{ lindwormeo and juliet }

[dreamposts]

LINDWORMEO & JULIET

It is the third dreamshift, and when everyone rouses and becomes aware of their situation, they find themselves dressed in Verona, a gothic city where night reigns everlasting and violence lurks around every corner. Not because of crime, but because of the two main families, the Montagues and the Capulets, everlasting feud. Fights break out almost every other minute and peace is hard sought after. However, peace is perhaps on the table, for the Capulets are hosting a grand masquerade in a gesture of truce. But it's difficult when one of Montague's sons is cursed as a Lindworm, one of the key reasons why there is a feud to begin with.

"But that's not really all that important," a voice echoes around them. It's a voice different from the tapirs that they've grown accustomed to, and after another moment it chimes in again. "Up here my fair little dreamwalkers."

And lo, high above in the permanent night sky is a moon so full and bright that it almost feels as if it could swallow them whole. After learning about the Story Eater's actions against Songerein's moon, the appearance of a face would certainly alarm many. But then the face seems to recede before it changes into a full person holding a quill and manuscript.

"Greetings! I am William Shakespeare and you are now within my own dream, a dreamscape I believe you call it. My works can be found in many places and in many worlds. Yet that accursed Story Eater has been devouring my masterpieces! I must now pen them all over again, but one of its minions is invading my mind and altering everything and I refuse to become a brainless puppet like Marlowe. I have isolated it within this place of my own design based off of Romeo and Juliet. However it seems after my reading of the Lindworm King, my visions have been affected a bit, but no matter. A playwright must find inspiration where he can!

But it is now up to you to see this play through completion. Doing so will help those outside draw out the fiend through the accumulated dreamotion energy, and if you could give it a few stabs that will help as well. Not all of you need to partake in my play, and I have already chosen my leading actors and actresses. You should find a brief copy of the script on your person, but you may act however you wish. However, I should warn you—this is a tragedy, so deaths are expected. But fear not, you will leave this dreamscape perhaps a bit tired, but unharmed. It's all a dream after all.

Now that should cover it. I look forward to seeing how everyone's tragic romances will play out. It may give me material for my next masterpiece!"

And just as suddenly as he had appeared, Shakespeare disappears from the moon, leaving it to loom brightly over the otherwise dark city.

I. GENERAL PROMPTS

Reminder that those cast as Romeo and Juliet can participate in most of these prompts, but the timing would be set early on before they move onto their designated scenes.

A. Family Feud. Everyone in Verona is randomly split in allegiance between the Montagues and the Capulets, and whenever they meet there is some kind of tension. It could be violent, hostile, passive, petty, or even attraction. Surely Romeo and Juliet aren't the only ones who can love across the aisle. If not pit against each other to fight or exchange snide comments, opposing parties can also work together to deal with Erasers posing as creepy looking family members/soldiers/knights/etc.

» BONUS: TO ARMS. A city-wide family feud makes for good business if you’re in the weapons-and-armor trade. Gather materials to help smithies in creating armor and weapons.

B. Masquerade. Almost as if it's the opening act, everyone, both Montagues and Capulets are to attend a masquerade held within the Capulet's ballroom. It's a momentary "truce," and though tension between the families is still rampant, everyone is welcome to wear the finest clothing they can imagine and to partake in the festivities. The masquerade itself is in the ballroom, but there are also gardens and large terraces that guests can go to if they want some fresh air.

» BONUS: PREPARATIONS. Any good party requires a lot of preparation, and all of Verona is abuzz with activity leading up to the big night. Tailors need help getting fabric, jewels, and other baubles to create the finest dresses. Caterers need quality ingredients for the food that will be prepared and served. Someone needs to step up and be the band for the night. There are plenty of ways in which Dreamwalkers can help make the masquerade a success!

C. EXTRA SCENES. There are a few specific "scenes" featuring key characters from the original play. Whether taken voluntarily or "beckoned" by Shakespeare, those who participate will have a little "essence" of the original character. No full personality change, but they might feel certain impulses or find it easier to slip into the role. Note: anyone can fill in the roles of "Romeo" and "Juliet" for the Paris scenes; it is not exclusive to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet.

1. PARIS V. JULIET. Paris meets and dances with Juliet, taking a fancy with her. With his arrogance believing he can win over the Capulet princess, throughout the night he attempts to woo Juliet, either in the ballroom or the gardens just outside. Juliet must not be swayed! (Or maybe a little swayed, but try not go totally off-book here). Juliet can shut down Paris however they want. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade", but before the Balcony scene.)
   
   
2. PARIS V. ROMEO. Paris bullies his younger brother about the Lindworm curse on a near-constant basis. And to add insult to injury, after meeting Juliet he’s decided that he wants Juliet for himself. Obviously, Romeo is not about to let his stupid mean brother steal the love of his life! They’re going to have to fight this one out, either with words or via fisticuffs. (This scene happens during or immediately after the "Masquerade" but before the "Balcony" scene.)
   
   
3. BENVOLIO'S ATTEMPTS. Benvolio is trying to find a cure for Romeo's curse, and after some research in the library he finds something! Good cousin that he is, he puts the theory to the test immediately. Unfortunately, his attempt backfires and he gets turned into a lindworm (fully or partially) instead. The poor guy is now out of sorts, and he needs protection so that someone doesn't mistake him for some monster and kill him. At least the transformation is only temporary.
   
   
4. TYBALT V. MERCUTIO. The infamous duel. Considering how much their families hate each other, the inciting incident can be just about anything. The original story has Tybalt goading Mercutio into a duel by calling Romeo a villain, Tybalt killing Mercutio, and Romeo killing Tybalt. But no one’s enforcing the particulars very closely here, so players are free to proceed with the fight any way they please. (If this fight does end in one or more deaths, please refer to the event details on how death works within the dreamscape.)

D. Love is a Battlefield. As if there wasn’t enough drama to deal with, a large, winged noctaere can be found throughout the dreamscape firing arrows at the residents, turning them into Erasers. It can summon smaller winged noctaere to fight for it, and if a dreamwalker gets hit by the arrows, they will slowly turn into a lindworm that is full of hate. It's difficult to combat the boss itself, but it can be weakened by defeating its minions and those hit by its arrows. Love of any form will be a powerful counter that will hit the boss as well.

» BONUS: ROSE COLLECTION. In the forests are white and red roses that are hidden under logs and stones. They will sparkle a bit to make them look different than other flowers. They must be collected before the Erasers can get to them. A white rose fed to a lindworm will return them back to normal. Eating a red rose will allow characters to turn into a pink, heart covered lindworm for ten minutes to fly up and try to combat against the winged noctaere or the Erasers.

II. ROMEO AND JULIET'S OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are locked to those who signed up for Romeo and Juliet. Please refer to the notes for all the stipulations and effects characters will experience as the tragic couple. Final reminder that the characters will be aware of the tragic ending as well as reassurance that they will awaken unharmed at the end of their final scene.

Click for objectives.

A. Love at First Sight. Time to get your party-crashing pants on, Romeo, because there is a masquerade that you are not invited to but are attending anyway. Who doesn’t love a good party? If you wear a mask, no one will know it’s you! Here Romeo and Juliet have the opportunity to meet and flirt and make goo-goo eyes at each other. And if they really want to get into the spirit of things, they can go into a laborious metaphor about how holding hands is super hot but kissing is way hotter. (Yes, really.) At this point Romeo's curse is only a partial transformation, something along the lines of scales down one side of his body.

B. Balcony Scene. The time for light flirting is over–this is where Romeo and Juliet get to declare their undying love for each other. Romeo really needs to work it as his brother, Paris, has also made moves on Juliet. There’s some strangeness in the dreamscape at this point that seems to have mistaken Shakespeare for musical theater, so the loving couple must sing their love for one another. With that spirit in mind, the moment should be suitably big and dramatic! Immediately after this scene is when Romeo and Juliet get married, so there’s no reason not to put it all out there. Shakespeare will lend a "helping hand" in giving them knowledge of the lyrics to sing, though they are free to create their own song and freestyle it. (Players can use existing songs or make it up as they go.)

C. Elope. Being the very mature and intelligent lovers that they are, Romeo and Juliet decide to get married after knowing each other for a whole day. Time to get to the chapel, meet with the Friar, and exchange vows. Shakespear will lend a helping hand by providing wedding attire fitting for those who are cast in their role. That's right, every Juliet will have their own special bridal dress, isn't he so considerate? And then it’s time to do whatever it is that newlyweds do, if that's what they are into. Otherwise, Romeo and Juliet will need to return home to prepare for their future.

D. Runaways. Juliet learns that she is being forced to marry Romeo's brother, Paris, which is a problem because she’s already married and also she doesn’t like that other guy anyway. In a major divergence from the source material, Romeo and Juliet decide to make a run for it instead of that whole poisoning-yourself business. It’s just a better idea all around. The goal is to get out of town undetected, which means that this is a stealth mission. Romeo and Juliet must follow a path and avoid getting caught. Whatever it takes to get past the guards and would-be snitches that would turn you in!

E. Find the Cure. Even after making it out so far, fate is against them. At this point Romeo's curse is advancing, so they need to look for the cure. Just outside of town they encounter a very trustworthy set of three witches who provide a list of items for them to retrieve and mix into a potion: rainbow mushroom, feather of a dove, three snails, and lavender. No one said this was going to taste good. However, while it will work temporarily, only Juliet is told that the final ingredient must be the blood of his lover. It's a cryptic message, however they do not specify how the blood is taken. Do they mean just a few drops? Or her life?

F. Tragic Ending. Upon learning of the young couple's running away, the Capulets have declared war with knights out hunting to kill Romeo and bring back Juliet. They are soon found and no matter what they do, death will await them. But how? Players can direct this however they want. Did the soldiers catch them? Did they decide that the whole double-suicide poison thing was a good idea after all? Does one tragically sacrifice themself to save the other? Does Romeo go full Lindworm and eat Juliet? The possibilities are endless. At this point Romeo is capable of turning into a full lindworm if he's taken the cure without Juliet's blood. If he drinks the cure with Juliet's blood, then he will revert to a normal human (teenager) with no extra powers.

[Mod Note: Details on this event can be found here and we request all thread submissions to be made here.]

Comments

[burnbrighter]

[ Just when he thought this moment couldn’t be any more perfect, she sighs against his lips, her legs sliding just a touch tighter against his hips. Their costumes feel in the way all of a sudden, the folds of her skirts gathering around them and making it impossible to get closer in the way he really wants to.

Well, the moment is so utterly perfect otherwise, he can’t be too bothered by it. Perhaps they can explore this again later, this heat and this overflowing affection, outside of the dreamscape.

The instant they part he nearly chases her lips again, but he stills when he feels the tugging in his hair, and a moment later his locks spill free around his shoulders. He breathes out a laugh, planting a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. ]

If that’s the case, I’ll have to wear it like that for you more often.

[hearthwarming]

[ She holds in the immediate urge to apologize for what she's said when she hears him laugh, but just barely. Fortunately, the soft kiss he gives her seals it away, never to be said, at least not in this moment. Instead, buds of ranunculus sprout in the newly-freed locks of Thoma's hair - the very same sort of flora that bloomed on the back of Ori's owl form when she'd caught him in freefall, cushioning him.

She likes— no, loves him so much, and not for the first time she has to wonder if it's really alright for her to feel this way about somebody that she met in a dream. In a dream within a dream, even, but... Thoma isn't just somebody. He's a warm fire on a cold night, a shield from the nightmares, a bright sun on the darkest of days.

For a moment, she remains as they are - faces pressed in close, but her eyes go half-lidded as her gaze falls from his eyes and to the ends of his hair, where her fingers thread gently through locks of gold. She's sure, in this moment and every moment onwards, that she would find a way to tear down the outer planes to find him again should she ever find herself parted from him. Even if it meant forsaking the world from which she came— after all, Ori believes in the likelihood that at the very end of the line, there won't be much in it for her to remain tethered to.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she gives an airy laugh of her own, and echoes the words he's said to her in days past: ]

You would be practically irresistible.

[ Her teeth clamp down on her lower lip as she tries to bite back the smile that forms on her lips, and her fingers continue to play with the lengths of his hair, wanting to remember every little detail about this moment. Even the way that fabric pools around them and keeps them from being as close as she admittedly would want to be, and she's not even entirely sure what to do with that sentiment. For now, all she can do is lean in and capture his lips in another heated kiss. ]

[burnbrighter]

[ He feels rather than sees something settle in his hair, and a quick glance at the locks that have spilled over his shoulder confirms that there are new blooms in his hair. The same flame-colored blossoms that Ori used to save him when he dove out of that tree, as if he could ever forget them. Flowers have a language, and while he doesn’t know what, if any, meaning these blossoms have, he knows that in the language of Ori, they are for him. Her affection made manifest.

For Thoma, any thoughts of the future are far away. He knows that inevitably, they will have to leave this place, and be parted - perhaps forever - but he’s resolved to live in the moment. To take this beautiful gift he’s been given and cherish it for every moment he has it. ]

You mean I’m not already?

[ He’s teasing her, obviously, but he finds himself quite suddenly distracted by the way her teeth catch her lower lip as she tries and fails not to smile. It’s a much more playful look than the uncertainty she usually wears and… Archons, she’s gorgeous. Perfect. Sexy. Something hot coils in his stomach under that look, and he meets her lips eagerly.

When they part again, whether it be moments or hours later, he angles his head to ghost his lips over the line of her jaw, soft and affectionate but no less heated. ]

I wonder if you know what you do to me when you look at me like that.

[hearthwarming]

[ For better or for worse, it's not in Ori's nature to refrain from thinking too far forward, to futures that may or may well not take places— but, oh, when Thoma kisses her the way that he does, all heat and warmth in the crisp night air outside on the terrace now covered in flowers and light, he pulls her into the present the very same way that he pulls her close and draws out of her countless sighs and approving hums as they kiss for what feels like an eternity.

And what a blessing that is, because she wouldn't want to miss this moment for anything.

When they pull away again, it's Ori's turn to lean after him, in hopes of chasing after another kiss, but relief finds her when he finds her once more— just not where she's expecting, and he surprises a soft gasp out of her when he just barely touches her jawline with his lips. She's entirely unprepared for how nice that feels, and she practically shivers against him, so utterly distracted by the tease and promise of his lips on her skin that she nearly misses what he says.

She has spent many evenings listen to Thoma talk, and those nights mean the world to her. She loves hearing his voice, and she loves hearing his stories. But what he says in this moment is unlike anything he's ever said to her. The warmth of his breath brushes her skin as he speaks and, gods help her, his name spills out of her like she's been holding her breath for ages. ]

Thoma...

[ Still, uncertain as she is as a person, Ori isn't sure what he's talking about. Maybe she'll ask him to elaborate at some point, but right now, all she can think is that she would really like more of this, and her hands grasp at his hair in search of it. ]

[burnbrighter]

[ Oh, Archons, what he wouldn’t give to hear her say his name like that again. He’s thought about this before, of course, about taking their relationship further physically, but it has never been in him to push - not for something as important as this. All things in due time, and while this moment won’t likely get too much more heated, it’s progress. And it’s a bit like watching a flower bloom, as she unfolds so beautifully beneath his wandering hands and questing mouth.

His lips paint a trail of kisses along the line of her jaw and down the curve of her neck, the gentle slope of her shoulder. Her costume leaves a lot of skin exposed here, more than her normal mode of dress does, and that’s intoxicating in its own right. She is lovely, lavender and soft pink shining under the moonlight and the soft sunshine of his joy. ]

Mm… should I mark you? [ His tongue slips from between his lips, tracing the place where her neck curves into her shoulder. ] Make you mine?

[ She won’t be able to hide it, unless she keeps her hair over it, but by the gods, it is tempting. ]

[hearthwarming]

[ And Ori, for her part, has appreciated the boundless patience that Thoma has shown her in all things, including this. She knows that it's natural for relationships to progress into more physical expressions of affection - but this isn't like the clumsy, purely hormonal flings of her teenaged years. It is far too precious and loving to be. So she wants to take things slow, to bask in the wholesomeness of holding hands and sharing sweet kisses with each other, in the warmth of affectionate embraces and everything else.

She has to admit, though, that Thoma has been making it difficult, especially as of late. It's hard not to think about what happened between them in the woods a few weeks ago; and now, his voice has taken even more of an edge to it than it had then— and spirits, she does she realize now how much she loves it. She loves him.

Each kiss he leaves on her draws something out of her, whether it's a soft gasp, a quiet sigh, or something that almost resembles a moan. She's careful to keep herself quiet, but the fact remains that she doesn't stop herself from giving him this. She would give her loves the world if she could, after all.

And so when he asks if he should make her his, she can't help but chuckle. Make you mine, he asks, but as far as she's concerned... She has already been his, heart and soul. And he drags that confidence lurking deep beneath her worries and anxieties to the surface as she once again echoes his words back at him. ]

You mean I'm not already?

[ Her grasp tightens in his hair as she sighs once more and adds, ]

Please, Thoma...?

[burnbrighter]

[ He has, perhaps, been indulging his desire for both of his partners a bit more lately, though can he even be blamed? Anyone with eyes could see that even his willpower and nigh-boundless patience were doomed from the start. Keeping close company with two utterly gorgeous, utterly wonderful people was bound to wear on him.

And now he has Ori, warm and pliant in his arms, his breath hot against her skin, and it’s everything he’d hoped it would be. The confidence that he knows she keeps buried beneath the surface bubbles up to tease him back, and he laughs against her. She’s so perfect. ]

I guess you are.

[ Not a day goes by that he’s not thankful for that. It took a lot of heartbreak and nightmares to get to this point, but at the end of it all, they managed to come together like pieces of a puzzle, slotting into each other’s lives like they were meant to be there.

He murmurs against her skin when she sweetly asks him please, and he is more than happy to give her what she wants. What they both want. He noses along her skin, warm in the cool evening air, to find a place she could easily conceal by draping her braid over her shoulder, and parts his lips to suck and bite and tease, the pale color of her skin darkening under his attentions. At last, he smooths away any lingering sting with a pass of his tongue and draws back to admire his work. ]

Archons, Ori. I love you so much.

[hearthwarming]

[ Ori would break her own heart countless times if it meant that Thoma and Diluc could be happy, but the spirits that be have blessed her in that she doesn't have to. Instead, they have given her a chance at happiness in spite of all of the heartbreak and nightmares, and she resolves every day to make sure that she can be the best she can be for both of them, her sunshine and her moonlight. Whether she believes her best is enough is another matter entirely, but it gets easier and easier to believe in such with wonderful men at her side.

She hums approvingly when he sets out to find a place to mark her skin, drawing in a sharp breath when the momentary - but pleasant - sting of the act shoots through her nerves, and she breathes it out shakily when the heat and slick of his tongue soothes the pain. In that moment, she cannot help but think about how nice it would be if this weren't just a dream. Or a dream within a dream. How nice would it be if they didn't have to play their parts, however small they may be? If they could find Diluc and have all night to each other?

Her eyes are filled with that wonder, that want, when he pulls back and looks at her, and she smiles at his declaration. ]

And I love you so much, my sun.

[ It's likely that they'll have to part ways sooner or later, but she'd like to at least leave him with as much of a gift as he's given her. She leans in once more with one hand cupping his cheek and the other grasping at his shoulder, mirroring each kiss he's given her. First pressing one to the corner of his mouth, then one to the line of his jaw, and then finally one where his jaw meets his ear, into which she whispers: ]

Can I mark you, too?

[burnbrighter]

[ She isn’t the only one wishing it were more than just a dream. He wants this moment to last well into the night, he wants more of her - all of her - as they bask in the light and warmth of each other’s affections. He wants to find Diluc and sweep them all away to someplace where they can get lost and tangled up in one another without fear of discovery. The way she looks at him only makes him wish for it all the more. ]

Your–?

[ My sun. He almost doesn’t feel deserving of such a term of endearment. He has tried - does try - to be the guiding light that both his partners need, in whatever way they need it, but surely he’s not done anything worthy of such shining praise.

But even with that thought, he can’t bring himself to challenge her. Instead, he takes those unfathomably precious words and locks them away in his heart, to keep forevermore. ]

Please, Ori. I already belong to you, and I want everyone to know.

[hearthwarming]

[ That please does more to her than she realizes it ever could, and she finds herself smiling against his skin as she hums approvingly. It's incredible, she thinks, how he makes her feel like she could take on the world with everything that he does. Especially when he sounds the way that he does, which sends heat coursing through her body.

She really, really wishes this could go on forever. ]

Good, I'm glad...

[ And so at his urging, she places soft, reverent kisses along his neck, drawing in a deep breath at every turn. He smells like a warm hearth, and - although it's not exactly something that has a smell - home. It's all she can think of, when she thinks about how safe and sound he makes her feel. They may hail from different worlds, but while they're both here, he is her home and he is hers.

When she reaches the same spot on him that he had left his mark on her, she hums again, finding less space there than he would have on hers by virtue of his attire. So hand curls around the fabric of his collar, her nails grazing against his skin all the while, and pulls it down so that she can place another open-mouthed kiss there. Her fangs scrape against him lightly in the process— but without her meaning to. She'll apologize to him shortly, but for that moment she's more preoccupied with sucking on his skin just as he had hers, leaving her own mark and pulling away before long to nose at and press another soft kiss on the very spot before she mutters, against it, ]

Sorry...

[burnbrighter]

[ He would beg for it if she asked him. For as much as he’s taken the lead in this relationship business, simply by virtue of experience, she has him utterly wrapped around her little finger. Both she and Diluc do, and he would move heaven and earth for their happiness, for their pleasure, whatever. Archons, he loves them both so much.

Her breath is warm against his skin, her lips impossibly soft as she paints a trail of heat over his exposed neck. Dutifully, he tips his head to give her more access, all while his hands roam over her back, mapping her every curve. Even if he wanted, there’s no stopping the contented sigh that passes his lips while she explores him.

And then her lips part, her tongue laving against his skin, the sweet sting of suction and the light scrape of pointed teeth make him shudder. The tail end of his sigh tapers into a low moan as she claims him. The way she smooths away the sting is so unbearably sweet and so perfect, he finds himself wishing, and not for the first time, that this night could last forever. ]

Don’t you dare apologize.

[ His tone is soft, breathless, and utterly fond. Fingers come up to toy with the wisps of hair at the nape of her neck. ]

Trust me, if you do something I don’t like, I’ll tell you, but that… oh, I liked that very much.

[hearthwarming]

[ But that moan that escapes him, and the way that his voice sounds in this moment - airy and soft and loving - truly stir something within her. She can feel how warm her cheeks and the rest of her feel against the cool, crisp air, although Thoma himself certainly provides a great deal of warmth from his own body as well. The same warmth that she had felt from Diluc earlier in the evening. Tonight, it seems, she is appending to an already lengthy, ever-growing list of reasons for loving them.

How did she come to be so blessed, especially when her life had been so lonely and full of despair before coming here? Will she be made to feel this immeasurable happiness and love only to be awoken back into a world that would rather see her scorched by purple flames or blighted by some ancient, corrupt force? Gods, she loves them so much - but that makes her all the more afraid of ever losing them.

She breathes out a shaky sigh in spite of her fears from the pleasant pull of his fingers at her hair. It's alright if she can forget about her worries for even a little while, isn't it? When her hands move to clutch at his shoulders, there's a touch of desperation at the grip of her fingers. ]

Then... maybe you won't mind another...?

[ She begins to move up along his neck once more, lips brushing against his skin as she speaks, before she finds that spot below his ear and the line of his jaw once more and parts her mouth to leave another mark there.

It's alright, she thinks. It will fade from his skin when they emerge from this dreamscape, just like she'll fade from their lives when they wake from this world of dreams. ]

[burnbrighter]

[ If Thoma had even an inkling of the things running through Ori’s head in this moment, he would put a stop to them right away. Whatever happens when they leave this place, Ori has left an undeniable impression on him. Her fingerprints are on his heart, his soul, and if by some terrible twist of fate he doesn’t remember her when he leaves this place, it will always feel like a part of him is missing.

But by the gods, does he really hope he remembers her. He wants to remember her, now and forevermore.

All of that is left unsaid, an unintentional secret between them as Ori doesn’t give voice to her fears, and Thoma has no way to assuage them. Her mouth parts against his skin again and she marks him a second time – it feels just as good as the first. Now he really is going to have to keep his hair down to hide it. ]

Mm. You’re spoiling me.

[ Not that he sounds like he minds. ]

[hearthwarming]

[ The idea of living in the moment rather than in unchangeable pasts and unknowable futures is something she'll surely work towards in the kind, patient arms of her lovers - but as she is, it's difficult not to find herself swept into these thoughts whenever she feels engulfed in her love and her fears and her wishes all at once. And as such, the latter two go largely unspoken. Her love, at least, is something she's finding herself more and more comfortable with expressing in both actions and now in words, Diluc and Thoma both having paved the way so beautifully for her.

She presses one last soft kiss to where she'd just left a new mark before she tries to draw him down so that he can rest his head against her collarbone and she can nuzzle his hair. This way, he can't see the bittersweet expression that has taken hold of her; instead she closes her eyes and just... enjoys his warmth, his scent, his comfort and his safety. ]

I can't help it. I just love you so much...

[burnbrighter]

Ori?

[ There’s a note of concern in his voice as she draws him down to nuzzle into his hair. Something about the gesture strikes him as odd, since normally they’re both content to gaze into each other’s eyes, and try though she might to keep him there, he pulls away from her to look at her face.

The sweet, joyous smile he’d worn but a moment ago falls away instantly. ]

Sweetheart, what’s wrong?

[ Did he do something to upset her? He can’t imagine what, but whatever it is, he wants to make it right. ]

[hearthwarming]

[ Watching the sweet look on his face fade only pulls at hers further, and her lips quiver as though she wants to say something. Thoma deserves an explanation for the sudden turn in her mood, but her heart feels as though it's twisted and the words die in her throat, never to be given voice.

Her hands pull away from him, and one clutches at her chest as though it would soothe her aching heart. It hurts, and she so very badly wants to say that nothing is wrong, but she knows herself and she knows Thoma - she would make a poor show of it, and he would never let her lie to herself or to him. And more than anything, she doesn't want to hurt him, doesn't want to see his smile fall away like that again. ]

I... I'm scared. You make me so happy, but I'm... so scared of losing you and Diluc someday.

[ Her other hand rises, fingers ghosting over the first mark she had left on him. ]

At some point, I'll fade away just like this mark is going to disappear after tonight, won't I? Then it'll be like we never met, and I don't like that at all...

[burnbrighter]

[ He watches her war with herself and her feelings for a moment that stretches into eternity. She looks so terribly pained, and he cannot possibly imagine what must have happened when just a short while ago they were professing their love and sharing heated kisses under the moonlight.

Her hands fall away from him, one clutching at her own heart, and he realizes all too late that Ori’s penchant for letting her thoughts drift into dark places has gotten the better of her. He reaches up, resting his hand over hers, the steady beat of her heart under their fingertips. ]

Ori… [ He dips his head, forehead pressing against hers. ] I’m scared of losing you, too. I’m afraid that one day I’ll wake up and I won’t remember you or Diluc, but… we don’t really know what happens when we leave here, do we? Maybe we won’t forget. Maybe we’ll find our way back to each other again.

[ His free hand comes up to caress the side of her face, his thumb brushing gently over her cheek. ]

But whatever happens when we’re gone from here doesn’t matter. It can’t matter, or we’ll make ourselves sick with grief thinking about all the what ifs. All that matters is what we choose to do with the time we do have. I’m choosing to give you my heart, my everything, because you make me really, truly happy.

And even if my mind does forget you one day, my heart won’t. You’re a part of it now.

[hearthwarming]

[ The flowers that flourished around them but moments ago have since faded in color. Where they had been an expression of the bursting life and happiness that she feels when she's with Thoma, vibrant and bright, they are now dulled as though the colors have been drained away from them, a manifestation of Ori's worries. They aren't wilting or dying away as they might normally, but the monochromatic tones are indicative of her state of mind, nonetheless.

But Thoma, with all of his sincerity and his infinite patience and wisdom and care, reminds her time and time again that there's no place, no reason for her soul to dwell in the what ifs. That he's here, and she cannot truly be here with him if her heart is already living in the future that she's afraid of. She wishes she wasn't so prone to such a mentality, but he shines a light into her darkness and guides her home, guides her back to him, and she loves him for it each time.

Her sun.

Her hand moves away from his shoulder to mirror his gesture, gently cupping his cheek. She wants to apologize for having ruined the mood, but the words get caught up inside of her as she feels a stinging in her eyes and takes a moment to fight it all back. ]

You, too. You'll always be part of my heart. And my dreams, even if I might not remember.

[ She leans in to catch his lips once more. Ori makes a silent promise to him, then, to remember this moment in her times of darkness. She would be foolish to think that she won't have these sorts of thoughts again - but little by little, he gives her words to draw on, something to fall back on, to remember. She's sure, now more than ever, that she wants to give him her everything, too. He already has her heart and soul, but whatever else she can offer him, she will. ]

You'll always be my dream, Thoma. [ She sighs, then adds: ] And... thank you. For everything tonight.

[burnbrighter]

[ He hasn’t even noticed the state of the flowers yet. His attention is squarely on Ori, on making sure that she knows she’s not alone in her fears and trying to pull her back to the moment where she belongs. None of them can say for certain what the future might hold, but none of them can afford to dwell on it.

He’ll reel her back in as many times as it takes. Whatever he needs to do to keep her here, in the moment, with him.

Tears well up in her eyes, and he’s glad she says something before they can spill over, because watching her cry like this breaks his heart.

And when their lips meet, he also pours his everything into the kiss. He promises himself, and her, that the future will not matter so long as they’re here together, in the here and now. A beam of sunlight shines over them both, as if the dark clouds of her thoughts are breaking, allowing his light to shine through. Perhaps they are. ]

You’ll always be my dream, too, Ori. I love you.

[ He kisses her again, something warm and sweet and lingering. ]

We’ve been out here for a long time. I bet they’re starting to miss us… but, I’m happy to push my luck a little longer if you are.

[hearthwarming]

[ The warmth and the brightness of the light that beams down on them is a soothing balm, parting the evening sky like it's cut through the dark spots of her thoughts. It reminds her of how he made her feel the very first time they met, the very first time they shared a meal together, and nearly every other time since then. He is a breath of fresh air, a beacon, an anchor all at once, and she will never be able to say 'thank you' enough to properly convey just how grateful she is to have him in this life, however ephemeral it may be.

She has to try not to worry about that, anymore. For herself, and for all of their sakes.

Ori pulls him into her arms as they kiss, and sighs when they pull away and come to terms with the inevitability of their parting, although her arms keep him in her embrace. ]

I love you too, my sunshine. They don't miss us as much as I'll miss you, after we go back inside... Let's just stay like this for a little while longer, please.