newlydead r2 - day 2 - corrin

[jinglebros]

[ Santa leads Corrin into his dressing room. There's a couple posters of pop idols on the wall, mostly girl groups; some pictures Akane made when she was little around the mirror and a large stuffed bear in the corner. When we say large we mean super large. Like, an actual child could sit in its lap sized. The whole thing has bright shades of blue in many places. It's crowded just like all the other ones. ]

Excuse the mess, I was kind of shitty tired when I came in this morning.

[ It's super organized and clean, though? WTF Santa ]

Comments

[chosemyfate]

[That's exactly what Corrin is thinking. Wtf Indeed. But he won't say it. He is eying the huge a bit before glancing back at Santa.

It's quite alright. It's not much, but it will suffice for the time we're here, right?

Is there a reason this had to be private? [Santa and Niles will probably be the few that will coach the guy to not be so trusting... ]

[jinglebros]

You can't be so trusting about everything. People out there, they're gonna try to screw you in future rounds. Nobody wants to die, you know. We've got enough votes this time, but next time, we won't be so lucky.

[ Santa leans himself against the wall. ]

Plus, I wanna tell you some crap I don't want the rest of them knowing.

[chosemyfate]

[ The prince actually looks a little somber at the reminder of how there will be more rounds. And less luck for some. It's not what he likes to hear, but... the other boy was right. He could only nod as he listened intently.

Either way, Corrin will be in for a rude awakening soon. ]

I-I see...

[jinglebros]

[ Santa gets it. He had trouble when he was starting to work with his sister, when they were starting with the Nonary Game and he was still innocent. He reaches out and takes Corrin's hand in his own, staring at it for a moment before looking back up at the other's face. ]

I'm working with Junpei, you know? Kinda taller, like this. [ Santa waves his hand around at a height about four inches above his own. ] Pretty nerdy, tells terrible fucking jokes, hangs off my sister a lot.

He's kind of an asshole but we have the same goal, and right now we've both got the same danger, and I need help making sure it doesn't happen. We both talked up to a lot of people and made up a lot of acquaintances and if we get too man votes, we're gonna get voted right out before we can start.

[chosemyfate]

[ This will be different from the battles he's been fighting back in his world. He'll prefer it over this. ...Probably.

He followed Santa's gaze when a hand reached for his own. He also took to looking at them for a moment as he listened until he also looked up to him. Corrin almost wanted to compare their hand sizes. He might not have realized he gave it a squeeze.

'I really do want to help this person be able to see another day.' Corrin decided to himself. He listened intently as he met Santa's gaze. ]

And you're proposing that I can help you and Junpei take part in preventing that scenario as my debt to you for your vote?

[jinglebros]

Yeah, exactly. Which is... not the best reason to call you back here instead of talking about it out there. [ Santa laughs weirdly. ] But I'm a private guy by nature, and I also want us to set a pattern. There's gonna be times when we really need to talk about shit that's important, and I want stepping back here to be natural. And I want it to be established as something we do, so it doesn't look suspicious.

[ He tilts his head a bit and squeezes Corrin's hand back, leaning in a little without being aware of it either. ]

Besides, I kinda like sharing a secret with you.

[chosemyfate]

[It kinda feels like he's bonding with one of his allies in his private headquarters back in his own world~. Bond increases.

Ah, now he gets it! He beams at the last part. ]

I would like that very much, Santa. I'm glad you trust me enough to do this with. [And Corrin already has a hunch that Santa WOULDN'T do this if he honestly thought he couldn't trust him as far as he could throw him.]

Even if I didn't owe you a huge favor, I'd still want to help you. If we're allowed to in next rounds, I look forward to more chances of this.

[jinglebros]

So do I. I'll tell you another secret, if you promise not to tell anyone.

[ Santa is getting a shy grin on his face now, which would be thought of as oddly uncharacteristic by most, but it fits him in the situation. Corrin brings out parts of him he never thought he'd see again. ]

Just a little one, this time.

[chosemyfate]

[ You'll hear a chuckle from Corrin. While Santa leaned in earlier, he might have reached over to brush back a white strand of har his face ]

Another secret? I hope one day to be trusted to know plenty of them. [ Corrin, you're in a murdergame and might die... ]

I might have another to share with you, as well, if I had to honest.

[jinglebros]

I'm not lying when I say you're cute, nice or funny. I'm lying to most people. But I'm completely truthful with you.

[ Santa feels weird admitting that he lies. But maybe he should put that out up front. He's lied his whole life, ever since he was eight; he learned early on how to manipulate others and use them so he and his sister would survive. It's hard to break the habit. ]

I'm always on my guard, but I feel like I have no reason for that when you're around.

[ He's a little flushed, both from admitting this and having his hair brushed back. He tries to decide how to reciprocate, feeling dumb about any of his ideas. ]

I'll hear out any secret you have, too, and I'll keep it safe.

[chosemyfate]

[ His cheeks felt warm at that comment. So you don't entirely tease.. but he's more focused and concerned about that confession Santa was willing to share.

Corrin would see to it that Santa won't regret opening up to him. ]

And that's mostly because of your past, if I can ask? I'm sorry you endured a lot to become that way.

[jinglebros]

My parents died when I was eight. They were - well, it doesn't matter. [ The horrifying story of his parents could wait for another day. Or maybe even never. ] But I had to quit school and take care of my sister and we always had to move around so nobody would catch us living off the grid. We didn't want to be separated, you know? [ He's wondered a million times if he was selfish for not letting her be fostered, and he probably was - but who knew what worse things she would have endured in the system? ] I had to learn how to lie to keep her, you know? So I kinda feel like, I've got to lie for this or that a lot. I can't just ask.

[ It's the atmosphere that has him sharing, he thinks. It's an atmosphere that clings to Corrin like a scent and Santa has no idea how the man does it. He doesn't think it's anything intentional, it's just how Corrin Is and that's something precious and good. ]

My name's not even really Santa. That's just shit for a thing we did.

[chosemyfate]

[ Corrin could only listen intently with a somber look across his expression. Oh, Santa....

He steps in to close their distance and reaches a hand to touch the side of Santa's face in hopes to be comforting. ]

Gods, Santa... I... I can't imagine how important your sister is to you. I had no idea what kinds of sacrifices you made to keep someone in your life. You made so many...

I hope to help make you believe me when I say that you don't have to feel that guarded with me, soon. [ He gets it. To a degree. His army is full of different kinds of individuals who would not be above doing that. ]

[jinglebros]

[ Santa turns his face into Corrin's hand, closing his eyes. He's shaking a little at this point, though he's completely unaware of that fact. His hand reaches out and clings to Corrin's shirt. ]

You don't have to call me Santa, you know. To others, yeah. But between us... call me Aoi, okay?

[chosemyfate]

[ Goodness, he was shaking. Now the prince looked worried for him and wondered if this was a good idea to make him share such painful things.

Corrin's red eyes widen for a second. You really do seem willing to let your guard down for him... That must be a important thing to be doing that with him.

Corrin was taken aback before he pulls his hand back from stroking that face in attempt to comfort... to now full on pulling the other man in for a embrace. Santa really needs it, from the shaking he felt. ]

... Aoi. [ The prince lets that roll off his tongue. A smile tugs at his lips.]

Aoi. [He says with more affirmation as he tights his embrace and offers his shoulder for you to rest your head on.]

If you will let me, I will do more than what you asked of me as a favor.

[jinglebros]

[ It's how Corrin handles people that has Santa... Aoi opening himself up like this. He's not used to a person baring himself like this or opening himself up for others so much. Even Junpei was guarded to an extent. It makes him want to do the same thing in return. It makes him wnat to make sure a smile stays on Corrin's face. Is that the power that keeps the man surrounded by an army?

Aoi does rest his head on Corrin's shoulder, it seems like a natural progression. His arms encircle the other, fingers clinging tightly to the fabric of the shirt on his back. ]

Okay... what is it?

[chosemyfate]

[ It's like his eldest brother scolded, that trusting could be his downfall if unlucky, but it can also be a gift. A gift that might just help Corrin bring peace between two kingdoms. At least that is what he wishes to do...

Corrin hums a content hum. This feels good... His eyes close for a bit and nuzzles the top of Aoi's head, feeling white hair tickle his face. He hopes it was the same for him. He rubs his back in gentle circular motions. ]

Just know that... if I ever get a chance to help you, know that you won't have to feel pressured about doing anything for me in return.