SION ASTAL. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sunderings) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
overjoyed_logs2017-02-01 09:10 pm
sunderings) wrote in overjoyed_logs2017-02-01 09:10 pm
[CLOSED] i keep on hoping
Who: Lapis, Julius, & Sion
Where: Leith, Mountainside
When: W4D6
Summary: Two space Italians and one astral Frenchman take a much needed vacation...! Picnicking ensues.
Restrictions/Warnings: None!
[ See: a trio running careless and free, each step and breath something momentous, enchanted with potential newly unlocked and boundless possibility, enough to carry them far, far away from the center of Leith—the marketplace at the convergence of several crop fields—and to the meadowland banking the nearby mountainside where they fearlessly cross the skies...!
Literally.
Lapis darts ahead, traversing an airborne path crafted from programmable matter in the form of solid light, and Sion trails after her, never far behind, the thoroughfare beneath their feet glittering and bright, winking like stars as its ends flickers out (from behind Sion) only to reform again (before Lapis), leading to--...
Somewhere like happily ever after.
(But perhaps not-so for Julius, who rests now in the bassinet of Sion's arms, the Enforcer's back supported with one hand, and the bend of his knees with another. Earlier on in the day, Sion had caught sight of the man while purchasing traveling rations at the bazaar, but it hadn't been long before 'rations' had turned into a meal for three, and the pair of Company men had been swept up and away by their mutual friend: a girl once fearful of being unable to stop, now cavorting against a backdrop of blue sky and gold light.)
A smile curves Sion's lips as he laughs with a shake of his head, joyful (and breathless!) beyond belief: ]
You are going to wear the both of out at this rate, Lapis! [ ...not that Sion minds too terribly, of course. ] In fact, I fear that Julius... already...
[ Is a goner???
In play, the Director cannot resist (gently) jostling the other man (the princess) in his arms. How is the Enforcer actually fairing...? He thinks, almost, to ask for a status report: Julius has been much too quiet. ]
Where: Leith, Mountainside
When: W4D6
Summary: Two space Italians and one astral Frenchman take a much needed vacation...! Picnicking ensues.
Restrictions/Warnings: None!
[ See: a trio running careless and free, each step and breath something momentous, enchanted with potential newly unlocked and boundless possibility, enough to carry them far, far away from the center of Leith—the marketplace at the convergence of several crop fields—and to the meadowland banking the nearby mountainside where they fearlessly cross the skies...!
Literally.
Lapis darts ahead, traversing an airborne path crafted from programmable matter in the form of solid light, and Sion trails after her, never far behind, the thoroughfare beneath their feet glittering and bright, winking like stars as its ends flickers out (from behind Sion) only to reform again (before Lapis), leading to--...
Somewhere like happily ever after.
(But perhaps not-so for Julius, who rests now in the bassinet of Sion's arms, the Enforcer's back supported with one hand, and the bend of his knees with another. Earlier on in the day, Sion had caught sight of the man while purchasing traveling rations at the bazaar, but it hadn't been long before 'rations' had turned into a meal for three, and the pair of Company men had been swept up and away by their mutual friend: a girl once fearful of being unable to stop, now cavorting against a backdrop of blue sky and gold light.)
A smile curves Sion's lips as he laughs with a shake of his head, joyful (and breathless!) beyond belief: ]
You are going to wear the both of out at this rate, Lapis! [ ...not that Sion minds too terribly, of course. ] In fact, I fear that Julius... already...
[ Is a goner???
In play, the Director cannot resist (gently) jostling the other man (the princess) in his arms. How is the Enforcer actually fairing...? He thinks, almost, to ask for a status report: Julius has been much too quiet. ]
no subject
Or at least, as fine as he can be. There's no way he would be able to keep up with the other two at the speed with which they race, even with his enhanced endurance. That sort of speed just isn't sustainable for his frame, especially with the toll that duties have had on him lately. Sui Feng works her subordinates hard.
That isn't the crux of the problem, however. His curse burns particularly strong in his blood, now that he's missed a few doses of suppressant due to being away for extended periods of time. Already black marks like spiders have appeared on his skin, though he keeps it hidden under his uniform - marks that count down to the inevitable end.
It hurts to move, at times. But he's just tired. That's what he says. ]
How long more do you plan to go?
[ He's given up on running already. ]
no subject
The more she runs, the more she feels she can control it - adjusting the speed ever so slightly, as she runs along the platforms of light. Her lungs are burning, her legs starting to ache, but still she keeps going.
Sion's words prompts her to glance over her shoulder - managing to give a playful smile in response, her voice a bit wheezy and breathless from how much she's been running. But still she keeps going.]
I'm sure, you'll be fine! But... [But then her eyes drift down to Julius, concern bubbling up inside her once more. He says he's just tired, but she has an idea of what could be wrong... Something that makes her heart clench in her chest, and she finds her speed slowing, finding it hard to catch her breath now, to force her aching legs to keep going.]
But maybe we can... take a break now. My legs hurt a bit. [She bends over to rest her hands on her knees, gasping for air as she looks through the platform, down at the world below them.]
no subject
Where Lapis slows, Sion follows suit, no longer a fluid silhouette of motion cutting through the sky, but simply a man who has chosen to stop at his friend's side. And as he follows Lapis' line of sight, glimpsing the meadowland below through golden hues of light, he wonders what it would be to so keenly feel the well-earned fatigue, burn, and ache of a run; what it would once again be to know the tousle of the wind through one's hair, or the faint kiss of warmth from the after-Harvest sun. These things have been gone from him for many years, drowned out by a pervasive hurt, an acute and crippling pain that had driven others (lesser test subjects, or so he'd been told) mad within a handful of days, and yet...
Yet Sion endures, as does Julius, for the Enforcer is only tired, weary in a way the Director often is himself. That's why--...
It is important to relax, right? To relax and to enjoy the clear skies, to aid friends and to laugh because they've endured, they've survived, and in these hours before Sion is summoned to duty in Westerley and Julius is to report to Sui Feng, leaving Lapis to return to the life she'd built for herself, can they not find solace in one another's company?
Sion sees no reason why they cannot, should not, and so it is with a nod of his head that he agrees— ]
A moment of rest would be nice.
[ —and with his body functioning as conduit for the light, a series of platforms, each incrementally lower than the last, spring to life, forming a stairwell for their descent into...!
Flowers which carpet the meadowland, dotting the sea of green with blue and yellow blossoms which part before the feet.
It is with a distinct measure of care that Julius (his charge) is set down, settled atop the blades of grass, and no sooner than the Director's hands are freed...! Sion strips himself of both his satchel—its contents: a lunch for three—and Company coat, the latter spread out, the material making a home for a modest spread of food and... drinks, the very first (a bottle of water) pressed into Lapis' palm. ]
You are amazing, Lapis! [ —breathy and featherlight, Sion's voice is the only thing which betrays the fact that he hasn't yet recovered from the great distance they've traveled, and so very quickly at that! ] As are you, Julius.
You are the most easy carry I've ever had, by far.
[ Fact: when there are things better left overlooked and unsaid, Sion puts up a playful front for the sake of others, smiling even as he studies both of his companions with a discerning eye: in Lapis' face, he searches for any sign of ill-effects from her sudden surge of speed, and in Julius...
...he looks for signs beyond what the other man has claimed. ]
What a happy accident, that we were brought together today.
no subject
In this way, he's happy seeing them having fun, even if it twists the knife in him a little deeper knowing that he will never have this privilege. All will come to an end for him soon enough. ]
I try my best. [ Even so, he tries to be humorous - no smile on his face, the lightness in his voice instead. ] Thank you. I apologize for the trouble.
[ He picks himself up fluidly, his willpower forcing his body to move exactly as he wishes it - his usual manner, nothing amiss. The only thing he can't quite control are his eyes, but that's easily remedied by looking at the food and not at the other two. ]
You're well prepared as always.
no subject
And Julius' attempt to be humorous manages to get Lapis to giggle once more, still trying to catch her breath. Tiredness starts to seep in, but she cares little for her exhaustion, instead peeking over at Julius once more - watching him carefully still despite how causal she acts. Humming softly in agreement as she takes another sip of her water - shrugging off her shawl as she leans back, balancing herself as she lets a hand rest on the patch of grass behind her.]
Very well prepared... I guess it's a good thing that I suddenly developed inhuman speed today.
[Luckily she feels all speed-ed out now, the restless feeling inside her fading - finally relaxing as her lung and legs start to burn and ache from the sudden strain she put them though.]
no subject
[ A loft of a slender, white-as-snow brow; a cant of head to the side.]
Could it be that neither of you are familiar with the tale of the "Demon" administrator of Westerley? [ Moved by Julius' own play at humor and the soft notes of Lapis' laughter which chimed shortly thereafter, a gleam of mischief catches in Sion's eyes as he settles beside his friends, kneeling into the grass. And when next he speaks, it is with a voice which is theatrical, lilting, and light of heart, its silvered intonations hoping to catch Julius' attention—Julius, who in his keen study of the picnic spread, misses the way his friends look to him. ] The fabled monster who neither sleeps nor eats, garnering his sustenance instead from the suffering he doles unto others by delegating great deluges of paperwork to them...!
[ Here, he gives pause, leaning back with his palms pressed to the earth and flower petals brushing against his skin. If he closed his eyes and if he focused, he might be able to feel the too-delicate sensation, but as it is, he finds no need to: he is in good company, and his heart already carries enough warmth and feeling within it.
Lapis' smile and Julius' distant happiness...
(He could be content, like this.) ]
He, who knows nothing of lenience, demands perfection in all things, and is charged with keeping the Company outpost running like a well-oiled machine--...
[ If he were to be honest, he has no wish to return to his office; to his desk. It is here, among the people, where he might make the greatest, most immediate difference, and yet... ]
That sort of Demon— [ ...it will not be enough, if he remains in the field; he must continue to climb in order to elicit change, making the world into a kinder place. A world where Julius does not have go through life anticipating his own end, and where Lapis can pursue her dreams, even if that dream should be cavorting through Lethian fields as a gale-force wind. ] —would never forget lunch for his friends.
[ And ah, there it is, a smile as bright as the sun overhead! ]
Please, eat. I am only glad I'd foresight enough to think that going for a run would surely spike the appetite.
no subject
[ That's the closest he'd get to a laugh. It's an interesting sort of analogy, and it had fooled him at the start into thinking of someone like Sui Feng - but then it becomes evident that Sion is talking about himself, and his amusement comes naturally.
Or as naturally as he can give. ]
Thank you.
[ He'll only start on it when the other two have already begun, as is polite. ]
no subject
But one word sticks out to her -'friends'. It's enough to give her pause, her shyness rising once more at having that word include her. The thought causes some heat to rise to her cheeks, and she ducks her head down, letting her hair obscure how she turns rather red.
She's quick to find another distraction, so she murmurs a word of thanks as well, before reaching for one of the sandwiches - not hesitating to munch away as she calms herself down.]
1/3
[ Okay, to wear that flush of color upon her cheeks, one which has precious little to do with the exertion of their run. White lashes hooding over gold eyes, Sion's expression gentles, sobering from something perfectly impish to a look of fondness; a quiet joy rather like Julius' soft huff of a laugh. It seems that, perhaps, in ways each their own, every member of this band of companions boasts their own manner of shyness: Lapis, who is demure in her receiving of kindness, Julius, who is reserved in his voicing his emotions, and Sion himself who...
...hides, at times, behind his smile; behind a flawless record and reputation for always being all right. In this way, he deflects the worries and cares of others (no one should be fearful, ill at ease on his behalf), keeping them at arm's length where he so readily offers patience and support.
Like in the here and now, where he leans down with a dip of his head, gold eyes flicking up in an attempt to catch Lapis' own downcast gaze...! ]
I am here for you, no matter what, and I am sure Julius feels the same. [ And with an easy nod, Sion rises again, plucking a bunch of grapes from their picnic spread before placing them atop his lap. ] Though I do not know if even I will be able to keep pace with you next time, should your speed increase.
[ And then, a light as air laugh followed by— ]
2/3
(Peace.) ]
It is curious, though, how it happened. Are you able to tell us what occurred before you experienced the sudden burst of haste?
3/3
Julius. [ You're not eating yet. And naturally, the only way to remedy this is by pressing a single, round, vividly green grape to the other man's lips. ] You really should eat.
[ Sion doesn't know if it will help the man's fatigue (or if anything will), but maintaining proper caloric intake for the sake of energy is important! ]
IM LAUGINGKDS
Instead, he takes the grape with one hand and politely moves Sion's away with the other. ]
I will.
[ It's only out of kindness that Sion teases, and he understands - so he does, popping the grape into his mouth discreetly. ]
SION PLZ
I just... Woke up, and suddenly I ran into the wall across the room once I got out of bed. [Great way to wake up, really.
But she's quickly diverted away from that, as Sion calls to attention Julius lack of eating. Blinking as Sion holds the grape to his mouth, giggling softly when Julius instead takes it out of his hand. Quietly reaching for another one of the sandwiches, and offering it to him with a faint smile.]
You'll need to eat more than that.
U 2 DID THIS TO HIM...
[ Contented that Julius has taken the
baitgrape, Sion is able to relax back, equal parts relived to know that whatever it is that ails Julius hasn't yet robbed the man of his good reflexes, and ...amused, by both Julius' tactful manner of eating and Lapis' quick one-two sandwich follow through! ]You two are quite the handful, you know. [ —from his softer intonations and whimsy cadence, it is readily apparent that Sion is not chiding his pair of (troublesome) friends, but rather attesting to his fondness for them; for the way they fill the meadowland with far more color than the late-season flowers. ] Picking fights with walls, and not eating nearly enough...
[ A shake of his head, a carefree laugh as the wind catches in his hair, trailing errand strands of silvery-white in the breeze. ]
Whatever am I to do with you?
[ Except care for them, of course. ]
smh
Thank you.
[ He holds the sandwich, inspecting it, noting the care that went into its preparation. It's a debt that he'll have to try and repay. ]
Please be careful in the future. [ He's still addressing her, disapproval in the slight crease of his brow, but no more than that. ] We wouldn't want you to be hurt by your own abilities.
[ Still the formal one of their trio, a role he's ready to reprise. ]
they're totes innocent
The wall started it first. [Of course, her tone is light as she says this - though she feels as if the wall won that fight, her bruises still smart a bit. Though then she blinks over at Julius, taking a note of the slight crease of his brow - relenting slightly under his words.
Considering how she's so quick to brush off concern usually, the fact she's actually listening shows she thinks more of his words than if someone else said that. Sion and Julius are really the only people she'll listen to, nowadays.]
I'll do my best. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon, it's a literal pain to deal with.
no subject
[ Strong enough to make rubble of walls, to launch even greater tag-team assaults against furtive
bananascompanions, and to travel wherever it is she wishes to go, much like the carefree wind which hasn't yet left the Director's hair alone.Setting the bunch of grapes aside, back atop the material of his coat, he turns his attention, instead, to the matter of his (over)long locks, parting the tresses into careful for thirds for braiding.
But this, of course, does not deter him from teasing: ]
And who knows? Perhaps the next time we venture here, you will be the one to carry Julius in your arms.
[ Returning here, to this place... the thought alone is enough to bring a peaceful smile to his face, all that which seemed to weigh upon his mind well and truly gone with the breeze. Leith had suffered and bodies had burned, Julius had been left weakened, and Lapis had found alarming strength, and yet--...
For all that has changed, hope yet remains, beginning and ending with looking forward to the days they'll come together again, if not in the meadowland of Leith, then as simply friends. ]
But until that time should come to pass, call upon us if you are ever in need.
[ Dancing delicate and deft, the Director's fingers begin to braid, weaving the strands he'd segmented into an artful plait, but even with the distraction, he hasn't yet forgotten— ]
You as well, Julius. [ I will stand at your side, Sion had said on that day. ] Though I am stationed in Westerley, I've some influence here upon Leith.
[ Due largely to his family name. To his father, who'd been a nobleman. ]
What's more, traveling is not out of the question.
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Thank you.
[ They've always said that he was not alone. And yet, in the nights where only space drowned his screams, it is hard to believe. Perhaps it was better like this, for him to die where no one would see - where no one would come, where no one would be hurt.
He doesn't have a lot of time left. Twenty years was already a good measure. ]
I serve under a strict superior, so please forgive me if there are delays in contact. I belong to the intelligence department now.
[ Lapis already knows this, but Sion might not. ]
no subject
Instead, she just listens quietly to Sion, smiling softly in response to his words - a soft giggle escaping her at the thought of carrying Julius. Gold eyes keep watching as he plaits his hair together, absently taking another munch of her sandwich before glancing over at Julius.]
As long as we can still talk to you, that's all that matters, I think. [Though she imagines Sion might have an easier time seeing him than she will. It's a thought that would've made her sulk, if she was the type to express herself more.
And once Sion has finished braiding his hair, he'll find himself being offered the third sandwich. There's only one of them here who hasn't eaten yet, and Lapis will not be budged.]
no subject
[ Oh, oh dear, Lapis has found him out, hasn't she? Cornered him, with an offering of food which he cannot in good conscience refuse, and so...! He doesn't, taking the sandwich with one hand, only to offer Lapis his other, extending his pinky finger in a seemingly innocent, childish bid to make a very peculiar (or perhaps fitting) promise: ]
Let us vow never to let Julius go for long without hearing our voices. Never, will he return to an empty inbox, and always, let us aid him in his quest to find "belonging" which is true.
[ No, he hadn't known of Julius' recent transfer, though now that the fact has been willfully divulged, it is in the Director's nature to dig deeper and know more; to unearth the secret which Julius keeps, because...
Julius, he should not have to shoulder it alone. ]
For belonging is not so simple as being assigned to a department, nor can it be decided by anyone but you. So, Julius...
[ A soft, breezy hum. ]
...let us know when you find it. We'll be right there with you.
no subject
... so he merely inclines his head deeply by way of answer, gratitude not needing words to be conveyed. Instead, he turns to his food and continues working on it by way of gratitude, grey eyes hidden from direct view so he would have a better chance at holding back his tears.
Despite the front he puts him, he's a sensitive person inside; and it's in times like these that he runs the risk of having it shown. ]
no subject
Of course, it's a promise.
[Gold eyes then turn towards Julius, nodding in agreement with Sion's words. Only to then blink when he inclines his head and keeps his eyes hidden from view - tilting her head for a moment, before understanding dawns on her.
Her expression then softens, becoming warm and affectionate, shifting closer so that she's sitting shoulder to shoulder with him. Not wanting to call him out on his tears, instead just quietly letting him know that they're there for him.]
no subject
Where Lapis shifts closer to Julius, Sion studies the pair with a tenderhearted look, something which is as profound as it is fleeting for...!
He flops beside his friends with a laugh, laying atop the meadowland grass, the sudden, carefree motion summoning forth a small upheaval of flower petals and pollen, beautifully airborne for an instant. ]
You know... when I was a child, my family owned grassland none too dissimilar than this. When they were able, my elder siblings used to spirit me away to the fields to play.
[ Sandwich? Left to rest somewhere beside him as Sion turns his eyes skyward, surveying the drift of clouds; the position of the sun. For how long have they been gone? No more than an hour, perhaps two, for the sun is centered in the sky, hovering in-between east and west. ]
This place is also akin to where I first met a girl, golden-eyed and bold beyond her years, and even then, she was much, much too fast to keep up with. She trounced me in a game of tag many a time, and...
[ A soft smile, a playful glance and a flutter of lashes cast Lapis' way. ]
...now we are here again, but it would not be complete without...
[ A flower, plucked from the earth with care, and tucked neatly behind Julius' ear with a single, deft motion (ah yes, someone had learned
and improved his gameafter his first play with the grape!). ]Our most noble companion.
[ It's okay, Julius. ]
i finally used this icon thank god you two
- it's reassuring, and that more than anything else makes him compelled to cry. Understanding is a rare thing. ]
Thank you.
[ It's all he says, deciding to look up, the barest hint of a smile on his pale face. Nothing else needs to be said. ]