![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
To dance along the light of day (Closed)
Who: Lapis Fathalla (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
oneirism), featuring Setsuna F. Seiei (quaria), Kavi Misra (umberly), Lord Light (accordance), Sion Astal (sunderings), Tieria Erde (buildyourworld) and Regene Regetta (remotecontrols)
When: From Narcissa (March) 15th to the 17th!
Where: The Baths
What: Bath time shenanigans! Aka Lapis is a vain idiot who likes to mess with peoples hair.
Rating: Mentions of nudity and Lapis being way too casual about it and probably terrifying people with that...
SETSUNA
LORD LIGHT
KAVI
SION
TIERIA
REGENE
oneirism), featuring Setsuna F. Seiei (quaria), Kavi Misra (umberly), Lord Light (accordance), Sion Astal (sunderings), Tieria Erde (buildyourworld) and Regene Regetta (remotecontrols)When: From Narcissa (March) 15th to the 17th!
Where: The Baths
What: Bath time shenanigans! Aka Lapis is a vain idiot who likes to mess with peoples hair.
Rating: Mentions of nudity and Lapis being way too casual about it and probably terrifying people with that...
SETSUNA
[Lapis doesn't tend to bathe in the morning, but she had tired herself training way to late last night and so one in the morning was sorely needed. It helps that she wakes up stupid early as well, so when she gets there, it's practically empty. Except there is one other Hero there.
And while Lapis tends to be in the habit of covering herself at least a little bit, since she knows people are more fussy about nudity than she is, she only just holds the towel in her arms as she waves over at Setsuna.]
... Morning, Setsuna. [A-at least... she has a nice figure?? Even if she is badly scarred.Sorry for the trauma Setsuna]
LORD LIGHT
[Lord Light's hair is one of the many things about him that Lapis has always been curious about. There's never a strand out of place, and even during the expo his hair was as perfect as ever, despite all the chaos going on. Meanwhile, she's certain her head was resembling a birds nest by the end, though she was more focused on other things at the time.
Even now it looks like his hair is as perfect is ever, and Lapis squints her eyes from her corner of the bath, before shifting closer. She really wants to style it, but will he let her, what if it's something considered offensive where he's from or it's some kind of blasphemy... ]
... Hey, Lord Light, can I braid your hair? [Might as well just go ahead and ask!!]
KAVI
[Judging peoples hair care routines are things she never really tried to do, but sometimes, she just can't help it. Especially when they could have such nice hair, and instead only just do the bare minimum.
Which is why she is rather unimpressed when she notices how Kavi is just... using soap in his hair. It's almost painful to watch, and eventually she moves over to him, her expression unimpressed as she puts her hands on her hips.]
... Let me do your hair. [It's sound more like an order than a request...]
SION
[Now, Lapis isstupidly vainproud about her hair, but she could never imagine growing it out any longer as it is now. Or as long as, for examples, Sion's. She has no shame in admitting that his hair is amazing, but all that hair must take forever to take care of. And probably requires least a small army, something like that.
And while she doesn't really know Sion that well yet, she does want to try and remedy that. So what better way to do that than to offer to help with his miles and miles of hair!]
... Do you need any help? [Said with a finger pointing at his majestic mane of hair, her other hand cradling her chin as she sits on the edge of the bath.]
TIERIA
[It's one thing to judge peoples hair care and see them do something like put their hair in a bun afterwards, but it's another thing when the hair care is awful but their hair is still nice. That is something Lapis finds more mystifying than annoying.
Like with Tieria. Considering Tieria's general attitude, things like fussing over his hair is something she can't imagine him doing, but his hair is still always nice somehow! Maybe he's just born with it or something...]
... You're only using soap, how're you able to still make your hair look nice? [She wants to know your secrets Tieria!]
REGENE
[Lapis has only see Regene and Tieria together a few times, but it's enough to make it clear that there is a very big resemblance between the two. She's pretty certain that the two are identical twins or something like that. Beyond their attitudes and hairstyles, they are pretty much the same.
Which is when she spots Regene in the baths, an idea comes to mind. One that will probably piss off Tieria, but when Lapis has an idea, she tends to roll with it not matter the consequences.]
... Hey, Regene, can I try something?
no subject
For now though, she just waits for his response. So far people have believed her, but she doubts that everyone who hears about her abilities will, and she's fine with that. The main concern is if people will treat her differently if they knew - back home, so many people were scared of her straightaway. But it's different here, and as selfish as it's been, she's been hiding her powers because she doesn't want people to be scared of her anymore. It's a chance to finally be something else, without people judging her for her abilities.
So his answer is a relief, though his words get her brows to furrow slightly - "Things like me exist"? She files that away as something to ask later, instead watching as he turns around and leans against her legs, shifting to lean forward slightly so she's more on level with him.]
... I can. Or I could, back home. My only friends were ghosts, and my job involved either helping spirits pass on or... well, dealing with troublesome or violent ones.
[Which would explain where all her scars came from.]
no subject
Sometimes, the supernatural causes pain and hurt and he can only guess how many times Lapis came home and sat down to treat her wounds, with or without her sister's help.
And sometimes, the terror humans can inflict on others of their kind is equally as cruel.
Kavi shifts, reaching up to place a hand on Lapis' head. ]
That must have been tough. Were you always able to see them? Or did an accident trigger your abilities?
[ It being an inborn ability makes more sense but who knows? Sometimes, accidents happen. Sometimes, latent abilities are triggered by the weirdest things. It doesn't make it less painful. ]
no subject
And her scars are a patchwork of injuries from both the supernatural and humans - while Lapis herself isn't violent, the others like her are very much so. Because what better way to gather more spirits to increase their power than to kill someone like them? It's a thought that still makes Lapis feel ill.
Though the hand on her head causes her to blink, her eyes widening for a moment before her expression becomes flat and calm once more, leaning into his hand slightly. The answer comes easily, even if she does glance away for a moment.]
... I always have. At first my parents thought it was just imaginary friends I was talking to. But then my mother and I came across a car accident when I was four, and I mentioned some things about what I saw... Then I went to live with my grandmother, after that.
[She says that casually, as if she's just talking about the weather. But how she glances away shows she's more bothered by it than she sounds.]
no subject
Gently, carefully, Kavi begins to pet Lapis' hair. She may act and sound unaffected, try to project the image of a strong woman who is not bothered by the shitty cards life has dealt her.
But it has to hurt. Always seeing how people have died. Listening to them, seeing their sadness and their anger and their confusion. Being shunned for merely being able to see what others can not.
It's not pity making Kavi move his hand.
It's sympathy. ]
I'm sorry, Lapis. You did nothing wrong.
no subject
She was prepared to quickly change the topic though - she dislikes serious situations, especially involving anything about her - only to pause when he pets her hair. Automatically leaning and nuzzling into the touch, even as she frowns in confusion. Only to freeze at his words.
'You did nothing wrong.' She would be lying if she said she hadn't wanted to hear that - she's been wanting to hear it for years, after always asking herself what she had done wrong, what could she do better. It's enough to make her eyes burn and a lump to form in her throat, before she forces it away with a shaky sigh.]
... I know, it's fine. [She shakes her head, taking a deep breath. She is not going to start crying on him again, once was enough. Her pride won't allow it to happen again.
So she steels her expression to something more calm once more, though she still keeps leaning into the hair pets.]
Anyway, I didn't mean to make this so serious. But... I've been curious, about something you said earlier. When you said "things like me exist", what did you mean?
no subject
She handled her situation the best she could. She isn't at fault.
Kavi's fingers pause in their petting for a while as he rolls her question over in his mind. He did say that, didn't he? In hindsight, he sounded more callous than he intended to but Kavi knows he can downplay his bitterness all he wants. It will still seep through the cracks.
Yet, when Kavi speaks, his tone is slightly amused and he runs a hand through his wet hair in a casual gesture. ]
That came out harsher than I wanted it to. People- [ Because there are others like him and they might be some of the most human he has ever met in his life. ] -like me exist. Who used to be human but aren't any longer.
no subject
For now though, she patiently waits for Kavi to answer her, resisting the urge to pout when he stops petting her hair. Okay, she does pout a little bit, before she forces the lineface back up. But her expression does soften slightly when he uses the term 'people' this time.]
... Okay, that's better. [Because he was a bit too harsh before.
There's a slight tilt of her head as she mulls over his words, and she reaches a hand out to gently ruffle his wet hair, remembering the horns she had felt before. She can't really suppress the urge to be
nosycurious, and she does want to know more about him.]Is it okay if I ask what you are?
no subject
Smiling, Kavi resumes petting Lapis' hair. His speech is a little slow but it's less because he isn't confident but because he is trying to word it right. He's only ever had to explain the situation to children who also turned into beings like himself and he made it as simple as possible so they would understand.
But Lapis isn't a child. ]
Back in my world, there exist beings called Akirami. They live in what is referred to as Mirror World and for a long time, no one knew they existed. They aren't human, more monstrous in shape and form. Some cannot be seen save for a single arm and others do not possess arms at all. Picture, if you will, all the monsters children are told about, the ones with scissors for hands, the whispering shadows under their beds, the ones who loom and bear down and crush you with their weight. The stories where something rips out your eyes and wears them as a necklace. Wherever they manage to cross into the human world, bloodshed follows.
I was careless and they got to me.
[ There is more to it than that. Much more. But Lapis has seen enough terrifying ghosts and Kavi doesn't want to add to the pile by telling her about the parts he remembers. Like the way despair crawled up this throat and strangled him until he wanted to kill himself.
His tone is conversational as he picks up a bottle of shampoo and gives Lapis a questioning look. Would she like to have her hair washed, too? ]
The memory is a little blurry- [ Lies. ] -but the old man told me the encounter had changed me. To be more like them.
no subject
Of course, once he starts petting her hair again, she happily leans into the touch with a quiet hum - almost sounding similar to a cat purring, for a brief second. Though she quickly falls quiet as she listens, her expression unchanging as he speaks - but she can feel her heart sink at his words. That sounds horrible, like the things out of nightmares... Even through her years of seeing the dead, she's never seen anything like how he describes. Not even in the ghosts of people completely warped by their hate and anger.
And her expression cracks at his admittance they they got to him, her expression softening as her brows furrow. In a way, she can imagine what that must've been like - the memory of the ghost clawing and pulling her out of her body, the darkness so suffocating that she thought she might die from that.
But as quickly as the memory appears, she shoves it away again, focusing on him and then blinking at the questioning look as he holds up the bottle. Hesitating for a second, before nodding - it seems pretty nice, so there's no reason to say no.
Though her eyes do narrow for a second as he keeps speaking, searching his expression for a moment before nodding once more.]
... Which explains the horns. Did you develop any powers, too?
no subject
[ Now that he has Lapis' permission, Kavi pulls himself out of the water and sits on the edge, letting the water drip down. His body feels heavy from the heat and it distracts him for a moment before he gestures to the spot in front of him for Lapis to make herself comfortable. She has a lot of long, luscious hair. This is going to take a while but Kavi doesn't mind. He finds talking with Lapis quite soothing. He only hopes he isn't making her uncomfortable in any way.
Kavi continues as he opens the bottle, squeezing a generous amount into his hands. ]
Before it happened, I'd learned how to heal wounds with magic, more or less through trial and error. [ Which happens when the only other people who could possibly teach you either don't have a clue either or are dead. ] After the change, I could do more. Strengthen others, heal larger wounds, restore more energy. I learned how to call winds to do my bidding.
[ He idly tilts his head back to stare at the ceiling, tracing the cracks with his eyes and waiting for Lapis to move. ]
I don't get hungry anymore. Not for food anyway.
[ His gaze slides back down and he smiles at Lapis, wondering if she has ever felt anything like that. Not having to eat anymore. Drawing your power from something else. Since she was born with her skills, she probably didn't have to. Unless she used ghosts as power supplies and that...
For someone with a gentle heart as Lapis', that would have been quite painful. ]
no subject
As she does this, she keeps listening - her eyes still focused on Kavi. While she knows it'll take some time to wash her hair, she doesn't mind, since she does enjoy his company. Really, he's one of the few people here she's completely comfortable around - especially since it seems like they're similar in some ways. It makes it easier to open up to him.
And she likes being able to know more about him too, listening attentively even as she loosens her hair and lets it fall across her shoulder. It does sound like a lot changed, and his smile gets a soft one in response, before she places her towel to the side and hops into the bath, glancing up at Kavi over her shoulder.]
... I can understand that. I need to eat, but I also require another energy source because of my powers... Which is where my ghost friends came in. We had a kind of... energy exchange.
[Which made the fact that she got a power boost for each ghost that linked with her a bit more bearable. They get energy from her, and she always made sure it was their choice - she could never force them into it. It's also what made it easier for her to get used to mana transfers here.]
But is that what you need instead? Energy of some kind?
no subject
[ Giving away a little bit of yourself so you can receive a piece of someone else to mend the void? Or perhaps he's coming to the wrong conclusion. Either way, he's curious. The concept of exchanging energy to strengthen oneself is nothing new, many people have explored the possibilities or moving energy one way or another.
But perhaps it was different for Lapis back home.
Humming softly, Kavi spends a solid minute massaging the shampoo into the tips of Lapis' hair, slowly working his way up until his fingers brush against the back of her head. He pauses a second to scoop up more water to make sure he's not missing a spot. Attentively, he begins to massage her scalp in circling movements, taking his time near her temples and the back of her head. Lapis, for all her quiet strength and mild manners, should be allowed to relax as well. To close her eyes and let the tension bleed away.
He considers not answering Lapis' question but it doesn't feel right. There is something about the situation which has Kavi at ease, which makes him want to talk because he feels as if Lapis understands. And won't judge. ]
Warmth. I take body heat.
no subject
[The very few situations where they took a bit too much was usually due to Lapis' urging during tough encounters - afterwards they would immediately fuss and scold her for being so reckless. Even though he can't see it, she can't help but smile fondly at the memories.
Though her attention soon goes to how his fingers massage the shampoo into her hair, humming softly as his fingers massage into her scalp. Any previous tension slowly melting away, sighing quietly as her eyes close for a moment, letting herself relax completely under his fingers - the soft, content sounds escaping her sounding almost like a cat purring. This is really, really nice... Now she can understand why sister like it when she did this with her hair.
His response to her question gets her eyes to flutter open - but all that fills her is curiosity. Seeing no reason to judge, and instead she peeks up at him over her shoulder, still as completely relaxed and calm as before.]
... Body heat? Then does doing things like this help?
[Like touching people in general. Or does it have to be a more full body thing? Her thoughts are only filled with knowing more about him - the very thought of judging him not even dawning on her.]
no subject
Have you been hurt before by someone who took too much?
[ He could worry about Lapis straining herself before arriving here all day. It's better to ask and make sure.
He smiles at her contented and happy noises though, his fingers moving lower momentarily to massage her neck before going back to her head, pressing his fingers into the area behind her ears. He join in with her humming for a few seconds before he picks up the bottle again and lathers up his hands with more shampoo. Lapis truly has an almost frightening amount of thick hair. But it's very soft to the touch, a little bit like touching silk.
He meets her gaze and his fingers stop moving. He watches quietly for a couple of moments before pressing two fingers against Lapis' cheek in a playful gesture. ]
It does help but it's like taking nibbles. Like taking small sips from a water bottle despite the fact that you're thirsty enough to empty an entire lake. I can only take through skin on skin contact. The more contact, the more I can take.
[ A small wink follows the words, just to make sure Lapis understands what he does when he gets, ah, hungry.
You don't get to be on a first name basis with a lot of people working in Gobang Alley by collecting bottle caps, either. ]
no subject
... Nope. If anyone tried, the other ghosts would be quick to get on her case.
[Even if she usually only had the dead for company, at least they looked out for her and cared for her - which she's always grateful for.
But those thoughts quickly come to a halt when she feels his fingers massage her neck - tensing in surprise for a moment, before she sighs as the tension practically melts out of her. Almost sinking into the water as his fingers press behind her ears, but she manages to keep herself mostly upright. It's been so long since she's been this completely relaxed, the thought of maybe having a little nap sounds almost tempting.
Though as she peeks up at him, she starts to focus a bit more, before blinking and then giggling softly at the poke to her cheek. Attentively listening to his explanation, blinking at his words and how he winks, taking a few moments to put two and two together. So, something that has a lot of skin on skin contact... Something that has a lot of skin on skin contact...
Oh.
Oooooh.
The understanding eventually dawns on her, and she gives a quiet 'aha!' before nodding. It doesn't even dawn on her to feel even a tiny bit embarrassed about this.]
... Ooooh, I see. Though, can you still eat food even if you don't get hungry for it anymore?
no subject
[ Pleased that Lapis caught on as quickly as she did and isn't put-off by the implications, Kavi laughs quietly as he pleases his hands on Lapis' shoulders momentarily. He's been keeping a careful leash on his ability to sap and he isn't about to let it slip, not when Lapis has shown him nothing but trust and kindness.
What a pure girl. ]
I can. But it's more for the taste than an actual need for it. Plus, people would start to wonder if I never ate anything at all and it's easier to blend in when people don't assume you're some kind of freaky alien or something.
[ For a few moments, Kavi says nothing as he scoops up water and begins to wash the shampoo out of Lapis' hair. His lips are still stretched into a grin through and after a while, he props his chin up on Lapis' head, fingers back to massaging her nape. ]
It's easier to meet humans through places with food or drinks, too. A bar. A café. And if you're just sitting at a table doing absolutely nothing, it's bound to get a little suspicious. So yeah, I can eat food. Though after meeting the Monday Mysteries... I somehow wish I couldn't.
no subject
[So even though she misses them, that's one reason she's glad they're not here. They would literally be hovering all over anyone who came near her, due to her inexperience with interacting with the living and how... badly her current interaction with a living person is going back home.
But she doesn't want to think about that. Instead she peeks up at Kavi when he laughs and places his hands on her shoulders, still completely at ease despite knowing how his powers work now.]
Mmhm, that's true. You would probably get a lot of questions if you didn't eat anything. Though I imagine they would start with the 'oh are you dieting' questions first.
[Based on her experience anyway, when she wasn't hungry and her sister was appalled that she was being a human black hole for once. She can get full sometimes too!
She stays still as he starts to wash the shampoo out of her head, closing her eyes just in case before blinking when he places his chin on her head. The fingers massaging her nape prompting her to purr quietly once more as she relaxes into the water. With how relaxed she is, her voice is a bit softer and slower than usual.]
Plus the people working in the café or bar might throw you out if you're sitting there doing nothing. [The she chuckles quietly at the mention of the... lovely breakfast they have on Mondays.]
I think all of us wish that on Monday mornings... But I'm glad to hear you can eat, that means I can make you something one day.
no subject
With everything that digs deep into your soul and tears at it and with everything that fills the wounds with bright, soothing light.
But Lapis has totally nailed what store owners used to say to him the first few times he left the other world after the change, still trying to figure out how much he had changed and which parts had remained the same.
Snickering, Kavi looks around for the conditioner, leaning to the side so he can pick it up. ]
That's pretty much what happened and I probably didn't seem like a regular patron anyway. It too a while for me to leave the other world on my own. [ About ten years. And when you're surrounded only by that which wants to devour you or who is like you, who looks young but has lived your lifetime at least twice, you begin to lsoe track of what is human and what isn't.
And it takes a while to relearn how to blend in. ]
They probably thought I was a drug addict in dire need of a fix. [ He'd been a little... twitchy.
...Wait, wait. Did Lapis just say that she would make something for him. Puzzled, Kavi leans forward until he can see Lapis' face, half bent over her and looking at her upside down. ]
What for? It's kind of a waste of ingredients.
no subject
And his snicker tells her that she had been right about her assumption - and that it's happened to him before. His response causes her heart to sink though, wondering how badly he must've been affected by what happened to him.
It sort of reminds her of herself, with having to remind herself not to talk to her friends while she was in public - she's gotten a few weird stares more than once for seemingly talking to herself. Having never really been around people much, she found it hard to really blend in a lot of the time.]
... I can sort of imagine how that was like. I hope some were nice to you and at least gave you a free water or something. [She really hopes so anyway. It sounds like he needed a bit of kindness in moments like that.
And his leaning over her gets her to blink, tilting her head once more before she shakes it.]
But you said you can still taste food. So why not? I like making things for people I like, so I just need to find out what flavors you like.
[It's said simply with not even a tiny hint of embarrassment. Though it would be much different if she attempted to say the 'friend' word. Then the blushing would start.]
no subject
[ Others mostly wanted him gone. He can't blame them. After the silence of the other world, the muted skies and the gloom filling every corner, the brightness and noisiness of the regular world had been like a punch to the face. So many people, such large crowds and all of them moving, talking. It had made him want to find the nearest corner and hide.
But hiding never really worked. It only delayed the inevitable.
Those who had offered him kindness in the small things, a question, a drink, letting him sit at an empty table after rush hour. Those people had truly been a gift.
He hopes Lapis met someone like that, too.
At her words, however, Kavi's expression shifts into a playful grin, eyebrows raise and eyes glittering. Prepare to be teased, Lapis. ]
Lapis, did you just admit that we're friends? That's usually the category people you make food for fall into, yeah? Because if you did this for complete strangers, I might be concerned.
no subject
[Some is better than none. It fills her with relief to know that there were a few people that showed him kindness when he was probably greatly disorientated. Even if Lapis was never so lucky, it's nice to know that there's people who will look out for strangers like that.
But she has a feeling she might regret her words as she watches how Kavi's expression changes, her brows raising slightly when he grins. A feeling of dread starting to loom over her.
And then he mentions the 'friends' word.
Cue her cheeks quickly turning bright red, open and closing her mouth for a few seconds as she tries to think of what to say. Then she lets herself sink into the water for a moment, with only her eyes and the tips of her very red ears visible for a second before she rises enough to answer.]
... W-well... I mean... [Gold eyes glance to the side, her fingers fidgeting together under the water. Her entire demeanor seems unusually shy right now.]
If you d-don't mind if I call you a, um, friend...
no subject
[ Cute.
Laughing, Kavi nudges Lapis' side, prodding it gentle to get her to resurface. This was a better reaction than he could have hoped for and mirth dances in his eyes as he uses the opportunity to finally apply the conditioner to Lapis' hand with the hand not currently busy coaxing Lapis into getting over her shyness.
But given her history, it's no wonder she would get flustered.
Which is exactly what Kavi hoped to accomplish.
His movements slow until they come to a complete stop and he regards Lapis with a serious look. He really wasn't lying when he said he does consider Lapis a friend but perhaps he needs to say it again. So Lapis can take his honest words and let herself lean on them. ]
We are friends, Lapis. I like talking to you and laughing with you and relaxing with you. I believe that's what counts as a basis for friendship.
no subject
The feeling of him applying the conditioner to her hair helps to calm her down as well, her blush slowly fading as she sits up a bit more. Rubbing at her cheeks as if to get ride of the remainder of the redness lingering on her skin.
The serious look gets her to blink once more, and the blush quickly arises once more as he speaks. But this time she manages to a smile, taking a deep breath as she nods. It's... nice to hear that. To hear that someone likes being around her, when she so firmly believed that nobody ever would.]
... That's true, and I like talking and laughing with you too. S-so we're friends... [She takes a deep breath, her smile brightening once more as she looks up at him.] Thank you, Kavi.
no subject
He hopes Lapis' warmth will never fade. ]
Thank you, Lapis, for being my friend. So if you need anything, anything at all, let me know. I may not always be able to understand everything- [ Their experiences differ and it is reflected in their cores. ] -I can at least look very interested and nod in the appropriate places.
Plus, I can do a mean french braid.
[ He winks, gathering water in his cupped hands to rinse the conditioner from Lapis' hair. ]
no subject
But for now, seeing his smile prompts her own to brighten just a bit more - clearly glad that she was able to make him smile. Though his words soon cause her cheeks to heat up all over again, some of the shyness seeping back in as she hunches her shoulders. Her smile turns a bit sheepish around the edge, but it stays, too happy right now to let herself try hide again.
Hearing someone actually thank her for being their friend is another thing she thought she'd never hear, but it's enough to fill her with such happiness that she's worried she might overflow with it. It's now that she realizes that she's truly lucky to have a friend like Kavi.]
... I-it's the same to you too. If you ever need anything at all, just let me know.
[Of course, she soon chuckles softly, a playful edge appearing to her smile - leaning back a bit so he can better rinse her hair.]
Then you'll need to show me one day, since I want to see your skills in action.