❪ october plot conclusion; wyver takes ❫

[natha]

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

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[tzaraisen]

Without a second thought.

[ He says this without hesitation, staring bleakly at Cain being dramatic and annoying.

It's times like these that he questions why he finds himself seeking the other's companionship, despite the headaches. Perhaps it's because he's dependable, and seems to genuinely care for the well-being of others. Or maybe it's the fact that after their first encounter here, there isn't a much more extreme way to break the ice. ]

Why would I ask that of you? You'd do a poor job of that, too. I'm not convinced you're not completely useless. [ Now he's doing a bad job of hiding his smile.

Also, they're here. ]

[baguablade]

[ See, being dramatic and annoying pays off! Percival hasn't dropped him again and he's managed to coax a smile out of the knight. Success! And he doesn't believe for an instant that Percival would abandon him. Even if he were completely useless, Percival still wouldn't leave him behind, that's just the kind of man Percival is: a soft marshmallow center under all the scowling and bluster.

Or not so under it, as that smile proves.

Cain tilts his head back to grin up at Percival, meeting his smile, and reaches up to poke the corner of it with his index finger. He's unabashedly pleased to see Percival's mirth. ]

Ah, then I wonder why you keep me around... I thought it'd at least be my looks.

[ And Percival's getting an up-close view of those looks since Cain doesn't see a reason to try to shimmy out of Percival's arms until Percival thinks to put him down. ]

[tzaraisen]

Pity, of course. Someone who can't make their own way through a short journey is truly a pathetic creature.

[ He glances down at the young man in his arms and scowls as his mouth is poked. ]

You're not the least bit ashamed. Have you no pride?

[ It's strange. Though they bicker (or rather, Percy one-sidedly bickers) endlessly, it's become increasingly easy to talk to Cain. Cain is a pain in his ass, but he's... fond.

He grows quiet as he sets the other man down, now that they've reached the entrance to the temple. ]

[baguablade]

[ Percival's reprimand only has Cain grinning a bit wider. Percival's right, of course, he has no shame, not for this. Not for teasing Percival, who clearly needs it considering how bad he is at lightening up and enjoying things.

But even Cain's affected by the mood of the temple, solemn and reverent. He steadies himself with a hand on Percival's arm as he's set down, then straightens, squaring his shoulders. ]

What good is pride? [ A tinge of ruefulness to his tone, and to the smile he slants Percival. The survivors of a fallen kingdom... what good is pride to them? Cain doesn't quite understand it, even when Reinhardtzar had spoken of it, even now that Percival brings it up again. Before Percival can answer, though, he tips his head toward the recesses of the temple, where the altar supposedly waits for them. ] We're here, so let's go see what all this fuss is about.

[tzaraisen]

[ Percival's gaze flickers to Cain after he's been set down. For a moment, he thinks he sees a rare moment of melancholy— a passing flicker of sadness that seems to disappear as quickly as it might've appeared. It leaves Percival in silence, able only to respond with a small, thoughtful frown, before Cain is already leading the way towards the altar.

He has his own thoughts on pride, of course, but that's not why they're here. Another time. ]

Let's just hope this doesn't give us any sort of adverse affects. We're being rather foolish, trusting the words of these shamans so easily...

[ He can see others passing by them, however, occasional pairs that look quite pleased with their new pacts. All of them hold hands affectionately, which is... odd. It may not have occurred to Percy yet that this is essentially Wyver marriage. ]

[baguablade]

[ Cain too notices the pairs with their hands clasped, others with their arms draped around each other even more affectionately. His brows raise as it becomes apparent these shows of affection are the rule rather than the exception; marriage doesn't occur to him, not after how the announcement of Wyver's ruler's own pact had been explained, more political and strategic than anything else. Still, there's some merit to Percival's words. Enough, at least, that Cain's willing to consider caution.

It wouldn't be the first time they've found themselves with something only half-explained to them about this world. Cain doubts it'll be the last. ]

Maybe so, but what reason would they have to lie about this? [ He takes a step closer to Percival to move out of the way of a pair too engrossed in each other to notice him in their path. And then it just doesn't seem worth moving away when there's another pair wandering by them, more and more frequently as they near the altar. ] I doubt their own king would be willing to subject himself to it if it was dangerous.

[tzaraisen]

You're right. He does seem like a practical man, if nothing else. I've heard throughout the city that his advisor gains physical strength from the pact, while King Shanrian himself gains intelligence.

[ They have finally made themselves to the altar, and it isn't until they've almost stepped before the shaman that Percival realizes there's something strangely familiar about this setup. Before becoming immediately accusatory or implying anything, however, he just... looks at the last couple to trickle out of the temple. ]

Are you sure this isn't limited to... couples?

[ Instead, he's just going to imply that they aren't the targeted audience at all, and this probably wouldn't work!! ]

[baguablade]

[ The more and more he sees of the people visiting the altar, the more Cain has his own doubts about the whole thing. Not enough to douse his curiosity, but... it does seem a bit strange. There's a definite pattern emerging among the other people here, and he and Percival are outliers.

Aren't they?

He mulls that over, but there's one thing that sticks out, a point that he offers to Percival, tone a bit distracted. ]

They gave us the necklaces, didn't they? That means they judged us suitable for it.

[ Cain doesn't know what the criteria for suitability were, but regardless, they still met those criteria.]

[tzaraisen]

Under what criteria? I wonder...

[ He has a point, although why they were apparently deemed suitable for it, paired with the current observations, still isn't apparent. So, truly, he wonders. It's probably because such an agreement seemed, as Cain said, strategic.

But it means he wants to get this over with. This setting is too... ceremonial. It makes this seem like a commitment, when this could easily be broken after a month, couldn't it? ]

Let us be quick about it.

[ And so, he promptly removes his necklace, handing it over to the shaman. ]

[baguablade]

[ Cain's not quite as quick handing over his own necklace, but since Percival's committed, he's not going to leave the esteemed Lord of Flames waiting. He's still a bit preoccupied, puzzling over what qualified them for this in the first place, but even with the ritualistic trappings, he's not too worried. He'd asked, and the pact isn't permanent if it's not wanted to be; whatever downfalls it might have, they should be only temporary.

He shakes off his preoccupation, pulling off the necklace and handing it over. But he can't quite resist teasing Percival, even with the solemn setting. ]

And here I didn't realize you were so eager.

[ A quick wink, and he holds out his hand at the priest's gesture — he'd watched, seen the pair before him clasp hands over the altar, and he assumes that's all part of the ritual.

He hadn't seen when they kissed; the shaman, helpfully, will be happy to inform them both in a moment. ]

1/2

[tzaraisen]

An enhancement to our abilities simply for making a temporary pact? Of course I'm eager.

[ Maybe he should have given their selection more consideration. In his mind, it makes sense that couples would naturally benefit from this, given that a significant other was a natural choice for partner in something like this.

But the two weren't mutually exclusive, right...

He then grows quiet, appropriate enough for the solemn nature of the ritual. The way in which this is conducted makes Percival things it's more serious than he initially thought, but he isn't the type to back out of a commitment, so he says nothing.

That is, until the shaman finishes his verse and looks at them both expectantly, calmly explaining that they may initiate the pact now.

A kiss would suffice, but they are welcome to solidify their connection further if they wanted to. ]

[tzaraisen]

[ Just. This face. That's all I got. ]

?

[baguablade]

[ Cain's not any less surprised by the news — a kiss? Is this really something suitable to be done by comrades? He's no longer so sure — but he recovers much more quickly than Percival, only a flicker of shock before he lets out a soft bark of laughter.

It's obvious that Percival's not going to be any use here. After a minute of questioning the shaman while Percival just stands there, staring, it becomes immediately clear that this really is the only way to seal the pact.

Ah well, in for a rupee...

Cain turns to Percival with a wide, shit-eating grin. ]

As I recall, you were the one who asked me to make this pact with you... The Lord of Flames isn't going to leave me abandoned at the altar, is he?

[ Cain wouldn't actually blame Percival for wanting to back out now that things are a bit more clear, but... the thought of it, him, a common soldier from Idelva, marrying the fabled Lord of Flames, prince of Wales... It's too funny. It's all Cain can do to keep from laughing outright. ]

[tzaraisen]

[ Not only is he having to face the reality of what sort of action solidifies the pact, but Cain says "altar", and it all comes crumbling down. Though he's paid very close attention to the words of the ceremony, it doesn't dawn on him until now that the language is oddly and uncomfortably reminiscent of a matrimony. ]

I-- [ He actually almost stutters, catching himself before he loses his composure any further. He turns to the shaman. ]

This is still a temporary arrangement, is it not?! [ It just seems very... not. The shaman frowns, evidently annoyed by the number of outsiders that have been doing this for convenience, but nods.

He turns to Cain now, raising his chin slightly and looking gravely serious. ]

What's so funny?

[baguablade]

Nothing, nothing!

[ Cain flaps his hand, waving away his mirth. Well, trying to. He doesn't do a very good job of it, the laughter only seconds away from bubbling up to the surface and spilling over. But he chokes it down; that would only get Percival mad, and the last thing they need is an argument here in a sacred space.

He's seen enough of how that turns out around the shrines of primal beasts that he can set aside his teasing. At least for the moment.

Mostly. ]

I won't hold it against you if you leave me heartbroken. [ With a wink, Cain grabs Percival by the elbow and tugs him a step closer to the altar. ] So shall we?

[tzaraisen]

I... didn't know that this was the condition for exchanging the use of our powers.

[ Percival isn't sure if he's bothered more by Cain's amusement over the matter, because it's now apparent why they were chosen, or because he can't back out now without feeling like a fool. He crosses his arms, not yet budging. ]

I won't back down over such a trivial matter, but you have to take this seriously. [ Even if he's struggling himself, right now. Why do they always end up in these situations? ]

[baguablade]

[ Oh. This isn't at all what Cain expected. He'd thought Percival would bluster, outraged by the mistake. Not... this. This stern, solemn determination. How Percival's taking it so seriously, approaching this with the same unflinching resolve that Percival does his duties as a prince and a knight, helping people, leading them, saving lives. Like this matters. Like...

Cain can feel his cheeks heating and hopes the blush doesn't show in the temple's dim light.

His voice softens when he responds, the levity leaving him. When he's faced with Percival's resolve, it feels much less like a great joke and far more like they really are making some sort of— promise. A vow. ]

I am. [ He tips his head up, almost a challenge as he looks Percival square in the eyes. ] I will. I wouldn't enter a pact like this lightly.

[ Even, he knows, if it seems like he would. But what he's saying is the truth. If he didn't trust Percival, he never would have agreed to this in the first place. ]

[tzaraisen]

[ What he was hoping to accomplish was to feel like less of a fool. Of course, now that he's here, he refuses to go through with this with anything less than steadfast determination, because the pros still outweighed the cons. At least, that's what he tells himself at this moment. They've come too far for them to leave at the last minute because Percival hadn't gotten all of the necessary information.

What he wasn't expecting is for Cain's demeanor to change so suddenly. Cain becomes softer, yet more stern all the same, and if Percival notices the color on his face he's certainly not going to bring it up. The way the other man meets his eye, makes the fighting spirit in him more clear than ever before. This man, he believed, was a captain of Idelva.

His lips curl into a small smile, and offers Cain his hand so that they may finally move closer to the altar. ]

Good. Then we will be partners. [ Now feeling much more confident about the decision to move forward, he takes a deep breath and continues, just as solemn as before. It's much easier to do this when he thinks about it in terms of a promise to help one another. ]

I will vow to protect you, to extend you my strength whenever it is needed, and to lend you the power of flame, to whatever extent is possible.

[baguablade]

[ Cain stares at Percival's outstretched hand for a long moment — too long a moment, truth be told. Now it's his turn to contemplate turning tail and fleeing right out of the temple entirely. All of this is suddenly too serious, too heavy a weight. Too much like true regard.

Like affection, and the last thing Cain wants is for anyone to be getting attached.

But faced with Percival's solemn vow, the smile on his face, the look of regard in Percival's eyes — Cain finds his breath catching in his throat, his chest tight, like he can't breathe, and yet he can't find it in himself to want to disappoint that steadfast resolve.

Slow, like he's moving through something viscous rather than the still air of the temple, Cain puts his hand in Percival's. Percival's skin is warm; it always is, some quirk of his natural fire magic, maybe, and yet Cain's suddenly unable to ignore it, memories of all the other times he's felt the warmth of Percival's skin rising up unbidden.

He swallows, and his voice is only a little thick when he makes himself answer Percival's promise. ]

And in return, I vow to hold you as my— [ the slighest pause as Cain forces himself through his hesitation, what it means for him to be saying this, letting someone draw so close to him ] —partner. To lend to you what strength I have, mind and body, and the power of the earth, however I can.

[tzaraisen]

[ Percival is at least perceptive enough that he considers that the change in Cain's demeanor may not be completely positive. He has grown more serious, yes, but there's also a hint of hesitation in his voice that makes Percival concerned that he might feel pressured into continuing.

He has to trust that Cain will only do whatever he desires to do of his own free will. He notes the way that Cain's hand is also considerably warmer than before, much warmer than it should be for standing at the top of a snow capped mountain.

Perhaps he's nervous. It's right to be nervous, going into unknown territory like this.

The return of the other's promise touches him more profoundly than he thought it would. Hearing Cain speak so plainly, honestly, and with dutiful words is something he's never gotten the chance to experience.

Percival does not need to be protected. There are times in which he still thinks most tasks are more efficiently accomplished alone.

But right now, he wants to believe that he really does have a partner— someone to wholly trust in.

It's a nice thought, at least. ]

If you're absolutely sure, then...

[ He wants to give Cain one last change to not go through with it, the implication being that he wouldn't be angry if he did. ]

[baguablade]

I'm sure.

[ Softly spoken, only barely above a whisper — only for Percival to hear, something between them and no one else. It feels appropriate, if Cain must be laid vulnerable like this, that at least no one else sees it. (Nevermind the shaman, who looks like he's fallen asleep standing up waiting for them. At least he can't hear this part, and that's the best they can get in the way of privacy.)

He closes his hand on Percival's, giving it a squeeze, and this time, steps closer to Percival (and the altar) with a smile, small and warm and open. Genuine.

He is sure. He's choosing to trust Percival this far, and he won't let himself regret this. ]

I promise you that, and that my vow will hold true.

[tzaraisen]

[ He's seen Cain smile plenty of times. Sometimes, it seems as though smiling is all the man is capable of doing. But never like this, without a hint of teasing behind those eyes. It makes color rise to Percival's cheeks as he laces their fingers together.

This is definitely the behavior of a couple. There's no denying that. But he's not going to draw attention to it, because he decides that he likes seeing this side of Cain, if even for a few seconds. ]

I will also uphold my promise, of course.

[ He says, less sternly than before, because this feels less like an alliance pact and more like...

Before he can overthink this too much, Percival takes that last step forward, brushes his free hand along Cain's cheek, and leans down so that their lips meet: a soft, slight, hesitating touch, at first. His heart beats steadily in his ears. ]

[baguablade]

[ It feels not like an alliance pact at all, and the intimacy of it, Percival's soft voice, the warmth of Percival's fingers laced with his, the soft brush of Percival's sword-calloused fingers to his cheek — it's almost too much. Too much gentleness, too much affection, too much care. (Just how badly will it hurt, when something happens to him? How much pain will he cause Percival, when they've known each other for so little time and they're already so caught up in each other?) It's almost enough to make Cain jerk away, put distance between them, change his mind before it's too late for them both—

He freezes, all he can do to keep himself from pulling away, and by then it doesn't matter.

Then, Percival's kissing him, a soft brush of lips, and suddenly, it's easy. So, so easy to lean into that warm touch, to press his mouth to Percival's. He feels the heat of Percival's breath on his lips before he seals their mouths together, throwing himself into the kiss, no chance to let himself hesitate again. Not now, he won't return Percival's sincerity with such unworthiness. All Cain allows himself to do is go up on the balls of his feet, heels just lifting from the ground as he fists a hand in Percival's shirt for balance, kissing and kissing him until he's dizzy with the flush of arousal running through him and the shortness of his breath. ]

[tzaraisen]

[ Percival is trying to not think about the implications of such vows, and the sealing of the pact, finding it much easier to simply follow his instinct. It rarely led him astray, and right now, he's finding himself in one of those moments of rare true peace.

Cain's kiss is a rush of warmth that makes his breath hitch in his throat. This isn't the first time they've done this, but it is the first time that he shares affection completely of his own accord, with the walls he's carefully crafted around himself momentarily lowered.

It affects him more than he thought it would, the feeling of such a connection making him linger for longer than he intended. He's grateful that Cain doesn't pull away, saving him from the embarrassment of having made himself vulnerable and subsequently made to feel foolish. He expresses the gratitude with a gentle caress of his thumb against Cain's temple.

Just as he's about to pull himself back, he feels the stirring of something more come between them, and it makes Percival tense in surprise. More than the affection between them, his senses pick up on something else, too. It's as if he's holding the other man close in a serene grass field. He can practically catch the scent of fresh earth upon his nose, the feeling of soft green grass at his feet.

And more than that-- as he draws closer and brushes his tongue thoughtfully along Cain's lower lip-- a surge of new, foreign power fills him. ]

[baguablade]

[ He feels hot— heated, but not the flame of arousal. Well, not only that, warmth running through him, turning to a lick of flame over his skin that doesn't burn. It should hurt, fire running across his skin, but it's only a pleasant warmth, the harsh scent of soot that somehow doesn't sting, only comforts. ]

Oh. [ A soft exhale, half instinct and half purpose that has Cain opening his mouth to Percival's touch of tongue.

And once open, another kiss is all Cain can think about, dragging Percival back against him, licking into Percival's mouth — letting Percival kiss him as deeply as he likes. Everything is bright with fire, Percival an open flame, and Cain feels incandescent — and burning with far more than just the sudden influx of Percival's power, awash with a feeling of weightlessness. Freedom, for a fleeting moment, from his regret and the purposeful distance he's kept between himself and everyone around him.

He wants this, a selfish, small desire, having Percival against him, having Percival's regard and Percival wanting him, too. In that heady burn of flame, for once, Cain's too lost to shove that ember of desire down and smother it. ]