logs | Life is hard, that's why no one survives (half-closed)

I understand. [It's tentative, the smile Zag offers. Somehow that does hit close to home, and suddenly Zag feels said merriment waft away in part, to be replaced with longing. His throat threatens to clench, but it only manages to subside until he clears his throat absently, a tickle in his tongue.

While Aspen always seems to carry languor on him, it seems heavier, tiresome. Zagreus pretends to consider.] Ah, only if you'd join me. Would hate to be sat alone and all.

( aspen puffs out a little laugh, giving zag an incredulous - but fond - expression. he reaches up onto his tiptoes to gently tousle his hair. )

Oh, you. Twisting my arm without even a shred of shame! Alright, but I'm sitting in your lap. I'm cold.

[Oh, my, is Aspen actually shorter than Zag?

He bows his head to make it easier for Aspen to ruffle his hair in his own bashful manner. Zagreus chuckles, a bit surprised at the quick comeuppance, his own mind getting whiplash from the fond gesture, followed by the jab towards how forward he's being and how Aspen suddenly takes advantage of it. He tips his head to guide Aspen toward a nook in the room in the direction he came from, noticing how comfortable it looked and considering sitting down for a second or two.

Guess he is sitting down, after all.] I'm afraid I'm not as comfortable as these cushions, though. Have you managed to stay warm at home?

[He's been bringing blankets and warm beverages to people, after all. Had he known, he'd probably swaddle Aspen in those, too.]

( aspen is only 5ft tall and hollow-boned so very likely to be smaller than zag.

he patiently waits until zag does sit down, and then plops himself into his lap with a flutter of his wings to settle. )

Comfort is relative. ( whilst he looked perhaps moderately warm, aspen radiates heat, especially from his fluffy wings. they're shedding down everywhere he's going now, probably because his wings have reached maximum density and can't hold any more feathers despite the chill saying that he needs more insulation. despite it all, he's light - and fluffy, even besides the wings, thanks to the bunch of petticoats keeping his skirt in an A-line. )

I've stayed relatively comfortable, but my wings will always be cold. My bed in my current home is just too small for my wings to fit comfortably under my sheets.

[Oh my lord he's smaller than Zag by 8 inches that's so cute.

And there he is, with a lapful of bird, releasing a titter before he accommodates Aspen better to make sure that he is comfortable despite how he insists it's not an issue. Zagreus makes sure that his arm is well placed so that Aspen has some sort of support on his back if he needs it whilst not disturbing his wings, which he finds fascinating still. He's only ever seen the hint of downy wings in light flashes, and the one tangible wing he daren't touch had no feathers.]

Oh, how would you warm them, if at all? Do you need more covers?

( aspen settles into his lap and hold like a little bird would in a human's hand, nestling and fluffing up his wings so he can cozily lean against zagreus.

he means it when he says he's comfortable. how can he not be, amongst muscle and strength? it makes him feel safe. one of his hands stays on zag's chest, a light touch to steady himself. )

It's not so much the covers as it is the bed. The floor gets very, very cold late at night, and thus - because my wings can't fit atop the bed in a relaxed state, they'll end up all over the floor instead. I could cover them with sheets, but... the chill seeps into my bones. Even though my wings are quite warm, I need to sit in a warm bath for a while before I feel alive again in the morning.

I just need a big bed. ( sigh. ) Maybe once I finish building my treehouse.

[The position feels nice, his head leaning back on the seat gets him to sigh in some relief. Aspen is light as a feather on his lap but very solid, and the warmth that comes with his weight is nothing but welcome. Though he is not expecting the hand on his chest, making him aware of how he's breathing as he watches his fingers rise and fall with the motion of it, his lip twitching at it bashfully all the same.

Though that's not really important since the idea of Aspen spending so many cold nights seems terrible, so terrible that his own body reacts with a hunch of his own shoulders, half a shiver and half trying to envelop the mage closer to warm him further.] What about blankets on the floor? Would they help?

[He smiles.] Like the ones in Serene? You're building one?

[Tell him more!]

( blankets on the floor? he mulls it over. )

I just think it's a bit of a waste when I'm so cold, but perhaps that will help me be warm overall?

( he shakes his head, deeming the talk of treehouses more important. )

I am, though I would not say it is entirely like Serene's. Me and my kind live in joined treehouses during the winter months on our island, as our monsoon season often floods our homes. While I don't think Stygia has such a problem, there's comfort to be had in the trees. I miss home, a bit.

All I hear is that you need more blankets.

[He grins, trying to make it sound practical. A bird bundled in blankets everywhere, on the floor, on the bed, around him.

That image is adorable in his mind.]

I see. How is that going? Do you need any help with that?

[He spots something out of the corner of his eye, something above them, and something in the back of his mind is telling him to look. But he wants to pay attention to what Aspen is saying, so he'll get to that in a bit.]

I'm afraid that's something only my magic - as far as I know - can help. Unless you have some sort of power that helps plants grow, it may be an undertaking only I can go through. I like it, though. There's something to be said about doing something yourself.

( he smiles brightly, though he raises a hand to fix zag's hair and catches sight of the unlikely intruder. he starts, brows raising. )

Oh, gods. It really is everywhere. I had no idea that everyone was so intent on kissing.

I see. Well, if I can help in any way, please reach out to me. Even if you need a snack between all that magic heavy lifting. [He nods and is about to caution Aspen about his laurels for fear of burning him when he does finally look up, his mismatched eyes widening softly in surprise.]

Oh. Again? You'd think they'd leave us alone after a couple of times.

The fae are pests.

( he raises his hand as if to remove the mistletoe and jerks back when he's smacked by a tiny pixie hand. )

Tch - I intended on kissing him anyhow! Well - if you were willing.

'The fae'? Are you familiar with these beings, th—

[—oh. Oh. Zagreus actually has to do a double-take as he looks down from the tutting sprite. He's not used to people being so forward, so he may be a little shocked, a slight tint to his cheek.]

You did?

Why wouldn't I be? You're very kissable.

( he fixes zagreus with a curious expression. )

I wouldn't be surprised if maidens and men alike fell at your feet.

[The bow of his head is bashful, and so is the slight shake that goes with it. It's not so much the being called 'kissable'; Zagreus knows that those touched by with some amount of divinity tend to look unfairly good, even if the word had never been used to describe him, he believes.

It's the comment about having suitors. Zagreus has no such thing. He's, if anything, the one who tends to chase after who he's interested.

Though recently, with very little success.] I'm afraid that's not the case, Aspen. But I appreciate that you think so.

Life is hard, that's why no one survives (half-closed)

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