Penny Rose [ Serah Farron ] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rememberher) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
pawnstorm2016-07-14 09:37 am
rememberher) wrote in pawnstorm2016-07-14 09:37 am
OPEN: but a fire within
Who: Lux Crownguard, and you!
When: Mid Delphine (July); before dungeon shenanigans
Where: Caissa
What: Monthly catch-all, I'll be adding to this as the month goes on! If you don't find a prompt that interests you, or have an idea for something fun, message me on![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
sheepyton so we can plot!
Ratings: PG for the most part, but will change this if need be.
Warnings: Accidental charming may happen, depending on the direction of the thread. Please let me know if this is something that you are okay with when tagging!
♕ o1. A CHARMING DISPOSITION (OPEN)
♕ o2. WITH HER NOSE STUCK IN A BOOK (OPEN)
♕ o3. MORE OF A CANDY CRUSH GIRL (OPEN)
♕ CLOSED TO ALLEN.
When: Mid Delphine (July); before dungeon shenanigans
Where: Caissa
What: Monthly catch-all, I'll be adding to this as the month goes on! If you don't find a prompt that interests you, or have an idea for something fun, message me on
Ratings: PG for the most part, but will change this if need be.
Warnings: Accidental charming may happen, depending on the direction of the thread. Please let me know if this is something that you are okay with when tagging!
♕ o1. A CHARMING DISPOSITION (OPEN)
- [ All she wanted was a nice afternoon in the city. A little window shopping, maybe treat herself to a bit of ice cream. Since her promotion a few days ago, she had been working hard, shuttling between the training grounds and the library like a woman possessed. And she was, really. How could she not be? She had power now, and she needed to learn how to use it.
Unfortunately, she learned a few other things first, before mastering her magic. ]
Really I'm fine, but—oh, oh, all right, but I can't... Ah, okay I suppose one more won't hurt... Thank you?
[ There was something about a Queen that was hard to ignore. And for some reason, people really liked to give you things. Like flowers, chocolates, random curios (seriously what is this thing, someone please tell her) and most of allattention. All she did was smile at a few people! Why was everyone suddenly so nice?!
It was getting to be a bit much, her arms were full, and yet, people she met kept piling it on.
♕ o2. WITH HER NOSE STUCK IN A BOOK (OPEN)
- [ She was no Bishop, but that didn't mean that Lux wasn't a voracious reader. As a newly promoted Queen, she had a lot to learn about how her new(ish) powers functioned. This meant that she would be hitting the books, hard, and the young Hero could be found in a number of places, buried in a book.
The library, a corner bistro, the cafeteria, the courtyard; in order to master her magic, she had a lot to learn. And not just from magic books—a good magician could draw inspiration from anything that they saw or read.
Which... might explain the odd-titled book she currently held, intently reading. They say that when inspiration hits, one should follow it, but this... was a little odd. ]
[[OOC: Feel free to either come up with a book she's reading, or I can random it for you.]]
♕ o3. MORE OF A CANDY CRUSH GIRL (OPEN)
[ Lux rather liked griffons. While she had never seen one in person, she had come across them in books (maybe some of the books she was reading earlier?), and often the authors romanticized them to be beautiful and majestic creatures. Graceful in the air, their plumage gold as the sun, they were like art in motion. She wished that she could witness such a stunning creature in the flesh.
And today would be her lucky day. ]
Augh! Really?
[ Today, Lux would learn all about griffons, for better or for worse.
How dirty— ]
It's all over my boots!
[ Bad-mannered— ]
Owowowow that's my hair, let go! Right! Now!
[ And how utterly unmajestic they could be.
They were told to just make sure that the griffons didn't make a mess of anything. Just steer them away from unsuspecting passersby (please watch your heads, that isn't rain you're feeling...), and do so peacefully. And at first she tried. She really, truly did.
But after lobbing a large number of handmade charms at the pretty pests, they still wouldn't go away! They seemed to like the color of her hair (somewhat similar to their own feathers). Or maybe they just liked trolling her, it wasn't actually that hard. Nevertheless! Surrounded by a clutch of beastly beauties, she seemed to be in a bit of a pickle. ]
♕ CLOSED TO ALLEN.
- [ Her breath came out in short, measured bursts, her body moving with a rhythm she had nearly forgotten in this place, in her previous state. Since her arrival here, she felt weak. Vulnerable. Like she had lost a part of herself.
She was a Pawn, then. Ordinary. Disposable. The powerful, and at times somewhat wild and uncontrolled, warm and real and powerful magic that coursed within her—a feeling she had known since her childhood—was gone. Severed. And what was left instead was the power of a Pawn. The limiting, dull light of a Pawn.
As if losing her home were not pain enough.
But when she awoke a few days before, she felt something different. Heavy and weightless, tense yet freeing, a light that threatened to swallow her whole if she did not learn to respect it, to master it. It was a startling sensation, not altogether unfamiliar, but different—so very, very different. She had learned to control her own light, reign it in and make it hers. Like the heart of a child, playful and curious, she nurtured it, taught it to sing, to dance, to fight. It served her well.
But this feeling was different.
It burned deep within, fueled by some seemingly unending force that she could not name. Passion. Intensity. And something else... what was it?
She had become lax with her morning training since arriving in Caissa. She understood her body, understood its new limits, and was disgusted by her limitations. But now... She had purpose, she had a drive, she had power. Power that guided her. Power that protected her. Power... that terrified her.
The sun had yet to rise, but light danced over the training grounds, sweat dripping from her face. Her breathing slow, methodical, and her staff twirling in her hands, the crystals on either side shining brightly, she flung each bolt with every fiber of her very being, constantly moving in a dance, a pas de deux with the light. Her light. The light that threatened to burn her alive. The light that she would have to break, like a wild horse, lest it break her instead. ]
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Time she may not have.
Hearing his footfalls and a suddenly scrambling against stone, her concentration broke, and the half-formed illusion fizzled out of existence. Where was he—
Frantically looking around, grabbing her staff and readying herself to run (a bit of movement as she readjusted, hopefully he didn't see), her eyes caught a bit of movement. ]
!!
[ The chapel!
Quickly rising to her feet, the larger crystal on her staff coming to life, she launched a few quick bolts in his general direction as cover fire before springing forward into a sprint. ]
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This time, when the bolts come his way, Allen doesn't try to dodge them at all. In fact he braces for them, exhaling a breath calmly with his eyes fixed on the blinding lights as he brings his sword-bearing arm back all the way—
—and taking one again as he strikes out with the flat of his blade to slap them aside. One (to the left). Two (to the right)...
Three!—which he cancels by bracing his hand against the back of the blade and using it to (gritting his teeth) absorb the impact; a burst of light meeting holy light.
Though he wields this weapon like a sword, he also uses it like a shield, broad that it is.
And having dispatched those he runs along the spine of the rooftop, gravel from the tiles kicking loose before he leaps off the edge without so much as a second thought. Spots of darkness are bursting behind his eyes though, so Lux, he knows she's there, but has to take it on faith while his vision comes back.
It won't stop him from landing hard but solid on his feet though, skidding along the ground in a sharp corkscrew with an outswept leg, and striking out where she had just been a second ago. Without any of the hesitation you might consider from someone wielding such a large weapon.
Though should his aim be true, it would also stop a breath away from her throat, the air around it humming softly. ]
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She hesitated. Snapping back to her senses as she saw him run across the rooftop and leaping from the edge, she dove back, preparing a spell.
This man, he... he fought like his very life depended on it.
No. It was something else. Something more visceral. Instinctual. Chilling
Like his life didn't matter at all.
A chill ran down her spine as she pointed her staff at him, light gathering at the crystal's point. The spell wasn't precise, and she had only done it once, and never managed to see the results. But she traced it in her mind, modifying on the fly. She had seen them enough to know their shape, their sharpness, that she could form the image in her mind with ease. Changing the incantation slightly to suit her needs. She had to work quickly, or he would catch her. Allen, with his sword that he wielded like a man possessed.
Fear was an excellent motivator. ]
Fosopye!
[ The ball of light at the end of her staff shattered like shards of glass, flying at him at high speeds. Nearly transparent, the edges shimmered with a faint light, painting a sharp outline over their surface.
(That... actually went better than she expected.)
Knowing that that would only serve as a distraction, if how he disposed of her bolts was a judge, and moving quickly, she put a bit of space between them.
This wouldn't be a battle of attrition. It was a battle of wits. He wasn't going to tire, she was sure of that now, but if she could get the upper hand...
...That might work.
Lux made a break for the trees. It was time to fight smart. ]
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! [ This time he barely has time to throw his sword up and brace it before the rain down in a bright hail of schk's against it. Haaah, close...
Blade sweeping aside when they've past he looks up in time to see Lux scrambling for the oaks. By the time he gets to his feet and to speed again she'll be too far and probably have prepared another spell to push him back with, so without thinking about it he snaps his hand out in her direction, as if to grab her even though she's quite beyond his range. ]
Crown—! [ —oh. Shock washes over his features and he has to cut himself short. "Belt", but of course, he doesn't have it anymore... it was just habit, but—
—but much to the same effect as his Innocence's grapple, there is a sucking. A deep pull in the space between them. Vacuum.
Probably to both their surprise, and something that's going to jerk Lux quite sharply towards him. ]
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Ah!
[ Losing her footing and nearly stumbling to the ground, Lux didn't quite make it, drawn up in the vacuum, her staff clattering to the ground and rolling toward him. Flying backward, she hurdled toward him, with no indication of stopping.
This was going to be the worst game of catch ever. ]
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!!!
Wah—! [ Oof.
Catch her he shall? Not that he has any choice?? It's reflex. But not without being bowled over as well as he was still only halfway rolled back up to his feet. Ow ow ow ow—
At least he has presence of mind to keep his sword tucked flat and close to his side with one arm, his other around Lux as he curls around her in some effort to keep her from being bounced along as badly as he is.. Until they roll to a stop at least, at which point he's going to roll a bit weakly on his back. Or just end up there. And rub at his head? Yeah, rub at his head. Headache...
But if there's any justice—or perhaps if there's none at all—he's broken her fall. ]
Haaah.. [ A groan. Ow... Well, it actually didn't really hurt. But ow.]
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Crashing into him, she feels them both begin to roll, and him curling around her. Trying to make herself as small as possible (to protect herself, and to lessen the burden on him), her whole body stiffens, bracing for eventual impact. Thankfully he would soak up most of the momentum, and take the brunt of it.
Sorry friend.
Still partially curled up, her head and upper body laid across his chest (sorry friend!), she whimpers a bit against him, trying to get her bearings. What in heaven's name...
!! ]
Allen!
[ It's okay Lux, he's right there under you. Poor guy(?).
Concern overriding reason in her brain, she sat up, moving just enough so that, instead of laying directly on top of him, she was sitting over him. Closer than she really needed to be. ]
Are you all right? Say something!
1/2 ironic keywords are ironic
[ You know. In this moment where Allen re-evaluates no small number of things in his life...
It's kind of like something just went "twang".
Very uncomfortably.
And altogether not something he's accustomed to. ]
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That—[ ...!! ]—yes. [ It's. So very terse though. This is pain. This is actual, soul-damning pain. What is wrong with him. Also Lux...
Lux...
Miss Lux, please... ]
Would you... mind? [ moving a little so he can get up.
awkward. this is so awkward. ]
[1/2]
Oh, I'm so glad you—
[ Huh? Would she mind..? Mind what, exactly? ]
[2/2]
..........
Oh! Ohhh goodness! She jumped back a bit, sitting straight as a rail, looking away in utter embarrassment. There. Plenty of room now. ]
I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean—
That is I—I wanted to make sure you were all right but—!
[ SHE MEANT WELL! Really! Truly! She didn't mean to make this awkward!
Even if she wasn't the one who caused this to happen in the first place!
sorry! ]
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That would be embarrassing then. ]
It's fine... [ He sits up a little woozily and rubs his head for a moment, expression a touch... queasy?
Maybe he hit it...Incidentally, he drops his hand and squints down at his palm for a moment to see if perhaps it holds the answers. But he lets it drop the rest of the way back into his lap then before looking back to Lux. ]
Sorry.. [ It's a little muzzy, trying to offer her a smile, but seeming a little distracted still. ]
Are you alright?
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[ Oh no, you are not allowed to turn this back on her. None of this self-sacrificing stuff
that's her territorynot after something like that! You took the brunt of it! ]Are you all right?
[ A pause. ]
What was that anyway? It felt like I was being pulled backwards.
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Well now he will look down at his hand again, the one he'd thrown out towards Lux before she'd been sucked to him. It's a thankful distraction. ] I'm not sure...
I think—it has something to do with the abilities of a Rook? Caren said they might "leak" out.
[ He give his fingers a wiggle. ]
Gravity-based abilities.
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[ Lux frowned a bit in thought, looking at his hand. Abilities that could just "leak" out, or have a mind of their own? It... was a possibility, certainly, but not one that sounded particularly encouraging. ]
Gravity?
[ Well, that would explain why she suddenly went hurdling toward him. But that was interesting. Huh. ]
So you can change the push and pull of an object...
[ ...Could he change the velocity? Weight? What other properties did it have? Curling a hand at her chin, she was in her own little world of thought, staring off into space.
Well, no, she was still staring at his hand technically, but the space past his hand. ]
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He blinks a bit. Did she space out? ]
Something like that... [ He waves his hand in front of her face a little. Hello? ]
Is it that different for your abilities?
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Quite a bit, actually! All I can do is bend and manipulate light—which, honestly, isn't too terribly hard all things considered. Light is a form of energy, which can be manipulated just like any other form of energy or matter. All you need to do is understand the structure and properties of light—how it interacts with objects, particles, other forms of matter—and work within the general laws of physics, and it's easy!
[ ...Lux.
No, never mind. Keep going. The brackets have no words for you right now. ]
But gravity is a force of nature and can affect other objects despite the fact that we can't see or touch it. Its interactions with matter are entirely different from those of light.
Does that make sense?
1/2
[ no ]
2/2
Somewhat. [ Lux. Did you know Allen was an orphan abandoned to a circus in Victorian England before he was adopted by a less than sane clown who took him on the road as a traveling team of Pierrots, only to be adopted again when clownfather died by a womanizing exorcist-sorcerer-whoknows that spent most of his time drunk in red light districts he made 11 year old Allen gamble/work to pay for the bills of when he wasn't physically training to be an exorcist himself?
Who also then died.
What's an education.
But Allen's a diplomat: ]
This is something you care a lot about then, isn't it. [ Before she came here. It had to have been. No one could get that excited that quic—no, nevermind, Allen knows people who would... ]
RIP
Had she spoken a little too fast? She had been told she did that when she was particularly passionate about something. That must be it. Not any of that stuff from her past. That was the reason why he was confused. Surely.
Don't worry Allen, she'll repeat it if she has to.
Whether you want her to or not]Oh? Was there something you were confused about? What parts?
[ She smiles pleasantly, blissfully unaware. How well can you bluff, Allen?
His question... gave her pause, and her smile changed from pleasant to nostalgic. She nodded gently. ]
Even when I was a little girl, this power has been with me. It's a part of who I am. I wouldn't be the person I am without it.
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Her comment gives him pause though. Part of who she is...
(I wouldn't be the person I am without it.)
He smiles gently, his right hand still at the hilt of the sword lying beside him, and looks to his left hand again, flexing it. Bittersweet nostalgia, and he gives a nod to Lux. ]
Even if it's a different sort of thing, I think I can understand that.
[ Allen couldn't tell you all the technical reasons behind why Innocence was so important for doing what it did... but it didn't change the outcome of it, the part that mattered to him. The part that drove and defined him. But it's just passions that happen to run different.
And it is kind of charming that she gets animated over it like that...
shit what's wrong with him.]no subject
It was nice. ]
I'm glad that someone does.
[ It was meant to be almost a throw-away comment, a bridge between conversation points, but the way she smiled. It meant a lot, hearing that from someone. It made it feel a bit less strange.
But lingering on that, it felt a little awkward, she bent down to pick up her staff, throwing out an over-exaggerated sigh. ]
Still, I can't believe that I lost by accident. Ahh, that's disappointing. I think you might have bruised my ego a little bit.
1/2
Either it's a blessing or a curse he's never heard of Queen's charms.
But, oh. ]
Ah! [ That's right!! ]
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That's right! He did win!
... shit, he was actually going to let her win probably too. ]
It's alright, Lux. There isn't any need to be a sore loser. [ Teasing. Good-naturedly. ]
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[ She was rather quick to deny that claim. He might have been teasing, but there may be some truth there. Whoops.
She put her weight on one hip, letting her free hand rest there. ]
But that does mean you at least deserve something. It's not often that someone manages to get the better of me. But what is the question...
[ Looking off in the distance, she started to think. The sun beginning to rise over the horizon, there may be a few shops that would open soon. Likely a few restaurants as well. Hmm. ]
How about something to eat? I know of a good cafe in town.
[ ...She was going to learn to rue those words. ]
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(no subject)