A Dorm Room at Voorhees Hall, Columbia University, New York, Sunday

[sampippy]

Xanthippe was officially Stressed Out.

It was all over an essay, which wasn't even due until next Friday, but it was important and she had to get it perfect, because what if she didn't? What if she didn't, and she flunked out of the class, and she flunked right out of college, and her father would disown her and her mother would disown her and then she would have to move in with Kimmy and deal with that whole freak show and she would lose all status and purpose in life and probably, like, end up becoming BFFs with Kimmy's extra-weirdo landlady and getting matching tattoos in a crack den and --

Anyway, yeah, she was currently doing what any self-respecting college student would do in her situation: screaming into a pillow.

Thank Christ her roommates weren't home right now.

[ooc: NFB but open for texts/calls/surprise visits!]

Comments

[sampippy]

He really was.

"Shut uppp," she whined, trying not to laugh. And failing, spectacularly. The accidental snort was probably not a very attractive sound but for once, she didn't even notice. "Oh my God."

[vrajna_kralis]

See, and here Hyacinthe thought it was adorable. It meant she was genuinely laughing and not worrying about how she looked.

"And all this time, you thought I was so suave," he teased. "Only for me to prove, unequivocally, that I am but a clown."

[sampippy]

"Yeah, you're the actual worst and I don't know if I'm okay with this revelation," Xanthippe retorted, after another sip from the drink, now that she probably wouldn't choke on it. "Not sure I should be letting clowns, like, have their way with me."

[vrajna_kralis]

"Absolutely not," Hyacinthe said. "But, you absolutely ought to be having your way with clowns."

[sampippy]

"That sounds like a clown's opinion, why should I trust it?"

Xanthippe looked smug.

She also put the drink aside, and finally reached for the pancakes.

[vrajna_kralis]

"Because, cherie," Hyacinthe said, with a slow smirk crawling over his face, "you like coming hard and frequently. Of course."

He licked a bit of crepe filling off his thumb.

[sampippy]

Xan tried to hold the ensuing shiver back, but to no avail.

"You're unfair," she informed him. "Maybe you're both a clown and suave, which is a terrible combination." For her composure.

[vrajna_kralis]

Hyacinthe winked. "The best men always are," he decided. "Never find someone who can't make you laugh and shudder, Xanthippe."

[sampippy]

Xanthippe snorted. This time, on purpose. "So far, I haven't even been able to find anyone who could do even just one of those things."

A beat.

"Like, disgusted shudders notwithstanding." But, she shrugged. "Guess I'll keep looking."

[vrajna_kralis]

"You are worth not settling for," he said, reaching out to brush tender knuckles over her cheek.

[sampippy]

Xanthippe leaned into it. He was only here for a short while, and she was getting her proverbial money's worth, goddammit.

"It's not like I really have time for dating, anyway," she said, trying somehow to soften it up. "It's cool."

[vrajna_kralis]

"And, honestly, I've not heard a single story of anyone who is worth the time you do have," he said. "Mayhaps I ought come and teach a class, How To Treat Your Lovers."

[sampippy]

Xanthippe smirked. "I would so TA that class."

Surprising no one.

[vrajna_kralis]

"You'd have to make sure that I practiced what I preached," Hyacinthe said with a smile. "And that I knew precisely what I spoke of."

[sampippy]

"It's be super unethical." Because she cared about that kind of thing, these days. Sometimes. Enough to exploit it for a joke, anyway. "But super hot."

Though that was probably a given.

Her smirk mellowed back down into a smile. Much fonder than she tended to look. "Hey, Hya? Did I already say how like, glad I am that you showed up?"

[vrajna_kralis]

"It bears mentioning again," Hyacinthe said. "As am I, though. I am glad to see you smile."

[sampippy]

It was kind of backwards that that was the comment that made her both smile more and tilt her chin down as if to hide it. But, this was Xanthippe: she was unaccustomed to being genuinely happy.

"Why did you come, anyway?" she asked. "Was it like a... I don't know, a whim?"

[vrajna_kralis]

"Not a whim, exactly," he said. "I alight for home, soon. I did not wish to go without seeing you again." He paused and added, "Rather, I'd wish to see you once more before 'tis goodbye."

[sampippy]

See, now, this was a much more familiar feeling.

Something sinking.

Xanthippe blinked as she looked up at him, the smile already falling away. "Wait, what?"

[vrajna_kralis]

"I have to return home soon," Hyacinthe said gently. "My mother needs me. I have a life there. Soon, I shall have to come and say goodbye...and so I wanted one more visit that did not yet have to be goodbye."

[sampippy]

"Oh."

Goddammit, her voice sounded so small again. And her eyebrows were knitting together.

"And, you can't visit after goodbye? That's just gonna be it?"

[vrajna_kralis]

"I do not know," Hyacinthe said softly. "Here, I was supported by my patron or by my wages with the carnival. I could afford to travel sommat. Home, I scrabble for coin. I don't know how much a portal costs, never mind if I have the gold for it. First, my money must go to our survival 'ere I can worry about aught else."

[sampippy]

This time, her downward tilting chin and her downcast eyes weren't trying to hide a smile.

"Right, yeah. I get it."

The last of the crepes she'd been holding had lost all its appeal. She put it down on the plate.

[vrajna_kralis]

He gave her an apologetic look. "But 'tis why I wanted to come now," he said quickly. "Now for joy and again later for parting."

[sampippy]

Xanthippe glanced up, giving him such a look for even suggesting she wouldn't be sad now and later. Wallowing in her negative feelings was, like, one of the things she was really good at!

"Right."