middaeg | [closed] 🔶 such a lovely place, such a lovely face

[Well, keeping someone captive wasn't exactly how Ferran pictured spending his week, but here they are—thanks to the Circle's magic influence and Rikku's attempts to help, he's been roped into making sure this strange young woman doesn't go and get herself infected with the deadly magical plague by locking her in a room. As much as he's sighed about it, he can't argue that it's a decent idea. Neither of them know how to dispell the enchantment keeping Tsukuyomi under the cult's thrall, so this is a safety precaution until they can get access to that information or find someone to help.

It strikes him that he himself might have been a hostage, had he stayed in his world an hour longer.

—but this isn't like that.

It's not like that. And he'll prove it, by being the best host he can possibly be.

A couple of days into her stay, Ferran knocks on the door to the guest room, where he'd decided to keep Tsukuyomi. Given it's a decent size and is attached to a full bathroom, he thought it was best suited for the task of keeping someone both safe and reasonably comfortable—especially someone who could be a merrow, judging by scales on her legs.]

May I come in? I brought you some lunch.

[ The first day she was brought here, she was still very chirpy. The second day she was starting to get a little bit anxious, coupled with the fact that she couldn't find her little device anywhere. Did she drop it? So she isn't able to contact Sougo or Geiz. Not that she even really knows where she is to ask them to come find her. Although, it's not that she was being treated very badly.

The room she was in is extravagant compared to what she has been staying in. Extravagant when she compares it back to home as well. So, really. She isn't sure if she should be complaining or asking to be...rescued? Although it's concerning she isn't allowed to leave. ]

Oh! Yes, please!

[ She tries to wait patiently but barely allows him one step into the room before... ]

How long must I remain here? They must be very concerned that I haven't attended any gatherings for some days now. I need to assist and help spread the word about everybody misunderstanding what they're trying to do. The CWYLD is nothing to be afraid of.

[Ferran's home is the only place he allows his wings to remain uncovered, at least so far—even if they weren't sensitive to temperature, it's too damn cold to leave his back exposed to the weather, even with the mothlike fuzz that covers most of the skin that would have shown. Thankfully, his house is warm enough that a simple button-up is good enough, instead of piling on two coats and a cape.

With some careful balancing, Ferran unlocks the door and steps inside, a tray in his hands and a couple of small books under his arm. He's only a little surprised by the sudden plea—it seems only natural, what with being kept somewhere against her will—and honestly, it's more of a shock that she immediately turns the topic to the Circle's dogma within 4 sentences. They really got her in deep, it seems.

His brow furrows with concern for a moment before he gives her what's supposed to be a reassuring smile. He takes two more steps inside before he nudges the door closed behind him with his foot, turning his gaze to make sure it doesn't catch the long tails of his wings.

Ferran isn't equipped to talk someone out of a cult mindset, he doesn't think—because even if it wasn't magically induced, they don't work on logic. It wouldn't do any good to make her feel like she's in a hostile environment, either way. How much does he lie, is the question here.]

Just think of it like a vacation. There are plenty of others helping the Circle, and they can afford to miss you for a few more days. We can explain everything when you get back.

[... it may end up being longer than that, but it's fine. He shifts focus to the tray in his hands, offering it to her. The lunch he's prepared consists of a turkey sandwich with fresh vegetables, a small bowl of broccoli cheese soup, and cup of hot tea. Hopefully he can change the subject, but he suspects it will return to the Cwyld soon enough even if he can't.]

Well, here. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I hope it's alright, but I have a few other things if not.

[ She stops for a moment when she finally takes a good look at him. It's not often you see someone walk up to you with a tray of food and a set of wings. She takes a moment to admire the intricacy of the wings before she pulls herself together and goes back to admiring the tray of food set before her. Definitely something a lot more extravagant than she has been used to since her arrival. She isn't even sure where she should start. ]

This is...a lot more food than I normally receive. Thank you.

[ Although her appetite is being a bit strange recently, she knows she has to eat. She places the tray near her and picks up a spoon to start pushing some of the fresh vegetables around, creating a little image with them. Not that she isn't hungry but more the idea of pushing the food around was more intriguing to her at the moment while she talks to her...captor. ]

And thank you for offering to explain my absence to them. I would hate for them to think of this as me not wanting to work hard for their cause. I have pledged to serve them well with all of my being and I believe they were about to do some great and important work. I'm afraid I'm missing out on contributing to their next great discovery.

[ Not that she knows that other people are currently providing their bodies for CWYLD testing. There's a small pause as she hesitates with her next question but she's taking a small bite of sandwich and then asking carefully while indicating to his wings. ]

Did that hurt...?

[ She's asking as the creation of her gills was rather painful. ]

[Ferran simply gives her a mild smile in response to the gratitude, glad to offer some decent hospitality to someone who's clearly in need of it, regardless of the circumstances. As she speaks, he sits on the nearby stool, threading his fingers together and resting his arms on his legs.]

I'm sure they wouldn't think that of you. [Especially since they were the ones to cast whatever spell on her in the first place. Of course they wouldn't doubt that their pawns were functioning as designed. And as for their next great discovery... he wonders if they've even managed any of those, or if their research has shown absolutely nothing new. His impression is closer to the latter, if they're relying on methods like these to "recruit" people.

At the reference to his wings, Ferran pauses and glances at the long tails in his peripheral, his smile fading slightly. He normally doesn't like talking about his changes, but... for one, it's a decent change of subject—something he can use to learn more about Tsukuyomi as she really is. That, and he can't deny that he'd like to help out others who had to go through this same process.]

It was pretty awful, [he says with a subdued chuckle, although there's no mirth in his eyes.] It was during the full moons, and they came in quickly... but better that than a drawn out process, I guess.

What about you? [He hasn't seen her gills, but he's seen the scales, and he's sure that transformations have been a struggle for most Mirrorbound.]

[Rikku, his bonded and dear friend, perhaps something more... yeah right, "perhaps." Shortly after they met he was already more taken with her smile and cheer than he'd usually admit to. As unsure as he normally is about trusting or pursuing his feelings, he knows with an uncharacteristic certainty that it's time to let it out in the open. What good does it do him to keep all his feelings to himself? Nothing, his mind replies. So, he makes a decision—

It has to be nothing short of wonderful, but that's not a problem at all when your magic is at its peak, when you can summon up a person's greatest fears and desires with a barely a thought, when all your hesitation evaporates under the moons' light and it feels like for the first time in a year you're really alive.

She gets a bit of a warning in the morning, at least; a text sent to her watch that's the most notice an impatient Fae can manage.]

I hope you're free for dinner tonight, because I have a surprise for you ♥

[He... may not take no for an answer? It'll probably work out.]

Edited 2021-02-21 05:10 (UTC)

[It's a good thing Rikku has no intention of saying no!

Ferran's been a bit of a tough nut to crack, but she'd be lying if she said she hasn't been smitten with him for quite some time now. He's smart, and caring in his own way, and handsome, and patient, and has been there for her though a very strange and difficult few months.

She can't help but squeal a bit at Karin upon receiving the text, both happy to share some good news as Karin's healing and in need of her surrogate older sister to share in her excitement. Once that's out of her system, she tries to play it cool with her response:]

I'm free! :) What time?

[After a few moments, she sends a second message.]

♥

[Any form of positive reinforcement would have come as enough confirmation of his plans, whether she's trying to act as if she's collected or not, and a burst of delight flickers through his end of the bond, far stronger than any of the feelings he'd let through before.

That said, he can't let every emotional cat out of the bag, so that momentary rush of feeling soon returns to his normal hum of restraint. Soon, soon...]

I'll be there to fetch you at 6 PM. Please look forward to it :)

I will! :) See you then!

[The feeling that comes across their bond only serves to make Rikku feel lighter and giddier. She allows herself to float in it for a bit before she starts getting ready for the ~big event~, whatever it ends up being.

Rikku still has some clothing left over from modeling several months ago, so she manages to find a red party dress for the occasion. It seems appropriate enough, given the Faoilleach holiday that pretty much everyone overlooked earlier in the month due to current events. At the very least, red feels like the right color. Of course, the cold weather dictates that she wear a coat over it while outside. But she'll make sure he sees it one way or another.

6PM arrives, and Rikku's sitting in the living room trying not to bounce too obviously as she waits for Ferran's arrival.]

[The Fae spends much of the rest of the day preparing—gathering ingredients, recipes, practicing his magic and thinking of ways to use it for their mutual enjoyment. He's almost entirely confident things will go well, even if that's just the moons' influence talking, and so his mood remains high all day regardless of the fact that he's having to use a little extra energy for his glamor...

In the evening, he sets out to make sure he's on time. Ferran himself has chosen a red attire, as well—a deep red vest with gold embroidery over a white shirt with a few jeweled adornments—cufflinks, belt, the buttons on his boots. But instead of his usual furred cloak, his shoulders are covered by the gold-edged wrap Karin had given him for the winter holiday. His bright wings are fully open and on display despite the cold, the gold and red glittering in strange ways that's sometimes reflected in his eyes for a split second.

Only a minute or two after the clock strikes six, he knocks with one hand, a small bouquet of flowers in the other behind his back, and while the thought occurs to him that he could hold one in his mouth, it feels too cheesy, too insincere. Besides, what if Karin or Leanne opened the door? That wouldn't do at all. These flowers are for Rikku alone.]

[Cheesy? Definitely. Insincere? Perhaps. But Rikku is easily impressed in the ways of love at this age, and she would have found it delightful.

When she hears the knock, it takes all of her self-control not to dash to the door and throw it open. Instead, she stands up, adjusts her dress, takes a breath to try and steady herself, puts on her coat, and grabs her bag. On her way to the door, she stops at the hall mirror and gives her clothing and hair--down, for once--a final once-over.
She's ready.

Rikku opens the door and gives Ferran a big smile in greeting. The expression grows a wondrous as she takes the time to look him over. He looks amazing, moreso than usual, and for a brief moment she forgets to breathe.

Oh right, she should probably greet him.]

Hi.

[Nailed it.]

[Rikku's reaction is mirrored in Ferran's own, in some ways: he would have been delighted to see her no matter what she looked like, but the novelty of seeing her hair down instead of tied up is like a special treat he can't get enough of, especially knowing it was done for him—and seeing her in the color he considers his own is just more icing on the cake. He takes in a breath through his nose, his own smile brightening to almost unnatural levels for a moment.

He's unaware of the pheromones that are released with the excited fluttering of his wings and the scattering of a few of their sparkling scales, although they're more magical indications of his pleased mood than any kind of attractive force. She's the only thing on his mind right now, even if he did know more specifics of of his transformation.]

Good evening. You look wonderful.

[Red roses frame the bouquet he holds out to her, the other flowers enchanted to appear by all senses as Rikku's favorite, whatever they may be. If, by chance, she doesn't have a favorite, they're simply more roses, but in white. What better way to test the waters of his illusory powers than with a simple charm?]

These are for you.

[Cliche, perhaps, but cliches are often for a reason, and Ferran can't think of a better way to present them.]

[Red roses framing a bouquet of cactus flowers is a certainly unique choice, but Rikku appreciates the flowers all the more for it. They remind her of Bikanel, of Home, of things that even if she weren't here in Aefenglom she isn't able to fully recapture. She pulls the flowers to her face--careful to avoid getting too closer to the flowers' sharper edges--and takes a deep breath.]

They're perfect. Thank you.

[To further express her thanks, Rikku wraps her arms around Ferran in a tight hug. The released pheromones are equally unrealized by her, but they're certainly having an effect. It's a feedback loop, really. The better he feels, the better she does. Bonds really are wonderful, aren't they?]

So, where are we going?

[The Fae's senses may see through his own illusions, but he can still see the image of them, laid over the truth like a translucent shell. Her preference in the flowers' form comes as a bit of a surprise, although the slightest twitch of his eyebrows upwards is easy to miss. It makes sense, when he thinks about it, and it gives him some thoughts on how to put his own personal touches on things later.

Ferran returns the hug with his customary encompassing embrace, although Rikku probably hasn't had enough (or any) from him to know that about him just yet. The bolstering effect it has on their bond, even aside from the emotional aspect, just makes it even harder to pull away, but he does in order to answer her question.]

It's not very far—unless you want it to be.

[He's just full of riddles today, because apparently Fae can't give a straight answer.]

[Quite frankly, Rikku would have been content to remain in his embrace for the rest of the night. But that's not realistic or especially exciting, so she's willing to let him go in the name of finding out more about what Ferran has planned.]

Any chance you're going to explain that cryptic statement?

[She's smiling brightly up at him, fully expecting the answer to be "no." But even as smitten as she is in the moment, she can't help but tease. It's how she knows how to flirt.]

As long as we don't spend all night traveling, I'm okay with as far away as you want t take me.

Tsukuyomi; like january sometime i guess

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Rikku; Fev. 27th

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ignore that he's a bat-swan this icon is the best i've got

close enough for me!

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Yona; Fev. 28th

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