video | un: mkavalanche [backdate: October12th]

[fragileheart]

[This device is not something Aegis is used to, but he's nothing if not tenacious and stubborn, determined to figure it out if only to ask one very important question.

It's at a slightly off angle, but the source of the young man's irritation is relatively obvious: Iris has seen to bless our dear former knight with some rather cute, fuzzy attachments - namely rounded ears, pale circles around his eyes, and a very large, long fluffy tail that's flicking about in irritation behind his back. All of it is a mix of his natural silver and a deeper gray.

So much for Iris' gentler traits. Aegis is too busy being upset to notice any change in that regard.]

I apologize for the intrusion on anyone's day, but I would like to know just what in the world has been done to me?! This is humiliating! This... is this how it's always going to be? Every month?!

[First network post and he spends it yelling about his moonblessing.

Great first impression, Mr. Alver.]

Comments

voice

[fragileheart]

Excuse me?! I am no such thing!

[handsomefoil]

Enlighten me, then. What do you think you are?

[fragileheart]

Well I'm certainly not trash! That is exceptionally rude!

[Aegis also knows what a basic racoon is, but not that they're affectionately (?) called "trash pandas" so of course he's taking it literally.]

[handsomefoil]

{ That fact is slowly starting to dawn on him, so he just laughs. }

Perhaps, but don't let me catch you digging around in a dumpster. I may not let you off so easy.

[fragileheart]

[It doesn't help that Aegis is easy to rile up even without the moon's influence.]

I would never--!

[handsomefoil]

{ This is too easy... it's hard not to keep poking fun when people react like that. }

Your moon-blessings may not give you much choice in the matter.

{ Whether that's...true or not...has yet to be seen. It's very likely untrue and he's just bein' a dick. }

[fragileheart]

[Aegis 100% brings it on himself.]

Wh-what?

[No.

No no no.

Say sike right now.]

You-- you're just having fun at my expense! There's no way that can be true! I'm not an animal! I won't give into such base instincts like that!

[handsomefoil]

{ Somehow he manages not to let any obvious laughter flow through, but there is plenty of humor in his voice. Take it as you will! }

Careful there boyo, you might end up going feral.

{ He'll stop teasing him soon. Maybe.}

But if your will is strong enough to overcome such an ingrained scavenging instinct, mayve you'll leave with your pride still in-tact.

[fragileheart]

[Well, he's not wailing yet, but there is a note of despair coming through.]

I once thought my will strong enough to overcome anything but that's not something I'm as certain of anymore...

[He groans, and there's a distinct thunk of forehead hitting something solid.]

I'm doomed. To think I was better off with transgressors. I actually want to go home...

[handsomefoil]

{ Aw... well, he's developed a teeny bit of a heart after being here for a while. He'll let up on him for now. }

You may surprise yourself. Perhaps you're stronger than you think. Don't let the bloody trashy pandas consume you!

[fragileheart]

[Bless you, sir.]

I... I will do everything in my power not to!

[handsomefoil]

That's a good lad. What do you go by?

[fragileheart]

Aegis Alver.

[handsomefoil]

Alright, Aegis. I'm going to just say right now that you can take whatever I had to say with a grain of salt. Everyone's experiences here will all vary.

That being said, I do hope you find a silver lining here, like I have. Preferrably ones that do not resemble trash cans.

[fragileheart]

[He might be pouting about trash being brought up again, but it's not visible, thankfully.]

What sort of silver lining have you found?

[The only thing he can think of is not having to deal with Vicious' bullshit anymore.]

[handsomefoil]

{ Don't worry, last jab. He swears! This might’ve been an awkward subject for him not too long ago, but many recent events have changed his mind. }

People who care about me. Who... actually care, and don't do it because of some bizarre unwritten rule that tells them they should.

{ As sappy as it is, he's learned to embrace it. Slowly but surely. }

A bit of a cliché, methinks, but something we all take for granted.

[fragileheart]

Ah--

["People who actually care".

Has... Aegis ever had that? Not since his parents saw him off to attend the academy. He put so much of his focus on his training, on becoming the best when starting out from nothing that he only ever really made one friend. Leon... probably cared in his own way, all things considered. He was the one who helped Aegis get away when he would have been subject to the Enforcers otherwise.

Misella and Vicious, though? They care enough to keep him around and not abandon him in some monster-ridden forest. Kanata probably also cares in his own way but Kanata seemed incapable of not caring.

It's amazing how the simplest of words strung together can hit like a brick to the face.]

Cliche though it may be, I am inclined to agree... having that would be something to treasure.

[handsomefoil]

{ That barely perceptible pause has him thinking it might be something very important to Aegis as well. As silly as that sounds, he assumes most normal people feel that way about their friends and loved ones, but he doesn't know anything about this guy. Whether he's 'normal' or not...so. Good to know. Even if it is mostly speculation on his end.

He lets out a huff of laughter. }

Sorry, got a bit serious there, didn't it?

[fragileheart]

[He's probably the most normal of their weird group.

That's probably been at least part of what's hindering him from getting closer. He doesn't know how to be anything but a righteous, upstanding knight and now he's running with literal criminals.

Or was.

Now now he's in Prismatica trying to not freak out every time his fuzzy ears twitch.]

A bit, but I don't mind serious.

[handsomefoil]

Well, I'll keep that in mind.

{ Nah, he won't. After a beat: }

Well. Considering the date, it looks like you're under the Iris moon's influence. I've heard it's quite rough if you're particularly... eh, adverse to affection. How're you dealing?

[fragileheart]

... right. Affection.

[He'd been told about that before, but it had obviously slipped his mind in regards to, well. Everything. He hasn't experienced any significant issues with chroma yet but he's also recalling now that he will in time need to... replenish that.

And hiding in his apartment isn't going to do it.]

I'm-- [still also maybe dealing with a bit of ptsd from a very recent incident but what is therapy and mental health in these worlds] ... I'm not entirely adverse to affection but I can't say it's been a priority of mine for some years now so that may become a problem...

[handsomefoil]

Aye, I can understand that. Like I mentioned, it can effect people to varying degrees, so maybe you'll pull through just fine with even the most minimal of contact.

{ Slim chances, but chances nonetheless. }

Crossing my fingers for you.

[fragileheart]

Even minimal contact would require having friends, would it not?

[He sounds even more resigned about that then he did about the animal traits.]

But thank you for your well wishes regardless...

[handsomefoil]

You're welcome, but they don't necessarily have to be friends first. { Though he knows that's well out of most people's comfort zones. } There's no time like the present, yeah? Who knows, maybe your Iris traits will help you in that regard.

I'm sure you'll make some, just like I did.

[fragileheart]

[He has his doubts, but he'll reserve those thoughts for his own mind.]

Perhaps. If I can even go outside without running this blasted tail into everything.