RMH
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Jules of Nature
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Claire Keane
@theartofmadeline
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
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Janaina Medeiros
oozey mess
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tannertan36
I'd rather be in outer space 🛸
titsay
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@silverinthedark
Ask -- Mistletoe! || k3y2myh34rt
@k3y2myh34rt
)○( ║ "Mm?" came Riku's small hum when Sora called it out, following where he was pointing to a spot where the branch of white berries and leaves hung above them. It was deliberate in the way it was tied to the archway they passed under on their quiet walk through the snow-dusted Yoyogi Park. He recognized the item among many of the things he had to quickly get acquainted with as the holiday had practically exploded inside every building, shop, and display he saw in the city.
He could practically hear the echo of Yae-san's teachings as she told him about the December holidays and some of it's particular traditions. Kissing under mistletoe was one of them.
Did Sora know that? Was that why he indicated such?
The thought brought slight warmth that bloomed across his cheeks, though it was mostly hidden by the tinge of pink the cold weather had already given them.
"Yes, looks to be mistletoe," he replies with a note of amusement, though his gaze softens when they return to meet Sora's. "Are you familiar with it?"
Familiar with what it means? Familiar with a wish of Riku's it could grant?
Has yet to be trapped under mistletoe. This needs to be remedied.
"Hey 'Ku, could you help me hang this? I can’t reach."
)○( ║ Riku didn't know much of the festive holiday and it's traditions, but was happy to help Sora in his plan surprise to his roommates to have their apartment "decked out" before they arrived home from their work shifts. Riku was tasked to add the hooks and strings to any ornaments that needed them; a challenge his large hands brought when it came to some of the smaller and more delicate objects. Sora took the finished ones to place on the tall artificial conifer tree that was placed in the corner of the room.
Despite the lack of height, the brunet made every effort to reach the places he couldn't. Standing on tip-toe, little short hops here and there, but no jumping less he disturb the neighbors on the floor below them. Each attempt to reach higher branches had the hem of Sora's shirt rising with it, showing off glimpses of skin that Riku couldn't take his eyes off of once they started appearing. The small breaths and growls of struggle the other made didn't help at all with the unintentional teasing either.
At Sora's request for help, warm palms placed themselves on either side of Sora's hips within a second, as if Riku had materialized into existence directly behind him rather than taking the few steps. Hands squeezed firmly as Riku effortlessly lifted the brunet off the floor to be at level with the space he was attempting to decorate.
Despite the grip, the length of his nails barely grazed Sora's waist as fingertips pressed against warm skin under the hem of his shirt.
"This high enough?" Riku murmurs softly, a slight purr within his words. He could have easily taken and placed the ornament for Sora since he was almost as tall as the tree himself...
But where was the fun in that?
Was he serious? He stared for a few more minutes. Oh gosh... he was.
"It's ... a type of bird. White... cute, but an absolute ass-- okay, you're not an ass. Not always-- nevermind."
)○( ║ Yes, Riku waited patiently for an answer that he didn't expect, but he has seen that incredulous look on Sora's face before, which makes his own silver brows furrow.
What kind of bird was this if it was a 'cute ass'? Was it annoying? Was Sora calling him annoying for not knowing? Or cute? Which was it?
"Ah... Uhm... this bird must really be something then. I've never seen one. There aren't any where I'm from." Maybe some similarities could be found between this bird and other flying creatures he knew of, but that was some research for later.
In spite of the unprompted name-calling, Riku takes the other bag of large marshmallows and easily tears it open with a claw-like nail, spearing it and stuffing it into his mouth.
If wanting larger marshmallows made him a 'silly goose' then he's gonna be one for tonight.
Sora watched quietly, noting Riku's actions while settled in his seat. He did arch a brow upon seeing the bags. Honestly, the sight nearly made him crack a joke, but he held his tongue; waiting for Riku to give a little more detail on the situation.
Ah... just what he thought. Riku needed an explanation... he was a bit of an oddball like that, but Sora didn't complain. He's reacted similarly after he woke up here.
"You use the small ones, silly goose," he teased, leaning forward with a fanged smirk as he reached for the bag with the smaller marshmallows and shook it.
)○( ║ "Silly goose..." he repeats, watching Sora select his marshmallows. 'Silly' meant humorous, that much he could understand from his somewhat naivety of marshmallow knowledge. Skies, Yae-san probably thought him incredibly silly the first few months of getting to know her and other customs of the land.
"What is a 'goose'?" he asks, blinking at Sora with a tilt of his head.
that's the worst snowman i have ever seen.
"In my defense, I've never grown up with snow, only sandy beaches."
That said, it also didn't mean that he could build a good sand castle either, but she doesn't need to know that.
WINTER-THEMED PROMPTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON * random assortment of holiday and winter themed lines that i came up with on the spot, adjust as necessary
this is just like that hallmark movie we watched.
can you stop quoting that horrible hallmark movie?
i am never watching a movie with you again.
come kiss me under the mistletoe.
i didn't realize it was going to be this cold. maybe i should go grab my jacket.
how do you plan on celebrating the new year?
have you ever made a snow angel?
well, don't you look festive!
i already bought your present this year.
could you help me hang this? i can't reach.
maybe we should turn the lights down low.
i'm really not a fan of the colder months.
i might need your help this year.
will you stay up with me to watch the ball drop?
that's not how we celebrate where i'm from.
i'll teach you all the family traditions.
we're getting everyone together for a big dinner!
how much time did you take off from work?
you sound congested. are you coming down with something?
that's the worst snowman i have ever seen.
i'm making hot cocoa. you want one?
i think we just lost power.
oh no. you are not getting me sick.
that's the ugliest sweater i have ever seen.
there's nothing to celebrate.
your singing is atrocious.
make that your new year's resolution.
come sit with me? it's nice and warm over here.
how does the song go? the weather outside is frightful...
the holidays were never very happy for me.
can we just plan for a night in? just the two of us?
i don't do well at parties.
are you expecting a white christmas this year?
behavior like that will put you on santa's naughty list.
if you put on another hallmark christmas movie, i will scream.
this is the season for giving, you know.
i could use some help scraping all this snow off my car.
the last time we went out for a walk in weather like this, you pushed me into a snowbank.
i still haven't forgiven you for hitting me in the head with a snowball.
it's supposed to get even colder tonight.
want to snuggle up by the fire with me?
this holiday means a lot to me.
i'd love to celebrate with you this year.
don't worry. i'll make all the food.
i'm having company over tonight.
your hands are freezing! let me warm them up.
i prefer sinatra's christmas songs, personally.
do you celebrate anything this time of year?
did your family have any holiday traditions growing up?
do you put up a real tree or a fake one?
we're going to my favorite chinese restaurant. it's basically tradition at this point.
i guess this means we're snowed in.
we should share a bed. you know. for warmth.
if you start getting cold, you could come sit by me.
personally, i understand where scrooge is coming from.
what's your favorite movie to watch this time of year?
we're going to cook one of my favorite meals.
the house smells incredible.
what are you doing new year's eve?
would you celebrate it? with me?
if the polar express showed up at your doorstep, would you hop on?
it's starting to snow.
while i finish this up, would you light the fire?
tell me about your holiday traditions.
is this colder than you're used to?
you didn't have to get me anything.
i thought we weren't exchanging gifts this year.
think i spotted some mistletoe in the hallway back there.
@silverinthedark
"Yeah man, I'm down for some hot cocoa!"
)○( ║ He's already pulled another mug from the cabinet despite his ask, but felt it better safe than sorry for assuming. He gives the hot confection a few more stirs in it's pot before pouring ample amounts for each of them. He hands Sora one mug and sets his own on a coaster upon the low table before retreating back to the kitchen to grab one, or rather two more items.
"I've also purchased some marshmallows," he adds, setting the unopened bags on the table before taking a seat next to Sora. One bag held large-sized marshmallows, the other the smaller mini-ones. He wasn't quite sure which was traditionally used for cocoa, but was only advised to get some anyways.
"I'm not sure which is 'better'..." Riku ponders. The large ones were easier to grab, but wouldn't quite fit in the mugs very well, meanwhile the smaller would, but so many little pieces...
Rainy watched Riku, in that subtle way she just learned over her time tending the bar, as he took the refill slower this time. She nodded at his answers, a simple and short gesture. "People don't start trickling in until... well we got maybe a half hour max," she says as she glanced at the clock on the wall right across from the bar. "Let me tell the cook and I'll scrounge that mic for you so you can set up and sound test when you finish that glass of water. Yeah?" The question was mainly rhetorical, as Rainy flitted over to the window to yell a quick "Oi, Tony, music's food is under the name Riku!" back into the kitchen before she disappeared into a small closet next to the stage. Rainy came back out a few minutes later with a slightly more beaten up mic, stand, and gaff taped output cord. She doesn't wait for Riku's help, already setting the stand and mic up to the speaker set up as if she'd done this more than once. Rainy turned to Riku, holding a roll of gaff tape in her hand that was hanging off of her wrist towards the drifter. "Here, in case you wanna tape down anything."
♫║: A half-hour wasn't a whole lot for setup and a sound-test, but with how swiftly and practiced Rainy moved to get the mic, stand, and remaining cords on the stage, it all might be possible. He takes another gulp of water and retrieves the roll of tape from her.
"Thanks again," he says as he heads to the stage to continue the rest of the setup. His backpack gets tucked into a corner before he begins to adjust both microphones closer towards his face and the sound hole of his guitar while briefly seated on the lone bar stool. The tape was handy in quickly replacing the previous strip of duct tape he had on the instrument's body.
The next few minutes was spent performing soundcheck, and luckily using the settings left by the last performer were good enough to work with, sans a tweak or two to make his meager guitar sound a little better than it being found in a back-alley dumpster.
He had just managed to lower some of the echo on the vocals when the first customers started rolling in, which meant he didn't have too much time for any thorough warm-ups.
Or to do much with his appearance, he realized as he caught his reflection in a polished surface. Shit. He finger combs some hair back into a low ponytail and ties it back with the rubber band he happened to find on the stage floor. It'd be a pain in the ass to get out later, but it was better than nothing.
Selena pauses to observe her friend for a moment. While the guardian doesn't doubt that he'd downplay events, her brows furrow in concern for her friend.
"I see..." She responds before Riku brings up Fang. Selena glances between him and the fiery wolf, realizing the same.
No, we haven't. I am Fang. The wolf's silvery voice rings clear in Selena's and his mind, beating the guardian before she could speak up.
Umbra and I are considered the closest thing to what you call a 'familiar', and it's good to see that someone's finally made a human friend. The wolf glances at her, a teasing glint in her golden eyes causing Selena to sigh exasperatedly.
"Yes, yes..." The guardian responds, not without a small smile twitching at her lips, "Should we get out of the cold? The base isn't too far from here."
A small frown darkens his features upon hearing the voice within his head. His hand comes up to cradle his head instinctively, but finds no pain or heavy shadow trying to cloud or overtake him with those words. They were just that, just a simple greeting.
"Good to meet you Fang. I'm sure I won't be the only human friend she has," he replies, giving a shake of his head and letting his hand return to his side. His features relax briefly before a shiver runs through him, arms folding across his chest to rub his biceps.
"Yeah, getting out of the cold would be good. Wanna lead the way, Sel?"
“The Jungle.” That much was obvious wasn’t it? They were practically surrounded by trees and foliage and unless this guy got hit with a piece of fruit on the way over then Mowgli figured that maybe the other got too much sun. Who really knew with some animals given their various lifestyles within the vast jungle itself?
The boy listened, taking in the other cat’s features, which were unlike anything he’d seen. Riku was a cat like Bagheera, but their colors were opposite. Strange. As for the cat’s other question, that could also be explained simply. “I ran away,” Mowgli answered, crossing his arms stubbornly. “Because friends of mine want me to go somewhere, but I don’t want to go. It’s to the Man-village.”
Mowgli was initially internally hesitant to reveal the last few words but decided to anyway for context. However, if Riku was sent by Bagheera and Baloo to return him, the boy could easily take off again.
“If you’re not from this part of the jungle, then where are you from?” Now it was the child’s turn to ask questions and gain some answers. He’d heard of all of the animals back when he lived with the pack, recognized all of their marks and calls. Riku’s patterns and coat were a new sight to him. “Are you with a pack or are you by yourself?” Call the boy curious about the cat’s origins.
@silverinthedark
The Jungle. Right. That... that makes complete, obvious sense to be the name of this home for it's inhabitants. He really should have seen that answer coming.
As for this 'Man-Village' he could only assume that it had 'a man' or people in it? Riku couldn't be sure, nor did he want to meddle in affairs that weren't his own just yet.
"I'm from..." His the end of his long tail flicked and curled slightly as he thought, or rather tried to remember what he had learned about the animal form he took. "I'm from somewhere a lot farther away. High in the mountains where it's much colder, with a lot of snow." As for a pack..." He thinks of Mickey and the other Wielders of Light.
"I'm part of one, but I'm here by myself. I left to look for my friend," Riku admits this truth, round ears dropping slightly. With his current snow leopard form and this world, who knows what Sora's would have taken, or what Sora even looked like as a lion cub.
But he wasn't just here for Sora. The Darkness had infiltrated this world and it was his duty as a Keyblade Master to set things right.
"Do you know how long the Heartless, er, 'bander-logs' have been in the jungle?" He asks, his ears rising to attention as he refocused. "They don't belong here, and it won't be safe until I find where they came from and get rid of them."
Riku returning was a welcomed distraction as he reached out for the towel that was offered to him. Although Shadow was not drenched to high-heaven like Riku was, there was a few spots he chose to whipe at with the cloth -- mostly his face and forehead. He scrubbed at his face, ears remaining perked as he listened intently.
With a hum, he dried ooff his snout, his large eyes looking up at Riku while he made his way into his kitchen. The hedgehog pondered for a moment as he placed the towel around his shouldrs and peeked into the fridge.
Truthfully, he didn't need to eat all tht much. A strange condition of his that he's had since uncovered from the meteor. However, it had been a long time since he last ate, and he couldn't help but lick his lips at the thought of consuming meat. However, the last suggestion mad him respond instantly with a light flush of his cheeks, "Ah, no, you don't need to do that. I-- fish and rice will do."
He gave a curt nod as he tugged at the fabric resting upon his shoulders. Riku didn't need to get wet again for his sake.
)○( ║ Riku makes a small hum in acknowledgment as he begins to prepare the meal for them, also making a mental note to ask the other being's preferences later for the next time Riku was to go grocery shopping again.
Soft, clipped taps of a kitchen knife against a cutting board mixed with the soft bubbling of the rice cooker as Riku prepared thick fillets of fish. The pouring rain just outside the short back patio still maintained a level of comfortable white noise in the background. A short pause in movements as he scrutinizes the labels of seasonings before settling on the ones he'd use, giving a sniff to them after opening their lids just to be sure of his decision.
A savory aroma followed in the few minutes after the seasoned fish were placed within the small grill that pulled out from under the stove top where a pot was heating the water for a batch of miso soup. The scents spread with the rest of the warmth that radiated from the small kitchen.
It wasn't much longer until the fish was plated and placed on the low table in the small living area alongside steaming bowls of rice, soup, and set of cutlery for each of them. Riku pulled out an extra pillow for Shadow to seat himself on before maneuvering to sit and pretzel his legs in a way to sit on his own pillow, the tops of his knees peeking over the edge of the small table. Normally, Riku would eat standing when on his own because of such an awkward fit to sit in his own apartment, but his neighbor's stern lessons on "manners" came first.
"Itadakimasu," he utters to himself briefly with palms pressed together after they both are seated. He takes up the set of chopsticks in his hand over the fork and spoon next to it. "Have however much you like Shadow. There's more rice and soup as well," he adds.
Silly Sora was oblivious to Riku's staring-- well, for the most part. Upon downing the last remnants of his shake, his blue eyes flicked upward to catch the endearing look Riku was giving him, making him gulp loudly with a shudder. However, he couldn't help but raise a brow as a puzzled look crossed his features. One that eventually became more concentrated as he heard the faint buzzing again...
Then a laugh caught his attention. A grating one he knew all too well, and with an exasperated sigh, he tossed a quick glance to see none other than Rika, chilling with her girl friends as she held her phone out. Most likely snapping pictures of he and Riku or... recording. That thought alone made his hair bristle as a faint little growl rumbled from his throat.
The brunette spun around, crossing arms over his chest as he quickly slipped out of his seat. Deftly grabbing his empty cup while holding his hand outstretched for the other, "Well, I'm pretty much finished, so if you're up for a lil' sight seeing right now, I'll take ya!"
)○( ║ The laughter at the other table didn't break his attention as much as the growl in Sora's throat, it's low pitch a clear warning in his ears. His gaze flicked over to the source of the other's ire, noting the lens within a colorfully adorned cellphone case aimed in their direction. Eavesdropping was one thing, but the desire to film and capture other people's interactions without their say was such a blatant invasion of privacy that continued to crawl under Riku's skin. It irritated him more so today with their interruptions of his time with Sora.
Before a single note of a growl could sound in his own throat, there was a hand extended to him after Sora stood, breaking his view of the girls.
Right, sight seeing... He could use a better view than this restaurant.
He nods, moving to slide out of the booth and soon hears the chatter of the group increase slightly as he rises to his full height. One hand retrieves his own empty milkshake cup as the other accepts Sora's warm hand in his own, earning a collective hush from the girls as they both head to the front register. Riku's card is already in the cashier's hand and completing the payment for their drinks before Sora could act.
"Where would you like to take me first?" he asks, the soft smile in his gaze remaining even after his face mask is pulled up again.
