Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Roleplay Skittle]

Tilting her head to the side slightly, the tail of her black hair swaying a bit with the motion, she too smiled as James did. She really liked his smile, then again, she liked everything about him. She listened intently as he talked, giggling a little as she thought about how crafty that is and trying to picture him tipsy, her cheeks turning rosy.

She had been slouching slightly in her seat and when James asked her about dating rules she sat up straighter, her large green eyes gazing steadily on him for a moment as her lips pursed slightly. After a moment her mouth quirked into an awkward smile and she looked away from him, her thumbs rubbing the sides of her mug nervously, "well... not directly.. no."

Lydia cleared her throat and wiggled slightly uncomfortably in her seat, "despite my parents' attempts at socializing me, no one ever showed any interest so I think they decided I was just a lost cause," she laughed slightly, it wasn't a bitter or sad sound, more amused than anything, "my brother's on the other hand: no kissing and always a chaperone... so I guess that would go the same for me..."

Her gaze shifted from her cup towards James and back again, though she didn't turn her head to look directly at him. They had been alone a lot of times, though it wasn't under the same circumstances previously as it would be now. Of course Lydia wasn't that kind of girl anyway and she hadn't even really considered her parents rules for dating before since she had never really considered ever being in a position to date. The thought made her smile faintly to herself

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Night time, Jolly Bulldog Inn, Winslow "​

"No kissing." repeated James, sighing disappointedly. He leaned his elbows on the table, hands clasped together as he thought in silence for a couple of minutes, obviously struggling to accept that. But in the end after gazing at Lydia, he sighed, resigned, and clapped his hands. "Alright, I won't kiss you, Lydia." he said somberly.

There were other ways to show his affection. James was sure that she would feel it, like when he gave her Sasha. Oh how he missed her. There should be something nice here to eat that he could send through Frey.

"Lydia, I'm thinking of buying Sasha some treats. Actually, Renee, Serena, and Seifer might like some of the local food here. Want to go the market?"

Roleplay Skittle

- Winslow -
" Night Time "
​

"Thank you, Aodh." said Kenren accepting the book.

In town, the talk was mostly about the oriental foreigner and how delighted they were that so many of their herds were being bought. The street lamps were lit as night came on, and all around candles, torches, and lanterns shone through the windows of the houses.

Snow began to fall. If the archeologist passed by the Jolly Bulldog Inn, he'd spot Lydia and James sitting by the window talking, each with a mug of butterbeer.

Urazek

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Master Warship, Lowland Tundra Shores "​

After dinner, where Seifer squirmed pleasurably under Renee's kisses and teased her lewdly with how he ate from the spoon, he stood up confidently and sauntered over to the bed, casually peeling off his clothes with the enticing promise of a searing dissolving pleasure.

Now in just his skivvies, he stretched out like a panther on the bed and in a very husky voice said, "I'm ready."

Katsuya
OOC || Characters || Interest Check
​

 

[Katsuya]

Her face was pink by the end of dinner but it wasn't enough for her to lose her soul like before when Seifer opened the door and surprising her by being half-naked. Though she wondered how he can do that; how can anyone actually seduce someone by eating?! Because Ring-a-ding! Her boyfriend can and it's making her a bit flustered.

Now that he stretched out on bed like a big cat with just his skivvies and just talk like that-!

"Eep!" Renee forgot that she was still pouring the oil on her hand, the liquid overflowing her hand. She dropped a little bit but she managed to save the rest...luckily. Though her face is bright red, eyes wide and her wings flapped like they didn't know what to do with themselves.

Clears her throat as she tries to regain her confidence from before, her wings didn't stop moving. "O-okay..."

Renee got onto bed, her knee on either side of Seifer's waist as she didn't put her weight on him. As she rubbed the oil warm and ready, she begins on her massage, laying the oil on his back first. Then kneading lightly on his neck and lackadaisically went down to his spine after a few long minutes. Her fingers pressed down expertly where she can feel the tense parts of the knots and then relaxed the muscles around the loosened area using her knuckles lightly as to not strain it.

"Like it so far?" She whispered in his ear teasingly before blowing air lightly on his neck, knowing exactly what the warming oil will do to his skin when she does; it leaves a tingling sensation.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Her lips pursed slightly and quirked in a nervous smile after a moment as her gaze slowly continued to shift between James and her mug as he considered what she said. She really hated to disappoint him, but she wasn't sure if she was even ready for that kind of affection anyway.

As he delivered his response, she released her mug and practically leaped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "oh James! You are just... so wonderful!" she said as she giggled. James was right about there being other ways of showing affection, he had done just that by deciding not to kiss her, "just... perfect..." she spoke through a happy sigh.

She leaned back from him after a moment, a bright grin on her lips and a rosy hue on her cheeks, nodding enthusiastically, "yes! I'd love that! I'm sure the others would to since they couldn't come."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Night time, Jolly Bulldog Inn, Winslow "​

Who'd have known the words 'I won't kiss you' could make someone so happy? Surprised and pleased, James warmly embraced Lydia, burying his face in her hair. "Thank you?" he said when she called him perfect.

He's happy she's happy. So gestures like this make Lydia happy, he made a mental note to do more of these things. He opened the door for her when they stepped out of the inn and out into the snowy night, James' pack heavier with a couple more bottles of butterbeer, cocoa, and some food.

Most of the market stalls were closed after sunset, but they were able to pass by a stable that rented out giant rams as mounts in case they needed one or two, and caught a local about to close down shop. They mime-traded for most of the camping supplies they'd need and some treats, using Sasha to ask Serena, Renee, and Seifer what they wanted from the market.

Frey brightly glowed silvery white in the muffled snowy darkness as they made their way out the village and trotted along the road to the frozen lake, James admiring the starry sky. It was so cold and he was very relieved when they got a campfire going and finished setting up their tents.

He cast protective charms on them and summoned Pond before sending off his ethereal stag with everyone's orders back to the warship. He asked Lydia to melt a hole on the icy surface of the lake so that he could draw up some water using a pail and heated it over the flames; then with Pond's help dug up and enclosed a small space with cloth between some trees that they could use as a make-shift toilet.

When all was settled, Pond began to make a snow castle; James spread some furs on the snow between his tent and the campfire, and leaned back comfortably. Their food and the bottles of butterbeer were out, and he interested himself with spearing some marshmallows and making smores --- the marshmallows made faces whenever they were heated.

"I don't get it, Lydia." he said suddenly, waving his stick of smoking smores absentmindedly. "No one taking an interest in you. You're so beautiful." he smiled, his ears red. " No guy at least admired your intelligence and diligence? Or had a crush on your face, the way you bite your lip, and slowly flip your hair showing your neck? What about finding the way you're shyly cute, or the way you're bubbly when you're happy, suddenly hugging, endearing? Or when you're randomly funny like that time you just rolled on the grass and stomped your foot, or get touched by how you care about things like Sasha?"

Roleplay Skittle

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Master Warship, Lowland Tundra Shores "​

"Yes." he sighed, gripping the sheets as he quivered beneath Renee. His muscles were long and lean, with a few pimples on the back of his shoulders. The tight knots gave way under her fingers, and when she pressed a little way down he groaned. It seemed Renee discovered a new sweet spot.

Seifer told her he had eight when they cuddled last night, but so far she only found three: the spot right under his chin, back of the left jaw, and now a little way down his left shoulder. He kept the rest secret, encouraging her to wander as much as possible and discover them on her own.

"Mmm, Renee." he moaned quietly.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Her wings spread open and fluttered as her face turned red when she found another sweet spot of his: left shoulder, she noted as she tries to not faint. Her head steamed and felt hot. She needed to focus-! She needed to focus on finding those knots and not faint from hearing his groans. 'Bloody Merlin-!' She thought before shaking her head, only to freeze when he groaned her name...

'BLOODY MERLIN!' She repeated mentally, her blush is dark red and her heart pounded.

Renee, once she determined that there were no more knots on his upper back, went lower. Her hands glided on his skin as pressed on the tense knots with a bit of her weight. Then she started on his shoulders and arms, kneading and twisting the limbs a bit to make them crack before rubbing them to relax the area. While pressing on the pressure point in his hand, the Pendragon teen paused for a moment and left little loving kisses on his palm and finger tips. She looked over to his face with half-lidded molten orange eyes while wondering if she's doing this right.

She read a couple of health books and some of them suggested that massages can help with the bones and muscles so they don't strain. Knowing Seifer, Renee knew he can take care of himself but...she wanted to make sure he doesn't accidental pull a tendon in the middle of fixing the ships and endangering himself somehow.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

It would seem that James had yet to discover how he actually acted compared with how he thought he acted. It was like his thing with compliments, he thought that he didn't really deliver them, but he had always paid her compliments. Maybe he just didn't realize that affection and compliments didn't always need to have something to do with physical appearance or being physical. Lydia found that in itself endearing, that he wasn't aware of how sweet he really was. Lydia continued to don a happy smile and giggled as James thanked her questioningly.

When she connected with Sasha again to figure out what Serena, Renee, and Seifer wanted, she was somewhat hesitant about the latter two. If they were still... indisposed, she didn't know what she should tell James and tried to think of something that the two would like before she would give James the orders of all three just in case.

As they left the village, Lydia commented to Frey on how majestic he looked in the darkness. When they reached the lake, Lydia helped James set up the camp including melting the ice as he had asked and she told Frey to be safe on his trip before he left for the warships. After James laid out the furs and reclined on them, Lydia sat beside him, wrapping her arms around her legs and watching the fire, laughing about the faces that the marshmallows made. It was like being in a different world. The marshmallows at home were just normal marshmallows and each little thing was a new discovery.

She glanced to him as he spoke, her brows raising slightly, though they lowered after a moment and she looked away bashfully, her cheeks burning red in the firelight. It would have stopped there, but as he continued with the points about her that he evidently found pleasing, her hands raised from where they were holding her legs and covered her face as she giggled shyly. He was obviously embarrassing her.

When he was finished with his questions, Lydia drew in a deep breath. She wasn't exactly sure how to answer him and so thought for a moment before doing so, "well..." she gently cleared her throat, finally lowering her hands from her face, though there was a sweet and happy smile plastered on her lips as she continued to watch the fire, "the parties my parents took me to usually welcomed guests from industry... the manufacturing businesses where I am from. It's a close knit society and everyone knows everyone else and marrying someone with a good name or a prominent business is something that concerns everyone. The adults try and make business partners with the heads of other companies through marriage, introducing their sons and daughters...." her back straightened slightly, "my eldest brother married the daughter of the Bowing String Company...."

She leaned towards him slightly, "I bet you can guess what they produce?" she laughed slightly, it was a bit awkward, "the parties were always difficult for me... nothing that anyone was interested in, interested me and nothing that I was interested in, interested anyone else," she shrugged her shoulders then and looked to him, "it's very difficult talking to people about math... and magic... and historical magic figures when all they want is the prospect of a pretty wife that talks politics, knows the industry, and throws fancy parties."

Shaking her head she sat back, placing her hands on the furs to keep herself propped, "I don't know how they feel about the way I look... but I don't think I've ever shown any of those other things to anyone... or there's never really been opportunity to..." she laughed slightly, sadly even.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Master Warship, Lowland Tundra Shores "​

The hand Renee kissed rubbed her chin fondly; sleepily, Seifer turned on his back, and when his gaze latched on to hers, he was already as enamored of her as she was of him. His hands ran down her arms to entwine her fingers in his. He came up to kiss her long and deep until she couldn't breath. In a good way.

"May I?" he glanced down at the few buttons holding her shirt together. He always undressed her every time she let him, mostly using his teeth. He loved it that they slept, cuddling with barely any clothes on. And it was going to be all the more lovely tonight knowing that she was caring for him.

How touched he was. Renee's kind gestures overpowered his lust, and for some reason these acts of care made him happier than dancing horizontally. For the first time he understood the difference between love and lust, and he wanted to love her. Make her feel happy. Make her feel good, but not for himself --- all just for her. This was the first time he wasn't self-centered with intimacy and he liked it.

Never was he going to force Renee. They can take it as slow as she liked.

He dimmed the lights and snuggled happily with her under the covers, enjoying her warmth. He tucked her wings under the blanket so that they won't be cold. "Thank you for the massage, my precious Renee."

Katsuya

- James Pendragon -
" Frozen Lake, Winslow "​

"So I'm your first for a lot of things." said James looking honored. He smiled like someone who had a treasure that was all for himself.

He felt that maybe he should be sad for her, but he wasn't. He was happy he's the first to see those sides of Lydia, first to be allowed to hug her shoulders, and first to hold hands with her. First to be told that she belonged to him, and he was going to keep her. Make the sadness she felt before a distant, distant memory.

"Lydia,I want you to know that you really make me happy the way you are. You're very interesting, and you feel like a friend, a partner I could lean on, and I feel loved by you. The word 'girlfriend' doesn't do you justice, I have no word to describe you. All I can think of is, 'Lydia'."

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

She snuggled into her scarf and the slight gesture of her nodding her head could be seen, the shy smile on her lips disappearing beneath the black fabric where it wrapped around the lower part of her face, "mm-hmm...."

Lydia wouldn't want James to be sad for her. She knew that there was a part of her life missing before, but she had drowned that out with burying herself in the things that she loved so anything else didn't matter. It wasn't until she received the acceptance letter from Howl to her mother that her life had really begun. At the time she had met James, she hadn't really thought much about it, she didn't see him that often and she had already resigned herself to a life without any romance in it, deciding that boys would only be a distraction to her inevitable goal. She hadn't thought of finding one that had similar goals to hers, one who would support her, expand on her knowledge, and encourage her ability.

Her breath caught as he continued to speak and her lower lip trembled as she felt her eyes burning gently. She squinted them close and quickly sat upright, her head tingled as she began to sob softly, "James... y-you don't know how happy.. how happy it makes me to hear you say that," she gasped between gentle sobs though there was a joyous tone in her soft voice.

"E-e-even though it wasn't romantic..." she gasped as she moved over to him, her arms wrapping around one of his as she looked into his face, her eyes glistening as a tear slid down her cheek, "you have been my partner since back in the Misty Mountains," all the times that they had sat reading together, whenever they had shared their thoughts, ideas, and knowledge on magic, the times they had worked together crafting spell circles, she hadn't ever had someone so devoted as her and she had looked to him then as a kindred spirit.

Her hand raised then to gently cup his jaw, her thumb caressing his cheek, "I'm glad James. I'm glad that I can make you happy," she bore a happy smile, her eyes still watery as she looked at him intently, her heart warm from his words and all she could think of was having more moments like this with him, forever.

Zer0

 

[Katsuya]

Dazed from the long and deep kiss, Renee nodded, squeezing his hands as she watched him unbutton her shirt. It's strange that she's okay to be this close with someone and that someone is encouraging her to do more but within her own pace. Better yet, he wants to be this close and recognizes what she's trying to do. Her heart pounded loudly against her chest, barely able to hear anything else other than Seifer's voice.

As they snuggled under the covers, the Pendragon teen felt Seifer tucking her wings too and it made her smile that special of hers. That's real sweet of him. She kissed him again, letting him know that she's happy and felt his care. "Anytime, my sweet Seifer." Renee muttered before nuzzling into his chest and closed her eyes to sleep, dreaming about them being together on a cloud and chasing each other.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Frozen Lake, Winslow "​

James looked like he could swoop down and kiss Lydia. Drawing their heads together, he closed his eyes and tenderly touched foreheads with her, circling an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. Their hugs could never be long enough for him as all the world hushed and melted away in her warmth.

He stayed that way for a long time, cradling her head like a cherished child.

Lydia's love was so honest, looking at more important things, like the true love of a good friend who's come to be more. It made James feel so at home.

Roleplay Skittle

- Next day -
" Lotar Farm, Winslow "​

The next day, Echo was woken up by Butters at four in the morning to start with the daily chores. Except for the kids, the entire household was already up. The men were herding the giant sheep and goats out of their pens and to the grazing fields beyond the outskirts of town. Johnny was one of them, riding on Meatballs, but he was already too far to notice anyone at the farm.

The women didn't do heavy lifting, rather they picked mushrooms and root crops that grew inside a very smelly underground shaft that smelled strongly of sheep dung. After a wash in the cold baths, they dried meat and the plants or otherwise pickled them in clay jars. Then they did the laundry or made breakfast for the whole household, pulling out one of the fattened cattle out of the pen and then skinning and cutting it for their dishes. Some of the men returned from a hunt in wolf-form with wild birds and hares that are a rare delicacy in Baffin.

The rest came back without the sheep and all the family ate together around one giant table at six. Then the women cleaned, chatting together as they went. When they had free time they would do embroidery which in their culture was more than just stitching clothes.

To Johnny's people, embroidery was a precious art that all girls begin to learn as soon as they are old enough to prepare for the dowry that they are to give for marriage. For to be married to a good husband was the pride of all the women. Yet it was never them nor their groom-to-be who chooses the other, but their fathers.

Fathers would come and talk other fathers to discuss possible marriage of their children and their kids have no choice but to obey for it was a scandal to disobey one's father. In powerful clans, they would usually send their daughters to cement an alliance with another powerful clan, but for most families, depending on their ideals, fathers arrange marriages with good grooms asking their daughters if they liked the son. Children could be married as young as twelve to someone as old as twenty, and it was the daughter's family that gave the dowry, while the groom's family provided the furniture for the wedded couple's house.

Johnny's mother was very keen to find out if Echo could cook, clean, make bread using their native ovens, and was distressed that her son didn't tell her about embroidery and that Echo needed to stitch at least forty pieces which would probably take four years at least, as their cloths were intricate and large, made for beddings, blankets, and the wedding gown.

Most of his sisters were uncertain about mixing their bloodline with a reindeer, thinking that Echo wouldn't be able to bear strong sons that could run with wolves. They were also concerned with what the neighbors were gossiping, because really, a wolf marrying a reindeer, it just didn't happen!

From their talk about Johhny, he had always been an odd kid, fascinated with theatrics and magic ever since he saw that show from a travelling fair of witches and wizards. The norm around here was for boys to love hunting, shepherding, wood carving, hammering steel, or mining, and not to be afraid of girls.

They were very shocked when he came home speaking without stammering to his sisters and then to learn that he was in love with a girl, who was a warrior who wielded a hammer and defeated a deathnight too --- normally he'd be terrified of girls like that and the sisters asked Echo how they got together. He carried himself differently too, like he could stand equal or higher than the other men of his clan especially when he commanded Sorbet and Soda, his powerful water and frost elementals to chop and carry the tall forest trees like it was nothing.

His father seemed to be the most open-mined one, and wondered if his son changed for the better because Echo was there, and he didn't want to pass too quick a judgment in case that was true. He couldn't reject someone who was such a good influence on him, though he did ask Echo if he could visit Dawnsfield to talk to her father about possible marriage with Johnny.

Katsuya

 

[Urazek]

Walking through the streets, Aodh passed many shops, most closed due to the hour, but he was more interested with the aesthetics of the buildings. He loved to admire it all the time, and never tired of how interesting it looked, but this was the first time he had seen it at night and he found it very breathtaking. Shortly up ahead, Aodh saw Lydia and James exit from a pub, the Jolly Bulldog, that Aodh remembered to have the best Butterbeer in town. Waddling faster, Aodh quickly pops in the inn to purchase himself a bottle of goodness, then proceeded to try and catchup with the two friends. His short, flippered legs made it impossible to exceed their pace, and his propeller would send him hurtling past them, possibly injuring one, so he decided against that. Instead he decided to just keep his distance and track them to meet them at their destination.

After following for a little bit, Aodh was finally able to catch them, and they had already managed to set up a little camp. He could smell the marshmallows from his location, and from their distinctly sweeter smell, Aodh knew they were the ones with faces. Walking over, Aodh plopped himself across from them on the fire, oblivious to their want for privacy.

"Salutations! So how come I find you out here? You could have just set up at the farm." Aodh looked at them expectantly for a moment when it hit him. "Oh, I get it now, I get it. You are out here to stargaze. I enjoy doing that too. I got into it when I had to look at the position of the stars to tell what time of year it was after being in caves for a while digging." Aodh then stuck a marshmallow over the flames, watching the face appear, before pooping it in his beak and leaning back to see the stars, taking a swig of his Butterbeer as well.

While looking up at the stars, Aodh started blabbing about different excavations he had gone on, and how he used different stars and their locations in the sky to tell the date. Aodh didn't so much as pause for a second to think that maybe his presence wasn't fully wanted at the current time. However, after a while Aodh said, "Well I am feeling a bit tired after today's events, don't stay up too late stargazing. See you tomorrow." Aodh waved and walked back to the farm, sipping his Butterbeer as he walked.

When Aodh reached the farm he went immediately to his tepee. Digging a small hole, Aodh finished his Butterbeer, then buried his body in the snow to sleep. He dreamed that night of dragons and the storm wall.

 

[Katsuya]

Echo yawned, scratching her red messy poof of hair as she woke up and grinned widely at the large ram. She was sleeping next to Butters the whole night, warm from the cold with the blankets Johnny's sisters gave her and his fluffy wool. Yes, she made a tepee large enough to include Butters and his bed in it and still have enough space to do walk around his basket. The fawn wore the local's traditional clothing and had to make adjustments for her ears to go through the head wrap. She wanted to hear everyone after all.

Then she began helping with the chores, picking up the mushrooms and roots found underground. Echo used her earth spells to help with the digging process, not bothering anyone else as she just moved the dirt around to find the roots. She remembered how to find them, thanks to Johnny's tips from before, and managed to collect just as much, if not more than the other women, carrying the heavy basket with ease.

This chore reminded her of home back at Dawnsfield: She would help her Aunt Calliope with her garden, fixing it after her troublesome sons destroyed it with paint thinner they stole from Renee when she visited once. She had to put so much manure in the dirt just to get the nutrients right for the vegetables and carry the dead plants and weeds which smelled horrible. So the stinky smell in the shaft didn't really bother her.

After taking a cold bath, she helped drying the meat and vegetables. After that, she helped with the laundry, once again reminding her of home. Echo learned how to do chores from a very young age, right after she sang in front of everyone in the park.

It was weird too, now that she thought about it. The fawn learned how to do many things thanks to her Aunt Melody teaching her. Echo knew how to cook, how to knit, how to appreciate nature, how to compromise, how read in-between lines, how to spot danger, how to do a lot of things she didn't think it was necessary at the time. It was strange that her aunt Melody even taught her how to survive on her own and adapt to whatever situation she's in. It's why she's able to calmly tell Johnny that she was poisoned that time at the castle. It's why she would fight a deathknight with a glare and a war hammer in her hands. It's why she would accommodate to Johnny's needs easily; because her aunt Melody and her father raised her to be ready.

Question is why? Why did they want her to be this ready? It's like they were really scared that she might die tomorrow and wanted her to have a better chance at surviving. So obsessively too...She always wondered why her aunt Melody wanted to put her into things that she knew Echo would be uncomfortable with like wearing revealing dresses. It's like she wanted to test her, to see if she can handle it...

Why though? Is it because of what happened to her mother? There's got to be more than that to be so...freaked out.

"I'm going to have to ask when I come back home." She muttered quietly as she folded the last bed covers and walked back in the Caprice's farm, carrying a mountain of clothing to pass it to the other women who looked at her thin arms, confused as to how she's able to carry it without magic. After that, she helped with making breakfast, cringing while cutting and skinning the meat. Echo really didn't like this part, but she didn't complain. She wanted to prove that she can push herself to do even the most unpleasant thing to her just to keep someone else happy. Looking at the women who making bread at a stone oven, the fawn copied their methods and managed to make some without burning them into a crisp.

After eating and cleaning up the table, Echo followed the women and heard them gossip while doing embroidery. She couldn't help but stare at their hands, meticulously working the needle in and out of the cloth while making intricate designs. It's beautiful, the work that these women do to make clothing and she told them that, her green eyes wide in awe at their craft. Somehow she can see where the passion and pride of one's craft came from for Johnny; it's their influence, their tradition to be proud of something that they can create.

So the fawn started on her own, watching how the other women did it and copied their methods again. Sometimes she pricked her fingers, so she asked Johnny's mother for tips on how to do certain things like how to not tangle the thread or how not to lose the design by making a mess of knots. Then she tried again and again until she got it right. It's nothing big but she was able to make a cute design of Butters and Meatballs on a small cloth with small fireballs and colorful music notes floating around. It was a start on doing embroidery as she showed it to Johnny's mother with an amused and proud smile. She knows it's nothing compared to the others who does this trade for years, but as her first one, she was proud of it. Echo just hoped that his mother was okay with her design and not offended her with it.

"It's okay, Ho Nehe and I don't want to get married that quickly. We're planning to wait for four years so...that's enough time for me to start." Echo told her once his mother mentioned about making the bedding, blankets, and wedding gown. Why didn't Johnny tell her? It might have something to do with the culture she grew up in and he understood that.

The red headed fawn answered all of his sisters' questions on how they met and the likes: "Through the Sorcerer's school. Our friends are the Pendragon siblings and well...I tend to bump into him."

"He...he was afraid of me at the beginning but one day, he came up to me and fainted before he could ask me what my favorite color was. I had to keep him company in the nurse's office or well the healer's room until he felt better and we talked about random stuff like magic tricks and singing."

"Oh...um...Well I like him because he is being himself. I love that he can be confident of who he is, even if to the social norm he was strange. That's what makes Joh-...Ho Nehe who he is and I wouldn't change that for the world."

"...Honestly I don't care if our kids look strange. I just want them to be healthy and happy. Of course, I would want to teach them our cultures too...Speaking of which, can you teach me how to talk in your language? It sounds so pretty when Ho Nehe talks in his native language and I want to understand him and you too one day."

"Oh...um...Well I'm pretty sure our kids can run with the wolves. If I can keep up with the wolves who -takes a deep breathe to calm down- enslaved me, I'm pretty sure that our kids can too with a bit of training."

"Well...I guess now is a good time as any to see if mixing blood really is a good or bad thing, now is it? I'm sure Johnny would attest to that." Was her responses to the sisters, not afraid of telling them her honest opinions or face their judgemental thoughts. Though it's really funny how they say that when their mother is part giantess...Honesty...It's rather incredible that she used to run away from people who would look at her like she was freak and their harsh comments, but now...now she can answer them back with questions of her own. All because she met him. Echo smiled silly, her green eyes softened as she thought about Johnny and wondered how he was doing right now....

'Maybe I can visit him with Butters?' She thought, now quietly singing 'Teir Abhaile Riu' as she made an addition to the handkerchief, concentrating on not missing a stitch or two. Then her attention was caught by Johnny's father and blinked when he asked to meet her father. That made her stand up, her green eyes wide and happy as she gripped the wooden circle where she's working on the small handkerchief a bit tight. Her needle sticking out in the front.

"Of course, Sir! I'll send a letter to my Aunt Melody and my father that you'll be visiting. Would you like me to give you the directions to go to Dawnsfield? I'm sure my family will welcome you once my Aunt Melody tells them about your intentions." She wrote down the directions, smiling wide and warm at the open-minded father. Somehow...she felt okay with him around, oddly enough unlike with his sisters and his mother. Hopefully her father doesn't kill Johnny or his father as he is stronger then her.....but Aunt Melody is the matriarchal head of the family so his word is just an opinion compared to hers. She'll take it into consideration though....knowing Aunt Melody.

"Oh and Sir, thank you for giving me a chance." Echo then went off to find Butters, showing the large ram her handkerchief with him and Meatballs as the design, but now there's Johnny too as a warlock knight with a wand as a sword.

"Do you like it, Butters? I know I messed up on some of the stitching but not bad for my first embroidery, right?" She asked him. "Think I could give it to him when he shows me around the village and farm today?" Echo took off the head wrap as she couldn't take the heat anymore and wanted some cool air before putting it back on.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle Urazek

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia's eyes closed as she received his little forehead boop. She gently turned her head, rubbing her forehead against his, a soft chuckle given as her hand shifted so her fingertips could caress his cheek. She thought back to when her grandmother first gave her the book of magic tricks that had prompted her into researching magic. That one little book, without it, she wouldn't be sitting here with James basking in his affection. She giggled slightly and playfully rubbed her nose against James. Her nose was nice and toasty from the warmth of the scarf, like she hadn't been sitting outside.

Her arm unhooked from his as he pulled her in close and she softened in his arms like melting chocolate, not aware that they weren't alone until Aodh spoke. Those large green eyes had closed as she had snuggled against James, but now they popped open, startled and she blinked several times at the penguin, almost as though she didn't even understand what he was saying. Technically they hadn't been alone since Pond had been there, when she thought about it, they hadn't really been alone ever. Either one of James' summons had been present, or there was Hisaya and any other time Serena or one of the others had been there, even perfect strangers. Lydia laughed slightly and leaned back to look at James, "you know... even without knowing it, we've basically always abided by my parents' dating rules."

Thinking it would be a bit awkward for them to stay so close together with Aodh present, Lydia slipped away from James' slightly, though she stayed at his side and went back to hugging his arm, "good evening, Aodh... we had talked about ice skating," she leaned her head against James' shoulder and watched the penguin, an amused smile on her doll-like features. She admired his ability to not seem bothered by the situation he had arrived during when compared with the awkwardness she had felt numerous times around Echo and Johnny or when Serena still liked James and was playing her violin. Lydia's cheeks plumped up slightly more as she remembered how awkward that whole thing had been then and peeked at James a moment before looking back to Aodh and trying not to laugh because she didn't want him to think that she was laughing at him as he talked about his experiences and how he had learned to use the stars to tell the date.

"We won't... see you tomorrow!" she said happily, content to spend the rest of the evening until bed at least moderately alone with James.

Urazek Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -​

James' smiled and rubbed noses back affectionately. "Hummshoomnum." he hummed, rubbing Lydia's back.

He jumped a little then stiffened when someone else's voice spoke up, tilting his head sideways to see . . . the archeologist penguin?

He thought awhile when Lydia spoke. "You're right." he whispered back, chuckling.

Aodh just kept on talking. James kept his expression civil, though inside he was growing more and more annoyed their moment was disturbed. But Lydia's friendliness and her leaning on his shoulder eased him enough to join the conversation as historical arcane sites interested him greatly.

"See you, Aodh." he nodded and asked Pond to escort him back to the town. The giant owl bear had been too busy making her snow castle to notice him earlier and was a little embarassed since she was supposed to be guarding them.

James settled back to chilling with Lydia, swapping winter stories and helping Pond with her snow castle when she came back.

Roleplay Skittle Urazek

* * * *

- Winslow -​

"Baa." nodded Butters and sniffed the embroidery.

Johnny and his mother were waiting for Echo at the gates of the farm. She wanted to go with them around town and introduce her to their way of living, though it was probably to chaperone them more than anything.

Johnny's face lit up excitedly when he saw Echo. "Hello my, Echo Mello!" he said jogging up to meet her. He held his hands behind his back and was unusually not touching her at all and keeping a chaste distance away. " Ready to paint the town red?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

***Early that day after chores***​

Echo smiled at Butters and petted his horn again in thanks before leaving to the gates of the farm and meet up with Johnny and his mother. She smiled and waved cheerfully, understanding why he's not as close or holding her hand. 'Considering his mother is here and watching over us.' She thought to herself as she greeted his mother with a polite smile.

"Hello my Jolly Johnny~!" Then she nodded gleefully.

"Uh-huh! Oh and Johnny...Um...I have something for you..." Echo pulled out the handkerchief she made, showing it to him in a timid manner. "I know it's not as good as everyone else in the village but...Um...Here..." She was nervous: What if he didn't like it? What if the stitching was too weird or if the design was too immature? Maybe she should of tried doing something similar to what the other ladies did.

'Stop...freaking out...' She scolded herself mentally as she watched Johnny's expression, her green eyes looked so hopeful as she honestly hoped he likes it.

***Later that day***​

After looking around the village, Echo told Johnny that she would be at the lake where the other couple is and walked to the frozen lake. She accidentally bumped into Chenglei who just finished with his work for the prince and wanted to see his friends. So she told him that she was going to where Lydia and James were which made him perk up and asked her if he could accompany her. The fawn agreed though they kept their space as they knew the village would probably judge them for just being in the same area even when they are just friends.

Once they saw Lydia and James, Echo waved at them, calling them out while cupping her hand as if she wanted to amplify her voice.

"Lydia! James! Hi!!"

"Hello, my dear little brother and sweet sister!!"

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

With as big as Pond is, the snow castle was surely a treat and Lydia got a bit involved with helping the giant owl bear and James in building it, describing fantastical things they could do to make it fancy and seeming a bit overly excited about it. She went into a story about her brothers and herself building snow forts but Thomas would always mess up whatever she would try to do because he didn't like it and would complain that forts weren't supposed to be fancy and even when Frederick would stop him, he'd just do it behind his back.

She told James about how her grandmother used to make them warm milk with honey when they came in from playing in the snow and she'd serve them warm, glazed buns with fruit inside and she always made them all with different fruits so each one was a surprise. Thomas always tried to steal all of the cherry ones but her grandmother always saved a few just for her because she knew how Thomas was.

* * * *
​

Lydia sat beside the lake, attempting to lace up her skates properly. Her lips were puckered and turned up to the side as she put the strings through the holes and adjusted them so that the beige colored skates fit comfortably Lydia had relatively small feet and the skates were shaped much the same as her normal foot wear, the only difference was they were made slightly bulkier by the blades on the bottoms. When both skates were laced up properly, Lydia stretched her legs out and looked at them, tilting her head to the side.

A slight smile blossomed on her lips, her cheeks and nose slightly rosy from the cold air. She was picturing how foolish she was about to look. She was not a graceful person, much to her mother's chagrin. She wondered if it was because she had never put the effort into having grace as anything she wanted to do didn't require it or if it was because it was just how she was born. Either way, she supposed it didn't matter, it wasn't like she could reverse time, at least she was pretty sure that wasn't possible. That got her to thinking about actually being able to manipulate time. She didn't really know what she would do with that ability since there wasn't really anything she regretted terribly so it was just a matter of curiosity rather than her wanting use of that kind of magic.

She shook her head as she had been staring off into the bright sky while in thought, this summoned a slight giggle from her and she began to slowly amble to her feet, now curious as to how one walks in bladed shoes. She paused as she was rising to her feet when she heard Echo and Chenglei call out, her posture slightly awkward as her knees were together and her feet set apart as she wobbled on the skates, raising an arm and waving enthusiastically to the too before losing her balance, both of her arms out to her sides waving frantically as she tried not to fall on her face.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Urazek]

Aodh awoke to the nice cozy chill provided by the snow. Waking to such a nice feeling reminded Aodh of all the times he had been excavating in snowless areas. It was dreadful, if not horrendous in the hot regions, because even the ice he would spray everywhere would melt within a few minute. 'But the might be because of the ice itself and not the temperature. This ice is meant to melt faster for easier cleanup,' he thought to himself. Unburying himself from the snow, Aodh stepped outside to find he had really slept in. Looking around, he didn't see any of his friends, so he decided to go to the lake, as that was where he last saw Lydia and James. He also remembered that they had planned on going ice skating, so maybe he could to that too.

Following the path he had taken yesterday, Aodh saw that all the shops were now open. He passed a few food stands when he thought about how hungry he was. At the next vendor he passed, he purchased a slab of cooked meat, and continued on his way, tearing pieces of the meat as he walked.

Upon reaching the lake, Aodh found that the others were in fact there. He saw Lydia wearing ice skates and struggling to stand, as well as Echo and Chenglei. Waddling over, Aodh greeted his friends very merrily. "Hello! How did everyone sleep. I found that I slept so well, I accidentally slept through breakfast. Thankfully I was able to purchase some food from the vendors on my way here. Are we going ice skating, because I love to skate. I always carry my special penguin skates everywhere I go because you never know when you will find a frozen lake. Although I may be a little rusty, as I haven't skated in a long time." Aodh pulled his miniaturized skates from his bag, returned them to regular size, and slipped them on his feet. Lacing them up quickly despite his lack of fingers, Aodh dashed out onto the ice, leaving his pack behind, and zoomed around a bit to get remind himself how to skate. He motioned for the others to join him.

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Later that Day, Frozen Lake, Winslow "​

"Aha!" yelled James triumphantly, arms wide, ice skates slippy-sliding as he successfully stood up on the frozen lake. "Lydia, Aodh, l'm doing it!" he announced proudly, leaning so that he sloooowly started to glide forward. "Hey, Echo, and . . . you." he added at Chenglei. "Come join us!"

James pushed forward like a stiff statue. He didn't slow down --- no, he couldn't stop. "Whoa, whoa, stop, stop!" he yelled at his skates as he wooshed pass and stumbled out the edge and into a mound of snow that now had a James-shaped-hole on it.

Pond clapped enthusiastically. The giant owl bear looked out on the frozen lake wistfully, wanting very much to skate too, but she was afraid she might break the ice.

Roleplay Skittle Katsuya Urazek

- Johnny Caprice -
" Earlier that Day, Winslow "​

Johnny received Echo's embroidered kerchief with the same expression he wore when Renee gave him a lunch box, like he'd never received embroidery before. He was straining restlessly not to fling his arms around her.

"Thank you, Echo! This is the first embroidery I've ever received! They always said I'd never get one, and now I did, and it's from you! I'd accepted that I would never get anything like this, but now I got it, and it's from you! I know I'm repeating myself, but yeah!" he beamed.

And since he could not hug her, he poured all his heart to a most earnest and sober, "Thank you."

Katsuya

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia's attention drifted to Aodh as he too came onto the scene and she waved at him as well, though a little more timidly since she was still trying to get her balance before she looked over towards James as he called out. She couldn't help but grin. It wasn't that she thought he looked foolish which made her grin so much as the fact that he likely knew he looked foolish as he knew they both would but was still willing to try and skate in front of her. A desire to look suave or graceful in front of the person one cares about is commonplace, it's the times when caution is thrown to the wind and one decides not to put on a facade that are truly meaningful.

When James crashed into the snow, she gasped softly before giggling. She knew he likely wasn't hurt considering the huge pile of snow he just buried himself in, so she didn't worry to much but did try to scramble her way across the ice towards him. She had put on some black leather gloves to keep her hands warm while skating and used them to catch herself whenever she leaned forward as she partially skated, partially walked across the ice, it seemed like ages before she finally reached him, "are you alright?" she spoke with a smile as she sat in the snow beside where he had landed.

Zer0 Katsuya Urazek

 

[Katsuya]

Echo perked up when she noticed his happy expression and smiled silly, her cheeks turning as red as her hair. Her ears twitched as she restrained herself by grabbing her arm and gripping on the dress like she wanted to hug him tight. "...Y-Your welcome..." She swayed in place, rubbing a hoof on her leg before standing right a leaned in a bit, not moving from her spot.

"I'm really happy that you like my first embroidery..." She whispered like it was a happy secret. Then she leaned back into place and grinned.

"Sooo~...Show me around?" Echo asked timidly as she smiled at Johnny, her shoulders hunched up a bit and her green eyes shined. It's just like when they first met, when she was so nervous and skittish around him, but now she's more happy than anything instead of being nervous and shy. The only thing that's making her like this is because she didn't want his mother's disapproval.

***

Echo giggled when she saw James crashing into the snow and shook her head. Chenglei laughed his butt off, slapping his knee. "Little brother, Th-that was-! PFFT! HAHAH!!" He went to find a pair of skates to wear. The fawn looked at her hooves and wondered if she could even skate...like their new penguin companion...

"Hello Aodh...Hmm..."

So she tried. Echo placed one hoof on the ice then another once she thought it was okay, waving her arms to gain balance. She pushed herself without meaning to, skating past Aodh, her hooves hit the ice making a loud 'Clap' sounds as she tries to catch herself upright...

Only to speed up instead.

"U-um!"

"I got you.." Was Chenglei's reassuring voice as she felt an arm holding her up from her waist and a light tug to slow her down. The fawn looked up at him, a bit amazed that he can skate. "Lei-lei, you know how to skate?"

"Part of training, but yes." The blond soldier said as he grabbed her hands and guided her by gliding backwards, teaching her how to gain balance and not freak out. "Hello, my penguin chap. I see you had a lovely night!" He called back to the archeologist with a grin.

"Um...James, do you need help?" Echo asked out loud.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle Urazek

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Later that Day, Frozen Lake "​

"Yeah." James was sniggering inside the hole, "This is fun." Grinning, he re-emerged with so much snow on his head and shoulders, cheeks and nose tinged pink from the cold.

He could not get up again. "Yeah, I do!" he answered Echo. "How did you get here, Lydia?" he added to her. Inching back on to the ice butt first, he crossed his legs and tried to get up again, but nope, one leg slid forward by itself and he landed on his bum.

He will not be defeated by ice!

Roleplay Skittle Katsuya

- Johnny Caprice -
" Earlier that Day, Winslow "​

"Of course, my lady." said Johnny, bowing like a gentleman.

It was new, walking around town at least a foot apart and never touching. His mother, strict and stern, was pleased that Echo knew how to do chores well and was very pliant in adapting to their culture. Today was bread making day where the women took turns in this communal area where there were many large native stoves made of brick that allowed them to bake as much as twenty pieces of bread at once.

They made their bread round like pizza, and kneaded designs on the dough. Flour from wheat was an uncommon commodity as they didn't grow in the tundra, and so they would add preservatives to keep them good, and only ate them during special occasions. Bread was like their cake.

As ever, people were very curious about Echo and her hooves and were even more surprised to learn that she and Johnny were 'betrothed'. After the baking, his mother wanted to go back home for lunch, but he insisted that Echo try the butterbeer and the hot cocoa with the funny marshmallows in the Jolly Bulldog and she relented, surprised that his son was voicing his opinions so easily to her.

When his mother had to go to the loo, he took this opportunity to speak to Echo about some things. "Love, where would you want to live?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

It was definitely strange to walk around without holding Johnny's hand but considering his mother is happy...she won't complain. Out loud, anyways.

As they walked around and hearing about baking bread, Echo didn't know if she could bake detailed bread like the other ladies can, but she'll give it a shot. The bread definitively came out...strange. The details she added were simple braids but when baked, it looked like lumps. Lots of lumps like the lumps on someone's head after being hit. There was one that looked like leaves surrounding the rim.

Echo grinned sheepishly as she showed it to Johnny, blushing red.At least it wasn't burnt. That's always a plus.

After baking, Echo nodded at Johnny's suggestion of trying Butterbeer and the hot cocoa with the funny marshmallows. She hummed, pleased with how tasty they are! "Wow! These are really good!" She told Johnny cheerfully as she took another sip.

Once his mother went to the loo, Echo looked over at Johnny and blinked in surprise. "...Hmmm...Anywhere that we can call our own." Her ears twitched. "Honestly I don't mind as long I'm with you." Her honesty ringed in her voice.

***

Chenglei taught Echo to at least stand still on the ice and how to fall on her bum so it wouldn't hurt as much as she practiced on her own.

Sighing a bit, relieved that she's willing, he started to remember one of Serena's tunes, skating into the song he has in his mind. He was in his own little world, taking footsteps that rhythmically followed Serena's cords as she played in his head. He skated around like he has a dance partner to this spicy and yet playful tune of hers. It was strange too, because it really felt he grabbed someone and is dancing with them.

'Oh well...' Chenglei shrugged it off, spinning his 'partner' around before making glide with him. He movements were swift like he didn't give his partner a chance to keep up with him however he made sure to keep them safe from falling, always within his arms' reach as spun them around again before making them go in the air. He caught them of course and spun them around some more.

To Echo, it looks like Chenglei was intricately dancing, weaving and turning sharp turns that made her wonder why is he a soldier and not a pro at skating. Though what made her eyes wide with amusement and smiling like a loon is that Chenglei was dancing with-!

The blond stopped, breathing hard as he finally opened his eyes and saw that he was holding James in his arms, dipping him like they were in a salsa dance party and over a pile of snow. Chenglei blinked before smiling his princely smile and purred to James. "Well well....What do we have here? It's my little brother, James." That's when he dropped him back into the snow and skated away, feeling like he got his revenge for the bee that kept biting, stinging and tickling him.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Serena's violin spell for Foo!

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

She couldn't help but laugh as she heard James, she was glad he was having fun despite falling. She then leaned back from the hole and sat out of the way so that Echo could help James up when she arrived. Of course she wasn't the one who arrived and instead in her place, Chenglei raised James from the snow," er... with.. much difficulty?" she stammered out, blinking a bit in confusion as James was whisked away by the blonde soldier.

After a moment, Lydia attempted to get back on her feet, once more her gracelessness shining true as her legs wobbled, her rear in the air and her fingertips touching the ground as she tried to straighten. Her upper body was leaned back slightly, wobbling with her arms up on either side of her and bent at the elbows. She attempted to step onto the ice, now focusing on getting better at just standing let alone actually skating.

Once one foot was steady, she stepped out with the other and just stood there a moment before taking a deep breath as she willed herself forward. She just sort of shuffled along and looked a lot like a little old lady what with her scarf wrapped over her hair and around her neck, her posture of leaning forward, and the shuffling of her feet.

Zer0 Katsuya Urazek

 

[Urazek]

Aodh watched, bemused at everyone's attempts at skating. He himself almost fell from laughing so hard when James crashed into the pile of snow. It reminded Aodh of when he had to take an expedition team across a frozen river to get to the dig site. Half the people kept falling while trying to walk across, and the others were smart and used shields and sleds to slide across. Aodh was also impressed at the skill with which the blonde knight took to the ice.

Aodh skated around for watching everyone attempt, noticing Echo's improvement at not falling. Suddenly, Chenglei zipped past him, and appeared to be dancing with James, although James just appeared to be confused. Aodh took the moment to rest and watch as the knight twirled and threw around James, never letting him escape the dance. Aodh wondered how Chenglei learned to skate, and was impressed at the skill with which he kept both of them from falling, since James couldn't even stand on the ice. When Chenglei stopped dancing, he unceremoniously dropped James, as if he just noticed who he was dancing with.

Getting up again, Aodh noticed that Lydia was struggling to get walk, looking like his great grandma did when she walked around the house, except his great grandma wouldn't fall if left alone, so he decided to help Lydia. He skated towards her, his tiny legs giving suppressing thrust with each push. Circling Lydia a few times to slow down, Aodh stopped in front of her. "Do you need help? If you want, you can use me as balance until you feel comfortable standing on the ice. Don't worry about falling too much, I will adjust myself if need be to prevent you from falling as much as I can."

Roleplay Skittle