Messenger Bird, Letter, Telepathy and the occasional action thread can all go here! Please label your header so I know which method of contact you're using.
[What is he supposed to say to those cookies?! Thanks?? Uai was both flustered and ashamed to receive something so thoughtful. The fact that Azura thinks she even needs to apologize, however, does not set well with him.
So within a few minutes, he's sending her a private video call. Totally not munching on those cookies: That would be weird.]
Um... Hello? Please pick up. This is embarrassing.
[He slowly lowers the cookie he was munching, embarrassed to be called out.]
Y, yeah. Sorry. [Wait, why is he apologizing? Even Uai doesn't quite know. It's a very 'Shi' thing for him to do.] I mean-- You. You didn't have to apologize for me screwing up.
He can't stop himself from smiling at that. It's as she says... and he doesn't necessarily dislike that. Uai isn't exactly known for watching his mouth either.]
Like I said, you don't need to apologize. It was on me. [Admitting to being wrong isn't always difficult, so long as it's a learning experience.
He breaths in to steady himself, considering his words... He doesn't like telling the truth to people that he cares about. Uai thinks that knowing too much will scare people away. At least when people don't know, they have room to imagine nice things about him.
The decision to suddenly be honest isn't a kind one. He's gathered that Azura is far too kind and he's still afraid of her. Again, he flips a coin: He wants her to stay, but he realizes he should scare her off for her own good.]
You startled me a bit, but I never gave you a opportunity to learn why. So it's really not your fault. I was being unfair by not giving you a chance. [... oh right. the chance:] Touching me is quite dangerous. Sorry for not telling you.
[LOOK THE POINT IS SHE'S TRYING. She listens however, to what Uai has to say next. There's silence on her part as she considers his words.]
I had no idea, Uai. I hadn't experienced pain the previous time we'd touched. [She considers for a moment, eyes glancing downwards.] Surely there is a way to make it so that's not the case?
[It must be terrible, to avoid touch out of fear of hurting someone else]
[She's not entirely certain how to respond to that. It's like a page out of her own book. There is, however, a decided small and sad frown leaking into her expression.]
Aaand! With that in mind. I understand if you don't want me to come near you anymore.
[Though he has a feeling she's going to insist otherwise, Uai wants to put that out there.]
Or if you do, maybe we should all sign waivers. Not that I'm going to try to hurt anymore! My soul seems to be repaired to the point that I won't actively hurt people. I think?
[Ack, he's been called out! Uai tenses when she hits the nail so squarely. It's true: Being told straight up to leave is so much easier than investing in a relationship he can't keep.
Though, he doesn't explain this pessimistic view.]
I'm dangerous. Isn't it natural to be wary of those who can hurt you?
Because the one tearing me apart is me. If I wanted to stay whole, I only needed to play by the rules.
[And accept death, which is just not an option. The thought alone is enough to cause his broken state to surface: A dark shimmer rushes over his form, threatening to turn him back to his true form, as he gives an eerie hum.]
There's no one to blame for me, and that's fine with me. It shouldn't be, but it is. I know I cause pain, and I know how to stop that, but I choose not to. That's why I'm dangerous.
[Does he? He's not sure. He can feel himself slipping into a dangerous state, but at the same time... Why fight it? Why does he keep all of these secrets? Because he knows they'll scare people away? If he was truly kind, wouldn't he want for her and everyone else to leave? A kind person who prioritize their happiness and safety over his loneliness.
Why can't he be kind? Is he really about to drag someone who is truly kind-- Azura-- down with him?
Uai smiles. Despite everything, he smiles. Smiling was his instinct as Shi, and it remains as Uai. Even if he's sad or scared, he's still smiling.]
I'm dead, Azura. For the good of the universe, I'm supposed to die. But I didn't, and I won't. I have too much to live for. Even if it means dragging everyone else into hell with me, apparently. Charming, right~? Forgivable, isn't it~?
[She can just see the little pieces of Uai falling apart here, shattering as he reveals quite possibly the most vulnerable part of himself. It makes her heart ache for him. To be doomed to die but not be ready for it, to fight to live despite what it would cause.
It's unfair. There's little she can do about Uai's fate where he's from, but perhaps here she can make it a little easier for him. At first, the only sound he hears from her in reaction to his words is a soft gasp. Visually, there are tears threatening to brim in her eyes. But the next is the soft tone of her voice picking up into what should now be a familiar song as her fingertips touch the screen that they're talking through. It's the least she can do, to give him at least a little peace in this moment that's undoubtedly painful.]
[His voice had picked up a crazed hum of its own, which sounds off-putting with no context. He knows music can fix him, so when he feels himself crumbling he quickly begins singing. The result is this creepy tune and these contradicting smiles.
And tears for days, once it sinks in that he's losing himself. He's still smiling at her as he waits for a response. The last thing Uai expected was singing: He was waiting to finally be told he's repulsive inside and outside...
... on the note of 'outside,' the lines between his human facade and true form were beginning to blur. There was a dark shadow of his dragon form and it was threatening to engulf his human self. As her song starts, Uai suddenly snaps back into one person.]
Ah... Azu-- rah, w-wai... [The effect is quick when he's this vulnerable. He wants to tell her not to sing, since he knows it hurts her. Part of him wants to laugh at how he's accidentally hurting her again, and she's proving his point.
Instead, his pink eyes glaze over and he begins to chill out. Perhaps a bit too much: Uai looks quite tired and mellow, as if she shot him with a tranquilizer. He's even humming along out of habit. Hana used to use humming to ground him too, and dammit. He misses that so much.]
[Oh. Was that too much? She hadn't meant to put him to sleep! The glow from her necklace dims as Azura stands up from her seated position.]
Goodness, Uai! [but he's... asleep? Or close to it. She hums a little as she moves, concern evident on her face. She remembers where he lives, but she can only hope that she's actually able to gain access without doing something unethical like... climbing in through a window.
But, despite this, the look on his face is much more relaxed than it had been before. Her fingers touch the screen again as she steps out the door of her home. At least for now, the amulet still glows dimly as she continues to hum along with him.]
[The confused magician continues his humming. His thoughts are growing more and more abstract as he sits down on the edge of his bed. Oh drat. All of this time spent pretending he's invincible, and now Uai is tired. He knows it'll come on quick. Since arriving in Genessia, he's only slept a handful of times.]
Azu... raa. Don't... singing is dangerous--
[His hums fade out and he sways, briefly fighting his soul's exhaustion, before he falls over on the bed. Another win for Azura.]
[she doesn't bother retorting, in fact the song only completely fades once he's asleep. Luckily for her and likely much to his relief later, she's put a lot less power into the song this time. She won't suffer any real significant blowbacks for now.
She's quick to arrive to his place, and tries the door. Much to both her relief and exasperation, the door is unlocked and she's able to walk right inside. She chirps out a quiet]
Hello...?
[and then strides through the home as though she knows exactly where she's going. Once she find's Uai in his room she gasps a little, stepping over to settle a hand against his cheek.]
[At first, she gets no reaction. Uai is curled up on the bed as if to protect himself, with his braid held protectively in his hand. As he sleeps, his magic occasionally causes his form to 'glitch' visually. At least there are no signs of his dragon self: Uai's soul is repairing while he sleeps.
A moment after being touched, his eyes do flicker open. His briefly looks up at her, then closes them.]
... singing is cheating. [Now that he has a dream toying with his soul, it's tempting to go back to sleep. This is precisely why he's forcing himself to look up at her again and engage in a conversation: Uai has a track record of not waking up. He'd rather sleep forever and pretend to be home.]
Just rest, for now. Please. [Her voice is soft, pleading. She's so worried. Her brows knit upwards, a hand reaching out to take one of Uai's in her own. She flinches a little, the barest of expressions as she leans down to lower her face closer to his.]
[As much as he wants to argue, he is in no position to say 'no.' He's a Glitch and incredibly dangerous, and sleep is the safest option. It's hard to be destructive when you aren't conscious and sleeping will repair his dangerous soul. She probably won't leave until he's better, so it's best if he sleeps. He's less likely to hurt her that way.
Her touch makes him flinch as well. Uai's gaze darts upward to meet hers, startled that she's close. And embarrassed, enough to swiftly turn his head to the side and avert his gaze.]
... fine. I'll rest. [He doesn't want her offer to be a selling point. That seems criminal. Wanting people to be near someone like him is so cruel and selfish. His mind scrambles for a reason to justify not pushing her away:] Since you came all this way. M-Make yourself comfortable.
[She sits up again, and pats a spot on his bed that's further in, much more comfortable for sleeping.]
Thank you for indulging me, Uai. Would you like to listen to my song until you sleep again? [She plans on staying as long as needed, so. ... At least he doesn't ask how she got in.]
[He doesn't realize he's followed her unspoken suggestion and moved until it's done. Damn. Gotta keep an eye on her. Whether accidental or intentional, she's gotten him to be quite obedient.
Though still embarrassed, he does look her in the face when addressing a concern.]
No, I'd just worry. [If her song caused her pain, and over something as selfishly indulgent as him sleeping for once, Uai would wake up grouchy. He's aware that she probably doesn't consider it a burden, but that's because she's kind. Hana would be the same. Hana was the same. That's why he had to leave her, so she would stop hurting over him.
He doesn't want to leave Azura anytime soon. It's not like he could run from her anyway.] I care about you too.
[She hadn't expected something so plainly honest. Color washes over her cheeks despite herself, and she busies herself pulling blankets up over Uai in order to hide it.
To her, suffering the blowback from singing would be worth it, but she wants to respect ]
I understand. But please... just sleep. I'll be here when you awaken. I can sleep with you, if you'd like
[When he wakes up, his embarrassment with be ten times worse.
For the moment, he's actually tired. It's almost frightening how quickly exhaustion can overtake him once he admits to it. Whatever guilt remained slips away, overtaken by being sincerely tired and now very confused. Sleeping with him? As in, sharing the bed? Even that seems like more than she should offer to someone she barely knows. Someone who hurts to touch, at that...
But he's learned some lessons about fighting Azura. She's going to win, and she's never been wrong either.]
If it makes you comfortable. I won't move. [And accidentally touch her, he means. His eyes feel so heavy. He can't keep them open.] Don't get hurt.
[She shakes her head. She'll be fine. For now, however, she's just going to brush fingers through his hair, an effort to soothe him the rest of the way to sleep. She's awfully tired herself, but she'll stay awake as long as she can.]
Sweet dreams, Uai. [At least, she hopes so, for him.]
[Eventually, she'll fall asleep too, sitting up and leaning against the headboard, head tipped to one side. Perhaps it's because she knows Uai is safe that she felt comfortable enough to drift herself.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
private video
So within a few minutes, he's sending her a private video call. Totally not munching on those cookies: That would be weird.]
Um... Hello? Please pick up. This is embarrassing.
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Uai! [Her voice chirps from the other end of the line, her expression immediately warming up.] I see you received the cookies. I hope they're alright.
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Y, yeah. Sorry. [Wait, why is he apologizing? Even Uai doesn't quite know. It's a very 'Shi' thing for him to do.] I mean-- You. You didn't have to apologize for me screwing up.
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Pardon...? [wait, oh!] No, I believe I do. Sometimes I can speak out of turn and not realize my words come across a lot more bluntly than I mean them.
I care about you Uai, truly. I hope you do remember that.
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> be blunt immediately afterward.
He can't stop himself from smiling at that. It's as she says... and he doesn't necessarily dislike that. Uai isn't exactly known for watching his mouth either.]
Like I said, you don't need to apologize. It was on me. [Admitting to being wrong isn't always difficult, so long as it's a learning experience.
He breaths in to steady himself, considering his words... He doesn't like telling the truth to people that he cares about. Uai thinks that knowing too much will scare people away. At least when people don't know, they have room to imagine nice things about him.
The decision to suddenly be honest isn't a kind one. He's gathered that Azura is far too kind and he's still afraid of her. Again, he flips a coin: He wants her to stay, but he realizes he should scare her off for her own good.]
You startled me a bit, but I never gave you a opportunity to learn why. So it's really not your fault. I was being unfair by not giving you a chance. [... oh right. the chance:] Touching me is quite dangerous. Sorry for not telling you.
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I had no idea, Uai. I hadn't experienced pain the previous time we'd touched. [She considers for a moment, eyes glancing downwards.] Surely there is a way to make it so that's not the case?
[It must be terrible, to avoid touch out of fear of hurting someone else]
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I'm sorry that I ever risked your safety before, Azura. It won't happen again.
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Hm... I see.
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[Though he has a feeling she's going to insist otherwise, Uai wants to put that out there.]
Or if you do, maybe we should all sign waivers. Not that I'm going to try to hurt anymore! My soul seems to be repaired to the point that I won't actively hurt people. I think?
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[she dismisses the rest for now, choosing to focus on this.]
...It's almost as if that's what you want to hear from me.
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Though, he doesn't explain this pessimistic view.]
I'm dangerous. Isn't it natural to be wary of those who can hurt you?
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[she straightens her back, looking at Uai rather seriously.]
But I'm not certain you're capable of that. Intentional harm.
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[When his soul is torn apart, Uai knows that he is very capable of hurting others.]
It's reassuring to know you would reconsider. With the way I am, the worst harm I cause is the accidental.
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[she just doesn't understand.]
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[And accept death, which is just not an option. The thought alone is enough to cause his broken state to surface: A dark shimmer rushes over his form, threatening to turn him back to his true form, as he gives an eerie hum.]
There's no one to blame for me, and that's fine with me. It shouldn't be, but it is. I know I cause pain, and I know how to stop that, but I choose not to. That's why I'm dangerous.
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[that just gives her question upon question that she wants to ask.]
Do you want to tell me about it, Uai? Why it is you make these choices? I know you're lonely, perhaps it would be easier to share your burden.
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Why can't he be kind? Is he really about to drag someone who is truly kind-- Azura-- down with him?
Uai smiles. Despite everything, he smiles. Smiling was his instinct as Shi, and it remains as Uai. Even if he's sad or scared, he's still smiling.]
I'm dead, Azura. For the good of the universe, I'm supposed to die. But I didn't, and I won't. I have too much to live for. Even if it means dragging everyone else into hell with me, apparently. Charming, right~? Forgivable, isn't it~?
[brb azura, uai is mentally falling apart.]
my one crying icon
It's unfair. There's little she can do about Uai's fate where he's from, but perhaps here she can make it a little easier for him. At first, the only sound he hears from her in reaction to his words is a soft gasp. Visually, there are tears threatening to brim in her eyes. But the next is the soft tone of her voice picking up into what should now be a familiar song as her fingertips touch the screen that they're talking through. It's the least she can do, to give him at least a little peace in this moment that's undoubtedly painful.]
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And tears for days, once it sinks in that he's losing himself. He's still smiling at her as he waits for a response. The last thing Uai expected was singing: He was waiting to finally be told he's repulsive inside and outside...
... on the note of 'outside,' the lines between his human facade and true form were beginning to blur. There was a dark shadow of his dragon form and it was threatening to engulf his human self. As her song starts, Uai suddenly snaps back into one person.]
Ah... Azu-- rah, w-wai... [The effect is quick when he's this vulnerable. He wants to tell her not to sing, since he knows it hurts her. Part of him wants to laugh at how he's accidentally hurting her again, and she's proving his point.
Instead, his pink eyes glaze over and he begins to chill out. Perhaps a bit too much: Uai looks quite tired and mellow, as if she shot him with a tranquilizer. He's even humming along out of habit. Hana used to use humming to ground him too, and dammit. He misses that so much.]
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Goodness, Uai! [but he's... asleep? Or close to it. She hums a little as she moves, concern evident on her face. She remembers where he lives, but she can only hope that she's actually able to gain access without doing something unethical like... climbing in through a window.
But, despite this, the look on his face is much more relaxed than it had been before. Her fingers touch the screen again as she steps out the door of her home. At least for now, the amulet still glows dimly as she continues to hum along with him.]
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Azu... raa. Don't... singing is dangerous--
[His hums fade out and he sways, briefly fighting his soul's exhaustion, before he falls over on the bed. Another win for Azura.]
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She's quick to arrive to his place, and tries the door. Much to both her relief and exasperation, the door is unlocked and she's able to walk right inside. She chirps out a quiet]
Hello...?
[and then strides through the home as though she knows exactly where she's going. Once she find's Uai in his room she gasps a little, stepping over to settle a hand against his cheek.]
Sound asleep....
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A moment after being touched, his eyes do flicker open. His briefly looks up at her, then closes them.]
... singing is cheating. [Now that he has a dream toying with his soul, it's tempting to go back to sleep. This is precisely why he's forcing himself to look up at her again and engage in a conversation: Uai has a track record of not waking up. He'd rather sleep forever and pretend to be home.]
Sorry.
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[She settles down next to him, seated.]
Just rest, for now. Please. [Her voice is soft, pleading. She's so worried. Her brows knit upwards, a hand reaching out to take one of Uai's in her own. She flinches a little, the barest of expressions as she leans down to lower her face closer to his.]
I'll watch over you.
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Her touch makes him flinch as well. Uai's gaze darts upward to meet hers, startled that she's close. And embarrassed, enough to swiftly turn his head to the side and avert his gaze.]
... fine. I'll rest. [He doesn't want her offer to be a selling point. That seems criminal. Wanting people to be near someone like him is so cruel and selfish. His mind scrambles for a reason to justify not pushing her away:] Since you came all this way. M-Make yourself comfortable.
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Thank you for indulging me, Uai. Would you like to listen to my song until you sleep again? [She plans on staying as long as needed, so. ... At least he doesn't ask how she got in.]
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Though still embarrassed, he does look her in the face when addressing a concern.]
No, I'd just worry. [If her song caused her pain, and over something as selfishly indulgent as him sleeping for once, Uai would wake up grouchy. He's aware that she probably doesn't consider it a burden, but that's because she's kind. Hana would be the same. Hana was the same. That's why he had to leave her, so she would stop hurting over him.
He doesn't want to leave Azura anytime soon. It's not like he could run from her anyway.] I care about you too.
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To her, suffering the blowback from singing would be worth it, but she wants to respect ]
I understand. But please... just sleep. I'll be here when you awaken. I can sleep with you, if you'd like
[she means sleep, zzzz don't be dirty.]
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For the moment, he's actually tired. It's almost frightening how quickly exhaustion can overtake him once he admits to it. Whatever guilt remained slips away, overtaken by being sincerely tired and now very confused. Sleeping with him? As in, sharing the bed? Even that seems like more than she should offer to someone she barely knows. Someone who hurts to touch, at that...
But he's learned some lessons about fighting Azura. She's going to win, and she's never been wrong either.]
If it makes you comfortable. I won't move. [And accidentally touch her, he means. His eyes feel so heavy. He can't keep them open.] Don't get hurt.
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Sweet dreams, Uai. [At least, she hopes so, for him.]
[Eventually, she'll fall asleep too, sitting up and leaning against the headboard, head tipped to one side. Perhaps it's because she knows Uai is safe that she felt comfortable enough to drift herself.]