Clorinspats: Created page with "''This takes place after Session 18.'' Charlie knocks on the door; they had to check which keys opened which doors so when they figured it out, he left it with Thandi so he could ready for bed in that communal bathroom. These were much more palatable than the Haven. While the space was probably meant for everyone in the building, the bathrooms were individualized. A room for a shower, a sink, and a toilet, each kept apart yet in close proximity. And the mirror above..."

2026-07-02T01:12:59Z

Created page with "''This takes place after Session 18.'' Charlie knocks on the door; they had to check which keys opened which doors so when they figured it out, he left it with Thandi so he could ready for bed in that communal bathroom. These were much more palatable than the Haven. While the space was probably meant for everyone in the building, the bathrooms were individualized. A room for a shower, a sink, and a toilet, each kept apart yet in close proximity. And the mirror above..."

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''This takes place after [[Session 18]].''

Charlie knocks on the door; they had to check which keys opened which doors so when they figured it out, he left it with Thandi so he could ready for bed in that communal bathroom. These were much more palatable than the Haven. While the space was probably meant for everyone in the building, the bathrooms were individualized. A room for a shower, a sink, and a toilet, each kept apart yet in close proximity. And the mirror above the sink was massive. The lights were embedded into the ceiling and the floor, filling the room with a low hum. It was a bit disconcerting but… at least it was private. And his new raven friend perched on the half wall between the toilet and shower.

The door opens with a soft ''whish'' and Thandi stands before him in her nightgown again. Her hair is tied up in her scarf and she steps aside. “I was just finishing my notes for the day. Do you feel refreshed?”

The raven flaps from his shoulder to land on a branch leaning against the corner.

“Ah, Yen brought that by for our new friend. I think she really likes him.”

“I think everyone does,” Charlie says. He pads in, going for his bag. “I need to make my own journal entry. A lot has happened and… gods. Where do I start?” He tugs out the small leather-clad journal and the pen, sitting on the floor and leaning against the bed. He pulls his knees up to put his book against. “Then again, I've been shit at writing in them. Always have…”

She chuckles. “Oh, come on, it’s ''your'' journal. All that matters is that you can read it and use it to recall things you may have forgotten. It doesn’t need to be pretty or flowery.” She returns her attention to her own journal. She’s seated at the desk supplied by this cozy room. The lamps in here are more like a row of light along the edges of the ceiling. They’re a warm white hue that fills the space with a soft glow. He can see perfectly clearly and notices Thandi cross one leg over the other, her dainty bare foot dangling in the air easily as she scratches down her thoughts.

He stares, tilting his head, before shaking himself. He looks to his bird— ''his'' bird, amazing!— and then to his journal.
He scratches out his notes quietly, finishing perhaps far too quickly, but… as she said. Good enough. He snaps the book closed and places it back in his bag, eyes drifting back to Thandi. Not for any reason. He just… well. She. Is. Interesting to look at. Surely.

After a while, he wonders what it is she must be writing about. She’s been writing since before he arrived. And not at a slow, measured pace but like a quick, scraping scrawl. She’s certainly thorough. “Are you alright?” She asks, peeking up at him with a little smirk and a raised brow.

“Oh! Uh, yes. Sorry.” He rubs his neck, looking away. “It. Er. I, ah. I don't know how you… want to do this. I've never shared a bed with anyone. And. Um. It. Er. I…”

“I haven’t either. Honestly… I’m a bit nervous.” She bites her lip as she stares down at the page. She fidgets with her pen. “You don’t… ahh.” She twists her pen between her fingers, staring hard at it now. “Just because you are okay with touching me and being… close. It. It doesn’t mean you need to, you know. If that isn’t something you want. Or you’re just…” She uncrosses her legs and now her foot presses atop her other foot. “Pitying me.”

“P—! No! No no no, absolutely not, I really— I—!” Charlie takes a breath, clearing his throat as he tries to get his words back. “I didn't think you would want to again. I would have thought you were sick of me. Especially since I have a feeling you might, um. Like… others… more. So you're pitying ''me''.”

She shakes her head, setting her pen down at last and shutting her journal. She rises and joins him on the floor, sitting to face him. The light makes her look much warmer than she did out in the rest of this place. The stark white of the walls and floors was jarring but here… ''now''. It feels different. “I’m not pitying you. And I don’t like anyone more than you. I’m trying to remain… well. Fairly even. But…” She looks over his face and wets her lips before looking away. “Somehow, I think we have more in common. I can’t exactly say what or why or how but… I. I don’t know. Is that wrong?” She looks in his eyes again, as if he somehow knows the right answer.

He squeezes his hands together, lips purses. He gets that feeling, too. Every time they talk, something arises and it makes him feel… closer. “It isn't, I don't think. It's just, ah. We seem to click. If that makes sense. Or, at least, you put up with me in just the right way. I feel. Better. When I, um. Interact with you.” He sighs and pushes his hair back, grumbling. “That makes me sound insane. I mean, I also get along with Noor, so why am I not like this with her?”

Thandi shrugs. “Why… ''aren’t'' you?” She twists a ring on her finger. It’s the only one she’s kept on. The pearl in the shape of a star. “You two get along. You’re both incredibly smart. And kind. And funny. Why… What’s different?”

“I… would have to think about it. I mean. Noor is great. I think she's a good friend to have. But you're also great. And a good friend to have. And… when we held hands the other night… it. Felt. Better than good. If that makes sense. It sounds stupid, doesn't it? I don't really get it. You just make me feel… ''good''.”

Her eyes fall to the floor again and she tugs her knees to her chest. Then she says, “Maybe it’s because I’m not from your world? Maybe… you see me differently. Just because I’m… inherently… ''different''.”

“Maybe that's part of it. But I also like talking to you just the same. And… I like to hold your hand. Gods, I wish I was holding your hand now. It's so stupid. It's all I can think about. And. I like how you sometimes can be so. Mmn… excitable. But at the same time you're rather practical. And I like it when you just. Do something unexpected. Or expected. Or. Anything, really. I— ''urrgh''. I just. Like you.”

Her cheeks have grown a beautifully rosy hue and she hugs her knees tighter to her chest. She bites her lip and quickly hides her face in her knees. “Um!” Her voice is high-pitched and cute. It… fuck, it. Makes him want to tease her?! How old is he?! “Y-You—! Too! I—!” She takes a deep breath and raises her head but still stares at her knees. “I like when you ask for what you want. And when you say you like me. And when you put your hand on my shoulder. Or my back. Or when you tell me all the things you know about ravens and bugs and—! And—! Anything! I—! I like you, too!” Her whole head is going red. “I’m always embarrassed when I… when I say… anything. But. You… You’re very… reassuring. It’s… It’s like…” She finally meets his gaze and his heart skips. “I can be my real self. The me that… that I’m… ashamed of.”

“''Ashamed'' of? I can’t imagine there's anything to be ashamed of. I haven't thought any less of you for anything. More often you're… Cute. In the way you act. Or when you get excitable. I don't even mind these times when you're so serious. I don't know. You're… hah. What was it Casimir said? ''A multi-faceted person''. It makes me feel better to see you acting all these ways. Because. It's so… How do I put it. How do I ''explain…'' Mmn. You're real?” He rubs his neck again. “That’s true but also it's too simple a descriptor. Sorry. I mean… you're… just you.”

She exhales a laugh. “I… suppose that I am. I can’t be anyone else. Even if I try.” She smiles bitterly at that but it falls rather quickly. “I’ve tried to be positive and excitable and professional and… so many things but I’m afraid that I’m just… ''me''. And I’ve never had much luck… making friends as… ''me''.”

“You're in luck because I like you as you. And I'm sure the others… most of the others, I don't get Sefu and Yen, really… well, you know what, Yen seems to like you. I think they like you.”

Thandi’s cheeks grow all red again and she takes a sharp intake of breath. “Um! I—! Ghah!” She covers her eyes. “Yen… Yen actually… might be why I thought… you pitied me.” She drops her head. “She… ''definitely'' pities me.” She looks up at him again as she leans back, setting her hands on the floor behind her. “She tried to explain male anatomy to me. And what to expect… which. I don’t. Of course. Or. I mean. If. It’s not something I’m worried about. I’m not even looking!”

“Wait, what does my penis have to do with me ''pitying'' you? For not having a penis? I don't care if you have a penis—”

“Because if she thinks that I don’t know anything about male anatomy, what if ''everyone does?!'' What if you think I don’t know anything? What if… What if you think I’m some… idiot girl who doesn’t know anything. And that’s why you like me?”

“If you were some dipshit who had to be taught everything then I don't think I would be so keen on you,” Charlie says. “You told us you were sheltered for about a decade so… I think you give off a sort of… well. Like me. Except I know they know I know. I don't know. Er. I don't think they think that you know nothing. But maybe. Um. Being in solitary gave you a sort of social ineptitude that. Well. Gives off the sheltered nun thing?”

“Sheltered ''nun''?” She laughs. “Well… I suppose that’s not too off the mark. Magic is my religion. And I prayed every second of every day that I could.” She scratches just under scarf. “Well… anyway. I know what happens in the morning so I’m not going to be looking out of respect for you. But if you prefer,” she points to the bed— it’s a rather narrow mattress pressed up against the wall that they’ll only just fit in given their slim frames. “You can sleep on the wall side and I’ll sleep on this side. That way, I won’t have to climb over you when I wake up in the morning.”

“I actually haven't had a problem with it for some time. I don't really… um. I don't know. But I want to sleep on the outside. What if. Something happens. I can be in between you and whatever it is…”

Thandi giggles now. “No! We can’t have that!” She pushes off her hands and moves to know be on her knees and leans toward him… close. ''Very'' close. “I’m your protector, remember? I keep the gropers at bay!”

He laughs as well. “Of course! My knight in shining armor. But now I worry about ''you.'' I swear, if the bed could be turned so we don't have to think about it, I'd turn it. That way our feet could be groped first but we could still escape.”

She snorts and eases back at last. “You’re alright with a bit of foot groping, then? Just a tickle?” She snickers and raises her hands as if she’s about to actually do the offending act!

“It’s a long way to my critical bits, it would take time to get there, you might notice. Besides! I'm not ticklish. I don't think…”

“Oh, ''now'' it’s a dare!” She grasps his foot and actually pulls it toward her. She starts wiggling her fingers against the arch of his foot. “Hmm? ''Hmm?!''”

By the gods, he is writhing and laughing and almost shrieking “I—! I'm ticklish?! Fuck! Oh gods!”

She squeals and turns about so her arm is hooked around his leg while her back is to him. She continues to tickle his foot! Up to his ankle! “I knew it! Everyone’s ticklish on their feet! Even aliens!” She giggles louder.

“Mercy! Mercy! Please have mercy!” The words are choked by laughter and tears stream down his face.

“Mercy! Mercy!” His bird echoes the sentiment.

She gasps and quickly ceases her tickling. She doesn’t let go of his foot, though. Instead, she starts rubbing the arch of his foot. “Alright. Mercy granted. Now you know, don’t you?” She peeks over her shoulder at him with a grin.

“No one else on the disc will ever get away with that, you know,” he says as he catches his breath. “I guess I do know now. Gods above. Has anyone ever told you you're a little minx?”

“A ''minx?'' What… What is that? It’s an animal, right?” She rubs the top of his foot softly before finally letting him go and turning about to face him again. He holds out his hand, beckoning for hers as he explains.

“It does sound like an animal. But. It’s more like… a trouble making young lady. In the flirty way.”

Her brows jump and her cheeks grow red again. “Oh! I…” She looks away. “I… never thought… I’m…” She lets out a nervous laugh.

“Flirty? You think… I’m being? Or. Or are you…?”

“I mean… if… you weren't… intending it. I'll understand. I just. I can't imagine you being this way with… like. Cas…”

She shakes her head. “No, I… I couldn’t… with. With anyone… else.” She rubs the back of her head. “Just… f… ''flirting''. I’ve never… I’ve not… done that. Have… Have you? Flirted?”

“I haven't tried before now, no,” he says slowly. “Am I flirting? You're right. This is confusing.” He clears his throat. “I meant minx affectionately, by the way. Not. In a mean way.”

“Oh! I. I sort of… I mean. I. I take everything you say in the… in the nice way. Unless you’re frowning like when you look at Cas and Chai holding hands.” She giggles again. “Yes, just like that! Anything you say to me looking like that, I might burst into tears!”

Tears! “Aaaah, I don't know what I would do if you cried. Attempt a hug? People like those for when they cry. I think. I usually don't care.”

“I mean—! Y-Yes. A hug would… probably fix it. But if you were giving me that look, I’d probably done something heinous.” She leans closer to whisper to him, “Like taken your gloves off.”

“Perish the thought! You would never!”

She giggles and playfully bats his chest. “Could you imagine? The scandal!”

“The ''terror.'' No, nope. Not even going to imagine. ''Minx.''”

“Grraar!” She giggles again, leaning back to cover her laugh with her hand. “Sorry!” She cries behind her hand. She lowers it. “I might be to the point of ''goofy'' tired.”

“Time for bed, then. Let's get to sleep.” Charlie pushes himself up, turning to shake out the blankets. He clambers in first, laying on his back before remembering. “Oh. You wanted… blanket separation—”

“It’s okay! I found a maybe better solution?” She then taps the wall and a drawer extends from it. She pulls out a few pillows and sets them against him. “There. Now you won’t accidentally touch me tonight.”

“A… ah. Well… alright. If it… makes you feel better. I still… ah. Hands…”

She nods as she climbs into bed and in that moment, he’s reminded that her anatomy is distinctly different from his own. Her dress hangs and her neckline is deep enough that he gets a mighty view of her. Her dark skin is soft and… why is the word ''inviting'' sticking out in his mind? He can see all the way down to her stomach! And it’s only for a moment. A spare moment. But he may not forget it any time soon. She gets comfortable under the blanket and his bird settles in the crease between their pillows.
Thandi’s fingers brush his shoulder, letting him know she’s ready. Charlie shifts, raising his hand to grasp hers. Stupid pillow wall is awkward for this. It was easier when they were in separate beds. But. He won't complain. It's already so much more than he thought he wanted.

They hold hands.

It's… reassuring.

[[Category:RP]]

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