Open + Closed prompts/ Catch all

[iustaegis]

♥ Who: Pyra and various.
♥ Where: Around Town
♥ When: Around Jan
♥ What: One General OPEN Prompt + Catch-all!
♥ Rating: E for everyone, will update if necessary

Hand-holding
[ Have a woman with short, red hair wave and then approach you, whether or not she knows you. Her presence is warm, and her smile is even warmer. She offers a hand. Easy enough, right? This is the simplest method to generate some of this contact-energy and get money out of it, too.  ] 

Would you like to go for a walk?

Catch-All
[ This is a catch-all for January! Top Levels to follow below. If you'd like a thread for this month, HMU with a wildcard below (Pyra can be found just about anywhere around town), PM me or PP me at drinksteapots! ] 

Comments

For Prompto

[iustaegis]

[ Up at the ass-crack of dawn and already ready to rumble, they're preparing for the morning run they've promised to complete together. But first!

Stretching!

They're seated on the ground, doing this stretch. She's the one pulling him forward towards her. ] Mm-- is this enough?

[ Beside him sits their communicators, prepared for their little marathon to take selfies throughout the city. Might as well have some fun with their exercise, no? ]

[this_loser]

[This is the part he usually does on his own, before he even leaves the house in the morning, whether he joins up with Cor or not. The change in routine is nice. He's excited that someone else is willing to share an early morning run with him.

He's not flexible like Iggy - flexigble? Ha. But he could touch his toes if he wanted to.]

It's good.

[He sits up from the stretch to pull her forward.]

Sleep well? It's no fun doing this when you're dead tired.

[iustaegis]

[ With her hands still held in his, she leans forward for the stretch. Of note... she's still wearing her usual outfit. Apparently she owns no other appropriate clothes for running. ]

I stayed up all right, too excited to sleep for this run.

[ By her laugh, he should be able to tell that she's joking. ]

[this_loser]

[He laughs with her.]

Never knew anyone that was too excited about running. I'm not even excited about it half the time.

[But it was ingrained habit by now. It felt weird not to run. Which is why he has a dedicated set of running clothes - just a loose shirt and shorts - that maybe don't smell so great by the end of the week.]

for verstael

[iustaegis]

[ Within his laboratory townhouse laboratory, they find themselves similar to how they were before, with her hand upon his shoulder. It's just business, really, and she's happy to provide. ] 

What is it that you wished for me to look at? Or test?

[original_is_best]

Wait here.

[Though he'd been fairly open to her, he did keep some things hidden.

So he took his time going to his 'room', closing the door behind himself to hide what he was doing, until he reappeared with a small crystal in his hand.]

I have been testing and analyzing this crystal, and as far as I have been able to tell thus far it is a foreign kind of magitek that is either a source of power or a conduit for power. It seems to have the same aura as the barrier as well.

[He offered the small crystal to her.]

[iustaegis]

[ Her hand slips from his shoulder when he leaves, but as soon as he returns with the crystal in hand, there it goes back to his shoulder, deftly neutral. Can't forget that he needs funds for whatever research he's doing.

Understandably, she looks surprised as he brings out the crystal to her. Just where did he get-- she won't inquire for now. ]

...May I?

[ She opens her free hand to him, palm up that he might drop the crystal into it if he is willing. Regardless if he does or does not, she continues the conversation. ] You are... right. It does have similar energy to that of the barrier. [ Like light interwoven, divine of some sort. She mentions this only to affirm his own findings with her own. ] But as for a conduit or source of its own energy....

Are you looking to use it for something?

[original_is_best]

For the moment, I wish to merely understand its purpose. I may be able to make use of it after that.

[He was willing to observe. After all, he had no powers of his own. He had simply gathered this information via research.

Well, on top of gathering the crystal with his own hands.

He didn't have much reaction to being touched, but that was fairly normal for him.]

Upon first discovering it I believed it might be a power source. However, it was nothing recognizable to me, which meant that it was of the utmost importance to uncover what it was.

[meridio]

[ The morning of their scheduled spar, Somnus stirs first. They lie in his bed together; he, on his back; and he knows she's still there by the press of her weight on his arm and her own arm draped over his chest in a pseudo embrace. Opening his eyes, he angles his head to find that hers rests on his shoulder.

To move now would mean waking Pyra. Under usual circumstances, this might have given him pause. Today, however, they're meant to rise together. With their faces so close to one another, he need only say her name to beckon her back to the waking world. ]

Pyra.

[iustaegis]

[ It's clockwork by now for him to awaken at dawn. Tucked in so closely beside him, he easily stirs from her slumber with his voice, her hand upon his chest pulling over his front but not parting from him. In the haze of waking, it takes a moment, then another, for her gaze to slowly come into focus, blinking as her eyes adjust to the calm light of daybreak that filters through his curtains. When it does, she smiles at him. ]

Good morning, Somnus.

[ Tone appreciating, soft as a whisper for their closeness, this is always her greeting for him if they happen to wake at the same time. Her hand lingers upon his chest; she can feel the rise and fall of his steady breaths. Alive, here. He's alive and here. He exists, it is amazing that he exists.

Knowing they must rise, however, she stirs further, adjusting how she lies as she looks at him. How close he is... and his expression is as neutral as ever. ] Have you rested well?

[meridio]

[ The appreciation never leaves her expression or tone. She cherishes life, so she values these moments of contact.

He closes his eyes and tucks his chin for a small nod. Often, he goes to bed with many a thought, most of which he can (and must) set aside. On the nights that Pyra joins him, she promises purpose by lying beside him for the gods, and that purpose eases some of the urgency that drives him to rise at dawn. She's here, and she has yet to leave; knowing that they're doing their part together, he can rest at night.

He lays his hand over hers on his chest. Soon they'll get out of bed and attend to the shared item on their agenda, but first he gives her a moment to collect herself. His eyes are lucid and sharp, but not cold, as he regards her. ]

The time for us to rise has passed.

[iustaegis]

[ With his hand lifting to lightly drape over hers, her fingers spread to allow his to lace between. She closes her eyes, breathing in slowly but in time with the own rise of his chest beneath her palm. He has lungs there, a heart. She does not, but she breathes with him all the same for a few more moments, letting the rest of her drowsiness slip from her in each passing moment. She becomes more aware-- of him, easily, and his warmth beside her.

Opening her eyes to meet his, she gives him another quiet nod upon his shoulder. He does not answer her question, he notes the time to rise has passed, but he hasn't gotten up, either... ]

Mm... [ She is the first to rise from how they lie, lifting her head from his shoulder and sitting up. Hair tussled slightly, the shoulder of one tunic slipping off, she doesn't seem to correct either. Instead, careful that they still remain in contact by hand, she completes one small stretch with her body,  arching her back and lifting her opposite arm as if she might expand out the energy within. Pyra finishes with a satisfied exhale, turning to look back down at him.

It's another beautiful day in a dying world. If only he could have been brought to a far more peaceful one. She is sorry for that. ] When you're ready... I'll meet you in the living room.

Hand-holding! Setting this on the 6th if that works for you.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita picks up on the woman's presence almost before she sees her; the peridexis' 'notice this' mental signal flashes at her like a beacon in and of itself.]

Er, /Dai!/ I mean, sure.

[Slipping into the Speech might not have been the smartest move, but Nita's going to take that hand anyway; a walk sounds like a real good idea right now.]

I'm Nita; what's your name?

[iustaegis]

Ah--... My name is... Pyra.

[ A pause follows her introduction as she looks over the other woman. Dai-- "yes"? Somehow, she understands it, even if something about the word continues to puzzle her. There's something curious about this woman.

Yet she cannot help but inquire, even as her hand slips into hers. ] Excuse me, but, "Dai"?

[unfavorableinstigation]

It means hello, in the Speech.

[Nita can't help an encouraging smile in return. 'Curious', indeed!

The peridexis is going to puzzle over Pyra's energy readings some more, as Nita keeps talking.]

It's nice to meet you, Pyra; I'm Nita.

[She feels the need to explain a little.]

I'm a wizard, and I use the Speech a lot in my work, so sometimes I just- slip into greeting people with it when I don't know where they're from.

[Not a big deal - or so Nita hopes she's conveying!]

[iustaegis]

[ She continues to watch her as they begin to walk, her expression kind. With a quiet tilt of her head, she appears to encourage her to continue. ]

Speech?

Hand-holding!

[zapdope]

[ At first Zenitsu isn't sure what to make of it when the woman catches his attention. She looks very pretty...! But when she offers her hand for him to take, he's quickly overwhelmed.

No girl who he has dated in the past would even hold his hand, yet a stranger is offering hers?! ]

R-R-Really?!? [ His voice cracks because he's a moron who cannot keep his cool, not to mention he's definitely blushing like crazy. ] I-I mean yes! I'd love to take a walk with you!!

[ If he's going to die, this is probably one of the best moments he thinks he will ever have and that's fine. ]

[iustaegis]

[ Her hand slips into his, the motion effortless and practiced, with fingers sliding over his wrist down into his palm. Her touch is warmer than that of a human's, but not uncomfortable.

She smiles softly at him, watching his expression. How red he appears....

I'd love to take a walk with you, he says. ] Oh? Me, too. [ She'd love it as well, and so they proceed down any arbitrary path. ]

My name is Pyra. I.. haven't seen you around. Are you new?

[zapdope]

Pyra-chan! Nice to meet you!! I-I just got here and I am Zenitsu!

[ He responds, probably a little too quick because not only he's super excited to hold hands with a pretty girl and take a walk, he's also super nervous about it. ]

H-How long have you been here? Do you know everyone here?

[iustaegis]

[ Continued from here.

With the false moonlight filtering through the curtains of his window, casting his room in a pale ambiance as white as their robes,  she feels strangely at ease. Despite how rough the previous month had been, the celebration of the new year  has caused her to have better hopes than what it had been hours before. Celebrating the hour-turn alone had served as a reminder that alone is where she will be in the future, or should be even in this one...

But at present, she isn't. Instead, she's holding his hand, and it is in this manner that they both give to this world and the future. He's given far more than his hand to her, too: his presence, his company, his direction towards duty, a like-minded presence that views the world as beautiful-- only far, far calmer than her own. Why he's even, in part, given her the tunic she wears. It is perfect for sleep; light, nonrestrictive, it makes for a far more comfortable rest.

Uncovering the sheets for her to slip into his bed, she waits for him to settle in with her before turning towards him. She has every intention to allow him to rest as he sees fit, for however long that may be. Maybe he will, maybe he won't; that "perhaps" is all by which she may speculate. If by remaining in contact she can facilitate an incentive for him to sleep longer than what he normally gives himself... then that is all she, in turn, needs as an incentive for herself to be beside him.

Nevertheless, she is.... quietly hopeful for this future, and that quiet hope translates to a serene smile she gives upon one of the pillows she sinks into alongside him. While she might never admit it, she's long grown comfortable to his presence as they sleep, to his breathing, to his warmth, to how little he stirs during his rest. (And, of course,)

Her head dips against his, their foreheads cushioning each other by their bangs. Closing her eyes, she whispers a few last words to end their evening. ] Goodnight, Somnus.

And happy new year.

[meridio]

[ Guided by her hand around his, Somnus settles into bed beside Pyra. Laying his head on the adjacent pillow, he holds her gaze. While he doesn't return it, nor is his expression severe. This is his body, truly: Laid on a bed with a source of comfortable warmth before him, his muscles relax and invite the unadulterated exhaustion that's already begun to pull at his eyelids.

Does she never tire, he wonders, of smiling and being present? The love of a divine being is truly limitless.

Her face is a blur, but her words are clear. Pretty and sentimental as they are, he nevertheless manages a small nod, pressing their forehead closer in the process, before he passes into a deep slumber.

Dawn comes, then goes to usher in the morning that gives way to noon before long. Through it all, Somnus sleeps. ]

[iustaegis]

[ Se falls asleep after he does, and she awakens before him. Comfortable where she is, her eyes flutter open slowly, then close to allow more time to pass. Morning passes to midday, then a little later. Her arm is across his chest, her head tucked close next to his shoulder. She chooses to doze lightly until he is ready to rise, whenever that might occur...

Just past noon, she lifts a hand up to his cheek, careful not to disturb him. When awake, his features are sharp, intense, serious. When he sleeps, he seems soft, the intelligence of his eyes obscured by long lashes and
the most peaceful expression she's ever seen upon him. He's needed this rest.

Does he dream, she wonders, and is he dreaming now? Whether he is or not, he's free to continue. As she said, she'll be here. ]

[backdated unburdening]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ A day or so following the slumber party.

Our setting is Rawna's temple.

Honerva is less familiar with it, though there's something about it that has drawn her here to investigate. A tug, a familiar sort of pull, one she had tried to resist, but could not. She'd had far too many burdens to bear and far too few she had shared them with, and perhaps it is the weight of the season or the will of the dragon's energy that has finally brought her to this quiet empty room, to this altar, to... wait until another arrived.

She sits, legs tucked under her, pale blue cloak wrapped around her, waiting in the dim gloom to be freed from this... call. ]

waaaaaaaaaaaaay backdated

[iustaegis]

[ The familiar pull towards the temple is all it takes to remind of the previous time she had been called. Following it to the temple, she approaches the statue of draconian god, her steps echoing upon the tile and movement marked by the watchful, neutral eyes of the dragonlings.

Her gaze is drawn to someone familiar, if not in appearance for the cloak, but for the aura she emits. Pyra knows why they are here; strange, then, that she feels no need to talk... Which can only mean that this ceremony is for the other woman. For Honerva. How awful for her, to be called her to reveal a burden to someone little more than a stranger...

The only thing she might console for the moment is this, spoken hastily: ] What you say here, I will not speak to anyone else. [ Perhaps Rawna might be merciful, and allow Honerva to speak sparingly. ]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva senses the familiar aura in Pyra as she arrives, and she shifts to remove her hood when she approaches. It is... not a surprise, to think after all this, it would be her. They'd skirted so many of her issues in recent conversation that even the gods of this world had to intervene. Ironic.

When the other woman speaks it is as though she is making a promise, offering her a kindness, even now, and something in that aches. ]

Often, you ask about... my world.

[ Her voice is soft. She had not known where or how to start, how much she might have to explain... but here, she thinks, is a starting point. Here she pauses, and gives Pyra permission to ask what she would not answer before. ]