Sample

[beautiful_liar]

[Before he begins, Yumichika has adjusted his webcam carefully so that he will be filmed at a flattering angle - no unsightly up-the-nose shots for him - and so that it will properly frame him, but as it starts to record, it catches the tail end of a final hair flip.

He holds a small plastic package by the corner, pinched between two fingers, keeping it as far away as possible while still allowing it to show up on-camera. Sparkling letters on the packaging make it easy to see that it's a glitter tattoo kit.]

To whomever left this "gift" in my mailbox, I want to make it perfectly clear that I don't appreciate your sabotage attempt.

Comments

[misterunicorn]

[Alek was typing when the video icon popped up on his computer. He glanced at it and sighed, debating whether or not he should open the link. He really needed to finish his work but . . . But it might be a student in need. He didn't recognize the username right off, but he often had trouble remembering all the various pseudonyms that the students were forever changing. With a sigh he clicked on the blinking icon, watching the recorded message with a rather mystified look on his face. With something that odd, he simply had to respond.]


I beg your pardon, and please forgive my rudeness, but what is that you are holding?

[beautiful_liar]

[Yumichika isn't an outright brown-noser. He doesn't even like to use the term because it's so ugly. However, he understands the importance of treating faculty members with respect.]

You couldn't possibly be as rude as the person who gave me this.

[He turns the package over and jabs his finger at one of the pictures on the back.]

A rainbow glitter peace sign.

[misterunicorn]

[Alek leaned closer to his screen, peering at the package. His very faint accent thickened a little as he spoke again, clearly fascinated and intrigued.]


A rainbow glit ter peace sign? What is a rainbow glit ter peace sign? I have never heard of such a thing . . .

[beautiful_liar]

Then you're lucky.

[misterunicorn]

[He blinked at the screen, a bit taken aback. He was used to having his questions answered, if he asked politely, at least for the most part. And students generally gave him at least a little respect. Most had ended up under his hands at one point or another, needing his healing talents. He sat back, the slight emotion sliding off his face, leaving it a perfect blank.]


I beg your forgiveness. I meant no insult with my question, and I shall not trouble you any longer.


[He reached for the mouse, his arm moving across his own screen with a clear intent. He certainly wasn't going to force himself, or his presence, on anyone, least of all a student. Speaking of students, surely this one had something better to do than complain about a shiny package left by an unknown personage? He should be studying . . .]

[beautiful_liar]

[Yumichika feels a twinge of guilt. Mr. Aleksandr had asked an honest question.

He hasn't forgotten who he is talking to, either. With friends like Ikkaku, he sometimes needs a favor from an authority figure. Or a healer.

He sighs.]

What part didn't you understand?

[misterunicorn]

[Alek paused and lifted a brow elegantly. He sat back and considered his words before speaking, sitting perfectly still, his large purple eyes staring into the screen.]


I do not know what a glit ter is, nor do I know this "peace sign" that you speak of. I am familiar with rainbows, but I do not see how you can keep one in such a package. I do appreciate your time and offer my thanks for any explanations you can provide for me.

[beautiful_liar]

[He keeps the back of the package facing the webcam and points to the picture when it's relevant.]

When I said rainbow, I was referring to the mix of colors.

Glitter is what you call the shiny flakes this design is made up of.

The circle with the lines inside is called a peace sign.

Each of these things separately can have their uses, but combined, they're an abomination to good taste.

[misterunicorn]

[His eyes followed the moving finger and he leaned back toward the screen again unconsciously. Alek nodded slightly, understanding, more or less, pretty apparent on his face. Even if he didn't quite get the concept of what the thing in the package was supposed to be, he understood the parts better.]


And how is it this miracle of disparate pieces come together in an object? Is it a picture of some sort? Like a tiny photograph perhaps?

[beautiful_liar]

[Looking like it pains him to do so, Yumichika pops open the package and sorts its contents on his desk.]

I've seen them made of stickers, which you could call tiny pictures with adhesive.

This kit requires a bit more effort before you can cover yourself in some monstrosity.

[He holds up a small stencil.]

But this stencil lets you make the shape with glitter.

[misterunicorn]

[It was inevitable. There were plenty of things he'd missed out on before coming to the Institute, and apparently glittery rainbows in pieces were one of them. He couldn't help himself, he really couldn't!]


That small square with holes makes the pieces? How does it hold the rainbow of colors? And what does the glit ter have to do with the sign?

[beautiful_liar]

[He doesn't understand how the pieces comes together, and Yumichika suddenly knows with cold certainty that this isn't something that is going to become clear to him through words alone.

He has to take a moment to mentally chant words like teacher, healer and demerits for rudeness before he can ask the inevitable question.]

Do you want a demonstration?

[misterunicorn]

[Alek nodded, a slight tilt to the corners of his mouth. He didn't often smile, but he was awfully close to that expression with the man's offer. He was also rather oblivious to how difficult the offer had been for the man. The subtleties of human emotions often escaped him, and he tended to be rather literal.]


Yes! That would be most appreciated. I thank you very much for going to the trouble of answering my questions, and for offering to demonstrate this amazing thing. I will be forever in your debt.

[beautiful_liar]

Of course.

[Yumichika's smile is tight. He chooses the back of his hand as the easiest place to accomplish this one-handed, and most importantly, the easiest place to wash off immediately after this conversation is over.

There is a precision to his movements, even as he rushes to get this over with as quickly as possible. After he applies the glue through the blank spaces of the stencil, he dips a brush into the pot of rainbow glitter and applies it to the tacky surface left behind. A few taps to brush off the stray glitter and he holds it up for Mr. Aleksandr to see.]

There. A...rainbow glitter peace sign.

[misterunicorn]

[Alek watched in absolute fascination as first the stencil was applied, then the glue, then the glitter. When the stencil was removed and the man brandished the finished product, he actually clapped a little, smiling a small, though genuine smile. The things humans managed to come up with were really amazing!]


I am impressed! And I believe I understand now what you meant. It is often so much easier to see something demonstrated than to merely rely on an oral explanation, as I have often told my students. I thank you greatly for your efforts on my behalf, it is truly amazing.

[beautiful_liar]

[He does like the attention, if nothing else. Yumichika brushes back his hair while keeping the tattoo visible for the camera.]

Would you like to try it on yourself? I could drop the kit by your office.

[He sees a chance to win favor. And get rid of the entire hideous package.]

[misterunicorn]

[Alek hesitated for only a moment. He nodded a little, already anticipating the novelty of having something so colorful and sparkling on his own hand. He only had one last question.]


Yes, if it would not be too much trouble. Will you be coming tonight?

[beautiful_liar]

[Yumichika weighs going out of his way to deliver it to him against keeping it in his room overnight.

He thinks he already sees a few flecks of glitter at the edges of his laptop's touchpad.]

Just tell me the office number and I'll be there as soon as I can.

[misterunicorn]

I am in room 212, if you would be so kind. Thank you very much.

[beautiful_liar]

[And he will be the recipient of one partially used glitter tattoo kit as soon as Yumichika can wash the peace sign off of his hand and walk to room 212.]