songerein | [OPEN] Within You

Entry tags:

[OPEN] Within You

Who: Madhuri and You
Which: Interactive Dreamscape, OPEN
What: A Bleeding Heart decided to have a lovely bite. The resulting dreamscape isn't exactly what it seems...
Warnings: N/A, but will update if somehow something happens. Cooties?

One of the louder presences in Reverein had gone quiet. Someone wasn't dancing in the square or shoving something tasty in someone's hands or handing out bread rolls. Someone wasn't knocking a hammer against a freshly-painted sign and getting it ready for affixing to that slowly-growing little shop in the district.

Strangest of all, the smell of something burning seemed to come from one of the treehouses a lot. No fires, thankfully, but there was never any smell of smoke before. It was usually the scent of yeast, of cinnamon, of fresh bread...

Then, one night, the lanterns erupted to life and bloomed into a brand new dream.

Walls of white marble stretched practically out of sight, only giving way to ornate stained glass windows depicting different tales- Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and others- and lush crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, providing warm light.

This world was an elegant ball room, filled wall to wall with pairs of dancers dressed to the nines circling merrily to the music, provided by the band that gave their all to fill the air. Everyone was wearing an ornate masquerade mask, yourself included, but the anonymity didn't stop the merriment as laughter and chatter mingled with the waltz. You could smell the wine being poured, the rich spread of finger foods lining a table to one side. Some of the dancers had decided to pick at some of the fruit, bread and cheeses, but spent no less time conversing with one another. There was a faint, strange sound somewhere else, a rhythmic drumming, but it was gone as soon as it had begun.

At the end of the ballroom, however, a figure rose from her seat. Those who knew her would recognize this person unmistakably as Madhuri, dressed in a ballgown of black and plum, her mask a lacy black with feathers streaking from one side. Her eyes alight with pleasure as she sees you, she cuts a path through the crowd... or rather, the crowd parts as if expecting this, opening the way for her to reach your side.

"I'm thrilled you came! I was hoping you'd answered my invitation." Her eyes deepened in a showy regret as she reached out, brought her hands to both your cheeks. Her voice lowered, hushed, yet even amid the din of the festivities, it was clear as day.

"I was so lonely here, and my card empty. Shall we dance...?"

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[It hadn't been long since G'raha had returned from his trip back home, new memories coming along with him, that he'd ended up in this dream. He had intended on checking in on Madhuri upon arrival, so this was one way or another to do so; Had Alisaie still been around, he would have informed her as well about what he remembered. Fitting into the scene, his outfit had changed to a much more formal look with a simple black mask to pair it with. He hadn't quite noticed the figure rising from her seat and making her way over to him until the dancers made way for her.

Taken by surprise, he blinked awkwardly before taking in her appearance. Her face was covered with the mask, and yet he recognized that voice anywhere. Hearing how lonely she had been tugged a light frown on his expression. Mask or no, seeing his ears deflate a little under the guilt that mayhap he had caused that by disappearing without a word made it clear who he was; After all, there was only really one Miqo'te here. Placing his hand on top of one of hers...]

I'm... terribly sorry. I hope you can forgive my tardiness

[Giving her an apologetic smile]

Edited 2022-02-09 02:05 (UTC)

[The partygoers were all aflutter. Though the groups closed in and continued dancing there were excited whispers: "It's him!" "It really is!" Seemed the only miqo'te here was some sort of talk around town.

Her gaze darkened with the touch, a small glint of hunger as she shook her head. She relinquished her touch to take his hand, guide him back to the dance floor.]

What are you talking about? Don't be silly, dear- you're the guest of honor! You're right on time.

[Once somewhere she liked, she turned and drew close, hands placed for a dance. Something smelled like burnt sugar.]

I know my dream's got a theme, but might I just say... this snappy look rather suits you. You wear it well.

[He hears the whispers. Seeming as this is Madhuri's dream, it's not so strange that he'd have some sort of influence on it, but it was still weird to think about. He's influenced plenty of people before; the Crystarium was a good example. Even if he's been told he was a source of inspiration, sometimes he found it hard to believe that himself. Allowing her to guide him along, he listened to her quietly.]

Guest of honor, huh?

[Was this dream cause for worry? He'll find out soon enough. Still not the most skillful dancer, he was still going to do his best nonetheless as he accepted her hand rested his other around her waist.]

Ah, you think so? I confess I don't generally dress up like this. It's not half bad.

[Different, but not bad. The male usually leads the dance, right? Part of him wanted to let her lead, seeming as she knew how to dance much better than he did, but he'll try his best to be competent enough to do it without relying on her. At some point he'd have to learn if he was seeing her, right?]

But I digress. You look more beautiful than usual. The dress looks stunning on you.

[Which wasn't hard for her. Not when he thought she was beautiful as is.]

[She was merciful at least, the dance a simple pair of steps and slowly circling. It explained how the goings on could be so lively, couples a-chatter without the need to catch up or step in just such a way.]

Oh, yes- I had all of this set up especially for you. I'm glad the attire pleases~

[But she beamed with the compliment. A tip of her chin and a small curtsy in step followed.]

I aim to stun. I've read a wealth of stories involving parties like these but never had the chance to attend one. The beauty of places such as these... rife with possibilities.

[There was a shout from somewhere far off, but the band played louder, swallowing it up.]

Look at that, you're getting better...! Have you been practicing?

For me?

[It was still strange that this could be just for him. Flattering of course.]

There is a first for everything, as they say. I've never attended such extravagant parties myself. [With a thoughtful pause, he hummed lightly for a moment.] I may have attempted to here and there, but nothing so fanciful. After all, you like to dance so I... felt that it would be a useful skill to learn.

[Which could be taken as, 'If it's something that she likes, I want to share her interests if at all possible.' Did that make him a sap? Absolutely.]

How would you rate me thus far, M'lady? [Small, playful smile.]

I wouldn't dare restrict my answer to any silly old metric... you've already done so much for me, after all. My heart's so full, it's fit to burst...

[A hand trailed, and circled a finger against his chest. After a thoughtful lowered gaze, she peered up through her lashes. Even with so coy a gaze, nothing in it seemed focused on anything else but him. Other dancers be damned.]

...Yet I ache for another bite each time. Does that make me greedy, G'raha?

[There was probably something going on, but he felt most at ease whenever she was near him. Cold be damned, the warmth that radiated from him-- the pure happiness he felt with her... It was a wonderful feeling. He caressed her cheek lightly with a small chuckle.]

Any moment I spend with you is enough for me. [And learning how to dance for her made him feel more connected with her.] I don't think it does. I fear I may be a little guilty myself.

[The scenery around them didn't matter to him. All of those dancers also in the room may as well not be there at all.]

I am so blessed to have met you. To have you in my life. Thank you. [And there's a light kiss for her.]

[Despite everything she'd said, the auri woman still looked taken aback to hear such things. She'd received compliments for her work, praise for her skill and it was all still frustratingly difficult to truly take to heart. But for the first time in a number of days, she felt... warm. She had feeling in her fingers and toes.

His kiss was something she could feel. He was so warm, so soft, and as real as he could be beneath her gloved hands. She could finally smell the perfume, the champagne, the laundered silks and cotton; the indescribable, unforgettable scent of him so close...

Stop it.

And just like that, with the harsh whisper across her mind, everything had muted again. Music was noise. No taste lingered on her tongue. Clothing was just weight over her body. When the kiss parted, there was a thrum of red light that seethed beneath the dress covering her chest, but after a breath, a hand to it, she quelled it. But her skin, her hair, even her clothing had taken a particularly muted sense of color, graying like a fading spell that struggled to regain sharp clarity.]

...Well, you... you certainly know how to snatch a lady's breath away. Why don't we have a drink? I think at this rate we'll make the other dancers jealous... not that I wouldn't enjoy being an example~

[She sounded out of breath, eyes searching, perhaps looking for a way out.]

[Something was definitely wrong. Mayhap he should have shown a little more self-control, but ever since going home and then coming back with a flood of memories of Reverein, he'd wanted to see her first. Taking note of that red light, he'd seen it before; Though he didn't have enough information for what to do about it. After careful consideration, he decided to just go along with her suggestions for the time being.]

My apologies. Whatever you'd like. [Now shifting from dancing to reach for her hand with a light squeeze.] Lead the way.

[So accommodating. With clasped hands she led him away and to their refreshments. She felt hot, parched, in desperate need of something cool and maybe bubbly...

He knows something's up. He'll figure you out. Tick-tock~

Shut. Up.

She took it upon herself to gather up tall, filled champagne flutes. After offering one to him she took a second and raised it.]

A little toast to dreams, and to your triumphant return. Time felt so short here, but it was probably far longer for you on the flip side, huh?

[Because she had to wonder. She felt pulled away, spent weeks preparing for the Final Days and beyond. He'd awakened and then returned. Had... had he seen what she had?]

[Following suit, he raised his own glass along with her. So she was still cognitive enough realize he had left and returned. He paused for a moment, thinking back to his time back home for a moment.]

Much longer. A lot has happened.

[She might even be able to tell how tired he felt.]

I'm sorry to have left without warning. I hope you have been well enough.

[It's only been a few days here... She was probably fine.]

[Understatement of the century, G'raha Tia. A clink of the glasses.]

Ha- Did that 'lot' happen to do with... Dynamis, perchance?

[She studied his face as she drank. Her shoulders hitched in a devil-may-care fashion as the flute was lowered, the contents swirled.]

I'd... well, my mind was away for a while. I wasn't sure if my knowledge of future events would do something irreparable to your experience or Alisaie's should you two return to what would eventually happen. It makes my Omens a bigger pain in the butt than they have any right to be.

Alisaie waking up and... [She gestured vaguely.] Nothing strange going on with our presence since helped alleviate some of my worries.

[She paused.]

But Dynamis and Dreamotion... it's eerie how similar they are, isn't it?

[Instead of answering right away, he chose to take a drink, thinking of where to start.]

It did, yes. Have your omens been bad recently? [He hoped not.] It's certainly an interesting topic to think about. How it translates here.

[And then there's the matter of the moon missing here.]

Well, you can rest assured that the Final Days have been averted.

[Whether or not she knew that, he wasn't sure. It didn't hurt to make that clear, though.]

[Her eyes sharpened. The Final Days...? So he'd seen all of it. Definitely more than she had. But as she drained her glass and reached for another, she was back to it and smiling brightly.]

Really? Why, that's reason to celebrate, isn't it?! The triumphant return of the hero who gave us so many tomorrows! The love you must feel for the people, for Etheirys...!

[The glass was forgotten. A complex and all-encompassing love sounded far better. As she sighed blissfully and clasped her chest, she studied his face fondly. 'She' couldn't take it any longer.]

Oh, I simply must partake while it's fresh. Is here on the table alright?

[The spread had become burnt roasts, bruised overripe fruit and dried-out cheeses with flecks of mold.]

You flatter me. I wasn't the only one who contributed to putting an end to the Final Days. Much and more came to our aid for the future of all.

[And he really didn't do much. Maybe the levitation spell, taking control for a spell, and the bridge, but nothing more. Which uh... he wasn't so sure he should mention to her. He'll put off the news about the bridge for as long as possible.]

P-Pardon?

[He definitely noticed the spread change.]

[She smiled and pat the tabletop invitingly.]

It's your turn. What luck that, of anyone in this world, you should show up when I'm nearly finished with this heart! Speaking so sweetly and making her writhe inside... it gave a few extra little bites, but I'm in the market for a little fresh meat.

[The glow intensified as her expression blanked, and a tendril of red light snaked out from beneath the dress' hem and reached out searchingly. But Madhuri reached out and grabbed the wispy light, freezing it in its tracks. No color was left on any inch of her body.]

...Did...

[Her voice had changed completely. It had gone parched, croaked, as if it hadn't had the chance to speak in so long. No mask could hide how weary she looked now, yet her grip was steel around the now-writhing red light. It fought to break free.]

...Did you really mean what you said...?

[The change in speech was enough to make him feel cautious. He knew that there was something going on but he wasn't sure what just yet. Things like 'finished with this heart' and refering to 'her' were concerning enough. And then she sounded like she was fighting some influence over her.]

... I did. I meant every word.

But enough about me... I know naught of what has afflicted you, but if there is anything I can do to help...

[Asking if she's okay seemed silly.]

[The light thrashed. It had gorged itself and desperately wanted this new presence that had come in. Madhuri understood, then, that eating was all it ever wanted to do. It was empty, and wished to be full.

She could relate.

But she hated the godsdamned thing for what it had done. Her grip tightened and she tugged her hands in opposing directions. The light snapped like a cord and dissipated, and with that the music had stopped. The murmurs had quieted. Her hands shook as she reached up and tugged off the mask. As her color had slowly started to return, it was overwhelming: She'd spend says feeling nothing, as the creature feasted on everything she was made of. It could feel disgusting and intrusive if at the time she could feel everything.

Now she was feeling everything at once, with nothing holding it back...]

Just... I-I'm...

[Not even her own defenses. That 'I'm fine' was lost when the tears ran, and she could do nothing but hang her head, her hands open in her lap. Dreamscapes were relatively private, so perhaps it was okay to look the complete fool for a while.]

[It didn't take long for him to react upon seeing her reactions. It had tugged at his heart to see her feeling so miserable. His instincts to so anything to protect her kicked in. He set the glass down on the nearest table, long forgotten, to immediately pull her into a tight embrace. Rubbing the back of her head, he hoped it was comforting enough.]

It's okay. I'm here for you.

[She does have to try to look perfect all of the time. It's acceptable to look like a fool on occasion.]

[She wasn't about to fight it, and frankly, rejecting that strange force had taken more out of her than she'd thought. But to hear those words and feel- oh... oh, actually feel- those arms was like that first warm drink after a day out in the bitter cold.

She could move her arms again, but they felt like lead. The auri could manage returning the embrace, clutching handfuls of his coat as she struggled to piece herself back together after the mess that Heart creature had made.]

...My dreams, they... s-so many black birds... swirling, terrible clouds...

[She saw everyone vanish, one by one, torn apart by ravens. The Heart seemed to adore reminding her of that as it happily grew fat on her fonder memories.]

I let my guard down, and there was a red light at my window... I-I'd put a pie out to cool, and...

[Smoothing her hair, he held onto her for as long as she needed.]

If you are able to, tell me what happened.

[Had this happened while he was away? He felt a pain a guilt knowing he wasn't here for her right away. Pressing a light kiss to her forehead...]

...I'm sorry that I wasn't here for you sooner.

[Why? Why did she have to mention the stupid pie!? Who cared about a... no, she was doing her own deflecting. She felt raw, stretched so thinly like she would vanish into a little wisp of light, but she had to piece it together, one at a time. Focus on his voice... focus on the fact that you have sensation again. She could remember the earlier kiss. This one helped to remind her.

She slowly released her grip, eased her clench into open palms. The... the outfit really does look handsome on him.

...Deflecting again.]

I went to check on it, and the light flew in. Hit my chest. Burned. I started feeling numb for a day or so, but then it was like sitting in a chair in a pitch black room, watching everything on the surface of a very tiny mirror.

I watched myself... burn everything... I ruined everything in my kitchen...

I don't know whether it did it to get to me or that the thing didn't know what to do about any of it. But it kept feeding on... on me. Everything good. Thoughts of you. Those were its favorite... all while it replayed my dreams over and over. It kept asking me what the ravens were, what the clouds were.

It thought it was interesting that I'd have a dream where... where the ravens had gotten you, too...

[Taking her hand into his lightly, he gave it a light squeeze as if to say everything would be fine.

There was something about her story that made him think of dynamis and it's effects on people back home.

So in short, she had been taken over somehow.]

Do you feel it now? Is there any way to stop it if it is still present?

[That was the most important thing now. Her safety and well being came first.]

It'll take a lot more than ravens to take me down. [He's managed to survive worse somehow.]

[She paused to think, perhaps to reach out in her mind. It was a little distracting when all she wanted to do was touch and marvel at a sense she hadn't had in days...]

I think it's gone. It didn't like when you kissed me, so... maybe it likes taking things, but not when it's being given from outside...?

[She squeezed his hand.]

I'm glad to hear it. I suppose I may have let things get out of hand in my head...

I see... [Timidly rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.] Thank the Twelve that you seem to be doing better.

[He was quiet for a moment as if contemplating whether or not he should speak his mind or not.]

Madhuri, I...

[His feelings weren't exactly hard to tell, but finally acknowledging them out loud made him feel nervous for some reason.]

I hope... it's okay to be a little forward but I... I find myself thinking about you all of the time. Seeing you makes my days feel all the brighter and I... [Sigh.] I guess what I'm trying to say is...

You mean a lot to me. There is nothing else I'd rather do than spend time with you.

[To think that she actually preferred the arrows... but at least those were temporary and embarrassing rather than feeling nothing and having your body stolen. She shuddered briefly from a chill- she never wanted anything like that again. How many showers did Thancred have after Lahabrea? How many from the Warrior after Fandaniel...? She may need a few, if anything to feel herself again, let every terrible moment wash away down the drains.

But G'raha wanted to get something out. It was okay to be forward, of course; it was only fair after practically everything she did. In the relative privacy of a dreamscape, what happened in here stayed in here.

Yet as he spoke, gods help her, the ballroom was coming back to life. The dancers had continued, the band was playing again but the music was heavy on the lofty, dancing strings and a harp backing. As the color in her face rose, the floral arrangements in that hall burst into renewed bloom with countless, otherworldly butterflies bearing no resemblance to anything presently living dancing among them.

That horrible creature that had stolen her truly had no chance at all. Even Madhuri felt like staggering back and was glad she was seated. But there were thin trails of steam rising from her horns. So composed was she on her very best days, coming from her imprisonment and in a world of her own deepest emotional making, she had no chance.

G'raha Tia had found the ideal place to speak his mind and be forward.]

...

[For a moment, her response was to squeak and hide her face in her hands. Then a giggling, her voice a tad thick from her recent crying.]

Ser Exarch...! You said you're so new at this, yet you always seem to say such wonderful things, and I exert every ounce of will to keep myself from floating...!

[Bubbles. Either someone had started a bubble machine or something, because those seemed to be popping up in the air.]

[Admittedly it had been on his mind for a while. Thoughts he had but wasn't sure if it was appropriate to speak of such things. He was sure deep down, she probably already knew this about him, but to really say it brought a new sense of feeling to it. It made it real. Dreamworld be damned, he was happy and he was sure that the others might be as well knowing that he was living his own life instead of some sort of role figure that he'd molded himself into; though this was probably not what they were expecting from him. Hell, he didn't even expect this himself. It was so unreal that he could feel this way. And yet he often struggled with how to really deal with it.

It felt good to finally let it out, but he also felt uncertain. There was always the chance she didn't feel the same way, though considering everything they've been through, that was unlikely. It didn't stop him from feeling anxious about laying everything bare. Vulnerable even. Seeing the dream resume as if nothing had happened and more at least helped him feel that maybe he didn't make a complete fool of himself.

Hiding her face. That was something he did more oft than she. And yet it was refreshing. Had he managed to get to her the same way she did to him on a daily basis? Face burning as bright as his hair, he let out a relieved chuckle in response.]

I assure you this is a first for me. [One-sided crushes aside.]

[She needed a minute. But she also needed to say something; for all she spoke to others about being honest and following their gut, she refused to be the person who would hear such things and let them hang as they are. Though the air all but danced around them, though her heart raced, simply having the world express how she was feeling meant nothing if she couldn't put them to words.

Madhuri used the heels of her hands to mop beneath her eyes. She reached out for him, took his hands and entwined fingers for grounding as she more than understood why those she'd spoken to seemed to have a lack of words. She would be an example.]

...I let old memories get the better of me. When I was told I was "nothing" by a deeply horrible person, I grew so firmly, tremendously angry and moved to prove that I meant something. But what actually happened was that - with every thought of that memory, every sting - I was letting it continue to hurt me. I would be lying if I said it bothers me no longer.

I have friends. I've had confidants. But nobody has ever made me feel like I was the opposite of the person that man said that I was, but... something- something worth a damn. Rather than waking up and thinking to myself, "I have a list of things to do and then that's another day dusted," I have... things I can look forward to. Days have started to feel precious to me.

[She lifted her head, met his gaze.]

...How could I possibly not feel that way, knowing my days have you in them? From a little message in the journals to seeing you turning a corner down the way, I too feel little lights clicking on inside. They've become such a wondrous, warm glow.

They're like you, so warm and gentle. So kind. You work too much, but... your language is in acts, what you can do for someone to express that you care. You bear such a love, a passion when you delve into the things you've studied, and it's so contagious. I could listen to it all day. You could read a damn maths book and it'd be the most wonderful thing I've ever heard.

[She laughed quietly, but pulled their hands in close, nuzzled a cheek against them. Her eyes closed. No nightmare monster or malicious force could take away this moment. For all of her words, she wanted to at least make one thing clear while they had all this time alone:]

You mean the world to me... Raha.

[It felt natural to hold her hand like this now. It was a nice, comforting feeling. He listened to her words before responding back. Everything she said was so welcoming. So this was love. It looked like she wasn't the only one about to float away, feeling so immersed in the moment.

The mention of being told she wasn't anything important rubbed him the wrong way of course. Call it bias or just being a normal, sensible person. No matter how invested in her he was, to know someone made her feel like that angered him a little. There was naught to do about it now, though. All he could do now is prove that she was worth a damn and he would. He would gladly tell her she's beautiful each and every day if it helped her remember that fact. Anything to make her feel happy and loved. Because god damn it, he loved her so much.

And then she said it. He hadn't particularly gone into that part of naming conventions with her just yet, but it was like a cupid arrow threw his chest.

Raha.

It was special to him. Perhaps silly to feel emotional over a name, but after all of her words of love, he was feeling particularly emotional. He was just so damn happy. And so his ears and tail responded in kind. Ears twitching up at the sound of it and then doing a happy wiggle as his tail swayed side to side.]

... Careful, I just might start reading you math books now that I know that. [He won't actually bore you with that.] I love you, Madhuri.

But just know this... I don't care what you have been told, but you are not worthless or "nothing". You are so important to me and I'm sure plenty of other people out there. [With their hands close, he leaned in to give hers a soft kiss.] If you ever feel uncertain whether you are worthy of such attention, I will gladly be there to remind you anytime you want. Even if you don't ask for it. I will tell you as many times as you want.

[She couldn't stop the formed dimple before the failure to hold back a smile. He says to be careful, but she wanted to call his bluff, and maybe she'll even come away knowing her numbers better. She had a business to run in the near future, you see...

Her blush would be heavy competition on who was redder between the two of them when he said he loved her, the music swelling and falling like a wistful sigh as she briefly hid her face again. Had she dreamed of someone saying that to her? Yes. Had that voice sounded like his lately? Yes.

She'd be a big girl, damn it. She raised her face again and felt her eyes burning again. She knew she wasn't nothing, had told herself so many times in the mirror in her weakest moments, but to hear it from the outside meant so much. She'd read in stories about people who fell in love every day, over and over, and she understood now how that felt.

Madhuri nodded. He would remind her, whether or not she asked. That... h-how was he so... so wonderful? She'd cleaned up her face before, but there she was making fresh tracks down her cheeks.]

..And I to you. Here, or back home. I want to remind you, too. I want your story to be a grand and beautiful one. I'll always be in your corner, with everything I've got.

[He was usually the one to react shyer. So unfamiliar these feelings were to him that it didn't take much to throw him off. By this point, there was no doubt she'd figured that out by now. Right now was a special occasion... And admittedly a satisfying feeling knowing that he wasn't the only one affected by such affection. He reached to caress her face once more, Wiping her tears with his thumb with a gentle smile. He pulled her into a warm embrace.]

My story... has already been blessed with so many wonderful people and adventures. I couldn't ask for more. Though, if I can afford to be a bit selfish for a moment, I wouldn't say no to any new adventures along the way.

[He made the Warrior make a few promises (for the second time) before opening the way for them, but who said that had to be the only adventures he was able to do? After all, Reverein was ripe full of secrets and mysteries to uncover. What better to explore those hidden truths than with somebody he loved?]

Edited 2022-02-24 06:03 (UTC)

[The embrace was all she ever wanted in this moment. While all wrapped up against him, she could feel a resolve bolstered, something the Heart fought tooth and nail to steal from her. Who would fight the Story Eater? Who would bring the moon back if she was a gray pile of nothingness? She had to keep fighting.]

Now who would I be to deny the "selfish" wish of my love?

[Adventures it is. Truly, he ought to join her on her hunts for meat, because the Wildlands were rife with possibilities... yet...]

...Is it poor form to not wish to wake...? I... I suppose I should get around to waking soon, if anything to greet the new day as a woman freed of that wretched creature, but I'm so comfy here.

[He would gladly join her for her hunts. If not for the journey, he could at least protect her from any possible trouble. Not that she couldn't defend herself without his help.]

Don't be silly. We could do this just as well awake and with a cup of hot chocolate.

[Or whatever else. Either way, she's welcome whenever and he'd be happy to continue to hold like this back in reality.]

If you wish it, I can come to you the moment I'm out.

[She uttered a soft and needy moan.]

Hot chocolate sounds so good... I haven't been able to taste anything in days...

[She held him tighter. It was okay. This was just them, nothing big and embarrassing and over the networks. With his offer...]

Yeah. ...Please.

[She'll give herself this and not fight it.]

[He pressed a kiss it her forehead.]

As you wish. I'll see you soon.

[That unfortunately means that he has to let her go and leave her for now, but with his exit from the dreamscape, he'll make his way over to her place. If he's early enough, he'll even have the hot chocolate ready for her in time.]

[Her head felt so heavy, her body lead. As she watched him go, the music quieted by her own volition. The fake dance was over. The music, done. What world the Heart had perverted, she would leave behind.

Her own imagination was better, anyway.

With a sigh she bid her body relax, her lantern helpfully gleaming at her waist in its tiny little charm filled with swirling energy. Without control of herself for so long, it would be a while before she woke... but boy would she be glad for the drink.

It would be the tastiest hot chocolate she'd ever sipped.]

Nier had seen a variety of things in his misadventures that drove him toward both the freedom of his daughter and the clutch of the Shadowlord. Even with that in mind, however, elegant ballrooms were not one of those things. And given that he understood well enough that the town just didn't have anything quite so fancy and elegant, it didn't take him long to figure out what he'd stumbled into. It did make him reassess his wear, however. For a man who looked more like a barbarian a majority of the time, to be dressed in something nice was more than a little unlike him.

A hand lifted and he touched the mask that he found at his face. Nier made a note never to mention the happenstance to Kainé, knowing full well if he did, she would outright laugh him out of every room he went into afterwards.

It was as he was trying to figure out if he was even wearing his finely trimmed and tailored suit appropriately that he heard Madhuri's voice. Although thinking she was simply referring to some other nearby person, his fingers worn by time and circumstance fluttered over the buttons that lined the midsection and he carefully plucked at them with an idle curiosity.

Contact followed shortly after and he brought his gaze onto her. Light blue examined her for some moments, trying to remember if he knew the voice from somewhere. The appearance... was familiar. In passing he'd seen her. Wasn't she the... the dancer? He was almost certain that's how he'd known of her, but it wasn't as if he'd known many who looked like her.

"Uh—" Wait. Had she just asked him to dance? "You sure you haven't confused me for someone else? I'm not exactly the best dancer."

Her fingers moved with care, the touch as fond as that of a lover. Her eyes danced in amusement as a soft laugh left her. Now, what was it they had been joking about before...? Ah, yes.

"It matters little to me how many left feet you have, so long as I get to spend this precious time with you. Besides, it's three steps. I'll show you how it's done." She adjusted his hands for him before assuming her own position.

"You clean up good, by the way. Is this your first time in fancy do's?" Madhuri gently stepped back, guiding him into the crowd.

He couldn't remember the last time someone touched him like that. He knew that it was somewhat reminiscent of his late wife, but maybe no one else other than her ever had. Truthfully, he'd tried not to think about it. If he could manage.

Still trying to piece together what exactly had brought him to the present moment, before he knew it, he was trying to play the part of something more elegant and less barbarian. He wasn't confident he could pull it off. Besides, in a room where she was, without a doubt, the prettiest creature, she easily could have picked anyone. He was only an old, tired man.

"Well. Uh," he began, trying to ignore the rest of the crowd and what laughable happenstance was going to follow. "Yeah. Parties weren't exactly much of a thing back home. Unless you want to consider tavern visits parties."

She cast a casual glance to her left and right, an almost bladed look that was quick as it was sharp. The crowd knew better than to continue to ogle, and continued their festivities. The look back to Nier was only warm, the laugh just the same.

"Depends on the tavern! I've been to a few fun ones; the trick is to head nearest to the coastlines. Pirates truly know how to have a good time, you see... the experiences they love to tell over an ale no matter how cheap, the way their rough and work-dirtied hands gesture to build on the tale, each movement rife with unspoken promise..." Had she teased a number of the seafaring folk before? Gosh, she wasn't telling.

The dance wasn't much of one at all, a gentle sway and few awkward steps, but whether it bothered her was written anywhere on her face.

"I wonder what you did for amusement, if not for the occasional party. Don't tell me you never so much as took an off day...!"

"Pirates...?"

For all of his misadventuring with Weiss, Nier couldn't quite recall if he'd ever met a pirate before. Sure, he read plenty about them. Heard stories about them. They were all over history. Maybe with the state of the world being what it was, it might have been hard to invoke piracy of anything simply because... there wasn't much. Or maybe they were all pirates considering they were trying to survive.

"There was a town by the water that I used to visit and run errands to, or for, but I don't remember ever seeing any pirates. Did a hell of a lot of fishing from there, though." He was almost certain he'd spent days fishing there, honestly. It was a little hard to keep track of time. "I know that they had boats that went across the water to whatever was on the other side."

He spent more of his time looking at his feet just to make sure he wasn't about to step on hers. As such, it took him a few moments to really zero in on what she was asking. An off day. Off days? He wasn't sure he'd ever had any when it came down to the Black Scrawl. But he also didn't want to talk about that. It was too easy for him to drown in talks and conversations of Yonah. It would have been easy to assume that was all there was to the man.

"Well, I was kind of a mercenary, so I basically did whatever I could to make a little money. I'm not sure I ever really took a day off, but then I've always liked keeping my hands busy. Hard to be idle, after all."

"Of course. A fishing mercenary who likes to busy his hands. I don't know about you, but you sound but a hair's breadth from a pirate. Or, at the very least, a sailor."

Even with the focus on his feet, she didn't seem to mind or even try to correct him. Instead she held a little tighter and let them sway to the music. She would fill her card with him, were it up to her.

"But you never climbed on the boat, did you? You said 'whatever was on the side'... surely you had some curiosity of what lay on the horizon? You don't look the sort for reluctance. Did something keep you planted?"

"Did you just say I sound like a—"

Nier shook his head, barking out a short-lived laugh. "Sailor, no. The village I come from is by the water, but not the kind of water that real ships would be sailing from." He had decided relatively quickly that boats and ships just weren't in the same category. "The other village I was talking about is a bit away."

When she asked, he found himself pausing for several moments. It wasn't like he hadn't thought about it. He'd wanted to. Kind of. A part of him did, anyway. If things had been different... If they had been different, he would have given in. Would have changed things. Could have taken Yonah all the way... away from the village.

"I had a daughter I had to take care of," he explained. "We weren't in a situation where we could just leave."

"Oh...?" Her eyes alit with newfound interest, and there was an odd soft light blooming from her chest.

"What sacrifices you must have made to keep your little girl safe! That's dedication." She sighed wistfully.

"Would that I could have known my own father better. My memories of him are so distant, so faint... oh, but I've long come to grips with all of that." She waved a hand dismissively.

"So instead I live vicariously! What's she like?"

The light. Before he could even begin to ask about it, she distracted him. It would have been easy to fall into the trap of discussing his daughter. It was easy enough to do it when someone wasn't asking. Having her curiosity... something about it left him feeling very warm. He'd tried so hard to avoid seeming like a one-track mind. To be encouraged otherwise without her even knowing it...

"If it helps, I don't much remember my own parents either," he admitted, dipping his chin with some thought. Maybe that was why he acted with Yonah as he did.

"My daughter... uh." He wondered what she really was like, given that he'd not had much time with her for reunion before he passed the mantle of responsibility onto Kainé. "Well, helpful. Quick to worry about people other than herself. She hasn't had the easiest life, but she's strong. Very strong. Probably more mature than a child needs to be, which is a consequence of her experiences. I couldn't be a prouder father, though. She's everything and more that I could have hoped for."

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[OPEN] Within You

Endwalker spoilers likely in the comments

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