Fantasy Moments in Time

[Roleplay Skittle]

-Lydia Dubois-
"Third Meeting"
​

Time had seemed to go by so quickly that Lydia had scarcely noticed the changing in seasons and the more festive atmosphere. When she did, she thought about home and what everyone was doing and looked forward to receiving word from her family after the holidays were over. On her part, she had kept to writing once every two weeks, mainly because she didn't want to fall behind on what she wanted to tell her family but she also didn't want to disrupt her studies too much by constantly updating them. Her letters were brief in what she told her family about the people she was staying with, focusing primarily on what she had learned and the progress she had made as well as all the amazing things she had seen since the first day.

At first the enchantments around the castle had startled her since there was nothing like them at her home during the holidays, then she became fascinated by them, sometimes repeatedly walking back and forth in front of an object just to hear carols, at times doing it annoyingly too often which was likely part of what inspired the twins to insert foul language into the lyrics. When Lydia first heard one, she gasped and her eyes grew wide, her cheeks coloring red as her hands clapped over her mouth. She never used profanities when she spoke and it made her ears burn to hear them. Upon Sophie discovering what the twins had done, Lydia was grateful and hoped that they had learned their lesson and wouldn't do it again... or at the very least not insert profanities but instead some other silly words of some sort.

That little prank was a likely example of things to come for Lydia. Of course she was naive, although she wasn't totally trusting since she had been warned Markl about the twins. She had taken it upon herself to request permission from Master Howl that on the occasion that the twins did prank her, could she prank them back, after all, that was only fair. Of course she couldn't prank on the same level as them whenever they used magic, but she did have her own repertoire of pranks thanks to her brothers, so with each lizard down her back she responded itching powder down their shirts. To ever water balloon dropped on her head, a carefully calculated and placed water or snow prank such as a bucket of water over their door so when it was opened, the water would spill or snowballs to the face after she would call their names and they'd look at her. Of course she never used the same prank in the same way so they wouldn't expect them when they came. When they cast the spell on her door, she told them that she was unfamiliar with the song and dance she was supposed to use to open the door and asked them to show her, laughing like a maniac if they did because she had lied.

Lydia hung on every one of Master Howl's words during his lectures, taking notes diligently, she quickly had to learn a form of shorthand that would be applicable to her lessons because otherwise she was afraid she would miss something. She hadn't ever had to take notes before because the last time she had been in school, she was far too young to have needed to. The lectures were all well and good, but she really supremely delighted in the outdoor lessons. Her first spark was created when she didn't create a full incantation, instead, after failing to create a spark when she was just trying to focus her mind on it without any focusing aid, she had decided to try a single phrase. The spark she had created turned into a roaring fire because she had used only the word, 'fire,' to cast. She had always known that magic required a delicate touch, but she hadn't really considered the specifics of how one could actually cast and that prompted her to begin writing full phrases of what she wanted her spells to accomplish. She also delighted in the fact that she had Master Howl's permission to use the twins as stun targets and had narrowed her large green eyes on them menacingly, though the glare was accompanied by an amused smile.

The novice witch was very glad to have the aged Witch of the Waste to talk to and enjoyed anything that she told her, sitting there absolutely rapt with the stories like a child would and of course she was full of questions and had a long list that she would ask at the end of each tale as well as questions that just involved magic because she enjoyed discussing the topic and seeing different viewpoints on different schools since these were things she hadn't gotten to speak of before. Of course when the Witch of the Waste visited with her, she was always careful to keep a handkerchief nearby in case Heen had decided to tag along. She thought the dog was a funny little creature and she hadn't seen anything like him before and often wondered if he wasn't another magical beast.

Upon the announcement of a 'magical excursion,' by Master Howl, Lydia wasn't entirely sure about the idea, "eeeeeeeeh?!" She gasped loudly, her eyes wide in surprise as she scanned the Master's face to see if he was joking. The concept was exciting, but she wasn't sure if she was really ready. She could barely even cast the spells that she had learned.

-James' Haircut-
​

Her fingers were positioned delicately on the pages of the book she was reading as she sat reclined against a tree, her glasses perched on the end of her nose as she scanned the words of one of the only books she had brought with her in order to pack light. She lowered the book as she heard the heavy footfalls of an angry James, her brow furrowing as she saw that it was indeed he who was stomping aggressively towards her, setting the ribbon in the books' binding to mark her place before she lay the book beside her and sat more upright as she prepared to ask him what was wrong only to yelp instead as hugged her tightly.

She looked perplexed for a moment, her large eyes blinking in confusion though without really thinking about it, her arms wrapped around him and comfortingly rubbed his back, listening to his soft grumblings about the archer couple. She could only imagine what had happened by the sight of his bruised face and lump on his head. She urged him to lay his head on her lap and gently kissed his forehead, careful not to touch either of his injuries because she knew they'd probably be tender.

Her slender fingers wove softly through his hair as she let him get it out of his system before smiling sweetly to him. Thomas had often gotten into fights before he started focusing more on taking care of their family's company and she had often seen him ranting and raving at their mother who had been the one to calm him down, so this wasn't an unusual sight, "James... I know it's difficult... because she is your sister... but..." her lips pursed slightly as her mouth shifted a bit to the side as she thought of exactly how to word what she wanted to say and sighed as she spoke, "Renee isn't very likely to listen to the advice given to her. She thinks with her heart."

Probably getting the gist of what the fight had been about, her lips folded inwards before the corner of her mouth quirked slightly in a smile, "But James... she's not wrong," her fingers twirled through his hair affectionately as her gaze drifted to the freshly trimmed locks, assuming that Renee did it and that was when they had their argument, "I distanced myself from you by asking you not to stay on the airship... I would be distancing myself still if it were actually that easy to do..." she blushed slightly, she understood how Renee and Seifer felt and right now it was actually less dangerous for them to be together since the dragon now inhabited both of them whereas her situation with James was as the other couple's had been previously, "besides... I don't think that it would be that easy to split them up..." she was recalling her time spent with them on the airship. She didn't think that they had the right head space, but she also didn't think that they would listen to anything she had to say and typically thought their judgement was clouded. In a lot of ways she thought about them the same as James did.

Gazing off into the distance she recalled something that her father had told her mother in regards to her brother's antics, "sometimes you have to let them make mistakes in order for them to learn," she laughed slightly and looked back to James, "I know that's normally not in such a dangerous situation, but in regards to love... doesn't it apply?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- Yesterday -​

"Yes . . ." said James moodily, curling up on Lydia's lap and holding her hand on his hair, bringing it down to the side of his jaw where the bruise was. "But what if she gets hurt really bad or almost dies like back at Baffin? I understand it's hard to distance yourself from the one you love," he looked up at Lydia, " --- argh, I can't tell her to break up with him because I'm the same." He abruptly sat up. "I'm going to get something, I'll be back."

He strode off, then came back with his pack and set it down as he rummaged inside for something. He looked around surreptitiously before pulling out a couple of books: 'Honey I Wrecked the Kids!', 'How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & How to Listen so Kids will Talk', and 'Presto! Effective Discipline for 2-12 Year Olds' among some of them. They all seemed to be parenting books, and they all had toilet paper bookmarks.

James went back to lying on Lydia's lap, turning with his back towards camp so that no one would see the books he was reading and showed her the things he read that he thought would be a good way to make Renee listen to him as he still wanted to try and talk to her again. He told her all about their fight and how they were going to talk tomorrow afternoon, and asked for her advice.

His anger had soothed down the moment she kissed his forehead, becoming flustered instead with his ears red and mouth twitching to a grudging smile, despite himself. But he was determined to be grumpy as he read and talked, though that too was no match when Lydia had started caressing his hair earlier. His grumpiness mellowed and his shoulders unwound.

He didn't speak for a while, just listened, read or looked at the passing clouds, the rustling trees, and Lydia who was calm and smiling. Her being calm makes him calm. He moved her hand down his heart and stretched out comfortably on the grass. "Can I stay here while you read?"

Roleplay Skittle

James' Haircut
- Today -​

"I'd like you to start, and what are you doing?" said James curiously at his sister as he sat on the ground too. Not wanting to appear scary as he knew he was tall, he then lay down too, not exactly sure where this was going.

Katsuya
The Story || Characters || OOC
​

 

[Katsuya]

-James' Haircut-
-Renee Pendragon-​

Renee giggled from her spot when James asked that and then just copied what she's doing, finding this whole thing becoming sillier. She shook her head.

"I'm doing what you would do with Sparks before; When you would lie down on the ground to not temper him..." Then she moved her head to her left where James is, smiling a bit. Her eyes glowed in amusement. He didn't need to do that...to show that he wasn't scary...even when he is at times...

"I thought it would show you that I don't want to fight..." Renee admitted softly. She stayed quiet for a moment...Then she sighed.

".......James, I'm tired." She started off calmly. "I'm tired of you controlling my actions and decisions. Why do you do that? I honestly feel like you think I'm too stupid and dumb to make my own choices here..."

As always, Renee is still blunt with her words.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- Today -​

"You sometimes are." said James just as bluntly. "But that's not who you are. Only when it comes to helping others you often recklessly go to their aid without thinking about your own safety, and you end up getting hurt, almost dying one time. I don't want you to get hurt, that's why."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee thought for a moment. Wings fluttering.

"...but that doesn't mean you can control me like that. It's very demeaning." Renee told him. "I'm not a little kid anymore, I'm not an adult either. One way or another, I will get hurt. Even when I'm not being reckless, I still get hurt, James."

She rolled to her side to face him, using her arms as a pillow of sorts. "My worst injuries come from you and the twins sometimes. Whenever you control me, that time in the tournament, when you disregard anything I suggest, it brings me down. It makes me think 'I'm too dumb. I'm so dumb that my smart and clever brothers already deem me as the idiot that can't do anything right'." She sighed. "That's why I said that we should discard my notes. I thought you already figured everything out and I'm just too slow...I mean if you didn't believe me before why should now be any different?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- Today -​

"It's not different. More like I'm starting to be in letting you go." said James thinking. He sighed resolutely. "If Seifer is important to you that you'd risk your life for him, " his thoughts flashed back to the time he thought Lydia was going to die, "then alright. I won't demean you any more and let you make your own decisions. Just promise me that at least you'll choose the decision you won't regret the most and to stop and think about your safety too, alright?"

Katsuya

- Third Meeting -​

Howl laughed, patting his apprentice's shoulder amiably. "Good to see your enthusiasm, Lydia! Now, Sir William Ebeneezer Biscuit, a very old friend of mine, has delivered a box of Murtlap Tentacles, Howlet's Wing, and Exploding Ginger Eyelashes to this address and I want you to go and bring the box here." he drew out a small roll of parchment from his robes and handed it to her.

"Hey, don't worry," he added confidently, seeing the look on her face. " Everything you need to know is written here and all you have to do is follow them."

The small parchment read, in Howl's impressively large untidy scrawl:

" 12 pcs. Murtlap Tentacles from Boskov & Grunnings, 1 bottle Pickled Howlet's Wing from Biscuit Corp., 100g. Exploding Ginger Eyelashes from Biscuit Corp.

Small red wooden box, silver octopus handle, silver edges, addressed to Wizard Jenkins.

Betony, Runespoor Fang Moors, across the Chizpurfle pits, under the Red Myrrhe Bridge (pay toll of 6 grunnings), inside the Horklump Stump next to the talking skeleton. (prepare a good joke in nordic)

Train to Croakoa leaves 7:15 a.m. tomorrow, King's Cross Station. Take airship to Betony."​

"I will only give you enough gold for the train tickets, so when you reach Betony, talk to some gypsies who can smuggle you into the airship." said Howl casually. "Remember, never eat or drink anything they offer you. You will do fine, my apprentice." and he laughed jovially again.

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

-James' Haircut-
-Renee Pendragon-​

The corner of her lips twitched up before it slowly grew into a wide smile, her eyes glowed, wings fluttering happily. "Alright. I'll do my best to stop and think before rushing in." Her cheeks turned pink again and she looked a bit embarrassed.

"T-Then would it b-be alright to a-ask for some advice if I ever n-need them? I-I asked Johnny before...about relationships, I mean and it w-worked rea-really well. C-Can I ask you a-about survival tips? Like what to look for if I ever get lost or what should be my main focus? Especially since we're here?" It felt really strange to ask her brother like this...but it felt good too since it means she's relying on him without really relying on him.

She stayed quiet after a while, even when James finished talking, absorbing the information like a sponge...and then...

"...Anything you want to ask or curious about?" Renee has another thing she wants to tell James, but she wanted to answer his questions too if he has any.



Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- James Pendragon -​

"You trust me with relationship advice?" said James, surprised. "Alright." he said, looking happier that she trusted him despite their fights before.

"Survival? Hmm . . ." he rested his chin on his knuckles. "Since you can't use magic, you can use a concave mirror or your gems to reflect sunlight on some tinder to make fire, or if it's night time you can make a fire plow. If you lose your radio, you can use wet wood to create a lot of smoke to signal others from far away. If you lose your tent you must make a lean-to or a debris shelter before nightfall." said James, showing her how. "Your main focus should be regrouping, or if that's impossible, go to a place we've made camp before or a place we'd said we'd meet."

He went on about the other essential tidbits of knowledge he learned from military training with the orientals, like how honey doesn't rot, to always dry your clothes or else you'll grow fungi, and that if you find worms in your wounds, don't remove them, just cover them and let them eat the dead skin and clean your wound for a few days as they'll keep infection from happening.

James did have one question that he was hesitant to ask, but after a moment he asked away. "How's Seifer's soul and yours?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-James' Haircut-
-Renee Pendragon-​

"...I wouldn't ask if I didn't trust you, James." Renee looked at him like he was silly for asking that.

When she heard James' question, she furrowed her eyebrows, now really worried about something. "Seifer is fine as long he doesn't feel scared....Mine however..." It took some time for her to actually put it to words. "...Remember how I was having an anxiety attack yesterday? Well...I heard something in my head and I know it wasn't the Manna tree."

"It's much darker. It told me to hate you, to call you out for being a hypocrite, to call you dumb..." Renee curled up a bit, scared. "...It said I was dumb and everything I do is just making it that much worse for everyone. That I'm a failure at helping...that I'm even letting Seifer down and that he doubts on being together with me..." Her dimmed orange eyes looked at James. Her wings trembled.

"I don't know what to do, James. I'm really scared that it might happen again when I start doubting myself. Am I really letting everyone down? I don't want that. I really don't want to let anyone down-!" Renee paled at the thought as her eyes got watery.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- James Pendragon -​

"I've got an idea, I'll be right back." James dashed back into the direction of camp, then came back with something in his hand. It was a tiny strip of blue ribbon, like the ones on book marks. He sat close to her.

"This is from my favorite bookmark --- my only bookmark that isn't toilet paper actually." he tied it around her wrist. "Whenever you feel like a failure, this is your big brother's apology for doubting you about crossing the Storm Wall. Because if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here. Remember too that you were right about our parents all along, because that was what your heart told you. You also saved Seifer from the nightmare and changing him for the better. He's not so much a jerk as before, and that if he doubts being together with you, it's not because he wants to leave you, because I can see that he needs you the way he looks at you. He's doing it to protect you, and that is love. You are loved by him. Okay?"

He looked embarrassed for saying mushy things, but he looked at Renee steadily. "I love you too, even if I looked at you weird because you were belly dancing or coming out of Seifer's tent smelling like him, and him smelling like you. It's okay that we're different --- after all I've never seen you as happy as when you and him started dating. I know there's a lot of things I don't know about him, but I-I'm willing to give him a chance --- but I owe him a punch for yesterday." he showed his fist.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"O-Okay.." Renee weakly responded, sitting up and wondering what he was up to as she watched him leave. She gripped tightly on her necklace to calm down and took deep breathes, trying to meditate. Though sometimes she winced.

When James came back, showing her the blue ribbon and wrapping it around her wrist, Renee was touched. It's a small gesture, sure, but the meaning behind it meant so much more to the sister. At the end of his sweet speech, she let out a laugh. A real hearty laugh that ringed out of the forest as tears started to fall down from her cheeks. She smiled wide and relieved. It felt like her brother just put a band aid on her scraped knee and gave it a kiss too so it can heal. Soothing her doubts away.

The Pendragon sister practically hug-tackled her brother down, though she knows he can handle it now and squeezed him. "That is the most sweetest and manliest thing you have ever done, James." She looked up at him with wide and bright glowing eyes. He can tell that she meant that. She really meant it. She sniffed. "Thank you...T-thank you for being the best big brother."

Then she sat up on her knees, parted his hair, and kissed his forehead, an action she hasn't done to him only to the younger siblings. It's something she thought James wouldn't appreciate since he's older but she wanted to let him know that she's really touched.

"James, I'm sorry for calling you an idiot. You're far from it." Renee said. "To be honest, I've always looked up to you. I wanted to impress you by doing things you can't do because I know you don't like copycats. You're the type who appreciates hardworking people in their fields and I wanted you to acknowledge me too. It's why I took up Herbalogy and wanting to be a medi-witch. It's why I always want to find another solution instead of following what you tell me; because I wanted to show you the other ways to do things. It isn't because I think your logic is flawed. I listen to it and try to find another way. If that didn't work, then I look again in case I miss something." She was completely red, obviously really embarrassed to say what she really felt like towards her brother.

"I know I'm not as smart as you or clever as the twins or magically inclined as dad, but I still wanted you to see me as me, not just as your hopeless little sister." Her wings covered her cheeks as she hunched a bit, looking really shy now. "I wanted to make you proud..."

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-James' Haircut-
​

Her brow twitched slightly as James placed her hand on his jaw. She caressed it ever so delicately so as not to hurt him and listened carefully to what he said, though she wouldn't offer her response immediately, waiting until he returned with his assortment of books before she lightly shook her head as though she were dismissing some illusion and smiled slightly, taking in all of the information he was giving her and thinking about it intently before her lips were pulled in again for a moment and she moistened them before she began slowly and gently speaking, "the incident at Baffin didn't have anything to do with Seifer... the fact that she only went with him is one thing, but I get the feeling she would have gone regardless... just she may have actually told someone where she was going," Lydia was insinuating that Renee would have been in danger anyway so there was really no point blaming Seifer for that because from what she had gathered, Seifer had been against leaving anyway.

She then turned her attention to the books as she continued to think, she put herself in Renee's shoes. She had two older brothers, one of which doted on her and one which thought she was a loon, though she knew they both cared about her. Frederick was more like James however so she pictured if Frederick disliked James and told her to break up with him. Her brow furrowed slightly as she considered this before she shook her head again and gestured towards the books, "you are trying to parent Renee? But you aren't her parent... you shouldn't try to talk to her like you are," her hands gently massaged him, the one still caressing his jaw and sometimes his neck while the other rubbed his shoulder, "I know... if either of my brothers told me to do things that weren't directives from my parents, I wouldn't listen to them either. That's not their place... their place is to give me advice because they are older and have been through more. They have actually dated and Frederick has even courted and married, so I know I could go to them for advice."

She rested her hand on his shoulder and went back to lightly combing through his hair with her other hand, "of course they would still get the privilege of pulverizing anyone that hurt me because as my brothers, that would be their right," she sighed slightly, "I guess what I am saying is... be there for Renee... give her advice based on experience - not something you read in a book. Let her know your opinions on why you think she should or shouldn't do things.. but don't tell her what to do because that will just make her reject you more."

She took off her glasses and sweetly nuzzled his forehead before giving him another smooch and putting her glasses back on. She retrieved her book and opened it again, holding it with one hand as she continued to stroke James' hair. After a while, when he asked if he could stay while she read, she looked at him with mild surprise before giggling slightly, "do you even need to ask?"

-Third Meeting-
​

Enthusiasm? Had he lost his mind? Lydia continued to stare at her master with wide eyes as he went about like she hadn't given the reaction she had. However, her posture did straighten as he began giving her oral directions and she listened carefully as he spoke and wishing that she had parchment and quill at the ready. Though she felt less disconcerted as Howl handed her the rolled parchment with written directions and she accepted it gratefully while nodding hesitantly.

Her gaze drifted from Master Howl to the paper and back again a few times before she unrolled the paper and read the directions, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered them. She seemed to gather that she was to go to another address to retrieve a package meant for Master Howl.. though why the package hadn't just been delivered to him and why he even bothered telling her what was in it was beyond her. She supposed he wanted her to check and make sure that the package was intact before she brought it back and she wondered what she was to do if all the ingredients listed weren't enclosed. She turned a scrutinizing eye towards Master Howl, though she didn't question her assignment, she supposed that was part of her test.

She listened silently as he continued, looking a bit flabbergasted by his laughter at the end, but she just did her best to smile in return and nodded her head, "understood, Master Howl," was all she could offer in the end. She couldn't show her anxiety at the idea of travelling alone, for she didn't even know how long to places she had never even heard of. She had never even traveled alone for great distances in ordinary circumstances, someone from her family had always been with her wherever she went. She didn't let onto that though, she had to show that she was a willing and capable apprentice worthy of having Howl Pendragon as her master.

​

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- Yesterday -​

"Guess I don't." he chuckled, gazing at Lydia fondly. He reached up to cup and caress her cheek with a hand. "Okay, I'll do that and not tell her what to do." he laid the parenting books aside and thought awhile. "Lydia, about the no kissing rule, did you mean you can kiss me, but I can't kiss you?"


Roleplay Skittle

James' Haircut
" Today "
​

"I am proud." said James in a cracked voice. He looked up at the sky blinking too much. "Look at you, standing all by yourself and standing up for what you believe in even when everyone was against you and you were down in the dirt."

​

He ruffled her hair. "Getting better at art, getting better at herbalism, getting better at archery, and now dancing . . . You always stick to your decisions no matter how difficult it is --- I mean, dating Seifer who's a deathknight --- just going straight like a bulldozer. I'm proud . . . and, you're welcome." he added, feeling embarrassed by her praise and kissing her forehead, yet very, very happy. It's like he and his sister were friends again.

​

He gave her a tight hug and pecked her forehead stoically, then just held her.

Katsuya​

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-James' Haircut-
​

Her nose crinkled a moment as she gave James a cute smile, her hand resting over his as it caressed her cheek, her eyes closing for a moment. She gave a slight nod as he made his decision and set the books aside, turning her attention back to her book.

Sitting in silence with him for a while, she continued to read, but as he questioned her eventually, her body tensed up visibly and her surprised gaze went from the book to James before she glanced away bashfully and once again set her book aside, "oh.. um... well..." she giggled and placed a hand with splayed fingers over her mouth, "it's... um... no."

Her cheeks had flushed crimson and a coquettish smile was plastered on her lips, "I... um.... my parents..." she sighed in a little huff and giggled again nervously, "th-they didn't want... myself or my brothers kissing before courtship... and... that just meant on the lips..."

Her finger gently stroked her lower lip before lowering to her lap and she glanced at him a moment, "I-I'm sorry if... when I kiss you... it bothers you," she took her glasses from her face and looked down at them as she held them in her lap anxiously, "I-I'll stop... if you want..."

Zer0

 

[Katsuya]

-James' Haircut-
-Renee Pendragon-​

Her eyes glowed with shiny tears falling down again. At this rate, she'll never stop crying. Well at least these tears are happy ones. Her cheeks flushed red as she nuzzled into her brother's hug, her wings fluttered and flapped in joy when she felt him kiss her forehead too.

Her brother is proud of her...Hearing that makes her chest warm and fuzzy.

As he held her, Renee decided to enjoy the quietness and make little tiny braids on his hair, at random times pecking the top of his head. Then she froze for a moment before sighing as if to ready herself for something-

"Ow..." Renee plucked a feather from her wing and braided that in, hanging with his side fringes and tying it with the rubber band she had around her wrist since yesterday. "There...A good luck charm to always keep going no matter what." She muttered quietly. A little exchange for the blue bookmark ribbon he gave her.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- Yesterday -​

" No, no, no, don't stop." said James immediately, holding her hands. "Don't stop. Ever. Forever. I like it!" his ears went read and a goofy eager smile crept up his face, which he tried and failed to stop. He covered his face with a hand and laughed --- then took a sharp intake of breath, looked at Lydia, and then covered his face again, feeling embarrassed that he was behaving this way, but still sniggering anyway.

"Could you give me a high-five?" he raised his palm.

Roleplay Skittle

James' Haircut
- Today -​

James chuckled and held Renee's feather. "Thanks, sis." he ruffled her hair and gave her one last tight hug, looking pleased and touched as he looked up at the sky and blinked too much. "Okay, that's enough mushiness for one day." he said, clapping her back stoically, though he was all smiles. "Let's go back to camp, it's almost sunset and I think it's your turn to cook dinner."

He pulled her into a one-armed headlock and gave her one last affectionate peck, then ruffled her hair. "Don't tell anyone I almost cried."

Katsuya

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-James' Haircut-​

She dropped her glasses as James snatched her hands, her gaze shifting up to him in surprise, though a sunny smile quickly found its way on her full lips as he made his declarations on how he felt about her kisses. Her cheeks stayed red, but her smile remained happy and she giggled bashfully, "o-okay..." she nodded slightly, watching James' expression with delight. He was doing that thing she liked again. Of course when he asked for a high-five, she cast him a perplexed glance before laughing and instead throwing her arms around him and showering a rain of kisses all over his face.

Zer0

 

[Katsuya]

-James' Haircut-
-Renee Pendragon-​

"Anytime bro...anytime..."

By the end of it, her hair looked like a wind just blew her hair all over but Renee didn't care. She likes getting her hair ruffled up. Though she grinned and beret when James patted her back like that, it hurt but she's not going to let James know. He looks happy. Renee loves seeing him happy and smiling like that. He rarely does.

"I don't know what you are talking about. You? Crying? Ha!" Renee played along, smiling widely as she silently promised not to say anything. It's their moment. No one else should know about it...Except for Seifer. He needs to hear this-! "Not my manly big brother..."

When they got back to camp, Renee was practically skipping into Seifer's arms, her wings fluttering happily even as she showed off the blue ribbon around her wrist to her boyfriend. When she cooked dinner, everyone noticed how delicious the food tasted and Renee would not tell why she's so happy and cheery that night.

The one who did know, other than her brother, is Seifer as she has told him what her brother said to her when they were suppose to be sleeping.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- James Pendragon -​

James hummed, quivering in delight on the grass and grinning ear to ear as he closed his eyes enjoying Lydia's shower of affection. He pulled her close, happily laughing. His entire face was so red, but he was wearing the brightest smile she's ever seen on his face.

When he opened his eyes he had this half-sleepy look like everything was right in the world and everything was invisible except for her. James cupped Lydia's plump cheeks and caressed with his thumb. His eyes never left her green ones as he pulled and touched foreheads with her.

How long they stayed that way in peaceful concord, he did not know, before he pressed his lips tenderly on her forehead and did not leave, hugging her tighter.

If he could describe this amazing feeling, it would be like a tsunami in his heart, and a feeling of satisfaction that he managed to express the love for her that's been growing inside him ever since she said it's okay for him to be angry else how will she get used to it.

James was so relaxed he didn't want to do anything else but just stay with Lydia the whole day, talking, joking around, and eventually falling asleep on her lap so at peace.

* * * *
​

The next day in the afternoon, James came leaping into her arms, overjoyed. "LYDIA! Renee thanked me and called me the best big brother and kissed my forehead!" he pointed at said forehead. "I did what you said and it worked, wow!" he kissed her cheek so enthusiastically it sounded like a wet plunger.

"You're so smart --- I was researching for months and it didn't work and you just told me that one thing and boom --- Renee gave me a feather braid!" he pointed at the side of his hair where a feather dangled at the end of said braid.

James hugged her enthusiastically. "Thank you, thank you ---" wet plunger kiss again, " --- shplok! --- Thank you!"

Roleplay Skittle

James' Haircut
- Seifer Rathmore -​

That night, Seifer was astonished that Renee's older brother acted . . . acted not like himself. He thought he was going to push for what he wanted again, being as stubborn as he is. Though, really, no one's as stubborn as his girlfriend.

"That's amazing, Renee." he said, still surprised. "Did not expect that. You're so happy." he smiled, hugging her, feeling happy too. "Okay . . . so . . . he's not as horrible as I thought." he looked at the blue ribbon around her wrist and suddenly wished he did something like that for Renee too. He just gave her a rock that he picked up on the ground.

He glanced at the Skarn necklace. Though the way Renee wore it, it was as if it was made of the most precious jewels ever. He's never seen her without it and that kind of made him happy. Come to think of it, he doesn't give much to Renee does he? Apart from the skarn, he hasn't given her flowers or any other presents. Even Johnny has given Echo probably enough flowers with her morning drink to grow a big garden.

"You know, I think I might be okay having him for a brother-in-law." said Seifer, "Think I should start calling him bro --- urgh, the sound is weird on my tongue." he smiled at Renee. "If he says he's willing to give me a chance then I'm willing to give him a chance too. Boy, you're so happy, I feel happy for you." he hugged her again.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-James' Haircut-
-Renee Pendragon-​

"Right? I didn't expect it either but I'm really glad we had this talk. It's been long over due to be honest." Renee giggled as she snuggled into his hug. Her wings fluttering has calmed but they still flutter away whenever she thought about it like right now.

"He never was horrible; he's just really awkward with showing his care," She explained with a wide grin. "but that makes this whole talk much more special because I know James doesn't do that for no reason."

Renee understands that James tends to be very...shy...no...embarrassed when it comes to his care or what he calls it 'Mushiness'. It's like whenever emotions happen, he would avoid it like the plague and hide in his room or anywhere with a lot of books. So when he actually showed his care like the way he did today or when they reunited with Sen and Minnie or him just hugging her and ruffling her hair; Renee always took it as a special thing to treasure. Which is why she doesn't tell anyone of James crying...ever. That's another special memory that she wants to keep to herself.

As she listened to Seifer, she took a deep intake of air, eyes widened as the already warm smile grew on her face. Then she snorted and giggled at his attempt of calling James 'Bro'. "You don't need to call him 'Bro' if you don't want to, but...thank you for giving him a chance too, my Snugglebunny~!" As she gushed, Renee placed so many loving kisses on his face while gently cupping his cheeks and rubbing with her thumbs. Her wings flapped in joy.

That night, she continued to leave butterfly kisses on Seifer while cuddling and snuggling until he fell asleep. Renee hummed a bit while braiding his hair, already feeling her eyelids getting droopy from the lack of sleep she had last night while overthinking. Then she sighed happily in a sleepy way and placed one last kiss on his forehead.

"...Goodnight sweetheart..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

Musings of an Old Witch
- One Shot -​

For a long time there has been a contrast to James that the Witch of the Waste has noticed: neat, very neat clothes, and yet a messy head of hair. A clean, very clean alchemist station in school, yet a dusty unkempt bedroom back at home. A highly polished wand precious to him, yet piles of dusty books he's loved to read scattered all about the house.

Nobody else thought this was odd.

If she remembered correctly, when James was just a little boy he used to come home late trailing sticks and mud on the carpet with a bag full of bottled insects, a lump of beeswax, beetle carapace, and a dirty book held up by a lot of spell-o-tape about the common creepy crawlies one found at night. He never liked combing his hair so he always had knots, and he'd always stomp his foot in protest whenever it was time to take a bath. Unlike his younger siblings who had been manifesting random outbursts of magic, James was quite the ordinary boy and he did not mind it one bit as he played with them all around the house.

He was so different now. He stayed mostly indoors that the skin browned from his endless excursions outside to discover 'lost civilizations' , 'secret treasures' , and to raid tombs of mummies, turned into its naturally pale color. That spell-o-taped book had been tucked into the corner of the bookshelf and gathering dust for years now. Instead, books on alchemy, magic, especially in the school of conjuration lay open on his desk, and by his bedside, lay the only polished and well-cared for item in the room: his Shield Alderwood wand.

Letters of praise and admiration for coming up first place in the Charms Club's recent wizarding contest lay carelessly on the floor. Earlier, he and his friends had burst into the house boasting about his victory as he gave his family the blow-by-blow account of how his spellwork trumped his foe. He was no longer the messy boy who came home late. He wore sharp handsome robes of blue and though he'd comb his hair many times, it always remained messy unless he used hair gel to tame it, and he'd come straight home from class or the library to immerse himself in his magical studies.

This boy, one of the pride of his parents, should have a strong and stable sense of self-assurance, yet as soon as the feelings of grandiosity fails every time someone ousted him in magic or scored better marks in conjuration, he is plagued by anxiety and deep feelings of guilt and shame quite unnatural for something as small as a ten-item surprise quiz, as though there was an ideal image and measure he must always adhere to.

What caused this change one might wonder? That is an excellent question, and one that will be answered in the next musings of an old witch.

 

[Zer0]

Mysterious Headbuttings
- One Shot -​

Every now and then Butters would headbutt Echo's butt for no reason and 'Baa!' at her grumpily. Johnny had scolded him and asked why he kept doing that, but the giant ram would not say and look the other way. Even when Echo would ask him what was it that she did wrong to him, Butters would give her this look as though telling her to figure it out.

Not quite the best way to handle things, but the fluffy ram did not like 'spelling it out'. It was something Echo needed to realize on her own, and when that time comes, be something that she'd want to do wholeheartedly and not because a giant ram called her out. It was also something that he just realized recently was also his Johnny's fault.

Snort

Johnny was nudged forward, and he looked behind him to see Butters giving him a patient look.

"What?"

'Baa.'

"You just said 'baa'.

Butters looked away and put his nose into the air.

"You want me to go to her?"

Butters busied himself with grazing in an unmistakable gesture of 'I don't know.'; Johnny punched him, the giant ram head-butted him, and they went at it until Johnny asked him again why he was acting this way, but Butters would not say and would just try to eat his hair.

Today was a Tuesday, another day in the warship and his Johnny had just summoned him from the dream he had been having to walk together to the Mess Hall. As usual they weren't walking from his room, they were walking from Echo's room, and the giant ram knew his Johhny had just slipped out from putting that hot drink, a flower, and one of his notes on Echo's bedside table before she woke up.

He can see it in his eyes, a silent question Johnny never says, 'When is it going to be my turn?'

And that is what made the giant ram grumpy at the two, though the ones he really wanted to headbutt were Johnny's parents. They were the true cause of Johnny's sighs. But because what happened occurred irrevocably in the past, he cannot go back and change it, so he headbutts them so that they can get a clue. But honestly, even Frey told him that that was not helpful.

Butters first laid eyes on his Johnny when he was but a small boy, no horns, no tail, just two fleshy human ears and a happy, happy grin, shouting in joy at how fluffy Butters was and hugged him feeling his coat! He has loved him ever since that instant, just as Johnny instantly loved him.

It was an unconditional love, and that was the first love the giant ram knew, so he was surprised when it was different with his Johnny's parents whom he thought loved him the same way.

He had to secure love from them by playing the role of the first son. His parents were emotionally insecure behind an authoritarian façade, and who depended for their status in the eyes of their family and peers on their only son acting and behaving in a particular way, and so ever since he was born Johnny took on the role his parents unconsciously assigned for him, because it was the only time he sensed that he was needed. And it was this need that guaranteed him a measure of existential security.

What was existential security? Well, as the giant ram understood from the books he's read --- yes, Butters can read, so can Frey and Sasha --- while Johnny studied conjuration in the Sorcerer's Academy, it was the peace one felt knowing that one will survive.

His Johnny had learned a long time ago that if he was needed, he would not be abandoned. And this feeling had been carried up until now, and until now he thinks its normal.

That was why Johnny was so friendly with everyone and polite, except with his really close friends whom he messes around together with. Butters like that, Johnny was free with them. And now, he wished that he could be that free with Echo too and go ask her for affection instead of hoping she'd read his mind as he silently continues this asking for it by giving her care. He also wished that Echo would also do something for Johnny even though he doesn't ask for it, anything; write him notes, leave him a flower or maybe food before he woke up, or give him water and bananas after his training.

Yet Butters thought that maybe Echo doesn't do that because of something Johnny had said before, about wanting to do things on his own and that if he needed something he'll ask, otherwise he gets upset.

How relieved the giant ram was when for the first time Johnny asked her to hug him that night at the frozen lake outside Winslow. He was happy too when Echo came by his room to cheer him up and make sure he ate when he was so depressed he turned into a slug.

Butters knows Echo cares. He just wished Johnny would go and ask her about it whenever his insecurities came up, and for her to remind him more about it with actions until he realizes that she will not abandon him even if she doesn't need him, because out of everyone, she chose him anyway.

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-James' Haircut-
​

When the energy behind Lydia's pounce had bowled James over onto the grass, loose blades few up around them and as the rapid kisses from Lydia's flower petal soft lips began and went on for some time, she giggled every now and then because of James' reactions, pleased that he was so delighted with sensation of her touch. When he eventually opened his eyes, both of her hands rested atop his head, stroking his hair as she gazed at him affectionately when he cupped and caressed her cheeks and as he placed his forehead to hers. Her cheeks were just as red as his, but she was too happy to think about being embarrassed and was just content to be in his tight embrace.

Those green eyes closed as James shifted to place his kiss on her forehead, her arms folding under his neck to prop up his head as she sighed happily. This was another one of those moments that she could just live in forever, like nothing else mattered, only the security, love, and strength of James' arms.

She didn't pick up her book again, her focus staying on James as she was just as content to spend the day with him as he was with her.

* * * *
​

When James came to her the next day after his talk with Renee, Lydia was hard at work practicing with her hammer, though the weapon was dropped as his body collided with hers in an embrace and she squeaked slightly before giggling when he kissed her and returning his hug as she listened to him exclaim happily about his interaction with Renee, "good... I'm glad."

It truly warmed her heart to see him so happy and at peace in his relationship with his sister, though her cheeks did redden as he told her she was smart and she shrugged her shoulders bashfully, looking away, "i-it-it... I j-just... told you what I thought..." she smiled as he showed her the braid and held it gently between her fingers before softly releasing it, "I'm happy for you, James."

Her smile had all the sincerity of her words and as he squeezed her again and she whined happily, "you're welcome..." she laughed slightly to the second big juicy kiss he gave her and squeezed him lovingly. After a moment of holding him, she looked up to him quizzically, "James... if one of my brothers ever made me cry... would you punch him?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

James' Haircut
- James Pendragon -​

"Depends." said James, thinking. "If it makes your situation worse, I won't, I'll talk to him. If it doesn't, I will. If you really, really, really don't want me to, I won't." Then he got curious too. "Lydia, if someone by some miracle made me cry, would you punch or fireball them?"

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

-James's Haircut-
​

Lydia thought about James' answer to her question for a moment before laughing slightly. Frederick wouldn't make her cry, at least she didn't think he would because he never had before. Thomas on the other hand had made her cry many times for various reasons and every single one of them had been relatively silly. Of course she had punched him herself, or Frederick had, but she couldn't picture either of her brothers making her cry over something more serious such as who she was in love with at the time.

She gazed up at James affectionately, her expression altering just slightly as he asked if she would punch of fireball someone for making him cry, "while I couldn't fireball him and I know he didn't make you cry... I would have punched Seifer for hitting you. What goes on with you and your sister isn't his business, just as it's not mine... it's not our place.. he shouldn't have done anything without Renee actually saying something to him about it... and even then, he handled it badly... so..." she laughed slightly, "but I can't imagine anyone making you cry."

Zer0