"Don't worry, don't worry! Cater the OG might not be going to class, but Cater B has it all covered! Riddle would still totes collar me if he found out, though, so let's just keep this on the DL, K?" Having already eaten, himself, Cater helps himself to a seat on Idia's bed. After yesterday, and now having seen nearly all of him, Cater figures they're past that kind of formality. He kicks his shoes off, clearly indicating he intends to stay for the long haul.
"That said, keeping split card going all day is totes exhausting, so photo ops for me today." Beaming, he reveals his grand plan. "I was thinking we could watch one of your fave anime, and maybe you could show me the ins-and-outs of your MMO."
Idia's never been one for formality anyway. To some, a bed is a very personal space, but he'd hate having someone sit in his computer chair far more. That spot is sacred! He does perk up at the mention of anime, maybe the slightest hint of a smile in his eyes if not on syrup-stained lips. "Favorite anime? Depends on the genre. Sci-fi? Horror? I've got a full inventory of faves. Series and movies, too."
This is nice. Sharing something he enjoys isn't bad, it reminds him of when they returned from STYX and he taught a bunch of people how to play one of his favorite games. If he thinks about it that way, not as bonding with a friend, it's easier not to get caught up in a spiral of negativity.
Eating with one hand, he stretches out to tap on one of his displays. A long list of digital titles comes up and Idia scrolls through them with flicks of his fingers. "These are all good. Just tap one that catches your attention." Yes, Cater, you are being given permission to touch one of the sacred holo-screens. Savor this moment.
Okay. So far, so good. No mentions about what happened the day before, and they've moved swimmingly along past that opening weirdness. And most importantly: Idia clearly seems excited to share his world of nerddom. Sure, he's not cackling and giving his big shark-like smile, but Cater's not expecting fanfare.
"Maybe something funny, or a fantasy? Do you have a funny fantasy?" He looks through the list of unfamiliar titles until landing on one titled: The Day I Woke Up in an RPG. It sounds promising, so he reaches over to click on it.
"Ohh, nice choice. GG." There's a brief flash of sharp teeth, a hint of approval. The app opens and after a barely noticeable pause the first episode starts. It's about a normal guy tripping over his cat and knocking himself out on his new video game console, a bright and cheerful intro song playing as he wakes up in the game.
Idia seems pretty chill as he shovels breakfast into his mouth with the same grace he showed the fried rice the other day. He even downs the leftover syrup and licks the last dregs out of the container. Not great manners, but he's enjoying himself. When he's done he reaches into a mini fridge and takes out two canned iced coffees, offering one to Cater.
During lulls in the anime, Cater finds himself glancing at Idia, watching his own changes in expression as he enjoys in his hobby and downs his breakfast. Atrocious table manners, but he can't help but feel a little good at his food getting eaten all the way down to the plate. Maybe that's why Trey's always in the kitchen. It's kind of rewarding.
"Nice! Thx," he says with a grin as he accepts the can, but before he can pop the lid notices something from when Idia turned. "Ah--you missed a spot," he points out, tapping his own cheek to indicate a droplet of syrup.
Without missing a beat or taking his eyes off the screen, Idia swipes up the stray drop and then proceeds to suck it off his finger. It only lasts a couple of seconds but what an unintentional tease. He cracks his coffee and brings the can to his lips, chugging deep and slow. Halfway through, his head's tilted back and his throat bobs as he drinks. The can is empty before he sets it down, because oh man did he really need that caffeine hit along with the sugar to restore his MP.
"Better." He jolts and makes a little sound, maybe a hiccup or a burp, maybe both. "Isn't the animation in this show the best? Good budget for a comedy, and the mangaka is a great writer so the story's awesome. Better than most isekai out there."
Cater is starting to think that his lack of sleep from the night before is getting to him. It must be that, and then using his unique magic, and making all those pancakes, because he can't take his eyes off of Idia's fingers, his mouth, his throat...
"Yeah?" Anime! The anime! Focus, you weirdo. Cater sips his coffee, mentally shaking himself. The caffeine will certainly help. "Yeah! It's good. I mean I don't have the kind of know-how you do, but I downloaded a manga reader on my phone so you can rec me things you don't have with you here."
Idia scoffs but it's more of a light, teasing sound. "Psh, it's EZ to follow. Even though the twists are awesome, they make sure you know what's going on."
He pulls his tablet over, using that so the main screen stays clear for viewing. Tapping away while his eyes stay mostly fixed on the show, he quickly pulls up a PM on Magicam and sends a list of about ten or twelve titles to Cater. "There, that'll get you started. Sorted by genre, of course. Gotta match your mood when you read."
Pulling out his phone to browse the message gives Cater a good excuse to stop watching Idia like some kind of deviant. He looks with mild interest at the titles, but he'll give it more thought later, when he's alone. For now, he stashes the phone away again before he loses himself in the lure of Magicam updates, which he has to admit he's slightly itching to check. Gotta like for like, and all that.
"Between these and DC, I'm barely going to have any time to take pics," he jokes. "Soon you'll catch me on my new Magicam blog: Let's Read with Cater Diamond!"
"Not a bad idea." Idia shrugs. "If you get more people to read good stuff, they'll keep making more. So everybody wins, GG."
He rakes a hand through his burning hair, undoing some of the tangles that make it even more wild. Of course, this also sends it over the back and arms of his chair. It's just... everywhere. The way it makes Cater's coffee can glow is kinda pic-worthy, but there's also the fact that it's now in closer reach. Would it burn Cater's fingers?
Well, the self-control lasted for a minute, at least, but it’s hard when Idia’s hair is just so…gorgeous. He’s always admired it. Never really been able to properly appreciate it the way he’s wanted. This might be his best chance.
“Hey, random question but I’ve gotta ask: anyone ever style your hair? Or do you have to take care of it yourself?” He wants to throw caution to the wind and touch it, but that would be hella rude.
Idia glances over with a confused expression. "S-- style my hair? Um... other than that one time when the crazy ghost bride had me reskinned for a wedding? No way. I don't do much with it. Not like it really gets dirty or that tangled."
Why is Cater asking about his hair? Oh no, don't tell him he's about to end up the victim of another makeover! Heartslabyul is all about bright colors and crazy patterns, stuff that will clash with Idia's coloring and natural gloom.
“Right, yeah, I never really see you touch it.” Well, what the hell. This school is so full of beauty queens that he might as well just say what he’s thinking, right? It won’t be too strange. “I’ve just always loved looking at your hair, and I’ve been curious what it feels like for a long time, or what it would look like if you pulled it up. NDB.”
Idia's eyes widen a bit more. Cater likes his hair? The symbol of the Shroud curse? Well, it's definitely unusual even in NRC, not even the fae students have anything like it. But now Cater wants to touch it?
"A-- are you a pyro?" Maybe that's why the flames fascinate the other boy. Idia's not even sure if normal people can touch it. The fire doesn't hurt him, but it's his own hair. He's never let anyone else get close enough to really try, aside from the ghosts that did him up for Eliza.
The question makes his cheeks turn red. Okay, maybe it was still weird for Idia. “No! No, of course not! I just think you’re beautiful!”
Wait, what did he say?
“Your—your hair. The way it lights up the area around you and flickers. It’s really enchanting.” No, that doesn’t fix it. His face feels even hotter. “Ugh, forget it. I’m unsubscribing from myself.”
Drinking his coffee with purpose, he plasters his eyes back to the screen. Anime, please cleanse him.
Idia sits frozen, gaping at Cater as his hair slowly turns more and more pink, casting a good part of his room into a rosy glow or mixing with the blue light of holo-screens to make lavender.
WTF?! WTF OMG SKULL EMOJI!! Cater just called him beautiful?! Did he eat something weird in Alchemy class or the Greenhouse?! Is this a prank?! Pause and quick-save, Idia can't handle this!
With a whimper, he abruptly pulls his hood up to envelop as much of his head as possible, though a majority of his hair is still hanging out the front as there is way too much to stuff in there. Maybe he should get it cut for better hiding, but that would take effort and going out... unless he just chops it short with scissors. What does he care how he looks?!
The worst tragedy of all is that he doesn’t even get to admire the changing of Idia’s hair before it gets stashed away. Ugh, what is going on with him? Seriously, can you catch social ineptitude just by being around it for too long?
He keeps quiet until (aside from the anime) he can’t stand the silence anymore and let’s put a loud groan.
“I’m sorry! I just wanted to have a good time hanging out with you, I swear! I’m just really tired, I’m super off right now. You must think I’m a total freak.” Cater leans back until he hits the wall, running his hands in irritation through his hair. “I feel like I keep freaking you out, but I’m not trying to, really. Somehow I just have no idea how to talk to you.”
There's no answer for a long time, long enough that Cater might start to wonder if Idia wants him to leave. The visible parts of Idia's hair are still softly pink like cherry blossoms, no trace of any other color. The tense atmosphere is stifling, if not outright suffocating.
Finally, in a tremulous whisper, comes Idia's mortified voice: "I-- it's not like I know how to talk to anyone outside of VOIP. Text to speech is my aimbot." Since aimbots are definitely cheats, that speaks volumes over how Idia feels about needing the app. It's a crutch and he knows it, but he can't let it go.
But... he's been talking to Cater more, hasn't he?
Even though the tension is still beyond oppressive, Cater lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He’s not being kicked out, and he doesn’t necessarily feel like running as much as he just feels like punching himself in the face. A job for Cater B after classes are over.
“And I thought I knew how to talk to everyone,” he says, thinking out loud. So why is it that around Idia he has no control over his charm?
“We really are total opposites, aren’t we?”
Except he’s getting worse while Idia is improving. How’s that for a plot twist?
Another long pause with the sound of breathing and cheerful anime filling the gap, and Idia slowly emerges a bit from his hood. He still looks a bit like a sakura tree in full bloom. He bites his lip carefully, eyes downcast.
"Y-- you can t-- touch it if... if you want t-- to...."
Idia nods, still chewing his lip. He won't make eye contact but he's not shaking and he doesn't look afraid or totally freaked out. The wispy curls gently twist and wave with a life of their own, more now with the quiet anxiety he's holding back for Cater's sake.
If Cater was a less selfish person, he’d maybe take Idia’s quiet resolution as a sign that he should maybe back off and not just do something that he wants.
Buuuuut he is selfish and he’s wanted to do this for three years. Sliding over to the very edge of the bed, Cater slowly raises one hand up and reaches over.
He can feel the warmth radiating off of the strands. Time to do or die. In another YOLO movement, he commits, plunging his fingers into the glowing waves.
The first thing he might notice is how soft those underlying clear strands are, followed by a warmth like resting his hand in a sunbeam. Pink flames drift and crackle around his skin without burning him. There are some small knots and tangles, but they do little to ruin the experience.
"I-- it's not hot, is it...?" Idia sounds unsure, worried. His fingers fidget in his lap again, a tiny spot of blood on his lower lip from where a tooth poked too hard.
"No, no, it's...it's warm." It's incredible. He was definitely half expecting to pull back a scalded hand but it's so, so nice. Letting the strands flow through his fingers, he can't stop a dopey grin from forming on his face, lit up from the glow of the pink light, green eyes full of wonder. "It's not at all like how I imagined!"
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"That said, keeping split card going all day is totes exhausting, so photo ops for me today." Beaming, he reveals his grand plan. "I was thinking we could watch one of your fave anime, and maybe you could show me the ins-and-outs of your MMO."
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This is nice. Sharing something he enjoys isn't bad, it reminds him of when they returned from STYX and he taught a bunch of people how to play one of his favorite games. If he thinks about it that way, not as bonding with a friend, it's easier not to get caught up in a spiral of negativity.
Eating with one hand, he stretches out to tap on one of his displays. A long list of digital titles comes up and Idia scrolls through them with flicks of his fingers. "These are all good. Just tap one that catches your attention." Yes, Cater, you are being given permission to touch one of the sacred holo-screens. Savor this moment.
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"Maybe something funny, or a fantasy? Do you have a funny fantasy?" He looks through the list of unfamiliar titles until landing on one titled: The Day I Woke Up in an RPG. It sounds promising, so he reaches over to click on it.
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Idia seems pretty chill as he shovels breakfast into his mouth with the same grace he showed the fried rice the other day. He even downs the leftover syrup and licks the last dregs out of the container. Not great manners, but he's enjoying himself. When he's done he reaches into a mini fridge and takes out two canned iced coffees, offering one to Cater.
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"Nice! Thx," he says with a grin as he accepts the can, but before he can pop the lid notices something from when Idia turned. "Ah--you missed a spot," he points out, tapping his own cheek to indicate a droplet of syrup.
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"Better." He jolts and makes a little sound, maybe a hiccup or a burp, maybe both. "Isn't the animation in this show the best? Good budget for a comedy, and the mangaka is a great writer so the story's awesome. Better than most isekai out there."
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"Yeah?" Anime! The anime! Focus, you weirdo. Cater sips his coffee, mentally shaking himself. The caffeine will certainly help. "Yeah! It's good. I mean I don't have the kind of know-how you do, but I downloaded a manga reader on my phone so you can rec me things you don't have with you here."
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He pulls his tablet over, using that so the main screen stays clear for viewing. Tapping away while his eyes stay mostly fixed on the show, he quickly pulls up a PM on Magicam and sends a list of about ten or twelve titles to Cater. "There, that'll get you started. Sorted by genre, of course. Gotta match your mood when you read."
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"Between these and DC, I'm barely going to have any time to take pics," he jokes. "Soon you'll catch me on my new Magicam blog: Let's Read with Cater Diamond!"
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He rakes a hand through his burning hair, undoing some of the tangles that make it even more wild. Of course, this also sends it over the back and arms of his chair. It's just... everywhere. The way it makes Cater's coffee can glow is kinda pic-worthy, but there's also the fact that it's now in closer reach. Would it burn Cater's fingers?
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“Hey, random question but I’ve gotta ask: anyone ever style your hair? Or do you have to take care of it yourself?” He wants to throw caution to the wind and touch it, but that would be hella rude.
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Why is Cater asking about his hair? Oh no, don't tell him he's about to end up the victim of another makeover! Heartslabyul is all about bright colors and crazy patterns, stuff that will clash with Idia's coloring and natural gloom.
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"A-- are you a pyro?" Maybe that's why the flames fascinate the other boy. Idia's not even sure if normal people can touch it. The fire doesn't hurt him, but it's his own hair. He's never let anyone else get close enough to really try, aside from the ghosts that did him up for Eliza.
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Wait, what did he say?
“Your—your hair. The way it lights up the area around you and flickers. It’s really enchanting.” No, that doesn’t fix it. His face feels even hotter. “Ugh, forget it. I’m unsubscribing from myself.”
Drinking his coffee with purpose, he plasters his eyes back to the screen. Anime, please cleanse him.
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WTF?! WTF OMG SKULL EMOJI!! Cater just called him beautiful?! Did he eat something weird in Alchemy class or the Greenhouse?! Is this a prank?! Pause and quick-save, Idia can't handle this!
With a whimper, he abruptly pulls his hood up to envelop as much of his head as possible, though a majority of his hair is still hanging out the front as there is way too much to stuff in there. Maybe he should get it cut for better hiding, but that would take effort and going out... unless he just chops it short with scissors. What does he care how he looks?!
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He keeps quiet until (aside from the anime) he can’t stand the silence anymore and let’s put a loud groan.
“I’m sorry! I just wanted to have a good time hanging out with you, I swear! I’m just really tired, I’m super off right now. You must think I’m a total freak.” Cater leans back until he hits the wall, running his hands in irritation through his hair. “I feel like I keep freaking you out, but I’m not trying to, really. Somehow I just have no idea how to talk to you.”
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Finally, in a tremulous whisper, comes Idia's mortified voice: "I-- it's not like I know how to talk to anyone outside of VOIP. Text to speech is my aimbot." Since aimbots are definitely cheats, that speaks volumes over how Idia feels about needing the app. It's a crutch and he knows it, but he can't let it go.
But... he's been talking to Cater more, hasn't he?
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“And I thought I knew how to talk to everyone,” he says, thinking out loud. So why is it that around Idia he has no control over his charm?
“We really are total opposites, aren’t we?”
Except he’s getting worse while Idia is improving. How’s that for a plot twist?
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Another long pause with the sound of breathing and cheerful anime filling the gap, and Idia slowly emerges a bit from his hood. He still looks a bit like a sakura tree in full bloom. He bites his lip carefully, eyes downcast.
"Y-- you can t-- touch it if... if you want t-- to...."
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Cater swallows. Staring in thorough disbelief as his mortification with himself melts away. “I can? Srsly?”
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Buuuuut he is selfish and he’s wanted to do this for three years. Sliding over to the very edge of the bed, Cater slowly raises one hand up and reaches over.
He can feel the warmth radiating off of the strands. Time to do or die. In another YOLO movement, he commits, plunging his fingers into the glowing waves.
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"I-- it's not hot, is it...?" Idia sounds unsure, worried. His fingers fidget in his lap again, a tiny spot of blood on his lower lip from where a tooth poked too hard.
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