lover, be good to me

"I'm pretty sure that's all that's out here..." Fox scowls and straightens up in the long grass, shaking his fingers free of the sensation of static that feels like a permanent feature when wandering the Levinsward. At his feet lay the last couple in a pack of ROUS that had swarmed out at them from the ruin of some nearby building. Bloody work, but it's better than the rumour they'd been chasing - of a land shark someone's brother of a friend of a friend thought they saw in the lightning charged plains.

Wiping his knife free of blood on the leg of his pants, Fox sheaths the blade and turns up the collar on his jacket agains the gale that comes howling through, bringing with it the scent of ozone and setting the hair on the back of his neck to standing. "I don't reckon staying to take in the sights is a good idea, but if you're keen to stick around..." Of course he'd linger a while for Kiada. Even if it meant he was struck by lightning. But such is the path he'd tripped and fallen onto when she'd found him that day on the Bone Bridges.

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

“Hmm.” Kiada murmurs, nudging one of the corpses of the ROUS by Fox’s feet with the tip of her boot. She swipes away the blood on her own dagger, tucking it away before she’s planting her hands on her hips. Peering out over the lightning scarred land, she clicks her tongue and shrugs, looking back at her fiancé with a bright glimmer in her icy gaze. “Maybe they got dazed by the lightning and were seeing things.” It doesn’t really matter what the reason is – she’s confident in his ability to tell whether or not the threat was dispatched, even if it were so much as a pack of ROUS causing trouble.

Winding her arm around his, she tugs him down just enough to press a kiss to his cheek, turning them back and away from the worst of the lightning as it cracks across the sky in brilliantly charged arcs. “Gods no. Heard there were a few nice places around though if we didn’t want to leave immediately. Asta won’t shut up about one.” Flashing him a bright smile, she twines her fingers with his and with her free hand adjusts the red jacket that keeps her warm as she picks a path as away from the majority of the lightning as she can.

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

"It's possible," Fox agrees with a gentle nod, narrowing his eyes across the lightning scarred vista. Certainly with the flashes of electricity and the wind blowing through the long grasses, all manner of things might be imagined or mistakenly seen. "We've trawled this place all day without any sign of it either way. I'll just have to report back that we did our best and if any more concrete evidence appears to let us know..."

Clearly the hunter isn't entirely comfortable with leaving a hunt unfinished, but his brooding is interrupted by the way Kiada tugs him down towards her, and his features soften automatically with the brush of her lips against his stubbled cheek. "Nice places like what? Lightning rod hideouts? Static domes?" he asks with an amused grin, though it does falter somewhat to hear that one such place comes recommended by the butcher of all people.

"Are you sure we ought to go anywhere that Asta finds enjoyable?" he asks tentatively. He'd told Kiada all about their meeting in The Last Whisper, of course, and even now he can't shake the sense of monstrous discomfort uncertainty around the tall Ancient. Still, though, that's all he's got right now - a feeling.

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

Sometimes that’s all they can do – the best that they can until something else comes up that might pinpoint them more readily. So she nods in agreement with his decision, but lets him brood momentarily before she’s tugging him down to feel his tension soften beneath the soft press of her lips. “At least an Inn and a restaurant somewhere amongst the mix.” She’d been there before, with Deimos not too long ago, where she’d gotten a chance to see Erebos and how much he'd grown since their last meeting.

Chiming a brilliant laugh to hear his tentative question – because she’d known it was coming, the harpy beams a fanged smile up at Fox. “I highly doubt if it was all horrible he wouldn’t recommend it to anyone crossing his path. He’s VeRy InVesTeD iN hIs RePuTaTiOn.” Her tone takes on a playful mockery of the butcher’s accent before she shuts it down with a dramatic puff of air. Squeezing his hand instead, her tail flicks behind her before it brushes against Fox’s calves and her own. “Also, I met Deimos there for lunch not that long ago. It did seem pretty nice, and guess what the best part is?” Turning to him and walking backward in his path so he has to guide her, she flashes her bright vibrant smile up at him again. “You don’t have to worry about being a lightning rod!”

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

Ferried along with Kiada as if she's holds his leash - because she does and they all know it - Fox gives some good natured grumbling that's entirely for show before falling into step so they might visit this inn/restaurant that comes so highly recommended. "Oh, I definitely got that much from our meeting, brief though it might have been," he says, keeping his tone purposely mild. Because honestly, Asta had been nothing but polite and charming and innocuous, which naturally has resulted in Fox being all the more suspicious of him.

"Well, you do know how much I enjoy not being electrocuted," he agrees dryly, though the smile starting to play at the corners of his mouth is a major tell that he can't keep up his surly approach for long around her. "Alright, fine. It is a long way out from home, so I could be tempted by the restaurant if nothing else. Lead the way," he says, gesturing.

And as they walk and he draws closer to step beside her, he does flash a quick, real smile her way. "Do you know," he says, "I ran into the Remi Taliesin the other day? He referred to me as that Fox - Kiada's Fox - and he told me to say hello to you."

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

“I get it though.” She agrees, as if it puts him at ease – and she hopes that what Fox has seen of Kiada in action is nothing that suggests that she couldn’t handle her own. But she also decides, too, that if the butcher is like any other predator, they likely wouldn’t hunt where they sleep. It’s perhaps sheer confidence in that fact that has her mostly dismissive of Fox’s dislike.

Beaming her grin at him and attempting to not let the little squeal become too loud of excitement as he agrees to at least the restaurant. Confident she might be able to convince him to stay a night, too, she practically dances back to his side to tug him along with an increased vigor of excitement. “Shouldn’t take too long to get there.” She murmurs, content as she winds her arm around his again, leaning into his shoulder.

She only perks up with the way he looks down at her and she scans his face and the beautiful hazel eyes that seem curious as he offers what tea he’s found out. Snickering, her icy gaze softens a touch, vibrant against the flashes of occasional lightning. “The Remi Taliesin, huh?” She teases him lightly, before she nods. “I probably should’ve warned you that I told him about you.” She starts off, her smile growing a little apologetic.

“He was close to my mom when I first arrived. I think he kinda views me like a.. niece, sort of?” Or maybe more like an extended daughter, though she absolutely isn’t going to say that and freak Fox out more. “He’s invited to the wedding, by the way. And Ronin, obviously. And.. Hotaru, because she’s my aunt which means Sunjata’s gonna come.” Her nose wrinkles at the mention of the other demigod, before she shakes her head and can make out the pitched roof in the distance that signals the Sparkbird’s Nest. She doesn't mention Deimos, because it's obvious he's coming. He's the one to walk her down, after all. “I think it’s going to be packed full of powerful people.” She admits, flashing him an apologetic smile before she obnoxiously nuzzles her face into his shoulder.

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

Soothed by Kiada's understanding if not necessarily her agreement, of course Fox doesn't worry for a moment about her holding her own against the Astaroths of the world. It's more that such a monster has found its way to live comfortable on their doorstep - and he still can't put his finger on exactly why he's so uneasy in the first place. (Though the sharpened teeth might have something to do with it).

Rumbling a soft laugh at her excitement, the hunter gives up his arm without a fight, content to walk at Kia's pace towards their destination - as long as it doesn't start raining or storming directly over their heads, of course. "Mmhm," he affirms - yes, the Remi Taliesin. "No need to worry on my account, though. I'm getting increasingly used to people knowing me before I ever introduce myself, since I ran into you." He grins.

He raises his eyebrows curiously as Kia continues, Fox naturally drinking in any knowledge about the Taliesins and the other demigods that she's willing to give, though from the way his smile fades into something trying desperately hard to be thoughtful, it's clear that he's realised the same thing she just has. "Yeah, it uh... sounds like it." Ruffling his hand through his hair and focusing on the pitched rooftop in the distance, now it's his turn to look apologetic.

"I hope you don't think that I just... haven't invited anyone on my side," he says slowly. "It's just that I don't really have anyone I would invite." A few fellow hunters here and there, if they can make it, and a couple of familiar acquaintances from taverns and safehouses across the Grounds, but that's really it. No one he'd consider a friend who isn't already included in Kiada's group.

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

He grins at her and she flashes him a warm one back – wondering if perhaps her penchant of knowing so many people one way or another was a problem. But she trusts him entirely and she trusts him to tell her if there is an issue with it, but she can’t detect anything in the smile he sends her way. So instead, she focuses on elaborating on everyone invited that she knows is coming.

Glancing back toward the pitched roof that grows taller and bigger the closer they get, Kiada’s gaze slides over to Fox’s as she squeezes his hand, finding that warm smile twist apologetically, the ruffle of his hair giving it a more windswept appearance that has her curling into him a bit more when he speaks next. There’s a pinch in her brow that softens as she nods. “I don’t think that.” She clarifies softly, still guiding him along toward the entrance of the Sparkbird’s Nest. “I figure a lot of who I know, you know too.” Minus the hunters, of course, ones she’s heard about but hasn’t directly met between his trips out and her remaining back home to deal with regional paperwork.

But the air is almost somber with the admission and suddenly she feels this yawning gap in her that has her pressing her cheek to his shoulder again, careful to make sure her ruby veined black horns don’t knock into him too hard. “I was going to ask if you wanted to bring the lanterns..?” It’s a softer question, one that has her gaze focusing wholly on him as she pauses them once they reach the porch – having this private conversation before they fully delve into the warmth of the Sparkbird’s Nest. “We’ll have plenty of room.” And hopefully the idea wasn't as sad as it sounded out loud.

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

Fox will never admit it, but The Sparkbird's Nest does look quite welcoming as it comes into view, especially against the moody backdrop of thunder charged skies and threatening rain, and he feels his shoulders start to relax as Kia continues to lead them forward. "It's true," he admits. "We've developed a few mutual friends in the time we've known each other, though I'll freely accept you've introduced me to most of them. And I can check Remi off that list now too." Chuckling, he steps up and onto the porch.

Feeling her pause and then press in against him, Fox's brow furrows and he slips his arm around her properly in a half hug, dropping a kiss into her dark hair between the wicked points of her horns. "That sounds like a nice idea, yes," he murmurs, straightening up again with a smile. "I've got one for each of my parents, and another for my older brother, though... for all I know, he might not be dead." It's not something he dwells on very often, though, preferring to remember him as if he's gone and avoid the complicated feelings that might otherwise arise.

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

“Glad I could help.” Kia hums playfully, though there’s an air of uncertainty beneath the playfulness. Like she isn’t sure if it’s a balm or a burn. She’d been a surprisingly amount infamous, though she never quite figured out if it were her actions while she ws alive asnd kicking, or for the sheer fact she’d died trying to save Tanau, succumbing to the lava pools of the Climb.

She doesn’t dwell on it, though, not as his arm slips around her and she feels the press of his lips into her dark hair, and as he straightens up, Kiada tilts her head up to look at him, planting her chin right against his breastbone as her arms loop around his middle. Surprise flares there at the mention of his brother, though, admittedly having assumed them all to be gone – though it isn’t as if they’d talked about it that much. Some things were hard to bring up and she certainly didn’t want to ruin a good day for her curiosities.

So, the harpy tries to navigate it the best she can. “Really?” She asks softly, trying to think about what it would be like. “I don’t know what happened to my brother, but he didn’t ever make it here as far as I know.” She admits softly, offering him a small smile. “What makes you say you don’t really know?” Taking the opportunity to ask, it’s very clear that he can tell her he doesn’t want to talk about it if he doesn’t want to.

The entrance to the Sparkbird’s Nest could wait a few moments longer, now that they’re under the shelter of its porch.

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

Smiling and teasing his fingers gently through her hair as she leans into him, Fox adjusts them ever so slightly beneath the porch so they aren't in the way of anyone coming or going - not that there seem to be many around right now. "Mm, really," he says, his voice soft and his posture open despite the somewhat uncomfortable topic. "I'm sorry to hear that, about your brother. Do you have a lantern for him that you want to bring, even if he isn't here? We could make one, if you want."

As for his own sibling, Fox scrunches his nose and gives a gentle shrug of his shoulders. "We both became Ascended at the same time. But while I struggled with it, he thrived. Went all in for the Voice's cause, so we understandably lost touch after that. I assumed he died during the war, because I didn't hear anything otherwise and I couldn't find any news of him, but I suppose he could have become an Ancient."

It's a loose end he likes to pretend he's tied up with assumptions, but naturally it starts to fray if he gives it too much thought.

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

Happily adjusted however Fox chooses, it probably is a good thing that they do it lest she start a fight with someone upset that they’re blocking the way. Right now her focus is entirely on him, focusing on the openness of his body language and the fact he’s willing to talk about it – it lessens the worry that flared through her to bring it up.

As for a lantern for Kianzo? She hasn’t ever thought about it before, but she nods regardless. “I’d like to make one, I think.” She agrees softly, letting the smile tug at her face as her arms squeeze him lightly. She’s happy to continue thinking he’s living a grandiose life somewhere else, without all the hardships they’d had, but being worlds apart really did jack shit when it came to their twin bond.

Either way, she feels his shoulders shrug even as she leans a little into the touch to her hair like a cat might. She nods minutely to hear the change – how he’d struggled with being an Ascended much like herself, while his brother thrived. “Hmm, yeah. That could be.” Her face scrunches a little with the thought before a smile comes after. “Well, if he is out and about one day, I’d love to meet him.” She suddenly realizes she doesn’t know much more about him than this information, so she reluctantly peels herself from her fiancé to snag his hand to take him to the entrance, popping open the door and guiding him in. “What’s he like?”

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this

"Then we will make one. In time for the wedding, so he can attend even if he isn't here," Fox says, the decision easily made, and he leans in to press a soft kiss to her forehead. Slipping his arms around her properly and leaning back against one of the wooden beams supporting the porch, clearly Fox isn't in much of a rush either to go parading into The Sparkbird's Nest. (Definitely not because he doesn't want to give Asta further credit for having good taste, not at all).

Scoffing to hear she'd like to run into his brother, Fox nods back to her. "Believe me, he'd probably love to meet you too," he says. "I can only say what I remember - time and being Ascended might have changed him. But he was certainly a ladies' man when I knew him last." Grinning despite himself, he lets out an almost wistful sigh. "His heart was always in the right place though. He was generous, outgoing, maybe a bit of a troublemaker. He really wanted to live life, you know?"

welcome to the desecration, baby

we built you up and we'll tear you right down

KIADA

burn it into my collar, hollowed onto your wrist

Beaming her smile up at him as he presses the kiss to her forehead, she practically melts into his arms as they settle for the moment, curled up into her fiancé. She hears his scoff and she snickers a little at the sound, keeping that smile on her face as she watches him go through the memories. Nodding softly and giving him a bit of a squeeze, Kiada tilts her head a little as she considers it. “Well, being Ascended probably helped with the whole ladies man thing. I remember the bites.” Even if she’d only ever indulged twice.

Sighing softly, her smile takes a mischievous glint as she peels herself from Fox but not before standing up on her tiptoes to place a kiss to his bearded chin, she goes to bring him into the Sparkbird’s Nest. “I think he and I might be a problem for you.” She teases, flashing him a mischievous grin over her shoulder before the warmth of the inn soaks into her bones and into her red jacket. “Was he one of those protective brothers or the teasing kind?” Something tells her it was possibly a bit of both, but leaning on the teasing one for the question she asks next. “Would he be surprised about us?” Maybe it’s a self indulgent question, but it’s clear she’s hopelessly fallen for the hunter she drags into the Inn and she’s proud to be his, even if she was the more chaotic between them.

But was his brother the type to tease relentlessly about Fox capturing the heart of the wildfire Kiada often tended to be?

Nudging him softly as the door swings shut behind them, she turns her attention to the bright and comfortable interior. “This is it, by the way.” She hums softly, not wanting to fully interrupt his answer, but it’s clear she does really like the little inn.

heaven knows i don't follow, but i believe in this