Snow, Snow Go Away [ action / voice ]

[wishmadeinfire]

[ Winter was not Ashura's season. He preferred to stay wrapped up somewhere warm, and if he could have hibernated, he would. That there was an interruption to the heat-soaked bliss that was summer, well, that did not sit well with him, irritated him in fact. It almost felt like this prank was a personal attack on him, though he knew that was foolish. His agitation moved him up the stairs and out into the cold on the roof of the Castle, which seemed to be going against his want to stay warm, but he had reasons.

It was easy enough to use his Talent to melt the snow around him in a large circle, making a damp, but clear space for him to practice. He took a distinct sort of pleasure in melting the snow besides, putting a whole different fire in his belly. 

Ashura spent the next several hours working through the movements of his sword style - dance-like, but precise and deadly when used in combat. That he paired it with flashes of fire - whips, bursts of heat, walls of flame, even claws on his hands, was all part of that same dance. That he had on winter clothing made it a bit harder, but he was glad for the practice in such clothes, just in case something happened turing this little twist the Castle had thrown at them. He would be more surprised if nothing happened than not, though one could hope...

When he had finished, he turned and headed back down into the Castle, his body steaming as the heat from his fire dried out his clothing and hair, moist from the falling snow and the continuous puddle he had been working in. Not at all abnormal, was it? Maybe a little. 

As he walked he brought his journal, for of course it would be there, even if he had not wanted it to be there. ]

I think I shall take tea in the library with a rather large, warm fire if anyone wishes to join me. I could always use new book recommendations.

[ ooc: voice or action, your choice! ]

Comments

action forever

[lord_wizard]

[Fire still made Felix uneasy. The dreams of smoke and fire and death would never leave him entirely. His years with Ashura had at least taught him to deal with it when it was appropriately harnessed and controlled. But it was a fragile truce at times.

So it was probably unlikely that the wizard would go looking for the source of those flashes of distant light, but he knew his lover's magic well enough to suspect. Of course, a display like that probably meant Ashura was in some kind of mood, which was as half again as likely to be some fault of his. Carried mostly by curiosity, Felix found himself coming up onto the cold, frost-covered ramparts of the castle and the dance that was already in progress nearby.

He made an effort to stay out of the way and let Ashura work, quiet and contemplative, caught between fear and attraction.

How often those two things aligned for him.]

Re: action forever

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Ashura drew the dance to a close, as elegant as when it started. He breathed heavy, limbs trembling slightly in the chill hair as he cooled down and sweat. He turned in his wet circle to see Felix, and he felt himself flushing again. He had been so lost in the exercise he had not even felt the other approach or watch him. Or maybe he was so comfortable with him it had not mattered.}

Unconsciously, he smoothed back a stray bit of hair behind his ear and came closer to him, for a moment fumbling in his mind for what to say. Best to play it safe. ]

Good morning, Felix.

[lord_wizard]

[Felix cleared his throat]

Good morning. Are you practicing for something in particular today?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He shook his head. ]}

No, not really, but I thought I needed it, and I was feeling antsy, I suppose. So here I am.

Did you come up to watch me?

_{[ A part of him fluttered at the idea, and he gave a smile at the thought. ]}

[lord_wizard]

The fireworks were difficult to ignore.

[wishmadeinfire]

Fireworks? I didn't think I was causing that much of a disturbance.

_{[ He looked back at the wide circle of melted snow he had made. Well, maybe he had.. ]}

But I suppose it does not matter, so long as you enjoyed what you saw.

_{[ Ah, there it was, the flirting, irresistible. ]}

[lord_wizard]

When do I not? [He couldn't help but smile]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He pauses at that and cannot help but smile again, a warmth blossoming in his chest. Damn it, Felix, why did you do this to him? Smile at him and say such sweet things?}

He looked towards the door leading down into the warmth of the Castle and back to Felix. ]

I could use a bit of refreshment and a light meal now, if you cared to join me?

[lord_wizard]

[Good question. Maybe because that was the way he was, or maybe because when it came to Ashura, that most of the time the smiles were real]

I don't suppose I can object. Where would you like to go?

[wishmadeinfire]

Some place warm, so preferably a large fire available. Or, at least, warmer than out here.

_{[ He motioned for the other to walk with him, heading for the door, feeling hungry and not wanting to expend more energy than he needed in keep warm. It meant the cold nipped at him and he did not appreciate it. ]}

Warm cider, a nice soup and bread. It sounds lovely, doesn't it?

[lord_wizard]

[Felix followed, resisting the old impulse to slip his arm around Ashura's, though still walking close at his side.]

It certainly has an appeal. I can't say I longed for winter to return to soon.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He would have loved to have been touched by him, held by him. It was as hard for him to resist touching the other as the other way around. It hurt, to be so close and yet have this chasm between them, though he liked to think it was slowly being bridged day by day. ]}

Nor I. At least it was not hard to find my winter robes again.

_{[ He smiled at his own lack of resistance to the cold as they wound their way down, and though he pondered going into his rooms, he thought that might be... to much, right now. Somewhere neutral for them...]}

Why don't we go to the library? The chairs are comfortable, the fire warm, and a table for tea.

_{[ And it was where their courtship had first begun, except he tried to tell himself that was not the reason for choosing that place. ]}

[lord_wizard]

[He suspected the reasons for the suggestion, and his answer took a moment or two to come. But he knew just as well where more private locations could lead them. Then again, it was the emotional attachment that he feared]

If you wish. It isn't exactly the most conventional place for a repast.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ Ashura glanced at him, not quite cocking his head, though his curiosity was clear. ]}

Do you know of a better place? I am open to suggestion.

[lord_wizard]

How about the parlour?

[It was still private - arguably moreso than the library - but at least the memories weren't attached to it.]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He nodded his head. It was a better place, all around, though he felt a moment of pain at not going to their first meeting place. He thought... well, he didn't know what he had thought. ]}

Yes, good idea. It will do nicely. Hopefully by then I stop dripping.

_{[ He let out a small laugh at what he hoped sounded like a joke. ]}

[lord_wizard]

[He laughed as well, although lightly, and more to go along with the mood than anything]

I should hope so. And if not, I'm sure the castle can deal with any stains.

[Dammit, that didn't help at all.]

[wishmadeinfire]

Haha, hopefully.

_{[ he looked over to Felix and smiled softly, eyes and lips warm as he regarded the other. ]}

We could have your favorite to go with the tea, if you like. I still sometimes have it, now and then.

[lord_wizard]

Do you? I should be so honored.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He smiled again, and was mostly dry now. He glanced at the other's hands, wanting to reach out and touch them, hold them like he used to. He tried to keep it off his face, and was fairly sure he succeeded as he turned back to going down stairs. ]}

I found myself fond of your people's cuisine. It is one of the things I enjoy about being here - getting to taste different foods.

[lord_wizard]

I think perhaps you have a more tolerant palate than I.

[He smirked slightly as they entered the lobby and headed for the tower there the parlor was located.]

[wishmadeinfire]

Hmmm, perhaps. I think I just came to enjoy your land's sweets the most.

_{[ He gave another of those warm grins, as ever self-amused with his own love of sugars. He turned his attention to the stairs and keeping his robes from tripping him, but the parlor was not very far up the tower, thankfully. ]}

You do not think anyone else will be there, do you?

_{[ He did not want to sound over eager, but he would not mind having the room privately with Felix either. ]}

[lord_wizard]

I haven't the faintest, though it does seem as if half the residents have no idea what else the castle contains beyond the kitchen and their own rooms.

[And the tone of his voice very clearly said how he was NOT IMPRESSED. He also might have been okay with the idea of the parlor being deserted.]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ The tone draws a little laugh from Ashura. It felt like some of their old conversations, this, like it had been before Giddeon came, before they fought and the chasm appeared. It felt a bit smaller, like a bridge might be forming again, and he was glad for it. ]}

To be fair, one never knows what this Castle is hiding. Exploring can be as deadly as it is exciting at times.

[lord_wizard]

I imagine that's exactly as it plans. To impede curiosity is to impede discovery.

[In the long run, it took more energy to pretend not to care.]