terrariums | Inbox for Duplicity

.....The way you don't want mine?

[Rook is tactful enough to not laugh, but his amusement over the painfully clear irony is evident in the sparkle in his eyes. Still, how can he help but sympathize? Hasn't he longed to do exactly the same thing for his friends? Have an affectionate shoulder nuzzle, Jade.]

If they wouldn't accept your comfort one way or another, I question how much bearing it actually ends up having on your ability to help. But if it would ease your mind, I would be glad to talk about things I learned with you?

Even if they are my 'friends'... the comfort they seek from me is far different than conversation.

[ Rook might be tactful enough not to laugh, but Jade lets out a huff of one regardless. He's aware of the irony of it, but it doesn't make it easier. Back home it was easy--he was happy and content to exist with just his classmates, brother and friend. Here it's different. Their relationships are different in a way that they could arguably control, but don't.

Well, other than Idia. Jade hasn't had much interaction with him in many ways outside of their usual professional relationship. ]

Would you want to?

Then.....

[If it isn't conversation, it must be sex of some sort, knowing this place. Yes? He wonders how comfortable Jade actually is with it. How often does he get to have sex just because he enjoys it? Just because he wants to, and it feels good?]

Why wouldn't I? We both want the same thing.

... I apologize for my words before.

[ Even if Rook seems to let everything roll off his shoulders as if it's nothing, wasn't it a little cruel to shun him when he has been the only one genuinely reaching a hand out to him? ]

Once again I have misjudged you.

Pas de soucis. What did you think this time?

[This time, Rook does laugh, soft and fond as he shakes his head. Oh, you poor thing..... Isn't it at once both gratifying and endearing, to start getting to know someone well enough to not be surprised over silly little issues like these?]

You make things far more complicated than they really need to be, don't you?

Perhaps. It is in my nature to not trust those who give easily... my father has always been particular when teaching us about 'trust'.

[ And conditions make things easier. Even Azul lives with the knowledge that the twins would leave him if he lost their interest. It's really no surprise he's bad at making friends, is it? ]

Though you haven't betrayed my trust in you yet.

What did he teach you?

[He's curious, in spite of it all being rather irrelevant to the topic at hand. Jade's father sounds like a canny and cautious man--but perhaps also a rather lonely one, much like Jade himself? It sounds like the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. What would the Coral Sea's equivalent expression be?]

Even if we simply have different definitions of the idea, I'm still glad to hear it.

That there is no one who gives something over for free and that everyone will only ever want something of us. Even now at our birthdays he has everyone who attends sign a waiver stating that our family owes them nothing in exchange.

Even Azul wants things from us. It is something I have come to accept from everyone no matter how close we perceive each other.

Quoi? That's reciprocity. I wouldn't say it's unrelated to trust, but..... They are distinct.

[Now this is enlightening. Small wonder Jade struggles so with accepting any help, with wanting to talk, with even being seemingly unable to be of use, whatever he considers usefulness to be. What a sad state of affairs..... He really must be miserable.]

Depending on the situation, but when you have something valuable it is only natural to suspect others of foul intentions.

[ Not that he has been seeing himself as something particularly valuable of late, but that doesn't seem to need to come out of his mouth at least. ]

It wasn't uncommon for Floyd and I to start to make a 'friend' only to find out that they or their family had ulterior motives.

I'm sorry..... It must have been difficult, seeing daggers around every corner.

[What a completely different world than one spent making friends with animals. The creatures of the savanna were so straightforward and easy to understand in comparison..... He really had been a lucky boy, hadn't he? No wonder their understanding of trust is so very different.]

In my experience, trust is born of understanding, long before anything else. Why shouldn't we talk things through, then? Especially if we both stand to learn from it.

[ Jade gives a small hum of acknowledgement at that, but his hand comes to rest on the arms around him. Has anyone else held him like this lately? Even since he first arrived here? No one has ever been so easy to touch and hold him. It's different than with Floyd who has always found himself hanging on him in one way or another, though that is hardly an embrace ~~or a tool to keep him from jumping out the window~~. ]

I find it difficult to open up, as you have noticed, but... I would like to talk with you more.

That's what I'm here for!

[As though Jade could forget that fact so easily. As though Rook hadn't literally come and hunt him down, broken in, and restrained him to force Jade to accept a conversation for his own good. Why is he smiling so lightly, as if this is just..... par for the course? To be expected? No big deal?]

[ What an exhausting but entertaining human... Friend? Hm. Jade pauses as a fluffy black cat jumps up onto the bed from underneath it, side-eyeing the blond as she rubs her head against Jade's free palm. His hand turns easily to cradle her small face as she lets out a purr. ]

Rook-san...

[ He hesitates a little, but... ]

Do you have any plans for a contract as of yet?

Bonjour, mademoiselle. I hope we didn't disturb your repose.

[What a pretty little thing! Rook smiles, but turns his eyes back towards Jade; if she's curious, then she'll take it upon herself to investigate him, surely. No need for him to impose on her. ~~How is it that a cat's boundaries end up more respected than Jade's?~~

Isn't this a complete non-sequitur, though? What does this have to do with talking about the future at NRC, or even understanding and opening up to people? He's been thinking about seeing if he and Ferdinand would be as compatible as he suspects they might be--but considering something is far different than actually making plans.]

Nothing concrete yet, I'm afraid. Why?

[ After a little of Jade's affection her nose turns to the arms around the merman to give a few curious sniffs to the huntsman's wrist. ~~Though he does notice how easily Rook seems to be fine with letting his cat escape his attentions versus his own~~.

While Rook might feel it's a step in an off direction, it is a little different in the merman's eyes. Opening up and trusting someone goes hand-in-hand with closeness in some ways. While he expects denial, he can't quite fight the urge to ask regardless. ]

Would you consider contracting me?

[~~Sorry, Jade. Your daughter probably knows what's best for herself; cats usually do, medicine aside. You've already quite clearly proven that you do not. She's free to do as she likes.~~ Ah, now he sees. Not quite as irrelevant as he had first thought, is it? There's a moment of open surprise at the question, but Rook beams soon after. Had Jade really enjoyed his stay over that much?]

Bien sûr! I would be glad to have you. I had assumed you must have a whole stable of prospective partners you enjoyed living with already, given how long you've spent here.

If you've been thinking about this, I take it you've already thought about your preferred terms, as well?

[After all, Jade had only just finished speaking of reciprocity and contracts, of suspecting ill intentions from everyone who greets him with kindness and generosity. He won't want to take on any kind of contract lightly.]

I admittedly do have other offers, but I would like to try something different.

[ The cat climbs into Jade's lap and settles, green eyes inquisitively looking up at the merman's serious expression. ]

I have thought of my own conditions previously. Once I am contracted then I will need your permission to be allowed to continue my work, which I would prefer to do. [ Idia is his 'permission' right now even if he isn't allowed to spend even a cent of his earnings for all the time he's been uncontracted. ] If you wanted to control my wages, that could be arranged... though I do not see that being of much concern to you.

My largest ask at the moment would be to leave the Down provided housing.

[ Which would mean putting himself at a disadvantage when it came to escaping uncomfortable conversations like this in the future, but if he's already going to attempt talking about those things anyway... ]

Is that so? I hope I'll be able to meet your expectations, then!

[Surely they must be high expectations indeed, if Jade is willing to forfeit months of his time with a trusted partner to take a chance on him instead. He's touched!]

I could hardly deprive you of your work or your wages! I'm sure I'll build my own nest egg soon enough. I daresay there's plenty of room for all your things, as well.

[The apartment will look more like Jade's than his own for a while, won't it? He hardly minds; it will be nice to have the place not look so barren However, there is one more person they should probably consult: the fluffy beauty perched in Jade's lap. Rook looks down, meowing softly and offering her a hand.]

Do you mind living with a stranger, if you have more room to play?

[ Jade watches as Rook's hand extends to the cat on his lap, Fishcake's nose sniffing at the hunter's glove with a cautious expression. Ear flicking at his words before she headbutts his palm and an inquisitive mew. ]

I can handle the paperwork if you would prefer. [ Since he does remember that Rook doesn't touch the stuff if he can avoid it. ] It isn't as if I would be able to enter any clauses that would cause you inconvenience even if I wanted to do so.

[ But he could give himself some more liberties... not that Belial denied him anything before. ]

Oh, good! Then we're all in agreement.

[Rook smiles warmly, offering Fishcake head rubs as he considers the offer. For the moment, at least, it seems they're all one little family now!

As tempting as the offer is, though..... The more he thinks about it, the wiser it seems to refuse. Not on account of being worried about Jade tampering with the terms, as much as he realizes the man probably would like to. But he needs to step up and take some responsibility, doesn't he? Delegating menial bureaucratic tasks like paperwork can wait until after he's proven himself a Dominant both fit to and committed to taking care of a Submissive. To send him on his own would just be..... sloppy. Not necessarily callous, perhaps, but not conscientious, either. That's the sort of thing he needs to pay careful attention to now, isn't it? Status is everything in this city.]

Better to handle it together, I think. What would our hosts think of me neglecting my duties to you before the contract was even drawn up, let alone signed? We would both suffer from my reputation slipping by such carelessness.

[ ~~She won't enjoy her new playmate Rook-Tsum-san for the first few days, but at least she'll get even more pampered food-wise to make up for it.~~ ]

That is wise of you... once we are more established it will become more natural for you to rely on me for such things.

[ He's handled these sort of things for all of his contracts before, but it's somewhat of a relief(?) all the same. That type of initiative is what he preached to the Dominant before. The fact he can agree to the importance of their reputation as a pair brings him some comfort, too.

While something like this won't get them in trouble, it's still a small thing others could take note of. Jade runs his hand along Fishcake's back, ignoring the way her back claws dig into his thigh as she raises her body into his palm. ]

...Living together will give us more opportunities to talk about home, too. I hope you will not find taking care of me too bothersome.

Oui! It's important to set a precedent first, before you can safely deviate from it.

[~~It'll all be okay in the end. She'll get good food and a partner for mayhem, once the dust settles.~~ It's only natural to accept the wisdom of your seniors, isn't it? If he strives to properly embody the status and ideals of a Dominant as Jade had advised, just as Jade exemplifies a by-the-books Submissive, they both only stand to gain from it. They'll make a beautiful pair that everyone admires, won't they? Model citizens, through and through.]

Bothersome? Please, it will be a pleasure. Your stay over was such fun!

[Is that a looming threat of more intensive pampering in his future?]

[ ~~Say goodbye to your makeup brushes now, Rook.~~ Oh, dear. He had enjoyed doing that, hadn't he? Even though Jade enjoyed it in his own way, he has already considered what it might be like to be contracted and living with Rook full time.

He'd have to put more care into his appearance, as they've discussed. At least he would have easier means to access the other man's cosmetics and watch him work on himself more often, too. ]

I suppose I won't need to ask to come over to practice after all. I look forward to learning from you.

[ And he finds he means that surprisingly easily, even if the pampering part might be a bit much to get used to if Rook insists on making it any sort of regular occurrence. ]

[~~He salutes you, little fallen friends!~~ Is Jade truly ready to find out just how much satisfaction he takes from doting on his friends? Jade may not need to get used to grand gestures like a hundred poems extolling his beauty, or an entire opera performed for his enjoyment, but..... Little gestures will surely keep cropping up, all the same. Interesting bits of forage left on his bedside table, for example, or homecooked meals brought right to him while he's relaxing after a long day, or massages whenever he's looking a little stiff. And of course, the endless amounts of casual affection. He doesn't mind hugs from behind when he least suspects them, does he? Or getting draped on when he sits on the couch?]

And I from you, as well! What should we do to celebrate the occasion, hmmm~?

[No, Jade, you don't get to argue this point. You are worth celebrating, your inclusion in his life is worth celebrating, and he is not taking constructive criticism at this time. You're getting fussed over whether you like it or not.]

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