driftfleet | (no subject)

Ugh, you're kidding me.

[he is so not interested in frogs. he rolls his eyes, though something about the way Mattias beams gets his mood to soften. not lighten, just... he's got less daggers to throw.]

Yeah, he's known me a long time. That hasn't stopped him from trying to ruin my life at every other opportunity, though.

That sounds more like a rival.

[He shifts, wanting to move yet not wanting to dislodge Robin's arm. He finds a happy medium in trying the hat on again.] Are you sure you're not involved in competition?

Everything's a competition with Tek.

[Robin pats the other man's chest.]

That hat would look handsome if it was about three sizes smaller. The jacket is good.

[which is his cue to slink off, finding a smile again.]

What else about me did he insinuate? [not that he's got any proof there's more--he might as well assume there is until he hears otherwise.]

Away the hat goes. [He mutters, tossing it back on the rack, shrugging off the jacket. Another keeper for the pile. At the question, he shrugs.] Oh, you know.

[He could get back at Tek now. Say more ludicrous things like frog fetishes and other obscurities. Or, he could use it entirely to his benefit. Any direction was better than the truth.] Something about how charming and attractive you were. [Is that unbelievable? That might be unbelievable.] And something about how you lick toes.

[Better.]

[he peers skeptically at Mattias. the first one was a pitfall. Tek might call him attractive, but never "charming". so... with a smirk...]

I would have gone with immature and "licking eyeballs", myself. Neither of which are true.

[he waves his hand, dismissively--] But, fine. Enough about Tek.

Color me skeptical. [He laughs lightly, even disappointed as he is at being caught. Clapping his hands together, he spins on his heel, marching towards the shoes.] But yes. Agreed. Enough about Tek. Weren't you going to buy me boots?

[No, he was going to buy himself boots, Mattias. But whatever! He's leading the charge over to that section anyway, and you can damn well bet he'll be picky about them, ignoring anything that isn't boots or sandals, critiquing the hardiness of the design and then the aesthetic appeal. In the end, he chooses a single pair of calf-high gladiator sandals along with the small variety of outfits he picked out along the way. All of this, he gives to Robin with one last, weak protest.] I really don't need you to do this.

[he manages to buy only one pair for himself, and rather quietly--boots that lace in the front and click when he walks. a slight heel, one he's been trying to replace since two and a half worlds ago. he doesn't hesitate to drop all of Mattias' choices on the counter. he's already buying.]

Yes, but I want to. A new adventure needs some new clothes.

[a cheery smile as his account gets charged--and he hands the bags to Mattias. he's heading towards the doors again. he seems to make a habit of this... just walking away and expecting him to follow.]

Now, where to next?

[Mattias, of course, follows. The bags jostle behind him as he jogs to catch up.]

I'm afraid my only option would have us surrounded by books. [He rearranges the bags as he walks, working until the balance is right.] How about you decide? I trust your taste in excitement.

Have you eaten recently? Are you hungry?

[he walks them out into the street, watches as several well-dressed people (arguing cheerily about the nature of the universe) pass them by. he considers their options, shortly, before he changes his mind.]

Ah, I know. One place first. Follow me.

[it's a short walk! but he leads him through the streets, in the direction of a small park.]

[Mattias furrows his brow but laughs lightly, following closely and watching the sights as they pass.] If you say so.

[Adsum is unlike what he knows and try as he might not to seem touristy, the sight of a grass full of greenery still makes him gasp. Even though he's already seen others like it. At least twice. His mind fills with questions-How do they water it? How much does it take? Where does the water come from? Who oversees it?-and he's tempted to voice a few but holds back. For Robin's sake.] A park?

[He laughs airily, a fond smile gracing his lips.] You keep surprising me.

Good. I'd hate to be predictable, little Nightjar.

[he leads him down a path, further into the park... they pass well-tended trees, fountains, statues and art of all kinds; it doesn't take him long to find a bench along the side of the walkway, which he gestures to.]

Come, sit with me for a while.

[His attention is severely divided, torn between Robin's words and the lushness of their surroundings. Overwhelmed it takes a minute for him to sit down, hovering around the bench and watching a particularly spectacular couple pass.]

I think her clothing was lighting up. Did you see that?

[He's craning his neck out to spot that dress again but, hey. At least he's sitting.]

The long-haired one? That's slick...

[hey, he leans to try and see her too.]

I saw someone earlier with bells woven into their hair. Some of these people are really out there, as far as style goes...

["Slick". Was that slang?]

I don't think you're one to talk. [He gives him a look-over. Yup. Those clothes are still Not Normal.] Although, I suppose it's less impressive than bells. Not that it matters much.

[With no one else to watch, Mattias leans back, one hand fiddling idly with the plant beside him.] You've brought me to a fairly private place. Did you want to talk to me about something in particular?

[he almost poses for him, shifting a little under scrutiny. he likes being looked at, what can he say. still, Mattias caught on, and he told him he'd do it, after all...]

Kind of. I told you I had a present for you.

Here? [The branch he's toying with nearly snaps in his surprise. He eyes Robin with mock-suspicion.]

Should I close my eyes?

[a short laugh--almost a giggle.]

No, no. You just need to be closer.

[he gestures with a finger, the universal conspiratorial "come closer" sign.]

Closer? [He blinks then shrugs, leaning in as if to hear a secret.] Like this?

Just like that. Now, don't move. [he leans in, a little closer...] I'm going to show you a trick. I promise I won't do anything mean, all right?

[Again, he tries not to smile and, again, he fails, laughing.] Alright. I trust you.

All right.

[he leans in even more, closes his eyes... for a second, one might have even thought he was leaning in to kiss him, but he tips forward at the last moment, touching their foreheads together.

something... opens.

there's a space between them now, where there wasn't before. some kind of... tunnel of awareness, or a channel, or a connection. he could come inside, if he wanted. he could look around. but once Robin starts to "move", shift the empty space into something, it becomes clear that this is somehow their minds and Robin has brought them both together. Mattias can still see that their bodies are right there but the boundaries between their beings are much, much harder to define.

next, Robin gives him an idea: that Robin is going to show him snow.

he fills up the space with a memory, slowly, so as not to shock him. sound first--a silence for miles. all of the creatures asleep. only drops of melting water, here and there, and a far-off crack of weighted branches. it smells crisp and cold and clean. the air presses against his skin. the cloud of his own breath feels wet against his lips. wearing a scarf, maybe, something warm, but it's still seeping into his shoes, freezing, slowly gnawing through to the bone.

he finally shows him... a field of white. it looks soft, perfect. like paper. the trees grow out of it like skeletal hands, the land gently rolling up against a mountain in the distance. no one has been there, yet, except them. a cloud of steam rises as they take a breath out. their hands are cold, but it's exciting. it's quiet.

does he want him to walk? he could take a few steps...]

[The world unfolds around him like a desert lily. The ground becomes a petal. He wades through it, relishing the numbness in his legs. Marveling at how each step feels heavier than the last, slowed by the gradual forgiveness of the snow.

The sky is dusted with sugar and flour, the wind shifting the color from navy blue to pure white. His breath billows out, yearning to join the clouds and he wants to let it but he holds it back.] Like gravel and... [The laugh comes out on a gasp, riding past the hand that covers his mouth. Tears threaten to brim but he fights them back, swallowing back sobs as he spins in place, staring at each and every view.

The air makes his lip crack. He nearly cries out at the sensation, flicking his gloves off to run his fingertips over the splits and rivulets. The cold greets his hand like a beloved pet, nuzzling into him with a cutting breath. He laughs and then moves forward.

Even still, the snow is hard to move but he pushes forward anyway, shedding clothing as he moves until, finally, he's half-nude, standing in the middle of the field with his arms outstretched in a heavenly embrace. Eyes closed. Head tipped back towards the sky. Like the air, he stills a smile on his face so serene it looks chiseled on. ]

It's beautiful. [He finally whispers. Then, turning in place, throws his arms out.] Gorgeous! More stunning than I could possibly imagine! [With a delighted laugh he falls back, allowing his body to fall limply to the ground.]

It's wonderful.

[it's a good place, here, this field. he thought he would like it.

a presence sinks down into the snow with him, though there is no body. Robin is still there in the sense that he is everywhere. he's what's bringing up all these sensations, pulled from memory. the cold might kill him, he warns--though the thought of it feels more like a smile than a threat.

something pulls Mattias back up, the world tipping dreamily back to where it began. the edges start to curl in on themselves. the wind starts to warm again. this place will be here again, always, there's no reason to worry--but they shouldn't stay for too long.

which is when Robin pulls away from him in the real world, severs their connection. now they're just two people on a bench in a park, just the same as they'd left it.]

...I hope that was all right. [he's smiling, maybe a little shy... or apologetic.]

[The dream world leaves him like a sweet memory. He longs for it with every beat of his heart, a wistful smile drifting in and out of his expression. Reluctantly, he leans back, his breath catching on a chuckle caused by Robin's words.]

All right? Robin, that was-[He gestures vaguely, searching for the word. Amazing wouldn't cut it. No words could.]-indescribable! [The word bursts out of him in an explosion of breath. He rocks forward, his smile popping the seams of his face. He wants to take his hand, grip his arm, yell in his face but not even those things could properly describe his emotions.] What you just showed me-Goddess, do you know how long I've dreamed of that? I've had years, decades! To ponder what it looked like. And you-you had me walk in it. I could feel it, Robin! [He laughs.] Goddess, how did you even do that?

[He scoots closer, eager for an explanation. Tell him, tell him, tell him.]

[Robin rocks backwards, away from Mattias, but it's only so that his sunbright laughing doesn't spill out all over the other's enthusiastic face. his shoulders hunch up with it a little. how silly of him; he wasn't expecting much of anything, he wasn't looking forward at all. here he is, clutching at his chest because of how a distant and foreign joy feels like it's going to come tearing its way through his ribs.

he's a sucker for flattery. he got the rise he wanted. it was easy, it was stupid. but he's happy that Mattias is happy.]

It's something my brothers and sisters and I could do... It's a quick way to share memory and thought. I figured, out of everyone, you might like it best...

[...he rubs the back of his neck. he's getting a little gushy about it himself. he really aught to move them along before he starts blushing or something.]

...And I was sad you hadn't gotten to see it, on one of the worlds we passed a couple of months ago.