#starryskied

[kinships]

Everyone can tell that Yan Xue was nervous, it was hard to hide when her tail flicked back and forth as she paced. She was ignoring the Doctors advice to rest, and waiting where she knew those returning from missions would be at after a debrief. She really didn’t understand why she was so anxious about it, Kal’tsit had given cryptic answers to her questions, bluntly telling her once that it was a crush. Yan Xue didn’t really believe her, but she had no other experience to go off of…

Her thoughts were broken when she heard the doors open, operators walk through, she remained on the side saying hello to those she recognize (and some who gave her knowing smiles), some offering some concern for the few bandages she had been sporting from her own missions. When all was said and done, she had been searching for that head of dark hair, and when she saw it. “Lumen!” She says, ears and tail perked up, rushing towards the tall Aegir and almost leaping into his arms.

She hugs him tightly, burying her face into his chest, tail wagging happily behind her. “Welcome home, you’re not hurt, are you?”

@starryskied

[dcviated]

"Don't eat the Christmas decorations what the heck!! Stoppit!!" Batting at the other operators trying to undo her work around the landship!!

[crimsontroupe]

What is it that drives him? Mere curiosity? Or a deep-seated dissonance of unfathomable origin? The sea calls his name. The sea calls him back 'home'. But the Aegir can never return to that place. Where seafoam and tidal plumes mix with countless blues and murky greens. Lumen grows unsettled by his fixation of the sea, and he quickly took a step back --- golden-brown optics catching the faintest glimpse of an unfamiliar face. An outsider in Iberia? Curious and curiouser. How did they evade detection by the Penal Battalion and patrolling Inquisitors? He's left to ponder the question in utter silence, his gaze asking the silent question that his mouth could not. Why are you here? "You're an outsider, aren't you? A-Ah... sorry. I... I didn't mean to say it in that manner. Do be careful " Jordi warns, the softness of his voice nearly lost to the gale. @starryskied

"You could say that." Diamont is not surprised that he has been found, but rather by the odd reaction. Every single person in this town is an oddity, and the more he stares at the sea the more confused he gets. There are things here people just refuse to talk about, there are things and questions he asks that have seen him shut away from establishments. So he sought the shore, sought anybody who would be willing to answer.

The oversized cloak does a good job of hiding Dia's features. His presence here an undesired side effect of a flawed teleportation spell. But he is not annoyed. On the contrary, his curiosity seems to only be picked more. "What do I need to be careful about?" Better to talk to a person who seems to know their way around and is not immediately rejecting his presence. "Is it something to do with the sea? Nobody seems to be interested in giving me any answers. It is frustrating." He seems sincere about his annoyance and frustration about the lack of information, at least.

[studentshaul]

Stares at Lumen.

Sttaaarrrreeeeeee

[burdenedreverence]

'i thought it might bring clarity or instill a sense of accomplishment. but all i feel is regret.' ( Lumen to Hayden )

Hayden leans against the ramparts, his eyes focused on the war torn scenery ahead of them. His soul has been turbulent as of late, a momentary weakness which has now passed. He has mediated upon the cloudless nights and considered his purpose, reevaluated his actions, and found his pride once more.

"When men get their first state of war and conflict, they can only react in a few ways. Some find a great vigor on the battlefield, with each enemy slain it propels them to further heights. Others find themselves wholly incapable, reduced to sniveling children upon the first gunshot."

His words carry neither malice nor praise in them. Instead he shifts so that his weight is now rested upon his forearms, a low rumble leaving the soldier-scholar's throat.

"What you feel is natural, and good. It is just, and right, that you should have thought you would find these things. Many young people though the same. And now that you have seen the bodies of men, twisted and burned, you regret ever having stepped foot on it's field."

His head turns to look at Lumen. He's a handsome young man, his hands looked unblemished by conflict. He looks educated, the college type. If such a thing exists here. He shouldn't be here with Hayden, in the trenches, experiencing the mundane brutality of war. The banality of evil, is what he heard it called before.

His emerald eyes focused upon Lumen's own irises, as if he is trying to gaze into his soul. Or at least seize his focus to such that his next words are etched into Lumen, so that in his most private moments he reflects on them.

"Make amends with your regret, move past it. Or abandon the cause if you cannot. Otherwise, you will suffer in all your waking moments."

He shifts his gaze towards the scenery below them, towards the dead being recovered and the wounded being tended.

"I have paid that price, Lumen. It's cost is higher than all the wealth of the world. But I would pay it, a million times over. For there is good, and there is evil, and evil must be fought at all costs."

@starryskied

[kinships]

"...Lumen what would you do if I wore something like Miss Yato?"

[kinships]

@starryskied con't this ehehe

You would be an utter fool to place your trust, and especially your heart with that Aegir…

Someone had told her that, once, back when her feelings were a mere fraction of what they were now for Lumen. She never regretted her choice of lover, not once, not ever. How many times has he proven himself above what they all think of Aegir? How many times has he tended to their wounds, listened to their thoughts or helped with anything on the Landship?

The thought of people still fearing the Aegir angers her.

Still, seeing him step back from her causes her to move forward, into the space between them. The Lung reaches out and grabs his wrist, golden bangle shining in the dim light of the sun through the window. She refuses to let him slide back into fear, to retreat from her because he was scared he’d hurt her in some way.

“No.”

Her answer is firm, refusing to avert her gaze, staring into his face with a look of determination.

“I don’t fear you, I never have nor will I.” She says, grip tightening, not letting go. She fears if she does, he’d run away from her…and if he did that, she feared he would leave her, break her heart to save her later if he ever became the monster in her nightmares.

"Jordi Fontanarossa...I will tell you, no matter how much you think otherwise, that I'll never fear you. I'll stay by your side in the face of the people who say you can't be trusted. I'll prove them wrong."

[kinships]

"So you're the operator going with me on this scouting mission!!" SHe sounds way too excited for that.

@starryskied