tushanshu_logs | if you gave me a chance, I would take it [ catch-all ]

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if you gave me a chance, I would take it [ catch-all ]

WHO Cain (Jacob Kane) [

insertdadjoke] / you!
WHEN All of October.
WHERE Wherever you want him to be, tbh. More specifically: Midnight Hotel, Healer's Guild, Dojo-area, etc.
WHAT Cain's catch-all for the month of October.
WARNINGS Currently N/A.

a; out 'n about.
Cain did not have anything particular planned for this month. Although he had put out feelers for the organization of the Foreigners, he wanted to let it settle before bringing it back up. Time for people to sit on it, form opinions even if they didn't think they had any, see what others might do in light of the idea. They had time now that the Chihuelans had gone for the moment. That wasn't going to be permanent, but it had given everyone the breathing room they needed for which he was grateful.

b; healer's guild.
Despite the open-secret that was Cain's imperviousness to injury, he could often be found in the Healer's Guild. The recent acquisition of a magical artifact that gifted others in range the same self-healing properties that he himself had made it a good place to practice it from going off automatically. That was still incredibly draining and being out of control was not how he wanted things to stay.

Whether there for a check-up or treatment or just to see someone else, it was entirely possible to see Cain lurking around waiting on Raine or other healers to show him to the next poor sap he would help out with his miraculous (terrible) new ability. At least it was getting put to good use in the meanwhile, even if it sat poorly in his gut every time.

c; midnight hotel.
No longer as busy as with the heatwave, Cain can still be found in the Hotel off and on, save for a blip at the beginning of the month. Closer to whatever had caused him to leave, he was somewhat jumpier before it all evened out and he was back to his usual self of laid-back and rather unflappable. This was the most likely place to find him if he was needed anywhere; he always came back by the end of the day.

d; dojo. closed to bakura.
It wasn't until about halfway through the month when Cain stopped by the Jade Dojo. He hadn't really kept up in contact, but the discovery of yet another item he didn't want to keep was incentive enough to drop by. The mirror itself was cool and interesting, but he had no use for it and in lieu of simply burying it, he had a much better idea of where it could go.

Bakura had said he was more partial to rare and unique things, after all, hadn't he?

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They'd agreed, some time previous, that Cain would help her with at least her hair, for the masquerade. Raine didn't often do much to it beyond simple brushing, or the occasional trim to keep it at about a manageable length -- it was nearly time for that again, in honesty.

And they'd also agreed it would be better for her to meet him at the Hotel. So she did, staff in hand, found his room by dint of tracking his mana signature and knocked on the door. When Cain answered she'd smile at him, offer one of the sweet pastries she carried in her other hand.

His mana signature was definitely easy to catch hint of, and he was easy enough to find with his room being right off one of the staircases — to close to, that the ceiling of his room was at an angle to accommodate in the corner. It added a certain kind of homeyness to it that only made Cain like it more, however, and when he answered the door he seemed perfectly content with where he was.

"Hey, Raine," he said with a smile. He had some of his own things hanging from a makeshift rack in the back of the room, but they were kept in a suit sleeve as if to help maintain the mystery. "You brought presents?"

"Just food," Raine said. And it was hardly what she'd call a balanced breakfast, either, but it was a sweet little token of thanks. She paused, realizing what he might be thinking. "I didn't make it myself, if you're worried about that." This was accompanied by a quiet hmph -- she still didn't know why so many people had a deep, deep suspicion regarding her habits in the kitchen -- but it wasn't a genuine offense, and she was back to a smile soon enough.

"Have you been well?"

Although Cain hadn't quite heard legend of Raine's cooking habits, there was something to be gleaned from her reaction. He took it to note and left it at that for now. Stepping aside to let her in while taking her offering and motioning for her to enter. "I wasn't worried until you mentioned it," he said with a particular amount of amusement. "And I've been doing just fine since we last spoke. You?"

That said, he moved aside to set the single chair at the desk aside from the bed and motioned for her to take a seat where comfortable just to start. Patted the comforter and sat alongside it, taking a bite of the muffin while she settled herself. "So, what are you thinking so far?"

Edited 2015-11-01 02:50 (UTC)

Oops. Raine lifted her shoulders and her chin. "I'm told I experiment over-much, sometimes," she said, sounding of all things defensive, and was quite happy to move on. "I've been well, thank you." Worried now and then, but that was hardly unusual.

She bit carefully into her own muffin and took a seat where indicated, tucking one leg up under her without really thinking about it. "In terms of hairstyle? I'm afraid I don't really have any thoughts. I don't do much in the way of styling," she added, in case he hadn't noticed.

Regardless of her actual talent in the kitchen, Cain wasn't very bothered by it at all. If she wasn't that good, then who cared? Even if it was a kind of science and he knew magic to be a science in her own world, sometimes people just couldn't pick a skill up. It made him wonder whether offering to be a taste-tester should she ever try practicing would come to anything... At least no one would have to worry about food poisoning.

Shaking his head to rid it off the thought, Cain considered her for a moment before standing to retrieve a hair brush from one of the desk drawers and moving back to where he was. He put the muffin on the seat of the chair and reached up with brush and free hand, pausing as he got closer. "May I? Just to see what I'm working with here," he said, patient and curious and indulgent. She was plenty pretty and gorgeous and all those other words in their own rights, but sometimes it couldn't truly be said unless someone was trying to pull that side of them out. Cain knew this for personal fact. "It would also help to know what kind of dress you have in mind for the event tonight."

Any number of people would have been relieved Cain was willing to bite the bullet for them.

Raine looked at him a little sidelong, as he approached, but after all that was what she was here for. "Yes, that's fine," she said with a little nod. "I already have a dress-- it's white, simple. A sheath, I believe is the term? With a high collar." She indicates with one hand; it'll fasten around her neck. "And a jacket, as well. Do you need me to move?"

Cain whistled in appreciation at the mental image. Raine was definitely going to be a sight to see at the masquerade; not that it would matter to the most important person there, for Raine, but there was something to be said for a boost in confidence that something gorgeous could do to someone. She just needed to be given the oomph to appreciate how great she would look. Shifting closer, he merely tilted her head to the side and began to brush.

"Just face the wall if you could," he said simply. "With your hair and a dress like that, I think braiding would look good. You want to try it and see what you think?"

How did that warrant a whistle? Raine found herself coloring, heat rising in her cheeks. "It's hardly that impressive," she said, shifting as he requested. And in any case, the person whose opinion she currently valued most regarding her appearance was most accustomed to other means of perception and expressing his appreciation, these days.

The suggestion of braiding gave her a little bit of hesitation -- braiding rather implied back, and she was still somewhat accustomed to hiding the shape of her ears, too pointed to be human and too small to be elven -- but in a moment or two she nodded. Trying it didn't necessarily mean settling on it, after all. "...All right. Let's give it a try."

"The dress itself sounds like a knockout," Cain replied. Whether she thought she was worthy of wearing the dress or if the dress would wear her, it didn't really matter. Cain was going to help her look her best and most comfortable and make sure her night would come out well. She definitely deserved a night of confidence and jealous eyes.

He saw her hesitation, but didn't comment on it. Instead, he started to brush her hair back in gentle strokes once he made sure any knots or tangles were out, then shifted the brush between his back fingers as he wove her hair to the side with swift, sure fingers. He was going to try braiding it along the back of her head first just to get her used to the idea, where some of the hair underneath could still be used to distract from her ears, as he presumed was the problem. "Braids are good for a couple of things," he said, as if he hadn't sensed that uncertainty. "They keep your hair out of the way better than ponytails, and they turn your hair wavy the day afterward so it's like two for the price of one. Also, it feels very distinctive to the hand."

Raine neither agreed nor disagreed, only sat and let Cain work. If he'd detected her reticence he was mercifully quiet about it for now, allowing her the time to think about the options he was presenting. "It's a more secure restraint, isn't it?" she returned, more or less neutrally curious. "Zelos braided his hair, on occasion, for formalities or to help conceal his identity. Colette favored it for swimming..." Zelos' had curled anyway, she recalled, though Cain was right now that she thought of it, there had always been waves to Colette's mass of spun-gold the day after.

More distinctive to the hand. "Hm," Raine said, sounding more favorable now. "You... make a good point."

Once he got further into the braid, he set the brush aside and simply let his fingers work. It was an old and soothing motion, one he'd done countless times over ages and ages past for wives, children, friends, any number of people in his life. For Raine, this was something she would likely not understand the significance of just yet, but Cain wasn't trying to hide any of his own feelings from her. He just had the inkling she lacked proper parental influence in her life due to the glimpses in the Dreaming; he'd tell her when she felt more ready for it. No reason to make her react now when she could get a better idea of what it meant to be family first.

"Glad to see you got my drift," Cain said lightly. Even if he was helping her look how she deserved to, Raine would likely more appreciate that it was something Solomon could notice and appreciate for himself. Finished with the simple braid for now, he shifted his hand to pull the band up from where it had been resting around his wrist to tie it off. "There's a mirror on my desk. See what you think?"

She still wasn't sure, really. But it was... a point in favor. Raine got up when he was done, crossed to the desk. Her muffin was still in hand, largely forgotten in favor of paying attention to what Cain was doing, and now she set it down for the moment as she turned her head back and forth, scrutinizing the style.

Cain did know what he was doing, and it was a nice effect, the plaiting curving around the side of her head. It didn't quite camouflage her ears, true, but... maybe.

"Did you have anything else in mind?" she asked, returning to sit where she had before and tracing over the braid with a careful touch. "I do like the-- the thought, of braiding, I'm simply curious about options."

Cain stayed silent, finishing his own breakfast treat with Raine felt out the braid and considered how she felt. There were plenty of different things he could do, with the reasonable but not-too-long length and easy to work with strands, but he was a bit determined on the braids thing. Not only would she look good in it, but he was sure Solomon would enjoy it and his positive reaction would help her accept it more. Maybe it could be considered manipulative by some people, but he rather liked to think of it as trying to give people the best, least-complicated foot forward possible. Letting someone else do the heavy lifting even if they didn't realize it.

"Couple of other ways to do braids, sure," he said, lips twitching. "Or other hairstyles. We could feather it around your face with a bit of teasing or tie it back a few different styles. I suggested braids since those would compliment your face the most, I think."

Raine remained, at least for the time being, mostly oblivious to Cain's gentle manipulations in this regard, only grateful for his assistance. "I... don't really know what would be best," she said at length, shoulders a little stiff. "There are different ways of braiding, I assume." She'd seen a few on the nobles in Tethe'alla, at the very least, though she didn't know where to begin with those.

It wasn't long before she reached up, touching the point of one ear thoughtfully before settling again. Half-revealed like this was a little strange. "I'm sure you have a great deal more experience," Raine added, moving forward hastily.

He shifted to let her sit back onto the bed, retrieving the brush once more. Now that he was back in position, he removed the tie and smoothed her hair out from the bottom all the way up to the top once more, just carding his fingers through it to let it rest before he would braid it up again. Especially if she wasn't used to doing anything with her hair, her scalp was probably going to be a bit sore whether she'd admit it or not during all this. Briefly, he wondered if his newfound healing power would take care of that once he noticed it. Hm.

"That's definitely true," he said without a hint of trying to one-up her. It was just the facts. He started to work again, pulling locks together to form another 'do for her to inspect. "My daughters especially liked me to do their hair, before school in more recent times when it was normal and standardized for girls to go."

It was nice, Raine decided, the way he worked with her hair. There were few enough people she was comfortable being that close to, and few who were the sort to extend such things. As he went on the set of her shoulders relaxed again, bit by bit. Cain was safe, after all. And there was something about this that was, if not familiar, then perhaps... nostalgic, in a way she couldn't pinpoint. 'Nice' didn't quite cover it.

She nearly twisted around to look at him at the last, though, remembered a little belatedly that he still had his hands in her hair. "It wasn't always typical for girls to be schooled?" she said aloud, frowning. She'd known from some other talks that older Earth attitudes held that women were weaker and less reasonable, but she hadn't realized it extended that far. "How recent was that development?"

He could tell she was relaxing despite the topic of conversation they had led into. That part was a bit intentional on his part, mostly to distract, and he continued to work with her hair as he spoke. Another braid, larger this time and with the sides low enough to cover her ears again. He had an idea ultimately in mind but so what if he just wanted to play with her hair first? It was nice hair. When she twisted, he gently moved his hand to reposition her head so it would still come out all right, backed up a few steps, and started again.

"Relatively? Very recent. Not that it ever really stopped me from encouraging my own daughters to learn but there was only so much that could be done against a very male-dominated, aggressive society," Cain said, a thoughtful hum to his voice. Although he hadn't always been the most modern of thinker, he had the distinction of at least being more progressive than most in his youth and had constantly worked on that as time went by. "Unfortunately, the women of earth still fight for a true equality but fortunately they're making the most headway I've ever seen and still going."

Peculiarly, though this hairstyle did better at hiding the telltale tips of her ears, the particular method of covering felt almost constraining. When Raine noted that she had to be resignedly amused with herself. There would be some compromise; this was for experimentation, so far.

"That sort of attitude has never made much sense to me," Raine admitted, settling when Cain repositioned her. "I imagine, however, that in a relatively stagnant world centered around a goddess and where the position of Chosen One is most commonly held by a maiden as well, it would simply be difficult for such points of view to gain any traction." She had other theories -- magic as equalizer, racial discrimination superseding any that might arise within the same species -- but no way to really prove or disprove any.

Although her hair was not too long due to her personal preference, Cain still found himself taking his time with it as he went. Just something to let them both experience for now and eventually come to something she would like for the party. They had time to figure it all out.

"Completely different societal influences would definitely change the perception," said Cain. It wasn't with jealousy, they couldn't do anything about their own worlds now but move forward, but with interest for how different it must have been to stand with men and women at equal heights. "Here, see how you like this one."

When it was secure, Raine got up again, repeating the earlier procedure of tipping her head back and forth in the mirror. It was interesting, she decided, though a strange feeling, when usually her ears weren't so constrained. "I do like some aspects of it," she said, returning to Cain once more, "though I'm not sure this particular style is one I could tolerate all evening." She grimaced a little, touching her ears again. "I'm aware that rather limits my options." To all the way up, or all the way down. She didn't know what she'd settle on, though even that much uncertainty was new.

"What are you thinking?"

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if you gave me a chance, I would take it [ catch-all ]

C; morning of the masquerade

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