amberenigma

[amberenigma]

Just a small sigh—well, he's going to have to repeat all of that in a little while, won't he? Perhaps agitating all of this stuck shed is not helping, considering he's never known it's all supposed to come off and not stick on for half of the year and then some. "It won't hurt as much when it's softened up from water and springs," he advises, and he believes that at least that will stick in his head for the next season ( or he'll just come ask him. probably that ).

Thankfully, the trip back to Kugane's prized Bokairo Inn is uneventful, save for Gale's constant shifting of his shoulders and barely kept groans of discomfort.

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about Ekal poking fun at you," comes a hum, only sometime later when the two are properly dressed to make use of the bathhouse, "Besides, this is a decent, forced break for you. We can continue across the sea when you're comfortable in your own skin." And, well, he's fine with skipping over a certain little place underwater. "Come along. We'll have to settle in for some time. You'll feel better."

There's some more movement he can't quite see from his position, another round of merciless itchiness pushing him a little closer to the edge, and words upon words that can only fly right over and past Gale's head in a moment like this. He's used to Ovan's... eloquence, knows how to listen, but right now, in the distress he's under and the vague effort to scratch a horn off at the base, Gale doesn't quite have it in him to listen and commit to memory every word.

"Yes, yes, anything you say, please let's just go—" the increasing desperation is painfully obvious, isn't it? And Gale doesn't have it in him to even try to keep pretending he's alright with this torment, not when there is finally some semblance of relief to these regularly scheduled horrors. Seems even the mighty warrior of light has his limits and things he can't quite tolerate, huh? Even if that happens to be merely shedding and not the more alarming matters like frequent wounds and blood loss, but hey— least this proves he's just as human as everyone else...?

[amberenigma]

hilarious thought that truly at some point eorzea's lack of au ra in many small settlements means people really just think ovan is gale's dad despite them being raen and xaela respectively. their hair color is similar. there's enough blue. that's close enough. his own family in sui-no-sato thought he started a family when they came though during sb ( and at some point he was kind of believing it until they went to werlyt and they discovered arslang survived occupation ) what a GREAT time.

[amberenigma]

symbols, metaphors, patterns, fates, and dooms

[amberenigma]

the situationship is so funny to me because ekal would probably sell out ovan for a single cornchip and then immediately adjust the census of the local population to get him back—probably over a remark he made casually that pissed ekal off like two weeks ago kekw

[amberenigma]

“I am not an emotional support rabbit.” Oh, he's bristling—

"Oh? Are you sure about that?" Tempting fate as he's apt to do, the Au Ra's lips curl wryly, repressing the laugh that nearly spills forth. For someone so opinionated and typically the voice of rejection in many, many, many cases, he certainly has kept around for much longer than Ovan had initially believed. Gone were the days the Viera would disappear for months on end, only to stomp his way into rooms and camps alike, disgruntled and exhausted. Now, he lingers, still disgruntled and exhausted.

And yet, who was it that would sit quietly in the darkness of their many, temporary abodes, crimson nigh disappearing save for the faint flicker of candle light reflecting upon them? It wasn't Gale, the rumbling beast that could sleep his way through anything, nightmarish or not. "Does psychological support rabbit suffice?" He's going to get punched one of these days. Unfortunately, Ekal's fist has some more power behind it after his voidbound pact, having to carry that scythe around in addition to his staff.

( well, that wasn't wrong either. ovan could say he didn't need the company, but ekal could correctly insist otherwise. he didn't leave the room either )

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say they were emotional support lizards? Support was... a rather loose definition, on second thought. Ovan cants his head a little, clearly speaking mostly in his head as he does, legs crossed on top the other. Bemused as always—frustratingly so.

"I can't name another person who fits the description, unfortunately," he quips, smiling in his own backhanded humor. Maybe he will get punched today.

[amberenigma]

*bottles up emotions* this coping shits easy

[amberenigma]

i have a disease its called addicted to 3d rendered characters that are impossible to draw

[amberenigma]

[amberenigma]

✷ blue jay ✷

[amberenigma]

Ovan observes quietly, the crystal glittering, refracting the light in ways that feel unbounded. It grows before his eyes, a life born and twisting into a tree, further expanding, joining branches and becoming a flower crown. It's a staple of Maroon's own blessings—something that only reminds him of the little vagrant AI.

"I adore it. This is your finest yet," he hums, smiling—content. "May I wear it...?"

He brought his hands before him. In his palms was a singular brightly shining crystal, like a set of pixels glittering. It hovered there, secure between his cupped hands before he presented it to Ovan.

The crystal started glowing brighter, its colours morphing from white-blue to green and brown. It shifted and transformed slowly, like a seedling, growing roots, a small stalk, leaves and soft branches that wove in patterns, and finally tipped its ends with forming buds that bloomed to shades of pink, blue, and white. The weaving vines, then, continued weaving and plucking themselves until a softly glowing flower crown formed.

"Do you like it?" Maroon asked softly, eyes cautiously hopeful as he finally looked up to meet Ovan's expression. Even then, he thought he couldn't help smiling, just being able to see Ovan at all. He'll have to hug him after. He missed him.

[amberenigma]

old rp tingz i wish could be acceptable to make a return: on blog playlists so i could slap just like you imagined back on for ovan

[amberenigma]

ˢʰᵃᵇᵃᵈᵃᵇᵃᵈᵒᵒᵇᶦᵉ ʰᵉⁿˢʰᶦⁿ

Quietly, to himself: ˢʰᵃᵇᵃᵈᵃᵇᵃᵈᵒᵒᵇᶦᵉ ʰᵉⁿˢʰᶦⁿ....

[amberenigma]

He listens intently, so inclined that he can't help but tilt his head like a working dog awaiting his favorite words, a faint smile permanent in the edges of his lips. It's foreign to feel doted on like this, without anything charging the care except pure sympathy—empathy, perhaps, should Airos had discovered more and more from the Pandora's box of human nature. Part of him wants to reject it, to say he is undeserving, the mimicry of him that has stood to take on the darkest parts of existence alone without help cannot fathom yielding his burden. That young, traumatized Indou Masato. Ovan didn't blame him, for that was the core of his being—without him, there would be nothing for Airos to have become attached to, to lament when they were apart.

( maybe you're untouchable by fellow humans after all, aren't you? )

Thankfully, there is much to mull over as Airos summarizes his days and nights, giving Ovan a much needed escape route from his self-reflection. "Living in the moment is what helps find a sense of belonging.. I can imagine there is little logic to explain what it is to just be, however... even trivial things such as memorizing where landmarks are, where people congregate, where the fauna inhabit.. these could account for updates, so to speak. It's a difficult concept to attach metrics to, but, it is also within human nature to try to quantify in order to understand," he suggests, "but you do speak a worldly truth—time, alone, is not experience." He could argue that coming to that conclusion is in fact an update on it's own, couldn't he.

Still, Airos can bring a laugh out of him so easily—what a cheesy thing to say, and he doesn't even know it. Surely, he knows it touched him, as Ovan slowly turns his hand to allow Airos to press fingers against his palm, a resounding acceptance and permission. "Surely, my rambling isn't scaring you off, even now?" Ovan jests, a lightness in his expression, even in the way the purified virus sways so casually off of him. "I would give you as much as you would like. I want to go as far as to say... perhaps seeing what you see has been healing—to a soul who wishes he could navigate the world freely. I doubt I could reject you, truly."

It is the way in which Ovan entertains the idea, the possibility of making him appear at his beck and call that makes the machine's eyes widen slightly as he wonders just how the other could make it come true. Maybe, he'd ask him later – it could possibly be a nice excuse to share with him a little more... He wouldn't be opposed to any kind of experimenting for it.

As well as he can be is... not too bad, but not entirely the best. And it makes Airos waver, wondering just what he had been up to, what had made his existence less than stellar, less than pleasant. Could he help him out in some way, maybe? Could this flower make it any better? Ovan states it's not concerning, but can he help it? His system is already running possibilities in circles.

"Me..." Airos shakes his head. Not at all, there's no way his own endeavors had been any better. "No, mostly, I have been attempting to get... updates on myself. This world, I feel as if I barely understand it no matter how much time I spend in it. I suppose I was wrong to assume time equals experience."

Another shake of his head, his smile is light, cheeks still flushed from the heat emanating from his system. He is staring at Ovan, repeating the last words the man said in his head. I have... also missed your presence. Is it him or has Ovan grown even more charming than before?

"You were not there... Maybe, that was what I needed. Because, right now, I think I could do anything." By his side, more so. He takes the liberty to place careful fingers over the other's, a light touch, wavering, as if he were gently knocking on a door to see if he could open it. "I... would appreciate exploring with your more. Any world at all, any... place. I mean to say, could I request more of your time?"

[amberenigma]

"Ah, Maroon—" Another face he's yet to see for quite some time. Perhaps his pull is working overtime, or, more likely, working as it always had. Like a scuttling little cat, Ovan regards him warmly. "Oh? Well, I could certainly use some. What do you have?" He's all ears. Or arms. Or both! Whatever he has is usually a surprise, after all.

@amberenigma

"Ovan!" Maroon called out as he approached, a bit of awkwardness in his step, hands hidden behind his back. He stopped just a few feet away, rocking on the balls of his heels. "I, uh, brought you a little something. For good luck." Perhaps it was a little treat, or a bouquet, or a flower crown, or a little critter.... or maybe a hug.

[amberenigma]

It's precious, really. Perhaps, if he lets himself listen to boyish nuances, it's rather cute. He's well-versed in speaking with fellow AI, given two have made themselves rather comfortable in his head, but when it comes to the mechanical aspects, the motions Airos experiences in real time in front of him reminds him of the absence that came before it.. It would remiss of him to put the poor man into a system reset so soon.

Still... it's cute. There's no denying that.

Although the design intentions are to replicate a human, the very fact that it is unique to Airos is truly what makes it indistinguishable. Ovan can't help a smile—how could he not? The burden is lifted, he is allowed this, isn't he? Somehow, this lost little machine has wormed his way under his skin ( no, he knows exactly how, and why he has welcomed him, he just toes around it lest he loses his composure ).

"It's your very labor that created this, after all. You are part of this from it's very conception as an idea," he hums, "I wonder if there is a way to truly bring you here at any moment." Ah, the diabolical computer science major is showing through. He could find a way, certainly, after enough messing around. The thought becomes tempting, but alas, Airos has diverted his attention for the moment, mildly surprised.

"I've been well—as well as I can be." Not a lie, admittedly, he is naught but a troubled man in his lonesome. "Nothing to be concerned over, of course.. nothing sustained over the days. Have you fared well? Your travels may be more interesting than mine. I have.. also missed your presence."

Alchemy and metalworking... He kept the words in mind, hoping he'd have the chance to try them out later, design his own creations, if possible – if they could even be called his creations. Well, these were his, right? No one prompted him to do them, his... programming said nothing about it.

Ah, maybe he should be worried about that.

Instead, he dedicated himself to the voice and words Ovan mentions. He describes his flower with a detail so alive, Airos realizes just how greatly humans can perceive art. It's their own outlet for creativity, of course they'd know how to describe it best. But, even nature, the beauty of flowers and their process – Ovan perceives it in a way that mesmerizes Airos further. Ovan has always had a way with words, he thinks. ...And he praises his efforts.

Oh, he feels cables and metal heating up, Ovan's words had a power Airos thought maybe Ovan himself didn't know about. How to tell him? It made his system unstable, go on overdrive. Maybe, it would be the equivalent of motivation, of a human being acknowledged by a loved one. Yes, something like that... or more.

When the man speaks of treasuring his gift, well, Airos lets out a small sigh, hoping to lower the heat of his circuits, before he fries. Something is wrong with him, right? Here was Ovan being so kind and, instead of reciprocating, he is... twitching lightly at that thought, saving the moment in his memory bank as if he were to lose it if he didn't lock it up neatly.

Before he ended up possibly worrying Ovan, Airos nodded and a small smile started to form. "Thank you, mister Ovan... I would prefer to think it holds a piece of me. That, if you ever need me and I am too far... it might be there to aid you."

Was something like that even possible? Maybe, if he wished for it. Would the stars hear him? He'd try it out, later. Now, he had his eyes set on the man.

"Have you been alright? I... missed you greatly." There was no way around it, that was simply how he... felt.

[amberenigma]

ovan dying from feefees seeing airos again versus ovan getting a chunk of his arm ripped off by his shark son, fight.

[amberenigma]

Brows raise some, Ovan willing to betray his interest—it had been long since he had seen Airos properly since last. There is relief to know he's okay, and in fact, flourishing. A new craft discovered.. it's a wonder he was able to acquire the means to produce something. The way AI could interact in this place, behaving beyond what human players could do—the living, breathing reality just under his fingertips. The days here felt like the days in the real world. Such was the curse, wasn't it?

Alas, perhaps the curse had brought him a blessing.

"Gems may be somewhat difficult to acquire, but much of the artifacts here come from exquisite alchemy and metalworking—I see.." The dexterity is remarkable for simple try, and yet... "Flowers in blue.." He delicately takes the flower in hand, identifying exactly as Airos describes ( is him? no, for him... ah. ), the blue sheen transitions to a pale white under the light, moving as he tilts the flower left and right. "It truly is mysterious, and yet.. paused in stasis, as if it's any moment from opening with the sun. You truly do have an artistic eye, Airos, I'm impressed every time."

It's a wonder that Airos can see him in such a way—is it naivety? No.. that's far too harsh. he was simply... honest. He was without the grudges of the world. He didn't live in the storm that had followed Ovan throughout his life. Perhaps... it wasn't unlike watching a passing storm from the shore. A small smile crosses his lips. "I will treasure this as long as I live." Now, if only he could have this on his actual desk.

"what are you working on?" (welcome baaacckkk~) @amberenigma || YOOO OMFG I MISSED YOU

"Mister Ovan," he speaks in a calmer demeanor than what is actually happening inside. The sensation he experiences after hearing and seeing Ovan is akin to that of a dog that has seen his owner return home. If he were one, he'd be wagging his tail like there's no tomorrow, that's what he surmises. But, he attributes it to the fact that his systems have registered familiarity, and familiarity usually makes people feel at ease.

Maybe, he was capable of that, too. Or maybe that was just how powerful Ovan's influence could be... or could it be AIDA, after all? No, he chose to attribute it only to the man. It was only with him that he had established a real connection, not with AIDA itself.

"I've discovered humans design things with precious gems. I wanted to try it, but I only have metal near me, so... I have been designing flowers with it." He states before reaching for another that was close by. The blue colors stood out, covering most of the design. "This one is you– ah, I mean, it is for you. Blue, strong. The petals are a little closed off for added mystery, but it is quite beautiful regardless."

Airos stretches his arm over to Ovan, prompting him to take the artifact. "Take it, so you never forget." How I see you, who you are.