poetry with amber imagery or something [OPEN]

[fauxmarth]

WHO: Lucina, various
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, De Chima, misc
WHEN: Early/mid-October
WHAT: assorted happenings
WARNINGS: labeled in subject headers



Maurtia Falls
Lucina's main haunts are still in this city of conflict -- same as it has been, those two and a half years ago. Gods, has it been so long already? So much else has changed...her, too.

She resides on a residential block in a rental house, and might be encountered in the wee hours of the morning on her way out to work, or perhaps on the rare day off, tearing up the sad excuse for a garden she'd tried (sort of) to maintain (and failed to) in preparation for winter.

Downtown, she frequents a cafe and pastry shop where she's made many a friend and good memory. Catching her before she hustles off on patrol or another duty is a great chance for a free treat and a chat...or perhaps a means of teaming up for a bit of crime busting?

At Helix, the base of operations for Aegis Force, practically her second home, she is constantly either at work or training for work. It's not as frantic and despairing as the month before, so she can be a cheerful spotter or sparring partner, or she can help with some kitchen chores or monitor duty! She also likes to take her breaks on the rooftop helipad, enjoying the cooler air as the weather starts to behave more like autumn.


De Chima
It's not a place she visits too often, but at least once a week, Lucina tries to make time to volunteer at the O'Malley Clinic. She's not much of a nurse, but if you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be bandaged up nearly immobile as a mummy for a simple scrape? She's your girl. Also don't you dare try to escape until treatment is over! She can double as a bouncer.

There's always a chance to catch her in the skies, as flying is her favorite pastime -- and it beats traffic. Hopefully she's not spying any trouble from on high, but if you're in a pinch, she can swoop down and lend a hand (or sword)!


Misc
You're welcome to put in a starter or come bug me @whyellewhy to brainstorm

Comments

[golisolation]

[At first, he still doesn't look at her as she explains. Maybe part of his ego is wounded by all of this, and what pettiness he has (which is a lot, really) keeps him from being entirely sympathetic to her, but that's because of his upset at the situation, and less to do with her.

But that doesn't mean that he isn't. However, as she goes on, that shifts a bit and he finds himself glancing at her a little sidelong. The furrow of his brow lessens a bit, formed less with anger and more...concern. That sympathy he reflexively tried to stave off overtaking him as he watches her. As he listens.

At first, it seems like he has nothing to say. But then he looks away from her again. He takes another moment, and then sighs.]

...It's all new. You ain't got no confidence in this shit, 'cos you got no experience backing you.

[He closes his eyes, a contemplative look taking his features as he crosses his arms over his chest, and settles back into his seat.]

How about this: you lead.

[Opening his eyes, he looks to her a bit more fully.]

I know what I want, and what I like. Ain't no way you're gonna cross any line with me. But I ain't wantin' to keep takin' shots in the dark if that means I'm gonna keep hittin' shit that you ain't cool with and scarin' you off.

[Well, besides kissing. He knows she likes that much.]

[fauxmarth]

[to Lucina, it would make sense he just call all of this a wash. he's really going out on a limb for her sake -- someone he'd not really been to keen on for good reasons and bad -- and this, more than anything, would be a window out. one Lucina seemed to open all on her own, even if it wasn't her intention to do so.

instead, though, he looks back to her and offers compromise and clarity. she looks back with surprise, eyes sharpening to scan for other tells in gesture or posture that might give away something his words don't.

he...doesn't want to scare her off, he says? why. if he already knows what he...wants. likes, as he says. why would he bother with someone who doesn't? isn't that troublesome? this isn't like some sort of teacher-student dynamic built for that.

once again, his willingness to invest in...this... it takes her by surprise. it moves her, impresses her, and makes her feel both ashamed for doubting and anxious to make up for it.]

Then...even though I...I don't know yet... You don't mind...helping me learn?

[golisolation]

[Maybe most would give up, and move on. Most would find this annoying and a waste of time, when they could go and get what they wanted elsewhere and much more readily. However, this is deeper than that, and he's being made to realize that with each new interaction.

When it comes down to it, he's lonely and love-starved. And when you've found a way to satiate that hunger, you don't shun the source just because the portions aren't big enough. Not when the alternative is nothing at all. Maybe that's selfish, but he can tell she needs this too. How she melts against him, and enjoys his touch—at least, the touches that she's comfortable with, obviously.

He could go out and fuck some random person, and sure it's good fun and everything...but that doesn't change the fact it'd feel empty by comparison.]

That's what I'm saying.

[He offers a little sharply, not meaning to sound irritated. Which is made evident with that look of surprise on his face at himself, before he scrunches it back down into self-aimed annoyance. But when he goes to speak again, there's a touch of warmth to his face.

Talking openly like this will never get easier for him, he's pretty sure.]

...Look. I dig ya, that's obvious. Your boy don't just give up when it gets tough. That just ain't me. I know I don't seem like the type, but I'm actually pretty damn patient.

I don't mind puttin' in the work when I'm sure the payoff will be worth it, and I think you are, so...

[After all, he did that with Golisopod when he was nothing but a cowardly Wimpod. He spent nine years trying to become a captain and that didn't even happen for him... He's put two towards Lusamine, her and her schemes, and he's gotten far more from Lucina in this short time, than he has with that whole thing, so...]

[fauxmarth]

...

[after a little flinch at his snipping, Lucina remained still, watching in a way one would in searching for openings in a fight. even that doesn't last long, though, as watching him struggle makes her heart ache with empathy, and she finds less to fear from that irate tone.

her mouth even quirks a little when he speaks on patience. it's true -- he doesn't seem the type, not with the way he postures out there in the world. but it wouldn't make sense to admit something like this if it weren't true.

and at being worth it? Lucina's face warms, too. that's something she wouldn't have expected from him, either. yet there it is.]

...Thank you.

[she says so while reaching and putting a hand on his wrist.]

For saying that. And meaning it. I won't forget it...or take it for granted.

[golisolation]

[His eyes fall to her hand on his wrist, staring at it a little dumbly. Almost warily, his gaze flicks to catch hers once she finishes speaking. There's a pulse of warmth in his chest at what she says. That she won't take this for granted...

He shrugs, trying to play it cool and casual, despite the previous wariness.]

...There ain't nothin' to thank me for, I'm just sayin' the truth, nothing else.

[He turns his head away from her, maybe still feeling a little guilty over ruining this whole thing when they were enjoying it before. Why is he like this? Always gotta fuck shit up somehow, huh?

Even if this seems to be saving it, and she appreciates it, it doesn't change his earlier failure...]

...But, I won't keep ya.

[fauxmarth]

[right...work. she exhales, nodding and looking away, toward the door. if anyone on the force would be more than welcome to take time off, it's her, but...maybe it's better to go, not stew in this weird situation she helped create.

her hand moves to his shoulder as she gets up, lingering for a moment. she gives a slight squeeze before letting go and starting for the door to get her shoes... and that obliterated box. she brought it, so she ought to take it with her to the trash.]

I can call later, if you'd like.

[golisolation]

[The squeeze is reassuring, even if the situation is still awkward and kinda tainted. He continues to not look at her when she gets her shoes and picks that box up. However, when she mentions calling him later, that gets his attention, and he perks a little.]

—Yeah! Sounds good.

[That somehow is even more of a relief. Even with what they just talked about, there was a thorn of worry in his chest, that somehow maybe she was just humoring him and that he really fucked this one up.

Even now, she could still be humoring him, but he knows she's not like that. That's why he's even given this whole thing a chance, why he's willing to be patient and work with her in pursuing...whatever this is.]

Take care of yourself, yeah? I know shit can be crazy in the Falls, even if it ain't me causin' the problems.

[He's joking, even if it's...true.]

[fauxmarth]

[she smiles over her shoulder.]

I'll handle it, rest assured. I beat you, didn't I?

[golisolation]

[That makes him reel a little, looking stunned by the comment, and scowling a bit.]

...If you could even call that a defeat—whatever, don't matter. Next time won't have the same result.

So, you better watch it!

[While his tone started out like that of a petulant child, it does ease into something more playful at the end. There's even a trace hints of a smirk on his face.]