#fyremagic

[vcnefiica]

❛ i shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that. ❜ ( from kaeya for jean ! )

she'd been going over paperwork, the load considerably lessened but there are still requests she can get to. and like lisa had told her an hour prior that she needed to take a break. none of the requests needed immediate attention. rising from her chair, she shuffles the papers before setting them to the side. maybe a break is exactly what she needed.

moving from her desk over to the book case nearby, she moves up the two steps before allowing her fingers to caress the spines with a hum. grabbing a familiar one from the shelf, a smile curls across her features, knowing the story, it's one she's ready once a week. choosing something new would ideal but she likes the suspense of it all, the battles and the romance in the heat of it. as always, she gets far too much into the story that she isn't aware of anything outside of those pages.

that sixth sense that most swordsman developed after years of training has jean reacting before she has a chance to think about. the book is snapped closed, immediately used as a weapon before her wrist is caught and she's staring up at her calvary captain. oh. he must've knocked and jean had been too distracted. eyes widened, a sheepish smile flashing across her features, ❝ ━ kaeya, i apologize ! you started me...❞ though, maybe her reaction was a little unorthodox. everything that happened in the city after the last few months though, well maybe it's to be warranted. ❝ ━ i don't see any reports in your hands...did you need time off? or was it something else? ❞

excuse her kaeya. | @fyremagic

[aequitaes]

✧ sender and receiver are snowed in overnight together. ( ayato & thoma 🙂‍↕️)

↳ for thoma, from ayato (but make it a storm!)

𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄, low and heavy, the sound carrying through the halls as rain lashed against the tiled roofs. Wind bent the trees nearly double in the gardens beyond, water pooling faster than the stone paths could carry it away. Thoma watched it from the veranda for a moment longer than necessary, arms folded loosely as another flash of lightning split the sky. Well, at least I won’t have to water the plants tomorrow, he thought, the corner of his mouth twitching despite himself.

The next strike came closer. The house trembled faintly in response, wooden beams groaning as if protesting the storm’s persistence. Thoma straightened at once, already running through a mental checklist. He hoped, sincerely, that no one had been caught outside in weather like this. Inazuma storms were never gentle, and this one felt particularly ill tempered.

❝ It looks like we may need to rearrange your schedule, my lord, ❞ he said as he turned back toward Kamisato Ayato, concern edging his otherwise calm tone. ❝ The conditions out there are… less than welcoming. ❞ He rested his hands on his hips for a moment, thoughtful, gaze flicking briefly toward the darkened windows before returning to him.

The candles lining the room flickered as another rumble echoed overhead. With the storm having knocked out the nearby power sources, the estate was lit only by their soft glow, shadows dancing along the walls. Thoma noted the creeping chill almost immediately. Large houses lost warmth quickly when the weather turned, and this one was no exception.

He stepped closer, the candlelight catching the easy warmth of his smile, the soft glow tracing the familiar lines of his expression and the loose strands of hair that had escaped his tie. ❝ Would you like me to fetch anything for you? ❞ he asked gently, voice lowered out of instinct, as though the storm might somehow overhear. One hand lifted in a small, thoughtful gesture, already considering the practicalities as his eyes flicked briefly toward the darkened windows before returning to Ayato. And he remained there a heartbeat longer, attentive and unhurried, ready to move the moment his lord so much as nodded.

[captivemuses]

"you're   distracting   me,   you   know." ( illuga @ flins ... )

›       TENSION   LINER   PROMPTS     

"Oh, am I now? I would have thought the Young Master's ability to stay focused would be stronger than one simply examining your earring." As if he hasn't seen Illuga's earring countless times before, Flins playing with it with his gloved fingers is merely for fun and because distracting Illuga was fun.

[aequitaes]

slipping inside with ease like wind through the window. pale & soundless like a wraith. eyes alight with a kind of want that'd keep him awake for not one but a hundred more nights to come. he finds the object of his affections fast asleep—or so he appears to be—his back to the door. it is the want that crawls under the covers & holds him from behind, its cold nose buried in his warm nape.

now, it would finally be a good night.

( @ thoma from his very normal & ever-composed waka 🙂)

𝐓𝐇𝐄  𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓  𝐀𝐈𝐑  𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃  𝐈𝐍  𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇  𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍  𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒,  cold  enough  to  stir  the  faintest  reaction  —  a  twitch  of  his  nose,  a  breath  drawn  a  little  deeper.  Still,  Thoma  slept  on,  wrapped  in  blankets  and  habit,  cocooned  in  the  kind  of  peace  that  came  only  when  the  world  felt  held  at  bay.  Most  nights  were  like  this.  Tonight,  at  first,  was  no  different.

Until  the  space  beside  him  shifted.

Not  enough  to  startle  him  awake  outright  —  just  a  dip,  a  careful  displacement  of  warmth,  as  though  the  bed  itself  had  learned  to  make  room.  His  body  registered  it  before  his  mind  did.

The  scent  came  first.  He’d  recognise  it  anywhere.  Familiar,  unmistakable.  He’d  wondered  before  whether  it  lingered  because  of  proximity  —  because  he  was  so  often  at  Ayato’s  side  —  or  whether  it  had  rooted  itself  deeper,  bound  to  memory.  There  were  stalls  in  the  city  whose  incense  made  him  pause  mid-step,  moments  where  a  passing  aroma  alone  was  enough  to  conjure  the  man  unbidden.

Then  came  the  warmth.  Close.  Pressed  in  behind  him.

Thoma’s  eyes  fluttered  open,  relief  following  swiftly  at  the  knowledge  that  he  couldn’t  be  seen.  Ayato  had  never  stayed  the  night  —  not  like  this.  There  had  been  evenings  where  sleep  claimed  him  on  Thoma’s  shoulder,  moments  stolen  in  quiet  corners,  and  Thoma  had  held  himself  perfectly  still  for  as  long  as  it  took,  minutes  or  hours,  just  so  Ayato  could  rest  without  interruption.

But  this…  this  was  different.

❝  M—my  Lord? ❞ The  first  word  never  quite  made  it  past  his  lips.  The  second  emerged  as  little  more  than  breath.

He  swallowed,  heart  stuttering  as  instinct  took  over  —  too  easily,  too  naturally.  His  hand  lifted,  coming  to  rest  atop  Ayato’s,  thumb  brushing  once  in  a  small,  unconscious  gesture  of  comfort.  Only  then  did  he  become  aware  of  how  fast  his  pulse  had  grown,  how  loud  it  seemed  in  the  hush  between  them.  A  flash  of  panic  followed  —  the  fear  that  Ayato  might  hear  it,  might  pull  away.

He  closed  his  eyes,  willing  himself  still,  as  though  quiet  alone  could  preserve  the  moment.

Close.  Warmer  than  the  blankets.  Real  in  a  way  Thoma  had  never  allowed  himself  to  dwell  on  for  long.  And  as  he  lay  there,  breathing  slowly,  heart  gradually  easing  back  into  rhythm,  Thoma  realised  —  with  a  gentleness  that  surprised  him  —  that  for  once,  he  did  not  wish  the  moment  to  pass.

If  this  was  how  the  night  chose  to  hold  them,  then  he  would  not  resist  it.

[vcnefiica]

❝ what are you doing— come inside before you catch a cold. ❞ ( from lyney to cynder ? )

it had been some time since cynder had come across lyney. originally from snezhnaya, the fae had settled in fontaine after travelling for a little while. they had been friends once upon a time but had lost contact for years, so imagine cynder seeing him again. there truly was no way that the redhead would ever forget such a beauty, or that impish smile. as someone so used to nature, it always feels sort of weird when he ventures into big cities. still, to see an old buddy? that was a plus. it rains so much in this city, cynder attributes it to some being controlling the weather. who knew he would be correct. regardless, fingers comb red strands from his face. ❝ ━ and to think you were such a tiny thing when i came across you last. you grew a few inches since then. how have you and your sister been ? ❞ / @fyremagic

[vcnefiica]

❛ i told you, you don’t have to deal with this pain on your own. we’re in this together now, remember ? ❜ ( from ayato for ayaka ! )

ayaka had dealt with a lot on her own -- ayato had his own duties and own burdens that she didn't want to burden him with her own. he was already the head of their clan, why should he then have to also take on the mental load of her getting sick. she felt like he truly had a lot going on, and she could handle things herself. as a little sister, and part of the clan, ayaka just wanted to do her part so he never had to worry about her. but maybe that's what being a sibling was. always worrying, always checking in.

and unfortunately for her, he'd caught her on tail end of exhaustion that she couldn't keep pushing to the side. thoma had already cleaned up the tea she'd spilled but she felt a little embarrassed that she'd been too out of sorts to hold it herself. even now, ayaka feels flushed, her hands trembling as she rubs at her sternum. ❝ ━ i don't normally get this sick. thought i could work through it. i'm sorry for worrying you, brother. ❞

his cool hand at her forehead makes her realize just how that fever she'd ignored had probably heightened. closing her eyes, she sighs, leaning into his hand, a cough rattling in her chest, ❝ ━i'll rest for the day, then come morning, i'll see about th--❞ he makes a short noise, as though disagreeing with her and she stares up at him. ah, guess he doesn't agree. the expression he wears nearly makes her smile, he looks like mother, ❝ ━ i'll rest until i'm better....❞ / @fyremagic

[glaciescustodia]

Sentence Starters. // Accepting.

@fyremagic - ''what's bothering you ? maybe i can help.'' ( from ayato for paimon! )

No matter how much the people around a certain someone's Estate, admitted that she wasn't overstepping her welcome, with studying materials to boot, Paimon kinda felt bad about using this place like somekind of classroom.

On the other end, it was raining too much outside to even concentrate or find a good sheltering spot. Raindrops tends to go in all sort of directions sooo...

''Hm?'', now that is a voice in rarity, considering how little of a chance it is to cross eyes with Ayato over Ayaka. ''Oh, hi!'', the pixie had the courtesy to greet before shifting galaxy-hued irises to the stack of books and papers onto wooden table, ''oh uh, Paimon can move if you need the table'', where tea is usually serves or the Kamisato tends to paperwork.

Wait- bothering?

''No, no. I was just in the zone'', hoping he'd catch on what she meant by that. But then again, if Ayato is offering readily & does not have important businesses...

''Hmm, are you any good with weather phenomenons?'', Paimon would lift the small booklet in her grasp, full of notes that made it seem there is Akademiya scholar in the Yashiro's Headquarters and not an adventuring companion to Lumine.

''That centers around lightning'', she adds in.

She is most definitely working on something that needs refinement.

[vcnefiica]

❛ you’re only asking questions about me, why don’t you tell me a little more about yourself ? ❜ ( from lyney for navia ! )

Navia had seen plenty of Lyney's performances, and had seen him and his sister around but she was always so busy with Spina di Rosula things that they hadn't really had any chance to get to know one another. Café Lutece was a lovely place for an icebreaker and truly, Lyney was such a charming individual that it's wonderful that they'd gotten a chance to sit and chat. To be fair, she hadn't meant to bombard him with questions, but her curiosity had gotten the best of her.

❝ ━ Me? Oh, I'm afraid no one is as interesting as you, ❞ She teases, teeth flashing in a cheeky smile. ❝ ━ I've always been somewhat of a free spirit, honestly. Climbing buildings, causing a little trouble, wanting to help others. I adore theatre, though I've only ever watched, I think most of Fontaine has had enough of my dramatics on the streets and in my investigations. ❞ Its something pleasant, no real regrets, for the people she lost would not have died thinking she would continue moving forward. Her heart aches thinking of their absence, but how can she be sad when Fontaine was still standing, theatre was still going strong and she...she was still here, surrounded by people who could still smile.

Which reminded her of something and she lights up, cerulean gaze alight with delight, ❝ ━ You must come over some time so I can treat you ! I make macaroons of all time but other things as well. I don't quite make coffee as well as this place, but I'm sure your talent can more than make up for it, hm ?❞ / @fyremagic