dancing through life

[tempestuously-lysander]

I would be completely beside myself if I didn't eventually listen to my only best friend and first person to make my heart stutter just by merely looking at them.

Of course it does, it's one of the shirts you got me when I crash landed into this timeline. Even if it borders on impropriety because of how low-cut it is.

[wanderingxjasper]

"I am the only person you will have in your life worth listening to, handsome, you should know that if I truly make your heart stutter."

"Low-cut is the point, baby, but I know you've been fiddling with those buttons." Jasper portaled himself closer until he was standing in front of Lysander before yanking him even closer by the collar of the shirt he picked out, his fingers smoothing the edges, "It needs to be lower." He began unfastening the buttons one by one, making his way until all of them were undone. Pushing open the flaps of the garment, Jas couldn't help running his gaze over the man's chest, "There. That's better." Breathing a light sigh, he stepped slightly close, "I like this look on you. Less clothes."

[steadfast-hope]

Oh, Jassy, I'm learning so much about you. Who knew you would love to watch a woman just absolutely stuff herself to the brim with any delicacy she sees in sight?

[wanderingxjasper]

It's not a well-known kink of mine I show to just anyone, pooh bear. You know the way to a man is through his mouth or what merely ends up in yours.

[tempestuously-lysander]

Forgive me for staying out of the current issues, but there's not much I can do other than lend an ear.

[wanderingxjasper]

Lysander, my best friend and my one true love, how my loins sing in your presence. I love when you listen to me.

That shirt looks hot on you.

[steadfast-hope]

I'm turning into my favorite gluttonous brother with how much I love the food that doesn't consist of gruel.

[wanderingxjasper]

Oh, my sweet refreshing Hope, I could watch you devour all day.

[seer-nikolai]

Nothing has happened yet to cause my less-than-stellar mood, but it will come to pass very soon. It's... about Violet, and it's one of my worst visions.

[wanderingxjasper]

Well, when you also have your vacation with my new mummy interrupted, it's a real downer on top of said visions. Something tells me you didn't see Auntie V just die, did you?

[seer-nikolai]

Hope you're not looking forward to some witty and hilarious banter– I don't have it in me at the moment.

[wanderingxjasper]

Zero witty and hilarious banter is never a great sign with you. I'm out of the loop, what happened now?

[deaths-tapestries]

I may be inclined to allow you to do so. Idiots indeed.

[wanderingxjasper]

So, what's the next steps for the family, Grunkle, or is this strictly a decimation button solution?

[deaths-tapestries]

I figured you and your father would not be far behind with the newest developments, Jasper.

[wanderingxjasper]

What choice did I have, really, with these idiots? I'm tempted to portal their brains through their assholes seeing as they're not using them.

[wanderingxjasper]

You know it's fucked when I must involve myself into everyone else's bullshit.

[azriel-delacroix]

I'm assuming this is where you point out that my penchant for running from emotions is what tanked any relationship or bond I've had, especially with Lust, like I don't know? I have known since I was a kid that I don't compute emotions the way everyone else does, and it's on me for thinking I could or even trying.

[wanderingxjasper]

Oh, no, Uncle Azriel, don't think I'm shoving you over into the pool of blame to drown. It takes two to tango and not many would believe Lust is a complicated prince just because he's the life of the party type. How you process emotions isn't the wrong way just as his isn't, you two merely had some crossed wires and it did not work. The only failure you can bring on yourself is when you stop trying.

[isabel-bishop]

I'm more of the hopeless wandering type since my metaphorical compass is broken at the moment.

Wow, I've only heard stories about nymphs– I would gladly ask your father if he would tell me. Your grandmother is one of the most delightful beings I've run across in a while– I'm assuming you visit her often. The two of you seem close.

[wanderingxjasper]

Maybe your metaphorical compass is broken right now because you haven't found your true calling, where you're meant to be. My grandmother is telling me you are a healer and one who hasn't had the chance to practice her craft often.

Nymphs are such mystical creatures, it's an honor to herald from their bloodline. My father was close with his mother while she was in her other form, so it seems natural I would be the same in her tree form. I don't have any friends, really, apart from Lysander. Everyone thinks I'm too strange to stand, but Grandmother keeps me company when I need a listening ear.

[mournfully-yasmin]

I can't think of a better one, Jasper. I don't blame you for wanting to do what you can for him—if someone I cared for were in his shoes, I would be breaking every rule to help —but I also know Envy, and he probably has his mansion warded to high hell, so you will need help. I happen to know of two people who would gladly accept the help of a demi-god with abilities like yours in exchange for helping to get Lysander out. Envy's own twins.

[wanderingxjasper]

I am the only one looking out for him right now, the girl he has feelings for doesn't know who he is and the one uncle who ever gave a shit about his well-being isn't in an exact frame of mind to help. Getting myself killed with these wards doesn't release Lysander, no. You mean my cousins Estella and Ulric? Alright then, how may I and my abilities assist their situation?

[azriel-delacroix]

I know. I know where his mind goes, but I've always been able to stand by his side, to convince him, but this was the first time I wasn't able to. He needed me, but I needed him, too. How is any of that fair? Your father is very much aware of my complicated relationship regarding family, but he forced me out.

[wanderingxjasper]

It isn't fair, honestly, not to you or your sister. Are you certain my father is the only person shutting out the other brother? The hovering bitterness forcing you to keep him at a distance now that he's given you a reason to stay away? I know my dad, Uncle, and I know you and your fondness for running when the emotions come into play. And I'm not just talking about with Kai.

[mournfully-yasmin]

You know, I've always wanted to have a knight in shining armor; better late than never. That's precisely what it is, Jasper, but you need to be careful. Any Envy has the need to control and possess everything in their path– and if this current Envy wanted Lysander around, then any Envy that crosses over will hold onto that. Maybe even to an extreme. Trying to get him out could hurt you, or worse, him.

[wanderingxjasper]

Then you have a knight in shining armor officially. Well, I cannot just stand outside of the mansion and wait until Lysander doesn't carry use for him anymore. You know, I could very easily portal inside and drag him out in the blink of an eye without Envy noticing he's gone. I jumped through fucking timelines to find my way to that boy and I am not letting a sadistic sociopath take him from me and what family he has.

[isabel-bishop]

Well, hello, stranger. I can see why. We're pretty far off the beaten path.

Your... grandmother is a tree? I've heard stranger. Hello, grandmother– hopefully you don't mind me rooting around for plants.

[wanderingxjasper]

Only those who know which way is north stray from the paved path.

She's a nymph who magically turned into a tree, you will need to ask my father the specifics. Grandmother's the type who welcomes those with good intentions to root around her foliage.

[tempestuously-lysander]

That is true, my heart has always belonged to you Jas.

People are worried that Envy will hurt me, but he hasn't.

[wanderingxjasper]

As my heart has always belonged to you, soulmate.

You know what they're saying about him, right? That he's a warped cuckoo version of himself? Lysander, he might pretend to be your dad, but he isn't.

[azriel-delacroix]

A killjoy for parties, I know.

We'll see about that this time. It seemed pretty final this last time he decided to take a one-way ticket to villainy solitude town. We've been through so much together, kept each other from falling apart, and it may seem selfish, but I don't know how much more I can take.

[wanderingxjasper]

You know as well as I he can get too lost in his own head sometimes that he doesn't see clearly until no one's around. Dad wasn't always the big old angry ball we know and love, Uncle Az, but if you want my advice...don't give up on him. He may try shoving you away, but it's a plea that he needs you the most.