flameinthedarkness | Duplicity Inbox

Oh, cute! [ Clearly, spiders don't bother her.

She covers her mouth in an attempt to cover her giggling at his reaction. She fails, but at least she tries. ]

You don't need to apologize. You won't be the first I've been with that doesn't have experience and that's fine. We all have to start somewhere.

[ She looks thoughtful for a moment. ] I think a good place to start would just be to do some physical exploration. You know, just see where you like being touched and where you don't.

[If Idia had any self esteem at all he might be worried about how much he's underselling himself. That macho BS of expecting to know it all and not admit lack of sexual knowledge. But he doesn't. He knows what he's good at, and... this is a big question mark to him.] Yeah, yeah, I guess. [Ehh, why couldn't he be as smooth as characters he reads about?]

Oh, um, ok, yeah, that makes sense. [Yeah, maybe if he thinks about it like that. Like a check list. In fact, yeah, his brain likes that.] Ah, maybe... as we go, um... make a list? To try? Stuff? [...he knows he's a nerd Persephone, he can't help it... but plans help him, well, not panic.]

[ She has to admit, it's kind of refreshing to talk to someone that is willing to admit what they don't know.

She smiles when he agrees to that, clapping her hands together. ] Excellent!

The real question is... how to start? Personally, I think undressing each other and touching and whatnot would be a good way to do it. Usually... that would also involve some kissing but since you already took that off the table. [ She shrugs. She finds kissing to be a good distraction and a turn-on, little more than that.

Unless it's Hades. But everything with Hades would be a completely different matter. ]

[...oh. Oh yeah... that was normal, right? That's how people normally did it and... oh gods. Idia just... the idea of that is... everything he's done here he's tried to keep covered as possible, to not be exposed but... a tremor shaking his hands as he knots his fingers together, holding tightly to each other, head down and just... he would have to get used to this... right? Riddle had warned him, this place won't be nice to him, he has to just accept it and... try and learn to tolerate it. And here, Persephone was offering a chance to do it... well, safely? He guesses...

He just... hates it. He hates it so much. His body. It's such a reminder that he's a Shroud. Not Idia, just his bloodline. Just some skinny shut in who just... ehh. He really is a poor choice for her...] Maybe this is a mistake... [Idia's voice soft with his head down, looking to his hands as they worry. She has better things to do then waste time on him.] You gotta have better options...

[ His reaction leaves her confused. Did she suggest the wrong thing?

He's not wrong about her having other options, but she wants to help him. It's definitely better to have someone that wants to help rather than to be forced into an uncomfortable situation. ]

I... [ She pauses, thinking for a moment before speaking calmly. ] What is the problem? What part of what I suggested doesn't work for you?

[All of this?! Everything about this world doesn't work for him! Why was he even dragged here?! He's the last person who should be here! Lifting his hands to his face, Idia closes his eyes behind them, lips pulled back in a snarl and... ehhh, his shoulder sagging after a moment. He has no choice. Like normal. Story of his life. Fuck the Fates. Really.

When he speaks again it's quite, and... full of defeat.] No, it's fine. It's something I'll have to deal with eventually... [He had told Riddle, gods of all people Riddle, when they were trapped in that ice cave together, but that was while that spell or drug or whatever was effecting them, forced them to open up more. Here... there was none of that, not with her... but... she should know, right? A chance to leave if she wants to. She would be smart to.] I... hate my body... all of it. A-all the stuff I've done here... I've tried to stay covered as possible...

Oh.

[ She's quiet for a moment, expression thoughtful.

She can't really understand hating your own body. It's not something she dealt with growing up. And even after moving to Olympus and meeting more people she never felt any hate toward her own body. It was only after what happened with Apollo that she felt uncomfortable in her own skin.

But hate was not something she felt. ]

Then we can start off slow. You can keep your clothes on, maybe we can even find some stuff for you to wear that might help you feel confident.

This world doesn't do slow. [A sigh out as Idia composed himself again, one hand dropping as he ran the other up through his hair before allowing it to drop to his knee as well.] I just have to deal with it, even if don't like it. No real time to do proper exposure therapy. [Plus Idia doubts taking it slow would change his view on himself. It's more... he has to learn to tolerate it.

Though...] Ah... once I, ah, get into it... it's easier to ignore. I think. Only really... had that happen once so... not enough to really know for sure. [All his paid times were just... to get the job done.]

I know. [ She offers a sympathetic expression. ] But we don't have to rush anything with the two of us.

[ She nods slowly. She's been there before. Starting off feeling a little self-conscious about a situation only to get into it and forget how nervous she was. ] Then I'll do what I can to make everything enjoyable.

But...still, if you'd like to try some outfits sometime... [ She smiles. ]

[Idia's eyes go wide with that, a pause, before,] What... kind of outfits? [You're not going to force him into a suit, are you? He's got a bad experience with that. With ghosts. Kidnapping him. And almost dying in the process.]

[ She thinks for a moment. ] Suits? Fetish wear? [ She shrugs. ]

There are a lot of shops that sell clothing meant for having fun in.

[Eeehhhh, he hates being forced to dress up... and he doubts any of it will even look good on him... but... he's been whining a lot, hasn't he? So,] Um... we can... see as we go? [Isn't that how he got himself into this situation? Thinking he was putting something off to avoid it? Then again, Idia wasn't lying, he enjoys a bunch of stuff via media but not tried any himself so... who knows what he will like or not.]

[ Persephone would argue that just about anyone looks good dressed up if he were to say what he's thinking. But his answer is as good as it's going to get for now. ]

Okay. I suppose the only thing left is to... actually do it.

[Oh... right. Right. Yup. Sure. Talking and planning done. So. Um.] Ah... yeah. I guess... [Ehhh...

Come on Idia, you've come this far, a breath in to steady himself... then another, needing that extra time.] Um, so... ah... when? Is, ah, is... now too, ah, eager? [How do normies do this?! Why does he have to be a total mess with talking?!]

[ She waits for him to gather his thoughts, though she can't help but chuckle a little when he asks if now is too eager. ]

We can start now if you want. But I'm also fine with waiting if you want to, um, prepare yourself. Mentally and all of that, you know?

[What does he want...? Well, what he wants is to not have to deal with any of this, but that's not an option. So with the options Idia has... if it's later he can try and get himself mentally ready for this, like she said. But... if he does that Idia may avoid it at all costs despite this talk. Siiighhh, resting his chin down on his knee to think as he fiddles with his can of drink again. Either way this sucks.

Well, it doesn't, does it? He looking to her and... she didn't have to do this, he's kept thinking that the entire time, keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop and her to laugh at him and just walk off, and she still may, but... she kept offering and trying and... hmmm... it, well, it's not like this is a bad option for him, is it? Look at her! How could he think this is bad?! Hmmm...

Eventually,] I-I, ah... I wanna try. [It said from behind his knee, before Idia make himself put it down, trying not to hide behind it anymore.] I don't want to chicken out and... just... not contact you again because I got scared...

[ She waits patiently for his response while sipping her tea. When he finally does respond she once again can't help but laugh. ]

As if you could get rid of me so easily.

[ She smiles and takes another drink of her tea before rising. ]

Well, in that case, do you want to do this in the bedroom?

I mean you already talked about bondage, donno what would happen if I did try and get away... [Idia mumbled out, but managed a bit of a smile as well to show he was joking around, pausing long enough to down the last of his drink and leaving the can on the table as he stands. Ehhh, he hates his nerves about this. Even after making the choice to do this, curling the edges of his sleeves into his palms.

Oh,] Ah, yeah, let me move some stuff. [Heading off in the direction of his room, maybe a glance back to see if she really was following or this some elaborate prank still, before vanishing inside. It's equally as dark as the rest of the apartment, apart from one corner he's set up as his work and computer station, a constant soft blue tone washing across the room. That half of the room is cluttered, bits of builds all over the place, but a wave of his hand sends them into shelves and boxes for storage. The rest of the room also shows more life than the living area and kitchen; the bed neat bar where he had just gotten up before with the bedding pulled back to do so, a bookshelf that was starting to get filled with manga, and a few stuff toys around, including two from home and one Hypnos gave him.]

Ah... um... [Ah, so... how to start this? Every thing he can think of feels super cringe. Then again, Idia's used to bring cringe, sighing as nothing came to mind that he could even offer to her.] I'm in... you're hands? [Does that work?]

[ She lets out a soft laugh. ] In all seriousness, I wouldn't without permission. My vines on the other hand... [ She grins.

Nope, this isn't some elaborate joke, she's completely serious. She follows along after him, curious to see what his room might look like when the rest of the place is rather empty. She's surprised to find he seems to be settling in quite well in his bedroom. Though definitely not in the way that many would here.

She remains in the doorway to stay out of his way until he's done tidying up. Once he's done she steps in and pushes the door to behind her. Not quite shutting it but closing it enough to give a sense of privacy. ]

I assume you'd prefer to remain clothed? [ She says as she steps toward him, undoing a few of the buttons at the top of her shirt. ]

[A soft 'ha' of a laugh.] Guessing my plant magic wouldn't compare to yours. [He was just borrowing the element after all, not part of it like Spring was... it does make him wonder if she could control his own plant based magic...

But any follow up thought to that was shove aside as she moved, those buttons unbuttoning, Idia taking a moment to clear his throat, eyes closed to think,] A-Ah, no, no. I mean... yes, but... I think it's better to... desensitize myself to that. Not everyone will give me the same chance as you are. [It's just the reality of this place.]

[ She has to bite back the urge to call him cute when he gets flustered. ]

Okay.

[ She's honestly not sure how to go about all of this without kissing. It's always been her distraction when being undressed or undressing others.

For the moment, she focuses on unbuttoning her shirt the rest of the way and letting it slide off her shoulders to reveal the lacey black bra beneath it. If she'd known things would go this way today she'd have worn the new lingerie for him.

She stops when she's standing close enough for him to easily reach out and touch her if he wants. For the moment she'll let things stay that way, figuring it's probably better to move slowly. ]

[Honestly Idia would had found that amusing, but maybe she can hold that off as a promised surprise later, since she had offered to show him the full set once she found something to suit it's theme.

Taking that as a cue, Idia reached over his head, pulling his own shirt off, taking a moment longer to drag his hands out of the long sleeves. And resisting the urge to just try and hide, to cross an arm over to hug the other or anything like that. And he's... skinny. Skinner than that larger clothing gives the illusion to, a bit too much of his ribs and chest bones showing. Dropping his shirt to the floor before looking back to her as she moves in closer. A slow breath to calm himself before reaching out to her, trying to ignore the slight shake to his hand.

The touch is soft at first, his fingertips brushing against the curve of her neck by her shoulder, a pause, before slipping them further along her neck, thumb brushing over her jawline as Idia stepped in closer.]

[ She did find something to suit the theme but given none of this was planned she didn't think to wear it.

She bites her bottom lip when his shirt comes off, mostly to prevent herself from chiding how skinny he is. If only he ate more food, she'd say. All those snacks and shakes aren't much of a meal.

His touch distracts her from such thoughts. She releases her bottom lip and lets out a sigh, eyelids fluttering a little. ] That's good. [ She smiles up at him.

She reaches up to mimic his touch, keeping it light at first. ]

[Idia instinctively jerked his head to the side to avoid it. Stopped. Took a deep breath as his shoulders sagged. Then made himself move back into the touch, his brows turning up even more than they did naturally.] Sorry, sorry. [Right, that's what this is, to practice this, to help get used to this.

Another needed sigh to calm himself even more before he looks down at her. Like, really down at her. She was short, but having her right near him like this really just made it feel a lot more real.] You're so short. [It's said in a tone that was more just stating the fact, not mocking or joking, his thumb moving as he spoke, gently caressing her cheek. Then wondering if he was just too tall for her, even with his tendency to slouch, moving to lean down closer to her and her touch so she didn't have to reach up so high.]

[ Much as he jerks away from her hand, her hand jerks away from him. But when he moves back toward her hand she lets her hand move back to his face. ]

It's okay. [ She smiles once more. I know it can be tough to let your guard down at first.

The comment about her height is met with a pout. ] You're just too tall, [ she huffs though her tone is playful. ] Would be better if I do this?

[ She floats up so she's a bit more on his level while grinning at him. Even as he starts to lean down closer to her. ]

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fuck the dice roll, go for it anyway heh

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