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Then in that case, if there's anything I could bring you, you only have to ask. Food, something entertaining to pass the time, et cetera, it'd be no problem~. Even if it's mild at this point, you're right that it's terribly boring to be on bedrest! So, once you're ready to go, I would be delighted to have your help. Another perspective is always handy to figure out an ideal layout. Though may I ask which artist you mean?

... Rafayel. Mister Fishie swam away into the depths and never came back.

Conversation and company is good enough for me though, since I don't really feel like doing anything else.

Ah... I'm sorry to hear that. I was wondering if he'd just gotten busy, so that's sadder to hear. His artwork really is lovely, so I was looking forward to exhibiting it.

[ He refuses to use past tense, since that makes it sound too much like he'd died. While that's not exactly an outcome he would put past Patho-Gen... He truly wants to be optimistic in at least this. ]

Conversation and company it is, though. I can also stop by in person if you'd like that, but it would have to be this evening. It's still a bit too bright out for me, alas. (And hello to a fellow sticker user, as a silly aside! I haven't seen anyone else use them here, so I had assumed it was something more from New Eridu than elsewhere.)

(I found them because of Rafayel, actually! His little birds were so cute... and I love ducks, so it was meant to be.)

I wouldn't mind your company this evening if you really can afford it, since

[ she leaves the cursor blinking in the textbox for a moment, hesitant as she was to tell takasugi so soon after rafayel's leave, before she finishes the thought: ]

I do have a number of his artwork, if you'd like to exhibit some anyway. It might feel wrong to do without his "permission", but...
He gave them to me, so they're mine to do whatever I want with now. So I want people to see them.

[ his wondrous worlds, his views, the colors that dyed each one... it'd ache to take them out of storage so soon after she'd put them away, but it's a thought anyway. ]

(Ah, even better! I'll have to find a set to use now after all...)

[ too bad mockingbirds are way too specific, but! that's admittedly a fun excuse to scroll through his phone for a while and pick some packs that are cute ]

It would be my honor to show them. Rafayel and I had talked about what he might show, so I'll just consider it his belated submission by proxy. And it's like you say—I agree that it's nice for his art to be seen. I'll stop by a little after sunset if that works for you? I won't keep you up all night just because I'm rather nocturnal, I promise!

Edited 2026-03-04 20:59 (UTC)

That does! And don't worry about my sleep schedule, you're someone I wouldn't mind keeping me up long.

[ because he is fun to talk to and she's always interested in getting to know him better, and... it isn't like she's early to bed either.

it'll give her ample time to take out the things she'd put away anyways. ]

[ The phrasing does make him raise an eyebrow a little… But either way, it just gets out a laugh. It’s charming whether it’s flirtation or just very literal. ]

Wonderful. I'll see you this evening, then~

[ It’s easy to agree to, because Hugo always worries about others before he’d ever worry about himself. But more importantly! It’s very easy to imagine just how bored he’d be in her position, since the impression he has of her so far is definitely of a person who can’t stay idle too long. He’s the same way, after all.

…Though. As he goes through his routine for heading out, it’s not just tugging on his jacket or a scarf for the winter chill. He pauses at the mirror he has by the door and frowns as he’s struck by the briefest hesitation. It doesn’t feel any different than it had before, but it’s still unnerving to look at himself and see the petals of the flower blooming in the place of one of his eyes.

He closes his eyes tightly with a shaky breath, and when he opens them again, there’s the last piece he needs for going out. His glamor is firmly in place, covering up his strange skin, the bones, and now, that flower. Yet even so, it still leaves its mark, since his pale eye now matches the other. His glamor doesn’t seem to cover up the color of the flower, and that’s the discrepancy he expects he might have to explain.

But even if his impulse is to retreat from that, it comes back to that same problem. He can’t stay idle too long, so he can’t stay locked up in his gallery and just avoid this.

So, it’s only an hour or so after sunset that there’s a knock at Malkuth’s door, and assuming it’s unlocked, he gently opens it to let himself in. Since she’s not feeling completely well, he doesn’t want to make her unnecessarily get up! ]

Good evening, Malkuth~. I hope it’s not too rude to let myself in.

[ -- oh, she's halfway out her bedroom door (notable because of the wooden plaque with her name and painted ducks) when he opens the front, because... yes, she's been keeping it unlocked when she's expectant of visitors. her surprise fades into a smile. the sudden heterochromia is something to ask about, but-- ]

No, it's not! I appreciate you coming by to visit Hugo, really. I just hope it's not too forward of me to invite you into my room.

[ since that'll be easiest, as tired as she looks suggesting it. the artworks are there after all. her horns have returned to their full height, pronged and protective, but bear an oddly woody texture alike to a darker oak.

her room is... oddly sparse for someone who seems terribly busy every day (because she does prefer it, much like hugo), with patches of empty space on her wall between the other sketches she's put up. her own of karteria, hugo's, and a childish drawing of two people remain, but it does appear there are things amiss.

all of which (architecture of karteria, same as malkuth's but with a notably different touch) can be found spread on her bed. all but one anyway, that being a medium sized canvas strewn with twisting swirls of dark blues and oranges, pink highlighting the curves. it seems to depict the sunrise, or the sunset, beneath the sea. ]

He admittedly didn't leave me a ton... We could ask Caleb -- his roommate -- if he has anything else though.

Only as forward as me letting myself in~.

[ Hugo is at least all warmth and his usual charming smiles, though Malkuth isn’t the only one that looks tired, admittedly. He always has dark circles under his eyes—a sign of his bad sleep habits in life that, annoyingly, had stuck around in his new undeath—but they do seem darker than normal.

Nothing to worry about, right? He won’t ask if she doesn’t, since he’s perfectly happy to keep things, well… “Pleasant” is what he’d call it.

He follows after her, and he can’t help but look around in interest as he enters her room, especially when he sees how it’s decorated. His eyes quickly light up with a smile to see it decorated with art, and then gently soften when he sees that his own made the cut to be displayed. He’s genuinely flattered, but his focus quickly becomes Rafayel’s collection. ]

He really does have a talent for color…

[ Hugo murmurs it thoughtfully as he steps in to look at them closely. ]

I didn’t realize he was into architecture too, actually. Were you painting together?

He's not really, he's a-- a vibe painter, so he does whatever he feels like doing... it's just that we'd do studies together and stuff. Trade ideas and talk about this and that.

[ from the philosophical to the meaningless. each sketch is full of memories, and malkuth gently traces his flourished lines as if they were scripture. ]

We'd paint together sometimes. But usually we'd just send each other pictures of what we were working on and go out to experience life, because that's what piqued our inspiration best.

[ what her misguided friends might call dates. ]

Aha, vibe painter is a perfect way to put it. Not that I know him as well, of course, but he did describe it to me a little. I took him some supplies when I first asked for art to display.

[ Hugo laughs fondly at the memory, since all of his impressions of Rafayel were definitely positive, but also… Rafayel had a mischievous streak, so he’s laughing as he remembers him being quite sure that Hugo was a vampire but inviting him over for dinner and art anyways. He regrets not getting to know him better now, of course, but he suspects that won’t be as rare a feeling here as he’d hope. ]

It sounds nice.

[ And the immediate impulse to continue the thought really does sound too much like they’re talking about someone who died, so. He quickly changes his mind as he starts to (very carefully!) pick up pieces and arrange them on the bed as if it were a gallery wall. ]

And I think I know exactly where they could go. There’s a wall that catches sunset beautifully, so I’ve been waiting for something a bit more special to put in that spot. I think it would suit his work well.

[ she wonders what rafayel might think of that. there's flowers he's done for her too, but those are still put away; they're too special for public eye, at least to her. these... are a little more acceptable. gifts, but ones that aren't so personal in the way those sketches of daffodils and daisies, sunflowers and more had been. paper tulips that see no more light than the dress he'd made her not a month before them. ]

It's too bad he won't be able to talk about them, but he would've skipped out on that anyway. [ a short huff of laughter. ] Thanks for agreeing to this though, really. They've been kind of a-- a headache for me the past month.

[ Hugo nods in agreement with a wry smile, since he’d definitely gotten that impression too… He’s definitely an Artist with a capital-A, which also means that getting them to commit to some of the things necessary for a gallery could be challenging. Even so. That minor frustration is charming to Hugo, because it’d have to be to run an art gallery, right? ]

Oh, no, it’s truly my pleasure. Honestly, I’ll consider it lucky for me that he gave you such a nice selection. I’d have nothing of his otherwise~.

[ He sets one piece down then draws back a little to evaluate the flow, but continues the conversation gently. ]

A headache because it's a bit melancholy, I’m guessing?

Mmhmm. I got so used to him being just a call away, always a "see you tomorrow", that...

[ ... a shake of her head. ]

Rafayel's one of my best friends. I just want to see him again, and at the same time I don't. You know? Does that make sense? I'm probably not making sense.

[ When she says it, that’s enough that he can’t help how his expression softens into a sympathetic smile as he nods. ]

I do. Or, I think so. At least for me, it’s missing someone dearly, but also, this place is terrible. Having anyone you care for here also means they’ll be hurt.

[ The person he thinks of most in this case is Vivian, but he goes for a different example. It’s a little more relatable. ]

A dear friend of mine also… Left? Disappeared? Whatever we want to call it. [ “Kidnapped”, he thinks, but. ] Not a best friend, so I won’t assume it’s the same, but I think I understand how you feel. A little.

[ kidnapped, but she doesn't want to say so either. saying he just swam away is good enough. better, in her opinion, as if it were his choice to chase inspiration elsewhere; worse, in her opinion, as if everything he had here was so easy to abandon. ]

I think I'd beat him up if I saw his stupid face again. [ her always melds into anger, though. ] It's okay if you don't fully, the world I come from... doesn't really let you have time to do things like mourn or anything like that, so I don't really know how to process it well either.

[ so it ends up a little twisted, in a way. stifled and awkward and unspeakable. ]

And I don't want to worry my friends, but I've ended up doing that anyway.

[ The threat is unexpected, so Hugo laughs easily and openly. ]

Ah, now that is scary. Just based on how you valiantly rescued me, I’m sure you pack quite the punch!

[ He’s playfully teasing, but also? No, he’s pretty sure that’s true… Hopefully if he returns, Rafayel is at least prepared for some bruises at the very least, by the sounds of it. As for the rest, his smile softens again as he stops teasing. ]

Mm… Well, I can at least tell you that even from places where we do have a little more time, it’s never straightforward, admittedly. But art—or in this case, art appreciation—is certainly one way. It’s one I tend towards, unsurprisingly.

[ And essentially pleased with his idea for the layout, his attention shifts from the paintings to her instead as he gives an encouraging smile. ]

So, you’re welcome at the gallery any time. To see the artwork, naturally, but it’s also a nice, quiet place to work on your own art if you’d like.

Hugo...

[ it's obvious she's touched, looking at him and then to the layout he'd decided on best to exhibit. just for something else to look at really. yesod and her had spoken about it too, and-- she can't fully deny that her fingers itch to do something, but when she lifts a pencil it feels so, so heavy.

it's a kind offer though. and it does mean a lot to malkuth, playing with a lock of her long hair before she gives in with a sigh, smile thankful. ]

I don't know if I'll be able to anytime soon, [ she can be honest with that, ] but I'm sure I'll be around there in time. Not just to look, but to work on my own things.

[ because rafayel'd tut over her otherwise too, since he'd so graciously taken her on as his student. even if it feels hard right now... it'll get easier as long as she allows herself some outlet. besides, it'd be a waste of his gift if she didn't end up using it. ]

Can I do anything to thank you? I know you might not feel like you've done a lot, but you really have.

[ It’s nice to hear that tone in her voice. And honestly, even before she asks, he thinks that’s plenty for him. As difficult as things can be here, anything he can do to bring someone a little levity or peace is well worth the effort. ]

Then whenever you’re ready, it’ll be open to you. [ That’s gentle and warm, but he’s quick to brighten his voice playfully. ] Of course there’s no pressure, since that’s no fun for art, right? I am very anti-deadline~.

[ He laughs a little as he steps forward again to start to collect the pieces, clearly putting them in a sort of order that has to do with how they’re laid out. It’ll be easier to remember his idea for the wall this way. ]

Would you accept that I’m just glad to have helped?

[ He’s still light, since he assumes not! But also, as he briefly considers what he could ask for, a better question occurs to him. ]

Actually, now that I think about it, I’m not even sure what I would ask for. We’ve talked so much about art and hobbies that I’m not sure about other things… What did you do back home?

[ it seems most artists are, which is probably why this is a hobby for her and not a lifestyle; it's hard to get over the need for one, since she works better with a set goal in mind (including dates), but it clearly doesn't surprise her to hear.

but the question does, and her head tilts as she thinks. hmm... mmm. ]

... I guess I can't say I was just a librarian back home anymore, huh?

[ not when she can fend off attacks the way she does, with an odd ability to boot. malkuth sits on the bed once it's clear, hands folding over her skirt. ]

I was the Patron Librarian for the Floor of History back home, which simply means that I was in charge of collecting, keeping, and structuring a timeline of events using any and all books with historical value. [ a small wave of her hand, resigned. ] A lot of times it was pretty useless to do though, since it'd be war, infighting, the fall of a Wing or Syndicate, punctured with gaps of time that'd probably mean some kind of peace or intended lost history. But we didn't exactly work like the libraries do here, which is where my experience in fighting comes from.

[ Honestly, he’s not sure what he expected Malkuth to do, though that’s at least partially because he’s also learned at this point that it’s hard to predict… Augmented are so varied in their skills that, to him, are quite fantastical that anything is possible. And indeed, that’s exactly what he gets. Or, mostly. ]

Aha, a librarian? That part I at least understand, and that’s very charming!

[ …He has no idea about the rest of it, though. At least answers to this question are never boring, to be sure. ]

Though, you’re right, I wouldn’t know librarians to be fighters. Not even the librarians that work close to the Cretan Hollow… [ That part is mostly idle to himself, and he brings his hand to his chin thoughtfully. ] Was there something that didn’t want you to make that timeline?

The City itself. There's all kinds of secrets and such that're kept under wraps, pretty securely too -- but it's more that it's hard to tell when one era starts and where it ends. There's not even proper documentation on its initial construction... that came into my hands, anyway.

[ they're probably destroyed or kept under lock and key by the head. a city doesn't just pop out of nowhere with the ruins of something else just outside, especially not with the kind of technological advances that've been made with the singularities discovered... ]

It was just busywork in the end. Our main goal was collecting Light, which was released improperly prior to my tenure as one of the Patron Librarians of The Library.

[ It’s still a little beyond him, but just at the name, he wonders… Nothing she mentions rings a bell for things that Dante or Gregor have talked about, but in a general impression? He figures it’s worth asking. ]

Ah, when you say “the City”, that’s its name, right?

[ He thinks so from her tone, but. ]

Is it the same one that Dante and Gregor are from, if you know them?

One and the same! But it's a very, very big city, so we didn't know each other prior to meeting here either. Yesod, my roommate and friend, is from there too -- he was the Patron Librarian of Technological Sciences.

[ so a neat little group. ]

For size comparison, Karteria would be what you'd expect one District to be. That includes the Nest and Backstreets, which are divided by class.

[ His expression brightens a little in recognition, and he laughs as he nods. ]

Of course. I actually have a similar situation myself where someone from New Eridu also got brought here recently, but I’ve similarly never met him before. I only know him because he’s, well, a bit of a celebrity?

[ The question in his tone is because he’s not sure how to explain that succinctly… Most people would probably imagine a singer, an actor, or something like that, but no. Section 6 are closer to superheroes, he guesses? But, anyways: ]

Regardless, I was curious because that makes sense in the sense that I have a hard time imagining what your home is like! Any time I’ve talked to the two of them about it, I’m similarly drawing blanks when I try and picture it in my mind’s eye, you know? The City sounds complicated, to put it lightly.

[ And after a pause of consideration, he adds gently: ]

Difficult, also. Even if I can't picture it well, I can see why it doesn't give you time to do things like mourn.

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