[That Rose was the most adept at this task was nothing short of a miracle. She might have a way with words, but at least that means she always says something.]
[And she’s gotten marginally better at bedside manner. And even if she hadn’t, it’s still better to have him find out from her than to run into Solus in the wild.]
[Takame witnessed the encounter Maxima had with Emet-- Emile through his periphery during his shift. At the time Takame was... more than a little reluctant to intervene given the fact he hadn't recovered from his own.
But he'd taken some time. Confided in Yusuke. And was worried the entire time, if Takame had "trauma", Maxima must have as well. right? So he sends a text.]
Maxima, forgive me for contacting you at this hour. I saw that you'd encountered Emperor Solus at the Vogue and I wished to ask if you were alright.
[But he knows that's not what Jun's asking, and while he is a little shaken, he's not upset enough to be petty about it.]
I'd met others with such features here, but it hadn't occurred to me that they might not have been born with them. I never expected to find myself with such a change. ...It's an adjustment.
Still...the ears aren't unappealing. [They're cute, really. If inconveniently expressive.]
[The shoebill in the hallway stares at her unblinking as footsteps approach the door from the other side. When it opens, Maxima is there looking surprised and vaguely concerned.]
[ sometime between the hours of 1am and 3am, A small blue and red squirrel somehow finds itself in your home.
It's in as quickly as it's out, and behind it leaves a pile of about 88different coloured rubber ducks, as well as a small two-pack of beautiful looking japanese sweets. They look like art, really. When eating them, they're flavoured Pizza and Mango. Some flavours are just better than others. Underneath the gifts is a note in big, loopy handwriting. ]
Thanks for being a Pal, and helping out a guy in his time of need. Sampo Koski never forgets his friends, nor does he forget to say thank you! So, THANK YOU! This is just a small token of my adoring affection and unending appreciation. I'll see you around!
[ it's signed with a signature that's so exaggerated you can really only make out the word 'Sam'. ]
action. listen it's gonna get nsfw in this thread.
[Well, they had an agreement. A mutual one helped by the fact Lighter genuinely enjoyed Maxima's company. And you know Maxima being attractive as hell was a bonus.
Their ride back from the bar was thick with tension, Lighter occasionally shifting his mirror to smirk or bite his lip at his passenger.
Oh, but his pulse was going crazy. It's been a couple years for Lighter. Not since... well. He won't think too hard about Zelos given he's Belle's brother. And Zelos was the furthest thing from Lighter's mind when he and Maxima got to the fortress. It was late enough that people were winding down so there was at least a low chance of bumping into someone while they started towards the farther room.]
You've got better restraint than I thought. Figured you'd be more handsy on the way back with how you were at the pub.
[Maxima had been considering for some weeks that he might just find a bar to spend time at and go home with the first person who was interested, just for the sake of breaking his long self-imposed distance from others. This was better. Lighter was someone he actually liked, someone who had already demonstrated understanding of the kind of things he was learning to walk away from. He wouldn't have minded a purely physical one night stand, but friends with benefits is more comfortable.
That quip gets a quirked eyebrow and a smile.]
Restraint is a habit I've practiced until it's second nature. Letting go is the notable thing. ...I thought it was better to risk being too forward than be misunderstood.
[A beat, and he adds,]
In any case, I wouldn't dream of disrupting the rest of our evening by distracting the driver unduly. ...Here, down this hall.
[He studiously ignores the judgemental glare of the shoebill as he opens the door to his room and ushers them both inside.]
[It would be a relaxing month barring those weird Gates, they said. So why has Lighter felt like vibrating out of his skin since the turn of the month? It's clearly a him problem, being this wired. He'd been working out more to work the energy off but it hasn't helped. He's had a couple spars on the side (and won) but that also hasn't.
But seriously, why's he so wired? And why... why is he so pent up to boot?
He has been for the past few days but he told himself he'd go to Wednesday Church Night. He wasn't gonna engage in a friendly booty call before saying hi to Jesus.
But once that was over and done with, well. He's going to send a text.]
[Maxima is in a similar condition, but at least he knows the reasoning. The Aides' paperwork is entirely up to date, he's spent more time at the gym than usual, taken a few patrol shifts. It isn't the first time, but...
well, back in February he was still doing a lot more repressing. And now he has potential company he could invite over.]
I doubt I'll be oversleeping much this month.
Do you want to come over?
[Direct without being salacious; if someone was looking over Lighter's shoulder, that could mean anything. The last time he was at Lighter's place, all they did was talk. He doesn't intend to stop at talking tonight, though.]
[The overflow of energy was calming down, but it was still there. Lighter stayed over in Maxima's space as he'd done a few times already. It was no big deal.
So he thought. His mind would always prevail with its dirty tricks.
A cheap bell is rung. Something grabbed from a flea market or something. Something they didn't bother to buy legit for something where bets are made. There was no glamour in the ring. Just cold ground or steel underfoot, jeers surrounding them and sweat, spit and blood falling off faces and mouths.
A flash of light after the bell and an amateur referee held up his arm. Another Victory. He blinked again to another bell, staring across a ring. It was someone different. Or maybe the same person. Someone with dark hair.
Another flash and he'd countered with a left hook square in their face. His arm was raised again. Then another flash, another man in the ring. How many times did it repeat, who knows. It didn't matter. What mattered was him winning. Getting that number down that seemed to grow every time he won. Seven digits into Eight into Nine.
Into a clear image of the next opponent introduced as "Lorenzo Fuentes."
And he woke up with a start, a sharp gasp not helped by him being somewhere unfamiliar. Not helped by him being somewhere where he couldn't see the outside. Where all he could barely tell was around was dark walls, a dim light and air that felt so deeply oppressive in the moment.
His first reaction was to roll out of bed in a panic and just voice his first thought.]
[Maxima isn't a heavy sleeper, thank goodness. When Lighter jolts awake next to him, it's enough to bring him out of his own murky dreams (12), but he's still barely conscious, not aware enough to realize there's a problem until the other man is rolling out of bed, clearly alarmed and upset.]
...Lorenzo...? [The calm voice that comes through the darkness is still heavy with sleep, trying to muddle his way through what's happening.] Are you...? [He's definitely not all right. Maxima can't see anything.]
I'm going to turn on the light. [He's still moving slowly, hopefully giving Lighter enough time to close or cover his eyes before he taps one of the bedside lamps so that they both turn on and give shape and clarity to the bedroom around them.]
[Rose has been around the trauma-go-round enough to know how to compartmentalize. The only difference is that, this time, the sensation doesn't go away when she comes back to Kaisou.]
[She takes root in one of the new Chao gardens, surrounded by tiny pudding friends. After a few days, the fact that she hasn't made sure her friends are okay begins to nag on her, and so she sends a text to Maxima.]
[Maxima, more than anyone else, is someone she owes a debt of gratitude to. Maxima kept Takame alive.]
I'd ask how you are, but I think we both know the answer isn't well.
I found a place to relax if you'd like to come join me.
[Something has happened. Call it a hunch, or the shifting of the Spirit Vein, or the roll of the waves. The sea birds, who were agitated the past few days, have now settled. All these things together have raised Flins' suspicions that beyond his sight, something happened.
Which is what calls him to Meropide again. Lantern at his hip, he folds his arms as he waits on the elevator, the sound of creaking pipes and churning machinery filling his ears as he tries to settle the unease in his stomach.
He hopes it's just the rambunctious tide and he's worried for nothing.
When the door to the elevator opens, he steps out and down the hall, head turning to acknowledge...no one to the visible eye. His head tilts, as if acknowledging something before continuing on.
So the Duke and Sir Maxima were back, albeit the former being put on forced leave. As for the latter...well. He heads towards the office, though it's more likely he'll find him along the way, given the circumstances.]
[Maxima cannot, in fact, be found in his office. Lighter is still in there. If Flins finds the office before he finds Maxima, he'll be informed that Maxima is on enforced vacation and is probably around the Fortress somewhere, but he'd better not be doing any work.
For better or worse, Maxima's pack instincts are also kicking in this month, making it difficult for him to isolate in his room as much as he'd prefer to. So he can be found out in a quiet corner of a common area, somewhat restlessly flipping through the pages of a paperback novel that's almost uncomfortably small in his hands.
His canine ears will perk up in acknowledgement of Flins' presence a little bit before he actually turns to look at the man.]
This is a welcome surprise. Lighter told me you dropped off your monthly reports already.
[It's a bit... strange, isn't it? Approaching a complete stranger with such a topic. But somehow, someway. This was more comfortable than looking his Master in the eyes. Seeing recognition and being unable to reciprocate. Not in full, at any rate...
Diarmuid felt the affection with all he was. But the dots just did not connect as they once did... Threads of the endless branches of their fates mixed and mingled into a jungle of thoughts.
It hurt. And Diarmuid would need to cut through what was clear before he could what was twisted and mangled.
And so he found himself in the Fortress of Meropide, asking the sunglass-donning young lad at the Aides du Meropide where he could find a certain man of great height with dusted brown hair, elegant glasses and manner of gem or stone on his forehead. In truth, Diarmuid couldn't get away from being pet quick enough...
Regardless, he was a man who'd spent his life tracking. Who'd spent his time in Kaisou memorizing every nook and cranny. Check common areas then dig deeper from there. And thankfully he did not need to dig too far as a man matching that description. Perhaps he would be recognized by his face, but his plain clothes of a dark button shirt and forest green vest was a far cry from his verdant and cobalt armor seen in that jungle.
But he was ultimately a stranger, so Diarmuid approached carefully.]
Excuse me, my good sir. Are you Lord Maxima Priscus, by chance?
[Maxima looks up from the paperback he's been diligently reading, to appraise the handsome stranger who's now approaching. No...not quite stranger. He'd been on that island. He was the one who got in the fight with Vergil. A face that lovely is one that's hard to forget.
What could he be doing here?]
Please, be at ease, friend. I am not 'lord' anything, to anyone.
[Especially at the moment, he has some feelings around being called by titles. A few days of rest and time with his thoughts have done him some good, at least - he still seems distant and sad, but not as deeply exhausted as he would have if Diarmuid had approached him nearer the start of the week.]
But I am Maxima Priscus. And if I'm not mistaken, I recognize your face.
[ there's a few people he owes an... apology to. Maxima was one of the few people who REALLY held it together during what Wriothesley's decided to call the Omatsuri Incident; and he really deserves both his thanks and apology. But sometimes you're a really antisocial, sort of avoidant-awkward dog of a man and you have difficulty being sincere and it's taken you two to three days to think of what to say.
but at least he gets to it. ]
text: un: The Duke
Hey. It's been a minute. I'm currently banned from the Fortress due to the Angel's own decision that I need to stay up here, but. I wanted to have a chat with you, at least.
I said some...things I don't think I meant, and you didn't deserve and I wanted to apologise to you. Properly. Not over this ... text machine.
Ah yes, as for myself I'm allowed to remain in the Fortress since I've nowhere else in particular to be, but I've been quite firmly informed that I'm not to do any work for at least a week.
[He's not particularly enjoying this, but it is what it is.]
None of us were ourselves during those days. I don't hold any grudges. [Just so that Wriothesley isn't waiting anxiously in expectation that he'll be berated.] ...But it probably would be better to speak of that time in person. I can come to meet you on the surface, since you've been barred from returning.
[Flins is...not good at this sort of thing. He's well aware that his sense of taste is different than everyone else's, and he can be seen as off-putting. But gift giving seems to be the spirit of the season, showing gratitude as the reason behind it.
Which he does want to express to Maxima, if he can get the message across.
It happens well before Christmas Day, when he's dropping off his report for the Fortress. Maxima will find a pristine and proper wrapped package on his desk, with a bottle of vodka next to it, purple ribbon tied to it around the neck of the bottle. The package has perfectly pressed corners in its wrapping, no air bubble or wrinkle to be seen. When opened, Maxima will find a canvas bag of the most beautiful pieces of sea glass Flins could find, in greens, light purples, and blues.
There's a note inside:]
I know this time of year it is customary to give gifts to others. My coworkers often would spoil me with various gifts, but I never knew how to give back properly.
You'll forgive me if I'm new to this. I hope this will show my gratitude for our friendship.
[The reply doesn't come until a few days after Christmas; Meropide observes holiday traditions including waiting to open all of their gifts together on Christmas morning.
When it does come, it's via courier: a Moogle, one of the tiny fuzzy fae-like creatures that ride the winds around Kaisou, zips around the lighthouse and declares 'letter from the guildmaster!' before vanishing again back on its journeys.
The letter in the envelope is handwritten in Maxima's clear, efficient script.]
Thank you very kindly for the holiday gifts. It means a great deal, to be remembered in this season.
The sea glass is very thoughtful of you. Although there are places in the Empire which are close to the sea, the capital where I was born and raised is very far inland, where such a collection would have been quite an uncommon sight, a souvenir brought home from distant travels. I'll have to think carefully about how best to display them to advantage.
As for the liquor, I'm sure your taste is as impeccable as always. It so happens that I've received a few bottles as gifts for the season, including one of a cultural specialty prepared by a friend of mine, and also some good quality drinking glasses. If you visit again soon, perhaps we can make a comparison of their contents.
[Takame quite liked being around many people. It rejuvenated him. That was all the reason he needed to go down to the Fortress from time to time. It was a bonus that there were such lovely celebrations happening for Christmas. He thought to participate in the Drag Show, bring "Miss Amiko" out. But he also had to fight Santa and he committed to one greatly taxing task per night otherwise his back would hurt in the morning.
There was so much to do, though, and as much as Takame liked being in the middle of it all it required some thought and quiet. So he shuffled over to the introvert quiet corner to get that.
... spotting someone he's avoided for the past month.]
[Maxima pauses, looking pained and guilty, searching Takame's expression for responses. There's a gift under the tree for him with a tag that says it comes from Takame and Yusuke, but he doesn't know if that means the other is comfortable being around him again yet.]
...Please, stay. I'm more than willing to yield this space to you if you need it.
[He gestures to the quiet room, letting himself drift toward the door as if to leave. It all depends on Takame's comfort.]
[It was hard to ignore the worry the Meropide citizens had for Maxima in the past few days. Flins just happened to catch wind on his bimonthly report delivery to the Duke, and the spirits had given him the cliffnotes version of the events.
He's never been one to say the most comforting things. So he'll show his support in what ways he can.
On Maxima's desk will be two Romashka candies. No note, no explanation.
[It's been a few days since Lighter left town, and there still hasn't been any word from him. There as an undeniable tension in the air about it in the fortress, as Lighter's absence from their daily life becomes more and more evident.
The main point of concern, in everyone's mind, was how Maxima was holding up. As reserved as the man could be, they were all aware of the kind heart in the man. So of course they worried about him.
But Jun knows addressing that directly probably wouldn't do much good. So he decides to do something he's intended to do with Maxima for awhile- actually address that religious elephant in every room that Maxima shares with him. If nothing else, it should serve as a good distraction. And even better, his brother opted to come along.
So, he'll be knocking on the door of the Aides office, poking his head in]
[Harumasa has been doing his best to deal with the absence. For now, he's been holding up well enough. He's seeing his therapist a little more often to work through it, and he's been taking her suggestions to heart. Surrounding himself with people, scrapbooking, playing video games with his family (mostly Jun, let's be real).
He's doing his best, but he knows that it'll only work for so long. His therapist and him have been trying for almost a year to work through his abandonment issues. And the most amount of time he can handle not being communicated with from his siblings (as well as Belle and Ragna) has been three days. With friends, he can handle up to four. More than that and Harumasa starts to get anxious.
So... this is going to be quite the stress test for him and his trust in Lighter coming back.
Anyway, talking to Maxima sounds like the best way to kill many birds with one stone. Harumasa doesn't really talk about his faith or how he practices it. He's not exactly overt about it.
As Jun pokes his head in, Harumasa uses his height to lean forward and poke his head in above Jun's.]
Hey, Chief~! It's for pleasure and not business, too!
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voice| UN: Thorn
[And she’s gotten marginally better at bedside manner. And even if she hadn’t, it’s still better to have him find out from her than to run into Solus in the wild.]
Maxima, do you have a moment?
voice | un: neoteric
[Whichever one of them it happens to be.]
What do you need?
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same night they both run into emet-selch; text; un: kesitakame
But he'd taken some time. Confided in Yusuke. And was worried the entire time, if Takame had "trauma", Maxima must have as well. right? So he sends a text.]
Maxima, forgive me for contacting you at this hour. I saw that you'd encountered Emperor Solus at the Vogue and I wished to ask if you were alright.
text; un: neoteric
What about you? You must have been on shift tonight, then?
[Deflecting into looking after other people rather than talk about his own problems? maybe.]
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UN: hikari-vi | Text
Hi, it's Jun.
Varian told me what happened. Are you feeling alright?
un: neoteric
[But he knows that's not what Jun's asking, and while he is a little shaken, he's not upset enough to be petty about it.]
I'd met others with such features here, but it hadn't occurred to me that they might not have been born with them. I never expected to find myself with such a change. ...It's an adjustment.
Still...the ears aren't unappealing. [They're cute, really. If inconveniently expressive.]
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action | post train | don’t perceive me
[She also owes him a ‘Thank you.’ It’s been such a long five years that she’s forgotten a debt, and this conversation is long overdue.]
[So here she is, outside his room in Meropide.]
Maxima, are you there?
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[The shoebill in the hallway stares at her unblinking as footsteps approach the door from the other side. When it opens, Maxima is there looking surprised and vaguely concerned.]
Has something happened?
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[ APRIL 1ST]
It's in as quickly as it's out, and behind it leaves a pile of about 88different coloured rubber ducks, as well as a small two-pack of beautiful looking japanese sweets. They look like art, really. When eating them, they're flavoured Pizza and Mango. Some flavours are just better than others. Underneath the gifts is a note in big, loopy handwriting. ]
Thanks for being a Pal, and helping out a guy in his time of need. Sampo Koski never forgets his friends, nor does he forget to say thank you! So, THANK YOU! This is just a small token of my adoring affection and unending appreciation. I'll see you around!
[ it's signed with a signature that's so exaggerated you can really only make out the word 'Sam'. ]
action. listen it's gonna get nsfw in this thread.
Their ride back from the bar was thick with tension, Lighter occasionally shifting his mirror to smirk or bite his lip at his passenger.
Oh, but his pulse was going crazy. It's been a couple years for Lighter. Not since... well. He won't think too hard about Zelos given he's Belle's brother. And Zelos was the furthest thing from Lighter's mind when he and Maxima got to the fortress. It was late enough that people were winding down so there was at least a low chance of bumping into someone while they started towards the farther room.]
You've got better restraint than I thought. Figured you'd be more handsy on the way back with how you were at the pub.
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That quip gets a quirked eyebrow and a smile.]
Restraint is a habit I've practiced until it's second nature. Letting go is the notable thing. ...I thought it was better to risk being too forward than be misunderstood.
[A beat, and he adds,]
In any case, I wouldn't dream of disrupting the rest of our evening by distracting the driver unduly. ...Here, down this hall.
[He studiously ignores the judgemental glare of the shoebill as he opens the door to his room and ushers them both inside.]
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first week of august. text; un: fuego. It's... It's NSFW.
But seriously, why's he so wired? And why... why is he so pent up to boot?
He has been for the past few days but he told himself he'd go to Wednesday Church Night. He wasn't gonna engage in a friendly booty call before saying hi to Jesus.
But once that was over and done with, well. He's going to send a text.]
you up?
un: neoteric
well, back in February he was still doing a lot more repressing. And now he has potential company he could invite over.]
I doubt I'll be oversleeping much this month.
Do you want to come over?
[Direct without being salacious; if someone was looking over Lighter's shoulder, that could mean anything. The last time he was at Lighter's place, all they did was talk. He doesn't intend to stop at talking tonight, though.]
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nebulously late august. cw ptsd
So he thought. His mind would always prevail with its dirty tricks.
A cheap bell is rung. Something grabbed from a flea market or something. Something they didn't bother to buy legit for something where bets are made. There was no glamour in the ring. Just cold ground or steel underfoot, jeers surrounding them and sweat, spit and blood falling off faces and mouths.
A flash of light after the bell and an amateur referee held up his arm. Another Victory. He blinked again to another bell, staring across a ring. It was someone different. Or maybe the same person. Someone with dark hair.
Another flash and he'd countered with a left hook square in their face. His arm was raised again. Then another flash, another man in the ring. How many times did it repeat, who knows. It didn't matter. What mattered was him winning. Getting that number down that seemed to grow every time he won. Seven digits into Eight into Nine.
Into a clear image of the next opponent introduced as "Lorenzo Fuentes."
And he woke up with a start, a sharp gasp not helped by him being somewhere unfamiliar. Not helped by him being somewhere where he couldn't see the outside. Where all he could barely tell was around was dark walls, a dim light and air that felt so deeply oppressive in the moment.
His first reaction was to roll out of bed in a panic and just voice his first thought.]
Get the fuck out...!
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...Lorenzo...? [The calm voice that comes through the darkness is still heavy with sleep, trying to muddle his way through what's happening.] Are you...? [He's definitely not all right. Maxima can't see anything.]
I'm going to turn on the light. [He's still moving slowly, hopefully giving Lighter enough time to close or cover his eyes before he taps one of the bedside lamps so that they both turn on and give shape and clarity to the bedroom around them.]
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late oct: post-event | text
[She takes root in one of the new Chao gardens, surrounded by tiny pudding friends. After a few days, the fact that she hasn't made sure her friends are okay begins to nag on her, and so she sends a text to Maxima.]
[Maxima, more than anyone else, is someone she owes a debt of gratitude to. Maxima kept Takame alive.]
I'd ask how you are, but I think we both know the answer isn't well.
I found a place to relax if you'd like to come join me.
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[And somewhere relaxing sounds like just the place to have a difficult conversation. Maybe that will keep them both from escalating too far.]
I'll meet you there.
cw Halloween event / being trapped
text -> action
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cw terminal illnessish
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cw: illness | suicide ideation
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action; after everyone returns
Which is what calls him to Meropide again. Lantern at his hip, he folds his arms as he waits on the elevator, the sound of creaking pipes and churning machinery filling his ears as he tries to settle the unease in his stomach.
He hopes it's just the rambunctious tide and he's worried for nothing.
When the door to the elevator opens, he steps out and down the hall, head turning to acknowledge...no one to the visible eye. His head tilts, as if acknowledging something before continuing on.
So the Duke and Sir Maxima were back, albeit the former being put on forced leave. As for the latter...well. He heads towards the office, though it's more likely he'll find him along the way, given the circumstances.]
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For better or worse, Maxima's pack instincts are also kicking in this month, making it difficult for him to isolate in his room as much as he'd prefer to. So he can be found out in a quiet corner of a common area, somewhat restlessly flipping through the pages of a paperback novel that's almost uncomfortably small in his hands.
His canine ears will perk up in acknowledgement of Flins' presence a little bit before he actually turns to look at the man.]
This is a welcome surprise. Lighter told me you dropped off your monthly reports already.
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action; several days post horrors
Diarmuid felt the affection with all he was. But the dots just did not connect as they once did... Threads of the endless branches of their fates mixed and mingled into a jungle of thoughts.
It hurt. And Diarmuid would need to cut through what was clear before he could what was twisted and mangled.
And so he found himself in the Fortress of Meropide, asking the sunglass-donning young lad at the Aides du Meropide where he could find a certain man of great height with dusted brown hair, elegant glasses and manner of gem or stone on his forehead. In truth, Diarmuid couldn't get away from being pet quick enough...
Regardless, he was a man who'd spent his life tracking. Who'd spent his time in Kaisou memorizing every nook and cranny. Check common areas then dig deeper from there. And thankfully he did not need to dig too far as a man matching that description. Perhaps he would be recognized by his face, but his plain clothes of a dark button shirt and forest green vest was a far cry from his verdant and cobalt armor seen in that jungle.
But he was ultimately a stranger, so Diarmuid approached carefully.]
Excuse me, my good sir. Are you Lord Maxima Priscus, by chance?
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What could he be doing here?]
Please, be at ease, friend. I am not 'lord' anything, to anyone.
[Especially at the moment, he has some feelings around being called by titles. A few days of rest and time with his thoughts have done him some good, at least - he still seems distant and sad, but not as deeply exhausted as he would have if Diarmuid had approached him nearer the start of the week.]
But I am Maxima Priscus. And if I'm not mistaken, I recognize your face.
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backdated to a few days after the Halloween ... incident
But sometimes you're a really antisocial, sort of avoidant-awkward dog of a man and you have difficulty being sincere and it's taken you two to three days to think of what to say.
but at least he gets to it. ]
text: un: The Duke
Hey. It's been a minute. I'm currently banned from the Fortress due to the Angel's own decision that I need to stay up here, but.
I wanted to have a chat with you, at least.
I said some...things I don't think I meant, and you didn't deserve and I wanted to apologise to you.
Properly.
Not over this ... text machine.
text; un: neoteric
[He's not particularly enjoying this, but it is what it is.]
None of us were ourselves during those days. I don't hold any grudges. [Just so that Wriothesley isn't waiting anxiously in expectation that he'll be berated.] ...But it probably would be better to speak of that time in person. I can come to meet you on the surface, since you've been barred from returning.
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guess who's stupid and missed notifs this crab
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Christmas Delivery! before the 25th
Which he does want to express to Maxima, if he can get the message across.
It happens well before Christmas Day, when he's dropping off his report for the Fortress. Maxima will find a pristine and proper wrapped package on his desk, with a bottle of vodka next to it, purple ribbon tied to it around the neck of the bottle. The package has perfectly pressed corners in its wrapping, no air bubble or wrinkle to be seen. When opened, Maxima will find a canvas bag of the most beautiful pieces of sea glass Flins could find, in greens, light purples, and blues.
There's a note inside:]
I know this time of year it is customary to give gifts to others. My coworkers often would spoil me with various gifts, but I never knew how to give back properly.
You'll forgive me if I'm new to this. I hope this will show my gratitude for our friendship.
-Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins
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When it does come, it's via courier: a Moogle, one of the tiny fuzzy fae-like creatures that ride the winds around Kaisou, zips around the lighthouse and declares 'letter from the guildmaster!' before vanishing again back on its journeys.
The letter in the envelope is handwritten in Maxima's clear, efficient script.]
Thank you very kindly for the holiday gifts. It means a great deal, to be remembered in this season.
The sea glass is very thoughtful of you. Although there are places in the Empire which are close to the sea, the capital where I was born and raised is very far inland, where such a collection would have been quite an uncommon sight, a souvenir brought home from distant travels. I'll have to think carefully about how best to display them to advantage.
As for the liquor, I'm sure your taste is as impeccable as always. It so happens that I've received a few bottles as gifts for the season, including one of a cultural specialty prepared by a friend of mine, and also some good quality drinking glasses. If you visit again soon, perhaps we can make a comparison of their contents.
- Maxima Priscus
action; backdated to around the christmas party
There was so much to do, though, and as much as Takame liked being in the middle of it all it required some thought and quiet. So he shuffled over to the introvert quiet corner to get that.
... spotting someone he's avoided for the past month.]
Ah. Maxima...
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[Maxima pauses, looking pained and guilty, searching Takame's expression for responses. There's a gift under the tree for him with a tag that says it comes from Takame and Yusuke, but he doesn't know if that means the other is comfortable being around him again yet.]
...Please, stay. I'm more than willing to yield this space to you if you need it.
[He gestures to the quiet room, letting himself drift toward the door as if to leave. It all depends on Takame's comfort.]
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A delivery; early January
He's never been one to say the most comforting things. So he'll show his support in what ways he can.
On Maxima's desk will be two Romashka candies. No note, no explanation.
He's here for you.]
Action | January
The main point of concern, in everyone's mind, was how Maxima was holding up. As reserved as the man could be, they were all aware of the kind heart in the man. So of course they worried about him.
But Jun knows addressing that directly probably wouldn't do much good. So he decides to do something he's intended to do with Maxima for awhile- actually address that religious elephant in every room that Maxima shares with him. If nothing else, it should serve as a good distraction. And even better, his brother opted to come along.
So, he'll be knocking on the door of the Aides office, poking his head in]
Hey Maxima, are you busy at the moment?
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He's doing his best, but he knows that it'll only work for so long. His therapist and him have been trying for almost a year to work through his abandonment issues. And the most amount of time he can handle not being communicated with from his siblings (as well as Belle and Ragna) has been three days. With friends, he can handle up to four. More than that and Harumasa starts to get anxious.
So... this is going to be quite the stress test for him and his trust in Lighter coming back.
Anyway, talking to Maxima sounds like the best way to kill many birds with one stone. Harumasa doesn't really talk about his faith or how he practices it. He's not exactly overt about it.
As Jun pokes his head in, Harumasa uses his height to lean forward and poke his head in above Jun's.]
Hey, Chief~! It's for pleasure and not business, too!
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Text: UN:hotgoss
Hey honey, just checking in that you're okay? I saw people on the Zodiac post talking about Lighter. IS everything okay?
un: moderni
He left for an out of town job just before I took the opportunity to speak with him. ...And he forgot his phone in his room.
[You have got to get better at answering questions about your emotional state, mister.]
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