#illvsion

          “i heard you could make magic?” he purses his lips; hopefully he did not sound too desperate. although, the idea of seeing something like MAGIC was an upbeat thought. he tucks back a loose strand of hair and forces another smile; quickly adding, “but i’m sure you’ll amaze us at the show, tonight.” he turned away, ready to waltz into the camp’s heart. he only paused to offer a glance and gave the other man a once-over with his eyes.                                                                                        “do you have a costume?”

     PERHAPS STARING is rude, but the lines running on the other Chain’s arm are too fascinating and unusual (to him) that he cannot help but attentively observe them. His skin is covered in black signs he can barely read and whose meaning is obscure to him. How interesting. His wings flap quietly behind him, a clear sign he is calm at the moment. It is rare to see him like this, curios rather than suspicious, on the ground instead of up in the air; better take advantage of it. “What are these?”

       “Pray tell, I did not expect you to join Master Barma. It is a pleasure to see you, Mister Dodo. My grandmother and I will always welcome you to our house. I hope you have been doing well.”

@illvsion

               “social anxieties?” he nearly scoffs. instead his lips are pulled back; not quite a smile. not quite a grimace. he walks back and forth, perhaps admiring the books littered around the room without really reading the text or titles. “i never pegged you as the type to use labels on yourself.” the comment was a scapegoat to dismiss the queries hanging in the air. (was he being stared at? he tried not to ponder too much. not in this room. he never wanted to think in this room.) rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, he finally turns to face the doctor. that stoic mask, never crumbling. the only mind eques found himself sympathising; but never empathising. maybe he was too scared to really try. “when did it start burdening you?” another scapegoat. “i don’t think... i can see you as the type to get bothered.”

                 he watched Dodie’s lips curve upward and Eques turned his head, pulling his hood down over his face. abyss, this was humiliating. “i’m washing it off the moment paperwork and meetings are finished-” he nearly chokes on his words. MEETINGS. he would have to attend to meetings like this, with his Mistress, Lady Sheryl and Lord Rufus… perhaps he could fake a cold until his face was clean. “Dodie! stop laughing!” he hides his own smile and presses his hands to his face with a loud groan. “…do you suppose anyone would notice if i walked in with a bag over my head?”

       “because i have respect for my PERSONAL life, maybe?”

              he regards the Dodo with a wide smile, already digging his fingers into his pockets to tug out a handful of berries. “ eh ? whatcha drawin’ there ? “ he bounces up from the ground, pointing towards the sketchbook. “ oh, boy ! that’s some neat skill ! “ he exclaims ( although he cannot see the total masterpiece from this angle ) and tosses a berry in his mouth. holds out the rest for Dodie, momentarily DISTRACTED by a squirrel running across the grass to their left. “ c’mon, it’s just through ‘ere ! “ and he’s off, leaving dust, berries and leaves in his wake.