(CLOSED: stuff happens)

[vanitass]

[ acting has its limits.

honestly, it's easy to forget reality when you immerse yourself completely into an act. when you so full-heartedly believe what you're saying, thinking, breathing. the lies begin to seem real. and it's super easy to forget what the truth is, buried beneath layers and layers and layers.

for brief flickers, he's young again. he's simple and stubborn and devoted. and for brief moments, he's not the eccentric and enthusiastic vanitas he's sworn to be. it's been so long and he's forsaken his old identity, his name, his life.

but that's neither here nor there.

what's here is the fact he's freezing and his book is missing and his ear feels like it's on fire. one of the small misgivings of having an earring, he supposes. but it's necessary. he needs it for the charm it has. ... but figuratively and literally.

his arms hug his chest even tighter and he swears he's been on his feet for twenty-four hours. it's an exaggeration but it's hard not to believe it. these past few weeks have been a whirlwind compared to the past few years and everything he had decided was stable suddenly isn't. ]

I'm starting to miss Paris.

[ he can't believe he's saying that -- ]

I'm even starting to miss Roland.

[ oh, that's bitter and venomous.

accordingly, he sneezes. because of course he does. why is shelter so far away? ]

Any ideas?

[ it's mostly sarcasm. MOSTLY, shield. ]