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[ Surprisingly, they just give a simple, unrestrained nod to that question. There's no use in denying it. Cairngorm has always been kinder to parties that aren't present or capable of responding - Lapis most of all. ]

Ghost and I lived by their instructions. [ Figuratively, of course! If he needed more proof that they've been socialized to be a follower since birth, there it is. ] You know, they would have been very interested in humans and technologies like this. They were really curious about the moon...

[ They are sneaking their hand over to the picture because they want to peek... but they give him a questioning glance as if to ask if it's too early and they'll somehow ruin it by looking. ]

[ curious about the enemy... he supposes there would have to be some gems like that, too, after all that time. The sentence by itself can't help reminding him of his dear friend from home. ]

If we got them in a room with Impey, I'm sure he could tell them all about it. Although our moon hasn't got any villains living on it, as far as I'm aware. [ just another little wish that won't come true. Neither of these people are here, and he doesn't know if Lapis could ever come here - although Ghost's former presence suggests it's not impossible. ] Weren't you partners? It sounds more like they were your boss.

[ as he speaks, he gives them a little nod of approval to look at the photo. It's been a few minutes - he's sure it's fine. ]

[ They shake their head. ]

We were partners. We did a lot together... patrol, playing cards. They would read to us sometimes.

[ Their eyes close momentarily just remembering it, thinking of Lapis's soothing voice and how hearing them read had always relaxed them. They have complicated feelings about Lapis, but recalling a pleasant thing or two about them - it's nice every once in a while.

With that, they finally turn the picture over, revealing a pretty well developed smiling and handsome Lupin. It's a good picture, if not a little crooked, but for someone who's barely seen other ones, it looks just perfect. Without thinking if he wants to look at it too, they pull it closer to themself, holding it gently with their thumbs on the bottom corners.

Momentarily, they're completely taken in by the picture, instantly forgetting what they were about to continue on about in relation to Lapis. They can see why people would like this sort of thing, now. Usually they can look at his smile for a few seconds before it either goes away or they avert their eyes so they don't get overwhelmed, but like this, they can look for as long as they want. They're trying to ignore the little fluttery feeling they get looking at his bright expression, frozen in time, trying to play off their distraction by putting it back on the table... but they're still looking at it, even with their arms crossing nonchalantly. ]

Oh... it worked.

[ VERY smooth... ]

[ Totally smooth. Lupin really was focusing on their story, trying to picture it - it's all a bit sad, no matter how he thinks of it, because as much as Cairngorm describes these events like they were part of them, they were really only watching, and he has to wonder if Lapis even knew there was a third person party to their interactions. Asking about that would probably only make Cairngorm sad, too, though; either that, or they'd have no reaction at all, and that would just make him feel worse.

Luckily, a distraction appears. An obvious one. That wasn't exactly what anyone would call subtle - and while he's no stranger to being admired (it's not egotistical if it just happens, right), it's unusual for Cairngorm to do it. He can't stop the smile from growing across his face, warm affection spreading from his chest. God, they're cute. ]

I'm guessing it came out well, [ he comments, tone sly and knowing. ]

[ They leer as soon as he hits them with that tone, their crossed arms tightening. Ugh. Of course he'd feel cocky over a brief lapse in their attempts to not show too much softness towards him. ]

It's right there. Go ahead and look for yourself.

[ Translation: there's no need to point out that they looked at it for a little too long, and he can see just as well on his own that it developed fine. Clearly that little blip had nothing to do with their personal thoughts about him. They're not admitting it's good, not when he's going to act haughty about it. ]

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