terrariums | open; 2024

[ Rook's trips to the Lounge were hardly surprising. When the ever-prestigious Pomefiore graced their aquatic halls it always meant one thing: that Octavinelle had something that Vil wanted.

And how couldn't he when this particular conquest was so valuable? For Rook to be eavesdropping and conveniently 'running into' the merman on his day-to-day or following him with such keen eyes... Well, it was obvious that Jade needed to keep this secret close to his chest. Partially because Azul despised giving things away for free (and others too prideful to simply ask), but also for Jade's own amusement. If he were to give Rook what he needed so easily he would lose out on these little games they've begun to play.

This isn't just Rook watching him hate flight class or admiring his extensive enjoyment of mycology until late in the evenings when the hunter's other ~~victims~~ targets were already tucked into their beds... it's something much more personal to the merman. It's a feeling Jade can't completely pin down--while he believes it will likely end today, it's a selfish desire to drag it on a little longer.

Jade pauses briefly to kneel down beside a deep cluster of white-headed mushrooms. His hand reaches into his bag to produce a piece of thin paper and a stick of charcoal. What is a small detour for his beloved fungi? There's a gentle care as he dusts the gills of the mushroom before carefully pressing it firmly against the paper before carefully examining its afterimage. ]

I suppose it is time, then.

[ It's tucked away as he stands, dusting his hands before abruptly shooting off full speed through the trees. ]

[What Vil wants, Vil gets, one way or another--even if Azul and his inner circle are too stubborn to surrender it that easily. Together, they'll figure out an alternate route to their goal--whether that's to poach from Azul's secret source, or to figure out what kind of legitimate suppliers he might have access to. But what Rook wants.....

He'll pursue his quarry to the ends of the earth, if that's what it takes; he will find his satisfaction. Doesn't everyone feel that impulse to give chase, when they see the object of their desire running from them?

If he was keeping this strictly professional, he wouldn't rise to the bait. He would keep following at a distance, maybe even far enough to pull out his binoculars and let Jade think he had shaken him. Seeing Jade sprinting off full-tilt like that, though..... The urge to keep playing with him is overwhelming. Rook is off like a shot within moments, eyes alight with excitement as he bounds deeper into the trees. How far does Jade like to venture past his well-worn trails, hmmm? Which of them truly knows the twists and turns of this forest better?

He suspects it doesn't really matter, in the end. Jade is a creature of the sea, not the land--it's doubtful the merman has the practice or stamina to keep running at full speed for too long, or the knowledge and presence of mind to cover his trail while he does so. So long as he keeps his pace measured, he can keep moving all night, even if he doesn't close the distance between them. And so long as Jade can't fully cover his tracks.....

Oh, this is going to be fun. Can Jade hear that delighted laughter in the distance?]

[ It's instinct to chase down prey that runs--something that Jade and Floyd often struggled with when they first arrived on land. When someone would run in fear their first desire is always to chase them down and drag them back where they want them. As predators of the sea it was only natural to make sure one's prey never made it back home...

Which is why he's acutely aware of his own limitations here on land. While Jade and Floyd had the capability of being patient, they were ambush hunters by nature. Unlike Rook and his kind--persistence hunters who could walk and pursue far longer than any beast could run.

Although there were some habits from the sea that Jade occasionally failed to remember unless he was hunting something down himself... Tracks. Broken blades of grass. Even his own scent were all tools that Rook could use against him--so much so that the hunter was careful about his own diet for far more than just calories. His scent was subtle in a way that Jade often failed to notice until he was upon him, a theoretical knife against his throat. Fortunately, it is in the eel's nature to be aware of his surroundings.

He doesn't expect to lose him, but the laugh cracking through the trees on the wind give him the confirmation he's craving.

Rook isn't just here on business.

Jade's lungs are burning once he slides down the scaling side of a rocky hill, but his goal isn't far now. Fingers wrap around the strap of his waterproof bag to ensure it doesn't stray as he ducks down near low-hanging branches, free hand rising to his mouth to attempt to shield the sound of his painfully human lungs reclaiming the air they so desperately need. ]

[What a delightful little romp they're having. Now that he's flushed Jade out, there's very little need to be stealthy any longer--not unless he expects Jade to actually be desperate or self-satisfied enough to fall for the obvious ruse of believing he had won so easily. Would he really be Azul's right hand man if he was foolish enough to believe that, though? Would he really be so interesting that Rook wants to keep hunting him past the point he "needs" to, purely to learn more and more?

No, he's well-aware of how intelligent Jade is, that he almost certainly has a plan. The question is, is that plan good enough to throw him off the trail? He has Jade's scent, now. He knows Jade's footsteps--both in walking through the mountains and campus alike, and in suffering through Coach Vargas' running drills. He even has a good idea of Jade's strength and stamina, a rough guess of how far he might get and how quickly he might tire, if he's not careful. Assuming the merman has a destination in mind, since he didn't bolt in a random direction out of pure panic, that means there's going to be some degree of predictability to this chase. He can inspect the area Jade is heading for on his own time, if he doesn't get what he wants tonight.

Rook's own descent is slower, more controlled, all the better to listen for the sound of ragged breath and running footsteps. Even so, he can't resist a playful jab as he drops to the ground, voice catching on a mischievous giggle as he raises it to be heard from a distance.]

So bashful! Why, could it be that Monsieur Prémédité is actually secretly shy, beneath that confident guise?

[As if. But it's funny to suggest that, as an alternative to the (clearly unthinkable) idea that Jade simply doesn't want his company on this trip.]

[ Certainly not, but attacking one's pride is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Though with Rook now in his sights, he can plan his own offensive or at least consider an escape route.

It won't work with Rook so close, but at least he could edge this closer to where he'll hold a more tactical advantage (or at the very least make it harder for the blond to actually catch him). How long had the other trained in his life to become so capable? It's endearing, really. While Jade has only learned to be human just recently, Rook has 18 years under his fashionable belt. He even learned to become a completely different person on a whim however many years ago...

Mismatched eyes watch attentively through the leaves casting their shadow over his position as the hunter glides so gracefully to their little nook of vibrant green. Jade's hand inches to his back, gloved fingers slowly taking the handle of his foraging knife to slowly pull it free from its sheath. The sound is subtle, but he wouldn't be surprised if Rook still turned to stare him down. So before he gets the chance the knife is thrown with considerable force directly at his pursuer.

He can already smell the lake he knows is nearby, so the moment the blade leaves his hand he's on the move again. A chuckle escaping him easily despite himself. ]

[No answer, of course. Jade probably wants to save his breath, after a run like this--or more likely, since he doesn't hear those footsteps anymore, to try and hide. Rook's run slows to a trot, following the course laid out for him--only for him to immediately throw himself into an entirely too practiced roll, barely even rattling the quiver and bow strapped to his back, upon hearing the distinctive scrape of metal against leather. There's the familiar sound of a blade cutting through the air overhead, the clank of an abrupt landing--bounced off a rock, he'd guess, not buried in the trees.]

Ah, pour moi? Comme c'est généreux!

[He'll just have to scoop that up when he has a moment--either as a fond souvenir of tonight, or simply as a little hostage, if Jade ends up deciding he wants it back. But if Jade really wants to play with weapons, then he's more than happy to oblige, rather than simply chase him down. (Just how many knives did you bring, hmmm? How many times can you pull a reckless stunt like that?) Jade's chuckle is answered with his own laughter as Rook draws a handful of arrows from his quiver, rising up onto one knee to shoot as the merman flees. It's easy to rapid fire, holding them like this--but he'd hate to actually wound his prey. Vil would hardly tolerate him maiming another student.

So why doesn't he give Jade a few near misses to spook him? Oh, maybe he could pin that bag he's carrying to a tree, if he times it right? It might not stop Jade, but it would certainly make him falter for long enough to untangle himself from it.]

[ It is a nice knife. Certainly one that Jade wants back in the near future even if not today. Though if he had managed to leave it in the hunter's fluttering violet fabric-clad shoulder he wouldn't have minded parting with it as much.

Ah. When had his own thoughts escalated that far? Not that he wants to injure Rook in any way that he wouldn't recover from... to lose his most recent favorite toy would be unfortunate. Especially when things were beginning to get interesting.

He hears the arrows coming long before he feels the wind shoot past his face so quickly that it nearly slices his skin. There's still a sting, but he doesn't have the chance to bring up a hand to inspect it for blood before he feels his body abruptly jolted directly into a nearby tree by the plastic strap of his bag. It's a minor hold, fortunately just a clip across his chest, but the tediousness still earns an internal, quiet curse in a language no one on land would understand if it weren't for the magic helping them all understand one another.

Once he's free it's left hanging as he, naturally, has an alternative to collect his samples tucked away in his shirt. Breaking into the clearing the merman lowers his body, rushing until he can dive into the lake's murky surface. ]

[Bullseye. What satisfying shots! And what excellent trophies Jade is leaving in his wake. He wouldn't mind keeping such a beautiful knife for himself, and he definitely wants to have a little rummage through that bag to see what Jade had brought along. Even better, he hardly has to follow far to see Jade dive straight into the lake. Well, now..... Is this their ultimate destination, and he's already won what Vil wanted him to come here for? Or is Jade merely trying to hide in his native environment, to throw him off the trail long enough to make good his escape?

He can see the disturbance in the water Jade leaves, but it's far too murky to make him out beneath the surface. So..... Rook doesn't bother trying. He takes his time retrieving his arrows instead, scooping up that fallen knife, freeing Jade's bag from where it dangles. He takes them with him instead, clambering high into the branches of one of the trees ringing the clearing, and he waits with bow in hand.

Only a fool would blindly shove their hand into their quarry's burrow, once they'd run it to ground. Cornered prey bites, and fighting in their preferred terrain without being adequately prepared is a recipe for failure. There's nowhere for Jade to escape to that he can't survey from here, after all--he has to come out sometime. And if he doesn't.....

They had been fully aware that his stalking would inevitably lead to some body of water. He had come prepared. If Jade makes him wait too long, he might just have to drink his potion and follow him in.]

Below the water's surface is surprisingly clear. Something Jade always liked about this place even before he discovered the treasure trove that grew nestled in its depths. His hands immediately move to his belt to work the leather through the buckle. It's critical to remove his pants before he transforms... lest he ruin them and have to return to the dormitory in the nude.

He might prefer to be naked, but the embarrassment it would pose for Octavinelle's image isn't something he can ignore.

It is risky to to strip down in this situation, but he had little choice if he wanted to remain below the water's surface to potentially outwait the man undoubtedly lingering nearby. Once his boots are kicked off the eel's pants are quick to follow and as he brings his legs together Jade doesn't bother to chase them up to the water's surface.

A moment later his shirt and overshirt follows, breaking the tension of the murky water.

His gills fill with water that is less than ideal, but it is still considerably better than the burning feeling of drowning. How ridiculous... a merman failing so spectacularly that he drowns. Teal dances along pale skin, returning it to its true glory--a blissful sheen that brings with it the comforting relief of hydration that no human moisturizers could ever truly hope to replicate. ~~Even if they wring his brother dry every now and then so Vil can rub his goo on his face.~~

It's a shame that the potion to regain his human form is now likely in Rook's hands... but Jade is honestly more upset about his collection of spores and mushroom prints potentially having been stabbed through by the hunter's well shot arrow. For a few long moments Jade lingers near the bottom, but eventually he moves up to peek just above the surface. His aural fins perking up past the water, careful not to rise up more than just his eyes.

It's too quiet, but he's certain the hunt for him isn't over. ]

[Oh, is that--? Heh, of course it is. If he was so inclined, he could probably collect those clothes breaking the water's surface. He could just leave, and potentially strand Jade in his hiding place, half-nude and nearly helpless. How would he manage to make it back to campus, slithering pitifully along the forest floor with an eel tail, and struggling to breathe with gills instead of lungs? Does he still have his magical pen on him, to make it possible at all? His cell phone, to call for help? Or is it all in this bag?

For a moment, the cold and calculated hunter in him actually considers abandoning Jade. It would be the ruthlessly efficient option if he truly wanted to bring their hunt to a close, after all. Even if Jade chose to linger rather than take his chances on land, one or two powerful lightning spells cast straight into the water is probably all it would take to make the curtain fall. But he's not here to be efficient, let alone ruthless. This romp is a passion project, a bit of fun Jade is taking a little more seriously than he'd expected. He would genuinely mourn the loss of one of his favorite prey.

A fin peeking out of the water gives him a small target, but not one he particularly cares to take a shot at; unless he wanted to try and land an arrow straight through an eye, it would no doubt just go sailing uselessly into the water. So Jade intends to outlast him, does he? Rook pitches his voice to project it down to the water, even as he slips a hand into his pocket. One more playful prod, just to make his intentions clear, and he's going in after him. Ready or not, here he comes!]

Shy indeed..... why, is this what you were yearning for, all along? A secret rendezvous to have me all to yourself, just you and me? I thought you'd never ask.

[ Rook's voice immediately draws Jade's eyes, his left eye even more luminous beneath the shade of his bangs.

Clothing is hardly the issue here. If Rook snatches them up then he need only go to his secret supplies that he keeps buried nearby to replace them. His phone is unfortunately tucked away in the bag in the other vice-warden's hand, but he could make do without that. However, the potion was a little more pressing of an issue... He could survive on land for a few hours without water, but slithering himself down the mountainside isn't high on his list of priorities today. At least the pen tightly gripped in his webbed hand would be able to keep him moist if it truly came to that...

Jade's tail breaks the water's surface, curving and motioning toward himself--akin to a finger urging the other to come over. It is hardly a taunt if the other is already planning on joining him, isn't it? ]

[Still not a word, hmmm? This is objectively a terrible, horrible idea. He already has everything he needs. He should just toss Jade's potion into the water, and return to Pomefiore to announce a tentative mission accomplished. Transforming and abandoning the high ground, so to speak, immersing himself in a foreign environment that gives all his advantages away to Jade..... It's reckless, foolish, leaving himself dangerously vulnerable. Jade has already proven he has the resolve to seriously injure him, after all--perhaps even kill, if his knife had landed true.

Then again, in the end, is he really anything more than a reckless fool who loves the dangerous thrill of the hunt? He already has everything he needs, but not everything he wants. He wants an excuse to use his potion. He wants to become something, someone entirely new. He wants to see Jade up close in his all his natural, true beauty, existing as he should where he belongs.

Funny how he almost never seems to bare any skin from the neck down, yet Jade's first time seeing any of it, he gets to see all of it. A touch of magic is all he needs to divest himself of his clothing in moments; Rook abandons his uniform in the branches with Jade's bag, already nude and shameless as he drops down from his perch. He brings nothing but his magical pen and a potion, knocked back in one gulp as he slides into the water.

What a strange feeling. He feels..... almost too buoyant, expansive, as though his body is unfurling like a sigh of relief. The water tastes green and musty even before his head is anywhere near the surface, a pale blue bioluminescence rippling instinctively over his skin the more he immerses beneath such murky water. He may have to start fighting for his life within moments, but until then? He actually feels surprisingly good. It's almost as though this is already natural. What must it feel to turn into a beastman? A fae? A ghost? A direbeast? Maybe he should invest in studying how to make these potions for himself.....]

[ There are times where words are unnecessary. While Rook may love the sound of his own voice (which admittedly Jade has found he's rather fond of by now), there is an equal importance of understanding one's prey enough to pursue them in total silence. Then again... Jade isn't simply a beast--wild? Most certainly, but just a beast would be an insult.

As Rook's clothes fly from his body in an flash Jade doesn't resist the urge to examine him. The various scars freckled across his form are nearly invisible, but the picture they paint sends a rush through Jade long before the potion touches the hunter's lips--he knows how to struggle.

Skin is painted in vibrant colors to bring Rook's form both closer and impressively different from his own. A dark teal tongue brushes over a plethora of too sharp, too many fangs as Jade allows himself to sink back beneath the water's surface. His natural tone might be suited perfectly to the ocean, but less so for a beautiful mountain lake. Fortunately the abundance of fauna, moss, and aquatic plants gives him potential to hide. Though from the familiar shape of the tentacles replacing his target's lower limbs (although their size is remarkably skewed) brings him pause.

Would Rook understand how to use his new appendages? The power that the merman has witnessed real ones use to avoid capture or to ambush and entangle their own prey?

Had he practiced? When would he even have the time? ]

Oya, oya... What an interesting form you've been given, Rook-san. May I ask what you intend to do with me?

[When would he have the time, indeed? After this little scuffle, he intends to make the time. To give up this wonderful new feeling after just an hour or two seems tragic beyond measure. To say nothing of giving up the chance to see Jade like this.....

Oh, he's positively breathtaking. Jade has always been handsome, but this is the missing piece he'd always known of logically, but could never quite grasp emotionally. His heart (hearts? Now that he thinks to focus on the sensation, it's bizarre) feels as though it's skipping a beat. He had had something he'd been planning to do, hadn't he? Some sort of playful banter for Jade? Something? In a rare instance of Rook actually finding himself at a loss for words, all of it floats away as effortlessly as he and Jade bob beneath the water now, before any of it ever manages to reach his lips. Rook simply openly stares instead, silent and captivated.]

[ Such stunned silence earns a laugh, a small stream of bubbles erupting from the gills nestled firmly between the moray's ribcage. Clawed fingertips move to trace along the lighter color gracing Jade's abdomen, accentuating the sturdy abdominal muscles there. Various teal freckles scatter across him leading into deeper, darker hues--all parts that aid in his natural defenses. ]

Speechless? Fufu~ I had not thought it possible.

[ His tail flicks, easily moving the water around him as if it wasn't there at all. Jade knows better than to slither closer, but it's tempting when his reward would be the chance to admire such a spectacle. ]

I imagine your hearts are racing.

[ He'd torn apart enough cuttlefish in his time to know exactly how their unique organs look, feel and taste. Would Rook's blood have the same salted tang? ]

[Hah, what must Jade think of him now? ~~This is an extremely inconvenient time to have a monsterfucker crisis over how his friend is secretly obscenely hot. Somebody help him, this is the one situation he actually wasn't prepared for.~~ Just sitting here gaping at him like some witless trout..... He must look like an absolute buffoon. It's impossible not to follow Jade's claws with his eyes, lingering over powerful muscles, elegant and adaptive coloring, a sleek tail that seems to stretch on for miles..... Every inch of Jade is perfect. Perfectly gorgeous, and perfectly deadly. He can't imagine changing a single thing.

Rook can't help a soft self-deprecating laugh once he finally finds his voice again, spreading his hands; his tentacles fan out along with them in a helpless full-body shrug. Caught red-handed, is he?]

You read me like a book, Monsieur Prémédité. Forgive me, I hadn't realized you would be so beautiful.

This is a rare opportunity. I suppose you have not had much chance to appreciate my kind so close before... I appreciate your compliment.

[ Because in Jade's mind that's what it is, despite his own--~~confused, questioning--come to think of it, is this technically interspecies? Would his parents find that attraction shameful? Surely, it was nothing more than a passing silly human 'crush'~~--feelings on the matter. Rook is obsessed with beasts of all sorts who surely would admire any other merfolk with the same slack-jawed awe.

Though being admired so unabashedly... it stirs something in him. It's different when those foolish first-years stared he and Floyd down earlier in the year. ]

This form suits you, Rook-san. I will have to be careful not to admire you too closely.

Merci~ I find it quite agreeable as well. By all means, admire as closely as you'd like; I could certainly watch you swim you all night. Vraiment enchanteur.....

[One tentacle stretches out mock-sneakily to curl around Jade's free hand, grasp too slack to be even remotely threatening. After all, Jade being close to him means he's close to Jade, as well--and even stunned by the merman's elegance, he can't fully shake the desire to capture his prize to enjoy at his leisure.

His family would probably laugh if they saw him now, wouldn't they? What would it be, "boys will be boys" perhaps? Or maybe "it's only natural"? Even if they didn't share his aesthetic attraction, they would surely understand it, wouldn't they?]

[ At this distance most spells would work just as effectively against himself than just the 'merman' before him. It's a dangerous game he's playing today, but he would be lying if he claimed to dislike it. If he were to let Rook too close it would be easy to drive his pen into Jade's gills and twist--tentacles ensnaring the moray before he could even twist himself away.

That is if Rook could effectively control even a portion of those powerful new appendages with even a fraction of the prowess Azul can. It's a risky bet, but there is some safety in the knowledge that even if Rook wanted to injure or kill him it would be, as Cater often says, a 'bad look'.

Webbed fingers spread when the tentacle takes his hand so gently, almost as if the vice warden simply planned to kiss the back of it. Jade takes the risk to move effortlessly closer, though the hand holding his wand does move to flick some teal strands of hair from his face. Is it a subtle reminder that this could change at any moment? Possibly. ]

Would Vil-san be disappointed in you wasting your evening? I imagine the deadline for your 'project' is drawing near...

[ His tail moves then--edging in closer until it can brush against one of the cuttlefish's strikingly vivid tentacles. Like this can he feel how cool to the touch he is? It's sticky, but he isn't worried about that prospect of all things running Rook off. ]

[Taking Jade's hand like this certainly feels like he's kissing it, with that stimulating hint of salt tinging along his skin. He can't help but wonder, would it taste the same if he actually did kiss him? Would Jade even like that? He doubts his teeth are as sharp as Jade's, but he could probably do some damage, if he wanted to. If he had the chance to. Down here, his body is as new as though he were a child again. He might be able to clumsily latch onto Jade with those tentacles, might even be able to instinctively wield some impressive strength from them.....

Even so, it probably wouldn't be anything Jade couldn't effortlessly handle, especially with his magical pen at the ready. Right now, he's largely at the merman's mercy. Maybe that's why it feels as though he's pushing his luck, curling a few tentacles to caress the tail that nudges at them. How hard would it be to engulf him with these, with a little practice? ~~Does this count as feeling him up?~~]

Heheheh..... Roi du Poison knows he can trust my process. When have I ever let my Queen down before?

[Read as: Vil probably would be disappointed, but odds are he won't pry that far unless Rook volunteers that information. Why should he, when he'll produce results whether he wastes his time playing with Jade or not? He'll just come back to the lake in a day or two to collect his prize while Jade is otherwise occupied, and Vil will be both happy and none the wiser.

Although..... it does feel a little sad, thinking that he won't need to dog Jade's footsteps so closely anymore. Just because he doesn't need to doesn't mean he doesn't still want to. Suppose he does keep going, once Vil has what he needs..... what should his new project be?]

[ Every instinct inside him tells him that letting those inexperienced tendrils bump against and coil in his space is a poor means of self-preservation. Fortunately, the logical side of himself wins out over instinct--a striking difference between himself and his twin.

Rook won't kill him and a little potential maiming doesn't concern him so long as they both can leave this mountain alive. Preferably still able to walk. ]

All of this for bloomed algae? It isn't here, you know.

[ Because while this lake does hold some wonderful algae that he enjoys to use in his terrariums... it's actually a small side pond a little ways off that the hunter is after. While Jade is certain Pomefiore doesn't need a substantial amount for their cause, it's much more amusing to enjoy their frustration from the sidelines. Plus it needed time to bloom and spread before collection. The small bit of it that Jade did attempt to transplant in the lake was taking so much time to bear hypothetical fruit he's already accepted it as a lost cause.

But the lake itself isn't wasted. Jade's tail brushes more firmly against the tentacles to admire their texture before coiling around a few... it isn't octopus, but it's only natural that he'd consider taking a bite. Would the delicate suckers on the edges of them leave welts the same way Azul's would? Could they squeeze him tight enough to make his ribs collapse from lack of room> No... it's more likely they could leave deep, aching bruises though.

His hand extends to rest on Rook's scarred chest, tip of a claw tracing over a mark long healed over. As calm as Jade's expression is, he can feel his cold, slow heart beating faster. Can that tentacle around his hand and wrist feel it? ]

I am afraid you have wasted your time today.

Have I, now? You really think so?

[Rook just smiles mischievously, tentacles curling lovingly around the tail that ensnares them. There are plenty more where that came from, after all--and uncoordinated though they may be, they all seem very interested in touching him now that Jade is getting bolder, stroking and squeezing sleek muscles in clear admiration.

Jade's pulse thrums beneath the tentacle wound around his wrist--quicker even than it had been during their chase, he suspects. That's a little thrill in and of itself, isn't it? That this kind of closeness can be even more exciting, even if they aren't struggling for their lives? Rook hums appreciatively under the delicate touch of a claw, leaning in to touch their noses together. Silly Jade, doesn't he realize by now that the algae is the pretext he'd needed?]

Algae or none, I think tonight has been tremendously fruitful~ ♥

[ He wants to taste Rook's skin between his teeth. Maul his face so that everyone would know how much of a mistake tangling with one of the twins is, but as he smashes their mouths together he decides this is good enough. Though just because his intentions are kinder doesn't translate to his needle sharp teeth being any less of a danger. Jade wants to bury them into bioluminescent flesh to suck him dry and sate the only drive he can even begin to equate what he's feeling to.

His tail tightens harshly around the tentacles in its grasp, even as the others so lavishly curl and brush against his far too long body.

It's short-lived and when it breaks his mismatched eyes linger on Rook's face with a familiar curiosity. Like he's watching a struggling fish rather than a living breathing (sort of) person in front of him. His hand slides up a well-toned chest until he can hook his arm around the hunter's neck to edge him closer. ]

You might regret this, Rook-san.

[Oh, he thinks he likes this. It's overwhelmingly satisfying to have more than two hands to touch with, and the way it feels when Jade squeezes him..... It's a strange, alien ache, distinctly different to feel himself merely being compressed, rather than the pain of such strain being taken by his bones. But the way Jade kisses--

That sort of primal hunger sends a shiver straight down his spine, frightening and thrilling in exactly the right ways. Vil is going to be distraught if he comes home torn to ribbons, isn't he? He still has Pomefiore's image and reputation to maintain. Rook does his best to be careful, to spare himself from those deadly sharp teeth; even so, it's hard to be mindful when it suddenly feels like they're trying to devour each other whole.

Rook swallows back a whimper of protest as Jade pulls back, instead letting out a shuddering sigh as he allows Jade to reel him in close. Should he regret this? It's hard to believe so, when he mostly just doesn't want "this", whatever it is, to be done as quickly as it had started. What's with that expression, anyway.....?]

By all means, enlighten me. Why would I regret it?

[ From this distance Rook's eyes are enchanting. Such a striking green in comparison the darker, chilled waters they find themselves coiled up together in... it almost makes him feel a little nervous.

Webbed fingers slide through blond hair, curling what strands he can around their clawed tips. It's selfish to do something like this, but he doesn't wish to pursue this any further with only his assumptions.

This close and this intimate... and with that striking green looking directly into his own gaze. Briefly he ponders using his own unique magic here--to ask the vice any question he pleases (and there are many...)--but that would likely drive a wedge between this contact he doesn't want to end.

Jade tears his eyes away with a sigh as his hand comes up to cup his own cheek. ]

Merfolk are very particular and possessive regarding their mates. I would loathe for you to regret stepping into such a commitment unknowingly.

[ His tail tightens again, this time inching up Rook's elongated torso in hopes to collect more of him to hold.]

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