Kaisou inbox

[droptheious]

OLD INBOX - NEW INBOX IS HERE

Varian

I'm busy creating life-changing inventions, you're welcome. Leave a message.

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

FROM: SUBJECT: JUN & HARU Hey Var, do you got a moment? JUN Just so you know, I'm fine, but I might be harder to contact. EVE Hey Varian, are you on this train? JUN Hey honey, where are you? GIL The Cube 4 GIL The Cube 3 JUN Hey Var, is this a good time to run a rather personal ethical dilemma by you? JUN Oh hey, lumber! GIL The Cube 2 GIL The Cube 1 RATIO Some while back... JUN I'm fine, I went to my room. KNI I am sorry. RATIO I will be going back to teaching on Monday. NOCTIS you okay there? JUN Date BLADE Varian. How are you doing? NOCTIS hey, you’re an engineer. JUN birthday NOCTIS hey, it's noctis. from the park? BLADE A little bird told me... ZHONGLI Hello. This is Zhongli BLADE This is Blade. Jusis told me to find you... ROSE You’re Varian, right? AMAL Loser gets adopted FERN Heyyyy V, you busy? DANNY Birthday AMAL Happy nameday to the best scientist I know! JUN Are you busy? There's something I wanted to ask you. AMAL hey varian FERN hey i just realized something great DANNY Hey. I know you're probably busy with everything... ZODIAC Happy Holiday from Zodiac! CLAUDE Hey Varian. You there? ZELOS Heeeey Varian! I'm sure you're busy... FIVE I know you might be busy right now but... FERN heyyy, did you see that guy...

TO: SUBJECT: JUN Two questions. BLADE Hey, hey hey, Blade. JUN Birthday VASH I figure it's probably about time we talk, huh? JUN 愛してるよ ???!!! AMAL Dad? You home? JUN Forgt anyting nuice I said aboout space KNI Happy birthday, Kni! MIKLEO Hey, Mikleo. Jun said it'd be okay to message you... YUUKI So hey, do you think you could... JUN So. Uh. That happened. ELLIOT Hi, Elliot. Can I talk to you about something? AMAL Dad, something happened to Fern. DANNY Hey, Bud. I've got some bad?? news? EVE Hey, Eve. I wanted to make sure AMAL Happy birthday, Dad! AMAL Hey, could I get your opinion on something? VASH Hi there! Texting ahead of time like you asked. FERN Happy birthday, you. FERN Day of Hearts WILL Hey, Will. When are you free? I've got your... ELLIOT ...Hey, Elliot. Can I ask your advice on something? SNOW Hey, you available? ELLIOT Elliot? I'm- I'm really sorry to bother you... AUGUST Hey. Can I ask a follow-up question after my last one? DANNY Hey. There's something important I need to talk to you about. FIVE Hey, I was thinking we should probably talk MOANA Hey. Remember me saying we probably needed to talk... ELLIOT Um. Hey. I wondered if we could talk. AMAL Hey. Are you busy? Can we talk? HUNTER Just so you're aware... AUGUST Can I ask some advice? DANNY Hey, Danny! I think I've figured out something... KEN Hey! The figure you wanted is all finished.

code by cawaii

Comments

[droptheious]

[That pulls a wry little chuckle out of the teen.]

Trust me, I've noticed that. You're almost as bad as Rapunzel with that one. But I'm...glad. I probably need it.

[He definitely needs it. If Rapunzel hadn't been the sort who never gave up on people, he'd still be rotting in Corona's dungeons now. And if Amal hadn't been the sort, well..he doesn't know where he'd be here. Nowhere good.

At least he's prepared for that- people are fallible. That's a hard lesson he had to learn, but at least he can trust Amal will never leave him alone to pick up the pieces and that? That is more than he could ever ask for. More than he still feels he deserves, if he's being honest with himself. But he's trying to be better at that. Letting him deserve good things, and Amal is definitely that.

That's what family does. He gives Amal another tight squeeze. ]

I mean...stuff's been on fire for a while, it's okay. [He's not exactly been easy, and he definitely hasn't had much downtime for talks like this lately.] I believe in you, I don't think you can mess this up as bad as you think you can.

[So there. And wow, Amal, that's a whole lot there. You're gonna kill this kid with all the good feelings you're throwing his way. He's gonna be dead. At the very least, his face hurts from all the smiling he's doing.]

Oh...wow. That's. A lot. [He wants to heavily disagree, but he knows he should be working don't the whole self-loathing thing, so:] Th-thanks? I mean, I hope I can do that, anyway.

[laminae]

[Fern thinks this is the best movie ever.

He kind of loses the plot part of the way through - something about some magic kid, maybe the hotel is haunted? But it's spooky and there's a whole BLOOD ELEVATOR and that is so totally sick. Marceline would think it's awesome and write a song about it, or something. It's so punk.

Also, he is acutely aware that Varian starts clinging, which is a very nice bonus.]

Hah, right?? Dang, wouldn't wanna see what the pool there is filled with!

[thavnairian]

Everyone needs someone in their corner.

[He's always liked the stories he heard about Rapunzel. Maybe one day he'll be able to talk to the girl who saved his little buddy.]

Hahah... that's true. Things were on fire even before we got the network, so it's not all your fault either. [Hugging Varian is good, so he'll hug right back. Hooray ✨]

I know you will. But no pressure, okay? You've still got a lot of growing to do. [This whole thing has been no pressure, at least on Amal's part. If Varian wants his own apartment instead of a room in the house, fine. If Varian wants Fern to have his own apartment, that's fine too. And if Varian doesn't feel up to the task of being a hero, he doesn't have to be. He just has to be Varian at the end of the day. That's good enough for Amal.]

Fern's welcome to stay here too, by the way. I don't know him as well as I know you, but as long as you want him here, we'll make it work. In my homeland, it's normal for two or three generations to share a house.

As far as I'm concerned, we're all in the same boat.

[droptheious]

[It's so punk and Varian is genuinely terrified. He makes a soft, concerned noise at Fern's comment about the pool.]

Oh, yeuch, knowing this place probably bodies. Or ghosts? Maybe both. [And hey, now he's clinging a little tighter.] OH GOD WHAT IS HE DOING WITH THE AXE?

[laminae]

[Fern's attention is gradually getting pulled away from the movie and shifted to Varian. Not because his boyfriend is obviously having a bad time, but because of the clinging. The clinging is very cute, and he's kind of amazed he never thought of the two of them watching a horror movie together before because this is great.]

Huh? Oh - something cool, I hope. Axes are great.

[droptheious]

...Yeah, they do. No one should be left alone.

[If there's one thing he's brought with him through his (short) life experiences, it's that. The second you leave someone alone...well, they'll lose their way.

He considers this- he's not used to being able to just...be him. Even back in Corona, he has to be the royal alchemist. Just kicking back and being a teenager isn't something he's all that experienced in. His smile softens.]

I think I can manage that. And I'd... I'd like that. I'll ask him what he wants to do- but I appreciate you thinking about him, too. He uh...he means a lot to me.

[droptheious]

[The clinging it adorable and it's definitely not going away. Largely because they quickly realise what Jack Torrance is actually gonna do with that axe and as soon as the swinging starts, Varian's half in Fern's lap, hiding his face in the crook of Fern's neck.]

Tell me when he stops swinging it and definitely don't tell me if he hits her with it!!

[This movie already gone way past the acceptable levels of gore for him, he doesn't want to see the wife get axed!!! ]

[laminae]

[Best. Movie. Ever.

Fern makes sure the bowl of popcorn gets shifted out of the way, because no one wants to be cleaning that up, and loops his arms around Varian.]

Sure, sure, if you're okay with missing cool axe action.

[It also means he's going to miss one very iconic axe scene!!]

[thavnairian]

[Gradually, Amal feels Varian ease, and he's happy for that.

He can give this kid a childhood. He's not a normal dad and Varian's not a normal kid and this isn't a normal city, but god damn it, he is going to give Varian a childhood.]

I know he does. That's why I'd never throw him out.

Space is important too, though... Raha and I have been together a while, and living together even longer, but we still have our own rooms.

We're not doing anything with the basement, so I'm sure we could convert part of it if we needed to. Or I can pay for an apartment nearby so he's close but not constantly in your business. We have enough money for that. It's all up to you guys and what you feel comfortable with.

Nothing needs to happen right away, and I want you guys close to me until everything settles down anyway, so... there's time to figure out what you want to do.

[droptheious]

[Good think Fern is having a good time, because Varian sure isn't. He's keeping his eyes screwed tight shut.]

If that cool aze action is going into the lady's head, I don't want to see it.

[droptheious]

[Giving Varian a childhood is more than he could have asked for. He might be seventeen now, at the last few years before adulthood digs its claws into him and drags him off, but being able to have one at all is more than what he got back home. ]

I really appreciate that, too.

[Because he understands Fern is not always the easiest person to talk to, but he means a lot to the alchemist. They've been through a lot together.]

...Yeah, that's something to think about. We had separate rooms in the apartment. It's been...nice having him close. But you're right, it's... we can think about it later. I wouldn't want him to really...leave. And I'm sure he wouldn't want that either. Honestly? I think he could use a safe, stable home just as much as I do.

[thavnairian]

[It's certainly not too late to steer him away from the life of crime Amal led until his twenties.]

Separate rooms can definitely be arranged. You two are teenagers. At some point you'll need some space so you don't chew on each other for no reason, and you'll be grateful for that then.

[He ruffles Varian's hair harmlessly (and not too rough, of course).]

Anyway, I'll let Raha know we can get everything started. Wards and paperwork... I'm going to have to do something nice for him when I get the chance...

[laminae]

Pfft, fine.

[He gives him a shoulder pat, watching the scene play out. Lucky for Varian, axe doesn't meet head!]

... I think you're good, V. Lotta chasing, not a whole lot of chopping people.

[droptheious]

Yeah, I can see the logic in that one.

[The hair ruffle is nice, and it pulls a little chuckle out of him.]

Is he gonna be okay with this? I mean, adopting a kid is a pretty big thing. I know it's you doing it and not him, but still. It's gonna affect him, too.

[droptheious]

[Varian is very glad for the lack of decapitation!! At Fern's reassurance, he finally comes out of his grassy hiding place to peer at the screen.]

They got out alive?

[laminae]

Um, well.

[The movie isn't over, and Jack Nicholson seemed reeeeeaaally murderous.]

For now?

[droptheious]

[Varian's still clinging onto Fern as he watches, hrmmmmmm this was such a bad movie choice. ]

Okay so let's just make a mental note to never go to an abandoned hotel in the middle of nowhere no matter how much they pay us because that's haunted.

[laminae]

Whaaat? [Fern has to do his best to not start laughing at that.] Why not?? Between your brains and my swords we'd be killer in a haunted hotel!

[droptheious]

I'm not convinced the swords would actually work against the ghosts, Bärchen. And as the axe just proved, bringing weapons into this might end up bad.

[What if them gets SUPER HAUNTED and tries to murder the other D:]

[thavnairian]

[Amal's smile softens once again at Varian's very considerate question.]

I asked him the moment I decided I wanted to do it. He's the one who volunteered to help me with everything, including renovating the shed. He's a very good man.

And... [He glances around, as if Raha might be eavesdropping around the corner.] I'll tell you a secret.

In his past life he did the same thing. He found a little girl who had been orphaned, raised her like his own blood, and trained her up to be an amazing battle dancer. Just like me!

[droptheious]

[That's comforting to know. He should have guessed Amal would have asked him first- but he still worries. He doesn't want to be a nuisance to anyone here!]

Really? That's- that's great. I- I guess I'm gonna have to get to know him better. That was really good of him.

[Because getting a surprise teenager, especially one that has actively blown up parts of the city multiple times is a big ask for anyone. But as Amal explains it more, it becomes clearer.]

Wow, that's...hah. I can see why you guys are together. That's one heck of a thing to have in common. [A beat.] Please don't ask me to be a battle dancer, I'm so bad at dancing.

[laminae]

I dunno, my sword cut through some ghosty jerk one time, I think we'd be okay.

[He'll just casually drop that. Thanks for being weird, Ooo.]

[droptheious]

[Okay, so that makes him turn to give Fern a confused look.]

You've managed to stab a ghost?

[laminae]

[Fern just shrugs.]

He might've been some kinda... fear manifestation? All metaphorical like? I dunno, I was Finn at the time and the Grass Sword sliced the guy in half and he died.

[droptheious]

A...fear manifestation? So like...were you awake? Or was this like... a haunted house scenario?

[Fern what was your LIFE?]