[ Well, folks, September must be "Elan Ceres (plural) suffers from no good very bad cravings" month, because the original can't fucking take it anymore. He is this ๐ค close to shoving his phone in an industrial blender and turning it into a protein shake. Something's gotta give, and it's not going to be his own Syntrofos.
-- So, totally ignorant of the fact his clones have cannibalized each other, Elan texts Four. ]
Come to my room. I need to see you.
[ And, like, it's not even a lie; Elan hasn't spent any time with Four since their little heart-to-heart at Patho-Gen headquarters when they imprinted. Turns out that yearning for someone's company is a new -- and distinctly uncomfortable! -- sensation for him. ]
[Unfortunately, Four can't come to the phone right now as he's currently deceased. The messages will go conspicuously unread for at least several days.]
backdated to the end of october/beginning of november
[ Upon returning to his room at the Valentia and discovering this unexpected windfall, Elan surmises a few things.
First, and most stupidly, is that witches are real; magic exists. He's not sure what he means by this when it occurs to him, but he sees no other explanation -- rather, non-explanation -- for the fact that his room is the mirror image of how he remembers it. It's a thought that takes the place of the shock this would've given him before his full corruption, and is there and gone -- an observation filed away in his consciousness for later.
Second, and arguably just as stupid, is that Four must have had precious little to do with his room after his hospitalization. Four's mattress is gone; the coins mark the outline of where Elan's bed used to be, unbroken and uniform; ergo, the room was rearranged after Four left -- and Four never came back. Four might not have taken any of the money, but Elan can't see why Five wouldn't have helped himself to some for a replacement Syntrofos if he'd been told of its existence (plus a little extra, as interest). Hell, Five probably would have made off with it all if he'd had the chance -- and now he won't, because Elan is moving out and on with his life.
Despite the fact his face betrays him as a golem, he is polite enough -- well-dressed enough, pleasant enough, just quick enough; obsequious in the ways and at the moments a prospective landlord would expect, because he knows the type -- to secure a row house with two bedrooms on the border of Belle Ville and Basileios. On the day he packs up the little he'd kept in his room at the Valentia to his new lodgings, he passes by Four's room -- still occupied by "Elan Ceres," it seems -- and slips a key under his door. A text with his address shortly follows.
What he doesn't give Four is any explanation; any justification. Elan does this -- as he does most things -- on a whim driven by his wants, his sense of what's best, and his disinclination to feel (be) indebted. It would help to have Four around while he recovers; that's what Four demanded from him, after all. It acknowledges how Four used him -- and did him good -- while he was dormant at the clinic. And if Elan has come to associate Four with anything, it's -- inexplicably; unsettlingly -- with calm. He's can't figure why, can't dismiss or get rid of it either -- and why would he? It's useful, to have someone who makes him feel this way. It's nice. The reasons hardly matter. ]
[Four doesn't respond to the text or acknowledge that he received the key in any other way, but he does show up at the new address shortly after delivery. Whether Elan is there at the time or not, Four simply proceeds as if he's always been there--he doesn't say a word to Elan unless spoken to first, gravitating toward the furthest unclaimed room and beginning to occupy it without a conversation. He doesn't have much to move in, so it's basically like he just appears out of nowhere. Surprise!
[The room number Four sends over is in fact his own room, because even he has enough dignity not to stay in Elan's while he's incapacitated like a pining boyfriend. unlike some people
He really isn't doing much, either--just looking through some ecological journal he found at the library, which he's quite happy to continue doing in peace. But he leaves the door unlocked before Five gets there.]
[Unfortunate crossover trait between Five and the OG Elan: entitled to invading Four's personal space, apparently! Without asking, Five walks over and just as primly takes a seat on the edge of the bed. He at least keeps a respectable distance between the two of them, but like... Not that respectable.]
Because I missed your bright smile and can-do attitude.
[Four doesn't even bother retorting that he has neither, because it isn't worth the effort when Five is clearly deflecting. Instead, he neatly puts the journal to his side and turns his full and unimpressed attention to the guy insisting on being his space. Might as well get whatever this is over with.]
[He knows you don't have either of those things Four, it's called ironic humor?? You should learn it some time.]
Well now, I don't recall using the phrase 'kicked out'...
[He's trying to deflect again, still smiling and busying himself by casually examining his claws... But it's obvious he can't keep dodging the subject forever. So he clarifies after a second with a little sigh.]
The missing Augmented came back this morning, in case you hadn't heard yet... Mine needed a bit of space to themselves. That's all.
[ Four will get a carefully wrapped gift for midwinter with a note from Dorothea wishing him well. In the package will be a scarf and glove pair made out of warm material in a deep green color, hopefully to help him keep warm during the season. ]
[Less that Aether is pushing... and more that Four continues to be conflicted on the best way to act on his feelings. Navigating life without others directing you is hard.]
[Aether sends over the directions to the cafe, still closed for now. As his friend arrives, the traveler opens the door and grabs him by the hand to pull him inside with a soft laugh. The door is then locked behind them.
The cafe seems to be prepared for the Valentine's Day - heart decorations can be seen all around, red flowers cover some spaces. The smell of freshly baked goods is in the air as well, and it can be picked up only better the closer they get to the kitchen.]
As you can see the preparations are almost done now. I'm alone in the kitchen for now, so we'll be fine.
[Four looks around the place, taking in the decorations. It's his first time really being somewhere decked out since he always used to think of celebrations as being For Other People.]
...You've put in a lot of effort.
[He realizes he's never been here before, and yet this is probably where Aether works. There's so much about him Four doesn't actually know yet. He only feels less sure of himself the closer they get to the kitchen, overwhelmed by all the atmosphere. What did he actually sign up for, here?]
It was a team effort! And I really mostly cook here. My... my lovers did far more in terms of decorating the place.
[He hesitates only a moment, before grinning more.
As they enter the kitchen, they are greeted by various deserts already prepared. The baked goods are waiting to cool off, before cream and fruit can be added on top of them for decoration.
As if sensing Four's hesitation, Aether gives his hand a squeeze, then directs them to a clean area of the kitchen. There's already some ingredients waiting for them there.]
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forward-dated (!) to the end of september
-- So, totally ignorant of the fact his clones have cannibalized each other, Elan texts Four. ]
Come to my room.
I need to see you.
[ And, like, it's not even a lie; Elan hasn't spent any time with Four since their little heart-to-heart at Patho-Gen headquarters when they imprinted. Turns out that yearning for someone's company is a new -- and distinctly uncomfortable! -- sensation for him. ]
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backdated to the end of october/beginning of november
First, and most stupidly, is that witches are real; magic exists. He's not sure what he means by this when it occurs to him, but he sees no other explanation -- rather, non-explanation -- for the fact that his room is the mirror image of how he remembers it. It's a thought that takes the place of the shock this would've given him before his full corruption, and is there and gone -- an observation filed away in his consciousness for later.
Second, and arguably just as stupid, is that Four must have had precious little to do with his room after his hospitalization. Four's mattress is gone; the coins mark the outline of where Elan's bed used to be, unbroken and uniform; ergo, the room was rearranged after Four left -- and Four never came back. Four might not have taken any of the money, but Elan can't see why Five wouldn't have helped himself to some for a replacement Syntrofos if he'd been told of its existence (plus a little extra, as interest). Hell, Five probably would have made off with it all if he'd had the chance -- and now he won't, because Elan is moving out and on with his life.
Despite the fact his face betrays him as a golem, he is polite enough -- well-dressed enough, pleasant enough, just quick enough; obsequious in the ways and at the moments a prospective landlord would expect, because he knows the type -- to secure a row house with two bedrooms on the border of Belle Ville and Basileios. On the day he packs up the little he'd kept in his room at the Valentia to his new lodgings, he passes by Four's room -- still occupied by "Elan Ceres," it seems -- and slips a key under his door. A text with his address shortly follows.
What he doesn't give Four is any explanation; any justification. Elan does this -- as he does most things -- on a whim driven by his wants, his sense of what's best, and his disinclination to feel (be) indebted. It would help to have Four around while he recovers; that's what Four demanded from him, after all. It acknowledges how Four used him -- and did him good -- while he was dormant at the clinic. And if Elan has come to associate Four with anything, it's -- inexplicably; unsettlingly -- with calm. He's can't figure why, can't dismiss or get rid of it either -- and why would he? It's useful, to have someone who makes him feel this way. It's nice. The reasons hardly matter. ]
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This is, apparently, how they communicate now.]
Backdated to Mid-October
Hey
Where are you right now
I can't be in my apartment right now and I'm so not in the mood for wandering around aimlessly
_(:ะท)โ )_
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In my room.
[Wanna come sit around blankly in the dark with him? Say no.]
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Great, gimme the number and don't go anywhere, because I'm on my way right now.
I'd apologize for the lack of heads up, but I have a sneaking suspicion you're probably not doing much of anything at the moment, so.
[The question is, is it LITERALLY Four's room that he's in right now, or is it Elan's room that Four is just squatting in in his absence?]
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unlike some peopleHe really isn't doing much, either--just looking through some ecological journal he found at the library, which he's quite happy to continue doing in peace. But he leaves the door unlocked before Five gets there.]
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Wow, this sure brings back memories.
[He says cheerily, observing the tiny un-decorated room.]
I mean, I guess it hasn't been all that long since I moved out of here, but... It's weird how foreign it already feels.
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So why are you here instead of at your apartment?
[If you're going to intrude, you might as well explain why.]
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[Unfortunate crossover trait between Five and the OG Elan: entitled to invading Four's personal space, apparently! Without asking, Five walks over and just as primly takes a seat on the edge of the bed. He at least keeps a respectable distance between the two of them, but like... Not that respectable.]
Because I missed your bright smile and can-do attitude.
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Why were you kicked out?
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Well now, I don't recall using the phrase 'kicked out'...
[He's trying to deflect again, still smiling and busying himself by casually examining his claws... But it's obvious he can't keep dodging the subject forever. So he clarifies after a second with a little sigh.]
The missing Augmented came back this morning, in case you hadn't heard yet... Mine needed a bit of space to themselves. That's all.
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'Yours'?
[He hasn't actually heard anything about Five's little arrangement :)]
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quickly careening into nsfw territory
Definitely NSFW.
blanket nsfw warning for the rest of the thread
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i don't have icons for this lmao!!!
It's fine neither do I :')
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On this weird and mysterious note...๐
mid-december.
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Thank you.
I hope you are also well.
[And he can certainly be spotted wearing them while he's out and about--not that he has much to choose from.]
Valentine's Day
I heard that today you're supposed to give chocolate and sweets to those you cherish, so I made some for you. I hope you'll enjoy!
Aether
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I'm sorry, I don't know how to make chocolate.
[Or, you know. He'd give Aether some.]
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All right. What should I do?
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There's a cafe I'm working at. It'll be open later today, but we can use the kitchen there now. I'll be preparing some food there anyway!
[It would be a neutral ground?]
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I can be there soon.
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The cafe seems to be prepared for the Valentine's Day - heart decorations can be seen all around, red flowers cover some spaces. The smell of freshly baked goods is in the air as well, and it can be picked up only better the closer they get to the kitchen.]
As you can see the preparations are almost done now. I'm alone in the kitchen for now, so we'll be fine.
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...You've put in a lot of effort.
[He realizes he's never been here before, and yet this is probably where Aether works. There's so much about him Four doesn't actually know yet. He only feels less sure of himself the closer they get to the kitchen, overwhelmed by all the atmosphere. What did he actually sign up for, here?]
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It was a team effort! And I really mostly cook here. My... my lovers did far more in terms of decorating the place.
[He hesitates only a moment, before grinning more.
As they enter the kitchen, they are greeted by various deserts already prepared. The baked goods are waiting to cool off, before cream and fruit can be added on top of them for decoration.
As if sensing Four's hesitation, Aether gives his hand a squeeze, then directs them to a clean area of the kitchen. There's already some ingredients waiting for them there.]
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