[ "Does he think hitting everything can solve all his problems?" ]
[ Disembodied voice?? Also not Weiss'?? Ragna's pupils reduce to pins and he reluctantly turns around. First towards Weiss as he attempts to force some bass back into his words. ]
Hey...you uh, hear that?
[ "Although..." A gleeful giggle. "What! What!""Isn't it kind of sweet too? Bravely charging ahead all, 'Don't worry, I'll save you'?"
"Oho that is so darling!"
So begins another facet of Ragna the Bloodedge on full display, as he hones in on the painting on the wall, the Teasing Trio all smiles and longing sighs as they chinhand at the two and— ]
G-Ghosts?! H-H-Here tooooo?!?!
[ Oh. There's a new octave. Ragna immediately takes a step (two) back, hairs on his one good arm standing on end as he halfheartedly raises it in front of himself in defence. ]
[ Weiss gives him space, taking a step to the side. Before he can even do anything, the lights flicker and then there are voices...
She doesn't scream or anything, but she does tense up, immediately looking around to see if there is anyone else around. It's the painting. They're moving and talking, and they most definitely aren't human. Ragna might think they're ghosts, but she doesn't think they are?
It's under investigation. Weiss isn't as scared anymore compared to when she first arrived and met her doppelganger, but it is still very unsettling regardless. ]
Um...?
[ What the hell is going on... she thought for sure the paintings couldn't talk. They could jump out of their frames, but... this is weird. Should she just accept that just about anything can happen here? She really should, shouldn't she?
Her companion's voice breaks, and her attention goes back to him. He isn't looking so good, which gets her to raise an eyebrow. Is he really scared? Somehow, she didn't think he would be scared of ghosts... but to each his own. She won't kick him while he's down, so she takes a step forward, as if to shield him with her smallass body from the painting. ]
Leave him alone.
[ Now the Teasing Trio stop giggling. Or at least, they do when Weiss shuts them up for a second or two.
"Oh, how cute! Don't you worry, we aren't going to do anything! We're stuck here!"
Great, they're smartasses, too. Whether or not they're trying to be annoying on purpose, Weiss just frowns, unimpressed with the response she's received.
"Show us something cute! We'll let you go after you entertain us a bit, okay? Please? Look, look! He's sooo scared! Doesn't he deserve a kiss and a hug?" ]
... [ So that's it. They can't leave the elevator and it's all because of this painting. Weiss honestly feels a little bad. This isn't her fault, but somehow? She thought for sure Ragna wouldn't get subject to the resort's oddities right away. Maybe it was wrong of her to be optimistic about it, but they did seem to have a good start, just chatting and not even eating anything that made them horny. She doesn't even know what to even tell him now, because she knows what she should be doing to get out. But if she were in his shoes, she'd totally be making a big deal about this. No way can this stupid place tell her what to do!
It's why instead of talk about a kiss and a hug, she instead asks: ]
Are you okay? [ Scared, obviously, but she'll at least make sure he knows he's got company and the paintings won't do anything crazy while she's around. They don't look threatening, and that's all that's important to her. If it were a painting of a demon or something, then she'd 100% be terrified with him. ]
[ Phantoms weren't something that Ragna typically dealt with on the regular, as attuned as he was with the concept of souls and spirits by now. Unfortunately? They're still rooted deeply to him, to the point where his heart was palpitating as he scrunches his eyes shut just so he can avoid looking at them. Like a rare, childish notion that if he can't see them, they can't see him. He's already got it imprinted in his head that they're ghosts...and there weren't very many that he didn't just soldier on through despite himself. It's always that initial impact— the heat, the ringing in his ears as the pain exceeds the shock his body attempts to throw himself into, the wooziness, the blood loss, that son of a bitch's voice cackling all the while and making him feel even more powerless than he already was... It's funny on the surface, and for all intents and purposes, he masks the truth well behind his girly screams or flinching whimpers.
But then he hears another voice. One he just met. One he knew. One that stuck around with him as she tells the Teasing Trio to leave him alone. And Ragna bites down a whimper. He doesn't cry; he's not even close to that. But he cracks his green eye open first, Weiss practically shielding him by standing between him and the painting. And the visual is sobering for an entirely different reason. And his eyes open with a tremor behind her. The last time someone stood between him and a ghost, they...
...!
Come on, Ragna. Come on. Get out of your own head. Get out of your own thoughts. Snap back to reality?! He'd already been skeeved out from his prior investigations here, this shouldn't be so shocking to him. That was all then. This is now. Why should he be scared of some phantom painting? So, despite himself, keeping behind Weiss as he does, Ragna does bark back up. ]
Yeah, ha HA ha! Real funny, assholes! What the hell do you want??
[ "Show us something cute! We'll let you go after you entertain us a bit, okay? Please? Look, look! He's sooo scared! Doesn't he deserve a kiss and a hug?" ]
Shut up! I-I'm not scared—
[ Another little voice crack. ]
[ "Come now, we're not asking for much~ Please? We just want to have a little fun... Unless...you want to be stuck in here... Foooreeeever~" ]
Check it. Better plan? How about, you piss off and let us off already, you damn voyeurs.
[ He lets out a frustrated little growl, after the initial outburst had been burned away into the ether. He remembers to take a deep breath again. Slow. Try to calm himself. Around the time that Weiss turns around to ask him if he's okay, he almost looks...ashamed? A frown mars his lips as he closes his eyes, one more breath in through his nose, and out his mouth. Weiss had stepped in to stick up for him. She didn't need to do that, even if it was just some playful spirits in a painting.
There he was, wanting to do better than this resort ever could in helping someone and sticking it to them, and now he's the one hiding behind her. So when he opens his eyes again, trying to keep his attention on her, there's still a hint of embarrassment in his voice. They're just in the painting. They're not monsters. There's no fire. There's no pain. There's no haunting voices whispering in his ear. ]
Yeah. [ A beat. ] Yeah. I'm fine. Great.
[ Shit, he can hear himself. That wasn't "Great". ]
Sorry. I... I overreacted.
[ Getting mad at the painting was his coping mechanism, it seems like. And chances were he'd still feel a shiver trickle down his spine if they decided to pipe up. Instead, at least for the time being, they keep to themselves, little whispers in each others' ears and distanced giggles as they wait and see if they need to give the two of them some more coercion or not. ]
So. [ Back to trying some sense of normalcy as if he hadn't just had a freakout earlier. If nothing else, he bounces back quick. ] Guessing this is another trick up this place's sleeve.
[ That didn't sound great to her... but she won't question it. Though he will see with the way her brow almost quirks up that she's doubtful. Very doubtful. No, she just doesn't believe him at all. But the fact that she doesn't comment on it is more for his sake and not hers.
Whatever he says. ]
You're fine. Just... try to ignore them, I guess.
[ Weiss gives a slight shake of her head, only wincing slightly when the giggles of the trio pierce her ears. She resists the urge to turn around and give them attention though, merely rolling her eyes as she scoffs. ]
I don't really like them, either. And I know there was something weird with the paintings... They're alive? Sort of.
[ Her voice is a little softer, trying to ensure that the trio won't be able to hear her. While she doesn't have a lot of information on how these paintings can even talk, she at least knows that there's something up with them. And they're the reason why she doesn't like sleeping alone, else she's scared she'd find her doppelganger in her room just staring at her.
The doppelganger that actually is inside one of the framed artworks. Strange as that may be... ]
I'm not sure that we can get out of here on our own, though. [ She turns her attention towards the panel with the buttons again, pressing on the open door button a couple of times. ] We can't even leave this stupid casino...
[ So something small scale like this? While she should have figured that something like this could happen, she never really did. ]
[ It's alright, Weiss. He's already lambasting himself in his own head over it all. Ragna is more self-conscious than he likes to let on, despite making it seem as though he could care less what other people thought about it. Though, maybe that's just more being easier to brush off his enemies after the Azure Grimoire, or his bounty, or who simply knew him for being the SS-Class Criminal. ]
H'okay.
[ Right on cue, Ragna joins her in wincing when the giggling trio drips into his ears. For what it's worth, Weiss, he can do that for you. If he doesn't say anything, he at least fixes them with a glare before her voice brings him right back.
Whisperwhisperwhisper "So smouldering..." DO THEY EVEN KNOW HOW THAT'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK?
The softer register in Weiss' voice, as if they were trying to keep the painting out of the loop, helps him too. And though he can't completely dispel that tension that grips his spine, his shoulders do seem to lax some again. Because this isn't a gag reel ending he concentrates on Weiss, his own voice comes in softer in a an attempt to echo her. ]
Not without causing a ruckus, anyway.
[ And by "ruckus", he means trying to break the walls, pry the doors open (which won't work sorry), attack the paintings themselves... The only reason he doesn't is because he's not by himself. Yes. Ragna the Bloodedge is, by some stroke of a miracle, holding back for someone else's sake. It helps that her words distract him from those violent thoughts, and she opens herself to him with that little lament about not even leaving this stupid casino...
And something in his heart sinks. He knows next to nothing about her. Next to nothing about anybody here. But there's nothing that makes him special either. They're just guests, rolling the dice on what leisures await them next. All of this was new for him, but when he takes a seat and thinks it all through, it's less the fact that they're being coerced into having sex as a big game, and more about what's been left behind. What was waiting back home for Weiss? What responsibilities did she get whisked away from, if any? Weiss acting all fussy about the lineup at Birdbucks, making fun of his name, finding him so easy to tease...
And for Ragna, inviting her up to his place without any strings attached, tolerating her as long as he has, even smiling for the first time since he got here...
Is it all coping? ]
That's why I wanna know everything I can about this place. Even if it means I gotta... [ It's hard to keep looking her in those pure, icy blues of hers, but Ragna manages. Why the hell not? She's already caught him with his pants proverbially down when he flipped over ghosts the way he did. They're also stalling. ] ...play my hand, to do it.
But I'm not giving up. [ He already almost did that once. And whatever Weiss does with her spare time isn't his business, but he can place his wager on one thing; she's not happy about this either. How many people that were stolen away from their lives were still coping? These past few days of shock have finally settled for Ragna. If he can figure something out that not just helps himself, but helps people like her, than he'll do it. There doesn't have to be any big reason behind it. It's as simple as that. He breaks this casino's foundations and learns how to jump back home? He takes that chance. He breaks this casino's foundations and learns how to get everyone else back home?
He tells the dealer to hit him and prays he doesn't bust. ]
...
[ And so, against his better judgment and fighting that creeping sensation that lingers on the edges of his thoughts, Ragna breaks his gaze away from Weiss to look back up at the Teasing Trio. Oh! He's looking right at them! ]
Hey. What do you want?
[ And don't bullshit him. He's fighting against every fiber of his being not to just shudder just thinking of being surrounded by haunted paintings.
"What do we want? That's easy. Show us some flirting, give us a treat!"
Flirting, a little treat. A hug and a kiss?
"We'll let you two go after you entertain us a bit." As for what they like? "Anything cute, anything sweet. It gets so boring in here. Imagine watching everyone do nothing but stand before leaving. Don't we deserve some fun?" ]
[ And a lot of people, she thinks. Sure, this place has practically summoned all kinds of people from all kinds of places— normal humans like her or those who can almost parallel the strength of gods. This place seems a lot more powerful than everybody combined, though, which makes it very troublesome.
This ruckus Ragna's thinking about? It's going to take a lot of time and effort to organise. It can't just be one person causing mayhem and all.
But that's something for later on. Far later, when there's more information to this resort beyond what it's appeared to be. ]
I'm sure some people have more information than I do. But it doesn't look like those people are keen on sharing what they know to everybody.
[ When the population— at least, the ones who recently arrived like her— aren't all interested in leaving anyway, there really is no point to force anything. Everyone's still feeling this place out, making connections, learning what they can about everyone and this casino. Leaving this place remains to be her priority, because she isn't one to run away from her responsibilities, but she is of the same mind. Much as she'd hate to admit it to just about anyone.
If she has to participate in this casino's... eccentricities, if it means learning in the process, and if it means getting out of here in the end? Then sure, she'll play. She hasn't gotten hurt. Yet.
That's enough serious contemplation for now, though. Even if she'd like to continue exchanging opinions about this place, there really is something else they have to deal with. The painting's stated what they want for them to get out of here, and while Weiss did understand. Anything cute, anything sweet, and being stuck in a place like this doesn't really help in setting the mood. ]
So, [ Coping. Coping.
She's got a wry smile on her face when she asks: ] Are you even capable of anything cute?
[ Whether it was for some convoluted purpose or something surface-level as in not wanting such a good time to end, Ragna's also of the mind to keep this more serious contemplation as an aside for now. Besides, their conversation was beginning to bore their audience, it seems like. One of them even has the audacity to yawn? Tch, like they had anywhere to be. Unlike Ragna and Weiss. Which, practically means that...
Sigh.
Damn it. He still doesn't know what this is supposed to look like before the elevator actually moves. But if anything?
Fine. He'll do this for her. First things first however, ]
What, is Mr. "Crimson Calamity" that mean looking?
[ But they're circling the drain on this one. Even Ragna can figure that one out as he tries to match her wry smile with that of faint amusement. If he's gonna be a guest here for a while, he might as well just roll with the punches (until he can start punching back). He doubts she'll ever let him live that card down either way. ]
[ He doesn't take offence to it. Back home, he couldn't afford to let people stay close to him for long, after all. He doesn't care about his status or the height of his criminal record. Although "mean" doesn't exactly do one favours in this place. As a member of the trio pipes up once more, he less bristles this time (thanks to Weiss' presence) and more knits his brow in annoyance as his attention is divided once more. Shooting another "knock it off" look up at the paintings: ]
Hey, you want cute? Then zip it.
[ "Oh oh oh! And shy to boot~"Growl."Okay okay. Shh shh shshshshshh..." whisperwhisperwhisper...
"So. You didn't answer." ]
You want me "changing my tune" or the real answer?
[ Because the former and trying to act all lovey-dovey, flirty or actively trying to play into the hands of the Trio was gonna be fake. Fake and awkward. And the longer he looks down at Weiss, Ragna, he... ]
[ A softened sigh this time. He told her that as attractive as she looked, he wasn't into coaxing people into sex with the promise of fancy food and lodge. He was grateful for her help and what little information she had to give him. That was all still true. She even convinced him to actually try out the Casino and get some money so he didn't land in too much hot water with the staff over his room service bill. The entire time he invited her up, she even got to see a side of him that not many had a chance to in his world.
How could they? He was the SS-Class Criminal with the highest bounty on record. He was the destroyer. The Grim Reaper. All the stories about him just had to be true. He was a monster wearing human skin. It's like he has a role to play and he knows it beat by beat.
And for the first time since he got here- no. For the first time in what felt like ages even back home, Ragna felt...
Normal. And what came with this normalcy was...a little more honesty. It's not Weiss' fault either, which may be why he doesn't have any bite in his voice when he confesses: ]
I've never...flirted with anyone before. Heck, I've never even kissed someone. [ A huff, less out of annoyance and more a prelude to admittance: ] I doubt I'd even get far enough for that back home.
[ It's difficult to set the mood and get all cute and romantic in this place, especially when what it's really asking for isn't romantic at all. It's why even asking for it—the fact that she's blatantly asking, rather than being subtle about it—does not help at all.
Still, if the painting won't shut up and won't let them leave until they do something that appeases them, then Weiss just has to try and make the most out of the situation. For now, she doesn't think about the objective too much, and would just prefer to let things be natural.
Although if he doesn't do anything cute, she might just have to force him on his knees so she can smush his cheeks with her hands and kiss him.
Ragna's response is honest, though. Vulnerable, even. Weiss can't even tease him for something like that. Not to mention, there's a part of her that can relate. Sure, she's flirted with people before, but it never really led to anything concrete. Her first kiss was in this place, and it was given to someone she doesn't even like. Not in a romantic way, anyway... ]
You and me both.
[ That's mostly to the "back home" comment. It'd take some time for Weiss to want to commit to a relationship given everything that's been going on. She doesn't sound all that bitter, though. Her commitment to being a Huntress and protecting her world comes first, after all. But she does smile up at him as a means to say he's not alone in this, and even though she's been here longer, and has therefore, had some experience in being close to people? She knows a bit of what he's feeling. ]
You should probably kiss someone you like, though. Especially if it's your first. So... here. I think this should count.
[ Handholding counts as cute, right? She thinks she heard one of the subjects in the painting say so earlier. She moves to stand on his right side now instead of in front of him, taking a deep breath, then she takes his hand in hers. ]
[ It's not that Ragna didn't know what to do— or at least, he had an approximation... The man has eyes and ears, even with the life he leads as a wandering destroyer with a bounty high enough that one could buy an island with his worth. What modicum of privacy he finds for himself in fleeting instances (that aren't interrupted by the Rabbit or something or another) grants him time to be alone with his thoughts, varying as they were. He's heard things— read things even. But Ragna has never given himself the time, it's something he's never been allotted...nor did he find himself pining for it either. How could he when he didn't even know what it felt like to touch someone without risking hurting them? He talks a big talk, and walks it well when it pertains to the perceived view everyone has of him. But the cold hard fact was that he'd already thought he made peace with saying goodbye to anything like intimacy.
And then he woke up here.
Weiss' words cut through to him, and how she can relate to him and what he's going through. It must have been the same way for so many other people here. ]
This place sure knows how to pick 'em, don't they?
[ They can go back to bickering, bantering, taunting and teasing...whatever the beginning of this was. A beginning that Ragna never would have thought of, let alone entertained with the life that he lead— or what little of it he's probably got left. Right now, she smiles up at him and flat-out disarms him in an entirely different way; the Teasing Trio would be treated to a first out of their rougher guest as his cheeks are gently dusted rose. But it's her next words that, unknowingly, challenge his own thoughts. And his inexperience shows once more, his throat clearing as he attempts to...
Protest? Bark? Clear the air? What was he even thinking? Well...if he was, his words are faster than his brain is as she moves to stand on his right side while he pipes up: ]
Hey, I didn't say I didn't like you I just—! [ He catches himself. Shit. His cheeks fluster further. Careful, Ragna. Temper temper. He's about to rant... ] What I meant was— I get what you meant, it's not like that but first anythings in a goddamn place like thi—
[ She takes hold of his right hand. ]
[ And his breath silently catches, the whole length of his arm visibly tensing as he braces himself... But the Azure Grimoire doesn't respond. It doesn't throb with waves of chronic pain. Nor does it latch onto Weiss' soul. It's just. Silent. And what looked like an initial bracing for pain and panic on his expression as he looks down at Weiss at his side...ebbs away as his gaze drifts down at their hands connected. She's holding the Azure Grimoire without consequence. No one has responded to it negatively since he got here. And without that power taking anything away from her, even through his glove, it almost feels like direct contact.
Her hand feels so small...
Ragna doesn't jerk his hand away. Instead, he reciprocates, squeezing it back before his hold settles on something firm yet...surprisingly gentle. ]
[ She most certainly meant that he should kiss someone he likes romantically first. Given that he's in a place like this though, it would be a challenge to do that. Still, she was thinking that the longer he could hold onto that first kiss of his here, the better. Maybe it was just a cool idea in her head. Who knows.
The panic is clear as day when he looks at her and how their she has his hand in hers, and anything she could say about his first kiss is gone for a moment. So, is it his first time holding someone's hand too? Blue eyes flitter over briefly towards the painting. One of the trio's got their chin on their hands, and the other one is biting their nails in anticipation, while the other is doing this.
That's enough looking! Thank you very much.
He might just see her looking a little flustered from that too, but the way the panic disappears from his face and just turns to something more like a calm and curious acceptance mellows her down, too. As does the squeeze of her hand. ]
You'll get used to it. [ Maybe. Weiss sure did after holding her teammates' hands at some point. ] It feels nice, when you're troubled and someone holds your hand.
[ It's a fancy idea, for sure. Was there anyone he could think of back home that he'd ever like in that way? ...at the time, no. No, probably not. He's far too thickheaded to even get hints even if they were dangled right in front of him like a carrot to a rabbit. It doesn't repulse him, however. Why else would he have been the one to squeeze her hand back? Ragna's mismatched green and red gaze lift back up around the time her own eyes flit towards the painting. What's she looking at— oh.
He follows just in time to see the third ghost stuck on the wall. His reaction is pretty similar, only his grip of her tightens and he clicks his tongue before forcing himself to look away. Focus on her. Don't pay attention to them. She's the only one here. She's the only thing that's real right now. She's...the only one he wants to give his attention to right now. If it meant getting out of this elevator and carrying on with their day. This wasn't just for him. She's counting on him too, isn't she?
So buck up, Mr. "Crimson Calamity". And what happens in this elevator? Stays in this elevator. This wasn't the time or place, and if he had it his way, no one would ever have to know but. If not with Weiss...if he's really going to find himself playing the game, some explaining his right arm was going to have to happen. But not now. ]
I haven't gotten to do this in years. [ Hold someone's hand. Jin or Saya's hand like the protective big brother he once was. ] But...
It's nice. [ He doesn't say how he's not sure he'll ever do this again back home or not. ] This feels good.
[ He hasn't held someone's hand in years, huh? It's good he's actually experienced it before, at least. Weiss would have teased him by holding his hand for the ~first time~ another time, but he's saved himself from that in the future.
It's his story to tell, and she definitely won't pry, and it's why she doesn't ask. It's enough that he agrees with her, because it does take away the awkwardness of holding someone's hand when they've got a conversation going. Even if said conversation is about holding hands. ]
You know what would be nicer?
[ "If you kissed!" ]
Cut it out, will you?!
[ WHY ARE THESE PAINTINGS HERE... Weiss is trying to have a conversation here!! She'd throw a rock at them if she could, but alas... the only thing she can throw at them is her shoe. ]
[ There was a line she was going to deliver after asking that. But now the moment is ruined and she is 100% pouting. Even when she looks at him, she just looks like a brat who has to wait in line to play on the swings. ]
[ What would be nicer than holding hands? ... She'll have to forgive him, because where they are now isn't leaving his mind open to many other options. Weiss may be thinking of making a joke, but Ragna's the one that feels his tongue thickening in his mouth when he quietly swallows and tries to keep up. He can't ask before the ghosts chime in once more. Hand-in-hand, the two white haired cacti direct their spines at the painting as he barks with her: ]
Shut up, already!
[ Aaand he's back to scowling. Great job, ghosts. You want progress? Zip it. He's prepared to apologize (for what?) and try and ask where they left off, grumpy face and all. That is until he's looking back down at Weiss whose giving him one hell of a pout. And he stops. Maybe it was the time leading up to getting back in this elevator, but holding her hand still like this as she looks like a spoiled brat who got told her favourite ice cream was sold out...
So this is what "cute" is, huh? Capped off with Weiss spoiling what she was going to say, he can even bypass his own embarrassment of what he thought she was going to imply to begin with. ]
For what it's worth, [ he doesn't move quite yet, but the thought crosses his mind to step in front of her, both so he can stop catching the Teasing Trio in his peripheral and so he can block her view of those jackasses. ] I was gonna ask how many more crepes I'll owe you after this.
[ She's not quite sure what he's talking about now, since it's not like she's going to be lording this over him for helping him out later on. That's certainly one way to remove the pout off her face, though. ]
What for?
[ Because if this is about her helping him out here, it's not really something she'd want payment for. ]
[ Okay, now that's funny. With her free hand, she has to cover her mouth when she laughs so as to not seem rude. ]
Let me guess. That was your first time telling a joke, wasn't it?
[ Because it certainly wasn't very good. That's okay, though. He has the funniest person in all of Remnant literally holding his hand and guiding him through everything right now. He can learn a thing or two from her. ]
[ There's a sense of accomplishment that rushes through her, and she shakes her head as she huffs out another laugh. ]
I'm so proud of you. Just for that, I'm forgiving your lame joke and you won't have to actually owe me any crepes for it.
[ He brought it up... Now she can start asking him for crepes and other pastries. 😌
Much as she wants to keep laughing and telling jokes though, the painting has certainly quieted down. But the elevator isn't moving yet. ]
Anyway... [ If he hasn't blocked her view of the painting, she'll turn away from them without letting go of his hand. It's at the same time, for some reason, that the lights in the elevator dim a little. Not cool.
She lifts their hands. ] It looks like they're not letting us leave just yet.
[ He's not scowling anymore. But...now this was starting to feel awkward for him. But how awkward was this for her? The Teasing Trio weren't really going to keep them in this elevator forever, were they? Ragna may not have been the best at showing it, but...the longer he spends time with her, the more grateful he feels. To the point where actually holding her hand felt less like a necessity and more of a genuine comfort.
So much so her presence was the reason he calms down. Look at Weiss, taming a beast.
Ragna hasn't blocked her view of the painting yet, so as she turns away from them, he shuffles along while keeping his hand in hers. That's around the time that the lights dim a little. No flickering, this time. Only softer now. He might have felt a shiver run down his spine knowing that the lighting probably had something to do with the ghosts he was scared of...if it hadn't been for Weiss continuing to grab his attention. His eyes follow their hands as she makes it crystal clear that they weren't prepared to let them leave. ]
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2/2
[ That's not Weiss' voice. There's another. ]
[ "Does he think hitting everything can solve all his problems?" ]
[ Disembodied voice?? Also not Weiss'?? Ragna's pupils reduce to pins and he reluctantly turns around. First towards Weiss as he attempts to force some bass back into his words. ]
Hey...you uh, hear that?
[ "Although..." A gleeful giggle. "What! What!" "Isn't it kind of sweet too? Bravely charging ahead all, 'Don't worry, I'll save you'?"
"Oho that is so darling!"
So begins another facet of Ragna the Bloodedge on full display, as he hones in on the painting on the wall, the Teasing Trio all smiles and longing sighs as they chinhand at the two and— ]
G-Ghosts?! H-H-Here tooooo?!?!
[ Oh. There's a new octave. Ragna immediately takes a step (two) back, hairs on his one good arm standing on end as he halfheartedly raises it in front of himself in defence. ]
no subject
[ Weiss gives him space, taking a step to the side. Before he can even do anything, the lights flicker and then there are voices...
She doesn't scream or anything, but she does tense up, immediately looking around to see if there is anyone else around. It's the painting. They're moving and talking, and they most definitely aren't human. Ragna might think they're ghosts, but she doesn't think they are?
It's under investigation. Weiss isn't as scared anymore compared to when she first arrived and met her doppelganger, but it is still very unsettling regardless. ]
Um...?
[ What the hell is going on... she thought for sure the paintings couldn't talk. They could jump out of their frames, but... this is weird. Should she just accept that just about anything can happen here? She really should, shouldn't she?
Her companion's voice breaks, and her attention goes back to him. He isn't looking so good, which gets her to raise an eyebrow. Is he really scared? Somehow, she didn't think he would be scared of ghosts... but to each his own. She won't kick him while he's down, so she takes a step forward, as if to shield him with her smallass body from the painting. ]
Leave him alone.
[ Now the Teasing Trio stop giggling. Or at least, they do when Weiss shuts them up for a second or two.
"Oh, how cute! Don't you worry, we aren't going to do anything! We're stuck here!"
Great, they're smartasses, too. Whether or not they're trying to be annoying on purpose, Weiss just frowns, unimpressed with the response she's received.
"Show us something cute! We'll let you go after you entertain us a bit, okay? Please? Look, look! He's sooo scared! Doesn't he deserve a kiss and a hug?" ]
... [ So that's it. They can't leave the elevator and it's all because of this painting. Weiss honestly feels a little bad. This isn't her fault, but somehow? She thought for sure Ragna wouldn't get subject to the resort's oddities right away. Maybe it was wrong of her to be optimistic about it, but they did seem to have a good start, just chatting and not even eating anything that made them horny. She doesn't even know what to even tell him now, because she knows what she should be doing to get out. But if she were in his shoes, she'd totally be making a big deal about this. No way can this stupid place tell her what to do!
It's why instead of talk about a kiss and a hug, she instead asks: ]
Are you okay? [ Scared, obviously, but she'll at least make sure he knows he's got company and the paintings won't do anything crazy while she's around. They don't look threatening, and that's all that's important to her. If it were a painting of a demon or something, then she'd 100% be terrified with him. ]
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But then he hears another voice. One he just met. One he knew. One that stuck around with him as she tells the Teasing Trio to leave him alone. And Ragna bites down a whimper. He doesn't cry; he's not even close to that. But he cracks his green eye open first, Weiss practically shielding him by standing between him and the painting. And the visual is sobering for an entirely different reason. And his eyes open with a tremor behind her. The last time someone stood between him and a ghost, they...
...!
Come on, Ragna. Come on. Get out of your own head. Get out of your own thoughts. Snap back to reality?! He'd already been skeeved out from his prior investigations here, this shouldn't be so shocking to him. That was all then. This is now. Why should he be scared of some phantom painting? So, despite himself, keeping behind Weiss as he does, Ragna does bark back up. ]
Yeah, ha HA ha! Real funny, assholes! What the hell do you want??
[ "Show us something cute! We'll let you go after you entertain us a bit, okay? Please? Look, look! He's sooo scared! Doesn't he deserve a kiss and a hug?" ]
Shut up! I-I'm not scared—
[ Another little voice crack. ]
[ "Come now, we're not asking for much~ Please? We just want to have a little fun... Unless...you want to be stuck in here... Foooreeeever~" ]
Check it. Better plan? How about, you piss off and let us off already, you damn voyeurs.
[ He lets out a frustrated little growl, after the initial outburst had been burned away into the ether. He remembers to take a deep breath again. Slow. Try to calm himself. Around the time that Weiss turns around to ask him if he's okay, he almost looks...ashamed? A frown mars his lips as he closes his eyes, one more breath in through his nose, and out his mouth. Weiss had stepped in to stick up for him. She didn't need to do that, even if it was just some playful spirits in a painting.
There he was, wanting to do better than this resort ever could in helping someone and sticking it to them, and now he's the one hiding behind her. So when he opens his eyes again, trying to keep his attention on her, there's still a hint of embarrassment in his voice. They're just in the painting. They're not monsters. There's no fire. There's no pain. There's no haunting voices whispering in his ear. ]
Yeah. [ A beat. ] Yeah. I'm fine. Great.
[ Shit, he can hear himself. That wasn't "Great". ]
Sorry. I... I overreacted.
[ Getting mad at the painting was his coping mechanism, it seems like. And chances were he'd still feel a shiver trickle down his spine if they decided to pipe up. Instead, at least for the time being, they keep to themselves, little whispers in each others' ears and distanced giggles as they wait and see if they need to give the two of them some more coercion or not. ]
So. [ Back to trying some sense of normalcy as if he hadn't just had a freakout earlier. If nothing else, he bounces back quick. ] Guessing this is another trick up this place's sleeve.
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Whatever he says. ]
You're fine. Just... try to ignore them, I guess.
[ Weiss gives a slight shake of her head, only wincing slightly when the giggles of the trio pierce her ears. She resists the urge to turn around and give them attention though, merely rolling her eyes as she scoffs. ]
I don't really like them, either. And I know there was something weird with the paintings... They're alive? Sort of.
[ Her voice is a little softer, trying to ensure that the trio won't be able to hear her. While she doesn't have a lot of information on how these paintings can even talk, she at least knows that there's something up with them. And they're the reason why she doesn't like sleeping alone, else she's scared she'd find her doppelganger in her room just staring at her.
The doppelganger that actually is inside one of the framed artworks. Strange as that may be... ]
I'm not sure that we can get out of here on our own, though. [ She turns her attention towards the panel with the buttons again, pressing on the open door button a couple of times. ] We can't even leave this stupid casino...
[ So something small scale like this? While she should have figured that something like this could happen, she never really did. ]
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H'okay.
[ Right on cue, Ragna joins her in wincing when the giggling trio drips into his ears. For what it's worth, Weiss, he can do that for you. If he doesn't say anything, he at least fixes them with a glare before her voice brings him right back.
Whisperwhisperwhisper "So smouldering..." DO THEY EVEN KNOW HOW THAT'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK?
The softer register in Weiss' voice, as if they were trying to keep the painting out of the loop, helps him too. And though he can't completely dispel that tension that grips his spine, his shoulders do seem to lax some again. Because
this isn't a gag reel endinghe concentrates on Weiss, his own voice comes in softer in a an attempt to echo her. ]Not without causing a ruckus, anyway.
[ And by "ruckus", he means trying to break the walls, pry the doors open (which won't work sorry), attack the paintings themselves... The only reason he doesn't is because he's not by himself. Yes. Ragna the Bloodedge is, by some stroke of a miracle, holding back for someone else's sake. It helps that her words distract him from those violent thoughts, and she opens herself to him with that little lament about not even leaving this stupid casino...
And something in his heart sinks. He knows next to nothing about her. Next to nothing about anybody here. But there's nothing that makes him special either. They're just guests, rolling the dice on what leisures await them next. All of this was new for him, but when he takes a seat and thinks it all through, it's less the fact that they're being coerced into having sex as a big game, and more about what's been left behind. What was waiting back home for Weiss? What responsibilities did she get whisked away from, if any? Weiss acting all fussy about the lineup at Birdbucks, making fun of his name, finding him so easy to tease...
And for Ragna, inviting her up to his place without any strings attached, tolerating her as long as he has, even smiling for the first time since he got here...
Is it all coping? ]
That's why I wanna know everything I can about this place. Even if it means I gotta... [ It's hard to keep looking her in those pure, icy blues of hers, but Ragna manages. Why the hell not? She's already caught him with his pants proverbially down when he flipped over ghosts the way he did.
They're also stalling.] ...play my hand, to do it.But I'm not giving up. [ He already almost did that once. And whatever Weiss does with her spare time isn't his business, but he can place his wager on one thing; she's not happy about this either. How many people that were stolen away from their lives were still coping? These past few days of shock have finally settled for Ragna. If he can figure something out that not just helps himself, but helps people like her, than he'll do it. There doesn't have to be any big reason behind it. It's as simple as that. He breaks this casino's foundations and learns how to jump back home? He takes that chance. He breaks this casino's foundations and learns how to get everyone else back home?
He tells the dealer to hit him and prays he doesn't bust. ]
...
[ And so, against his better judgment and fighting that creeping sensation that lingers on the edges of his thoughts, Ragna breaks his gaze away from Weiss to look back up at the Teasing Trio. Oh! He's looking right at them! ]
Hey. What do you want?
[ And don't bullshit him. He's fighting against every fiber of his being not to just shudder just thinking of being surrounded by haunted paintings.
"What do we want? That's easy. Show us some flirting, give us a treat!"
Flirting, a little treat. A hug and a kiss?
"We'll let you two go after you entertain us a bit." As for what they like? "Anything cute, anything sweet. It gets so boring in here. Imagine watching everyone do nothing but stand before leaving. Don't we deserve some fun?" ]
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[ And a lot of people, she thinks. Sure, this place has practically summoned all kinds of people from all kinds of places— normal humans like her or those who can almost parallel the strength of gods. This place seems a lot more powerful than everybody combined, though, which makes it very troublesome.
This ruckus Ragna's thinking about? It's going to take a lot of time and effort to organise. It can't just be one person causing mayhem and all.
But that's something for later on. Far later, when there's more information to this resort beyond what it's appeared to be. ]
I'm sure some people have more information than I do. But it doesn't look like those people are keen on sharing what they know to everybody.
[ When the population— at least, the ones who recently arrived like her— aren't all interested in leaving anyway, there really is no point to force anything. Everyone's still feeling this place out, making connections, learning what they can about everyone and this casino. Leaving this place remains to be her priority, because she isn't one to run away from her responsibilities, but she is of the same mind. Much as she'd hate to admit it to just about anyone.
If she has to participate in this casino's... eccentricities, if it means learning in the process, and if it means getting out of here in the end? Then sure, she'll play. She hasn't gotten hurt. Yet.
That's enough serious contemplation for now, though. Even if she'd like to continue exchanging opinions about this place, there really is something else they have to deal with. The painting's stated what they want for them to get out of here, and while Weiss did understand. Anything cute, anything sweet, and being stuck in a place like this doesn't really help in setting the mood. ]
So, [ Coping. Coping.
She's got a wry smile on her face when she asks: ] Are you even capable of anything cute?
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[ Whether it was for some convoluted purpose or something surface-level as in not wanting such a good time to end, Ragna's also of the mind to keep this more serious contemplation as an aside for now. Besides, their conversation was beginning to bore their audience, it seems like. One of them even has the audacity to yawn? Tch, like they had anywhere to be. Unlike Ragna and Weiss. Which, practically means that...
Sigh.
Damn it. He still doesn't know what this is supposed to look like before the elevator actually moves. But if anything?
Fine. He'll do this for her. First things first however, ]
What, is Mr. "Crimson Calamity" that mean looking?
[ But they're circling the drain on this one. Even Ragna can figure that one out as he tries to match her wry smile with that of faint amusement. If he's gonna be a guest here for a while, he might as well just roll with the punches (until he can start punching back). He doubts she'll ever let him live that card down either way. ]
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[ Was he expecting her to say otherwise? He's not exactly friendly looking. Weiss does not sound ashamed to be saying that to his face, either.
"Oh, but there's something cute about someone acting so distant and serious, when they're such a huge softie on the inside!"
Somehow, Weiss cannot seem to realise that those words apply to her, too. ]
So. You didn't answer.
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[ He doesn't take offence to it. Back home, he couldn't afford to let people stay close to him for long, after all. He doesn't care about his status or the height of his criminal record. Although "mean" doesn't exactly do one favours in this place. As a member of the trio pipes up once more, he less bristles this time (thanks to Weiss' presence) and more knits his brow in annoyance as his attention is divided once more. Shooting another "knock it off" look up at the paintings: ]
Hey, you want cute? Then zip it.
[ "Oh oh oh! And shy to boot~" Growl. "Okay okay. Shh shh shshshshshh..." whisperwhisperwhisper...
"So. You didn't answer." ]
You want me "changing my tune" or the real answer?
[ Because the former and trying to act all lovey-dovey, flirty or actively trying to play into the hands of the Trio was gonna be fake. Fake and awkward. And the longer he looks down at Weiss, Ragna, he... ]
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How could they? He was the SS-Class Criminal with the highest bounty on record. He was the destroyer. The Grim Reaper. All the stories about him just had to be true. He was a monster wearing human skin. It's like he has a role to play and he knows it beat by beat.
And for the first time since he got here- no. For the first time in what felt like ages even back home, Ragna felt...
Normal. And what came with this normalcy was...a little more honesty. It's not Weiss' fault either, which may be why he doesn't have any bite in his voice when he confesses: ]
I've never...flirted with anyone before. Heck, I've never even kissed someone. [ A huff, less out of annoyance and more a prelude to admittance: ] I doubt I'd even get far enough for that back home.
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Still, if the painting won't shut up and won't let them leave until they do something that appeases them, then Weiss just has to try and make the most out of the situation. For now, she doesn't think about the objective too much, and would just prefer to let things be natural.
Although if he doesn't do anything cute, she might just have to force him on his knees so she can smush his cheeks with her hands and kiss him.
Ragna's response is honest, though. Vulnerable, even. Weiss can't even tease him for something like that. Not to mention, there's a part of her that can relate. Sure, she's flirted with people before, but it never really led to anything concrete. Her first kiss was in this place, and it was given to someone she doesn't even like. Not in a romantic way, anyway... ]
You and me both.
[ That's mostly to the "back home" comment. It'd take some time for Weiss to want to commit to a relationship given everything that's been going on. She doesn't sound all that bitter, though. Her commitment to being a Huntress and protecting her world comes first, after all. But she does smile up at him as a means to say he's not alone in this, and even though she's been here longer, and has therefore, had some experience in being close to people? She knows a bit of what he's feeling. ]
You should probably kiss someone you like, though. Especially if it's your first. So... here. I think this should count.
[ Handholding counts as cute, right? She thinks she heard one of the subjects in the painting say so earlier. She moves to stand on his right side now instead of in front of him, taking a deep breath, then she takes his hand in hers. ]
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And then he woke up here.
Weiss' words cut through to him, and how she can relate to him and what he's going through. It must have been the same way for so many other people here. ]
This place sure knows how to pick 'em, don't they?
[ They can go back to bickering, bantering, taunting and teasing...whatever the beginning of this was. A beginning that Ragna never would have thought of, let alone entertained with the life that he lead— or what little of it he's probably got left. Right now, she smiles up at him and flat-out disarms him in an entirely different way; the Teasing Trio would be treated to a first out of their rougher guest as his cheeks are gently dusted rose. But it's her next words that, unknowingly, challenge his own thoughts. And his inexperience shows once more, his throat clearing as he attempts to...
Protest? Bark? Clear the air? What was he even thinking? Well...if he was, his words are faster than his brain is as she moves to stand on his right side while he pipes up: ]
Hey, I didn't say I didn't like you I just—! [ He catches himself. Shit. His cheeks fluster further. Careful, Ragna. Temper temper. He's about to rant... ] What I meant was— I get what you meant, it's not like that but first anythings in a goddamn place like thi—
[ She takes hold of his right hand. ]
[ And his breath silently catches, the whole length of his arm visibly tensing as he braces himself... But the Azure Grimoire doesn't respond. It doesn't throb with waves of chronic pain. Nor does it latch onto Weiss' soul. It's just. Silent. And what looked like an initial bracing for pain and panic on his expression as he looks down at Weiss at his side...ebbs away as his gaze drifts down at their hands connected. She's holding the Azure Grimoire without consequence. No one has responded to it negatively since he got here. And without that power taking anything away from her, even through his glove, it almost feels like direct contact.
Her hand feels so small...
Ragna doesn't jerk his hand away. Instead, he reciprocates, squeezing it back before his hold settles on something firm yet...surprisingly gentle. ]
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The panic is clear as day when he looks at her and how their she has his hand in hers, and anything she could say about his first kiss is gone for a moment. So, is it his first time holding someone's hand too? Blue eyes flitter over briefly towards the painting. One of the trio's got their chin on their hands, and the other one is biting their nails in anticipation, while the other is doing this.
That's enough looking! Thank you very much.
He might just see her looking a little flustered from that too, but the way the panic disappears from his face and just turns to something more like a calm and curious acceptance mellows her down, too. As does the squeeze of her hand. ]
You'll get used to it. [ Maybe. Weiss sure did after holding her teammates' hands at some point. ] It feels nice, when you're troubled and someone holds your hand.
[ Ragna, please call her senpai. ]
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He follows just in time to see the third ghost stuck on the wall. His reaction is pretty similar, only his grip of her tightens and he clicks his tongue before forcing himself to look away. Focus on her. Don't pay attention to them. She's the only one here. She's the only thing that's real right now. She's...the only one he wants to give his attention to right now. If it meant getting out of this elevator and carrying on with their day. This wasn't just for him. She's counting on him too, isn't she?
So buck up, Mr. "Crimson Calamity". And what happens in this elevator? Stays in this elevator. This wasn't the time or place, and if he had it his way, no one would ever have to know but. If not with Weiss...if he's really going to find himself playing the game, some explaining his right arm was going to have to happen. But not now. ]
I haven't gotten to do this in years. [ Hold someone's hand. Jin or Saya's hand like the protective big brother he once was. ] But...
It's nice. [ He doesn't say how he's not sure he'll ever do this again back home or not. ] This feels good.
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It's his story to tell, and she definitely won't pry, and it's why she doesn't ask. It's enough that he agrees with her, because it does take away the awkwardness of holding someone's hand when they've got a conversation going. Even if said conversation is about holding hands. ]
You know what would be nicer?
[ "If you kissed!" ]
Cut it out, will you?!
[ WHY ARE THESE PAINTINGS HERE... Weiss is trying to have a conversation here!! She'd throw a rock at them if she could, but alas... the only thing she can throw at them is her shoe. ]
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... I was going to make a joke about your knee.
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Shut up, already!
[ Aaand he's back to scowling. Great job, ghosts. You want progress? Zip it. He's prepared to apologize (for what?) and try and ask where they left off, grumpy face and all. That is until he's looking back down at Weiss whose giving him one hell of a pout. And he stops. Maybe it was the time leading up to getting back in this elevator, but holding her hand still like this as she looks like a spoiled brat who got told her favourite ice cream was sold out...
So this is what "cute" is, huh? Capped off with Weiss spoiling what she was going to say, he can even bypass his own embarrassment of what he thought she was going to imply to begin with. ]
For what it's worth, [ he doesn't move quite yet, but the thought crosses his mind to step in front of her, both so he can stop catching the Teasing Trio in his peripheral and so he can block her view of those jackasses. ] I was gonna ask how many more crepes I'll owe you after this.
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[ She's not quite sure what he's talking about now, since it's not like she's going to be lording this over him for helping him out later on. That's certainly one way to remove the pout off her face, though. ]
What for?
[ Because if this is about her helping him out here, it's not really something she'd want payment for. ]
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[ Okay, now that's funny. With her free hand, she has to cover her mouth when she laughs so as to not seem rude. ]
Let me guess. That was your first time telling a joke, wasn't it?
[ Because it certainly wasn't very good. That's okay, though. He has the funniest person in all of Remnant literally holding his hand and guiding him through everything right now. He can learn a thing or two from her. ]
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Look, not all of us got a burning need for comedy. [ A beat. ] Or as you'd probably put it...
[ Good god he's a neural net processor. A learning computer. ]
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As I would put it...?
[ Go on. ]
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A burning kneed for comedy.
[ Yeah? You liking this shit, ghosts? ]
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I'm so proud of you. Just for that, I'm forgiving your lame joke and you won't have to actually owe me any crepes for it.
[ He brought it up... Now she can start asking him for crepes and other pastries. 😌
Much as she wants to keep laughing and telling jokes though, the painting has certainly quieted down. But the elevator isn't moving yet. ]
Anyway... [ If he hasn't blocked her view of the painting, she'll turn away from them without letting go of his hand. It's at the same time, for some reason, that the lights in the elevator dim a little. Not cool.
She lifts their hands. ] It looks like they're not letting us leave just yet.
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[ He's not scowling anymore. But...now this was starting to feel awkward for him. But how awkward was this for her? The Teasing Trio weren't really going to keep them in this elevator forever, were they? Ragna may not have been the best at showing it, but...the longer he spends time with her, the more grateful he feels. To the point where actually holding her hand felt less like a necessity and more of a genuine comfort.
So much so her presence was the reason he calms down.
Look at Weiss, taming a beast.Ragna hasn't blocked her view of the painting yet, so as she turns away from them, he shuffles along while keeping his hand in hers. That's around the time that the lights dim a little. No flickering, this time. Only softer now. He might have felt a shiver run down his spine knowing that the lighting probably had something to do with the ghosts he was scared of...if it hadn't been for Weiss continuing to grab his attention. His eyes follow their hands as she makes it crystal clear that they weren't prepared to let them leave. ]
Yeah...
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