'Cause I got issues, but you got 'em too

[droptheious]

Who: Varian and you
What: Closed prompts!
When: Throughout February
Where: Around!

Content Warnings: Probably nothing, will update if needed!



Closed to Fern- early Feb

Varian's recovery through January went pretty well, all things considered. Sure, there is still a lot to work through, he knows his multitude of issues won't be resolved in a few conversations, but he has the support in place (and more importantly, the willingness to USE that support) to navigate it better now. It's made him a little more hopeful that history won't repeat itself.

This month, however, he feels even better- or rather, he feels even better when he's around Fern. He's definitely been more tactile than he normally is in their relationship since the month changed over. He's been more attentive, too (possibly a little TOO attentive) giving Fern plenty of little gifts- nothing huge, things he's cobbled together when he's been thinking about his boyfriend. Which has admittedly been a lot this month.

He has another little gift with him- along with a big fancy book which is the main reason he's seeking out Fern this time. So wherever Fern might be, Varian will be coming up behind him to wrap his arms around his middle with a romantic smoothness he normally doesn't possess. He leans up over Fern's shoulder to press a kiss against his jawline.

"Hey~"


Closed to Ariadne

It's not been hard to miss the entire...chocolate fiasco going on. Varian's marked this as one of those usual shenanigans with cursed food that they saw all the time in the dream. He's avoided it himself, but it's only a matter of time before he ends up eating one of the damn things- careful as he is in usually avoiding them.

Regardless, now he's well on his way to healing after the mess of January, he's making his rounds- checking on his friends, making sure they're okay, while admittedly taking care of himself, too- shutting himself off is the opposite of what he should be doing, and he knows now connections are what matter. Ariadne is his next stop off, and he heads to her orchard, calling her name as he enters.

"Ariadne? You here?"


Closed to Klee

With the new store opening on the horizon, Varian's been trying to gather his supplies ready to make some bombs to sell there- perhaps a little more extreme than the potions Melius will have from his stock, but likely needed in a place like this all the same. Still, he needs a little more to make his own bombs if he's going to sell them wholesale, so he's in Willful Machine, heading to one of the stalls there when he notices the younger girl trying her best (and failing) to get what she wants from the shopkeep. He realises he recognises her from the network- the kid who likes bombs.

"Uh...hey?" he slides on over. "Everything okay here?"

Closed to Usagi

Varian's all about encouraging Usagi with her crafts. He really wants her to find some worth in herself beyond Sailor Moon, and if getting her to see how good she is at a thing she enjoys helps her get to that point, then he will happily do it! So when she asks him to drop by with a paint sealer, he's very eager to do so.

With his corruption gone by now, he's keen to reach out, strengthen his bonds with the people - which is another reason he wants to talk to her, thinking about the heavy tome he also has sat in his backpack. That's something he hopes to bring up a little later. As always, it's easy to find Usagi's Pink Monstrosity of a house, knocking on the door.

"Usagi? I'm here."


Closed to Luna

It was pretty inevitable that Varian would end up being trapped with chocolates eventually. He has a pretty good run of avoiding the weird drugged magic food, but even he isn't infallible. The fact there was a compulsive bent to eating the damn things meant he couldn't avoid it forever.

And so, he ended up eating a strawberry chocolate- and honestly, he was pretty grateful the worst of it was that his emotions were on show now. After the month he'd has, it might be a good thing for him to be a little more open about the entire thing. Varian's emotions are a little calmer than they have been recently, but there's still a swirl of colours as he moves- gold flecks into the occasional swish of blue. Purple streaking through as some idea for an invention pops into his head.

He's keeping his head down because he doesn't really want to attract TOO much attention to this weirdness- which means he's not really looking where he's going when he bumps into someone.

"Ooof! Sorry, that's on me I wasn't looking where-" oh, and now he sees who it is and the colours swirl, confused, unsettled. "...Oh. Hi, Luna."

Closed to Luca

Varian's been pondering about his relationships with people in the house since he found that book in the library explaining the bonding process. No, that's not true. He's been thinking about it all month. How the people closest to him saved him, brought him back from beasthood and if he didn't have those...well. He'd probably have had to have been put down. Finding the book was a godsend, honestly- and he wants to strengthen those unions he has. He doesn't want this to happen again. But he's also aware it's a big ask, and he doesn't want to put undue pressure on the people he cares about the most.

So he dithers for a while, before finally heading to Luca's room, knocking on the door.

"Luca? You in there?"

Closed to Fern- later in the month

It's been a relatively easy month for Varian, really speaking. After last month, any month could be seen as an easy one, but still. Aside from all the mess with Maul and the whole beasthood of Luca and Luz, it's been pretty good. He got to do a lot of bonds, and more importantly, he got to make a bond with the person he loves the most. Even if that bond means they're kindasorta married now. That's fine, it's not like he was planning on being with anyone else anyway. This is a long-haul thing for him.

The 'hilarious' gift from Reaper had been horrendously embarrassing, but it had given Varian plenty to think about. There was a conversation he'd wanted to have with Fern months ago- but everything went terrible and he'd been more focused on his ever-increasing corruption than on anything else. But now that things are calm and good again, he's starting to think about it again. And maybe...maybe it's time to talk about it.

So for most of the day, Fern will have gotten some nervous, unsettled feedback from Varian's mind- nothing really obvious, it's clear Varian's trying to mentally block him out of something, while he mulls down the best way to bring it up. Eventually, he chooses when they're turning in for the night, before he gets changed into his pyjamas- knowing if he made a grab for them Fern would turn around to give him privacy because he's good and decent like that.

"Hey...Fern? I um- I wanna talk about something."


[[OOC: If you want a closed prompt with Varian this month, give me a holler on teeff or PM me and we can do a thing! Will match style always!]]

Comments

[laminae]

With the new month has come a change in Fern's mindset as well. After what happened in January he feels like he's been on an upswing, which certainly isn't a bad thing, and while he's appreciative of the extra attention he's suddenly getting from Varian he isn't quite returning it. No, for whatever reason this month he's focused on himself, wanting to do things to make himself feel better. He's been through a lot, and it seems like a good idea to just stop and make sure he's doing alright. It isn't something he's questioning, his behaviour or Varian's, and that might be a mistake, but it simply isn't occurring to him to notice something is off.

He's hanging out on the porch today, the wood burner on full blast to keep him nice and toasty. It's chilly out, but as long as he stays near the burner he knows he won't freeze, and the fresh air is nice. He's in the middle of carving a little wooden figurine - it's a nice way to use his sword skills without being violent, so it satisfies that part of his mind - when Varian comes out. He pauses what he's doing, lowering the figurine, turning his head so he can return that kiss with one on his boyfriend's lips, a red rose blooming in his hair. "Hey. Taking a break from the lab?"

[droptheious]

Varian has noticed Fern's change, but he welcomes it really. He's glad Fern is looking after himself, he deserves that much. Certainly, he's a little disheartened his extra affection isn't returned- but the important thing here is that Fern is looking after himself. It's fine, they've had an exceptionally rough few months. He needs to relax.

He doesn't feel the warmth of the wood burner and its days like this he misses that. He remembers the toasty feeling of a crackling fire and it's a deeply pleasant memory. But now? It's just there. But now is not the time to feel sad about what he's missing out on. Not when he can dote on his boyfriend.

He gladly returns that kiss, his lips tugging up against Fern's at the sight of the rose. He presses another kiss to Fern's lips, letting it linger before finally pulling away to answer.

"Yeah, I kind of got distracted and I uh... made you something," he pulls a little box out of his back, handing it over. "And...I found something else, too. But present first!"

And nestled in the little box is a carefully crafted little metal heart, made to look like its adorned with flower petals. Varian shifts, blushing a little more- hoping it goes over well.

"You- uh, you can put things in it. For safekeeping."

[laminae]

The kissing is pretty nice, and if Varian came out here for makeouts then he really isn't going to say no. He's pretty sure the rest of the house is out right now, so it's not like anyone would walk in on them and make things awkward. And while he doesn't just grab Varian and yank him into his lap (like he might have done some other months if he was feeling particularly bold after kissing), he does scoot over so the other boy can sit.

He looks over curiously at the box, taking it. It isn't his birthday for another month, and their anniversary already passed, so this is a surprise. A welcome one, because when he opens it and sees the metal heart he lights up. "Oh wow, this must've taken you forever to make!" With a wide grin he takes it out of the box and holds it up, turning it over in his hand. "It's awesome, I love it."

He has no idea what exactly he's going to put in it but that doesn't matter right now. One thing he's certain about is that this is going straight into his backpack, or his coat pocket. Or on a chain? Or something, so that he can keep it on himself all the time.

[droptheious]

The kissing is very nice, and Varian is very tempted to just clamber into Fern's lap anyway and get right on with that makeout session regardless. It's what he wants to do, so much moreso than usual. Vaguely, he knows he should probably question this. As much as he genuinely loves his boyfriend's company and very much likes all the perks of teenage coupledom, he's usually got a better lid on it. His thoughts don't immediately swing to his boyfriend every damn second normally, but here he is. Desperately wanting to be as close to him as possible.

But he has important things to talk about and if he lets himself get sidetracked now he'll never get to talk about them. So instead, he sits down next to Fern, settling for pressing his knee (thankfully his flesh-and-blood one) against Fern's- just to have that aspect of touch there. He flushes, the lopsided grin breaking across his face when he's really, genuinely delighted by something. Glad the gift is well received.

"I'm glad you like it. I know it's not the Day of Hearts yet, but I don't trust this place not to do something crazy when the day itself is happening, so..."

[sparkknight]

[The shop keeper chuckles as they hand Klee a sparkler. Klee can't help the pout on her face. She had come in with a list of stuff to buy to make some bombs, but the shop simply patted her head. So far she'd gotten three sparklers and a few firecrackers. Yet her list remained ignored]

Nooo, Klee needs a thermal casing and ammonium nitrate.

[She looks up Varian. Oh wait she remembers him. They talked about bombs. Maybe he'd help her. Waving her list at Varian, she implores]

Hi Mister! Klee's remembers you! We talked about bombs. Umm I'm trying to get stuff to make new bombs, but Klee's only gotten these. [She shows Varian the sparklers] Can you help? Klee has new recipes that I want to try. I can show you!

[droptheious]

...Are you kidding me? You can't do anything with those.

[Wow, that's so rude. Varian started his bomb-making very young, so this feels like an affront to...well, everything. The shopkeep definitely recognises him, he does business plenty here and he shifts a little as Varian levels a glare on him. ]

Is that true? You're not giving her the supplies she needs? There a reason for that?

[The shopkeeper tries to fumble some reasons about her age, which Varian waves off with a lazy shrug.]

Well, if someone so young wouldn't be allowed to expand her skills then maybe you wouldn't want my custom, either, huh? Wouldn't that be a shame?

[sparkknight]

Yeah, Sparklers are but they're for festivals and little kids! I can't make any bombs with them.

[Mind you, she had tried when she was back home. They burned too quickly. But they gave her ideas, but were not good bomb components no matter the number or method they didn't work like she liked. So she pouted at the man who thought that she couldn't make a bombs]

Yeah, Klee's been making bombs since I was really little. Mom showed me how to make them. I've made all kinds of bombs too. You're so mean Mister!

[The shopkeeper stammered and apologized. He said there was no need. That it was all a misunderstanding! Truly no need for such drastic action. Nearly tripping over himself, he took Klee's list and went to get the supplies ]

Yay! Thank you so much Mr. Varian. You saved Klee's day and experiments! If the mister didn't give me the stuff, I'd had to go back home, got to the woods, and find my big brother house to get the supplies. Thank you. When Klee gets her stuff Klee can show you my bombs notes or my Klee's bombs!

[droptheious]

Of course, you can't. [To the storekeeper, in case he wasn't listening.] She really can't make bombs with these.

[But at least the threat seemed to get the guy moving! That's good! He turns to smile at her as the shopkeeper runs around to gather her supplies.]

Don't mention it, happy to help. And that sounds like a fair trade to me! Me and a friend of mine are going to be opening up an alchemy shop soon- you'll have WAY fewer problems getting supplies there.

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne was there. Not in the orchard though. Rather, she was above it. And her shadow crossed over Varian's face, as if in answer to his question.

There were...a lot of problems to consider, when it came to the chocolates. Doubtlessly, there would be consequences and fall out and regret. But it was hard to think of those things in the moment, as Ariadne cut a graceful arc across the sky, her long wings spread wide, like the beginning swoops of the top of a heart.

They were a deep black, touched by rainbows in the sunlight, like an oil slick. She used them as naturally as her feet when she was walking. She'd been born with them, after all. And even if it had been a while, she hadn't forgotten how to pump the air and rise up into the sky.

There was something freeing about flying. Something she'd missed. She didn't like to say that she had regrets. She'd made the right choice to trade in her wings for a life as a Human. Still, it would be completely dishonest to say she didn't miss the freedom of flight.

Toes pointed, she carved a path around the perimeter of her orchard, slowly bringing herself down to greet Varian. Her landing was soft, a shallow squat before she jumped up and ran over to him. "Varian!"

[droptheious]

For a brief panicked second, the shadow crossing over him makes him jump. Just in case this world has sent something to try to kill him from the sky- always a possibility, in all honestly. But luckily, winged death ISN'T upon him, it's Ariadne! And those wings are incredible! He remembers her telling him about it and here she is - with them on display. He wonders briefly how she got them back, but realises that doesn't matter- not right now, not while his friend is clearly so delighted with this. It makes her happy- that's what counts right now.

"Well, hey you," he grins, stepping closer, peering at them. "Did you cut your hair? There's something different about you."

[demonicbeauty]

"Don't joke!" she said, giving him a wet noodle shove. Actually, the idea of cutting her hair was terrifying. When she was a little girl, hunters got a hold of her brother Lief and shaved his head. He'd left him for dead and it had taken them days to find him, shivering and cold and afraid, lost in the forest.

Alastrians were very protective of their hair. Ariadne more so than most.

But she was too happy to take the comment too seriously.

Instead, she stepped back, turning a pirouette on her tip toes, spreading her wings out as wide as possible. "Aren't they amazing?" she asked, spotting her head. "This is what I would have looked like, if I'd grown up among my people!"

[droptheious]

Their wet noodle-ness combined means that he definitely stumbles a little, chuckling happily, a grin crossing his face. Were he aware of all that he might not have made the joke, but as is, it's just happy banter aimed at a friend.

"They really are."

He genuinely means that too, not hiding the awe in his voice.

"They're really beautiful, I'm glad you're getting the chance to experience them," it's a shame they can't make them permenant. "Hmm, I wonder if I could figure out a way to replicate the chocolates so you could have them anytime you wanted."

[creidim]

It was all too easy to be tempted by a mysterious creature offering chocolates, the allure of sugary treats is a strong one for a dessert fiend for someone like Luna. And despite all her own magic, someone might as well have coaxed her in with a love potion. A chocolate for a droplet of blood? Oh, why not.

She'd gone for a strawberry chocolate too. And for the most part, she's really just quite amused to how the colours that curl around her and shift depending on how she feels. She's often walking about with a soft peaceful green, a pleasant smell of fresh grass and spring flowers following her wherever she goes when she's happy. The green slips into turquoise when she's home with Peter — the scent of her shifting to a more dusky floral scent with something vanilla-sweet with her calm.

But of all of that swiftly changes when a certain someone bumps into her; the green shifts into a murky grey, a faintly dark smoky smell to her — like the warning of a forest fire far away. Luna inhales as she straightens herself out, staring at Varian for a long moment — oh, he's got the colour thing going on, too.

"Hello Varian." calm enough, despite the grey and smoke of uncertainty about her. "It's fine."

There's an awkward pause. She hasn't seen him since December, with her memory. But then... well, a lot's happened since then, hasn't there? With Fern dying, and Varian's... dip into Beasthood. Peter had told her. She clears her throat.

"I... see you had one of the strawberry chocolates too."

[droptheious]

Varian is much less amused by the effects. But he had learned that being open about his emotions was a better track to avoiding corruption than keeping them in. But this is a little...excessive, even for him. His aura keeps shifting, colours blending and moving- grey definitely seems to be the main result of all of this mess. Confusion and uncertainty. He and Luna aren't against each other anymore...he doesn't think. But he's not sure they're friends again, either. He doesn't know what they are anymore.

"...Yeah, I uh...tried to avoid it as much as I could, but that chocolate guy is pretty persistent."

There's a flicker of gold at the joke, which is quickly swallowed by the grey again as he shifts his feet, a worried spike of orange starts to make an appearance- trying its darndest to cut through the grey.

"Has Maul given you any trouble? I... saw he was talking to you."

And what she was saying, before the conversation was privated away- sorry Luna, you were percieved. He's not sure how to feel about that either. That's a whole damn mess on top of a thousand other messes and he's about done trying to juggle all the chaos.

[creidim]

"I'm quite sure there's some sort of persuasion charm to him." Some kind of magic of this place. He was very persuasive. But still: this is... terribly very awkward. Even if Luna tries to keep a neutral expression for the sake of a... somewhat pleasant conversation, there's no denying the fact they're both giving themselves away emotionally. This is.... awful.

But talking about Maul is far better than addressing the whole... aura thing they have going on right now. That's something, at least.

"Talking makes it seem quite civil." It was far from it, really. "But considering he publicly threatened me and then told me he's set on revenge — he's not made any move against me yet."

Although she's not entirely sure why. When Maul wants something, he seems dead set on achieving it. There's a sickly yellow creeping in amongst the grey; it's an awful way for her to exist, not knowing when he's going to come for her. But she's not worried about herself. She's far more worried about the others, Peter especially.

"I would like to think something maybe got through to him, but I don't know." she exhales softly. This... really is a mess. "I'll tell you the same thing I told Usagi. I know he's your friend, and I'm not going to go looking for a fight. But if he does come for me, I'm not holding back."

[droptheious]

"That would make sense- he got a lot of people, usually many more of us escape this sort of mess."

This is really awful. Varian does tend to keep his heart on his sleeve but at the same time, he likes being able to be a little less obvious than this. Maul is a better subject, even if it's making his aura go darker and darker, like a storm rolling in from the sea.

"Good, I'm glad he hasn't been that monumentally stupid yet. I thought he was past threatening people who were just trying to protect others."

So it's clear he doesn't blame her on this, he's so angry and hurt over this and it's people like her and John who are getting the kickback now. Because they tried to do something to stop Maul from hurting people. He's not super comfortable with the idea of a curse, but equally, he's less touchy about it than Fern is. Sometimes you have to do bad things to stop worse things from happening. He grimaces, the dark aura getting sharp notes of sorrow in it, a few swirls of green guilt.

"Nothing has worked with him, I think he's being obstinate on purpose now, and I don't think I'd call him a friend anymore, honestly. I...I don't know what he is anymore," ironically echoing words Rapunzel had said about him once upon a time. "I don't expect you to hold back, you need to protect yourself. Whatever happens, he's dug that hole on his own and he can deal with it on his own."

[lightthedarkness]

Usagi was spray painting some furniture outside, but as she was doing a large surface, even though she was doing it outside, she didn't want to risk breathing anything in... unfortunately, that meant wearing the ONLY mask she had left from Deerington: the gas mask.

With her art apron on covered in little moons, rabbits, and stars, she heard the door and, forgetting she was wearing the gas mask, answered the door.

"Varian, hi!" she exclaimed, looking like the old Deerington citizens. She realized suddenly she had the mask on and lifted it up. "Oh, uh, sorry! Here come on in! Thank you again for making me a sealer! I looked everywhere for one. These paint cans are actually left over from Deerington."

[droptheious]

You know, a person really doesn't expect someone to show up at their door with a terrifying mask on their faces. Maybe this was karma coming back to get him, years late, after he did the same to Cass and Rapunzel when they first arrived at his lab. Regardless, the karma works very well as Varian screeches, flailing backwards.

Oh. And then the mask lifts and it's Usagi. It's great he's fine.

"Hah-HAH. Nooooo problemo," he's just gonna...smooth out his vest, pretending nothing happened. "I've always got a lot of spare stuff hanging around. It was easy to put together."

[lightthedarkness]

The smoothing out the vest will have been in vain because she pulls Varian into a hug, squeezing him tight and lifting him off the ground.

"You're the best, you know that! Here, come inside! Shoes off!" she said as she pulled the mask off completely and hooked it to her apron ribbon tie.

"We can see how the sealer works since the furniture should be dry now. Oh! Do will I be able to have this as just a bottle? Cause I've got lotsa little stuff too I need sealer for."

[schoolingfish]

Luca had been in his room studying for one of the classes he'd signed up for in the Gaze when he hears Varian knocking. Always eager to spend time with his found family in the Trench, Luca perks up and sets the book aside.

"Yeah, I'm in here. Come in!"

[droptheious]

Varian enters, trying his best to look not nervous about this entire thing. He was very lucky to have found himself a family here in this city, but his self-worth wasn't fantastic, he always felt a little...unworthy of them all. It's something he's trying to work on, but the feeling still lingers, especially at times like this.

"You uh...doing okay in here?"

Stalling? Maybe a little.

[schoolingfish]

"Yeah, I'm doing fine. Just studying. Why? Is something wrong?"

Should he not be okay?

[laminae]

Thanks to their new bond, Fern noticed right away something was off. He doesn't broach the subject immediately though, he wants to give Varian some time to think and decide what to do first before nosing into something that's potentially very personal. Still, with the corruption that happened over the last few months he's nervous, and spends the whole day being nervous, despite his best attempts not to. He can't help it, he doesn't want whatever this is to possibly be another downward spiral for Varian.

That feeling doesn't dissipate, even as they're getting ready for bed. He's been trying to keep his head calm for both their sakes, but now that they're winding down for the night he can't help the fearful, insecure thoughts that bubble up in his mind. He's pulling his pajamas out of the closet when Varian speaks up, and glances over quickly. "Oh - uh, yeah?"

[droptheious]

He's been aware of Fern's concern about this- it's hard to miss. He definitely doesn't regret doing their bond in the least- this is proof that it's definitely doing the job it needs to do. As guilty as knowing he's made Fern worry makes him feel. He raises his hands in mock surrender, movements slow and calm.

"I promise it's- it's not a bad thing."

He feels it's important he establishes that first and foremost. He doesn't want Fern to worry any more than he has already. He wants him to understand this is a positive step forward, scary as it is.

"It's um... something I wanted to talk to you about for a while. But the last few months have been awful and then the corruption happened and I just...didn't get the chance. But then Reaper's stupid present made me think about it again-"

He trails off, blushing. Oh god, oh no, this was the worst way to lead into this. His hands wave a little more frantically.

"Okay! Um, not- not exactly that ha...ha," oh this is going great already. "Um- I meant more about...stuff we already talked about. With uh- being comfortable about my scars and...stuff."

[laminae]

"Okay..." Not a bad thing. Sorry Varian, but Fern repeats that like a mantra in his head a few times, just to make sure it sticks. He loves and trusts Varian, and he loves and trusts him when he says this isn't a bad thing.

He also blushes very deeply at Reaper's gift. Yeah, that was... the worst ever. He resists the urge to get up and walk outside and start digging a hole to live in forever, only looking visibly relieved when Varian assures he isn't talking about that, exactly. Because that is a whole lot, and not something he's considered.

"Oh!" Thank Glob, scars are far easier to talk about. Not - easier-easier, but better than - ugh, he shakes his head to try and clear it. "Um, right. Cool!" He says, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm here to talk and - listen. For as long as you want."