[Mini Event] meet me where the falling stars live

Deimos

A deep breath, in preparation, in steadiness, in giving away the overwhelming conjectures threatening to brew, and brim. The ruminations of happiness, of contentment, of things he never thought he’d ever have, weighed over the instinct to draw away into shadows and corners, in the comforting embrace of the Shield’s hand.

So they stepped forward, and there were guests upon guests, and he swallowed down the inherent pull, tracing over the decrees of impish smiles instead. Oliver was seen in the distance, and he gave the younger man a nod, an indication to come towards them, but then there were more and more, and the lad might’ve been lost in the shuffle. Jigano wasted no time though, marching forward, the Sword finding his hand squeezed (bewildered – the widening of his eyes briefly conveying the sentiment), and then snorting at the insinuation. The Sage apparently never quite missed a beat; even when commenting on the revels of mischief on their shared preferences of dancing. “Thank you,” a phrase he’d likely say dozens of times this evening, but heartfelt and meant each time. His gaze went to the harp, and he shook his head, a muffled laugh exuded from his chest. “Soon then,” and a lift of his jaw to indicate he’d announce when they were ready, permitting the Lorekeeper to slip away to refreshments while they received others.

The appearance of Weaver, and her gift, caused another chuckle, sneakily snagging at the proffered bottle. “We will hide it well,” and he did so as she headed straight for the desserts, tucking it amongst one of the bakery cabinets, turning to find Kiada before them, instantly snagged. He shook his head but followed her embrace, perhaps purposefully, impishly tighter, as if the air would leave her lungs. The beast meant it, for all the things she represented in his life, for being there, for being here. “Of course,” he snorted, releasing her so she might do the same to Amalia. He took the box, meant to be opened later, a fan of Auni’s gifts, adding it along the counter.

Rexanna and Bastien were next, before he even had a chance to thwart the Queen away, her presence snagged, caught, and tethered them there. He snagged the hug and box, returning the former, the length of a warm smile still present, while she began to explain before he could even peek within. The General was inclined to listen, muffling only the slightest round of laughter (a snort still managed to slip through) when Rexanna noted a scythe in choice of charms. However, to hear he’d be receiving the same sort of offering caused his grin to dimple, then soften: a shield, glowing and sublime. Both of them had put a lot of thought into it, though Deimos was inclined not to comment additionally to Bastien’s erotic portions to the metaphor. “Thank you both. It is greatly appreciated.”

Then there was Remi, whom he hadn’t expected, given the man’s newest occupation, his grin managing to remain within the threshold. “We appreciate you for coming all the same.” Samuel seemed to be lingering in the distance, which neither of them were likely to permit for much longer – about to say something to either Amalia or someone nearby, when Evie swept in, doing the job for them. Her gifts extended to the bride were wonderful, and he eyed them before he was granted his own: a quilt, obviously affectionally used and well-loved, the scent of lavender unfurling, unwinding, and he took another deep breath to cease the influx of emotions. He might not have fully understood it, but the sentiments and ruminations were there. “Thank you Evie.” Because he didn’t know what else to say, or how to convey it properly.

Then the rest seemed to mingle as they put things away, the Sword making mental notes and calculations, before turning back to the Shield, the warmth and depths of his devotion, the beckonings of their friends and companions, had ensured the evening would continue down its reverent path. “Should we give them a challenge?” A deep whisper, a smirk, a snicker, a reflection and recollection of how they’d always come together – willing to provoke and instigate the rest of the masses into the same juvenile fold.

Thereafter, he beckoned over the waves of individuals. “If you are interested, there are more drinks, refreshments, and dancing space in the garden,” his presence and mass looming over a majority of them, pointing and indicating the direction they should’ve been traveling. His gaze went quickly to Jigano once more, the mischief deepening. “Time to put those talents to use, bard.”

i rule the stars, not the other way around