Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Oh... no, I don't have a room mate either." He wondered vaguely how many patients had none. This situation was really just too bizarre. It shouldn't matter. He was used to having so little privacy back home that it shouldn't have mattered, but here at the asylum to invite someone into their room was like entrusting one with their life. Could he truly have allowed Dimas into his room, or would he have found them an abandoned one and told her it was his? Of course, he was a terrible liar, she would have realized it and no doubt she would be hurting badly if he betrayed her like that.

And his thoughts turned to how strangely similar they were - all the patients were, really - but both could glow. Both had fears tied directly with their personal hybridization process. They couldn't yet control their strange new traits, if it was even possible, and both felt unfortunate and even fear-inspiring, yet the other was somehow attracted to them. Didn't it seem fitting that they should find each other? If he could help it with no one else in this place, this is one person he should never harm in any way. He must cherish her friendship, no matter what might befall them in the future.

He smiled down at their clasped hands. Their orange glow in combination reminded him of Halloween. That too inspired memories, but they were good ones. His fingers laced with hers and squeezed. Perhaps they could begin to heal after all, even in a place like this. He looked up from their fingers. She had been leading the way the whole time. Was he really so timid? He fell into step beside her and looked into her strange yet beautiful eyes. "Dimas... I know people think friends in this place can't really work, that it's everyone for themselves. But I really like you and I think they're wrong."

His earnestness melted a little into a broad smile and their eyes glittered with their hands clasped together between them as she kissed his hand. He never would have thought of her as a glow bug, but the comparison was an interesting one, especially considering she was something they call a 'vampire.'

"Your hand is see-through," he commented with a wonder in his voice. Human hands are translucent, but light could change her color. It's truly fascinating! he thought. A small part of his mind wanted to examine her arms and other parts of her, such as her belly and cheeks, in a purely scientific way. But when he realized this desire to actually shine a flashlight in her mouth he immediately felt awkward for being so bookish. No one would believe his intent, even if now he realized how silly it had been. Perhaps she wouldn't notice he was blushing.

The fireflies that liked to follow him swirled around overhead. Some preceded the two patients as they walked once more through the halls, adding to the soft glow her crimson body and his greeny-yellow hands provided. As they came to the door, they buzzed along its surface curiously, then swooshed inward as she opened it. Their tiny bodies lit the room as they poked around at its four walls and the ceiling.

Dimas' room was like so many others in the Asylum. The dingy furnishings would not have been allowed in most habitations, yet they were prolific here. Nevertheless, he could see where her touch had been, leaving it more hospitable and homey. He smiled as she turned on the light. "Oh you have a working overhead light!" he chuckled. "I found a lamp once and fixed it up..." He was worried he would lose use of the bulb so he rarely used it. Was it so strange that the faint dripping noise he could hear was comforting? In his own room, he often heard a rattling shudder as heat was pumped through the duct work in his room. It was terrifying because it seemed to come out of nowhere, at off times, and the heat never seemed to reach him.

He saw something interesting on the wall, and it wasn't the peeling paint. He practically pounced on it, dragging along with her without intending to. He peered at the photo, still smiling as he pointed to it. "Are you in this picture?" He studied the subjects, trying to guess which one she might be.

"Oh..." Why would she keep a photo if she wasn't even in it? For the memories? Or... perhaps she doesn't want to remember what she used to look like... Photinus was frowning slightly, sympathy on his mind, when his eyes widened and he blushed faintly. "I'm really sorry... I didn't mean to drag you over like that." While he said this, he hastily let go of her hand, which he had been grasping so tightly.

He watched her scoot over to the trunk that lay at the foot of her bed. "See... your swimsuit?" His eyes remained wide and he managed to blush more darkly. "Move in?" Was this girl serious? He found himself continually questioning her motives and he really hated to do so. He wished to be less suspicious, if it could even be called that. But he really was not used to people being so forward with him. If they were, they usually had something they wanted of him. "Ah... perhaps we should think this over first..."

"Oh... really? I guess I didn't realize." For all he knew he could have half-yanked her shoulder from its socket. It really is embarrassing not to know one's own strength, even if they have great excuses like 'I am part-insect.'

He watched her pull a swimsuit from the trunk. It was an appropriately summery theme that would have completely changed her look. He tried to picture her in it and had a difficult time in speculating how low the neckline went without blushing. Despite that, he finally nodded. "I like. I think it would look very pretty on you!"

Sitting down on the side of the bed, he stared at the far wall and ran his fingers through his hair, until he realized that it must look rather strange and gingerly dropped his hand. He sighed a little and gathered his thoughts; she was very good at throwing him figuratively off-balance, even more so than the glow of his hands.

"I think..." he began slowly, "that it makes sense if we were room mates. But I like to take a little time before making decisions. I like to think about all the 'buts', like... we're different genders. It might be awkward." They didn't know each other, but room mates often don't. So it was not enough to say 'no,' but it was enough to make them stop and think. "Let's give it a couple of days. We can decide then."

"I think you would look lovely in it now. There's red in it and it's more... cheerful... than black." He pointed to the garment before she could drop it back in the trunk. "And as you can see, red goes nicely with orange."

Photinus' eyes widened. "I'm surprised. Don't most girls like their privacy? They don't want just anyone to see them in their pajamas." There were other female... issues that guys just don't like to think about, let alone discuss. "But you don't seem bothered by it. Are you used to having room mates?" The cultural difference between her and most girls he knew was curious to him.

"I'm from a group home... but the boys and girls didn't live in co-ed rooms and didn't share bathrooms. So there wasn't a lot of privacy but there was enough. Most of the girls complained anyway," he chuckled. "We weren't near the water, but I've been to the beach once or twice. Oh, and I know how to swim, there was a pool near the home," he added with a nod. "What about you," he smiled warmly, "it sounds like you had a big family. It must have been really nice. Were you close to them?"

"No, it's not that it doesn't look good... it just..." He frowned faintly and rubbed the back of his head. "It's just a different style, that's all."

He nodded, "Oh, I see. I suppose it would be exciting if you're not used to it. Hopefully the novelty wouldn't wear off too soon for you." Perhaps it just wasn't something they would have to worry about. Perhaps she was just that easygoing. "Well... if we do become room mates, let me know when you want some time to be alone."

"It was... interesting. There was always something happening, someone always getting in trouble, or some other drama," he nodded. "I guess your home was like a group home. You were always being watched by someone, or at least rarely alone to yourself. But I'll help you learn to swim, though I've never taught it to anyone before. So I guess we'll both learn something, huh?" he grinned.

Photinus' eyes widened briefly, her comment about her tops only part of the reason. Did she believe he had been criticizing her? She seemed to be criticizing herself... She seemed self-conscious now, but he was not sure why. What had he said that made her so nervous? Was it his reply to her suggestion that they become room mates? He just needed more time. Living with a girl would be a big change from anything he was used to. He needed to prepare his mind if nothing else.

"I like quiet sometimes because I like to read. But that doesn't happen here, does it... I just try to block out noise when I can. I'm sure it won't be a problem. Otherwise I am not worried about privacy. I just figured... since you're a girl... you might want more time to yourself." He did blush however; he hadn't been thinking of bringing girls home. Me? Is she serious? He almost laughed, but it would have been a nervous, self-depreciating laugh. "Ah... I don't think bringing girls home would be an issue with me. You must be popular though," he added shyly.

She looked like a beach goddess, and she was not modest with her appearance. It was not that she seemed to flaunt what she had, but when she moved, it was as if she felt free and natural. That was the best way he could describe it. Natural, honest beauty. Though sometimes, like now, she seemed unsure of herself. "So if anything, I would be the one leaving the room. But that's okay. There are plenty of places to go around here, right..." He chuckled. Ah, there it is, that laugh. But that's all right. Geeks are supposed to vacate, right...

"We'll start slow. As long as you're safe you can grow to be more comfortable. I'm sure they miss you, Dimas... and who knows, maybe there will be a way to show them how you've gotten used to the water." He ventured a smile. It would be a difficult feat, but if it could be accomplished, how great would that be?