[You can practically hear the temperature rising in her like a tea kettle as he takes her hand and winds their fingers together.]
V-V-Vegan, huh? [With some hesitation she wiggles her hand free and places it on the strap of her bag, giving it a grounding little tug.] That should be interesting! There’s so many restaurants here in Prillipsa, it’s a real change of pace from always eating cafeteria food, ahaha…
[Amari smiles nervously, less at the prospect of the meal and more because her heart is still recovering. She’ll readily follow him over to get seated.]
[He seems surprised at her taking her hand back like that, but ends up smiling regardless - Because, hey, he gets it. He drinks the Respect Women Juice; if he's been too forward and she wants her space, she can take as much as she needs.
And, of course, as they walk by the guitar case still by the front door, he'll snag it.]
Mm, vegan, yes - I hope you'll enjoy it, even if it's probably quite different from what you're used to.
[He'll lead her over to a nice, open table by a window, though, one with so many of those flowers he mentioned... gently placing the guitar case on the table, while still standing, himself.]
Here. Why not wait here and check out the guitar, and I'll order us a tray of pastries? And if there's any drink you'd like, I'd be happy to get you that as well - I was paid recently, so I have plenty of funds to spare.
*Solemnly resetting the “days without bringing up Amari’s obsession with wasamayo” counter*
[Fear not, this was a self preservation tactic more than anything you did, Louis. If they kept holding hands, people might think they’re a c- a cou- a couple!?! She’d for real keel over then.]
Ah, okay! If there’s strawberry lemonade, that’d be plenty, thank you.
[… … As soon as he leaves she fishes around in her bag for a… bottle of… okay there’s no getting around this it’s definitely a bottle of wasabi mayonnaise and she’s definitely going to just start sucking on it like a baby bottle or a freakin capri sun or something. This is her comfort condiment. She is just like this. PriPara is simply this kind of weird.]
Haaa, I almost died.
[She puts a hand — the one Louis had just been holding — to her still hot cheeks and sighs, glancing at the guitar case.]
…He really is too nice.
[Still, she’s come too far to cut and run. She’ll sit down the mayonnaise and open the case and take a peek!]
... i mean if it makes u (and her) feel better, he ALSO likes wasabi, he just cant have mayo LMAO
[He's more than happy to make his way up to the counter, then, leaving her to fish out her mayo - oh, god, is there TWO in Ellipsa now?? But it means she's also left alone with the guitar, and when she takes a peek...
This is what she comes face to face with. All shiny in rose gold, and... Notably not acoustic.
... Equally notable, if she dares to flip it over, are what look like occult runes etched straight into the metal with - A knife? A nail? A claw? Hard to say, really!
But before she has time to check it out too closely, Louis's already making his way back to the table with a nice, stacked tray - one full of pastries with a strawberry lemonade set beside them. His own drink's just a small cup of tea...]
Here we are...! I ordered a variety - that way, you may hopefully find something among them that you like.
And what do you think of the guitar...? Beautiful, isn't it? His Majesty really outdid himself with this one; all I specified is that it must be pink.
Me remembering what mayo is made of like oh no is this gauche to bring into a vegan place
[Like Amari did you conduct a restaurant faux pas?! Well whatever that’s kind of her life. Always sort of an awkward girl getting off on the wrong foot. Anyway, yes, there are two of them now… smh.]
Wow, it’s really pretty! Kind of edgy but I probably should’ve seen that coming. What’s with these marks…
[She looks up from the guitar at Louis as he approaches the table once more, taken by surprise both by his quick return and the words he uttered.]
—Wait, you know the person who made this?! And they’re royalty??
[Hey, Louis doesn't seem to mind it, at least! ... He even casually picks it up and moves it to the side so there's room for the tray of pastries, as if he's truly just accepting that, sure, there's wasabi Kewpie on the table now. If that's who she is, that's who she is, and he's more than happy to roll with it.]
Well, of course. King Lucifer. I've mentioned him before, haven't I? His Majesty owns the hotel I live in - he's also quite talented with menial creation, having made this for us in a snap.
[Said, of course, with a snap of his own fingers. Because he means that literally. And now he'll lift it, himself, to motion to the carvings on the back of it - even tapping it with one of his long nails.]
He's blessed it for you, too. Should you use it to learn to play, it will be far easier to learn than if you used another guitar.
[... And then he pauses, seeming to realize something.]
- Of course, please don't misunderstand... I know how it sounds, that I received this from the devil, but there's no price. Any debt owed to him is on me. For you, it's completely free.
[Amari stares at Louis, her face going in a little journey of surprise, apprehension, embarrassment (for some reason??) and finally acquiescence. Like. Yeah. Yeah of course The Actual Devil is here in Ellipsa why wouldn’t he be otherworlder life is already so goddamn weird.]
Ah, th-thanks! That’s amazing, and very kind of both of you. Please give him my thanks as well. [A little bow. Wow! A genuine satanic guitar! Great! Amazing! Not embarrassing at all! She’s totally normal about this!!]
…Are you sure it’s safe, though? For you, I mean. … I mean, I’m sure that His Majesty(?) is very fair(??) [You can hear the question marks in her voice] but I don’t want you getting caught up in anything on my behalf.
im sorry my tags are huge btw, he just has so many Words; pls dont feel like you gotta match it!!
Yes, that Lucifer. Lucifer Morningstar himself. I am certain it's safe, though. My debt to him, in repayment for the guitar is to simply continue doing what I do best - Helping others.
[There's a warmth in his voice, saying as much, that somehow feels more genuine than any other warmth he's given off thus far... probably because he's being fully, completely honest with that. He likes making people smile. It's his goal in life. Helping them works to do exactly that. Y'know, Happy Around and all that jazz.
... He's also going to reach into his little bag, though, for something else.]
Speaking of. To go along with it, there's something else I would like to give you - from me to you, directly. Not from His Majesty or anything. I realized, the other day, that there's a very good chance you may feel, ah... apprehensive about being on stage with me; we are, after all, polar opposites. What with your pinks and purples and cute look, versus my own tastes. Like sitting a sweet little plush rabbit beside a VHS for a slaughterfest flick.
And I am well aware that not many people enjoy embodying the aesthetic that I prefer. Many find it abrasive, harsh, or even outright embarrassing. Hell only knows how many times my parents told me so directly.
[As he says all of this, he finally pulls out what he was looking for - a plain little heart carved out of bone hanging from a golden chain.]
You remember what I said about seals, yes? For invoking? I want to make you a charm, so that you may temporarily invoke one of my own traits and endure the pain while you perform with me. What trait do you think would suit this best? Courage? Self-esteem?
I'd give to you my devil-may-care attitude, but unfortunately, I need that.
No worries I can get wordy as hell too sometimes haha
Well that’s… good, then! I’m sure you’ll be able to pull that off.
[That all seems like a much more lax deal than Amari would’ve expected from The Honest To God Devil, but she won’t question it. He seems happy and content with it and his life isn’t noticeably at risk at the moment so it’s probably fine.
She chuckles a little as he describes his aesthetic. Yeah. Yeah…]
I’m pretty familiar with clashing appearances, actually, but that you’re aware of that much about your looks already puts you leagues ahead of some of the people I’m used to dealing with. Anyway, it’s pretty normal for idols to all have their own unique style in PriPara, so I’m sure I’d be able to manage.
[Still, she looks at the little bone heart. He’d gone out of his way to offer this to her. This isn’t a date this isn’t a date this isn’t a date, okay??? He’s just naturally a really nice guy!! That said, it’d be rude to snub that kindness.]
I guess a little confidence… wouldn’t hurt, though, as long as it doesn’t affect you negatively any?
[Yeeeahhh, he can't help but chuckle just a little bit.]
Of course I'm aware of my looks. Do you believe I dress this way to blend into crowds? Others may find it embarrassing, but that's the fun of it. ... That, and it has a wonderful effect of scaring those who are comfortable, yet comforting those who are scared - Those who walk a different path than the norm flock to punks and goths like moths to a flame. They know they're safe around people like me.
[Translation out of Louis-ian: gay kids know they're safe around the goths and punks. As for the little bone heart... he holds it aloft, looking at it with his smile curving up a little more.]
... Whether the effects are negative isn't something you need to worry yourself about, I promise you. I'm an actor. Hiding things is one of my only useful skills. I'll finalize it, then.
[And what does he mean by that, exactly? Well - he brings his other hand up, then, to hover in front of it... and after a second, pink-orange fire burns a design into the bone itself, leaving behind a glittering afterimage that glows gently in the shadow of his hand. And that's being handed to her, easy as anything.]
Here you are. My seal and everything. To activate it, all you need to do is grasp it in your palm and call out my true name.
[A pause, his gaze dropping to the table for a moment... as if he's deciding something heavy.]
... It's Lazarus. My real name. Be cautious with it. Like demons, my name is able to control me wholly and utterly against my will; hence why I have an alias.
Ahh, I wish I could teach him even a fraction of that self-awareness…
[The words are mumbled under her breath, a weary little sidebar as the conversation carries on.
Amari doesn’t look entirely satisfied with his answer, tbh. He was her friend now! His wellbeing mattered to her! She cares if things affect him negatively!! She doesn’t get a chance to object before he seals (haha) the deal, though, and she finds herself simply reaching out and taking the pendant when offered, holding it delicately and turning it over in her hand.]
… It’s cute.
[The seal, that is. She looks up from it and meets his eyes. Lazarus…]
Um. T-Thank you. For trusting me with something like this. I promise I won’t misuse it.
[Honestly the warning, coupled with the way he kind of dodged answering earlier, made her a little scared of the idea of using it at all. But it was … nice to have? And nice to have someone put that level of faith in you. That was a confidence booster in and of itself. ‘Believe in me who believes in you’ and all that. She smiles, a little tentatively at first but blooming as the next words come to her.]
So, actor or not, please don’t think you always have to hide things… okay?
[Something about her response seems to take him offguard, eyebrows lifting up toward his hairline as he sits up a bit straighter. And for a moment he's quiet, looking at her like he's expecting her to take that sentiment back, or to reveal that she's joking, or... He's not sure, really. Something.
Because he can't help but wonder... Can she tell he's been hiding things? This whole time? Since they first spoke?
...
If she can... yet she's asking him to not hide things...]
[... After a moment, a glowing, orange-colored blush starts to color his face, and he looks down at his nails - unable to look at her without feeling embarrassed.]
I will... try my best to remain honest with you. And, ah... after - After we are finished here, at the cafe...
... Would you like to walk through the gardens with me? They're... close by.
[Amari might not have necessarily been able to totally piece together that he was hiding things from the very start, but she knows deflection and negative self talk when she hears them (as they’re common tools in her own arsenal) so some flags have definitely been raised.
She wants Louis to feel comfortable being himself around her. She wants that of all her friends. Being true to oneself, warts and all, is something she’s still trying to wrestle with herself so she knows it can be A Process but she wants him to know it’s okay to share that process with her. That’s the sort of kindness that the others at PriPara showed her and it’s the least she can do for him after he’s already done so much for her.
… She hadn’t expected such a demure response from him, though - it draws a little color to her cheeks in turn as she sputters out a response:]
Heh? Uh, s-sure! That sounds nice!
[Still not a date!! she reminds herself, heart beating a little faster in spite of this knowledge. She awkwardly stares down at the table at the untouched treats before plucking one of the pastries and inspecting it (as much to give herself something to focus on as anything.)]
[For accepting his offer, he means. It's said nigh immediately, too, like he'd been holding his breath and waiting for rejection... But he's going to do something similar, now, picking up his cup of tea to nurse it just so he has something to look at that isn't Amari.]
... By luck, yes. As I said, it's near the Botanical Gardens - I spend quite a bit of time there, tracking the butterflies and various other pollinators that call the gardens home -
... Which... I will not get into. As I know many women don't enjoy discussing insects very much, and... I would rather not "gross you out", so to speak...
Oh, I don’t really mind bugs that much, unless they’re mosquitos, or the nasty little bugs that swarmed around PriPara. I think I do a pretty good cicada impression actually!
[—Ah. Why did she admit to that? That’s so embarrassing hgnfpggkffjfkfd She stuffs the pastry in her mouth to avoid sticking her foot in there any further, washing it down with the lemonade like her life depended on it.]
Pwaah. [Okay quickly moving on, then:] So you’re fond of insects, then? What’s your favorite?
[Well, it's too bad she's cut herself off and changed the subject, because the idea that she can imitate a cicada was actually the thing that got him to look up and away from his tea!! And he looked interested, too.
But she's onto asking about his favorites, so he'll be dropping that idea, instead... alas.]
- The calyptrate muscoids. Specifically Muscidae - houseflies. Unfortunately, they are nasty little bugs to most... But they are a subfamily I enjoy raising in my spare time.
[And then, almost awkwardly, as if he's not used to anyone asking him about his interests like this -]
Mm, I don’t dislike them. As far as bugs go, they’re definitely iconic!
[Honestly Amari kinda has a bit of cicada energy. Isolating themselves underground and vibrating and screaming when they come out into the public eye? Yeah man. Yeah.]
Houseflies, though! That’s an … interesting choice!
[Not one she would’ve expected. Kinda weird, but he seems earnest about it so now she’s kinda curious about the appeal.]
Iconic... a wonderful way to think of them. They're a close runner up for a spot among my favorites, truth be told - There's something romantic and poetic about a creature who lives about its days in darkness, waiting for a time to crawl out from beneath the dirt to sing its song before it perishes.
[Definitely not said like he relates. Definitely not.]
As for houseflies... To put it simply, I find them cute. I suspect I find them cute in much the same way others may find cats cute, really - they have large eyes that glitter in the right lighting, always preening and cleaning themselves and washing their little faces. Not only that, but they were largely the only other thing that lived in the catacombs with me...
[- His eyes widen, like he just realized he said something embarrassing. Which he apparently did, considering his blush is picking back up again, too.]
Er - not that I... did that. I merely wandered them out of curiosity, that's all.
[... He's not even sure why he feels embarrassed about it. He's never been embarrassed about the catacombs before - If anything, it was fun telling people about them and seeing their reactions.
So why is it embarrassing now, here, with Amari...?]
[Amari smiles softly at his description of the cicada. It was a kind of beautiful, if tragic, existence. At the further description of the housefly, her eyebrows scrunch together and she stares at the ceiling and tries to visualize one. Cute… huh. Hmmm. She guesses she could see that. Kind of? …Maybe?
At the last bit, though, she simply lowers her gaze back to meet Louis. And blinks.]
[There are all sorts of thoughts that flicker through Amari’s head. She doesn’t feel they’re familiar enough yet for her to tease him, especially when he’s clearly already embarrassed about the matter. She can’t in good conscience put him on blast - it’d be hypocritical of her after he’d turned a blind eye to her many embarrassing failures! Or something!!
So instead, she breathes a small chuckle.]
You’re kind of like a cicada yourself, then, huh?
[Hey we were just talking about that! She doesn’t get the circumstances, but she’s sure he had his reasons. Her smile is curious but accepting.]
[He clears his throat, looking down at his tea again as a small smile spreads across his face. It doesn't dull his blush any... but a smile's a smile.]
... I suppose I am. I even plan to sing for everyone - Though, I do hope my voice is quite a bit more pleasant than that of a cicada.
...
How do they sound again? With your impression and all. I can't say I remember...
[With the tone he's pulling, it's clear he's teasing. ... But it's surprisingly soft, too.]
[—Oh gosh darn it she just walked right into that!!! Dang it, Amari, you had an out and you blew it!!
Just like at Shining Karaoke, she seems to be speedrunning the stages of grief while sitting at the table. She shakes her head, grits her teeth, buries her face in her hands, the works. But then she looks up with a quiet resolution. Might as well get this over with.]
[She takes a deep breath, color rising to her face, and you can tell she's aiming to be quiet by the way she leans in close, but in her nervous state she ends up blurting out much louder than intended:]
M-Miiiinnnn min min min m~in!
[...Honestly as far as cicada impressions go, it probably isn't the best around, but it was enough to fool three of her friends, so she may have an inflated sense of its impressiveness. At the least, it's got heart! Whatever that means.]
1/2? 3?; oh she is a little freak and i love her IMMENSELY
[Oh, yup, sorry for this Amari, but that is immediately getting Louis to crack the hell up - But, well. At least it's the kind of laughter that's just as embarrassing about her cicada impression? Loud, from the belly, even with his hand coming up to his forehead as he leans back in his chair --]
[- Far enough that it actually tips backwards, getting him to flail a little, uselessly, before the chair takes him down with it against the hard linoleum floor. And for a moment, he just. Stays there like that. Blinking up at the ceiling.]
[... Only to end up laughing even harder, having to roll onto his knees to pick himself up and cough into his arm just thanks to how much he's laughing. Though, once he's on his feet, he does his best to try and quiet himself down - brushing himself off with grace like that wasn't, perhaps, the most embarrassing thing that could have happened to him. Frankly, he's acting like he doesn't care in the least that people might be looking at him after that...
And then he clears his throat, like nothing happened at all.]
You're quite good at that, I must say...! And it was cute, too - fitting, for a cicada. Thank you for sharing that with me; I'll remember it fondly when I need to laugh like that again.
[All said as he rights his chair, straightening out his sweater as he moves to sit back down again.]
[Amari is at maximum redness, breaking out into a sweat. Oohhhhh god she really did just do that really loud and in public and now he’s laughing at her! I mean, of course he’s laughing at her! She sounded ridiculous! She just wants to make like a cicada and go underground for the next decade!!!
When he falls back, she actually jerks to her feet, staring across and down at him in helpless bafflement, and when he starts up laughing again, she almost involuntarily starts laughing awkwardly along with him. This was all too surreal and crazy.]
[Little does Amari know, he honestly let himself topple like that to try and steal some of that embarrassment - he could have easily caught himself if he'd just grabbed the table, and he knows it. But... it's actually working, for the most part? If anyone's staring, they're largely only staring at him. And he doesn't seem to care at all. Like a weird little lightning rod for strange looks and humiliation, somehow.
And, of course, he's giving her a big, sweet smile when he sees how red she's turning.]
... I mean what I've said, you know. The other cicada impressions I've heard in my life have all been piss-poor - Done from a place of hatred for the sound they make, just mimicking to make fun of their cry. Yours actually sounds correct. Even if there were things you could work on, should you wish to, you have the intonation perfect. And that is something that makes me very, very happy, I assure you.
[Now that he's sitting again, he's gonna go ahead and rest his chin in his palm... and reach out to snag that bottle of wasamayo still sitting on the table, mostly just to look at it as he talks.]
I wanted to ask, by the by... have you an outfit planned for the performance? Do you need help with it? I tailor in my free time; I'd be happy to alter or even create pieces, should you need it... and I would like to see what you have planned, so that I may try my best to match with you.
Keep my own aesthetic, yet still match - like a proper idol unit.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
RIP she died as she lived, having a self-induced panic attack
V-V-Vegan, huh? [With some hesitation she wiggles her hand free and places it on the strap of her bag, giving it a grounding little tug.] That should be interesting! There’s so many restaurants here in Prillipsa, it’s a real change of pace from always eating cafeteria food, ahaha…
[Amari smiles nervously, less at the prospect of the meal and more because her heart is still recovering. She’ll readily follow him over to get seated.]
at least prillipsa was nice while it lasted
[He seems surprised at her taking her hand back like that, but ends up smiling regardless -
Because, hey, he gets it. He drinks the Respect Women Juice; if he's been too forward and she wants her space, she can take as much as she needs.
And, of course, as they walk by the guitar case still by the front door, he'll snag it.]
Mm, vegan, yes - I hope you'll enjoy it, even if it's probably quite different from what you're used to.
[He'll lead her over to a nice, open table by a window, though, one with so many of those flowers he mentioned... gently placing the guitar case on the table, while still standing, himself.]
Here. Why not wait here and check out the guitar, and I'll order us a tray of pastries? And if there's any drink you'd like, I'd be happy to get you that as well -
I was paid recently, so I have plenty of funds to spare.
*Solemnly resetting the “days without bringing up Amari’s obsession with wasamayo” counter*
Ah, okay! If there’s strawberry lemonade, that’d be plenty, thank you.
[… … As soon as he leaves she fishes around in her bag for a… bottle of… okay there’s no getting around this it’s definitely a bottle of wasabi mayonnaise and she’s definitely going to just start sucking on it like a baby bottle or a freakin capri sun or something. This is her comfort condiment. She is just like this. PriPara is simply this kind of weird.]
Haaa, I almost died.
[She puts a hand — the one Louis had just been holding — to her still hot cheeks and sighs, glancing at the guitar case.]
…He really is too nice.
[Still, she’s come too far to cut and run. She’ll sit down the mayonnaise and open the case and take a peek!]
... i mean if it makes u (and her) feel better, he ALSO likes wasabi, he just cant have mayo LMAO
But it means she's also left alone with the guitar, and when she takes a peek...
This is what she comes face to face with. All shiny in rose gold, and...
Notably not acoustic.
... Equally notable, if she dares to flip it over, are what look like occult runes etched straight into the metal with -
A knife? A nail?
A claw?
Hard to say, really!
But before she has time to check it out too closely, Louis's already making his way back to the table with a nice, stacked tray - one full of pastries with a strawberry lemonade set beside them.
His own drink's just a small cup of tea...]
Here we are...! I ordered a variety - that way, you may hopefully find something among them that you like.
And what do you think of the guitar...? Beautiful, isn't it?
His Majesty really outdid himself with this one; all I specified is that it must be pink.
Me remembering what mayo is made of like oh no is this gauche to bring into a vegan place
Wow, it’s really pretty! Kind of edgy but I probably should’ve seen that coming. What’s with these marks…
[She looks up from the guitar at Louis as he approaches the table once more, taken by surprise both by his quick return and the words he uttered.]
—Wait, you know the person who made this?! And they’re royalty??
no subject
If that's who she is, that's who she is, and he's more than happy to roll with it.]
Well, of course. King Lucifer. I've mentioned him before, haven't I?
His Majesty owns the hotel I live in - he's also quite talented with menial creation, having made this for us in a snap.
[Said, of course, with a snap of his own fingers. Because he means that literally.
And now he'll lift it, himself, to motion to the carvings on the back of it - even tapping it with one of his long nails.]
He's blessed it for you, too. Should you use it to learn to play, it will be far easier to learn than if you used another guitar.
[... And then he pauses, seeming to realize something.]
- Of course, please don't misunderstand... I know how it sounds, that I received this from the devil, but there's no price. Any debt owed to him is on me.
For you, it's completely free.
no subject
[Amari stares at Louis, her face going in a little journey of surprise, apprehension, embarrassment (for some reason??) and finally acquiescence. Like. Yeah. Yeah of course The Actual Devil is here in Ellipsa why wouldn’t he be otherworlder life is already so goddamn weird.]
Ah, th-thanks! That’s amazing, and very kind of both of you. Please give him my thanks as well. [A little bow. Wow! A genuine satanic guitar! Great! Amazing! Not embarrassing at all! She’s totally normal about this!!]
…Are you sure it’s safe, though? For you, I mean. … I mean, I’m sure that His Majesty(?) is very fair(??) [You can hear the question marks in her voice] but I don’t want you getting caught up in anything on my behalf.
im sorry my tags are huge btw, he just has so many Words; pls dont feel like you gotta match it!!
I am certain it's safe, though. My debt to him, in repayment for the guitar is to simply continue doing what I do best -
Helping others.
[There's a warmth in his voice, saying as much, that somehow feels more genuine than any other warmth he's given off thus far... probably because he's being fully, completely honest with that.
He likes making people smile. It's his goal in life. Helping them works to do exactly that.
Y'know, Happy Around and all that jazz.
... He's also going to reach into his little bag, though, for something else.]
Speaking of. To go along with it, there's something else I would like to give you - from me to you, directly. Not from His Majesty or anything.
I realized, the other day, that there's a very good chance you may feel, ah... apprehensive about being on stage with me; we are, after all, polar opposites. What with your pinks and purples and cute look, versus my own tastes.
Like sitting a sweet little plush rabbit beside a VHS for a slaughterfest flick.
And I am well aware that not many people enjoy embodying the aesthetic that I prefer. Many find it abrasive, harsh, or even outright embarrassing.
Hell only knows how many times my parents told me so directly.
[As he says all of this, he finally pulls out what he was looking for - a plain little heart carved out of bone hanging from a golden chain.]
You remember what I said about seals, yes? For invoking? I want to make you a charm, so that you may temporarily invoke one of my own traits and endure the pain while you perform with me.
What trait do you think would suit this best? Courage? Self-esteem?
I'd give to you my devil-may-care attitude, but unfortunately, I need that.
No worries I can get wordy as hell too sometimes haha
[That all seems like a much more lax deal than Amari would’ve expected from The Honest To God Devil, but she won’t question it. He seems happy and content with it and his life isn’t noticeably at risk at the moment so it’s probably fine.
She chuckles a little as he describes his aesthetic. Yeah. Yeah…]
I’m pretty familiar with clashing appearances, actually, but that you’re aware of that much about your looks already puts you leagues ahead of some of the people I’m used to dealing with. Anyway, it’s pretty normal for idols to all have their own unique style in PriPara, so I’m sure I’d be able to manage.
[Still, she looks at the little bone heart. He’d gone out of his way to offer this to her. This isn’t a date this isn’t a date this isn’t a date, okay??? He’s just naturally a really nice guy!! That said, it’d be rude to snub that kindness.]
I guess a little confidence… wouldn’t hurt, though, as long as it doesn’t affect you negatively any?
grips your hand in solidarity...!!
Of course I'm aware of my looks. Do you believe I dress this way to blend into crowds?
Others may find it embarrassing, but that's the fun of it. ... That, and it has a wonderful effect of scaring those who are comfortable, yet comforting those who are scared -
Those who walk a different path than the norm flock to punks and goths like moths to a flame. They know they're safe around people like me.
[Translation out of Louis-ian: gay kids know they're safe around the goths and punks.
As for the little bone heart... he holds it aloft, looking at it with his smile curving up a little more.]
... Whether the effects are negative isn't something you need to worry yourself about, I promise you. I'm an actor. Hiding things is one of my only useful skills.
I'll finalize it, then.
[And what does he mean by that, exactly? Well - he brings his other hand up, then, to hover in front of it... and after a second, pink-orange fire burns a design into the bone itself, leaving behind a glittering afterimage that glows gently in the shadow of his hand.
And that's being handed to her, easy as anything.]
Here you are. My seal and everything. To activate it, all you need to do is grasp it in your palm and call out my true name.
[A pause, his gaze dropping to the table for a moment... as if he's deciding something heavy.]
... It's Lazarus. My real name.
Be cautious with it. Like demons, my name is able to control me wholly and utterly against my will; hence why I have an alias.
But I...
... I trust you, Amari.
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[The words are mumbled under her breath, a weary little sidebar as the conversation carries on.
Amari doesn’t look entirely satisfied with his answer, tbh. He was her friend now! His wellbeing mattered to her! She cares if things affect him negatively!! She doesn’t get a chance to object before he seals (haha) the deal, though, and she finds herself simply reaching out and taking the pendant when offered, holding it delicately and turning it over in her hand.]
… It’s cute.
[The seal, that is. She looks up from it and meets his eyes. Lazarus…]
Um. T-Thank you. For trusting me with something like this. I promise I won’t misuse it.
[Honestly the warning, coupled with the way he kind of dodged answering earlier, made her a little scared of the idea of using it at all. But it was … nice to have? And nice to have someone put that level of faith in you. That was a confidence booster in and of itself. ‘Believe in me who believes in you’ and all that. She smiles, a little tentatively at first but blooming as the next words come to her.]
So, actor or not, please don’t think you always have to hide things… okay?
1/2;
[Something about her response seems to take him offguard, eyebrows lifting up toward his hairline as he sits up a bit straighter.
And for a moment he's quiet, looking at her like he's expecting her to take that sentiment back, or to reveal that she's joking, or...
He's not sure, really. Something.
Because he can't help but wonder...
Can she tell he's been hiding things? This whole time? Since they first spoke?
...
If she can... yet she's asking him to not hide things...]
2/2;
I will... try my best to remain honest with you. And, ah... after -
After we are finished here, at the cafe...
... Would you like to walk through the gardens with me? They're... close by.
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She wants Louis to feel comfortable being himself around her. She wants that of all her friends. Being true to oneself, warts and all, is something she’s still trying to wrestle with herself so she knows it can be A Process but she wants him to know it’s okay to share that process with her. That’s the sort of kindness that the others at PriPara showed her and it’s the least she can do for him after he’s already done so much for her.
… She hadn’t expected such a demure response from him, though - it draws a little color to her cheeks in turn as she sputters out a response:]
Heh? Uh, s-sure! That sounds nice!
[Still not a date!! she reminds herself, heart beating a little faster in spite of this knowledge. She awkwardly stares down at the table at the untouched treats before plucking one of the pastries and inspecting it (as much to give herself something to focus on as anything.)]
S-so, how did you find this cafe? Just by luck?
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[For accepting his offer, he means. It's said nigh immediately, too, like he'd been holding his breath and waiting for rejection...
But he's going to do something similar, now, picking up his cup of tea to nurse it just so he has something to look at that isn't Amari.]
... By luck, yes. As I said, it's near the Botanical Gardens -
I spend quite a bit of time there, tracking the butterflies and various other pollinators that call the gardens home -
... Which... I will not get into. As I know many women don't enjoy discussing insects very much, and...
I would rather not "gross you out", so to speak...
[The Demureness Continues.]
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[—Ah. Why did she admit to that? That’s so embarrassing hgnfpggkffjfkfd She stuffs the pastry in her mouth to avoid sticking her foot in there any further, washing it down with the lemonade like her life depended on it.]
Pwaah. [Okay quickly moving on, then:] So you’re fond of insects, then? What’s your favorite?
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[Well, it's too bad she's cut herself off and changed the subject, because the idea that she can imitate a cicada was actually the thing that got him to look up and away from his tea!! And he looked interested, too.
But she's onto asking about his favorites, so he'll be dropping that idea, instead... alas.]
- The calyptrate muscoids. Specifically Muscidae - houseflies. Unfortunately, they are nasty little bugs to most...
But they are a subfamily I enjoy raising in my spare time.
[And then, almost awkwardly, as if he's not used to anyone asking him about his interests like this -]
Do you... like cicadas?
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[Honestly Amari kinda has a bit of cicada energy. Isolating themselves underground and vibrating and screaming when they come out into the public eye? Yeah man. Yeah.]
Houseflies, though! That’s an … interesting choice!
[Not one she would’ve expected. Kinda weird, but he seems earnest about it so now she’s kinda curious about the appeal.]
What do you like most about them?
1/2;
There's something romantic and poetic about a creature who lives about its days in darkness, waiting for a time to crawl out from beneath the dirt to sing its song before it perishes.
[Definitely not said like he relates. Definitely not.]
As for houseflies...
To put it simply, I find them cute. I suspect I find them cute in much the same way others may find cats cute, really - they have large eyes that glitter in the right lighting, always preening and cleaning themselves and washing their little faces.
Not only that, but they were largely the only other thing that lived in the catacombs with me...
2/2;
Er - not that I... did that.
I merely wandered them out of curiosity, that's all.
[... He's not even sure why he feels embarrassed about it. He's never been embarrassed about the catacombs before -
If anything, it was fun telling people about them and seeing their reactions.
So why is it embarrassing now, here, with Amari...?]
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At the last bit, though, she simply lowers her gaze back to meet Louis. And blinks.]
… Catacombs?
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[Don't look at him like that?? It's making this even harder?!??!]
C...
Catacombs, yes.
I, ah... back in my own world, I... lived... within the catacombs...
It -
It was one of the only places where I could be left alone... while I was coming to terms with my magic...
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So instead, she breathes a small chuckle.]
You’re kind of like a cicada yourself, then, huh?
[
Hey we were just talking about that!She doesn’t get the circumstances, but she’s sure he had his reasons. Her smile is curious but accepting.]no subject
[He clears his throat, looking down at his tea again as a small smile spreads across his face.
It doesn't dull his blush any... but a smile's a smile.]
... I suppose I am. I even plan to sing for everyone -
Though, I do hope my voice is quite a bit more pleasant than that of a cicada.
...
How do they sound again? With your impression and all.
I can't say I remember...
[With the tone he's pulling, it's clear he's teasing. ... But it's surprisingly soft, too.]
1/2
Just like at Shining Karaoke, she seems to be speedrunning the stages of grief while sitting at the table. She shakes her head, grits her teeth, buries her face in her hands, the works. But then she looks up with a quiet resolution. Might as well get this over with.]
2/2
M-Miiiinnnn min min min m~in!
[...Honestly as far as cicada impressions go, it probably isn't the best around, but it was enough to fool three of her friends, so she may have an inflated sense of its impressiveness. At the least, it's got heart! Whatever that means.]
1/2? 3?; oh she is a little freak and i love her IMMENSELY
But, well. At least it's the kind of laughter that's just as embarrassing about her cicada impression? Loud, from the belly, even with his hand coming up to his forehead as he leans back in his chair --]
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And for a moment, he just. Stays there like that. Blinking up at the ceiling.]
yeah 3/3;
Though, once he's on his feet, he does his best to try and quiet himself down - brushing himself off with grace like that wasn't, perhaps, the most embarrassing thing that could have happened to him.
Frankly, he's acting like he doesn't care in the least that people might be looking at him after that...
And then he clears his throat, like nothing happened at all.]
You're quite good at that, I must say...! And it was cute, too - fitting, for a cicada.
Thank you for sharing that with me; I'll remember it fondly when I need to laugh like that again.
[All said as he rights his chair, straightening out his sweater as he moves to sit back down again.]
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When he falls back, she actually jerks to her feet, staring across and down at him in helpless bafflement, and when he starts up laughing again, she almost involuntarily starts laughing awkwardly along with him. This was all too surreal and crazy.]
I’m… I’m glad you enjoyed it, ahaha…
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But... it's actually working, for the most part? If anyone's staring, they're largely only staring at him. And he doesn't seem to care at all.
Like a weird little lightning rod for strange looks and humiliation, somehow.
And, of course, he's giving her a big, sweet smile when he sees how red she's turning.]
... I mean what I've said, you know. The other cicada impressions I've heard in my life have all been piss-poor -
Done from a place of hatred for the sound they make, just mimicking to make fun of their cry. Yours actually sounds correct. Even if there were things you could work on, should you wish to, you have the intonation perfect.
And that is something that makes me very, very happy, I assure you.
[Now that he's sitting again, he's gonna go ahead and rest his chin in his palm... and reach out to snag that bottle of wasamayo still sitting on the table, mostly just to look at it as he talks.]
I wanted to ask, by the by... have you an outfit planned for the performance? Do you need help with it?
I tailor in my free time; I'd be happy to alter or even create pieces, should you need it... and I would like to see what you have planned, so that I may try my best to match with you.
Keep my own aesthetic, yet still match - like a proper idol unit.