginning to gather up their things.]
[Even when the bag is over their shoulder, (to their own surprise) they wait for Aurelius to catch up before walking towards the gates.]
[He grabs his own things, eventually standing up and making his way towards where Nada was standing, a bit surprised himself that they had waited for him.]
[He gets there pretty quickly, with how quick he tends to walk.]
[They walk silently together, but it's not the awkward kind of silence. More comfortable, less intrusive, and they never feel the urge to break it.]
See you tomorrow?
[Nada asks once they're at the main gates. It's less monotonous than last time, less of a formality and more... genuine.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
Nothing much, just- things that would happen from time to time. That’s all.
[He attempts to make the surprise less obvious, composing himself. He lets out a sigh, and the tip of his tail was flicking quickly, even while being wrapped around the chair leg.]
Things that would happen? So, you complain about me? Ouch.
[They laugh teasingly, only twisting his words to get on his nerves. Like usual.]
I did not say that.
[He playfully scoffs, rolling his eyes.]
I’d state things how they went, and sometimes he’d ask things. You just happened to come up from time to time.
[They replied with an un-convinced "uh-huh" under their breath.]
Here's to hoping he becomes as obsessed with me as my dads are with you. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
[Just the thought makes them chuckle, like it's the funniest thing in the world.]
[He picks up on what they said under their breath, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.]
Yeah, that sure would be interesting. The amount of times he’s asked about you is definitely quite absurd.
[He says that last sentence under his breath, wondering what exactly that could be about.]
[They ignore his quiet mumbling, opting instead to focus on the heat he's still radiating, and looking out the nearest window.]
[They also conveniantly ignore the voice in their head that wanted to focus on what Golden boy's steward thought of them. It didn't matter. Or, it shouldn't...]
[The rain sounded faint now, but not gone entirely. Maybe they could just walk home, and sleep this day away.]
[Aurelius continues to wonder about Alcor and his tendency to ask a lot of questions whenever he’d mention Embers. He supposes it wasn’t that important, and maybe he was just curious about what went on in his life. He’d have to ask Alcor about it eventually.]
[He pays attention to the rain outside, taking note on how it wasn’t as heavy anymore.]
We could probably walk home now.
[They state, but make no move to actually get up from their rather comfortable spot.]
Yeah, we likely could. The rain isn’t as heavy as it was earlier.
[His tail unravels from its spot it had coiled at, and he sits up straight again.]
[They finally push themselves to sit up, and shake the laziness away from their head, before slowly beginning to gather up their things.]
[Even when the bag is over their shoulder, (to their own surprise) they wait for Aurelius to catch up before walking towards the gates.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
Nothing much, just- things that would happen from time to time. That’s all.
[He attempts to make the surprise less obvious, composing himself. He lets out a sigh, and the tip of his tail was flicking quickly, even while being wrapped around the chair leg.]
Things that would happen? So, you complain about me? Ouch.
[They laugh teasingly, only twisting his words to get on his nerves. Like usual.]
I did not say that.
[He playfully scoffs, rolling his eyes.]
I’d state things how they went, and sometimes he’d ask things. You just happened to come up from time to time.
[They replied with an un-convinced "uh-huh" under their breath.]
Here's to hoping he becomes as obsessed with me as my dads are with you. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
[Just the thought makes them chuckle, like it's the funniest thing in the world.]
[He picks up on what they said under their breath, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.]
Yeah, that sure would be interesting. The amount of times he’s asked about you is definitely quite absurd.
[He says that last sentence under his breath, wondering what exactly that could be about.]
[They ignore his quiet mumbling, opting instead to focus on the heat he's still radiating, and looking out the nearest window.]
[They also conveniantly ignore the voice in their head that wanted to focus on what Golden boy's steward thought of them. It didn't matter. Or, it shouldn't...]
[The rain sounded faint now, but not gone entirely. Maybe they could just walk home, and sleep this day away.]
[Aurelius continues to wonder about Alcor and his tendency to ask a lot of questions whenever he’d mention Embers. He supposes it wasn’t that important, and maybe he was just curious about what went on in his life. He’d have to ask Alcor about it eventually.]
[He pays attention to the rain outside, taking note on how it wasn’t as heavy anymore.]
We could probably walk home now.
[They state, but make no move to actually get up from their rather comfortable spot.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
Nothing much, just- things that would happen from time to time. That’s all.
[He attempts to make the surprise less obvious, composing himself. He lets out a sigh, and the tip of his tail was flicking quickly, even while being wrapped around the chair leg.]
Things that would happen? So, you complain about me? Ouch.
[They laugh teasingly, only twisting his words to get on his nerves. Like usual.]
I did not say that.
[He playfully scoffs, rolling his eyes.]
I’d state things how they went, and sometimes he’d ask things. You just happened to come up from time to time.
[They replied with an un-convinced "uh-huh" under their breath.]
Here's to hoping he becomes as obsessed with me as my dads are with you. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
[Just the thought makes them chuckle, like it's the funniest thing in the world.]
[He picks up on what they said under their breath, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.]
Yeah, that sure would be interesting. The amount of times he’s asked about you is definitely quite absurd.
[He says that last sentence under his breath, wondering what exactly that could be about.]
[They ignore his quiet mumbling, opting instead to focus on the heat he's still radiating, and looking out the nearest window.]
[They also conveniantly ignore the voice in their head that wanted to focus on what Golden boy's steward thought of them. It didn't matter. Or, it shouldn't...]
[The rain sounded faint now, but not gone entirely. Maybe they could just walk home, and sleep this day away.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
Nothing much, just- things that would happen from time to time. That’s all.
[He attempts to make the surprise less obvious, composing himself. He lets out a sigh, and the tip of his tail was flicking quickly, even while being wrapped around the chair leg.]
Things that would happen? So, you complain about me? Ouch.
[They laugh teasingly, only twisting his words to get on his nerves. Like usual.]
I did not say that.
[He playfully scoffs, rolling his eyes.]
I’d state things how they went, and sometimes he’d ask things. You just happened to come up from time to time.
[They replied with an un-convinced "uh-huh" under their breath.]
Here's to hoping he becomes as obsessed with me as my dads are with you. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
[Just the thought makes them chuckle, like it's the funniest thing in the world.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
Nothing much, just- things that would happen from time to time. That’s all.
[He attempts to make the surprise less obvious, composing himself. He lets out a sigh, and the tip of his tail was flicking quickly, even while being wrapped around the chair leg.]
Things that would happen? So, you complain about me? Ouch.
[They laugh teasingly, only twisting his words to get on his nerves. Like usual.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[All of Aurelius’ movements come to a halt as he freezes at their words. The room became a little warmer, with his stars being a bit brighter. His tail wraps around one of the legs of the chair he was sitting in. He even looks kind of surprised.]
Well- you might’ve been mentioned. Once or twice.
[His eyes flick over to where they are sitting.]
[Oh? They hadn't expected that reaction, but now they just had to push. That and they really wanted to know what he said to his mentor.]
Yeah? What'd you tell him?
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Did he even know the answer he wanted?]
[He watches them look away, keeping his eyes on them for a moment more before finally moving his own gaze away. He expected their answer to be something along those lines, so he wasn’t necessarily surprised. His eyes fall to the room around him.]
[His tail has slowed down, but it continues to move, coiling around. He sits in the silence for the moment.]
[The silence is broken only by the rustling of Nada's clothes and the creaking of old furniture as they lean forward to rest their head on the table, a tired sigh at their lip.]
[Atleast it wasn't too cold here anymore.]
... Psi said your steward knew about me. That you talked to him about me.
[Their words are slightly mumbled. They look up at him through their hair but make no move to sit up.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
Hm. I don’t know, I was just curious I suppose.
[His head tilts to the side a bit, as if he was contemplating their answer. He still however looks as unreadable as he’s always been, so it’s not obvious what he’s really thinking.]
I do suppose that makes sense.
[His eyes remain on Nada, that familiar fixed stare he always seemed to have.]
[Nada squinted their eyes unintentionally, trying to read his mind by staring into his eyes. But, nothing. Was that the answer he wanted?]
Yeah, of coure. Makes sense.
[They nod a little too sharply, and finally look away.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
Alright then, that works for me.
[He listens to the pitter patter of the rain outside, going back to his own thoughts for a moment. He wondered about how Nada’s magic worked, and why it worked that way. He’d have to ask them at some point, even if not now.]
[Their rivalry over the years starts to pass through his mind, and curiosity gets the better of him.]
…What are we, exactly?
[Aurelius asks the question, even if he might already know the answer.]
[Nada looks up, and then around, like a deer in headlights. Too bad there was no where to run.]
I- uh, well-
[It was a simple question. Very simple, and blunt (so blunt). They should know what to say.]
We're classmates.
[Obviously. What else?]
What else?
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[He watches them with a noticeable interest, observing the glow their hands give off. When the sparks fly, his ear twitches a barely noticeable amount, with something close to worry in his eyes.]
Are you okay?
Yeah, just a sting.
[They seem unbothered, if a little dissapointment in themselves and their magic, but otherwise unharmed.]
I'll leave the living-heater job to you, then.
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
Hm? Oh, yes it’s normal, for me at the very least. I can get quite warm sometimes.
[He opens up on of his hands, the stars on his palm flickering before glowing brighter, making it warmer. The stars then dim back down, giving off less heat and making it colder.]
[They watch with child-like wonder, eyes reflecting his bright stars.]
... Do you think I could do that?
[Their open palms stretch, and the tips of their fingers glow a soft red. The light is dim and uneven on their skin, pulsing with no direction until small sparks fly out.]
[With a hiss of pain they stop and flex their fingers.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius doesn’t speak for a moment, thinking before he gets warmer. At this point he might as well be a heater, with the way the heat radiates off of him.]
Yeah, I kind of assumed. The rain is making it pretty cold.
Is that... normal?
[They ask, gesturing vaguely in his direction, and opening their palms to warm them up with the heat he's radiating to signify what they mean.]
[The last thing they want is for this to be some weird symptom of a demon sickness.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
I know. But I don’t mind being here and waiting it out. I don’t have anything else to really do.
[He takes notice to them moving closer, eyeing them curiously. His tail flicks, head barely cocking to the side.]
…Are you cold?
A bit. The one time I need my powers to keep me warm, they bail on me.
[They scoff and shake their head in dissapointment. Crossing their arms a little tighter to savour heat.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
Hopefully the rain doesn’t last too long, then.
[His body has gotten warmer, and they could likely slightly feel it from where they are sitting. He doesn’t really seem to take much notice to it though. He’s listening to the rain, hoping to hear it lighten up a bit and stop pouring as much.]
[Subconciously, they scoot an inch closer to his warmth. It soaks into their skin and burns up their inside but in a way that's much softer and bearable than their own magic.]
You could still just leave, you know?
[They speak quietly and absentmindedly, like they're not actually suggesting anything, only making conversation.]
[Aurelius is in his books as always, scribbling down anything that he deems important to remember every once in a while. His bag sits nearby at his side, open after he likely forgot to close it after pulling something out. Eventually he puts his pen down and checks the time. When he sees how quickly the time had passed, he starts putting away his things. He glances over at Nada, who was sitting nearby.]
It’s already getting pretty late. I should probably get going.
[Nada is slouched over their work, hair pushed out of their eyes, and pen scribbling away. They look up when they hear him speak, and look at their own watch. Their eyebrows rise in surprise at how late it is, and they drop their pen.]
Yeah, I should too-
[They reach for their bag, and pause, eyes stuck on the window past Aurelius. Were those... raindrops on the glass? No.]
@shocking-sparks
[He finishes putting his things away, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. When he notices that they seem to be staring at something, his golden eyes flick to whatever they seem to be looking at.]
What exactly are you looking at?
It's, um- it's raining.
[They sound unamused. As if on cue, the sound of rain gets louder, hitting the old walls of the buildings.]
... Heavily.
…I can see that now.
[He looks towards his bag, then back outside. Rifting would mean likely leaving his things behind, and that’s not necessarily something he wanted to do. His tail flicks while he thinks.]
[Nada sighs and drops their bag back down, replacing it with their pen.]
Well, I guess I'll get comfortable. See you tomorrow?
[They ask, hunched over the table again, expecting him to rift away.]
I can’t rift. I have my things with me.
[He holds up his bag looking at it, pondering what to do with it.]
There is water contra magic though. I’ll just have to walk.
You could leave your stuff with me. I won't burn it down.
[They shrug, half kidding, half aware of their own clumsy nature.]
Your other option is to sit here with me for even longer until we can leave. Pick your poison
Hm.
[He thinks for a moment, before dropping his bag near the table and sitting back down.]
I don’t have anywhere to be anyways. I can wait it out. At least until it isn’t raining as heavy.
... Settle in.
[They tap the end of their pen on the table, realizing they've worked well past what they had planned for today. There was nothing to do.]
[They stare at the rain in awkward silence, mentally asling it to piss off.]
[Aurelius looks through his notes, trying to find something to do. He had already finished everything he needed to do and everything he could think of, leading him to close his bag back up. His chin falls into the palm of his hand as he sighs.]
[He sits in the awkward silence for a moment, unsure of what to really do or say.]
[Nada's eyes fly around the room for literally any kind of distraction, and find nothing, finally settling on the daemon in front of them.]
[His golden hair, golden horns, glasses-]
Do demon's even need those?
[They blurt out, pointing vaguely at where they on his nose.]
[He lifts his head from his chin, silent for a bit before speaking.]
I don’t actually need them, no. I just like wearing them. It’s not like they are actual glasses, just magic.
[He slips them off for a moment to look at them, afterwards putting them back on and sliding them into the same spot they were before.]
Hm,
[A pause as they trace the sleek metal of the frame with their gaze, and look away ]
They look good. Suit you, and your whole,- golden boy image.
Thank you. I had hoped they would suit- I suppose the look I was going for is a good way to put it.
[His eyes scan Nada, landing on the stickers he always seems to see them wearing.]
Is there a specific reason you wear those stickers?
They're fun. [They shrug.]
And, people say I look less intimidating with them. Maybe they're a little unproffesional, but... my reputation can take this one small hit. I guess.
…Less intimidating? I was unaware people really found you intimidating.
[The way he says it is confused with a little bit of curiosity, not really as a witty remark.]
They do seem fun, and they suit you.
Being the kid of two senior professors , and working under some of the researchers adds up.
[They wave their hand dismissively, as if they totally don't care that most people in their class don't meet their eye.]
... So, Psi. A friend?
Huh. I guess that does make sense, yeah.
I suppose you could say that. We have the same steward, and he introduced us at some point.
[Does his tail ever remain still? Probably not, it moves as if it had a mind of its own, coiling around itself repeatedly.]
[They notice his tail, and a question forms on their tongue but they replace it with something else.]
Steward?
[They rack their brain from all their classes about daemon culture. Finding... not much, and their face shows it.]
[He realizes they don’t really seem to know what that is, and he tries finding a way to try to explain it.]
A mentor, of sorts. When you first coalesce you typically get a steward, and they mentor you on things, like how best to feed off of emotions and what not. Some stay in contact with them, some don’t. I happen to have stayed in contact with mine.
So, they've been with you ever since you coalesced? What are they like?
[Leaning slightly forward, they have a glint in their eye that is only there when they're very curious.]
Well, he was a good mentor in the beginning. Even now still of course, I just don’t really need mentoring myself anymore. He’s much older than I am, so he knows quite a lot of things, especially with having done that for a while. He’s quite blunt, and what’s the word… wise?
[He’s a bit lost in his own thoughts, thinking a bit about the past and things.]
Sounds a lot like someone else I know.
[They exhale a soft laugh.]
Must've been scary, though— coalesching. Just poofing into existence.
I don’t think I found it very scary. I believe I was more just curious about everything. All I really knew was my own name, everything else was new to me. I wanted to know everything I could.
[His stars start to get a bit brighter, giving off more of a glow.]
Is that why you came to DAMN? To know everything?
[Had they really never asked him that before? Had they never asked him any of this? With the rain still hammering down, they supposed this was as good a time as any.]
Well, to know everything I possibly can here. I know I won’t be able to learn every single thing about magic and things related here, but it’s better than nothing.
[His eyes once again move to Nada, watching them curiously.]
Then, what's the plan after you graduate? Would you just continue studying?
[If the glowing stars and his bright expressions are any indication, they know he's being truly genuine. And, maybe they want him to keep going.]
More then likely, yes. I don’t think I will ever stop studying and learning things any time soon. There is still a lot to learn.
[His tail is moving a bit quicker now, the glow making his skin look shimmery. His pupils grow slightly larger, kind of like a cats.]
[They watch him closely. Maybe one day they'd ask about all those little expressions of his.]
Eh, I think you'll manage.
[The rain rattles the window, wind splattering many rain drops against the glass and wood. Cold breezes sneak in through the cracks in the panes and fill up the room.]
I believe I will as well.
[As the room gets colder, Aurelius automatically gets warmer and starts to lightly radiate heat, already pretty warm from the brighter stars already. He looks towards the windows.]
That rain doesn’t seem to be slowing down much at all.
[Nada groans, shoulders slacking dramaticaly as they almost pout.]
I might risk getting soaked. I'm not spending the night here again and risking a cold.
[Despite their naturally warm temperature, they wrap their arms over eachother for extra warmth.]
Well, whatever would be less likely to get you sick would be the better option, right?
[Aurelius’ words are unsure, given he’s never been sick before and doesn’t necessarily know how it works in all aspects. He doesn’t seem to be very affected by the cold at all though, given his own warmth.]
Yeah, I mean I'll be fine for a little longer, but not the whole night. Getting sick would be... bad.
[They frown at even the thought. The high fevers making their body burn with even more intensity, being bedridden. Yeah, they're not a fan.]
