#( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; )

[dupliciti]

@swordssworn ( kaveh ) // continued.

     Something inside him lost its footing, snapped. If anyone between the two of them is meant to get hurt, it's the conman, the criminal with enemies depending on who you ask. Not the artisan that's carrying emotional baggage that he folds under so frequently around Sampo.

     Tight hold is still mindful of the bandaging he'd caught a glimpse of upon entering. Nose nuzzles blond tresses, doesn't dare dislodge the compromised man from him. Though, the tightening of his chest is unsure that it wants this. Or perhaps it does, but the only response that comes to mind is to retreat  &&  not show genuine concern. 

          ❝ I have my business to take care of, but I'm here. I'm here for you. ❞  A kiss gets planted to side of head as he sighs,  ❝ Why did you make it seem like it was your fault, Kaveh ?  ❞

#swordssworn #swordssworn: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@swordssworn ( kaveh ) : i suppose we're just going to keep doing this? constantly flirt... but it's never gone anywhere prompts // not accepting

          ❝ You're allowing it to happen this way, ❞  he shoots back. Not malicious in tone, but clear that he's not sure how to deal with the question. Just knows that Kaveh doesn't intend for it to be rhetorical, even if it sounds like it could be. 

     Jades sweep downward, looking over the artisan briefly. It doesn't get old, hasn't gotten stale. That's good. Not that he's used to making people a habit, but Kaveh had clearly become one at some point.  ❝ I'll keep coming back to you until you tell me to go away, ❞  even if he disappears for an extended period of time, there's still truth to be had there. He likes the other to not take advantage of their arrangement.

#is this the one is this the one #swordssworn #swordssworn: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@crimsonbesotted ( kaveh ) : ❛ i love the way you fuck me. ❜ ns/fw sentence starters // not accepting

     Love for him shown through action, though it's without the realization that he's manifesting it in such a way. Pure raw energy he expends pounding Kaveh into the mattress the only way he can properly express it. Hand holding, hugging, longing glances  —  they only ever hint but never really connect. Or so he tries to convince himself. At the start it was easier to believe, touches only to lure in the prey. 

     It's slowly become a concern, mercenary rather inept at dealing with any deep thought on the matter. Enough for the conman to go looking for work, causing his heart to yearn for that closeness he only finds in Kaveh. He never voices it, but he doesn't doubt that the blond can guess what he's doing. Awful it is, how he takes advantage of Kaveh's infatuation. Artisan never seeking to push Sampo, so the Fool remains complacent in his standoffish affections.

     Maybe he's losing his edge, slipping. Sweet smile tugs the corners of his lips as he whispers against Kaveh's neck.  ❝ Good. I want you to only want me. ❞  Perhaps the lying merchant realizes this, a faint color flushing his face as he scrambles for something to add.  ❝ Wanting my cock... ❞  Nips at flesh as if to solidify his point.  ❝ You always look so pretty with me inside you. ❞

#crimsonbesotted #crimsonbesotted: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #suggestive cw #( usfw; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; )

[dupliciti]

@acr3ss-the-cosmos ( chenhua ) : “ perhaps i don’t say it enough, but… i’d like you to know that i’m always here, if you ever wanted to talk. ” emotionally intense prompts // not accepting

     There's no doubt in his mind that she'll be there for him. It's seemingly in her nature and honestly, while that might make for a perfect target, ripe to take advantage of  —  Sampo is not cruel without reason. Much like his adventures on other worlds, some people are regulars, some are easily tossed away, he makes enemies, and then those he calls friends without ever meaning it. 

     The craftsmaster falls somewhere into the faux friend category. And as is typical of the conman, he acts more meek and humble around these types. Willing to do favors at a discounted price, there just to talk sometimes. He's great with banter and small talk anyways. Pushing buttons then reeling back before causing irreparable harm. Buddies maybe, but never really revealing much about himself other than he sells and trades things.

     Outsider is quiet for a moment, wondering what's appropriate for him to say without sounds too indifferent or insincere. Truly, she does offer a shoulder to lean on even though he doesn't think he's ever outwardly shown any troubled signs.  Today, there's a bit of anxiety that's been trapped within. This is thanks to Aeon more than anything else, but he's kept that practiced smile affixed.  ❝ Thank you, but why are you bringing this up right now ?  ❞

#thanks for sending!! sorry it took a minute! #acr3ss-the-cosmos #acr3ss-the-cosmos: chenhua #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; )

[dupliciti]

@crimsonbesotted // cont.

     Every time Kaveh shares his personal details, his inner thoughts, Sampo can't help but feel like he gets sucker punched. The air in his lungs leaving him each time. It wasn't always like that, used to just let the blond speak his mind  &&  be there as a listener, but not much more. If a response was needed, he'd do as he always did, tell the other what they might want to hear. With Kaveh, it became a little less about what he might want to hear  &&  more about bitter truths. Almost like he intends to hurt  &&  remind the artisan that he as Sampo will ruin him.

     Yet, here they are by each other's side despite that. 

     Par for the course, the Fool lets him speak. Whatever tangent on his mind being internalized. Even if the false merchant no longer plans to use the information against the other man, he still feels it necessary to remember these things. It's part of how Kaveh ticks, after all. 

     Body turns so he can raise his free arm up, gloved hand cupping Kaveh's chin to turn head.  ❝ You seek to control an aspect of life that still leaves room for uncertainty, ❞  Sampo begins, not with kind words... No, not at all. What he's looking for right now is somewhat selfish.  ❝ You appreciate that I return.   &&  I do... By my own violation, whether you believe it or not. ❞  Gently he tilts his would-be-lover's head upward as he leans, brushing lips against his own.  ❝ If I were to leave  &&  never come back, would that fall out of your expectations or fit just right ?  Wouldn't I just attribute to loss one day ?  ❞

#coughs hewwoooo #also wait youve got icons right here slap that on there #crimsonbesotted #crimsonbesotted: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; )

[dupliciti]

@acr3ss-the-cosmos ( chenhua ) : why are you trembling? prompts from the empire strikes back // not accepting

     Lashes flutter as he fully opens his eyes. He'd been dreaming, well, kind of. Sometimes Aha took the opportunity to infiltrate his mind in order to have fun chats. Emanator is certain that if the Aeon wanted to, they could hurt him within their meeting place. It beats stumbling to it on a physical scale though, so he'll take this instead. 

          ❝ I'm not... Am I ?  ❞  With someone that doesn't have it out for him, he can afford to go without an attempt to play it off. Though, he's also unaware of how any fright or mirth might've shown through his dream like state. 

     He begins to sit up, pushing himself a little off the wall. Rubs his eyes  &&  stretches as if nothing really happened to cause alarm. For all she knows, it was just a bad nightmare... Not at all Aeon induced.  ❝ Was I... Saying anything ?  Laughing ?  ❞

#acr3ss-the-cosmos #acr3ss-the-cosmos: chenhua #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@swordssworn ( kaveh ) : "I've got your back, okay?" question prompts // accepting

     Finding himself in a bar was not on his bingo card for the night. It was supposed to be a date, a public one. Though, the Fool never outright said it was a date, nor did he necessarily have romantic intentions about it. But there was no denying that he wanted to spend his evening with the other. They shared a dinner, then at the blond's suggestion, moved onto a drinking establishment.      In a moment of vulnerability, loosened some by alcohol  &&  a few kisses, Sampo shared that he has a neighbor that's getting on his nerves. Mocking him. A rather vague way of tiptoeing around the fact that an Aeon thinks his infatuation with this particular artisan is amusing.

     Hand curls around Kaveh's thigh as the conman leans in. He laughs, finding the reassurance cute, even though he knows the artisan means it.  ❝ No offense to you, Kaveh... But it's not that kind of issue. ❞  Reply not at all dismissive, there's still a smile gracing the blue-haired fiend's features.  ❝ Just... A problem that will probably never go away. ❞   &&  as if on cue, he can hear that laughter he was referring to.

#hi jkdsgah #swordssworn #swordssworn: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; ) #alcohol cw #( ◇ even if i'm greedy i want to be your soulmate┊ swordssworn : ̗̀➛ sampo x kaveh; )

[dupliciti]

A note is left in the pocket of Sampo's jacket. Inside is a note and a rough profile sketch of the man in question, sketched with ink. The note reads: "You will always have a safe place on the Luofu, my door is always open. Be safe, be careful. Just...come back in one piece. - Kaveh."

@crimsonbesotted // unprompted

    Visiting with the artisan typically involves disrobing in their throes of passion. It's one of the only times that the mercenary neglects to keep track of his belongings. Not that he normally keeps valuables on him unless in the middle of a scheme; there's little reason to get all strung up about someone like Kaveh rummaging through his things.

    Finding the note does cause him to wonder when it would've occurred. Something to commend the blond on for managing to slip it under his radar. Seeing as he's made a stance on their relationship from time to time, it's likely because Sampo hadn't expected anything like a promise. There's no flowery language accompanying the scrawl, but given the attention to detail in the drawing  &&  the tone with which Kaveh often speaks flooding his mind, he knows there's something as strong as a promise tinging the written words.

     To be cared for in such a manner yet giving very little to the artisan in turn might bother a normal person. Sampo, a Masked Fool, far from that. Their bond built on little other than affections, insincere initially. He's more than aware he doesn't deserve any of it... Yet, he's given a place to call a sanctuary. Laughter that tumbles out of him is nearly painful, a reaction that's involuntary. Uncertainty, distancing himself from full on admission. He's been given too much space  &&  has simultaneously fallen into a pit of infatuation.

#me when thinking about how the light in his eyes is gone in that eidolon (the deeper the love the stronger the hate) #crimsonbesotted #crimsonbesotted: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; )

[dupliciti]

@acr3ss-the-cosmos ( chenhua ) : "i'm having trouble lifting this. can you help me?" prompts for asking favors // not accepting

     Hum comes as the quick acknowledgement. His long legs cross more distance than she might in the same amount of time. Dropping by every now  &&  again honestly looking for an opening to mess with her but somehow it always resulted in a more wholesome experience. He supposes he can't complain, but that makes it a little more difficult to have a reason to do what he does best.

     Leaning down, he grips the box without so much as a question. It's not until he has to readjust his stance, proper to lift without strain, that he bothers ask about the contents.  ❝ What exactly do you got stashed in here ?   &&  what do you do when you need help  &&  Sampo isn't around ?  Wait for someone else to wander in ?  ❞

#acr3ss-the-cosmos #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; )

[dupliciti]

@acr3ss-the-cosmos ( chenhua ) : ❛ tell me… tell me you want me. ❜ ns/fw sentence starters // not accepting

     Used to getting his way, finagling his way into someone's pockets or heart with just a few words of a practiced silver-tongue. Many can't help but love the conman !  Some, never even aware that he is in fact an illicit merchant. It's all dependent on the mask he bears, after all, he really only has an interest in messing with those that could use a bit more joy. If they're already rather pleased, there's no point in knocking them down a peg unless he really can't stand them. Rare for mercenary, he's not temperamental. Normally has to turn to a stint of comedy in order to keep himself in check. But outside of this, despite being an Emanator with Aha waving to him from the audience, he's still prone to cracks.

     Greens look over her figure momentarily before snapping back up to the Fennekian's gaze. Small smile stretches on his face as he crawls over her body. He's mindful of the space between them, careful not to hurt her tail. There's a longer stretch of silence, as if letting the seconds tick on  &&  on to allow for a sbutle way to fit in his usual teasing. Maybe not through words, but the lack of agency. He relents though, eyes narrowing as he leans to whisper into her ear.  ❝ I want you, Chenhua. ❞ 

     Out of the many he's run into on the Fleet, Chenhua had never been on his list of those to betray. Tease ?  Well, that's always been fair game. Though, behind these closed doors, he plans on a more tender approach, one that he hopes won't spook her since it's actually not really fitting for him either. That's what the Fool believes, unaware if such sentiments have already slipped through the mask.

#didn't wanna go too hard with the what could've been described to be happening so i kinda just focused on like sampo's introspection #of like how he exists here and then with someone as innocent as her in comparison to what he normally does #because im thinking even if he was nice and more or less receptive... like not trying to threaten her for feeling any sort of way then #him playing it off would still somehow work out based on what we've briefly talked about #because yeah sampo is a lot of work otherwise when it comes to genuine feelings #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #acr3ss-the-cosmos #acr3ss-the-cosmos: chenhua #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #suggestive cw

[dupliciti]

@acr3ss-the-cosmos ( chenhua ) : ❛  what happened?  ❜ two word sentence starters // not accepting

     Blue strands that stick up, defying gravity thanks to his meticulous styling, are strewn  &&  out of place. Fringe almost blocking out all of his left eye. First reaction to the question is an odd laughter, a weak hollow sound. Ever the joker, sound of dissonance is not fitting for him. 

          ❝ It's probably best if I don't tell you, ❞  he states, maintaining his distance.  ❝ In fact, you're not someone that deserves to be involved. ❞  His tussle was not at all serious, no, it was the accompanying chaos of one Aeon in particular. Sometimes appreciated, though in this case not. Loss of control never sits well with him.

#acr3ss-the-cosmos #acr3ss-the-cosmos: chenhua #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@acr3ss-the-cosmos ( chenhua ) : 🔄 👰 bridal style reverse your affection // accepting

     At first Chenhua's protests go ignored. Satisfied smirk plastered on his face as he gets away with lifting  &&  holding her. Listen, she needed to move  &&  kept telling Sampo that she'd be a minute. It's been several minutes  &&  the less than honest merchant was getting antsy. 

     Didn't even consider how the way in which he's holding her might be embarrassing. The only real thought on his mind with the life is making sure her tail isn't in the way or pinned. If she won't laugh, well, at least he is.  ❝ Hmm, what's that ?  Sorry, didn't hear you... Oh you want Sampo to put you down ?  Haha, why didn't you just say so ?  ❞

#acr3ss-the-cosmos #acr3ss-the-cosmos: chenhua #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@swordssworn ( kaveh ) : 🤗  to  hug  my  muse  from  behind. your affection // accepting

     He pretends to jump, acting surprised with a cute giggle. Hands smooth along the arms resting around his waist, finger applying random pressure just to feel the other. Blue curtain sways with head tilt, trying to catch a glimpse of the other from the side. 

          ❝ You gave me quite a fright, Kaveh !  ❞  Exclamation contained to a whisper.  ❝ I thought you were still finishing up with your work ?  ❞

#i feel like 80% of what we have between them is just fucking pain so here's something nice lmfao #swordssworn #swordssworn: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@lunarfrcst : i respect you. you're a bold fighter, maybe not the brightest... prompts from the empire strikes back // not accepting

           ❝ I'm not the brightest ?  ❞  He scoffs.   ❝ Not only did I devise the plan, I also just fought off the attention you brought to us, ❞  voice raising, dangerously irritated. Though, he bites his tongue as he realizes this is likely what she sought. Mercenary sighs as he casts his daggers away.   ❝ Why did you need my help getting here in the first place ?  You seem more than capable. ❞  Even if she refuses to let him in on some details.

#lunarfrcst #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

little hearts emoji from kaveh uwu

send in a "💕" to ask my muse to be your valentine ! // accepting // @swordssworn

     To say he couldn't have suspected a thing would have been a lie. In fact, part of him really did want the blond to initiate asking for his attention for the lovey holiday. Conman feels that if he had said something first, it would've trapped him into something he's not quite ready for.

     Happily though, he accepts Kaveh's ask.  ❝ Such a pretty guy like you wanting to be my valentine ?  How can I tell you no ?  ❞  Heart pumps a little faster as he cups the artisan's face, lips brushing along the corner of the other's.  ❝ You deserve to be next to someone handsome on the day... I think I'm your best choice~  ❞

#ahaha one day he'll admit #swordssworn #swordssworn: kaveh #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( ◇ ⁿᵒ ᶜᵃˢʰ┊ ask; ) #( queued; )

[dupliciti]

@othrwrldlystry ( bailu ) // continued.

     Honestly, he'd only been on the Xianzhou Luofu for a few weeks, maybe. Registered as a merchant, he still would be able to come and go as he pleased. Though, as a Fool in plain sight, he quickly figure out how to make time for his indulgences. 

     What he was a little unfamiliar with, perhaps his own fault for not doing enough research, were the different aspects of the fleet. Including the connections of this small, seemingly young, girl with the Alchemy Commission. Life-long species he had a handle on, conceptually. And honestly he was unsure if his own blessing from Aha had any effect on his aging. Though, the mischief of this one had led him astray. Just for a moment.

     But regardless of the trouble that caused him, the brevity made it excusable. Considering his own aims, he knew that it made sense to support her.  ❝ Of course not !  I can tell that you're just trying to... Well, do what feels best, yeah ?  If you're ever in my company, I can guarantee fun. After all, the adult world is too stuffy... Too serious. ❞

#hewwooooo i think these two would legitimately get along so well lmao #othrwrldlystry #othrwrldlystry: bailu #( ◇ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁱⁿ┊ xianzhou merchant; ) #( queued; )