Cherubplay

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Eridan shrugged. "It isn't that way any more, since Tavros befriended it. He's actually shaping up to be quite the gentleman. And it did let us fly, which was /marvelous/." He'd really developed a fondness for the creature after the flight, and wouldn't mind meeting it again, even if his invitation to tea was preposterous. He'd finished his good by them and was relaxing and enjoying the wine as they spoke. "How is your shoulder doing, by the way?"

"Also, I am curious; why didn't you end up coloring the grass?" he asked, remembering the stark whiteness of the In Between's fields.

The indigo was a little startled by the pat on his leg, but settled quickly. He touched Tavros's hand for a moment, holding it for a second before letting go. He could relax a little afterwards, though he didn't feel like talking yet. Instead he sipped the wine slowly, enjoying its taste as they filled Kanaya in.

2014-08-06 16:22:11
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Tavros looked over at him, then, gently, he pressed his lips to his cheek in a chaste kiss. It may not have been very good dinner conduct, -he wasn't sure what was- but he wanted to apologize as soon as possible. Even if that just meant a couple small kisses and fleeting touches to Gamzee's arm and leg.

"My shoulder is okay, just aches a little," Tavros admitted. His range of motion was still limited, but it felt much better than the first day in which he was injured, "But what I have noticed about, uh, this ability is that I can only color what I am touching. It is not like the color seeps into whatever is nearby that is similarly afflicted. It would take an incredibly long time to color all of the In-Between's plains." Time that the brownblood did not feel they particularly had.

"And you do not know how you got this power?" Kanaya questioned curiously, "Or when it appeared?"

He shook his head, "No, I haven't a clue."

"It just simply happened," Vriska added, "He was inspecting the trees of the Screechlands when it, all of a sudden, began to change color and texture."

2014-08-06 18:07:07
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Gamzee glanced over at him, smiling a little smile for a minute. He was a little more sure about probable table manners so gently took Tavros's hand under the table again to say it was okay. It wasn't like he was angry, just worried and a little down.

"That makes sense. How do you suppose you'll get it all done? Just wander about for a long time afterwards? Maybe there are more beasts there you can tame, or understand as the case may be." Eridan commented. "Anyway, is there another riddle that still needs solving?"

2014-08-06 18:46:35
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At the mention of another riddle, Gamzee perked up a little. He kind of liked helping to solve them. It made him feel useful, and the process of thinking them out and what they could mean was something he enjoyed. There was also the possibility that the riddle would reveil something to them all that would help with the part of the quest in Starnette; either directing them as to what actions they should take, or hinting at some other person they needed to find. He also made a mental note to check up on Tavros's wound again, to make sure it was healing properly. He wasn't sure if it was just their difference in blood color or the mushroom properties not working as effectively on someone not originally from Wonderland, but the copperblood seemed to heal much slower than he was used to.

2014-08-07 02:22:34
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"Unfortunately, yes," Tavros took out the map that held the riddles and placed it on the table. Kanaya, standing, cleared the table and placed used dishes and utensils into the sink for later washing before returning to peer at what Alice presented.

Vriska peered her eyes over the map, settling her gaze on the longest riddle of all; the one placed by Starnette. It looked almost to be prose, not exactly a riddle. Still, even with more information apparently presented to them, it was not as if it was any easier to decipher. Tavros began to recite it:

"Freedom for all - yet a knight reigns not supreme

Hiding within a palace where he will never be seen!

The castes are all set: cold, mid and warm

But where was the boy when the Queen was sworn?

A rectangular-pupiled thing, wild hair and red lips

This is the Queen that you must omit

For there, secluded, is a male so concealed

That even his secrets are too heavy to reveal!

The palace is wrought with snake lines beneath feet

Find the man, the winner that will have the Queen beat

Pair him with the journeying outsider Alice

And together they will form the catalyst.

Knock upon the door of the yellow government

Appear to be sullen and sad

Raise your arms in wild abandon

Knock again on the palace, be bad!

Always remember your virtues

Thank your dearest March and Mad

Vampires ought to be loved

And violets should be smiling

Never beaten or shoved

Take heed of information so thus presented

And understand the hardships

So as the White Rabbit resented. "

"So," His eyes flicked up to look at the members of his team of sorts, "Does any of this make sense to you all?"

"What strikes me firstly is the 'door of the yellow government' who I can only assume to be my friend, Sollux," Kanaya explained, and Tavros rummaged around in his pocket to pull out notes written on past riddles. Kanaya soon found him an ink well and a quill, and he set to writing. "The remainder, really, just appears to be folklore! Or, at least...what we all /assume/ to be folklore."

"The riddle sounds less a riddle and more a poem," Vriska commented offhandedly, "And rather personal in that regard. Who is this boy that will be the catalyst? Frankly, it sounds like we should be skipping the Queen altogether when we get to Starnette and try to find this hidden knight-boy-thing."

2014-08-07 18:51:50
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It was quiet for a while as they thought. "Well, the easiest way is to break it into parts," Eridan thought allowed, then pointed toward the beginning. "The first four lines sound like by rights this knight should really be ruling, as if he's got more right to it somehow...'having the queen beat' as it were. But they've got him hidden so that no one knows and she can keep ruling..."

"...have you heard of the Cherry Bloods?" Gamzee spoke up. "'Spose they ain't supposed to be real...but...maybe? It'd outrank the usual reds."

Eridan nodded. "If there was one she'd have to get rid of them to remain in power...I don't get this 'snake lines' thing, though... beneath feet? It sounds like they're supposed to help with finding this person, though..."

The indigo's initial thought was people as snakes, some sort of symbolism for some person who would subversively help them. But thinking about snakes in the forest, and the lines part...maybe it had more to do with how they traveled. Snakes were kind of like lines themselves, but beneath feet? "...tunnels?" Gamzee thought allowed.

2014-08-07 19:28:44
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Alice was busy scribbling down notes that were brought up from varying members of the table, and Vriska seemed unconvinced initially, "Cherry Bloods are about as real as the Limes!"

"We should not rule out anything just yet," Kanaya assuaged, fiddling with the choker around her neck as she squinted slightly at the text; her reading glasses were around here someplace. "Eridan and Gamzee have a point, dear. If the knight truly is a Cherry Blood, he would only belong to one surname - a surname that is strictly male, much like jadebloods are strictly female. If that were the case, whether he was male or female, he would still, as Gamzee said, outrank normal reds, Queendom or not."

Vriska crossed her arms, "But Cherry Bloods are mutants! He couldn't outrank anyone if he was a mutant, right?"

"That is what the reds are probably stating to the rest of Wonderland," She admitted, "The caste system, in its current state, does not go further than it is now, but the Cherry Bloods would, naturally, be set above the normal rusts."

"So we have to go into tunnels beneath the palace?" Tavros placed the quill into the inkwell, his eyes searching his companions' faces for any flicker of agreement or disagreement, "This Cherry Blooded Knight is beneath the palace in secret tunnels, that we will have to go into and, I guess, talk to him."

"I do wish I could remember the surname of those Cherry Bloods!" Kanaya lamented, "They followed the initials K.V, but I know not of specific names. Wonderland is so wrought with folklore and myths that it is difficult to pick apart these details."

"Let's check the riddle again," Offered Vriska, who gently pulled the map towards Kanaya's squinting eyes, where she scrutinized the text for a few long minutes. Tavros, mildly exasperated, nearly asked for the map back so that the other members of the table could also read it, but he just took to going over what he had read. "Do you think we have to do anything, uh, with the White Rabbit? I haven't really-"

The boutique-owner suddenly gasped, and she placed the map on the table once more, pointing, "The riddle states the Knight's name!"

2014-08-07 19:49:41
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“Karkat Vantas,” Eridan read off where she was pointing down the column of capitalized letters of the second half of the riddle. “But what does that really give us? Some way to prove to him that we’re legitimate? And does the rest of it really mean anything or is it just poeticism after that?”

“Last verse kinda sounds like it… but is the Rabbit resentful or resented? Think maybe he set the whole thing up sneaky like?” Gamzee murmured toward Tavros.

“Maybe he doesn’t like the red queen either; she forces him to go around looking for people, maybe he’s tired of doing it, whoever he is. It might make sense for him to sabotage her plans with the Alice in that way, since he has to do the searching and is the only one going around to places… So maybe he picked you specifically because you wouldn’t do what she wanted,” Eridan expanded.

“Maybe he’ll help a little if we find him around if that’s the case.”

2014-08-07 20:30:38
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"Ever since I arrived in Wonderland, I have had something in the back of my mind telling me that I must find this White Rabbit character," He placed his chin on his palm, looking down at the map as he randomly traced lines and squiggles with his other hand's finger, "But. I have not a clue as to what I would do or say, uh, should I find him or her."

Vriska shrugged, "Let's just do one thing at a time, Chief. First thing's first, we have to get to the yellowblood-"

"Sollux Captor," Kanaya interjected.

"Yes, him," She nodded, "And we will spend some time going over our information with him, perhaps see what we will be able to gather from him. It is all well and good that our resident rainbowdrinker spends weekends in Starnette, but a citizen of the city is much better," Vriska pushed her bangs from her face absently, "Being a government worker, he probably knows much about the palace and how it is set up."

Tavros smiled at them all, "Brilliant. I believe we have, uh, mostly gotten through this riddle. It does seem just like poetry, but I cannot help but be concerned. Once we find this Karkat Vantas, and suppose he, is inclined to join our group of sorts. What should we do then?"

"It would not do well to simply burst into the palace with fire in our hearts," Kanaya mused, "Should you venture in with the Knight alone?"

"Too dangerous," He shook his head, "If the Royals lay witness to the mutant they so tried to hide, surely they would have my head, regardless of my status."

"I doubt just a couple of us will be able to accompany you. All or nothing," Vriska stated simply. A mutant, a 'violent'blood, a sea dweller, a jadeblood, and a rude pirate were a sneered upon group as it were. Having just a couple of them or none at all would not be beneficial to anything. "Think of it this way. Should you arrive in the palace, perhaps after suggesting a meeting with government officials, and you come along with all of us and the items indicating your solid title as Alice, no one will be able to ignore you for long."

Kanaya elaborated, but with a twist, "We should start small. After finding Vantas, we should stay in Sollux's home, then you, Alice, will go to the palace with him to request a meeting with just government officials, not the Queen herself. Discuss things with the officials, show them your map and what have you, and ask for a date in which to speak with the Queen regarding everything. We will all accompany you then."

2014-08-07 20:57:46
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"Riddle does say to go twice.... 'knock again on the palace' ...and kinda instructions, maybe, for how to go about it...not real clear, that part. Maybe once we get there it'll become clear," Gamzee pointed out. He still wasn't terribly pleased about the escapade, but reasoned they had to at this point. At least they had some idea of what to do now.

"Well, that's most of that. So what next? How are we getting to Starnette...walking again?" Eridan asked. "How long will it take?" Though the place seemed ominous Eridan was less worried, as they had a solid plan and potentially two very highly blooded trolls on their side, not to mention whoever this knight was. What would he be like, after spending all that time alone underground, concealed from the world...would he even know anything about the predicament?

2014-08-07 21:23:36
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"Gosh, Starnette is just as far, if not farther, than getting from the Screechlands to Undlegire." The space between Undlegire, the entirety of the city, to get to Starnette, a massive city towards the north, was large, perhaps larger than just the In-Between. Displeased that any of her 'dears' had even considered walking, shook her head immediately, "I think not."

Kanaya may not have had a fashionable carriage like many of the midbloods did in Undlegire, nor did she indulge herself often with the public ones, but she did make use of the train shooting from Undlegire to Starnette and the smaller towns the area. It took about three hours, stops included, to get from her city to Starnette, and she would be damned if she walked when she could just take quick transportation. "There is a train towards the middle of the city,": She informed, "Much much quicker than walking! Three hours total, and the fare is quite cheap. Only two silver per person."

Vriska had never been on a train before, but she hoped it would be less daunting than flying. She assumed that trains had cars that followed the castes, and she inwardly groaned. She could probably manage a cart with Kanaya, though both Gamzee and Eridan would be in the colderblooded section, and Tavros, the delicate Alice, would be all alone in whatever first-caste section they could provide. The idea of having them all split up on blood color made her upset, "Are the train cars separated by castes?"

"Unfortunately, yes," She smiled sadly, "There is not even a lowblood section, only mid and high, so we may all have to sit in the lap of decent luxury. We will not get much retaliation with a jade and a copper, Vriska. You are quite near the middle yourself, I am sure you could pass if you tried."

2014-08-07 21:33:57
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"Seems kinda a big thing for them to deal with..." Gamzee muttered worriedly, but shut up quickly with the 'defeatist' worry. If they didn't even /have/ a low blood section...

"Surely of you say you need us in some way they'll let us aboard with you," Eridan said to Tavros, patting Gamzee's shoulder absently. "They certainly wouldn't deprive you of anything. We could act as your servants in some capacity..." He wrinkled his nose at the idea, but really didn't know what else they could do. "And they won't have to deal with us for long, just the hours." Then the fun would really start.

It did seem pretty solid, and it was a pretty comforting solution. Tavros had acted the part before, so Gamzee was pretty sure he could do it again. He nodded at that a little, feeling slightly better about the whole thing.

2014-08-07 21:54:20
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He wrinkled his nose, but nodded. Tavros detested treating his friends as if they were lower than him, even if he was good at it, and would much rather sit with them all as they normally would instead of pretending they had to serve him in any way. "Alright," He acquiesced, "We may as well. I believe that is really our only option."

"Then everything is settled," Good enough for her. This took less time than she had thought, and while it ended on a bit of a sour note, Vriska was excited to head into Starnette, to really get the ball rolling. Those red fuckers wouldn't know what hit them! There was no way that the Knight could be so happy with his rightful place being taken by those rustbloods, -it seemed everyone hated them for one thing or another, same hue or not- and Tavros, evidenced by his first meeting with the March Hare and Mad Hatter, was adamant for some type of radical, Wonderland-swept change with castes. It was all so thrilling, and nothing had even started yet!

Kanaya considered phoning Sollux, but she was not entirely sure how she would express the idea of a fabled Alice being a very real -and delightful, she may add- person. Finally, she came to a decision, "Alice, dear," She smiled encouragingly, "Would you care to speak to Sollux? Perhaps give him a quick 'hello' before we see him soon? I bet it would do him well to know someone of your stature is approaching soon. And the various members of lovely people that you are bringing along for the ride."

2014-08-07 22:07:05
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As the others talked about phoning -Gamzee had no idea how they were supposed to talk to someone in another city but trusted Kanaya wasn't insane so had some way to do that- the indigo thought about what they'd need. Not much, for the most part. If their next journey was only going to take three hours, then they probably wouldn't need much in the way of food, though maybe they should buy some here for when they got to this Sollux Captor's apartment, if prices for everything were as bad as Kanaya said they were for clothes and jewelry. Absently he wondered if he would be allowed to cook...maybe he could make up for them staying there in some small way by doing all of that. He really liked cooking for their little group, even if it had just been small things so far. He hoped he'd get an opportunity to do something bigger for all of them.

Eridan just stayed quiet there, not having much to talk about or do in relation to anything that was going on right at that moment. It was certainly going to be an experience... He noted to himself that he'd helped his palecrush a little, apparently, so maybe there was some hope for him after all. The guy was fuckin' tense though, he thought, forgetting he'd left his hand on the other's shoulder. Maybe while Tavros was calling that yellowblood they could talk some more, straighten out storied about their 'employ' to a certain copperblood together.

2014-08-07 22:49:28
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Kanaya took him off to the living room, stylish as ever, and gestured to the phone on a wall. Tavros recognized that the same technology was in his shared room back at the inn but, sadly, he was not sure what it was or what it could be used for. Tenderly, she explained how the telephone worked and even dialed Sollux's number: "It is like having a conversation with someone right in front of you," She explained, "Only they are far away."

Tavros was absolutely /stunned/ that something like this existed, and when he saw Kanaya speak into the receiver, as if she really was just talking to someone in front of her, he almost didn't know what to do.

"Yes, I have a friend that I need you to speak to," She looked to Tavros, as if silently asking if he were ready, and he nodded, a bit dumbfounded, "We will be arriving at your hive tomorrow, so I do hope that you are interested in guests." Kanaya could hear him grumble and splutter over the line, and she handed the cone-like portion to Tavros, who pressed it to his ear and asked, meekly, "Hello?"

Sufficiently satisfied that Kanaya was not out to drink their blood, and that they had a pretty solid plan concerning how to not only arrive at Starnette but deal with all the bullshittery that went along with it, Vriska sipped up the remainder of her wine and peered around Kanaya's hive briefly. She looked to Eridan and Gamzee, then settled her gaze on her former kismesis with an expectant look that read, 'well?'

It was no secret that Gamzee was a rather wound-up guy - he may have appeared relaxed and well-adjusted, but Vriska could only imagine that sweeps of pent up anger, in order to assuage the idea that he was some type of furious beast, were just bubbling up inside him, hankering for a release. There were certain restrictions to purplebloods that she would never understand.

2014-08-07 23:04:29
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The seadweller kind of glared at her lightly at the look, 'what? give me time!' He was glad they knew each other well enough that their silent conversations were still a thing, even after their 'break up'. "So...why have we been hired by our dear Alice?" he asked the other. Standing behind the other, he directed another conversational look at Vriska. 'And what about you? Don' see you doing anything about your feelings. And maybe if we had a little /privacy/ I could do this better.'

"Uh, well... maybe we should play to their expectations?" Gamzee leaned his head back to look up at Eridan behind him. "I could be his body guard...supposed to be good at fightin' after all... Maybe he needs two?"

"Hmm, do I look like a fighter?" the seadweller mused.

It wasn't anger that was making Gamzee tense, however, quite surprising to a number of individuals he might encounter to be sure. Actually it was stress from worry and some fright. Really he was terrified of going to Starnette, some place he was sure was crawling with yellow bloods which had been his tormentors for sweeps. Little, perhaps, did Tavros know, but it wasn't just insults that got slung his way. It had only been his presence that had saved Gamzee from worse on their second day together when that pair had approached them. Though they'd also be apparently staying with one, he wasn't really all that worried about him, as Kanaya seemed alright with him he'd at least be civil if the purple blood stayed around the others at the very least.

2014-08-07 23:23:50
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Vriska rolled her eyes, silently grumbling that it wasn't like she had much of a place to go elsewhere. Kanaya and Alice were occupied!

She wasn't sure how to play to a highblood's expectations - it was probably better to just say she and Kanaya were travelling together. Kanaya was too high to be considered of much help towards Tavros, not in the stereotypical way that highbloods would expect. Briefly, she remembered Kanaya's old job as a personal assistant to Sollux, and she guessed that was only fractionally better than being an outright slave.

"Mmn. Not particularly," Vriska looked him up and down, as if she had not spent most of her waking moments with him, "You have the height for it. I suppose you could really pull it off." Her body shape was not indicative of a body guard, -and no copperblood needed three- so she went with the only option she would willingly go with. "Remember how Kanaya said she was the personal assistant to that yellowblood? I am supposing that will be my fake cover for the time being," She shrugged, "Beats being anything else."

On the phone, Tavros was explaining the current situation to Sollux as best he could, and he was glad that they held a common link through Kanaya, otherwise he would have sounded like a complete idiot. The phone call ended with some annoyed hesitance on the yellowblood's side - which, really, was understandable.

2014-08-07 23:35:55
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How was one even supposed to start a pale relationship, Eridan wondered. Vriska and he both had the feelings, he thought her more than him, so that was a start. And maybe he had some sort of little affect on his intended...maybe if he tried for more of that it would be easier to introduce? He internally shook his head. Why rush into things, just because Vriska shot him a look. Certainly things would work out... Somewhat absently, maybe by a little of the wine getting to his head, maybe just some subconscious urge, he'd started rubbing at the shoulder he still had a hand on. At the action he wondered why the fuck he hadn't removed his damn betraying appendage! He was about to stop and remove his hand when he heard a soft purr.

It had been quite unexpected; Gamzee had wondered why Eridan was being so friendly with him, and touchy, and then the massaging had started which was slightly shocking. However it was undeniably pleasant, and maybe the old vintage was getting to him too, but he'd started a deep purr without meaning to, eyes half lidded at the loosening of tight muscle.

Surprised but relatively delighted by this turn of events, the seadweller continued, moving his other hand to start on both the other's shoulders. "That sound's pretty believable, Hattie, I think. I'll just have to act tough, I suppose. Maybe wear something tighter to show off some musculature. Shouldn't be too hard," he grinned at Vriska. 'See? HA.'

For some reason Gamzee didn't feel like pulling away, even though this felt a little exposed as attention went. His purring only increased with Eridan getting both shoulders now. "Thanks, Eribro," he muttered, "Get you back after." The other, quite excited at the prospects of returned affection (and the nickname), smiled delightedly.

2014-08-07 23:53:52
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While she had always wanted Eridan to make a few pale moves on Gamzee, now things were moving all too fast! Purring was an intimate sound, and she felt as though she were intruding just by being in the general vicinity. Even if the action, to a degree, was inappropriate for another's home after she so graciously served them a meal and wine.

Tavros returned shortly, Kanaya in tow, and both pairs of ears flickered upwards at the sound of a deep, rumbling purr. Vriska had made a point to turn away, as a budding pale relationship was so new to her that it made her feel uncomfortable to witness it. The copperblood looked equally as uncomfortable, but weirded out to the point that he actually looked annoyed rather than awkward.

Kanaya, sensing some tension and maternal instincts demanding that she do something to stop it, checked the time and gauged that it was near nine, and they ought to get to bed early tonight - there was a long day ahead of them tomorrow, and they would all need some sleep. Not to mention, she had to start packing tonight and get some odds and ends together with her shop before she went and left for any place! "I hate to be a horrible host," She began, hands clasped in front of her, "But it is becoming a smidgen late, and if we want to have a successful day tomorrow, we had better all get ready for bed."

"Yes, yes, of course. It was lovely to meet you, Kanaya," Vriska stood up from her seat, taking her coat from its place on the back of her chair to slip it on. "I am sure that our time travelling tomorrow will be splendid."

"Oh, I could say the same for you, dear," She beamed over at her, all cordial smiles as Tavros said something to the same effect and began piling the map and notes back into his apron's pocket.

2014-08-08 00:03:54
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The other two similarly packed up, Gamzee thanking Kanaya for her generosity and cooking dinner for them as well as just having them at all, and Eridan thanking her for all that and being such an excellent host and hoping they got to talk more as he quite loved her tastes in decorating and in wine.

As they all walked back, Eridan trying to keep the spring from his step as he walked next to Vriska, he wondered when next he'd be able to get to do this. It was really invigorating, even if everyone else was quite annoyed with him at the moment. He was content to ignore it. Purring traveled so far in the water, which was a much better conductor of sound, that in seadweller territory they'd given up trying to hide it. It was just a background sound of the ocean, along with all the whale song and dolphin calls and everything else imaginable.

Gamzee on the other hand was feeling a bit exhausted, the adrenaline from earlier finally leaving his system after the relaxing attention, which though the others found it somehow inappropriate was really just what he'd needed to chill out. It wasn't really as if they would be able to be private about things. And though he knew about some social conduct, that really hadn't been one of the things he'd heard much about, and didn't figure it was that big of a deal. It didn't seem that intimate to make an expressive sound that everyone could make. He kind of trudged along, but kept up with his longer strides.

2014-08-08 00:21:20
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Truthfully, he was a peculiar mixture of happy, frustrated, embarrassed, and jealous. He was happy that Gamzee was loosening up some in regards to Eridan, who he knew had pale feelings and was attempting to solidify them with his matesprit. It frustrated him that, for one, he could not make his own lover that relaxed at the table, -though, under further reflection, he had been the cause of the tension, too- and he was embarrassed that such an action arose whilst in Kanaya's home! They probably appeared as if they hadn't any real sophistication, like they didn't care much for even the more appropriate social norms. Of course, he was jealous, and despite Tavros not titling himself as the kind to feel much envy in the course of romantic fronts, he felt the shading of green over his heart and that irritated him.

Vriska, on the other hand, was just aggravated that Eridan would dare to be so brazen in another's house - it would be one thing with just themselves, but he should show some self-restraint! Culture was different in the water and on land, she thought he would be aware of that.

They continued on, back to the inn, and Tavros, once in their room, did not settle on his bed and try to sleep. Instead, he began packing away their fancier clothes into his pack, -it was full of clothes, as it was- and laid out his fancier dress for tomorrow. That dress had no apron, but it did have pockets, so he placed his map, notes, and his coins into the pocket but stared at them for a while. He still was not sure what they were supposed to be used for. Maybe a gift to someone? An offering to the Queen?

In the adjacent room, Vriska was hissing her annoyances to Eridan, "What were you thinking?" She questioned, irritated, "You can't just go around parading your romances like that! Least of all, someone's /hive!/"

2014-08-08 00:42:34
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"The fuck is your problem, Vriska? You were practically /telling/ me to be more direct! I don't know what you're on about. What's the big deal? It's not even like it's a romance. Glubbing hell!" Eridan didn't know what she was on about. How was he supposed to know there was any difference in culture when the only land dweller up to this point that he'd met had been Vriska? And there's hadn't been that sort of relationship. He could excuse the lack of public closeness of the matesprits from them being shy and because of how new it was, as well as the caste system societal implications.

Having not unpacked, he simply put the clothes he had on away and switched into sleeping clothes, essentially ignoring most of the ferocity of Vriska's tone.

In the other room, Gamzee was switching into pajamas himself, setting what he had had on out nicely to wear tomorrow. He'd changed in the bathroom, remembering how weird Tavros had been in his hive when he'd had his shirt off, and after setting the nicer clothes out he flopped onto his own bed, not under the covers yet. He just lay there, face down, relaxing and nearly dropping off into slumber.

2014-08-08 00:59:18
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"Show a little self-control, will you? We're not underwater, things are different here." Her tone wasn't as scathing before, just a tad condescending, like she was trying to explain something to a child. She piled things into her bag after setting the clothes out she would wear tomorrow, pulling off her boots and trousers and settling into bed in just a long button-down. Vriska took her hair down from her immaculate bun and let her wavy hair fall about her shoulders and back as she settled into bed, "It was a manner of politeness, and after the whole situation with myself and Alice, I wanted to keep things under the idea that we weren't heathens."

Tavros had taken off his shoes and his stockings, gently packing them away. While Gamzee was in the bathroom, he was in the process of undressing, his cardigan packed away and his dress loose and limp around his shoulders so that his back and chest was exposed, but the one sleeve was still on. He was just going to sleep in his panties and the sweater he originally wore, which was comfortable enough, but he had not yet gotten to that physical conclusion. He looked to be stuck, his body facing the window and his eyes staring out as moonlight pressed in through the window. Tavros blinked a couple times, realizing that he was lost in thought, a heavy sigh heaving from his lips as he finally just shucked his dress and pulled the other sweater on, packing away his ripped dress as he looked back at Gamzee. He already looked to be asleep, which was good on his part - he didn't want Gamzee to see him, not when he had spent the time he was supposed to be getting changed staring out the window in thought. Tavros snuggled under his covers, but he kept his eyes staring out the window even when he turned off the night stand's lamp.

2014-08-08 01:19:52
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The sea dweller, still not completely comprehending, flopped a bit angrily into bed. "What? I still don't get it. Was there some sort of...ridiculously inappropriate problem with my interactions? You fucking landdwellers are so damn sensitive. I suppose I shall apologize tomorrow. I don't know how you expect me to know these sorts of social feux pas when I've only ever been around you, and you hardly tell me anything."

Gamzee had expected Tavros to be a little more talkative, honestly, and caught the sigh in his semi-sleep. "Tavbro?" he asked a bit groggy. "Y'all right? I didn't upset you too much earlier, did I?" He turned his face toward his matesprit and opened an eye, face still half buried in the pillow below him. He wriggled until he was actually under the covers, bringing them up and around and under his chin so really only his face was showing. "Your scratches botherin' you again? Need redressin'?" he asked a moment later, remembering how he'd said it had been uncomfortable. "Maybe more of the painkillers?"

2014-08-08 01:31:39
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Pulling the covers up to her chin, she stuck her tongue out at him before closing her eyes, "/I/ thought that any self-respecting troll would just know that! It's called common sense," Vriska didn't care if he didn't completely understand her, or if her reasoning was pretty offbase. She just wanted to get some sleep, and evidenced this by turning her back to him and curling up, "Good night."

Embarrassed that he had even /looked/ upset, Tavros vehemently denied it, "No, no! Everything is fine, I was struck with a tad of envy but that was juvenile on my end." He would never want Gamzee to limit himself in other departments just because he got a little green in the cheeks, "You should not try to, change anything in your pale area just because of me. I gave him permission, after all." He took in a quiet breath and closed his eyes, "My, uh, shoulder is fine. I am just nervous about tomorrow, that's all. Tomorrow begins the culmination of our journey, the climax of everything, and I really only have one shot to make sure everything goes the correct way. There will be no mistakes, I cannot afford, uh, make one. I guess you could say that I am feeling quite pressured."

2014-08-08 01:42:33