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[ Nanami has been lingering around the festival for most of the night, enjoying himself. He is dressed in a simple yukata to enjoy the festivities in the right style, and it has a little space for his tail to come out, curled against his back most of the night. He has spent his time eating and talking to people he knows and right now, he's watching people dance from off to the side.

His tail wags a little at the sight, even if his expression remains fairly stoic but he hasn't decided to go dancing himself. On one hand, no one's asked him but on the other, he hasn't asked anyone himself. Maybe he should be brave and take the chance? Or maybe someone should ask him instead. Either way, he doesn't seem closed off and without his sunglasses, his expression looks rather soft. Maybe that certain someone should approach him as well. ]

[ In contrast, Charlie has ended up with something in-style but much more modern looking by way of outfit.

He's been making the rounds, finding every aspect of the festival interesting, from the clothes to the food to the riddles, but oh... the dancing. That's one of his favorite things ever, but having just arrived, it's not like he knows anyone well enough to ask, right?

Well, maybe not. That's sure a familiar figure eying the dancefloor, and his tail is giving him away.

Charlie sidles up, his own canine tail (blonde, like the rest of him) wagging with enthusiasm. ]

Something you want over there?

[ Nanami should recognize the voice, at least. ]

[ Nanami does recognize the voice, and he'll look to the body it's attached to soon after. Dashing, handsome, blonde. Just like he said. It's kind of funny how apt it is. Nanami will bow his head slightly in greeting and let his eyes roam over Charlie to take in his outfit and his appearance as a whole. When he's finished, and seems to like what he sees, he meets Charlie's eyes again. ]

Charlie-san, I take it? You are much more handsome as a human.

[ Just to get that out of the way. He also is less compelled to eat him. Or, at least, not as much. There's still some bite-y feelings in him.

As for what Charlie said... ]

And no... no, I was just enjoying watching everyone dance. People seem to be very happy tonight, don't they?

[ For someone who is used to being mired in misery and pain, this is... nice. ]

[ Charlie can very much tell he's getting a once over, and arches a brow in response. Not that he thinks he sold himself short (pun not intended), but it's not like he knows Nanami well enough to know the man's tastes.

But as it turns out, he's got good taste indeed. Charlie chuckles a little. ]

The one and only. And thank you for saying so. I have to keep up with present company, don't I?

[ In terms of handsomeness. He's got eyes, and he has to admit that Nanami looks much better when not seen from a bird's perspective.

His gaze flicks back over to the dance floor, his own tail wagging as he watches. ]

They do. I've never been to a festival like this before. It's pretty nice, isn't it?

[ Keep up with present company... ah. He gets it. This is not the first time he's been told he's handsome but it's still not common for him. He feels a little warm at the compliment.

He doesn't say anything back, just lets his eyes look back to the dance floor when Charlie looks as well, noticing how eager Charlie looks about it out of the corner of his eye. The tail wagging helps.

He'll nod his head in agreement there, considering. ]

It is. I've been to similar festivities at home but there are a few differences here. I know the man who put together the festival is not from Earth, if I recall, so that make sense to me.

[ A pause, he keeps thinking about Charlie's enthusiasm. He's never really asked anyone to dance before and he's not usually keen on putting himself out there but. Well. New experiences, right? He's trying so hard to shake off the terror and misery that comes with being a sorcerer and instead live in the moment here in the hotel so... ]

Er. Do you... want to dance?

Ah. That explains the kind of sci-fi bent to everything.

[ It's not terribly obvious, though it is there in small ways. It's interesting to him that someone not from Earth would still come from a culture that so strongly resembles that of China. There really are all types out there in the universe, huh?

He's still watching the people dancing, wondering if Nanami might like to join him for a bit, when he's beaten to the punch — a touch awkwardly, but that makes it all the more charming. Charlie glances over, ears perking and tail wagging all the more. ]

I was just about to ask you the same question. I'd love to.

[ Offers his hand! ]

[ At Charlie's agreement, Nanami's expression doesn't change very much — still as stoic as ever. But. His tail does wag just a little at his response and the offered hand. He's not... entirely prepared to dance, not a lot of experience with it in the first place but he does want to dance with Charlie. He's not going to look into that desire too deeply though.

Instead he'll reach his hand out and take Charlie's, curling his fingers around his palm to grasp his hand gently. Then he looks back up at the man and he doesn't smile but his features soften a little with a short nod. ]

Let's go.

[ And he'll step forward to head to the dance floor with the other man! ]

[ No, no. I think we should look into that desire.

Charlie is a patient man and a good teacher, so Nanami is in very good hands, if he should stumble. He heads out to the dance floor with Nanami, stepping into position for a slow dance, thought it's clear he'll let Nanami call the shots on whether he wants to lead or follow — Charlie can do both. ]

It's a good thing you have that tail, or I wouldn't be able to tell what you're thinking at all, you know.

[ Look, when a handsome man flirts with you and then wants to dance, even a tightwad like Nanami can crumble a little. That's all!! And maybe there was some instant attraction here. Just. You know. That's all too!! As it is, he's going to shift into the follow position instead of the lead, not sure he has the confidence in his dancing enough to do more than that just yet.

He's a little stiff at first, but the more he forces himself to relax, the easier it gets. He's so focused on that he almost misses what Charlie says and looks up then, raising an eyebrow at Charlie's comment, finding himself amused. ]

Really? Am I that hard to read?

[ Yes, you are, Nanami. But still, his tail wags and he seems to be happy to be here with Charlie. Moving in the slow dance together is quite nice and Nanami seems to relax the longer they go, pleased with the situation. ]

[ At least Charlie isn't alone in feeling that instant attraction, though he hates to make assumptions, it is encouraging that Nanami was the one to make the offer to dance.

Charlie settles in to lead, and guides them along with well-practiced ease. He seems perfectly at home here on the dance floor, chatting and dancing, tail wagging with enthusiasm. ]

Just a bit. You're a stoic kind of guy. Not that I mind.

[ Besides, the subtle shifts in Nanami's expression and the wagging of his tail tell him that there's a soft, marshmallow center in this man just waiting to be unearthed. ]

So, tell me about yourself. What do you do? What are your hobbies and interests?

[ The thing is Nanami doesn't really know what to do with instant attraction. Sorcerers don't exactly have the privilege of relationships and he's loathe to have a one night stand with someone he's going to be seeing quite regularly. But then again, he's not really a sorcerer here anymore, is he? He's not leaving anytime soon and things are a little different for him. Ugh. What a pain. Life was easier when he just said no to everything.

But he likes this. He likes the dancing. He likes the chatting. He wants to talk to Charlie more, because he's endearing and interesting. So, he'll try not to fuck this up. ]

I'm glad.

[ That he doesn't mind. That it isn't a turn off. That Charlie's still willing to talk to him.

At the question, he pauses and considers. ]

I... [ He's not supposed to tell anyone but. Then again Gojo tells everyone and it's not like it matters here, does it? So. ] Fight monsters only a select few people can see, for the government. And mentor students who train to fight the same. It takes up most of my time.

Otherwise, I like to read. And cook.

[ It's not like Charlie headed out to a hotel in the stars with the intention to hook up with anyone, either, but as ever, he's open to the possibility. Dating is a nightmare when he can't tell his partner about a whole half of who he is, and all of the magic that just sort of permeates Charlie's everyday life scares people off after a while anyway.

So why not here? Why not take this opportunity to be fully honest and to get to know someone and see what happens? They've only talked a couple of times now, but Charlie likes Nanami. He's a good conversational partner, and a good dancer once he settles into it.

Might as well let whatever happens... happen. ]

You don't happen to call those monsters "curses," do you?

[ They'll get back to the reading thing. ]

[ Yes, that's it. Whatever happens happens. Nanami is trying not to think too hard about it.

Still though, there's a look of surprise on Nanami's face when Charlie drops the word curses on him. It makes him pause for a second before he catches himself and returns to their slow dance, hands gripping tighter to Charlie for a moment. ]

Ah, you've talked to Gojo-san. [ Wait, wait. ] Or... Itadori-kun? Pink hair, scar over his nose and lip.

[ It would be Yuji who would spill the beans as well about what their life is like back home. Though, who could blame him, after all the things he's seen and done? Nanami doesn't hold as much ire towards him for being so open with their profession. ]

[ Ah, seems his guess was right on the money — that much is obvious before Nanami even answers. In fairness, he'd react the same way if someone just up and started talking about something specific to his own magic out of the blue.

He gives an apologetic smile, stepping back into the dance easily once they resume. ]

The latter. We met earlier. He was telling me he went to school with a panda and I just had to know more.

I hope the kid's not gonna get into trouble. I don't think secrecy matters that much out here.

[ On one hand, he feels the initial reaction of disgruntlement at knowing the thing they have to hold the most secret is not being held secret at all anymore. On the other, Charlie is right and secrecy doesn't hold much weight out here at the hotel. Nanami sighs a little, mouth curling into something a bit wry as he thinks about it. ]

No, I wouldn't trouble him over it. Gojo-san, his teacher, is also here and just as open about what we face back home if not more so. It's only me who has trouble adjusting to being open about it. A hard habit to break after years of secrecy.

[ He lifts a shoulder in a shrug and the arm he has around Charlie curls a little tighter, unthinkingly stepping closer. This close, he can smell the scent of the soap Charlie uses and it's... nice. This whole thing is very nice. ]

I am trying to approach these things a little more openly while here, but I can still be caught off guard.

[ Oh. Well, he's not going to complain about the sudden bit of closeness. They were already close to begin with, of course, but now he can appreciate the solid warmth of the man in front of him. It really is quite nice. An unexpectedly pleasant surprise. ]

Nah, I totally understand. Here, I'll trade you: I'm a wizard, and back home, we're supposed to keep magic a secret. It's nice to be able to share it with people now, but also kind of strange.

I keep thinking I'm gonna get caught with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar, you know?

[ Oh! A — a wizard? Like someone who uses magic? Nanami has so many questions, immediately, and most of all he wants to see what exactly Charlie can do. He wonders what type of magic he uses and if it's anything like the cursed techniques that the sorcerers use. But that's a lot of questions all at once so first, he nods. ]

That's exactly the feeling. We have... elders who enforce most of these rules. If I were to be this open about it with strangers there, I'd likely have my job stripped from me and be cast out of our community. Not something I'm keen to have happen.

[ But then again, he's from before the elders made the decision to let society at large know curses exist after what happened in Shibuya. It's even more troublesome now to deal with. ]

Here, it's different. Plus, there are no curses to exorcise in the first place, which I appreciate.

Mm. We have something similar. Not elders, per se, even if all of them are like a hundred years older than I am. Still, I'm with you. Not keen to find out what happens for breaking the rules.

[ His shoulders twitch in a shrug. They can leave that subject behind for now, anyway. It has a tendency to get grim, at least for Charlie, who has watched more than one person quietly disappear for stepping out of bounds. ]

I mean, that's good, right? [ No curses. ] Means you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

[ It is a grim topic and Nanami is fine to move on from it when Charlie does. Instead nodding at his follow up statement because yeah, it is good. ]

I've been fighting curses since I was fifteen. This is the first time I've had a break in... a long time. I intend to enjoy myself, yes.

[ Of course, there was the period of time he quit being a sorcerer but that wasn't exactly a period of rest for him in the end.

His tail wags a bit then as he thinks about it, because even with the conversation — they're still dancing and it's nice. The corner of his mouth twitches a little, pleased as he adds — ]

This is a good start.

Fifteen, huh? Damn.

[ He's not so presumptuous as to think that Nanami has anything other than a normal human lifespan, so perhaps comparatively it hasn't been that long. Still, it's been long enough. Making kids fight anything when they're still kids is too damn soon.

Ah, but there goes that tail again, bringing a smile back to Charlie's face. ]

I'm glad you think so. I'd hate to be the only one out here having a great time.

[ A nod here because yep, fifteen. That's when he started at Jujutsu High, when he learned about curses, when everything changed for him. It wasn't... fun, let's say.

But this is fun and when Charlie smiles, the tail wags even harder. It's completely giving him away, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. No, as long as it's making Charlie happy, he's kind of okay with having a tail. ]

You're not. Can I ask more about you?

[ He wants to know about Charlie. What it's like being a wizard. What his life is like. He seems like a personable and good natured kind of person and Nanami likes that, for sure. ]

[ He might actually come to miss that tail when it's gone, a little window into what Nanami is thinking behind that stoic gaze, but perhaps for now he can use it as a guideline to figure out what the rest of the man is doing when his tail is going crazy.

God, it really is so cute to see when he's enjoying himself, though.

(Thinks Charlie, a man whose own tail has barely slowed down this whole time.) ]

Of course. Fire away, I'm an open book.

[ Nanami has absolutely noticed the lack of slowing down from Charlie's tail and it makes his chest kind of warm. Though he's not sure if Charlie is just happy because of him or just in general. So, he's trying not to assume anything and just enjoying what he gets in the meantime.

But his own tail is wagging, at a slower pace. A little shyly, even. He just... feels good. He likes this. So, he considers his question to Charlie as Charlie offers himself up. ]

I suppose my first is the most obvious — what type of magic do you do?

[ Can't it be both? Dancing is nice, and he'd be happy doing it regardless, but the company makes it that much better. ]

Oh, I'm an Animator!

[ His ears perk a bit. For as much as he loves dancing, he really loves talking about magic. ]

That means I can enchant and control inanimate objects. If you've ever seen that Disney movie where Merlin makes all the dishes wash themselves, I do that kind of thing.

[ It can be both, true. When Charlie lights up talking about magic though, Nanami's heart maybe does a little flippy flip inside his chest but. Let's not. Talk about that. He really is incredibly endearing.

It takes a moment for Nanami to land the reference but he's still a millennial and watched plenty of animated movies as a kid, both Japanese and English. So, yeah, he gets it and that mental image is enough to let out of an amused huff, nodding in response. ]

It must be useful. I know someone who sort of does similar, but his work is around animating stuffed creatures exclusively. The panda Itadori-kun mentioned to you is one of them, but he actually gave it real life instead of just animating it. Something that took a lot of work.

[ His gaze looks away, expression turning thoughtful. He's trying to make some logical leaps on the rules of magic based off of the things he's read and what makes most sense to him. At his next question, his gaze returns to Charlie. ]

Is it... the type of magic where you wave a hand and things happen or does it include runes and spells and the like?

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during the lantern festival

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