kaisoumods | ZODIAC GROUP CHAT [ZODIAC GROUP MEMBERS ONLY]

[ Gotta spoil the babies - ]

Tomorrow morning it is.

I can meet you just outside the office.

I'll see you at 9am, then?

[Why does he get the feeling...

This is going to be some kind of headache.]

9am it is, I'll see you tomorrow morning.

[ It is absolutely going to be a headache.

Which is why she'll be arriving juuuust a bit earlier than the scheduled meet-up time, desperately trying to ignore this strange bout of nerves. It's fine, it's totally fine; she doesn't tend to overthink often but sometimes it happens so she just needs to get this over and done with. She can figure out her next steps after that.

So why does she feel so anxious. ]

[Despite his own nerves, which he is quite used to, Aventurine dresses impeccably. It's somewhere between business and casual. A button-down shirt with the first three undone, a simple gold choker, chunky green gemstone bracelets on his wrists, a thumb ring on his right hand, one irresistibly eye-catching teal feather earring on his left ear and a matching stud on the right. He wears rose-tinted Ray-Bans to cover the uneasy color of his eyes, and dresses for the job he wants rather than the one he has.

It just so happens they arrive at the exact same time. Seeing her in person, it's hard to ignore that she's about as tall as he is, maybe a touch shorter (he is wearing heeled boots, after all). He feels another weird flutter in his stomach and just smiles it off, as if it's nothing. This is just another game, another wager. Maybe she'll be an interesting resource later.

But if he thinks about it, if he squints, her manner reminds him of...]

Good morning! Oriel, I presume? [He extends his hand for a firm shake.]

Edited 2024-06-29 22:39 (UTC)

[ Ori, meanwhile, leans a little more towards the fancier end - a pastel blue wrap dress, simple and form-fitting, with delicate lace around the edges. Her bracelet is thin but sparkling all the same, with the earrings to match. All subdued, but still a quiet showing of wealth. Her looks have always been a useful tool, and not even her growing anxiety will stop her looking her very best as always.

And with her own eyes uncovered, the odd swirl of pink and purple soon focus on him as he steps closer.

She notes, with a twist in her chest, that he doesn't seem much taller than her. A cursory glance over tells her that's probably due to the heels, and it makes her remember when she was younger; lording over her twin that she was taller. She swallows that memory down as she focuses on the stranger.

Then he speaks, and it feels like something something is clutching at her throat, tight and burning. There's a familiarity there that's impossible to ignore, as it tugs all the more incessantly at the back of her mind.

She has to be overthinking this. There's no way, it's been years- ]

Good morning to you too. And yes, that's right. [ There's a smile back - if there's a strain she's just simply tired - as she desperately tries to ignore everything piling up. It's just a coincidence, that's all there is to it.

But can she even say that's what this is, at this point?

So her hand reaches to shake his, attempting to keep her own grip firm as well; make it easier to hide the faint tremble that's developed. ]

Aventurine, correct?

That's right. Pleasure to meet you.

[The eyes are different from what he remembers, but so are his own. That doesn't mean anything, he realizes. And yet, the longer he stares at her, the more he feels like maybe this is... not coincidence at all. Maybe it's fate.

He shakes her hand, all firmness and warmth, but the moment his hand is free he feels like he's letting go of something important.

He... doesn't have anything of worth to offer anyone. Doesn't have anything telling from his past life, just scars and memories he'd rather forget. But he remembers his sister's hand in his, and running away, and desert sand. Wait, was that home, or...

... It's been a long, awkward moment of staring before he remembers his manners. His personal lucky charm, a two-sided Turkish coin, feels incredibly heavy in his pocket.]

Sorry, [he says, uncharacteristically honest.] I don't mean to be rude. You just look so much like...

[The mere possibility makes tears prickle at the corners of his eyes. He sucks in a breath. The mask goes back on.]

Hahah, you know what they say. Everyone has a doppelganger somewhere in the world. [His left hand behind his back, he slips his right into his pocket and takes out his lucky coin. With adept ease, it dances between his fingers.] Before we get coffee, would you indulge me in a game? I promise it won't take long.

Pleasure to meet you too.

[ It's almost silly, how when he lets go of her hand, she immediately wants to reach out again. Like letting go is a mistake.

Her chest feels tight, and it takes some quiet reminders to herself to just... breathe. This is nothing, this is fine, this is just all a coincidence - it can't be anymore than that. It can't be. All she has left of them are memories, and even then she can't bear to face those.

But as he stares at her, as it gives her a moment to take in the striking resemblance, she finds her own mask faltering. Her smile wavers for a second as he apologies, and immediately she shakes her head. ]

No, no, it's alright. [ There's something softer in her voice now, a tone she hasn't used in years. ] I just... nevermind.

[ Part of her wants to ask him to finish that sentence; who is he talking about? The other just gives a polite little chuckle in response, forcing her façade back up. ]

True, I was never expecting to meet my own at the same company. [ Because that's just a funny thing, right? It's just so funny.

Though she can't help letting her eyes follow that coin for a moment, as it dances between his fingers. A game, he says, and she simply smiles again with a nod. ]

Alright, I see no harm in that.

[He laughs lightly in return. It's pleasant, but the hand she can't see is... possibly trembling. He closes that fist tighter.]

Small world, I suppose. [He was always a lucky kid, but not lucky enough.] Heads or tails?

[A compromise he once played with his sister, as if that might tip the odds in her favor.]

[ Ori manages a soft, amused hum in response as her hands simply clasp together - in an attempt to steady herself. "Heads or tails" he offers, and she once more remembers the games played when she was young. ]

Hmm... tails. [ Her mind wandering means her answer comes out automatically; it was her favoured choice when she was a child. ]

[He flips the coin expertly, then snatches it out of the air. When he opens his palm again, it's...]

Heads.

[As expected.]

People who say 'heads' tend to be confident in their luck, whether they're actually lucky or not. [Into his pocket the coin goes, and he starts leading her toward the coffee shop on the corner.] People who say 'tails' are more willing to see things through, even if the odds seem against them at first.

[He smiles a little softer.]

At least that's my experience.

[ Somehow, this result doesn't surprise her. Ori simply shrugs with a faint smile, accepting her defeat.

Though the design of that coin... Again it registers as something familiar, something she hasn't seen in some time. ]

Are you the type to usually choose heads, then? [ She follows alongside him, head canted towards him as she speaks. While her tone is light and casually playful, his words soon have her softening again - her own smile easing at the edges. ]

Not that your assessment sounds off, I... [ It's a strange moment of honesty, but she only manages another shrug as she continues. ] I was usually told I could be stubborn.

I am. I was born lucky, whatever that means. I don't win every coin toss, though, and I don't consider working for Zodiac to be particularly fortunate. It was the only choice available to me after I woke up looking like this.

[He takes his sunglasses off for a moment, since the streets aren't packed, and gives her a little wink. Then he puts them back on.]

The benefits aren't bad, at least.

[He looks at her for a long moment, almost tempted to say something, but he changes his mind and says something else.]

Stubborn isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it's all that gets us through the dark times.

[He holds the door open for her to walk inside the cafe.]

Ladies first~

[ Born lucky... The response is almost immediate - a comparison to her other half from when she was young, how he was always better at games than her - but she chokes it back. She doesn't want to keep thinking about them, doesn't want to keep dredging these memories up, but something about him...

Can she just keep saying it's coincidence now?

So the smile stays in place, pristine as always as she gives that wink a quiet chuckle in response. ]

Only Janet would consider working for Zodiac fortunate. [ Fuck you Janet.

And while she still smiles, there's a second where it falters. A glimpse of something tired emerging to the surface. ]

Ah, I know very well what you mean. [ It's gone as quickly as it came though, and she's stepping into the cafe with another pleased chuckle. It doesn't seem terribly busy at least, and after a quick glance around she'll move towards one of the more corner tables - he might be able to tell that this is a spot that gives a good view over the entire cafe too.

An ingrained habit at this point, but it's one that's served her well over the years. ]

Naturally, [he quips in response, his exasperated tone saying everything. Janet really isn't his favorite person, though there are definitely worse people to work with.

He notices her smile falter for a second, but doesn't remark on it. He has his own struggles right now, and he doesn't want to upset her.

He starts toward the same table without really thinking about it. It appears they're of one mind in this, too.]

I'll order. What would you like?

[And you'd best believe he'd be keeping an eye on things even from the line.]

[ At the very least this group for this... odd assignment, whatever it is, are filled with people she likes or doesn't mind. Even if Aventurine is the cause behind the flying pants incident, she's not too upset. For some reason.

And as she takes a seat, she gives him another smile. As long as she doesn't think about those odd feelings before, she can pretend everything is absolutely fine. ]

Just a small latte for me, please.

[ At least it's not anything complicated. She has to deal with complicated paperwork already, the last thing she wants is to make her coffee orders a headache too. ]

I'll be right back, then.

[His hand lingers on the table for a moment before he hits up the line. It's a little busy, but not too crowded. While he's in the line, he keeps a watchful eye not only on his charge at the table, but on everyone who comes in.

After a few minutes, he returns with a small latte, an iced cold brew, and two slices of frosted lemon cake. One for each of them. Feels as natural as ever. That part is weird.

He tries to act nonchalant as he sips at his iced coffee, but there is something up his sleeve, definitely.]

I suppose you have questions. I have some for you, too. Want to take turns? [Another little game... but that's just how he is.]

[ His hand lingers on the table, and there's the sudden desire to reach out for it as he pulls away. It's silly, he's literally going into the line nearby, so why is she acting like this...

And while he waits in line, Ori absently keeps her gaze focused on the people coming and going; it's casual enough to brush it aside as some glancing around while she waits. Though her gaze focuses on Aventurine when he returns, brows raising at the cake. There's a soft "thank you", trying not to think too hard about it as she sips on her coffee. ]

Another game is it. [ Ori is getting the feeling he likes games but she doesn't mind playing. And he's right, she does have questions. ]

You first, or shall I?

[He chuckles at her observation. Out comes that coin again, and he flips it. This time it comes up tails.]

It's tails. You go first.

[He sets the coin on the table, but not flat; instead, he sets it so it spins. He's fidgety even on a good day. Maybe coffee was a bad idea.]

Lucky me.

[ She watches as the coin spins, quiet as she takes another sip of her coffee. There's a lot of things she could ask but - ]

That coin, where did you get it?

[ It sounds like an innocent enough question. ]

Oh, this? It's kind of a... good luck charm for me.

[After vibrating and wobbling for a minute, the coin flops down. It's heads.]

I don't remember how I got it, but I held onto it all these years.

[That's a vague and rather dodgy answer. But for his turn, Aventurine gets straight to the point. He asks in perfect Turkish:]

« Do you believe in coincidence? »

[ A good luck charm? There's only a light pinch between her brows, but it seems his words have some truth to it as the coin lands on heads.

Then he asks his question.

And for the first time, that smiling façade shatters - eyes wide, looking at him as if she's seen a ghost. And as everything pieces itself together, isn't that basically what she's seeing? After all this time, surely he can't be -

- But there's no tricks or illusions. Ori would know, it's her job to know that, and it's just... him. With the resemblance and familiar coin and language she hasn't heard in so, so long. ]

« I do. That's what I thought this all was. »

[ She responds back in perfect Turkish as well, eyes glancing down at that coin again. Hands folding atop the table, clasped tightly together to hide the trembling.

It's her turn for a question, but her mind is blank. There's a lot she can ask, but there's only her heart thumping in her ears drowning out everything else - except a name that slips out - ]

« ... Kai? »

[So that's that, then.

Hearing her speak his language, or at least the one he grew up with, there can be no doubt. Neither of them look the same as they once did, but the family resemblance still runs strong.

His smile thins, but he doesn't move. It's like he's glued in place. His blood rushes in his ears. He can feel every deep agonizing thump-thump of his heart in his chest.

What if this is a trap set by the people who split their family apart?]

[He has one hand on his lap beneath the table. It's trembling almost violently. He grips his pant leg, and yet his mask wavers.

He still can't move. But his eyes say it all.

Say my name. Please call my name. I promise I haven't changed.

Your brother is still here.]

[Kai.

How long has it been since he heard that name? Spoken softly by his mother and sister, or yelled in harsher tones because of some playful thing he did, called in the same breath as his sister so they would come to eat. He remembers a polished greenish stone in his hand, semi-precious as he was told, but to him it felt like gold. Running his thumbs over it, learning how smooth it was, how heavy. And yet not nearly as precious as his sister's hand in his when he no longer could find her.

She calls his name, and he comes alive again.

All of the relief, all of the grief, rises up into his throat. He reaches for her hand.]

« Yasmin. »

[Who cares about the coffee or cake. He gets up and skirts around the bistro table, and pulls her tight against him.]

[ Ori breathes out that name, and for a moment there's a surge of panic. Maybe she's miscalculated, maybe she's let her emotions get the better of her; but everything matched up so perfectly and with how he's looking at her, pleading for her to say something -

And her misgivings are soothed when he reaches for her hand, says the name she hasn't heard in so, so long. Her mother scolding her when she got into mischief, ever the more wild twin, her brother pouting at her when she played a prank... It's been so long.

And she finally gets to hear it once more. Everything bubbles over; the anxiety and relief, vision blurring as all she can muster out in a shaking sob: ]

« Kai! »

[ He holds her tight, and she hangs on even tighter. The cake and coffee are ignored as she holds him, almost fearful he'll just vanish. Like all those dreams she had years ago, before she convinced herself that she was the only one left - where he would reach out for her and she would wake up, alone once more.

But she isn't alone now. He's here and solid and alive, and it makes her sob in relief.

Nothing else matters. Nothing else matters when her brother, her twin, is in her arms again after she believed she had lost him. She can worry about everything else later. ]

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