middaeg | (closed)

Entry tags:

(closed)

Who: Ozymandias + Sheva + Giorno; Ozymandias + Caren
When: different points in May
Where: Ozymandias' place
What: Batminton & cat...mint...on?? idk man, these are two wildly different threads. Don't ask me.
Warnings: Will update as needed!

(closed - sheva & giorno)

[The Bond does make him a little more reluctant to let her go. Aside from the obvious transfer of magic between the two of them in every touch that keeps them both in their right minds, he's eager to hold onto the feedback loop of their satisfaction for as long as possible. While it may not be as bombastic as what they shared earlier, it is equally pleasant in its own right. But Sheva complains of hunger and makes it known she would like a late night snack before she fully settles in and Ozymandias still obliges her even if part of him would much rather not.]

Very well, [he says, lifting the arm looped around her shoulders and drawing it back to himself.] But take too long and I make no promises I won't grow bored enough to sleep without you.

[He really should have been asleep hours ago and will no doubt regret not sleeping sooner, but that is entirely a problem for tomorrow. For the present moment, Ozymandias is without complaint and the sacrifice has been entirely worth it.]

[Ozymandias nods over towards his closet.]

You may borrow my robe, if you so desire.

[It will be a little big on her smaller frame, but it will save her having to dress herself to avoid scandalizing one of Ozymandias' temporary housemates if they happen to be awake. Delicate medieval sensibilities are extremely delicate.]

(closed - caren)

[It starts off as just one. Then another. And then another. And one more for good measure.]

[How exactly it is the sphinxes managed to get out of the house is most certainly anyone's guess. One might think their escape a little too flawless given the larger sphinxes that monitor the property so closely that it seems impossible that anyone coming and going should ever do so without drawing attention to themselves. But who can claim to know the mind of a divine beast? Perhaps they felt it was not their business to discipline their smaller cousins.]

[And what really is the alternative? That these unruly creatures have been ordered to slip away from their master to end up in this garden at a specific time to draw about the most attention? Why, that seems highly unlikely! There is a far greater chance that this is mere coincidence than something as outlandish as telling a willful kitten what it is to do.]

[Well, whatever the reason or cause, Caren need only look outside her window to see four sphinx cubs have found their way into her garden. Their interest hasn't been drawn in as of yet to any of her plants, but they are wrestling with one another or stalking bugs or a combination thereof. It seems likely only a matter of time before their interests turn to the greenery around them if she chooses to leave them be.]

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[She hadn't been looking for trouble, but it seems that trouble had found her. She wasn't sure how it happened-didn't Oz keep his darling cats inside? Weren't they going to be a main attraction in his cafe?

So much for doing the dishes. She knew Kaede and Noctis were possible risks to the garden, but the sphnixes...

Trick or not, she needed to get them out. She was able to coax one up to her with careful coaxing and an interest in her for some reason- and after scooping it into her arms, she made her way over to her neighbor's house, knocking rapidly on the door.

Once he answered (or someone got him) she got straight to the point, offering one of his precious children.]

I don't know how, but they've gotten into the garden. I need your assistance to capture the rest.

[Ozymandias has the good sense to seem surprised to see Caren on his doorstep and her explanation for what brings her over. He takes the cub in his arms when she offers it to him without hesitation, scratching it under its chin for a job well-done although she doesn't necessarily know that.]

How troublesome... [He looks down at the cub in his arms for a moment with a small sigh, setting the sphinx cub down behind him. To it, he says,] You are far too clever and curious for your own good.

[Ozymandias turns from the cub, who plops its butt down where Ozymandias set it, and steps outside onto the porch, closing the door behind him.]

They are young, but they will answer my command. Your garden will be safe. Show me where they are.

[He spoils them completely, and while it doesn't surprise her, she still huffs briefly.]

I still don't know how they made it past your guardians. I would have thought that between them, the cubs would have stayed on your property at least...

[Plus it's harder and nicer in the house, and there's food there. But she's not thinking too much about it; instead, she turns, motioning for Ozy to follow. She has her tail wrapped around her hips like another belt, but her wings are twitching, tipping off to some agitation.]

This way. Hopefully we'll manage to get them before they discover the catmint patch.

If they get in there...

[Her flowers. Her beautiful flowers will be destroyed.]

[Ozymandias almost feels a little guilty with those little signs of agitation. Almost. It's a very thing to rationalize that had she not been so pointedly avoiding him, he wouldn't have had to resort to such extreme measures to ensure she would actually speak to him rather than circumvent spending any sort of meaningful time with him with excuses.]

They won't. You have my word.

[So, he doesn't bother with trying to fill in any sort of "hypothesis" about how exactly the kittens managed to make their escape and simply follows her.]

There's one of them now.

[Sure enough, close to the entrance of Caren's garden is one of the cubs, curious about where exactly she had taken its sibling. Although under normal circumstances it might start a game of keepaway with Caren -- after all, it has no idea where its sibling actually ended up -- seeing Ozymandias keeps the kitten relatively in place. It does, however, rub a few times on Caren's fence and does a few little stomps.]

Come. [At the command, the cub bounds past Caren and makes the leap to Ozymandias' shoulder.] How many are left?

[The things people do so they can crack Caren open for a talk. Then again...maybe she had spoiled him a bit, with giving him so much of her time and feeding him for months. She might have connected the dots if she hadn't been so worried about her garden.

She's been pretty protective over it since she started it in her backyard. Nearly all of it had been done by her hand, after all, and she had nearly lost it when the Coven heck up months before-and some close calls with the hazing from the local populace. Divine kittens were not about to destroy her hard work!

But seeing one of the kittens, she sighed in relief.]

Yes, very cute. Not the time.

[No play fighting today okay. But the number? Hm.]

Two or three? No, that was the second one so...two, I think.

[She'll open the gate for Oz, though she'll huff a little at the possibly cuddly sphnix. She knew it did no good to punish it but...still. STILL.]

[The sphinx kitten maintains its balance on Ozymandias' shoulder as he walks past Caren and into her garden. He glances around, looking for any sign of the remaining two and the sphinx on his shoulder appears to do the same. It appears that when Caren managed to capture the first one, the other two had better ideas than following her and instead have taken to hiding among the foliage.]

[One doesn't stay hidden for long though. Upon seeing Ozymandias, it darts out from its hiding place and bonks its head straight into his shin. Who knows what exactly it was trying for with that move, but that is one less kitten to have to find.]

[Ozymandias bends down and picks it up, but passes it on to Caren rather than continuing to hold onto it.]

Hold this one, please.

[She's not surprised that the last two are hiding. Likely playing hide and go seek, or hunt and pounce. Her tail, wrapped as it usually is these days around her middle, twitches in agitation; two kittens could still do a lot of damage, especially when they're playing.

...did one just try to bonk Oz right over??? Did they just. Shouldn't they be hiding??? Slowly, she took the cub, tucking it into her arms.]

Of course.

[They're not real creatures. They're summons, but for the one. Gently, she scratches behind it's ears, slowly walking behind Oz. Kittens still can make damage, but...

There was a thought forming, but it wasn't coming just yet. It was still an inkling.]

[Although certainly accepting of being picked up and passed on, the cub in Caren's arms was not exactly expecting to get scritches. And so, it is with a delighted tittering that the cub raises itself slightly in her arms to move its head more firmly in her hand for the attention. All-in-all, a good day for it!]

[Ozymandias continues to scan Caren's garden for signs of the fourth cub, which is playing a much better game of hide and seek compared to the kitten that outed itself near-immediately. One would think that a creature like a sphinx would have a harder time blending in with such mundane surroundings, but it has found a way to hide in what shadows are cast by the foliage and surrounding buildings.]

I'm not seeing the last one... [He looks over at Caren.] I think perhaps it might need to be lured out from wherever it's hiding.

[He glances down at her tail.]

[And here she thought it'd be wriggling away to do more mischief. Nope, wants cuddles and skritches.

And he wants her to use her tail as a lure. She offered Oz an unimpressed look, even as her tail unwinds from her waist.]

It won't be my fault if there's suddenly the scent of wet fur.

[And she lets down her tail and let's it twitch. There, a lure.]

[It takes a moment. (One does not merely leap upon prey all willy-nilly after all.) But after that moment and early another of Caren's tail moving around, there's sudden movement as the fourth cub takes a running leap for Caren's tail. Ozymandias laughs triumphantly.]

Excellent! I knew that would work!

[It was certainly a plan no one else could have ever conceived.]

[Yeah, one most enjoy the twitching tail before pouncing on said tail. All Caren has to do is offer some feathers waved around so she could step up and scoop up the second kitten.

Or try to at least.]

It worked rather well.

Too well.

[She's eyeing you Ozy. Dead eyeing.]

And see? No harm came to your garden just as I promised. Your doubt was misplaced! [If Ozymandias senses her eying him like that, he's certainly not showing it with how easily he smiles. He scritches under the chin of the sphinx on his shoulder.] Now then, let's get these little ones home, shall we?

[If he can willfully ignore his head rolling off his shoulders, can certainly ignore that Look.]

[Yeah, he's ignoring that look. How rude. Here she is, with two kittens in her arms, and just looking at him with the most dead pan look in her eyes. Her ears have gone back, showing the warning spot on her ears.

Welp. She's not into this. Instead, she tries to offer his cats back.]

Here. Now you can take your cats and go home. I'm sure they'll follow you back.

[It's likely plain by his expression that... This was not the response he expected. Ozymandias does not give the appearance of being crestfallen, but his smile disappears, the light of it fading out of his eyes. He's tolerated a cold shoulder from Caren for weeks now, and so he had been optimistic this might have been a suitable enough distraction that he could easily cajole her to spend time with him once more. It would give him the opportunity to figure more of why she'd spent so much time avoiding him and try to fix it.]

[Instead, she appears to be outright rejecting him.]

Have I... [he begins slowly, taking the kittens from her.] ...Done something wrong?

[It's a genuine question. One that perhaps goes beyond the context of the present moment, though he doesn't place that kind of weight behind it in his tone.]

[Oh look. She's scolded the dog enough that his tail drooped. She hasn't seen him look like this in...awhile, if ever. Here he was, thinking that he could just pull her along with some bubble and cheer, and she'd just go with it.

Not today. Instead, she sighed. At least her ears went back into normal position. So if she was mad...or angry...it wasn't as dire as he might have thought.

Maybe.]

I understand you missed me. And for that, I'm not going to yell at you for your current...attempt to see me.

[Which she thinks is pretty fricking generous. Her plants Oz. Her PLANTS.]

You're...yourself. And there's nothing wrong with that. However...I realized when we spoke that you don't...see me the same way I may see you.

I've been an amusement, been useful to many men before, whether I wanted to or not. I don't want our...whatever we are to devolve to just that.

[One of the kittens crawls its way onto Ozymandias' shoulder to join its sibling up where it's tall, while the other remains content in Ozymandias' arms as Caren speaks. Ozymandias doesn't pay them any mind, his attention quite centered on Caren and Caren alone. He allows her words to settle in without an immediate response, mulling them over in that moment of quiet from him.]

[It's difficult not to think back to when they first met. How much she had assessed him, tried to identify and devise a means of gaining an upper hand. Looking back, it's plain to see her approach connected to her words now, to what she has shared with Ozymandias before about how devoid of affection her life has been. Crouching down, Ozymandias sets each kitten down, the last taking the hint and leaping back down from his shoulder. As can be likely anticipated, they do not begin wandering about the yard or begin meandering through Caren's garden. They right where he has set them down, amusing themselves with a wrestling match.

[He thinks back to their last conversation as well. How quickly she had withdrawn from him then had confused him. He didn't understand what he said wrong that had caused her to pull away from him so, and that confusion had only grown in the intervening weeks as giving her space seemed to turn to her disappearing from his world altogether. He thinks even now if he hadn't somewhat forced the issue with this ruse, she still might not be willing to speak to him.]

I was wondering why you had withdrawn from me the way you had. [He rises back to his feet.] It seemed like one moment there was nothing the matter and you were quite content with me, and then the next...

[Ozymandias glances down at the kittens for a moment, brow furrowing for another moment of thought. Part of him wants to be angry with her. Part of him perhaps even manages to be because it's unfair. It's unfair that she jumped to that conclusion, that she says she doesn't want their relationship to be a mere dalliance but made no efforts to speak to him about it. But he also knows that he could have done more. He could have chosen to address it in the moment, to push past a conversation over the watches. He could have realized sooner that this wasn't like usual where Caren pulls back for a time only to return later when she's had time to settle. He could have followed after her.]

You're right, [he says, looking at her.] I've missed you.

I've missed sharing a meal with you. I've missed talking with you whether it's been our silly little conversations about the goings-on around us or learning more about you. I've missed lying around in bed with you and waking up next to you still sound asleep. I've missed irritating you by purposefully distracting you with strings and lights, and listening to you purr when I pet your hair. I've missed kissing you and being close to you, and praising you for your beauty and your cunning.

I've missed you terribly, and I'm sorry that all I've done these past few weeks is just miss you when I knew my words bothered you. I was too assured that things would be as they have been. I didn't consider that acknowledging them would change anything for you. In that regard, I've been a thoughtless fool.

So, please. Allow me to do as I should have weeks ago and say that what I meant that day is that I am content with whatever you choose to call us, Caren, because my feelings toward you shall be as they are regardless.

You will always be important to me.

[She's not surprised to see that the kittens are well behaved, or that they stay close to their master. It just proves that he did in fact instruct them to the path of blundering into her garden, for the sake of him gaining her attention.

She should be upset with him for that. But she...also sees him, acting unlike himself. No, not quite unlike himself. He's clearly thinking, as he doesn't usually when they speak. Just like she had to think of the right things to say not moments ago.

And what he says...she feels something lurch in her chest, where she didn't think it would. He's watching her, where his eyes are usually hither and yon, taking in everything as his claim, his right as God-King.

He's sincere in his praise, his desire for her in his life. She has to close her eyes briefly; she doesn't understand why they sting so. They still sting as they overfill and tears spill over her cheeks.

Roughly, she moves to wipe them away, uncaring if there was any dirt on her hands or anything from catching the kittens.]

I don't remember the last time anyone said I was important to them.

[She took in a slow, deep breath. The tears were still coming, and she hated them. Damn you tears.]

I know I teased and I never said it myself. I didn't know how to ask. I still don't know.

But I missed you too. And you are important to me, despite...everything. I never thought it'd come to this. To us being...important to one another.

However...I don't want to let you go.

[It is such a terrible thing to be unable to remember when last someone said you were important. The world and life itself can often be cruel things, but there is perhaps nothing crueler than to have one's worth undercut by the implicit message that one is not worthy of another's time and attention, or their love. And it seems that life has left Caren questioning everything, her connections to others seem tenuous or predicated on the notion of how useful she may be and the moment she ceases to serve a function, she is easily replaced. It is little wonder then that she questioned Ozymandias' feelings, that he would not just be a repeat of those who came before him.]

[Was her reluctance then to name what it is between them to protect herself? It seems likely. If she never were to call it anything, she could deny her own feelings and not have to stare down the possibility that Ozymandias would disappoint her as so many before had. She could hold onto her fantasies because there was reality was neutralized as a danger. But then he spoke of it, acknowledging it, and she could not fathom the true meaning of his words. It was easier to believe he was rejecting her as anything important. That she was a plaything or a means of passing the time.]

[Ozymandias steps closer to her and although he gently takes her face in his hands, he does not wipe away her tears. Because to him, they are not terrible things. Not when they are a reflection of Caren's heart. To Ozymandias, as much as they no doubt embody such a long history of loneliness and pain, they are a symbol of her trust. When she spends so much of her energy and efforts into maintaining her wall, in keeping herself a step removed from everyone... They're a vulnerability that she's entrusting him with, and he knows that isn't easy nor is it a choice made lightly as speaking of one's fears always seems to conjure them up as tangible, heavy weights. Ozymandias presses a kiss to her hairline before resting his forehead against hers.]

Then that isn't something you need to worry yourself over. [One of his hands falls away from her face to her hand, bringing it up to rest flat against his chest over what was once his spirit core.] So long as you desire it, there shall always be something of yours that I give to you freely without pity and unconditionally.

[This world seems to punish her when she forms ties with them, in one way or another. And she wised up- or tried to- in pushing Oz away, in keeping people away from her from getting to close.

She forgot that crying hurt so much, and it was a relief too. She had, when everyone had been kidnapped but then- that was different. That was pain, and helplessness. Both on an extreme scale that she never wanted to take part in again. But she might, considering her luck.

And then...he's so tender with her, like he always is in those quiet, unguarded moments of theirs. Sometimes, like when she sees him watching her wake up. There's something kind, something sweet and...

There's a part of her that hates this so much. He's going to leave her, he's going to hurt her, even if he doesn't mean to, now that she's done and said all these stupid, stupid things-

And she hates that she's still crying, and he offered a part of himself, and she...she should let him go before he leaves. She should be better then this. She made her peace with this years ago. She made her peace with Avenger, Angra Mainyu, leaving her behind too.

After all, things could not continue as they were.

She can feel her fingers, her claws, dig into his skin, despite their tender forehead touch together.]

Do you ever worry about anything when it comes to us? Or anything?

You...big headed idiot.

[She says it, despite trembling, despite pressing her forehead against his. Despite bringing her free hand up and burying it in his clothes, in a childish way to keep him close.

Then again, sometimes her actions speak louder then words.]

6,000 years later!!

[She's hungry and far more awake than him, her sleeping schedule terribly fluid now that she has her biological clock pushing her to hunt at night and lounge during the days. Hunting Ozy has been part of the balance, or a combination of early and late night workouts.

Sometimes, she actually goes hunting.

As much as she does want to linger in bed and bask in his heat, in the bond magic that balances her, her stomach's grumbling at her and she'd feel guilty keeping him awake and entirely ruining his sleep schedule. With his permission that she doesn't require, she grins and steals a lingering kiss before smoothly rolling herself out of his grand bed. On her feet, she arches her back and reaches her arms above her head in a full body stretch, tail swishing behind her as she peers back at him.]

Sleep if you must. I'm quite certain I've tired you out.

[She glances where he motions with an audible sigh of consideration, as though putting on clothes is a horrible endeavor.]

And if I don't desire?

[More teasing. She's not so disrespectful as to scandalize his guests by walking naked through the mansion at 3am.]

[As she kisses him, Ozymandias returns it, quite tempted to grab hold of her again. But he resists the temptation and lets her go. At least until she decides to get cheeky with him. Ozymandias grabs the tip of her tail before it can slip beyond his reach, his hold on it not particularly firm as one swish of her tail would be enough to pull it free. But given that the rest of her is out of his reach, it's all he really has to make his point that he will change his mind about ignoring the temptation to not let her go.]

Then I suppose you shall have to stay and figure out another way to sate your appetite, won't you?

[Don't think she's not tempted to stay in bed with him and go for round... Whatever number they recently finished plus one.

Her tail freezes when she feels him catch the tip of it, and she shoots him that very feline look of indignance mixed with vengence plotting, staring quietly at him before jerking her tail free and swishing it at him with a 'tsk' noise.]

Last I checked, you are not made of ice cream and that is what I crave. [A sly pause.]For now.

[She turns in search of the robe, knowing better than to search for a shirt to steal. He never seems to wear them.] Do you want me to bring you a cup?

[Sheva shoots him a look for taking hold of his tail, but it doesn't even come close to fazing Ozymandias. If anything, his grin only grows wider and self-satisfied. Swatting away her tail as Sheva swishes it at him, Ozymandias sits back with a chuckle and makes no further attempts to hinder her progress.]

[As likely comes as no surprise, Ozymandias' closet is fairly extensive. There are a few pieces here and there that align more with the current trends of Aefenglom, but most of what he owns is something that the city's population would likely find to be a bit avant-garde. Drab colors simply don't sit well for him and he abhors the need for seemingly endless layering. Clearly, he values comfort just as much as drawing attention to himself. Not all of his clothing is expensive, however. There are a few things he's received as handmade gifts that hang alongside his more expensive pieces.]

[The silk robe is not that difficult to find in his closet though despite how much he's managed to collect for himself. It hangs on a hook closest to the doors.]

I'll pass.

[Or more accurately: try to steal some of hers by any means necessary.]

[She does take a moment to curiously peruse a portion of the extensive closet, fingers gently touching a few of the fabrics.Noticing the handmade items had brought a soft smile to her lips. It's sweet of him, and she appreciates that he holds value in sentimental items. Eventually, she rounds back to the robe and shrugs it over her shoulders.

He's right, of course. The robe fits large on her, somehow still restricting her tail until the tips barely peeking out the bottom. There's no effort made to close it until well after she walks back out of the closet, watching him for what she imagines will be some sort of opinion, verbal or otherwise.

Her head cants and she scrutinizes him when he passes on her offer, hands moving to finally tie up the robe. She's not quite trusting that he'll leave her to all of her treat. It's then she decides to scoop herself extra as a failsafe.

Once the robe is tied, she holds her arm out to the side and open, turning around to provide him a full view of his robe on her. It's a bit loose aside from the waist tie, the front threatening to let a nip slip out should she move too vigorously, but considering she's just going to get ice cream, Sheva's not worried.]

Satisfied?

[Ozymandias watches as she disappears into his closet, waiting for her to emerge with his robe. He rolls over onto his side, as she seems to take her time with tying it up and adjusting its fit so that it suitably leaves her covered. That's as much of his opinion as he ends up offering until she asks for it with her slow spin and question.]

Go and get your ice cream, [he says, nodding his head toward his bedroom door,] before I develop a craving of my own.

[As if that craving isn't already smoldering beneath the surface. Sheva throws him a wink before turning and heading towards the bedroom door.] Don't expect me to share without a cost.

[And then she disappears, closing the door behind her to meander her way to the kitchen. There's not a particular rush, but she's pleased with herself that she doesn't lose herself in the vastness that is his excessive domain. More proud that she's only detoured by one sphinx on the way.

It's not long before she's humming to herself and helping herself to an excessive amount of cookie dough ice cream, spooning it into a mug rather than a bowl. She seems happy, which is no small feat given recent events and the ice cream in bed with a beautiful man next on her to do list.

What could go wrong?]

[Ozymandias has closed his windows.]

[This is a personal offense, and it has been noted. However, it’s nothing that Giorno can’t work around. One of the pleasant little details of his bat form is its ability to squeeze into tiny crevices. After a great deal of exploring over a period of months, he’s discovered secret passages into his own home, but more importantly to the pharaoh’s residence. The winter months mean closed windows most of the time, but he’s not about to give up his well-deserved, totally earned mangos just because it’s cold out. If anything, he needs them more now.]

[Thus Giorno Giovanna scuttles through minute cracks in an old mansion in need of maintenance. There’s probably a metaphor in there somewhere.]

[Emerging in the back of a cabinet above and to the left of the fridge, he pokes his head out the door and immediately lays eyes on the prize: the fruit bowl, perched atop the fridge and laden with a variety of treasures but most importantly a ridiculously huge mango. And the trouble with letting your guard down, of course, is that sometimes you forget to check the perimeter. He recognizes that someone else is in the room, but doesn’t consider the possibility that it might be someone other than Ozymandias himself. He’s too focused on dropping from the cabinet to the top of the fridge and crawling over to his bounty. Ah, the folly of mango.]

[This excessive mansion has a reasonably amount of derelict given it's age and foundational care, and it seems that such maintenance projects remain out of sight and out of mind. There's probably more of that metaphor in there too.

Her ears perk at the noise of his trespassing through cracks, but Sheva's long since learned to disregard the sounds of small, inconsequential rodents scurrying through the City's old buildings. Now's no different. Giorno may have even succeeded in his grand mango mission, but his timing is impeccably terrible. His entry point is directly situated with the lioness' line of sight just as she turns from replacing the remaining ice cream into the freezer.

The movement of the cabinet, clear as proverbial day with her eyes now, pulls her attention immediately, and she stills, eyes so intensely focused that she doesn't make the effort to remove the ice cream spoon still trapped in her mouth for temporary safekeeping. Even her tail has halted it's near constant movements so that she might remain unseen to her quarry.

At some point, her mind has decided that she is Stalking Prey, bolstered immediately into stone law when the fuzzy little house invader plops itself out of the cabinet with such an offensively casual swagger, as one does when one feels entitled to another's mangoes apparently. There's no question that this slight requires a swift rebuttal, but without a ranged weapon, precise timing is necessary in calculating a perfect attack window.

And so, she waits. Enough (too much) time passes so that the thief finds their way onto the biggest mango in the bowl, which honestly seems unreasonable given the relative mass of the prey. The folly of the mango indeed.

Sheva's an average height for a woman, athletic even before her turnskin abilities boosted such innate and trained skills, so he should consider himself lucky that her retractable claws barely miss nailing him to the prized fruit with her well-timed jump and swipe for both thief and target. They do manage to catch into the fleshy part of the mango, however, and launch it, rotating on its own little axis, aggressively across the kitchen.

Tonight's just not the night to strive for mangoes, discussion of treat merit aside. As an added footnote, are all males incapable of correctly judging size of objects? Is this a universal male trait?]

[In Giorno's case, his mistake is based in greed more than anything else. Avarice, thy name is bat. The universe, he figures, owes him something for this vampirism; why not mango? And Ozymandias can get another one, anyway.]

[This is the first time he's faced a threat in this kitchen more significant than gentle chiding. Perhaps he can't be blamed for his carelessness — but he really shouldn't take as long to react as he does, catching the wind of her claws' approach and floundering away just barely in time. Fortunately he's good enough at flying by now to take little time in launching himself off the edge of the fridge, catapulting across the room to cling upside down to another cabinet.]

[He lifts his head, screams at her, half to get a better look and half out of spite — and who in the hell does this woman think she is? Just attacking people out of nowhere, when this isn't even her kitchen? Leaving ice cream on the counter to melt just for the sake of harassing him? He screams once more for good measure and ping-pongs to another cabinet, trying to angle back around to the fruit bowl again.]

[What an absolute waste of a mango this is.]

[Her eyes track him as he escapes her swipe, the mango falling prey to gravity as he flaps across the kitchen. When he lands, she's quick to yank the spoon from her mouth and flick it in his direction. Had it been a knife and more balanced, it would have hit it's mark. It misses, but makes a loud noise as it hit the cabinet door above him.

He screams and she hisses right back, a low growl settling at her throat. As far as Sheva's concerned, she's protecting part of her territory from a little thief. It's part instinct, part aggressive home safety and pest control. So far, it hasn't registered that this invasive little rodent is more than that. It doesn't occur to her to use her words.

Her tail flicks and she crouches, claws at the ready and eyes wide with murderous feline intent as she shifts to put herself between him and the fridge. Her tail lashes behind her, puffed under the adrenaline. She's realized his quarry, and while it's absolutely not going to put a stop to the impending violence, his persistence is admirable.

As for her ice cream? It'll keep for as long as this takes. Perhaps there will be victory mangoes with her side of bat for her wee hours feast.
The perfect post workout snack.]

[In fairness, it sure doesn’t occur to him to use his words, either. He could easily at any time shift back into a more human form, but he doesn’t — for a variety of reasons. One, he doesn’t want to, purely out of spite. Two, fruit tastes better as a bat. Three, the loud noise of the spoon hitting the wall startled him, so he’s forgotten it’s an option.]

[Good moves all around.]

[For the record, it’s also pretty intimidating to be growled at by a lion-woman about fifty times your size. He still wants the mango, though. Dangling tentatively from the edge of the cabinet, he peers owlishly at her, his whole body vibrating with intent as he tries to figure out a way around. Why is she making such a concerted attempt to upset him when he has done zero crimes ever in his life?]

[After a great deal of extremely complex bat reasoning, he squeaks himself off the cabinet and . . . bounces off the ceiling, then comes to rest on the ceiling itself. Sort of. There are a few stray bumps and lumps on the ceiling, enough to grab onto with his little batty toes for a minute or two. It’s a bit like a dimensionally-challenged rock climbing wall, except at the top of it there’s a mango.]

[Sheva certainly has hops, so this is pretty dumb, but damn if he isn’t trying it anyway.]

[Hindsight will allow her to appreciate more fully the feat that he’s attempting despite all odds and claws against him. She’d appreciate the level of spite driving his choices to some degree as well. As of right now, the vibrations of his tiny, snack sized body paired with the intensity of his features stoke her animalistic instincts over the lingering human logic.

Her eyes wide, honed in on his little, batty movements, Sheva keeps poised and ready to react aggressively to whatever idiot move this trespasser chooses to invest his life.

All over a fucking mango.

Also, no one has done zero crimes in their life. Case in point.

There’s a bit of a butt wiggle from her as he launches himself up at the ceiling to make his daring attempt to cross the cat trap between him and the fridge, and a second later, she’s springing herself at him, arms and claws outstretched. She miscalculates just enough that it’s the ceiling that suffers the wrath of her claws rather than the bat, and she growls in frustrated displeasure.

It also gives him a window to continue his daunting quest.]

[As she steps onto Ozymandias' property, Daenerys will not find herself hassled by his sphinxes. His summoned beasts look in her direction as she approaches the gate, watching as she opens it and steps through, but none of them rise to their feet or vocalize any sort of warning. If anything, once she is through, they resume sunning themselves and concern themselves with her no further. Even the queen, who stretches her wings as far as they will go returns to her lax position.]

[Ozymandias walks down the steps of his porch and waits to meet her there.]

It is good to see you outside the Council walls. [Not that their time wasn't spent elsewhere, but they certainly overlapped there far more than other settings.] I hope you were able to avoid that wretched market on your way here.

[Ozymandias doesn't care for the Golbin Market on a good day, but his tolerance and patience for it has lessened considerably with how boldly they've been setting up their shops wherever they please throughout the city. It's made travel at times more of a challenge than it need be, and it seems to be putting people at considerable risk with their deception and mishandling of their...wares.]

[ It would be hypocritical of Daenerys to requests Ozy's beasts be put away. They were so odd, but majestic in the way they lay claim to the domain just as much as the pharaoh did.

She catches herself staring, like a child who may have seen one of her dragons soar through the air for the first time. Ozy's voice catches her attention, a small sheepish grin following. ]

For the most part, yes. There has been too much activity lately, filled to the brim with strangers. I ... have been learning the backways. [ However, outside of the Council? It was true. Daenerys had made it a priority to only come to the city for business – and in truth, perhaps she was still here on business... ] I must admit, I do miss feeling... connected somewhere, however. The farmlands are beautiful, but there's so much work –

[ She gripes, but realizes how childish it sounds in the grand scheme of things. The distance between them was closed with each thoughtful step, hands clasped together in front of her. ]

[Ozymandias huffs a laugh.]

Is that old woman working you to the bone?

[Old woman is said with a warm tone of affection. One might expect a man like Ozymandias to look down on someone like Edre. Someone of such low birth lacking in deference as much as her would certainly offend or bruise an ego like his. But Ozymandias respects the life that Edre has and continues to live. He recognizes that a society could not function without people like her.]

[And there is something frankly endearing about how rough around the edges she is and how frankly she speaks even to him.]

I would be careful to make such complaints within earshot of her. I don't believe you'd hear the end of it.

She is, she is. [ Almost warm, she can't be too mad. Sure, Daenerys pays her dues from the reparations from the Rathmore family but – ]I can't hold it against her when she has lived a long life of doing things with only her and her husband.

[ She needed her and Jorah there.

And it felt good to be depended upon, even if it was far different than breaking chains and leading revolutions.

Daenerys tilts her head curiously to him, as if trying to pinpoint something. ]

I am young and able, any excuse I have falls upon deaf ears. [ However, she's fond enough of Ozymandias to speak more direct – ] But, I come for you – not for conversations about the farmlands. Show me your little escape, it's been some time.

[Ozymandias considers her a moment as she reiterates her reason for visiting. It is not so much that she reiterates it that draws his attention because Daenerys is one to pay careful attention to details and prevent any misunderstandings in intentions or motives, but the reason itself.]

[It is not as though they are impersonal with one another as it is impossible to be entirely oriented towards business with a Bond between them and Ozymandias possesses the tendency to take an interest in those he has dealings with. But there is often a reason for wanting to be within his company. Whether it is to manage the effect of the moons or merely seeing his advice on matters, it is a bit unusual for Daenerys to seek Ozymandias out simply for his company. Despite her having said it once before over the Watches, it really did not occur to Ozymandias until she said it again just then.]

Of course, [he says, standing aside to allow her space to either follow or walk alongside him up the stairs.] I've still a long way to go before it shall be complete, but there has been progress since last you were here.

[Ozymandias opens the door for her, and of course, waiting on the otherwise of it is his divine beast. The sphinx cub has grown considerably, now closer to the size of a very large housecat or smaller bobcat. It gives a great big stretch with each step forward before it seeks to weave between their legs.]

[As for Ozymandias' home, it's likely more obvious now to Daenerys, having witnessed the palace he grew up in, the influences of his homeland on his aesthetics. By now, he's removed all the original drab colors of the mansion with white and gold trim. The walls are not entirely plain either, some painted with depictions of his gods or great murals such as the one of the riverbank of the Nile near the entrance. Repairs have given way to architectural choices that are a closer approximation to what he was accustomed to in life. And although there are fewer plants than when Enkidu still lived with Ozymandias, there is still a great deal of greenery to be found, too. It's plain that there's still more work to be done, but he has made this mansion into more of his home than it ever was when he first began.]

[ Daenerys was no politician at heart. Queens had councils, Queens had people to listen to – she had ensured courts were held for hundreds of citizens to plead their concerns to her. Yet... things always get tricky here. She's beginning to slowly learn how this type of world operates – no dragon's stubbornness could ignore that when the repercussions became so apparent.

She wishes to apologize, but she does not grovel. She wishes to take responsibility, but she will not bear the blame. Things grow messy and she wants to be clear that her intent was not to cause... well... this.

The distance closes between them and she naturally gravitates to his side. She may not stand as tall as him, but she keeps up. Her hands clasped together harmoniously in front of her. Those now violet eyes gaze upon the aesthetics laid upon them. Oh, how the beauty captivates her like the marble sheen of Meereen's pyramid did... ]

You look as if you've completely made this your own. [ A compliment eases her words, breaks silence. ] I suppose that's all anyone brought here to Aefenglom wants. A safe haven.

[ Ozymandias could pinpoint the moment she stammers – to rethink between tact and forcefulness of her words. She grips her own hands tighter, stopping in the entranceway of one of his open rooms. ]

Forgive me, but I wished to see you not merely for a social call. I... admit, I have let my own issues with the city prevent me of coming to you as often as I would like. However, I am no recluse – but... your bonded. Will you forgive me on that, first and foremost?

[ Leave it to the gentle-hearted khaleesi to put her own personal matters out there before business. ]

[As she comes to a stop, Ozymandias does as well, turning toward her as she offers her apologies for her extended absence in the city. He shakes his head a little.]

Your relationship with this city is more complex than my own and I am understanding of that. I do not take it as a personal slight that you often choose to return to your lands at the end of Council and Parliament meetings. [He's never held her to such obligations in any case, so he thinks it would be a bit foolish for him to take offense that she does not linger for very long after matters are concluded. He is well aware that life outside the Wall is difficult and there is much to always be done even without someone who expects as much work as her current landlady.] But that being said, it does please me that you've come here, Daenerys.

[Ozymandias rests a gentle hand on one of her shoulders, the simple touch likely highlighting that to be the truth within their Bond. Ozymandias is undoubtedly in a good mood in her presence, and it remains steady and strong.]

I would have you here or not here by your choice, not by the implicit pressures of what you've experienced driving you one way or another. [He takes his hand back.] It is good that you seek to correct that and I am happy to provide you a reason to do so.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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batastrophe

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/blows dust off this

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