[Judging her for something like that is barely a blip on his radar. She's a pretty girl, plus he's only loosely aware of what friends do with each other seeing as he's totally friendless. Idia makes a face at her. Is he pouty?]
I'm already wearing your clothes, that doesn't make more of a difference. [holds out his hand] Something that fits would be epic, thanks.
[That said he can feel his stamina draining second by second. The adrenaline of being woken up is wearing off and now leaving this room feels.... much less desirable. At least he wants to be comfortable.]
I'm already wearing your clothes, that doesn't make more of a difference. [holds out his hand] Something that fits would be epic, thanks.
[That said he can feel his stamina draining second by second. The adrenaline of being woken up is wearing off and now leaving this room feels.... much less desirable. At least he wants to be comfortable.]
CW for cyberbullying and eventual but probably unsurprising death threats...im so sorry
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
infinitecruelty
2024-12-01 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Envy doesn't remember how he ended up with Idia's number but that's probably not super important bc either way Idia will receive a text-- not a DM! --from a number he may or may not recognize.]
keep ur musty dusty cheeto crusty mitts to yourself nerd
keep ur musty dusty cheeto crusty mitts to yourself nerd
[Well... that was. Easier. Than he thought it'd be. But he's not done! Not by a mile!]
good so youll stay away from azul, glad we're on the same page. <3
good so youll stay away from azul, glad we're on the same page. <3
yeah i told you to keep your hands to yourself and you said ez, so you agreed
good! and while your at it, dont even look at him
true he really demands that sort of focus doesnt he
ill give you permission to look at his eyebrows and that should be enough right
for all intents and purposes yeah i am
ill give you permission to look at his eyebrows and that should be enough right
for all intents and purposes yeah i am
right its annoying
like you dont need to maintain eye contact like that to prove that im not cheating im demolishing you because you suck at this game lmao
ive tried just looking at his eyebrows he can tell
also i dont need your permission to do anything idc who you are
[which he is currently looking into. he'll figure it out pretty shortly.
then, an unfortunately longer break between texts which had previously been rapidfire.]
does everyone in this place have two boyfriends
"for all intents and purposes" he gave you terms and conditions didnt he
like you dont need to maintain eye contact like that to prove that im not cheating im demolishing you because you suck at this game lmao
ive tried just looking at his eyebrows he can tell
also i dont need your permission to do anything idc who you are
[which he is currently looking into. he'll figure it out pretty shortly.
then, an unfortunately longer break between texts which had previously been rapidfire.]
does everyone in this place have two boyfriends
"for all intents and purposes" he gave you terms and conditions didnt he
so what ur saying is that all the intense eye contact is his fault and not because ur madly in love with him?
guess i misunderstood the tension there thats my bad
there were terms and conditions in the beginning but we've reneged a few times and now its just that we arent human so we dont have uhhhhh a "human" definition of what our relationship is. If you know what I mean.
[Because Envy thinks he's too special to use a lame human word for a lame human concept like "love"... Dumbass.]
guess i misunderstood the tension there thats my bad
there were terms and conditions in the beginning but we've reneged a few times and now its just that we arent human so we dont have uhhhhh a "human" definition of what our relationship is. If you know what I mean.
[Because Envy thinks he's too special to use a lame human word for a lame human concept like "love"... Dumbass.]
Huh?
huh?
[Huh?
Idia stares at his phone. In love? With Azul? Ha-- god. What a thing to say. Just because he's stared at him longingly for years and doesn't think twice about going to school in person just to be with him and thinks about the way his glasses slip down the bridge of his nose when he's focusing too much, could place Azul's beauty mark precisely on memory alone. Just because of that? Stupid. What the hell is this guy thinking? Love-- that's not real. And if it was, Azul wouldn't feel the same about him. If he did, it would be transactional. If he did he would have said something by now.
He's been idle too long.]
the """"tension""" is azul being a sore loser lol
monopoly will do that to a mfer
you should see him cry when hes sooooo sure youre breaking the rules but cant find a loophole
anyway i knew it
good luck
huh?
[Huh?
Idia stares at his phone. In love? With Azul? Ha-- god. What a thing to say. Just because he's stared at him longingly for years and doesn't think twice about going to school in person just to be with him and thinks about the way his glasses slip down the bridge of his nose when he's focusing too much, could place Azul's beauty mark precisely on memory alone. Just because of that? Stupid. What the hell is this guy thinking? Love-- that's not real. And if it was, Azul wouldn't feel the same about him. If he did, it would be transactional. If he did he would have said something by now.
He's been idle too long.]
the """"tension""" is azul being a sore loser lol
monopoly will do that to a mfer
you should see him cry when hes sooooo sure youre breaking the rules but cant find a loophole
anyway i knew it
good luck
[Somehow in some way, Idia Shroud has left his room-- well. Seras' room, which is half of the "problem", as it happens. But he's being so brave about it. As prepared as he'll ever be, too, seeing that he's studied this menu top to bottom and navigated every customer photo of the interior as well as G*ogle indoor maps. If you slapped a napkin and a sharpie in front of him, Idia could draw the entire floor plan. Yes, he knows what's good here. Yes, he's practiced in hushed whispers in Seras' bathroom on how to say "oh, no water for me" and seem casual. Check his Ste*m, he's been logging some hours on "questions to ask the guy you're step-boyfriends with to make him tolerate you". This is as good as Idia Shroud is gonna get today.
Though, in spite of being invited, he's pressed himself against the wall, staring at his phone and praying for a cancelation text. Heaven has never been quite so kind to him, though, so why start now?
...
Well, he did it. He's here. Can he go home now?]
Though, in spite of being invited, he's pressed himself against the wall, staring at his phone and praying for a cancelation text. Heaven has never been quite so kind to him, though, so why start now?
...
Well, he did it. He's here. Can he go home now?]
[Nanami is difficult to miss walking in, adjusting his cuffs and looking like he's moments from demanding to speak to a manager. Or maybe just take over as manager. He has an aura of determination over his normally serious exterior that is entirely due to his own nerve about the coming evening. He's wearing a nice suit, not a tuxedo but nicer than his average suit. Probably something Azul picked for him. This man is one monotone backdrop from being a luxury brand ad interrupting Idia's Y*uTube video.
And Idia isn't hard to spot either, the hair stands out immediately even if every other part of him wants to hide away. Nanami approaches and inclines his head in a soft, informal greeting.]
Thank you for agreeing to meet me. I hope you haven't been waiting long.
And Idia isn't hard to spot either, the hair stands out immediately even if every other part of him wants to hide away. Nanami approaches and inclines his head in a soft, informal greeting.]
Thank you for agreeing to meet me. I hope you haven't been waiting long.
[Glances up at the menswear ad walking straight toward him, trying not to book it out of the nearest fire escape. Mentally hovering over "This Ad is not relevant to me" and instead chooses to brave this out. Idia clutches at his crossbody bag until the strap digs uncomfortably into the tender flesh of his palm. Deep. Breaths.
Idia nods in return.]
(This macho stuff is so not my style. What even is the way I'm moving right now? Get a grip, Idia. Put your hands in your pockets. God can this be over...)
Uh, yeah, no problem. I got here way early anyway, so...
(Aaah I got too anxious and overestimated how long it'd take to get here. Again. Always trust GPS! Computers never lie!)
Idia nods in return.]
(This macho stuff is so not my style. What even is the way I'm moving right now? Get a grip, Idia. Put your hands in your pockets. God can this be over...)
Uh, yeah, no problem. I got here way early anyway, so...
(Aaah I got too anxious and overestimated how long it'd take to get here. Again. Always trust GPS! Computers never lie!)
We already have a reservation.
[Nanami turns around and heads to the host desk where he tells the cherub his name and that he has a special reservation for the evening. He's probably exuding some of the intensity he is trying not to aim at Idia at this poor fluffy creature who squeaks as they lead the pair to private room in the back. There's a lovely attached garden and enough room for more people, even if they're not expecting anyone else. The cherub is gone again almost as soon as the door is open for them.]
[Nanami takes a seat with his back to the garden and lets Idia pick whichever spot he wants. That includes seats on the far end of the table from him, he's already prepared for Idia to want to keep his distance.]
You're welcome to order whatever you want, tonight. On me.
[Nanami hasn't prepared well enough that he doesn't have to look at the menu, but at least this way he's not staring at his dinner partner.]
[Nanami turns around and heads to the host desk where he tells the cherub his name and that he has a special reservation for the evening. He's probably exuding some of the intensity he is trying not to aim at Idia at this poor fluffy creature who squeaks as they lead the pair to private room in the back. There's a lovely attached garden and enough room for more people, even if they're not expecting anyone else. The cherub is gone again almost as soon as the door is open for them.]
[Nanami takes a seat with his back to the garden and lets Idia pick whichever spot he wants. That includes seats on the far end of the table from him, he's already prepared for Idia to want to keep his distance.]
You're welcome to order whatever you want, tonight. On me.
[Nanami hasn't prepared well enough that he doesn't have to look at the menu, but at least this way he's not staring at his dinner partner.]
[Oh. This is. The nightmare scenario. The one room he doesn't know the layout of and now he has to perform 4D chess to solve the puzzle of where Nanami wants him to sit. Maybe it would have been better if he did as Idia had predicted. For a moment he waits for just that. Maybe there is a plan, after all. But... no. Is this an act of respecting his autonomy or is Nanami testing him? Maybe both? If Idia were a computer, his fan would be whirring like crazy trying to keep his CPU from cooking itself.
He hasn't done anything yet. Is just. Standing there.
Until he slowly... stoops to take a seat at the chair across from Nanami and off to the side. Only to think that, no, that's way too awkward. So he sits directly across from him, staring firmly at his plate.]
Uh, thanks. That's... [thinks about it as he scooches his chair in] Thanks.
[Nailed it. Now time to stare at the menu's filigree border and repeat to himself over and over what he wants instead of reading this well-studied menu.]
This place is pretty fancy. Top-tier.
He hasn't done anything yet. Is just. Standing there.
Until he slowly... stoops to take a seat at the chair across from Nanami and off to the side. Only to think that, no, that's way too awkward. So he sits directly across from him, staring firmly at his plate.]
Uh, thanks. That's... [thinks about it as he scooches his chair in] Thanks.
[Nailed it. Now time to stare at the menu's filigree border and repeat to himself over and over what he wants instead of reading this well-studied menu.]
This place is pretty fancy. Top-tier.
[If he approves or disapproves of this choice, he doesn't show it, head down toward the menu so he doesn't have to look Idia in the face.]
I do feel like I owe it to you, after inadvertently sending Envy your way. I am sorry about him, by the way, he gets very protective. But that's no excuse for threats.
[He hadn't meant to start with that, but he's also nervous and he wanted to make sure he told Idia he was sorry for spilling these beans to Envy. It was his fault, even if Envy is the only one responsible for his behavior after that.]
And even though it's far too late for a first impression, I'd like to make a good impression none the less.
I do feel like I owe it to you, after inadvertently sending Envy your way. I am sorry about him, by the way, he gets very protective. But that's no excuse for threats.
[He hadn't meant to start with that, but he's also nervous and he wanted to make sure he told Idia he was sorry for spilling these beans to Envy. It was his fault, even if Envy is the only one responsible for his behavior after that.]
And even though it's far too late for a first impression, I'd like to make a good impression none the less.
[Lack of eye contact does NOT bother him, in fact it sets him a bit more at ease (like, .5% so- negligible). But he does glance up in spite of better judgement because--]
Was that-- did you say something to him? I think I skipped a screen.
[Those texts were absolutely a mystery to him. Now it's even more of a mystery since Nanami is somehow involved? That's-- hm. Alright.]
Yeah, uh, a new first impression sounds good by me, too. Please delete all of it from your mind, actually.
[Being literally in the palm of Nanami's hand is sure an experience, isn't it? Looks like he and Seras have another thing in common when it comes to him!!]
Was that-- did you say something to him? I think I skipped a screen.
[Those texts were absolutely a mystery to him. Now it's even more of a mystery since Nanami is somehow involved? That's-- hm. Alright.]
Yeah, uh, a new first impression sounds good by me, too. Please delete all of it from your mind, actually.
[Being literally in the palm of Nanami's hand is sure an experience, isn't it? Looks like he and Seras have another thing in common when it comes to him!!]
I was the one who told him about Azul's... interest... in you.
[He doesn't know quite how to put that. He doesn't like thinking that Azul has a crush on this man. Plus the word 'crush' isn't common in his vocabulary and he doesn't feel comfortable saying it in general.]
It wasn't appropriate at all. I let my own jealousy get the best of me, I'm sorry.
[He doesn't get to say more because their waiter comes in with water for them looking for drink orders. Nanami orders something non-alcoholic and returns his full attention to the menu. Hopefully Idia doesn't have time to process the 'I was jealous' part of that sentence.]
[He doesn't know quite how to put that. He doesn't like thinking that Azul has a crush on this man. Plus the word 'crush' isn't common in his vocabulary and he doesn't feel comfortable saying it in general.]
It wasn't appropriate at all. I let my own jealousy get the best of me, I'm sorry.
[He doesn't get to say more because their waiter comes in with water for them looking for drink orders. Nanami orders something non-alcoholic and returns his full attention to the menu. Hopefully Idia doesn't have time to process the 'I was jealous' part of that sentence.]
[Idia bursts into a fit of coughing, face turning bright red from the effort and also how fucking embarrassing it is to choke on your own spit. After a second, he talks over the top of his fist, hovering in front of his mouth to preserve some dignity and remain passingly polite.]
His [--cough--] what?
[A nervous intonation, like, come again? There are implications to these things, Nanami. Surely that's not what he means, but being someone that has had a 2-year-long crush (not that he'd call it that- he and Nanami have another similarity and it's shying away from that word) on Azul Ashengrotto it's hard to trim apart the association.
That word "jealousy" doesn't go over his head. Just gets lodged at the back of it for when he's able to hear and register it properly. Slumbering for now.
Idia's so pre-occupied with appearing normal that he forgets to use his "oh, no water for me" script. In fact, anything sounds pretty good right about now. The second the waiter is out of the way he takes a hasty sip.]
His [--cough--] what?
[A nervous intonation, like, come again? There are implications to these things, Nanami. Surely that's not what he means, but being someone that has had a 2-year-long crush (not that he'd call it that- he and Nanami have another similarity and it's shying away from that word) on Azul Ashengrotto it's hard to trim apart the association.
That word "jealousy" doesn't go over his head. Just gets lodged at the back of it for when he's able to hear and register it properly. Slumbering for now.
Idia's so pre-occupied with appearing normal that he forgets to use his "oh, no water for me" script. In fact, anything sounds pretty good right about now. The second the waiter is out of the way he takes a hasty sip.]
[Nanami is going to pointedly ignore that he may have just spilled the beans AGAIN to someone else. He thought Envy had told Idia about Azul's feelings and yet here he is, making it more complicated rather than less. He takes a sip of his own water and finally looks up at Idia. He's not making eye contact, but he is at least talking in his general direction.]
The point of asking you here was to get to know you better. Two people that I love speak very well of you and while we didn't get off to the best start, there may be more we have in common than I thought. I would like to be on at least civil terms with you, if not friendly ones.
The point of asking you here was to get to know you better. Two people that I love speak very well of you and while we didn't get off to the best start, there may be more we have in common than I thought. I would like to be on at least civil terms with you, if not friendly ones.
[That's-- okay. Idia's white-knuckling the napkin in his hand but with that glance, he's setting it down against the table. Patting the corner as it flops out of place so it lays flat. He can avoid whatever that implication was for now just to make this dinner tolerable.]
Love, huh...
[Kind of a dramatic word, right? Azul said he'd only been here for, what, half a year? Love is already a frankly delusional concept, but that kind of turnaround is speedy. Some people are just like that, though, thinking they know better than the chemicals running rampant in their brain making them do stupid shit like-- Well. Like whatever this is, he guesses.
Idia sighs, taking another sip of his water just to give his hands something else to do. When he sets it back down, he's just cradling it in his hands against the table, thumbing against the condensation.]
Geez... you know I don't hate you, right? You're fine, you got me out of a pinch, it's whatever... Like, everyone seems to think I've got some problem. People I don't know think a lot about me for some reason, which is weird because it has nothing to do with anything that actually matters about me. It's not like anyone's flaming me for being able to out-hack them or make them ragequit in Realm of Peacecraft. Like, I don't even-- uh-- [Realizing himself, Idia presses his lips together. Glances away.] Sorry for the infodump. Don't care didn't ask, I get it.
[They don't even have complimentary bread yet and he's already shoving his foot in his mouth.]
I, uh, I read that people like the Cherries Jubilee.
Love, huh...
[Kind of a dramatic word, right? Azul said he'd only been here for, what, half a year? Love is already a frankly delusional concept, but that kind of turnaround is speedy. Some people are just like that, though, thinking they know better than the chemicals running rampant in their brain making them do stupid shit like-- Well. Like whatever this is, he guesses.
Idia sighs, taking another sip of his water just to give his hands something else to do. When he sets it back down, he's just cradling it in his hands against the table, thumbing against the condensation.]
Geez... you know I don't hate you, right? You're fine, you got me out of a pinch, it's whatever... Like, everyone seems to think I've got some problem. People I don't know think a lot about me for some reason, which is weird because it has nothing to do with anything that actually matters about me. It's not like anyone's flaming me for being able to out-hack them or make them ragequit in Realm of Peacecraft. Like, I don't even-- uh-- [Realizing himself, Idia presses his lips together. Glances away.] Sorry for the infodump. Don't care didn't ask, I get it.
[They don't even have complimentary bread yet and he's already shoving his foot in his mouth.]
I, uh, I read that people like the Cherries Jubilee.
I am as surprised as anyone else, I never really saw myself falling in love. But my circumstances have changed significantly since death, and I'm trying to embrace the change. I don't know if the me of a year ago would be in a place like this having this conversation the way the me now is.
[He lets Idia talk, trying not to get too lost in the details he doesn't understand. It's strange to hear this in terms of Idia not hating him, since he doesn't hate Idia either. He's just... worried, and insecure about his own position in things.]
I asked you here to talk, I do want to hear what you have to say, even if I don't entirely understand it. And for the record, I don't hate you either. I feel like I don't understand you enough to feel much of anything, which is what I'm trying to change.
[A small lie, that he doesn't feel anything, but he's already brought up being jealous and it's not something either of them seems to want to talk about.]
I won't judge you for just having dessert for dinner, if that's what you want. First and foremost I want you to feel comfortable, at least, as much as you can around me.
[He lets Idia talk, trying not to get too lost in the details he doesn't understand. It's strange to hear this in terms of Idia not hating him, since he doesn't hate Idia either. He's just... worried, and insecure about his own position in things.]
I asked you here to talk, I do want to hear what you have to say, even if I don't entirely understand it. And for the record, I don't hate you either. I feel like I don't understand you enough to feel much of anything, which is what I'm trying to change.
[A small lie, that he doesn't feel anything, but he's already brought up being jealous and it's not something either of them seems to want to talk about.]
I won't judge you for just having dessert for dinner, if that's what you want. First and foremost I want you to feel comfortable, at least, as much as you can around me.
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