[ she makes a low, humming sound. not quite understanding but certainly sympathetic. ]
Do you... [ she lapses into an awkward silence, hands hanging in the air as she attempts and then aborts some kind of wiggling gesture with her fingers. ] Well, do you feel them? Inside?
Oh yeah, all the time. They're like, twistin' and turnin' all through my blood and muscles 24/7. Used to it, but gotta keep it in the back of my head, or I turn into a tree monster. Hah!
[He wriggles his fingers in playful emphasis, numb to the fact that maybe that's a bit fucked up.]
As for how--no idea! Got the shit beat out of me, was thrown in a pit, thought I died, but nope! Woke up, and then I could do all sorts of weird shit. But what's that thing folks say? "If it ain't broke don't fix it?"
So yeah it's a curse, but it's a useful curse, so no sense sweatin' the details.
Are you saying you have to constantly suppress it so it doesn't overtake you?
[ don't fix it if it ain't broke, he says, but it doesn't sound like it's working particularly well either. ]
Is healing and regeneration all it can do for you?
[ she's being nosy now, but he doesn't seem to mind the questions... a part of manuela can't help but be fascinated over another avenue of healing. she is only ever familiar with two types of it, after all; though she doubts it can ever be replicated, it's still an interesting thing to learn about... both as a healer, and as someone who may one day have to learn how to work against it. ]
Saying it like that sounds so dire. It's second nature for me now--kinda like, riding a bike. Kinda awkward to balance at first, but soon enough you ain't thinkin' about it too hard while yer at it, yeah?
[Only the bike turns into a monster and tries to kill everything! It helps that Chobe isn't all that opposed to destroying shit, so his mind kinda works in sync with it. That and in more modern times? There's less shit to fight, and thus fewer opportunities for the flower to overwhelm him.
He considers her for a moment, frowning to himself. While he's zero percent shy about this shit, he is more cautious around scientist types that want to study him and such. Never a good time. A doctor is a different flavor of scientist, but so far, she's made a good impression on him.
So with a shrug, he holds out his arm again. This time, several thick, woody vines erupt from his skin, wrapping around his forearm til he forms something of a wooden blade.]
[ manuela flinches back out of reflex — for a second it had seemed as if those vines might sprout out and reach for her — but upon seeing them settle along his arm like some organic type of armor, she relaxes visibly. ]
I'd say it does, [ comes her wry remark. boldly (or perhaps foolishly) she reaches out, dragging a nail along the grain. ]
Can it be hurt, too? And would you feel it as if it were your own flesh?
Easy now, if I was gonna kill ya, I wouldn't be yappin' this much.
[Just a bit of a snicker. The texture of it feels akin to bark or the roots of a big, healthy tree. He can make smaller, normal vines if he wanted too but, he figure she gets the gist of it.]
I'd feel it for a hot second, yeah, but as soon as it's detached from me it ain't my problem. Guess functionally I'm somethin' like a sentient tree, but that doesn't sound as intimidating.
sorry for the wait! pls feel free to drop if it's been too long
[ his words bring a slight pout to manuela's lips, her finger pausing just along a notch in the bark. eventually she does withdraw that hand, settling it back down over her lap instead. ]
Oh, I don't know. I've seen plants thrive even under the worst conditions. Full blossoms popping up even amidst slabs of concrete. Nature can be plenty terrifying, if you really think about it.
[ she cants her head at him, smiling a little in amusement. ]
Is that how you'd like to be seen as? Intimidating?
You ain't wrong, nature's probably the scariest thing out there. It can give someone a beautiful death, if you ain't careful.
[He's witnessed it first hand; humans blooming vibrant, gorgeous flowers from their eyes and mouth, smaller buds and vines piercing through their skin. All the while the victim is unaware, dying a slow death as the flowers show them blissful visions and sap every bit of life out of them. Beautiful horror in motion.
He gives a slight bark of a laugh, and he cocks his head at her as his arm reshapes, returning to normal.]
If I do, something wrong with it? Perception's one of the few things we can influence, so first impressions are pretty important.
[ manuela only shakes her head, punctuating the gesture with a shrug of her shoulders. by now, the heat of the sauna has given her skin a healthy sheen of sweat, and her hair has begun to cling to her temples, her neck. ]
Not at all. I know well enough that reputation matters. I was simply curious why you'd prefer to be feared.
[To be loved? Adored? Give off an air of safety or comfort? Chobe isn't necessarily against those virtues, but when raised in a time where strength means life or death, fear is the easiest way to get ahead.
His eye flicks over to her--that sheen looks good on her, but he hopes she's not getting heat sickness. He can roast here all day and be fine, but he forgets that's not the case for others at times.]
Anyway, guess I'm not exactly living up to the characterization, but you can just consider yourself lucky for now.
[ heat sickness? no. but she figures it is about due time to clean herself off and pursue other ventures. she can't ignore the rest of the hotel forever, and that sip of martini he had offered her had only barely scratched that particular itch of hers.
she sighs, slowly uncrossing her legs as she gets herself ready to take her leave. ]
I suppose it is simply enough to be thought of, [ comes her wistful hum. there is a slightly bitter twist to her lips when she smiles, but she clearly isn't in any mood to elaborate on that sentiment. ]
Should our paths cross again, you're welcome to intimidate me however you like. Perhaps I'll even humor you, and play along.
[ now her smile turns a little cheeky. this sort of teasing is a far more preferable note to leave off on, right? ]
[Cheeky and classy, a good combo. He doesn't bother getting up, but he does give a partial sitting half bow, exaggerated in gesture.]
Appreciate the consideration for my fragile ego. If I ever have to kill ya, I'll make sure it's quick. [And from him? That's a pretty kind compliment.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Do you... [ she lapses into an awkward silence, hands hanging in the air as she attempts and then aborts some kind of wiggling gesture with her fingers. ] Well, do you feel them? Inside?
[ her lips purse. ]
How did this happen to you, anyway?
no subject
[He wriggles his fingers in playful emphasis, numb to the fact that maybe that's a bit fucked up.]
As for how--no idea! Got the shit beat out of me, was thrown in a pit, thought I died, but nope! Woke up, and then I could do all sorts of weird shit. But what's that thing folks say? "If it ain't broke don't fix it?"
So yeah it's a curse, but it's a useful curse, so no sense sweatin' the details.
no subject
[ don't fix it if it ain't broke, he says, but it doesn't sound like it's working particularly well either. ]
Is healing and regeneration all it can do for you?
[ she's being nosy now, but he doesn't seem to mind the questions... a part of manuela can't help but be fascinated over another avenue of healing. she is only ever familiar with two types of it, after all; though she doubts it can ever be replicated, it's still an interesting thing to learn about... both as a healer, and as someone who may one day have to learn how to work against it. ]
no subject
[Only the bike turns into a monster and tries to kill everything! It helps that Chobe isn't all that opposed to destroying shit, so his mind kinda works in sync with it. That and in more modern times? There's less shit to fight, and thus fewer opportunities for the flower to overwhelm him.
He considers her for a moment, frowning to himself. While he's zero percent shy about this shit, he is more cautious around scientist types that want to study him and such. Never a good time. A doctor is a different flavor of scientist, but so far, she's made a good impression on him.
So with a shrug, he holds out his arm again. This time, several thick, woody vines erupt from his skin, wrapping around his forearm til he forms something of a wooden blade.]
I can kill stuff with it. That count?
no subject
I'd say it does, [ comes her wry remark. boldly (or perhaps foolishly) she reaches out, dragging a nail along the grain. ]
Can it be hurt, too? And would you feel it as if it were your own flesh?
no subject
[Just a bit of a snicker. The texture of it feels akin to bark or the roots of a big, healthy tree. He can make smaller, normal vines if he wanted too but, he figure she gets the gist of it.]
I'd feel it for a hot second, yeah, but as soon as it's detached from me it ain't my problem. Guess functionally I'm somethin' like a sentient tree, but that doesn't sound as intimidating.
sorry for the wait! pls feel free to drop if it's been too long
Oh, I don't know. I've seen plants thrive even under the worst conditions. Full blossoms popping up even amidst slabs of concrete. Nature can be plenty terrifying, if you really think about it.
[ she cants her head at him, smiling a little in amusement. ]
Is that how you'd like to be seen as? Intimidating?
all good!
[He's witnessed it first hand; humans blooming vibrant, gorgeous flowers from their eyes and mouth, smaller buds and vines piercing through their skin. All the while the victim is unaware, dying a slow death as the flowers show them blissful visions and sap every bit of life out of them. Beautiful horror in motion.
He gives a slight bark of a laugh, and he cocks his head at her as his arm reshapes, returning to normal.]
If I do, something wrong with it? Perception's one of the few things we can influence, so first impressions are pretty important.
no subject
Not at all. I know well enough that reputation matters. I was simply curious why you'd prefer to be feared.
no subject
[To be loved? Adored? Give off an air of safety or comfort? Chobe isn't necessarily against those virtues, but when raised in a time where strength means life or death, fear is the easiest way to get ahead.
His eye flicks over to her--that sheen looks good on her, but he hopes she's not getting heat sickness. He can roast here all day and be fine, but he forgets that's not the case for others at times.]
Anyway, guess I'm not exactly living up to the characterization, but you can just consider yourself lucky for now.
no subject
she sighs, slowly uncrossing her legs as she gets herself ready to take her leave. ]
I suppose it is simply enough to be thought of, [ comes her wistful hum. there is a slightly bitter twist to her lips when she smiles, but she clearly isn't in any mood to elaborate on that sentiment. ]
Should our paths cross again, you're welcome to intimidate me however you like. Perhaps I'll even humor you, and play along.
[ now her smile turns a little cheeky. this sort of teasing is a far more preferable note to leave off on, right? ]
/good to wrap!
[Cheeky and classy, a good combo. He doesn't bother getting up, but he does give a partial sitting half bow, exaggerated in gesture.]
Appreciate the consideration for my fragile ego. If I ever have to kill ya, I'll make sure it's quick. [And from him? That's a pretty kind compliment.]
Good luck finding your next drink.