mwm inbox.

[finalgambit]

Aventurine;

Leave a message and if you're lucky I'll get back to you.

code

Comments

[bsod]

[ !!!!

He whips around so fast he almost eats shit because the FLOOR IS STICKY. He's not sure if it's the overall state of Aventurine or just the aftermath of everything, but his hands instantly go up to show he means no harm. ]

Couldn't sleep. I just wandered in, I swear. What are you doing here?

[finalgambit]

[ he doesn't trust that show of submission. aventurine can't afford to trust anybody anymore. ] ... [ he continues to glare at him for another couple of moments, because he's probably full of shit. he has to be. but... isn't that kind of why he's here. he couldn't sleep and he's sick of being bothered and he just wants to be alone... his posture relaxes only a little. ]

Because I love stale popcorn. [ he starts walking toward the theater, because now he has one more reason to want to hide in the dark. ]

[bsod]

Uh-huh.

[ That answer falls about as flat as Vox's own face. He can see that Aventurine is still stuck in fight or flight mode, and the movie theater must have been where he's flown. ]

... Could do without the floors covered in questionable substances. [ A beat, and then he starts following, if only to get out of the lobby. ]

[finalgambit]

Don't look at me. I'm not the one responsible. [ once inside, he chooses a seat in the middle and breaks off the arm rests on the two adjacent seats, so he can nestle into his own comfortably. or about as comfortable as this stupid shape of his can manage. there's something playing on the busted screen, but he's hardly paying it any attention... he's more concerned about vox at the moment. ] There's another theater you know...

[bsod]

[ Aventurine those probably flip up— too late.

He watches a moment, eyes on the other man more than whatever shmaltzy Meg Ryan-esque affair is playing on the screen. His face glows softly in the dark. They could probably both still use their space, but now that they're here... maybe he shouldn't just walk away this time. ]

I'm aware.

[ He says, then goes to sit in the row behind Aventurine, feet propped up on the back of the seat in front of him. ]

[finalgambit]

[ wups. ]

[ this is how he felt in the apartment; trapped. he wants to run off again, but he's also losing steam, and he'd really like a little bit of a break. he unfurls his wings to use them to cover himself, even if it's not doing the greatest job. is he feeling self conscious with vox sitting RIGHT BEHIND HIM... yes, abso-fucken-lutely. ]

Dim your face, I'm trying to watch the... [ squint. ] porno. [ or whatever the hell it is. is someone moaning? yelling? it all sounds the same to him at the moment. ] ...ugh. If... if you're aware, then... why are you still here?

[bsod]

My face isn't even that bright. [ HE TURNED IT DOWN. ] And there's too much plot happening for this to be a porno.

[ But there's definitely yelling. They stumbled into this movie just in time for the requisite third-act misunderstanding that causes the main couple to break up for a little bit.

He's not answering the question, and instead decides to commentate: ]

You know, this whole mess could have been avoided if they'd just talked to each other. Like, how hard is it to tell her that engagement ring belongs to his friend?

[finalgambit]

[ huffs. ] ...oh, and how many pornos have you seen to be able to say that with such certainty?

[ aventurine looks toward the screen as vox explains the plot. ] ... [ hm. there are some parallels that aren't exactly lost on him, but he bites his tongue... for now. ] It's a movie, so they need to drag it out for, what, at least another thirty minutes.

But they should talk.

[bsod]

[ Breezily, ] My associate runs a very successful pornography empire.

[ "Associate." Somewhere Valentino just keeled over. This ain't about him. ]

Mm, I suppose. But if it drags out too long then it just gets annoying, you know? So... yeah. They should.

[ Vox's feet vanish from the back of Aventurine's chair (one of his chairs), and a moment later his arms come into view instead, loosely folded. His face next, peering down at the gambler. ]

[finalgambit]

I wish I could say I'm some sort of surprised... [ but he IS a demon and he IS from hell. that shit's probably normal. ]

...mm, and then the audience loses interest in both the characters and their conflict. [ he stiffens as he feels vox move, wondering if he's going to leave, but then he notices his arms and the soft glow of his face. he moves his wings, ] ...has it gotten annoying?

[bsod]

[ It's so normal it's a little concerning, actually! ]

Oh yeah. Like every person I spoke to in the aftermath of that game asked what our deal was.

[finalgambit]

And what have you told them?

[bsod]

About half a dozen variations of [ confused noises?? ]

[finalgambit]

...sorry. I didn't quite catch that, Voxxy. [ he twists to the right, reaching for his bowtie, so he can yank him over the row of seats and straight into his lap. ] Could you repeat that?

[bsod]

[ HEY?? Vox has had enough falling flat on his face for one day, thanks, and resists the tug, frowning. ]

If you want me to sit with you, asshole, just say so.

[ STRAIGHTENING HIS TIE. ]

[finalgambit]

...

[ he flinches, his wing instinctively coming up to temporarily block him. ok, so that might have been a mistake. he lowers it a moment later, because, right, they should be... talking. ] I want you to sit with me.

[bsod]

That wasn't so hard, now was it?

[ He heaves a sigh, sounding very put out, but it's so clearly an act it's kind of laughable. His shoes continue to stick unpleasantly to the floor as he walks out of his row of seats to where Aventurine is, plopping down in a vacant chair next to him. ]

So... what is our deal, anyway?

[finalgambit]

...you're one to talk. Or should I say not to talk.

I don't know. Why are you asking me? Did you think I would have the magical fix to our second, third, fourth, and fifth act break up? I... don't. [ but he does move one of his wings around vox's shoulders. ] But what I do know is I... like you. A lot? should I pass you a note asking if you like me too?

/2

[bsod]

[ He doesn't protest the wing around his shoulder, though he does cut Aventurine a sidelong glance.

Absolutely deadpan: ] That's gay.

[bsod]

[ But then he heaves a sigh. He's going to... attempt... some sort of honesty here. ]

The last person I let get close to me — really close to me — ruined my fucking life. So when you're out here putting your ass on the line for me, calling me your "friend," it just looks like a trap. It's... easier to get mad than take the risk of falling in.

1/2

[finalgambit]

It is kind of gay.

[finalgambit]

...ah. [ he frowns, conflicted all of a sudden, since he's not sure what he's supposed to do with that. mostly it's just... he can't take back his feelings ( whatever they are ) and... and... ] I can, I don't know, ... I don't know... [ he's quiet for a few moments, leaving the movie to fill the silence. ]

I bet this is kind of stupid to ask, but is there anything I can do to... make you trust me?

[bsod]

[ Vox's expression shifts into something stuck between disbelieving and amused. ]

You already died for me, you idiot. I don't even know what's left after that!

[finalgambit]

...something a little bit more gay? [ not that he knows what that would be. ]

[bsod]

Stop. [ nudges him with an elbow. ] Don't you have a boyfriend?