paradisalost | Nepeta: Surprise your moirail.

Entry tags:

Nepeta: Surprise your moirail.

Who:

equestrian_envy
What: A surprise visit to the Dead Zone
When: Thursday evening/night
Where: The north outpost
Rating: Safe :33

Nepeta had planned for this day for weeks, and with everything set into place, she knew it was time to show Equius just what the Dead Zone was.

Knowing technology wouldn't work once they crossed the border, Nepeta had packed a backpack full of things that she wanted to bring along for their adventure. She had emptied out her sylladex (not wanting to risk the possibility of losing her precious belongings) and left them stowed away in her room, and brought only the necessities and perhaps a few extra items for the trip. She wasn't sure how long they would stay. They did have to return in time for Aradia's FLARP session, after all. But with the teleporter's ease of use and access, it would be easy to visit as many times as they wanted to.

She had called Equius down to meet with her in the basement where the teleporter was located. While she waited, she anxiously bobbed on her heels and allowed hands to wring that blue tail of hers. She was really excited to get this trip going, and it was more than obvious.

After waiting so long to make sure everything would go just as planned, she couldn't wait a second longer. They were doing this. They were making it happen.

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It did not take him long to comply to her order. He too packed a small amount, having been advised, though he was unsure as to what exactly was happening here. Equius did not mind surprises if they were from Nepeta, he was quite used to them, but this felt a bit different. Normally her surprises did not come with so much build up. Though, it was nice she would do something like this for him, he was truly lucky to have such a moirail as her.

Nepeta, there she stood bouncing in place. How ridiculous. He made his way to her no smile, no expression, meaning he was indeed, in a good mood. Lucky for her. With everything he was dealing with feelings wise, he probably should not be so okay, but, alone time with his moirail was looked up to, as it should be.

"Your move Leijon," he said with a monotone voice, he eyed her backpack, then the teleporter, then her face, trying to figure this out. He had never been told of the teleporters to the Dead Zone, so there was no way to really connect the dots in this situation.

Finally! When she saw him, her face lit up immensely, and the bobbing on her heels only increased. Everything was in place and she could finally get this show on the road.

"Yes sir!" She gave him a smart and yet somehow silly salute, her log sleeve flapping about as she did so. He might not have given many clues with regard to his mood, but she knew him well enough to know he wasn't just going along with this. She could sense his curiosity behind that ever-stoic expression of his.

As soon as he was within reach, a gloved hand latched onto his wrist and she tugged him toward the teleporter.

"Okay. This device is going to take us somewhere, okay? It needs a password that I have, so we can use it any time we want. And it's okay, I already tested it out. It is perfectly safe!"

A forced sigh leaves his lips as he snarls at her. That salute, was ridiculous. That word comes up a lot as a result of their interactions. Ridiculous, silly, dumb, so very many words to describe the things that she does. Though, most of these could be described as 'cute', but he's not going to say that. That would be silly of him.

He jumped slightly to her latching to him, he always did, Equius didn't ever think he was going to be used to contact, not even from her. It was just not something he could get used to. Contact meant a potential of hurting someone or something, and in a lot of cases, infact, most, that was not a plan. He let her grab to him, no shaking away, and grumbled as she pulled at him.

"Somewhere? What is this foolishness Nepeta, where are we going?"

She waited until they were in position, finger looming over the button before answering. It wasn't that she doubted his trust in her, she just wanted to make extra certain he wouldn't get away even if he tried.

She bit her lip a little excitedly, looking up at him. "We're going to the northern outpost!" Innocent sounding enough. "Where we will be just a brisk little walk away from the Dead Zone."

And with that, she pressed the button. They disappeared from the castle's basement and reappeared in the outpost in an instant.

"The Dead Z-!" A blink, then, they were somewhere else? He looked around quickly, teeth clenched, not exactly knowing what to expect. He looked around with a perplexed expression and then glanced to Nepeta, still pretty confused. But no problem, it did not matter if this was a dangerous place or not, he and she would be fine, Equius would make sure of that, as he should.

"For what reason are we going there? The Dead Zone I mean. Explain yourself," a sway of command in his voice when he spoke as he eyed his moirail, awaiting her response.

Commanding voice, bluh bluh. She pulled him off of the teleporter pad and into the first part of the outpost, not bothering to turn to look at him just yet. She didn't plan to stop walking until they had fully crossed the border.

"Well for one, it's still a surprise! So I'm not going to fully explain until we're already there. Instead, I will pose a question."

They proceeded out of the door and into the evening. The sun was beginning to set as she continued to pull him along, looking as confident as ever. Idly, the pink skies of the fading sun reminded her of the last time they had gone adventuring together, though there would be no little cubes out here.

"What do you already know about the Dead Zone? Tell me that!"

Edited 2011-05-16 02:42 (UTC)

"I have not been given that much information on that area," he said with a slightly agitated expression. He had meant to ask someone, but it never came up, or perhaps, he did not know the best person to ask? Perhaps he would put out a broad inquiry about that area when he returned. Unless, Nepeta knew a good deal? He gave her a glance, soon looking back to the direction they were heading.

"And you?"

And to that, she gave an all-too-knowing giggle, still leading him away from the outposts. They were moving at a steady pace, and she could see ahead of her the marker she had left to indicate where the Dead Zone began.

"Mmm, I know quite a bit! When I thought we were playing a new game, I did all sorts of research on the lore of Purradisa. Mostly, I wanted to know what was out in this spooky sounding Dead Zone place. It sounded way too dangerous! But then I learned why they called it that."

She let go of Equius's hand for a moment, but gave him a glance that told him to keep following her.

"It's not dead because people die, or because it's particularly scary. I guess it could be if you aren't prepared and you go too far away, but I am getting off track! It's called the Dead Zone because any sort of special powers or abilities someone normally has will go away once they cross a certain border."

They came upon and passed a small teacup left in the grass, and still Nepeta walked.

"For example. If Vriska or Aradia or even John came out this far, they wouldn't be able to fly. Vriska's vision eightfold would go away, and John wouldn't be able to do the windy thing. But only temporarily! Once they get closer to the castle again, it would all come back to them."

And then she stopped, turning to fully face him for the first time since they left the castle. She allowed the backpack to sink from her shoulder and gently placed it on the grass beside her. She looked up at him with a very soft, genuine smile.

"Or a very strong troll might lose his strength for just a little while."

Dead pan.

Probably the best way to describe his face right now. He had followed her avidly the whole way, his eyes taking in the scenery as he watched it pass, making sure to take in everything she said like a sponge, but that last comment, as he watched her turn to face him, her mouth coiling into that familiar smile. He stopped, his eyes focusing on her from behind his shades as he starred, his mouth slightly open.

..lose his strength...

Those words echoed for a moment, and at first he felt fear. Fear of what that meant, of his strength being gone. His more prominent character trait, something ever so important to him. It made so many things possible after all but... it also made a lot impossible. Which meant that he...

Equius took a step towards her, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, his visage holding a expression of confusion, very slight, but there.

"So... by meaning I..."

He started, unable to continue as he bit his lip, a hand going to the back of his neck. That meant he could... touch her? Without harming her? He wouldn't have to worry about crushing her bones, or flailing her away at a dangerous rate? This is...

Nepeta bit her lip just a bit as she smiled, if only to keep her excited and somewhat nervous giggles at bay. She'd been waiting for this moment, waiting for the right time to tell him. From the look on his face, she knew that he too realized what it all meant. She could hardly wait.

She wanted to lunge forward and leap onto him, but she didn't. That was the way she had always shown him affection. It had always been her to initiate it, and her to follow through. She never expected anything in return. It would be too hard on Equius if she ever asked him to try, and there was too much risk involved.

Standing in the Dead Zone, she didn't have to. For once, she would not make the first move. She stood there, still smiling, arms loose at her sides. Her feet wiggled out of sheer excitement, and her fingers played with the ends of her sleeves.

"It's okay now!" she said so assuredly. "You won't hurt me, I promise."

His eyes drifted to look away from her for a moment as he considered. He wouldn't...would he? But what if she was wrong? What if he hurt her, breaking her in his grip? That would be horrible, he had nightmares of it, tormenting him along side the normal nightmares trolls had during their slumber. The idea of her falling limp in his arms was terrifying, but, if she said that it was not what would happen, and if it as so widely believed then perhaps?

Equius stepped closer, feeling himself shaking as he moved to her, soon standing so close he had to look down to still see his dear moirail. She was writhing, was that in fear? No, she...she was excited, as excited as he should be right now, but all he felt was fear. Fear that he would hurt her, fear that she would stop breathing and it would be his fault.

"If you say so...Nepeta..." He managed to force out, his voice rasped as it left his lips. Equius held up his arms on either side of her, his hands out, fingers spread, an action he had never taken with anyone before, ever, within all he sweeps. For a moment he merely stood still, unable to move any further, his arms lingering on either side of her. It would be okay, this was...all right. He licked his lips and bit down as he curled forward, wrapped his arms around her and starting an embrace. He put such careful effort into the action, and realized...he needed to put more force into it to even get his arms fully around her. His face pulled an expression of surprise, realizing this. Normally Equius had to put little to no effort in anything to do even the hardest of strength related tasks, but now, he had to put more effort in.

His arms linked around her more, pulling her tighter to him and he started to feel his face heat up. Quickly Equius pushed it into her dark, unruly hair, his eyes welling up behind his glasses. Strong men don't cry, no, he wouldn't, he would just tighten his arms around her more, feeling her warmth on his chest and in his grasp, living, breathing, unharmed, he couldn't... He couldn't describe the feeling he had right now, his eyes closing tight, stopping anything from getting through.

It was better than she'd expected.

She'd received hugs before. Most of them were light and friendly, and more often than not they were in return for a hug she was giving someone else. The act was simple enough, and a small pleasant gesture of kindness and camaraderie . In short, this was what she expected, with perhaps a bit more strength behind it. Not too much, of course, but a tighter embrace than most hugs she'd received.

When Equius's arms wrapped around her, her breath hitched very softly. She knew better than to be afraid, but it was habit for her to be apprehensive. She did her best to push the feeling away. Then, his arms came around her. They tightened. They tightened still and instantly she was wrapped in a warmth like nothing she'd felt before. It was more than a hug, that much was certain, and her hands came up to the arms around her and gently held them in place.

She felt the familiar beat of his heart as she leaned against his chest, but it was the warmth of his arms that made her smile widen. She felt so safe in them. Nepeta always knew she would. She allowed her eyes to close and remained perfectly still. The only movement on her part came from fingers tightening around his arms and the slow rise and fall of her chest. She allowed him to rest his own head atop hers with no arguments whatsoever.

They stayed that way, and Nepeta realized she was losing track of time. She didn't know if they'd been standing there for minutes or hours before she finally turned her head enough to speak. There was no way she was going to end this moment, and she allowed him to continue to hold her for as long as he wished.

"I've felt a lot of hugs before," she said, face nuzzling against his chest. "Yours is by far the best one ever."

"And that is all you deserve," he replied, his voice muffled from holding back tears and from her hair covering him from showing it. He nuzzled closer, breathing deep to try and calm himself down, but no, his stern facade would not return to him in this situation and he felt his body get near limp as he held her, feeling tears run down his face as he hugged her, he hugged her. He hugged someone period, that in itself was something, and for it to first be his moirail was ...wonderful.

"The best..." He sighed, feeling himself choke a little, tears more generously flowing down his cheeks now. Who cared...it didn't matter, he didn't care if Nepeta saw him cry, if she saw him get flustered, listening to him say things he should be ever so embarrassed to say. he just wanted this to always be possible. But, he knew it wasn't.

Was it obvious to her? How much it bothered him that he could not hug her back? Or rather, do anything with her, instead of her with him? He always had to put so much concentration in anything he did, especially anything concerning people, or anything he could actually hurt. Only when working with his robotics could he stop thinking about how much force he put in what he was doing. But no, only now, in this place, could he actually partake in something so... important.

Sorry Nepeta, he wasn't going to let go right now, he couldn't, it was as if he was frozen in place, unable to move an inch from this perfect place. He didn't want to have to leave, he was okay with not having his strength. He'd gladly trade it for this feeling.

Edited 2011-05-16 09:00 (UTC)

Nepeta was content with allowing him as long as he liked. The sun would likely set around them, but it didn't matter. It could set and rise again for all she cared. She had found something that she just knew would make Equius happy. There was a sense of pride that came with it, of course, but it was nothing compared to being able to be on the receiving end of his affections for once.

She knew he was crying. With her head resting on his chest she could hear the change in breathing. She could hear the tiny hiccups, feel the occasional quick rise and fall of his chest, and the deep breaths he took to try and stop himself at first. She let go of his arms only to wrap them around his torso and squeeze tightly. It was enough to almost make her cry, as silly as that was, but she didn't because he would notice and start to fuss over her instead of enjoy himself. She just squeezed tighter and tighter.

There was more that she wished to show him. She had so much planned, and many things packed away in that silly backpack of hers. They could certainly wait, even if she was rather excited to let him try a few things. They would definitely have to do this again.

"We should come here more often. We can make a place out here just for us to sneak off to when we feel like it. It doesn't have to be anything special. We can even stay in the outpost when we want! Just so you know that this doesn't have to be a one time thing."

He had a horrible sense of time. He'd lose it quite easily when he was working, and something like this only seemed to take advantage of this fault. After a while, Equius managed to calm himself down and quickly moved a hand up to removed his shades, wiping his eyes and face with the back of his hand and wrist. Right had his grip loosened from her he wished to tighten it again, but, he couldn't drag this on too much longer, especially now knowing they could come here more often. It was as if a gift from mother grub that they could.

"Yes.." He stopped, his voice cracking slightly, he swallowed, clearing it with a slight blue powdering his cheeks.

"Yes, I would like that. That sounds excellent..." A small smile drifted over his face as he stepped back from her, still shaking slightly from crying. Equius was putting all his might into not allowing those tears to roll down his face again.

"Then we will. It will be just for the two of us, and we can do anything that we want. Which reminds me!"

She crouched herself down low beside the almost forgotten backpack, unzipping it unceremoniously. Hugging was definitely on the list of things to do, but so were some other things guaranteed to make him smile. For as much joy as she was getting from this trip, it was really all about him. She was going to make sure he knew that.

From the backpack she pulled out a metal thermos that was still cold to the touch. She glanced over her shoulder, waving him over to where she was as she set the thermos aside and continued to dig carefully through it for something in particular. It was tricky packing it away without breaking it herself, leaving her to rather creatively wrap it. Soon enough she found what she was looking for, pulling away at scrap pieces of paper and tape to reveal a small drinking glass.

With a ginger touch, she placed the glass onto the grass in front of her and reached for the thermos. As she unscrewed the lid, she finally let another giggle loose. This was one of the first ideas that had popped into her head. From the thermos she poured cold milk into the glass, filling it nearly to the brim.

"After all that crying, you need something to drink." She carefully lifted the glass and extended it toward Equius. "So I made sure to bring your favorite!"

He almost felt like crying again while watching this. Oh Nepeta, you treat him too well, you really do, the others probably thought you mad for this. Equius moved to her and sat down on his knees, the grass rather comforting to sit upon, his eyes watching her every move. Equius bit his lip, seeing her pour the milk into the glass and he furrowed his eyebrows, worry that the same would merely happen again, just as it always did. The troll's reluctance caused his hand to shake slightly and he sighed, soon calming himself, a hand grabbing the glass, his mind already having the word on his tongue for when the glass broke.

But.

Nothing, there was no shatter, not slight pain of glass cutting his hand, to splash as the liquid fell from where it was once in the cup. He paused, merely starring at his hand in awe, unable to actually drink it.

"Oh, I..." He starts and then slowly puts the cup to his mouth, drinking from it. Such and easy task one would think, but, such an easy one Equius has barely ever managed by himself, and along with that delicious beverage came that delicious feeling of triumph and he finished it and couldn't help the small smile on his face as he put the cup down and wiped his mouth.

Right before he actually wiped his mouth, Nepeta's hand shot forward, and she stopped him before he could wipe the milk away. Her eyes were wide and she smiled a rather toothy grin.

"Wait, wait!" She pulled his hand away, and was a little surprised to find that it was a rather easy task now. Another small victory for her... on top of seeing the small milk mustache that lined his upper lip. It was just so silly and lighthearted, a total contrast from the image he always tried to put forth. She hated to see him wipe it away.

"I must say, Mr. Zahhak, you look quite distinguished with your mustache!" She giggled lightly, taking the glass from where he had set it down and pouring the last of the milk into the glass for herself. She put up a finger as if to ask him to wait while she took a drink of it herself.

"And now we are distinguised moirails," she said, gesturing to where the milk remained on her own lip.

Color him surprised, he watched as she easily stopped him and even pried away his hand from his face. Okay, that was a bit scary, how easy that seemed for her now. He merely starred at her for a moment, unable to really react to that. Just...wow, that had never happened before, today was full of so many firsts, good firsts, but, that one was a little intimidating. After all, what...what was he without his strength? Just a person to be disliked really, he knew that, it wasn't a surprise to him how the other's felt.

"I...ugh, really Nepeta, well I never..." You never Equius? You should have guessed she would pull roleplaying into this, she always did when you both were alone, it was a given. And as much as you hated roleplaying, you couldn't help but think how adorable she was when she did it, even if it was foolish..and...and stupid. There really was no need to ruin such a perfect moment such as this. Equius frowned, the sneer on his mouth most likely made the milk mustache look even sillier, but he did not wipe it away. it after all, made her happy, and mother glub be damned if he did not like her happy.

"Yes..."

"We are distinguished moirails," he said, his words sounding rather frank, and a tad sarcastic as they left his black lips. Equius furrowed his eyebrows slightly, a sigh leaving his mouth as he moved his legs to sit cross legged now.

She, of course, simply laughed at this and licked the milk from her upper lip. He was getting so emotional about everything that she'd felt the need to lighten the mood a bit. That, and his mustache looked so silly. She almost wished that she had some sort of camera with her that would work so far away from the castle.

"Oh, go ahead and wipe it away like I know you want to," she said, sticking out her tongue at him. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small handkerchief and handed it to him. "Here, you can use this! It's a little more delicate than a towel but at least you can be careful with it!"

She turned toward her backpack, fishing around inside. What should she show him next? A few items spilled out from it as she rummaged inside of it. A small ball rolled a short distance away, and something small and made of paper unfolded to reveal various colors and what appeared to be phrases. At first glance, it looked like she had thrown whatever she could find into the bag, but she'd had something in mind for each item. Just in case they ran out of other ideas.

"Oh, but don't make me force you to do anything! If you want to do something, just tell me, okay?"

He quickly wipes the silliness from his distinguished visage and looks at her with a slightly agitated look. It a caring, loving agitation, but agitation none the less. So it being Nepeta's moirail though. He hobbies are fairly embarrassing, and even if can tend to be an exceedingly large amount of adorable, it is silly, foolish adorable.

He watches as she rummages through her backpack. A grimace flows over his face as he sees the various things fall from the bag, so disorganized. He dreamed of a day that she would clean herself up and show some nobility. But, she was of a lower caste, and with that of course he could not expect much. As long as he was there as a role model.

He was really so luck himself, wasn't he...

"The distinguished..." Come on Equius, you can do it.

"The distinguished gentleman Zahhak thanks the Lady Leijon for such an outing." The words leave as reluctantly as they can, but, he manages. A lowcaste. A silly roll who uses cat puns. His moirail. Deserves the best, no doesn't she? Let's just hope no one besides her ever ever ever sees what they do in their alone time. That truly would be... horrible.

She had still been fishing around in her backpack when she spoke, but his words made her pause in her search. She could hear the effort in his tone, but he'd said it, hadn't he? She smiles to herself as she replaces the items in her bag, unsuccessful in her findings.

At that, she clambered to her feet and stood before Equius, looking down at where he sat. With as much grace as she could muster, her hands took the ends of her coat and she held them out, legs crossing and knees bending in a courtesy. It was far less awkward than she had expected it to be.

"The Lady Leijon says that she would be more than happy to plan such outings for the distinguished Mr. Zahhak any time. He only needs to announce that he wants to. And then she will comply."

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Nepeta: Surprise your moirail.

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/sad saps begin

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