[ They just nod a little at his explanation. As expected, he has a lot going on, like most residents of this town. ]
Well, Lunarians are like that too. We can only guess why they do what they do...
[ They're sure that the people on the moon could wipe them all out at once, like what he's describing, but they don't. Whatever the reason is, they gave up a long time ago trying to understand it. Some things are just bad, they guess. They lean back a little more on their hands, breathing a sigh out through their nose. ]
Though, it sounds like you have a plan to put a stop to your own problem. [ It helps that the enemy isn't on a distant space rock, probably. ] And you had time to be racing. Unless that was part of your plan.
[ Not that they can see how racing (sidenote: 'race' translates as physically running a race) could ever be relevant to stopping a terrorist plot... but alas. ]
[ a nod. In the end, their problems aren't all that different, even if they're worlds (and species) apart, he thinks - both of them just want to protect their friends and their lives. Their values are the same. Lupin isn't given to deep thought about the nature of life, but there's something nice about meeting someone whose very existence is like nothing he's ever known and finding an understanding - very deep understanding, even, between the two of them. ]
Would you believe me if I said it was? The prize for winning was some information I wanted to get my hands on, so we all signed up. It was a bit of extra work finding an airship to fly for it, but as you can see, it all came together nicely.
[ they won, after all... even though it was just a trap, in the end. Then again, trap or no, the information still led them to find Isaac's lab and information about Cardia's past, painful though it may be. For the umpteenth time, he hopes she's coping all right without him - but even as he worries, he finds his eyes drawn back to Cairngorm, and he reminds himself to focus on the present. Lupin picks up the picture again, then lets himself flop back against the bed lazily, holding the image up with a pensive hum. ]
Someday I'd like to take you for an airship ride, Cairn - I'll bet you've never flown before.
[ His life is about as crazy and whimsical as they had imagined, and it's a little easier to understand when they can put names to faces. Neither of them really talk about their lives outside of Chroma much, other than how Cairngorm has to explain their lifestyle here and there. Talking like this, just passing the time, is nice in a way that takes their mind off of things, and it does feel like they're getting a little closer to him. They're relaxing, albeit slowly. ]
I haven't.
[ They answer with a hum, slightly amused by his suggestion. When he lays down, they turn their body so they can look back at him, raising a brow. ]
But how would you go about doing that? Even you can't build one here.
[ Lupin might be crafty, but even without ever seeing an airship, they're pretty sure it's outside the realm of possibility at least here. Though they aren't exactly against the hypothetical idea. ]
You're right about that. It doesn't have to be here, [ he replies, meeting their eyes beneath the pictureframe. ] Maybe you'll get another chance to visit where I'm from, like before. There's so much more outside that mansion I wish you could have seen. You wouldn't believe London - I'd never run out of things to show you. Airships are just the tip of the iceberg.
[ it would be a lot of fun. Perhaps more for him than for Cairngorm - but Lupin wants to believe that they could learn to have fun, too. They've just never had the opportunity before.
All of it is idle daydreaming, of course. There's no way for him to know if they'll ever even catch a glimpse of Steel London again before the two of them part ways. Still, looking at the photograph makes him remember his life - his real life, not his life here - and makes him wish he could share more than just a picture of it with them. Maybe homesickness is catching up with him at last after nearly a year. ]
[ A few beats after he says all that, they shrug slightly, before letting themself lay down next to him on their back, sliding their eyes shut. ]
Maybe.
[ But I doubt it, is what they would have normally finished with, though the idea that he wants to share everything with them so badly prevents them from saying anything harsh. It really would be nice, to visit his place again. It's too bad they don't have anything pleasant like that to share with him - he's really already seen all there is to see of their home, other than the slight variation of the seasons. ]
What kind of things do you mean? The stuff in London.
[ Unlike him, they have little to no homesickness; they'd much rather just sit calmly and let him talk about whatever it is he'd like to show them than think for even a moment of what's waiting for them when they're forced to go back home. ]
[ Maybe. He knows what they're thinking - their perspective on life is a consistent one, and as relentlessly skeptical as his is optimistic. The fact that they don't voice their doubt means that they're either hoping he's right or they're actually trying to be sensitive, and either explanation is more than satisfactory. Setting the photograph down beside him for now, he turns his head towards them. ]
I'd take you to the orchestra, for starters. Do you know about music? You could listen to a hundred people playing instruments in perfect harmony. There's the ballet, too; I bet you'd like that. It's got music, but it has a performance to go along with it. We could go to an art museum - you'd be amazed at the paintings and sculptures some people could make. There are stores, too - more than you could count, selling all kinds of things you've never seen before. Animals, clothes, woodworks, pottery, books... [ a beat; then Lupin seems to think of something, nudging them with his elbow excitedly. ] -- Oh, I know! I'd take you to a proper ball. This time, I could teach you how to dance ahead of time. And you could pick out something really beautiful to wear. The two of us would be the envy of every couple there.
[ They open one eye to look over at him when he nudges them like that, their expression turning exasperated. ]
Wearing flashy clothes isn't really my style....
[ They're opposites in that regard, and they know it. Lupin is always trying to draw attention to himself, where Cairngorm is perfectly fine if no one's aware of their presence. Actually, they prefer it if they are the least distinct that they can be. There's a reason they fixate on the last of what he says, and that's because the rest of it doesn't sound too bad at all. That's just how they are; finding something to complain about so they can omit their acceptance of everything else. ]
I mean, is there a point in wearing something different just for that?
[ It seems strange to them... they're just clothes. And if he wasn't kidding about some people wearing clothes closer to their pajamas to these kinds of events, they're not only flashier but also harder to move in, which doubly makes no sense. ]
[ he hums, trying to come up with a good answer for that question. One that will make sense to Cairngorm, anyway. ]
You're out in public, being seen by tens of people - maybe hundreds, if the ball's big and fancy enough. With that many eyes on you, you want to make sure you look your best. That's the general idea.
[ there's the matter of such events typically being upper-class mingles, too, with lords and ladies of high breeding trying to catch one another's eye and broker some beneficial alliances, be it through marriage, trade, or simple connections; there's also the simple matter of it being an excuse to show off one's wealth and power. But those are abstract concepts for someone from a world with no concept of money or stratification of society - and Lupin doesn't find those aspects of dances charming, himself. If he and Cairngorm attended one, none of those things would be a factor. Maybe that's part of why he likes them, too - they're so separated from the evils and the nonsense of the human society that largely failed him. They're just Cairngorm, and he's just Lupin. It's nice. ]
But if you don't like that, we could go somewhere on our own, instead. [ they look exasperated; Lupin, on the other hand, smiles more softly, and closes his eyes, his voice a bit teasing, but his expression distantly sweet. ] You could shine for me alone. My shy, hidden treasure.
[ It's hard to imagine so many people in one room. Even the ball here in Chroma had been overwhelming to them, and back then, there weren't quite as many residents as there are now. They're not someone that cares a lot about what someone who they never interact with will think of them, but they've found it can be quickly stressful and embarrassing if too many people look at them or acknowledge them at one time. Maybe it'd be okay if Lupin was by their side...
Is what they think, before he drops that incredibly cheesy line on them. On second thought, scratch that. Maybe it's more overwhelming being with him when they're alone. They purse their lips and turn their head slightly away, not liking how they're starting to get accustomed to the feeling of color coming into their cheeks when he's around. ]
Ugh. Why do you have to say it like that... [ Them? A treasure? Very absurd, from both the logical standpoint and the abstract. They push at his arm a little in retaliation to his teasing affection, and because he's writing them off as gentle and timid again. ] I can handle something like that just fine. It wouldn't be up to me where we go anyway...
[ Considering they have no money and no knowledge. Besides, it's of course easier to let him make the executive decisions in this hypothetical scenario that they're only barely not quashing with their skepticism. ]
What are you saying? [ he responds with a small laugh, letting them shove him without complaint (he knew that would embarrass them and that's half of why he said it - the other half was because he meant it, of course.) ] Of course it would be. Far be it from me to force you to go anywhere.
[ he likes dragging them along with him to do things, sure, but it's not like he'd ignore their input if they were really opposed to it - and the idea of him refusing to go where they want is preposterous. They never ask for anything; he'd trip over his feet trying to fulfill any request from them. It's a little bit embarrassing to admit to himself, considering the two of them only came together a month ago, but he supposes he's felt that desire to treat them for a lot longer. Lupin playfully raps his knuckles against their crystalline arm. ]
Just say the word, and I'll take you anywhere you want.
[ Is it sad that that's such a bizarre statement to them? Probably. But he continues to surprise them with his eagerness to let them lead and choose. Rather than exasperation or annoyance, their expression turns almost bashful, unsure like always of what to do in the face of someone showing them a degree of kindness. ]
It's not as if we could actually go anywhere...
[ They mumble; realistically, he can only take them to places in the confines of this little town, or wherever this place allows them to go to in his home world. Even though they remind him of this reality, their voice is tinged with disappointment - it's sad to daydream about things that'll never come to fruition. ]
...But if I'm ever able to go back there, whatever is fine. [ Brushing a few strands of hair behind their ear, they look at him from the corner of their eye. ] I don't care.
[ Both in the sense that they don't have a preference so strong that they'd intentionally try to steer their course in that direction, and that they're pretty convinced they'll be content as long as he's with them. Additionally, he hasn't seen it in such a literal way from them, but they aren't great at choosing from multiple options. ]
[ at that, Lupin sighs with a sort of exasperated fondness - because they're really always like this. If anyone asked him, he'd have a hard time listing anything Cairngorm liked or disliked in particular (beyond "sleep" in that first category.) Is it because of Ghost? It makes sense, he supposes, but it's sad, and frustrating, too, because it's another problem that's probably outside the scope of what he can fix. He props himself up on one elbow, looking down at their uncertain face from a short distance. ]
"Whatever" again, huh? I'm beginning to think that's your favorite way to answer my questions.
[ teasing, light, yet a little quieter, suggesting a tinge of gentle concern. Lupin doesn't expect a response; he just wants them to know that he notices these things, mostly. He continues, flashing them a grin. ]
I could visit you in your dreams and take you anywhere. Don't underestimate the abilities of the gentleman thief. [ a beat. ] Do you like the indoors or outdoors better?
[ They catch the little change in tone, beneath the teasing - not that they know what to do with it, other than to tilt their head a fraction of an angle, even against the bed. The truth is that if they had always kept strong opinions of what they liked and disliked to do, their life with Ghost would have been fraught with even more tension than it already was. The result now is that his concern over their nonchalance is puzzling, and makes them wonder if they should've said something else, instead. ]
It— depends, I guess. [ Their pitch goes up at the end, almost implying it's a question. ] On the weather, and the time of day. Without having to patrol, I spend most of my time indoors, I suppose...
[ Even here, they only ramble about what they tend to typically do, rather than things they like about either option. It isn't intentional, but this is how it naturally comes out when they try to talk about themself. After they respond, they look at him briefly as if to check if that's the sort of response he wanted, for approval. ]
[ Lupin wonders if they're worried answering wrong will make him dislike them or something. He's good at reading people; he sees their little questioning glance. He thought they just didn't have a chance to form their own opinions most of their life, but maybe it's more than that... ]
Outdoors. I'm thinking of something you'd want to do, of course. [ matter-of-factly. he'll figure it out! maybe. ] If it's nice out, we could go out into the countryside, then. Maybe take a hike. Oh --
[ he blinks a few times, remembering something - something puzzling. ]
Did you know there's a mountain with the same name as you not very far from London? Cairn Gorm. I just remembered it - I thought your name sounded familiar.
[ ... it's a little too weird to be a coincidence, but he doesn't know what to make of it. ]
[ That is... faintly amusing, but then again, he said the human world had tons of places in it, so maybe it just seems silly to them because they can count the number of historic landmarks on their little island on two hands. Unlike him, they don't find this coincidence that strange, just shrugging their shoulders. ]
It likely has to do with the geology of that mountain. "Cairngorm" is only a name given to me based on the type of crystal I'm made of, after all... the same type of quartz with the same chemical composition is probably found there.
[ Of course they have no reason to think "Cairngorm" is a proper name bestowed on quartz in that region by humans - it's just the scientific fact of their namesake, from their point of view. Sensei knows lots of rock facts, it's not that weird... ]
Oh, cram it, [ he says jokingly, leaning over to tap them on the nose rebukingly. ] It's not like I've ever had to go there. Even I can't have every landmark in Britain memorized.
[ he has no idea how tiny their home is - although considering how few gems seem to exist, he can hazard a guess that they haven't spread very far. In any case, he doesn't seem particularly convinced by their explanation. ]
Well, I guess you could be right. [ it's more likely the crystal was named after the place, though... but he keeps that thought to himself. He doesn't know what it would mean if he was right, and he's not interested in arguing over it, either. ] It means something like "blue mountain" in the native language, if I'm remembering correctly. Not very fitting for you, is it?
[ Their nose wrinkles when he does that, turning their face away petulantly. If that's how it's going to be, he can expect a little push at the side of his face from their cold hand in retaliation. ]
No, it isn't. [ They mumble, retracting their hand back to rest on their midsection. ] I don't think any variations of smoky quartz are blue in color...
[ That would kind of render the name nonsensical, right? Maybe this is just a name coincidence, then? Though that seems highly unlikely. Well, they're not the type to question these things; they're neither curious nor forward-thinking enough to consider inconsistencies too deeply. So, they shrug, staring up at the ceiling. ]
Gems actually name landmarks with colors, too, even if it's not really represented in that area... "the White Hills," "the Yellow Forest," things like that. The names of human places are pretty abstract by comparison.
[ "Britain", "Japan", "LA" (whatever that one means, thanks Lottie)... it seems like a very confusing process. ]
[ another little laugh when they shove him away; he rubs at his cheek to warm it up, not looking terribly bothered. ]
Not quite. They all started out that way, but over hundreds and thousands of years, the names slowly evolved into something different. Most of our names are like that. Even my name is like that, technically. "Lupin" comes from the word for "wolf."
[ since the gems live so long, he supposes their names and traditions are much more stable - and the rest can likely be attributed to the town's translation magic. ]
As far as I know, I haven't got any mountains named after me, though. Lucky you.
[ Their names for things evolve that quickly?? Is what they want to ask, but then again, humans experience time so differently that it feels like a dumb question. And they're way more interested in how Lupin translates to wolf, especially entertaining because he's not like a wolf at all. ]
Huh... [ They seem momentarily puzzled; they've always found human names kind of strange, but they had no idea they had meanings like this. ] What's "Arsène", then? I can't tell if that's supposed to be part of your name or just another word in your language.
[ Like a title, like a different monsieur? His language is so alien sounding that they don't have the slightest clue - the meaning behind it besides. ]
[ how quickly you forget that one time he turned into a werewolf, cairngorm!! his brow furrows at the question. Dammit, don't ask him things he doesn't know the answer to!! He truly considers making something up for a solid two seconds... then decides it's not worth the effort. ]
Hah... I don't really know, to tell you the truth. I got to pick my last name myself, but my mother called me Arsène. [ and he's never bothered looking up name meanings, something that is much more annoying to do when you don't have the internet. To distract from the fact that he doesn't know something, for once, he continues: ] Humans usually have two names - the first one's our name, specifically, and the second one's a family name. When we're born, we're given a first name by our parents, but we inherit our last name from our father. I'm a bit of an odd case, since I didn't know who mine was.
[ Well, that is a little bit strange, but only in the contextual sense of comparing how they call most other humans by the first part of their names. But, surprisingly enough, they empathize with this story - if they're understanding correctly. His parents didn't care for him, so having a new name not bestowed on him by them gave him a sort of new identity, or something like that, right? They turn on their side slightly so they can look at him, blinking. ]
I guess you could say that I'm like that, too, at least sort of. Getting a new name late, and going by that instead. It's odd among gems.
[ They like that there can be little similarities between them... usually the differences are too many to count. Even if a point of likeness is just that they have weird backstories for how they got their names. ]
[ oh... he actually never considered that. His face brightens at the suggestion, and he nods, smiling a little wider and resting his cheek in one hand. ]
We're two peas in a pod, then.
[ as for his name... ]
And I suppose I do. That, or I just got used to everyone calling me "Lupin." Where I'm from, mostly everyone calls each other by their last names, anyway - first names are for people who are very close. [ a beat; he adds, a bit playfully: ] You qualify, for the record.
[ only Akira calls him Arsène, and the reasoning behind that is a little more complicated... but he wouldn't mind if Cairngorm did it, he decides. It would be kind of cute. ]
Honestly, they look a little confused when he says that, even though they always drink in an opportunity to feel special and unique. Come to think of it, they really don't hear anyone call him that, even if he signs his full name sometimes in messages. ]
Arsène, huh... [ They say it just to test it out; it still feels weird and foreign to say. ] I don't know. It's sort of weird to call you something new all of the sudden.
[ They guess they can call him by it sometimes, if they feel like it. He's never really been "Arsène" to them, though, just Lupin, so that's probably why it seems strange. ]
Maybe it's because you chose it, but Lupin suits you more. [ A beat. ] Not that you're very much like a wolf...
[ he laughs a little again, simply in good spirits. ]
You don't have to call me by that name - I prefer Lupin, myself. I'm just saying that you've got special permission. And I can count the number of people who have that permission on one hand, so it's quite special, indeed.
[ Hm. Come to think of it, people must have a better nickname for Cairngorm than "Cairn." Gorm? Gorm doesn't sound very beautiful, though... ]
[ Five or less people... huh. They wonder who those other people are, since this information implies that not even all those people in the photo are allowed to... but first things first: ]
I know plenty about wolves. [ YEAH LUPIN!!! ] I had to fight so many of them back then. Including you.
[ Are they going to let him forget that? No. They'd probably flip out a lot more if something like that happened to him now as opposed to back then, so maybe it's better that sort of thing happened when they didn't know each other that well. ]
In fairytales at least, they're always aggressive, violent, and preying on the weak, not to mention usually the antagonist. Is that the kind of image you think you give off?
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Well, Lunarians are like that too. We can only guess why they do what they do...
[ They're sure that the people on the moon could wipe them all out at once, like what he's describing, but they don't. Whatever the reason is, they gave up a long time ago trying to understand it. Some things are just bad, they guess. They lean back a little more on their hands, breathing a sigh out through their nose. ]
Though, it sounds like you have a plan to put a stop to your own problem. [ It helps that the enemy isn't on a distant space rock, probably. ] And you had time to be racing. Unless that was part of your plan.
[ Not that they can see how racing (sidenote: 'race' translates as physically running a race) could ever be relevant to stopping a terrorist plot... but alas. ]
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Would you believe me if I said it was? The prize for winning was some information I wanted to get my hands on, so we all signed up. It was a bit of extra work finding an airship to fly for it, but as you can see, it all came together nicely.
[ they won, after all... even though it was just a trap, in the end. Then again, trap or no, the information still led them to find Isaac's lab and information about Cardia's past, painful though it may be. For the umpteenth time, he hopes she's coping all right without him - but even as he worries, he finds his eyes drawn back to Cairngorm, and he reminds himself to focus on the present. Lupin picks up the picture again, then lets himself flop back against the bed lazily, holding the image up with a pensive hum. ]
Someday I'd like to take you for an airship ride, Cairn - I'll bet you've never flown before.
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I haven't.
[ They answer with a hum, slightly amused by his suggestion. When he lays down, they turn their body so they can look back at him, raising a brow. ]
But how would you go about doing that? Even you can't build one here.
[ Lupin might be crafty, but even without ever seeing an airship, they're pretty sure it's outside the realm of possibility at least here. Though they aren't exactly against the hypothetical idea. ]
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[ it would be a lot of fun. Perhaps more for him than for Cairngorm - but Lupin wants to believe that they could learn to have fun, too. They've just never had the opportunity before.
All of it is idle daydreaming, of course. There's no way for him to know if they'll ever even catch a glimpse of Steel London again before the two of them part ways. Still, looking at the photograph makes him remember his life - his real life, not his life here - and makes him wish he could share more than just a picture of it with them. Maybe homesickness is catching up with him at last after nearly a year. ]
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Maybe.
[ But I doubt it, is what they would have normally finished with, though the idea that he wants to share everything with them so badly prevents them from saying anything harsh. It really would be nice, to visit his place again. It's too bad they don't have anything pleasant like that to share with him - he's really already seen all there is to see of their home, other than the slight variation of the seasons. ]
What kind of things do you mean? The stuff in London.
[ Unlike him, they have little to no homesickness; they'd much rather just sit calmly and let him talk about whatever it is he'd like to show them than think for even a moment of what's waiting for them when they're forced to go back home. ]
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I'd take you to the orchestra, for starters. Do you know about music? You could listen to a hundred people playing instruments in perfect harmony. There's the ballet, too; I bet you'd like that. It's got music, but it has a performance to go along with it. We could go to an art museum - you'd be amazed at the paintings and sculptures some people could make. There are stores, too - more than you could count, selling all kinds of things you've never seen before. Animals, clothes, woodworks, pottery, books... [ a beat; then Lupin seems to think of something, nudging them with his elbow excitedly. ] -- Oh, I know! I'd take you to a proper ball. This time, I could teach you how to dance ahead of time. And you could pick out something really beautiful to wear. The two of us would be the envy of every couple there.
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Wearing flashy clothes isn't really my style....
[ They're opposites in that regard, and they know it. Lupin is always trying to draw attention to himself, where Cairngorm is perfectly fine if no one's aware of their presence. Actually, they prefer it if they are the least distinct that they can be. There's a reason they fixate on the last of what he says, and that's because the rest of it doesn't sound too bad at all. That's just how they are; finding something to complain about so they can omit their acceptance of everything else. ]
I mean, is there a point in wearing something different just for that?
[ It seems strange to them... they're just clothes. And if he wasn't kidding about some people wearing clothes closer to their pajamas to these kinds of events, they're not only flashier but also harder to move in, which doubly makes no sense. ]
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You're out in public, being seen by tens of people - maybe hundreds, if the ball's big and fancy enough. With that many eyes on you, you want to make sure you look your best. That's the general idea.
[ there's the matter of such events typically being upper-class mingles, too, with lords and ladies of high breeding trying to catch one another's eye and broker some beneficial alliances, be it through marriage, trade, or simple connections; there's also the simple matter of it being an excuse to show off one's wealth and power. But those are abstract concepts for someone from a world with no concept of money or stratification of society - and Lupin doesn't find those aspects of dances charming, himself. If he and Cairngorm attended one, none of those things would be a factor. Maybe that's part of why he likes them, too - they're so separated from the evils and the nonsense of the human society that largely failed him. They're just Cairngorm, and he's just Lupin. It's nice. ]
But if you don't like that, we could go somewhere on our own, instead. [ they look exasperated; Lupin, on the other hand, smiles more softly, and closes his eyes, his voice a bit teasing, but his expression distantly sweet. ] You could shine for me alone. My shy, hidden treasure.
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Is what they think, before he drops that incredibly cheesy line on them. On second thought, scratch that. Maybe it's more overwhelming being with him when they're alone. They purse their lips and turn their head slightly away, not liking how they're starting to get accustomed to the feeling of color coming into their cheeks when he's around. ]
Ugh. Why do you have to say it like that... [ Them? A treasure? Very absurd, from both the logical standpoint and the abstract. They push at his arm a little in retaliation to his teasing affection, and because he's writing them off as gentle and timid again. ] I can handle something like that just fine. It wouldn't be up to me where we go anyway...
[ Considering they have no money and no knowledge. Besides, it's of course easier to let him make the executive decisions in this hypothetical scenario that they're only barely not quashing with their skepticism. ]
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[ he likes dragging them along with him to do things, sure, but it's not like he'd ignore their input if they were really opposed to it - and the idea of him refusing to go where they want is preposterous. They never ask for anything; he'd trip over his feet trying to fulfill any request from them. It's a little bit embarrassing to admit to himself, considering the two of them only came together a month ago, but he supposes he's felt that desire to treat them for a lot longer. Lupin playfully raps his knuckles against their crystalline arm. ]
Just say the word, and I'll take you anywhere you want.
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It's not as if we could actually go anywhere...
[ They mumble; realistically, he can only take them to places in the confines of this little town, or wherever this place allows them to go to in his home world. Even though they remind him of this reality, their voice is tinged with disappointment - it's sad to daydream about things that'll never come to fruition. ]
...But if I'm ever able to go back there, whatever is fine. [ Brushing a few strands of hair behind their ear, they look at him from the corner of their eye. ] I don't care.
[ Both in the sense that they don't have a preference so strong that they'd intentionally try to steer their course in that direction, and that they're pretty convinced they'll be content as long as he's with them. Additionally, he hasn't seen it in such a literal way from them, but they aren't great at choosing from multiple options. ]
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"Whatever" again, huh? I'm beginning to think that's your favorite way to answer my questions.
[ teasing, light, yet a little quieter, suggesting a tinge of gentle concern. Lupin doesn't expect a response; he just wants them to know that he notices these things, mostly. He continues, flashing them a grin. ]
I could visit you in your dreams and take you anywhere. Don't underestimate the abilities of the gentleman thief. [ a beat. ] Do you like the indoors or outdoors better?
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It— depends, I guess. [ Their pitch goes up at the end, almost implying it's a question. ] On the weather, and the time of day. Without having to patrol, I spend most of my time indoors, I suppose...
[ Even here, they only ramble about what they tend to typically do, rather than things they like about either option. It isn't intentional, but this is how it naturally comes out when they try to talk about themself. After they respond, they look at him briefly as if to check if that's the sort of response he wanted, for approval. ]
Why? What about you?
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Outdoors. I'm thinking of something you'd want to do, of course. [ matter-of-factly. he'll figure it out! maybe. ] If it's nice out, we could go out into the countryside, then. Maybe take a hike. Oh --
[ he blinks a few times, remembering something - something puzzling. ]
Did you know there's a mountain with the same name as you not very far from London? Cairn Gorm. I just remembered it - I thought your name sounded familiar.
[ ... it's a little too weird to be a coincidence, but he doesn't know what to make of it. ]
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[ That is... faintly amusing, but then again, he said the human world had tons of places in it, so maybe it just seems silly to them because they can count the number of historic landmarks on their little island on two hands. Unlike him, they don't find this coincidence that strange, just shrugging their shoulders. ]
It likely has to do with the geology of that mountain. "Cairngorm" is only a name given to me based on the type of crystal I'm made of, after all... the same type of quartz with the same chemical composition is probably found there.
[ Of course they have no reason to think "Cairngorm" is a proper name bestowed on quartz in that region by humans - it's just the scientific fact of their namesake, from their point of view. Sensei knows lots of rock facts, it's not that weird... ]
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[ he has no idea how tiny their home is - although considering how few gems seem to exist, he can hazard a guess that they haven't spread very far. In any case, he doesn't seem particularly convinced by their explanation. ]
Well, I guess you could be right. [ it's more likely the crystal was named after the place, though... but he keeps that thought to himself. He doesn't know what it would mean if he was right, and he's not interested in arguing over it, either. ] It means something like "blue mountain" in the native language, if I'm remembering correctly. Not very fitting for you, is it?
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No, it isn't. [ They mumble, retracting their hand back to rest on their midsection. ] I don't think any variations of smoky quartz are blue in color...
[ That would kind of render the name nonsensical, right? Maybe this is just a name coincidence, then? Though that seems highly unlikely. Well, they're not the type to question these things; they're neither curious nor forward-thinking enough to consider inconsistencies too deeply. So, they shrug, staring up at the ceiling. ]
Gems actually name landmarks with colors, too, even if it's not really represented in that area... "the White Hills," "the Yellow Forest," things like that. The names of human places are pretty abstract by comparison.
[ "Britain", "Japan", "LA" (whatever that one means, thanks Lottie)... it seems like a very confusing process. ]
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Not quite. They all started out that way, but over hundreds and thousands of years, the names slowly evolved into something different. Most of our names are like that. Even my name is like that, technically. "Lupin" comes from the word for "wolf."
[ since the gems live so long, he supposes their names and traditions are much more stable - and the rest can likely be attributed to the town's translation magic. ]
As far as I know, I haven't got any mountains named after me, though. Lucky you.
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Huh... [ They seem momentarily puzzled; they've always found human names kind of strange, but they had no idea they had meanings like this. ] What's "Arsène", then? I can't tell if that's supposed to be part of your name or just another word in your language.
[ Like a title, like a different monsieur? His language is so alien sounding that they don't have the slightest clue - the meaning behind it besides. ]
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Hah... I don't really know, to tell you the truth. I got to pick my last name myself, but my mother called me Arsène. [ and he's never bothered looking up name meanings, something that is much more annoying to do when you don't have the internet. To distract from the fact that he doesn't know something, for once, he continues: ] Humans usually have two names - the first one's our name, specifically, and the second one's a family name. When we're born, we're given a first name by our parents, but we inherit our last name from our father. I'm a bit of an odd case, since I didn't know who mine was.
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I guess you could say that I'm like that, too, at least sort of. Getting a new name late, and going by that instead. It's odd among gems.
[ They like that there can be little similarities between them... usually the differences are too many to count. Even if a point of likeness is just that they have weird backstories for how they got their names. ]
Do you like "Lupin" better than "Arsène"?
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We're two peas in a pod, then.
[ as for his name... ]
And I suppose I do. That, or I just got used to everyone calling me "Lupin." Where I'm from, mostly everyone calls each other by their last names, anyway - first names are for people who are very close. [ a beat; he adds, a bit playfully: ] You qualify, for the record.
[ only Akira calls him Arsène, and the reasoning behind that is a little more complicated... but he wouldn't mind if Cairngorm did it, he decides. It would be kind of cute. ]
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Honestly, they look a little confused when he says that, even though they always drink in an opportunity to feel special and unique. Come to think of it, they really don't hear anyone call him that, even if he signs his full name sometimes in messages. ]
Arsène, huh... [ They say it just to test it out; it still feels weird and foreign to say. ] I don't know. It's sort of weird to call you something new all of the sudden.
[ They guess they can call him by it sometimes, if they feel like it. He's never really been "Arsène" to them, though, just Lupin, so that's probably why it seems strange. ]
Maybe it's because you chose it, but Lupin suits you more. [ A beat. ] Not that you're very much like a wolf...
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You don't have to call me by that name - I prefer Lupin, myself. I'm just saying that you've got special permission. And I can count the number of people who have that permission on one hand, so it's quite special, indeed.
[ Hm. Come to think of it, people must have a better nickname for Cairngorm than "Cairn." Gorm? Gorm doesn't sound very beautiful, though... ]
I doubt you know much about wolves, by the way.
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I know plenty about wolves. [ YEAH LUPIN!!! ] I had to fight so many of them back then. Including you.
[ Are they going to let him forget that? No. They'd probably flip out a lot more if something like that happened to him now as opposed to back then, so maybe it's better that sort of thing happened when they didn't know each other that well. ]
In fairytales at least, they're always aggressive, violent, and preying on the weak, not to mention usually the antagonist. Is that the kind of image you think you give off?
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me coming back to this thread a month later and being punched in the heart by corn's cuteness...
PUNCH
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