cancry | Avaritia Arrival Log

[He knows there was no need but it was stupid and hilarious and he had to get it. Don't judge him.

As soon as Lion starts laughing Ruin grins, something almost like pride snaking under the constant pervasive self-doubt. He tosses the sunglasses over to him as well, gradient aviators that match the ones the cat on the shirt is wearing.]

C'mon I had to. It was too perfect not to get it for you.

Other than my name I'm not very much like a cat, you realize?

[They are under an awning... so it should be fine. He starts pulling off his shirt- exposing his gnarly chest scar and the Executor mark with it]

No, you're more like a pupp-

[Ruin's laughing and grinning and- choking on his words as Lion just peels his shirt off like it's no big deal. Amber eyes widen in surprise, pleased certainly but still surprised, gaze dropping down to admire the blond's body absolutely shamelessly.

And then his gaze lands on the executor mark and... oh such a lovely view, spoiled.]

You have a crest?!?

Crest? Do you mean my Executor mark?

[Said with his shirt still half off]

Yeah... it's a crest symbol, like mine.

[You've been here longer than him, sir. How does he know this and you don't?]

I see... I vaguely recall crests from my memory, but I've never associated them with my mark or... my abilities?

[Because his mind has tied his Crest fully with his family, and that memory is still missing. Like Ruin he associates them with blood- just in a kinder manner]

Wait, I have never seen your mark in full. It is the same as mine or another Crest completely?

Your mark is a crest... I remember a bunch of them, I think it's all of them? I might be wrong but that's not me not remembering that's just Crestology.

[But Ruin obediently starts unbuttoning his shirt more so that Lion can see the sharp sickle of the crest down over his heart. He lets it slide down his arms as well so he can twist around to show the matching arc that cuts across his shoulders.]

It's not the same one. I don't remember the names for them, which is annoying, but there's about 20 of them.

[He is Looking Respectfully :eyes:]

I see... there is a similar aesthetic to them, isn't there? I can't recall a name either- It's odd... do you think we may be from similar cultures then? I have never heard anyone else mention them, and the few Executor marks I've seen don't match the design.

[Lancer shoulders are certainly worth Looking at.]

Maybe? I mean it's sort of a big deal. Noble bloodlines descended from ancient heroes kinda thing. It's why my Lance has the same mark too.

[Conveniently, buttons are too much effort to redo so uh... enjoy that view.]

Mine does as well- but no other weapons among our group do...

[He's side-eyeing Ruin, not willing to Say it in case he sounds like he's jumping to conclusions but...]

You think we're from the same place?

[Lion might not be willing to say it but it's a logical conclusion. ]

We might have known each other... Or at least of each other. Like I said, nobility.

...I think it's possible, yes. I remember that I was indeed high nobility. Likely even-

[He furrows his brow, not sure if he wants to say it outright]

- royalty of some sort, due to how those in my memories addressed me.

Royalty?!

[Ruin leans back and whistles, though it's quickly broken by a grin he can't keep off his face.]

I dunno you don't seem the royalty type...[Just... glancing down to look pointedly at the whole tiddy out situation happening here. Not that he's complaining, mind you.]

[He startles and tugs his shirt down... then remembers what he was doing and pulls it BACK off so he can pull his new one on]

Ruin, please-!

[Huffhuff]

Though you are not wrong- I don't particularly feel... like the leadership type.

[Oh no the blush is adorable, help.]

Hey, I was just enjoying the show~

[A wink and a wicked grin but he takes pity on Lion and continues the actual conversation part of all this so he doesn't have to respond to the teasing.]

No offense but... I think you're a liiiiiittle too reactive to be in charge of an army.

[He nods sadly]

You are not wrong- perhaps things changed as I aged, but as I am and as I remember I was a skilled warrior but... that does not equal a proper soldier, let alone a leader.

Hey... if you are royalty that just means you get to make everyone else do things for you. It's fine.

[C'mon they were having fun a minute ago. Ruin's just gonna scoot around the circular table so he can nudge Lion's arm lightly. Not quite leaning into him but nearly.]

Besides, down here? You're just Lion.

Just Lion...

[That makes him smile softly]

I will accept that once you can do that same, you realize?

[Ruin sighs at that, shoving a hand into his hair.]

Ah not that again.

[But there's something guilty in the look he gives the blond.]

I dunno... how to just... stop? [Hating himself, berating himself, thinking he's worthless... how do you just turn that off?]

I am not asking you to- it is not my place to demand anything of you. But... I would very much like to be allowed to feel whatever I wish about you, regardless of your supposed sins. Is that fair?

[It's a little bit surreal, someone just saying something like that.

feel whatever I wish about you

Ruin actually blushes slightly which is absurd given his usual flirtatious humor. But actual genuine feelings are beyond him... Or at least beyond his familiarity. Especially now, when he's just moved so close to the other man. Part of him wants to run, put space between them again. Part of him wants to press closer.

In the end he just sort of hovers there in indecision.]

W-whatever you wish, huh?

[Lion notices the blush, but assumes it's due to their physical closeness, not his words. He's just being honest, after all.]

Whatever I wish. Good or ill- though even with our rocky start, I am learning more towards good.

[Is he teasing?]

[Well the more he talks like that the more Ruin leans into him, into his space. It's still bizarre and confusing, anyone thinking positively about him, but there's something so... Compelling about it when it's Lion. ]

You are...

[Not quite a question but still disbelieving. ]

I am.

[He reaches out-

-for his new sunglasses, putting them on and likely ruining (lol) the mood]

Though I am likely not the best judge of character, considering... myself.

[He's a murderous beast, after all]

[All this emotional tension and heartache... And Lion is the cheesiest human being alive or dead.

The tension breaks so suddenly that the emotional whiplash leaves him completely off kilter. Ruin turns to bury his face against Lion's shoulder, muffling startled laughter. But the weight of all his self loathing up against Lion's stubborn optimism, even for someone like him, twists that laugh into something like a sob.

There's a fragility to the masks he puts on and that sudden shift sends him reeling... Just enough that he's abruptly not laughing at all, one hand coming up to twist into the blond's new shirt, trembling ever so slightly as he fights not to just breakdown crying. ]

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