terrariums | Inbox for Duplicity

[ Even if Jade doesn't look affected, he's sure the other can feel the way his words made his pulse jump. Leather of his gloves be damned, but he doesn't pull his hand away. Instead letting Rook move into it as he wishes. ]

It is... quite a bit to take in.

[ Though he doubts it will help him truly understand any of them, he can at least offer his own brand of... empathy, rather than pity. And sympathy for those that he can't explicitly understand like with Idia's unique situation. While it doesn't solve the root cause of his own discontent, it still does give him a little more peace of mind. ~~Minus the whole potentially being trapped forever in whatever situation Malleus puts them into in the future, that is.~~ ]

I can't say it will help, but it is a step in that direction.

I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be to hear about all at once, rather than gradually over time. What a shock!

[Rook's smile warms in private satisfaction, feeling Jade's pulse race beneath his cheek. It's certainly worth being a little more protective than he otherwise might feel the need to be, to make sure Jade knows he's loved, isn't it? Jade may not be the best at taking care of himself, but he's hardly made of glass, either. He'll need to find a careful balance, watching over him while still giving him the space he needs.

For now, though? Maybe less space, and more cuddles. More claiming Jade's hand for wordless affection, and more shamelessly exploiting this strange compulsion for his own advantage.]

What else do you suppose might help, in that case?

[ While morays may be more solitary creatures, Jade has found the distance between himself and others difficult. A bridge he can't cross or a stitch he can't mend. Not because of necessarily deceit on his part (though that certainly doesn't help; he's fully aware of how he carries himself at the College and here in Duplicity), but from the simple fact that they don't need or want to.

Surely they would make the effort if they wanted to be closer to him?

His lips part to speak before closing wordlessly when it feels too raw to say. ]

... Can I think on that answer for a while?

Of course. But promise you'll let me know before you sleep for the night?

[Not some nebulous "later" that might never come. A specific time frame, to give him the time and space he needs, without giving him enough leeway to squirm his way out of it. That's what Jade needs right now, isn't it? A loose, gentle grip, perhaps, but to be held onto nonetheless, to keep him from slipping away entirely. Will they still feel this compulsion by that hour? He can't help but hope so.]

Are you hoping to pry some more honesty from me tonight, my Dominant?

[ A hand holding onto him might be right. Something to keep him holding onto the shore despite the call of the darkness--no, blackness below the surface.

But he still hopes this has all long faded by then. And certainly by tomorrow... ]

Heheheh..... And what if I am, mon contre-courant? Would that truly be so terrible?

[Rook's smile turns mischievous, gaze pointedly sly where he peeks out from Jade's hand.]

In spite of how generous you seem to think I am, I'm terribly greedy, didn't you realize? If I get to have you, I want to have all of you. I intend to learn everything about you, until I know every corner of your heart and soul even more deeply than you do.

[ This is a new side of Rook. Not so far off of what he's used to of him, but something much more... intimate. Targeted, even. He can only imagine how he must treat the other's here, too, even if they aren't his on paper the way Jade will soon be.

His fingers shift to pinch the hunter's cheek. Hard. ]

Then wouldn't it be more satisfying to learn that through means of your own instead of relying on the poisonous bite of winged rodents?

[Rook only laughs aloud at that, clearly delighted to have earned the protest in spite of the way Jade scolds. How could he not be, when Jade is usually so stoic?]

That's exactly why I'm saving the interesting bits for later, and taking care of all this right now. It seems to me you might find it something of a relief to have the choice of talking things over taken away from you, if you find it distressing enough to leap out a window to avoid a conversation. Am I wrong?

Fortunately I have no interest of jumping from the 13th floor.

[ The floor he's on currently is nothing--he was easily half the length down in his own height alone... but Rook's place is considerably higher up. So high they likely don't even allow the windows open much more than to allow in a breeze.

His pinch relents, thumb brushing over the reddened skin. If Rook thought to he could make their contract rather... difficult with a clause that demands Jade's honesty with him at all times or something similar, but Jade dare not mention anything like that here. ]

What do you consider interesting? You have already slept with me.

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