[ Alas, empaths are often accused of being mind readers due to how sharp their presumptions tend to be based off someone's emotional state. ]
It's a lot, I know. Most of these are from fights. I even started some of them.
[ Kaito's (perhaps surprisingly) forward with talking about those past wounds, though he pointedly does not mention the lightning scars. On closer inspection, his arms also have quite a few traces. Those gloves of his prevent checking his hands in any detail.
There might be a surprising revelation when she plants her hand down and feels around, and it's not the low hiss that slips past his lips at the touch.
He's actually knotted up all over. Nevermind the usual suspect locations after a long night spent dancing. Kaito's stiffer than a board! The worst of it definitely seems to land where she's guessed, however.
A nervous chuckle is his initial reply to her question. ]
Probably. yeah. I exercise a lot. ...And I have to defend myself a lot more.
Ahah, I'm sorry I ..didn't expect it. Then again you did tell me about some of your jobs so .. I guess they come from that..?
[ If nothing else it helps to have something else to focus on talking about, rather than thinking about how his back felt under her hands.
... She might need that drink sooner than she thought. She shook her head slightly, pausing at the hiss she barely caught. ]
O-oh! Sorry, did that hurt...?
[ Also holy HELL he's tense. Why is he so tense!? .... ....besides the obvious reason. Where does she even start, yikes. ]
I can...definitely tell you exercise a lot...
[ She took a careful, steadying breath, but seeing as he was so tense, she was extra worried. She opted to start with his lower back first - take care of the worst part first. Though her fingers trembled slightly at first, she listened carefully for signs that she might have hurt him or be nearing a particularly sore spot. ]
Do they still hurt? .. all of these scars you got from those people..
Edited (Fixing last line because I realized I brained that question wrong because she asked this previously! ..i swear i'm not drunk ) 2022-09-12 16:13 (UTC)
[ He turns his head so that she can catch a glimpse of his smile. ]
Yeah, but it's okay. I haven't had a proper massage in months. I'll reacclimate to the discomfort quickly.
[ A brief lull in his words is followed by quieter sighs. He occasionally seizes up, but as promised he quickly relaxes under her touch. At her question, he lazily shakes his head. ]
Physically? Not at all. And honestly, I've been nicked and jabbed so many times that I've forgotten where many of them came from. Only a few stick out.
[ Particularly those lightning scars, but he doesn't clarify that. ]
Ahh.. yeah it shows, you're knotted up from tension everywhere..
[ She watches him with a mix of concern and curiosity with those seizing moments, but smiles softly when he relaxes again. As long as she was helping, that was the important part. ]
Okay, just make sure you let me know if it hurts more. I'll do my best to make it comfortable, but there are some areas that are just huge knots.
[ He's just one giant knotball. She hums lightly, absently reaching over for the soju to pour herself another glass - without drinking just yet. Just in case she needs it. Or just gets thirsty. Maybe she'll slide away from the topic of his scars. ]
So.. have you always lived here? It seems like such a big place for one person. [ And again, weird that there were no neighbors all this time? ]
[ She gets a slow groan, this time, right after digging into a particularly tough bundle of knotted muscles. The reply that follows almost sounds sleepy. ]
Mmkay.
[ A beat. ]
Nope. I moved in here shortly after graduating from university. That was... six years ago? Eight? I lost track of time so easily. The rent's expensive, too. That's why I have to work multiple jobs. But I manage.
[ He groans again, and it becomes more evident that the noise is appreciative and not a pained reaction. ]
Seems like I'm not the only one bundled up, though it's muscles for me and nerves for you. Is that your third shot? [ A hand lazily lifts to point towards her glass. ]
[ She paused slightly at the groans, but smiled that he was feeling good, that was her entire goal! She was still focusing on not thinking about what she was doing in anything more than helping with a massage sense, but .. boy was that tricky. ]
You've never thought of moving to somewhere less expensive? .. I mean... of course you must like this place a LOT to put yourself through so much trouble and work to be able to pay the rent, but...
[ She trailed her hands up a little to move to his shoulders. ]
Me? No no I..
[ Oh wait. She took a shot before she started, then another one after she started, and then one just now -- ...no wonder she got chatty. ]
Oh.. I guess that -was- my third...
[ Better not drink anymore, she was only mildly buzzed and not -drunk- like when she licked him. Being a little tipsy won't get her in trouble probably so it's fiiiiine. ]
[ He probably isn't helping much with the increasingly frequent verbal feedback. Sighs and groans escape every time she digs into a particularly tight knot, and despite his usual attention to emotions, it seems like he isn't quite as aware as usual. ]
There are plenty of cheaper places, yeah... Mm... But I like this place. It's quiet. I don't have to worry about neighbors waking me up at odd hours.
[ He doesn't have to worry about neighbors at all. When she asks how he knew, he cracks a smirk and peeks up at her again. ]
I'm keeping an eye on how much you drink. If you get drunk again and start licking up and down my back, I don't think that would be very productive...
[ Oh he DEFINITELY wasn't helping, but to her credit she's doing a pretty good job (she thinks) of keeping more risque thoughts from encroaching on the conversation. For now. ... she is revisiting a few areas that she'd already worked on though and not necessarily for pure reasons. *cough* ]
Hmm, that *is* a benefit... although with as nice as this place is I'm kind of surprised there aren't any neighbors around.
[ Moving back to his tensed up shoulders because she IS trying to behave, her hands ..pause slightly at mention of "licking up and down his back". That .. she flushed a bright pink, sputtering for a moment. What a sneak! Uh.. how to respond...
1. Kaito, what a thing to say! I am shocked and apalled! 2. Ahahahahahahaha. 3. I don't think you'd mind it that much if I did though, would you? <- Selection Made. 4. How do you know that's not my end goal? ]
..I don't think you'd mind it that much if I did though, would you?
[ Then again, he might~! But...Don't think about it don't think about it don't think about it. She's.. she's gonna go back to massaging his shoulders. Though that blush was being pretty persistent. ]
[ She's making a valiant effort to keep from voicing any possibly inappropriate thoughts, yes... Alas, the fact that they're coming to mind at all means that the intent will eventually bleed into her emotions. Dulled as his empathic abilities are starting to become, he can still clearly feel her aura. And he's quite alright with that. ]
This apartment complex—mmn...—is apparently haunted by ghosts, so the neighbors have been scared off. The number 4 is—[ He bites back the urge to let a needier noise slip, sighing instead. ]—it's also a symbol of ill omens around here, so combined with the ghost reports, no one wants to rent an apartment on this floor.
[ His muscles are pretty worked up so he can understand Nilou rounding back on some spots, but Kaito has the distinct feeling she might be trying to rouse a reaction out of him now. That suspicion is confirmed when she sasses back with her reply. Turning to glance up again, this time he offers a knowing smile. ]
[ That caught her off guard, and she unconsciously glanced around. Not that she actually expected to see a ghost, it was just a habit. Also Kaito.. Kaito those noises. It's getting hard to concentrate on what she's doing. ]
Really? Have you ever seen one?
[ Who her? Intentionally trying to get a reaction out of him? Neeeeeeeever. Well... Maybe. Could be. Probably was. ]
I didn't know that.. I guess that does explain why a lot of people don't stay here.
[ He must get some odd glances from people that live nearby though. That blush brightens again at the glance and knowing smile. Boy he probably had her number from the moment she had that third glass of soju. Or second. It does give her pause for a second. ]
Ah. I.. I guess it does...
[ She chuckles a little weakly, taking a moment to work on a particularly difficult knot. ]
Ha... you know, actually... its kind of funny you mention that.
[ Hmmm...fess up or keep that to herself. She would probably get teased a lot. ]
[ ...Must he make those noises? It was really distracting - though she had to be glad he DIDN'T have neighbors because .. he was getting louder than when she first started. ]
Huh? Ahah, n-no way, it's too embarrassing!
[ Cough. ]
How are you feeling now? [ Judging on the way he was letting out those groans, she would have to guess she was successful in dealing with a lot of those knots. How did one man get so many anyway? ]
[ He is actually contractually obligated to make those noises.
That's a joke.
Or is it? ]
Don't worry. The only ones listening are me and the few dozen spirits possessing my furniture. [ Kaito turns his head again, smiling impishly up at the redhead. ]
I'm... Mm. Better, I think? It's been a long time since I last got a massage, but you can probably feel that well enough. [ This is what happens when you're a raging workaholic, Nilou. Don't be like Kaito. At the very least, she's making good progress on his shoulders. ]
How about you? Are you sure you can make it through all this without getting too flustered, huh?
[ Dang fine print! Nilou raised her hands, waving them back and forth in protest. ]
Haha, e-even if that's the case I -- [ A pause. ] Possessing your furniture..? [ So like.. there's a ghost in his bed...a nd she's sitting on it? ... she mentally shook her head. He's messing with her there, right? ]
Oh - I'm glad that you're feeling better. I've lost count on how many knots I've had to work through already. [ Oh she's already a workaholic - though a different sort than Kaito. She doesn't take multiple jobs, she just works 300% on the one she does has, from missing out on sleep to skipping the occasional meal. It's fiiiine. ]
M-me? I'm fine..! I promised you I'd give you a massage and I'm going to see it through! [ She'll .. she'll manage somehow..! ]
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no subject
It's a lot, I know. Most of these are from fights. I even started some of them.
[ Kaito's (perhaps surprisingly) forward with talking about those past wounds, though he pointedly does not mention the lightning scars. On closer inspection, his arms also have quite a few traces. Those gloves of his prevent checking his hands in any detail.
There might be a surprising revelation when she plants her hand down and feels around, and it's not the low hiss that slips past his lips at the touch.
He's actually knotted up all over. Nevermind the usual suspect locations after a long night spent dancing. Kaito's stiffer than a board! The worst of it definitely seems to land where she's guessed, however.
A nervous chuckle is his initial reply to her question. ]
Probably. yeah. I exercise a lot. ...And I have to defend myself a lot more.
no subject
[ If nothing else it helps to have something else to focus on talking about, rather than thinking about how his back felt under her hands.
... She might need that drink sooner than she thought. She shook her head slightly, pausing at the hiss she barely caught. ]
O-oh! Sorry, did that hurt...?
[ Also holy HELL he's tense. Why is he so tense!? .... ....besides the obvious reason. Where does she even start, yikes. ]
I can...definitely tell you exercise a lot...
[ She took a careful, steadying breath, but seeing as he was so tense, she was extra worried. She opted to start with his lower back first - take care of the worst part first. Though her fingers trembled slightly at first, she listened carefully for signs that she might have hurt him or be nearing a particularly sore spot. ]
Do they still hurt? .. all of these scars you got from those people..
no subject
[ He turns his head so that she can catch a glimpse of his smile. ]
Yeah, but it's okay. I haven't had a proper massage in months. I'll reacclimate to the discomfort quickly.
[ A brief lull in his words is followed by quieter sighs. He occasionally seizes up, but as promised he quickly relaxes under her touch. At her question, he lazily shakes his head. ]
Physically? Not at all. And honestly, I've been nicked and jabbed so many times that I've forgotten where many of them came from. Only a few stick out.
[ Particularly those lightning scars, but he doesn't clarify that. ]
no subject
[ She watches him with a mix of concern and curiosity with those seizing moments, but smiles softly when he relaxes again. As long as she was helping, that was the important part. ]
Okay, just make sure you let me know if it hurts more. I'll do my best to make it comfortable, but there are some areas that are just huge knots.
[ He's just one giant knotball. She hums lightly, absently reaching over for the soju to pour herself another glass - without drinking just yet. Just in case she needs it. Or just gets thirsty. Maybe she'll slide away from the topic of his scars. ]
So.. have you always lived here? It seems like such a big place for one person. [ And again, weird that there were no neighbors all this time? ]
no subject
[ She gets a slow groan, this time, right after digging into a particularly tough bundle of knotted muscles. The reply that follows almost sounds sleepy. ]
Mmkay.
[ A beat. ]
Nope. I moved in here shortly after graduating from university. That was... six years ago? Eight? I lost track of time so easily. The rent's expensive, too. That's why I have to work multiple jobs. But I manage.
[ He groans again, and it becomes more evident that the noise is appreciative and not a pained reaction. ]
Seems like I'm not the only one bundled up, though it's muscles for me and nerves for you. Is that your third shot? [ A hand lazily lifts to point towards her glass. ]
no subject
You've never thought of moving to somewhere less expensive? .. I mean... of course you must like this place a LOT to put yourself through so much trouble and work to be able to pay the rent, but...
[ She trailed her hands up a little to move to his shoulders. ]
Me? No no I..
[ Oh wait. She took a shot before she started, then another one after she started, and then one just now -- ...no wonder she got chatty. ]
Oh.. I guess that -was- my third...
[ Better not drink anymore, she was only mildly buzzed and not -drunk- like when she licked him. Being a little tipsy won't get her in trouble
probablyso it's fiiiiine. ]How did you know how many I had?
no subject
There are plenty of cheaper places, yeah... Mm... But I like this place. It's quiet. I don't have to worry about neighbors waking me up at odd hours.
[ He doesn't have to worry about neighbors at all. When she asks how he knew, he cracks a smirk and peeks up at her again. ]
I'm keeping an eye on how much you drink. If you get drunk again and start licking up and down my back, I don't think that would be very productive...
[ Smiiiiiile. ]
no subject
Hmm, that *is* a benefit... although with as nice as this place is I'm kind of surprised there aren't any neighbors around.
[ Moving back to his tensed up shoulders because she IS trying to behave, her hands ..pause slightly at mention of "licking up and down his back". That .. she flushed a bright pink, sputtering for a moment. What a sneak! Uh.. how to respond...
1. Kaito, what a thing to say! I am shocked and apalled!
2. Ahahahahahahaha.
3. I don't think you'd mind it that much if I did though, would you? <- Selection Made.
4. How do you know that's not my end goal? ]
..I don't think you'd mind it that much if I did though, would you?
[ Then again, he might~! But...Don't think about it don't think about it don't think about it. She's.. she's gonna go back to massaging his shoulders. Though that blush was being pretty persistent. ]
no subject
This apartment complex—mmn...—is apparently haunted by ghosts, so the neighbors have been scared off. The number 4 is—[ He bites back the urge to let a needier noise slip, sighing instead. ]—it's also a symbol of ill omens around here, so combined with the ghost reports, no one wants to rent an apartment on this floor.
[ His muscles are pretty worked up so he can understand Nilou rounding back on some spots, but Kaito has the distinct feeling she might be trying to rouse a reaction out of him now. That suspicion is confirmed when she sasses back with her reply. Turning to glance up again, this time he offers a knowing smile. ]
I didn't mind it last night.
Does that answer your question...~?
no subject
Really? Have you ever seen one?
[ Who her? Intentionally trying to get a reaction out of him? Neeeeeeeever. Well... Maybe. Could be. Probably was. ]
I didn't know that.. I guess that does explain why a lot of people don't stay here.
[ He must get some odd glances from people that live nearby though. That blush brightens again at the glance and knowing smile. Boy he probably had her number from the moment she had that third glass of soju. Or second. It does give her pause for a second. ]
Ah. I.. I guess it does...
[ She chuckles a little weakly, taking a moment to work on a particularly difficult knot. ]
Ha... you know, actually... its kind of funny you mention that.
[ Hmmm...fess up or keep that to herself. She would probably get teased a lot. ]
no subject
[ He IS the one who asked the ghosts to drive off all his neighbors, after all.
Kaito closes his eyes for a moment, groaning his appreciation again. ...Is he starting to get a little louder? ]
Why's it funny, hm? You can tell me. I'm good at keeping secrets.
no subject
Huh? Ahah, n-no way, it's too embarrassing!
[ Cough. ]
How are you feeling now? [ Judging on the way he was letting out those groans, she would have to guess she was successful in dealing with a lot of those knots. How did one man get so many anyway? ]
no subject
That's a joke.
Or is it? ]
Don't worry. The only ones listening are me and the few dozen spirits possessing my furniture. [ Kaito turns his head again, smiling impishly up at the redhead. ]
I'm... Mm. Better, I think? It's been a long time since I last got a massage, but you can probably feel that well enough. [ This is what happens when you're a raging workaholic, Nilou. Don't be like Kaito. At the very least, she's making good progress on his shoulders. ]
How about you? Are you sure you can make it through all this without getting too flustered, huh?
no subject
Haha, e-even if that's the case I -- [ A pause. ] Possessing your furniture..? [ So like.. there's a ghost in his bed...a nd she's sitting on it? ... she mentally shook her head. He's messing with her there, right? ]
Oh - I'm glad that you're feeling better. I've lost count on how many knots I've had to work through already. [ Oh she's already a workaholic - though a different sort than Kaito. She doesn't take multiple jobs, she just works 300% on the one she does has, from missing out on sleep to skipping the occasional meal. It's fiiiine. ]
M-me? I'm fine..! I promised you I'd give you a massage and I'm going to see it through! [ She'll .. she'll manage somehow..! ]