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[inklongdry]

INBOX

"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!"

voice • text • action

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Comments

[inklongdry]

[ But eventually she'll get a text back, from "Errant Archivist". Which isn't nearly as unflattering. Oof. ]

Ms. Vaux? Apologies, I was still in bed.

I have one or two "bingos", but I still have a square or two that needs completed. Why do you ask?

[velluminous]

[ she is STILL AWAKE ]

I have too many incomplete squares. What do you need yet?

[inklongdry]

[ HONEY NO ]

Get felt up under your shirt. Pass along someone's message. Ask a dangerous question. Make out in public. Romantic stroll. Interrogate a friend's potential love interest.

It seems I have more than I thought.

[velluminous]

[ Plagiarist is typing...

...

... ]

Emet-Selch is in solitary. Sphinx would likely wish to know this.

[inklongdry]

[ Oh, that guy. ]

I see. I assume you would like me to pass this message along to the relevant people, hm?

And I know he was something of a pain, but my condolences for the loss of your teammate.

[velluminous]

[ that guy! ]

You may tell Da Vinci, if you like. I doubt it will change things. She may have already become aware, if she checks registry frequently enough.

There. Another box finished.

[ there is no response to the second message. ]

[inklongdry]

[ He notes that lack of reply, but doesn't comment. ]

I will be sure to let her know.

What more do you need help with?

[velluminous]

[ even this reply takes a while to come ]

Have you any troubles to share?

[inklongdry]

[ Arthur is a man remarkably without many troubles - he hasn't been here long enough to amass any, and even before that, he was pretty okay with his... everything.

The biggest thing he can think of at the moment is that, well, he'd like to see her again, but saying as much feels a bit too forward. So... ]

I suppose Da Vinci and my baking escapades from the other night have left us with a bit of a problem.

I've all these extra cupcakes. I don't suppose you know anyone who would like to stop by and take a few off my hands?

/2

[velluminous]

Sholmes, perhaps, or Ruggie, or Miss Tsuruno.

[velluminous]

[ SEVERAL MINUTES LATER: ] Oh.

[inklongdry]

[ Just about when he's thinking he wasn't forward enough, the proverbial light comes on. He just smiles at his phone. ]

I'm at the dorm, if you want to come by.

[velluminous]

[ idiot, her.

she isn't even bothering to reply until she's climbed back down off the motel roof and dragged herself through the lobby to the door to Sphinx. ]

Here.

[inklongdry]

[ A short moment later, Arthur opens the door. He's dressed-- well, you know. ]

Good morning.

[ A smile, and he steps aside to admit her. ]

[velluminous]

[ one eyebrow jumps up and stays up. like, she's not going to make a comment, but between the two scholars currently in the dorm, only one of us is dressed like it ]

Good morning, lapochka.

[ only one of us also looks like we slept. that's neither here nor there. ]

Underestimated yourselves in kitchen, did you?

[inklongdry]

[ Being a scholar is a state of mind, okay. ]

That, and I believe we also overestimated how many people would be around the dorm to partake.

[ After shutting the door, he begins to move to the kitchen. There is an array of cupcakes on the table with bright orange frosting. Sphinx cupcakes! ]

You're welcome to whatever you like. 'Twas mostly an excuse to see you again, to be honest.

[velluminous]

[ all your practical cell blocks with your sitting rooms and kitchens. Sprezzatura follows him to the kitchen, the only sound from her that of her prim, heeled footsteps. she doesn't take any cupcakes just yet, but that's namely because of what he's said, and how she has very little ability to not immediately picture their last meeting because of it. ]

It is not as if I am ever far, Mister Inkwell.

[inklongdry]

[ We can't all have a speakeasy like Basilisk!! ]

No... [ He watches her a moment, trying to get a read on her reaction to that. ] But I wasn't sure if you desired some space after our last encounter.

[velluminous]

[ a messy break with Wei Wuxian. slept with Arthur. slept with Sholmes. accidentally let a complete stranger go rummaging through her head. not such a smart couple days for Ms Vaux.

she purses her lips, fidgets with a cuff sleeve ]

No. Of course not. You were wonderfully lovely.

[inklongdry]

[ Arthur never got the sense that she ever did anything with him in that motel room that she didn't want to do, but he also remembers the conversation that lead to the encounter. He couldn't help but wonder if there were some regrets afterward.

The way he smiles at her is soft, almost tentative. ]

I'm glad you think so. 'Tis not my desire that things be complicated between us.

[velluminous]

[ complicated. that's the word. her feelings right now are complicated.

her tail flickers by her ankles. takes a breath— ] It would not be your fault, if they were. No. It has just bee... emotionally fraught few days.

[inklongdry]

I understand. A lot has happened in such a short period of time.

I... hm, I do not know if it would help you to hear this but I have no expectation of where we go from here, apart from perhaps simply getting to know you better. Though I do understand if even that much is too complicated at present.

[velluminous]

[ a strange, heavy feeling clutches her heart. ooooh girl don't fuck this up, too.

...

neutrally, ] Mister Inkwell. There is nothing complicated about what you have done. You were pressure release and kindness I needed... so badly.

[inklongdry]

[ Call me Arthur is right there on the tip of his tongue, but for now, while the muddle through this, he closes his mouth against it. Starts, stops, tries again. ]

I... suppose I'm only trying to be mindful of your history in this place, and your feelings.

[velluminous]

[ she can see Wei Wuxian's face very clearly: If that's what you wish, then, Ms Vaux. and she's going to keep seeing it very clearly, because that had been her attempt at being mindful, and responsible, and unselfish, and it really, really didn't feel as good and right as she'd wanted it to. needed it to. and she's taken two men to bed since, on the same day, with very little consideration for their feelings in the aftermath, because it was just for bingo, right? just a pressure release.

except it turns out you can't just do that all while expecting for nothing to change. for nothing to get... fraught.

she turns and spends, like, way too long picking out a cupcake for it to be real deliberation and not a delay tactic. shit. can't think of anything. ]

Too kind of you. You are good man. [ that seems safe, and indeed necessary, to say ] You are too considerate of this burden I placed on you to fix.