middaeg | chasing the sun ( semi-open )

Entry tags:

chasing the sun ( semi-open )

Who: Lux Crownguard and others!
When: Throughout June
Where: Around town.
What: Quests and catch-all.
Warnings: N/A (will update if/when necessary)

o1. HAVE BIKE, WILL TRAVEL (talk travels).

[ Lux believes she's prepared for everything, and being a postwoman doesn't sound too hard. It could even be fun! What better way to get to know the city and the people living in it than by delivering mail. She's even dressed for the occasion, her hair tied back in a braid to keep it out of her way. A Demacian is always, always prepared—and for the most part, she is.

But Lux has never ridden a bicycle before. This is the first time she's seen one more than in passing, so that might put a damper on things. But she will not be deterred! It can't be any harder than riding a horse, right? That takes an immense amount of balance and upper body strength, so she should be fine.

Over the course of the first few days of the month, Lux can be find in various stages of either learning how to ride, wobbling slowly down the sidewalk (the mail bag is heavy and it's throwing off her balance), or simply pushing bicycle and bag like a cart while huffing. This poor girl could probably use training wheels, but they don't exist... or she's too stubborn to use them. Probably both. Help her or stay out of her way. ]

o2. HEARTS DANCE IN 3/4 TIME (arrangements for you).

[ Normally, Lux wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this. A respectable young lady like herself has a reputation to uphold, but there's no one here from Demacia to report back on what young Lady Crownguard chooses to do with her time. Which, as it turns out, is learning one of the local dances. So much could be said about a culture just by observing how they celebrate, and if asked, that's her reason for being here.

But honestly, it's been a long time since she's been able to enjoy something like this. The parties and galas around Snowdown were always so reserved, and as she got older, it became less about having fun, and more about who she would talk to. Who she would dance with. For once, she gets to decide, and that makes coming to this area of the city worth it.

Approaching the closest person she finds without a partner, she beams at them, looking like she's genuinely enjoying herself. ]

[ She probably won't step on your toes, at least. ]

o3. FITTING IN LIKE A GLOVE.

[ Keeping herself busy, Lux chalks up the odd feeling to fatigue. She goes to great pains in order to keep her emotions in check, and after years of mantras and meditation, it has become second nature to her. But for some reason, she finds it more difficult to keep things even keel. Lux may not be blowing up at others, but she can feel her mood fluctuate, and with it a very familiar sensation that she had assumed would have gone away with the change in her powers.

Feeling like she could lose control, like the magic flowing within might force its way to the surface if she isn't careful. She can't let that happen; even if she knows she isn't in danger here, Lux isn't going to shake that fear overnight.

Which is what brings her to the shopping district, and as she stands in front of the window display of a somewhat high-end boutique, she vaguely fidgets with her hands, as if trying to make a decision. That was always where it started in the past, her light bubbling to the surface and shimmering unnaturally underneath her skin. She could deal with the physical discomfort, but she can't let people see her like that. But... ]

[ There she goes, mumbling to herself. It's fine, no one is pay attention to her. Probably. ]

( OOC| Character specific top-levels can be found in the comments. If you would like to plan a thread, feel free to contact me at

impearls or via PM. Otherwise, feel free to hit this post up with a top level. )

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[ It's safe to say that both of them needed something like this, and seeing him grin down at her makes that abundantly clear. Lux isn't sure she's seen him smile like that since showing him a brief magic trick, but each time it manages to lift her spirits.

With a breathy giggle, she tilts her head girlishly, a free hand curled just below her chin. ]

Do you think they'll let me keep it if I ask nicely enough?

[ Seriously, what has gotten into her? She's usually much more reserved, but in a way this feels nice. It's a welcome change from the somewhat irritable and uneasy mood she's been in for the past few days.

Rising on her tip toes, Lux leans toward the ladder before placing one end of the garland in his outstretched hand. She unwinds a length of it from around her neck, releasing some of the tension. ]

I wonder what sort of holiday this is for. Maybe something to do with the solstice? [ Was that a thing out here? ]

Maybe after the festival.

[ Although he suspects, from the sheer volume of flowers being clipped and arranged and woven back at his part-time job, that there will be plenty to go around during the festivities as well.

Accepting the offered end, he begins to work on framing the windows, careful as he attaches the garland to each hook and making sure that the flowers are all facing outward for maximum effect. When it comes to work, Akira is always thorough. ]

[ He gives a hum from above as she makes the guess. ] The solstice back at home is around this time. [ Clearly there's some difference in the celestial bodies around here, going off the second moon, but the calendar and seasons seem generally in line with what he knows. So that might explain the timing of the festival, at least. ]

I asked about it at work. They said it's celebrating life and relationships.

[ But Akira, they'll probably be wilted by then, or at the very least not nearly as fresh. Lux keeps that thought to herself; something tells her that flowers won't be in short supply to say the least. Maybe she could even get some to bring back with them for decorating the house. That might be nice.

Watching him as he hangs the garland, she continues to feed him more from her end. ]

Do you do anything special for it back home? [ It stands to reason that he might, and even if he doesn't, he says so little about his world. He can't blame her for being curious. ]

Oh, I see.

[ Lux's tone changes as he offers an explanation, her nose briefly wrinkling as her smile loses a bit of its luster. Celebrating life is one thing, but relationships... well that took some of the wind out of her sails. She was happier believing that they were celebrating the beginning of summer. ]

It just marks the beginning of summer. [ While he may not look away from his task, Akira's eyes brighten as he recalls the summer that passed far more recently for him than the calendar here would imply. ] But summer is festival season back home.

[ The topic of this particular festival is a little bittersweet for him, too. Akira's made some friends here who are steadily growing more and more important (one of them standing at the foot of the ladder right now), but it's hard not to think of his found family in Tokyo.

So he's more than happy to focus on elaborating on his world's traditions. Lux seems curious, anyway. ]

There are fireworks, like there will be here. People dress up in yukata, eat stuff like shaved ice and takoyaki, and play games like catching goldfish with a scoop.

[ This is a different side to him that Lux never expected to see. The smile on his face is warm and nostalgic, and it's clear how important this time of year was (is) for him. She can only imagine how difficult it must be, being unable to celebrate with the people he cares about back home. She would have to find a way to make this special for him too.

Humming contemplatively, the smile on her face grows. ]

That sounds a bit like Snowdown back home. [ Now it's her time to reminisce. ] Although that's at the end of the year. People come together to celebrate, and the city would transform practically overnight. The streets are filled with food stalls and games for people to play.

[ It's a bittersweet memory for her, to be sure. Lately, it serves as a reminder of how lonely the season could be, but when she was a child... ]

There would be fireworks every night leading up to the new year. I always thought that they were for me when I was growing up.

[ When Lux begins to share her own memories, Akira hears the fondness in her tone and glances down to find it reflected in her expression. Her world's tradition does sound similar to the festivals back home. Maybe celebrations like these are another one of those universal constants.

What she says last piques his curiosity in particular, though. Why would she think they were specifically for her? He thinks for a moment. ]

Because of your light magic?

[ It's gratifying to know that some things are consistent between worlds. Celebrations like this are important, both in peaceful places like Geargadas and in more turbulent ones like Demacia.

His question pulls a light giggle out of her. Well, that is one reason, but not the one she meant. ]

My birthday is in the middle of Snowdown. When I was young, I would watch them fill the night sky and believe they were a gift just for me.

[ That makes sense, he contemplates as he gets back to lining the window with the length that Lux is feeding him from the foot of the ladder.]

Even if it was meant for the festival, it sounds like a good memory.

[ Then there's the matter of the presentation of an important piece of information. Akira isn't about to let that thread of the conversation slip away. ]

What day is your birthday? [ It's possible that her calendar won't translate to the one here as well as his own does, but it's worth a shot. ]

[ Lux pauses, before a quietly wistful smile catches in her eyes. It's more bittersweet than truly happy, as with most things growing up. Something that warms her heart, but makes it feel lonely and heavy at the same time. ]

I suppose you're right.

[ The calendars aren't exact, but they are close enough for her to have an accurate enough guess on when her birthday would fall. Doing a bit of quick math in her head, she considers this for a moment. ]

Around the end of Deceuer, I believe. The 28th or the 29th.

[ Or perhaps it's because the date has never been that important. It always seemed to get lost in the shuffle, scheduled filled with end-of-year galas and things she's grown a distaste for. ]

What about yours?

[ He isn't getting away with asking that question and not having it returned. ]

Mm. [ It's a thoughtful, acknowledging hum as he files the date away for future consideration. That's a long way off. Will they still be here come the end of the year? Akira hopes to be home by then, but if not, celebrating Lux's birthday will be a fine way to spend those days. ]

We could see about getting some fireworks then. Ones just for you.

[ He has to lean to reach the far side of the window, but he does so easily, obviously not holding much regard for safety as he hangs a bit from the ladder to continue working. ]

Mine is Aereuer 1st.

[ It's also around this point that Lux may begin to notice the fur on his ears gradually shifting in color—the black has been mottled with dark spots of various hues, like dried paint, but they're steadily brightening with each passing minute. ]

[ The offer throws her, leaving Lux to quickly look up towards (but not completely at) him in surprise. That's not something she's used to? Watching fireworks with someone else, or having someone quietly offer to do something so overwhelmingly sweet. What does she do with this? ]

You don't have to do that! [ She both sounds and looks flustered. Good work, Akira.

But thankfully, something else tugs her attention away—the way he's just hanging there (Akira, that's dangerous!), and— ]

...Akira, your ears...

[ That. That doesn't look good. ]

[ But he wants to. Does he really need more reason than that? Akira's about to shut down the protest when Lux's sudden shift in topic derails his own thoughts. ]

What about them? You want to touch them again?

[ At first it seems like it might be an attempt to mess with him, so he returns the favor. When Akira takes a quick look down, however, Lux's expression says otherwise.

He's quick to duck down and look into the window of the store. If he focuses on his own face and turns his head just so... It's hard to see with the colors somewhat washed out by reflection, but Akira can just determine the splotches of color. ] —Ah.

[ Staring right at the window gives him a front row seat to his own expression morphing from confusion to realization.

The medicine. They said it might have side effects, they just didn't say what kind of side effects. Akira figured things like an upset stomach or dizziness, but weird magical medicine having weird magical side effects makes perfect sense.

It just figures that it would happen around Lux. ]

[ She was curious! Don't put it like that, Akira, she is a lady with morals and the last thing she needs is having strangers assume weird things about her!

If this were any other time, Lux would fire something back, but as far as she knows, this is another phase of his transformation. But the moons weren't full, so why would he be changing? Is he sick? Is this just something that monsters go through? All these unanswered questions only serve to ramp her concern even higher. Slinging the remainder of the garland over her shoulder, Lux steps on the first wrung of the ladder before a hand offered up to him. ]

Come on, we need to get you down from there!

[ What if he falls from there? He's going to break something! ]

[ Lux's concern is so earnest that Akira feels a sharp twinge of guilt as he looks down at her offered hand. ]

No, it's okay. I feel fine. [ Granted, there's no telling if this is the only side effect, but Akira hasn't experienced any sort of light-headedness or vertigo yet.

He knows she won't just let it go without an explanation of some sort, so Akira continues: ] I started a new part-time job this morning. I think that's what's causing it.

[ He can look down at her hand all he wants, because Lux isn't moving it. Even if Akira insists that he feels fine, as far as she is concerned, that's only temporary. The splotches on his ears are concerning, and likely only the beginning of what's to come.

The logical leap he makes doesn't add up, and staring up at him, the confusion is apparent on her face. ]

Why would your job cause your ears to change colors?

[ Why does she feel like she should be even more concerned for his health and well-being? ]

[ He could just turn around and continue working, but Akira has a feeling that Lux wouldn't hesitate to drag him down from the ladder. Should he say that he just spilled something magical on himself or something like that? He's spent so much time coming up with quick, smooth lies to hide his Phantom Thief activities that it doesn't take much effort to come up with a few possibilities.

After a moment, he takes her hand, averted eyes shifting to meet the concern in Lux's. It reminds him of the look she wore when she saw him after the full moon.

Yeah, no. Akira can't lie to her on this one. ]

It's testing out stuff at an apothecary. They said there might be side effects.

[ He's not wrong, she would continue to persist even if he chose to go back to work. May not drag him down the ladder, that's a dangerous escalation that would likely end in him falling on her.

The relief is almost immediate when he takes her hand, and she slowly attempts to guide him down to the ground. That's it, let's get him checked out— ]

...

[ That reassuring smile frozen solid on her face, she stares up at him quietly.

Akira. Akira, she was joking that day. She didn't think he would actually subject himself to something like that again. A heavy silence falls over them. Wow, she's speechless, good job. ]

...Really, Akira?

[ Said in the most judgmentally deadpan tone she can muster. Veiled Lady, give her strength so she can deal with this dumbass. ]

[ Coming down the ladder from above, he has the perfect view of Lux's reaction as his words register. Akira is inwardly grateful that his ears aren't fully formed yet, because while he manages to keep his expression somewhat neutral, he can feel his colorfully splotched ears twitch as if wanting to swivel back. ]

I didn't have any side effects when I did it before.

[ That's a weak excuse. Magical medicine and regular medicine are extremely different. ]

... And it didn't seem any more shady than the clinic back home.

[ He's really not helping his case. Doctor Takemi may have knowingly sold unlicensed medicine to a minor, but this place doesn't exactly have the same sort of laws in place that would make it a comparable metric. That much is obvious from how he and Akechi were able to buy alcohol without any questions. ]

[ Why is he like this! It really is none of her business, by at the same time, it's concerning how little he seems to care about his own well-being. Sure, it could be so much worse (and it's too soon to tell if this is the only side effect he'll experience), but please think more of yourself, Akira? This man is going to be the death of her, he's going to kill her with worry. ]

That's reassuring.

[ It's not, but the damage has already been done, and with a hard sigh, Lux lets go of his hand. Unwinding the garland hastily thrown over her shoulders, she wraps one length around his instead. ]

Hold the ladder, I'll take care of the rest.

[ She can't exactly catch him if he falls off. ]

[ Suddenly it feels like he's seven years old again and being scolded by his mother for hurting himself while trying to do a backflip off his bed.

... He's not about to mention to Lux that she's reminding him of him mom. ]

Here, let me move the ladder.

[ If he was having to hang off to reach the side, Lux will surely need that much. Akira shifts it a few feet to the right and then holds on as requested so that she can climb up. ]

... At least if this is permanent, I'll be colorful for the festival. [ Because he's watching the same spots begin to blossom on his arm as he steadies the ladder. At this rate, he's going to look like a bag of Skittles. ]

[ Please don't tell her that she reminds him of his mom. He's technically the older one of the pair, anyway.

Lux stands back as he repositions the ladder, a quiet from settling on her face. Maybe she should have just left this alone. Akira doesn't necessarily need anyone fussing over him, but at the same time, he seems the type to just do things without thinking of how it will affect him. It's reckless—and she is the biggest hypocrite to brow beat him for it. ]

Thank you.

[ Beginning to climb up, she waits until she's at the top to look down at him with a wry half-smile. ]

We could paint the rest of you to match, if you really want to stand out. I think you would look good in bright pink. It's very festive.

[ If he's going to be a smart ass... But hopefully this isn't permanent, not that he would learn his lesson if it was. ]

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chasing the sun ( semi-open )

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