And what's left is...

[bluesofpeace]

[Kaz is feeling a bit "down," one might say. There's a bit less of a bounce in his step, a more serious air surrounding him. He stands in the library, a heavy, dusty, worn leather-bound reference book in his hand. He turns the pages with care, gaze wholly focused through dark lenses on the pages before him

Comments

[bluesofpeace]

[Sneaking mission = success. Kaz gasps and quickly turns to face Liquid, greeting him with an expression that seems... conflicted?]

Actually, I am.

[Kaz sounds a bit insulted and his sentence carries an air of "shows how much you know about me."]

[bluesofpeace]

I am when there's a battle to fight.

[He sighs very softly and closes his book.]

Did you come here for some reading material yourself?

[bluesofpeace]

A manga volume?

[Admittedly, this brings a bit of a smile to Kaz's lips.]

[bluesofpeace]

Wha-- well, okay, then.

[Manga sure did get weird in the last forty years.]

Looking for information, an edge, a way to understand this place. I've definitely been staring at dusty books for too long, though.

[He rubs at his eye beneath his aviators.]

[bluesofpeace]

[Right? Totally normal.]

The information would be invaluable if I could only confirm its validity. Looking up the author and publisher has gotten me nothing so far.

[Kaz leans against Liquid a bit and stares at the heavy book.]

And do what?

[bluesofpeace]

I can't believe this is just magic, Liquid. Someone or something is behind this.

[When Liquid leans in and kisses him, he feels... nothing. It's a nice gesture but it doesn't make Kaz feel any sort of giddiness around him. The thought of seeing Liquid doesn't send any chills through him, either.]

[Kaz is starting to become aware of what's going on, but he can't exactly figure it out.]

Liquid, something... is wrong with me.

[bluesofpeace]

I suppose not enough for me to take action. I feel like my mind has been cleared and yet... something's off.

[He looks at Liquid, finally, and puts the book on the shelf out of place.]

I guess I'll take some comfort in that. Can you tell if something else is wrong, then?

[Kaz is starting to look lost. He hasn't felt so not-at-home in his body since he was a teenager.]

[bluesofpeace]

I'm not sure... but I feel like something is missing. Like a part of me is gone.

[Kaz isn't sure if he simply wants to test this or prove himself wrong, but he asks Liquid the favor anyway.]

Liquid, kiss me.