nysalogs | ❪ october plot conclusion; wyver takes ❫

Entry tags:

❪ october plot conclusion; wyver takes ❫

THE END TO THE EPIDEMIC

On the morning of November 3, there is a palpable buzz on the streets as both the natives of Wyver and Olympian refugees share the same sentiment: excitement. Word will quickly spread that a cure to VIOLET2710 has finally been developed and is ready for mass dissemination.

Throughout the city, the cure can be found at any of the numerous small temples and outposts of the Altar of Volkkra. The shamans of Volkkra will happily distribute the cure to any of the ill in need of it, without restraint. A joint venture between both Olympia and Wyver, citizens of both are granted equal access. As the lines form, the shamans will ask that able-bodied persons administer the cure to themselves and to others. Don't let the needles scare you! It'll only hurt a little.

At each of these outposts, signs will be posted giving credit to those who aided in the creation and manufacture of the cure:

Claire Fraser
Amaterasu
Pike Trickfoot
Charles Xavier
Alan Foster (Bruce Wayne)
Keyleth
Rosalind Lutece
Shinjiro Aragaki
Mipha
Wrathion
Dorian Pavus
Merlin
Morrigan

Clarke Griffin
Rose Lalonde
Peter Parker
Linnaeus
Zelda
John Watson
You Watanabe
Jean Grey
Mikleo
Daenerys Targaryen
Dylas
Frankenstein
Waver Velvet

As they distribute the cure, the shamans will note that those receiving the cure should give thanks to those named. Without their contributions, it may have taken much longer for the cure to be found and created in large enough quantities to save everyone.

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

With Olympia and Wyver's fragile alliance still in effect and a cure to VIOLET2710 distributed, Olympia finally opens its gates once again to Refugees if they feel a little homesick. High-speed transportation will be available at record low costs as politicians, merchants, and other business owners desperately hurry home to salvage whatever they can from the terrorist attacks.

Refugees are advised to remain in Wyver until food rations can be recovered and the water can be decontaminated. However, those more personally attached to Olympia may discover that the city is preparing a mass call for volunteers that will go out in the near future. In the meantime, and understandably, you should do what you can to help the Wyver people. The Dragon city has started posting quests, not only for you to do your part, but for the Wyver people to gauge your worth as visitors to their sacred land.

Thesa also has an interest in the unfolding events. Refugees have now been exposed to both lands, and certainly some will find themselves more invested in one side than the other. Darma finally wakes from slumber to observe, and while she is thankful that Refugees are immersed in her world, there is something foreboding on the horizons. On the night of the 3rd, Darma will appear in your dreams for a conversation.

It has been some time, Refugee... ah, no, certainly not for me. I am Darma. It is my hope that Sael as served you well in my place. The Natha do not feel, but I must express gratefulness that I am able to return to you.

My greeting extends to both old and new faces. As we watch you, we see that this world and its people have begun to influence your hearts. In time, your loyalty to either of these lands, to Olympia or to Wyver, shall affect how you are seen by the other side. As observers, we are unable to provide either region a winning edge. Thus, once you pledge loyalty to one, you cannot use Thesa to teleport to the other.

Choose wisely, or choose none at all. There is no war for those who do not wish to see it. For those who do... if I may be prudent— this alliance will not last. Keep your friends close, Refugee, for they may not remain so if your allegiances conflict.

You will wake before you get a chance to reply.

THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM IN THE UNDERGROWTH

The locals often speak of a cursed place deep within Wyver territory, confounded by the spirits of dragons who passed long ago: those who still wish for vengeance on the people of Olympia for their untimely deaths. Though these stories began as nothing more than urban legends among the raiders and shamans, over time the idea has become mainstream. So much that the rumors have started causing unrest between the people of Wyver and their guests. More than a few people within Wyver have used these rumors as justification for opposing the current alliance with Olympia.

Many Wyver locals see these rumors as a sign that their ancestors disapprove of the alliance. As a result, those in charge have decided that it would be prudent to mitigate some of the anxiety from either side. Those who are willing to look into these rumors further will find themselves lead towards the darkest parts of Wyver, deep within the Undergrowth in a region devoid of light. The faint of heart will be advised against delving further.

Common among these rumors are accounts of people being attacked by an unseen enemy, or talk of possession and out-of-body experiences. Those who press on will find that the culprit is none other than a new, undocumented beast.

This creature is able to camouflage itself perfectly to its environment. This, paired with darkness of the deep Undergrowth, makes this beast nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye. The creature also release a noxious gas that can spark a range of emotional responses: some may grow hysterical, while others may be consumed by despair. The effects only last for minutes, though some may linger in the back of one's mind for hours after. While the creature does not actually attack people directly, the other beasts of the Undergrowth may take advantage of its victims.

Fortunately, Wyver is not looking for the creature's capture. They respect the delicate balance of the jungle as they see themselves as its protectors. For now, they only desire more information about this creature in order to assuage the people. Good luck and do your best to keep your wits!

ALRIA'S FULL MOON

While Olympians worship the ever-present light of Thesa, the people of Wyver are captivated by the smaller, yet ever-changing Alria. Alria cycles in and out of the night sky much like what denizens of Earth would remember as lunar phases, and those who are familiar with that may notice it is very similar to their own. And likewise, the creatures, men and women of Wyver are affected when Alria transitions into its full moon phase.

DRAGONS & LUNATICS —
The dragons are restless. Perhaps because this particular full moon is accompanied by far more human scent than they are typically used to, but there's no doubt that they are eyeing humans as they do fresh prey. That is exactly why humans or human-like refugees will be tasked to tame a particularly rowdy dragon stable.

The dragon mounts at Lhongha Stables have broken free from their homes, roaming aimlessly in the deep undergrowth. You and another will be advised to strip down to your undergarments (it's hot, relax a little, human!) and lure the dragons back to the stables with your bodies. Rowdy dragons do love their human flesh! "Just a hunch," says the owner of the stables, "But I bet they'll come running faster if they smell your human blood."

He laughs as he hands over a pocket knife if he sees you're not carrying a weapon. The owner assures you that the dragons have been trained not to attack unless told to, but who knows how serious he is about that?

JUNGLE HEAT (NSFW) —
The full moon affects Wyver in other ways as well. While Olympia has a district blessed by Thesa's light all year long, Wyver only feels it at a certain time of the month. "The Heat" lasts for a full week starting on a full moon. You'll see it everywhere. Olympia has its lust confined in a single district, but in Wyver, during the phase of the full moon, the lust is everywhere. The people of Wyver will be friendlier then, offering you ale and meat. They sing songs of destroying their enemies up north, but even the native Olympians won't be able to will themselves to be angry when Alria shines upon them.

Perhaps you'll be find yourself affected, too, by Alria's light. And it's okay to get touchy; it isn't like the locals care about public displays of affection when they most certainly are getting handsy themselves.

THE PACT OF VOLKKRA —
Shamans, too, participate in celebrations of Alria's full moon. During the event, the shamans will give pairs each a couple of blessed dragon teeth necklaces. Wyver tradition states that if a shaman approves you as a pair, then you are granted a chance to form a Volkkran Pact. This pact, the shaman will explain, will bond a pair as an unstoppable team, granting one another a small influence on each others' powers.

"King Shanrian and his Pact, Counsel Shenya benefit from this. Shenya was granted physical strength, and our King his Counsel's perception. It has made quite a difference."

THE VOLKKRAN PACT AT NAMARAK SUMMIT

Despite being mistaken for a pair, there is no need to take the shaman's advice. The necklace will disappear if the Pact isn't completed in a week's time. However, if the Pact's benefits might be something of interest to you and your partner, then you'll be advised to travel further south, until you reach Namarak Mountain. At the summit, you'll find an altar, where you and your partner are expected to return the necklaces and make a vow to support one another.

The shaman there isn't particularly interested in what you do to complete the Pact. In fact, many people who attempt the Pact tend to... go a bit further than is necessary, when it can be achieved through a simple kiss between the partners.

The Volkkran Pact's effects are immediate upon physical contact. Each Pact can be broken through a special process with the head Shaman, but there needs to be at least a month's time before one can sever it. The pairs may be fake and still receive the benefit of the Pact, though they may find that sharing power with someone they are not truly committed to is a mistake.

NOTE: Players may be creative about what powers can be shared. The recipients of the such powers can never be granted its full strength, but it may be strengthened with Wyver REP rewards. Please note that PCs does not need to pledge allegiance to Wyver in order to keep the Volkkran Pact; they will only need 10 Wyver REP in order to strengthen it. Refer to the questions thread below if you have any questions.

BUILD-A-BLADE WORKSHOP

Sirod, the weapon's head shopkeeper, is interested in procuring a few materials for his clients. While these clients have already collected the claws of larger beasts and various other parts needed to create their new weapons, they are still missing some rare, necessary items. In particular, they are still missing the following:

High Prisms — These tiny crystals attach themselves to the branches of older trees. They tend to hang near the tops of them, hiding in the shadows of the leaves. Unfortunately, retrieving them requires one… to climb. Hopefully you got a lot of tree climbing practice as a kid. Who knew that skill would ever come in handy?

Crystal Drop — These are normally found near bodies of water. Especially water that has been enchanted, past or present. The drops tend to cling to the floors of these mystical streams and lagoons. Those seeking them will also have to be careful not to be affected by the water’s properties. Perhaps that's part of the trick of gathering them.

Frozen Mylan Root — Mylans are a type of live vegetation that grows on Namarak Mountain. Constantly roaming in the warm seasons, they root themselves into fertile earth during the winter where they sleep until spring, making the snowy mountain ideal to acquire the roots. Plucking them from the ground takes strength, and slicing them will prove equally difficult... and of course, there is a blood-curdling scream when you wake it from its slumber. Well, it wouldn't be a real test of strength and emotional fortitude otherwise.

Those who retrieve any of these items will be rewarded 100 Silver.

FINAL OOC NOTE

An AC-eligible thread for 2 WYVER REP POINTS may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE by DEC 10th 11:59 PM EST.

We will no longer be providing overflow posts. In an event where the post hits CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals or create their own catch-all post. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP.

1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR.

QUICK NAV

premise ● 
faq ●
lore ●
map ●
npcs

taken ●
atp/emp ●
application ●
rep/acp  

calendar ●
hiatus/drops ●
modbox

[ FULL NAVIGATION ]

elnysa

nysalogs

nysaisles

nysaooc

elnyan

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he snaps awake so quickly that she feels a little guilty for tickling, but the sooner he rests in a real bed and not a hard chair the better.

the look on his face, though -

slowly, alisaie's brow creases, her eyes flicking over his features, his expression tight with worry and something like subtle shock. but why? they're home and safe(ish), she's still alive, still breathing.. mayhap she has been asleep longer than she'd thought? it would certainly explain the clinging fatigue, the way her joints and muscles feel creaky with disuse. ]

What?

[ her hand drops to his collar and stills. ]

Is there.. something on my face?

[ Without missing a beat, or even thinking about his words for a moment: ]

Y-yeah, your face is on your face -

[ ...

...What?

Okay, whatever, it doesn't matter how stupid that was. Nothing matters, really, beyond the fact that she's awake and everything that's been damming up inside of him comes spilling forth so fiercely. A sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh bursts out of him, and he scrambles onto the bed next to her in the heartbeat that follows, gathering her in his arms. It's real, it's finally real, and he can't hold it in anymore. So he does just as he told her he would, when they'd made their solemn promises to each other.

As he guides her close, he peppers her with kisses all over, pulling her hand up so he can kiss her wrist, her fingers, her collar, her jaw, her cheeks, her nose, her brow, her ears, gentle yet ardent. It seems as if there is no inch of her he doesn't want to kiss, to convince himself in such a tangible way that she is truly there, awake and cured. His breathing can barely keep up with him, but he manages somehow, the same phrase slipping out in his exhales between each kiss he bestows on her. ]

I love you - I love you - I love you -

[ As promised. ]

[ .. what?

alisaie isn't given the chance to berate him for that really stupid comeback, for all at once he's a hurricane of movement, startling peo from her side in his haste to gather her up and pull her near. she hardly has the chance to process the fact that it doesn't hurt nearly so much as when he'd held her close before, she can hardly think about anything past the shower of kisses, kisses everywhere, sweet and fervent, some of them ticklish.

a rough and ragged laugh, and she shies away from his mouth at her ear, though her hands are up to find loose purchase in his shirt. ]

Y-yes, I love you too, but -

[ hey, come on now, there's dried blood at her ears and nose, the corners of her mouth - she lifts her hand to press her fingers to his mouth and interrupt him, as she'd done before so many weeks ago. ]

Gods, be careful -

[ what is he thinking, kissing her face in this state, it's so dangerous. unless.. ]

[ It takes him a moment to recall coherent thought again when she presses her fingers to his lips to stop his affectionate assault. All of him is so consumed by her very being that he slowly processes why she's stopping him, why she's telling him to be careful. Ah...maybe...he should have explained some things before he launched himself onto the bed, but there's little he could have done to stem the tidal wave of emotion that had been coursing through him.

Now, though, he connects the dots, and oh, he's never been so glad to prove her wrong in all the time they've known each other.

A grin blossoms beneath her fingertips, smiling whole and complete in a way he hasn't been able to in such a long time. ]

You're cured, it's over - [ He nuzzles into her hand as tears spill freely against it. ] It's over.

[ Then he's laughing again, and it's such a full and unfettered sound that it's a wonder he doesn't float right off the bed with it. ]

[ it takes a few moments for the words to sink in, the weight of them, the meaning. cured.

slowly, it begins to come into focus, the pieces fitting together. why she'd felt as if she'd slept a moon away, the way her voice is rough as sandpaper, the impossibly persistent fever evaporated. all of it. and his kisses, his kisses everywhere, his warm tears streaming over her fingertips. his smile that, despite his tears, is so radiant and bright she can hardly stand it, like looking into the sun.

all at once her throat tightens, a wash of impossible relief crashing over her from head to toe. it's difficult to believe, to accept. she'd been sick for so long that she can hardly fathom what it means to be well, and she'd.. she'd been prepared for it to end, made her peace with what was bound to happen. she'd felt so weak, like her body was dying all around her.

but now he's laughing, and her breath rushes from her, her free hand lifting to the other side of his jaw 'til she's holding his face between them. ]

Truly? [ gods. ] This is no dream?

[ He laughs and he cries, both born of pure joy, as he returns her gesture, lifting his hands to cup her face and tip her brow against his. After so long in the dark, it is nothing short of a revelation to feel so exquisitely happy, to not sense the shadow of fear lingering the presence of his every thought. She's well again, and while she would still need time to recover her strength and recuperate, she would recuperate. She would not get sicker. She would not die.

Just as he'd hoped for so long, even in his darkest hours, though even those hopes could not have prepared him for how incomparably good this is. Every touch, every word refreshes him, cleanses him of the doubt he'd fought so hard against. ]

Yeah. [ He takes a deep breath, his jaw relaxing beneath her fingers. ] Yeah.

[ And then he can wait no longer. It's been so long, too long, and it's time to do what they haven't been able to since before she'd fallen ill. To reclaim that piece of their relationship that the illness had taken from them. To tell her with actions what he cannot with words.

He presses his lips against hers, full and warm and breathless, his lungs full of sunlight. ]

[ at first she can't help the surge of panic. she's been so very guarded this last month, fastidious and careful, doing everything she possibly could to keep him healthy, save barring him from the house. she should have done that too, truth be told, though she hadn't been able to bring herself to, not with all the rest.

so she snaps tight when his mouth closes over hers, momentarily fearful before she remembers almost immediately that it's fine, it's okay, it's safe.

a soft sound moves in her throat, something tight and twisting and sounding almost injured for its quiet desperation. her grasp at his jaw tightens, and all at once she's pushing back against him, into him, pressing her mouth to his. her lips feel dry and cracked, her mouth tastes like old pennies, and she's so thirsty she could drink a river but for now - for now..

gods, it feels so good, so nice.

she keeps it short though, for the sake of both of their sensibilities, though she grins against his mouth when she breaks away, keeping close. ]

I've a feeling I can't possibly taste very good. Pray, allow me to brush my teeth.

[ and then we can make out all you want bb. ]

[ It doesn't matter how her mouth might taste like stale blood, how her lips feel rough as sandpaper, because the intensity of emotion in that moment she kisses him back drowns out all else. They've both been waiting so long for this - not just to kiss properly again, but to do so without fear of what the next day, or even the next moment might bring. The cloud that has been a steadfast presence in their life this last month is gone at last, replaced instead by beautiful, burning sunshine that would have him shouting for joy were he not kissing her instead.

But she breaks off soon enough, and that's probably for the best, because...yeah...she doesn't taste awesome. It feels like such a silly thing to complain about after everything else that's happened, but first things first.

He runs his thumbs across her cheekbones as he answers through a breathless laugh. ]

I bet you could use a drink of water, too, huh?

[ His arms are moving instinctively around her then, like he's about to pick her up - a force of habit he's formed over the last month. But then it hits him that she probably doesn't need him to carry her. Though she's doubtless still feeling weak and tired, the pain that had made mere movement difficult should be gone. She can finally reclaim her life, herself.

Still, as he pulls away with a final peck to the cheek, his hands slide down her arms to her hands, to offer her support when she tries to stand.

He can't stop smiling. ]

[ he's all but suffocating her with kisses, but she supposes it's a far better way to go than what she had expected, and she cannot stop smiling.

gods the relief.. it's positively palpable. to be able to move without terrible pain, to be able to breathe - her lungs and body still feel weak, but compared with how it was before she feels she could run a marathon, swim across an ocean, climb the tallest peak. it's enough to make her heart pound and her breath rush with muted excitement - the things she will be able to do now.. that they will be able to do.. ]

Gods, yes. I could drink a river.

[ a far cry from when she had refused food and drink, when the very thought of it was enough to make her stomach turn. her hands grasp in his, and she's thankful for his quiet assistance, though she can move and stand much more easily on her own now she is still unsteady, her joints weak and wobbly. but with his help she stands, on her own feet.

and then it's off to the washroom, and she drinks down no less than three cups of water before she's finally scrubbing her teeth, which feels nearly as satisfying as waking had. her face is next, scrubbing her skin pink, washing away the sweat and blood until she is able to recognize the face that greets her in the mirror. she looks thinner than before, and tired, but.. a few bakery runs will fix that. ]

[ He follows her to the bathroom. He can't help it - seeing her not only awake, but on her feet and moving around on her own is such a wonderful, welcome thing that he doesn't want to lose sight of her. Like if he does, she'll vanish and he'll wake up from this dream. But it's not a dream. He's already pinched himself, just to make sure.

So he lingers in the doorway, eyes gentle and watchful, taking in her every movement that belongs so exactly to her, to how it feels like he hasn't seen her move in ages. He'll need to get some food in her soon, a real meal like she hasn't had for weeks, but one thing at a time. It would take some time before they could completely reclaim their lives, before they could feel something akin to "normal" again.

But this is a start. ]

Better?

[ The blood is washed from her mouth and her face, and it will never come back again now.

He's really got to go thank all those people who worked on the cure sometime soon. ]

[ with her thirst momentarily abated, and her mouth and hands and face all scoured clean again she is feeling.. well, alive, more alive than she has in a long time. a full shower and a hot meal would be best, but for now this is good, this is great, this is wonderful.

standing straight again, she wipes the water from her chin with her knuckles, exhaling hard, satisfied.

better. yes.

she doesn't say as much, though. instead, alisaie turns and slips her arms around his shoulders, standing on tip-toe and tugging his head down to kiss him again, harder this time, with a quiet, desperate sort of heat, and a boundless gratitude. ]

[ Well, as far as answers go, this is a pretty good one.

He's not quite expecting it, thinking instead that she would want to relax back in bed and talk about what happened and find something to eat, but she won't find him complaining as she pulls him into her kiss. Though it's been so long since they've done this, it all comes back so quickly - how their mouths best slot together, how his arms fit so neatly around her waist. It's as natural as it always was, but extraordinary, too, for how long it's been since they could kiss like this.

His lips move patiently, warmly against hers, a sigh of such deep contentment slipping out of his throat. If this is how she chooses to celebrate being awake again, then so be it. ]

[ this is definitely how she'd like to celebrate it. at least for the moment. there are a hundred things she wants to do, plenty more that she should do, but for now.. for now, this. it's been so difficult, being near to him but needing to keep that distance. it had been so painful to watch him suffer and be unable to kiss his worries away. he deserves this, this moment to just.. be kissed, and nothing else, to not have to worry himself sick over anything, to not have to taste blood and disease on her mouth, to remember what they were before this nightmare.

so she slips her fingers into his hair, her other hand at his jaw, and simple, easy muscle memory has her lips parting against his, her teeth gently grazing his lower lip, her back arching beneath his hold until she's pressing so near to him there can be no space between them. gods, it's good. more of a comfort than any cool cloth to her fevered head had been, more a balm than warm hearty soup. even when she breaks away to speak she keeps so near that she's all but breathing her words into his mouth, unwilling and unable to part her lips from his. ]

I was.. afraid.

[ she admits at last, her words a quiet, breathless whisper, her exhale soft and trembling. ]

So afraid that I would never feel this again.

[ For as long as he's been waiting for this, to kiss her again without fear clouding his heart, he's unprepared for how immediately it steals his breath away, how eager his for it, how ready he is for her to fill up his senses and crowd out all other thought. He's knees feel weak at it, lightheaded in the best possible way, but he doesn't fold under the relief of how good this is. He only kisses her back, lips springing apart when hers do, inviting her deeper as she presses so close that their very bones could melt together. Even then, they're not close enough, and his hands move over her hips to tuck beneath her knees, to pull her legs around his waist and hold her against him in his arms.

She speaks into his mouth, his own breath shuddering out of his lungs with so much relief that it bleeds out of every joint, every muscle. This is so real, so wonderful and good and real, and Alisaie's words are echoed in Prompto's own heart, in the fears he had drowned out the last time they had spoken by necessity. He'd never stopped hoping for her recovery, but he'd been so afraid, too. Afraid of losing her, afraid of figuring out how to live without her in his life, afraid of being unable to keep the promise he had made her to be happy. It had felt like a reality that had crept closer and closer each day, but one he felt less and less prepared for as it approached. That they could now let all of that go is so freeing that he could go shout it from the rooftop.

But that they've come through this alive and happy doesn't invalidate the things he'd said that night. They were fully meant, not just spurred on by intense emotion, and he'll make that clear to her, in whatever way he can.

(As if she has any reason to doubt his dedication to her.) ]

I know.

[ He speaks the words softly back, lips moving against hers as he bumps their noses together. ]

I know.

He tucks his mouth around her bottom lip, savoring the moment to feel it, to kiss it. ]

But you are. We are.

[ when he lifts her up she can't help the soft giggle that bubbles out of her, warm and easy and simple. she's always fit against him so perfectly, and even when they were newer at this, awkward and fumbling still it never felt.. cumbersome or ill-fitting. they had to learn one another, but it had been such a simple thing to do, two halves of a whole sliding into place seamlessly, near effortlessly. it's so comfortable.

so her thighs hook right over his hips, her arms over his shoulders, and all so fluidly that their mouths never quite fully break apart. ]

You're right.

[ they're here, that godsawful time has passed, and somehow they pulled through without breaking. she'll never forget it, the racking pain and the terrifying way her mind deteriorated, but they can leave it behind, and be all the stronger for surviving it. she'd loved him before of course, but now she has seen the extent of his strength, his unfailing, steadfast devotion. for all his heart is sensitive and easily bruised he also carries within it an impeachable warmth and light and hope, an optimism that he had been able to cling to even when she herself had given up.

he is so much better, so much stronger than he ever gives himself credit for. ]

We are here. [ her words, punctuated by warm, lingering kisses. ] Together. [ a kiss. ] Safe. [ and another, another, another. ]

[ Her kisses cement that truth in his mind as much as her words do, each one as sweet as the last, sinking deep into his heart where the simplest truths reside. They're here, together, safe, and in love. What more could he ever possibly need than to know that? What could he ever want for?

Tears sting at his eyes again, but they feel good, a cleansing kind of release, entirely unlike the tears he's been shedding for so long. He could go on like this for hours, days, kissing her fervently like he needs to just to breathe. However, his body is starting to catch up with him again, and while his weak knees may not be giving out under him yet, lest they end up sprawled on the bathroom floor, they should probably...move.

So he carries her back into the bedroom, his mouth never leaving hers, even when he breathes his favorite words into her again. ]

I love you.

[ He scoots back onto the bed when they reach it, still cradling her in his arms, leaning back until they're comfortably nestled between the blankets and pillows. If they're going to spend the next gods-know-how-long making out, making up for lost time, they may as well be as comfortable as possible while they do it. ]

[ it's been over a month since last she felt that giddy little twist in her stomach, the schoolgirl excitement that often cropped up when they first started this thing, when it all began and it was so new and exciting and fresh.

to be honest, that new feeling had never gone away, but they haven't been able to be this close in weeks, to really enjoy it and get back to what they are - idiot kids in love. not that she will ever say those words aloud, but still.

needless to say she's grinning against his mouth while he's carrying her, and once they're back in bed she's scooting right in against him, one leg hooked over his hip, both arms back around his neck, loose and comfortable. ]

I'm so tired of this bed..

[ she says, muffled by kisses, humming thoughtfully against his lips. ]

.. but I suppose I can allow this.

[ He rather likes this whole talking-while-kissing thing, of the mind that there's no better way to communicate, really. One arm stays wrapped around her back while the other snakes up so his hand can tangle messily in her hair and cradle her head. She's obviously in a much better state of wellbeing now, but he still wants to be mindful and gentle, and after all...they've got all the time in the world now. ]

You're so generous.

[ He teases between their sweet kisses and dreamy sighs. ]

But you haven't been here for awhile.

[ Look, he can tell her what happened without having to stop kissing her! Everyone wins. ]

[ alisaie isn't the sort of girl who particularly needs anyone to make her feel safe, but.. there's no denying that she feels so secure here, like this, with his arms wound all around her, his fingers in her hair. his body feels solid and so warm, without that nagging fever she can enjoy it, how good it feels, how comfortable she is.

and to think, so many months ago she had never kissed anyone before, never even much thought about it, but now she finds she cannot get enough of it, that there's nothing more in this world that she wants than to lie with him and touch his skin and smell his hair and kiss him. funny how things change. ]

I haven't?

[ it's enough to give her pause (sorry prompto), though she's close enough still that their noses touch and their mouths brush, even if she's lifting her eyes to search his. ]

How long was I asleep?

[ Well, lips still brushing is nice, and it's better he tells her of this sooner rather than later, meeting her gaze evenly. There's nothing to be afraid of, not now, so he doesn't hesitate to tell her. ]

About...a week and half.

[ One side of his mouth tugs up into an apologetic grin. He knows that isn't going to sound great, that she'll think of him and what it might have been like for him on the other side of consciousness, unreachable and alone. But...she should know. ]

But it's okay now.

[ He's okay now. ]

[ alisaie is really no better at hiding her emotions than prompto is, so her shock is quite evident. that is.. no small amount of time, and to be honest, it's rather frightening to have lost quite so much time. a day or so she had reasonably thought, but over a week? ]

Gods..

[ she whispers, and he's absolutely right - that he's proclaiming his well-being now doesn't erase what she's sure he was going through. he was a wreck enough as it was while she was conscious, he must have been.. oh, he must have been so worried, so terrified, and alone.

alisaie tightens her arms around him, squeezing in close, and ducking her head to press her face to his neck. ]

I'm so sorry.

You don't need to be.

[ He pulls his arms tight around her in turn, burying his nose in her hair. It had been...hard. Gods, it had been hard. One of the hardest things he'd ever had to go through, watching her deteriorate day by day, unable to do anything to help or relieve. The uncertainty had been the worst part about it, of not knowing whether or not the next moment might be her last, but -

Here they are now, together and warm and wonderfully alive, and that's all that matters in the end. ]

Not for any of it.

[ And he'll do whatever it takes to make her understand that. What happened was out of her control. Becoming ill, her hallucinations, Riza...none if it was her fault. ]

[ not for any of it, he says, and though his words echo in her mind, though she knows that he believes them, she cannot.. bring herself to agree. it would be nice to absolve herself of guilt, but even accidentally hurting someone does not negate the fact that they were hurt, in pain. blame or lack thereof cannot erase the damage done.

she was careless, it's as simple as that. the disease was not airborne, and that she caught it anyway is simple testament to her recklessness. it's always been her downfall, all of her greatest mistakes traced back to her hotheadedness, her disregard for rules or care. this is no different. that she fell ill at all was her own fault, due to her own negligence, and so all that came to pass because of it is her responsibility to bear.

so she does not answer, because she won't lie to him, and neither does she want to give him more reason to reassure her. though her eyes sting and burn, she keeps her face buried to him, her arms tightening around his neck.

she's relieved. she's glad to be alive, to be here with him. but it will take her time to learn to bear the weight of her mistakes. ]

[ She doesn't respond, and he understands why. She can't accept his words, and that's alright. He can say what he will, believe what he does, but ultimately, it's up to her to decide to deal with what happened while she was sick on her own. Just as with his own personal demons, it would take her time to heal from hers, and he won't rush her.

There is one thing he must clarify, though, one thing she must know, so he tilts his head so he can speak gently in a whisper right to her ear. ]

You were never a burden.

[ He had taken care of her not out of obligation, but because...he'd wanted to. ]

[ she can at least.. believe that much. guilt and blame aside, he had stood by her without rest and without fail, and she knows perfectly that, were their roles reversed, she would absolutely have done the same. he would never be a burden to her, there is no situation where she could ever be troubled by his need. so she owes it to him to trust that he feels the same, he's never given her any reason to believe otherwise.

and she's grateful for that much. alisaie sniffs, and at last raises her head, and her eyes are red and watery when she lifts them to his face.

rather than rely on words, however, which have often failed her, she pulls him in for a kiss again, tugging him down with her arms tight around his neck. and it's warm and deep and thick with emotion, love, need, the only communication she can manage in the moment. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject