thenearshore | 015 | Sky Full Of Stars

Entry tags:

015 | Sky Full Of Stars

Who: Everyone!
What: Tanabata Festival
When: All day July 5
Where: The Near Shore
Summary: The Heavens are throwing a party and you're invited!

Edit: OVERFLOW is here!

With Tanabata drawing close, the Heavens have decided that there is nothing wrong with a little celebration for the annual occasion. So they have invited everyone on the Far Shore as well as a large number of people from the Near Shore to attend a festival for Tanabata. Tanabata festivals are not uncommon in this area, so the Near Shore residents are none the wiser, though some of them are a little uncertain about where this street they've never heard of popped up from...

Tanabata is a festival held to celebrate the one time a year that the lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet across the vast expanse of the Milky Way. Many birds have been working their tail feathers off to create a bridge for the two lovebirds and that bridge - perhaps unsurprisingly - touches down on this street, in the middle of the festival.

The Heavens have prepared entertainment, food stalls, and as many tanzaku as might be needed for everyone to write down wishes, along with plenty of bamboo stalks to hang the wishes from.

New arrivals will find themselves ushered to the festival and offered traditional clothing after their normal briefing at the Meeting Hall.

Stalls

There are festival stalls of every kind present, all run by shinki dressed in white robes and bearing the golden chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. Many of them seem a little bruised still, but they are happy to smile for anyone who comes to the stall they are running. There is food, games, and drinks available of all kinds, so feel free to roam around to your heart's content sampling everything that you can.

Performance

A large stage has been erected at one end of the festival street. The Heavens know that there are many talented gods and shinki present, so they are more than willing to clear spots in the scheduling for those people to perform. Anytime a Far Shore resident isn't on stage, there are plenty of Near Shore acts to go on, ranging the gambit from traditional music and instruments all the way to a rock band that has somehow found themselves here for the celebration.

Wishes

NOTE:

The Bridge

with

In Summary:

Enjoy the festival
Watch some quality entertainment
Make and/or answer wishes
Meet Orihime
Traverse the bridge
Have fun~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's. Something on the tip of his tongue to ask if she's really a lady, but he doesn't.

Even so, he gives her a nod of thanks, taking a takoyaki.]

I am. [He shakes his head.] No, they're not. I never asked her to make me one.

[ Taking one herself before closing the lid on the container, she holds it there for a moment before popping the bit of food in her mouth. Ah, still a bit hot; she exhales a few times before finally downing it. ]

I wasn't going to ask myself, but I felt odd wearing normal clothes to a festival.

[ And the outfit she arrived in, the one that she had suspicions concerning its origins. The fact that it matched his, and the reluctance he had before tearing a bit of it to help her...

(A uniform, perhaps? Or something important.)

Regardless, it felt odd wearing it here. Her hand grabbing at the cuff of her sleeve, she smiled somewhat happily.

Something like this, it made her feel more at home here. ]

I've seen people on the Near Shore wearing something like this during festivals.

[ But that wasn't what he called her here for, was it? Taking a few steps past him, she cast a look at the redhead from over her shoulder. ]

Walk with me?

[ They can walk and chat at the same time. It was a good way to keep up certain appearances—to not be overheard. ]

You don't have any casual wear?

[Lavi eats his own takoyaki, thoughtful. He's never been one to wear yukatas; there was something about it that reminded him of something so he decides it was best to steer clear of it.

But he chuckles.]

It's traditional clothing to wear those during festivals, so not surprising.

[A simple nod of agreement as they walk towards the bridge. He's quiet, finishing the takoyaki and looking thoughtful in a way that seems almost usual for him, but at the same time, isn't.]

[ Ahaha, so it was obvious? Her smile looks more like a grimace, and she quickly looks ahead, shoulders suddenly set quite stiff. ]

I have... some. We're just on a bit of a budget is all.

[ aka her partner is stingy and she hates spending money on herself. She can get by with a few dresses, max. Even if it does hurt her on the most fundamental level (ugh, why did so many shops have to show off such nice outfits in their windows...).

But he was quick to change the subject and, waiting to hear his footfalls on the bridge, she slows down, her left hand trailing over the railing. ]

I suppose not, but it's nice. Feeling like I'm somehow a part of something. Even something as simple as this.

[ The clothes. The festival.

Being able to speak without all the tenseness and discomfort they had before. It was strange, that; the moment she stepped onto the bridge itself, things felt lighter. Maybe it was the air of the festival going to her head. ]

[ And reaching near the middle of the bridge, the blond shinki stops. Her hand rested on the railing, she looked out toward the horizon. The sky was thankfully clear; Lady Orihime and Sir Hikoboshi would be able to meet again.

It was a good night for many of them, full of food and fun and memories to last what felt like several lifetimes. But for him to keep to himself like that—for him to call her out, when he could have, should have been with his goddess...

It was a complicated smile. Not quite knowing, but at the same time understanding that this was important. The fact that he called her here, to the bridge, a place where people came together, where understandings were forged. ]

But I'm not sure that was what you wanted to talk about.

[ Lavi, what were you..? ]

A budget?

[It. Seems odd considering how much prayers they seem to go on, but that's not his business.]

Something as simple as this, huh?

[He trails off, not quite echoing her, but Lavi feels some kind of....

Relief? No, not quite. Fondness isn't right either, but there's a reason why he's called Lux out and he might as well just tell her now.]

I've decided to speak to Allen.

[The choice he's made, the distance has helped.

Now, all that's left is to talk to their currently shared god.]

[ Okay but look, she is perfectly fine spending the money on other people. Giving gifts, for example, give her joy. Clothes... well okay, they might make her happy too, but it feels a bit shallow admitting that. She just wants to look nice.

Her smile might have just turned a little forced just now at that. Just a little.

#thestruggle

But hearing him repeat her words brings her back, she blinks once, twice, beginning to turn— ]

[ "I've decided to speak to Allen."

She stops in mid-turn, her eyes wide in disbelief. He was...

After everything that happened, the inner turmoil that she saw from him, and the state that they were both in when Lavi returned them to the church. Knowing that he had gone Nora, even when his heart and his mind were so confused. That he didn't know how to feel.

After all of that—

She turned to him then, looking up at the other shinki as if she hardly knew how to react. She didn't. And maybe that was why... ]

Edited 2017-04-18 03:00 (UTC)

[ Her head lowered, she stood there for a moment in silence before beginning to raise her hand. ]

...

[ One light punch, with her right hand, into his bicep. ]

That one is for him, because I know he won't do it himself, and you've been a right ass about this whole thing.

[ And a second, this one a little harder, although not by much, before she finally looks up, a sad-happy sort of bittersweet smile on her face. Something so very caught, but at the same time just as relieved. ]

And this one is for me, because you're impossible. Seriously! You're the worst! Making a girl sit on the edge of her seat for so long...

I deserve that.

[But in a way, it. Makes him smile.

Genuine, but not completely better. It won't be better until he can talk to Allen at first, but. Well, Lux has been there from the beginning, and she knows what's been going on, so he doesn't fault her at all for punching him.

(He's punched Allen much harder, anyway)

He dips his head forward though, making it almost seem as if their foreheads are touching. They're not, but the sentiment is still there. He's sorry for taking so long with this, for making both of them wait as he comes to make up a decision.]

Sorry about that, though. I've just finally made up my mind on everything.

[ You're damn right you deserve it! Not that she would say that ~~verbally~~ ~~to his face~~, of course.

But regardless of that, she looks genuinely happy, ready to say something else until—

Head tipped downward, his forehead hovering over hers, Lux's eyes open wide as she looks up at him. Because something like this, it's such a far cry from how he has acted around her before that it nearly floors her. Her chin tipped upward, meeting his gaze, her shoulders squared and somewhat tense... ]

[ Before all of that seems to melt away, her posture easing as what tension remained melts away. An almost peaceful smile spreading over her lips, she closes her eyes, head bowing just so.

Even if their foreheads don't quite meet, the sudden connection—emotional, not physical—was unmistakable, and that much she was thankful for. For the peace of mind; to know that he had finally managed to at least somewhat figure out how he felt.

And that was enough, even if he was still confused; he could be for all she knew. Standing there in silence for a moment, she hesitated to break that, but curiosity would win the battle here. ]

I imagine you're going to ask him to release you, then? What will you do after that?

[ What was your plan, Lavi, and how could she help? ]

[Now, here's the worrisome part.

Lavi's eye flickers with an emotion he can't quite describe but:]

I'm not going to ask him to release me.

[He respects Lux enough to be honest with her, and he pulls away.

There's. Something interesting on his face as if he looks torn between telling her and asking her. Both of them had been through this...thing since the beginning, so it was only right to tell her.]

In other words, would you be alright with me remaining a nora for Allen?

[ That was why he called her here, was it not? To keep her in the know, to make sure that she was aware so that, should it come to it, she could deal with the aftermath. The complicated and heavy smiles, the saying it's fine when in reality...

In reality, it would be far less tense, but still sad regardless. But, in the end, perhaps it was for the best.

Painful in the short term, but in the long term-- ]

Edited 2017-04-18 14:42 (UTC)

[ But his words aren't at all what she expects, and for a fleeting moment she wonders if she might have imagined it. If she had only dreamed that he would proclaim such desires to fight at the other man's side unabashedly yet in a way that was also so flickery and earnest.

Her eyes opening then, she looks absolutely struck. Because Lavi, that was–after everything they had said to one another, the mutual fear that they both drown in... And not only that, but the fact that he seemed insistent to ask her approval, like he needed it, sought it before moving forward.

It's breathless, the wind completely knocked from her. Because to say all of that, despite everything, she had to ask: ]

Lavi, are you sure about this?

[ Breathless, but so very hopeful. ]

[It was perhaps because of everything that has happened, of what they've been through together that has helped Lavi in making this decision. If it was just Allen, then Lavi wouldn't make this choice. But at the same time, they needed that middle person.

Someone they both can talk to.

We keep each other's secrets, right?

Both of them have drowned in his dream, pulled into that ocean of dark ink that seems to cling onto Lavi even now, but he--

He won't let this stop him.]

I'm sure.

[ Never tell her that, Lavi; her heart might not be able to take it. Because the thought of being the catalyst that made this happen, that helped the two of them connect, it might just be a little too much for her.

"We keep each other's secrets, right?"

And now more than ever, he was her—

No, responsibility wasn't quite the right word. It made it seem like somehow she was above him in this weird hierarchy that wasn't a hierarchy at all. She can't see it like that—won't see it like that.

He was her friend. Someone important. Even if the sentiment might not be mutual (she truthfully wasn't sure), something changed in that moment. Shifted, to a point where he ceased being an acquaintance and was someone she would protect as well.

Her expression hard to read even in the pale light, her countenance shifts, becoming more subdued. Sobered by the steadfast conviction in those two simple words.

"I'm sure."

It's not quite uncertain as much as it is careful, cognizant to the fact that the gesture might not be welcome. Where she might have grabbed for his sleeve before, when they were running about the Near Shore, this time...

A hand extended, not taking his but offering hers to him.

I look forward to fighting by your side, Lavi.

As a comrade, and as a friend. ]

Then tell me what I can do to help you two.

Edited 2017-04-18 19:25 (UTC)

[No, not her responsibility. He isn't anyone's responsibility but his own. It was something he'd argue against but not this time, right? They were each other's confidantes in a way that Lavi can't trust with anyone else.

Not because he can't, but rather because there isn't anyone else who understands as much as Lux does.

Not friend, but not an enemy either.

She was someone he can trust and that was the importance of it all.

He tilts his head when she reaches out her hand - an offer. It takes a split second before he takes her hand, fingers curling around hers in a gentle and comforting hold.

Let's make sure Allen doesn't get himself killed, yeah?

In the end, that person is what connected the two of them together in the first place. If anything, Lavi is grateful to the young god for that. He smiles slightly.]

I'm going to talk to Allen later, so I'm gonna have to ask you not to tell him about this just yet.

[Until after he talks to Allen, at least.]

[ ~~You mean again?~~

Ah, it's a good thing he doesn't leave her hanging for too long, her hopeful little heart probably wouldn't be able to take it. But feeling him clasp her hand, it's like the remaining weight that she carried to their meeting, the fear and unease that sat heavily on her shoulders, melts as if it was never there.

We're in this together.

Just know, Lavi, that plucking the Exorcist out of the fire was a full time job. She'll shoulder this as much as she can, but admittedly, having the extra help, and knowing that this was just the beginning of what was to come...

It's nice.

Giving his hand one quick and firm shake, as if to say "I've got this, she disengages, pulling out a cellphone that is tucked away in her sleeve. Thumbing through–

Take your time and enjoy tonight. I can wait as long as you need.

Sent. She smiles up at him. ]

He is all yours for the evening. And I promise I won't say a word.

[Partners in crime, was it? ~~In the end, where would that leave Link once he realizes?~~

Lavi doesn't expect it to be an easy job when it would come to Allen. From the time he's gotten to know the young god, he's already given the redhead enough heart attacks that might last more than a lifetime in the afterlife. After all, Lux shouldn't be forced to handle it all by herself.

Even if in the end, she might have to prevent both of them from doing something stupid.

He looks a bit surprised, watching her send the text message, and her smiling at him. It gets a soft chuckle to escape.]

Thank you, Lux.

[A brief hesitation (because what is contact) before he reaches out with his other arm, curling around her shoulders and bringing her into a hug.

That's...That's how people do it, right? He's only ever hugged Cardia, but he's always had to be careful not to touch her skin.]

[ ~~Link can be the mom for these dumb kids it's basically canon.~~

Now hopefully Allen would check his phone to get the message. Then again, knowing him, even if he didn't, he would probably end up arriving late. And that would be okay; she meant their meeting to be as much for him as it was for her. A moment of quiet, to exist outside of the mutual need to fight, to protect.

To feel alive in a very different sense; to give him a chance to relax.

And something told her that this would help. Just a hunch.

Hearing him chuckle at her, she beams in mock triumph. ]

Now we can–

[ A brush of something against her shoulders. A curl of an arm much stronger than she was; lanky and somewhat awkward.

Then all at one, she is moving, pulled in like she was weightless. And for a moment in surprise, she might as well be. Because–

A hug, both strong but seemingly uncertain, like he didn't quite know what to do with himself. His arm wrapped tight around her, could he tell how very small she was just then, her head only coming up to his chest; her body tensing at the sudden touch, the sudden proximity. Shoulders high and breath held in her chest like she dares not let it go. Like she too doesn't know what to do with this.

Someone who comes off as so warm, so bright, but when she's pulled in like this–

(Lavi, she still has something in her hand!!)

And if she still had a heartbeat, it would be drumming in her ears, likely deafening. Her mind racing, she tries to remember–what does she usually do in this kind of situation. What would she do if this was– ]

...

[ But this wasn't the same thing. Where her interactions with Allen had been based on pure instinct, moving to a rhythm that was at times terrifying and at others almost liberating, this was... different.

She has no point of reference here, and that...

(...was that the sort of life I led?)

Maybe that's why the three of them were drawn together. It never made sense before, but standing there, caught in a one-armed embrace, it dawned on her. Like lonely satellites drawn in by each other's gravity; and she was a part of it too.

And if that was the sort of life she lived, once that made her so uncertain in moments like this, one that was so deceptively lonely that even basic physical closeness made her panic–

Gingerly, she crouched down, just enough to set the container of takoyaki somewhere. Then slowly standing upright again, she hesitates.

(I don't want that. I don't want that!)

Before putting both arms around the other shinki, still tense, but posture slowly easing, bleeding off her as she leans into him. Clinging after a moment, like she might fall off the world if she doesn't. Lights dancing under the skin of her hands like excited fireflies on a hot summer night.

Because if someone here should be thankful... ]

Don't. It's ok.

[ It's her. ]

Edited 2017-04-19 01:02 (UTC)

[Drawn together, trapped in an orbit none of them really knew about.

She was short. That was one of the first thoughts that came into Lavi's mind, but somehow it felt. Almost familiar? In a way, it made him briefly recall Cardia from when he last hugged her.

But there was a certain kind of warmth that she radiated that immediately drew the redhead's attention to her. Almost like a moth drawn to a flame.

He briefly wondered if he had gone too far.

Neither of them seemed to be particularly physically affectionate people, but--

But she's allowing him to hug her?

Lavi, however, nearly pulls away when he feels her move; did he do something wrong?]

no subject

no subject

no subject

[1/2]

[2/2]

1/2

2/2

[1/3]

[2/3]

[3/3]

no subject

[1/2]

[2/2]

no subject

[1/2]

[2/2]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[1/3] straps in...

[2/3]

[3/3]

1/2