(Untitled)

[unmelted_ice]

Sariel's LOL was not just a memory change. It was quite comprehensive. His reality changed, though only his. He lives in the Nexus now, in a sprawling, one-story affair with large windows and roofed walkways between the different wings. His paintings are all there, with the notable exceptions of the ones that involve Raziel. Even the painting he

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[sinofsurviving]

He and the rest of his team live so close to each other it feels like they are living out of each other's pockets. Aya walks away from the Nexus proper looking for some peace and quiet.

He is absolutely certain there wasn't a house here before.

[unmelted_ice]

A few butterflies flutter inside, while some others come to dance around him curiously. It's not long before Sariel walks out of the house. He nods a polite greeting.

[sinofsurviving]

Aya is less than pleased at the attention from the butterflies. He returns the nod.

[unmelted_ice]

Sariel doesn't miss much. He lifts a hand idly. "Leave him be. Go and play."

The butterflies dip and flutter back to the gardens. Sariel tilts his head as he looks Aya over. "Good afternoon. I don't believe we ever exchanged names. I am Sariel."

Not that he doesn't know who this is, though not which specific version. But it's polite.

[sinofsurviving]

That was... odd. This person commands butterflies? What kind of power is that?

"Fujimiya Aya." He makes a curt little bow.

[unmelted_ice]

"The lingering remnants of a past LOL. I've given up on convincing them to go away," Sariel explains calmly, using his raised hand to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear.

"A pleasure to meet you, Aya-san."

[sinofsurviving]

“Then LOLs can have lasting effects and not just temporary ones?” The apprehension in his voice is very well-disguised.”

[unmelted_ice]

"The LOL is what drew them to me, and I suppose they simply took a liking to me and stayed after it wore off. I've never had an LOL leave actual traces behind on me myself. I've heard sometimes they can be long-lasting, or even permanent, but that's hardly the same as aftereffects," Sariel replies, a faint smile crossing his face. It touches his eyes, but only on a surface level.

[sinofsurviving]

Something in the smile makes Aya uncomfortable.

"No. It's not. I'll have to be all more careful of them."

He nods and begins to go back the way he came.

[unmelted_ice]

Sariel considers asking him to carry his regards to Aya-chan. But no. That would spoil what could be quite the amusing game. The idea of carrying on an acquaintence with both of them while neither of them knows the other knows him could be quite entertaining.

"Always the course of wisdom here. ...Should we meet again, perhaps you'll consider allowing me to paint you sometime. Your coloration is quite striking."

[sinofsurviving]

He glances back to see if he is being teased. His coloration is quite tacky.

[unmelted_ice]

Sariel seems perfectly sincere. He would rather like the opportunity to paint Aya from life rather than memory and imagination.

[sinofsurviving]

He bows his head modestly.

"Thank you."

[unmelted_ice]

"If you would like to see some of my work, you could come inside," Sariel offers, tilting his head slightly. "I keep almost everything I paint, and display it on the walls."

[sinofsurviving]

There is a moment when Aya is obviously debating with himself. Curiosity wins.

“I am grateful for your hospitality.”

He makes a gesture that means 'lead the way'.

[unmelted_ice]

Sariel walks inside, leaving the door open for Aya to follow. His work runs largely to the erotic, but not entirely. There are landscapes and portraits dotted here and there. One is a glorious painting of a mountain sunset.