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[ This soft yet stern presence is exactly what he needs, and while there is a small part of him that feels shame in accepting it as easily as he does, he can't help it.
So, he holds her tighter as if it'll keep her from ever leaving him.
He'll bask in this kindness for as long as she'll allow. ]
So, he holds her tighter as if it'll keep her from ever leaving him.
He'll bask in this kindness for as long as she'll allow. ]
[ Thankfully for everyone else, there's plenty intact. ]
a drink isn't a bad idea at all
would you like for me to join you? i can make you one
a drink isn't a bad idea at all
would you like for me to join you? i can make you one
Edited 2023-06-23 00:27 (UTC)
[ 'plenty' :/ ]
I think I'd like that, if you're free. It feels a little nostalgic. ❤️
[ And indeed, she can be found at the bar, sitting and looking up at the stars. There's the faint scent of smoke from the ashes of burned paper in the sand not too far away. ]
I think I'd like that, if you're free. It feels a little nostalgic. ❤️
[ And indeed, she can be found at the bar, sitting and looking up at the stars. There's the faint scent of smoke from the ashes of burned paper in the sand not too far away. ]
I like your stories. I really hope to hear all of them someday.
[ It might take years, but wouldn't that be nice? ]
[ It might take years, but wouldn't that be nice? ]
[ She finally has to laugh too, glancing down at him and the robes spread out under them, the riot of cushions around them. She intended to be a little silly and stop thinking so hard for a while, but... not quite like this.
Still. She's happy to let him pet her back for just a moment longer. ]
Me too. Maybe we really do make each other more impulsive.
Still. She's happy to let him pet her back for just a moment longer. ]
Me too. Maybe we really do make each other more impulsive.
I can picture it. I can still see that in you, I think.
[ In a different form now. The cheerfulness he uses to deflect things, the calm acceptance of what's in front of him. She looks up at his face and reaches up to touch his cheek lightly. ]
It's nice to think of you so happy.
[ In a different form now. The cheerfulness he uses to deflect things, the calm acceptance of what's in front of him. She looks up at his face and reaches up to touch his cheek lightly. ]
It's nice to think of you so happy.
[ plenty!!
He shows up at the bar soon after her text. While raises his brows at the smell of smoke in the air, he doesn't mention it yet. ]
It does feel nostalgic, doesn't it?
He shows up at the bar soon after her text. While raises his brows at the smell of smoke in the air, he doesn't mention it yet. ]
It does feel nostalgic, doesn't it?
Edited 2023-06-23 04:30 (UTC)
Only if I can hear some of your stories in exchange, even if you think they're boring.
[ They would be more insight into Psyche, which is all he cares about. ]
[ They would be more insight into Psyche, which is all he cares about. ]
[ His bangs are sticking to his forehead with sweat and his cheeks are still red, but he doesn't care as he looks up at her instead, taking in her features. ]
I'm probably mostly to blame with that. I'm quite impulsive.
I'm probably mostly to blame with that. I'm quite impulsive.
It is, isn't it? I don't know if I can ever be like that again, but I can certainly find a different form of happiness.
[ Which is all he can ask for, really. There's no taking back his experiences, or the loss of his innocence. ]
[ Which is all he can ask for, really. There's no taking back his experiences, or the loss of his innocence. ]
[ She gives a sheepish little smile and slides off the stool to bounce over to him so she can greet him with a kiss.
Maybe the smoke is reminiscent of the bonfire that first time? ]
It does. This is where we met, isn't it? [ And where he and Wang Lu made other memories. ] I had something I wanted to give you, too.
Maybe the smoke is reminiscent of the bonfire that first time? ]
It does. This is where we met, isn't it? [ And where he and Wang Lu made other memories. ] I had something I wanted to give you, too.
[ He'll accept that kiss graciously, even letting his hands settle on her waist for just a few moments. ]
That it is. [ He smiles, but is immediately distracted. ] What is it?
That it is. [ He smiles, but is immediately distracted. ] What is it?
Edited 2023-06-23 04:49 (UTC)
[ He can keep his hold on her waist as long as she can still get to her pocket... she reaches in to pull out a sword tassel in Vasilios' style, although the one she gives him is made of red and black thread. The ornament is a gold sunburst with a ruby at the center, one of the earrings she was wearing on the day of their arrival, when they met. ]
Normally you'd hang it on a sword, but... I wasn't able to make the cording as sturdy with what we have here, so it might not hold up to something like that.
Normally you'd hang it on a sword, but... I wasn't able to make the cording as sturdy with what we have here, so it might not hold up to something like that.
[ He moves his hands from her waist to take the tassel in his hands, his fingers gently running over the threads before he runs his thumb over the ornament and, of course, the ruby. It looks extremely familiar... was she wearing earrings like this? She must have been. ]
It's beautiful, Psyche. [ His voice is soft as he continues to look down at it, stunned. ] I'll find somewhere to keep it close to me. I need to have something like this on me, after all.
It's beautiful, Psyche. [ His voice is soft as he continues to look down at it, stunned. ] I'll find somewhere to keep it close to me. I need to have something like this on me, after all.
I really don't have that many. Sometimes it feels like my life has been so short, compared to everyone else here. But if you don't mind hearing ordinary things, I'll tell you everything I can think of.
[ She'd been so certain when she was making it that it would suit him, but it still feels like her heart twists in her chest at the look on his face. It's such a warm feeling. ]
I'm... really glad you like it. I wanted it to be something like a good luck charm for you.
I'm... really glad you like it. I wanted it to be something like a good luck charm for you.
With you being the one who made it, I'm certain it will be. And if it doesn't give me luck, it'll give me strength.
[ Though he has to wonder... does this mean she's decided to go back to her own world? His fingers clasp more tightly around the tassel at the thought, even as he smiles softly at her. ]
[ Though he has to wonder... does this mean she's decided to go back to her own world? His fingers clasp more tightly around the tassel at the thought, even as he smiles softly at her. ]
I think so, too. I think the strength you gained isn't wasted, but... I'd really like to see that someday. A peaceful world where you can be carefree.
[ Knowing even a fraction of what he's been through, she can't bring herself to say that she's glad for what brought them together. He would have been happier if it never happened. But, even so, they're here now. ]
[ Knowing even a fraction of what he's been through, she can't bring herself to say that she's glad for what brought them together. He would have been happier if it never happened. But, even so, they're here now. ]
[ He reaches out, putting a hand on top of her head, his fingers lightly running through her hair. ]
I think I have a good chance of finding it. Or, at least, I have hope.
[ Which he hasn't felt in a long, long time. ]
I think I have a good chance of finding it. Or, at least, I have hope.
[ Which he hasn't felt in a long, long time. ]
I hope so. I don't think I'm nervous about whatever is about to happen, but... I need the two of you to be safe.
[ That part still scares her a little. She reaches over to cup her hands around his, holding the tassel. ]
I made one for Wang Lu, too. I hope that doesn't make it less special to you.
[ That part still scares her a little. She reaches over to cup her hands around his, holding the tassel. ]
I made one for Wang Lu, too. I hope that doesn't make it less special to you.
I want to hear the ordinary things. Those are important too.
Of course not. The three of us are equal to one another.
[ And knowing they both have them makes his heart full.
He moves his hand, lightly grabbing onto hers. ]
We’ll be safe, and so will you.
[ And knowing they both have them makes his heart full.
He moves his hand, lightly grabbing onto hers. ]
We’ll be safe, and so will you.
Then you will. As long as we have that, we can keep moving forward.
[ It's a nice thought. She leans her head into his touch and closes her eyes, trying to picture what that would even look like. A quiet life farming somewhere? Maybe something like that. ]
[ It's a nice thought. She leans her head into his touch and closes her eyes, trying to picture what that would even look like. A quiet life farming somewhere? Maybe something like that. ]
[ She smiles up at him, pressing her hand against his palm. ]
Then we're here to toast to the victory we'll definitely have. Right?
Then we're here to toast to the victory we'll definitely have. Right?
[ She would be right—that’s his ideal life, but he’ll take one of relative peace too. He combs his fingers through her hair. ]
We can. I know that you’ll be able to move forward too. You’re strong enough.
We can. I know that you’ll be able to move forward too. You’re strong enough.
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