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+---- Thread: [ME] save forever for me (/showthread.php?tid=11734)
RE: save forever for me - Sunjata - 07-17-2025
Infinitely pleased to be back in Torchline without the overwhelming sense of Starfall in the distance as an uncomfortable weight, the Flood’s dressed up comfortably — not too fancy obviously, but dressed up enough to ensure that everyone knew this was a party. The shirt clings to him and his muscles, deep navy that’s rolled up at the sleeves and unbuttoned at least two buttons down with scars and a few tattoos on display, Sunjata squeezes Hotaru’s arm as they reach the party from their lovely sunset walk on the beach.
“[say]Ten years, huh?[/say]” He hums with a soft laugh to his fiancee, his crooked smile aimed at her in an almost exhausted way of saying fuck, we’re old. But he waves at Melita and then to Flora and Deimos and Mateo before catching a glimpse of Enzo yet again and loosens his hold on Hotaru’s arm in case she wished to go and mingle once Flora was likely done telling her brother about all the drama.
Instead, Sunjata turns toward Remi and Ronin and offers an accented shout. “[say]Congrats! Happy anniversary![/say]”
RE: save forever for me - Isla - 07-17-2025
The party has already begun to bubble into life by the time Isla arrives, her feet bare and her dress the colour of seafoam and sapphire as she pads across the sand. Grinning at the sight of so many gathered - both dearly departed and very much alive - she manages a wave towards Remi and Ronin before, as the greeting is about to leave her lips, she spots her.
[say]"
[say]"Say your hellos and come and get a drink with me?"[/say] she asks, joy glittering in her blue eyes as she gazes back to the Taliesins. Remi has given an impossible gift to much, much more than his husband tonight, and she has a feeling that he knows it. If he doesn't know, she'll be sure to tell him by the time the night is through.
RE: save forever for me - Vanya - 07-17-2025
Bare toes sink into Torchline’s warm sand, and the sea hushes against the shore like a lullaby I’ve never quite forgotten. I lean my brow to
I stride forward—bare‑skinned as any Hali, chest wraps knotted tight, loose teal skirt licking my calves—until we’re close enough for the torches to gild Aoife’s face. Setting her down, I watch her break into a sand‑kicking sprint, laughter trailing behind as she barrels toward the men who loved her into the stars.
Joy flares in my ribs—hot, sudden, irresistible. It bursts into feathers and talons before I can think to tame it. One wingbeat, two, and I’m an osprey carving moonlit air, soaring low between Remi and Ronin so close my primaries brush their shoulders. I bank sharply, salt spray on my wingtips, and wheel back. The moment my shadow crosses them again I shift in mid‑arc, bare feet thudding into the sand.
Arms outstretched, I gather them both into a fierce hug, the scent of cedar and ozone and everything I’ve missed flooding my senses. I kiss Remi’s cheek, then Ronin’s, and keep a palm cupped to Ronin’s jaw, thumb brushing the hint of stubble there. [say]“I’ve missed you,”[/say] I murmur, voice bright with a happiness that aches. [say]“Both of you.”[/say]
My grin crooks, teasing and tender all at once as I search Ronin’s face. I love him differently now, but it's love all the same. [say]“You finally got that boat.”[/say]
RE: save forever for me - Vervain - 07-17-2025
This isn't her first time parting the veil to visit the land of the living, but it is the first time she's had to stand in line for it. Knowing only that this must be something special, Vai waits until
Unable to stifle the smile that spreads across her freckled cheeks, she's just in time to see the osprey embrace both Remi and Ronin, Aoife kicking sand and flinging herself towards her fathers with a toddler's chaotic joy. She won't steal that moment from them for the world, and so Vai turns instead to the next most obvious part of the party: the drinks SunjataTall and scarred enough to be a beacon among the rest of those gathered, she does visit the drinks table at least before approaching him, offering him out something sweet and very alcoholic, her skirts whispering at her heels.
[say]"Hey, Sunny,"[/say] she greets. [say]"You're looking well."[/say]
RE: save forever for me - Maea - 07-17-2025
[say]"I knew Remi was planning something, but never would I have expected this,"[/say] Maea mumbled. Her arm tightened around Liam's as she took in the scene, wide eyed at the sight of individuals she'd never expected to see again. It would seem that even the dead had been invited to share this moment where two of her best and oldest living friends celebrated ten years together. Awed and with a prickling of tears behind her eyelids she spotted one familiar face after the other. Cheerful greetings filled the air, followed by warm embraces - and already her cheeks were aching from the wide smile that wouldn't leave her face.
[say]"Congratulations!"[/say] she greeted both Ronin and Remi some time later, by the time she made it over to them through the onslaught of lost family. Dressed for the occasion in a simple lavender dress that enhanced her ethereal colors, a soft flush of color in her cheeks betrayed her shyness over showing up arm in arm with her partner. [say]"Have you met?"[/say] she asked, after introducing Liam to Ronin - keeping Remi's caution about Leafchange hormones in mind as she addressed the White Knight.
RE: save forever for me - Ashetta - 07-17-2025
There's a tremble in my chest, watching from where none can see. My arms are crossed, hiding the shaking. I tried to look like myself again—I cut my hair, I dug out my old clothes. Percy stands further back behind me, and Soot is clinging to him, the wine spider properly drunk as usual. I’m tempted to mount my unicorn, to gallop far from here, to safety, to where I can’t make shit decisions that hurt people.
But Remi and Ronin want me to come home. I brush the feathers I tied to my belt, throat tightening.
I spot Theea, and my heart lurches like every time I see her from wherever I’ve hidden. Glimpses of her smiling, meeting people, learning things. She’s supposed to be fourteen, and my heart aches at how much we missed her aging—but I love who she is now.
I scan the crowd, and I can’t help but smile when I see
And then I’m frozen.
Vervain .
Tears well hot and fast, breath trembling, and there’s nothing that can hold me back from seeing my mother again. I break from the shadows for what feels like the first time in a decade, the light spilling across pale skin, lighting up bright eyes, now glassy.
I wasn’t there when she died. I hadn’t seen her in years.
I try to slip through without anyone noticing—maybe… maybe I’ll go to Remi and Ronin. But first—
I stop behind her, scarred hands held close to my chest.
[say]”Mom?”[/say] I say, the word shaking.
RE: save forever for me - Remi - 07-17-2025
[say]"I promise, you’ll see,"[/say] Remi murmurs with a crooked grin, just as the lantern flares—far brighter than expected—and the barrier between realms stretches open with a pop and a declaration that is...not quite what he imagined. His eyes squint against the flash, and then widen as
Whatever wry follow-up he might have offered is washed away by the next arrival.
Isla receives a grin as well, and the moment his eyes land on her, it’s obvious how deeply he values her presence, and her wisdom not to try and crowd it all at once. Similar thoughts go to Deimos, Evie, and Melita, but all of that fades in an instant.
Because then—[say]"Aoife,"[/say] Remi breathes.
She’s already tearing toward them on bare feet, laughter rising like music as she barrels across the sand. Remi drops instinctively into a crouch, catching her under the arms and sweeping her into the air with a delighted whoop. Her giggles ring out clear and bright, and Remi throws his head back with a laugh, spinning once before pressing a fierce kiss to her cheek and nestling her close.
The next breath brings
Still holding Aoife snug against his side, Remi straightens as Maea arrives, her presence soft but sure. She’s not alone. His gaze touches briefly on Liam, who Remi might have waited to introduce in a quieter moment, but alas. [say]"Thank you,"[/say] he says simply, his voice low and sincere, before offering Maea a faint smile, one hand unconsciously smoothing down the back of Aoife’s curls where they’ve gone windswept in his arms.
He misses
RE: save forever for me - Kiada - 07-17-2025
With Danta back in the Grounds, the Harpy doesn’t feel quite as bad for not being there for the night that she takes her trip to the anniversary party. Dressed up nicely and arriving amongst the mingle of bodies, it’s only when the crowd seems to part that Kiada notices the arrival of so many faces long since passed. She perks up immediately, spotting
So instead, Kiada picks up her pace, her tail low and wound around her leg to keep from anyone stepping on it as she sidles up beside Deimos and Evie with a bright fanged grin of greeting. “[say]Hey guys, mind if I hang around you two for a bit?[/say]” She teases, despite knowing they wouldn’t be bothered.
RE: save forever for me - Liam - 07-17-2025
Thrilled to be asked to accompany Maea to this party, Liam nevertheless did not expect to see many people he knew. When they arrived to find a number of guests already in attendance - some of whom Maea seemed surprised to see - he felt even more out of place. But Maea had made sure that it was alright for him to be here, and he was content to stay at her side rather than to mix and mingle.
He had indeed met Ronin, and he offered a smile to both he and Remi as they approached. [say]”We have,”[/say] he said to Maea. It had been a while since they’d seen each other, but Ronin had been a familiar enough face once upon a time. [say]”Congratulations,”[/say] he told the pair. Ten years, after all, was quite the accomplishment. [say]”And may you have many more years together to celebrate.”[/say]
RE: save forever for me - Ronin - 07-17-2025
Ronin doesn't know what he's waiting for as the lantern starts to flare - but he's got an inkling, given the symbolism of Remi lighting it and his husband's patron deity. Whatever sweet and emotional visit he's expecting, though, jaw set and throat already tight, in its place comes the woman, the myth, the penis legend, and it's
Quickly stepping forward to clasp her shoulders with a warm squeeze, he pointedly does not take the bait of whatever Frey has blessed her with south of her waistline, too busy grinning besides. [say]"You're a sight for sore eyes,"[/say] he tells her earnestly, and now the emotion is starting to creep in despite himself. He thinks this is it, of course, and his lips part to say something else when a voice, heartbreakingly familiar, calls for him.
Turning towards it like a compass needle towards north, Ronin gazes disbelievingly towards his daughter, then helplessly at Remi for a second as if he might have answers, before he huffs out an unsteady breath. [say]"I - sorry, Edy, I'll... I'll be back in just a sec..."[/say]
His feet take him across the sand to
But more are arriving still - Remi embracing
He steps back just in time for
Unsure whether there's chastisement or gratitude locked and loaded on his tongue, the Bastion is saved - not for the first time, and in so many more ways than one - by the sound of Aoife's delighted laughter. Ronin's breath catches in his throat as he glances up, expecting to see her with Vai, but no. Not Vai -
The feathers that brush their shoulders are soft and warm and familiar in a way that makes Ronin want to crush them to his chest, and by the time Aoife is in Remi's arms and they, in turn, are folded into Vanya's embrace, the Knight is no longer able to keep his tears at bay. [say]"I missed you too,"[/say] he whispers, leaning into her touch - both familiar and not, by now - and reaching instinctively for Remi's free hand, clutching it tight.
Scoffing out a laugh at the comment about their boat, Ronin shrugs sheepishly. [say]"It's our second one, if you believe it,"[/say] he says. [say]"She's called The Northaven. We named the first one after a sandwich."[/say] Cue no one being surprised.
Parting from Vanya in time to see Maea, Ronin's smile of greeting is short-lived as he glances - all too fleetingly, unfortunately - towards Liam. He stiffens, though it's the flash of too many eyes and teeth where they shouldn't be that does it, and his fingers flinch around Remi's hand. [say]"Once, yeah,"[/say] he says quickly. [say]"Thank you. Enjoy yourselves."[/say]
Turning to his husband once they finally have a breath to themselves - with Aoife, of course - he draws the Bastion close enough to murmur into his ear. [say]"You are wicked,"[/say] he tells him softly, [say]"and I love you, and you will pay dearly for this. Thank you."[/say] Smiling a purposefully chaste kiss against Remi's lips, then dropping another (or three) against their daughter's hair until she's giggling and swatting at him, Ronin steps back.
RE: save forever for me - Mateo - 07-17-2025
[say]"I could hardly say no,"[/say] Mateo says with a faux-exaggerated sigh belied by the warm amusement sparkling in his eyes. [say]"Especially not when I was asked in person. On purpose. By our father."[/say] He shrugs. [say]"Besides, if they had tried to get anyone else to do living decor, I might have never spoken to them ever again."[/say] All of which is to say that no, he hadn't planned on missing this - and based on what happens next, the botanist is very, very glad he'd decided to show up.
Having spotted Enzo creeping up nearby, Mateo of course is a picture perfect example of neutrality, and his lips have just parted to answer Flora's question when up she goes, the botanist left grinning hard enough to show his dimples as the twins are reunited. [say]"We are on sale. Buy one, get this free,"[/say] he tells his brother, gesturing to himself with a casual shrug.
As for trying, based on the crowd of people - alive for a night and permanently so - starting to flood the proceedings, his eyes are drawn in particular to a woman who demands nothing less than full attention. Leather, check. Thigh high boots, check. Possibly a penis?
[say]"Sorellina, you take your sweet time,"[/say] he croons to Flora, grinning to both his siblings before he peels away from them to go and approach what he doesn't know - or care - is a very old friend of his fathers'.
[say]"Do I have to be this tall to ride?"[/say] he wonders as he slips into
RE: save forever for me - Edrei - 07-17-2025
Edy’s grin widens when Ronin ’s hands clasp her shoulders, the soft torch‑light sliding off his twilight suit and catching the silver that curls up his lapel like a naughty thought. [SAY]"Captain,"[/say] she purrs, voice all velvet and mischief, [say]"if I’m a sight for sore eyes, that makes two of us. You keep dressin’ like a star‑kissed snack and I’m gonna start rumours you won’t be able to kill, even with that sword of yours."[/say] She winks, flashing him a too-white wicked smile, but before she can start an ode to his cufflinks he’s already turning toward the voice that shatters her reunion. [say]"Yeah, yeah, I'll catcha later."[/say]
Blue eyes catch hers, and as Isla ’s seafoam dress swirls closer on bare feet, Edy stretches her arms wide, curls bounding around her face like an untamed halo. [say]"Doc! If it isn’t my favourite reason to fake medical emergencies."[/say] She sweeps Isla into a hug that smells of leather, salt, and trouble, pressing a scandalous kiss to the other woman’s cheek and just maybe thrusting her hips forward significantly more than is necessary. [say]"Damn right I’m talkin’ about my dick,"[/say] she murmurs against Isla’s ear, low enough for polite company to pretend they didn’t hear. [say]"Frey’s finest aftermarket accessory. Actually, you should take a look. For, y'know, medical reasons."[/say]
But then, y'know, a crowd begins to form and Edy can't properly flirt with the Remedy. [say]"I’ll hunt you down before sunrise—treat that as both a promise and a threat."[/say] She punctuates it with a playful snap of her teeth and pivots straight into the orbit of Mateo. Edy eyes him up and down, taking in his height (three inches shorter, nearly six when her heels are factored in), before she plants a hand on one hip, leather squeaking, and lets her other hand measure an invisible line above his head. [say]"Those height requirements?"[/say] she drawls. [say]"Purely for your safety. Long legs, long drop. But tell you what"[/say] her brows bounce, dark eyes glittering with invitation [say]"—I won’t tell if you don’t."[/say]
RE: save forever for me - Hotaru - 07-17-2025
It’s a party as grand as the web of people Remi and Ronin have woven around themselves in their ten years. Hotaru squeezes Sunjata’s arm just to have an outlet for the warmth that fills her. It’s hard not to feel all the stronger when the emotion is so thick in the air.
Her eyes are drawn back to Sunjata the moment he speaks though, the allure of the scenery and the return of so many departed souls unable to compete. [say]“Gods, how many are we even at?”[/say] With a collage of imperfect, non-sequential years to count it’s hard to know. Maybe their hopeful ten years started when they agreed to try again.
Her eyes catch on Flora and then - behind her a moment later, Enzo - but when Sunjata loosens his hold she shakes her head a touch and leans closer without a word. She knows he’ll find her before the call from Mort’s halls returns the gathered souls to their rest once more. It’s a comfort that helps ease the ache of the time between his visits.
Lifting the drink she freshly snags from a table they walk past toward Remi and Ronin when his lifted voice snags their attention, Hotaru beams their way to lend her heart to her fiancé’s voiced sentiment. She intends to say something too but - [say]“Rex,”[/say] she chokes instead when she sees
Only Sunjata at her side and Ronin at Remi’s keeps her rooted, trying to breathe, to find her smile again. Because she really is happy that everyone lost gets what Enzo does every year - tonight isn’t about the Valkyrie in any way. She can manage to be selfless for a single night out of the goodness of her heart. Maybe even patient, because maybe she’ll get her chance later.
RE: save forever for me - Amalia - 07-17-2025
Amalia is characteristically late, having waffled on whether or not to accept Remi's invitation, to leave her sanctuary of warmth and ease and step back into a world in which she never quite seemed to fit. Ultimately, of course, she decides to go through with it, to follow that golden tug and pass beneath the veil that separates life and death. She has always been a curious creature, and the opportunity to see the her friends and family - that is a gift she cannot pass up, even if it wasn't designed for her.
Barefoot and clad in a thin white dress, the Archangel steps across the threshold of Mort, back to her Father's realm. Senses she has not needed to use in years are flooded at once; the stimulus is nearly overwhelming, and she throws up an arm to defend against the burst of sunlight, toes curling into the coarse sand. Blinking black eyes to clear away the afterburn, Amalia forces herself to inhale, the crisp sea air filling ill-used lungs. Only when she's steady does she at last look around.
The sight that meets her makes her faint.
Joy - everywhere, vibrant and unfurling and unabashed, radiating off of all of them, as clear and warm as the sun. She gasps, hands lifting to her lips, a choked laugh bubbling in her chest as she casts wide eyes around the crowd. There is Sunjata, impossible to miss given his stature. There is
[say]"Remi! Ronin!"[/say] The pair is clearly having a moment, but Amalia doesn't care. She flings herself upon them, slim arms aiming to sweep the pair and their wild-haired toddler into a tight hug. [say]"This is incredible! Congratulations!"[/say] Coral lips press kisses on each of their cheeks, with a third pressed into Aoife's curls.
Breathless and beaming, she releases the pair, turning to once more survey their guests. There are even more familiar faces, and among them, to the side, a group of figures she would recognize with her eyes shut, knows by smell and touch and sound alone--
[say]"Deimos,"[/say] Amalia gasps, onyx eyes widening, taking a tentative step forward as heart begins to race. [say]"Evie."[/say] Her footsteps quicken, drawing her nearer, a moth to the flame they represent. And standing among them, radiant and glorious and oh-so-incredibly alive---
[say]"Kiada,"[/say] the one-time-Shield breathes, halting a stride from the Harpy. She'd known, of course, from her place in Mort's halls, but to see it, to see her as flesh and blood and breath and bone, tangible and close enough to touch as she lifts a shaking hand toward her face--.
Her voice catches, tears gleam in her eyes as she smiles up at the beautiful girl. [say]"Kia. You're alive."[/say]