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+---- Thread: like home's not so far away (/showthread.php?tid=11465)
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth, shaking his head as if disappointed. [say]"If only it were as simple as that,"[/say] he laments, though the glint in his eyes makes it clear he’s not above doing either if the mood struck, just to mess with the Knight.
As Isla arches her brows at him, Remi matches the gesture without hesitation, one dark eyebrow rising in slow, deliberate amusement. And then, as she peels off her dress, revealing pale blue swaths of fabric that once might have turned his thoughts to static and his tongue to knots, Remi only chuckles warmly. Whatever those old sparks once were and however confusingly tight they were once tied, they’ve been folded neatly into something far deeper: an unshakeable bond that no longer burns, but glows.
With a long breath, Remi turns and wades deeper, water curling around his waist before he pauses. His wings flare slightly, more for balance than display, and then with a moment’s focus, four thick tentacles unfurl from his hips—slick and shadowed, disappearing into the water. They press against the underside of the hull like patient hands, and then with a groan, the bow of the Northaven begins to lift. It rises slowly but steadily, seawater sluicing off the boards in rivulets. An impossible feat of strength, yes, but likely Isla is used to seeing such things from the Bastion by now.
The muscles in Remi’s arms tighten with the effort, shoulders drawn taut and jaw set—not strained, but certainly engaged. Glancing back at Isla with a crooked grin, he nods toward one of the boards just above the waterline, its edges warped and salt-brittle. [say]"That one there,"[/say] he says, chin lifting in its direction. [say]"Think you can pry it loose?"[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
[say]"Personally,"[/say] Isla says, [say]"I think you should rearrange all of the cutlery in your cutlery drawer. Or turn any paintings you have in the house upside down and hang them again."[/say] Because if messing with Ronin is the name of the game, then there is no act too petty. With a grin, Isla stands back in the lapping shallows to watch as Remi wades deeper into the water, all wings and extra appendages and strength that absolutely does not belong in a body still so comparatively mortal. (Tentacles notwithstanding).
[say]"Mm...?"[/say] Because whilst Remi is correct and the fire that had once burned in her blood for her friend is now akin to friendly embers, the Bastion is still an excellent anatomy lesson, and Isla has been understandably distracted. [say]"Oh - yes! I think that should be doable."[/say] Splashing forward to examine the warped board more closely, Isla gives it a hollow knock before reaching out with a hand wreathed in flame to sizzle at the edges of the waterlogged wood.
Once she's charred it enough to get a grip on it, she works on trying to pry it free. Which, while no easy feat, Isla is no damsel in distress, and with an audible crack, she tosses the board into the water behind them.
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi snorts, laughter curling out of him in an unguarded huff that bubbles up like sea foam. [say]"I’m trying to make it to our ten-year anniversary,"[/say] he says, amusement tugging crooked at his mouth. [say]"Not give Ronin reasons to divorce me before we even get there."[/say] He shakes his head, still grinning. [say]"Though I’ll keep the upside-down painting idea in my back pocket. Maybe for year eleven."[/say]
He watches her work with open ease, not offering advice, not interrupting with needless commentary. It’s Isla, after all—Isla, who’s handled more delicate operations with less complaint. So he just holds the bow steady as she chars the edges of the stubborn board, the scent of smoke curling sweet and briny in the air. When it cracks free and lands with a splash, Remi only arches a brow and offers a quiet, approving hum.
[say]"You can just let it float,"[/say] he murmurs, voice low and amused. "We’ll grab it once we’re done here."[/say] One of his tentacles detaches from the hull and slides smoothly across the surface of the deck, searching by touch until it curls around the replacement board he’d set aside earlier. With a casual flick of his head, the limb swings it down and offers it to Isla like a wine bottle at dinner. [say]"If you'd be so kind,"[/say] he says, mock-formal, his grin threatening to split into something more boyish as the board hovers in front of her.
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
[say]"Don't be silly - he would never divorce you,"[/say] Isla says sweetly, nudging the bobbing board more towards the sand so the waves can carry it there to stay and they won't have to chase it. [say]"Especially not if you blame your companions, or perhaps some well-meaning ghosts. I know you aren't Ludo-aligned any more, but I bet Ronin would believe it was the trickster at work if you told him."[/say] Grinning - so sue her for finding her own amusement - she turns back to the missing space in the hull and watches as one of Remi's tentacles goes on a treasure hunt.
Only to offer her a new board with gentlemanly aplomb. [say]"You're too kind,"[/say] Isla purrs, accepting the board and wading forward again to carefully start arranging it in place. [say]"You wouldn't happen to also have a hammer and some nails on that clever deck of yours?"[/say] she asks, raising her eyebrows. [say]"Or I could just use my bare hands, I suppose."[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi chuckles, the sound low and indulgent as seawater slips around his hips. [say]"Mmm, you’re right. Divorce would be too kind,"[/say] he muses, mischief tugging at his lips. [say]"Whatever he came up with would be much, much worse."[/say] His grin sharpens as he glances sidelong at her, lifting a brow. [say]"And these ideas of yours are coming far too easily. I’ll try to remember that next time I’m foolish enough to argue with you."[/say]
Then, with a playful bounce of his eyebrows and the sort of sly charm that once would have been filled with innuendo that wasn't entirely harmless, he hums, [say]"There are many things on offer from my deck."[/say] A theatrical pause. [say]"And most of them are useful, I promise."[/say]
Another tentacle peels free, sliding up with a curving grace across the deck. With a subtle tilt of his head, it rummages for just a moment before withdrawing triumphantly. Gripped gently in the suckered curl are a hammer, a small pouch of nails, and a pot of waterproof sealing oil that glistens faintly in the sunlight. [say]"Voila,"[/say] Remi says, presenting the tools with a mock flourish. [say]"Unless you would prefer to test your strength on a few knuckle-sized nails, in which case by all means. I’d watch."[/say] His expression is bright and fond, sea-glass eyes crinkling at the corners as he steadies the hull for her again.
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
[say]"But it wouldn't be divorce,"[/say] Isla says in a sing-song voice, as if to say she's still counting it as a win since that had been Remi's original fear. [say]"And I'm glad to see you're finally taking my sharp intellect seriously. I hope I never have to wield it against you."[/say] Winking and continuing to hold the board in place, the Remedy glances up as Remi's tentacles go a-searching again. Occasionally her eyes flick back to his face, head tilting expectantly for any useful - or not - items, and she lets out a soft aha! as the hammer, nails and oil finally appear.
[say]"I'm sure you would watch,"[/say] she drawls, smirking and accepting the tools and supplies, reaching out to start tacking the nails in place. [say]"Perhaps another time, though. I'm quite keen not to have to dunk my hands in the fountain on the way home."[/say] Grinning with a nail between her teeth, Isla sidles along the board, carefully bending it into place and fixing it there with the nails, until it sits flush against the hull with the rest of its brothers and sisters.
Passing hammer and nails back to one of Remi's hopefully waiting tentacles, Isla turns her attention to oiling the fresh wood. [say]"You holding up okay?"[/say] she asks - quite literally, given the Bastion's current role.
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi chuckles under his breath. [say]"Well, it’s probably taken me about ten years for that particular lesson to sink in,"[/say] he says, a lopsided grin tugging at his mouth. [say]"But at least I got there in the end."[/say] Maybe.
As Isla reaches for the tools, her remark about the fountain earns a sly twitch of his brows. [say]"Mmh. With the way you’re handling all this wood, I'm not sure you'd even need to stop. You’re much better at it than I recall."[/say] His wings give the faintest rustle at his back, like a shrug half-given, though his grin is nothing but boyish and pleased with himself.
When she finishes, Remi’s tentacles obligingly curl around the hammer and nail pouch, suction cups gripping them with ease and returning them neatly to the deck above. He exhales, the effort of keeping the Northaven’s bow aloft starting to press into his shoulders and arms like silt in a tide.
[say]"Yes,"[/say] he says with a sigh that’s equal parts weary and amused. [say]"Though I won’t even be able to ask Ronin for a massage tonight without giving away what I was doing."[/say] His smile turns wry. [say]"The things we do for love, mm?"[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
[say]"Better at handling wood than you recall? Excuse me?"[/say] Isla - on purpose - completely freezes in her application of the oil, turning fully to face Remi and folding her arms across her chest. [say]"And what is that supposed to mean, Remi Taliesin? Bearing in mind that I need zero motivation to pull your pants down and walk away, leaving you holding this boat with your dick out."[/say] She waits expectantly, eyebrows raised high enough to disappear into the shade cast by her sunhat, her foot tapping in the shallow water.
Depending on his response, it might be the case that Ronin is able to give his husband a massage for a much different reason - and in a much different place, too. Still, whilst she's entirely (mostly) playful about it, Isla clearly has no qualms about leaving the Bastion holding the boat until his shoulders and arms are screaming about it.
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi’s grin stretches slow and wide across his face, all boyish mischief and absolutely no remorse. [say]"Oh, I think you know exactly what it means,"[/say] he says, dimples flashing and green eyes glinting with humour as Isla squares off with him. The image of her, arms crossed, oil brush forgotten, sunhat casting judgment like it’s part of a sacred rite—it only makes his grin deepen.
[say]"Isla,"[/say] he adds, the name soft and sing-song as he shifts under the weight of the Northaven like it’s nothing at all, [say]"you know better than anyone that threats like that don’t bother me."[/say]
His wings twitch slightly behind him, entirely too smug, and he tilts his head as if inviting her to follow through. [say]"Though,"[/say] he concedes, a little more innocently, [say]"if it does come to that, will you at least rescue the wood that you've already set adrift..?"[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
[say]"I think you implied that my sexual skills were lacking when it came to me fucking you,"[/say] Isla says with a smile that's equally sunny and smug, because why bother with innuendo when, as Remi has rightly pointed out, those sorts of threats don't bother him in any case. [say]"Which, if that's correct, is as hurtful as it is funny, and I've a mind to slap you right across the face for it. Luckily,"[/say] she huffs, [say]"this is something that is important for your ten year anniversary. And I wouldn't want to do that to Ronin, whose ability to handle wood is, I'm sure, much better than both of ours."[/say]
Kicking water at him for good measure and turning back to the boat, Isla makes quick work of oiling the new board - and slathering it along Remi's arm and chest for good measure, since he's too busy holding the Northaven to do much about it - and plods through the shallows to collect the all important piece of wood. [say]"There,"[/say] she announces, straightening up with it. [say]"I think you can say that's officially a part of where you live."[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi’s grin turns downright fiendish as Isla discards innuendo like a sunhat in the wind, and he feigns a scandalized gasp—hindered by the fact he’s still holding up a whole-ass boat. [say]"No, no,"[/say] he says, shaking his head with mock gravity, curls flinging a few droplets of seawater around them. [say]"You misunderstood me entirely. I was simply saying that your skills have improved over the years. Which is the natural progression of things, isn’t it?"[/say] The twinkle in his eye could light a room. [say]'One would think, anyway.'[/say]
Then, more casually—too casually—he adds, [say]"And hey. So long as it’s not LeafChange, you’re welcome to test that theory if you ever feel the need to verify your assumption."[/say] There’s mischief there, but also something not entirely unserious; the kind of open honesty that’s rare and razor-edged all at once, made safer only by the decades between them. Leafchange or no, the number of people Remi would willingly invite into his bed these days is nearly 0. Isla might perhaps be the only one.
Isla’s retaliation comes swiftly in the form of sealant, and Remi squawks—actually squawks—as his wings flap with the indignant flutter of a very affronted pigeon. [say]"I am being abused,"[/say] he announces to the empty beach like a martyr, even as his tentacles resolutely do nothing to stop her. [say]"The things I endure for friendship,"[/say] he huffs, blowing a breath over the oil in a token effort at drying it. Once the new board is secure and Isla makes her triumphant declaration, Remi gently lowers the Northaven back into the water with care that borders on reverence. The hull settles with a low, satisfying creak, and the Bastion finally releases a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding.
Immediately, he sinks to his knees in the surf and plunges his arms beneath the waves, scrubbing half-heartedly at the oil streaked across his chest. [say]"Well,"[/say] he mutters, glancing over at her with a sidelong smirk, [say]"that went exactly as planned."[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
[say]"One would think,"[/say] Isla agrees haughtily, watching as Remi sinks to his knees in the surf, giving her the perfect opportunity to 'help' him get rid of the oil on his skin - by kicking water at him, naturally. Her hands are full holding the board she'd pried from the Northaven's hull, you see, so this is the best and kindest alternative she can imagine. [say]"Oh, I couldn't possibly test that theory. On reflection, though, I imagine you probably are right. And I'm very lucky to already have someone who can benefit from my improved skills."[/say]
Leaning the board up against him as if he's little more than a Remi-shaped rock kneeling in the shallows, Isla retreats back onto the sand with a flick of her hair over her shoulder to go and slip back into her sundress. [say]"Did it?"[/say] she quips over her shoulder at the Bastion. [say]"I'm very pleased it all went according to plan. Speaking of Leafchange, though, are you sure Ronin is going to be any sort of headspace to appreciate whatever party you're planning?"[/say] What with the whole fighty-stag-business, she means.
RE: like home's not so far away - Remi - 06-09-2025
Remi lifts his brows with exaggerated innocence, turning his chin up so the kicked water hits him squarely across the chest. [say]"I was just trying to pay you a compliment,"[/say] he hums, as if he’s deeply wounded by her insinuations—never mind the smirk tugging at his mouth. The splash isn’t unwelcome anyway; it’s far too warm out, and the saltwater does a better job of rinsing sealant than his half-hearted scrubbing ever could.
[say]"Mm, yes,"[/say] he drawls with a roll of his eyes, [say]"SoOo LuCky."[/say] He shoots her a sidelong look full of mock sympathy as he scoops up the pried-off board and begins retracting his wings and tentacles, the latter disappearing back beneath his skin like they were never there.
By the time Isla has made it back to dry sand and slipped into her sundress, Remi is right behind her—dripping, gleaming, barefoot menace. And with all the sweet intent of a man absolutely out for petty revenge, he leans in and wraps his arms tightly around her in a sudden, soggy hug, pressing his chest deliberately against the back of her dress. [say]"Oops,"[/say] he says with no regret whatsoever. [say]"You looked like you were overheating, too."[/say]
Grinning, he pulls back with a wink and adds, [say]"Didn’t I mention? Ronin fighting off all our guests is going to be my gift to myself."[/say]
RE: like home's not so far away - Isla - 06-09-2025
As Remi slinks up behind her - quiet as any predator, which is unsurprising given who he is and how long he's been sneaking around murdering things - Isla is absolutely none the wiser. As a result, it's naturally her turn to squawk as she's trapped against his soaking wet chest, the Remedy resisting (just) the urge to let flame roar up between them to dry her off and persuade Remi to create some distance. Luckily, he makes that decision for himself, Isla cursing in a very unladylike way and turning to kick sand at him this time.
[say]"You're a menace. I bought you snacks and everything,"[/say] she complains, trying to adjust her dress so it isn't quite so uncomfortable as it clings to her body. [say]"But if that's the case at your party, I look very forward to waving at you from afar. I'll be sure to make a sign offering my congratulations. Maybe I'll even try to have a conversation with you via paper aeroplane."[/say]