[ and he appreciates that, really!! which is also why he is being extra quiet during their shared few hours in the library, in fear of saying anything wrong or annoying that could have an effect on mitsuru.
it is still strange, being able to be around others like this - not having to duck his head low when passing through busy streets for fear of anyone recognising him from the bounties plastered across crumbling mud walls, and certainly not needing to dodge hails of bullets or being chased out of town. seeing the same faces every day - how long has it been since he was able to do that? too long, which is why he treasures these little encounters where he can, and why he's so afraid of messing it up.
that doesn't keep him from answering her back, of course! especially when she asks a question like that. ]
Uh huh! [ his gaze flicking up over the top of the book, looking even more impossibly blue without the tinted lenses in the way, he gives mitsuru a wide, happy grin. ] The storyline keeps turning, I don't know what to expect!
[ so interesting enough for him to be so relaxed without the protective coverings ... even if it is only his eyes. it wouldn't be such a big deal for anyone else, so the fact might not even make itself very clear to others, were it not for the odd iridescence across the surface when he tilts his head, glancing at the book she is holding. ]
[ It isn’t the first time Mitsuru thinks she might have noticed something odd about Vash’s eyes. The first time had been at the beach and what she had assumed had just been a trick of the lights. This time they’re in a well lit building, indoors… and surely twice now is once too often for it to just be her own eyes playing tricks on her?
Then there’s just the fact that they just so happen to be impossibly blue. She doesn’t think she’s ever seen eyes like that before and it takes her a moment or two to realise that she might have been holding his gaze and staring just a little too long…
Thankfully, it’s easy enough for her to mask it. Instead, glancing down at her own book. ]
It’s entertaining enough. The main character’s actions are somewhat confusing… [ Irrational, lovey-dovey, etc… ]
I’m glad you’re enjoying yours though. I wasn’t sure you would like this sort of thing.
[ at least he didn't seem to have realised it; that in itself is a novelty enough, so accustomed he is to hiding - it doesn't matter if it's from the wanted posters, or the bounty hunters, or the hail of unlucky bullets, or even the half curious half hostile gaze of towners as he breezes through them. hiding what he is, the abnormalities that differentiate him from the rest of them, is almost a second nature.
but it's different here. there's nobody who knows his name, recognise him for what he is - nobody to blanch at the humanoid typhoon in their midst. the sunny library with the calm presence of mitsuru near him, this is the closest he has ever gotten to peaceful. maybe that's why his guard is relaxed. ]
Really? Why wouldn't I?
I've never read anything like these before. No wonder you like them too!
[ what little remnants of earth's information left have been practical manuals - gardening, farming, animal husbandry, some long complicated accounts of mechanical nature. if there were any novels left, they'd probably be in the vaults of the rich. ]
[ It's nice to see Vash looking so calm, Mitsuru thinks. Of course it's perfectly feasible that he might somehow fall off his chair at a moment's notice or he could have crashed into one of the shelves on his way to sit down but so far, so good. It makes her happy to see him like this she realises, as though he's actually enjoying something for himself, genuinely, and looking relatively peaceful in her company. No frantic apologies, awkwardness or seeming like he's on edge and about to flee at a moment's notice for some reason... It's... good.
The redhead contemplates his question for a moment, fingers lightly drumming against the cover of her own book. ]
I suppose at first I thought you might like something with more action and adventure. [ You know, like most of the males in her life right now... ] Until you told me otherwise.
It serves me right for making assumptions.
These books are more focused on the actions and motivations of the people in them rather than a big action packed plot and that isn't always interesting to some.
[ really, that kind of situation is still on the table as being a possibility - after all, you never know what would happen in this place, right? but so far, so good; the sun's shining, the birds are singing, and for once even the librarians seem to be relaxed, not giving them the stink-eye for their conversation in this corner. ]
Ahaha, I don't mind reading those, either. Especially the one you showed me last time - the one where they travel to the centre of the earth? That was very cool, I thought!
[ honestly speaking, some of those popular books of murder-thrillers don't really appeal to him - neither do the classic "action" books that he'd skimmed through. he much prefers stories like this - something that shows him more of the nicer side of human emotions, with none of the blood and violence.
in any case, mitsuru might notice that there are very faint lines patterning themselves around the edge of his eyes, skimming on top of the cheekbones. the pale blue lines look almost like veins standing under his skin especially with the way they're sitting, with the sunlight almost falling directly on them. ]
Edited (EDITING TO MOVE IT ALONG A LITTLE) 2024-08-02 11:24 (UTC)
The Jules Verne one? If you liked that then perhaps we ought to read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas next, although that really might put you off ever venturing into the water with me ever again.
I'm always happy to recommend more books to y-
[ She trails off abruptly as her gaze settles on his eyes again- those dazzlingly blue eyes which now have... glowing veins or markings of some kind around them? It's the same sort of glow pattern that she thought she had seen within his eyes on those two occasions now. Now there really is no denying it, what it is she's seeing, not when the markings are... spreading? Truthfully, she doesn't know exactly what it is that she's looking at right now, only that she's temporarily lost for words. He doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain or discomfort with what's happening to him, but who knows with this place? It could be some kind of side effect of a bigger problem.
Mitsuru stares at him, cautious as she finds her voice again, ]
Vash, are you alright?
[ She's often wondered that but this time it has nothing to do with him being clumsy and everything to do with the baffling blue lines rapidly appearing on his face. Her tone suggests as much, as if she's being thrown utterly by what it is she's looking at and concerned that something might be happening to him. ]
U-Under the sea? [ his expression stutters at that, eyes widening and mouth falling open in obvious dismay, before vash manages a smile - though it is shaky at best. it seems he's still not really used to the idea of going completely underwater. ] I mean, if you think it's good, I can sure give it a try! It's just a book, so can't be really that bad, right ...... ?
[ RIGHT???
vash's question goes unanswered and he blinks, a little taken aback at her silence where he'd expected some kind of protesting rejoinder or an explanation on what the book is about instead. that's when he finally tips his head up, his eyes moving up from the book he's holding to check up on the other. ] Mitsuru, are you oka-
[ she's got an expression that he can't quite parse initially - and as he blinks, and then frowns, sitting up a little straighter in his chair immediately alert and alarmed at how she seems frozen in shock almost, she will see the markings brightening a fraction, dipping in and out like pulsing of heartbeats or an electronic waves. ]
[ You have something on your face-Something in your eyes- neither of those sound right for whatever is going on with Vash right now. Whatever it is, it's hardly crumbs around his mouth or a speck of dust in his eye. No, this is something altogether different, it's... ]
I don't quite know how to describe it. You're sort of, glowing?
[ It's remarkable, quite pretty actually now that she's studying those markings more intently. At this point, she doesn't know if they're malevolent or harming him any way so she maintains that concerned look on her face as she leans in a little closer to look at them properly, ]
They're in and around your eyes. Markings, rather pretty to behold but I don't understand. Do you... Do you feel alright?
[ he parrots her words, still a little confused, more than a little concerned at the clear surprise in her voice and expression - at least, until mitsuru does decide to elaborate on that statement a bit more. markings, in your eyes.
for a moment, his features are blank - with hardly a thought in them, as though the shock is too much, or if he's frozen out of sheer terror, or both. that is before he takes a quick breath, jumpstarting back into reality; a series of emotions shutter across his face, perhaps too quick in succession for her to pick them out effectively before he is rushing backwards - nearly tipping the armchair over in his panic - and scrambling to pull the hood of his coat to fall over his face. ]
Uh, [ he's clutching the edge of the hood tight between his fingers - enough that if it were a flesh and blood hand, the knuckles would be creaking white by now - and vash ducks his head low to further take his face off the other's gaze, crouched almost huddling over his knees. ] It's fine! I just, um-
[ she'd seen them. she'd seen them, the iridescent markings that separate him from them, the thing that says he's different. it shouldn't be this visible, even under the sunlight - how could she see them? ]
[ Of all the reactions Mitsuru expected that wasn't quite it. What on earth was that and what is he so afraid of? Nothing about what she had just seen seems to outwardly suggest there is anything to fear here, not when it's Vash- someone she considers a friend and- what exactly is he hiding?
When the redhead finally speaks again her voice is... calm? ]
It's alright.
This is just... another side effect of these glitches that have been happening, isn't it?
[ There is a look in those brown eyes of hers, a meaningful one directed at him if he dares look up at her. A look that says she's putting two and two together here and is processing far more than she is letting on and she's not afraid to let him know it with her eyes. But no matter how curious she is, no matter how much they both know that second sentence isn't true, she's not about to confront him about this in public. No when she has to wonder what has caused this fear, the drive to cover up exactly what is going with him.
She's also, conveniently, offering him an out for anybody else that might have seen this and that pointed gaze at him says just as much. Clearly, whatever is going on with him is something he's in no hurry to let others know about and she's not about to out him. ]
Isn't that right?
[ Her tone is clear, confident, like it usually is. Even when there is a double meaning behind it. A voice of reassurance for anyone else listening and for him- her friend. Even if he won't look at her. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
it is still strange, being able to be around others like this - not having to duck his head low when passing through busy streets for fear of anyone recognising him from the bounties plastered across crumbling mud walls, and certainly not needing to dodge hails of bullets or being chased out of town. seeing the same faces every day - how long has it been since he was able to do that? too long, which is why he treasures these little encounters where he can, and why he's so afraid of messing it up.
that doesn't keep him from answering her back, of course! especially when she asks a question like that. ]
Uh huh! [ his gaze flicking up over the top of the book, looking even more impossibly blue without the tinted lenses in the way, he gives mitsuru a wide, happy grin. ] The storyline keeps turning, I don't know what to expect!
[ so interesting enough for him to be so relaxed without the protective coverings ... even if it is only his eyes. it wouldn't be such a big deal for anyone else, so the fact might not even make itself very clear to others, were it not for the odd iridescence across the surface when he tilts his head, glancing at the book she is holding. ]
What about yours?
no subject
Then there’s just the fact that they just so happen to be impossibly blue. She doesn’t think she’s ever seen eyes like that before and it takes her a moment or two to realise that she might have been holding his gaze and staring just a little too long…
Thankfully, it’s easy enough for her to mask it. Instead, glancing down at her own book. ]
It’s entertaining enough. The main character’s actions are somewhat confusing… [ Irrational, lovey-dovey, etc… ]
I’m glad you’re enjoying yours though. I wasn’t sure you would like this sort of thing.
no subject
but it's different here. there's nobody who knows his name, recognise him for what he is - nobody to blanch at the humanoid typhoon in their midst. the sunny library with the calm presence of mitsuru near him, this is the closest he has ever gotten to peaceful. maybe that's why his guard is relaxed. ]
Really? Why wouldn't I?
I've never read anything like these before. No wonder you like them too!
[ what little remnants of earth's information left have been practical manuals - gardening, farming, animal husbandry, some long complicated accounts of mechanical nature. if there were any novels left, they'd probably be in the vaults of the rich. ]
no subject
The redhead contemplates his question for a moment, fingers lightly drumming against the cover of her own book. ]
I suppose at first I thought you might like something with more action and adventure. [ You know, like most of the males in her life right now... ] Until you told me otherwise.
It serves me right for making assumptions.
These books are more focused on the actions and motivations of the people in them rather than a big action packed plot and that isn't always interesting to some.
no subject
Ahaha, I don't mind reading those, either. Especially the one you showed me last time - the one where they travel to the centre of the earth? That was very cool, I thought!
[ honestly speaking, some of those popular books of murder-thrillers don't really appeal to him - neither do the classic "action" books that he'd skimmed through. he much prefers stories like this - something that shows him more of the nicer side of human emotions, with none of the blood and violence.
in any case, mitsuru might notice that there are very faint lines patterning themselves around the edge of his eyes, skimming on top of the cheekbones. the pale blue lines look almost like veins standing under his skin especially with the way they're sitting, with the sunlight almost falling directly on them. ]
no subject
The Jules Verne one? If you liked that then perhaps we ought to read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas next, although that really might put you off ever venturing into the water with me ever again.
I'm always happy to recommend more books to y-
[ She trails off abruptly as her gaze settles on his eyes again- those dazzlingly blue eyes which now have... glowing veins or markings of some kind around them? It's the same sort of glow pattern that she thought she had seen within his eyes on those two occasions now. Now there really is no denying it, what it is she's seeing, not when the markings are... spreading? Truthfully, she doesn't know exactly what it is that she's looking at right now, only that she's temporarily lost for words. He doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain or discomfort with what's happening to him, but who knows with this place? It could be some kind of side effect of a bigger problem.
Mitsuru stares at him, cautious as she finds her voice again, ]
Vash, are you alright?
[ She's often wondered that but this time it has nothing to do with him being clumsy and everything to do with the baffling blue lines rapidly appearing on his face. Her tone suggests as much, as if she's being thrown utterly by what it is she's looking at and concerned that something might be happening to him. ]
no subject
[ RIGHT???
vash's question goes unanswered and he blinks, a little taken aback at her silence where he'd expected some kind of protesting rejoinder or an explanation on what the book is about instead. that's when he finally tips his head up, his eyes moving up from the book he's holding to check up on the other. ] Mitsuru, are you oka-
[ she's got an expression that he can't quite parse initially - and as he blinks, and then frowns, sitting up a little straighter in his chair immediately alert and alarmed at how she seems frozen in shock almost, she will see the markings brightening a fraction, dipping in and out like pulsing of heartbeats or an electronic waves. ]
... What's wrong? What's going on?
no subject
[ You have something on your face- Something in your eyes- neither of those sound right for whatever is going on with Vash right now. Whatever it is, it's hardly crumbs around his mouth or a speck of dust in his eye. No, this is something altogether different, it's... ]
I don't quite know how to describe it. You're sort of, glowing?
[ It's remarkable, quite pretty actually now that she's studying those markings more intently. At this point, she doesn't know if they're malevolent or harming him any way so she maintains that concerned look on her face as she leans in a little closer to look at them properly, ]
They're in and around your eyes. Markings, rather pretty to behold but I don't understand. Do you... Do you feel alright?
no subject
[ he parrots her words, still a little confused, more than a little concerned at the clear surprise in her voice and expression - at least, until mitsuru does decide to elaborate on that statement a bit more. markings, in your eyes.
for a moment, his features are blank - with hardly a thought in them, as though the shock is too much, or if he's frozen out of sheer terror, or both. that is before he takes a quick breath, jumpstarting back into reality; a series of emotions shutter across his face, perhaps too quick in succession for her to pick them out effectively before he is rushing backwards - nearly tipping the armchair over in his panic - and scrambling to pull the hood of his coat to fall over his face. ]
Uh, [ he's clutching the edge of the hood tight between his fingers - enough that if it were a flesh and blood hand, the knuckles would be creaking white by now - and vash ducks his head low to further take his face off the other's gaze, crouched almost huddling over his knees. ] It's fine! I just, um-
[ she'd seen them. she'd seen them, the iridescent markings that separate him from them, the thing that says he's different. it shouldn't be this visible, even under the sunlight - how could she see them? ]
no subject
When the redhead finally speaks again her voice is... calm? ]
It's alright.
This is just... another side effect of these glitches that have been happening, isn't it?
[ There is a look in those brown eyes of hers, a meaningful one directed at him if he dares look up at her. A look that says she's putting two and two together here and is processing far more than she is letting on and she's not afraid to let him know it with her eyes. But no matter how curious she is, no matter how much they both know that second sentence isn't true, she's not about to confront him about this in public. No when she has to wonder what has caused this fear, the drive to cover up exactly what is going with him.
She's also, conveniently, offering him an out for anybody else that might have seen this and that pointed gaze at him says just as much. Clearly, whatever is going on with him is something he's in no hurry to let others know about and she's not about to out him. ]
Isn't that right?
[ Her tone is clear, confident, like it usually is. Even when there is a double meaning behind it. A voice of reassurance for anyone else listening and for him- her friend. Even if he won't look at her. ]