[Mel can hear clatter outside the study, but at this point, her leg refuses to let her walk, less run, and she drags herself over to one of the chairs, hissing at the growing pain in her leg. It's very cold to the touch and numb, and Mel has the impression that if anything hits her leg, it will shatter like glass.
She looks up when he runs into the study himself, sighing in relief, happy he managed to get away. She doesn't hear any other commotion outside so unless they hear more bombarding and shuffling, they should be good.
Her eyes glance back at her leg,] It does. Whatever those snowballs are, they are infused with some sort of ice magic. I can barely feel my thigh. [And at this pace, it's going to reach her knee as well.]
An evil god, yes. Its name was Malnemnious! [ A nod as he watches Jayce write. ] But the curse is that our powers are-are related to phobias. [ Just fiddling with his pencil as he continues. ] For-for instance mine allows me to be a really good doctor with the ability to do all sorts of things from curing illnesses to-to remaking limbs. [ A sigh. ]
But it's a curse for a reason and using our powers too much used to cause us to turn into the very monsters we fought. I don't think that's the case anymore but I-I haven't exactly seen it for myself. [ He looks away, distant, before returning his attentions to Jayce. ]
That's right! Phrobiest's who are proficient in fire can control it how they see fit. I think they also have a clothing shop there that makes all apparel heat resistant to a degree. There are also barriers and things around the orb to keep people safe too.
[she coos to him as a hand glides warmly alongside his cheek, the padding of her fingertips trace along his skin before it settles to the front of his chest again.]
We can try and move on the count of three. 'Least ya wanna start higher, so we can... keep stayin' put like this for a lil' while longer. I don't mind either which of way. I just wanna do whatever feels right for you, Sugah. You lead, unless ya want me to take the wheel.
[because like their previous talk before, she wants to do whatever grants him a sense of comfort, content, and tranquility. especially now, she can add physical touch into the mix of her words.]
Such is december! Ekko gets to see Mel cast magic as a gift!
[It was not her intention to hurt or be rude to anyone- just to go back inside and away from the barrage of snowballs. Especially seeing that the young man she collided with was someone she knew from home. She didn't catch his name either, only seen him arrive with Jinx in that flying contraption just in time to swing the things their way. Then she was distracted- or rather, focused on battling her mother while at the same time protecting Caitlyn.
And the rest is history.
She looks up at him when he tells her to hold them back- she's not that strong should they decide to charge at the door. But she can still hear commotion outside and snowballs are still hitting the door in waves. Gritting her teeth, she takes a daring step away from the door, turns on her heel and her eyes glow; from her hand, a golden whip-like chain flies out and wraps itself several times around the door handle, the end of it in Mel's hand, holding it tight.
Thankfully, the man is quick on his feet, and just when her magic is to fade out, the door gets barricaded more securely. Shuddering, she takes a few steps back and sighs in relief.]
I- yes, we should probably move, [she nods at the tall windows; if they spot them inside, who's to stop them from smashing that? Glancing at her leg, she stops herself from clicking her tongue,] Admittedly, I've been worse. But that snow they're using has a kick to it. [It's easy to see that, despite her dark skin, her thigh is slowly turning deep blue, with icy blue specks.]
That's a shame. But I'm sure your luck's gotta turn around eventually!
[He attempts to ensure him.]
Well, I haven't heard them talk, but they are able to write words down we can read. So I mean, maybe they can understand us! Either way, it can't hurt to try talking things out with them.
How'd you think I found you? Far as I can tell the only people around here with real minds are us unlucky saps plucked out of our own worlds. My head hasn't been so quiet in years.
[Not to brag.]
And yes, I can see your pink elephant. Not asking the significance of that, but I figured I'd mention since you're all but screaming it at me.
[Kurt just... crouches there, stunned as he listens to her so suddenly defend him so fervently. And so personally, too! It's like she knows him so well.]
W-wow... thanks!
[He blinks and gives a confused smile. But then as she exclaims, he looks down and notices the melting in her legs.]
Yeah! Whatever you're doing, I think it's working! Um, keep talking about how great I am!
[At first, Morph is visibly surprised, but then they start to softly laugh. That was awfully nice of Loki, considering the both of them were total strangers. Or maybe the whole 'I could be anything you want' type of offer was just doomed to failure - it wasn't the first time Morph had tried it, and so far there had been zero takers.]
Okay, I see what you're getting at. I'm not about to question the tastes of a god.
[With that, they shift back to their natural form, still keeping the mistletoe headband in place. The surrounding missile toads are starting to croak with a rather annoyed air though, a couple more balled-up scraps of paper getting tossed their way.]
So what do you say? I think our audience is getting restless.
[It's a strange response, so much so that A2 frowns to herself, trying to decide if the comment was directed toward her, and if so, for what reason? She doesn't trouble herself over it for long — she gets another question and almost answers. Almost.
It's an old memory. Fake and simulated, like a lot of YoRHa — androids thinking they were better than machines, androids pretending to be humans, machines destroying their masters for purpose. Round and round it went: all meaningless. This memory should be meaningless, too.
But she holds it close to herself all the same, in a battered black box. It's the only thing left of herself that hadn't been taken away.]
You ask a lot of questions.
[Is her response, after a lull. This time, she asks a question of her own.]
What's your name, anyway? [...] And what's that device? It's giving off a signal.
[Gwen you gotta get good at doing things that are not narratively possible like Loki.]
I'm playing multiple roles this time! Sibling, skald, villain! There's even an appearance from Classic Loki!
[That part's fun. The less fun part:]
Thor has banished me. He expected me to go easy on him, and was none too pleased when I did my best to challenge him, as the villain is like to do. It's as if he doesn't understand basic story structure!
[Loki laughs in turn, their grin genuine as the other shifts back]
Much better! Let us have at it! I say thee yay!
[And they pull Morph into a kiss, one of those end of movie, in a wedding montage, epic finale kisses where you dip the other person and it's very dramatic.
The toads chirp excitedly, creating their own sort of applause. A few still croak in frustration. Finally! Took long enough!
When Loki pulls away, their expression has turned smug.]
[ The change in tone is immediate, confusion plain in a single name. Viktor sits back, slouching in an effort effort to make maintaining his breathing room look like simple laziness. His gaze flicks down to the ice creeping across his skin, too much like the silvering of the First's Light over his own body. Too much like the Crystal Tower staking its claim over the Exarch.
Panic threatens to win out - anything to stop the cold stilling him - but Viktor shuts his mouth before the words can spill out, works his jaw, presses that feeling flat. Answers come first. ]
I must say, 'tis p-passing strange to see you in Asahi's body once more. [ Careful, calm, punctuated with a shiver. The last time he had seen the corpse of Asahi dancing around, it'd been in a backward plunge into the abyss. And Amon - not exactly a "come to Hydaelyn" moment in anything but the most literal sense. ] You'll understand, I hope, if I am somewhat hesitant to accept assistance from a man who should be both dead and in a different f-form.
[ So the thing is, Jayce has only been in this new dimension for a couple of days at most. He still hasn't gotten used to the idea that many of the people here come from vastly different worlds with vastly different rules than his own. While mages and people with innate powers certainly do exist in Runeterra, they're so rare that most will go their entire lives without ever encountering one, especially in a city like Piltover. Prosthetics and body augmentations, on the other hand, were a common enough sight and often a display of cutting-edge technology.
Which is why he says what he says next. ]
You...augmented your eyes? [ Jayce does not have super speed, but one would be forgiven for mistaking so with how fast his pen is suddenly in his hand and hovering over his notebook. ] That's incredible! How on earth did you compress the diode to that size while still maintaining the integrity of the structure? Is the optical material glass, gas, or something else?
I'm sorry I'm not on high alert for threats in a cafe!
[ Okay, yeah, no, that's...that's fine. Violation of privacy aside, he is not about to start a fight with a kid (that he will probably lose) over some notes. The one she grabbed in particular has a rough sketch of an older woman on it. ]
Me? Why? [ Now he looks confused and alarmed, glancing around as if there's some other hulking dude around she might have mistaken him for. ] Do I - do I look like a bad guy?
[ Yes, it's funny that. Strange. Almost as if he's not entirely the flappy, uncoordinated, scaredy cat mess that he appears... You know, the kind of guy who could save you from falling to your death down a sinkhole at the drop of a hat.
Fortunately what she wants to show him isn't far away at all, just a couple of streets over from his delightful hiding place. They still have to be cautious though, the toads are just as ruthless as last year and Mitsuru doesn't wish to have any further encounters of any kind with the pesky amphibians.
She returns his smile with a more moderate one of her own, but also a pointed look... ]
We need to be quick. And careful.
[ Clear emphasis on that last word. Whether he's chosen to have a clumsy disaster day or a scarily coordinated day, she's not taking any chances... that's entirely the reason she abruptly reaches for his gloved hand. To show him the way, make sure he doesn't go diving into any more trash cans unless otherwise completely necessary... ]
[ The only significant element of the pink elephant is the color. Really, she was just trying to think of something so insanely specific and out-there that Quentin would have to know it was coming from her brain and no one else's. ]
Alright, so... Real people. AI simulation. Anything else I need to know about this place? There was... [ She pats her suit for something, finally remembering where she put it, and reaching into one of her pouches. ] I had this piece of paper inside the coffin with me... Didn't get a chance to read it, before.
[ Wow, now she feels a little put on the spot, but she can dig deep and be the fangirl of her dreams if it means that it'll melt her frozen legs! ]
Your hair is really cool! And the holographic watch thing you use to look human was such a neat storytelling device. Also, the dancing animation always looked so fun— Although, that was more to do with Rogue and Kitty than you... But, uh— UH!! I love your costume! The pointed shoulders are a real classic look that I think a lot of people forget about, and it's really a good silhouette.
[ Gwen seems to be eating up the recap. If there were popcorn within arms reach, she'd be eating it. ]
What?! He kicked you out, just because you're filling the role that you have to fill time and time again? You would think he would be used to this by now.
[ Ain't no villain like a Loki villain. ]
What's it all building towards, do you think? Any kind of redemption and reunion arc in your future?
[Clark never thought he'd have to explain this in-depth to someone he only just met, but it looks like he has no other choice.]
No, I mean, when I say they came from my eyes, I really mean that. I kind of just...concentrate until the heat builds up behind them. [He wishes he'd asked Kara exactly how it works before he ended up here, or else he could give Jayce a better explanation than that. His cousin would probably know more about the particulars of Kryptonian biology than he does.]
The thing is, I'm a Kryptonian. An alien. I look like a human and I was raised as one, but I've got these powers that humans don't. I've spent most of my life trying to hide them, since back where I'm from not everyone is so accepting of that, but I've been using them more openly for about a year. And even now, I'm still figuring out the full extent of what I can do.
[As usual when she's the accidental third-wheel in this kind of situation, she doesn't know what to do or where to look. All she can do is bounce lightly on her feet and wait for her turn, and, well, she won't know when that is until they're done, so...
She just stares straight at them both, grinning all the while. It's not the sexiest thing imaginable, but it is kind of funny (to her). It's always weird watching Scott kiss someone else, but-! She'd meant it when she'd said she wasn't worried about Yosuke stealing him away from her.]
I won't get upset, either! [she chimes in, because like, the more reassurances, the better, right? And sorry to Tsuna, but she's already all-in on Scott. Exclusive romance path or something that only he can unlock.]
So... how about we just both kiss your cheeks? Maybe that'll be enough.
[Sometimes the toads are more demanding, but sometimes it works out! Easing Tsuna into it is probably for the best.]
[She's heard of Whitey, but never met the big boar himself. In an instant, she's crouching down on the ground in front of him with an offering of sugar cookie. Can pigs eat cookies? She's pretty sure pigs can eat anything, so unless she's scolded, time to give that pig a biscuit.
Oh, wait, right, her job--]
Yeah, join Cooking Club! [It seems as though she is talking directly to Whitey, though.] It's about learning to cook or just having fun while cooking.
[In contrast, Kotone does not look apologetic at all. Like, it's not her fault they're stuck in this situation? And it's funny and almost entirely harmless, so like, why be mad. It's the way better outcome than talking or fighting!
But if Ange wants them to try kissing first, well, okay! Kotone just shrugs and looks up at Scott, leaning up on her toes with only that little warning before stealing a kiss right from his lips.]
Okay, try to move! [she encourages Ange, giving her a thumbs-up as if she honestly expects it to have worked. She doesn't, but it's okay to pretend!]
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expiationlogs2024-12-09 08:17 am
![an older woman on it. ]](https://i.imgur.com/uCc2tND.png){kind=link}
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