If You Kiss A King, Is It Good Luck? [ kissing open action; ]

[wishmadeinfire]

[ Oh, it was that time of year again, was it not? It had been a long time since Ashura had not been attached during this time, and that both daunted him and made him mildly excited. Not that anyone could avoid the kissing mistle toe anyways, so why should one feel guilty? Perhaps he should more fully embrace it this year, though if he was honest with himself he was not one to actively look for kissing partners. If it happened, so be it, if not, well, all the better it saved everyone some embarrassing moments. 

And in his efforts not to let the Castle scare or intimidate him or anything else, Ashura can be found wandering many places through the halls, not wanting to go outside since being a creature of Fire, he and snow or cold were in fact mortal enemies. It meant he spent much of his time before the great fire in the library, curled up with a book - and wasn't the library just rife with those delightful hidden sprigs of mistletoe? Perhaps less than in the halls, the kitchens, or any other room in the Castle, but still.

His other common place to be was out at the onsen, possibly the only reason to brave the cold at all. Oh how he adored this place of steam and heat and just - bliss. Mistletoe and snow and cold be damned, he would not let it keep him from soaking in as much heat as he possibly could. ]

[ ooc: Open for any and all kisses, basically all over so long as it does not involve a cold place, haha. ]

Comments

action forever

[lord_wizard]

[Even with Crowley to keep him company, Felix still lacked for diversions at his current place of residence. And certainly, there were not many books to be found in the demon's house either, meaning visits to the castle were needed. If he should encounter people to add to his tally, all the better.

So naturally, whilst browsing the stacks for things of interest, who should he encounter but Ashura?]

You've certainly made yourself at home.

[He approaches, setting his book down on a nearby table.]

Re: action forever

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Ashura looked up, his heart doing a little skip when he saw it was Felix. He wondered at the other speaking to him, but decided questioning it now was foolish. They had made some sort of agreement, somehow, during their last conversation, and he had no wish to push Felix away so quickly, even if he had not meant to.}

So he smiled and nodded, dressed in warm robes even with the fire going. ]

What can I say? You know how I like to curl up in the winter months.

... Do you wish to join me?

[lord_wizard]

If this seat is not taken...

[He said with a slight nod. He didn't think that it was, especially if he'd been asked, but it seemed a better way of asking if he was wanted]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He shook his head and it struck him, suddenly, that this was much like how they had first met. In the library, sitting together. He did not let that correlation run to far though, not wanting to get the bit in his mouth so to speak. That would not end well, he thought. ]}

What book are you putting your nose into this time?

_{[ It was said with a certain fondness, Ashura's own book a tomb detailing the stories and mythos of medieval England. ]}

[lord_wizard]

[The fondness does not escape him, but he pretends not to notice as he picks the book up again and moves to the offered chair]

It's a treatise on rituals and holidays associated with the winter solstice. Only on Earth, alas, but it seems to be a common denominator.

[wishmadeinfire]

There's quite a bit to sift through. It makes me wonder why the Castle chooses specifically Christmas.

_{[ He shrugged, contemplating it, but not giving it overmuch thought. Trying to understand the Castle was like trying to understand why the wind blew one way and then the next or not at all.}

He tipped his head slightly, his hair falling away from his ear enough to let the other see the earrings he wore that day - a pair Felix had given him, and that, unlike the ring that still sat embedded in the unused table, he could not quite bear to give up wearing. They went well with the soft shades of red Felix had preferred on him time to time that colored his robes. ]

Is there not one connected to some tail of fairies?

[lord_wizard]

Perhaps because it's so widely recognized.

[Felix caught himself staring at the jewels he remembered so well and wrenched his gaze away to the book in his hands, thumbing open the cover the table of contents]

I recall something to do with fairies and the change in seasons, as evidenced by that ball last autumn, but beyond that I'm not sure. I haven't have a chance to read this yet.

[wishmadeinfire]

Perhaps, if you find something interesting, you might read it aloud?

_{[ It was a reason to make conversation, even as they carried on the task of reading, to not let a silence stretch to long. ]}

[lord_wizard]

[Felix shifted in his seat so he could angle closer to Ashura, his elbow propped up on the arm of the chair as he flipped to the first chapter]

I thought summer holidays would be of more interest to you...

[It was a half jest, and the light smile on his face said so.]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He could feel himself warm at the smile, enjoying it so. He loved Felix's smiles. He let one of his own slide on his face, for a moment becoming rather entranced with Felix's lips, lips he knew so well. He almost forgot he should reply, vaguely realizing he was leaning closer to the red headed Mage. ]}

Well, I have learned those already. At some point I should move on to their opposites, yes?

_{[ He was still leaning closer, reaching up his hand now to stroke Felix's hair back tenderly, shivering, remembering the feeling of those locks in his fingers.}

Above them, in the rafters, mistletoe dangled, mighty pleased with itself for a plant. ]

[lord_wizard]

[Felix took a few moments to answer, his thoughts distracted]

Yes, of course. Widening you knowledge is...never a bad idea...

[It seemed like nothing was going to happen at all before he surged forward to meet Ashura's lips in a kiss]

Action

[fuckelves]

[Unlike Ashura, Thorin enjoyed the winter, the wind and cold. He was often outside, hunting or just enjoying the snow. But, even Dwarves could only stand the cold for so long. Clad in thick furs, Thorin stomped through the halls until he finally came to the library.]

[Snow falling from his clothes and boots, Thorin stomped into the library and up to the fire. After a few minutes he pulled his thick hood from his head and shrugged his now soaked cloak. Blue eyes glanced to his friend.]

I see I'm not the only one seeking warmth. You seem comfortable, friend.

Yay! I have missed Thorin tags!!

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Through notation of height and familiarity with the dwarf's dress, he figured who the snow clad man was before the hood was removed, but nonetheless had a very pleased and mildly surprised smile on his face. He shut his book, setting it aside in favor of the dwarf. ]}

Perhaps to comfortable. Perhaps that is the reason I have not seen you in an age!

_{[ Which was a travesty, since he did enjoy Thorin's company quite a bit. ]}

Me too!!

[fuckelves]

((ooc: Am I the only one who thinks that 'awkward kiss' should be a thing? XD))

[Thorin chuckles and pulls his soaked gloves from his hands to warm them by the fire.]

That's probably my fault! The snow...something about it makes me feel...wilder! I've been spending more and more time outside.

[Thorin glances to his cloak, dripping wet on the floor. He chuckles.]

Obviously.

But clearly you do not share my sentiment over the snow.

<3 /loves on/

[wishmadeinfire]

_{( ooc: of course there should be kissing. Deliciously awkward kissing. Of the long kind )}

_{[ He laughed, smoothing out the dark red of his robes, neck and wrists trimmed with fur despite the fires merry presence.}

He motions for Thorin to hand him the wet cloak. ]

Before I came here, I had never seen real snow. That should tell you plenty of my relationship with it, my friend.

<33333 SO MUCH LOVE

[fuckelves]

((yiiiiiiiiis! excellent!!))

[Thorin glances to the cloak before slowly picking it up in one hand. Despite his strength, because of the fur and being so wet, it's a bit heavy. He steps towards Ashura and hands the cloak over.]

Understandable. But there truly is nothing like hunting in the snow. I remember my first hunting trip with my nephews around this time.

We needed game for the winter festival, to pay homage to Mahal. We followed tracks in the snow, clad in white furs to blend into the terrain...

[There was truly something magical about it.]

<3 x forever

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ The king took the cloak despite the weight. Gently he held it, using his power to heat his hands and the cloak steamed where he touched it, drying. ]}

It sounds wonderful. My father and I used to ride, when I was a boy - albeit not needed cloaks.

You've probably been the safest of everyone though, out and about as you are.

<3 x infinityyy

[fuckelves]

[Thorin watches as Ashura dries his cloak, smiling and inclining his head in gratitude. But then his brow furrows at that last bit.]

What? Safest...what are you talking about?

[Thorin glances about, silent, as if trying to hear if there's any danger lurking in the castle.]

...has something happened?

<3 x infinityyyy + <333

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Ashura quirked a brow at Thorin, his hands continuing to work the cloak. ]}

You haven't heard of the mistletoe? Seems everyone complains of it at least once a day.

_{[ his eyes flickered quickly about, as if looking for some in the vicinity, though he was as like to not.}

That wasn't the tickle of its magic right there was it? ]

<3 x infinityyyy x infinityyyyyyy~

[fuckelves]

[Thorin shakes his head, but his dark blue eyes glance about. It did no good really, he had no idea what he should be looking for.]

What does it do? Is it poison of some sort?

[Dwarves aren't really interested in plants. Those are Elf concerns.]

Does it attack people? Why has no one tried getting rid of it?

I have run out of ways to mathematically express my love

[wishmadeinfire]

Oh no, it is nothing quite so dangerous as all that! It is just.... Well, when one is near a sprig of it, one wants to kiss the nearest resident.

_{[ He shrugged, as if it were really nothing to be quite so upset over, and for him it was not. It was simply a feature of the castle that came about once a year. ]}

The Castle does this every year about now. It is nothing to worry over. Some residents turn it into a game, even.

Same here, but that doesn't make it any less powerful!!

[fuckelves]

[Thorin blinks, not really grasping the full possibilities of such a thing. He bursts out laughing.]

Kissing!? That's what you're afraid of!? Such sillyness!! What's a kiss between two people??

[Even between two men, that wasn't a problem. Dwarf men sought the company and pleasure from other male Dwarves all the time, it was natural.]

[Still, he doesn't quite grasp the awkward tension and possibilities that might arise from such an act. Nor does he notice the sprig of mistletoe that seems to be emerging from the ceiling above them.]

Time for awkwardness at the Onsen...:)

[rose_of_battle]

[Sheena didn't mind the cold too much, but truth be told...she enjoyed the Onsen a lot more no matter the weather. It had been a while since she had visited, and today just seemed the perfect day to go.

And perhaps get away from all the shenanigans of the castle because that mistletoe stuff couldn't be there, right?

She had no idea how wrong she was--or that there was a sprig nearby--because she missed that little clue when she spotted Ashura in the water ahead of her.]

Oh! Uncle! I didn't know you were here.

[Should she ask if he'd like some company?]

Re: Time for awkwardness at the Onsen...:)

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He opened his eyes, looking over through the mild steam at his "niece". He smiled at her, raising his fingers from the water and wiggling them lazily at her, the heat so delicious. ]}

Hello, Sheena. I couldn't resist coming over here today. It's so warm in here.

_{[ And anyone who knew Ashura well knew that he loved the heat. ]}

[rose_of_battle]

[She returns the wave somewhat awkwardly, unsure if she should leave or not.

But his comment makes her tilt her head.]

I didn't think it was really that cold... Are you okay?

[Of course, her knowledge of his Talent hasn't quite made it to the surface thanks to her chagrin and concern.]