nysalogs | ❪ event ❫ spirited away

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❪ event ❫ spirited away

PRELUDE

I'll get straight to the point, Thesaens. Dranbu is in dire need of assistance. I have received confirmation that the disappearances we were investigating last month have... escalated. Be cautious as you make your way through Josa Forest. Ideally we could go straight through, but it seems the main entrance to Dranbu is overgrown with thorns and vines, and there's a bit of a glitch with the rail system - the train is having trouble recognizing the Dranbu station as a destination.

I've uploaded a homing beacon to your devices with this message. Once enough of you have arrived in Dranbu proper, it should communicate with the train and register it as a stop. With any luck, that will make getting back and forth much easier for you all from now on. Best of luck.

Entry to the forest is not only overgrown with vegetation, but seems to be growing at an increasingly alarming rate. Any attempts to clear the vines will be met with even larger ones growing in its place, and it only confirms Nurray's findings as true.

The only way in is across the sound from Nadril, entering the forest from its snowy back yard. It doesn't stay cold for long; as one ventures further into the forest, the snow will disappear, as though it was completely out of place in the first place. The red sun's warmth will take its place soon after— and before long, you'll feel too warm for the clothes you came with. That's when you know you've entered the heart of Josa Forest.

WITHIN THE FOREST

The forest seems to be thick with a profound presence that can’t be ascertained. While venturing through it, one will feel like there are being watched or followed. This feeling will only intensify as metallic-scented drops of rain begin to fall between the clearings in the trees. Unfortunately, what many don’t realize at this point is that this is how the forest itself eats. How it subsists and lives through the minds of those who eventually get lost in it. Wandering this far in is akin to walking into a lion’s jaw, or rather… straight to its stomach.

But, the forest has a way of making one stay. While it swallows someone up, it shows them sinfully beautiful and picturesque sights. Even showing them people or things that are familiar to the lost. All of which will urge them to go in deeper and deeper. But, while the forest begins to prey on the mind of their victim— they will suddenly hear an elegant and alluring voice urging them back.

This voice promises them comfort and safety. Promises to be kind and open. Promises she has a place for them where they will never feel displaced or unwanted, or lost. Before they can fully accept, they will find that they are whisked away in Barthala’s embrace.

Some will be taken, wiped of all their previous memories and inserted new ones. Others will find they have no prior memories at all of themselves, only urged to go on with regular life. What is prevalent is the forest's desire to turn you. Metamorphosis is a phenomenon that occurs only to certain individuals, and there is no rhyme or reason to them. Some adventurers would find themselves changing by the minute, the hour, or the process may even take days and weeks. The forest toys with you, but it only wants to draw you closer to its core — as though there's a story there it wants you to see and understand. Will you go on anyway, knowing the forest has already has its claws on you?

I. ALL ROADS LEAD TO —
Exploring the forest is not a perilous experience - Barthala's blessing ensures that paths remain clear of any dangerous obstacles, and keeps anyone who enters the woods from losing their way. However, it will not always lead adventurers where they want to go. Stressed? Your path leads to a meadow, grass drifting gently in the breeze. Tired? You'll find your way to a tree with roots perfectly curved for a nap, the shade a peaceful retreat from the sunlight. The hungry will find streams full of fish or bushes laden with berries, and the curious will come upon elder trees, unique and beautiful. Only those who are truly satisfied with their circumstances, with themselves, can forge their own path, and venture to Barthala's Grotto.

II. BARTHALA'S GROTTO —
The deity's home is host to an abundance of life. Butterflies drift through the air, brilliantly colored and unbothered by any intruders. Foliage blooms in a rainbow of colors, many plants unique to this area alone. With trees arranged to provide a canopy over the path and small clearing, the scene is something out of a fantasy. Any plant life taken from this area will not survive long, though even in its dead, dried state, it retains a curious beauty. Explorers and creatures finding themselves in this area will suddenly find their clothing to be an unnecessary burden - what could be better than feeling the wonders of nature against bare skin? There is nothing unbecoming about such a natural state, any perverse inclinations are an aspect of personal preference. While the presence of Barthala can be felt here - a warm, comfortable sensation emanating from your core - she is nowhere to be found. Only one will have the opportunity to pass under a veil of willow branches and emerge to the cool air of a clear-as-glass spring.

Another nearby grotto is home to a plant with intoxicating effects. Just smelling the leaves is enough to entice most animals, and consuming them has effects on both mind and body. More easily amused, with thoughts that weave deep and distant, along with increased sensory perception can bring the user on a pleasant trip lasting up to five hours.

III. INFLUENCES — (18+)
Every five days, a weed scattered in patches among the forest underbrush blooms. The flowers are small and white, unremarkable except for how clustered they grow. When their petals fall, after only hours of blossoming, pollen drifts through the air. It clings to clothing, to hair, in the throats of the sensitive animals dwelling in the forest. Even those unaltered by Barthala's magic can be affected. The locals of Dranbu claim the pollen enhances fertility, but in practice, it simply serves as a poignant aphrodisiac. Those affected won't differentiate between the warmth of another or their own, a simple need to experience sexual ecstasy overwhelmingly pervaded. The pollen loses its potency after about three hours, leaving behind only a sweet smell.

YOUR NEW (NEW) LIFE

Adapting to an entirely new setting isn’t always so simple. People often say that assimilating oneself to the environment happens fluidly, and before you know it, you’re a part of it. In Dranbu, these words hold an uncanny sense of truth.

When you awake, your day begins like it always has. Your daily routine meets largely unchanged, except a few tinier details. Perhaps, you’ve realized your true calling is an occupation within the villages itself. Maybe in farming up strange medical herbs, maybe in acting as a witch doctor for the people, or maybe you find yourself drawn to the arts and you really enjoy sculpting fellow villagers in the nude. Once you commit these tasks, you realize, it feels like what you’ve always done. As if it were natural, as if you’ve done them for years, and maybe you have? At least that’s what your gut is telling you, and slowly your memories will too.

At the end of the day, when you return home, you realize you’re not alone. You have a partner who shares the same values and whom you love deeply. Or maybe a spouse whom you’re always arguing with. But, even that will feel as commonplace as the rest of your day. All you know is that the day that might have started off not being yours is entirely yours and yours alone.

IV. THE HUNT —
Those taken by the forest, animal features adorning their bodies, will find that their palates have changed as well. Carnivores crave raw meat, while herbivores don't mind snacking on a patch of grass or pulling leaves from branches. For most, there's no reason to cook a meal; once prey is captured, instinct says dig right in! It can be a gruesome sight, mangled bodies gorged upon leaving bloodstained faces, but it's natural. As is the hunt itself - any size of game can be found in the forest, and no one will go hungry for long. The magic that dwells here ensures a catch even for the clumsiest predator. Just take care not to stalk one of your own. For a hungry predator, there's no difference between a deer and a deer-like human.

THE BOUNDARIES BEYOND

For some, placated is synonymous with bored. While there is a sense of wonder in the beauties of nature that adorn the woods, serene forest life isn't for everyone. Those seeking more adventure can explore the challenging slopes of Waco Mountain. Barthala's influence is weaker on those bluffs than in Josa Forest itself, so thrill chasers won't be disappointed. Lose the path, slip on loose rocks, fall into a stream and spend a night wet and cold, there are many perils that come with traveling a mountain-side. Scattered ruins offer some shelter, their walls carved with images resembling Barthala, a dragon, and three other stranger creatures. While the deity's pacification does not flow as deeply through this region, all are still save from mortal wounds, and the veil cast over their memories will not lessen.

If you have made it this far, however, there is no reason to try to return to the main city of Dranbu. Accommodations are always available in the neighboring villages: Phares in the north, and Stroln in the south. These villages are in friendly competition with one another, and will tempt travelers with women and men of their kind in order to draw in business to their hotels.

FINAL OOC NOTES

No REP is available for this log. REP will now be primarily available through achieving NPC quests, which will be available on the 19th! Please keep an eye out for that!

Dranbu is entirely available for exploration! You may find that most of Wyver and Olympia Flora/Fauna may be found in the forest as well. For more information on your characters' (opt-in) Metamorphosis, please refer to the November Outline!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The amused smile on Ren's face says that he was definitely expecting that kind of reaction at least a little, and the pause is telling. It's kind of fun to watch, honestly, the half-hearted attempts to resist the pollen's effects when it mostly just seems to be for the sake of it anyway.

He's not really paying attention to Juno's feet either, though, which means Juno achieves one thing by tripping over and dragging Ren with him - what's likely the most genuinely surprised look he's had the chance to see on Ren yet. There's an almost vague hum of surprise from his throat that comes with it, but that's all the reaction he really gets time for before they're toppling.

One thing Juno doesn't know about Ren, he's about to learn a big lesson in: Ren falls far harder than someone in his wispy weight class has any right to. The initial landing just about slams them both underwater - the water's barely deep enough to accommodate both of them on top of each other, perhaps thankfully - but Ren's either momentarily dazed by what happened or wants to see if Juno reacts first, because he makes no effort to break the surface just yet, head resting somewhere around the join of Juno's neck and shoulder and hand still clinging to his wrist a little.

At least he's light enough to shift easily.]

[ how the hell does a guy like ren fall like he's twenty bowling balls stuff into a potato sack?

juno will never know or understand. especially when he hits the water and feels the impact against his spine and the back of his head. it doesn't hurt so much as it shocks him, particularly when he goes under for that one brief second and surfaces in a flurry of sputtering gasps. where he was half hoping the water might be a cold shock, it's not. it's actually... well. it's warm. not weirdly warm, just perfect.

the fingers around his wrist are still there and very present, but ren's head is a weight against his shoulder that he has to shrug (softly) just a little bit. it's not rude, so much as it's just to try and stir him out a little - ]

You okay? Hey...

[ rough, full of breath, but the weight and the warmth and the feeling of ren's face in his shoulder is enough to get him to wriggle his other hand from the water and bring it up just a bit to help. where he might desperately drag him out, instead he tries to pull him up further onto his chest, wet hair and all, reaching up with both hands now to just push some of ren's hair out of his face.

it's still soft, even wet, and for a moment, juno's fingers catch there, stay where they are as he situates ren a little further out of the water and onto him, each movement worse than the last because what he really wants to do is press up closer. water was supposed to maybe make this better, but it just feels worse in the best of ways, enough that a thumb is trailing soft along ren's jaw as he speaks again. his hands don't want to leave. ]

I meant to do that. Just saying. The falling thing. [ a half laugh, and it's close. ] Never seen you look so surprised before.

[Ren makes a petulant little whiny noise when Juno tries to shrug his head away, like someone who doesn't want to be woken up, fingers slipping loose from his wrist when Juno pulls him up further onto his chest. He's stirring a little, but he can feel Juno putting in plenty enough effort to stir him on his end, so...really, why bother stirring himself any more than he needs to, right?

Much of the hair at the front of Ren's face is usually tucked away more towards his ears to create a fringe he can actually see through, and all of it is now soaked and straightened out, the sections around his face not quite reaching his chin but definitely covering the rest of his face pretty effectively, like an extremely wet curtain. The rest of it is pouring water already, lengthened and honestly neatened significantly by being flattened out from the drenching, the bits that usually insist on poking out everywhere lying smooth for once.

His eyes are still closed when Juno initially parts the hair out of his face, but as soon as he does, he blinks them open. He could feel where he was situated against Juno plenty well enough without them, after all, and this situation suits him just fine. The way his head tilts into the thumb against his jaw could almost be mistaken as just an instinctive response as Ren laughs slightly.]

Mmm, usually I'm the one who trips over my own feet, so I'll give you some credit for mixing it up. [It's soft, and light, and amused in the more innocent way Ren usually wears in front of less familiar people, and he pulls his head up a little...

...and then pulls the rest of him up a little more, sliding his legs nearly forward so he's perched on Juno's thighs and straightening his back so their several inches of height difference has him practically looming over Juno as his hands come up against his neck and jaw and gently, but firmly tilt his head up.]

You look cute when you're worried, though.

[Was he playing Juno the entire time or is this his recovery from actual surprise? Who knows. He's certainly not giving it away.]

[ this is where it ends, he's pretty sure. here in the water, half sitting up with ren slid back into his lap and fingers along the line of his throat. he swallows tightly, nothing but air, as his head tilts upwards without resistance now. there's a cloying taste somewhere in the back of his throat. ]

Kind of tired of hearing that word.

[ in earnest, but also said as an excuse, upper body pulling upwards and fingers curling in wet hair to bring ren down. this shuts people up. it also satisfies the throbbing need building at the base of his spine and threatening to explode upwards into his head. head tipped upwards with the help of ren's hands, he kisses him and he holds fast. it's different from that moment with wine back at the festival. it's full and a little hungrier, not at all calculated or placed precisely. it's a frantic crack of lightning, lucky enough to land right where it wants.

it feels good and it feels dangerous all at once, and it fills him, which is rare. ]

[In the moment after Juno speaks, Ren's smile only widens, as if asking so what are you going to do about it, before he's pulled down by the hair in a way that only feels more pleasurable with the effects of the pollen in play. A slight gasp escapes him with the tug, but after a moment, he smiles against Juno's mouth, leaning in and imposing, grip tightening just slightly against his neck.

"Dangerous" is right, because while last time, Juno had already been too flustered for Ren to mess with him too much, this feels a lot like it's trying to be a challenge, and Ren responds to that as enthusiastically as he does any challenge. Soft lips quickly give way to dragging teeth and sharp, insistent bites against Juno's mouth, as Ren bears down with his kiss and body to press Juno back into the water and beneath him. He might not weigh much, but he certainly knows how to use it.]

[ the edge of tightness against his throat gets a sound out of him, satisfied maybe, pleased. the plying of teeth make it far more apparent at that. it takes a little bit more than just a shove to send him back down, but juno is surprised at how ren manages it. his fingers fumble a little more, one hand caught up in hair, the other playing down the back of his neck because if he's going down, ren's certainly coming back with him.

what's done is done after all and juno's head is swimming with the heat from the kiss and the touch of hands around his neck, feeling them with every press and twitch of the muscles there leading down his throat. he liked that gasp earlier, the sound setting fire to him, so he tugs again with the hand nestled in ren's hair, angling him a bit further down and lingering.

his other hand looks for some kind of purchase, fingers eventually digging into his bare shoulder tightly. ]

[Ren is somehow not surprised that Juno likes the feeling of hands around his throat, but as Juno shifts one hand to behind his neck, one of Ren's hands slips away to follow it. The remaining hand moves around to press and squeeze gently against the front of Juno's neck instead as the other laces fingers around Juno's wrist.

There's another slight sound that catches in Ren's throat when Juno pulls his hair again, and the hand that's shifted to his wrist clenches slightly. While he leans into the tight grip of fingers in his shoulder, a moment later, he gives a sharp drag to the hand, a clear attempt to take it and pin it somewhere much less useful.

Ren is also the one to break the kiss first, but not without one last, sharp bite against Juno's mouth. He doesn't withdraw far, only bringing his head back far enough that he can offer an amused smile and turn his head to whisper closer to Juno's ear.]

You know, if you keep showing me the same trick over and over, it's not going to stay interesting for very long. [As the last word leaves his lips, without warning, his head twists, leaning back into the grip on his hair again as he darts inwards to sink teeth into Juno's neck just below his ear. It's not an abnormally sharp bite, probably not even quite enough to break skin, but it's definitely very much there and latching on now.]

Yeah? [ breathlessly: ] That's why I'm saying you sh - [ he doesn't get to finish the thought, the teeth pressed just beneath his ear, against his neck, ending the words pretty much there. it feels incredible, to the point where his eyes roll a little bit to the side, breath hitched high in his chest as he digs heels in somewhere for purchase under the water.

if he had a problem with being pinned, he'd pull away, but the teeth on his throat send a jolt of desire straight down his body and his fingers flex a little in the hold, wrist bucking only slightly where it's pinned. when he breathes out, he looks up at ren from where he's braced, lifting his head up that spells defiant one way and hungry the other. ] - Should probably find another word for cute. Y'know? [ he finishes. he always has to finish. he's absolutely incapable of not finishing his sentences when he wants a word in, aphrodisiac pollen or not.

wrist pinned back, he presses forward with his upper body, trying to find ren's mouth with his own if he'll let him. ]

[Ren's fingers curl tighter when Juno's wrist twitches, and he remains latched onto that spot on his neck long enough to ensure he's left a nice mark before he draws back again to look down at Juno with a curved smile, somewhat like a cat. He lets Juno draw closer, close enough for lips to brush if Juno strains for it, but not quite close enough to let him kiss.]

Hmm, how about lovable? Or adorable... [Ren's other hand moves to find Juno's other wrist, to take that one as well and keep it in his grip, coming forward again and pressing closely against Juno with a smile that's all predator. His last two words drop to barely above the volume of a breath, but simultaneously drop about an octave in tone to something deep and abyssal, like standing at the edge of a bottomless trench that'll consume anything you make the mistake of offering it without hesitation.]

...or breakable. [It's more than likely exactly what Juno wants, honestly, based on what he knows of his personality, but with the pollen in play, he's not feeling patient enough for a reversal right now. He's barely finished talking before he strikes again, teeth scraping against Juno's lips as he bites and seeks and tries to search out what makes him react in the sweetest way.]

[ each word feels weirdly sharp, like a knife dragging between his ribs. he doesn't like any of those three words, pinned here like this and feeling heat like a fever rising through him. it's heightened only by the tempting brush of ren's lips against his, feather-light and teasing mercilessly one moment before bearing down with teeth the next. it catches him on his line of tension, enough that when he kisses back, it's bruising and hungry. every touch of teeth earns a sound that's held back, not quite wanting to give in completely. a growl, soft now. ]

You can try.

[ it's not in his nature to just give it all up immediately after all. he somehow finds control of his hips at this point, legs next, and while he's pinned down it doesn't stop him from being a slight nuisance. juno presses his hips upwards for a little leverage, like maybe if he tries carefully enough he can shove ren under him just to prove he can. though maybe it's a touch more stimulating that functional, the friction almost immediately hitting him. ]

[There's a soft laugh in Ren's throat at that, and he leans in towards Juno's ear again.] Keep that up and I really will try.

[Ren's shadow in the water ripples unnaturally for just a moment, then settles. Nothing major, but enough to signify that he knows perfectly well he could actually toy with Juno quite badly if he wanted, but he also imagines that would make for a terrible time for Juno himself what with the fear he seems to have of Ren's shadow powers.

As it is, Juno's shifting of his hips is more of a minor distraction, Ren's fingers clenching briefly around his wrists again as he draws a sharp breath. A moment later, though, he grinds down a little more decisively in return, eying Juno's face even as he lets out a tiny sound of annoyance and glances down to his hands instead.]

It'd be a lot easier to play with you if I could use that...though I guess maybe I can settle for a belt. Wouldn't want to scare you off, after all~

[Belatedly, then, he seems to remember another little detail, and hums slightly in his throat as he draws back a bit, enough to scrutinise Juno's whole face as if spotting for a lie.] Though I guess I should ask a few things first. Like if you'd still want to do any of this if it wasn't for that pollen.

[They're riding the edge of much more serious territory than kissing, as it stands right now, and he definitely doesn't want to turn this into something they're both going to regret if Juno wouldn't be interested otherwise.]

[ juno wears a shocking amount of emotion on his face, so a lie is easy to tell from across the room, especially when it comes to a situation like this. one that juno's never actually been in. he shifts his his shoulders a little in the water, a hot itch down his spine letting him know that they're very much wandering off the beaten path of just hungry kissing. he feels the throb of that mark just under his ear, against his throat, and closes his eyes for a moment between a vaguely measured breath in.

he eyes the faint ripple in the water, the stretch of shadow that retreats almost as quickly. good. it can stay there.

he thinks about all of this a beat, evaluates it with fingers flexing just faintly along the grip on his wrists before he lets out a laugh, a little breathless, low. his eyes level as seriously as he can be with his entire body thrumming on the inside, just beneath his skin.

it's a question that warrants an answer, one that juno comes to easily, eyes unwavering now. he's sure. ]

Yeah. Well. We'd be done here if I didn't.

[ fuck flowers, juno makes his own decisions. he thinks back to sharing wine that one night, the warm buzz of it. he'd gone in for that too. dragging his teeth a little against his lower lip he tips his head. ]

'Bout you?

[ why not turn it around and be certain? ]

[Ren seems satisfied with that answer and that it's honest, though his smile does pinch into a bit of amusement at the way Juno puts it. His thumbs circle on Juno's wrists briefly, as if considering something, but it's not his answer that he's wondering about. That comes easily, with the slightest smirk and narrow of the eyes that seems to ask whether Juno thought he'd back out at this point.]

Mmm, I'm fine with it. Though I guess there's only so much we can do anyway. [Lack of anything to prepare someone with and all, though that's not the only reason Ren's thinking, and he eventually settles on making that point just for courtesy's sake.] I'm not very experienced with this, I'll admit, but I know what I like and I'm good at figuring out what other people like. So I'll be more than happy to make good on that belt threat if that's the kind of way you want to do this...

[His head slips to one side, nearer Juno's ear, to say that, his voice suddenly about an octave deeper and even more amused than it had been a moment ago. The thumbs that had been circling are suddenly tense and tight again, pressing down in a way that's not quite painful, but sharp and calculated.]

[ the touch is enough to get him arching again in retaliation, the kind that begs for friction again, as shocking a jolt at the earlier touch had been. there's a breath, like he might be thinking about it for a moment, steadying himself against the running water a moment before he gets too swept up in the moment.

when he speaks, his voice pitches into a rasp - he has to clear it briefly. ] There are options.

[ juno can think of more than a few that send heat crawling up his skin pleasantly. ] Belt's a [ good ] start. [ he's learned to do more than his fair share of things with his hands behind his back, not exactly in this nature, but it just comes with the territory of his work. it transitions well into what he likes. he's never breathing a word of that out loud because ren's already got too much on him. ] I can work with that.

[That little rasp makes Ren's lips curl that little bit more into an almost predatory smile, and once Juno confirms his interest (Ren had suspected it, but he's going to have to temper his usual manner of going full speed ahead with toying around with people), he nods a little in approval and releases Juno's wrists for now, letting his fingers slip down the forearms until he finally gets to the actual point of the motion and moves to loosen the buckle of Juno's belt. He could use his own, but Juno's doesn't have a skirt on it.]

I'll play around with that, then. If I'd known things were going to end up like this, I would've brought something nicer...but I guess I'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

[He offers a playful wink, before leaning forward to kiss Juno's forehead as he continues removing the belt.] I'm sure I can think of some creative options for us, too.

[ the kiss to his forehead is weird and unexpected, and juno sits up a little, braced by his palms under the water. it's cool against his skin, not enough to wash away the feverishness, or the pollen that's already done its job, but it incites movement in him. he's not just going to sit there. instead, he reaches out with his fingers, threading them through ren's hair again bringing him forward to press a kiss to his mouth again. he doesn't need to look at what he's doing. who looks at what they're doing when they're taking off someone's belt?

against his mouth, he murmurs a little bit after one kiss, hand sliding a bit down the back of ren's neck, ] Let's see what you've got then.

[It doesn't take Ren long to slip the belt free anyway, watching what he's doing or not, and though he occupies himself with the kiss for a moment or two after he's done there, he's smiling a little once Juno breaks it to speak.]

If you want me to crush you, you can just ask, you know. [Leaving the belt across his legs for the moment, he reaches up to seek out Juno's wrists, circling his fingers around them again and gently moving to thread them out of his hair. It's a nice feeling and all, but he needs them elsewhere, and as he tries to push them back to where he wants them, he ducks his head and leans in to distractingly worry teeth and tongue against Juno's neck and collarbone to hopefully discourage his resistance a little.]

Oh yeah?

[ distracting is right, teeth enough to draw out a hitched sound, something he tries to hold back at first on impulse. he lets ren guide his wrists where he needs them to be. there's no resistance, more help than anything in terms of positioning, like there's familiarity to it. but he misses that friction from earlier, forming a lump in his throat, making it harder to swallow now.

he pulls back to meet his eyes - the theia glittering bright in one, organic blown wide, challenging in how it holds his. ]

You talk big game for someone without much experience. "Crush me" huh?

[As soon as he hears that hitched sound, his teeth dig in a little bit harder, latching onto a part of the collarbone temporarily. But since Juno is being less resistant than he expected - he's used to the stubborn types who'll fight you all the way even if they decide they're going to follow your lead on something - he circles both his wrists with long fingers briefly so he can retrieve the belt and start working on that.

It's not until he's circled it and pulled it tight once, enough that it's hard to wriggle but not enough that it bites, that he responds with a lopsided smile.] I said I didn't have much experience with sex. I have plenty of experience with crushing people.

[Smile shifting to something more deceptively sweet, he tugs at the end of the belt to accentuate the current tightness.] Is that okay?

Then let's start with what you know and I'll... supplement.

[ crushing sounds like a good start. he shifts his shoulders a little, knows what feels right, feels wrong and so far this isn't bad. wrists together is almost relaxing in a way, and as ren tugs at the belt just a little more he sounds off a bit, a low hum as he tests it with a taut pull. ]

The belt's fine [ said almost too quickly, and then after a moment, he looks ren in the eyes, ] I mean it's good.

[ for as cool as the water feels, the flush on his throat is like a choke hold on him, but the kind he likes. ]

Mmm, I guess that works for now... [A situation like this probably isn't one where he should be taking advantage of it too much, though he can imagine what Juno's probably going to be asking for and it's really tempting to make it frustrating for him to get.

Once Juno clears the tightness of the belt, though, he gives a soft hum of laughter in his throat, and as he winds the remaining tail of it around a little more so it won't come loose, he leans in and edges teeth against that flushed area on Juno's throat, so close that his breath and almost his tongue can be felt when he speaks.]

I thought so. You're making it pretty easy to tell, you know~?

[ the way teeth tease along his throat just barely are enough to have him swallowing. his throat is tight, unbearable almost, but good all the same as he hears that soft laugh. the tension in his shoulders seems to melt by contrast of the tightness around his wrists, crawling up his forearms just a bit. for a second he glances down, digging a heel in, shifting a bit upwards. ]

Some things I'm not gonna make you guess on.

[ that'd just be silly, though 80% of the time juno would rather always keep people guessing, close or not. he tips his head to the side a little bit, looking at him through the corner of his eye. ] You gonna sit there and whisper sweet nothings into my neck all day, though?

[ juno... ]

[Ren's smile widens, a movement that can be felt against Juno's throat along with a thoughtful hum before he straightens up again. With his hands no longer needing to occupy themselves holding Juno's wrists, they come up beneath the sides of his jaw for a moment, tilting Juno's head up towards Ren's amused, hungry expression.

As he speaks, he leans forward very slowly and deliberately, so they end nose-to-nose and eye-to-eye.]

Maybe if I felt more patient. I could tie you down and take my time and treat you like glass, tell you you're beautiful and deserve attention and affection, because I think that would break you far better than any kind of violence could.

[Ren's slitted pupils are focused absolutely on Juno's eyes in that moment, as if seeing straight through him to whatever lies at the core. But he pulls himself back the tiniest bit after just long enough to leave the taste of that threat lingering on the air, hands still against his jaw.]

But I guess you're lucky today. [He's barely finished those words when he darts back in, this time to catch his lips with teeth and tongue once more, grip on his jaw tightening just enough to make interfering with Ren's dominance of the kiss that little bit harder.]

[ oh that’s a threat, isn’t it. that’s a threat and juno, for a minute, can’t actually look away from ren’s eyes. there’s a quality about them - the color, the strangely slitted pupils, that keeps him caught up in them with his breath half held high in his chest until finally the moment breaks. there’s part of juno that’s thankful it does. the intensity of that moment is enough to leave him sighing into the kiss, pressing up into it briefly before pulling back just a moment, enough that there’s barely a breath between them. ]

Real lucky you’re feeling impatient, sounds about right.

[ because juno knows that ren likes the long game at this point. patience seems to be his forte. where juno lacks it, ren has it in spades and it’s infuriating.

the hand holding his jaw keeps him from pushing too far, and while he relents a moment into the kiss, he adds his own teeth for what it’s worth - a sharp nip to ren’s lower lip in exchange, a knee nudging his side as if attempting to bring him in closer now without the aid of his arms. ]

[Ren's long games work best when he's entertained the whole way through, so the long game in a situation where he'd be amused by reaction the entire time is a very real risk. For now, though, he gives a soft breath of laughter to that response, checks Juno's knee with his hip as if to say he's going to have to try harder than that to get him to move the way he wants, then wriggles them a little to settle himself more comfortably anyway even if it's maybe not quite what Juno was intending to make him do.

As soon as Juno reciprocates with that little nip, Ren's own biting gets a little sharper, dragging and almost toying for a few moments before his grip slips free and his hands start to move down. Fingers seek blindly, but come sharp to attention at every patch of skin roughened by scarring or pitted by an old wound. They only explore at first, touching and rubbing and experimenting for sensitivity that he might be able to take advantage of later. Now that he's down to keeping Juno's side of the kiss at bay only with his own mouth, though, the intensity of his kiss deepens, abrupt and devouring like some abyssal creature drawing in prey.]

❪ event ❫ spirited away

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surprise i'm back after literally forever

wiggles brows

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