Cherubplay

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Eridan huffed similarly and turned away as well. Quickly enough he was asleep, though his dreams were a bit angry. Mostly just memories of hunts in the oceans and using his harpoon. Damn did he want to go back to the sea.

"...pale? Is that what's all up and goin' on?" Gamzee mulled that over for a moment; he supposed that made sense based on past actions. "...uh, you know that's kinda happenin to you too, then?" he figured he should inform Tavros, even if Vriska wouldn't like it that much.

The second part of what Tavros said made Gamzee want to help him out more directly, though. "I'm sure you'll do fine, Tavbro, ...but, you think you can sleep? I could maybe try and help you relax a little. No good if you just sit up awake all night." He didn't mean anything remotely sexual by this, maybe just something like Eridan had done, which had relaxed him wonderfully.

2014-08-08 01:51:32
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"I think I will sleep better, if I am with you." Gamzee had a point - it would do him worse to stay up, thinking about possibilities than just sleeping and getting the rest he needed. Figuring that it was dark enough so that Gamzee wouldn't see his undergarments, -he could be flirty, but he didn't want to move too quickly, after all- he slipped into bed beside Gamzee. There were enough pillows, and softness to the bed that Tavros could actually lay on his side, and he faced his matesprit. "You will still love me even if I make a mistake, won't you, 'Zee?"

2014-08-08 01:57:50
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"The fuck kinda question is that? 'course I will. Why would that change?" he mumbled, taking Tavros's hand and interlacing their fingers as he made sure they both had enough room. "You'll just have to stay with me in the woods. We'll be a couple hermits with Wocky; he's real excited to see the forest, I think. Had his tail goin' something crazy when I told him about it." He put his face closer to his matesprit and pecked the tip of his nose before settling his head back down.

2014-08-08 02:02:57
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The back up plan seemed good enough for him, and he figured that Vriska and Eridan could return to the uninhabited world of the Screechlands, and Kanaya could continue what she was doing with her boutique. Still, he did not know what they would make of Karkat, and that made him anxious but he was too tired to relay this information to Gamzee, who he figured was tired enough. "I do not know what to do about Vriska, though," He murmured, "I think she needs me, uh, in that sense. But I do not know if I need her like that." Tavros gave a tiny shake of his head and curled up close to Gamzee, interlocking their legs and letting go of his hand to wrap his arm around his waist.

2014-08-08 02:10:39
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Gamzee brought his freed hand up to cuddle Tavros close, in a position where he was protecting him with his own body. He rested nuzzled the copperblood's hair gently, breathing in the smell lightly and pressing a light kiss to his forehead. He noted his unclothed legs but didn't comment, not caring how Tavros decided to sleep so long as he was comfortable. He just hoped he wasn't too cold without pants. Wouldn't do to be getting the sniffles right before such a big event. "I'm sure things'll pan out. Seem to 'round you. And maybe you don't, not like it can be helped, love."

2014-08-08 02:21:48
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"Ah...you make a fair point. One last thing," He requested, hoping to go to bed on a lighter, sweeter note, "How did you know that you were flushed for me?" Tavros knew pretty early on, before they had even departed for the Screechlands. Perhaps he did not assign the word 'flushed' to what he felt, a small scale crush at the time, but when he did feel the fullest affections of red romance, it was probably while they were still in Gamzee's mixed city. With the Bibliosaurus, who he had foolishly believed could get him home. When he thought about that know, it almost made him laugh, but he was glad that the Bibliosaurus did not have that power - there was so much he had to do still, so much that he had already experienced that he would not have had he gone back to Alternia and his boring life.

2014-08-08 02:29:24
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He hadn't really thought about that...when did he start feeling this way? "I can't....I dunno if I know, Tavbro." He thought long and hard, going throughout their whole journey. "Definitely by the time we got to the Screechlands...inklings before that. Can't solidly say when." Tavros had almost always made him feel differently, so he couldn't really peg down when he had started feeling genuinely red. "What about you, Tavbro?" The revelation that morning had been unexpected, though completely wonderful. He didn't think he had much of a chance at anything like this, and was elated that Tavros had actually returned the feelings he slowly had to admit to himself as they had gotten undeniably stronger.

2014-08-08 02:44:54
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Tavros snorted in slightly laughter, "No idea, sweetheart. I feel as though I jumped from just a flushcrush to full, uh, red feelings. I think, though, I began knowing that I felt red for you when I bought you those cakeballs," He smiled, kissing his chin as he gave a soft purr, "That was when I became, consciously aware that I really did like you more than just a friend. I did not know how to really act on that, though, so I just ended up flirting with you more." But even that was fun in its own way. He liked testing the boundaries between them, and now that they were actually an item, Tavros could not wait to see what other limits they could press and break. At the same time, he still had to worry about the aftermath of what happened in Starnette...he would worry about all that tomorrow. "No matter, what time you fell in love with me and I with you, I think I would be flushed for you regardless. I also think we should go to sleep, heheh."

2014-08-08 02:50:36
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Smiling into Tavros's hair, he nodded sleepily. "Yea, Tav. Helluva lot to do come the morn... G'night darlin'," he murmured, breathing deepening as he relaxed and drifted off with his matesprit securely in his embrace. He slept soundly like that, not waking until morning. The position was quite comfortable and he liked that it allowed him to feel like he was protecting the person he cared about even while not consciously there. If Tavros wasn't already awake by the time he opened his eyes, Gamzee would wait with him until he did or until they really needed to get up to wake him.

2014-08-08 03:05:05
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Too skittish to stay asleep for too long, Tavros woke shortly after dawn and was getting dressed. He had already washed his face with water, -though that was more to wake himself up- and he was counting what money they had left. 98 gold pieces, 30 silver, and 19 bronze. He hoped that would be enough for the impending journey. He was sure that Kanaya would bring her own money, and Sollux was sure to have plenty, since he was a yellow. Trying not to let himself get bogged down with monetary issues, considering there was so much more to worry about, he placed the pouch of money into the cardigan's pocket that he wore the night before. Lacing up his boots, he had already packed and got everything ready to go, having not noticed Gamzee waking up.

Vriska, on the other hand, wished to sleep in as long as she possibly could. The beds in the inn were clean and comfortable, and she snuggled into the pillows and comforter as much as she could. For once, she looked peaceful, not at all angry or irritated or saddened by her own thoughts - in fact, she seemed vulnerable. Vulnerable in a way that denoted sweet fragility, a stark, but welcome, difference to her usually hardened fury.

2014-08-08 03:26:15
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When he did wake, Gamzee yawned and stretched before sitting up. "Mornin' Tavbro," he smiled, padding over to kiss the copperblood's cheek before heading into the bathroom to wash up slightly. Once again donning clothing in the privacy of that room, he walked out just as he was buttoning the last few top buttons of the darker button up, then put the cream sweater over it. As everything was already packed, he made up the bed after putting his night clothes away. "Breakfast, Tavbro?" He dug out a couple apples, holding one for Tavros and biting into the other.

Eridan didn't sleep long, waking up slightly agitated still from the night before. He decided he'd go over to the boutique early, as he'd said they'd stop in, and apologize for the unknowing mistake. He really liked Kanaya and didn't want their dealings to be awkward just because of something he didn't feel was a big deal. As he also hadn't said anything he was sure Gamzee was just as ignorant about whatever -he was still unclear as to what the deal had been with Vriska's avoidant behavior- had happened. He would wait for a while though, so straightened up his space quietly and then took a relaxing silent soak for a while.

2014-08-08 03:39:46
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Thanking him kindly, Tavros sat on his bed and nibbled on the apple, though there was some sadness to it. "Aww...this reminds me of Wocky," He recounted the happiness on the beast's face when it ate fruit, how ecstatic it was to eat something that wasn't the usual meat of the area or grass. "It was so happy to eat the fruit last time! I wonder how it is doing." No doubt it missed its friends dearly, and Tavros wanted nothing more than to hug its snout and kiss it between the eyes. It seemed fond of scratches around its feathered neck, as well, and he wondered if that was because it may have been molting. "Anyway, did you sleep well?"

After a while, she woke, her movements and sounds quiet. Everything was already pretty much packed, and she just dressed in another nicer outfit with her coat and boots and kept her hat on. She wondered, idly, if she could control anyone's mind while in Starnette; there was never any reason to use her power before, and, honestly, it felt like it was cheating, in a way, if she could not persuade someone on her own account.

2014-08-08 03:48:12
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"'Course I did, snugglin' my Tavbro," he smiled. "An' when Wocky comes home with us there'll be plenty of fruit for him to munch on. Sure he can find plenty of new things in Tulgey." Gamzee did miss the woods; how peaceful they were, how he knew what was going on out there and didn't have to worry about things. It would be amazing to see them again after all of this journey. Not that he didn't like the new places and people they met, but there wasn't really anything like the familiarity of the place.

After his cold soak he dressed again in dark pants and his elegantly multicolored violet velvet jacket and prepared to leave. He was essentially ignoring Vriska, still a little displeased at how she wouldn't just /tell/ him what the hell had upset her so much. He was slipping his shoes on with his bag of belongings and about to leave.

2014-08-08 03:55:11
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He liked how tranquil the woods were, and the general natural feel of it. The city, as pretty in its own right as it was, was too busy for Tavros, personally. It felt detached and insincere, to an extent, but it was still nice to visit and see the sights. Then again, he had a feeling that he wouldn't just get to sit back and relax once all of this was over.

"I like the sound of that. Are you, all ready to go?" He questioned, "We had better go to Ms. Kanaya's, probably after we get any, uh, necessary supplies."

Vriska could tell when she was being ignored, and she hated it. She was a goddamn Serket, and Serkets don't just /get ignored./ Her previous thoughts of mind control flashed back again and, figuring she should flex her mind reading muscles, but she did not. Vriska reminded herself that she made a promise that she would not use her powers on people she trusted, and even though Eridan pissed her off, she still trusted him. So, with a 'hmph!' she questioned, "When should we go over to Alice and Gamzee?"

2014-08-08 04:10:06
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"Yea, I'm ready as I'm gonna be, bags are packed, and we got most everything I think," he smiled. "Should I take a look at your shoulder again before we get to traveling? Probably for the best, keep it clean and all that. Make sure it's healing... I meant to ask, you normally heal this rate? Seems a bit slow to me, but maybe that's the indigo."

Eridan raised an eyebrow in her direction. "You can go whenever you want, I was going to go apologize for whatever slight on my part last evening." Finishing putting his shoes on and making sure he had everything he came with with a final once over, he adjusted his bag and walked into the corridor, intent on leaving without her. It would be a bit interesting to go on his own, but wasn't really expecting anything to bad, if anything notable at all.

2014-08-08 04:30:59
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"Hm? Oh," He hadn't even considered the rate in which he healed; though now that he gave it some thought, it did seem to be taking longer than what was normal. "I think it is because I am not from here. Perhaps, uh, it takes longer for me to gather the fullest effects of medicines and the like because I come from an entirely different world." Tavros shed his cardigan and pulled down his dress some to peek at his shoulder, "Um. Yeah, we should probably change it." He didn't think he necessarily /had/ to, but, when he considered how busy he was soon going to be, it would do him well to keep his shoulder clean. He unzipped his dress enough to pull his injured shoulder from his sleeve and presented it to Gamzee.

Making no moves to stop him, Vriska just sat on her bed and huffed in annoyance. "Fine. Do as you please." She would have gone to the tea shop they went to yesterday, but she needed to keep as much money as possible for Starnette.

2014-08-08 04:44:42
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Tenderly as ever, Gamzee unwrapped the wounded shoulder -after rolling his sleeves a little way up his forearms to keep them clean- to check it's condition. Gently cleaning, careful not to get any mess on his friends dress, he finished up in due time. He pulled out new bandages and salve quickly, and handed Tavros another one of those same mushrooms to eat while he applied external medication and wrapped up the shoulder again. As had happened the other times Gamzee had doctored Tavros, his face took on this calm serious look. It was the same way he looked when he was cooking, like he knew exactly what he was doing and was not about to do a sloppy job of it. Most of the expression was in the intensity of his eyes, as his brows and mouth were relaxed on a neutral expression. After he was done he put things away and went to wash his hands of the extra ointment with a smile. "Lookin better today."

Eridan walked through the streets, heading to the boutique to see if she was open or if he'd need to try and waste some time before going in.

2014-08-08 05:00:24
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Occasionally, he winced, but Tavros tried to focus more on just consuming the mushroom rather than his wound. Blood hadn't seeped through the bandages so much like it had before, and it felt good when the cooler air touched the skin of his injury. Once the bandages were on, and he had eaten the mushroom, he rolled his shoulder briefly and tested how high he could raise his arm. It was still only out in front of him that he could stretch his arm, but it was slowly getting better and he was thankful. "You think so?" He asked, "How much longer do you think it will take?"

Kanaya, like a good businesswoman, kept her store open for as long as she could today. She had packed the night before, and all her belongings were underneath the desk housing the cash register. When she saw Eridan, she smiled brightly, outfitted in something a bit more colorful today. It was still cold out, and long skirts were what she donned, but she wore a black skirt today with long, jade stripes, her top a tightfitting, sleeveless white shirt. Her pea coat was on the chair by the cash register, a deep black with light gray buttons. Kanaya wore simple pearl earrings in each of the three holes in her long, tapered ears, a little ring around one of the bases of her horns, as well as one or two on her fingers and a couple bracelets. Accessories, she would argue, were just as important as the outfit itself. Eagerly, she waved Eridan inside, but was surprised to see that Vriska was not with him, "Good morning! Your companion has not accompanied you?"

2014-08-08 05:09:12
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"Well, it's almost scabbed over, maybe another day or so for that, then it just depends. If it doesn't get bothered much, maybe a week? Week and a half? Try to take it easy, physically at least, Tavbro, let me do the heavy lifting when it comes literally, eh?" he smiled, leaning down to give his patient a light peck before making sure everything was packed up. "What do you think we need for supplies? Probably some food anyways, expect maybe the prices to be inflated like for other things Ms. Kanaya mentioned. You think maybe I'll be allowed to cook? Might be a nice thing since we're takin up this guys home, lettin him be lazy about that at least."

He returned her smile. "No, not this morning. Annoyed with her, actually, as apparently I did something erroneous last night but she won't tell me what besides for that it was inappropriate and that I should know better even though it's a land dweller custom. But I've come to apologize anyway for my ignorance and if I've made you uncomfortable in anyway." His apologetic attitude was honest but confused. He really was sorry and hoped he hadn't offended too badly.

2014-08-08 05:26:29
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He grinned, "I hope you get to cook! Ms. Kanaya is a great cook too - I have never had pasta before, so, uh, I was not sure what to expect. Always rice or breads back in Alternia." Tavros dressed himself fully and pulled on his pack before grabbing the pair of keys, "But, I think Mr. Captor would be happy to let you cook, maybe. If he is a government worker, he is probably awfully busy - Ms. Kanaya said his apartment collects dust, after all. It would be good to have some help around." Things probably went a little awry once Kanaya left, and Sollux most likely did minimal things to at least keep himself somewhat presentable.

Vriska finally just got fed up with sitting around and left the room, the other key in hand as she knocked on Tavros and Gamzee's door. He perked up, stating offhandedly, "Must be Hare and Hatter."

She burst into laughter, "My,.Hatter finds most anything to be irritated about, doesn't she? What a lively spirit she possesses, it is actually fascinating." Most midbloods were mildmannered and not prone to outbursts for any reason, so seeing Vriska get angry so quickly, and Tavros, too, had been bewildering but intriguing simultaneously. "But I can understand where she is coming from. It was less your action and more Gamzee's reaction - purring is quite intimate, dear. I am not familiar with customs in the sea, but here, sounds like that are reserved for more private locations. The first meeting with a new friend at her home is not quite the place to have your pale partner purring, 'tis all." Kanaya patted his shoulder comfortingly, "It is like if Tavros and Gamzee soon took to open-mouthed kissing at the table. Just inappropriate, but I think no differently of you or Vriska. It was an honest first impression, as far as dinner parties go," She laughed again, "Getting to see your true colors so vividly brought some wonder to my life, truly!"

2014-08-08 05:40:49
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"It was good; I've never had anything like that either. Think I'll ask for her recipe maybe sometime..." He put on his own pack when the door was knocked on, and followed Tavros to the door, expecting they'd leave with the other pair to get supplies before heading over to Kanaya's shop.

"Oh, well... sound travels much better under water so it is just always there. Not much to do about it really. So we don't much care; it's not really intimate as much as just someone expressing something non-verbally or background noise if it's further away. I'm going to suppose Gamzee didn't know either. He's really the picture of politeness. And I do hope you're ready for more colorful interactions because I suspect that's most of what this venture will be." Truly sea dwellers were a friendlier lot with each other than Eridan had expected. So it wasn't just this group it was just the land dweller way... he found that somewhat unfortunate.

2014-08-08 06:00:36
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"He lived out in the middle of the Tulgey Woods, did he not? The poor fellow probably has just as much knowledge about culture as you do," Compared to sea dwellers, land dwellers were much more reserved about private matters and had many more ideas about what was considered appropriate. But, at the moment, Kanaya was less concerned about last night's dinner and more about making sure Eridan had all the clothing he could possibly need. "So," She gave a grand, sweeping gesture to the remainder of her store, "Since we are heading off into Starnette soon, do you think that you need any new clothing? Perhaps a suit? Your taste is already spectacular, I doubt you will have much trouble fitting in clothing-wise, but if in the case of having further communication with the Queen, one must look up to par, yes?"

Tavros opened the door, completely ready to go off and get supplies with his friends, but when he just saw Vriska, there was clearly some confusion on his face. Vriska explained with a dismissive hand gesture that she and Eridan had gotten off on a rocky start that morning, -even though it had been since the night before- and Tavros nodded understandingly. He turned in their keys, signed them all out, then walked out into the city. Not much was happening just yet aside from people getting to work, most businesses were not even open, and people walked briskly to and fro. Vriska raised a brow, "What, in terms of supplies, do we need to get?"

"Just the necessities," Tavros informed, looking to Gamzee for clarification, "Food, really, right?"

2014-08-08 06:11:55
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"Oh thank you, though of course I must return the compliment, as you are stunning as has been usual, Ms. Maryam. Yes, a suit I think, as the rest of my wardrobe should be suitable. Something a little brighter? And an older style of cut if you have it?" He wanted to look the part of sea dweller and March Hare if he could help it.

Gamzee nodded. "I think so, unless you can think of anything else. Took plenty off medical supplies and they looked fine this morning. Don't need anything for outside... should just be edibles." He supposed some more perishable items could be bought this time as they wouldn't have as long to go and they'd last. So more healthy vegetables and maybe fruits.

2014-08-08 06:26:33
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He led there little group, somewhat, having seen some shops the day before he wanted to check out. He puzzled over items with a professional eye, thinking shopping in the market for fresh produce was much different then just going into the garden for it. He found what he was satisfied with, also picking up starchy potatoes. He figured they could at least get meat in the other city.

2014-08-08 06:30:49
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Kanaya smiled and thanked him brightly, but she did feel that the title 'Ms. Maryam' was just a little too uptight for her tastes, "Please, call me Kanaya. 'Ms. Maryam' is a tad too formal, especially considering we will be travelling together soon. Anyhow, I see that you are fond of patterns," She strayed towards the left side of the store, the racks of suits towards the back. Kanaya had just re-done the store the night before, -it always helped her to rearrange things when she was stressed out- and now the shop was in a much more orderly state, as if it had not been immaculate enough before. She gave a long look at Eridan's body type, marking off a few key points in her mind before pulling off a suit. She stared at the vest, decided that she did not like it, then perked up and remembered that there were still a couple prototypes she meant for mannequins in the back room. "Here you are, dear. A double-breasted waistcoat that I do hope will be to your liking. The vest, however, does not fit your taste - it is much too plain." She handed him the hanger and plucked up a white button down with the slightest hint of an opal sheen to its buttons that she soon gave him, "I have a vest in the back room, a lovely near-fuschia that will bring out the natural flush of your blood. It holds a paisley design interwoven within it - as you could imagine, obtaining that fabric is extensively difficult, and I had to die it myself! It was a near-yellow when I bought it, a very strange shade, if you ask me. If you would," She pointed to the dressing rooms on the opposite side of the store, "Begin dressing while I fetch the vest for you, dear. It will take but a minute."

While they were in the market, Tavros marveled at all the fruits he had never seen before. Much of what was there was not grown locally, and conjured up by magic - it was easy to obtain some of the more outlandish things, what with being so close to Starnette. He was drawn to the citrus fruits, staring at limes and lemons and grapefruits. One of the vendors, noting his blood color, gave him a clementine just to try, though she did find it strange that a highblood looked so marveled at fruit that was even normal for midbloods. Tavros, noting her confusion, simply stated that he was 'not from the area' and took to peeling the clementine with some help from Vriska. Before he ate any, though, he broke it into thirds and gave a piece to Vriska before gravitating towards Gamzee and holding his hand out to give him a piece of the fruit, "Here," He smiled, "Try this."

2014-08-08 06:43:37