faithfulflame | Tenth Prayer: Fanning the Flames [Action/Video]

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Tenth Prayer: Fanning the Flames [Action/Video]

[What a week! Rei couldn't remember a time she'd been more exhausted in her life. The minute she made it in the door of House 3 she'd just dropped into bed like a wilting flower. And she'd slept. For days. When she finally managed to get up and feel...human...again, though, she had things to address. Lots of things.

And the first thing on that list? The shrine. And preparations for a trap she planned to lay on two unwary wizards. After that, she had promises to keep and work to do. This was going to be a long day...]

Action

[Rei spends the early part of the day around Tsukino Shrine. She's been gone for more than a week, and the whole thing needs a bit of tending, just basic chores. While she works, Phobos and Deimos play around the small courtyard, flapping around merrily in the spring breeze. It's a pretty nice time, a far cry from the insane battle the week before. Anyone's welcome to come by and help out with chores, or setting up for her foray into forced match-making.

Midmorning, before she sits down to have lunch she opens her journal and sends out a broadcast. Phobos and Deimos are probably pawing around the camera, being nosy birds as usual.]

Video

Good afternoon, Luceti. This is Rei Hino. I would like to inform you that fortune telling at Tsukino Shrine will resume today as normal. I'd also like to express my sincerest condolences to anyone who was injured on the draft last week, and even more to those who lost someone in battle. Words...fail me at the moment, but if you are in need of a place to pray or find a peaceful place to think, you are welcome to use the shrine here for that. I hope you are able to find some measure of solace, however you choose to seek it. If you need me for anything, I will be here until six this evening for fortune telling or prayer services.

Additionally, I would like to ask a question. What are ways that you've learned to relieve stress? Particularly after a battle. How would you go about creating an atmosphere to help people relax? I have a small project that I'm working on down this vein, and I could use some suggestions. I would appreciate it a lot.

[A little later she sends out 3 more filtered broadcasts]

Locked to Max Woodville

Max-san, can we talk?

Locked to Okita Souji

Souji-san, if you have time, I would like to make good on my promise.

Locked to Helios Sprensonne
Helios-san, can you visit the shrine tonight at around seven? There is something very important I need to discuss with you. I'll prepare dinner, so please come hungry. This may take some time, as well. And it's a sensitive issue, so I'd appreciate it if you could leave your journal at home.

(OOC: Feel free to just drop by the shrine instead of responding to the broadcast if that suits your character better.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm kind of... I like it. A lot. Being touched I mean. Even just casual stuff. So you don't need to worry about it not being welcome.

[He hoped that didn't sound as weird as it did now he thought it over. He did reach out though, resting his hand over Helios's, giving it a gentle squeeze. He knows that Helios isn't as comfortable as he is; it's something he'll have to work on, work out the boundaries, but maybe that encouragement might help? He doesn't even know but he might actually get time to work it out.]

We probably should. And I can see her saying 'I told you so' in that particular tone of voice.

Yeah, it smells really good too. She's pretty sneaky.

Edited 2013-04-09 23:13 (UTC)

O-Oh of-of course. [ He laughs sheepishly again. His face goes beet red because, well, if Valentine's Day was anything to go by then yes Max liked it quite a bit.

Helios is going to have to take a bit of time getting used to this again. Being touched and that contact again was admittedly still something foreign to him. But they can work on it, they have time at least. ]

Rei certainly knows how to-to play matchmaker. I suppose that's what sailor scouts are good at as well as fighting evil. [ He smiles brightly as he leans a little into Max. The action stiff at first but it gets increasingly easier to do so by the second. ]

O-of course you probably guessed that already...

[He broke off, giving an equally awkward laugh because yes, he had kind of given that away at Valentine's hadn't he? And he thought things were supposed to get less awkward with stuff out in the open.]

And you have to tell me if you don't like something. I mean, not planning on throwing myself at you in the middle of town but...

[He didn't want to make Helios uncomfortable if he could avoid it at all.]

She does. I think she needs some kind of theme song.

[And oh, he liked that smile and the way Helios relaxes against him like that.]

[ He snorts at that. Well then that is a tad bit awkward but they were just getting into this. He can do this, yeah right, he can. ]

Oh! Yes of course. Hm. [ Ah physical contact was not his forte. But he could think of a few things. It's a bit easier given that they spent the night together already. There wasn't anything to really hide between the two of them anymore. He'll wince a little when he stretches his wings as he thinks. The broken one was still sore and painful but it was healing rather nicely at the moment. ] I-I'm not...not really, um, sure. I mean...

[ He hasn't talked about this in awhile and he doesn't want to be a bother but he shrugs. ] There's not all that much that's-that's pressing to know. You've s-seen and know about most-most of the things and you accept them. [ He smiles softly. That's really one the major things but it's a definite weight off his mind. ]

I don't think there's t-too much to go over. But I'm sorry if-if I make things difficult in the future. [ Oh dear. There he goes with apologizing again. ]

But I think you might be right. About the theme song I mean.

[He catches that wince and after a moment, reaches out to rub Helios's back just below them. He's careful though not to touch the wings themselves, remembering exactly the effect that touching them had at Valentine's. The memory makes him flush a little bit and oh god, neither of them is going to be able to keep anyone from guessing for five minutes, are they?]

How could I do differently? You've done the same for me. Accepted things I thought were unacceptable about me.

It's not making anything difficult, Helios. I- I just want you to be comfortable. All you have to do is tell me.

[He laughs again at the idea of a theme song, shaking his head.] I think she'd probably like that far too much.

[ There's a slight exclamation when he feels Max's hand on his back. It's a pleased noise when he begins to rub because that felt rather good after everything that happened. Similar memories of Valentine's Day seep in but he manages to curb his blushing to something minimal. He sighs happily and shakes his head. ] Just, ah, be p-patient with me? That's really all I can ask. You've done everything right so far. I-I certainly can't complain about anything.

[ He leans back to look over at Max with a genuine, bright, smile. ] And I want you to be comfortable too.

[That's a good sound, and Max continues, rubbing the tense muscles there gently, hoping that it would help to ease some of the ache there. Heh, he'd never thought he'd have to be worrying about helping someone's broken wing recover.]

I can be patient. Some things are worth being patient for. Some people.

[He smiles back warmly, and this is really happening, isn't it?]

[ Helios will give a contented sigh because that feels rather good at the moment. He hadn't realized how tense and knotted his muscles were. He might tense just a little bit but he's trying to allow this contact to continue for prolonged periods of time. But he trusts Max and his right wing will stretch a little outward as the other continues those ministrations. ]

Thank you. I-I really do appreciate that. And you're absolutely right. [ He'll turn around then to give Max soft, light, kiss on the cheek. His own smile as bright and happy because this really is happening. This isn't a dream or some sort of shift, it's just them and them alone. ]

[He's glad that he can help, even in such a small way and he gives a pleased noise when Helios's wing stretches out like that. It already looks better than it had on the draft. He looks much better and when he smiles like that, it's like a world of hurt has been taken off his shoulders.

He's a little surprised at the kiss, but it makes him smile, just to have Helios initiate something.]

You have the most amazing smile, you know, solnyshko.

Edited 2013-04-11 04:32 (UTC)

[ It's more than small, really. For Helios such acts are, well, more compassionate and meaningful in their own rights. His lack of help back at home might have something to do with it. Luceti has made it better with all the help he's gotten here, but it still makes him feel so much happier and warmer with such acts. He smiles brightly and warmly when Max calls him that. ]

Solnyshko. I'll have to learn Russian soon, if I'm to come up with a name for you. [ Or maybe he can think of something in Romanian. He laughs, soft and amused. ]

[He could get so very used to hearing Helios laugh like that and it's kind of embarrassing how much he likes it.]

It fits. [Especially when he smiles and he thinks he sees what Jack meant, about expecting romantic music to start playing. He has it so bad.]

We're not exactly short on time here to study, I guess. The knowledge here is... it's amazing.

I look forward to hearing what you come up with.

No we're...certainly not. [ A good and bad thing, really. More time to figure this out and get more acquainted with one another but then there's always the Malnosso and their own plans that get fitted into the matter as well. Helios smiles and nods. ] It's...amazing how much I've learned since arriving here. So many worlds and magics I've never known about. It's-it's a shame that...that we won't be able to remember it.

[ All that wasted knowledge that they can't return with. ]

Hopefully it'll be, ah, fitting. I'll have to think on it some more.

Plenty of time. [Max can't help the slightly teasing tone in his voice when he says that, grinning at him. The expression fades though when Helios mentions that they won't remember. That's- knowledge is one thing, but... god, the people he's met. He doesn't want to forget them. He doesn't want to forget Helios.]

It's heartbreaking. [He lets out a slow breath and then moves to lean his head against Helios's shoulder comfortably.] Just have to enjoy it while I have chance then.

[He smiles against his neck and nods.]

I'm sure whatever you think up will be perfect.

As much as we like. No pressure either. [ Helios will regard Max with some worry. He'll gently gnaw on his lower lip nodding reluctantly. ] Max I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up such things. [ But it was always in the back of his mind. Forgetting everyone and everything that he's learned here, forgetting all the people who actually cared and helped him through so much. It really is heartbreaking to even think about let alone have it actually happen. ]

We-we should think about such things right now though. I-I think that tonight should just be left to good, happy, celebratory thoughts. We have, ah, plenty of food, drink and time alone, s-so we should just enjoy it.

[ He pauses momentarily a thoughtful look dotting his face. ]

Do you think we should...t-tell people about us? [ They would probably find out eventually anyway, it's not as if it would be declaring the obvious. Max wore his heart out on his sleeve, and he was just so terribly unused to this sort of thing. His inexperience of being in a relationship will probably make it all the more obvious. ]

[Max reaches out to gently smooth his thumb across Helios's bottom lip to stop him worrying it bloody. He offers a small smile and it still gave him a thrill to be able to do that, touch him.]

It's okay. I- yeah, we should just make sure we have a good night. Got everything we need right here. The best of company.

[He gave that question some serious thought. It wasn't as though he'd been planning on making a public announcement or anything, but he also didn't want to make Helios feel like he was trying to hide it, or embarrasssed or anything.]

I don't want to hide it, you know. [He gave a wry smile at the thought.] I'm kind of obvious so... But it's what you're comfortable with. I'm happy to keep things discrete though. It isn't like we have to go around telling everyone we meet or kissing in the village square in full view.

[ Oh. Well. He wasn't expecting Max to do that. But it does stop the worrying and he just...smiles. It sends a small shiver through him but otherwise Helios makes no comment on the act. Helios might even lightly grab Max's hand and give the back of his palm a light kiss. He might have been out of the game for awhile, but that didn't mean the hopeless romantic in him was truly gone. Helios nods, thoughtful still, but a bit more firm in his acknowledgement. ] I agree. It's a nice night s-so we might as well make the best of it, hm?

[ Helios watches max with careful consideration. ] O-Oh. I-I don't either. I-I mean there's nothing to really hide.

[ Helios laughs and shakes his head. He'll lean into Max letting a small sigh escape his lips as he does so. ] I suppose it's fine that way then. I...don't think we should really worry about what people see or say even. Not-not that I think people will say anything.

[The kiss is such a small gesture, but the kind of romantic you see in movies and he makes him blush, still grinning like a complete idiot and that- that wasn't going to go away was it? He kind of hoped not. It was a nice feeling.]

I think so. Be a shame to waste it.

[Who knew when the next bout of insanity was going to occur to screw things up?

When Helios leans against him, he slides an arm around him, resting it lightly against his waist. It's surprisingly comfortable.]

People do seem fairly laid back here, I guess. s'nice. So just... let things fall as they will, I guess. I can do that.

[ That blush makes Helios smirk. Well then he wasn't expecting that, but he can't say he minds. ]

It certainly would, especially after all the work that's been put into this.

[ Helios startles ever so slightly when Max wraps his arm around his waist. It is comfortable and Helios doesn't move so as to not break the embrace. ]

That's...really all you can do here. But I doubt that's one of the things we'll ever have to worry about. [ Luceti had its own myriad of problems other than two people being together of course. ]

She really doesn't do anything by halves. Not that I'm complaining if this is the result.

[He grins, hand rubbing lightly against Helios's side until his relaxes into the embrace.]

I think you're right. Be an odd thing to get het up about in the middle of everything although people can be weird sometimes.

[He gives a pleased hum anyway, reaching for his bottle of beer to finish it off.]

You want another drink?

I-I can't say I mind it either, really. [ Those motions made by Max make him shiver slightly as he eases more into the embrace. It was a nice feeling, all of this, and he missed experiencing it. ]

True people can sometimes be a bit stringent on certain ideas and beliefs. But Luceti goes against so many things. I-I always found it easier to keep an open mind towards everything in general.

[ He shrugs though. That might work for him but it might not for other people necessarily. ]

I'd love one, thank you.

Good. I'd feel, well, pretty stupid if you hated it secretly. [But he's pretty sure that Helios wouldn't lie like that. Not over this. He was giving every evidence of enjoying it so he was just going to go with that until demonstrated otherwise.]

I think waking up in another world with wings has to make you a bit more flexible on what you believe. [Otherwise you'd go crazy.

He leans over to take out the bottle of sake, pouring them both a small glass before passing Helios's over.]

I feel like I should make a toast or something, but I can never think what to say.

[ Helios' hands will trail lightly over Max's arms which are still wrapped around his waist. It's an idle gesture, one that Helios used to do long ago. ] No, no, I could never hate it.

[ And honestly lying about such a thing is not something Helios would do. He nods in acknowledgment to Max's words. Accept it otherwise you'd go crazy, that does seem fitting. Luceti was certainly one the more outrageous experiences one could possibly go through. He's not sure many other things compared to it. ]

How about a toast to a peaceful, long, shared time together here? And a toast to having such wonderful friends who made it happen in the first place.

[The gesture does not go unnoticed, raising goosebumps up along Max's arms, a pleasant little shiver of sensation. Despite everything, he relaxes upon hearing those words, a little knot of concern inside him easing at the reassurance.

He gives a soft hum of agreement when Helios proposes that as a toast.]

That sounds very appropriate. I like it. [He raises his glass and clinks it against Helios's.]

To all that stuff. And good memories.

[ It's meant to be a gesture that's otherwise pleasing to the other. And the words Helios speaks are meant to ease whatever fears Max might be encumbered with.

Helios will smile moving his own glass against Max's so that they both clink in unison. ] I'm glad you approve. Good memories are sometimes hard to come by here, so that fits rather well too.

[ Helios will then take a sip of his own drink laughing lightly. This was more picturesque than he ever thought he would get here especially without an experiment being involved. ]

[Well, it succeeds. Maybe it's just kind of sinking in that this is really happening and he's not just dreaming. Or being screwed over by a dream shifter. He kind of wants to pinch himself to make sure.]

I think so.

[He takes a drink, and hey, the sake tastes way better than it had when he was 18. Maybe his tastes were changing with age. Whatever it is, it makes him feel warm and happy.]

You should laugh more. It suits you.

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