middaeg | Greetings always followed by sweet goodbyes [Open]

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Greetings always followed by sweet goodbyes [Open]

Who: Majima Gorō and OPEN
When: June!
Where: Everywhere!
What: Giant chickens, runework, plus quests and basically a monthly catch-all.
Warnings: Violence in the sunbear fight thread. Salty language, maybe.

A: I'll call you Nugget

[ Whoever had said 'don't go borrowing trouble' had been a smart guy, a wise man indeed, but the thing about being told you could potentially learn to transform yourself into a totally rad magic animal was that Majima wanted to do it immediately. So it was a quiet day in the Haven, sure -- up until, with a brilliant burst of magical fireworks, a giant, six-foot tall feathery menace descended upon one of the courtyards, stalking through the garden. ]

Fuck.

[ Someone get an adult. ]

B: Runetchers

[ Majima looked up when the shop door opened. It was a slow day, which meant he'd been making progress with the pile of scrolls and other orders for enchanted items. It also meant that his fingers were cramped, and a little distraction couldn't hurt. ]

Hi there, welcome to Runetchers.

[ He stood, gave the potential customer a little bow in a show of impeccable good manners. ]

Are you lookin' for anything in particular?

Research Required (For Justine)

Oh, I... yeah. Is there any way we could skip that part?

[ Apparently, no one had told Majima that this particular research was going to require Bonding. Hey, don't get him wrong -- connections were important, and so was emotional support? But getting himself magically attached to someone when he still hadn't made peace with the idea of sticking around long-term didn't really strike him as the best of ideas.

...especially since he wasn't sure if he wanted to get un- magically attached. He looked around for a friendly face, wondering how the hell he was going to bullshit his way out of this one. ]

Pastoral Pursuit (For Iramaat)

Hey, uh. For what it's worth, I'm sorry about your ears.

[ Look, maybe while they were wandering out into the woods looking for some stray sheep was not the best time to bring this up? But hey, Iramaat's ears had been kind of cool, and she knew how to nab foxes, and Majima knew if he'd had to give up one of his favorite features, he'd be pretty pissed about it.

With no outward signs of change, it was fairly obvious what side of the monster-witch coin that Majima had ended up on. He climbed over a fallen tree trunk, careful not to stave in its soft trunk. ]

Wildcard

Feel free to hit me up via Tetradecimal or PM for plotting!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Her smile softens as her gaze shifts from the board to the ornate silver cup.]

I know. [Understanding laces through her voice as she lightly slips her hand in his.] I don't trust people Majima. I... never have. I couldn't afford it but- [Her dark eyes lifted to meet his.] I can trust you. Even if it's only for a little while.

[Her heart is fluttering like a caged bird in her chest. She's made her choice but she can't help but be a little nervous about it. Justine's never done something like this before and it's... it's a step forward. Hopefully it turns out for the best and not the worst.]

Just for a little while.

[ He repeated, feeling somehow exposed despite being in a neatly-pressed full suit. Hell, why not? She'd kept him from those fae, he'd watched over her while she slept.

Majima took a sip from the goblet and handed it to her. He didn't mouth any words of promise, that wasn't part of the Bond, but he couldn't help thinking of the last time he'd shared drink with someone.

That wasn't this. It was... different. ]

[Justine inclines her head in a subtle nod of acceptance as she takes the silver goblet and lifts it to her lips. Cool metal touches her lips and then the chilling liquid coursing down her throat. It's odd but then the moment ends and the chilling sensation ebbs.

When she speaks, her voice is soft but determined as she makes a single promise.]

I will do by best to earn your trust.

[It's the least she can do, as long as they are bonded.]

[ Majima's response was more subdued, but it came with the weight of a man that meant more than what he was saying. ]

...I won't let ya down.

[ Wouldn't let any harm come to her, wouldn't betray her trust. Once Justine took her drink, it was like a reaction had gone off inside him. That magic, which he'd kept in check through daily practice, a constant struggle to regain what Majima felt he'd lost, suddenly blossomed in intensity.

Right. Witch-witch bonds. ]

Let's... let's get going, right? Make some good observations.

[Justine's own magic had been subdued somehow. Either by her own skepticism or by the simple fact that she knows nothing about magic but it's different now. Warmth and energy pulse through her frame, blossoming and unfurling in its dangerous beauty. She knows some about the technicalities of bonds but she'd never truly understood it until she felt it.

This is why the witches stopped these kinds of bonds and yet, they'd lived centuries boding to each other.

Her hand stays in his as she inclines her head in a gentle nod.] Yes. Let's go. [She'll follow him wherever he went. Now it feels like she needs to follow him or feels more complete near him. It's an odd sensation but not entirely unpleasant.

As they step away she lifts her fingers summoning little glowing dots of light that begin to bob and wave in the path in front of them. They're completely harmless and they siphons off a little of the magic that parks between them.]

Hey, you've been practicin', huh? Me, too.

[ A little cat made of light, slightly scribbly in appearance, wobbled into existence and followed Justine as they made their way to the observation point. He took out a notebook and pen. ]

I understand the wildlife out here ain't too hostile. They probably wouldn't ask us out here if it was.

[ The cat meowed silently and bumped its head against Justine's calf. ]

[Her smile widens at the sight of the cat padding along next to them.]

I see that you have too. He's cute. [She glances up at Majima as they head towards the edge of town.] Does he have a name?

[Her question is interrupted by the soft warm head bumping against her calf. She turns towards the cat and attempts to bend out and pick up the magical form of light. It's just too cute for her to ignore.]

That's what I heard too. I think we'll be fine between the two of us.

Uh... Y'know, I didn't really think about that one. What does he look like to you?

[ It was just easier, on some level, thinking up a glowing animal that would behave on its own versus lights that had to be explicitly controlled. The cat's body vibrated with its purr, casting warm light over the area.

As they reached their destination, Majima spotted a little cluster of birds, huddled under the leaves of a thorny bush for the night. ]

Hey, somethin' to record already.

[Justine found her attention divided between the path in front of them, the cat shaped light and Majima. She tries to keep her focus evenly split between the three but she finds herself petting the cat as it spreads light along their path. Justine attempts her own animals but they all turn into little balls of light that flicker and fade over time.

She's still learning and much better with water and air than she is with light.]

I think we should call him Sprinkle. [It kind of sounds like sparkle but it isn't.

Justine lifts her head and spots the cluster of birds. She finally places the cat down and hopes that it doesn't feel the need to go after the birds. After all, it's only light.] You're right. Their cute. Do you want me to write?

[She holds out her hands now that their free.]

Sure, if ya like.

[ He handed her the pen and paper, smiling a little ruefully. ]

Bet if I was a little better at this magic thing, I could make those notes take themselves.

[ Sprinkle sneezed suddenly, sending miniscule little poofs of light out in an aura around his head, then curled up around Justine's ankles. ]

Y'know, a little earlier in the month, I went out to help catch a family of... foxbits? They'd been infected by that Cwyld.

[She takes the pad of paper and begins to take notes about the birds and their nest. Her handwriting is lovely and legible and she goes so far to draw out a rough sketch of the creatures. Justine doesn't have a lot of practice with drawing but she has a latent talent for the art.]

Oh?

[Her eyes rise to meet his and her writing slows to a stop.] I don't think I've seen a foxbit before. I remember seeing pictures of them in the library. [They were cute creatures though drawings in a book can be misleading in that regard.

Justine looks down at the light poofs and smiles. There are just too many cute things in this world.]

Yeah. They look half-fox, half-rabbit, and they got a lot of kick for furballs that ain't even that big.

[ Majima pointed at a small squirrel as it skittered through the grass and grabbed a fallen nut. ]

Hey, there's another one.

[Justine's smile widens as she tries her best to get a little sketch of the creature before it disappears. It doesn't work very well but she does manage to jot down the notes.]

They're cute.

I don't suppose that you have a vendetta against them now? After they... kicked you? [She tucks a loosen strand of black hair behind her ear as a little thrill of electricity jumps between her and Majima.

She feels the connection growing and she realizes with a little jolt of fear that she isn't able to hide her feelings or thoughts from Majima.]

Nah, not at all. In fact, ya could say I've got a healthy new respect for 'em.

[ Them and their sharp needle teeth. Majima inhaled sharply when he felt the jolt, looked up at her. This was... a new experience, all right, and maybe more intimate than he was banking on.

But he'd long had experience steering towards control, and so when he felt Justine's action, his reaction wasn't to respond in kind, but to redirect at least some of it. A crop of wild roses began to grow like weeds, sprouting leaves and buds and new blooms as it shot up along the wooden walkway, its flowers shifting from white to red and blue and gold. Little snatches of magic, pieces that wouldn't go too awry even if they lost their way. ]

...that's new. You okay?

[Justine watches as the roses begin to grow into thick bushes littered with new brightly blooming flowers. She focuses on breathing, in and out, calming the racing beat of her heart. She can't let herself lose control. Not with Majima so close. She'd promised him.]

Yes. I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting that.

[She places her palm over her heart.]

I- do you think we can find a place to sit now and rest for a little bit? I'm not used to bonds and it's... surprising. [Not bad but different.]

Of course.

[ A quick sweep of the area revealed a wooden bench they could use, and Majima motioned toward it, offering his arm in case Justine needed it. ]

No way to really describe it until ya feel it yourself, huh?

There's... so much of it. I'm not overloadin' ya, am I?

[Her fingers hovers above his arm before finally taking the offered support. She feels him acutely against her palm as the connection between them sparks to life. Justine inhales a slow breath and leans against him, molding her frame to his side. She doesn't just need his support physically but mentally and magically as well.]

It's hard to describe. [She agrees with a small smile.] I'm sorry. You're-

You're the first person I've ever bonded too.

[Justine never thought she would.]

You aren't. It's me. I don't want to put... everything on you. [What goes on inside her head is a mess.] I'm just trying to hold it back. Using your magic and mine.

[ And he was happy to lend it to her, as strange as the situation was. ]

Hold it back...?

[ Majima was picking up something fierce, but Justine never really had gone into what was going on when her mind was storming. Not that anyone could blame her; what went on in her head was surely hers alone to share. ]

I'm not sure I understand, but the only reason ya agreed to do this was to help me out, right?

Then let me help ya in return. If there's anythin' I can do...

[It's something that's difficult for Justine to talk about because she doesn't like feeling weak but Majima can already feel it, can't he? That teeming darkness. He has to know that there is something inside of her, a rage and frantic darkness clawing to get out.]

I do want to help you Majima. [Her lips press into a soft smile.] You've done so much to help me. [Justine's shoulder presses against his and she uses the contact to ground herself to the spot.]

It's just. Sometimes very loud. Crazy. That's what they called me. I've tried to take medication for it but it only makes me sick and this place. I don't think it has anything like that. [Thomas makes it better, he makes it go away.] I thought I could hold it back.

I'm sorry.

[Justine gaze falls.]

I might be the worst person for you to bond too. The extra magic has helped but I'm not good at holding it back for long. It's always there. I- I hate it.

[ His expression grew solemn as he listened to her, and... yeah, it would have been nice to know as much ahead of time. But Justine couldn't have reasonably known what the effects of the Bond would be, either. They were supposed to stabilize people, right? Ground them.

So he tried to reach out with his own nascent experience, explore around the edges of that teeming sensation.

What darker impulses Majima possessed were part of him, tied up in his being -- they always had been. He gave them outlets in a hundred small ways, and the more he accepted them, gave them an outlet, the more himself he felt.

But Justine? It looked like she was different. Perhaps not entirely so, however... so he slipped his fingers around hers. It seemed to help, that contact. ]

I appreciate the sentiment, Justine, but this Bond thing's supposed to go both ways, right? Think that maybe I can help past donating a little magic.

[ He reached out for the pen, scrawled out a line of spidery runes that glowed and wavered on the page. A charm to bolster Justine's resolve, lend her extra strength. It ought to work, right? He'd been studying Enhancement more than anything else. ]

[Her fingers curl around his as she falls into the calming warmth of his touch.

It isn't the same as it'd been with Thomas but there is something similar in the connection between them now. She felt Majima sitting at her side, warm and alive, his heart beat and more. She hadn't focused on the connection. Justine hadn't wanted to intrude on his privacy but she clung to it now, letting it fill her.]

Right.

[Her eyes drop to the pad of paper sitting in her lap as Majima scrawls the familiar looking runes.] Majima. [Warmth floods through her chest as the spell fills her, cutting off what she'd been about to say.

Her cheeks flush a pink rosy hue as her gaze lifts to meet Majima's.]

Thank you. It's not always so bad. Just sometimes. I feel better. Like this. [With him.]

I'm glad.

[ And for once? He could help instead of hurt. Surely that had to be worth something, even if he'd had to give up something in the bargain. Majima lifted his hand, touched his fingertips to the side of her face before he realized what he was doing. ]

Uh, sorry. I didn't...

[ He remembered now what it felt like to kiss her. It would be great if he could stop thinking about it. ]

[Justine reaches up and gently intercepts Majima's hand, pressing his palm against the smooth curve of her cheek.]

It's alright. [Her head turns and she lightly presses a kiss to Majima's palm.] This feels good. I don't know if it's the bond or maybe it's just you but- [Justine's cheeks flushed as she looked up at him.]

I like it.

[She's always been forward, it's just her personality, but this feels different and she's almost embarrassed at the sudden change.]

[ He regarded her for a moment. The last thing he needed was more complications... a line of thought he maintained right up until he leaned in for a kiss, and not to her palm.

His lips were warm against hers; he thought he could feel the heat radiating from her skin. ]

I don't know, either.

[ But at present, he didn't really care. His face was still close to hers after he pulled away. It did feel good to touch someone -- to share in the kind of closeness he'd done so long without. ]

But I'm glad it's you.

Edited 2019-06-06 02:22 (UTC)

[His lips were warm and soft as they gently met hers. It wasn't like the kiss they shared before. This was simple, more earnest and without the hazy distance of that dream world.

Justine sighed, basking in the lingering heat and comfort of his lips.]

Me too. [Her voice doesn't rise above a whisper, as if the two of them have suddenly slipped into their own private world; away from everything that threatened them.] I'm glad it's you.

[The connection runs deeper than a Bond. There is a similarity between them that Justine hasn't noticed before. Maybe it's rage or pain or stubborn strength but it's not something that's easily ignored. Not while they're connected.

She wants to find out what it is.

Justine leans forward so that her lips rest lightly against his before speaking.] If we... [She inhales the heat of his breath and shivers.] If we keep doing this. I think... I'll want more. I know I will.

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