Even when the starry sky dissolves at dawn

[brightlyshines]

WHO: Literally anyone and everyone
WHERE: The Town
WHEN: May 3rd, evening
WHAT: The town's regained both some aspects of evening and a starry night sky. Stargazing is clearly in order.
WARNINGS: All that good pure cute, probably.

The town is just a little bit different today. Color has returned to some objects, even phenomenon, and it has left others. Slowly but surely, things are changing.

In some cases, very big things are changing.

Maybe someone looks out a window, maybe they're out late in the evening. At around 6pm, the sky takes on it's normal hue, just for a moment. And later, as darkness falls....

The stars blink into existence, one by one.

Comments

[brightlyshines]

[Estelle had happened to step outside to get some firewood to bring in, when the evening sky caught her eye.

Color. The dusky colors of the setting sun, just for a moment, and after yelling for her housemates, she's enthralled enough to stick around, making herself comfortable on the grass near their makeshift chicken pen. The disappointment when it fades is keenly felt.... enough that she lingers outside in hopes it'll return.

Then the stars start to come out, and her delight turns to quiet awe.]

Somehow... the sight of stars is even more beautiful, after missing them for so long.

[passio]

[ dextera has never seen nighttime before. the sky in the outer world is red all the time, day or night—there's an eternal, horrible timelessness to the world in which he lived before he came to this one.

he's seen the sunset by now thanks to guren's hasty intervention, but the stars are new. exciting. when they've crossed the entire sky, he's staring desperately up into the dark, open night. the stars are reflected in his wide eyes—all the more when tears start to brim, glazing his gaze until they start to drip down his cheeks.

pay no mind to the silent weirdo standing in the middle of bluo crying at the vision of stars. it's fine. ]

I know we have like 100 threads but here's another

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Now, why is Mr. I'd-Never-Set-Foot-In-Bluo-After-Almost-Being-Drowned doing here? Facing his fears at ass at night? That seemed unlikely. Rather, he may have made a point to avoid the water, but it made a great place to sit by and watch the stars. The reflective surface didn't have color, but it was still nice to see the difference between the colorless reflection and the very pretty night sky. He missed this.

Of course, when he catches Dextera shifting in the darkness (which is far less dark to a nocturnal creature like him), he's absolutely going to say hi! Well, until he notices the tears, anyway. There's some hesitation, but he finally goes to approach Dextera once he worked up what little nerve he had. ]

O-oi... Are you okay, signore?

give me all the lion dad threads

[passio]

—!

[ dextera inhales wetly, as if awoken from a trance by caramia's voice. he rubs his sleeves across his face, hastily dismissing the tears that have formed, but the problem is that they don't stop falling. it's just... incredible. exciting, to see the stars out.

when was the last time he saw those? had he ever?

he nods, taking a quick breath and sighing it out to look composed, but the fact is that he's still crying. ]

[messianic]

[It's fine. Honestly, after seeing nothing but bleak, greyish sky (and slightly darker greyish sky at night) for so long, even for Minato it's refreshing to finally see the stars again.

But he remembers what Dextera said about the ocean and the water, and he wonders if the stars, too, are something he's just never seen before.

(What kind of a place does Dextera even come from...?)

Quietly, Minato walks over, and looks up as well, and really he doesn't want to interrupt--so he just casually tucks his hands back into his pockets, and very gently nudges Dex's shoulder.

He's here, in other words--but there's no need to break the quiet or this spell.]

[messianic]

It really is beautiful.

[Minato lingers too, stuck as he is staring outside like this--because it's really been such a long time since he's seen anything like this.

But... it's somehow so peaceful, in its own sort of way.

And he's grateful for that.]

It really does feel like we're doing something...important here, like this. Doesn't it?

[doublecrowss]

[ Tonight, people walking across their district of choice - Flavo? Bluo? Doesn't matter, anywhere is fair game. - may stumble upon... a blanket burrito. Yes, a very inconspicuous blanket burrito, pressed up against the wall of an empty house.

Upon closer inspection, one may notice light brown hair spilling out from the velvety safety of the blanket, and a pair of coppery eyes gazing up at the starry sky. The once hot beverage in the cup resting beside him is now lukewarm at best, an indication he's been sitting here for a while - or wandering about, looking for a nice spot where he wouldn't be bothered. Akechi is used to his alone time, used to getting lost in thoughts in then sorting through them like documents in a file cabinet, but given the hectic nature of this place and no cozy cafes where he can relax and be himself, the opportunity hasn't presented itself until now.

It's funny, though; he was never much for stargazing, himself. Maybe because he can't remember the stars ever being so bright back in Tokyo... ]

[theshowsover]

[Most people have taken to the streets to look at the stars, but Akira has found an alternative.

After all, what better place to see the stars than the roof?

He's seated up there, feet dangling off the edge as he leans back and looks up at the stars. He probably got up here using a roof access door or a fire ladder, so he can be followed up - of course, those particularly skilled at scaling buildings might get to him faster.

He seems pretty happy up there, all things considered. When he sees someone below that he knows, he smiles and waves.]

[brightlyshines]

You know.... now that you say it like that.... It does kind of feel that way.

[Estelle doesn't glance up at Minato, so focused on the sight of the sky, but she recognizes his voice and a smile comes to her lips.]

I mean, if those requests and everything else are to be believed, we're doing something to change this place with our actions. And there's something kind of amazing about human beings possibly affecting the sky like this.

[theshowsover]

Having fun?

[Akira is looking down at him from the top of a boathouse roof - what is he even doing up there, anyway? Not that it matters - it only takes him a moment to swing down and land in front of Akechi, as soundless as he can be given the drops he makes.]

You look comfy.

[doublecrowss]

[ Well. So much for his peace and quiet. ]

Good evening, Kurusu-kun. [ The plastic smile is there as always, though he may be gently admonishing his newly arrived companion-- if he's going to interrupt, the least he could do is show some manners! ] It seems we have all been greeted with a pleasant surprise tonight, so I decided to enjoy it while I have the chance. Even back in Tokyo, such a clear, starry sky is a very rare sight.

[ And he was enjoying it just fine, until some piece of trash literally dropped by! Huff! ]

Were you on your way somewhere? Or is climbing roofs part of your new training regimen?

[messianic]

I think so too.

[Being able to change the sky, to bring color back... it's amazing. Almost miraculous, really.]

It seems too good to be true, that we were able to do that just by completing some tasks, but...

I'm glad for it.

I can't believe we've never threaded and bonus we have the same manga-ka

[totheno1]

Young man, are you alright?

[When you don't know a person's history, seeing someone cry in the night can imply many things. Kei isn't exactly the kindest person around, but he is trying to be more empathetic towards others. OR at least help out others since they need everyone's help to succeed.]

[nascere]

[ he's totally paying attention to the silent weirdo standing in the middle of bluo who's crying, and noctis is totally alarmed by it. it's why he's crossing over to him, brows knitted in concern. spot makes a soft querying 'kweh' in response, and follows. ]

Hey.

[ he says by way of greeting, coming up beside him and wishing he has tissues or something. but no, he's empty-handed save for his chocobo, who's already nudging at dex's shoulder. ]

[queenofminiskirts]

[Roof access doors and fire ladders are for people who can't fly. Since Akira already knows she has powers there is no reason for Kaoru not to just float herself up to the roof when she spots him.]

Looks like you've found the spot with the best view! [And she's not planning on asking for permission to join him before she just sits herself on the roof.] It's really something, isn't it?

[You don't get stars like this in Tokyo and it was even more striking given that there was nothing before.]

[nascere]

[ Stars.

So many stars in the night sky now, and Noctis cannot help but look up at it, right there in a cozy spot he'd found in Bluo, having set up a comfortable little fire and settling right by it He's resting on Spot, his jet-black, dozing chocobo, and he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to move.

The constellations are not familiar to him, but it doesn't matter -- it makes this place less lonely, less bleak, the pinpricks of light representing a glimmer of hope, however far-flung. Shifting when he senses a presence, he murmurs a soft: ]

Hey.

[passio]

[ dextera comes from a pretty rough place, minato. don't worry about it.

when minato approaches with that gentle nudge, dextera seems to come alive again, breathing through his nose and blinking out of his apparent trance. he's fine. he's great, actually, even if his chest feels tight with a nameless emotion. ]

...

[ there's nothing to say, but he nods anyway, acknowledging minato's presence. ]

[unfatalist]

[So, stars are pretty great and all, but you know what else is amazing that's also back? Books.

And small wonder that Ignis, being the gigantic nerd that he is, has immediately set about gathering up as many of the books as he can find, intent on perusing them to see what they might hold. It's a minor disappointment when there proves to be very little of actual historical or probative value to any of them, but the funny thing about fairy tales is, they're short and sweet and a catchy read, so it isn't long before Ignis's skimming turns to reading, and pretty soon he's engrossed.

Enough so, in fact, that he's still outside when the sky flashes to blue at 6 PM, which is curious enough of an oddity that it leads him to switch on his portable flashlight, intent on staying out a little longer —

And he didn't know it was coming, but he's not disappointed when it does.

Stars. Unfamiliar stars, laid out in patterns that don't look much of anything like home, but stars nevertheless.

It's enough to make him leave his current book of fairy tales open in his lap, momentarily forgotten, as he leans back into his hands and tips his head back to regard the sky overhead, searching for shapes and figures in the arrangement of the specks of light laid out on the canvas of the heavens.]

[unfatalist]

Rather thought I might find you out here.

[It's simple math, really. Where there are stars, there is likewise likely to be a Noct. So it's been since they were children and sneaking out of the Citadel together, so it still is now in this strange little semi-colorless town in the middle of nowhere, so far away from the demands of destiny.]

Have you spotted the archer and the anak yet?

i've been thinking the SAME THING

[passio]

[ dextera's crying in the night is not especially new, but this time it's for a good reason instead of a terrible one. it's hard to tell that, though, when he can't speak and has trouble indicating his wants when he's emotional.

still, after jolting slightly at being addressed, dextera is quick to wipe his face off and nod. ]

...!

[ but... who is this? he's not sure they've ever encountered each other before. ]

[passio]

[ spot always knows just what to say...

dextera recognizes the sound of the bird and noctis' soft voice before he's actually approached, so it's easier for him to be calm when the chocobo nudges at his shoulder. with one hand, he wipes across his eyes, and the other touches spot's beak as he turns around to face noctis. ]

...

[ he nods, in greeting. ]

[nascere]

[ There's no doubt in his mind that Ignis will find him -- it's only a matter of time, and even then he's made it at impressive speed. Noctis gives him a lopsided grin as he shifts, making space on Spot for him to simply stretch himself out and look up at the sky, just like him.

Where there is a Noctis, it seems, there will always be an Ignis.

His hands are loosely clasped on his sternum, and he seems to be halfway between admiring and dozing, smiling as he points to a particular cluster of them. ]

Sorta. Look, there's the archer and a really weird-sized anak. Probably been starved for a few weeks.

[unfatalist]

The archer seems to be losing his touch, as well. His form is terrible.

[He doesn't hesitate to settle into place at Noct's side when it's offered, lowering himself down and finding a patch of Spot's feathers that are comfortable enough to recline against. Soon enough, his own finger joins Noct's in the air, tracing out implied lines and thoughtful patterns of his own.]

But why confine ourselves to the ones we recall from home? Let's pick out something of our own; it'll be a memory to keep hereafter.

[nascere]

[ Spot settles in when Ignis does, curling to rest around them. Noctis looks more pleased than he ever has, especially at his proximity and the way Ignis is getting into it, too -- this is what they've shared together ever since they'd been children. All the many times Ignis had taken the fall for him, when Noctis begged him so that they could sneak out, and oh, Ignis could never say no.

His gaze follows his finger, and he grins lazily. Creating names of their own, making memories? Yeah, count him in. ]

What about that one? It looks kind of like you on your violin.

[heartsteals]

So that's where you went.

[ he also could have jumped on Akechi's head from up on a building, but he's on the ground for now. It's not terribly uncommon for Lupin to take nighttime strolls - his sleeping schedule is inconsistent, to put it kindly - but they're much nicer with some stars to look at during. Coming across his roommate is pure coincidence. And it feels like a bit of a rare occurence, too: he doesn't think he's ever seen him looking so... cuddled up. Usually, he seems like he's doing his best to act mature. ]

All on your own a night like this? I thought a face like yours would have charmed a girl or two by now.