middaeg | August catch-all [ semi-open ]

Entry tags:

league of legends: lux crownguard

August catch-all [ semi-open ]

Who: Lux + You
When: Throughout August
Where: Around the city and the edges of the Wilde
What: Quests, part-time jobs, etc.
Warnings: None currently, but will update as needed

[ Ever the busy body, Aguril proves to be much the same. Sometimes it seems like there must be two of her running around this city, although the most common places to find her are

Working a part-time job at Precogstitchin', working the sales floor and styling customers
In the shopping district, looking for odds and ends at Arwel's request
Walking (being dragged by) or playing with a young pantherhound in the residential district, or one of the nearby parks
Practicing spells at night just beyond the city—focusing primarily on light and illusionary spells

If you are interested in plotting something that isn't on this list, feel free to hit me up at

impearls, on Discord (Pearl#1577), or by messaging this journal!

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[ This isn't the first time that Lux has been to Smugha cave, and genuinely curious to explore its icy depths further, she was happy to take the job. The fact that she knows her partner is a pleasant surprise. This will make the night go by much quicker.

Taking the time to settle in, Lux pushes the hood of her cloak off her head, pulling her hair out from under the collar. Her eyes have already adjusted to the low light, but it would be nice if she could get her magic to enhance her night vision. Ah well, something else to work on. ]

They should be done with laying down the framework by around dawn. We can take shifts, if that would be easier for you.

[ Lux knows that not everyone keeps odd hours like she does. ]

[ With June's dream-vision still at the forefront of her mind, it's a surprise that Lux avoided this for so long. Their Bond was supposed to be short lived, temporarily forged out of necessity. But they simply left it alone, rather than severing that shared connection completely. She would never admit it, but there was something comforting about feeling like he would always be with her in some way.

But that didn't make this any less nerve wracking. A temporary Bond would never be as strong, and Lux hadn't quite shaken off the associations she had with the whole ceremony. Writing vows, joining hands, tying two souls to one another, it's difficult to not associate it with a formal marriage—even if many people in Aefenglom weren't married to their Bonded.

It's a good idea, and she likes Souji quite a bit, but tell that to her ice-cold hands. Never mind that she was the one who suggested this. She doesn't regret it (won't regret it), but wouldn't it be weird if she wasn't nervous? Probably. That's what she tells herself.

She's making a much bigger deal out of this than she should.

Waiting outside of the Coven, wearing the red dress she was given during the festival, Lux looks lost in thought, the quiet smile on her face concealing the anxious-excited energy flowing through her. ]

[ yes, hello. you might have noticed the new girl. went from delivery part time to tailoring full time after another worker was mysteriously demoted due to a battery of errors and fabric tears. four’s in their place now.

perhaps a stroke of luck, at the right time. a pity, that other person, though. serves them right, at least, to not be given leeway. you must learn from your errors.

(even if those “errors” were coy traces of sabotage)

four is fixing another lovely dress today— plenty of peaches and scarlets, flowing long and proudly. she takes ideas from external fashion statements, what the crowd wants. it’ll just need a model in a moment . . . ]

[Conversely, this is his first time to the cave, and he did not realize it would be as cold as it is when he took the job. He's also wearing a cloak, but he's forgotten a hat, so his ears are very cold. Maybe if he keeps them pressed into his hair or moving, they won't develop icicles.]

I think it will work better if we each watch a specific area. That way there isn't just one of us patrolling too large an area at a time. Take a break whenever you need it.

[It's weird doing this without a flashlight or other source of light, but at the same time it's kinda cool that he doesn't really need anything, at least in the semidarkness.]

[ Oh, he's experienced with this sort of thing. That will make this easier—although splitting up might be disadvantageous if the shades within decide to work their way closer to the surface.

Nevertheless, she nods in agreement, crossing her arms comfortably over her chest. ]

Good idea. We'll want to work out a system to communicate, in case something should happen. [ A beat. ] Something other than the communicators. A signal of some kind.

[ It's been a long day, a constant string of customers coming in and out, all looking for outfits specifically from them. There was something about this year's wares that people could not get enough of, and there was hardly time for Lux to sit and relax.

But this should be the last of it; once she drops off the burgundy frock in her arms, she would finally be done for the day. Ducking into the back, she watches Four work for a moment before finally speaking up. ]

Oh, that's lovely. Who is it for?

[ She suspects nothing. ]

[ without taking her eyes off of the work much, for speaks. ]

A lady about your age. [ a little detail here, some there . . . ] Just in time for her birthday, thank goodness . . . What would she have done if it were still ripped–?

[ but then, her attention turns. ]

Me and my wandering thoughts. Do you work here as well, Young Miss?

[ she’s seen her around— she just acts like she hasn’t. ]

[ If Four is feigning ignorance, Lux doesn't notice. Honestly, there's something nice about not being recognized for a change. ]

It's a good thing that we're here, then. It looks as good as new. I'm sure that she'll be thrilled.

[ Walking over to deposit the dress in her arms on the sewing table, she nods briefly at Four's question. ("Young Miss?" They look about the same age...) ]

That's right; I usually work in the shop. I'm Lux. And you are..?

[The way he sees it, if they split up, they're less likely to be surprised since they're not patrolling the whole area and therefore there's less time for something to sneak up.]

It's too dark right now to rely on anything visual. Whistles might work best.

[He doesn't know Morse code or similar, but he can surely make up a system on the spot.]

A short one for assistance...and a longer one if one of us accidentally falls asleep on the job?

Four, [ she says, bright and quaint. ] simply Four.

I— I know many have considered it a peculiar name, Lux, but you needn’t worry too much of it.

[ A part of Souji, from the very beginning, had a feeling that something more would come out of a supposedly temporary Bond. They don't wholly rely on it like he's certain many people do, leaning on their Bonds to read how one another is, finding ways to communicate, but... it's a good way to get a read of how one another is. It's a guarantee and reassurance all rolled into one, that they're there for one another.

Research has brought him a lot of information, about Bonds. What they mean for the Bonded. How witches can benefit from the process, what they should safeguard against - the information changes from person to person, source to source, so he has a feeling it'll have to be something that they learn by experience. But if they're together... it's fine, right?

Even with a ceremony that's reminiscent of marriage vows.

Her nerves radiate across the Bond, but he keeps his calm as always. There's a flutter of them on his end, too, because Souji isn't infallible. But as he makes his way to the Coven, dressed in three-piece ensemble much neater than his usual affair. Adjusting to fashion here hasn't been hard for him, but... he wanted to look nice.

The sudden lance of fondness that pierces through his chest, hitting their Bond, is something he can't hide when he sees Lux standing there and looking gorgeous in her dress. ]

[ Four? What an odd name—and she seems to know that as well. Lux smiles brightly in response. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Four.

[ Simple, to the point, and quietly incandescent in its delivery. Lux's opinion doesn't matter here, and honestly there are more things here to worry about. Someone's name, or what other people thought of it, should never be one of them.

Turning her attention to the formerly-ripped dress, she curls a hand at her lips. ]

I would have never guessed that this was ripped if you hadn't told me. It practically looks brand new.

[ Maybe this would have been easier if they did this during Litha. Riding the festival high, she could have brushed it off as getting swept up in the moment. It wasn't a big deal—this is simply what people did during that time of year. They already knew what to expect, in theory. But sitting on it for so long, she can't use Litha as a reason to extend their Bond indefinitely. She could appeal to logic (and in fact did, when she approached him with this)... but logic couldn't explain the conflicting feelings of anxiety and anticipation that waged a war within her as she waits.

Thankfully, Lux doesn't have to wait long, feeling Souji's presence before she sees him, warm and calm as always, but with an unexpected quiver of nerves at the edges. Ah, he's nervous too. That's oddly comforting. Maybe this feeling wasn't so strange after all.

But as she turns to greet him, she feels herself struck twice by the pang of something unfamiliar and strong. Once through their shared connection; and a second time when he comes into view, as the fluttery feeling of endearment for him nearly makes her breath catch and ripples through their Bond. She's never seen him look line that. He's always been very put together, but Lux has never seen him look like this. It's nice. Maybe a little more than nice. ]

There you are. I was beginning to worry that I came here on the wrong day. [ ...Why would she say something like that? They both know that she wouldn't make a mistake like that.

The smile on her face turns quietly bashful, as she briefly laughs it off. Clearly that was a joke made at her own expense. It's funny. ]

I'm not sure I've seen you wear something like that. ...It suits you. [ Translation: she likes it. Also, that was not intended to be a pun, she swears. ] You didn't need to wear anything special, you know.

[ compliment fishing, four? never. ]

Do you think so? [ she almost seems surprised, holding up fabric until it drapes into folds. ] It was . . . Rather horrible before, even without the tear.

[ and then, she blinks, and shakes her head in dismay of her words. ]

I hate to gossip, truly— but if you think it looks good, I can only feel honored.

[ If they can feel the things they do now, what's going to happen when this Bond is fully realized? Souji catches a pang of something, like his own feelings have been rebounded back to him, but lighter, fainter, and he takes that thought rather than putting it aside. Because this is about to become very real - not that their so-called temporary Bond ever was anything less than real - and it's... good. He trusts her, and isn't about to try and hide anything from her in the first place.

The knowledge that she'll see behind every mask is a little intimidating, because he still holds onto them, even now, but it's for the best. Keeping each other in check will surely help them grow.

He'll think of that, as he can't help the soft smile on his face at the bashful follow-up. Lux is as charming as always; he thinks she really would get along well with the people of Inaba. ]

Hopefully you weren't waiting long - I think being on time is better than fashionably late, even if we're both fashionable. [ That one definitely is meant to be a pun, for some levity and to latch onto the unintentional one. He smooths his hands over the lapels, amusement obvious. Then, Souji offers her his arm.

They both dress well in the first place, but they clean up well, too. Red brings out a lot about her, and the dress is a perfect fit. ] Neither did you. I think maybe we've gotten a headstart on having the same idea, though. You look lovely.

[ Lux has avoided thinking about how the permanence will affect what she telegraphs over their Bond—and vice versa. She has always been the type to hide her feelings behind a smile and strategic redirection, but it's always been somewhat different with Souji. She isn't sure why; maybe a part of her is following his lead. If she thinks about it, she might pull away... and it's strange, because she isn't sure that she wants to.

Part of her wants to let him get to know her better.

Her eyes light up at the pun, even if she doesn't laugh aloud. Lux takes his arm out of habit, her eyes darting away briefly with the compliment. She's used to flattery, but she's always been weak to genuine comments like that. ]

It seemed rude to let a gift go to waste. [ Nice recovery. ] Alrhough, I'm not sure about the color. It feels a little loud.

[ She... probably should have just taken the compliment. Good job, Lux. She quickly skates past her awkward comment, following him as he leads her forward. ]

But thank you. I wasn't sure how people usually dress for this sort of thing, but... it felt right. At least if we're overdressed for the occasion, we'll be overdressed together.

[ Lux isn't one to gossip either, but there's a note of understanding in the look she gives Four. ]

I don't always understand the fashion choices here, either, but I think that's part of what makes this place so interesting. It's very different than most of us are used to.

[ That's a very polite way of saying some people here have bad taste, Lux. ]

But you clearly have an eye for this. We're lucky to have you here. It makes me hope I could wear one of your designs some day.

[ It took time, for Souji to let other people in. A full year of befriending people, of seeing their darkest selves, the parts that they tried to deny, to hide from the world... and then seeing them realize who they were, and what their potential was. It gave him the chance to do the same, even if he never faced a Shadow. The masks are still held close to his chest, but nowadays they feel a little too snug on his face when he puts them on. Almost like they don't belong anymore.

So he's willing to open up to people here, and Lux moreso than others. That first conversation when they realized there were such deepset similarities between them really paved the road that they're on now.

He's glad that chance happened to them, and that they could build their blanket fort.

Pleased with himself, Souji folds his hand calmly over hers when she takes his arm. The awkwardness is smoothly allowed to drop, even with his amusement - it's mostly directed at her restrained response to his pun, anyways. ]

Blue does suit you better, I think. [ Because he can't deny that - she looks good in the color, in his opinion - ] But... there isn't anything wrong with trying something a little louder every now and then, right?

And I don't really mind being overdressed like this. [ Together. At least they match on that regard. ]

[ Souji isn't wrong about that assessment, but hearing it come from him gives her smile a brief, bashful turn. ]

It's a force of habit, really. But you're right, maybe I should branch out more...

[ Dressing in blue is a comfortable choice for her. She's just lucky that her family's colors look good on her, even if she's been defaulting to white lately. But she can't deny that this red does wonders for her skin tone. ]

We could find something for you too. Maybe a nice burgundy or green. [ ...Blue might look good on him, too. ] But I think this looks nice too.

[ She likes it... but she can't come out and say that.

Falling into step with him as they enter the Coven, her nerves begin to resurface—though much more subdued than earlier. In an effort to dispell them completely, she forces her attention to what is going on around them, her free hand resting comfortably on his arm. This is normal, people do this sort of thing everyday. ]

...I've never witnessed a Bonding ceremony myself. Have you?

What's comfortable for you is always good, but it doesn't hurt to branch out. [ If anybody knows about branching out...

But he inclines his head a little at her suggestion. Souji definitely isn't against that idea, either; he mostly wears neutral tones, but he does favor teal quite a bit. Something that leans away from that doesn't sound bad. ] I do like the cut of it. Getting some more colors, though, would be kind of fun. We could do a shopping trip.

[ Or at least window shop. No harm in that, right?

No harm in the nerves, either, but he doesn't call attention to them. Especially since they simmer a little with him again. The world of the Coven is always a pretty distracting one, though, with the hustle and bustle, as well as the magic inherent in it. And the conversation is good, too. ]

I haven't. I did a lot of reading into Bonds and the ceremony, but... I didn't come to witness any. It seems kind of private, I'd hate to be rude. [ Like interrupting a private wedding... ]

That sounds like fun!

[ There is no harm in window shopping, and it would give her a glimpse into what he likes. He isn't the type to do things for himself, so clearly that falls on her to remedy.

A quietly understanding smile curling her lips, Lux glances up at him briefly before nodding, drawing her attention back to the world around them. ]

And it's difficult to say if it would be any different for us, given our circumstances. [ Being mirrorbound, having a temporary Bond; he's free to interpret that however he wants. ] I suppose we'll have to figure that out as we go.

[ The same could be said of her, though, and he knows it. They're very much the sorts to look out for others more than themselves, aren't they? It's like they were brought together for that reasons.

But Souji hums thoughtfully, consider it. Whether it's because they're mirrorbound, or have their temporary Bond in place... or the types of people they are, or the fact their Witches. It doesn't quite matter, does it? Bonds seem to change depending on the person. ]

I always hate to assume, but I think we're both pretty good at that kind of thing. So we should be all right. [ A soft laugh leaves him. ] Well, ready?

[ The doors are right ahead. ]

[ What will their Bond look like, how will it change through this ceremony—and will it end up changing them? She doesn't think that she has changed in their time together, so it probably won't be any different. She doesn't need to be nervous.

But the deep breath she takes feels necessary to push them down (hopefully) for good. Her expression brightens as she nods to him. ]

As ready as I'll ever be.

[ Lead the way. ]

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August catch-all [ semi-open ]

Noctis

Souji ; forward-dated to the day before the event

precog

Re: Noctis

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I dug out our first PP to find this outfit.

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pours one out for both of them tbh

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rip kids

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