ic inbox.

[lucentia]

HELLO

"Greetings."

GOODBYE

TEXT | VIDEO | VOICE | ACTION

Comments

[vacuous]

It's different.

[lucentia]

Is that a good or bad thing?

[vacuous]

...I don't know yet.

Probably can't be worse.

[lucentia]

Worse than the scenery back home...?

[vacuous]

Oh that.

... Well it's the city, so it depends on what you like?

[lucentia]

I think both the city and nature have their merits.

May I ask what you were thinking of, then?

[vacuous]

... Atmosphere?

[ He doesn't really know either, honestly. ]

[lucentia]

Of your old workplace, or the atmosphere in general?

[vacuous]

Maybe both. My parents are kind but...

... Feels kind of bad to leech off of them at this age... and... she's curious about if I'll look for a partner and stuff...

[lucentia]

... Indeed, it can be suffocating—feel almost shameful—to receive kindness that you can't yet repay.

[said softly, though his tone turns more wry at the next part.]

People are always preoccupied with others' marital status. I suppose most parents would be especially.

[vacuous]

Both of my sisters are married. ...I guess you knew that already since you mentioned my niece.

I'm 27 now. [ PROBABLY. idk when his bday is. ] Most men my age are either dating or married by now. That's what's normal.

[lucentia]

[tokinaga your bday]

Perhaps, although if you aren't interested—pardon my presumption—then personally, I think that's fine too.

[vacuous]

[ He's either 26-27 but since it's November chances are he's 27. ]

I mean...

...

It's fine. I know she's just worried.

[lucentia]

... She doesn't want you to be lonely?

[vacuous]

......

Yeah, guess so.

[lucentia]

... If you want to vent to the unjudging ear of a stranger, I'd be happy to listen. Though of course, I won't press, and feel free to say if my questions are making you uncomfortable.

[he looks to the sky, holding his hand out briefly to catch a drifting snowflake.]

Either way, I really do hope you can find some measure of peace here.

[vacuous]

It's fine. It's a little awkward to be honest, but maybe it is nice to have someone...

[ Though like, what would he talk about is his issue. ]

It's really foggy, isn't it? And grey.

[lucentia]

Indeed. Be careful not to get lost in the fog—although I suppose the point of my accompanying you is to prevent that.

[vacuous]

Oh. Yeah, thanks...

How did you say you knew me again? Through my niece...? Which side? I guess it doesn't matter that much. You're... a tutor...? English?... She's probably too young to be learning English yet, huh. How?

[lucentia]

Ah, apologies—I may have misspoke earlier. I have a younger sibling, you see, who I help look after when I'm home, and who plays with her on occasion. I met her and her family that way.

[continues lying with such a straight face that might be surprising to someone with memories of lucien considering that he's usually honest.]

[vacuous]

Oh. Okay. But you're all the way out here?

[ He kind of aimed for a place with zero acquaintances so maybe this is a bit awkward... oh well. ]

[lucentia]

[SORRY, TOKINAGA!!!]

... Well, you could say I wanted to get away from everything for a bit as well.

[vacuous]

Really? Funny coincidence.

What're you getting away from then?

[ School...? ]

[lucentia]

Mm... worried about the future, I suppose, and whether or not I'm equipped to handle it.

[vacuous]

[ Oh, yeah... he looks maybe around high school or college age, huh... ]

...Yeah, that's pretty scary stuff. Society is a lot.