awashlogs | Event Thirteen.

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Event Thirteen.

To love a human face was to discover
The cracks of paint and varnish on the brow;
Soon to distrust all impulses of flesh
That strews its sawdust on the chamber floor,
While at the window peer two crones
Who once were Juliet and Jessica.

t's a regular morning here in the Town. The sun isn't shining at all, snow is falling like crazy, and...there may be the sounds of shouts coming from the well, thoroughly muffled.

Okay, so it's not a regular morning at all, but you'd better go help those people! The newcomers are here again. Of course, once you get to the well, you'll notice that there's actually no real help you can offer -- it's totally frozen over.

As for the newcomers, well... hopefully being suddenly dumped into freezing cold water in the middle of November in a dark, damp well is your idea of a good time, because that's your life now!

And that's not even taking into account the mirrors in everyone's homes that are about to wake up and start chattering...

Welcome to Awash's thirteenth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. Please keep in mind that while this is a general event log, it is also an intro log; be sure to pay plenty of attention to our newcomers!

If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

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[ Nothing broken here—except for maybe her pride. So much for catching him, not that she expected she would need to. But she'll survive; he's the one that fell. Lux winces before opening her eyes and looking up, offering Ryoji a dogged half-smile. ]

It's alright. You really came out of nowhere, I'm just glad I caught you.

[ """Caught""". Lux, he nearly flattened you.

Lux takes his hand gratefully, ready to pull herself up as she feels a gentle tug. She's surprisingly light, even for her size, moving with him with ease. Her eyes open wide as they settle above the water, her smile replaced with a look of quiet wonder. ]

[ It's alright; pride is a pretty robust thing, and it'll grow back.

Ryoji is a lot stronger than he looks, having to hold her up with his own strength, as gravity and the weight of water in her clothes still try to drag her back down. Yet, he's unwavering, tilting his chin up towards the sky that they can finally see, and glances back down towards Lux. ]

It really was just ice, but following your guidance, it was able to melt. Hold on tight, alright? I won't let you fall.

[ This is something he can promise a lot better than his own falling, but he also hardly gives Lux time to process because up they go ]

[ ..................he wouldn't dare. ]

...What—

—!

[ this is retaliation for startling him with her staff, isn't it

Lux scrambles to wrap both arms around him as they lift off, practically clinging to Ryoji with a startled yelp. That wasn't a warning! You're supposed to warn someone before suddenly doing something like this!! She buries her face into his shoulder, her stomach jumping and her heart hammering in her ears. Yep. This is easily the most terrifying (and weirdly exciting?) thing that's ever happened to her.

But please don't drop her? She would like to see the other side of this well while she's still alive. ]

[ As if he would be so petty! ...he might be so petty, but it was not a premeditated retaliation, just Ryoji deciding that the exit is open --> he can fly --> why not fly to the exit?

In his case, whenever he'd wanted to be somewhere, he would just be there- instantaneously, fading in and out of the shadows of the world as if they were all connected. Flying was never a thing he did for fun- such a thought had never crossed his mind- but instead it was just a way of pulling himself out of trouble, or to hover ominously in front of people who need to be told a doomsday story to.

But this is fun, carrying another person with him and squeezing her tight in his arms, listening to her scream and Ryoji laughs in response. Because it's fun, isn't it? An experience most people don't get, for her and for him, and the one thing Ryoji is here in this world for is to gather all those experiences he otherwise wouldn't be able to do.

It's a short ride, though, and he slows when he finally reaches the mouth of the well, the light bright and harsh in comparison to the depths of the well, so he can brush aside the broken shards of ice and step up onto the edge of the well as if they'd done nothing more than climb an invisible step ladder. ]

[ As a woman who feels the need to be in complete control of any situation, flying with someone like this should be terrifying. There are so many potential variables in play, so many things that could go wrong, and having no possible way to prevent any of them from happening is what scares her the most. What if he isn't as strong as he thinks he is? What if his grip on her suddenly gives?

But then he laughs, and her attention is immediately drawn to that sound. Lux forces herself to lift her head to look at him, blinking quickly in surprise. He looks like he's having the time of his life, his mood contagious. She still holds on to him tightly, but there's a clear shift in her countenance as a small, natural smile brightens her features. He even manages to get a brief, quiet giggle out of her.

This is still mildly terrifying, but maybe it was a little fun too. She wouldn't necessarily mind trying it again sometime.

It's a short trip to the top, and as they reach the surface, Lux closes her eyes tightly as they struggled to adjust to the light. The cold air hits, and Lux shivers hard, exhaling a ragged breath as she's quickly reminded that she isn't even remotely dressed for this kind of weather. How is it even colder up here than it is down in the well? ]

[ The wind always tends to make things ten degrees colder than it should have been. If it's something Ryoji can feel, he doesn't show it, looking down at Lux when he feels her shiver, and leaning back a little so he holds her at arm's length instead of right up against himself. He had zero body heat to contribute the entire ride up, but now he's just letting the wind in :( ]

Are you cold? We'd better find you some dry clothes, shouldn't we?

I'm freezing.

[ She tries to laugh it off, her smile stretching into something more like a grimace. She's never been good with cold, despite feeling almost unnaturally warm herself. Ah, if only that helped her at times like this.

As he leans back, Lux turns to look out and get her bearings. The last thing she remembers is making camp in a forest very far from where they stand. She takes a deep breath as her eyes grow wide. She doesn't recognize this place at at... ]

What... What is this? Where are we?

[ Lux lets go of him slowly, arms falling heavily to her side as she stares out at the town. She isn't panicking (yet), but there's a note of concern in her voice. ]

[ Ryoji spins around and gestures widely towards the town, to give it the grand introduction it deserves: ]

Welcome to—-

[ ...did they ever name the town? He recalls a text post running a poll, but that might have still been in progress the last time he was here. But it's whatever, lots of towns have official names as well as nicknames.

It's fine! He raises his arms back into the air. ]

-—CHROMA!!

[ Lux reels back slightly, not expecting all the fanfare. She stares at him, blinking slowly before tilting her head to one side. ]

Chroma?

[ Veiled Woman help her, she's never heard of this place. Is it Ionian? It kind of sounds Ionian. But how did she end up all the way over there?! Did she fall through the center of the world? Maybe that was why she was underground, and the season is wrong and—mumble mumble mumble.

At least he gets her to smile, even if it is very tense looking. ]

I have no idea where that is...

[ This is what she gets for leaving her map in her saddlebag! Ohhhh boy is she suddenly Very Stressed. Also please don't say "right in front of you," sir, or she might be tempted to push you back into the well. ]

Neither do I~

[ That might be the least comforting answer he could give, but there's very little Ryoji can say to assure her otherwise. He doesn't know where this place is on any map, but as far as he knows, this isn't Earth, which is basically the only planet he's watched over before. ]

I'm afraid many things about this town are things people do not know. But that's not something that can be solved by just standing around, so why don't we deliberate over that later, and get you indoors and find you some dry clothes first?

[ Being freezing is a problem that they can solve, and that's more than endlessly speculating about the town. ]

[ He sounds so chipper about it, too...

It isn't comforting at all, especially coming from someone who professes that he's been here before. But Lux knows this tactic, it's one that she's employed herself in times of uncertainty. Redirecting her attention to problem they can solve, something to focus her nervous energy on. She's appreciative of that, even if she won't say it outright. ]

We should find something for you as well. I can't imagine you're much better off yourself.

[ She'll follow him without question, of course, but it would be gauche to not worry about his well-being too. ]

It was cold where I came from, so this doesn't bother me as much as it appears.

[ It's not just the darkness; he's used to the cold too. But that's only because his only real experience with the world at large was Iwatodai during the winter. He has as much experience with warmer weather as he does trying to dry his clothes, wringing some of the water out of his scarf before fluffing it out in the air... but it can't possibly dry with that little effort.

Oh well, doesn't matter. ]

There was a cute boutique just down the way, if I recall. Let's hope it hasn't already been ransacked.

You're going to catch your death out here, dressed like that.

[ Hahahaha. Oh Lux, if only you knew. But even if she did, she would probably still fuss over him regardless. It's her way—worry about others before herself. She watches him wring out his scarf with a worried smile, one that stretches a bit when he mentions ransacking so nonchalantly.

That. Hmm. Nope, she's not going to touch that one right now. Besides, he had her at "cute boutique", so there's no going back now. He's unknowingly appealed to her need to be fashionable. ]

I think I would be happy with anything that's warm and dry. [ Mostly true. ] I'll follow you then, ah... [ A beat, as she tilts her head. ] I'm not sure I caught your name. I'm Lux. Lux Crownguard.

[ Not a problem he has to worry about, so Ryoji just laughs and extends his hand to her. ]

Ryoji Mochizuki. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance~ And it'd be a shame to lose it, so why don't you hold onto my hand? The roads seem to be slippery with ice, and I'd like to do better on my promise not to let either of us fall.

[ Lux looks down at his hand, weighing her options before deciding to take it. Clinging to him earlier was out of necessity, but it's good to keep appearances up. But she doesn't expect his hand to be as ice-cold as it is. Ryoji, are you sure you're all right? ]

Ah, that really isn't necessary...

[ Lux would prefer not to hold his or anyone's hand longer than necessary. It's nothing against him. ]

Not all actions are taken based off what's necessary and what's not. It's something I want to do.

[ He had spent so long only existing as a concept to people, so it's a very special feeling, getting to touch something warm and solid and alive. Let him have this, at least for a little while, Lux. ]

[ That isn't the response she anticipates, taken aback by how earnest and strangely lonely he sounds. Lux hesitates, looking down at their hands before offering him a meek smile. She's used to deflecting attempts at flattery, but this is something else completely. ]

You make it difficult to say no when you put it like that.

[ She isn't pulling her hand back. ]

I believe that all people should be free to do as they want, without restraint, so long as harm is not done onto others. Don't you think?

[ There are a lot of people who aren't used to that, Ryoji's learned, openness and earnest and freely sharing his intention, but he finds that it comes easy, as shame and embarrassment was not one of the human qualities he had picked up from Minato. So he's glad, easily and simply, giving Lux's hand a light squeeze to make up for its temperature, and leads her off to where he last remembers some of the run down stores to be. ]

The same can be said for words and thought... So you don't have to hold back against me, alright?

You're very different from the people I know back home.

[ Is that her definition of not holding back? No, but she assumes Ryoji is expecting to hear something from her. But even with full permission, it feels awkward to be so open with anyone. Lux isn't used to it, so this will have to do.

She doesn't return his squeeze, but he might notice how warm her hand is—almost unnaturally so. ]

[ He was expecting to hear something, but being very different wasn't it. Just plain different would have been understandable- there are so many unique people in the world, each one diverging onto their own paths as they gain different sets of experiences and meet different groups of people, so something like that is inevitable. But being very different, perhaps that's Lux's intuition hinting at something more fundamental than that. ]

I'd love to hear more about everybody you knew back home. But first- [ Without letting go of her hand or stopping his walk, he turns to Lux and reaches out with his other hand to brush back her bangs and press the back of his hand to her forehead. ]

Hot... Do you feel ill? We should hurry along; being outside for too long with wet clothes can't be good for you.

[ She means it as exactly that: he is very different. Her country is governed by law and order, unquestionable absolutes painted in stark black and white. While she understands that not everyone thinks that way (she doesn't think that way, and that is a Problem), this is the first time Lux has encountered anyone who doesn't outwardly follow that rigid path.

Lux doesn't get a chance to elaborate. The moment he brings his hand up to her forehead, she seizes up. She stops, legs getting tangled as he continues to walk, and she stumbles with him for a few steps. ]

Sorry I— [ Think of something! ] It's probably because your hands are cold. I feel fine, really! Don't worry about me!

[ It isn't a lie, she naturally runs warmer than most, something he can probably notice when he touches her forehead. But the reason for that... is something she would like to avoid discussing, especially after his reaction down in the well. ]

Edited 2018-11-22 22:55 (UTC)

[ She would fit well in this town of lawless kids, Ryoji would think if he knew that was on her mind. If he knew, he would probably be shaking his head, because there are still certain laws of the universe he abides by and will always, and he is constantly working under the confines of certain rules. He's just used to doing what he wants because the most important ones for people, like longevity, does not apply to him, granting certain freedoms on his part, but also concerns for those around him who care about health, happiness, and keeping their place in the world. ]

Silly, of course I'm going to worry. That much is natural.

[ But he lets his hand drop and instead presses his shoulder up against hers- not that it's any better in terms of warmth in her case, just his. ]

[ When they were down in the well, Lux worried that she might have trusted him too early. But every time she believed that would backfire on her, Ryoji pulled through for her. But somehow this is what makes in glaringly obvious. He could have left it alone, or pushed further.

But instead, he's giving her space. Even if he's still close, his shoulder pressed against hers, it's a small gesture that speaks volumes. She doesn't pull away this time, even if it's clear that she's not used to that kind of closeness. ]

...My body has always been a little warmer than normal. I'm sorry if I alarmed you.

[ He deserves an explanation. Maybe that will ease his mind. ]

[ She tends to do that, he's noticed, returning back to a point where Ryoji had been content to let go and move on, because she finds importance in it. Even if it was something she was reluctant to talk about before, she would go back to it, and it could only be for his sake. That's something that warms him, so much more than the hand in his. ]

It's alright. You're a warm person, inside and out, and that's something wonderful you should never have to apologize for.

[ He could tell, from how she never pressed him for flying or disappearing or having cold hands, from how she promised to keep him safe and how she made to catch him when he'd fallen. Slowly, he lifts their held hands to hang in front of their faces, just for a moment, before letting them swing back down, back and forth with the momentum of the drop. ]

In contrast, I've always run a little cooler than usual. [ Colder. Stiller. If he weren't constantly chattering, one might notice his chest doesn't rise and fall with breath as often as it's supposed to either. Nobody pays that much attention to any of that but himself, though, and back when he didn't realize why he was that way, he'd turned his thoughts away and forced himself to stop worrying over it. ] But it's not something that bothers me anymore; I can feel the warmth that much more this way.

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