IC Inbox, Brave New World

[faithfulflame]

For the little things!

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[Action]

[allergictoloveletters]

[After coming back from the mountains with her pokemon, Ami found herself as a newly inducted medic at the center and just in time for Salvation Day. She got so caught up in the holiday time and getting paperwork ready for her new position that she felt like she barely spoke to anyone for several days. Which was why, upon coming home, she packed a small picnic and came up to the shrine. Many of her pokemon around her.]

Rei-chan?

[She looked around for a bell to announce her arrival and instead Minnie let out a loud screech.]

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[There isn't really a bell, but Rei peers out of her living quarters anyway. Minnie's screech is one thing, but the spiritual presence of Ami and all that potential...well, that's even harder to miss.]

Hello, Ami-chan. Did your training go well?

[She steps outside, and moves on over, smiling warmly.]

[Action]

[allergictoloveletters]

[She nods and wonders how to explain just how much is different since the mountain training. Minnie ruffles her feathers while Aurora released some static energy from her tail by snapping it against the ground.]

Oh yes, there's a good deal that went well for me. I would be happy to explain everything and show you everything. Are you ready for the picnic? I didn't disturb you during any prayers or meditation, did I?

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

I am, yes. And no, you aren't.

[Rei's answer is, as always, to the point. She gestures and out of the shrine comes Deimos with a basket of food in one hand. Following close behind is a Beheeyem and a Charmander, who seems more than happy to romp around in the snow. A wave of her hand later and the door shuts of it's own accord.]

Where are we going?

[Video]

[thunderboltprincess]

[Makoto's had a few ideas of about the things she can do around Union to help. It's been a while since the incident with the Enhanced and since seeing that one noble's video and the discussion with the others at Ami-chan's apartment, she's wanted to do something.

But, the only ideas she has are kinda small time and require help. So, she has to turn to one of her best friends for that. And, well, Rei-chan is naturally the best candidate, seeing as how she's both a noble and totally smart.

And she figures that her friend might not mind if she just did something like this over the Warp Band, since she's got meals to cook for four Pokémon and herself and an apartment to clean for the upcoming spring.]

Rei-chan? Are you there?

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei answers the video with an easy smile and a dip of her head.]

Mmm? Yes, I am. What's up, Mako-chan?

[Video]

[thunderboltprincess]

[She returns the other girl's smile with one of her own and at the sound of Rei's voice, Cotton lets out her own bleat of happiness.]

Cotton says hello.

But, I think I need your help. I don't know if you can help directly but maybe you can point me to someone who can. I'm sure it's a dumb idea, but I figured it was something I could do, right?

[She takes a deep breath before plunging forward and losing her nerve.]

I wanna hold a bake sale and give the proceeds to the funds for the Enhanced guys from Gigas' new facilities. Help?

[heartandsoul]

[It wasn't as if Maka had been sitting out on the temple steps trying to rehearse to herself how exactly this topic should be brought up.

Except that she was, and she's still incredibly nervous about how to phrase this. But at the same time, she very well knows that someone needs to be told. And who else would take it seriously and not say that it's some snow blind delusion than Rei? Stella, draped around her neck as usual, seems to be sleeping as feline Pokemon are prone towards doing, so Maka couldn't ask for her input on the matter.

Well, only way to go is directly to it. So Maka just marches on over to find Rei right where she senses her, doing her very best impression of a person that was not threatened electrocution by a giant high voltage bird god.]

Rei? Am I interrupting anything? [You could have just called her on the warp band first, Maka...]

[faithfulflame]

[It was difficult not to feel Maka's presence there, that dour, brooding sense that her sis got when she had a lot on her mind. In a lot of ways, it made Rei feel rather upbeat by comparison.

She turns the minute Maka approaches, waiting with her legs crossed on the floor of the shrine, eyes almost expectantly on the door. Whatever this was it was important. Valles and Phobos, perched in the rafters, watch and wait, both Murkrow keenly aware that something was up, while Deimos sweeps out of the room and towards the kitchen.]

Never, Maka. [No honorific, no pet name. Just...Maka.]

[heartandsoul]

I'm glad. [Rei has a lot more going on by default, and bothering busy people with her own problems is not the goal.

But dwelling inside her own mind isn't the goal either, so Maka settles in front of her friend and takes a deep breath. She still hadn't figured out how to put it in words, it might be better to just blurt it all out.]

Uh...something...happened to me up on the mountain, after we separated. I ran into a little bit of...trouble.

[Video]

[allergictoloveletters]

Rei, are you at the shrine, by any chance? [She sounds a bit... rushed, perhaps. She's been very busy getting ready for this diplomatic mission.]

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

Ami!

[A warm smile.]

I am, yes. Is something the matter?

[Video]

[allergictoloveletters]

No no, nothing is the matter. I just wish to see you and talk about... well, the upcoming matter.

[Action]

[allergictoloveletters]

[Ami knocked on the door to their shared room, her hair still wet from her swim, the towel wrapped around her neck.]

Rei? Are you busy?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei looked up from her calligraphy, setting the brush down and turning to give Ami her full attention.]

No? Why, is something on your mind?

[allergictoloveletters]

[She smiled as she came over, getting down beside Rei and holding her hand. She wasn't blushing, feeling far more relaxed with her significant other after weeks of living together.]

Well, the festival is coming up, and it would just so happen that I don't have to work first aid since we're letting the new medics get their feet a little wet with some supervision. So I thought, if you were interested [And here Ami blushed a tiny bit.] Why don't we spend a whole day at the festival together, you and me.

[Action]

[allergictoloveletters]

The party over, everything cleaned, Ami was placing her new books on her shelves, using the Dewey decimal system, of course.

She paused when she felt fingers along her hips and she smiled as she allowed herself to be easily pulled against Rei.

"Well, hello," she said softly, knowing exactly who was holding her and not just because steam was rising from her captor's fingers.

action indeed

[faithfulflame]

The party over, everything cleaned, and certain sensations stirred up in Rei's head thanks to Ami's rather...interesting...emotional state had led Rei to the conclusion that perhaps tonight would be a good night for a little more than the usual chaste kisses goodnight. That she'd discovered at least one romance novel squirreled away had only furthered this train of thought, and that was what led her to this moment.

She crept up behind her partner, pressing herself against the blue-haired girl, one hand on her waist to pull her in close. There were times when her evolution played havoc with her anger, and there were times when her passions were the stirred. Times when she just wanted to be close to someone, to hold them, be held. It was in a way something she'd feared about romance, that she'd pull someone too close, burn them out...but Ami seemed responsive and pleased by the attention, judging by her lack of resistance and the willingness with which she leaned back.

"Hello indeed," Rei murmured as she rested her head on Ami's shoulder, letting their cheeks touch for a moment. "I've just had a lovely idea, Ami. Would you..." she paused, turning her head to kiss Ami's neck, "like to hear it?"

[allergictoloveletters]

She shivered, which was funny since she couldn't actually get cold anymore. She couldn't feel any amount of cold, in fact. But the way Rei's breath ran along her skin made her blush purple all the way down to her shoulders.

"I... I- yes." So long as Rei kept talking. She took a deep breath and leaned back a bit more into her Murkrow-haired beauty. She had to resist closing her eyes.

[Video]

[allergictoloveletters]

Good morning darling, I hope you got a chance to eat the breakfast I made for you? I left early for my shift this morning and left Madame Curie with strict orders not to let the other pokemon nibble at your food.

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

I did, thank you. It was lovely, and Madame Curie was quite successful. Even Hadriacus stayed away.

How's your shift?

[Video]

[allergictoloveletters]

Ah, she can be quite terrifying when she wishes.

Going well enough! Flu season is coming, though, we're doing a lot of flu shots and checking in on preventative measures. Speaking of which, make sure you come in for your flu shot, Rei.

Ah but! That isn't why I called!

[Video]

[underwearfortomorrow]

[That sure is a new message ping from an account that Rei hasn't heard from in a little bit. He does try to send letters when he can and chat when he's in range, but here lately he's been out and about going places that made it hard for even Union's many signal towers to pick up his warp band's frequency.]

[However, now that he was safely in the familiar greenery of the Verdant forest, he reaches out.]

[The video turns on to reveal a familiar smile, a familiar obscene sense of bohemian fashion sense, and a familiar flutter of feathers from Eiji's ever faithful pokemon partner, now much too big to sit on his shoulders.]

Rei? I'm almost to Union- What do you think, Hina? Another half hour?

[Flame!]

If I don't get lost, you'll see me soon!

[faithfulflame]

[Well isn't this a surprise? Rei picks up immediately and answers with some sense of urgency. He'd been gone so long, and at least he knew about the wedding and about her father. What he might not have known, though, was how glad she was to hear from him. She never said it, it felt too much like guilt tripping.]

Well, then I'll make sure to have your room at the shrine ready for you. Do you intend to stay long?

[Will you be here for my wedding?]

[underwearfortomorrow]

[And he does feel bad about how long he has been gone, but when he picked up working for the seekers, he didn't realize how intensive it could be! He wound up far away for a mission and got stuck for a while, oops. Anyway, he plans to make up for it, at least.]

[When she responds he can't help but feel relieved that she doesn't seem angry at least. He smiles.]

Take your time if you need to, I can always help when I get in.

[To her question he smiles a little broader.]

I've finished my work for the seekers and I intent to put in for vacation. I think I may have earned it after all this time, what do you think?

[So yes.]