final curfew pcs in sitting room

[fetteredwings]

a succubus,a normal? boy and a doll gather in a room full of books, snacks and plushies

Comments

[revengier]

That isn’t the problem.

[ But his head hurts too much for him to really argue right now, so he asks something instead. ]

How long were you in the museum?

[renjou]

( He seems skeptical, but hm. )

... Four...? weeks in the museum proper... I believe. And then another ... two months, I believe, in a painting. I did do work there, I suppose, but it was... well, knowing none of it was likely real was...

( It sure made it kind of. metaphorical wiggly fingers. Never mind his [setting]-borne issues with trusting his perception. )

How long were you?

[revengier]

[ He shakes his head, slow so as not to give himself a dizzy spell. ]

I don’t know. Time started to blend together at some point. If your condition was that bad after four weeks, then I imagine I wasn’t there much longer.

[ It makes sense… and if Berry and Gary were there for a little longer, that would check out. ]

What happened in that painting?

[renjou]

( rip berri and gary................

Not much longer... That makes sense. He really was close to popping out of existence, huh... Much as he puts on a brave face, that does spooky Yuki a little. )

... The painting was strange. It drew us into it. It was this futuristic city that seemed a utopia, but... it was rather bleak beneath the gilded surface. I was taken into it with two others, but...

( ... he trails off... Then, shakes his head, finally pouring the tea now that it's been steeped. )

Regardless, we took on work to support ourselves. I ended up finding work as a host. ( A beat. ) ... Did you want any tea?

( Kurapika should be resting, though, so he won't be offended if not. )

[revengier]

Fine.

[ He’ll take some. Having something to drink might make him feel better. It couldn’t hurt, at least. ]

You had to work? So you were left there to fend for yourselves, and nothing else?

[ Hm. ]

I wonder if that was a manifestation of someone’s wish… or their home.

[ There’s no telling which it was, honestly. ]

[renjou]

( yayyy enjoy tea!! Despite wanting Kurapika to sneep, Yuki seems pretty happy Kurapika takes it. It's only now does he settle down to sit, pouring himself a cup.

He nods. Just so - left to fend for themselves. That... is interesting insight, however. And would line up with what they'd encountered in the labyrinth. He falls quiet for a few moments, seemingly reflecting upon his experience through a new lens. )

... It sounds as if that was nearly all that comprised the museum - echoes of the dead, or their wishes. Given I found some things of mine there, but not of anyone still living...

( Since Kurapika's put it that way, and Kurapika did mention having a sense of things after being digested by Magi, he's thinking about it. )

... I certainly hope it wasn't someone's wish. Or... perhaps it was a wish interpreted poorly. ( As Magi is wont to do. ) ... It feels... disrespectful to the dead, to remember them wrongly.

[revengier]

[ He sits up a little bit, taking the mug and holding it between both hands. It's warm against his palms, and he scoots a bit closer to the side of the couch so Yuki has room to sit. ]

It does.

[ It's something he feels strongly about, his fingers twitching against the mug. ]

But maybe they wanted something just like home, working for a living and all.

[renjou]

( He catches sight of that slight twitch, the connection not instant but probably not hard to make. )

... A more pleasant way to think of it. ( And one he hopes is true. ) I didn't dislike working. The conditions were arguable, but . . . I did get to keep a number of people company.

( the insane host interlude... anyway, it was positive for him on an individual level, he takes the w's where he can because i put him through the grinder. )

And if that was someone's home, I will regard it with kindness. Though they may be anonymous to me, that is still a part of the legacy of the deceased.

[revengier]

[ God, he's so sentimental.

Even if he's right. The world and thoughts of someone who has passed are precious. It's why Kurapika couldn't allow Uvogin to rot in the dirt. Like everyone else, he deserved to be buried.

His fingers tighten around the mug, just a bit. ]

You kept people company... that's what you like, isn't it?

[renjou]

Yes!

( Enthusiastic. He loves it in any context, but this was truly eye-opening. It was great. )

Throughout the years, I'd been given a bad impression of hosts, but it turns out it's quite a respectable profession at its core. Lonely individuals come to spend time with hosts of their choice, and these hosts pamper and adore them in turn. While I disagree ardently with the idea of an establishment charging money for it, I feel very fortunate to have taken part in this practice and learned the ways of this art. My customers were quite enthusiastic and kind to me, too.

( the joys and wonders of being an emotional hooker... you even get some obsessive superfans if you're good at it... truly amazing... )

If anything, I'd be happy to do it for free, even now. If someone is troubled and lonely, nothing could make me happier than to make them feel happy. To help them understand they are truly loved, and they are truly special. And they truly are, to me.

[revengier]

[ Kurapika lets out a sigh, holding back a snarky comment, only because Yuki is so... oddly enthused.

He probably was a really good host. ]

They have volunteer opportunities for that sort of thing, you know. I've never had time for it, but you can visit nursing homes and spend time with the people there.

[ Because... he thinks... Yuki would like that, honestly. ]

[renjou]

( He perks up, very much liking the sound of that— )

Ah, you're right, I could . . .

( . . . And then he seems to realize something, and his demeanor grows a little more hesitant. )

. . . Well, if the opportunity arises, I would love to. I've always thought it might be a nice idea.

[revengier]

[ He looks up at Yuki, furrowing his brows. There’s something there, something he could nudge and ask about…

But he decides not to. Not right now. ]

You would do well at it. Older people like your type.

[renjou]

( He smiles, not at all displeased by the distraction. )

Oh? What would you describe as "my type"?

[revengier]

Overbearing. The kind of person who doles out too much affection.

[ He has a sip of his tea. ]

You fuss too much, but that would be welcome too.

[renjou]

No such thing as "too much" when it comes to these things.

( Does he actually believe that? Well... he thinks so. Does he believe most other people like that? That . . . is a more complicated question. Honestly... probably... not... but... He doesn't know any other way to be. )

I do quite like the elderly, and I believe they are worthy of this excessive affection in their venerable age.

( He's obviously met his share of crochety folk, but shhh. )

Besides, they're often generous with their compliments. They would always call me cute and beautiful . . . and if I could have returned the favor at those times, I would have loved to.

( guy who mostly only gets to meet old people while a doll, )

[revengier]

[ Ah, yes old ladies going "look at that lovely doll"....

There's definitely too much of those things, but not everyone agrees. Some people seek it out, after all. ]

So you mostly want compliments?

[ An incredibly pointed question, but he sips his tea as he asks. It's not totally serious. ]

[renjou]

( Shamelessly: )

I accept any and all kinds of love, but I certainly like and appreciate compliments, physical affection, heartfelt gestures, homemade meals, attention . . .

( the list could go on, but he will spare pika )

[revengier]

[ Just....

Staring at him over his mug. ]

Are you being serious?

[renjou]

Why wouldn't I be? I am a doll. We live and die by how much we are loved.

( He's probably been sipping his own drink idly, but he seems pretty happy to see other people drinking the thing he made. )

As long as it means something to the person giving it, then it is meaningful to me.

[revengier]

You should think about more than how much you're loved.

[ For his own sanity. It's fine to an extent, he thinks... but it shouldn't be all one cares about.

It all goes back to free will. ]

[renjou]

( pika is right on the ball because it truly is a strain on his sanity, )

What else is there?

[revengier]

Anything else.

[ Like. Anything. Anything at all. ]

Is it all you think about?

[renjou]

Well, of course I also think about my duties, my masters . . . And the people I've met here.

( And, uh, all the stuff going on here, but that's a given. )

Until I came here, I will confess my world was ( still is? ) rather small. It extended as far as my master's home, collector's shops, the clan compound, the sites of purification . . . and wherever my masters might take me in their purses and bags.

[revengier]

[ Oh. Huh. He didn't think about it that way—it's hard to reconcile Yuki here, as tall as him and also... in a purse?

But he relates, in a way. His world used to be limited, too. ]

You never thought about what might be beyond all of that?