for clearly, it is impossible to touch eternity with one hand and life with the other.

I kept my melancholy and my agitation hidden, careful lest any trace should be left exposed.

Was it.... Really that obvious that the two of them were on the mend? What was originally a selfiah necessity turned into quiet acceptance and a truce, but a part of him hadn't realized- at first- when it turned friendlier. He still couldn't fully make sense of it now. "That— That's only due to +

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 10h ago

( her smile was answer enough, and himeko stepped closer upon reflex. ) given that answer, i suppose i don't. you two have gotten quite close lately, i've noticed... ( of course she had; she paid attention. )

He.... Hated this. Or, at least, he hated the mix of feelings he's getting from this conversation— Dan Heng is fully aware of his emotional shortcomings. ".... I'm sure you don't need to ask at all." Was it childish to mimic back to her her own words? Maybe. But it was all he could do right now.

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 10h ago

. . . you're smart enough that i'm sure you don't need to ask at all. ( at least now her gaze softened; the signs were abundantly clear, even if himeko herself hadn't exactly been in a situation like this before now. ) does it... involve blade, by chance?

Unfortunately, he's hyperaware of that stare. And it only seemed to further the awkward flustee he had— "I fear to ask what you're trying to imply with that, just so you know."

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 11h ago

the reason i ask is because situations of that nature, they're usually caused by... ( she cleared her throat, her gaze focusing on the way his ears moved. ) --certain stimuli.

"................ I don't see how who's accompanying me in the moment has correlation to how I'm feeling—" As for his ears, if they sank low and flushed at the tips, no they did not.

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 11h ago

i'm just trying to understand is all. now, would you mind answering the question? ( ding ding, that says all it needs to. but she'll still urge out of courtesy. )

.... His face is slowly scrunching up— Nose wrinkled, lips pressed together and brows pinched. "What.... Makes you ask?"

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 11h ago

( blink blink. the dots were beginning to connect... ) . . . does this happen around a certain individual specifically?

Shrugs. "As in high emotion— Stress inducing. Slight elevation in adrenaline.... Things such as that."

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 11h ago

in... certain situations? what kinds of situations exactly? ( suspicion was growing... did he mean..? )

Soft, semi-pleased hum. He's not fully content with that answer, but he won't press for now. "It's.... Been an odd combo of things, I just think I might be a little too warm recently. It flairs on occasion, when I'm finding myself in certain situations."

"I only ask because of how I last saw you.... Does this mean you were able to rest?"

She'd be right about that. Dan Heng will probably look into it later, make sure all is right on the Express. ".... Okay. Are you doing alright?"

"Is it something I need to look into?"

".... What—?"

"Ah— Himeko, hi."

"Hungry—?"

"........ What."

x.com/i/status/208...

Staring down at @rebornclouds.bsky.social, eyes narrowed and frowning deeply. "我们得谈谈."

He wasn't sure what to do. For once, the shorter was at a loss, staring up to Blade and eyes widening slightly as he had shifted only to hit a wall— Both metaphorically and quite literally. Instinctively, a hand had raised up to press against the center of the other's chest to at least create +

―― 刃@tempered-blade.bsky.social · 2d ago

This wasn't about the coat anymore, and more about Dan Heng's lost composure. As quickly as Dan Heng retroceded, he leaned more and more into him, to the point of cornering him into a wall. His hand rested near Dan Heng's head. "No need to be so nervous, if it wasn't you..." »

And it's why he asks questions when it comes yo March's whims. So he has a better idea of what he's getting into and, alternatively, to help her form the idea she had a bit further. With a gentle- somewhat amused- sigh from through his nose, his shoulders sank down. Attention going between the +

𝖲𝗁𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗎𝗀!@glacialcharmer.bsky.social · 2d ago

"well, you don't have to rush around, but i was kinda thinking now would be a good time-" as usual, she only slightly thought it through; march had taken one look at the sun along the horizon and just knew she needed to take some pictures. leave it to her to go a little overboard withot a plan.

Ah. He's not sure he wants to hear the rest of that question confirmed. It wasn't hard to piece it together, that she's been out for for some time, and was exhausted because of it. "Seems that we all are struggling with sleep in turns. Hm?" Glances at the table, noting the mug and reaching out to +

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 2d ago

"when-" what a silly way to begin a question; she remembered when it happened, and bringing that up wouldn't make it better. ". . . i suppose you're right. i just couldn't seem to get comfortable in bed, for some reason... so, i came to make some coffee, and-" the rest is history...

.... Blinks? A little surprised, Dan Heng slowly opened and closed his mouth- almost awkward with how he was thinking over her request. It's not the first time she's asked this, but he just wasn't expecting it this time. Lips pursing then finally speaking up. "Are you.... Meaning right now? It's +

𝖲𝗁𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗎𝗀!@glacialcharmer.bsky.social · 2d ago

bright eyes immediately seemed to warm the second the door opened, march practically bouncing in her spot at his remark. she was always like this after a "nap", so filled with energy, she could likely fuel the express on her own. "welllll i was thinking about doing a photoshoot! and i couldn't

𝄞: Dan Heng being a lowkey certified crashout will always be my favorite thing

".... You attacked both Caelus and I in your attempts of not freeing her. And cause issues when you appear. Your assistance wouldn't be necessary for something that can be solved easily without you."

"You're job tends to make her life a little more complicated, frankly."

"If you're caught then just contact me. I'll handle it from there. Not Evernight."

"You fell asleep in the parlor car." Leave it to him to point it out, but it was more about being clear as to why he's doing this. Hand still on her shoulder, lips pressing together as he slowly- reluctantly- let go. "You should rest in bed. You'll need it if you're wanting to visit the beaches."

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 2d ago

the slight movement was just enough to momentarily jostle her, lashes fluttering open slowly. "mm..? ah, dan heng, i didn't realize you were here..." of course she didn't, she was asleep-

"Yes, but just don't get caught."

Admittedly, he was surprised it took this long into the morning for someone to come find him. He's been hiding in the archives for a few days now- purposely avoiding the more public cars purely out of his own spite. At first, he didn't get up— Until he hard March. Sighing a bit as he stood and +

𝖲𝗁𝗎𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗎𝗀!@glacialcharmer.bsky.social · 2d ago

march had been mulling over approaching @hymnusnubis.bsky.social for a possible photo session for literal weeks now, and when she was finally done with her (evernight-induced-coma)nap, the timing felt absolutely perfect. so the bright eyed and bushy tailed female trotted along along to the archive

He's just.... Going to gently nudge her. Leaning down a bit so that he could try seeing her properly. "Himeko-?"

𝖭𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋.@blazingstrider.bsky.social · 2d ago

currently sitting at one of the booths in the parlor car, face down against the table. to any keen eyed individual, it might look like she's asleep (that's because she is).