arbitratour | Thousand nights, I repeated so many times

[She knows that as a demon he could be helping someone more powerful. Someone who actually is trying to do enough to need his help. It might be a little insulting to him to be bound to a witch who, despite her power, has no ambitions towards greater power and prestige. It can't be helped. She is who she is, after all, and that isn't going to change just because she has an unwanted roommate.]

Yes, thank you.

[She doesn't address him again, not while she settles into home. There are work clothes to take off, pajamas to put on, her face to wash, and everything else. Ten minutes later, by the time she's done, she's padding barefoot back into the living room and tucking herself into the corner of the couch nearby. Eun looks over to Jae then, a little tired from her work shift but also too awake to fall asleep right away.]

What would you be doing if you weren't stuck with me?

[Maybe she ought to have said something to lead up to the question but the thought has been on her mind all evening. What would Jae have been doing normally if he weren't bound to her home as her familiar?]

[ It takes all sorts to make this world, but he would be lying if he weren't a little disappointed in the beginning. But not everyone wanted power for power's sake. He understood that better than most, not that he really talked much about his life in the first place to warrant those sorts of questions.

Still.

He gets up and stretches while Eun is settling in, making a drink for her real quick before setting it down and settling back into his seat.

The question, though. That has him pausing. Considering. ]

I suppose I would be back in Hell. I don't generally come to the surface all that often, not these days, anyway.

[Eun looks over at the drink as she draws her legs up onto the couch, and reaches over to grab it. She gives a little murmur of thanks before taking a sip, knowing that she probably shouldn't have a drink but also...who is she to refuse one already made?

With a sigh she rolls on the couch until she's settled her forearms on the arm of the couch, and rested her chin atop them. She looks over at Jae, head tilted to the side as her fingertips toy with the smooth surface of the glass.]

Do you like it better there? Do you miss it?

Mm, there's things that I do and don't miss, if I had to be honest.

[ It's not an easy question to answer, but Jae does do his best to try and do so despite the fact that he's not meeting her gaze as he thinks. ]

The scenery here is generally more pleasant, as well as present company. And I don't miss the amount of bureaucracy down there.

[ It's the most he's said in a while, never mind the kindest he's been in his words. Not that he'd admit it, but perhaps something about tonight has him being a little more open than usual. ]

But it's still home. And there are beings that I miss.

[Eun hadn't been fishing for compliments, but she'll take it that both she and her home are better than Hell. Surely there's something to be said for that. It goes without saying that Jae would probably prefer his freedom above all else...but barring that perhaps things aren't an eternal torment here.

One hopes.

She rises up enough to take a sip of her drink, savoring the slow burn down her throat, and continues to regard him with a low level of curiosity.]

Friends? Lovers? Pets, perhaps?

[Her words hold just a little twist of humor at the end, and yes, perhaps she's tried to hide what she's most interested in hearing about in the middle of her questions. Maybe she's been watching too much reality TV lately, but could anyone blame her for wondering about the personal lives of demons?]

[ It's not like eternal torment, no. Far from it. But she would be right in that he would at least prefer the opportunity to have more freedom. The vine that was originally coiled around his arm slides back underneath his sleeve as he contemplates how to answer, taking a moment to think first. ]

There are definitely those that I'd consider friends, yes. [ Lovers, though... that has him raising his eyebrows slightly. It doesn't help that there perhaps is at least one being that fits that particular bill. But he's not really in any sort of mood to be sharing that. Despite his openness earlier, there were limits to it, after all. Never mind that even though Eun has shown no inclination for it, it still could be used against him in some capacity. ]

[Jae's vines have always been a source of reluctant fascination for Eun. She finds them a little miraculous, better than any CG in any movie or television show she's ever seen. That it slips away out of sight distracts her enough that her gaze lingers at the edge of his sleeve before her gaze slides up to meet his once more.

That raised eyebrow of his makes it clear that she hasn't been all that subtle about her actual interest, and though her cheeks color faintly she does her best to look unruffled by his noticing.]

Must be boring for you to have only me for company and only while I'm around, then.

It ... can be a little lonely, yes. But I'm also not going to force you to change your routine just because I might be in need of companionship.

[ Jae wrinkles his nose, leaning back in his seat. Eun wasn't subtle about her interest, but he does appreciate the redirection in the conversation. ]

Wouldn't exactly be very becoming of someone of my standing to be clingy, anyway.

[Eun hadn't been considering changing her routine for Jae. Sipping at the drink he's made, she'd been wondering if his friends were trustworthy. Were they looking for him? Could she somehow arrange for some sort of visitations or allow Jae out? Was it inhumane to keep him cooped up in her place? Perhaps she ought to be confessing to the coven what had happened since she wasn't making any headway on separating them herself...

But Jae's response gets the wheels in her head turning. She drinks again, letting it relax her after her shift at the bar and watches him with a steady gaze.]

No one would be here to see it but me, if you were. [She points this out with a little smile.] Maybe I should call in sick tomorrow. Take a day off and help you stave off a case of cabin fever.

[ He wouldn't be surprised if some of those he had come to call friends and companions might be a little worried about his sudden disappearance, but unfortunately it couldn't be helped. It's not unheard of for someone to summon him, but generally there's more to it. He's more known for ending conflict quickly.

There's a brief moment or two where he seems to examine his nails before he lets out a soft hum, eyebrows raising slightly as she points out a flaw in his (admittedly weak) argument. ]

Fair point. But I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me, either. My being here is enough of a liability as it is.

[He's awfully considerate for a demon, and perhaps for that reason she feels more inclined to do just as she said.]

I wouldn't mention it as an option if I was going to get in trouble for it or if it were some great sacrifice. Maybe I'd enjoy you being a little clingy.

[The comment is made with a teasing smile, not drunk yet but decently relaxed thanks to her drink. Her head tilts to the side, cheek resting on her arm as she continues to regard him directly.]

That is, if you'd find my company sufficient.

I suppose...

[ Though he can't help that he's stumbling a little bit mentally when she talks about being okay with him being "clingy". Though he'd argue it's less clingy and more him being a bit more of an extrovert.

Jae blinks, before he shuts his eyes with a half-amused huff and shakes his head. ]

I've certainly had much less desirable company. Though What I mean is that I wouldn't mind learning more about the one who summoned me here, accident or no.

[Before, Eun wouldn't have thought much about Jae in a state of clingy-ness, or what that might entail, but having gotten used to him over the last several weeks she finds herself curious now. She trusts him, in as much as she can, and trusts the bond between them enough to feel safe around him. She sleeps at night very well, even with a demon under her roof.

Kyungja might say that she's stupid for lowering her guard around him, but Eun feels like she's a good enough judge of people, even demons, to know that if he meant her harm he would have done something before now. Which means that she takes him just as he presents himself to her.]

Me? What do you want to know about me that you don't already?

I suppose more about what you're like in the day-to-day. Outside of what we already talk about.

[ When he's feeling more charitable about sharing, anyway. Jae takes another drink as a means to give himself a few moments to collect himself. While under most circumstances, Eun's coven leader would be correct about being wary to trust demons, Jae is an exception to a few rules, admittedly.

He sets his cup down, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, fingers steepled. ]

And perhaps understanding more about life in general in the human realm. I'm generally not around for extended periods of time here on the surface.

[She hadn't expected to garner such focus from him when it comes to the subject of herself. With how he puts his drink aside and leans forward in a show of interest, or perhaps a show of respect that he'll listen to what she says, Jae seems ready to hear a lecture, even.

Granted, he follows with a comment about wanting to know about life outside in the rest of the world and Eun purses her lips together, trying to think of where to begin.]

This all feels very broad. Especially with life...I could tell you about school field trips and rock concerts all while you want to know about modern art or wedding traditions. [As for her...] We...perhaps we could kill two birds with one stone, however.

[This may be a terrible thing she's thinking of suggesting, but her gut is telling her that more good could come of it than not.]

[ Jae can't help but huff out a laugh at the first part. ]

Perhaps not the minutiae of every aspect of life, those things we do have at least some basic understanding of, after all.

[ It comes with a lot of demons being former humans, and sharing that knowledge with others. Never mind that there needed to be some base knowledge of human day-to-day life in order for some of their brethren to be able to meet any sort of quotas for corrupting and converting souls.

The proposition, however ... admittedly has him intrigued, a small smirk appearing on his face while he watches her. ]

Oh? And how do you propose we do that?

[Eun pushes herself up from the couch, the corner of her mouth tugged up at one side as she stands long enough to cross the distance. She plucks Jae's glass from atop its coaster and draws it up to her mouth to take a sip as well.]

I think that since my attempts to figure out how to reverse what bound us together haven't really been bearing any fruit...I'll need to bring the leader of my coven in on what's happened before too long. If that's the case, there's no reason to keep you cooped up here so. So, I may as well...take you out with me for a day. Let you get fresh air from somewhere that isn't an open window, stretch your legs.

[She sets the glass down again and comes to stand, half sitting on the arm of the couch as she watches Jae curiously, wondering what his reaction might be.]

Unless you think it would be better for us to hole up together here for the day to keep you occupied.

[ For some reason, Jae's metaphorical hackles raise when Eun mentions bringing in her coven leader to help with their predicament, though he's ... really not sure why.

His eyes widen a little once she mentions the actual proposition, and he freezes as he's about to pick up his drink again. ]

No! ... No. I don't think that staying here would be all that interesting. I've already read through most of your library at this point, and I doubt I'd be too helpful in a majority of your magic.

So I'm more than okay with potentially going outside.

[It's hard not to laugh a little in response to his reaction, finding his enthusiasm rather endearing and entirely understandable.]

I might take offense that my company isn't enough to keep you entertained if I didn't know that you're probably going insane staying in here all day, every day.

[The only thing they could do inside together would likely involve meals and endless bouts of board times, internet surfing, and TV binge-watching...

Normally, for Eun, if she was spending all day inside with someone it would involve only leaving her bed to enjoy other surfaces of her apartment, but with a permanent house-guest her personal life has taken a bit of a hit. Alas.]

How do you feel about motorcycles?

I didn't want to make any assumptions.

[ Jae gives a small smile that he hides behind another sip. Being inside was ... rough, he'd admit. He's a bit surprised when she mentions the motorcycle, and he lets out a contemplative hum. ]

I should be okay with riding on one, if that's what you're getting at.

[Having just gotten home, Eun's not in the mood to head out right that moment, especially not with both of them imbibing alcohol. Oh sure, she's not had more than a sip or two, but the prospect of more appeals to her.]

Tomorrow then, in the morning, we'll make a day of it.

[Rather than beg for him to offer his glass again, Eun pushes herself to her feet, crosses the short distance between them, and settles on one of his legs so she can pluck the glass from his hand herself.

They're not beings who get close this way, or cozy, but if he's going to be riding behind her on a motorcycle there's no reason to not get him used to being close to her now. And to see how he'll behave given the opportunity. Her gaze is steady on his as she takes a sip from his glass, slow and lingering.]

Okay.

[ He raises his eyebrows a little once Eun crosses over to sit on his lap, but he's calm, and if anything, he seems comfortable with her closeness. So comfortable, in fact, that he slides a hand up to gently touch her. Gauging her interest, even as she brazenly takes his glass again to sip from it. ]

[Eun holds his gaze as she feels his hand slip up to touch her. She shifts her weight slightly on his knee, but otherwise makes no move. Certainly she doesn't pull away. Briefly, her eyes dip down to look at where his hand has settled, but it only draws a little smile to the corner of her mouth. She tips his glass back, downing the rest of his drink in one swallow, and sets the glass aside on its coaster.

Returning her attention to Jae, she lifts a brow.]

Do you want me to refill it?

[There's more to that question in the silence. Or would you like something else?]

No, I think - [ He pauses, tongue poking out a little as he licks his lips. He'd be blind to not understand the underlying message, and in other circumstances he would be a bit more guarded about his wants. But here and now, with everything that has happened so far tonight...

Perhaps he can indulge a bit. ]

I think I have all I need right here. [ He reaches up to gently pull Eun's head down so he can claim her lips, at first gentle, probing. Gauging to see if this is what she truly was asking for. ]

[Is it taking advantage if you've kept someone holed up in your apartment for so many days? Weeks? To cut them off from all other contact and then offer only yourself as an outlet for physical intimacy? Eun has to wonder if she's judging this too much by human standards, or if that's exactly what she should be doing. Of course, it's a fleeting thought that is dispelled by the first touch of his lips to hers.

They have been squabbling since he first found himself bound to her, but apparently in a moment like this...perhaps they have common ground enough to ignore the small annoyances. She returns the kiss, turning a little on his knees so that she faces him more. Leaning forward, Eun braces her hands on either side of his head, against the back of the chair so she can take her time exploring how he feels, how he kisses.

And to herself, at least, she'll admit that this risky thing of kissing a demon in her home is giving her more of a thrill than any first kiss has before.]

Thousand nights, I repeated so many times

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