TP - LOVECRAFT

[impacter]

Comments

[impacter]

"Never" is such a strong word. Surely that's not completely right.

[Jokes aside, he does keep his tone gentle.]

You can't let the ennui take you so, or who knows what that bastard Father's going to do with you. Is something on your mind?

[ohrlyeh]

I don't want to be here. I want to be home.

[Why....why does he have to go from one job to....whatever this is? He almost prefers a job.]

But I don't understand this...task. The flowers. It seems silly.

[impacter]

It seems our dear and gracious Father wants us to get to know each other, for better or worse. Silly is an understatement.

[But refusal meant annulment, and annulment.... well, they all felt exactly what that meant with Don. It twists Solomon's chest a little to think of the same being done with such a timid, depressed man.]

I'll take it you haven't bothered to start it with someone yet?

[ohrlyeh]

[Maybe its better to be annulled. But then again, that seems so uncomfortable. So awful.]

[He makes a little noise.]

Mmhm.

[That's a no, good sir.]

[impacter]

Well. I, for one, would like to not see you peeled apart like an onion just yet.

[He can't pick this man apart and figure him out if he's dead of god-induced explosions.]

Would you like some help?

[ohrlyeh]

[His eyes swivel back to Solomon, assessing him. He still doesn't really trust anyone here, yet.]

Have you done it, yet? Is it...hard?

[impacter]

[Hello! Doesn't this look like the most trustworthy man to have ever walked the planet?

His smile does touch his eyes briefly at the acknowledgement. Hi, buddy.]

I've done parts of it, yes. [We, uh, are NOT going to talk about his escapades so far. It's fine.] And I wouldn't say it's hard. Unusual, perhaps. Uncomfortable at times, yes. And it might take some trust. But it doesn't need to be complicated.

Obtaining the flower itself is the hardest step. The rest just requires your time.

[ohrlyeh]

I don't like uncomfortable.

[Then again, he's just constantly uncomfortable. Being here feels like he's itching, constantly. Like he doesn't belong here in more ways than one.]

But if you know how to do it...then show me.

[impacter]

[A quiet laugh.]

I doubt anyone likes it, to be fair. But sometimes we must face the uncomfortable if it means we get to see something better on the other side.

Here. Sit up, and give me your hand.

[ohrlyeh]

I don't believe that.

[Nothing goes well if you make any effort for it. Obviously.]

[He moves to sit up, hair draping everywhere like wet strands of seaweed, pauses, and then...]

[Here. His slender, clammy pale hand.]

[impacter]

I'm sorry to hear that, then.

[It's like watching someone freshly dipped from the sea... fascinating. But he takes that clammy hand between his own, pausing just for a moment.]

Do you wish to take my flower, or shall I take yours instead?

[ohrlyeh]

[He makes a bit of a face, trying to think.]

....What do you prefer?

[impacter]

[An easy shrug.]

If you're nervous, you may take mine. I know what to expect.

[ohrlyeh]

...Okay.

[He's still a little hesitant, hand sort of hovering.]

[Lovecraft moves it forward, splaying it on the other's chest before...it sinks, to his surprise.]

[He blinks, fingertips touching something firm.]

There's...something here. I have to pull out, yes...?

[impacter]

[The sinking of his palm earns a hard exhale, and the inward touch another hitch of breath.

It takes him a second to respond, eyes shut in concentration and visibly bracing himself, but he nods.]

[ohrlyeh]

[He wonders if it must hurt. Regardless, he came this far. He grasps it, and pulls.]

[And coming from his chest, like some kind of magic trick, is ab unbloomed rose. Lovecraft stares at it, turning this way and that.]

It feels like a real...flower.

[The next step is...to put it in the hair, right?]

[He moves to do so, tucking it above the man's ear.]

1/2

[impacter]

[DON'T MIND THE CHOKE HE LETS OUT FOR A SECOND AT THE PULL UNO MOMENTO]

2/2

[impacter]

[oooooooooookay well now that the stars are kind of dancing around his vision, he looks a tiny bit dazed and a little colored in the face, but at least he's collecting himself, holding obediently still. The bud sits against white locks in a brilliantly deep shade of warm blue contrasting the brassy warmth of his eyes when they finally look back towards Lovecraft.]

There we are. That's the hard part, I promise.

[And once again, he holds out his palm for Lovecraft's hand.]

[ohrlyeh]

[He almost startles at the choke, but- okay, looks like Solomon has recovered. He has color, now!]

[It's a nice shade of blue, really. The rose, obviously.]

Hm. [Again, he offers his hand, still a little tense.] Did it hurt...?

[impacter]

N-no, no. Not at all, actually. It's just a little startling.

[Even though he's expected as much, it's still a little embarrassing to admit out loud. But he clears his throat, keeping Lovecraft's hand in his own as he carefully starts rising to his feet.]

Here. Come with me. I think I remember seeing something about you enjoying sweets, correct?

[ohrlyeh]

It was a strange sound you made.

[Oh, looks like Solomon is standing - he's pausing, before pulling himself up to his feet as well, a gangly noodle as he always is.]

....Yes? Oh. Yes, from the grave. That's right.

1/2

[impacter]

Ahhh -- don'tworryaboutit.... [Muttered, a little MORE embarrassed.]

2/2

[impacter]

[anyWAY]

I figured we could start there. Our task requires intimacy, and intimacy comes in all sorts.

Keep hold of my hand for now. I'd just like to start by taking you to find something I know you like. Maybe we'll learn something about one another, you and I.

[ohrlyeh]

[This sounds like he needs to worry about it but...okay. One less thing to think about. Yay! Less effort.]

...Well. If you know what...you're doing.

[impacter]

[This is why he offered to do that part, buddy, he's not sure if it'd fry your brain or not and he doesn't wanna do that to you.

Lovecraft's clammy hand firmly in his own, he'll guide them back out of the courtyard. Time to descend to the cafe.]

Oh, I don't.

But isn't that the fun in getting to know someone? Something unknown turning into something known, and becoming something to share. It's like giving a small piece of yourself to another.