Hadriel IC Inbox

[claritatis]

"You've reached Ignis Scientia. Leave a message and I will endeavour to get back to you post-haste."

Comments

voice;

[claritatis]

I have faith in you. When this is over, I'll teach you how to use a weapon. Until then, I need you to be brave, and keep your chin up as much as you can. Can you do that?

[claritatis]

[In later consideration, Ignis will put a good portion of this down to factors that have nothing at all to do with the godly influences flowing through them due to limited hydration options and barely considered house calls. She has been a near-permanent fixture in his life for the past several months, a central point which he has come to rely on, to trust, and to care about enough that he didn't even think to fight anything about the situation they are currently in.

It's slowly and gently that his fingers loose their grip on her arm, that his hand moves to settle in the small of her back instead, that he pulls her just that little bit closer to him.

The thought to break from her only occurs when the lack of being able to get a full breath begins to make him light-headed. Even then, he barely shifts back an inch, and there's a small, bemused smile on his lips as he looks down at her.]

Well, that's... certainly a first.

[dedikated]

( Whatever the case doesn't seem to matter now that it's actually happening, rather than being something briefly considered in moments of weakness and dismissed with a pang of guilt. There's that comfort that's been there for months now, a confusing little tangle of trust that's bolstered by emotion driven events and high adrenaline invasions, that settles somewhere at the base of her spine, right under the touch of his hand.

Somehow, this all seems to make sense. That it happens like this, driven by something other than anger or worry or too much alcohol. Something positive. Warm. New beginnings and all of that, despite the wreckage of an already dilapidated city.

Her eyes open when he pulls back and she finds herself mirroring that smile - lopsided as hers is - without thinking. )

...yeah. Were that.

( This isn't where she would have pictured them a few months ago, but then, she's never ended up where she imagined. It is certainly a first for them, in general. )

[claritatis]

[The god's influence is still buzzing through his system, but it's almost as if it's faded into the background, mission accomplished, leaving him with his own quickened pulse and the tingle of her lips on his. He slips his hand free of her hair and places it on her shoulder instead, sliding his thumb across the fabric under it.]

Had I had any idea that a segue into potential agricultural concerns would have prompted that reaction, I might have done it far sooner.

[He doesn't want to lose the lightness of the current mood to anything more serious. Not yet.

It is by no means where he had pictured them, either. Kate has been a good friend, but it took this moment for him to realise that she's been far more than that for some time. How blind he had been to it is almost baffling, now that he can see it clearly.]

[dedikated]

( They can have a few moments of respite. A flush of happiness, warmth, delight that has nothing to do with the god that betrayed them all but rather some freshly tapped potential. Kate lifts her hand from his shoulder, gently pushing at the side of his head for that comment. )

Coulda just kissed me instead.

( Not that it really matters either way, now. )

[claritatis]

You would think that would have occurred to me. [He says wryly, laughing softly as she shoves at his head and then pausing to straighten his glasses. There's no way that he'd be able to wipe the smile off his face, even if he wanted to.]

But I dare say I've been embarrassingly unaware of my own feelings and... [And, well...

His smile softens a little.]

It's not often I run into a situation in which I'm entirely unaware of any strategy I might employ.

[dedikated]

( Should she take that as a compliment? Because she's going to. Being able to knock someone out of their comfort zone brings an odd sense of pride with it, even if it's not necessarily any more her comfort zone than it is his. It's that awareness that pricks at her heart just sharply enough that she doesn't prod him any further about that.

That, and there's one other thing she's very aware of. )

... Owe Henry a drink now.

( Goddammit, Ignis. )

[claritatis]

[It would be an awkward kind of conversation to have, and one he is honestly quite glad that she doesn't pursue. If they talk about it another time, then so be it, but not now.]

Henry? What does he have to do with this?

[Still with a small smile, though with the addition of a faintly quizzical look, he does have to wonder what the good knight may have to do with anything that just occurred.]

[dedikated]

( Well, she's got some awkward news for you. One that bubbles up a huff of laughter, as though she can't quite believe Henry was the one to see it first. )

Asked me "how long you'd desired me".

( Can you hear the airquotes? Because. Yeah. That's exactly it. )

[claritatis]

[A few different expressions flash over his face in a matter of moments, but he settles on laughing and adjusting his glasses again with the air someone might taken on while awkwardly rubbing the back of their neck or scuffing their toe along the ground.]

I, ah... [It isn't often you'll get to see him at a loss for words, Kate. Enjoy it.]

I had no idea that I was making it so obvious.

[dedikated]

( She will. Though she'll also roll her shoulders in a shrug. )

Me either.

( But hey, apparently guys like Ignis don't just break into smiles casually when they see a friend. )

[claritatis]

Hm. [Comes the soft response, and he tucks a few strands of hair straying free of her ponytail back behind her ear.]

Well, he wasn't wrong.

[One finger beneath her chin tips her head up just a little, then he leans down and kisses her again. He isn't too bold, at first, but finds his footing as quickly as he does with most new situations he finds himself in. It feels like a fine alternative to conversation, at this point.]

[dedikated]

( Oh good. That's what they need. Henry being correct about things.

Though that comment is quickly forgotten, as - indeed - are all thoughts of Henry when Ignis' lips brush hers again. She has to agree that this feels just as good as talking to him, if not better, as hands find their place in the fabric of his shirt, Kate pushing herself back onto the balls of her feet for a little extra height.

Strange, how quickly concerns can disappear when things fall into place like this. )

voice;

[multivitamins]

[ It is a little inspiring to hear those words from Ignis, not the fact that he'll maybe get some training, but that the other simply believes that what's going on will be over at some point.]

I... I can try. But. It'll be over soon, yeah?

voice;

[claritatis]

I sincerely hope so.

[He's not going to lie.

A loud noise of grinding metal, almost like a screech, rises suddenly in the background and Ignis makes a soft sound of annoyance.]

Sorry to cut this short, but a small problem's just come up.

[The problem was, in fact, not very 'small' at all.]

I'll call you back later, Eddie. Keep your head, don't lose hope.

text;

[multivitamins]

do you have an umbrella?

text;

[claritatis]

I don't. Why do you ask?

text

[multivitamins]

trying not to get sunburnt. i don't want to have to go back to the clinic and tell them i came down with skin problems. they already think i'm crazy.

text

[claritatis]

Just try not to go out in the sun for too long. You'll be fine.

[multivitamins]

there's two suns that's like twice as bad. you only have to be in the sun for five minutes before it damages you. knowing my luck i'll get sunstroke and if the fever doesn't kill me first, the rest will.

[claritatis]

Don't you think you're being a touch dramatic.

[multivitamins]

it's not dramatic if it's true.

i'm going to have to stay indoors forever.

text. Yolo.

[dedikated]

your kids are protective.

You know there's photos of us?

( Us. That's still weird to think. )

text

[stantheman]

I think Eddie probably said weird things to kate about you.

But Richie was probably weird and inappropriate.

I try to keep them on a leash but...

Should I bribe someone to prank them?

text

[claritatis]

I think we might be able to come up with something between ourselves, don't you, Mr Uris?