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-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.

[ Helios himself wasn't much for drinking alcoholic beverages. But this sake is very good and perhaps its flavor is only enhanced by the company he's drinking it with. ]

I think I can manage that. Especially if I keep drinking like this. [ He laughs again a light blush creeping across his cheeks. It's not that he has a low tolerance but it's been a while since he's actually had more than a glass of wine or a beer or two. ]

[That makes him laugh too, and he takes another sip of the alcohol.]

Well, it's not like we're going anywhere for a while, right? And it's really smooth stuff.

[And Helios is blushing again and he can't resist reaching up to touch, stroking his fingers across his cheek, happiness and the alcohol making him a little bolder than he might otherwise be.]

It certainly is. Very, ah, smooth. It's rather strong too.

[ And then he'll laugh once again, only pausing to blink and watch in surprise at Max's rather bold gesture. His smile softens and his hand comes up to wrap gently around Max's hand that is stroking his cool cheek. Helios will press a few light kisses against Max's fingertips. A bold gesture that he would otherwise not normally enact. And it shows from his clear somewhat embarrassed reaction that he's not normally this open or responsive towards such things. But he's trying to get better and more accustomed towards these things again, but he's not afraid or ashamed to go slowly. Max has already proven to be more than understanding so Helios can take his time with experimenting on these things once more. ]

Just a bit. Probably shouldn't drink too much.

[Oh god, oh god, did that... did it really happen? He gives a delighted laugh when he feels that, the brush of Helios's lips against his fingers, a little breathless with feeling. He grasps Helios's free hand in his, , just holding it, gentle encouragement.]

Mm. Yes it would be embarrassing falling asleep when-when we're the only one's keeping each other company.

[ Helios will laugh lightly and happily as he shakes his head at the thought. He doesn't even mind the fact that he's just a bit tipsy at the moment. It almost seems to help wash away all the inherent fears and underlying trepidation he still has about all of this. ]

Max. Thank you. For-for s-staying and just being here right now.

[ Of course the other man could have left, if he really tried, and they could have not spoken or talked about this. But they had and Helios was rather grateful for the result. ]

Just a bit, yeah. Besides... I kinda want to- to enjoy the time, you know?

[And not have to worry that it was just a result of the alcohol and all. He raises an eyebrow at Helios for that, a slightly bemused look on his face.]

I said we needed to talk and, well, I'm really glad that we did. [If this is the result then yes, he's ridiculously glad that he hadn't tried to leave.]

I certainly understand that. Time isn't an issue here but it does matter how you spend it.

[ He might be blushing a bit more now especially after he's said that. ] I'm...glad we did as well.

Yeah. I mean, that's the same everywhere. You have to make as much of it count as you can.

...does this mean I can hold off turning 30? [He grinned at the thought, giving a soft laugh.

He looks up at Helios again, noting the blush, his smile softening.]

Can I kiss you? [He sounds a little unsure, hesitant, because he's not entirely sure how Helios wants this to work, what he's comfortable with.]

No truer words have ever been spoken. Time is time no matter where it is. A, ah, universal constant really. [ Helios laughs at that. ]

I-I don't think it would matter when you do. You'll s-still be, um, g-gorgeous to me no matter what age. [ Outward appearance need no apply for Helios. And then Max asks that question. Helios feels color practically consume his face as he looks away for a brief moment. Helios sounds even a bit more hesitant. ] O-Oh. Ah. Of course.

[ He knew why Max asked and that only made him even more thankful and grateful that he had someone as thoughtful as the other. ]

[His smile widens at that, flattered and he's pretty sure that he's bright red but it's okay, Helios is as well.]

You think I'm gorgeous?

[He's never considered himself a vain person, but hey, it's nice to hear it and hell, he thinks Helios is absolutely gorgeous as well.

He sees the hesitance and gives him a grateful smile when he says yes. He leans forward slowly, tilting his head a little so that he can press their lips together, a soft kiss, raising his hand to cup Helios's cheek. He can taste a little of the alcohol on his lips.]

I-I don't have to think about it, not really. Beauty comes in m-many forms you know?

[ Max was easily one of the kindest and most genuine people Helios had met thus far. Beauty wasn't necessarily skin deep to Helios on principle or in general. He wasn't all that judgmental on how a person looked but Max was rather good-looking anyway. Even if he hadn't been Helios would have thought the same no matter what.

The kiss is expected so Helios will just let the other man press his lips against his own. While Helios will adjust sink into that entirely foreign action. ]

[If it had been anyone else, it would have sounded ridiculous, cliche perhaps, something from a movie where everyone is so much better than they can be in real life. And yet when Helios says it, it's so genuine and it makes him believe it too, like that belief is contagious.

He's quite content to give Helios all the time that he needs to adjust, and he keeps it gentle and slow, something soft and affectionate.]

[ It was strange that he was here and now kissing another man he just recently got acquainted with. Had it been any other time in the past and would've set off alarms and worry. But looking at and reflecting on it now he realizes just how much he's changed as a person, how much this place has changed him as a person.

He's never kissed anyone but Elise but this was no different he found. Max's lips tasted lightly of alcohol but they felt no different. He was never one to really judge a person on their preferences of partners and even now he certainly wouldn't judge. Helios found this to be safe, to be something that he could get used to in the future. So he adjusts little by little, reciprocating with just as gentle an action. Helios might be a bit more tentative because he's not exactly used to doing this with the same sex. ]

[He feels the moment when Helios starts to relax and he smiles into the kiss, giving a soft hum of appreciation. He slides his hand back a little, to rest against Helios's neck, fingers brushing against the short hair at his nape, his tongue flicking out teasingly against the other man's lips.

After a few moments he pulls away, resting his forehead against Helios's and smiling.]

So that was [amazing] good. Really good.

[ all the noises and actions Max makes at that moment, makes him smile and if nothing else it makes him feel just a little bit more embarrassed. The added action of Max's tongue teasing against his lips only fuels the burning sensation in his cheeks.

When Max pulls away Helios will let out a slightly breathless laugh, though he looks quite contented with the overall outcome of this venture. Max looks positively gorgeous and happy too. It's a very nice look for him and Helios is glad that he was the one that could help Max reach such a place emotionally. ]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did as well it was-it was very, ah, very good.

[ Amazing is more like it, but noting the other man's expression he can tell that Max was of the same idea. ]

[He looks a little rumpled, and happy. God, that's good to see. He dips in for another quick kiss, and then matches Helios's laugh with one of his own. He looks good like that, like Max didn't already think that anyway. But he looks warm and happy, and a little rumpled and that- god he could get used to waking up next to him.]

I'm glad. I mean- wow, you really do terrible things to my ability to speak, y'know?

[ Helios ducks his head and looks away momentarily after that quick unexpected kiss. Max was happy though and Helios was feeling quite pleased as well. He smirks and laughs lightly shaking his head. ]

W-well I could say the same f-for you as well. You, ah, don't seem to mind though. [ There's a light teasing tone in his voice as he says that. ]

[The smirk does terrible things to him. Bad bad thoughts. He's never met anyone as unaware of their effect on people. Or maybe that's just on him? who knows.]

Well if this is the reward, then eloquence is so overrated.

Ah, well, I-I suppose we are a bit beyond first impressions, hm? It can't be helped, really.

[ He's just teasing. But he does laugh and smile even wider and brighter then. ] But you know I-I wouldn't really care either way.

Tenth Prayer: Fanning the Flames [Action/Video]

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