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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. ]

[ What's fun about putting some water on some plants, would be the choice thing to say at this moment in time, but they've already questioned the validity of his present enough. They're not the type to beat a dead horse when their point has been made, at least not in the same conversation. And they like him, so they feel merciful. ]

You're going to have to tell me where to put it... and when.

[ If it was up to them, they'd probably just put them in a ditch all together or something. That's how you bury things! He said they'll do it together, but they're not sure he really knows how much he'll have to walk them through it. ]

Where did you even find these? From those plants that used to be in front of your house?

That's a secret. [ playful, he taps his finger briefly against their stony lips. ] But no, they're not the roses from my house. You'll have to wait until they bloom to see what they are. That's part of the fun, too.

[ it's a long-term present! With that, he retracts his arms from them so that he can set his bulb on the table, too. Then, he stands up, wandering back over to where he'd set down the camera and the photograph. When he picks it up to check its progress, he smiles widely, then glances back over at Cairngorm, beckoning. ]

It's coming out -- here, come look.

[ it's still a little dark, but it's developing: a picture of Cairngorm, standing there, blushing ever-so-faintly while they stare at the camera. It's not a masterpiece of a portrait by any means - Lupin hasn't taken many photos in his life - but, frankly, neither of them will know that. ]

[ Like usual, they make a face when he pokes at them, but don't retaliate much aside from it. If almost-one-year-ago Cairngorm could see them now...

They even go over when he beckons them instead of telling him to bring it over, even if it's done with a sigh. They're not really sure what to expect when they peer into the photograph, having never seen a picture of themself, so needless to say, it's little disorienting. They've only ever seen photos of other humans. ]

...Huh. [ The closest thing gems have is looking at your reflection in the water, and that goes away whenever you want it to. This picture could last forever if he takes care of it. ] It changed so much. That's interesting.

[ Not that they understand whatever chemical process must be going on to make that happen even the slightest. ]

Is it what you wanted?

[ he's peering over at their face when they look at the picture, a little giddy; he holds it out for them to take a closer look at, should they desire. As always, he seems to enjoy introducing them to new things. ]

It would be even better if you were smiling. [ a playful grin. ] But I've still got a while to go on that one, so I'll say it's about what I wanted.

[ it's a memento more than anything. ]

What do you think? You've not seen a picture of yourself before, right? This is about as cute as you look every day, for the record.

[ They give him a little side glance at the comment about them smiling, chastising. Funnily enough, they don't really mind getting called cute, even if the delivery is sort of corny. Really, though, he brings up their smile every so often that they feel like they need to do it at the right, perfect moment since it's so special to him. That is, if it happens consciously. They suppose they'll cross that bridge when they get to it. ]

Well, no, I haven't seen one. [ Very carefully, they take the picture from him, both bewildered and intrigued by the photograph of themself in front of them. ] It's a little... weird.

[ If their name had been difficult to get used to, their reflection was moreso. It's not jarring anymore like it used to be, but it does feel a strange, looking at themself in a way that isn't an image of their real being, like in a reflection. Even if they change, this picture will always stay the same. That's probably part of the reason humans like photographs. ]

I guess I just haven't seen myself like this before. Frozen in time, sort of.

[ They offer the picture back to him. ]

[ cairngorm, you're getting as cheesy as lupin is...

he looks perfectly pleased with himself, though he's not entirely aware of the complicated feelings going through Cairngorm's mind at the moment. If he was, he'd be even more pleased that he could help them self-actualize a little more in some tiny way. As it stands, he's just happy to show them the fruits of their labor. When they hand it back, he gazes at it for a moment or two more before tucking it away into his breast pocket for safekeeping. ]

Precisely. It's like I said - whatever happens to us and wherever I go, I'll always be able to look at you just the way I am now if I have this. [ he taps the pocket where he just placed the picture. ] It's like a physical memory. Most people take photographs at special events for that reason - to commemorate awards or weddings or things like that.

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