w3 afterparty

[selfconcept]

Everyone passed! That's great! But Wei Wuxian is gone and you keep getting a weird feeling. Maybe it's the adrenaline that's dying down. Maybe you saw something strange because you're tired? It'll all be uncovered on Sunday. Why not take a breather for now? If you're injured, ask Florence for some medical aid. (can be handwaved) It's around 10 PM when you're released.

Comments

[cheerfuldays]

No, I just don't want to say something strange. ... I'm probably being silly.

( this is how her shyness manifests- a fear of saying the wrong thing and ruining everything. this does not stop her from jumping a little to meet the kiss with glee, of course, before she steps aside... only to have like. a whole moment when she finally realizes madara didn't have a shirt on under this jacket.

maybe she takes a few minutes to just. continue having a moment when the door closes. she's doing fine though it's fine.

when madara comes back, she'll have changed into an oversized shirt and shorts, hugging her sparrow while she waits. )

[festiverogue]

You're not being silly. I think I'm actually the one being a little weird!

[And he departs!

But he comes back a little while later, having sufficiently bothered a couple of people in the common room and said some goodnights.

He sees Shizuku being stupidly cute when he gets back, and changing into a shirt from the jacket just does not occur to him at all. Instead, he goes to sit on the bed beside her.]

...Sorry about earlier. I really shouldn't've done that without warning you.

[cheerfuldays]

If I didn't like it or want it, I would have said something, Madara.

( she feels painfully shy, and drastically inexperienced since her side career was 'model' and not 'actor', but she was not displeased by anything. )

And I certainly wouldn't mind a second time, either! ( GIRL ) But you're being very sweet.

[festiverogue]

[He just smiles and gives her a side hug, practically pulling her onto his lap. Then, gently, he presses a kiss to her temple. She's safe and warm and comfortable and he hates that for a hundred reasons, but she's safe and warm and comfortable and he needs that, too. More than he'll ever admit.

His nose stays buried in her hair as he speaks softly.]

Yeah, well. I've got a lot to lose, here. I have to be careful, you know?

[cheerfuldays]

I'll speak up if something isn't okay, Madara. Okay?

( shizuku lets herself be pulled, practically nuzzling against him like a cat like this is a normal, natural thing to do. it probably is for her. )

... How are you feeling?

[festiverogue]

Shizuku, I know you don't like me saying stuff like this, but you really can be angelic.

[He smiles against her hair, taking stock of his emotional capacity and the memories of the night. Certain things stand out in his mind.

But he tells himself he's fine. He's done his confessions. He's destroyed a demon with his own face. He's fine.]

Tired, mostly. I got most of the laaast bits of nervous energy out of my system. [It's probably what made him practically jump her.] How'd you come out? Think you can sleep?

[cheerfuldays]

( shizuku blushes faintly, looking up at him for a moment before leaning her head on his shoulder. )

I really don't understand why you say that sometimes. But if my being me makes you so happy, I'll just have to accept it and keep going, hm?

( and so she will. )

... I think so. I didn't have to see the worst of it. And emotions can be so very tiring sometimes.

[festiverogue]

You being you makes me... really happy. I'll sound reaaally ridiculous if I get into it. But you... meeting you was a blessing I didn't deserve.

[And he'll miss her when they're done with this. Even with the light stick.]

Nobody made you talk about anything weird, did they?

[cheerfuldays]

It's not about 'deserve', Madara. And I'm happy to have you here, you know that right...?

( because he makes her so happy. so much so she doesn't dare consider if they can't see each other again. quietly, shizuku sighs. )

No, no one did anything like that. Everyone was incredibly considerate about... everything, actually. What about you?

[festiverogue]

I don't get why, but I'll accept it anyway!

[Ahhhh, he can't answer the question about the evening honestly, though.]

It was easy as can be! I survived with barely a scratch on me.

[A convenient lie, if only because telling people about his past was infinitely harder than murder. She does not need to know that. They'll part ways after this place, and she'll never have to deal with his negative influence again.]

[cheerfuldays]

( something hits her heart faintly and she's not sure she likes it. nor is she sure what to say about that, because she's certain that isn't hers. so instead she simply reaches up, gently tangling her fingers into his hair to soothe whatever may be happening. )

I'm glad you aren't hurt. ... Honestly... compared to the museum, I found this one easier to deal with.

[festiverogue]

[So she felt that... He smiles faintly, taking her free hand and kissing the palm briefly.]

Yeah, I'd say it was easier than that. The museum was... suuure something.

[cheerfuldays]

It sucked.

( which probably sounds foreign on shizuku's refined, graceful, soft tone. but she's right and she should say it. )

... But we've got each other, and we're doing okay.

[festiverogue]

[GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP.

Actually he just stares at her for a second, then laughs. Moment ruined entirely, he can't believe she just said something sucked.]

Did you really just--

[cheerfuldays]

What?

( either his laughter is infectious or she knows exactly what's so funny, because she's giggling too. )

I'm right!

[festiverogue]

[Alright, the tension is totally gone now. He kisses her palm again, then her fingertips, shoulders shaking with amusement the whole time.]

I'm lucky I have you, too, you know. I mean it. You always know what to say.

[cheerfuldays]

( shizuku blinks, eyes wide and cheeks flushing ever so slightly before she giggles, shaking her head. )

Do I...? I really do just say what comes to mind. But if you like it, that's not so bad.