animated | 📖 INBOX: hotel caelum

[ Meanwhile, Charlie is most decidedly not a millennial, though he definitely has the heart of one. There are many more references than that to be made, just keep chatting with him. ]

Oh really? [ He's learning so much about this panda. ] That sounds seriously impressive. I've only ever managed something close on accident. The suit of armor in my bookstore gives me attitude and I have no idea how that happened.

[ Wyn is like the teen daughter he didn't ask for who also happens to be very adept with a sword. ]

Runes, and we use those to write the magic. It's like putting together complex math instead of waving a magic wand and making things happen.

[ He will keep chatting with him. And figuring out the references he makes. Just you wait, if he has to do research, he will. He wants to know all about Charlie. ]

Suit of armor? [ wait. ] Bookstore? You own a bookstore?

[ Nanami's eyes seem to light up a little at that because... well, he likes books. He likes bookstores. He's a voracious reader and now he's learning that the cute guy he's dancing with has a bookstore, it's a little... well, Charlie's hitting all the right notes, let's say. ]

And, right, ah. That must take a lot of studying, no?

[ Ah-ha, he knew he'd get him with the bookstore. (As if he was not showing signs of being Gotten already.) Lucky him that this handsome guy he's chatting with and dancing with also seems to love books just as much as Charlie does.

It's not very obvious, that shift in Nanami's expression, but Charlie certainly catches it, and he finds himself utterly charmed all over again. ]

I do own a bookstore. Imagine how excited I was when you said you like to read.

[ They're definitely hitting all the right notes for each other, it seems like. God. He can't not ask this man on a date after all this. He's too perfect. ]

Mm. It does. A lot of study and a lot of time. I love it, though. Magic is one of my favorite things, right up there with books.

[ It's probably not very obvious, no. But with how close they are and the lack of sunglasses on his face, Nanami isn't able to hide how much he likes that. His expression softens just a little at Charlie's words, even if remaining mostly neutral, and he nods his head. ]

I can imagine. Well, if you ever want to talk books, consider me engaged.

[ Nanami isn't thinking about asking Charlie out after this because he's just used to, well, not doing that. But he likes the other man so much, is finding him so endearing, the idea of not having more of his time after this is almost too much to bear. ]

... I can picture it, you, studying magic. [ And the image is a nice one. ] Is animating all you do?

[ As a rather quick study, Charlie is beginning to pick out some of those subtleties. The micro-shifts in expression that Nanami's tail tells him mean much more than they'd appear. ]

That's a dangerous thing to say to me. I'll probably talk your ear off.

[ Not that he gets the impression that Nanami will mind. Quite the opposite, actually.

Anyway, at the question, he nods a little. ]

It is. It's a complicated magic system to learn, and you can either learn the basics of a bunch of stuff, or pick a Specialization and really delve into it. A lot of people choose the latter because that's what's socially acceptable, but I do it because I think it's interesting.

[ Speaking of that tail, it wags a little harder at Charlie's comment even if Nanami doesn't seem to express anything else at it. And he replies with an easy — ]

I wouldn't mind that.

[ Which is tantamount of explicit flirting for Nanami. If anyone he knew heard him say something like that to someone, he'd never live it down. Especially Gojo. Which, thank god, Gojo's distracted right now. This would be terrible otherwise.

But Nanami likes Charlie, and his voice, so he wouldn't mind hearing more of it at all. ]

Got it. That seems similar to most education, doesn't it? You find what you're passionate and delve in. To try and master everything is impossible. Are there many other Specializations?

[ Oh. For all that Charlie has read and assumed about the other man, it's surprisingly nice to get confirmation from Nanami himself. It makes his grin hitch wider, and he definitely logs that bit of info away for later. ]

There are nine officially sanctioned, including Animation, and one officially... shunned, I guess. That one's Necromancy, before you ask.

[ There's a nod there as he takes in Charlie's answer and looks considering at the mention of necromancy. ]

Huh. Understandable that that's the one that's shunned. There is someone from my world with the ability to possess corpses by replacing their brain with his own. It's a terrible thing and looked down upon and that's just his innate ability. It reminds me a bit of what I'd call necromancy.

Replacing brains with his own? That's some horror movie stuff right there.

[ What the fuck, Nanami's world. ]

Sounds like the people where you come from have some crazy abilities.

[ YEAH. yeah. yeaaaah. Nanami feels a little good that he's able to just outright say what people can do in his world without repercussion. But on the other hand, yeah, people from his world are weird. ]

It is.

[ But right, he gives a pause and then — ]

Before you ask, my ability is nothing so grandiose. I forcibly create weak spots in things in order to deal massive damage. Be it a living thing or inanimate, I can ... see exactly where to strike to either kill, destroy, or just generally damage something. Relatively simple, in comparison.

Ohhhh.

[ Yeah, definitely way better than sticking your brain into other people's bodies. Charlie seems interested all over again though, perking right back up. ]

That sounds super cool, though. Must be pretty useful for hunting stuff down.

[ When Charlie perks up and compliments his ability, Nanami's tail wags a little at that. He's just... pleased! ]

It is. I'm a fairly efficient sorcerer, which is what we call people who exorcise curses.

[ That's when the music shifts though, from the slow music from before to something a little more upbeat. Nanami looks a little surprised and then, maybe, a touch sheepish. ]

Oh... ah, I'm not sure I'd be good at dancing to this.

[ Cute!! Why is this man so cute? Charlie is finding himself more endeared by the second, which is perhaps a funny feeling to have about someone who's telling him how efficiently he kills curse monsters.

Well. It's probably fine. They both come from strange backgrounds, so maybe that's what makes this work. ]

Oh! [ One of his ears swivels in the direction of where the music is coming from. ] We can stop if you want... though maybe one of these days, I can teach you some new moves if you'd like.

Edited (repetitionnnn) 2024-02-28 01:30 (UTC)

[ Nanami is loathe to step away from Charlie though, which is the sad thing. He's not really one to share personal space with another person but it's been nice, holding Charlie's hand, holding his waist, being in his space. Maybe Nanami should give some thought to changing that policy of his.

So, he doesn't pull away yet and at Charlie's offer to teach him new moves, he feels the initial distaste at doing something so embarrassing but then the follow up desire to just spend more time with Charlie in general. ]

That... would be fine. [ God, why does he feel so awkward? ] For now, I shouldn't take up all of your time so I can let you go.

[ A pause, his tail curls against his back and he looks like he wants to say something before he adds, voice soft, ]

Later, they'll release the lanterns. If you'd like company to watch, I can make myself available.

[ Charlie can read the room. He can tell that Nanami isn't keen to let him go, and it makes something warm surge in his chest at the realization. To be so instantly wanted is... oh, it's nice.

He grins, giving the other man's hand a squeeze. ]

By all means, take up my time. Maybe we can walk around some until lanterns?

[ There is relief in him when Charlie doesn't pull away, and seems to want to keep spending time with him as well. Nanami isn't oblivious, he knows that their exchange so far hasn't been just friendly but something more. He knows that dancing with another man like this, that his desire to stay talking to him isn't just stemming from a desire to get to know one another. There is an attraction in the air and he is adult enough to know he is giving positive, hopefully reciprocated signals back.

The only thing that stumps him is his... lack of practice with this. It's funny, Giselle said he seemed like someone with a lot of experience but if she could see him now, he's sure she'd say differently. It's like this all feels so much more straightforward when he's not as invested. ]

... I'd like that.

[ He'll take a step back then, removing his hand from Charlie's torso and hesitating when it comes to removing his hand from Charlie's own. To hold hands? In public? With someone he barely knows? That would be too much, right? Yes, that would be too much, he tells himself and will pull his hand back for now. ]

I'm glad.

[ He's really, truly glad. It's been a long time since he had sparks fly with someone so instantly, and if Nanami feels out of practice, Charlie certainly doesn't notice. Chemistry goes a long way, making him feel comfortable and strangely giddy in equal measure.

Though he does feel a bit of a loss when Nanami pulls away from their dance entirely, withdrawing his hands. Ah, it is probably a bit too much for having barely just begun to know each other — and a man as reserved as Nanami seems to be probably isn't keen on displaying too much in public. So, Charlie shoves his own hands into his jacket pockets, stepping up to walk alongside the other man, close but not too close, as they exit the dance floor and take to the rest of the festival. ]

Oh, hey, can I ask you a question about the hotel?

[ It's a little sad to no longer be touching Charlie, to no longer have that point of connection. For a moment, Nanami has no idea what to do with his hands, fingers flexing at his sides as he lingers on the loss of Charlie's warmth. But then there are walking, no real direction now — just meandering around the festival and the location in general. The floor is perfect, with the night sky surrounding them, Nanami can't think of anything more idyllic.

At Charlie's question, Nanami lets out a soft noise of consideration. ]

If I can answer it, I will.

[ As they walk, Charlie glances over, eyes following the line of Nanami's profile, the way the lantern light illuminates it. He really is quite handsome, but there's something tired there, too. Perhaps as a man who hunts curses for a living would be. If that's the case, the hotel really is a blessing. Perhaps for the both of them. ]

Do you know any good restaurants? [ He sounds perfectly casual, but the eager wagging of his tail is definitely giving him away. ] You see, there's this guy — tall, handsome, stoic, likes to read — and I'd really like to ask him on a date, but I've got no idea where to even go.

[ It takes everything in Nanami not to stop short in shock from Charlie's question. But his eyebrows do shoot up and he looks over at Charlie in surprise before he looks away so he doesn't trip, swallowing slightly. There is less of a shock of being asked out, because he can acknowledge that there has been something building here between the two of them since this interaction started and more just surprise at it actually happening. Charlie was brave, he went for it, and Nanami can admire that.

So in turn, Nanami must be brave too.

His expression softens then and he looks back at Charlie, not quite smiling but there is happiness in his expression regardless. And any while his voice remains it's usual dry monotone, it sounds happy as well. ]

I believe I know of a few restaurants that you can take him to. And I believe he would like that very much.

[ And, of course, his tail is wagging very hard. ]

Edited (i forgot the TAIL) 2024-02-28 04:16 (UTC)

[ He's lived long enough to know that sometimes, you just have to go for it. That, and he's pretty confident in his ability to read the situation, even when the man next to him tries his best to be a blank slate.

For instance, the look he's given before Nanami even speaks tells him so much already, those hard and stoic lines gone soft at the edges in a way that makes his heart do a little flip. And, of course, the tail tells him so much more. A giddy little laugh bubbles up out of him before he can think to stop it. ]

Fantastic. Do you suppose he's free tomorrow evening?

[ When Charlie laughs, Nanami feels his chest tighten a little bit, pleased by... well, everything right now. He's smitten. Dear god, he is smitten. ]

Yes. [ Ah, if he was more coy he could've made a joke about checking his schedule, he realizes. But he was so eager to agree that it just popped out immediately. His eyes close for a moment as he realizes before he finishes with — ] Yes, he can be. I will be.

[ Is that so soon for a date? But then again, it feels like it can't come soon enough. Nanami's head is kind of spinning with the delight of this. It's been a long, long time since he felt this way about anyone. ]

[ That makes two of them who are totally smitten, as the quickness with which Nanami responds is a surprise, but a good one. Charlie laughs again, a bit softer and laced with a fondness that surprises even himself. Ohhh, this man is dangerous, charming him so thoroughly right from the start. ]

It's a date, then.

[ The energy generated by Charlie's tail in this moment could probably power a small city. ]

So... tell me about what you like to read.

[ Says the one who is being even more charming. Nanami's charm isn't even intentional, he wouldn't know how to even utilize it. He finds himself boring for the most part and doesn't expect people to think much of him. So, he's kind of overjoyed that Charlie likes him regardless. He's rarely cared about what anyone thinks of him but he does right now.

The first thing Charlie says gets a nod while the second has Nanami looking over at him again briefly before looking forward. ]

I read a bit of everything. I like to — to get the bestseller lists and read through them, see what people are drawn to even if I don't like it. Though I haven't had much time to do that as of late, I keep buying books and they stack up in my apartment, collecting dust.

[ His own tail has slowed down a little but is still wagging more than not. He just feels so... light inside. ]

Look at you, a renaissance man of literary taste.

[ It might be better that neither one of them are trying all that hard. They just... are, and it's working out to a wonderful degree. Opposites attract, after all, and in personality, they are very much that, but at the heart of it, they also have a lot in common.

They compliment each other, and mesh well. The best of both worlds. ]

Man, I feel that. My TBR list seems like it grows by the second sometimes, and life and work are always getting in the way. Well, were, I guess, now that I'm here. I'm looking forward to making some headway.

[ It's also nice that Nanami is just... easy to talk to. Charlie is a personable man, and meshes well with most, but there's a certain ease to this conversation that he enjoys. ]

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