astrology | OPEN POST

[It seemed a bit silly and childish to explain, not to mention far too intimate, so Kyu-Bok was extremely grateful that it seemed like Kaoru was going to accept it with no questions asked. And not in a judging or condescending way, but one that seemed empathetic. The tension that had been building in his shoulders drained out of him, and he shot her a grateful smile.]

Thanks.

[Both for understanding and coming along with him. He shot a grin at her as she started to outline the plan, laughing.]

You sure you haven't done this before? Knowing my ex-roommate, he hasn't moved anything out of laziness. My room was closest to the fire escape so it should be easy to get in and get out.

[ Kaoru grinned back at Kyu-Bok, raising her eyebrows playfully. ]

The official story is that I've never done this before.

[ The truthful story was the same, of course, but there was no harm in having a little fun. Bonus points if it helped him to feel a little more confident about what they were about to do. ]

Do you have a key still? Or are we going to need to break in in the old-fashioned, literal sense?

[ She flexed her fingers. If it meant breaking a window, it was no problem. Lacerations healed. ]

Oooh, troublemaker Kaoru might be my new favorite.

[It definitely made him feel a bit more confident about the whole venture. If it wasn't important, he would have left it well enough alone. He knew better than most that things were only as powerful as you let them be, but he had always had a hard time letting go.

As he rolled to a stop in front of his old apartment complex, where thankfully he'd lived on the ground floor, he shook his head at the question about the keys.]

He's lazy but he's not that stupid sadly. I can probably figure out how to unlock the window though. [He paused, raising an eyebrow at her.] Unless you have a better plan?

[ The comment made her grin, and she gave him a quick wink. As the car pulled to a halt, she looked out at the apartment building, turning back to hear the answer to her question. ]

We can try to unlock the window first, if you want. [ After all, it was the safest option and the one least likely to get them in any trouble. ] But if that doesn't work, I can punch a hole in it and unlock it from the inside.

[ She raised her right hand, flexing her fingers in his direction this time. ]

It won't hurt for long.

[Reaching back behind his seat, Kyu-Bok snagged a few of the containers that housed his magic, arching an eyebrow at Kaoru's suggestion.]

You sure? It'll still hurt, even if it's not for long.

[Hopefully it wouldn't come to it, but a back up plan never hurt. Especially since Kyu-Bok couldn't be sure his roommate hadn't invested in some heavy anti-magic wards.

He grabbed a few of the dufflebags in back, stuffing a hat over his head that had the same logo as on the van. He handed over another one over to Kaoru, feeling jittery and anxious and excited at once.]

Stuff your hair under this and let's go.

[He was already out of the van before the hat was fully handed over, striding over to his window purposefully.]

[ She grinned. ]

Nothing I'm not used to, Kyu. [ Not ideal, of course, but there were worse things in the world. Kaoru had done any number of stupid things to test her abilities since they'd manifested, and pain was just part of the deal, in her mind.

She grabbed the offered hat, taking a moment to pull her hair back so that it can tuck easily under the hat, which she tugged onto her head. Only then did she follow him out of the van, grabbing a couple more of the bags on the way, flexing her fingers as she followed him over to the window. ]

Just say the word.

[He appreciated Kaoru's ride or die attitude about this immensely, but if he didn't have to break a window and hurt her, he wouldn't. It didn't stop him from breaking one of the containers that housed his magic, a small little novelty pencil that disappeared as the magic ate away at it. The window didn't seem to be warded, and the lock swung open easily enough. He used magic to lift it up from the ledge, gesturing for Kaoru to go in first, putting a finger to his lips.

Even though his ex-roommate wasn't supposed to be home, he didn't want to take any chances of getting caught.

Though maybe he shouldn't have been too worried, because it looked like his room was just as he had left it. A mess of random trinkets strewn on every surface, everything from cheap looking snowglobes to an ornate antique jewelry box. He followed Kaoru in and went straight for the shelf that had been where his little red bird had been.]

I'm going to look in his room real quick. You can take whatever you want from here.

[ Kaoru watched the pencil in interest as it disappeared just in time for the window lock to swing open, and shook her head. Kyu-Bok never ceased to amaze her with what he could do, and she was someone who healed from even major injury without missing a beat. Following him through into the room, she looked around quietly. He'd said the red bird was the most important thing, but working with someone like him, even the novelty snowglobes that littered the room could be important. She resolved to carry as much as she could fit in the bags she held. ]

Got it. [ Her voice was quiet, business-like; very unlike her usual tone. As he left the room, she proceeded to open the bags, starting to fill them with the various trinkets in the room. The first, of course, was the jewelry box. It looked beautiful and seemed important. From there, the snowglobes and other various objects that he had left here. ]

[The door to his roommate's room wasn't locked, but it didn't seem like the bird was hidden in any of the usual hiding places Kyu-Bok could think of ( drawers, under the bed, the box of paraphernalia hidden deep in his closet ), and growing increasingly frustrated, he took out another trinket to sacrifice, trying to locate it with a spell.

It led him into the kitchen, then to the inside of the oven, where the bird sat on a tray of all things, looking relatively unharmed. Kyu-Bok almost whooped out loud with joy when he heard footsteps coming down the hall. Quickly, he darted back into his old room and shut the door, finger to his lips. He heard the rattling of keys and then the sound of them being inserted into the doorknob, and frantically, he gestured for Kaoru to go back out the window.]

[ Kaoru was busily shoving things into bags when Kyu-Bok slipped back into the room with a finger to his lips. Great. Apparently they'd been discovered sooner rather than later.

Much sooner. Because a moment later there were keys being put into the doorknob. Her eyes widening, she nodded in response to his motions, slinging the bags over her back and shoulders before she clambered out the window, trying to move as quickly and silently as she possibly could.

As soon as she was safely outside, she turned, ready to help him if he needed anything. As soon as he was out, they could fucking book it. ]

[He had to give it to Kaoru, she kept her cool under pressure, and he was impressed at how full she'd filled up the bags and how quick she was to climb out the window. He gave her hands a grateful squeeze as he used them to help him balance as he hopped down from the window. He shut the window as quickly and quietly as possible, grabbing one of the extra bags to dash towards the car.

His heart was pounding so harshly in his chest he was surprised he could hear anything else, and his hands were shaking slightly as he started up the car, waiting for Kaoru to be situated to pull out of the complex slowly.]

Oh my god.

[It was exhaled quickly, still a bit shaky but now verging on giddy.]

You okay? Do you see anyone following us?

[ She made sure he was safe on the ground before she took off for the van, sprinting around to the passenger side. She tossed the bags carefully into the backseat before clambering into the front, buckling up and getting herself situated as quickly as she could so they could get out of there.

As Kyu-Bok pulled the car out of the complex, she kept her eyes trained on the side mirrors, looking for cars. Vaguely, she noticed that unlike her friend, she wasn't shaking, despite feeling like she was hopped up on adrenaline. Her heart was running a little faster than normal, but definitely not pounding. Either her mutation, for lack of a better word, was keeping her vitals in check, or she was built for thievery. The thought made her smirk in amusement to herself. ]

I think we're okay. I don't see anyone.

[ She turned to look at him, her expression softening. ] I'm fine. What about you? Did you get it?

Oh good, great.

[Kyu-Bok took a few more glances into the rear view mirror, then a few steadying breaths, before he forced himself to stop gripping the steering wheel so harshly. It would be a stupid reason to get caught and show up on anyone's radar, but was it really a crime if he was just taking his own stuff back? He had to hope it held up in a court of law.

He snapped back to himself when Kaoru asked after the memento, and beaming, he patted at his pocket.]

Yeah, thanks to you. I don't think I would have been able to do this on my own! Should we get something to eat or drink to celebrate? It's on me.

[ Kaoru smiled to see Kyu-Bok finally relaxing, to see him patting his pocket to confirm that the most important of their targets had been successfully obtained. They were okay, she thought; they were in the clear. Nothing to worry about now. ]

You know what? It's not every day I help a friend break into their ex's place to get their stuff back. [ She offered him a grin, settling comfortably into the passenger's seat. ] Let's do it.

[ In all honesty, more than a free drink, Kaoru is just glad her friend was able to get back what he needed. ]

Exactly! We should celebrate.

[Kyu-Bok grinned back at her as she got comfortable, expression turning thoughtful as he considered places that were far enough away that he didn't have to worry about them being caught so close to the scene of the crime.]

There's a decent bar not too far from here that serves the best nachos. Are you in?

Um, yes?

[ The words are said with a pointed raise of her brow, Kaoru grinning across at him, because hello, who didn't love nachos? Nachos and and a bar, at that. He's not the only one thinking about the distance, though, and after a moment, she re-considers the suggestion. ]

Not too far? But far enough away that if this gets called in - [ which she doubts, but still ] - we're not suspect?

Yeah, we'll be fine! It's close to your place so it's not like it'd be suspicious we'd go there.

[With that destination in mind, he picked up speed to get there relatively quickly. As he drove, he let the magic that was encircling the van dissolve so that by the time they got to the bar it was just a plain, if slightly run down, vehicle. Nothing like the shiny company van that would have been outside of his ex-roommates apartment.

He hopped down from the van, starving and eager to spend the rest of the night doing something fun for a change. He slung an arm around Kaoru's shoulders, grinning.]

You helped me out big time so get whatever you want! Dependable people should be rewarded.

Perfect.

[ Yes, close to her place was safe. And nachos were literally the best fucking food a girl could ask for after helping a friend break in to his old place to get his stuff back.

When she stepped out of the van, she looked at it curiously, impressed at how different it looked now compared to when she'd first stepped into it. And when he slung his arm around her shoulders, she leaned into him, grinning too. ]

You're my friend, stupid. Of course I'm gonna be there for you. [ Then, after a thoughtful pause, her eyes flitting back in the direction of the van, she added: ] You know, you never cease to amaze me, Kyu.

Would friends call their friends stupid?

[Even though his face was pinched distastefully, he couldn't deny it had been idiotic and that he responded well to people who teased him. Though he liked being coddled, it also made him wary.

As they headed into the bar, which was a bit empty before the rush of the night, Kyu-Bok turned to look at her curiously.]

Look whose talking! I didn't know you had tonight in you. [Still, he wouldn't turn down praise.] But how so?

Um, yes. Yes they would.

[ It was said with a grin. She only ever called someone stupid out of love, of course, and Kyu was no exception to the rule. You had to be a special person for Kaoru to call you names. (It came in part no doubt from her Aquarian Jupiter - difficult to tame, spontaneous, enjoying too much her own eccentricity and that of other people.)

His praise made her smile, and she sought out a booth far away from what would undoubtedly be the hustle and bustle later, grabbing his arm to pull him over there. ]

It's nothing compared to you. The glamour on the van, the thing where you opened a locked window without needing brute force... It's pretty fucking wild.

You're lucky I like you enough to put up with this kind of abuse.

[Even though Kyu-Bok was complaining, he couldn't help but grin at Kaoru, glad that even if he was stupid, Kaoru was going to stick with him regardless.

He followed her over to the booth, settling down across from her. He beamed at her compliments, basking in them happily, leaning forward as if he was going to impart a big secret.]

It is a lot of fun, but anyone could learn! If you want, I could try to teach you.

[There's no way that could end badly.]

I love you too, Kyu.

[ Her brows raised at that. Learn? The idea was certainly appealing, especially the idea of glamours like the one he'd cast on the car. After all, with her healing ability... Kaoru's eyes fell to the tattoo on her left wrist, the only one that didn't constantly need re-touching. ]

Maybe this'll sound weird, but... the van. How long does that kind of thing last for? [ The rest - would the benefits outweigh the cost involved? - went unspoken for now, Kaoru pursing her lips as she glanced back up at him. Her tattoo artist was thankfully understanding, but if it meant not having to spend an arm and a fucking leg to keep herself looking the way she wanted... ]

[Maturely, Kyu-Bok crinkled up his face as if to say 'augh' nonverbally, but the display was mostly a teasing one. As soon as she seemed interested in learning magic, Kyu-Boks straightened up, beaming. Sure he had never taught anyone, but it was typically the mark of a good mage to have an apprentice. While it might not get to that level with Kaoru, it could be decent practice at least to try to get a feel for it. Kyu-Bok always felt he was too meandering when it came to magic to be a teacher, but it never hurt to try it once.]

It depends on how much magic you pour into it and how well you can sustain magic. I'm pretty good at it, so if I wanted, I could have it last for decades.

[He puffed out his chest, pleased with himself, before sobering slightly.]

But sustaining magic is the most difficult type of magic to learn, let alone master. Why?

[ Damn. Realistically, she probably should have known it was too good to be true. Stretching out her arm, she indicated the constellation on her wrist. ]

I got this before my body started to heal itself all the time. And the three holes in my ears. They're the only things that stay. Any other tattoo or piercing heals itself within months. Sometimes shorter. I spend way too much money on touch-ups. [ She offered him a small, self-deprecating grin. ] Perhaps it's dumb, but I like how they look. [ Kaoru was sure that there were a lot of people in the world who would give anything for the ability she had, and yet all it seemed to do was annoy her, a lot of the time. ]

Now, if I could glamour them, that would be a lot simpler. [ Then, she laughed. ] Though I may also bankrupt my artist.

OPEN POST

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