crescentview | autumn catch-all

autumn catch-all

WHO: Aether and you!
WHAT: Open prompts
WHEN: Throughout autumn
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: None for now

A. Arco Lunar
[The date with Steinbeck aside, Aether is curious to explore Arco Lunar on his own. You may see him looking at the sea while leaning against the railing, trying out different dishes in the buffet and peeking inside the spa or massage studio.

It's really rare for him to be surrounded by such luxury. He's just a traveler, after all and the best he can usually get is a comfy, but modest room in an inn... or his current home.]

B. The Dulces Sueños Resort
[Obviously, Aether wouldn't be himself if he wasn't curious about the resort. Perhaps you are the one who invited him to go, perhaps the two of you just bumped into each other and now venture into the resort together.

If you use the open bath together with Aether you will pick up that beneath the optimistic demeanour, there's actually a lot of lingering loneliness and exhaustion.

If the two of you end up spending the night in the same room, you will see one of Aether's memories. Was it a good one of fun festivals? Or was a sad memory of something lost?]

C. Chocolates
[Perhaps you are minding your own business, when suddenly someone hugs you. A sheepish voice quickly says:]

Sorry! I didn't really mean that...

[The traveler laughs softly, if not a bit awkwardly and pulls away. The chocolates he received seem to cause the person who has eaten them to want to hug others. Aether wasn't aware of that, of course, so he tried one in the morning and its effect seems to linger for the time being. It's a bit awkward, but he doesn't mind too much.

He may be giving some away depending if you're fine with such an effect or not. Or maybe he'll just decide that you need all the hugs you can get and will gift you one without an explanation.]

D. Wildcard
[If you'd like your own starter, a completely different prompt, etc feel free to contact me at discord Ashka#4609 or plurk (spiritualwhisper)! Or just go for it. Also if you'd like to do something from his bingo that's also fine! :D ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's hoping for a quiet moment to himself in the bath, away from the others at the resort, but when he steps in...

Aether's already in it. Vanitas stands before him with a towel around his waist, but his upper torso is exposed, showcasing the various scars all over his body. He stops in his tracks and stares, and finds himself already taking a few steps backward. ]

[Aether has his eyes closed, golden hair floats around him, completely loose unlike the usual braid. He seems to be relaxing and not expecting anyone to join him. But then he hears steps and his eyes open. He blinks.

Ah.

He's not quite sure what surprises him more: seeing Vanitas here, seeing him only in a towel or seeing the many scars that scatter across his exposed skin. Aether frowns, his heart aching that his roommate had to endure something horrible to have this many scars.

But he says nothing about it. He turns his head away and tries to relax in the bath once more. Or at least look like he's relaxing.]

Why don't you join me? The water is so nice.

[ He's incredibly hesitant to do so, and it shows. After his...rodeo with Amber, he's come to distrust a lot of things about these special locations that pop up.

Something curious, though, is that a bar with a broken heart on one end and a full heart on the other pops up. There are a couple of ticks and a pointer, like it's some sort of meter. When Vanitas looks at Aether, the pointer moves so it's a little past the halfway point between the two hearts. ]

...

[ He doesn't seem to know it's there, floating above his head. But he sighs heavily and moves to join Aether, and only removes his towel after he's submerged. ]

You're here with someone? Or did you come alone?

[Aether peeks at his roommate and suddenly notices that meter that seems to be hovering above the other's head. How curious. The hearts give the traveler an idea what is going on, but he chooses not to comment. Instead, he focuses on the question that Vanitas asked.]

I'm alone.

[A soft smile.]

...Well, not so alone anymore, because you're here with me.

[ Ah... ]

It's not like I came here with anyone, either.

[ Amber's amusing and all, but yeah, he's not ready to face her again.

But he looks straight ahead, not wanting to think about how Aether's perceiving him right now. ]

I'll leave if you ask. All you have to do is say the word.

And why would I want you to leave?

[He really doesn't understand and perhaps, thanks to the water's special properties Vanitas can tell that there are no lies in Aether's words.]

I like spending time with you.

[ Aether may feel Vanitas' own feelings of uncertainty, and something that feels like fear. Yet, there's an underlying feeling of longing, of wanting to be close to Aether. He makes no move to act on this desire, though. ]

Fine, then. I only wanted to see if you desired privacy.

[Those feelings wash over him in a strange, unfamiliar way that at first he's not sure where they came from. Then he slowly realizes it must have something to do with this place. Perhaps it's another way to make them grow closer to each other, like all the other events so far.

Aether isn't sure he likes this. His own emotions must too seep from him and there's so much he has to hide. Right now there's concern for Vanitas, for the current situation. But then there's loneliness, longing - feelings he would rather hide from the world, from himself.

As if to silence his own worries, he decides to focus on Vanitas, on what he's feeling - and he acts, by moving closer to his roommate.]

I... said it before but... I'll be sure to tell you if something is bothering me.

[ He also starts to pick up on some sort of disturbance, like the things he's feeling aren't his own, but he says nothing of it for the time being. He watches as Aether moves in closer, and although he makes no indication that he'll do the same, they're already close enough to where the back of his hand brushes against Aether's. It's accidental, and he instinctively pulls it back.

There's a sentiment that Aether can feel, coming from his roommate.

Don't get too close. It's easier to be alone. ]

I know.

[He can sense that sentiment. The wish to stay alone, not because one wants to but because it's for the best.

Aether could not disagree more. He wants to be closer, to wrap his arms around the other and tell him that everything is okay. That he doesn't have to push anyone away. He wishes so badly for Vanitas to find comfort in his presence and see the future in a brighter light.

You don't have to be alone.

And yet he says nothing at first.]

Let's just... relax. It's nice and quiet in here.

[Perhaps that will help somehow.]

[ A flash of surprise crosses his face when he feels that. He wants to run and get out of here so Aether doesn't have to experience his fear, his vulnerability. But he's frozen in place. The feeling of belonging is powerful.

He looks at Aether, and a surge of warmth is sent throughout the room. He ends up leaning in towards Aether, like he wants to brush their lips together again...

But he stops halfway and looks away. He's afraid. Anymore of this, and he'll get too attached. Those fuzzy feelings have abruptly become more detached again. ]

[Aether's eyes widen as the swirl of emotions hits him. There's so much warmth in there, but it's stifled by fear. Just why is Vanitas so afraid? What did he go through? There are so many question bubbling in the traveler's mind and yet he doesn't know where to find answers to them. He doubts his roommate wants to talk about it.

So he does the next best thing he can think of.

He moves closer, raising a bit from the water, his golden hair dripping, sticking to his shoulders, but it's okay. His arms warp around Vanitas and Aether places a soft kiss to the top of the other's head.

He cares about him so much and wants nothing more but happiness for him. They may not know each other long, but it doesn't change much. The tender feeling in Aether's heart is genuine.]

[ And just like that, the kiss to the top of his head turns the water warm again. The feeling is comforting, longing, like he's been wanting something so gentle for so long.

The notch on his affection meter moves up. He leans forward and rests his forehead on Aether's shoulder, and leaves it there for a few long moments. Eventually, he raises an arm and wraps it around Aether's waist.

It's a small, quiet exchange. ]

[ Surprise hug from Aether is, well, unexpected. It doesn't mean that it's unwelcome, though. ]

Don't apologize, it's alright. You're an excellent hugger, actually!

[ He means it!! But there's something he wanted to talk about with Aether, so he quickly moves on. ]

May I ask you a question?

[ Well, it's been a little while since they've seen each other as a result of last month's madness. But, it doesn't quite matter, especially since the island is a small place.

One in which others can be seen at various points with ease for a variety of reasons.

Perhaps on the way to town they run into each other. ]

...You again. Looking for something?

[ Well then, this is certainly one way to run into the Traveler again. Everyone is more physically affectionate than Alhaitham, so he's not a great barometer for whether or not this behavior is a little off, but given his previous interactions with Aether, this seems a little...well. Unexpected.

At least he says he doesn't mean it - which honestly, makes Alhaitham feel much better about it. ]

Then why do it?

[ He can't just let Aether off easy, can he... ]

[ Whenever Aether turns the corner, he'll be greeted by Childe. Coming off of his group date with Vicious and Mishka, he's dressed to the nines, a look unseasonably disproportionate to the weather. With the arrival of early evening, it isn't nearly cold enough to warrant all these layers. The coat on him is floor-length and swishing as he drops his grip, leaning back against the wall with folded arms. ]

Aether! Just the guy I wanted to see. Your timing is as convenient as ever.

[ Must have an affinity for these things, stumbling upon him when the opportunity ingratiates itself. Dropping any other titles is telling enough. Jovial but strangely so humorless, he folds his arms, smiley in a way that hasn't reached his eyes. ]

C'mon. You're free now, right? Mind if we talk?

[ No room for argument, pal. ]

[Aether laughs softly. He's never though he'll hear that kind of compliment but it's nice!]

Thanks!

[But Noé has something to ask him! He wonders what could it be.]

Of course. Can I do something for you?

[Aether is just exploring on his own when he stumbles upon He Xuan. Quite an encounter, really, considering what happened last time.]

Yes, it's me again. Do I need to explain myself to you now?

[He sounds completely unimpressed.]

[He's already heard that Alhaitham is around, but to think he would run into him like this...! Aether doesn't seem to have much luck today. Or maybe it won't go that bad?]

Um... It was just an accident!

[Really, no big deal.]

But it's good to see you, Alhaitham! How are you adjusting to this place?

[The moment is quiet and the warm affection easily seeps from both of them. Aether closes his eyes and softly brushes Vanitas' hair with his gentle fingers. If this is all the other needed, then the traveler is content to give him all the tender attention.

He's completely silent, too, feeling that words are unnecessary now and could only ruin the moment.]

[ He feels Aether's gentle touch, the way his fingers brush against his hair. It's reminiscent of another time in which the affection he received was so caring and kind. This is different by nature, though, because he's starting to feel those butterflies Gaku talked so fondly about before.

He doesn't like it. ]

...You keep treating me like this, lately.

[ A deep breath. There's no indication in the water that Vanitas particularly hates Aether's touch or anything, at least. ]

Why?

Childe!

[They finally meet, by chance as if destiny itself tried to tell them something. Aether can't help but still feel quite awkward, especially after everything he's said during the tie-in of the date auction. He has no doubt that Childe heard his speech and the way the Harbinger's eyes are not smiling is already speaking volumes.]

Of course I wouldn't mind. Should we talk here or... somewhere else?

[He's pretty sure they won't talk here.

Aether isn't planning to run away though. He's went too far, now he's just dealing with consequences.

...And it's not like he was lying during his appeal either.]

And why shouldn't I?

[It's simple, really. He has a lot of heart to give and Vanitas seems to need it. Aether is happy to offer him soft attention and reassure him that he is worth the gentle treatment.]

I can stop if it's bothering you.

[There's a lot of care beaming from Aether and he can pick up that Vanitas doesn't seem to hate his touch. But he still asks.]

It's fine.

[ He closes his eyes and relaxes a little. He's not sure if he likes the ambiguity of Aether's answer, but it's easier to stomach than something closer to the truth. ]

Sit back down, will you?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 11

autumn catch-all

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

c

wildcard;

c!

a

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject