[ absolutely not. but she is taking it literally since squirrels apparently eat nuts, who knew. bambi... miss squirrel... she's collecting the names of animals for herself... ]
It's only by interacting with the people will I actually learn what I want, but I think they're not inclined to.
[ considering the Ignored Looks they're getting... some aside, who seem interested in them. but in that curious of their presence here way.
...
malkuth still can't help but look at the beautiful fashion anyway, far too rich in fabric and price even for elijah so long ago, and then she's turning away from it with a small smile. so colorful, so vibrant, things she isn't meant to have and something she wants regardless. ]
Let's call it here. My feet are starting to ache from walking anyway.
[ the lie is small, but it burns her tongue to say anyway. ]
[ rafayel does look at the others in the store for just a brief moment, his eyes scanning for any bit of recognition, or even brief acknowledgement. there's none. his lips curve into a sort of practiced smile, oddly polite and placid. but, also terribly cold. they turn their heads away, as if unable to look back at him, and he turns back to malkuth. ]
I wouldn't take it personally. [ whether it's a reason related to wealth, or who they actually are, rafayel is swift to cut those connections. but, his eyes do follows hers for a moment, before he shakes his head. ]
Back at home, there were creatures that we called Wanderers. Some of them were pretty rare and even spit out some unique materials, including silks. You think they have anything like that here? [ couldn't they just make their own...?
it's not like he sympathizes with her. nor does he have anything beyond apathy, but... it felt like a shame to simply leave this excursion at that. hence, he clears his throat. ] We can leave once you've settled on a few design you like. You have to start from somewhere, right?
[ what, like the carnival? or maybe giant spiders...? those produce silk, right. it preoccupies her thoughts until he clears his throat and a pleased smile curves her mouth, turning back to look at the fabrics again. just looking, circling around some of the lengthier evening gowns with an admiring eye. so skin was more acceptable to be shown on special occasion, huh...? ]
They probably make their own, Rafayel. But I wonder if any of our peers could make a living off doing something like that.
[ could be nice, if they were willing on either side. she lingers on red, recalling louis's compliment, thinking of carmen, and her hand drifts to admire a warmer gold instead. ]
... This isn't so different than home, I think, but I never had the chance to be invited out before I left it. The looks are the same, anyway. I can assume the party wear was similar.
Just our peers...? You look like you'd pick it up fast enough. Instead of Miss Librarian, I'll have to start calling you Miss Seamstress. [ rafayel follows along with her, observing which fabrics her hand settles on the longest, almost as if it were a competition or guessing game in his own head.
he looks at the red, then the gold. ]
You're only assuming...? You'll have to check it out for yourself sometime. All birds have to leave the nest and explore on their own, right? [ but, he does hold up a dress that has elements of brown with golden threads weaved into it that sparkle under the artificial light. he then grabs a reddish toned brooch and holds it together. something like this? ]
One, my hands would be no different than a pin cushion if I tried, and two... I don't know. I don't think I'll be invited to one anytime soon, and it's improper to crash parties.
There's nothing improper about coincidentally getting caught up in the festivities and happening to show up at the right time. [ yeah, crashing might work best. he doubts an invitation would come readily from these sorts.
but, he makes a mental note of her approval, and anything she touches gets mentally banked somewhere. he figures it's goo practice considering how many times he's constructed a wedding veil in his mind. ... but, nobody needs to know about that. ]
[ oh, please, his hypothetical is making her bite back an obvious laugh. okay. he's got her there, that's true.
there's a few more pieces she lingers at as they look around... before eventually she nods at his question, scooting closer as the crowd ebbs and flows. ]
Yup, totally satisfied. [ and it's the truth this time, too. ] ... Thanks, Rafayel. For getting me in. Now, get me out.
[ there's a slight pause at her words. it's been a while since he's been thanked like this, and it doesn't even take a moment for it to settle, before— ] So demanding. [ a slight groan, the very start of what could have been an onslaught of complaints. except, he has a better idea.
he places his hands on her shoulders and pushes her forward through the crowd. ]
[ his hands are warm even through fabric, or at least the press of them traps her body temperature under his palms regardless, and malkuth huffs in annoyance. ]
When you're the one that can see over them?
[ please........ she doesn't even need to gently weave through or nudge people aside with how they seem to
step away when they realize who, or what, is coming through, glancing at their necks and then away. easier to get out than in, save for at the chokepoint at the door, but the hesitancy give malkuth the idea to lift her chin to really show off the scarring to make them back off a bit. ]
[ it's funny how they split like the sea, crackling away from them like sea foam over sand. even the water couldn't match how quickly they recede once they find out who they are. but, rafayel genuinely doesn't seem to mind. instead, he gives a small, ironic sort of chuckle. ]
Wow, you're like really good at this.
[ he knows they're both not putting in any real effort, but who doesn't want a nicely timed (sarcastic) compliment? ] Are you puffing up your cheeks again? That look is probably your scariest. [ he's looking down at her to see if he can see what face she's making.
he wonders if malkuth gets her feelings hurt in situations like these? if that's not the case, then that's great, but it's a brief thought on his mind. one he seems to cast away like it's never existed. ]
[ maybe her feelings... aren't necessarily hurt, but she does seem a little put off. her chin's lifted, the same as giving a stiff lip, but it's a little obvious from the way her eyes flick around to try and catch an eye that she's hoping there's someone with better sense.
there's not, of course. their sense is avoidance. ]
You haven't seen me angry, Rafayel. I can get much scarier than a pufferfish.
Sheesh, no need to tell me twice. You barely knew what one was the other day, but you're already confident in being a bigger horror, huh? [ he respects the hustle... is that a hustle? who knows, but he gives a shrug. ]
At least we got to see what they had. You have a better idea now, right?
[ just wait until she bursts into flames next month. hottest girl (literal) you know.
it's only once they're certainly beyond the throng of people that she steps from his hands and turns a small smile up at him. ]
... Mmhmm. The last place I wanted to go is just the park in Gloria -- the one with the maze? -- since I thought it would be a nice place to end our outing, but I've really been dragging you all over today. [ but she does appreciate the company, sincerely. it's been a lot of fun. ] This wasn't just for me though, Rafayel!
Yeah, you should really think about my poor feet. [ he says, but in reality, he seems to be walking just fine. though, as if coming to the sudden realization that he isn't limping around or being particularly convincing, he does slow down just a little. why? for attention, probably. ]
A little. Once I get my ideas on paper, I think I'll find even more of it. Sometimes it's something that grows just from a little bit of reflecting and thinking about it from a different angle.
[ when she glances at his leg, he makes it a point to wince, but if she settles on it for too long, he does seem to shyly brush it off. his face staring off at something else in the distance instead. ]
Maybe. But, don't you think it's also important to focus on your own art? [ tapping the side of her head as if to punctuate his point. ] Once you paint your own story, I'll share with you mine. [ he doesn't necessarily mean literal painting, either.
as much as people could draw influence from each other, wasn't it good for them to focus as much of it internally? or that's his thought, at least. or should be as her future professor. i forgot timelines. ]
[ he appreciates the leisure pace after that short and cramped ride to this district. also, for as many complaints as he has, it's nice to take things in pace. ]
See, wasn't that easy? [ to listen to him...
he does smile a little though. it's easy to see that whatever malkuth says carries a certain earnestness to it. he doesn't sense any actual resistance to the idea from her, and he can sense how much actual consideration she places in. it's refreshing to see such eagerness. but, more importantly: ]
Depends on how good you are at directions. Ooor, how much you like to keep on your feet. Judging by how you've dragged me around half the city, I'd say you'd have fun, yeah.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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So, did Miss Squirrel find everything she's looking for? Or did she get distracted by one too many nuts.
[ can we please pretend this doesn't sound off, thank you ]
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It's only by interacting with the people will I actually learn what I want, but I think they're not inclined to.
[ considering the Ignored Looks they're getting... some aside, who seem interested in them. but in that curious of their presence here way.
...
malkuth still can't help but look at the beautiful fashion anyway, far too rich in fabric and price even for elijah so long ago, and then she's turning away from it with a small smile. so colorful, so vibrant, things she isn't meant to have and something she wants regardless. ]
Let's call it here. My feet are starting to ache from walking anyway.
[ the lie is small, but it burns her tongue to say anyway. ]
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I wouldn't take it personally. [ whether it's a reason related to wealth, or who they actually are, rafayel is swift to cut those connections. but, his eyes do follows hers for a moment, before he shakes his head. ]
Back at home, there were creatures that we called Wanderers. Some of them were pretty rare and even spit out some unique materials, including silks. You think they have anything like that here? [ couldn't they just make their own...?
it's not like he sympathizes with her. nor does he have anything beyond apathy, but... it felt like a shame to simply leave this excursion at that. hence, he clears his throat. ] We can leave once you've settled on a few design you like. You have to start from somewhere, right?
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They probably make their own, Rafayel. But I wonder if any of our peers could make a living off doing something like that.
[ could be nice, if they were willing on either side. she lingers on red, recalling louis's compliment, thinking of carmen, and her hand drifts to admire a warmer gold instead. ]
... This isn't so different than home, I think, but I never had the chance to be invited out before I left it. The looks are the same, anyway. I can assume the party wear was similar.
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he looks at the red, then the gold. ]
You're only assuming...? You'll have to check it out for yourself sometime. All birds have to leave the nest and explore on their own, right? [ but, he does hold up a dress that has elements of brown with golden threads weaved into it that sparkle under the artificial light. he then grabs a reddish toned brooch and holds it together. something like this? ]
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[ check back in two months maybe she will be.
studying the combination he chose. hmmmmmmmmm.
...
it's really pretty. a nod. ]
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but, he makes a mental note of her approval, and anything she touches gets mentally banked somewhere. he figures it's goo practice considering how many times he's constructed a wedding veil in his mind. ... but, nobody needs to know about that. ]
You finally had enough?
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there's a few more pieces she lingers at as they look around... before eventually she nods at his question, scooting closer as the crowd ebbs and flows. ]
Yup, totally satisfied. [ and it's the truth this time, too. ] ... Thanks, Rafayel. For getting me in. Now, get me out.
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he places his hands on her shoulders and pushes her forward through the crowd. ]
Maybe this time it's your turn to play bodyguard.
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When you're the one that can see over them?
[ please........ she doesn't even need to gently weave through or nudge people aside with how they seem to
step away when they realize who, or what, is coming through, glancing at their necks and then away. easier to get out than in, save for at the chokepoint at the door, but the hesitancy give malkuth the idea to lift her chin to really show off the scarring to make them back off a bit. ]
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Wow, you're like really good at this.
[ he knows they're both not putting in any real effort, but who doesn't want a nicely timed (sarcastic) compliment? ] Are you puffing up your cheeks again? That look is probably your scariest. [ he's looking down at her to see if he can see what face she's making.
he wonders if malkuth gets her feelings hurt in situations like these? if that's not the case, then that's great, but it's a brief thought on his mind. one he seems to cast away like it's never existed. ]
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there's not, of course. their sense is avoidance. ]
You haven't seen me angry, Rafayel. I can get much scarier than a pufferfish.
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At least we got to see what they had. You have a better idea now, right?
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it's only once they're certainly beyond the throng of people that she steps from his hands and turns a small smile up at him. ]
... Mmhmm. The last place I wanted to go is just the park in Gloria -- the one with the maze? -- since I thought it would be a nice place to end our outing, but I've really been dragging you all over today. [ but she does appreciate the company, sincerely. it's been a lot of fun. ] This wasn't just for me though, Rafayel!
[ as a reminder. ]
Found some inspiration?
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Yeah, you should really think about my poor feet. [ he says, but in reality, he seems to be walking just fine. though, as if coming to the sudden realization that he isn't limping around or being particularly convincing, he does slow down just a little. why? for attention, probably. ]
A little. Once I get my ideas on paper, I think I'll find even more of it. Sometimes it's something that grows just from a little bit of reflecting and thinking about it from a different angle.
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but malkuth will slow too, matching his pace... glancing down to check his leg, a little. ]
Well, I'm happy that I'm not the only one who's gotten something out of this. Can I see what you draw from your time out with me?
[ wild how she's so nice to him this early on. anyway ]
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Maybe. But, don't you think it's also important to focus on your own art? [ tapping the side of her head as if to punctuate his point. ] Once you paint your own story, I'll share with you mine. [ he doesn't necessarily mean literal painting, either.
as much as people could draw influence from each other, wasn't it good for them to focus as much of it internally? or that's his thought, at least. or should be as her future professor. i forgot timelines. ]
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Paint my own story, huh.
[ ....... ]
Sounds fun, even if the content probably isn't! Okay, deal.
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See, wasn't that easy? [ to listen to him...
he does smile a little though. it's easy to see that whatever malkuth says carries a certain earnestness to it. he doesn't sense any actual resistance to the idea from her, and he can sense how much actual consideration she places in. it's refreshing to see such eagerness. but, more importantly: ]
Have you ever been to a maze before?
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[ haha. ha. ]
Are they fun?
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[ but, he moves on swiftly enough. ]
Depends on how good you are at directions. Ooor, how much you like to keep on your feet. Judging by how you've dragged me around half the city, I'd say you'd have fun, yeah.
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Judging by how you've let me drag you around half the city, you might too. [ lil tease. ] I'm not the best with directions, but it can't be too hard!