VESPER
The Climb is a fucking oven.
Every breath Vesper takes feels like it’s being sifted through charcoal and regret, sweat running rivers down the back of his neck to soak into the collar of his already half-unbuttoned shirt. Ash clings to the fabric like a jealous lover, and the soles of his boots stick slightly to the black-glassed stone as he picks his way across the seared land of Angel’s End. Shadow magic keeps his boots from melting straight through the crust, but barely. The volcanic wind tousles his damp curls and smears soot across his jaw.
And still, he grins when he sees her.
Her mind hits first—thirsty, hungry, all ocean-roar and serrated bloom, threaded now with sharp violet teeth and a sticky kind of hum that crawls across his senses like salt through an open wound. The colour of her thoughts has changed. It’s still Thal—but there’s something more now, something void-touched and buzzing at the edges like static in his teeth.
He doesn't flinch. Doesn’t falter. Just lets it settle against him as his boots click soft across the stone.
"Please," he drawls, sweat dripping off his temple as he reaches her, eyes gleaming with dry amusement. "If you think you’re takin’ advantage of me, I’ve been doin’ somethin’ wrong."
Her eyes flick toward his ribs, and even without her saying it, he catches the ghost of a worry behind the jab. He rolls a shoulder lazily and drawls, "Fountain in Torchline patched me up. Nothin’ left but ego." Which might yet get bruised, only time would tell.
Vesper rolls his shoulder, shadows tightening just faintly around his spine like the draw of a bowstring. "I have a feelin' you've a mind to send my ass right back into said fountain after this." His voice is light, teasing. But the watchfulness behind his eyes is unmistakable. He sees it, what has consumed her with blossoms the colour of a bruised sunset. He always does.
Every breath Vesper takes feels like it’s being sifted through charcoal and regret, sweat running rivers down the back of his neck to soak into the collar of his already half-unbuttoned shirt. Ash clings to the fabric like a jealous lover, and the soles of his boots stick slightly to the black-glassed stone as he picks his way across the seared land of Angel’s End. Shadow magic keeps his boots from melting straight through the crust, but barely. The volcanic wind tousles his damp curls and smears soot across his jaw.
And still, he grins when he sees her.
Her mind hits first—thirsty, hungry, all ocean-roar and serrated bloom, threaded now with sharp violet teeth and a sticky kind of hum that crawls across his senses like salt through an open wound. The colour of her thoughts has changed. It’s still Thal—but there’s something more now, something void-touched and buzzing at the edges like static in his teeth.
He doesn't flinch. Doesn’t falter. Just lets it settle against him as his boots click soft across the stone.
"Please," he drawls, sweat dripping off his temple as he reaches her, eyes gleaming with dry amusement. "If you think you’re takin’ advantage of me, I’ve been doin’ somethin’ wrong."
Her eyes flick toward his ribs, and even without her saying it, he catches the ghost of a worry behind the jab. He rolls a shoulder lazily and drawls, "Fountain in Torchline patched me up. Nothin’ left but ego." Which might yet get bruised, only time would tell.
Vesper rolls his shoulder, shadows tightening just faintly around his spine like the draw of a bowstring. "I have a feelin' you've a mind to send my ass right back into said fountain after this." His voice is light, teasing. But the watchfulness behind his eyes is unmistakable. He sees it, what has consumed her with blossoms the colour of a bruised sunset. He always does.
Push, shove, a little bruised and battered
oh lord, I ain't coming home with you
oh lord, I ain't coming home with you
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
