Nope's Peak Day 6

[aria_ardeinae]

Reyson has spent a notable portion of the morning sweeping up ashes in some of the more objectionable clothes found in his dresser, because this library is wretched, no place for courting at all. Also, nnnnot really a place where he enjoys being alone with his thoughts, but he's committed now. There will be a picnic blanket, so he doesn't need to drag in any rugs or fix any seating this time. Less ash is necessary, but he'd prefer to do better than just necessary. He'd rather not kill any real plant life by exposing them to this dismal hell, but there's some props from Little Shop of Horrors that are portable enough to set up on the shelves behind the area he's cleared.

He spends the rest of the time he has before the date taking a long shower, both to look presentable and to have like five minutes without that abominable scent clinging to him. He looks fine - a touch paler than usual, perhaps, but with nearly a week spent indoors, that's excusable, and he's been working on an empty stomach, anyway, there's an easy remedy for that. All there is to do at this point is meet Kiyo at the library door.

Comments

[justpure]

Meanwhile, Kiyo had taken it upon himself to prepare a wide variety of vegetarian dishes from around the world (from his universe, anyway). He tries not to make too much food and packs a few drinks, though he also decides to take an extra blanket... Just in case.

He arrives with the food and blankets shortly after. "Ah... Reyson-san?" He cants his head a bit. "You look a bit pale, are you alright?

[aria_ardeinae]

"I'm not used to physical labor, is all. I'll be well enough with rest and food." It's not a complete lie, but it's far from honesty, and his voice has an unpleasant thickness to it from the ashes. His eyes turn to what Kiyo's got in his hands, a way of shifting the conversation away from himself and his personal inadequacies. He's certainly well enough to take a blanket and spread it out, and place a small Audrey on the edge to hold it down. They might not have need to worry about wind blowing it about indoors, but habits die hard. "I'm familiar with bread, but not of this type - are these from different regions of your world?"

[justpure]

Kiyo glances at Reyson in concern, but doesn't say much... For now.

"Yes. I made sure you got a sample of different multicultural meals. That bread you're eating is soda bread from Ireland."

[aria_ardeinae]

"It's heavier than I expected, and the crunch is satisfying." It tastes of ash, but that's probably not Kiyo's fault. The scent in here is a bit... intense, clingy. "Are you able to eat with your mask on?" He'd feel odd being the only one eating.

[justpure]

"I did bring my eating mask, so yes in this case."

He gingerly takes a bite out of one of the breads... Through the mask.

It literally went through the mask somehow. No crumbs or anything. Be amazed.

[aria_ardeinae]

HOW This is possible...? Is the mask in fact his mouth?? "...Like sorcery."

[justpure]

Not quite.

"I must say, the tailor did a very good job with the construction and fabric choice..."

So it's like stage magic. Don't ask how it works.

[aria_ardeinae]

"In spite of my title, I wouldn't know where to start making something like that."

A delicate cough. Perhaps he should have made an attempt at creating one all the same.

"I imagine it keeps the ash out, as well?"

[justpure]

"... It does."

Oh? "Are you alright?"

[aria_ardeinae]

"...I don't deal well with this scent."

It was all right when he could leave and duck his head out as he pleased. Now... He draws his wings around himself, hunched and defensive.

"My people live in forests. So much dead, burned wood would be distressing even without, well."

...Right, a different world, the Massacre isn't something Kiyo would know about... This isn't a good direction to take the conversation on a date.

"...I can handle it."

[justpure]

Kiyo could probably move on with the conversation, but judging by the body language, this isn't turning out too pleasant.

That, and Kiyo personally dislikes this room.

"... Do you think they would scold us for changing locations in the middle of the date? I'd rather not have you suffocate in here."

[aria_ardeinae]

"Almost certainly, but I recover quickly, and I'm rather light. If I pass out, you should be able to drag me to the infirmary easily enough." He coughs into his sleeve, sharper this time. "Perhaps we might leave the door open."

[justpure]

That doesn't sound like he's fine.

He nods and gets up, walking over to the doors and throwing them open.

"... I have an idea. Why not move our date to just outside the building?"

[aria_ardeinae]

He sounds wretched, it's true enough. Fresh air - it might be a bad idea, but it would not be the first bad idea Reyson's instincts have pointed him at.

"Ah - if it's still in view of one of us, it should count."

With much more confidence than the theory deserves. He's already sweeping out so he can lean on the wall and breathe in shaky lungfuls of actual air.

[justpure]

Kiyo will take his time moving everything to the doorway, using the props Reyson pulled from the prop room to keep the doors open while he set everything back down. There was at least one corner of the blanket still in the room, that should be good.

"Would you like to sit in front of it?"

[aria_ardeinae]

"Yes, please, you're very kind." Raspy, but he's not sounding any worse. He'd prefer to run screaming out of the building, but, alas, that's not an option for several reasons. Sitting down with dignity instead of collapsing on the spot proves to be possible with effort, at least.

[justpure]

And so Kiyo will sit opposite from him.

"Honestly, I don't know why they decided this room was in any state to send couples to."

[aria_ardeinae]

"I'd rate it even worse than the prison cells."

He's definitely going to need another shower; his wings are pale gray from the coating of ash.

[justpure]

It's easy to tell. Poor guy.

"The prison cells? How did you and your partner make that work?"

[aria_ardeinae]

"Redecorating. I attempted the same this time, but... it was more of a success in a smaller, less ruinous room. She cooked, and I played music - but in this case, I didn't wish to clog any of my instruments with ash."

Thereby putting the weight of entertainment on Kiyo, which he feels some shame over.

[justpure]

Kiyo assumed this was meant to be a conversation over a pleasant meal.

"Ah, perhaps we could arrange for a concert another time? I would like to hear some music from your people?"