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【MAY plot arrivals】
May Mingle
Welcome to Starsand
According to the locals, you are not the first stranger from another world to be dragged to this one. This is a world that, up until five years ago, did not know magic. Fantasy did not expand beyond its designated shelves of the library; There were no gods or spirits, only science and reason.
But five years ago, the secret was blown. Magical 'spirits' exist in this world. You may have seen them as flickers of light; Souls without a body. They were once invisible and powerless, existing silently alongside the rest of the living. But with enough faith from the living, spirits can manifest. They can even have the magic powers that others believe them to have.
Nowadays, spirits and magic are impossible to ignore. Magic has transformed the architecture, average people are learning spirit magic, and technology is being upgraded with this new power. Electricity is going out of favor; Spirits now power homes in exchange for shrine offerings and prayers. Though traces of the old era still exist, they are slowly being replaced by magic. Every city is changing at a different pace depending on how the citizens reacted to the news of spirits.
But you're not here for a lore drop, are you? You just got here.
New arrivals have become commonplace in the City of Star Sand. In fact, the city is named for this phenomena; People from other worlds ("stars") appear so frequently that it's like a beach of sand. Even those who normally travel between worlds have found it impossible to leave the pull of the Star Sand once they get here. Some people have even come from other time periods. (the date here is 2025.) No other city is reporting this unique problem for some reason.
Roleplay-wise; This is a semi-private sandbox for a modern-fantasy blended setting. Characters can either be whisked away from their homes or wake up as AUed residents. While there will be a lot of background lore and a mystery to dig your teeth into, it's all optional. First and foremost, the sandbox is meant to be played in. The City of Star Sand is a very flexible place to stretch your imagination. Some parts of the city may just seem like normal Tokyo, while others might feel like a DnD campaign. The world will gradually expand as the sandbox takes off as well, so you'll be able to submit your own cities with unique cultures.
It is possible to handwave arrival and assume your character has been in the setting for months.
Anyone can top-level in a mingle post. You do not need to be playing a new character.
You do not need to feel restricted to the listed prompts.
Player characters may use this prompt to interact with each other.
This prompt will invite an NPC interaction.
Most May arrivals are dropped into Starsand at the same time.
The handprints can be anywhere that a person might feasibly grab your character.
The unfriendliness of the locals should not be malicious.
Kami & Spirits will continue to treat Fallen Stars kindly.
New Arrivals can also investigate the shrine.
The voices characters hear can be from any point in their canon, past or present.
Native characters will not enter the shrine.
The black goo is repelled by Fallen Stars, as if by a magnetic force.
Festival food can come from any culture.
Food is free and leftovers can be taken home in containers.
The cherry blossoms renew at midnight. Petals will fall backwards and back onto the trees.
Blossoms can be viewed on all levels. There are many picnic areas throughout the city.
Missing people can be brought back and disappear again.
Illusions can speak, but they disappear before they can be interacted with.
Goo puddles do not disappear until the missing person is brought back.
The black goo is repelled by Fallen Stars, as if by a magnetic force.
! Out of Character Notes
(A) Arrival: The Firm Grip of Space
Typical arrivals to the City of Starsand have always been peaceful. Remarkably so. Characters would blink their eyes and find themselves transported into this new world without any pain or drama (Well, aside from the drama of being in another world.)
But it’s different this time. Characters blink and leave their old world, yes, but there’s a less peaceful transition this time. They can feel themselves being forcibly pulled. Like someone grabbed their arm and yanked them across an invisible border. They are moved without balance, sometimes even aware of a finger grip-like sensation on their arms or legs.
And they do not arrive in the city. They wake up in a space that is strangely empty. The only light comes from their own bodies and the ripples left with every step. If they look at these ripples, they can see scenes of their lives reflected in the not-quite-water; Choices they’ve made, choices they missed, even events that have yet to happen.
Characters may see others in the distance and be able to reach each other. These meetings will be brief. A humming sound grows louder and the lights coming from their bodies gradually becomes brighter. Eventually, the hum is too loud for them to hear each other and the light is too bright to see passed. They’ll ‘white out’ and awaken in the Starsand City.
! Out of Character Notes
(B) Arrival Part 2
Welcome to the City of Starsand! Which is still blessed by now out-of-season cherry blossoms, filling the city with a sweet scent. Characters may find their eyes and ears aching from the experience of that other space. Some might even forget the experience all together, or find their memory temporarily blurred.
Regardless, they are here now. And they don’t look like the usual arrivals to the Starsand City. Typically, the civilians regard new arrivals politely and act like it’s a normal occurrence. But this time, there is something different. It’s something that the arriving character themselves may also notice: They have red marks on their skin. It’s always an exposed part of their body, like their arm, wrist, an exposed ankle, or even around their necks. Fingermarks, pressed so tightly (and supernaturally) into their skin that they’re visible for hours.
The townspeople are distant this time. It isn’t the usual friendly greeting of past months. They whisper cautiously: Isn’t it strange? Did a Kami do that? Why would a Kami do that?
Fortunately, spirits will flock to the new arrivals this month. Brave and kind civilians will push passed the rumor to offer aid. Free food, housing, clothing, etc. will still be supplied. But it will not be as easy-going and friendly as before. There are also a lot of new arrivals at once, as opposed to a sprinkling at a time.
! Out of Character Notes
(C) Old Arrivals: A Shattered Shrine
At the same time that this month’s new arrivals were dumped enmass, something dramatic happened on the top level. The TimeSpace Shrine, which had locked doors and closed windows, has changed. All of the windows that lined the spiraling staircase have been shattered and have a dark, sparkling liquid leaking from the cracks. The liquid is gathering at the foot of the shrine and everyone seems rightfully afraid of it.
”What is this? Did someone vandalize the shrine?”
”Is the Kami inside there alright?”
”There are so many new Fallen Stars! Are they connected?”
People murmur from a safe distance.
When approaching the shrine, one can hear a strange humming noise. Like static from a radio with a distant melody lost in the noise. As you climb the stairs, the sound gets louder and louder until it’s unbearable. You can hear voices and sounds from the world you once knew, but they’re drowned out by the static.
If you manage to reach the top and touch the door, you may find yourself in the same space as new arrivals. Use this to interact with new arrivals from Prompt A! You can also put !NPC REQUEST in a thread title for an NPC interaction.
! Out of Character Notes
(D) No Plot: Cherry Blossom Viewing
It is a few days after the Shrine of SpaceTime broke. Reception to the new arrivals has grown warmer as the marks on their skin faded away. In order to ease tensions, the Kami of Love has renewed the cherry blossom trees and called for a final good-bye party for the season. Grassy parks are lined with picnic blankets, food vendors are opening all kind of stalls, and cherry blossom themed trinkets are being sold for faith.
It’s an easygoing sort of prompt. Fallen Stars, as out-of-worlders are called, are welcome to join in the festivities. People are encouraged to take a spot on an empty blanket and view the blossoms. The blossoms are renewed with faith every day, so the trees do not go bear for long. But because the blossoms are faith-based magic, they also don’t linger on the ground. Try to take petals home and they’re disappear overnight. Perhaps it’s a small price to pay for reviving the sight over and over again. The blossoms are getting no rest this month.
! Out of Character Notes
(E) Rumor: The Fallen Stars
Unfortunately, despite the Kami and their attempts to maintain peace, Rumors still exist. These stories carry the power of faith, which can turn a lie into truth if spoken enough. They’re unfortunately common in the City of Starsand, though admitting to their power will only make it stronger. Very few average civilians realize that Rumors exist, and those that do know better than to explain this dangerous magic to just anyone.
Since the Shrine of SpaceTime shattered, there has been a common rumor about Fallen Stars. It’s one whispered between the native civilians, which they try not to let Fallen Stars hear:
”Perhaps the reason that they’ve come here is to replace us? So many of the Fallen Stars have magical powers unrelated to spirits and Kami. Are they going to replace us? Is the SpaceTime Kami trying to make a stronger and more magical world?”
This Rumor has an unfortunate power. It is replacing civilians with illusions of Fallen Stars. You may see someone you know suddenly running the general store in the place of the old lady who once gave you free snacks. Once you get closer, both the person you saw and the person who should be there are gone. In the civilian’s place is a pile of the dark, glittery substance that was leaking from the SpaceTime Shrine.
The missing people can be brought back. If Fallen Stars visit the broken shrine, they can pray for the return of missing civilians. Missing civilians are typically the ones who bravely reached out to help at the beginning of the month.
! Out of Character Notes
Notes for May
The arrivals in May are different from normal. Arrival process is expected to return to normal in June!
There will be a second part to the Rumor event later in the month.
There is a possible third event that can be triggered by exploration this month.
The NPC contact is open to anyone who wishes to interrogate/meet a specific NPC.
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[Elliot's own stern glare softens minutely. This is...it's not okay. Neither of them are okay. But it's better than fearing Leo's about to have some kind of mental breakdown.
So not only was it Leo who was left to pick up the pieces after Elliot's mess, but Oz as well. There's a sinking feeling in his stomach when his worries that Leo did try to do something were confirmed. Even after all his efforts... He was still hurting people in the afterlife, but he's grateful to the Vessalius noble all the same. Elliot's smile is small and resigned.]
I suppose I owe that brat my thanks. [Which is impossible, so there's no point in dwelling on it. On the other hand, Leo is in front of him right now, and very much real. Elliot's eyes widen, troubled and upset by the apology, but he scoffs and folds his arms, tapping one finger impatiently.]
If you're really sorry, you can apologize by swearing to me you'll never do something that idiotic again! And besides that--
[Leo shouldn't be sorry to begin with! The blonde becomes uncharacteristically quiet after his outburst, gazing off into space. He trusted that Vincent gave Leo his last words as he requested, but he would have rather been able to say it himself. Life hadn't been that kind, but if he has this chance--
The fire in Elliot's voice dies as he adds, quietly.]
I wanted to tell you... I'm sorry, Leo.
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[Even Leo can tell that is a poor defense. He doesn't want to have to tell Elliot about how badly he spiraled, because he knows his friend might take it harshly. Even at the end, Elliot was apologizing for things he had no business taking responsibility for.
Leo's temper flares again, but only minutely. It's a defense against a different type of emotion, which he isn't confident in expressing yet.]
And you have no reason to apologize. I- [The memory of forcing Elliot's contract threatens to silence Leo. He takes a moment to compose himself;] I forced it on you. All of it was because I was selfish.
[He instinctively brushes his hair in front of his eyes again, but there's not enough to truly hide Glen's eyes.] You were unfortunate to meet me. And-.
I'm sorry. [A beat. Remembering Oz, Lacie, Glen, Jack, all of that nonsense, reminds Leo of the resolution he had reached:] For not being sorry.
[Much like Glen couldn't die Lacie, Leo couldn't "unmeet" Elliot.]
3 tries later i'm sorry
[Leo would tell Elliot when he was ready. If he ever was ready. By now, Elliot's accustomed to Leo's vague answers when he doesn't want to answer something, but what's important to him right now is he's his best friend and servant. He has no intention of letting it go, but he can put it aside for now.
Elliot's smile falters. The more Leo says, the harder it is for Elliot to ignore the bitter feelings he hasn't had a chance to grapple or make peace with. How could he even begin to?]
You were. [Said bluntly. But just as importantly--] What's your point? I was selfish too. We're all selfish.
[They all were, in some way or another. More than anything, Elliot blames that chain, that thing that massacred people including children. And he blames himself for being so selfish as to become its puppet.]
I chose to forget. [...] What are you talking about?
[Elliot bristles at the statement as he grips his arm. Unfortunate? A bitter, rueful laugh escapes before he can stop himself. Leo looks different. He's acting strange. Not that Elliot expected anything to be normal now, but he's only getting bits and pieces of what's going on and he's tired of being left in the dark. His temper boils over and he finds himself raising his voice.]
Since when was it up to you whether I'm unfortunate or not?! [He's shouting, the words pouring out before he can stop them, but he doesn't care how harsh he sounds or if anyone's staring. Everyone else is irrelevant, background noise.] Only I get to decide that, Leo! I don't accept your apology because you're wrong. I chose to ignore what was going on, so don't you dare-- Don't think about shouldering this alone too. I will never regret meeting you, and I won't allow anyone, not even you, to take that away from me!
[With a sharp intake of breath that does nothing to calm him down, he adds firmly.] You're my equal and my closest friend, so stop saying such stupid things unless you want me to beat you up!
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"Equal," therefore comes as a startling reminder. Leo looks down at his feet, shame washing over him again. That's right: Elliot doesn't know. Is that why he's saying those things? Would his opinion change if he did know what unraveled after his death?]
...
[Of course not. Even if Leo told Elliot everything, he won't lose the strange but strong bond they share. Beating around the bush is only going to make them up upset.
Leo breaths in to stall his own temper. Then he moves to remove the sword from his waist and hold it out to Elliot. It's as good a place to start as any.]
I have a lot that I need to tell you, Elliot.
cw: gore & death
He should take it. He reaches out to accept the sword, but his hand stops and hovers with an uncertainty he's unaccustomed to. For a moment he doesn't see Leo, but instead the bloodied corpses of two of his brothers, sister, his mother. The sword he took so much pride in, his duty and honor as a noble from the Nightray family, none of it had been real. What right does he have to ignore that and take up his blade again?
He finally accepts the sword, but only because Leo has been burdened with more than enough. It feels almost foreign in his hands now. He nods stiffly in acknowledgement.]
Let's talk.
dear mint: i forgot leo lost his hand. i am so sorry. let's say the sleeves are long.
His nod is more fluid. Leo knows that there is a lot that they need to discuss. Elliot's death was the unfortunate catalyst that pushed Leo's story into a new direction. He feels his own nerves stiffen, afraid for how his friend will react to everything that changed.]
Yes, let's. [He motions for them to sit down. Though they've only just started sitting (Leo with some unfamiliar difficulty,) when Leo begins;] Well... After the party, everyone else made it out okay. The children were mostly unharmed. And both Vincent and Gilbert are doing well.
[Leo knows that he is stalling. He hates that he's stalling. It's pointless to avoid talking about himself. Eventually Elliot will press and they'll both end up irritated when Leo dodges the subject. To save them another fight, Leo forces himself to get right into it.]
And also, as it should turn out, I'm the reincarnation of Glen Baskerville.
noo it's all good elliot can disapprove of his sleeve choices
That's good. [And it is good. The children hadn't chosen to become orphans and experiments, and both Gilbert and Vincent were just as much Elliot's family as everyone else. He had grown up with them. Of the two, he would probably have to count on Vincent to carry on the family name... Elliot doesn't realize he's tapping his foot, wishing Leo would get on with it, until Leo goes and unpacks that.
If he's being honest, he doesn't quite believe Leo. He stares at him, completely stunned, before he raises his voice.]
You're what?! You could have lead with that!
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[If he'd led with himself, then they may have both been distracted. Leo can see that the tale he's about to tell will be very hard to follow. Best start with the basics and slowly bring Elliot up to speed. For Leo's sake too; He's hardly had a moment to breath since everything began spiraling. This is his first chance to unpack the events for himself and he's trying to keep his own emotions in check.
None of this is helped by how his next move is to lift his sleeve, which falls limp over his absent hand. Elliot will be mad either way, but moreso if he learns about this later.
Leo could stand to sound less casual as he continues;]
It's all turned out well and good, so you needn't worry about how the story ends. Oz-kun and his friends all found their happy endings.
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But his throat goes dry and eyes vacant when he stares at the stump that was Leo's hand. For a second, Elliot just completely blanks out. His surroundings and senses all blur together.
The next thing he knows, he's aimed a forceful punch at Leo's face. There are so many things he wants to say and ask, like what does Leo fucking mean, Oz and the others found their happy endings as if he wasn't included in that? What had happened? What made him think he didn't need to worry? But the only words that come out are a scalding:]
What-- the hell did you do?!
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They're definitely an odd sight for any other picnic goers. One boy punches the other, yells, and then the punched boy starts laughing. But in the moment between being punched and starting to laugh, Leo remembered all of the times that he had thought "Elliot would punch me for doing this."
As it turns out, he was right.]
... I deserved that, didn't I? [He manages to force some words through his laughter.] It wasn't me. That Xerxes Break did it to Glen.
[So much happened when Glen was controlling his body. Leo doesn't pity himself, since he did more or less give up. He finally sighs, laughter subsided, and pulls himself upright. Holding out his arm again, Leo is forced to acknowledge for the first time that he has lost his hand forever. It hadn't been a priority before and he purposefully used the Baskerville cloak to keep it out of sight.]
Only his Chain and Oz can hurt Baskervilles, so it was a pretty unlucky encounter. [He breaths in to keep calm.] Ah, I'm still not used to this yet. This was my better punching arm too... Sorry. Where was I?
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[Damn right he deserves it! Elliot grabs Leo by the collar to pull him closer, his whole body shaking with a barely controlled anger and something...something else. Rather than release Leo, his grip on his collar tightens when he learns who did it.]
I'll kill him...
[He mutters. No one else has any right to lay their hands on his best friend and servant. In the livid hurricane of his thoughts, he realizes the rest of what Leo said, and he starts to put two and two together.]
You're a Baskerville. [Monotone. Leo was always a bit strange, but Elliot never thought-- no, it wasn't that. He didn't want to think about it. He stares at him, into those those midnight eyes with the golden stars scattered about, and asks.] Is Glen possessing you?
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Strangely calmed by that, Leo holds up both/one hand in defeat. Elliot is also within his rights to be upset by all of this and he deserves the truth. It's about time that Leo got back to explaining, without his own dodging efforts.]
Yes. Head of the Baskervilles, apparently. [A slight emphasis there. Leo doesn't like nobles and their rank-pulling ways, so he finds his reincarnation mildly amusing... and also, perhaps, a bit disturbing for how it changed his relationship to Elliot.] Not anymore. I don't think that any of the past Glens came with me to this world.
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So fucking what? [He asks no one in particular, blunt in his conclusion.] You're just Leo to me. My infuriating equal who can keep up with me on the piano but couldn't do something as simple as prepare tea if your life depended on it. I don't give a shit about the Glens.
[It's Leo he...cares about.] At least they had enough sense to stay back there, otherwise I'd have to kill them for dragging you into this. [It's a huge relief, but there's still one question that plagues on his mind. His voice is thick with anger and confusion and he almost sounds pleading.]
Why didn't you ever tell me?
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That comfort is shaken by Elliot's question. It brings him back to that night at the party, when they say each other last. They had been fighting. Leo had finally gotten sick and tired of his mounting stress and taken it out on Elliot, who asked something very similar.
He doesn't let himself think too hard about it. Leo doesn't want to relive the later part of that night. He wonders again if he's dreaming up this reunion and if maybe this is his mind begging a friend's ghost for forgiveness. Leo meets Elliot's gaze, remembering how dead those eyes could look. If this is a dream, he wants it to have a happy ending. He'd like the ghost's forgiveness.]
I didn't know. I thought that I was losing my mind. [His throat feels dry. Leo doesn't want to be emotional. That's Elliot's job. But he does eventually have to look down in order to continue. He doesn't want to talk about Humpty Dumpty and how that Chain explains everything: The voices in Leo's head, what it made Elliot do, the gaps in their memories-- Why answer such unpleasant questions?]
After that night, Vincent took me to the Baskervilles and explained what was going on.
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[Elliot's heart twists in knots. Of course he's still angry. Anger is his default coping mechanism, after all, but there's a leaden sadness that sinks over his shoulders as he reaches to grip Leo's collar again, less out of aggression now and more as an anchor.]
I would have helped you, Leo.
[He whispers. He would have done everything in his power to try. But how could Leo trust him with that? He had come from the very orphanage that had been experimenting and brainwashing children, the same illegal contractors who shared Elliot's chain. There is no way Leo could have trusted him with that.
His head snaps up in shock, and he can't hide the betrayal in his eyes.]
Vincent is a Baskerville too?!
[Was there anyone who hadn't been lying?]
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But he can't. Leo can only stare in silence while he pushes back those dark revelations. He can't say things that hurt Elliot. He'd rip out the tongue of anyone who purposefully said things that might hurt him. Including his own.
His conflicting feelings do rise in a selfish way when Elliot mentions Vincent's betrayal. Again, he knows that he should continue explaining. But in a moment of selfishness, Leo shakes his head and brings the topic back to them. He doesn't want to talk about anyone else.]
But I didn't ask for your help, not once! I kept making bad decisions. I thought I could protect you, but instead- [He can't say it. The look in his eyes may explain what events are playing through Leo's mind during his abrupt silence. Despite it, he doesn't let himself look away from Elliot. That grip on his collar is working as intended, anchoring Leo before he can get angry.]
... Vincent told me what you said. Then they took me away, I- [Leo's eyes so wide and he nearly tears up as he realizes-] I never even got to see you again.
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[There's that pang in Elliot's chest again, pressing against his ribcage in its erratic beat. It softens some of his anger. He's still angry, still upset, but it isn't Leo he targets the majority of his ire. His judgment was poor, but so was Elliot's, and he--
Elliot had been so stupid. He should have seen it.
It's Glen Elliot truly blames. Glen, and anyone else orchestrating this hell. Elliot releases his grip and puts his hands on Leo's shoulders, and he vaguely thinks to himself that the flecks in Leo's eyes look like emotion-filled sparks.
He had meant his last words. Or what he thought were his last, he supposes. He's so sorry. Elliot doesn't tear his eyes away from Leo and smiles. It's a sad smile, but sincere.]
It's over, Leo. I forgive you.
[Please forgive him, too.]
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That act, that reminder, is what he'll call the triggering action. Leo will not give Elliot credit for making his eyes burn and his heart ache, even if it's true. No one can make him happier or hurt him more than Elliot. Since their reunion, Leo has been biting back these emotions and letting them build up. But he knew he'd break eventually. He's certain that he's trembling as he tries to formulate an argument that might defend him against forgiveness.
Instead of starting a fight, Leo screams. Anguish, anger, fear, grief, relief, all mixed together into an awful sound. He prides himself on reading a lot and having the option of eloquently expressing himself, but only this mix of crying and screaming can explain what he's feeling now. He's not letting his friend go either, curling forward like he did when he found Elliot the last time. Leo doesn't care if he's making a scene. He should have made more of a scene back then. Before then. At some point, when everything start slipping out of control.
When his emotions have settled enough that he can get a lid on them again, Leo quiets himself down. The cracking sound his voice makes as he speaks to Elliot disgusts him:]
... We never speak of this again.
[He's not moving yet. Elliot doesn't get to see all of the ripped up emotions on his face when Leo responds his final message:] I forgive you too.
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It's as if he's reliving everything again, it leaves him raw and hollow. He's certain people are probably staring, but they're nothing to Elliot. He has no reason to pretend anymore, so he selfishly pulls Leo into a hug as his friend curls up, holding onto him. He's all he has left, and he doesn't even really have Leo, because Elliot is dead. He should be allowed this much.
When Leo quiets, Elliot feels a strange sense of relief. Not because Leo's stopped, but because he's finally being honest with him. He hadn't wanted to leave him. He had been worried--]
...Alright.
[He answers quietly, making a strangled sound when he hears the words he didn't think he ever would, but so desperately wanted. Elliot sinks against Leo, resting his face against his shoulder so he doesn't see him cry silently. He'll never forgive himself, he'll never be that self-satisfying, but for the first time since he's gotten here, he feels a bit alive.] Thank you.
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The stares of those passing by mean nothing anymore. With the two of them resting against each other, the strange new world and expanding universe mean very little to Leo. He's reminded of the days when they would sit in front of the piano and compose music together. It's as close as Leo ever got to feeling at home and, though he realizes it may be temporary, it's nice to be back. Eventually, he will have to return to being 'Glen' and acknowledge the bigger picture. But at least now he can leave 'Leo' with Elliot when that time comes. Perhaps not the best solution, but it finally brings him peace.
Still not moving, Leo mumbles stubbornly:]
I don't want to explain anymore. You'll have to wait.
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[Elliot retorts, but there's no venom behind it. This won't last. It can't, and Elliot won't allow it even if he wants to. Leo is needed back home. Leo has the rest of his life ahead of him. But pushing him away would only create new wounds, and Elliot has always had his bratty tendencies. One hand trails to curiously brush at Leo's shorter strands, but he makes no move to pull away. There's still that heavy sadness, but it's more tolerable now. There's a comfortable sort of silence that he eventually breaks.]
I'm glad you finally got rid of those godawful glasses.
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[Leo, too, has no venom in his voice. He may be the head of the Baskervilles, but his loyalties lie with Elliot. He'd take being a useless servant to an immortal noble any time. It's not worth saying that Elliot has kept Leo as a servant and equal, since that sort of truth was never up for debate.
Feeling Elliot acknowledge the difference, even if it's his appearance rather than identity, doesn't make Leo recoil in the way he'd thought that he might. It feels nice, actually. Leo is reassured that Elliot isn't going to reject him. The silence, too, isn't suffocating anymore. He's more calm than he's been in weeks, at least.]
Mm. I won't look away anymore.
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[Elliot grumbles, twirling the lock of hair around his finger and letting it unwind. He wishes he didn't have his gloves on right now. Elliot drops his hand, still hugging Leo with one arm while the other reaches for his stump, cradling it in his palm. Leo is still Leo to Elliot. He's just Leo.]
I won't either. [Leo's shoulder is probably wet by now thanks to the tears, but whatever.] ...Where are you staying?
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Library.
I'm not used to it yet. I'll be a terrible servant. [He's always been a terrible servant. Leo is Leo.]
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[Elliot lifts up his head enough to bump his against Leo's, still holding his arm. He doesn't let go or move. He's content to sit here with Leo, especially since he's finally found him.]
Since when have I cared about that? Don't expect me to go easy on you when it comes to the piano, though. I won't allow any excuses.
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