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[cephalopunk]

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[cephalopunk]

Hmm, and who decided that? I should very much like to have a talk with them.

[He extends his hand with a flourish and slight bow, offering to help Jamil up.]

[perfectly_average]

[He releases a heavy sigh, looking at that offered hand for a couple of seconds. While glancing away, he reaches out a hand to accept the help.]

You're already talking to him.

[Jamil loosely folds his arms over his chest, looking down at the floor. He glances at his pen, which is still looking fairly blot-filled.]

So, what now? Are you planning on doing that every time I try to leave?

[cephalopunk]

Ah, then perhaps I should enlighten him on all the reasons that can't possibly be true.

[Smile~ as he pulls him up.]

I might.

[He gently ushers Jamil.]

Come, now. Let's take a seat.

[perfectly_average]

[He makes a face, stubbornly remaining where he is, at first.]

I'm fine now...

[No, he isn't. Though part of it's due to his feeling increasingly trapped. Something that'd go away as soon as he stops.... well, focusing on wanting to leave.

Nevertheless, he eventually (and with reluctance) goes to take a seat.]

[cephalopunk]

Have you looked at your pen lately?

[Given the way he so stubbornly hid its magestone earlier...

Azul takes a seat next to him, pocketing the pen for now.]

This is the sort of recklessness I've been worried about ever since what you said in the library.

[He's taking one of Jamil's hands, now, to hold it between his.]

Jamil...

[His voice and expression gentle.]

I cannot know the depth of your pain, or what experiences led you to view yourself the way you do.

But I would like to, if you'd let me.

[perfectly_average]

[The way he refrains from answering that first question is probably telling enough.

And then he's blinking in surprise over the sudden hand-holding. Jamil stares down at their hands for a moment, and then he frowns at Azul when he hears the next parts.]

What do you think I'm going to do, exactly? You should know, by now, that I'm not the type to just rush into some dangerous situation! That's more Kalim's kind of thing.

[He would plan his trip to potential danger very carefully! But, also, that last part has him giving Azul a bemused look.]

... What would you get out of learning my background?

[Other than, say, leverage of some kind? Even if he's slowly growing to accept Azul's lack of interest in betrayal or manipulation, where Jamil's concerned, he's still wary. Especially now, with the looming threat of Overblot.]

[cephalopunk]

I don't know. I just knew the fact you were intent on hiding your magestone was reason enough to stop you.

[And, well. His subsequent actions just validated Azul all the more.

That second question... has him giving a small puff, then a smile.]

You still don't trust me. I can't blame you. I do make a point of always looking for ways to give myself the advantage.

Yet it's that very same reason why you've entranced me so. [He strokes the back of Jamil's hand fondly.] You are undeniably intelligent, meticulous and diligent. I'd always had a feeling, ever since I met you, that you were so much more than you appeared. And how wonderful it is that we've both found ourselves here and I get to witness your flourishing as you begin to shed the years of oppression.

When I said to you that I hate to see wasted potential... that is why I am enamored. Within you I see the seed of incredible potential. And here, away from your duties, is precisely where you can unleash that full potential.

I want to see it. I want to see the heights you can reach. The goals you can achieve.

[He reaches up, tipping his hat.]

And it would be my honor to work with you along the way.

[perfectly_average]

[He does his very best to keep a straight face, to not let such an obviously... well-thought-out speech earn a thoroughly flustered reaction.

Once again, his best is proven to not be enough.

As Azul is giving the final touch, Jamil is trying to escape into his own jacket - specifically, the hood of said jacket. With his face turned away, he releases a sound that's no better than a quiet sound of an untimely demise.

To put it in a simpler way: Azul's words = Jamil's demise.]

[cephalopunk]

[The reaction gets a soft chuckle. For now, he'll let up and let Jamil catch his breath.

What a thrill it is to be able to have this sort of effect on him. It was the thrill over having power, but it didn't hit in the same way it usually did. Rather, he simply enjoyed it for its sake, as it was. He would never think to use it to his advantage (less it be for Jamil's benefit, much like it was now) lest he lose the opportunity altogether.

Now that would be tragic.]

[perfectly_average]

[There's a hard frown lingering on his face as he lowers his hands.]

Ugh, you're such a—!

[But, for once, he's stumbling over his own words. He glares at Azul, clearly frustrated that the mer has managed to do something nobody else ever has. There's a long pause as he wrestles with his own thoughts and feelings.]

... Okay. Fine.

[He looks away as he finally seems to settle on something unsaid. It's another pause before he looks at Azul again.]

One question, for now. You can ask one question about my past, and I'll answer, honestly and completely.

[This probably feels like a test, to Azul. It... kind of is.]

[cephalopunk]

[He raises his eyebrows at the words, looking gently amused.

And that's followed by curiosity, and then, a slightly surprised look at the offering.

He puts his hand to his chin and thinks...]

What would you say was the most significant moment that made you see less value in your own life?

[But, he adds:]

If that's not something you're comfortable sharing, perhaps not the most significant moment, but one which contributed nevertheless.

[With such a generous offer, it's clear even now that Azul doesn't want Jamil to feel trapped or threatened.]

[perfectly_average]

[A quiet 'heh' escapes as he looks down at the floor, his gaze going a little distant as he thinks back.]

Before I really learned to cook, I would test Kalim's food for poison. This was something considered perfectly normal, even though I was only a little older than Kalim, himself. In any case, there was a time when it turned out to be poisoned...

[He closes his eyes and gives a wry smirk.]

I was in a coma for two weeks, and... all my parents seemed to care about... was that I'd kept Kalim alive. They considered it to be worthy of praise, rather than something... to be upset over. After all, I'd survived, hadn't I? So, in the end, it was all perfectly fine.

[cephalopunk]

[The look that appears on Azul's face as Jamil tells the story is one of clear frustration. His eyes especially narrow at the part about it being worthy of praise.

At the end, he holds his own blink, and lets out a breath.]

I know it is part of your culture, but I simply can't condone that sort of thinking.

To grow up believing your survival is second to another's ... I will never be able to truly understand it, but I can see how that could warp one's self-perception.

[A pause, and then:]

Thank you for sharing that with me.

[perfectly_average]

Frankly... it isn't entirely that I see myself as less than anyone. It's the opposite, if anything.

[His smirk is grim.]

I'm used to everyone else seeing me as less, or... as boring, I suppose. That makes it hard to believe you'll keep your opinion. The "excitement" will surely fade, once you come to see what's beneath all the-... mm, figurative layers.

[Very, very pointedly adding "figurative", given... yeah. Though the hint of pink isn't helping his case, at all.]

1/2

[cephalopunk]

[Ah... that gets a bit pink coming to his cheeks, too.

Ahem.]

Understandably so.

2/2

[cephalopunk]

[And then he gives this smile.]

Though I will say, the mystery, to me, is simply a nice bonus on top of everything else that makes you up.

[perfectly_average]

[Damn it, why is Azul looking at him that way.

There's a soft huff as he looks off to the side, brow pinched.]

You're just as strange as Yuu is...

[In spite of the words, his tone is somewhat soft, just a hint of awkward fondness within.]

What would you even do differently if I did, hypothetically, give you... [He holds a blink, trying to will his face back to its normal color.] -... us - ... a chance?

[cephalopunk]

[He simply looks amused at the first remark.

At the second one, though?

He's also turning much darker.]

W-well...

[It's clear he didn't anticipate this question. He never thought he would get as far as he has!]

I suppose it'd just be... me. Plus... things you might do with a partner?

[...............he made it sound so much worse than he intended to and turns his head as he flushes dark red.]

1/2

[perfectly_average]

[He blinks...

Then he simply stares at Azul, something between bemusement and surprise on his face.]

2/2

[perfectly_average]

[Slowly, a small grin surfaces, and then there's a quiet laugh escaping. For once, it's very genuine, without any signs of malice or even mockery.]

Oh? Things like what?

[It's very clear he's teasing a little. But also... that he hadn't actually expected this sort of response from Azul. There's something like... relief, maybe?]

[cephalopunk]

[If possible, his face darkens more. It might be spreading to his ears.

Instead of answering:]

What's so funny?

[perfectly_average]

[The expression on his face softens ever-so-slightly. With a quiet hum, he tilts his head and studies Azul for a moment.]

You continue to surprise me, Azul. [Jamil considers for a moment, and then he leans over and kisses him on the cheek.] But... I think I'm starting to figure you out.

[It's said as though that's a likely good thing.]

And I think I'd rather find out what kind of things... firsthand. [A tiny, teasing smirk.] If you don't pass out from too much blood collecting in your face, before you can even convince me to go on a date with you.

[cephalopunk]

What's surprising you?

[There might be just the hint of a whine in that question. But... then his breath lightly catches as he's kissed, looking at Jamil.

The tease gets a huff, and he... shifts forward, letting his forehead rest on Jamil's shoulder.

Murmured:]

Shut up...

[perfectly_average]

Oh nothing~

[Yep, he's officially enjoying himself now. Though the next thing has his expression faltering. After a couple of seconds, he lifts a hand, curiously fidgeting with Azul's hair for a moment. The faintest smirk tugs at his lips as he does, indeed, shut up.]

[cephalopunk]

[Azul relaxes a bit under the touch, letting his eyes fall closed briefly. After taking a few breaths, he sits back up, cheeks only dusted pink now.

One hand comes up to readjust his glasses.]

Well then, Mr. Viper...

[His hand comes up to catch a strand of his bangs. He lets the dark locks cascade over his gloved fingers and brings it up to his mouth while retaining eye contact.]

I would be honored if you would consider a date with me.

[And then those eyes fall shut as he kisses the hair softly.]