dumbshow | incredibly indulgent shipping post

You're a little more far ahead than I am, anyway. [Paolo offers a smile-- a true, genuine smile-- as he set his pencil down, dog-earring the page yet again. The book will no doubt be in a state unreadable to some with how much he's smudged the papers, but he didn't have any trouble. It's not like he wants the Howlers to get their hands on it, anyway.]

Thank you. I... I mean it, Kirin, I know it's-- I'm not all that... but... [He trails off, shaking his head. He was sure there were tons of words to describe how inept he was, but he doesn't know them, so he won't bother. He'll just express it with how he usually does, pulling on Jindosh's collar enough to kiss him.

His hands are covered in lead from writing, so that collar is definitely dirty now, but it's fine.]

[All things considered, Jindosh could have been content to stand there silently for another moment and then go back to his work. But then Paolo is saying things and he's met with the abrupt realization that he's never been faced with this much... genuineness before. He's a member of Duke Abele's inner circle, where even the nicest person is a snake—this messy hoodlum smiling at him and stumbling through thanking him is novel.

Ah, and his collar is smudged now... One of his hands finds the back of Paolo's head anyway, leaning down into the kiss. His gaze is softer somehow when he pulls back, just looking at Paolo again like he hasn't really looked at him after all this time.

All this time...?]

Well. Then it's back to work.

[Ah. There he goes, turning to walk back to the first table he was working at, where his clipboard is—but he stops halfway there, glancing over his shoulder at Paolo from the center of the room. "I'm not all that," was it...] Paolo. You are—you might be... enough.

[That's not vague at all. Nailed it. Back to the clipboard before he has an emotion.]

[Paolo went from stumbling over words to having none, simply staring at Jindosh as he made his way back. He was-- or might be, but let's be real-- enough regardless of all his simple questions, his wasting time, and the lack of memory of long before.

He doesn't remember there being a station behind him. There's noises of stumbling when he back up, followed by pieces falling to the floor with a clatter. He curses under his breath, ignoring the warmth in his face and chest and scrambling to place them back on the table.] Outsider's crooked-- I got it, carry on, goddamn...

[He is not embarrassed when he sits back in that chair, and absolutely not obscuring his face with the book. Shut up.]

[Okay, they were having a moment, but Paolo went and knocked all that shit over and now it's ruined. Jindosh is forced to turn back around and look at what he's done - how much more extra work time is this going to cost him??]

Paolo... [God. Nothing broke? Nothing broke. This is why he isn't supposed to touch anything.] This is why I wanted you to stay put.

[But look, he's just going back to work instead of yelling. Progress.]

[Paolo sighs, but it wasn't long before he was sat back, kicking his feet up and restarting his reading. Of course, there was always more questions, but he could stand to just underline anything for later. He bit his tongue when craved conversation. Jindosh has already spent more hours than he has since... he doesn't know when.

As it turns out, Paolo was still genuinely dedicated without Jindosh's company. He kept truly silent this time around, and only after another hour did he finally take a break. With his stomach growling, he left the room with a touch of Jindosh's arm, saying he would be back soon. Soon turned into an hour, though his movements hadn't strayed from the kitchen.

When he finally walked back into the laboratory, it was with two plates and a bowl with two spoons. Pork and cabbage. Apple pudding. Rather than interrupt with an announcement, he set it beside whatever table Jindosh wandered to.]

[Finally, Jindosh can get some work done without Paolo needing his constant attention and care. Finally, like it hasn't been a single day. He does get work done, although not as much as he'd like, but that's as much his own fault as it is Paolo's. Paolo's lesson in basics probably secured Jindosh the extra hour of productivity, honestly, before his notes and figures started to look a lot more complex. His mind wanders and fills in Paolo instead, wondering what's taking him so long and if he should go get him again, but oh—

Food. Probably shouldn't bring it into the lab, but it's too late now. Jindosh looks at it and is surprised before he can stop himself—Paolo is taking care of him again. That's the only explanation for running off to have his favorites specially prepared.]

I can hardly understand why you're willing to go to such lengths for this. [For him, but "why do you like me" sounds like he's twelve.] Stay. Tell me what else you've learned. I... Well, you needn't sit over there in silence any longer.

[He's trying, okay.]

Something Kirin Jindosh doesn't understand? I'll have to add that to my list of accomplishments. It's simple: I like you. [Paolo hums, moving back to go drag that chair over and sit next to the stool. He didn't elaborate on why he cared any further than that, simply offering another one of those smiles.

Before he shoves pork in his mouth. He only stayed charming for so long.] Iiii learned... gears... uh... control speed. The fuel from whale oil makes the... [He's trying, chewing and trying,] like... the gears are what makes your soldiers move, the whale oil is what powers the arms try and kill me. And...

[He went on with those analogies, however morbid, up until he didn't have anything to compare it to.] It's uh... challenging. Howlers just screw things together and hope it makes somebody bleed.

You have been saying that. [Hmm. Well if he's not getting any further explanation, then that will be that, or he'll agonize over it and draw his own bizarre conclusions in due time. Whatever's easier.

But okay, it's meal time. Of course Paolo talks with his mouth full. Jindosh gives him yet another look for that, looking studiously at his plate after that so he's not put off his weird cabbage pork meal. Hoodlums...]

Like that flimsy excuse for a bow you strap to your arm? [it's pathetic, how cute] Quality, Paolo, that's what makes anything mechanical worthwhile. Anyone can strap a spring to a trigger and call it a bow.

Yeah? [Paolo swallowed, narrowing his eyes in a look that hinted it wasn't an invitation to insult him. Any other time it might be, if it were about his character, but the Howlers seemed to be a touchy subject. He was too prideful of them.]

It's small, easy to hide, and you can't drop it on the run. Like bulky pistols. [Like pistol Jindosh carried, hm. But he took one long look at the cabbage before ultimately deciding it was not for him, setting the plate aside.] I figured out to fire stinging and, uh, howling bolts. Even Daud didn't use that shit... You probably haven't even looked at 'em, thinking they're flimsy. They have whale oil and everything.

[He does spare a glance towards the pudding, but runs a hand through his hair rather than taking it. It was for Jindosh first.] Maybe I'll make you one. Anyone can take your things if they made a grab for that ass. [Charismatic... and crude yet again.]

[Jindosh looks up from his food long enough to raise an eyebrow—does Paolo really want to start shit again?? Jindosh will lock him in the torture zone downstairs and leave him there—but he actually keeps quiet to listen to all of this. Maybe because he's eating.

He nearly chokes scoffing at howling bolts, because Paolo is a goddamn furry, but that's it. Really!!] Ooh, whale oil. Innovative.

[He doesn't see what Daud has to do with this, but before he can display his really terrible priorities for what facts he remembers about people, Paolo has to be crude. Casually,] Shut up. I don't carry it around for show.

[He knows how to fire a gun, Paolo. He's not that bad at it, either. Let him live. Now then...] Daud, the one who spent a winter at the Academy? I suppose he didn't bother to read anything while he was there.

Sure. [Paolo raises his hands in feigned defeat, but that pistol was definitely more stupid. Sure, it reloaded faster, and he's gotten shot with plenty, but...

He won't go into that, because there is a real travesty at hand. He leaned forward in his chair, brows raised high in mild disbelief.] He didn't read? That's... that's all you got? He probably killed someone there, like how he killed the Empress.

[Duh, Jindosh, where have you been. Paolo's a little more passionate about most about this, though, so he'll make up for it with an exaggerated wave of what would be a marked hand.] He's one of the Outsider's favorites. [how incorrect] He shared his powers with the Whalers somehow... made them unstoppable when they got paid their dues. They're gone now, but... was always hoping he'd come home.

[Jindosh looks at him again, then glances up and away like he actually has to remember this—to be fair, fifteen years ago was a long time and he hasn't had the best luck with Empresses lately... And Dunwall? Who cares?]

Oh, Jessamine. Well, good for him. [that whole family is terrible. Jindosh takes in this legitimate fanboying with another quirked eyebrow, somewhat amused. Oh, honey, don't give him ammunition.] Why is it always animals with you criminal masterminds?

[Like, just curious... but anyway, the Outsider, ooh!! He's much more interested in that part, and maybe casually reaching his fork over to just take Paolo's rejected cabbage, give him this.] What arcane magic did they do, exactly?

It's creative. [Paolo mutters, crossing his arms over his chest. He knows there's no arguing the integrity of the Howlers, especially not with someone who's just going to use it to poke more fun. Deep down he knew it was a little absurd.

Almost made him smile.] I don't think they did a whole lot... a lot of teleporting across buildings, pulling things and people through the air. Heard they held back the Royal Protector that way... What I would do to do that to Byrne...

[He shakes his head, pushing his plate so Jindosh could get to his cabbage easier. Yes, eat, he'll actually smile now.] Never figured out how he did it. Not about to go chat with the bastard to find out.

[This is very interesting and he will totally eat a second helping of cabbage, excellent. Paolo has completely redeemed himself from being shitty this morning and crude a minute ago. Good work, babe.]

If he's touched by the Outsider, it's as much a mystery to him as it is to you, I suspect. Delilah never took any of my inquiries about the Void seriously—I was offended, of course, but I'm not so sure she could have explained herself even if she'd wanted to.

[she sucks!!!! sucked. past tense.]

[Paolo's lips thinned as soon as he mentions the Void, but he didn't interrupt him. He even remained silent after, disregarding the idea he has to wait on pudding since Jindosh took his cabbage, leaning over to take up the bowl.]

That isn't a place anyone is supposed to try and dissect, Kirin. [He finally says, avoiding the inventor's gaze. The apple puddling was suddenly more appealing than their conversation.] And that's not an invitation to do the impossible. You don't want to know what it's like.

I mean it. I would know. [In a moment of thought, he takes a bite of the pudding. Whether it was his mind or taste buds that caused his look of distaste was unclear, but he swallows instead of commenting on the latter.] Your mind's in better use here. In Karnaca. With me... even if it's just teaching me baby shit.

Edited (had to be a lil gayer) 2017-01-19 10:22 (UTC)

[Nooo, the pudding. He'll have to eat faster.]

Ah, but I do want to know what it's like. The possibilities are—Paolo, if someone could pierce into the Void without the Outsider's help- [here he says "help" like it's some kind of venereal disease] -do you know what could be learned? The sheer value of such a discovery would change.... [he waves a hand,] everything.

[Everything!! Of course, he's no closer than anyone else, since all he's been doing is poking at Paolo's rats now that Delilah isn't around to ignore his letters anymore. But his nerd passion is great. He pushes what's left of his cabbage around on his plate a bit, distracted by Void thoughts.

But Paolo is flirting with him again, or something, so—] You will have to persuade me otherwise.

[hell yeah, Smooth]

Kirin-- [Paolo heaved a sigh, holding his tongue to take another bite like it'll taste any better the second time. It doesn't. He's just going to put that bowl back now.]

Testing that kind of shit is why Delilah and Ashworth ended up like they did. I know you think-- No, I know you're smarter, but that isn't going to make another... plain of existence any easier to understand. We aren't meant to touch it, and bad things happen when we do.

[He paused, slowly coming to actually frown. There's that genuineness again, only it's out of concern this time.] I don't want that shit happening to you. I'm not gonna let things in my control happen to you, but that's... that's not what I can stop.

[It's proof that Jindosh isn't taking this as seriously as Paolo that he pauses and lowers his fork down to his plate to just look at him again, momentarily lost for words. One day, when it's been a while, he won't notice with such surprise that Paolo gives a shit about him, but not today.

So. That's not exactly what he had in mind—maybe some facetious posturing, that kind of thing—but when he looks away again some of the tightness goes out of his shoulders. It's... melancholy? That can't be the right word for this, he thinks, but "bittersweet" isn't any better—they're both too serious, too emotional for the way his chest starts to hurt when Paolo gets like this.

Conclusion: Paolo is the worst. Jindosh supposes he's persuaded.]

Are you going to eat the pudding, or just prod at it?

[Paolo is supposed to be the worst. He's supposed to be ruthless and awful, but here he is, feeling butterflies in his chest with how Jindosh looks at him. He spent too long watching things he said fly in one ear and out the other, or ignored to keep doing whatever it was.

This was... nice. He exhales in relief, pushing the bowl further down the table before crossing his arms again.] 's too sweet. Dunno what it is with you rich choffers and sugar, it's too much.

[Now he has no dessert, though, so he isn't sure what to do with himself. He wrung his hands, looking out at the lab.] You uh... you figure my suit'll be done tomorrow? I'm sure you don't want to be distracted.

[Alright, pudding time, thanks. Jindosh immediately trades his fork for a spoon, pushing the plate to the side (did he finish it? Almost) in favor of pudding.]

I like it, [he says simply, the way Paolo just says he likes Jindosh offhand and changes the subject. The punchline is Jindosh's subject is actually simple and irrelevant. Use your adult words, Paolo.

He hums around a spoonful of pudding, watching Paolo again.]

It will be done. [or he'll yell at someone,] But all things considered, I daresay you'll distract me whether you're here or not.

[He reaches over to hook a finger under Paolo's collar and pull him closer, kissing him on the temple before nudging him away again. There, thanks for caring about him, now let him eat pudding.]

[Paolo can't wait for the day he doesn't turn different colors when Jindosh surprises him. His kiss sends him into a deep shade of red, and he runs his fingers over his temple despite himself. He knew there was a chance he'd be overly-affectionate with their history, but Jindosh? It's hardly been twenty-four hours, he had no business making his heart turn over like this.]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning. [He swallows once he realizes how that might sound, stumbling over words yet again as he stacks the plates on top of each other. Oh, how easily he caved.] I mean, I'm... I'll bring some things home-- from home. You can look at some charms, as long as you don't... just don't think about playing with the Void. Maybe we'll get to my personal secret, if... you persuade me.

[Good to know that the most minimal affection still makes Paolo blush and stutter over him at this, the almost-a-whole-day mark. Jindosh hums, satisfied with himself, and helps himself to another generous spoonful of pudding. It's good, Paolo is the weird one.

Jindosh thinks about playing with the Void a lot, to be fair. But he won't say that and spoil his chance at seeing some bone charms. Instead:]

You're easily persuaded. All I'll have to do is come up behind you and speak into your ear, perhaps pull your hips back against mine, and press my fingers into every little star you have on your back. Then when you're nothing but putty, we'll see about your secrets.

[So look forward to tomorrow's handsy prelude, or something.]

I guard those a little more carefully than you might think. [Paolo shook his head, hoping to mask the fact his blush spread to his neck and disappeared under the shirt that was not his own. He can't deny how he bent, spending his time in his house, in his clothes, bringing him food where he'd allowed him to pull him apart. He'd be kidding himself.

He just tried to reason he wouldn't break so easily.] They're more precious to me than most things, so you'll have to work a little harder. [But he could make fun of himself, it's fine,] Maybe you'll even have to throw in some kissing before I spill.

[Paolo is... precious, honestly. Jindosh quirks an eyebrow at him, smirking around the pudding spoon. Paolo tries hard, but Jindosh can do whatever he wants and get whatever he wants and they both know that.]

Such fascinating terms. To think the leader of the Howlers would be undone by a few kisses. [adorable.] Although, should I be surprised? After all, I am precious to you, as well.

[He's teasing, but at the same time, trying it on... How does it sound coming from him, in his own voice? It's kind of nice.]

[There Paolo goes, laughing so genuinely again. It was absolutely absurd, but it didn't make it any less true. Jindosh can beckon and Paolo would trip over himself running. He's looking at him with an expression to match that fact, a smile lingering on his lips and his eyes studying Jindosh's face yet again.]

You are. [He admits, taking the opportunity to lean close again. He pulled at his collar again, but gentler this time, lest he want a lecture over spilled pudding.] More than you know. More than you'll ever know. So don't take it for granted.

[It was his turn to kiss a temple... and his cheek, and the corner of his lips.]

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