goldencharms | FOR INFY!!!

[ is jamil really dangerous? Kalim supposes that he could see why others might think that... but honestly, if they asked him, he would say that Jamil was far from it. Even if he lied about it. He 'hmms' as he considers what Jamil said.

Is the real problem that he's worried? That makes sense, Jamil always worries, even when doing so won't really help them... And yet, he knows that it isn't exactly unwarranted.

So, should he distract him? how?

He'd say they should leave but... this was important for Jamil. He needed a submissive to be contracted to, or else he'd get in trouble.

(the thought makes his heart ache, and so he immediately speaks instead) ]

Well, right now it's not so bad, right? And later, I can show you some of the nicer places to visit. Who knows, maybe it'll help you think clearer!

[Even his most earnest attempts had never been this..... this professional. This slick. Kalim has always at least been aware of the fact that he's been losing time, even if he had successfully convinced him that he was prone to nodding off at the worst possible times. And yet..... he doesn't remember this place. At all. He doesn't even remember any time that he could have gone missing, nor anything subtly off that could betray fabricated memories to cover up the discrepancies caused by his absence. This..... is absolutely perfect, practiced, seamless.

He's overwhelmingly envious, even if it makes his blood runs cold.

He should learn from them, if he can--not only for the sake of escaping, (again?) but for his own personal growth as well. Just because he gets average marks in alchemy doesn't mean he's bad at it by any means--he'll just need to start seriously studying science, if he can slither his way into their captors' good graces enough to gain employment with them. All he needs to start with is a foot in the door somehow, so he can work towards gaining their trust.....

At least developing the first inklings of a plan means he has something to cling to, some rock to steady himself with as the storm rages around (and within) him. Far better to plan for the future, as the Sorcerer of the Sands would surely have done, rather than to make himself sick stressing out over hypotheticals.]

.....I suppose so. We'll just have to see, won't we?

[ he seems to have calmed down... and so, Kalim relaxes a little too. That was better than the opposite, at least. ]

Where are you staying, by the way? I wanna visit as soon as possible!

[Right. Yes. He still needs to deal with the fact that Kalim is here. He'll still need to find the time to watch over him, just as he always has. He can't get too ahead of himself with this sort of big picture thinking, or he'll forget to attend to all the tiny mundane details that will need to fall into place, to lay the groundwork for those grander plans.

Calm down. Focus.

A steadying breath, and Jamil reaches into his pocket to pull out an engraved key. (Strange, he doesn't even think to grumble to himself about Kalim invading what little privacy he'll have.) He offers it over for Kalim to examine; if he's been here so long, he probably knows the building, doesn't he?]

It seems they've set aside an entire apartment building to serve as a dormitory of sorts. Every newly taken Dominant has been assigned a room there.

[ Kalim has no clue where it is. though he turns over the key before looking back at Jamil, ]

You'll have to show me.

[ and also-- offering the key back. Jamil can't give him his only key-- Kalim already has a place to stay, after all. And he couldn't impose. ]

There was something similar for Submissives, but I didn't really stay there. Lilia found me and invited me over right away! So that's where I've been ever since!

[Of course he will. Why is he not surprised that he'll be the one finding their way, even though he's only been here for a matter of hours, compared to Kalim's apparent months? Somehow, he can't find it in himself to be irritated; Jamil just tucks the key back into his pocket with a twinge of unremarked on exasperation, and hopes that it isn't too far from this cafe they've been sent to. As long as they have GPS, they'll be fine, right?]

Good. Everything I heard suggested the Submissive accommodations are insecure and poorly appointed; we can take a look at my assignment, and I'll walk you home.

[After all, he'll need to know the way to Lilia's as soon as possible himself, if he intends to keep an eye on Kalim. He'll have to thank Lilia for making sure Kalim didn't have to brave these dangerous Submissive slums, won't he? Perhaps a meal will be good enough.]

Edited 2025-01-04 00:22 (UTC)

[ oh... it's kind of like home. He really didn't realize how much he missed Jamil walking him home-- it actually makes his heart feel... hm... light? And he beams up at Jamil at the suggestion. ]

Sure!

[ he'd want Jamil to visit too. though, Lilia's place is pretty small... still, for visits it should be fine. ]

Oh, you should come for dinner!

[ he is absolutely going to attempt to cook for him. in fact, the way his eyes stare deeply at him implies he won't take no for an answer. ]

That's..... really not necessary.

[It's a strange, awkward, viscerally uncomfortable thought. Kalim shouldn't need to cook for him, even if he's been forced to do so to protect himself from poison. That's not how things are supposed to be. Maybe he needs to get used to that being how it is here, needs to readjust his understanding of his place in this new society, but.....

He can't just rewire his brain overnight. Besides, this is only a temporary setback caused by some overwhelmingly powerful pack of inscrutable villains..... right? Right?]

Don't worry, don't worry!

It's not any trouble at all!

[ he just thinks Jamil is being modest, not that he's. you know. trying to get out of it. ]

I just wanna try to treat you, too.

If you're sure.

[Kalim isn't going to just let this go, is he? He'll just..... have to humor it and help him pull it off, the way he does with any other scheme the boy comes up with. Surely Kalim won't rebuff him at least bringing a bottle of wine or something similar, even if he wants to do all the cooking himself.

That said..... even if he accepts this bizarre role reversal, he still has reservations about the idea. Big, glaring, Lilia-shaped reservations. Will he need to bring some sort of medicines or antidotes with him, too?]

You don't get any..... help in the kitchen, do you?

Oh, Lilia's not allowed in the kitchen. Ruby usually distracts him!

[ he says cheerfully. he knows... exactly what Jamil is getting at. ]

Hmph..... At least you get the help you actually need, then.

[Is it a little too obvious that he's relieved at the thought? Sorry, Lilia. He'll have faith in your capabilities once you've proven yourself worthy of it. Just because you're knowledgeable doesn't mean you're actually competent, or even just willing to put that knowledge to good use.

It seems this Ruby girl has been watching Kalim's back, at least. Just what sort of person is she? Aside from yet another person he doesn't want to have to be indebted to, of course.....]

[ Kalim doesn’t think to explain who Ruby is, since it sounds like Jamil is agreeing to let him cook for him. So instead, he leans against him again, pleased. ]

Then it’s settled!

[ and now he’s trapped. Kalim just… missed him so much. ]

...

[Yeah, it's settled. He's been cornered once again, just as easily as he has been in this booth. It's strange to see Kalim so relieved to see him, when they had only just parted mere hours ago..... but he supposes he'll just have to deal with that same jarring incongruence with everyone from school, won't he? Sheesh, as if this place isn't making his head hurt enough.....

Whatever fresh hell their captors intend to put them through, though? It seems some things in life never change. (No matter how much he might wish they would.) Somehow, in spite of himself, Jamil finds his arm ends up loosely slung around Kalim's shoulders as the boy leans against him. It's not quite cuddling back, but..... It's better than Kalim really has any grounds to hope for these days, isn't it? He'll just have to take what he can get.]

[ eh? he's got his arm over him??

Kalim's heart skips a beat, and he glances down. no, no, this isn't good. Jamil's just humoring him, he can't just--

he can't just look up at him like a lovesick puppy. but he wants to. still, he glances away, seeming to think. ]

There are a couple of places that have music, even musicians in the streets. I think you'd enjoy dancing to some of them, too. So, even if we're trapped here... It's not so bad.

I'll just have to take your word for it, for now. After so long here, I'm sure you've found a few favorite places to show off.

[Something curdles and knots tight in the pit of his stomach, cold and bitter like grief--but somehow, he doesn't have the heart to scold or lecture while they're sitting together like this. Even if that's a hopelessly naive perspective..... it's still a sincere one. Kalim probably is able to allow himself to be fairly happy here. But him.....

He can't forget about the bracelet binding his wrist like a shackle, or the collar cinched around Kalim's neck like a noose. He can't forget that every privilege he's being allowed--no, being forced upon him--is a double-edged and poisoned blade, that he's truly no more free than Kalim is now. Nothing he has is truly his own anymore, even what the Scalding Sands had once had no right to take from him. He may not be as poorly off as Kalim is--but it certainly feels as though he's more acutely aware of the harsh realities of their predicament.

It isn't as though he'll be able to do anything about it anytime soon, though..... So sure, why not look around at the musicians Kalim has found sometime? Maybe they'll make things feel a little more bearable.]

FOR INFY!!!

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