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[fourthsaken]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, JADED. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 005.04.008.13 *** CHARACTER NAME/ALIAS has joined 005.04.008.13 <JADED> hey, you've reached Jade. <JADED> leave a message or whatever and i'll get back to you. <JADED> God, I hope this shitty thing actually works.

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[fourthsaken]

It's not that early.

[Despite her protests, she can't quite hide how tired she is. Tired, but happy. She lays down next to Soeki, cuddling against his side, feeling safe and happy and home. It's nice to be able to lay next to someone without the worry of suddenly going intangible when she inevitably loses concentration. It's probably the thing she'll miss the most when she returns to being a shade.

She nods sleepily, already admitting defeat. There's no way she's going to be able to force herself to stay awake much longer.]

I can't sleep all day, though. This is only part of the surprise.

[catphishing]

Sleep until the afternoon. You need it too.

[The response is mumbled because of where he's pressed his face into Soeki's warm side, but affectionate. He reaches out a hand to brush hers.]

Let's enjoy this surprise first.

[crowedthedead]

It is that early. [He mumbles back, a pretty lame retort, but he's sleepy still - they all are, or should be. He seems content, though, with Jade and Oliver curled up on either side of him. What a warm, cozy den of bears they are.

He pokes her in the side, maneuvering his other arm around Oliver.] What do you have planned? Sleep. Sleep is what you should have planned.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade catches Oliver's hand, squeezing it lightly before letting go. Exhaustion is already taking over when Soeki pokes her side. She sticks out her tongue at him, too tired for a more mature or effective form of retaliation.

She's almost dozed off, when she realizes, it's the perfect time to tell Oliver and Soeki about the rest of the plan. They can't get too upset about it if they're really tired... Right?]

My tattoo. But after sleep. [The words come out quietly and slurred together as Jade closes her eyes offering no further explanation.]

[catphishing]

[Apparently Oliver isn't asleep enough yet not to react to that. His eyes crack open. He'd thought she'd changed her mind about that.]

You can't just decide on that last minute.

[crowedthedead]

[Oh. Her tattoo. Right. That's perfect, actually, because Soeki still wants a third small piece somewhere, that represents his bond with Jade. And he wants them to get them together. Oliver says she can't decide at the last minute and Soeki snorts, patting his hip.]

It's not last minute. She wanted it for a while. Hope you booked a double appointment, though, I'm getting one too.

[catphishing]

We barely talked about it. I thought we were going to work it out together if she did get one.

[fourthsaken]

Don't talk about me like I'm not right here.

[She sighs, obviously annoyed. As tired as she is, she's still stubbornly determined to win this argument with Oliver. At least Soeki's on her side. She cuddles closer to his side, as if he can protect her from Oliver's anti-tattoo argument.]

Course I booked a double appointment. It's the same place you went to before. I've been talking to them and planning this all month...

[crowedthedead]

[Soeki pats her shoulder placatingly. He still doesn't see what the big deal is about her getting a tattoo, honestly. It's not like they're her parents. They're her brothers.]

She knows what she wants, Ollie. We don't get to tell her what to do with herself. Anyway, you know the place is fine, I've already gotten two there. [And both of his are probably a little more ill-advised than hers.]

Are you still going to get the protection circle?

[catphishing]

I know, but I thought she'd changed her mind... [He winces, looking over Soeki's chest to look at Jade as he corrects what she'd only just told him off for.] I thought you had.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade shifts just enough from her spot tucked against Soeki's side to look over at Oliver. He's trying to let her make her own choices. She knows he's trying and that's the only thing stopping her from getting angry with him.]

I didn't change my mind. This is what I wanna do. And yeah, it's going to be the protection circle.

[crowedthedead]

See, Ollie? It's fine. It's not like it's some kind of fad thing that she'll lose interest in in a year. It's a protection circle.

[catphishing]

I know, I know. I'm just worried.

[He still doesn't sound thrilled, but he's tired, and he lost this argument months ago.]

[fourthsaken]

[Jade's grateful Oliver doesn't really seem to be arguing too much anymore. She wants him to go to the appointment with them, but not if he's going to be convincing her it's a bad idea the whole time.]

Oliver, please, just let me do this. I was gonna invite you to come with us, but I don't want you acting like it's a bad idea. I changed monster types and opened a store and you were cool with both of those things and those were way bigger deals. I can handle this.

[catphishing]

I'm worried. I can't help that.

[fourthsaken]

You're worried, but you'll still come with us?

[Jade will still go through with the tattoo if Oliver doesn't go with them, but she'd feel a lot happier and better if he was there.]

[catphishing]

[Oliver stays silent for a long few moments, fingers stroking the material of Soeki's hoodie as he contemplates. Finally he nods, meeting Jade's eyes with trepidation.]

Yeah. I'll come with you.

[fourthsaken]

[Oliver might still be worried, but if Jade's grin is anything to go by even just Oliver's agreement to go with them is enough to make her happy and confident in her decision. She offers him a sincere smile before ducking back behind Soeki, satisfied that she can sleep and get her tattoo today.]

Cool. Thanks.

[catphishing]

It's okay.

[He sounds tired and unconvinced, but he's agreeing even if he already knows he'll regret this when they wake up again. Secretly he hopes that Jade's exhaustion will catch up to her and they'll sleep through it, but he knows in reality there's little chance of that.]

[fourthsaken]

[Jade's glad she's hidden behind Soeki so Oliver can't see her shoulders slump at his continued lack of enthusiasm. She mumbles an apology, tucked up against Soeki's side.]

I'm sorry. I know you hate this... I swear I wasn't trying to ruin my last day like this.

[crowedthedead]

[Soeki is trying hard not to doze at this point, but he does settle his hand over Oliver's, nuzzling against his shoulder fondly.]

Be happy for her. It's a good tattoo. You like all mine, right?

[catphishing]

You're different. I don't feel like I have to be responsible for your choices.

[He does feel bad he's upsetting Jade. He can tell even with her tucked against Soeki enough to obscure his view of her.]

You aren't ruining anything. I'm sorry. You know why I'm worried, but it's your choice. I'm not trying to make you feel bad about it.

[fourthsaken]

[She's tired, too tired to not be honest. Soeki's on her side, Oliver's coming around, and they have hours to nap in a comfy fort before her appointment. She may be sad that Oliver doesn't share their enthusiasm, but it's hard to feel too bad right now.]

I won't feel bad once I get my tattoo. I'm too excited.

[crowedthedead]

[He presses a placating kiss to Oliver's shoulder.] It is her choice. She's old enough to know what she's doing, I promise.

I'm excited too, you know. That I get to be there for your first tat.

[fourthsaken]

[Jade grins at Soeki. She's glad he's going to be there too. It wouldn't be right if he wasn't. That's why she can't put the tattoo off forever. If Soeki leaves before she gets it, it just wouldn't be the same.]

I knew you had to be there. What are you gonna get this time?