you trust me, don't you baby?

[implying]

Date & Time: forward dated to the 27th
Location: somewhere in Old London, there is a shitty hovel with a dude in it.
Characters: Marduk & Vanadi (& Apollo)
Summary: space-elves and non-elves and a lack of maturity, or any other kind of desirable personality trait (& Apollo)
Warnings: probably not (Apollo)

[ It's been long enough by now that there seems very little reason not to pick up what tattered shreds of pride he has left, and pack them away. Besides, this is ridiculous. There hadn't even been an actual reason for their last conversation to go as poorly as it had — to the point where he isn't even sure what to apologize for. If there's even one needed. He feels relatively sure that there is, but he's not fully sold on it yet.

But either way, Vanadi trudges unhappily through the snow, bundled enough that he hardly even needs his hologram emitter (he'd brought it anyway), and hones in slowly on the signal his mind can trace from Marduk's tablet. It brings him to a door, half lost in the snow, amidst the ruins of what Transports used to know as Exsilium.

With a breath in to steady himself, he knocks. ]

Comments

omg how do u do it

[irritating]

'cause you fuckin' told me! [ It's not totally a lie, technically, but she does finally realize what she's done once the words and good and out of her mouth. But oh well, too late now, maybe he wouldn't figure it out anyway. Maybe. ]

Well he ain't exactly the sharin' type so I've kinda had to put some shit together myself. [ Just making it worse over here don't mind her, Marduk. ] Never really wants to chat with me much, y'know? Which is a damn shame, I'm a real good listener! [ Spoiler alert that's a lie. ]

man fuck you guys my deadline for this shit is monday

[oversleeps]

[ god. whirlwind romance? marduk presses a hand over his face, making a noise that's half irritation and half embarrassment. the latter fades quickly as apollo keeps digging her hole a little deeper. ]

I haven't told you shit all. [ and he knows he hasn't. ] Unless I started talking in my fucking sleep or something. [ and he knows he hasn't. ]

[implying]

[ He glances between them a few times more, shifting from curious to thoughtful. He really can't imagine Marduk ever discussing any of their relationship with someone he didn't even like, but it isn't as if there aren't other options. In fact, someone wanting to know about Marduk's life could have a really easy time of it, since he's nice enough to write it all down.

He grins a little, looking back again to Apollo. ]

Did it make a good read? Oh, do tell me — did he write anything particularly juicy about me?

[irritating]

[ Busted. She was going to keep on lying, but now that she's been caught she decides to let the lie go. At least it was Vanadi who put it together, that probably delayed any yelling Marduk may want to do at least for a little bit. ]

Juicy's a word for it! Y'know I never woulda thought he had that kinda thing in 'im if he hadn't written it all down. But yeah, usually when your name pops up there's some real good stories comin'. Usually my name leads to bitchin' - well, 'cept for one of his recent entries. [ She looks over to Marduk, bold enough to grin at him and say in a tone that is, admittedly, a little bit sincere but mostly teasing, ] I missed you too, Marduk.

[oversleeps]

[ that's it-- he rockets up, both hands slamming down on the back of the couch. he leans forward, looking half ready to just vault over the damn thing in order to strangle apollo. ]

You read it? [ holy shit. ] I cannot fucking believe-- [ he sputters, incoherently angry save for when he manages a line or two in his native tongue. she missed him too? is that supposed to be funny? his claws dig into the couch, shredding the upholstery as he manages to use his words again. ] I'm going to fucking kill you!

[implying]

Please, you are not.

[ Though he does shift slightly closer to Apollo. There won't be any fighting between friends going on here, even if it means he actually has to do something about it (gross). Still, though, it's made him smile to hear he gets written about, and picked up his mood despite everything. ]

Perhaps Apollo and I might take that walk, instead of you. You may want to spend a little time digging up a better hiding spot, it seems.

[irritating]

Oh fuck- [ She isn't actually afraid of Marduk, but his reaction is enough to make her instincts kick in for a second and, thinking he actually was going to vault over and attack her, Apollo takes a quick step back and moves herself a bit behind Vanadi. ]

Yeah and maybe put a damn lock on it or some shit if you're gonna be that secretive about it!! [ As if a piddly little diary lock was even enough to keep her out anyway. ]

[oversleeps]

[ marduk's fury comes to a screeching halt with vanadi's comment; he winces a little, giving him a look half hurt and half resentful. ] Not much of a point in any of that now, is there?

[ ow. he rocks back onto his heels, pausing there. ] No, forget it. I'd hate to force you two out in the cold. [ he snarls, getting up from the couch. the only awkward part is having to brush past them to get to the door; he pauses again with the door half-open, eyeing the two of them. ]

Have fun. [ with that he steps outside, slamming the door behind him. ]

[implying]

[ Vanadi maintains himself carefully while Marduk is still in the room — lazy stance, half smile — but as soon as the door closes behind him, he sighs quietly and turns for the couch. ]

Well — [ He slumps down onto one of the cushions and smiles tiredly at Apollo. ] It is good to meet you, in any case.

[irritating]

Okay bye seeya in an hour! [ He's pretty much out the door when she calls out to him, although she's loud enough that he probably heard it anyway. And then she's watching Vanadi, curious as to whether or not he's going to follow Marduk outside until he decides instead to go sit down. ]

Yeah, nice meetin' you too. [ Apollo pads over and flops herself down on the couch as well, sitting cross legged and snuggling herself into the pillows there to get cozy. ] But seriously Marduk does this shit all the fuckin' time, he'll be back later and he'll be fuckin' fine.

[implying]

Ah, perhaps. I expect time will tell.

[ Time and a few more conversations. He's been an asshole again, he knows that — but he's also quite sure he isn't the only one. He's quiet for a few seconds, staring down at his hands, before he shifts to lean up against Apollo. Sure, he's only just met her, but she seems decent enough. And in as good a position as anyone else to have potential information. ]

Has Marduk spoken to you at all about his time at home? About his friends there, perhaps?

[irritating]

Eh well if he doesn't, the dog'll go get 'im anyway.

[ She wasn't really expecting Vanadi to lean against her, but when he does she certainly doesn't seem to mind. Actually she seems to welcome it, wiggling a little bit as she adjusts a blanket that was on the couch so that it's draped over both her shoulders and his instead. ]

Not really, no. Talked about his world for about two goddamn seconds then turned into an asshole, the usual.

[implying]

Ah. How familiar. [ totally unsurprised here — he's not sure why he thought that Apollo would be able to get any answers out of Marduk, when Vanadi had only managed to get a few, himself.

Oh, well. He distracts himself with a glance around, then frowns. ]

Do you not have a kitchen here?

[irritating]

Uh no, no kitchen. This place was kinda a fixer upper when I found it, y'know?

[ Understatement, the thing was almost falling apart when she found it. So as shitty as it looked, it was at least standing and protected from the cold now. ]

We got a table and a pantry over there though, so I dunno it kinda looks like a kitchen if there's food out.

[implying]

[ a table and a pantry. He makes a face. ]

You poor things. You'll certainly have to come to the house I've procured in Exsilium and have some actual cooked meals, then.

[irritating]

Well shit consider us there, cooked meals I don't gotta do myself sound great. [ Food is one way to her heart, apparently. ] I mean fuck I know how to cook kinda but god damn it's like takin' care of three fuckin' kids here 'cause two are morons and one's a fuckin' dog.

[implying]

[ He snorts, amused. ]

Well, I don't run a daycare, but I'm happy enough to cook for a friend or two. But if you can get Marduk to come, you'll have to either make him wear his hologram emitter to look human, or tie up and blindfold the lady of the house. She's a local, and not terribly open-minded about that.

[irritating]

[ "If you could get Marduk to come", please. If she wants Marduk to come somewhere with her she will literally carry him kicking and screaming if she has too okay don't even worry about it. ]

What, the not human thing? But yeah, pretty sure I could manage the second one but eh, I'll go with the first 'cause it sounds easier.

[implying]

A good plan. She does treat me well, so I might have objected somewhat to the latter. [ He smiles. ] Consider it a date, then! At some point, in any case.

[ when things are less terribly awkward with marduk, at least... He starts to glance away, but pauses and looks back again with an ear perked up curiously. ]

Ah, by the by, were you any sort of serious in regards to our earlier mentions of sleeping with one another?

[irritating]

Aw, perfect! Date it is, I'll let Duckling know. [ Or maybe she'd just drag him along and let him figure out where they were going once they got there, really she hadn't decided yet.

As for his other question, it amuses her enough to laugh a little. ] Of course! Always happy to try somethin' new. Why, you interested, sugar?

[implying]

[ He hesitates for just a second. Should he not? True, it would probably make things with Marduk even more awkward — but on the other hand, he's bound to assume it's already happening. Why waste the chance?

He smiles. ]

Oh, highly, my dear! I'm a touch put out over an unpleasant row with Marduk, or else I'm quite certain I'd have already made several attempts to charm my way into your pants. My sincere apologies for the slow uptake — you are quite beautiful, and I would hate for you to think it was any lack on your part.

[irritating]

Understandable! But don't let him bully you too much, yeah? He's all bark and no bite.

[ The definitive, quick yes and the compliments delight her, and she shows it by giving him a smile and shifting herself so that her body's facing his instead of being shoulder to shoulder with him. ] Slow uptake forgiven! [ Not that she actually thought it was a slow uptake, but still. ] Guess it's a good thing we're already cozied up by the fire all by ourselves then, huh? Perfect setting for your first attempt at charmin' yourself into my pants an' all.

[implying]

[ He follows suit, turning toward her and resting a hand at her knee. ]

It is! We're short only a bearskin rug. I do rather think we can manage without, though. [ His grin fades only when he leans in to kiss her, head tipping enough for hers to stay upright. ]

[irritating]

[ The shift in position and hand on her knee is all she needs to be completely on board. ]

I think we can manage without a lotta other things too. [ Meaning his clothes of course, if the movement of her hands is any indication. She leans forward a bit to meet him for the kiss, blissfully choosing to ignore literally everything her roommate had said to both of them earlier. ]