9.; voice

[typhlopid]

[A voice that is usually calm and refined seems to be struggling to remain so this morning.]

...My sister, Clover, has disappeared. You might know her as that pink-haired girl.

It is not a prank. She would not do that to me. Messages sent to her NV promptly bounce. [He also can't sense her presence, far more disturbing overall. And knowing what she must be going home to--]

If I find someone has taken her, if something has happened, there will be no end of hell for those responsible. [It is a coldness, a preciseness that can only be managed by true loathing: Clover has been stolen from him before, and anyone who dares to do it again will pay.]

PRIVATE to Re-l Mayer || minimum security

I suppose this is where I ask to file a missing person report. [After a moment of hesitation.] I may require assistance in doing so.

Comments

Action

[excellentviolet]

[When Lee arrives at the building, he introduces himself as a good friend of Snake's so he can come to visit the young man. He knocks on his door.]

[typhlopid]

[Snake is sitting at one of the desks in the common area of the small dorm in the dark, the curtains drawn. No reason for him to keep a light on, really. He is still, quietly sitting with his hands flat to the surface of the desk, the NV nearby.]

Lee. Good afternoon.

[excellentviolet]

Snake.

[He turns and approaches him, touching his shoulder as he comes close enough to do so.]

Shall I fix that tea for you?

[typhlopid]

It is in the kitchen area. The left cabinet, on the second shelf, right corner.

[Things in the kitchen are labeled with special labeling tape, spelling items out in braille and the contents of drawers and cabinets.]

[excellentviolet]

Alright.

[And he goes to work on making that tea for Snake. There was a time that Lee was a secretary and executive assistant, so it wasn't all that hard for him to do such a small thing for someone else on command. He even knows how to brew it properly. He serves it to Snake.]

Here you go.

[typhlopid]

Thank you.

[Snake raises the cup to his lips, takes a sip, but his hands are shaking too badly to hold onto it for very long. The ceramic vibrates against the desk before he sets it down entirely.]

...Do you have family, Lee? Anyone that you miss back in your world?

[excellentviolet]

[He takes note of the way his hands are shaking. He doesn't know if he should take that hand, but he supposed for someone who cannot see, a touch should help. He gingerly puts his hand on the other man's trembling one.]

I do. An adoptive family. But I am estranged from them. And I don't miss them at all.

[He gives him a small smile. He doesn't have much attachment to his home world save for his work.]

[typhlopid]

[Snake can hear a little of an apologetic smile in Lee's voice. His expression hardly changes.]

Clover and I... did not particularly get along with our parents. They were not abusive. [He's quick to qualify that.] But they were not affectionate with us. Even before my accident, we were very close. Sometimes we fought, but I always did my best to protect her.

When I awakened from a coma, days after my accident, and blind, hers was the first voice I heard. And after that day she began to protect me, too.

[excellentviolet]

[Unconsciously, Lee's touch over Snake's hand tightens ever so slightly.]

I see... no wonder she means so much to you.

[Silently, he feels bad that he cannot sympathize as well as he should.]

[typhlopid]

Her presence is something I had come to expect every day. We are deeply connected.

[A pause.] ...It is good enough that you are here, you know.

You need not worry if you cannot sympathize.

[excellentviolet]

Are you reading my thoughts?

[He speaks quietly, letting his thumb brush over the skin of the back of Snake's hand in slow movements-- tender and soothing.]

I'm glad I could at least do something for you right now.

[typhlopid]

I know. I find it very... gratifying, that you have come here only out of concern for me, without ulterior motive.

[Lee's hand is so warm, so pleasant. And he is sure it will be withdrawn soon.]

...This is not the way that I wished to tell you, rather, I never intended to tell you at all.

But I can do it. As you said. [He braces himself for the storm of chaos that will surely head his way now, and waits to be abandoned again.]

I can read your thoughts.

[excellentviolet]

[He smiles a bit at the confession. His hand never leaves Snake's though. It simply continues to be there, still repeating that soothing motion.]

Then I guess you're aware of all my plans for world domination.

[He laughs then, because in truth, he doesn't have anything of the sort save for many ideas and a lot of ambition.]

[typhlopid]

--Well, I know about your plans to revitalize and increase visibility for newcomer business. Capitalism is the most likely path toward world domination. [Snake tilts his chin up, seeming to stare at Lee a moment, pale green eyes just barely visible beneath his lashes.]

[excellentviolet]

[He laughs again, his pale grey eyes bright and focused on Snake. And he notices those pale green eyes.]

I've never seen your eyes before.

[typhlopid]

Most people do not like it, to see my eyes open and looking at nothing. [Yet, sensing that Lee was surprised, perhaps even curious, he opens his eyes.]

[excellentviolet]

[He moves his hands from Snake's hand to cup his face.]

I don't mind it at all.

[typhlopid]

[Snake is pale. The blush that blossoms on his face is immediately obvious - especially because it is not the sort of thing that happens very much at all. He's at a surprising loss for words.] Oh... [Dark lashes flutter.]

[excellentviolet]

[quietly, Lee moves forward and kisses Snake lightly.]

[typhlopid]

[His mouth falls open a little as he leans forward into the kiss, his eyes closing reflexively.]

[excellentviolet]

[He had wanted to only keep the kiss short and sweet, but he finds himself lingering just a little longer with his lips locked to Snake's. When he pulls away, his smile is soft-- almost tender with the way he gazes at him. He slowly lets his hand follow suit, moving down slowly back to holding Snake's hand.]

[typhlopid]

[He's still a bit rosy when the kiss ends.]

--Well, that is one way to end a conversation.

[excellentviolet]

I wasn't sure how to tell you how I felt about seeing your eyes without being too cheesy about it. [He laughs a little.] It's embarrassing to say it out loud. Although I guess you could always peek into my mind to find out.

[typhlopid]

It really doesn't bother you that I have been reading your mind without permission this whole time. [It seems more of a statement than a question. Snake's brow furrows curiously, and he reaches out his free hand until he manages to touch Lee - hoping for his face.]

I will, then. [He opens his eyes again, then fidgets awkwardly.] I think I am looking in the correct direction...

[excellentviolet]

[He feels Snake's hand on his neck, which he brings up to his cheek. His eyes meet with Snake's blank ones.]

You're looking the right way now.