hexcorized | IC INBOX

[Dodger is still getting his bearings, but he hasn't forgotten about their agreement. He just needed some time to figure out where the library was, and really take in how huge this whole complex is in general. But.. he does want to get this done before he inevitably has to set up those auction dates he signed up for. So, Viktor gets a simple message out of the blue:]

it's dodger
i found us a spot at the library
and you owe me a date.

[Specifically, he found a private room for them to do their research - quiet and well-insulated, with comfortable chairs and a table to keep the stacks of books he brought back to it. Some about Earth, some about multiverse theory, some about other universes that are strangely familiar to him... he's going mostly off of the titles to pick ones that might be relevant, figuring he can always go looking for more if these aren't what he's looking for.

Whenever Viktor shows up, he's sitting on the table with a book open about Earth history - not his own Earth, it turns out, since no one in this universe has powers. Crazy how much that changes. (He's also wearing real clothes, this time, and bandages covering his forearms. He's honestly very glad that no one pointed out any of the things written on his old robe, but he did burn it at the first opportunity.)]

[No words at first. Just a single picture of Jayce only in his boxers, taken through the reflection in a mirror of his body without showing his face.

A follow up message:]

They have a decent gym here.

[ Delivered slipped beneath the door, with no trace of the sender having asked for his room or knowing where he resides, not even necessarily having made a big deal of their own name being one to remember...

Is a small square of drawing paper, on which a single purple hydrangea is drawn in watercolor.

Beneath the illustration, it is signed "Kiritsubo". ]

[An hour or so after midnight, Dodger knocks on Viktor's door and disappears before he can answer. In his wake he leaves a small present behind on the floor.

The wrapping paper is nice, and poorly wrapped around a circular shape. Inside (loose, not in a box or anything) is a metal gear charm. Some fingerprints in the metal betray that it is handmade.

Attached is a note - Merry Christmas. I'll text you on your birthday. --Dodger]

[ At some point on Christmas morning, a helpful and industrious resort staff member will deliver a box to Viktor on Keita's behalf. The wrapping paper is a sort of iridescent light blue, tied in a deep purple ribbon and with a card sitting atop.

Inside the box, Viktor will find a clockwork gift from Keita, taking the shape of a young oak tree. At first the branches look dead, but should Viktor find the small knob on the back of the trunk and turn it, he will hear the clockwork inside engage as the trunk expands and leaves begin to grow from it, filling out the empty spaces. At its peak, the tree looks fully grown and in full bloom, so to speak, before the leaves withdraw again and it withers back down to youth and begins the whole cycle anew.

The accompanying card reads, ]

As it turns out, the components I took from your room at Halloween came in quite handy for this. I confess it isn't particularly useful except as something to keep your hands busy, but I hope it's nonetheless to your liking.

I'm pleased we met, and I hope to get to know you better in time.

Happy Christmas, Viktor.

Mori

[Around 3 AM, Dodger transfers over enough chips for two people to get dinner at the Gilded Cage.]

happy birthday
do something fun with jayce tonight, tell me about it later
i want you to spend everything i just sent you.

[Following up on the "game" post, Jayce sends a picture of himself- not blushing like he said he would- but a picture of himself with his back facing the mirror, and flexing to show off his reacquired musculature. Added text on the image says: "Part 1"]

IC INBOX - goldenet

text/action;

text;

un: kiritsubo

[not here]

( 12/25 ) — special delivery

text // @dodger

text; un: jaycetalis