Fifteen Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[What do they say? Better late than never? The Once-ler has finally organised the giant pile of crap he stole during that virus mess and, unsurprisingly, is no closer in figuring out what belongs to whom. So, very reluctantly, he's opening his journal to dictate into it]

That uh...virus mess. That was insane, wasn't it? Anyway, I might have ever so slightly and accidentally stolen a lot of things, and given you people don't put name labels on any of your stuff (seriously, there are like two hundred people in this place you should learn to label) I don't know where this stuff belongs.

So, if you're missing some stuff, just come to the top of the Impetus Tower. Chances are it's here. I've even organised it so you can get your things and leave as soon as possible.

[He hasn't noticed the nutcrackers. They're just more stuff added to piles of other stuff. Maybe someone collects them? There are weird people in this castle after all. Regardless, he remains oblivious to both them and their power]

[[OOC: Open for planned or unplanned kisses, feel free to have had him steal something of your chars during the sins plot if you wish, 'cause chances are he did]]

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

[He really wasn't expecting that, and very almost backs away. But the magic of the nutcrackers (and maybe...maybe something else) makes him move forward, to continue that kiss.

Because it sure is inviting, he has to give her that]

[kalinda]

[And that's when her fingers press into the material of his clothes, if only to ease the Once-ler into something more intense, if not passionate. It's not urgent, it's most rushed, it's... carefully planned. Crafted, almost.

It's the kind of kiss that takes your breath away before you realize how dangerous it is to have found that experience, the kind of kiss that promises even more...

But she'll retract. It takes her a few seconds of lingering, if only to allow a single breath, but she's pausing. Slow, cautious, careful.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[It really is a dangerous sort of kiss, especially for someone who really isn't used to any sort of intimacy at all, as is the Once-ler's case. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

That second of retracting is enough to start to let his own thoughts filter through the magic of the nutcrackers. That he shouldn't be doing this. He shouldn't be doing this with anyone. Much less someone he considers a friend. It could only end badly. With him doing what he always does and making a mess of things.

So he knows he should pull away properly, push back and escape before things become even more complicated. But there's enough of the magic left to make him pause in that action, which gives his less logical mindset enough time to make the decision for him.

Hi eyes find hers, for just a moment, before he closes the gap between them, kissing her again]

[kalinda]

[It's not something new to her. It's just clockwork. Of course a kiss would want others to linger as well, if not ask for more. That's how it's always been. A constant.

She sinks into his kiss again, eyes closed as she allows her other hand to slide up his arm, careful, slow. It needs to be right, after all. That's how both parties will be pleased.

The rogue hand would find itself on the Once-ler, cupping his face from his jaw, fingers resting behind an ear. A tilt of the head would allow for a deeper kiss at that, Kalinda herself pausing to savor the moment.

Damn it, nutcrackers.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Damnit it nutcrackers indeed.

His own hands move to her side, his own movements far less practised, less calculated. They're more cautious, nervous, perhaps a touch honest. And that touch is nice, really, his magic induced brain tells him fuzzily. It really is nice.

And he does tilt his head, deepening that kiss carefully. Nutcrackers you are just ruining everything]

[kalinda]

[That's it! Nutcrackers, stop. Nutcrackers, you need to leave. No, no. We'll be fine, Just go.

Because, oh. Wow. That sure is a kiss that they are sharing. And that sure is something that Kalinda is welcoming because of your enchanting pull.

Speaking of an enchanting pull, though, Kalinda is using that closeness to her advantage, the curves of her body moving against his just enough to keep the other on his toes, hands moving down, around his waist...]

[whichwayyoulean]

[And keep him on his toes it does, because he has absolutely no idea how to react to that. Luckily for him, the magic of the nutcrackers wears off to save him blundering into something embarrassing for the both of them.

And so, he breaks that kiss, looking, for the moment at least, very confused. Because what just then happened]

[kalinda]

[Yeah, someone needs to learn. That being said, everyone starts somewhere. And considering who's schooling you now? Let's just say you've lucked out.

Especially when it comes to the fallout. The inevitable fallout. She remains close for a few moments as if waiting for the next step... but after a moment and a few blinks?

She's snapping out of it, gradually looking as though someone just dropped the two on the back of a very large awkward turtle meant for them to ride it into the sunset. Together. Which is exactly what they're doing.

Give her a second. She'll just. Pull away. Slowly.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He really did luck out. She's the best teacher he could hope for, really.

That awkward turtle was not a friend of the Once-ler. Not today, not ever. He'll carefully let her go, his mouth opening and closing a few times as he tries to find words]

Ooookaaay what was that.

[kalinda]

[Kalinda's keeping silent, trying to erase her face of the initial surprise, shaking her head for a moment as she takes a breath. Slowly, she'll try to make sense of that severe loss of control.]

That was kissing.

[whichwayyoulean]

[At least his confusion can give way a little to a sardonic look sent Kalinda's way]

Oh, thanks for clearing that one up. I meant what was with the suddenly you-and-me kissing thing.

[kalinda]

No problem. [Also, she still needs an extra minute to rationalize it.]

My first instinct is to blame it on the castle.

[whichwayyoulean]

Why would it even want to do tha-

[He frowns, remembering something]

Wait. Wait. Someone told me about this, months ago. Something about Christmas decorations.

[kalinda]

...what about Christmas decorations?

[whichwayyoulean]

Apparently they make people...well kiss. I forgot all about it. I thought she was kidding, honestly.

[Well, that solves that mystery at least. He's combing the room now, for what could have caused it]

[kalinda]

Well, if that's not festive, I don't know what is.

[She's folding her arms, back against the wall. She's watching him for a moment, wondering what the next feasible step should be.]

I should probably leave, then. Just in case it happens again.

[whichwayyoulean]

Nothing like enforced awkwardness to really make the holiday go with a bang.

[He pauses in his search to glance up at her. Speaking of awkward...]

It might be a good idea. Until I find out what it is and get rid of them all.

[kalinda]

[Awkward awkward.]

Good luck with that. Maybe I'll help you in your investigation.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Thanks for that castle. He sure didn't need his friendships complicated by remembering what it was like to kiss them]

That sounds awfully like taking a bullet. Unless you plan on just stalking around watching people.

[kalinda]

[Yeah, you wouldn't want to make your other friends jealous by kissing the MASTER. And comparing them to her.]

That's my job back home. I get paid good money to do just that.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Nope. Everyone else can just go home now, Kalinda wins]

I wasn't aware you got paid to watch people make out. [See, he can still make funnnies even when he's trying to remain calm]

[kalinda]

[HECK YES.]

It's happened before. But such is the job of a private investigator.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Okay he was just joking but hold up]

Wait, you're serious?

[kalinda]

When am I not? [Ha...]

[whichwayyoulean]

Huh.

Well, whatever pays the bills, I guess.