[ interesting. he's very careful with his touch, setting up the nail polish by unscrewing the caps so they're easy to simply pluck open as he works. ]
Now, I'm no expert, but I did just have my nails done and I'm a fast learner, so let's—
[ and you get dusted, a memory scattering in the motes of stardust. kaeya blinks and from where polaris is, flopped on one of the massage chairs, his ears prick up, as if he too is remembering something. and missing it just as greatly. ]
Again. [ he mumbles, almost helplessly, as the dust falls. ]
this... seems incredibly private. and while vulpecula doesn't seem to have too much of a problem with invading others' privacy - they have, after all, copped to reading the guests' files - this feels... different. maybe it's because of the intimacy that comes with allowing someone to touch your soul.]
[ he doesn't want to say anything first, closing his eye as he just kind of sits there, holding vulpecula's hands. what is there to say? his heart is aching, that's all he has. ]
Yes? Are you alright?
[ when he opens his eye again, he's smiling. ]
My apologies for that... I've been getting star-dusted all day... I never know what will show up...
There's a difference between reading a little bit, and getting to know you naturally, and seeing these things when you don't want me to, though...
[it's - invasive. and maybe it is silly of them to be worried about it, all things considered - as kaeya says, they do know all about him - but they'd like to respect his privacy in some small way, at least.]
...well, that's an advantage, in a way! I'm glad he's enjoying himself. But... it must be a little strange for you, too, though. To get used to having him be connected to you in that way, and then for things to... change, just because you came here...
It is odd... it's. [ a beat. ] I do miss it, genuinely.
[ he will begin to very slowly apply the base coat, barring any other stardust shenanigans of course. there's a thoughtful look on his face as he works. ]
But I miss a lot of things. That's nothing new. Perhaps... it was nice to hear his voice again, even in a memory. Or to see her again even just for a few seconds.
[they're quiet for a few long moments, thinking that over, letting kaeya work on their nails - but barring any other stardust shenanigans feels like an invitation.
and so, at a point when it won't mess things up too badly, there's another shower of stardust.
He's walking ahead of you. It's no surprise - he's much taller than you, and his stride is longer than yours, so you're used to it. When it comes to the two of you, and even to your whole group, he's always been the one to lead the way.
It's funny, you catch yourself thinking, as you nod to one of the townspeople whose thoughts you know just by looking at them while you walk along the streets. I wouldn't have ever thought that my life would turn out like this, but now, it feels so natural to be here.
...to be here with him. He's shown you his back so many times in your time together - protecting you, even when you insist you don't need his protection, that you can fight at his side, that you can protect him for once - and it should infuriate you, but really, you just feel more motivated. He's been growing since you took your first steps on this path together, and you have to grow, too, to accompany him on his journey and to assist him in achieving his goals.
He saved your life, and you won't soon forget that.
But even leaving aside the debt you owe him, being at his side feels natural. Like you've found your place - a home, even.
There have been times where you've doubted your place, where you've doubted that the people you grew up with actually wanted you in their lives -
("I was an unwanted child!" you sob, tears prickling at your eyes despite the way you don't, don't, don't want to cry— You're supposed to be better than this, stronger than this—)
- and you still sometimes doubt your place even now that you've found it. Or at least, you think you've found it. You hope you've found it - this place, with these people, is exactly where you want to be.
All your life, you've searched for a place to call home.
And though your journey isn't over, you think... maybe, just maybe, your search is.
[ he lets this memory wash over him all the same, and...
he pauses on the last stroke of one hand, finishing off their thumb. his grip on their hand he's working on softens just a bit, thumb briefly stroking over knuckles. ]
vulpecula is grateful for the veil. they can't even begin to imagine what sort of expression must be on their face right now. they've gone - a bit tense, really, but they breathe out in an attempt to relax.]
[ polaris just gently rests his head in their lap. kaeya himself is tense, quiet. maybe this is really just delirium, seeing or hearing what he wants to see or hear. ]
We can't - hotel staff can't... we're not here to be your friends. [but they don't pull their hands out of kaeya's, and they don't make any move to try and get polaris to get off of their lap.] Saying things like that... I'm worried you might get hurt.
[ he squeezes their hand gently and gives a soft nod. what can he say to that, he wonders, what's worse. ]
You're entertaining my silly whim, V, I think that falls under the purview of being a helpful member of staff. That's all...
[ once he's satisfied with one hand, he sets it down with care, takes up the other if they allow it. there's a kind of tired look he gives them for a moment, the sort that says he hasn't slept well, not in a while.
he dips the brush again after a moment, and begins anew. he closes his eye a moment mid-stroke. ]
I don't want them to hurt you, either. They'll have to accept that I'm just an incredibly needy guest.
They won't hurt me. They need me to help keep things running here.
[...but they sound a little uncertain when they say that.
though kaeya can't see their expression - the veil makes that impossible - the set of their shoulders and the way their head turns up a bit to get a better look at his face gives off concerned vibes. they can see that he looks tired.
...but they imagine that wouldn't be too strange, in general; wouldn't anyone be tired, after so many weeks of murder?]
...I just - don't want to be the reason you get hurt.
[ exactly. all is well here, he's just... sleepless. slowly he continues to work, finishing a layer of color before he just. offers them a very quiet smile. spoken with such certainty: ]
You won't be.
[ he looks downwards. ]
Am I allowed, Vulpecula, to hazard a guess... as to who you are under your veil?
[there's a pause, where their face is turned in a way that makes it seem like they'd be looking right at him - and maybe returning his smile? - before he looks down.]
...you can guess, but whether you're right or wrong, I can't confirm it.
[ he doesn't expect much of any sort of tell. it just... feels good to say it. at the question, he nods and pulls out a sparkly blue shade, offering it for their perusal. ]
[ he will start to apply it then! haha god im crying as i backtag this anyways he will finish them off just like the others with a topcoat and everything, a smile on his lips. ]
I think that completes it quite nicely.
[ he lifts their hand up a bit and admires it in the light briefly. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Now, I'm no expert, but I did just have my nails done and I'm a fast learner, so let's—
[ and you get dusted, a memory scattering in the motes of stardust. kaeya blinks and from where polaris is, flopped on one of the massage chairs, his ears prick up, as if he too is remembering something. and missing it just as greatly. ]
Again. [ he mumbles, almost helplessly, as the dust falls. ]
no subject
this... seems incredibly private. and while vulpecula doesn't seem to have too much of a problem with invading others' privacy - they have, after all, copped to reading the guests' files - this feels... different. maybe it's because of the intimacy that comes with allowing someone to touch your soul.]
Kaeya...
[aaaaaa.]
no subject
Yes? Are you alright?
[ when he opens his eye again, he's smiling. ]
My apologies for that... I've been getting star-dusted all day... I never know what will show up...
no subject
[they squeeze his hands gently.]
Would you prefer that I try to forget that...? It was... it seemed very personal.
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he didn't expect that. ]
I...
[ a pause. and the squeeze is met in kind, just a little though. reassuring. i'm alright. ]
Only if you want to, but. I don't really care. You all know everything about me, don't you?
[ he manages a laugh. ]
Polaris can get as many pets as he wants now, at least. Doesn't have to be nearly as careful.
no subject
[it's - invasive. and maybe it is silly of them to be worried about it, all things considered - as kaeya says, they do know all about him - but they'd like to respect his privacy in some small way, at least.]
...well, that's an advantage, in a way! I'm glad he's enjoying himself. But... it must be a little strange for you, too, though. To get used to having him be connected to you in that way, and then for things to... change, just because you came here...
returning to this thread bc i'm emo
[ he will begin to very slowly apply the base coat, barring any other stardust shenanigans of course. there's a thoughtful look on his face as he works. ]
But I miss a lot of things. That's nothing new. Perhaps... it was nice to hear his voice again, even in a memory. Or to see her again even just for a few seconds.
Memories are precious, right?
weh
[they're quiet for a few long moments, thinking that over, letting kaeya work on their nails - but barring any other stardust shenanigans feels like an invitation.
and so, at a point when it won't mess things up too badly, there's another shower of stardust.
vulpecula goes still and quiet.]
you're killing me
no subject
he pauses on the last stroke of one hand, finishing off their thumb. his grip on their hand he's working on softens just a bit, thumb briefly stroking over knuckles. ]
It's alright.
[ it's not alright. ]
Vulpecula?
no subject
[they tilt their head down, looking at the paint kaeya has just brushed over their nails.]
...yes, Kaeya?
no subject
I don't want to get you in trouble.
[ he blows a little on their nails softly. ]
You're the brightest star in my sky.
[ there's something tightly set in his jaw, like there's something else he wants to say. ]
no subject
vulpecula is grateful for the veil. they can't even begin to imagine what sort of expression must be on their face right now. they've gone - a bit tense, really, but they breathe out in an attempt to relax.]
That's not... [they pause.] I, um...
no subject
[ polaris just gently rests his head in their lap. kaeya himself is tense, quiet. maybe this is really just delirium, seeing or hearing what he wants to see or hear. ]
no subject
We can't - hotel staff can't... we're not here to be your friends. [but they don't pull their hands out of kaeya's, and they don't make any move to try and get polaris to get off of their lap.] Saying things like that... I'm worried you might get hurt.
no subject
You're entertaining my silly whim, V, I think that falls under the purview of being a helpful member of staff. That's all...
[ once he's satisfied with one hand, he sets it down with care, takes up the other if they allow it. there's a kind of tired look he gives them for a moment, the sort that says he hasn't slept well, not in a while.
he dips the brush again after a moment, and begins anew. he closes his eye a moment mid-stroke. ]
I don't want them to hurt you, either. They'll have to accept that I'm just an incredibly needy guest.
no subject
[...but they sound a little uncertain when they say that.
though kaeya can't see their expression - the veil makes that impossible - the set of their shoulders and the way their head turns up a bit to get a better look at his face gives off concerned vibes. they can see that he looks tired.
...but they imagine that wouldn't be too strange, in general; wouldn't anyone be tired, after so many weeks of murder?]
...I just - don't want to be the reason you get hurt.
no subject
You won't be.
[ he looks downwards. ]
Am I allowed, Vulpecula, to hazard a guess... as to who you are under your veil?
no subject
...you can guess, but whether you're right or wrong, I can't confirm it.
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[ he finishes painting their second hand, working on the top coat a moment.
they will then notice that their pinky finger on either hand is not painted except for a base coat? weird. ]
Embarrassing if I'm wrong then, but... my dear Sheba, I've missed you. So much.
no subject
but they're looking down at their hands, now, so they notice...]
...were you going to do something different with those fingers...?
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Is that okay?
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[their voice softens a little as they look at the color.]
I love it. It's a beautiful color.
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I think that completes it quite nicely.
[ he lifts their hand up a bit and admires it in the light briefly. ]
Mmhm. I think it's perfect. How about you?
no subject
anyway, they admire the paint job as kaeya does, then nod. when they speak, they sound like they're smiling.]
It looks perfect to me too. Thank you, Kaeya.