ZODIAC GROUP CHAT [ZODIAC GROUP MEMBERS ONLY]

[kaisoumods]

Zodiac
If Opportunity Doesn't Knock
Build a Door


MEMBERS:

[OOC: this is a catch-all group chat for the Zodiac members to use however they'd like. This chat is open ONLY to Zodiac members and is not actually part of the Libra app (but their own separate network). ]

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[machaerae]

[ People can stare all they want, none of that even matters now that her brother is here. For so long she thought he was dead, and now here he is... Part of her wonders if she's dreaming again, that she'll blink and he will vanish once more.

But she blinks a few times, letting the tears fall and no, he's still here. Still holding her, still petting her hair as she would do for him. If he can't cry, then she can cry enough for the both of them; breath trembling and stuttering as her relief bubbles over. ]

« I'm so... Happy doesn't even begin to describe it. »

[ Ori lets herself lean back, looking up at Aventurine - at her precious brother - and she has to resist crying all over again. Her eyeliner and mascara have probably smudged, but none of that matters either; instead trembling hands lift, cupping his cheeks gently and managing a trembling laugh. He's really, truly here. ]

« It's really you, Kai. I'm not dreaming again. »

[neverchanged]

[His eyes widen for a moment as she cups his face. He's smacked hard by a memory that he quickly pushes away to examine later, and tries to ground himself in the moment.]

« It's me, I promise. »

[He scrunches up his face for a moment and wiggles his nose.]

« Even when we're apart, we end up being alike... So much for Father's blue eyes. »

[machaerae]

[ There's a watery chuckle as he wiggles his nose, and she takes a moment to collect herself as she just... properly looks at him. Ori knows knows heels are giving him extra height, so he would really be only barely taller than her now. ]

« There goes your secret weapon for getting out of trouble. » [ The power of baby blues, which they wielded to great affect.

But there is some amusement, at how these odd changes mean their eyes are still similar. ]

« Though I think I can let that flying pants case slide now. »

[neverchanged]

« You're right. I got into so much trouble... »

[He's sure they both did. It hurts to think of those years spent alone, so he pushes past them.

He covers her hands with his.]

« But that was a long time ago. You got away from everything after all. Thank goodness. »

[He fixes her hair after a minute, and then drags his chair around closer so he can sit down again.]

« Right... I'm sorry for the trouble. It wasn't on purpose, but I'll admit it was a silly risk. High reward, though, if I hadn't lost that bet. »

[machaerae]

[ ... She had hoped, maybe, that his life hadn't been difficult since they were torn apart. But she knows that was unlikely, that he faced his own number of hardships over the years.

But he's still her brother. No matter what may have changed over the years, he's still Kai. ]

« It was a long time ago. And now you're here too, grown up. Safe. »

[ Whatever happened to them, to him, it's all behind them now. They've escaped that nightmare and forged lives of their own.

She lets him fix her hair without fuss, before she sits too - not hesitating to reach for his hand again once he drags his chair closer. ]

« It's alright. As long as it didn't put you in any actual danger, I can forgive it... » [ And there's a squeeze of her hand around his. ]

« How's life for you now? Besides work, tell me about things. Any pets, are you seeing anyone? »

[neverchanged]

[He's still keenly aware they're in a cafe, but the barista is thankfully minding their own business. Maybe later they can have a more extended visit.]

« We made it. »

[He doesn't pull his hand away, quite happy to allow just this little bit of physical contact. She's the only one he'd tolerate it from.]

« It didn't. It was only dangerous to my career opportunities. »

[He tilts his head slightly.]

« Not seeing anyone. But I do have kids... » [He reaches into his pocket for his phone and unlocks it, and then he pulls up his camera roll. It is absolutely filled with cats. They have different-colored collars to tell them apart. Also they might be catkes? Who just pop out of their shells sometimes because they Feel Like It.]

[machaerae]

« We did. »

[ Even if her focus is on her brother, she's still aware on what's going on around them. And the fact that this cafe is close to the office means people are probably going to talk. But they can talk all they want. ]

« Aha. I would try to put a good word in, but I'm in a bit of trouble with the higher-ups myself. »

[ Some things never change, at least.

And she perks up when he reaches for his phone, her eyes widening when she sees the sheer volume of cats. But also she loves them already, they are so adorable look at them!! ]

« Oh, they're so cute! What are their names? You'll need to introduce me to them soon! »

[neverchanged]

[He doesn't mind having family in the office. Suddenly the place seems a lot more bearable.]

« What? No! You getting on the bad side of authority? Obviously they deserved what they got, then. »

[He loves his catkes.]

« Diamond, Topaz, and Pearl. » [It's nothing to do with Steven Universe, he swears.] « If you're free next weekend, you can come over and meet them. I'll make something. Cooking for myself just isn't fun, you know? »