IC Inbox for lastvoyages

[cephalopunk]

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[perfectly_average]

[He gives a light frown.]

Do you dislike your own mer form that much?

[cephalopunk]

[A noise of discomfort in his throat as he pulls away.]

I didn't say that, just... It's not really a big deal, that's all. It's just another form.

[He crosses his arms in front of him.]

Why do you even want to see it?

[It's a genuine question, not asked out of suspicion.]

[perfectly_average]

[He doesn't stop Azul from pulling away. Instead, he folds his arms over his chest, eyebrows lifting at the mer.]

Is it not fair to wish to see the form that saved my life? [There's a small, grim smile.] If the roles were reversed, how would you feel, being denied such a thing?

1/2

[cephalopunk]

[A sigh.]

Jamil...

2/2

[cephalopunk]

[And then a serious look.]

Fine. Just for a few moments. On one condition.

[perfectly_average]

[He looks a little surprised at even this much of an agreement. With a slight tilt of his head, he asks,]

What condition?

[cephalopunk]

[It's really just enough to sate Jamil's curiosity so he would drop this ridiculous topic. So Azul hopes.

He raises a hand, producing a Golden Contract.]

I want to test the limits of my Signature Spell. I'm surprised I still had access to it at all, but no doubt it's been depowered in some ways.

[And then he produces the bone pen, offering it to Jamil.]

I would like you to be the signee.

[perfectly_average]

[His brow is pinched as he simply looks at the pen for a moment.

After a couple of seconds, he reaches out to take the pen, some obvious wariness in his gaze. While he considers it reasonable to want to test the limits, he knows how this has gone for some people in the past. And he's still new to attempting trust.]

Under what terms, exactly?

[cephalopunk]

[He gives a flourish of his unoccupied hand.]

Your fire magic will be the collateral; I will have access to it for the duration of the contract, while you will not. The anemones I use to manage deal-breakers will appear as a default. The anemone has the power to drag you to my location of choosing, normally.

The contract will expire at midnight.

Unfortunately, it hardly covers everything that I want to test, but... it'll have to do for now.

[perfectly_average]

If you drag me around in front of others, you'll experience the most painful regret of your afterlife.

[The fact that he says this so calmly, so genuinely, is probably scarier than the words themselves. There's a moment of consideration. He'll just style his hair differently, and wear a hood, to hide the anemone. Either way, after mentally weighing the details and risks, he steps closer and signs the bottom. In spite of the discomfort, the potential threat, he looks calm as he steps back and holds the pen out for Azul.

With that, he calmly and patiently waits.]

[cephalopunk]

[Azul can't help it; his breath catches when that pen hits his contract. He's staring, dumbfounded when Jamil steps away.

He doesn't even begin to reach for the pen, and his expression would probably be less extreme than if Jamil had sprouted a second head.

He does, however, sprout the anemone.]

I-I... you...

[He even stumbles back a bit.]

[perfectly_average]

[He blinks, frowning hard at Azul.]

What? I have other spells to fall back on, if there's an emergency. Besides, I should be refraining from magic use for the rest of the day, anyway. [Given the Overblot risk, and all.] But, more importantly, you have too much to lose, to risk betraying me.

[cephalopunk]

I... I still could have completely lied about the terms! What if I'd taken all of your spells, or...

You can't possibly want to see that form that much, so...

[Jamil couldn't possibly actually trust him this much. There had to be another reason.

There had to.]

[perfectly_average]

... And I figured you only brought the contract out because you assumed I'd refuse to sign it. Seems you underestimated my stubborn curiosity.

[There's a small smirk as he starts undoing his hair, moving over to the nearest mirror/reflective surface as he considers for a moment. Very casually, he starts putting his hair into a sort of high ponytail, using magic to give it a natural wavy look.]

In any case, you still have your end of the deal to keep.

[cephalopunk]

[Azul is staring for awhile longer...

And then suddenly Jamil will find himself being hugged from behind again. Much firmer this time as Azul buries his face in his shoulder.]

[perfectly_average]

[Thanks to the reflective surface, he's able to brace himself, but that does nothing to stop the blush from forming, all over again. A soft sigh escapes before he reaches over to lightly pat the mer's head.]

... It really means this much to you?

[Frankly, that's such a strange concept to Jamil. But then... he did have someone like Kalim in his life, until recently. So, unfortunately, the significance is a bit lost on him. As he lowers his other hand, he shifts so that he can glance over at the head on his shoulder.]

[cephalopunk]

[He nods wordlessly into Jamil's shoulder. He takes a steadying breath, and when he pulls back, his eyes have a hint of a shine to them.

He turns his head away, and transforms.]

[perfectly_average]

[There's a hint of surprise in his gaze, but he's quiet for a moment. He shifts his stance, aiming to turn around so that he can face Azul. At first, he simply looks at Azul's face, though one hand lifts to curiously touch one of the mer's shoulders and the respective upper arm.

And then he looks down, one hand brushing over the top portion of one limb.]

I'm admittedly having trouble understanding what you dislike about this form...

[He smiles up at Azul, though there's just the hint of an unimportant blush.]

Personally, I find it enjoyable to look at.

[cephalopunk]

[He's quite stiff as Jamil touches him. The only movement he makes is for one hand to clutch anxiously onto the opposing forearm.

A small noise escapes his throat at those words, a blush rising to his own face.]

I don't see how...

[perfectly_average]

[There's a moment of consideration before he reaches up, taking Azul's face into both hands. He gives another smile before lowering those hands, and then gesturing to the side with one of them.]

For me, it's... exotic. There's a certain charm to it. From the color scheme to the texture, it's all very pleasant to the senses. Combined with the fact that I now associate this form with my continued existence...

[He gives the hint of a teasing smile before leaning forward, lightly pressing his lips against Azul's. He doesn't pull back very far, pointedly letting his lips brush against the opposite pair when he speaks.]

I like it.

[cephalopunk]

[Azul refuses to make eye contact at first, even as his head reluctantly turns into the touch. After a moment, though, he does, rounded pupils met with oblong ones.

His face darkens the more Jamil talks, and another noise escapes him. For a moment, he doesn't return the kiss, but... then he does, pressing back tentatively. His breath wavers at the brush.

He can't even argue the "continued existence" part, as much as he wants to. What if Jamil had fallen into a coma? There's no way of knowing if anyone here had the means to revive an individual like that, and no guarantee death would "reset" his brain.

He closes his eyes, and gives a sigh.]

...if you say so.

[He's definitely going to need a lot of work in this area.]

[perfectly_average]

[A soft hum is given as he reaches up to lightly tug on Azul's hair.]

And I do say so.

[With that, after a short pause, he shifts closer to rest his forehead on Azul's shoulder. His arms slide around the opposite form as he closes his eyes. The next words are quietly said.]

I think I can understand, though. Thank you for showing me.

1/2

[cephalopunk]

[There's not much response to the tug. In stark contrast to his usual behavior, Azul seems rather subdued.

There's a blink, however, at the actions that happen next. His gaze softens, and after a moment, he returns the hug. Just a regular one with his humanoid arms.]

Only because it's you.

2/2

[cephalopunk]

[Then, he pulls back, transforming back to his two-legged form. He brushes a grateful kiss against Jamil's cheek.]

Alright. May I try the anemone?

Just as a warning, it can be painful.

[perfectly_average]

[He's a little confused by the touch of disappointment he feels once Azul's changed back, but he doesn't show any of it. There's a quiet hum-like sound as he nods in response to the question.]

... Alright. Go ahead.

[Jamil takes a couple of steps back, waiting quietly. Pain, in general, doesn't pose too much of a threat, in his opinion.]