inbox.

[shaft]

one day i too will be a beautiful inbox

Comments

[hildahilda]

[ they are chillin' in their run-down apartment, five feet apart because they're gen. (no actually she is reading over claude's shoulder as he stalks the network, because she hasn't been bothered to figure out the tech herself yet.) ]

..."Claudia"? Really?

[shaft]

[ There are probably other, more important things that they should be doing, but Claude can't help but find Constance's indomitable spirit somewhat charming. ]

It's the name of one of my ancestors.

[ He looks back at her with a grin that gives away exactly how clever he thinks he is. ]

I'm showing respect.

text, un: annette

[overannchiever]

asl

[ contrary to popular belief, this is somehow a buttdial and not a booty call ]

[shaft]

[ tf is "asl"? ]

And to you as well.

( TEXT. ) un: deathpacito

[occulti]

_{[ A misfire?? Or is it? ]}

you know life is full of regrets but sometimes you just gotta move along move along
for me i'm not sure if the biggest one eveeeeeeeerrrrrrr was when i used crazy glue to try and stick my nostrils together or when i got caught pissing in a cop's gas tank

but sometimes u just gotta
pick up the legos
start over

and build
i don't know
a spaceship or something

[shaft]

[ There's a lot that Claude can't quite parse in this message: crazy glue, cop, legos. But he thinks he gets the gist of it.

Adjusts glasses. ]

Tell me about it.

But I want you to consider... is building a spaceship starting over, or is it running away?

text | un: percival

[walthari]

Are you one for outdoor activity?
A mountainous area has uncovered itself and I'm told there are medicinal herbs and fruits to be gathered.

[ Come hang out with him Claude ... Oh wait, he needs to give his tsundere justification. ] ... I am only asking you this because it could be beneficial for us both to survey the area together. [ Nailed it. ]

[shaft]

[ It's his good friend, Percival! ]

I was actually planning to head up there. [ But not for medicine... ] My wyvern could use the exercise too. I can give you a lift.

Though I have to admit, I didn't picture you as a medicine man.

( TEXT. ) un: deathpacito | 09/17

[occulti]

hey cutie patootie
if you're feeling hungry i'm all ready to cook for you
just let me know what time is best for you

xoxo
- klaus with a k

[shaft]

[ Can't say he doesn't like being called cutie patootie 🥰 ]

Ah, my dear Klaus, the hour is finally upon us.

I eagerly await your arrival at the 11th hour...

[ He needs you wait until Hilda leaves so she doesn't take any of his food. ]

text; ✨💩

[poopio]

Good evening.
Please do not be alarmed.
I have come with friendly intent.

I have noticed your wyvern grazing about outdoors and
was wondering what sort of foods it eats.
I do not wish to feed it something that may cause it harm or illness.

[shaft]

[ Turdman... ]

Caught your eye, has she?

Before you embark on feeding her, you should tell me if you're prepared to lose any fingers.

[silky_bearing]

[It's fitting isn't it? That this... introspection comes as Horsebow Moon draws to an end. He hesitates for days but in the end, on the very last day of the month, Claude will find a letter awaiting him in the morning. The writing familiar and dramatic, the paper sealed not with wax (where would he get any?) but a delicate makeshift adhesive from some of the various plants they've been collecting... and a couple fragile petals of lavender. Of course. If he can't use his rose seal then he must find another way to incorporate flowers.

And Lorenz conveniently makes himself scarce the rest of the day.]

[shaft]

[ When Claude first sees the letter, his instinct is to roll his eyes, assuming that it's some sort of invitation for tea, because of course Lorenz would send a letter instead of using the new technology they have at their fingertips (which Claude is quite enjoying). Except, when he gives it a second glance, he suspects that Lorenz would use a firmer card stock to issue invitations, and not letter writing paper, so even though he intends to sort through their meagre supplies for lunch, his curiosity drives him to pick up the letter and and settle on the couch.

He should be glad, he supposes, that he's sitting down.

At first, he feels like he's missed something incredibly important. Lorenz is his friend, he can admit that much, but maybe Claude isn't as good at understanding friendship as he thought. (And he doesn't really think he can be blamed for that.) He trusts Lorenz with his life, and he's forever grateful for the faith and acceptance that he's received despite his unorthodox plans and his even more unusual visions for the future. They were incredibly different people with different backgrounds, but they had come together, bonds forged and made stronger by all they'd weathered.

And still, Lorenz' words catch him off guard. As if he wouldn't expect him to have any interest in Claude beyond what he could offer to the Alliance and Fódlan.

Evidently, he still has a lot to learn about relationships. And he hasn't even gotten to the actual proposal.

He sets the letter away in a place where Hilda won't go nosing, and allows himself some time to think about it. Even if he's committed to doing what he can to help both Hilda and Lorenz survive their time here, it's not as simple as agreeing to the request when he doesn't know what murky thing it might turn their friendship into. It's... difficult for him to be intimidate with someone who actually knows him.

Eventually, he can't bear the silence between them any longer, and he finds himself wandering toward Lorenz' apartment, knocking softly on the door. ]

Lorenz?

un: gesangvoll

[improvise]

[ since you asked for it, and since the bracelets are probably waterproof, claude is sent a picture of klavier chest-deep in the hot springs, hair pulled into a bun, tilting his head and smiling for the camera. he's leaning an elbow behind him, a bed of rocks supporting his back, and he's giving a little peace sign, unfortunately.

it's been a while since they were in contact. maybe claude was drunk enough to forget what they'd talked about at the bar.

he sends it along with a message: ]

Did you find the hot springs?

1/2

[shaft]

[ Fucking... Sometimes, for Claude's own sanity, he wishes that Klavier wasn't quite as aware of just how attractive he is.

He's definitely not thinking about their last encounter now. At least, not the conversation part of it. ]

I'm torn between actually answering you and just commenting on that picture.

Just as you planned, I imagine.

[shaft]

I can't stop admiring your nipples, so that's a new fetish for me.

[silky_bearing]

[Getting his apartment in better order worked as a distraction from... everything that had happened. For awhile, at least. Eventually Lorenz has nothing more he can really do without assistance and that leaves him with far too much time to think himself into circles or, worse, corners. Second guessing and questioning every single thing that's happened in the last few weeks doesn't help anything though.

When he's pretty sure he's going to drive himself mad he finally tucks a marker into the book he'd been attempting to read, drapes the long floral dressing gown he'd gotten from the stupid resort over his shoulders, and slips down the hall to Claude and Hilda's apartment. He's been so busy of late he's hardly been over at all and finds himself knocking for the first time in ages. Maybe a distraction will stop him from feeling so much like he wants to crawl out of his skin.

Maybe just being around other people he knows, and more importantly knows are safe, knows where he stands with, will quiet the unsettling pit that's grown in his stomach. As long as no one minds him just inserting himself into their day to day activities. Again.]

[shaft]

[ The apartment is quiet when Lorenz knocks, with Hilda in her room chatting to someone or another and Claude settled in the kitchen setting a cup which formerly housed tea in the sink. (To wash… later.) He's fairly awake despite the hour, looking alert when he opens the door, surprised to see Lorenz on the other side.

It doesn't take a genius to sense that something is amiss almost immediately, but Claude still doesn't stop himself from making a wry comment, ] You knock now?

[ He cocks his head in a show of amusement, smiling as he steps aside to let Lorenz inside.

There's a towel around his neck that he lifts up as he follows Lorenz toward the beat up little couch that graces their apartment, rubbing it through his damp hair—evidence of a shower. (Well, "shower" is a very generous term. It's closer to bathing with a bucket.) ]

How can I help you?

i don't remember what his username is it's probably HIBIKIWATARU or something

[regale]

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[shaft]

I'm touched...

[ And incredibly impressed??? How did he... ]

time is a lie

[silky_bearing]

Apparently asking to be "stepped on" is some sort of idiom? Have you ever heard the phrase before?

[shaft]

Hmm, I've heard it used to describe putting others down for your own advancement. [ i.e. using people as stepping stones ]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone request being used that way. Except maybe Hubert to Edelgard.

[hildahilda]

[ directly from this conversation ]

So when were you going to tell me about you and Lorenz, anyway? [ ?????? ]

[shaft]

[ time for his favourite: feigning ignorance. ]

Did you only just now realize we're both here?