heartsteals | AWASH IC INBOX

[ and he waits, wondering what in the world Cairngorm is fetching for him. Good? Bad? Weird? Unknown? They said it's something he should have - did they find something else from his home and recognize it? It's not out of the question. Or maybe it's something of theirs that they want him to hold onto - not that they have many belongings at all.

Lupin hasn't come up with any good theories in the short time before they come back; what they give to him certainly wasn't on the list of potentials, either. His brow is furrowed in confusion when he takes it, but it takes no more than a second for realization to dawn on him. ]

This is -- a camera, isn't it? [ he doesn't recognize the form - it's a lot more compact and portable than what he's used to - but the elements are all there. His grip on it tightens a little bit, like he's worried he might drop it in surprise. ] That's amazing! Where did you find it? -- Did you go looking for it after we had that chat?

[ the idea is precious, heartwarming, even, and he can't keep a big grin from spreading across his face, leaning down a bit to try and peep their expression - he can see them avoiding eye contact. ]

[ Oh... he seems pleased. That's good, not that they thought he'd show them that blatantly if he was upset with it. They shift their weight to one side and cross their arms to mask some of the tension coming out of their shoulders, still keeping their expression impartial when he meets their eyes. ]

No... my wish coin. The ones from eight months ago. [ Somehow, even if they're trying to present this as casually as they can, they don't want to lie and say they just found it lying around. They did go through some effort and research. ] I never used mine for anything.

[ They leave it at that, not wanting to delve further into their motives verbally. It's true that there's really nothing they could think of that they needed or even wanted these last few months, so the coin was free for use in that respect. But... in a way, the camera is something they found themself wanting after their talk, not for themself, but for what it might secure for them. Maybe that's selfish. He's the one that wants to use it, so they guess it's okay if they have a little bit of an ulterior motive in giving it to him... ]

[ that catches him by surprise, too. ]

You used it on me...?

[ his immediate feeling is regret - not because he doesn't want this or appreciate the gesture, but because he feels like Cairngorm could have used it to their own benefit. It's so like them, to not think of themself. He's sure there must be something they want or need, even if they couldn't think of anything on their own.

On the other hand, he'd used his coin on clothes, and when he considers it, he's sure he'd have used it on Cairngorm in a second if he had the option today. The regret isn't so deep as to overwhelm his happiness. Lupin's more used to giving gifts than receiving them; he wouldn't have expected Cairngorm, of all people, to be the one upsetting that trend - twice in the past few months, even. Maybe they're changing for the better, becoming more willing to take risks and reach out to others. Or, alternatively, they like him so much that they're behaving uncharacteristically to express it. He'll take either. He's touched. ]

You're certainly spoiling me lately, aren't you? I might be the luckiest man in Chroma. [ Lupin chuckles, then leans down a little more than a bit, looping his arms around their shoulders in an embrace. More genuinely: ] Thank you.

I'm not trying to "spoil" you...

[ They mumble into his shoulder, slowly (and delicately) placing their hands on his waist in return. They really aren't trying to. But it does make them feel good to make him happy, even if it does embarrass them put their metaphorical heart on their sleeve by going through this effort for him. ]

You said you wanted to keep pictures of the people here. To remember.

[ Including them, but they don't say it outright. He said he couldn't forget them, but the what if thought had remained. If he disappears tomorrow, they want to still exist to him somehow, even if they can't be there - that's at the core of their motivations, wanting to make him happy aside. Recently, they've been getting reminders from the sudden losses of others that they truly have no control over how long they're going to be here, so it's important to act and do this for him now instead of putting it off and risking never being able to. ]

[ at that, he laughs, gently ruffling their hair when he pulls back. ]

If you're not even trying, that just means you're even better at it than I realized. I'm definitely the luckiest.

[ he loves his gormie... what the fuck!! He's got a big, shining smile on his face; once again, they've managed to come up with a very thoughtful gift even though they never give them out. Sure, he's partially being hyperbolic, but he can't help thinking he actually is lucky, if only because he knows they don't do things like this for anyone else. ]

You're right - I did. I still want to. I wonder how this camera works?

[ Lupin gets himself to take his hands off of them to turn the camera over a few times, instead. He's used to box cameras and flashbulbs - this thing looks incredibly futuristic to him, like the stuff in Lottie's kitchen. ]

[ When he lets go, they do too, brushing a hand through their hair where he ruffled it. Have to keep their hair proper... ]

Lottie explained it to me a little. [ They offer, albeit a bit noncommittally - they're both aware that their understanding is probably at least somewhat flawed. ] There's film inside, and when the picture gets taken, it prints it from there... something like that.

[ They point to the little slot on the front, still only vaguely certain of what it means to "take" a picture. They've seen it with Lottie's phone, but this machine is a completely different shape! And made of a strange and alien material. When they got it, they were afraid to touch it without gloves on. ]

Well, that part's the same in all cameras.

[ not said scornfully, because Lupin's well aware they've got no clue about cameras outside of what he (and Lottie, apparently) have told them. Lupin is also hilariously wrong, but it's not his fault the technology improved so much in 150 years!! He doesn't even know the word "digital." ]

This one doesn't look much like the cameras from my world, though... There must be a button you can press to take the picture on here somewhere.

[ well, there are like... a lot of buttons on it... there is a conspicuous switch with "off" on it on the back, so Lupin flicks that first - and, to his surprise, a little light starts flashing on the back. ]

That did something... I've never heard of a camera you have to turn on, first.

[ Not in cool IPHONE cameras Lupin... but they're not gonna start a petty argument over technology because they'll inevitably just end up confusing themself. They just sigh, completely lost. ]

Obviously I haven't either... [ A squint at that little flashing light... why humans decided that a flashing light is the way to signal something is on is completely lost on them, ever since they saw how all of Lottie's in house appliances do the same thing. ] I didn't even know there are so many kinds of cameras.

[ They all basically perform the same function, right?! No reason to make it so complicated... ]

But— are you sure you should just press stuff like that?

[ The on button was self explanatory, but the red button and the other ones are a little more vague. As aloof as they acted giving it to him, they don't want it to get messed up somehow because both of them are modern technology incompetent. ]

[ LUPIN IS OLD, CAIRNGORM!! Something they are about to learn for probably the first time. He shakes his head. ]

I didn't, either. I think this is probably a futuristic model, compared to what I'm used to. Even that little light -- I've never seen something like that before.

[ there's no way it's a little fire burning inside the camera - that'd ruin the film! In other words, it must be electricity again. If Impey was here, Lupin's sure he'd tell him all about it, but he's not so lucky. ]

Anyway, don't worry. The worst that could happen is that I flash you in the eyes by accident, really.

[ he picks up the camera again, this time holding it to his face and peering through the viewfinder at Cairngorm. It's got to be that big red button. That would make sense... ]

Heheh... Looking cute, as usual. Are you ready?

[ "Flash you in the eyes...?" What is that supposed to mean?? That confusing bit about time will have to wait, because they're busy crossing their arms again. Their brow furrows slightly in confusion, and then in embarrassment when he peers at them through the viewfinder with his corny commentary, a faint tinge of color dusting the high points of their cheeks while they frown at him. ]

What do you mean by "ready"...

[ Lupin's practiced eye will recognize this expression as the timeless "exasperated but still going along" one; not exactly unhappy but as he would expect, there's no smile in sight, either. In the pictures they've seen, people are usually posing or smiling somehow, neither of which are things they feel particularly like doing - but they do know that people are usually looking into the camera. They'll do that much. ]

Ready for your picture, of course. All right, watch the birdie!

[ he has zero hopes whatsoever that he'll get Cairngorm to smile for a photo when he can't even get them to smile when he teases and flatters them, so he doesn't bother asking. Their faint little blush is a cute enough expression to immortalize, besides. Lupin doesn't give them enough time to question the turn of phrase before he presses that big red button - and luck is on his side, as it often is. The shutter clicks; they'll learn what he meant by getting flashed in the eyes right about now. ]

It worked! As expected. [ don't sound so proud of yourself for managing to use a basic piece of technology, Lupin. He lowers the camera, turning it around and waiting for the picture to pop out the front. ] Now, I think it should come out here...

[ Their eyes squint shut as soon as the flash is over, turning their face away petulantly with a huff. Well, that answers their inward question!! Still, at least it is functioning, so they can be grateful for that—

Or at least, that's what they think, up until the picture slowly comes out of the slot, looking entirely dark, aside from the white border around it. While they would like to pull it out and inspect it, they decide not to, in case they'll make it even worse than it already is. ]

It doesn't look like it worked.

[ he looks fairly delighted when it automatically pops out - check out that awesome technology - but he's quick to shake his head when they comment. ]

No, no, that's normal. It takes a little while for the image to develop. Something to do with light exposure.

[ he gently tugs the polaroid out of the slot, then puts it face down on a nearby tabletop so that it doesn't get any additional light corrupting it; he's not sure if these electrical lights will have any unusual effect on it, so he might as well play it safe. ]

All we have to do is wait a little while. Fifteen minutes, maybe.

Oh.

[ They stare at the picture on the table for a few extra beats with a furrowed brow, always confused over the bizarre-ness of human technology. As usual, they give up trying to understand it pretty quickly. If they're going to have to wait for fifteen minutes, they might as well sit down, too. As they do, they explain idly: ]

Well... about the camera, I can give you the rest of the film later. There's some extra. [ They'll have no use for it after this, after all. ] You'll have to figure out how to put it inside the camera on your own, though. I don't want to break it.

[ if it makes Cairngorm feel better, Lupin doesn't really get how it works, either. And neither do I....... ]

No problem. I'm a natural when it comes to little gadgets like this.

[ thieves, dexterous fingers, etc. After setting the camera itself down, he gives them a bright smile as he sits down next to them, casually wrapping an arm around their shoulders as he does so. All this excitement almost made him forget that he actually came here to give them something, too. ]

So, was that an excellently-planned Valentine's Day gift, or just an excellent coincidence?

[ They're getting more accustomed to not feeling so shy or nervous when he gets close to them, so they let him drape over them without complaint, just looking at him with a mellow expression. ]

Just coincidence... I don't know much about that holiday.

[ Truthfully, they've only heard it mentioned in passing by other residents, and they never went through the effort to ask about it. If it was important, they figured someone would explain it to them sooner or later. ]

Your luck's turning up, then - must be mine rubbing off on you.

[ he grins a little more, seeming perfectly fine with that answer. Cairngorm could use a pinch of good luck in their life. ]

It's a day where we celebrate love. All kinds of love, but especially the kind like you and I have.

[ perhaps not specifically the kind between a human man and his crystalline companion, but he's sure they still count. ]

You give a gift to the one you fancy - usually chocolates or flowers, but I have to say I think I like the camera better.

[ That certainly wasn't their specific intention, but they guess it works out. Even if it is a little embarrassing. They'd given him this because he'd wanted it, not because they were trying to show him that they care or that they fancy him or something. ]

There's holidays for everything, huh...

[ They muse, looking over his person to see if he has something with him. Doesn't this mean he should have a present for them?? Or maybe not, since they don't have much use for chocolates or flowers. And he knows they're not the type to put a lot of stock in the importance of holidays. They don't want him to think they're expecting something, so they pull their gaze back to their hands on the table. ]

I wouldn't have thought to give you something like that, even if I knew about this holiday. Those things— they don't last very long.

[ flowers are nice, they guess, but they're always thinking of longevity when it comes to their relationship. it's important to them to think of how they can be remembered, to think of things that will still matter after a few weeks of time. ]

[ "it's not like i LIKE him or anything" - cairngorm about their boyfriend, 2019 ]

Hah... That's sort of the point with presents like that, I think. It's about celebrating the moment. It's another way of expressing your feelings to someone, too - it's like putting them into physical form, however brief.

[ not that he's surprised they would see it that way. He knows their limited time together hangs heavy over them - not just because they're stuck in Chroma, but because he's mortal. That's something that even humans have a hard time accepting, let alone ageless jewels that have never had to consider it before at all. Lupin's not so overconfident that he believes he can change their feelings in the span of a few months - even if he had his whole life, he probably couldn't. But he hopes he can at least soften the blow. That's part of his present, too.

Putting a hand in his pocket, he retrieves something and offers it to them with a flourish. Or... several somethings. ]

Well, it would be nice if these looked a little more romantic right now, after I've gone and said all that. [ he smirks wryly at himself, but his eyes have the usual fond mischief in them. ] A present from me to you, mon petit bijou.

[ SOMEONE has to be a tsundere around here

When he suddenly offers the handful of plants to them, they can only stare blankly at them for a few long moments. Of course, contextually, these have to be some sort of flower, but... they're kind of... ugly. If they're already not useful, they could at least be pretty to look at. They try their best to not look unimpressed (difficult when they look like that most of the time), reaching over to pluck one from his hand between an index finger and their thumb to inspect it. ]

This is supposed to be... a flower?

[ Maybe there's something more to it?! His presents are usually really good (not something they'd admit out loud), so these odd onion-looking things do take them off guard. ]

It looks sort of...

[ frankly, it's a sign of how much Cairngorm cares about him that they don't immediately roast him for giving them these ugly little roots - he's well aware of that, and he laughs at their polite restraint, clearly not offended in the least. ]

Not quite. Not yet, at least. They're bulbs.

[ he thinks he explained a little bit of this to them in the past, but probably not in detail, so he continues. ]

Bury them in the ground and give them plenty of water, and they'll grow into flowers. It'll take a few months, of course, but if you take proper care of them, they'll bloom beautifully. [ a smile. ] You've never done it before, right? We can grow them together.

[ Hm... that... does not sound like something they want to do. They remember when he brought up the idea of growing flowers back when they visited the mansion he lived in; back then, they'd thought it was a dumb idea, considering flowers live for such a short amount of time. Even though they've grown past thinking human lives are short and insignificant, the same can't be said for a measly plant that sometimes can't even live a full year. ]

But... why?

[ Is there a point to that...? They frown a little, confused by his present and why he gave it to them. It's not like they're trying to be unappreciative - but it's hard to appreciate a present they don't understand. ]

It's going to take months for them to grow?

[ and they'll just die anyway?? sounds wack..... ]

Edited 2019-04-15 06:02 (UTC)

[ good thing Lupin was basically expecting a reaction along these lines, and is thus not offended by their less-than-enthused response. Actually, the fact that they're not outright expressing that they think it's stupid means this is a polite response, in Cairngormese, and he feels lightly flattered by the fact they're trying to be nice about it. That's some special treatment. ]

Mm. Life doesn't just spring up overnight. The same goes for you gems, too, doesn't it?

[ unfazed, he continues in a mild tone. ]

We make it through this winter, and we'll have made it through a year of living here - I think we deserve to celebrate by helping create something beautiful. You and me, together. I want something I can share with you. [ something they can do together - that sounds nice. Lupin pauses, then smirks. ] Besides, learning a little about life couldn't hurt you.

[ Their expression turns a little milder after that, head tilting. Well, when he puts it like that, it doesn't seem so bad; it could just be their affections clouding their judgment, or maybe it's because he has always been good at framing and explaining things to them in ways that others just aren't able to. The concept is nice, even if the execution is strange - this long, eventful year of their lives isn't worth nothing. ]

If this is what you want...

[ They sigh, setting down the bulb very gently onto the table. Their trust in his taste is strong enough that if this is something he thinks is worthwhile, they will at least give it an attempt, because that is the mark of Cairngorm's acceptance; a willingness to follow someone else's wishes. Even so, they're a bit miffed at his tiny smirk and suggestion that they don't know much about life (even if it's true, it's not like it was their fault!), so they turn their head to make eye contact with him, raising a brow. ]

I'm supposed to learn about life from these flowers?

[ when they gave him that irritated look, his smile only gets bigger, fond as ever, and he pats them playfully on the shoulder where his arm rests. Almost a year ago, he thought their contrarian prickliness was irritating; now, he finds it charming. It's just so... them. ]

That's the spirit. [ not really but it's close enough. ] The only thing you're supposed to do is have a little fun. If you learn something new, that's just a bonus.

[ but he hopes they do. The flowers will die again in the next winter - but that doesn't mean that it was a mistake to grow them. Poetic. Lupin isn't going to spell it out in such explicit terms for them - he doesn't want to remind them of the time limit on his life while the two of them are in good spirits. ]

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