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[dregs]

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[dregs]

Mm. { it's a small hum, nothing much to give anything away. } In that case, I may as well say. It isn't as though there's any point hiding it. Most... people back home know. After all, genocide leaves a mark on the universe.

{ there's no light way of saying it. }

Sigonia, where I was born, was a desert planet. Most of us were in nomadic tribes. When I was a child the IPC made a deal with the Avgins, they were supposed to protect us. { the implication probably says enough } ...I'm probably the last one.

{ he blinks, looks away from guizhong, avoids her eyes. instead they lower, and his hand pulls away from hers to move to his neck. }

Do you know what a commodity code is?

[godofdust]

[Another small shake of her head, and a slightly more quiet;]

No.

[But Guizhong has a quick mind and with all context given so far... she has a feeling she can guess where this is going to go.]

[dregs]

{ his hand pulls at his collar, showing off the mark there. }

I was captured, passed from owner to owner, until I made a grand bet and landed myself a role within the IPC. People like me don't have the luxury of a happy ending, Guizhong. But... I want to stop other people getting caught in the crossfire if I can help it.

[godofdust]

[So, he was a slave. Something in her chest boils angrily at that before she puts her arms around him again and hugs him to her tightly.]

You deserve that happy ending too, tiántián. [A squeeze, then she sits back and gives him a gentle look.]

What happened to you wasn't your fault. You're not worth less because of who you are.

[dregs]

{ he laughs at that, finding the idea absurd, even if he wants to sink into the warmth of that hug. }

Every time I consider it something like this happens. As I told you, there's always a price.

[godofdust]

[Ugh, this boy.

He gets another hug then, as she pulls him down to her instead of moving to reach him. Her fingers move gently into his hair, scritching softly against his scalp.]

I'm sorry, little one. That things have been so hard for you.

[dregs]

{ his throat feels tight when she pulls him down to her. doesn't fight it, for as much as his words are what they are, he craves it. wants to sink into the warmth, wants to be reassured. he bites his lip now he's twisted so guizhong can't see it. exhales. }

Recently... there have been people who made me realise life can be worth living, but for a long time... I've just wanted it to be over. { he pauses } No matter how much I gambled on my life though, it never happened.

[godofdust]

Maybe there's a reason for that, that's more than just a cruelty of fate.

[And it is cruel, she thinks, to give such a 'blessing' to somebody only for it to cause so much grief.

Her fingers comb gently through his hair again.]

I'm very glad to have been able to know you.

[dregs]

Maybe so. I haven't found it, if there is.

{ he doesn't even know where gaiathra triclops fits into the aeons for sure. generations of stories and no one outside of their own system knows of the mother goddess. but.

it isn't all that important, not really. }

I want to believe it. { he inhales, sharp, keeps his eyes shut. } But every one tends to leave when they realise it's more hassle than it's worth.

[godofdust]

I won't.

[She quietly assures him of that, sure she's heard it said before, but she certainly means it.]

If you want to believe that just one person would think you worth the trouble, then believe I would. [Her palm runs gentle and warm against his back.]

You deserve to feel safe and happy. And I can be terribly stubborn.

[dregs]

{ his hair was fine, that was nice and soothing. it was something he could lean into. it's when her hands move to his back she'll feel and see the way he freezes up, flinches at the first touch before it relaxes. as though he has to remind himself of who is there, who is touching him there. }

I... I've got that impression, yeah. { he tries to talk as he had though, keeps his voice steady and laughs in a way thaat's a juxtaposition to his body language. ]

[godofdust]

My friends often found it terribly vexing. [She hums softly, not mentioning at all that she felt how he flinched but shifting her hand back up to the back of his head.]

Though I have never been one to change for such things. [A little kiss against his hairline.] You can be quite certain of that.

[dregs]

{ he laughs once. } Hard to imagine why.

{ he relaxes as her hands move back up, and she may notice a moment where his head nudges into hand not unlike a cat. a little nuzzle. }

I don't imagine you'd have been able to hook someone like Boothill otherwise, hmm? But... thanks. For what it's worth the sentiment is appreciated.

[godofdust]

Boothill is... well. I see something that I want and I don't wait. All that happens if you do is more time spent without the thing you wanted.

[She does notice, and finds herself smiling. Her thumb draws a little circle into the nape of his neck.]

You are a sweet boy. And you can take it from someone who has known many people.

[dregs]

{ her words now ring a little too close to home, but he also knows that she doesn't have the same issues he has. there's a small flare of envy, wishing he could be that carefree with his heart but no. the best he can get away with is fucking feelings away. so.

so that's that. the yearning continues. }

There's a lot of people who would disagree with you on that, but... I've said enough for today.

[godofdust]

Have you?

[Guizhong tilts her head so she can catch his eye.]

I haven't tired of hearing you speak; if there's more you want to say, I'll listen to you. Or you may ask me a question or two, to even things out.

[dregs]

{ this time when he laughs it's a bit lighter, but still strained. }

That depends, is there anything you wanted to share to even out the scales?

{ at least he doesn't avoid her eyes, but. she probably still won't be happy with what he says next. }

And don't worry about it, talking about what's happened won't change the past. And you really don't need to know the... unpleasant details. It's fine. This is just another setback, a loss in a string of wins. Next time it'll go better.

[godofdust]

[He's right, she doesn't like it, but she doesn't show that. She just smiles and fondly ruffles his hair.]

I'll leave you with some secrets for the time being.

[(This is a threat.)

Then, thoughtfully.]

I will confess I have very little to hide, 't is simply that matters of my death and origins don't often come up in conversation.

[dregs]

Mm, you have to let me leave some sense of mystery, Miss Guizhong.

{ she can probably tell that even if he's smiling, he's still not okay too. his head hurts, his heart hurts. he's tired. not in the sense of sleepiness, a deeper exhaustion that drags you into the quicksand. }

And I'd be worried if they did. Still... you said something about being an immortal being or something like that... what does that mean? You just live longer? Don't you get tired of it all?

[godofdust]

[She can tell, but there are many reason why she isn't pushing him too hard from that angle. There are better and gentler ways to move somebody in such a state, after all.

She considers the questions posed, and shakes her head at the last.]

I am an illuminated beast, specifically. But... part of being immortal is that you do not only live a very long time, but you also experience time in a different way.

[dregs]

{ at least... at least by this point he is leaning into her. letting her offer comfort in a way he will accept. }

I see. Do you have a different form then? Or is it... just a term that hasn't changed with time?

[godofdust]

[She gives a small gesture down at herself.]

This is my different form.

[Then, she scrunches her nose at him.]

Would you like to see my other one?

[dregs]

{ he glances down when she says that, leans back a bit to actually consider her for a moment. }

Well, then, no wonder you're as beautiful as you are.

{ there's a small smile, but... at least there is more warmth to it now. }

If you're willing to show me, I would.

[godofdust]

You charmer.

[He gets another of those surprise smooches on the cheek and she finally pulls away from him, backing up to give herself some room. She looks around, backs up a little bit more.]

... This should be enough.

[And then...

A cascading shower of golden light much like the sparks of magic she occasionally is seen to use. In place of the cheeky young woman is a large, colourful bird. The feathers shine, the claws and beak are fierce and sharp and the dark eyes keen. Behind her is an equally colourful plumage much like sparse peacock feathers.

And she does speak, though her beak doesn't move.]

What do you think?

[dregs]

Enough? Just how big--

{ he doesn't get why she's backing away so much, at least not right away. no, it'll take until the transformation is complete, his eyes watching the golden light, the sparks of magic that he can see. }

--oh.

{ he's pushing himself up off the couch now, eyes wide with fascination as her body takes the form of a colourful bird. there's a joke to be had about like mother like son here but now is not the time. instead he just looks at her, admires the sight of her form like this. }

I don't think I'm well read enough to give a proper compliment. { he sounds genuine, at least. he steps over, stopping when close enough that if he stretches his arm out he could touch her with his fingertips, but not any closer. }

Do you... Do you just chose the other form as it's more convenient?