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Firelight
Jun 15, 2023 1:20:19 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Jun 15, 2023 1:20:19 GMT
Once again, Ino found himself unable to sleep, far too anxious after the events of that day. He ran them over in his head, fighting and feeding on Cyr, the painting, the...odd interaction with Eris, whose painting was still starting at him across the room...
Was there things he could have done better? Should he have? Ino was admittedly a bit rusty with the socio-political maneuvering, for all that he'd once been a master.
He never should have let his guard down. In the night, he could admit that.
For now, all was silent as the petite demon sat up, setting his feet firmly on the floor. The murmurs and shuffling had settled, and honestly, Ino was restless. He got up again, dragging his large tome out of its hiding place.
There was nowhere to read in this room.
The dull light from outside did nothing, and he didn't fancy crouching in the bathroom to use the lights there. The mere thought of it had him wrinkling his nose and instead, trotting out into the main room. Here was also dark and quiet, but by the fire...
Soon enough, Ino was comfortably settled, laying on his stomach on the floor in front of the couch, firelight flickering with just enough glow for him to read the words on the page.
The location of the Theatre was chosen because souls given physical form could not cross the lava rivers surrounding the large island, however, as demons began to flock to the surrounding region, others arrived to sell necessities. Mammon was the first to construct a dwelling for demons in the area, and at the height of his power, owned over 86% of the buildings on the main island-
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Post by Skwidge on Jun 19, 2023 2:47:57 GMT
It had taken a while, but Myut finally stirred from amongst his bedding. The darkness surrounding him confirmed it to be still late. Confusion blossomed in his mind as sleep-wearied eyes blinked to awakeness, not quite sure why he felt so lousy. Turning his head slowly to the side as he took in the dampened sights of his night-strewn room, his eyes paused at the door, suddenly offended by the golden glow that flickered at its angle. Funny, he hadn’t remembered the fire being so alive earlier. That must have meant that someone else was out and about right?
Why the sudden urge to immediately investigate, he couldn’t fathom. But there he was, rising from his bed sheets to place his bare feet upon the floor. His feet weren’t the only thing that were bare, as the onslaught from the sudden change in temperature between the safety of his nest and the barrenness of the outside world caused his skin to prickle. He didn’t have the mental wherewithal to currently ask why it was he wasn’t dressed, mind focused solely on the light – and warmth there promised – from the fire in the main room. Drawn to it like it were some weeping siren.
He did, however, know enough decency to pull a robe from the wardrobe before letting his Greed’s curiosity fully take over. Just a slight peek would be satisfactory, right? Then he could get right back to bed.
Laughable.
His Greed held no bounds once piqued.
And piqued it was, for when he leaned out of the doorway with gaze seeking the fireplace, he found none other than Ino – but that wasn’t what had caught his attention, no. There was Ino with the book. The book he knew he had seen earlier. He had forgotten all about it. How could he have done that?? There was only one mission now - and it surely wasn’t his bed.
The soles of his feet padded softly against the floor as he approached from his room, coming to a stop beside the armchair and sofa, Ino laying a few feet away in front of the couch, large tome sprawled out before him. “That – I saw it before,” his voice was soft and inquisitive, his statement almost a question.
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Firelight
Jun 19, 2023 3:07:41 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Jun 19, 2023 3:07:41 GMT
Ino gasped, his head going up, locking on Myut’s eyes as his hand slapped over the book. His first instinct was actually to throw it into the fire-- he'd done it before, just ask Bez-- but he refrained, instead slamming a hasty invisibility glamour over the text.
Thank goodness he'd learned impulse control, because the book was rare and a great read and he'd be very sad to have it damaged or lost.
"Book? I don't gave a book" he said, trying to discreetly move the mostly invisible book under the couch. He took in how the Greed was dressed and arched an eyebrow.
"It's very late. Let me help you back to bed. I couldn't sleep, so I was just... laying out here. Sorry if I woke you up" He said to the other.
He didn't like others knowing about his hobbies and interests. Enjoying reading thick history books didn't fit in with his image as a playful socialite, and coming off as too interested in learning could ruin his chances of snagging a powerful husband. He'd only really let one demon know that side of him and based on how that had ended...
Ino's endless smile wavered briefly before he forced it back up.
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Post by Skwidge on Jun 19, 2023 20:58:14 GMT
With a gasp, Ino’s head shot up and his hand slammed down atop the tome. Poor book, tiny as his little dainty hands were. Or- what? No. Suddenly there was no book. Surely Myut had just seen it, though. Ino was clearly acting wildly suspicious to boot. Sliding his arm to the back like that as if he were some flippered animal. Was that supposed to have been a stretch? He seemed perfectly adamant and nonchalant about the whole thing though, and the physical evidence was clearly no longer there.
While Mew still wasn’t feeling 100% himself, he wasn’t just about to let this go. It wouldn’t let him. That book had been there – he had seen it earlier in Ino’s room as well. What were the odds to have manifested something like that twice? Clearly the little lilac was up to some manner of trickery. But before Myut could interject, Ino was trying to soothe him away with soft words of placation and the intent to walk him back to the land of the sleeping.
“Just laying out here, huh?” Mew took a very purposeful seat in the armchair, voice semi-incredulous as he crossed his legs comfortably while looking down at Ino who was bathed in the light of the faltering fire. The white-haired demon was clearly very happy right where he was. “What am I, geriatric? I don’t need help getting back to bed,” He waved off the sentiment.
“Truly though, you don’t mean to keep me in the dark, do you?” He said, eyes gleaming as he threw an expectant gaze at the floor where the book had definitely been. “Come onnnn~ what was it then?”
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Post by anthemum on Jun 20, 2023 0:36:29 GMT
"Are you sure?~" Ino teased, scooting closer to the couch. He needed to be fairly close to maintain the glamour. Ideally he should be touching the object in question, but then his hand would be under the couch and hovering off the floor, which Myut would surely notice.
"There was nothing there. I was just enjoying the warmth. Are you sure you're okay?" Ino laced his tone with concern and caring, shifting closer to the Greed demon. "Stress really can be hell on the mind. I would know"
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Post by Skwidge on Jun 20, 2023 22:14:10 GMT
The Greed narrowed his eyes just a titch at Ino’s tone of voice – the little demon had to be playing coy. “Ah, it would probably be easier to enjoy the warmth if the fire was a little more… lively. Any particular reason it’s gotten so low? I know that when I’m particularly engrossed in something, like reading for example, I tend to forget about the things around me.” Myut could play his little game. He had the unending patience for it. Why was Ino trying so hard to hide things? It must have meant that it was important, or better yet, valuable. Meu could linger for a hounding eternity if that was the case. Even if it was nothing, the simple chance, no matter how miniscule, that it could benefit him meant it was worth potentially wasting his time on.
The taller demon didn’t particularly care for the overly concerned … concern from this stranger. “Lying can also get you into a whole tangle of trouble,” the Greed observed his finely manicured nails before locking eyes with the Envy. “Just save us both some time. Or would you rather have me come down there and find out for myself?”
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Jun 20, 2023 22:53:01 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Jun 20, 2023 22:53:01 GMT
"Oh, no, I just didn't want to disturb the others by stoking the fire," Ino lied easily. "It can get very loud, when you do it wrong, and who am I to inflict my sleeplessness on others?" He shrugged, a quick up and down, and rapidly replaced his hand, bumping the book and leaning a little further to make contact as he tried to pull it closer.
"What is lying but the native tongue of our kind?" Ino asked, eyes looking over Myut carefully. "And by all means, if you think there's something to find on this floor, go ahead."
He kept his tone light, pulling his whole body over, betting on the fact that Myut would not put his arms around Ino just to search behind him.
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Post by Skwidge on Jul 16, 2023 14:18:18 GMT
Myut shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, uncrossing his legs before putting his hands on his knees and lifting himself out of the chair. “Well, with such a warm invitation, how could I say no?” He closed the very short distance between the two of them and leaned down to slide his hands under Ino’s arms, “Pardon, but don’t you think it would be far more comfortable to sit on the couch?” he swiftly lifted the Envy with ease, calculating gaze focused sharply on what the other would do with his hands.
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Jul 16, 2023 16:07:04 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Jul 16, 2023 16:07:04 GMT
Ino gasped, hands flailing up to catch his balance as he was unceremoniously lifted from the floor. They ended up behind Myut's neck, holding on tightly as Ino tried his best not to flail like an angry cat.
"Put me down!" he hissed, voice quiet but fierce as he dangled there. After a moment, his legs went around Myut's waist, and he felt more secure.
With his hands removed, the book was now fully visible, though still somewhat concealed under the couch. It wasn't worth the effort of power to hide it, not when his best source for feeding had already threatened to snap him in half like a twig.
Although, Cyr would be furious to see him and Myut like this... the thought nearly made Ino snicker, and he lay his head on the Greed's shoulder, a pleased smirk on his lips. But what to say about the book...?
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Post by Skwidge on Jul 16, 2023 20:26:14 GMT
Oh. Well… the intent had been to lift Ino like some little kitty cat, dangling him over the couch before he released him thereupon with little to no ceremony. However, clingy as the lilac was wont to be, Myut felt first the smaller demon’s arms encircle his throat only to be followed by legs around his waist. Meu ignored the angry plea to be put down – he had warned the Envy well enough to reveal the little treasure on his own, but he had refused.
And revealed it was! Mew had completely abandoned any focus or interest on Ino as the damned thing finally returned to view. See! He had been right. Leaving Ino to fend for himself to either continue to cling desperately or fall, the Greed bent and scooped the book up from the floor before turning happily around and falling back into the couch, already pulling the pages open. There was a very good chance that Ino’s face would be smooshed directly into the cushions since he had laid his head against Myut’s shoulder. Meu was far too engrossed in the book to be bothered by the other’s current lack of personal space, though.
“And so?” The white-haired lad asked expectantly to Ino, tone strict and unyielding.
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Jul 16, 2023 20:45:22 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Jul 16, 2023 20:45:22 GMT
Ino bit back a yelp as Myut bent over to take his book in hand, then hissed as the Greed's rapid motion bumped his nose into the back of the couch. He sat back, glaring mildly, rubbing his injured face.
'So' indeed.
What could he say now? That it wasn't his? That he had brought it to trade? Ino considered it, but something stopped him. Myut was a Greed, a collector, one who was already fixated on the book. If Ino even implied that it was available, he might end up having to fend off attempts to trade for the tome, which would just involve the others in his reading habits.
He didn't want that.
The truth was uncomfortable, heavy on his tongue as he shifted back to look into the Greed's eyes. "It's mine, hard as that may be too believe. I've been reading it. Ha"
He shifted a little, rather trapped by the Greed's strong arms and he couldn't even properly delight in straddling a handsome man with the prickles of unease going up and down his spine.
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Firelight
Jul 18, 2023 20:49:55 GMT
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Post by Skwidge on Jul 18, 2023 20:49:55 GMT
Myut’s olive green orbs were too preoccupied with the text before him to spare a moment for Ino’s gaze. He simply gave a miniscule nod of his chin to signify that he had heard. “And why would that be difficult to believe?” Tone genuinely curious, Mew could not fathom in that instance why Ino would make such a comment.
As Ino tried to shift in his grasp, Meu realized that the Envy was now very physically in the way of the pages. He would have to do an awkward, uncomfortable twist of his arms or rest the book on Ino’s head, and he figured the dainty and elegant boy would not appreciate that. So, he let the book fall back a bit, limp from his grasped fingers. “Well, reading is typically what one does with a book,” the Greed responded matter-of-factly, resisting the urge to grab the back of the shorter’s collar to pick him up. Instead, he tugged at him by the arm and lifted one thigh to offset him and hopefully slide him off of his lap. "The couch," he reiterated, referring back to what would be a more proper place for him to sit.
Getting down to business though, Meu scanned through another page, "This a history book? It's been decades since I've seen a tome of the old kingdom. Where did you get this?" Meu's tone was both musing and excited, much like a little kid in a candy store.
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Firelight
Jul 18, 2023 23:05:30 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Jul 18, 2023 23:05:30 GMT
"Me? With a book like this? It's a little strange, some would say" Ino felt completely out of sorts, when Myut had no idea just how vulnerable this was to the Envy. How few knew this side of him, which he tried so hard to hide.
He ignored the commentary and the couch comment itself, instead focusing on how Myut wanted him to move. Not one to behave, Ino shifted into a lounging position across Myut’s lap, loosely looping one arm back behind his neck.
"It's a cookbook, actually," he said, voice laced with heavy sarcasm. "I traded for it."
The clearly was unspoken, but succinctly conveyed.
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Post by Skwidge on Aug 15, 2023 20:41:53 GMT
Meu simply tilted his head in minute confusion to Ino's comment on it being strange for him to have a history book. Plenty of nobles had side hobbies, and it wasn't like it was strange for demons to brush up on history. As a Greed, Myut simply could not understand the concept of hiding what he liked in some foreign concept like shame. He was unabashedly possessive, and proud of it. Though, he did wager relatability to discretion, which was the closest he was going to get in this plight of empathy.
Ino refused to get onto the couch for the third time. Instead, the little Envy stretched out even more inconveniently, taking full advantage of the free real estate. And Myut was having none of it anymore. Using the book cover against Ino's face, Meu pushed the boy's head back into the bottom couch cushion and off of him. "Wow, fascinating. You'll have to let me borrow some recipes," the white-haired demon replied with a bit of sass, feigning sweetness like he wasn't currently trying to bury as much of Ino's body with the book as possible. He was still gentle, of course, but unyielding.
"It's definitely a particular taste; one that I approve of greatly. What was it worth for you?" The Greed spoke in a chipper tone, pleased with how little of Ino he could now see.
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Aug 15, 2023 21:58:05 GMT
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Post by anthemum on Aug 15, 2023 21:58:05 GMT
Sure, Myut might not mind, but the circle Ino was trying to break into absolutely did, sometimes, judge an Envy for being too clever. Envies were natural socialites, masters of presentation, and could truly show off the wealth and status of their partners.
There was nowhere in that job description that incorporated reading history books for fun.
Myut squashed him down and Ino squeaked again, starting to painstakingly squirm his way free, minutely adjusting his clothing as he did so. No free show here. Maybe this split focus was why he answered with surprising honesty. "Ruby and gold collar, enchanted, and would have given more"
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