#sburbanlegends

[htsdfferent]

( dean puts a ribbon in chels’ hair as they wrap presents. )

“no, no, no, no. wait, you’re doing it wrong. you gotta -- here, let me help.” arms bracket across his shoulders, as her hands place themselves atop his. ( she briefly feels a memory stir, their positions flipped as he attempted to teach her how to play pool -- a game she already knew how to play. ) chelsea flips the hair from his shoulder with a yank of her head, as her chin rests softly on his newly freed shoulder.

fingers twist gently between his as she guides his hands in the christmas ribbon. “and, put your finger here,” she places his index finger between the ribbon, as she pulls it tight, the bow now placed neatly atop his gift wrapped box. “see !” a bright smile lights up on her features, as she offers him a short glance. a soft kiss is placed against the stubble on his cheek, as she pulls away. “i told you you could do it.” eyes roll softly at the grumbling that falls from his lips, before she’s sitting back in her own chair.

the room is silent for a moment, as she works on her own gift wrapping, before she feels fingers brushing through her hair. eyebrows lift softly. chelsea’s eyes lift from the present in front of her, as she offers dean a glance over her shoulder. “whatcha doing there, bud ?” two large hands place themselves on the sides of her head, as he refocuses her attention on her presents. ‘nothing, mind your own business.’ she doesn’t stop the snort that escapes her at his words, but other than that, she stays quiet.

tape is placed on her wrapping paper, as she feels the final pull of something tying her hair back. ( she doesn’t have to look. she knows it’s the christmas ribbon. the christmas ribbon covered in glitter. the christmas ribbon covered in glitter which is now tied in her hair. ) a huff of breath passes through her nose as she feels him lower himself behind her. his hands place themselves on either sides of her arms against the library table, his chin resting on her shoulder. her brows lift slightly, as she glances towards him, an amused smile toying on her lips. “am i pretty now ?”

/ @sburbanlegends.

[dracomater]

❝ i’m also worried about me, but i somehow seem to be worried about you more. ❞ / from brooke

"I'll be fine," the elf assures her with a soft voice, her hand reaching out to cup the woman's cheek. Gods, the look on Brooke's face could break her. Yet Marin stays strong, resolute. They've come upon tough times before and overcome them – and they shall do it again. And again. However many times it takes.

"Please get some rest. You need it. Orin and I will keep first watch." A finger moves to push a rogue piece of hair from Brooke's face; her tired eyes show such concern. She needs to conserve her energy – they all do – if they plan on heading out at first light.

[dracomater]

❝ it’s been a long time since i shed a tear. i don’t even know how long. ❞ / sage

Green eyes fill with concern at Sage's words. Gods, Marin is sure she can remember the last time she shed a tear. Yesterday, was it? Or perhaps the day before...

No matter, really. A lover, an indulger of the arts, a voice of the muses – shedding a tear or two was not foreign to the bard. In fact, she thought it quite healthy.

How so – can Sage not remember the last time she's shed a tear? Is it by choice? Or perhaps by fear of vulnerability? Oh, poor thing, the elf thinks, when was the last time Sage allowed herself to truly, deeply feel? Words hardly escape a bard such as she, but even Marin can recognize when words might fail. So, she offers her presence, her support, above all else. She is a healer, Marin ponders – when was the last time someone offered to help her? Heal her?

Now is a better time to start than any, she supposes.

"If you want to," Marin gently starts, hands pushing her along the log on which she sits beside Sage; she inches closer to her, "you are safe to shed a tear here."

[essesolum]

@sburbanlegends gets a starter for Sage.

"Lighten up, you." The changeling nudges the woman's arm before reaching into one of her pouches and revealing her flask. She hands it off to her, brows rising – an urge for her to drink. "I don't wanna 'ear one more peep from you about what we 'ave to do tomorrow. Let's focus on tonight."

[spawnhe]

@sburbanlegends gets a starter for Sage.

It's not like him to stay quiet, not quite like him to have nothing to say – but Astarion refrains to speak for a moment, crimson eyes simply observing the woman as she moves about the camp. But one should not be fooled by this silence; he's left far from speechless. No – he had simply taken a few moments to observe her instead. And it appears she's caught onto his stare as she turns to face him.

He's made himself comfortable, leaned back against the pile of pillows he's propped up for himself. "I didn't mean to disturb you from your... chores, darling." Ah. There he goes. Astarion was simply waiting for the right moment. "I was just keeping track of how long you could go without taking a pause. Very impressive, I must say."

[dracomater]

@sburbanlegends gets a starter for Sage.

"Miss..." Marin can hardly contain the emotion threatening to seep from her eyes as she calls out. She has a hand pressed to Orai's leg. The poor thing had been attacked in the middle of the night, protecting her. Powerless and desperate to find some help, Marin throws all caution to the wind when she sees the woman heading up the path towards her. "Please. Can you help us?" It's a last-ditch effort, perhaps in vain. But maybe, just maybe – the gods will show them mercy. The gods will have sent this woman their way for a reason.

[decimatlas]

@sburbanlegends gets a starter from Bruce to Sage.

The boy billionaire looks... a touch out of place, fine fabrics amidst clouds of dust and rubble. The library has seen far better days – hence, why he's taken on fixing it up again in the first place. It was a legacy of sorts, started by his parents and... for lack of better terms, long-neglected after their passing. Until now, of course.

And it's needless to say he isn't doing it alone. No, plenty of people have stepped up to the plate – to bring the Gotham Library back to its glory days. Heading the operation is the strong-willed Sage; Bruce hadn't interacted with her much since the project started, but being on scene at the present finally gives him the opportunity.

She's small in stature, but the air about her commands the room. It seems she hardly notices him enter the establishment, until he's all but beside her. Bruce clears his throat. He isn't good at introductions.

"Have you been here all day?" He opts to get straight to the point instead; the sun was setting outside, but makeshift light sources fill the room. He wonders if she has any sense of the time at all.

[dracomater]

@sburbanlegends gets a starter for Brooke!

The dragon rests its front legs upon her shoulders, its scaly head butting into red locks as it trills into the elf's ear. Marin's fingers lift from the strings of her harp, her lips tugging into a smile as she reaches a hand up to gently pat him atop the head. "There there, Orai," she hums reassuringly, her eyes following the dragon's gaze to the young woman approaching them, "I see her coming."

Orai, still rather small in stature but ever-protective, crawls from the bard's shoulders to the ground in front of her; the dragon's eyes lock onto the approaching stranger, watching her closely as she grows nearer. Marin stands, one of her hands resting on her harp, as the other smooths out her dress.

"Traveling by your lonesome today?" Marin calls out, her voice warm; it is laced with concern rather than suspicion – the latter which many may default to, "Pay no mind to Orai," she gestures to the dragon with her free hand, "she will not harm you unless I am threatened." And there it is – hidden in warmth, a reminder that she is far from vulnerable in this place.