This post is intended for non-network overflow as well as events that utilize appearance changes in a way that make me compelled to use an icon-mule for visual reference.
[...He can't deny that it's nice, but.] Could still get sick, if you stay out in it too long. [Says the guy also sitting out in it.] So... let's go, then.
[Despite... everything, Toma still finds himself a little bit startled when Rin grabs onto him. He doesn't pull away, though; in fact, he finds himself leaning into it, gripping her hand back as she leads him, more so than he usually would.
It doesn't make any sense, for contact with someone burning up as much as he is to be as soothing as the rain, if not more so, but... somehow it is, all the same.]
[The physical touch immediately sends her mood back up. The disappointment vanishes from Rin's expression, and with a beaming smile she leads Toma along downstream toward the bridge.]
What are you up to out in the rain like this? I come here because I used to have to grow my own medicine ingredients here, but now I just swing by to make sure no one takes without thanking me for my work.
[Toma keeps watching Rin as they walk - cautious, tracking her body language, her tone of voice. As though any part of her current state could offer a hint as to... what could be done about it. He already knows, after all, that the gold suits don't seem to go away through the usual methods, but there's got to be some way to get all that gold out of her system... right?
He's occupied enough that it takes him a moment to find an answer - and the fact that he doesn't really... have a good answer to that question doesn't help.]
I just... had to go somewhere. Ended up here. What kind of ingredients?
[He'd rather talk about that than... anything about his own situation, honestly.]
Well... you know how I taste bad, right? Kind of bitter and herbal? Like an old-world poison. It's because I take a medicine routinely that helps keep my body stable. It's a pain killer and also prevents the body from rejecting "foreign objects" like my crest that I inherited as heir to my family. Without that medicine my body would probably become completely useless. I would just be in pain all the time as my crest tears my body apart from rejection, but then knits it back together like a symbiote refusing to let its host die.
[What he'll feel next is his hand squeezed. Tighter, briefly, and then released. But only somewhat. Rin huddles in closer rather than trying to tug him along as much.]
[While whether he does know that remains lost to the timeline, Toma turns that answer over in his head, brow creasing a bit. He... does not like the sound of that. Something uncomfortably familiar, once again, in that description of being torn apart and yet undying - though, Rin wouldn't even have the "benefit" of the euphoric state the Waitanhua imposes on its victims.
He really, really doesn't like it - and there's an undeniable, underlying distress there beyond the familiarity of the worst case scenario. A strange pain at the thought of Rin being subjected to what she's describing.
In his own head, he curses the stupid fucking Hearts suit. He... keeps his hold on her hand, lets her move in closer, at the cost of slowing a bit on their walk to the bridge.]
...I see. Fortunate, then, that they have the garden here at all.
[He at least would have known some of her taste from kissing her. No part of her is safe from the truth, even if she hides the scent with perfume.]
Well, I could be lazy and just get my meds from the Broken Wing, but there's a certain pride in doing it yourself. Isn't there? A skill you have that you can apply in many ways! I could probably even make love potions if you wanted to be a little devious and ask me for one.
[With a light giggle she nuzzles her face into his shoulder. Aching for more touch, but unwilling to give up on the better placement of a bench for their next fling. It's within eyesight now at least, but who knows what awaits poor Toma when they finally sit down?]
Do you like being my friend, Toma? Or do you hate it?
No, I know what you mean... It isn't the same, relying on what this place provides. [He makes a face, though, as he adds,] Absolutely no love potions, though.
[Toma does his best not to tense, as she nuzzles in - less out of any real caution than over her proximity to one of those hidden bruises. He probably should be worried about how this could go, given Rin's state, but... the buzz of the suits, his weariness, the relief of her touch, have his thoughts too scattered. If anything, strangely and uncomfortably, he finds himself more worried about her.
Her question catches him short for a moment.] I-- don't hate it, no. [He could theoretically leave it there, evasive - but maybe, just as Hearts nudges his priorities away from himself, it's the pull of Clubs that leads him to a more straightforward answer.] ...I guess I do like it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Despite... everything, Toma still finds himself a little bit startled when Rin grabs onto him. He doesn't pull away, though; in fact, he finds himself leaning into it, gripping her hand back as she leads him, more so than he usually would.
It doesn't make any sense, for contact with someone burning up as much as he is to be as soothing as the rain, if not more so, but... somehow it is, all the same.]
no subject
What are you up to out in the rain like this? I come here because I used to have to grow my own medicine ingredients here, but now I just swing by to make sure no one takes without thanking me for my work.
no subject
He's occupied enough that it takes him a moment to find an answer - and the fact that he doesn't really... have a good answer to that question doesn't help.]
I just... had to go somewhere. Ended up here. What kind of ingredients?
[He'd rather talk about that than... anything about his own situation, honestly.]
no subject
[What he'll feel next is his hand squeezed. Tighter, briefly, and then released. But only somewhat. Rin huddles in closer rather than trying to tug him along as much.]
no subject
He really, really doesn't like it - and there's an undeniable, underlying distress there beyond the familiarity of the worst case scenario. A strange pain at the thought of Rin being subjected to what she's describing.
In his own head, he curses the stupid fucking Hearts suit. He... keeps his hold on her hand, lets her move in closer, at the cost of slowing a bit on their walk to the bridge.]
...I see. Fortunate, then, that they have the garden here at all.
no subject
Well, I could be lazy and just get my meds from the Broken Wing, but there's a certain pride in doing it yourself. Isn't there? A skill you have that you can apply in many ways! I could probably even make love potions if you wanted to be a little devious and ask me for one.
[With a light giggle she nuzzles her face into his shoulder. Aching for more touch, but unwilling to give up on the better placement of a bench for their next fling. It's within eyesight now at least, but who knows what awaits poor Toma when they finally sit down?]
Do you like being my friend, Toma? Or do you hate it?
no subject
[Toma does his best not to tense, as she nuzzles in - less out of any real caution than over her proximity to one of those hidden bruises. He probably should be worried about how this could go, given Rin's state, but... the buzz of the suits, his weariness, the relief of her touch, have his thoughts too scattered. If anything, strangely and uncomfortably, he finds himself more worried about her.
Her question catches him short for a moment.] I-- don't hate it, no. [He could theoretically leave it there, evasive - but maybe, just as Hearts nudges his priorities away from himself, it's the pull of Clubs that leads him to a more straightforward answer.] ...I guess I do like it.