impacter | TP - PERIDOT DORM 1.0

[ Ainosuke is... shaken, which is mostly apparent by how deathly pale he look. He'd appreciate a proper couch right now, but... Well, he sits in the beanbag as though it were an office chair, legs crossed and hands folded over his knees. ]

You seem to be quite familiar with events of... this nature.

Mm? Oh, I don't know if I'd go that far. Religion does come up in the research I tend to do, though.

[Ah, but before he can get any further probing, he's pushing himself back up to a standing position.]

Stay there for now. Both you and the girl look ready to collapse, and I won't have that.

Will your stomach protest some water for now?

[ 'Ready to collapse', huh? Such a state is beneath him, and Ainosuke doesn't appreciate having it called out that he's rattled... but he's also much too well-mannered to let as much be known to a stranger right away. He smiles, mild but very charming. ]

Collapsing is not a concern so long as we remain seated, no?

[ Also, Ainosuke Shindo doesn't collapse. ]

I doubt some liquid will be an issue, if you're offering.

You'd be surprised at how fast adrenaline can wear off, even at rest.

[He slips off to the kitchenette, the clattering of dishes and the echo of water from the tap as he fills up a pitcher. At least they have plumbing, if not any readily available food in here.]

No need to keep too firm of an upper lip here, you know. You're only human.

Or, rather, I'd assume you are, anyway. I'm sure we're going to have a lot of doubts about one another after today.

[ It's all the same to Ainosuke that Solomon makes himself scarce after that pointless little explainer, because it means he can glare after him in peace. (Noelle, who is still here but being ignored for the moment, might certainly perceive how much the mood drops around Ainosuke though). ]

Some might see that as even more of a reason to keep a firm upper lip. I admire your boldness, declaring your inhumanity in the same breath as asking us to relax around you.

Who said I wasn't human?

[It's an openly confused question as he twists the tap shut, brow furrowing as he looks back over to the sitting area.]

See, this is exactly what I meant. I really intended nothing by that, I just didn't want to go assuming. Especially when we have talking apples wandering around, of all things.

Edited 2025-08-17 21:31 (UTC)

You speak with a lot of detachment for one who considers himself part of humanity.

[ And a lot of authority on matters of the divine as well, but not in the way a priest would. ]

But perhaps you just ought to take your own advice and let down your guard so the tension can drain from you?

Ouch. You can just call me a bad conversationalist, you know. I can take it.

[He feigns a pout as he crosses back over to the sitting area, pitcher in one hand and multiple glasses looped into the other. He'll hold it out for Ainosuke to take if he wants, but it won't be forced on him.]

Do I seem tense to you?

[ 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 ]

[ohhhhh if only he could still do magic he'd get u pretty boy]

[ After getting this far, it would be more trouble than it's worth to refuse the glass, so it'll be accepted and Ainosuke is even going to take a sip. ]

You do not... though a woman was just blown to smithereens in front of us all.

[A hum is his only response at first. A hand fidgets, slightly, a second signet ring not marked with a rose sitting on the opposite hand of that claimed by Father, the band catching against the handle of the pitcher as he exhales, finding an empty place to settle it within arm's reach.]

Yes, she was. Torn apart to the atom and not allowed to die. And I would not wish to see it happen again.

I don't need to be beside myself to still feel the cruelty for exactly what it is.

[ That's an interesting response. Ainosuke is quiet as well, eyes measuring Solomon. To think he'd feel the need to defend himself on what Ainosuke never intended to be part of the accusation... It makes him feel better. ]

But of course. We should all strive to honor our engagement and be spared the fireworks.

I think I'd call it concession more than honor.

[A slight correction as he finally drops back to his own seat, glass clinking against the metal of both his rings as he pours himself a drink.]

Nothing of that pointless show of suffering was worth honoring. Fearful, perhaps. Intimidation. But there's no need to honor a tyrant.

I'm not about to collapse.

[Noelle calls from where she's pretty much lying down on that floor pillow. She's being contrarian, hah, just carry on]

Edited 2025-08-17 20:09 (UTC)

[Almost convincing! 5/10.]

Right, right -- let's keep it that way, then, okay? Call me nosy if you want, but I genuinely am concerned about both of you.

[P seems less shaken, but that doesn’t mean he’s not upset about all that’s happened. Still, he doesn’t expect everyone to react the same way, and he pipes up, simply-]

Are you okay?

[ Being asked this again makes Ainosuke feel on edge. He is not meant to show vulnerabilities and his body is betraying him by making them plain to see for others.

... which means that he'll compensate, so his face just lights up with a smile. ]

Thank you for the consideration, but I'll be alright, truly. This was a lot to take in, wasn't it?

[Hm. Pinocchio can't help but wonder if he wants to take that at face value or not, given all that's happened, but maybe he won't push for now.]

Yeah. I've seen a lot of bad things happen to a body... but not like that.

[Don being so... pulled apart. Like petals shorn from a rose. He'll be thinking about that for a while now.]

It should not be possible, not where I'm from.

[ The rules of the normal world, familiar and unshakable all his life, now need to be cast off entirely. Neither this building, nor the people, nor the violence make any sense. ]

As far as displays of all-encompassing love and ownership go, it was effective.

[ Somewhat beautiful, too, but he keeps that to himself. ]

Love...? That looked like love to you?

[All-encompassing... love? Is he missing something here?]

[ Yes. Absolutely, completely. A love that will only accept perfection because it only wants the best for you. That's what God is to Ainosuke. ]

I'm certain that's what He would call it.

[A cruel parent.]

...Maybe.

I think at some point, though, even "love" can turn into something bad. Maybe it shouldn't ever be that all-encompassing, as you put it.

TP - PERIDOT DORM 1.0

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also i forgot it's floor pillows and not bean bags it's fine i can't read

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