logs | ( closed ) sharp enough to kill a man

[ ... really?

lumine squeezes her eyes for a split moment, wondering if she's just exhausted and dizzy from coughing all those flower petals that she's hearing voices—voices, mind you, that she doesn't want to hear while she's going through this mental and physical torment. but no, she's not that lucky, and she finds herself staring at callisto.

yet again, she finds herself with him. sometimes, she wonders if she's done anything terrible in her life that she deserved this kind of attention from a guy like him. the corners of her lips curve downward at that remark, already in the process of rolling her eyes—

only for her to cough harshly again, the sound reverberating in her chest. that hurt, and it hurts even more when another padisarah petal falls into her palm. ]

And here I thought I already stopped pretending when I coughed on you.

[ she forces a smile on her face, wiping the blood from the corner of her lips. ] Hello, Your Highness.

[ he scoffs at her greeting.

it's a strange sensation to be called that here in this place. "your highness." for something he's heard all his life and for him to stop being used to it in just a few weeks, he curses the resilience of the human mind. regardless, he decides not to focus on that, instead, he focuses on the sound of her coughs. it's palpable on her features despite everything that appears a bit more tired. even with her own quips back at him, it seems to lack something he can't quite put a finger on.

or maybe he's just using his own standards to judge. regardless, he sticks to his instincts and the clear fact that she was obviously ill. despite knowing the answer, he continues: ] You've got a lot of grit to still argue in a situation like this. [ he says nonchalantly. but, it's true a little blood never bothered him.

that said, he reaches into his pocket, if just to offer a handkerchief. it surprises him how he still has one despite everything. ] Here, take this.

[ the nickname fits, she thinks.

and had he called her out on it, she would've given him her reasoning. after all, he looks, talks, and acts like a prince, even if the latter two don't really subscribe to an image of a charming fairy tale prince. if only he'd shut his mouth and didn't grin like a maniac, then maybe, just maybe he'd pass off as one.

but a part of her wonders if she's mistaken about it, blinking twice at the proffered handkerchief, pristine despite everything in this world. it takes lumine a full minute, completely dumbfounded, before she accepts the piece of cloth, gingerly holding it. ]

Let it be said that I don't back down from any arguments, even when I'm not feeling well.

[ understatement of the century right there, and she's sensing the growing prickling in her chest again. ugh, anyway. ]

... Thank you. Are you sure it's okay if I use this?

[ her statement is oddly comforting in a situation like this. there were a lot of unknowns in this land. a mysterious sickness, a lack of cure beyond word of mouth, and the various undertakings of people just struggling to survive. ... and yet, she remained persistent and steadfast.

it spoke a lot to her character, he thinks. or she could just want the last word, but even that was a bit relatable. but, maybe it's fortunate that he doesn't express any of these sentiments out loud; just permitting them to stay within his own headspace. his considerations aside: ] Why does that sound like you have every intention of arguing with me moving forward?

[ but, at the last bit. ] Don't feel burdened and just use it as you please. I don't need it back. [ he seems to mean it as reaches over, almost about to touch at a bit of blood on her lip, but instead pulls back a bit short with a touch of a smile as he seems to be waiting for her to use it. ]

[ to be fair, he's the one who wouldn't stop arguing with her. but lumine doesn't say that, simply covering her lips with a hand again as she coughs, his handkerchief held away to keep her blood and spit from staining it. no petal, thankfully, though her entire mouth is full of cloyingly floral taste as if she's just drank an entire pot of tea made of silk flowers and glazed lilies.

she'd accept mint, at this point. ]

You'd be bored out of your mind if I didn't argue back.

[ who would he pester if he didn't have her, seeing that he's the type who seems to revel in conflict? the beheading and the sibling rivalry kind of gave her that impression, sorry not sorry ... anyway.

lumine clears her throat, pushing down any further desire to hack out a lung. ]

... What are you doing here, by the way?

You make me sound lonely. [ which, despite his statement, is an emotion he supposes all human beings were susceptible too. as much as he'd like to believe his body was made up of the same iron he wielded, he knows better than the presume that to ever be the case. he supposes everyone had their weaknesses and vulnerabilities. a fact he doesn't like to ponder on and all the same, he says it as if it meant nothing to him.

still, with practiced ease, he moves past it quickly enough. instead, focusing on her second like of inquiry. ]

Would you believe me if I said it was to see you? [ obviously, it isn't the case. but, whatever his original purpose was, it seemed to simmer and sink below the surface of whatever thoughts he was presently having.

even if he hasn't fully said it, he was curious to her present state. she didn't look too good and for some reason, he can't say he got any pleasure in seeing her suffer. what was it with the women around him always having some sort of illness...

except, in this, he doesn't think she's lying just to make him have his presence scarce. ]

[ you know, lumine was expecting a variety of answers from him: just passing by, checking out the city, the like. she supposes that, well, it's really none of her business as to why he's even in the harbor and that bumping into her is simply a coincidence like every single interaction they've had so far. so when she hears his response, she finds herself looking up at him, an expression of surprise on her face.

(maybe, even, a faint tinge of pink on her cheeks—though she chalks it up to the rising heat inside her body.)

... until she realizes that he's probably just pulling her leg. as usual. teasing her and trying to get a rise out of her, finding amusement at her expense.

lumine snorts, reflexively coughing as if her body finally decides to take revenge for stifling her illness. a pale blue petal falls from her lips, her affliction reminding her of her condition. ]

Do the ladies where you're from swoon when they hear that from you?

[ well, it's not a bad pickup line. just unexpected, she guesses, coming from him. ]

[ this may be the first time he’s ever felt like he’s garnered any sort of positive reaction from her. after all, as blind as he pretends to be, it was clear she had her reservations about him. not that he blamed her, per se.

his only real consolation in all of this was the fact that at least she didn’t perceive him as a cold-blooded killer as another lady had in the past. just that thought alone makes his throat a little itchy. more susceptible to whatever sickly inclinations they had in the prior days and weeks. but it’s one he swallows down easily enough, especially as he settles back to their conversation. her expression of surprise easily leaving an impression on him; one he remembers even as she shifts her attention on her words.

his eyes watch as yet another petal escapes from her. he’s never ever expected that the appearance of some flower-laden disease would instill this much innate discomfort in him. naturally, there’s a bit of worry that penetrates through his eyes, but as anxious as he is, he still holds back.

at least a little.

when she speaks that does remind him of: ] And what if you were the only one I’ve ever uttered such sweet words to? [ he says it, but there’s a touch of humor to his tone. ] But, [ he seems to study her as he levels his gaze. ] how did it make you feel? [ he figures it doesn’t hurt to try. if it made her feel better…

maybe it was worth it. ]

Edited 2022-11-12 08:03 (UTC)

I ...

[ ................................. what is wrong with him today?

it takes lumine a full minute to absorb his response, her expression once more that of surprise and confusion. the fact that his own expression is so serious is making her wonder if these words are truly genuine or if there's a plot behind these declarations. at the very least, her own subconsciousness seems to think the former, her cheeks growing warmer at the implication.

(again, she insists it has something to do with her current ailment. fever, it seems, is an accompanying symptom.)

... strangely enough, whatever desire she has to cough has been temporarily abated, reduced to a gentle tickle at the back of her throat. almost as if she's finally managed to push the growing flowers within her further down. ]

Very amused, I guess, and flattered.

[ she can't help but be honest as well when faced with these assertions. ]

To think that a prince would ever hold some semblance of endearment towards me.

[ it isn't a bad sensation to leave someone entirely speechless, and for once, it wasn't from his nasty habit of wielding his blade freely in places (and situations) that wouldn't warrant it. with that said, there seems to be genuine curiosity to his eyes as he watches over her reactions. but, at this point he isn't sure if he's watching over her reactions because he's testing his own theories, or if he were simply drawn in naturally.

oddly enough, he also feels some odd sense of comfort in the fact that she seems to be doing a bit better. at least, comparatively. he doesn't think she's healed, but the worst of her coughing seems to be diminished, at least a little.

as if to push the limits of his idea further, he reaches a hand out, just barely letting the back of his touch her forehead. he closes his eyes as if to feel out how hot it is. but, to be quite honest, it was hard to tell. ] This is where you're supposed to say you're dying of happiness.

[ with that, he makes it a point to tap the back of his hand on her head, as if to chastise her somehow. ] Should I try a little harder?

[ it's one surprise after another, isn't it?

the brush of his hand against her forehead is very soothing, she won't deny that. and lumine almost closes her eyes with how cool his skin is against hers, sighing inwardly. but whatever good feelings it brought are quickly thrown out the window when he suddenly taps her forehead.

still, instead of getting annoyed, she simply snorts in amused exasperation as lumine brushes his hand away. really, if he was trying to establish a good relationship with her, maybe he should start with being, idk, amicable? ]

Oh, I'm very much dying right now of secondhand embarrassment.

[ the growing flora inside her windpipe is also slowly killing her (or it seems to be, at least) and any little effort on her part feels even more exhausting than usual. ]

If you try harder, I might fall over dead.

[ naturally, he didn't see his motions as being anything but amicable as she would have labeled it. but, perhaps that was simply his sin to bear. it seemed consistent with his actions and the subsequent reactions, at least. even when he thinks of it, he could have come up with several more similar interactions. misunderstandings. unspoken disconnects in speech. but, as always he doesn't seem to dwell on them.

at least she still kept her wits about her if that quip was any real indication of that.

there's a small laugh under his breath as he replies in tune, almost as if he were defensive of his actions thus far. ] I thought it was pretty effective. [ a pause as he realizes his sudden lack of explanation thus far. ] They state that these flowers may be related to ones feelings. [ yep, that was good enough.

with that said: ] Does the lady want me to stop?

[ she blinks, confusion momentarily crossing her expression. ]

Wait.

[ so the flowers, these symptoms are related to feelings? that doesn't make sense to her, and lumine doesn't think there's any kind of logic to that kind of ailment. one driven by feelings, suffocating and stifling ... ah, but then again, it also makes sense in the same way certain emotions can suffocate and stifle a person, the inability to speak or express one's self all because of uncertainty, anxiety or even beliefs or ideas.

but flowers? really? it's very fairy tale-like. ]

Were you ... [ she starts slowly, swallowing down the sensation to cough and expel whatever's stuck in her throat. ] Trying to make me feel better? With those lines?

[ to be completely frank, it did seem a bit fairytale like. it almost seemed as if it were designed to teach someone a lesson somehow. akin to the cautionary tales people would feed their children in their naïveté and youth. or perhaps, it was to deter them from feelings altogether. callisto can't pretend to comprehend the complex lesson behind it, and so instead he merely takes it in stride. no, he had to. the more he thought of it, the more foolish it seemed to even take it seriously at all.

despite speaking these words and the concept into existence between them... it still sounds fake, after all. even more so, when she questions him. well, it was much too late to retract his words now. he'd have to remember the faces of those who shared this info on the streets. he'd be sure to make them pay were they wrong. ]

Is that so hard to believe? With your tone, you'd think I were some rogue who has only but mistreated you. [ there's a bit of an exhale. he didn't intend to sound as defensive as he had, but he brushes it off. ]

Lumine. [ he says her name suddenly, as if trying to get her attention back to the point. ]

[ can he blame her, though, when every single interaction they've had hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows? not that she thinks he's a terrible person. just a little questionable, maybe, and with a few issues that are not surprising given the information she's managed to gather about him so far.

still, she pauses when he says her name in such a severe fashion, her surprised gaze flickering to his face. she opens her mouth to argue but closes it anyway, feeling flustered by his callout.

what a strange thing to feel. ]

... Am I not allowed to tease you all of a sudden? [ she huffs, shifting his gaze elsewhere. she can feel flowers slowly filling up her throat, their floral taste overwhelming her mouth. ] When you've been doing it since we've met?

[ whatever reasoning she may have had, it wouldn't have held it against her. whatever offense he discovers in it, he realized probably hinged on an impression he had somehow (mistakenly) given her. albeit, considering how they've met and their interactions thus far, he presumes such a "misunderstanding" could have easily fit in between their exchanges. but, despite thinking this, it does make him oddly aware of their proximity and their words shared so far.

maybe for the first time conscious of their interaction as what is was beyond just words. it's a strange sensation, one he purposely puts out of his mind, if just to huff out a small sigh. half in some self-reflected derision, and the other half in what can only be seen as ironic humor. ]

For the record, you were never allowed to. That could be seen as crimes against the crown, you know. [ but, as usual he's still not that serious. and then suddenly... he stops speaking altogether.

as if putting a final thought to his attempts thus far, he tries one last line. ] Can I take that to be a sign that you actually quite like me?

[ you know what, she has a lot of things to say to that, starting with (1)she's not his vassal, the rules don't apply to her, and (2)his title holds no water in these lands. but really, jokes are meant to be funny, and lumine can tell that no one's laughing, not even those passing by them and hearing this entire conversation. typical of their interactions, she thinks amusedly.

at his question, lumine pauses, inwardly wondering if she should indulge him since they're at this point already. but she can tell that he genuinely believes that her symptoms are alleviated by certain confessions, confessions that he should really save for the people he cares about.

if he has those, that is, in his life of constant paranoia and violence. besides, would it even work if ... she shakes her head. ]

I ... [ she pauses, goes through her thoughts very carefully. ] Suppose I do. I mean, I don't dislike you and think you're a terrible person. Just eccentric, I'd say.

[ a playful smile tugs at her lips. ] Since you're asking, does this mean you like me back?

[ perhaps, if callisto knew any sense of normalcy or the mundane, he could have so easily seen how strange this situation was. instead, he remains wholly ignorant to it all. though, whether it's part of his front or truly from his sense of confidence alone, no one could really say.

what he does know is that at least for a while, she seemed softer. maybe even a bit better. whether it is related to him or not, he supposes will remain a mystery, but he decides it was one that was not worth pursuing. if they both think she's a little better does that not fall to some hint of fact? even if it were some placebo effect, if it lessened her burdens even a little, he'd consider it a success. not that he would actually frame his thoughts in such a conductive mannner.

instead, he remains dogmatic and focused on her returned inquiry. he repeats, almost in tune with her. ] "I don't dislike you," is it? [ ... and he decides to leave it at that. a similar smile on his own lips. ]

It looks like I will have to call it quits here since it seems our princess seems so keen on destroying whatever good intentions I had.

[ she barely even notices it, the dissipating symptoms of her current disease. perhaps it's because of their exchange, the banter nothing different from their usual, or maybe what he's saying is true. that it's related to feelings and she feels comfortable with this kind of interaction with him.

... the lack of paimon's presence really is affecting her if this feels comfortable. then again, it's not like there's anyone else in this place she can tease and rib mercilessly. ]

On the contrary, I thought you'd appreciate me saying how I feel towards you.

[ like she really doesn't dislike him??? maybe her feelings even border on affection, but it's too soon to tell. ]

You didn't answer my question, though.

[ of course, this is the one time she latches onto the conversation. from all the times she seemed so keen in traversing onwards without him... which is why he says in a low voice, almost under his breath— ] Even though you always make such a face when we meet... [ a face like she ate shit, or so he'd say were he asked to clarify. not that he thinks that she heard him. which is fortunate.

still, he doesn't focus on that, instead he just sort of pauses, his eyes closing momentarily, before he responds in tune by simply turning on his heel. ]

I'll accept payment for the handkerchief at another time.

[ if she's heard his comment, she says nothing about it. he's not wrong anyway, and she's not about to deny his accusation. but can he blame her when their interactions have been prickly since the time they've gotten off the wrong foot?

in any case, lumine simply sighs at his very sulky reply, finally bending over to pick up the commission items she's dropped earlier, shaking the mud from them. ]

What payment are you looking for? If it's coin ...

[ she's currently tightfisted with money at the moment. so she doesn't know if it'll work. ]

... How about dinner, Your Highness? On me, of course. We can talk more about your feelings.

[ at her inquiry, he does stop in his tracks.

it isn't that he was feeling bitter or particularly resentful of their conversation. it was simply that he felt it was an opportune enough time to simply make his leave. maybe it was in consideration to her condition, perhaps he just wanted to physically escape from another conversation that would inevitably lead yet another woman to utter affectionate words, they'd only (and no sooner) decide to turn their backs on at a later time.

or... he just wanted to make some sort of point because despite how magnanimous or accomodating he believes he's been thus far, he is essentially a much pettier man than anyone could really expect. ... and more than he cares to actually display.

he seems rooted in place for a second too long, before he inevitably does turn back towards her. this time, also bending down, if to help pick up yet another item she may have missed in her efforts. his eyes focused on the item in hand, he barely turns it over to her, before: ] You...

[ a sigh. ]

I don't need any of that. [ a pause. ] What if I said I wanted a gift.

[ ngl, lumine was expecting him to walk away. ignore her offer because it's "below his status" or something, and then walk away. she didn't expect him to turn back around and started picking up the items with her, offering her the ones she missed. she thanks him quietly, offering him a faint but grateful smile.

ah, but there it is. she supposes his payment request isn't very unsurprising. a gift, is it?

still crouched on the ground, she looks up at him, her head tilted to one side in question and curiosity. if his request is going to be unreasonable, then she might as well ask right now so she can make preparations. ]

What kind of gift do you want?

[ wow??? despite being royalty, he only really leveraged it in petty threats he was not so serious about. or so he might have argued. after all, had he truly found something distasteful, he wasn't the sort who would have held back from taking actions into his own hands, unlike most quivering nobles. regardless, of what he would or wouldn't do, however, it seems clear that he doesn't seem to think much about helping her.

dusting off the last of her items, he stands back up. though a bit dirty, he does offer his hand out, as if to assist her. whether back up, or in carrying her items. ]

Isn't that for you to concern yourself with? [ honestly, he didn't care how menial the gift, but the idea that she would have to rack her brain about it... is enough for him. ] I will accept the thought you put into it as a token of your affection.

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