Un: Zodiac | Mid-Month Update

[kaisoumods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Libra App
WHEN: January 15th
WHAT: Zodiac Network Post
WARNINGS: None!

[We've reached the middle of January. The Zodiac race was a thrilling success, and the winter is still freezing. Wherever you are, your phone will give a blaring alert sound, indicating a new Zodiac post. As usual, the alert will sound even if you have your phone turned off or on silent, and will take over your phone until you read and comment to the message. The post begins like the previous one had, with notifications of peoples coming and goings]



Crito, Flat, Jusis, Ann, Minwu, and Diluc have joined the app. Say hi everyone!


Dolores, Xingqiu, Roxas, Chongyun, and Alphinaud has left the app.

[The post then continues on as normal.]

Hello. Thank you for using the Libra App.

Because you all reacted so positively to my post last month, my bosses has assigned me to write these mid-month updates from now on. Which means I have extra work now. So thanks for that.

Congratulations on everyone who completed the Zodiac race. Hope you enjoyed yourselves somehow or learned something. If any of you took a peach but decide you don't want it, Zodiac will take it off your hands for a payment that's higher than my salary. Which is depressing me just thinking about it, so let's move on.

We're aware that Jusis Albarea from the Black Order has joined the app. It was part of the deal we made with them to help deal with Professor Willow. There will probably be more of them in the future. The Order has insisted they are only here to monitor and assist in what's going on. Zodiac is not liable if any of you manage to do something that makes them decide to take you out, so try to play nice.

Anyway, my shift's over so that's it. Seeya.




This post is sponsored by Victory Road Athletics. Fulfill your new years resolution with our athletic gear. All balls on sale this week!

[Users will have the option to choose their own display names and user pics if they haven't already. If nothing is chosen, the app will use their real name and a quick photo taken of them from their camera's phone. Like always, there'll be no responses from Zodiac.]

Comments

[droptheious]

[It definitely isn't healthy, but right now Varian doesn't care. This world can be so much, but there's GOOD things in it too, and he absolutely puts Fern at the top of that list. He keeps the fingers in Fern's hair, shifting his face to the crook of his neck, breathing in the grassy smell and taking comfort from that.]

And I'll never leave you too, okay? I'll- I'll fight that tooth and nail. And- and hey, if I ever figure out how to get home, you can come back to Corona with me, okay? You-you don't have to go back to Ooo and be alone.

[Going home is something that won't happen for either of them, but right now, he doesn't know that. He just wants to give Fern something solid. Something to try and ease his worries. ]

[laminae]

[That isn't an offer he's expecting to hear. Definitely not. Sure, they're from two worlds, and he always figured they'd go home eventually. It never occurred to him that he could just - not go back to Ooo.]

Seriously? I....

I don't know. Ooo's my home. I mean - it's supposed to be my home. It's... kind of more Finn's home, I guess, so I don't - [He doesn't know if it's still his home. He pulls back just enough to run a hand through his hair.]

Thanks. I need to think on it. Is - is that okay?

[droptheious]

[Varian offers a reassuring smile. He knows if their situations were reversed, it would be a big ask for him, too. He understands the need for time. ]

Of course, it's okay. I get it, Fern. Tak-take your time, okay? [He chuckles dryly.] It's not like I've figured out a way home yet. I just...I wanted you to know you- you had another option. Y'know, if you wanted it. [A slight blush tints his cheeks.] B-because you mean a lot to me, and I want you to be happy.

[laminae]

[A look of relief washes over Fern. He's glad Varian isn't offended by his answer - it isn't a no, but an 'I need more time' can still feel a lot like one, sometimes.

He blushes too, green.]

I know. You mean a lot to me, too. [Which he made abundantly clear already.]

Thanks... for the option. No one's given that kinda thing to me before.

[Well, not since he had the option to become Fern, but he doesn't want to ruin this moment by thinking about that.]

[droptheious]

[He's made it extremely clear, but Varian still gets butterflies hearing it regardless. ]

Well...I just wanted to be sure you knew it wasn't just...Ooo or nothing, y'know? I want you to have a chance to be happy.

[laminae]

[He nods softly, thoughtful about the whole thing.]

And me being happy in Ooo seems real unlikely. [He huffs.] You're the only one who knows that. I think if anyone heard I might not wanna go back there would probably think I'm crazy.

[droptheious]

[Varian hums softly, nodding.]

I'm always really grateful that you trust me with that. [A pause.] Did you ever think about talking about it with other people, too? I think people might surprise you- there's...there's really good people here. I- I know I felt better, telling the people I trust about my thing. [He reaches over to tuck some of Fern's hair behind his ear.] Maybe it'll help? Having other people to share that with, too?

[laminae]

Other people?

[There's a heavy uncertainty in his tone, nearly full-on skepticism.]
I can't. I'm pretty sure if I tell anyone all the junk that happened at home people will stop seeing me as 'that weird grass kid' and start seeing me as 'that dillweed grass monster that's worse than anything that's come through a gate.'

[He doesn't doubt it's a lot easier for people to hear about the villainy Varian committed and still forgive him. There's that phrase, you're only human. It doesn't apply to grass boys. He's closer to the nonhuman monsters that live on the other side of the gates than anyone from this world.]

[droptheious]

[Varian frowns as Fern speaks- he's not exactly got the healthiest self-worth himself, but he knows Fern's is so, so much worse. He hates to see it, though, how much Fern actively loathes himself. He shifts a little closer on the bed, leaning in to press a small, reassuring kiss on the other boy's forehead.]

I don't think everyone would say that, because that's not who you are. What about someone you trust? Like...Danny or Moana? They both know about me and they...neither of them thought less of me for everything I've done. And it did feel better talking to them about it. I'm not saying tell everyone, heck, only a really small amount of people know about my past. But it makes it...I don't know. Less heavy to carry? If people you trust know, too.

[laminae]

[He actually huddles a bit closer at the kiss. Physical affection has always been a lot more effective at comforting him than words, and right now is no exception. He still feels unsure about the idea, but it's a lot easier to consider with Varian here.]

I'll... think about it. [If they accepted Varian then maybe they'll accept what he did... Though he can't stop that nagging, what if they don't? What if Varian is wrong?

He huffs a little.]

I guess even if they realize I'm a huge dirtball I'll still have you. It's not like I'll be alone.

[droptheious]

[Varian accepts the closeness willingly, one of his hands moving to the back of Fern's head - fingers smoothing through his hair, trying to provide some comfort. He desperately wants his boyfriend to feel safe in this place- to have people he can rely on. He deserves that much.]

You're not a dirtball, so they have nothing to realise there.

[Said gentle, but firm. He's going to maintain that belief no matter what.]

But yeah, I'm not going anywhere, no matter what happens, okay? You'll never be alone if I can help it.

[laminae]

[Fern opens his mouth to argue, then promptly shuts it. With anyone else he'd argue that yes, he definitely is a dirtball, but not with Varian. He's the only one here who understands what those feelings are like, and he's been insistent that despite everything Varian did back home he is not, in fact, a dirtball.

So he can't say anything. Not unless he wants to be a total hypocrite.

He sighs a little, then just pulls Varian into a tight hug.]

I know. I trust you.

[droptheious]

[Varian returns the hug, tight and solid- he's not going anywhere and he is glad to hear that Fern trusts him on that. He knows Fern has been left down time and time again, and the fact the other boy puts his trust in him after all this time means the whole damn world. He gives his boyfriend a little squeeze.]

Thank you. I'm glad you do.

[He'll do everything in his power to make sure that trust is never misplaced. ]