( semi-open! )

[interlucere]

Who: Lux and others!
When: Throughout October
Where: Various places around town
What: Quests and other goings on during the month. Featuring Rux & Rudy, Turnt Turnips, Garden Troubles, and Lights Between the Trees. Girl does not know what it means to chill.
Warnings: None current, will update if this changes.


[ If we haven't planned anything and you would like a custom starter, feel free to hit me up here, or in Plurk or Discord! ]

Comments

[interlucere]

[ Smiling lightly against the lip of her mug, warmth radiates off her in waves. It isn't enough to completely ease the loneliness that weighs heavy on her chest, but it isn't as oppressive and all-encompassing.

Taking another small sip before setting her cup on the windowsill, Lux hums in thought. ]

I want to hear about your team.

[ She could ask about the city, the cafe, or any number of things—but knowing about the people who he thinks so fondly of is a much better way of learning about his world. ]

[scaling]

A good choice. [ Also the one he probably has the most to say about.

Sliding his mug aside, Akira sinks down somewhat, folding his arm on the windowsill to form a pillow for his chin. His eyes may be on the view outside of the attic window, but the distance in them speaks to his mind being elsewhere. ]

Well... There's Ryuji. He looks and sounds rough at first, but he has a heart of gold. A total mama's boy. Ann is one of the most compassionate people I've ever met. One of the most beautiful, too.

[ His cheeks flush a little, happy, as he confides that thought. ]

Yusuke seems weird at first, but he just thinks different from most people. He's really smart and a talented artist, too. Makoto is probably the smartest of all of us, and one of the hardest-working. She keeps us on track better than anyone.

[ There's a hint of amusement in that statement, knowing how rowdy they can get. They didn't make that role easy for her. ]

Futaba is like a little sister to me. She's been through so much, but once she decided to move forward, she hasn't given up. Haru is as elegant as is she is dangerous. You kind of remind me of her, actually. Ladylike, but with a spark.

[ This is a lot more talking than he usually does in one go. Akira wets his lips as he nears the end of the list. ]

Morgana... is a talking cat. [ Mostly, he just wants to see how she'll react to that one. ] We're—we were always together. [ It's impossible to quantify and compare how much he misses them all, and Akira never would, but he notices the lack of Morgana's presence the most, his ever-present companion. ] ... And you met Akechi.

[ He focuses in with a blink, looking over at Lux. ]

That's the team. I'll tell you more about any of them if you want.

[interlucere]

[ She can practically feel the affection conveyed in his words. It's clear that he cares deeply for them, each one a unique and irreplaceable piece of his heart. Her smile grows as he continues, shifting to draw her knees up to her chest and wrap her arms around them. Watching him closely, Lux can't help but wonder if they know what he thinks of them.

And she can't help but wonder what he might say about her, when he returns to Tokyo—if he says anything at all.

The next question she wants to ask circles around in her head, but is quickly derailed when Akira mentions his feline companion. She pauses after he finishes speaking, the smile leaving her face, replaced with a mix of curiosity and confusion. ]

A talking cat?

[ Is that the reaction he was hoping for? ]

[scaling]

[ That's pretty much what he expected. A slight tilt of his head hides the curl of his lips behind his arm, but the amusement is still plain as day in the subtle scrunch of his eyes and even more pronounced in their Bond. ]

It's... a long story, but yeah. I used to bring him to school and let him hide in my desk during class.

[ He's not going to mention the part where Morgana would occasionally help him with exam answers whenever he would draw a blank. ]

[interlucere]

[ That's surprisingly charming, his recounting bringing a smile to her face. Akira is sparse on the details when it comes to his companion, but she assumes he must be some sort of familiar. ]

And you didn't get caught bringing him with you?

[ That might be the most surprising development here. ]

[scaling]

No way. [ Somehow. There were plenty of "is that a cat?" close calls. Not to mention how much of a solid the guy who sat behind him did by never reporting it. ] We're sneaker than that.

[ Akira's gaze flickers over to Lux, warm. ]

They'd like you, you know. [ He has no doubt that Lux would like them, too, judging by the emotions he feels rolling off of her. ] The feeling I get from you is like the one I get when I'm with them.

[interlucere]

[ Oh. That's unexpected, clearly telegraphed in the surprise she wears on her face. Hearing something like that from him makes her surprisingly happy, that feeling rippling through their connection even as she looks away. ]

That's... That's very kind of you.

[ What does she say to something like that? She's never had a place, or people with whom she feels like she belongs. He leaves very little room for her to doubt, his warmth genuine and impossibly bright.

With a shy smile, Lux directs it towards him. ]

I wish I could meet them. They sound like wonderful people.

[scaling]

Maybe one day.

[ He recognizes how unlikely that is, given how little control they currently have over when they arrive here and when they leave. But it doesn't stop him from wanting to believe that he won't have to give up something dear to him.

He debates saying more but soon settles on a brief silence. If she lets him, Akira can really talk all night about them, and Lux should probably sleep at some point. Himself too. ]

Thanks for listening to me. Really [ He came here to comfort her and somehow ended up getting some of it in return. How does this always happen with her? ] I should get to bed soon, though. [ He nods towards her cup. ] I can take that down if you're done with it.

[interlucere]

[ The only way she would feasibly be able to meet any of them is if they came here, and Lux can't reasonably wish that fate upon anyone. Being pulled away from one's home, from the people and places they care about... No, it's better if they didn't. But she can appreciate the sentiment. Even if she never meets them, the quiet warmth of knowing she might belong is enough.

For once, Lux lets the silence settle without insisting on filling it, her gaze sliding to the side before drawing back towards him. She shakes her head. ]

That's all right. I think I'll be up for a little longer, so I can do it. And I'm happy to listen, any time you want to talk.

[ She enjoys it, more than she could say in words. ]

[scaling]

[ With a nod, Akira pushes himself away from the windowsill. Before he gets to his feet, though, he pauses and then reaches out to pat a hand on her shoulder, a small gesture of support. ]

Same goes to you, you know.

[ He lets it fall away to collect his cup and rises the rest of the way. ]

I'll see you tomorrow. [ When tomorrow is up in the air. She's been rather elusive lately. Lux might even be our of the house before he even wakes up. ] Good night, Lux.

[ And with one last smile, he sees himself out of the attic. ]