[Equius is a bit stronger than he was, but it's still human normal strength. He thought he had braced himself, but the full force of an excited pouncegreet is more than he could deal with even when he was at his full power.
He topples over with her on his chest, his hands stiff and held straight out at his sides reflexively.
But then he - very hesitantly - raises them and puts them awkwardly around her]
[That he hugs her back, is surprising but then that just makes her hold him all the tighter. As close as she had become to Feferi, Roxy, Jane and Sollux she had always felt like something was missing. Not being able to so much as contact Equius had left a hole in her heart.
She doesn't speak right away. She simply wants to hold him--almost afraid to do anything else, especially considering what happened the last time she saw him. She missed Feferi too, but for the moment Nepeta was very glad it was just the two of them.]
[Equius had always longed to be able to do this, to simply hold Nepeta without injuring her. He closes his eyes and luxuriates in this closeness, so different from the incredible closeness that he'd experienced from several people in this city, and yet even more wonderful.
He doesn't know if she's noticed that he's got a new scar encircling his neck - he has no idea that she witnessed his death, nor that she herself had also been culled. He also has other bruises, bright finger marks on his arms and neck. But he's not really conscious of them right now.
He's entirely conscious of her warmth, and the weight of her on his chest.] It's...agreeable to see you again.
[And Nepeta, longwise had always yearned for it too. Equius' strength was one of the many things she admired about him, but it didn't come without repercussions. She recalled how Rise had explained to her that people lost powers here. She supposed Equius' abnormal strength fell under that category. For the moment, she could help but be grateful.]
And it's very. [She paused to swallow away the knot in her throat] Very good to see you too, Equius. It's been far too long.
[At last she pulled herself off him, sliding to sit on the ground by his side. Her eyes are a little watery, but she's smiling and bends down to give his cheek a quick nuzzle, but that's when she noticed the scar around his neck. The smile dips and she traces it---was that from his death? She didn't have any scars]
[Oh. His skin begins to warm as she touches the thin scar on his neck, sweat beginning to pop out of his pores. He smiles just the tiniest of bits. To him, the feelings associated with the injury are positive.]
Oh yes, I'm quite well. And yourself? [His brows draw together] Are you all right?
[She's a little reluctant to leave it at that. Sooner or later they are going to have to talk about the elephant in the room but for now she decides to leave it for later. She gives him a small smile back.]
Purrty good, actually. All things considered. I've had a lot of people help in explaining this place to me and how to find my way around. I got to meet a lot of the other trolls here--including my ancestor, Equius! You have met her, right?
Oh yes, I've met her on several occasions. She was quite helpful to me on my first day, actually, and she's been...kind to me. [A slight scowl] You should be cautious, though. Do you know that she's a rebel against the established order? I expect you to resist the temptation to fall under her spell, however kind she might be.
[This was familiar, and while it was a point of contention for her at the moment she couldn't help but regard it fondly.]
Yea. She told me a bit about her life on Alternia. What she and her companions did. [And sorry, Equius, but it was far too late for that. Nepeta had never liked the hemospectrum back when she thought it was something only Equius cared about and that had no real weight. Having come to realize the truth (far too late) she would have been against it with or without Di's influence]
Your dancestor is really nice too. Really, that seems to be the case fur everyone I have met so far...though I've been told there are people to be careful around.
[He knows that she always had certain seditious views - which is why he wants to do what he can to keep them from getting worse. Her response doesn't give him much of a feeling of hope, though.
He perks up a bit at the mention of his dancestor, however]
Oh yes, Horuss is all I could ask of a dancestor. He and I have connected in unique ways... along with our ancestor, Darkleer. [It's the closest she's probably seen to a genuine smile.
But then he's all seriousness again] Now, you must tell me whom you're looking at choosing for concupiscent coupling.
[It makes her happy to see him happy, and at the news of Darkleer Nepeta internally facepalms. She should have put that together when they spoke. Well, now she knows so hopefully their next conversation can be more productive. She's about to ask Equius more about the two of them when he catches her with that question and she falters]
Well. I haven't chosen anyone, yet. I know it's important to otherwise you'll end up in that reeducation place but I haven't really found anyone I think I'm comfortable doing that with.
[He gives her a slightly severe look. When he arrived, Karkat had ordered him not to allow himself to wind up in re-education, and he had obeyed. Now it was his turn to ensure that Nepeta was safe.]
You will find someone before it's too late, or you'll come to me and I will find you someone suitable. Understood?
It's not that easy and you know it isn't! I don't want to end up going to that place but if I can't find someone who I'm okay doing that with. Well, what would be the diffurence?
[And as much as she loves Equius she's. Pretty sure having him pick someone for her would end badly]
There's an extremely large difference! [He points at her face, even from his prone position] In re-education, they torture you and when you emerge, you will be...crazed. You will do things you regret. It's not that difficult to find someone who'll be kind to you, even if they don't truly pity you.
[She looks at his pointed finger, a bit taken back. Plenty of people had warned her not to end up in re-education but no one had really given her details. The name of the place had sounded creepy enough that she thought she could figure out what sort of things they did. Listening to what Equius said made Nepeta's ears droop and shoulders hunch before looking away. Clearly it was a lot worse than she had imagined.]
Okay, Equius. I'll try harder then. How much time do I have?
[She leans into his arms, cuddling and taking comfort in them.]
Three days ago.
[Having a couple weeks was good to know. That meant maybe she could pick someone, and just take that time to get to know them. Maybe it would be best to keep to the people she had already met here.]
How'd did you find someone, Equius? I know everyone here is in the same boat but I still don't know how you can really, I don't know, bring that question up. Or get something like that started.
[He considers that question, his cheeks flushing a little]
My dancestor was kind enough to make an offer of assistance. Actually... it's not that difficult. [Oh gosh, this is such a forward conversation, but for Nepeta's sake...] I'm surprised that you're so worried. You never seem to have a problem saying what's on your mind.
But this is very diffurent furom just stating an opinion or talking about something. This is asking something very important of someone.
[She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, looking at Equius]
Pailing is supposed to be something romantic. Even if it's not necessarily with a concupiscent pawrtner, it should still mean more than 'I have to to avoid being hurt'. I thought that was one good thing we escaped furom on Alternia, now look where we are.
[Equius sits up and watches her. There's a vague impulse to reach out, but he's not really sure of what to do, so he doesn't. He just doesn't like that she's pulling away, and he doesn't know how to offer comfort, either. That's usually what she's so good at.]
I can't say that I've found any romance, here. [He admits this, frowning. That hasn't bothered him in the least, to be honest, though saying it aloud there is a bit of a pang in his blood pusher.] But the things I have done have been...enjoyable. I'm sure you'll find the same thing. You have an overly STRONG attachment to such romantic notions, and always have.
[The smile returned a teeny bit.] Yea. I guess I have.
[And it was hard to really let go of them but Nepeta realized in this case her stubbornness would just make things worse. Not just for her, but all those concerned for her well being.
Perhaps she could just spend time with one of the humans she had talked to recently. Rise was nice, or maybe Shiemi. If only there were more people who she had known for an extended period of time, but the only ones who really fell into that category were Rose and Equius himself. She liked Rose a lot, and definitely found her pretty but given that they still had only had a small collection of conversations she wasn't certain she could take that step. At least not yet.
Then there was Equius. It was strange how it hadn't occurred to her sooner, considering there was no one she cared for or trusted more than Equius. Perhaps it simply was because they were moirails--conciliatory partners, not concupiscent. Yet now that the thought had occurred to her, it wasn't going away. Should she ask him? Would that be weird? Would it put a strain on their moirallegiance? Nepeta liked to think not. The question now was how to go about it. Equius had said Horuss had simply offered so perhaps she should just ask?]
[Equius has also never thought such things about his moirail, always focused on protecting her. However, he has entertained more than one about her ancestor, and with the chip in his think pan, it's difficult to ignore the quiet suggestions.
He looks at her, unsuspecting of what's on her mind]
As in maybe we could. You know. Pail I know moirails aren't really supposed to do that, but you're the only person I trust or am comfortable enough with.
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[Equius is a bit stronger than he was, but it's still human normal strength. He thought he had braced himself, but the full force of an excited pouncegreet is more than he could deal with even when he was at his full power.
He topples over with her on his chest, his hands stiff and held straight out at his sides reflexively.
But then he - very hesitantly - raises them and puts them awkwardly around her]
Ah. Hello.
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She doesn't speak right away. She simply wants to hold him--almost afraid to do anything else, especially considering what happened the last time she saw him. She missed Feferi too, but for the moment Nepeta was very glad it was just the two of them.]
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He doesn't know if she's noticed that he's got a new scar encircling his neck - he has no idea that she witnessed his death, nor that she herself had also been culled. He also has other bruises, bright finger marks on his arms and neck. But he's not really conscious of them right now.
He's entirely conscious of her warmth, and the weight of her on his chest.] It's...agreeable to see you again.
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And it's very. [She paused to swallow away the knot in her throat] Very good to see you too, Equius. It's been far too long.
[At last she pulled herself off him, sliding to sit on the ground by his side. Her eyes are a little watery, but she's smiling and bends down to give his cheek a quick nuzzle, but that's when she noticed the scar around his neck. The smile dips and she traces it---was that from his death? She didn't have any scars]
You're. Are you okay?
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Oh yes, I'm quite well. And yourself? [His brows draw together] Are you all right?
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Purrty good, actually. All things considered. I've had a lot of people help in explaining this place to me and how to find my way around. I got to meet a lot of the other trolls here--including my ancestor, Equius! You have met her, right?
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Yea. She told me a bit about her life on Alternia. What she and her companions did. [And sorry, Equius, but it was far too late for that. Nepeta had never liked the hemospectrum back when she thought it was something only Equius cared about and that had no real weight. Having come to realize the truth (far too late) she would have been against it with or without Di's influence]
Your dancestor is really nice too. Really, that seems to be the case fur everyone I have met so far...though I've been told there are people to be careful around.
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He perks up a bit at the mention of his dancestor, however]
Oh yes, Horuss is all I could ask of a dancestor. He and I have connected in unique ways... along with our ancestor, Darkleer. [It's the closest she's probably seen to a genuine smile.
But then he's all seriousness again] Now, you must tell me whom you're looking at choosing for concupiscent coupling.
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Well. I haven't chosen anyone, yet. I know it's important to otherwise you'll end up in that reeducation place but I haven't really found anyone I think I'm comfortable doing that with.
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You will find someone before it's too late, or you'll come to me and I will find you someone suitable. Understood?
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[And as much as she loves Equius she's. Pretty sure having him pick someone for her would end badly]
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Okay, Equius. I'll try harder then. How much time do I have?
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I don't want to see that happen to you. When did you arrive, exactly? You should have a couple of weeks from your arrival to comply.
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Three days ago.
[Having a couple weeks was good to know. That meant maybe she could pick someone, and just take that time to get to know them. Maybe it would be best to keep to the people she had already met here.]
How'd did you find someone, Equius? I know everyone here is in the same boat but I still don't know how you can really, I don't know, bring that question up. Or get something like that started.
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My dancestor was kind enough to make an offer of assistance. Actually... it's not that difficult. [Oh gosh, this is such a forward conversation, but for Nepeta's sake...] I'm surprised that you're so worried. You never seem to have a problem saying what's on your mind.
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[She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, looking at Equius]
Pailing is supposed to be something romantic. Even if it's not necessarily with a concupiscent pawrtner, it should still mean more than 'I have to to avoid being hurt'. I thought that was one good thing we escaped furom on Alternia, now look where we are.
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I can't say that I've found any romance, here. [He admits this, frowning. That hasn't bothered him in the least, to be honest, though saying it aloud there is a bit of a pang in his blood pusher.] But the things I have done have been...enjoyable. I'm sure you'll find the same thing. You have an overly STRONG attachment to such romantic notions, and always have.
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[And it was hard to really let go of them but Nepeta realized in this case her stubbornness would just make things worse. Not just for her, but all those concerned for her well being.
Perhaps she could just spend time with one of the humans she had talked to recently. Rise was nice, or maybe Shiemi. If only there were more people who she had known for an extended period of time, but the only ones who really fell into that category were Rose and Equius himself. She liked Rose a lot, and definitely found her pretty but given that they still had only had a small collection of conversations she wasn't certain she could take that step. At least not yet.
Then there was Equius. It was strange how it hadn't occurred to her sooner, considering there was no one she cared for or trusted more than Equius. Perhaps it simply was because they were moirails--conciliatory partners, not concupiscent. Yet now that the thought had occurred to her, it wasn't going away. Should she ask him? Would that be weird? Would it put a strain on their moirallegiance? Nepeta liked to think not. The question now was how to go about it. Equius had said Horuss had simply offered so perhaps she should just ask?]
Hey. Equius?
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He looks at her, unsuspecting of what's on her mind]
Yes?
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[Well, that's just vague enough he might not even understand what she's getting at. Nice job, Nepeta.]
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What about us?
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As in maybe we could. You know. Pail I know moirails aren't really supposed to do that, but you're the only person I trust or am comfortable enough with.
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What you propose...makes sense. It's my duty to make sure that you aren't harmed. Pailing would be included in my job, in this particular place.
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