crescentview | 🌸 be not defeated by the rain 🌸

[The storm is fast approaching, and most of the work is done. The delicate crops are as protected as they can manage, the windows boarded up, the chickens moved in from the coop. What little they have to do is simple... too bad they're both still coming off a nasty hangover.

The rain's already started, with whipping wind and a low howling noise through the trees up from the beach further down the island. Otegine's getting drenched, but he still shoves the last handful of supplies from the coop up past the porch. Syr's taken care of the birds, and more power to him - Otegine's fine with the last of the manual labor.]

That's the last of it! I don't want to try for more, it's already getting nasty out here! [It's practically yelled above the wind as he braces the doorway with his back and shoves the last of their supplies through.] Man, kind of late to wish we had some hollyhock to hang from the roof, huh...

[He just wants to get inside and get the door bagged up and sit it out...

Except something catches his eye. Someone out in the rain.

Otegine pauses, squinting, trying to see which way the stranger is headed, seeing if they're rushing for shelter. But then he recognizes said stranger... and a pit forms in his stomach.]

Syr... Syrlya, hold on. H-hold on, somebody's stuck out here. I'll be right back!!

[Time to go rescue an angry cat.]

--

[ooc: feel free to post freely amongst ourselves here, jump the timeline, kiss the chickens, etc. THIS IS GONNA BE A TENSE SLEEPOVER...]

Edited 2023-01-20 06:02 (UTC)

[Thank goodness she's so easy to spot! The weather is already starting to get a little gross looking, but they should have plenty of time to gather some last minute things. Otegine's got the sleeves of his shirt rolled up past the shoulders, an extra tarp already in hand when he spots Ori and waves high over his head.]

Oriphi! Hey, over here!

[He gives it a couple days, letting the floodwaters die down and keeping their energies towards helping the town and repairing their own properties. But he could use a break... and he thinks, maybe, so could Pyra. He'll take a moment on the 18th to wave her down, just to see if the day works for her.

It's about noon on the 19th when he circles to her farm, adjusting his clothing as he clears his throat and knocks on the door. Worse case scenario, it's just her housemate, right? So man, why is he so nervous...]

[ She is so easy to spot, and also she is so very wobbly right now... She might be on her way to the clinic?? ]

Mister Otegine...? Ah, please call me Ori...!

Edited (MY HTML!!) 2023-01-20 15:15 (UTC)

[ well. she did make a big deal about keeping her schedule free. so of course, when otegine comes by her farm to confirm that the 19th will be okay, she doesn't even need to look at the calendar in her room to say that the date is okay...

only for her to promptly run up to her room and bury her face in her pillow for a little while, in hopes of cooling down the heat on her cheeks. so much to prepare...

but when otegine knocks on the door, she steels her nerves, even though she feels like her face is going to fry. she's dressed much more comfortably than usual, though: gone is her deep red outfit with its odd plating, and in its place is a breezy blue sundress, floral patterned and easy on the eyes...though the bright green crystal on her chest is still prominent, glowing as brightly as her cheeks are pink.

the straw hat on her head does very little to hide the nervousness in her eyes, despite the wide brim. and even as she opens the door, she keeps one hand around her back, clutching something small in her palm.

one look at his face, and she has to gulp — but in spite of it all, she's got a smile on her face. ]

...Hi, Otegine.

[Not being able to read posted warnings and being so antisocial as to ignore the gossip of the locals means while Owen is aware of the weather shifting, he doesn't quite anticipate the storm that rolls in. Honestly, it's not even a storm he's particularly used to considering it doesn't rain in the North, and Central is pretty dry and mild... This is the sort of weather you'd find in the other corners of the continent, and he doesn't make a habit of going there for no reason.

At least Cerberus is tucked safely away, Owen privately pleased that his suitcase and his dog returned to him at the same time, but now he needs to... get back to the forest while it's pouring rain and it only seems to be getting worse... on his feet, without his broom... Maybe he'll just die and wait for the storm to pass?

It only gets more tempting when he realizes there's someone very tall and very familiar approaching him. Ah.]

What are you doing out here?

[sir this is his farm you're the weird one here]

[It turns out that day drinking is a terrible idea, and even into the next day Syrlya is nursing an awful headache. The weather really isn't helping.

He's leaning in the doorway as Otegine pushes the supplies up, pulling in anything they really don't want blown away to sit in the entryway until it's over. He's about to make room for Otegine to squeeze in, but--] Someone's stuck?

[He squints into the distance, but ultimately lets Otegine handle it himself, keeping watch from the door in case anything goes wrong until Owen has finally been brought up to the house. ... Right. That's the guy that dragged Otegine into a kiss, isn't it. And also doesn't have a heartbeat.

Well, it's true they can't really well leave him out there. So there's no argument from Syrlya about letting him stay as the hurricane winds start to pelt the door, and he'll head for the kitchen to put a kettle to boil to prepare all of them some tea.]

Shouldn't I be asking you that??

[His voice is slightly elevated, if only to try to talk over the wind. Otegine's very obviously soaked, so it looks like he's been out in this for at least a little while, but what excuse did Owen have??]

Owen, this storm's going to hit the coast any second, this isn't a good time to be wandering around to other people's property!

Did something happen? Are you alright?

I was walking my dog.

[Which isn’t currently visible, but Owen isn’t about to explain his pocket dimension suitcase. That would be silly.

He huffs.]

Nobody killed me after that “meeting”, so you don’t need to worry about me.

[Said as sarcastically as possible, because as far as Owen is concerned Otegine concern is all just for show. He’s finally getting him to crack and hate him just like everyone else, which is totally fine.]

How bad can this storm possibly be, anyways?

[ [scooby-doo voice] Rog? Rwhere?

He squints at Owen, squints around him for said dog with on arm shielding his own face as the rain starts to pelt, before just flattening a look to Owen.]

Why are you saying that like that's the only time anyone should ever care about you? Come on, Owen...

[why must this man exist to be difficult]

Look, it's bad enough. We get these at home all the time. The flooding going to wipe our crops, the wind can rip up trees - you can't just stay out here or you're going to get flattened! [And before he can interrupt him--] O-oi, and it doesn't matter that you'll come back from it, so don't start that!

[He winces at the pelting of the rain against his bare skin, but still holds out an arm for Owen, nodding behind him for the farmhouse.]

Come on, come with me. Don't just stay out here. We'll take care of you.

[Because that’s the only time it makes sense to worry about him? Obviously? Owen shoots him an unimpressed look in return, before scoffing.

He is weighing his options, though he’s inclined towards just leaving and finding his own way back to his farm - or, again, simply dying to get out of this. Sometimes it’s just the easiest route! Not that he expects anyone will understand that.]

I can do what I want - and how exactly are you planning to take care of me? Hm? What are you planning to do to a poor, defenseless wizard?

[He just stares at him, dumbfounded.]

I -- Get you out of the rain?? Something to warm you up so you can wait it out??

You know! Decent things that decent people do!! Because I meant what I told you!

[Why are they having this talk in a hurricane?! There's an edge of panic to his voice, but his expression stays firm and urgent.]

I know you think I don't like you or something, but if you actually feel defenseless, then at least let someone get you somewhere different until you do feel safe!

Edited (Redundancy with last tag whoops) 2023-01-21 06:19 (UTC)

[Warm him up, huh. Owen is going to let that slide for now, but he does arch an eyebrow and files it into his back pocket for later.]

Or I can just die and wait it out. Wouldn’t that be so much more preferable for you? I’m sure you and your roommate [whoever that my be] won’t want me to stay for long.

[He’s too stubborn for his own good, unfortunately, but saying that… Well. If he wants Otegine to hate him…]

But fine. Lead the way, my generous savior.

[He will make him regret this.]

[What is with Owen expecting the literal worst out of him right now? It's painful, in a way, reflected in how he flinches with an almost hurt look locked towards the wizard.]

...No. It wouldn't be preferable at all.

[...]

I can't speak for Syr. But he's not going to want to let you sit out here and die, either. That would just make us all stupid.

[Once again, he holds out a hand for Owen.]

I'll take care of you as best I can. Promise.

[He doubts that.]

...

[He promises? He said he's never broken one, but to make one so casually, so simply... They're not the same, he knows. Otegine isn't a wizard. He's the same as any other human, really, when it comes to promises - as far as Owen knows. It's just a pretty word with no conviction behind it.]

Will you? And what do I get if you break this promise?

[He's taking his hand anyways, fingers ice cold and smile even colder.]

[Oh.

There's a flush of color to his own face when she comes to the door, all airy movement and gentle fabrics... it fits her, he thinks, for the moment it takes him to realize he's probably staring.

He's not in much different than what he normally wears, though he's swapped out the firey red for something lighter in color that hugs his shoulders, contrasting the deep green of knee-length shorts that someone has finally, graciously found for him in his size. Existing in pants in this heat? Horrible. His spear can be seen to the side of the porch, cautiously placed aside to not be in the way.]

Pyra... Hey...

[She's... really pretty, isn't she? Not that she wasn't already, but it's almost enthralling.]

You, uh... [He smiles easily despite himself, a bashful little expression, breaking his gaze respectfully in a light bow, hastily done.] You look really nice. If... that's okay to say. I don't think I've seen you wear that before.

[...

The cold touch only gets his hand to envelop his fingers firmly, though his attention stays locked towards Owen.

...]

What would you want?

O-oh! Um...you really like it? I thought it'd be a little better to wear something comfortable, if we're going to be, ah, walking around a bit...

[ she neglects to mention that she spent the better part of yesterday agonizing over just what kind of outfit is appropriate to wear to something like this. but judging from his expression, that time seems to have been well-spent...

not that she can stare directly at his face for too long -- she looks at him the same way one looks at the sun, just enough to get a sense of it before her eyes shift towards her boots, instead. she finds herself shifting back and forth, gripping at the flat rectangular box in her hand a bit more tightly...before she's suddenly reminded that she's holding it to begin with, and she starts, as if reminded: ]

Before we go...I have just a little something I wanted to give you. [ and she holds out the present to him: it's not wrapped, save for a small ribbon tied around it, but it's a bit hardy...she went out of her way to find a good gift box, nice and thin. ] It's nothing too special, before you get any ideas. I just...wanted to thank you for inviting me today, is all.

[ as they say, sometimes the word "uneventful" was a good thing. considering how tumultuous the hurricane and the aftermath of that was, perhaps, this was all the more established. but, for achilles, it wouldn't be a lie to say that he enjoyed a bit of danger. or a lot depending on who you ask. hence, it isn't surprising that as always, he seems to be all the more interested in the prospect of finding a worthy sparring partner.

after all, it wouldn't do to get rusty, right? it isn't like he thinks skills like that just dissipate overnight, but he'd like to think part of strength and being a hero is the culmination of careful, everyday effort. but, maybe that's just his teacher's words kicking in? whatever the case—

when he sees otegine, just by his build alone, he already waves him down. he seems to look him up and down before giving an approving nod. maybe even a whistle, as if he's impressed. ] I always thought this when I saw you, but you look good. So how about it? [ he holds his hand out, as if to introduce himself. except, he actually hasn't introduced himself at all, so... ]

Want to go for a round?

Ah. As long as you feel good, that's what counts, right? But, uh... yeah. You do look pretty in it.

[He scratches at his face for a moment, coloring for a bit as he tries to back up and give her space to leave... only for her to jump and suddenly hold out her hand--]

Eh? Thank me???

[It's a simply put question, even as he gently takes the box into both of his hands, looking over it curiously. The longer it sits in his hands, the more he can feel warmth rise to his ears, the gift very obviously unexpected.]

I... I mean, it's not a problem or anything. I should be the one thanking you, you know!

Do you... want me to save this for when we come back, or... [He just lifts the box with one hand in emphasis, careful in how he asks. Is this a now box or a later box?]

[ pretty...geez, otegine. at this rate, you'll never get to make eye contact with her -- or if you do, she'll melt into a puddle first. ]

I think now would be more than fine. You should open it. I'd like to see if it fits your arm.

[ sure enough, it's pretty apparent what she means by that when he and his gift come face to face. despite the clear signs of its age, with the slight wear on the brown leather strap making apparent that the piece is vintage, the hands on the wristwatch between his fingers keeps ticking away, marching on without a care. it had been something that caught her eye at the boutique: she thought it would suit him. and while he stares down at the dial, pyra finds it's easier to look up, now: not quite to gauge his reaction, but more to explain... ]

It's like...a timepiece that you can take with you, wherever you go. I figured it'd be the kind of thing you could make good use of. And I thought, maybe, whenever you took a look at it, you'd remember this time. Or, you'd feel a little less like it's moving without you...and more like, time is on your side, or something like that?

[ ah, it sounds pretty hokey, when she puts it in those kinds of words...but it's too late to take them back, now. she feels like she was overthinking, in more ways than one. but when she saw it, his words jumped out at her...and so, she thought it serendipity. ]

[...

...

He regards it with a natural curiosity at first, carefully slipping the aged leather from its confines, turning the watch over in his hand... and going very, very still the longer she keeps talking.

Time was on his side, huh?

...

It's well past the stretches of April, and the cherry blossoms have long since passed. But a small, gentle burst of them suddenly drifts in a petal at a time, as though from the sky itself.

Carefully, both of Otegine's hands close around the timepiece, feeling the delicate tick underneath as he swallows.]

Pyra...

Thank you. This... this means more to me than I can explain right now.

You're sure it's for me? Honest?

[ her nod is all too firm, as if she's affirming with her whole upper body. beautiful as they are, the pink flower petals are a bit out of place in weather like this, scattering in the breeze. yet despite the unseasonable air, pyra's too focused on his expression to react properly - something swells in her chest, as she sizes up his expression, and the softness in his eyes. ]

Of course. I...thought of you, when I saw it. So I'd like you to have it. Please.

[He meets her gaze with trepidation, having to sit in her words as though the time would glue the idea to place and keep it from vanishing. But slowly, he nods, a breathless smile as he turns his wrist over and carefully works at the bands.]

I didn't think I'd ever own one of these... I remember when they were first getting popular in our country.

[It took a while, as many things from the West often did.]

Have you ever seen them before coming here, Pyra?

[Now that Otegine has his weapon back, it's hard to miss him. If the spear isn't directly with him, it's somewhere pretty close nearby - in this case, chilling outside while he hauls out a bag of chicken feed.

He barely stops at the whistle, though it does give him pause, looking back at Achilles with an almost clueless stare.

He blinks, before looking around him. Nobody else nearby.]

Eh?

[Oh. Oh, that was for him?]

Ahhh... thank you, but... it's nothing really that eyecatching, is it?? [He's tall and has some meat, sure, but isn't he rather plain? Still, he chuckles it off, hoisting the feedbag to one shoulder and grabbing for that extended hand, expecting a shake.]

I guess it depends what you mean by a round. Do you h... [Oh, wait a second. He knows this guy...] Oh! H-hey, hey, you're that one that won the goddess' competition, right? Uh.... shoot, don't tell me, don't tell me... [jeopardy music in the background as he very intensely tries to focus, practically bouncing when it clicks with a snap of his fingers towards Achilles.]

--Ah! Rider, right?

🌸 be not defeated by the rain 🌸

closed - syrlya/owen, syrowe farm, summer 16

closed - ori - morning of summer 16

closed - pyra - summer 19

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closes my eyes

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opens them back up for u

:screm:

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sparring thread!! summer 18

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