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[inklongdry]

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"Arthur Inkwell here.
I've no earthly idea how this thing is supposed to work, but leave me a message if you're so inclined. I'll retrieve it at some point or another!"

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[velluminous]

Demon. Correct. And she takes this very much to heart.

[inklongdry]

By making your life a living hell, I wager.

[velluminous]

[ LAUGHS ] Oh, worse for you if she surfaces.

[inklongdry]

[ That laugh startles him a bit, and his expression turns concerned. ]

I see. Then I shall simply have to think of something else.

[ He's already making mental notes about how he might be able to alter Repose. There must surely be away to have the magic reach beyond her consciousness to something lurking beneath, and he aims to find it. ]

[velluminous]

[ it startles her, too; she's never heard that sound come from her lips. haltingly, she brings a hand up and puts it through her hair, mussing and then fixing it ]

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian have already offered. It... things suffice. I only want you not to be surprised if, one day, I am not who you think.

[inklongdry]

[ That certainly doesn't inspire enough confidence to get him to stop looking for a way to help. ]

... And what would you have me do, were I to come across you when you are not yourself?

[velluminous]

[ boy you do not want to know the answer to that

her gaze is unwavering and opaque for a... long moment. then she turns and collapses into a chair. ]

Run, I suppose.

[inklongdry]

[ He has no idea what to make of the way she looks at him, but when she moves away, he follows, pulling out a chair to sit with her. ]

You think she'll try to hurt me?

[velluminous]

[ her tail down Reim's throat. Miles' broken ribs. Wilbur, lighting the dynamite fuse. ]

Without question.

[inklongdry]

[ His ears tick back a little. Out of distress, perhaps, or concern. ]

I understand. If that's what you wish, then I shall try to keep my distance from her.

[velluminous]

[ tiredly, ] She would torture anyone I care for, given chance.

[inklongdry]

[ Oh, now is not the time to come back and ask "does this mean you care about me?" and he knows that, but of course his ears give him away, lifting slightly.

Not now, ears. ]

Because she knows it hurts you?

[velluminous]

[ Arthur. ]

Yes. But it also hurts you. She will want to hurt you, because it hurts you.

[inklongdry]

[ LOOK he understands the priorities of the conversation, but he also has a crush. Let him have that one moment. ]

Cruelty for cruelty's sake, is it?

[velluminous]

She relishes it. It brings her pleasure. Her entire existence is for this purpose; there are no other reasons oni exist.

[inklongdry]

I see. For whatever pittance it might be worth, I'm sorry that you have to deal with something so... volatile as your possession. No wonder sleep eludes you.

[velluminous]

[ ... gently, ] My mistress sleep has eluded me for much longer than this. I will be fine, Mister Inkwell.

[inklongdry]

Forgive me if I spare some worry for your well-being, regardless.

... And please, call me Arthur.

[velluminous]

[ she regards him for a moment, thinking ] Arthur. You were making tea.

[inklongdry]

So I was.

[ With a small smile, he gets back up to retrieve the tea from the cabinet. In short order, he has the kettle going and a pair of mugs out for them both.

He turns to lean back against the counter while they wait. ]

You know... I should very much like to hear about your studies one of these days.

[velluminous]

[ she's running her thumbnail along a fine crack in the glaze of her mug ]

I suppose we could talk. [ with a semi-private smile ] Though there has not been much study of late, even before here.

[inklongdry]

Even before here?

[ The kettle whistles. He removes it from the stove and brings it to the table, pouring a cup for each of them. ]

Did something happen?

[velluminous]

... I was expelled. Discredited.

[inklongdry]

What for?

[ For whatever it might be worth, he doesn't sound like he's ready to judge her. ]

[velluminous]

Plagiarism, causing immeasurable loss of knowledge, academic dishonesty, harbouring ill intent. It is all there in registry.