Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
5
Renown
None
Past events can never be changed. Instead, change the future.
430 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by C'Leena Thomas on May 22, 2023 15:24:40 GMT -5
The jolt of fear that rang through C'Leena when she felt Nephele loosening her grip was intense, and her immediate reflex was to hold on tighter. Feeling Nepheles hands simply go up to her face helped alleviate some of the fear, but she was still terrified and it truly showed.
Looking at Nephele, C'Leena's illusory golden eyes are filled with tears that refuse to fall. They're wide open and glancing around everywhere, well and truly filled with fear. Her hands go up to Nepheles forearms and hold on as if Nephele was about to fade from her arms if she let go. Her words were processed just enough to get the vague idea on what Nephele was trying to communicate, and the rhythmic tapping on her chest helped.
C'Leena nodded slightly, but quickly to Nepheles questions. She could barely breathe, let alone speak right now, so she didn't. She tried to focus on Nepheles words and requests to look at her and to breathe, but doing so was incredibly difficult. God, breathing was so hard.
C'Leena tried to settle her breathing, but in the beginning, it was reduced to shaking, sobbing breaths that refused to follow the demands of C'Leena. It took nearly ten minutes of this rhythmic tapping in order to even begin making progress to settling herself. Once she begin getting a handle on her breathing, she (Very reluctantly) removed her hands from Nepheles forearms and cupped Nepheles face with extremely shaky hands and, slowly but surely, began to wipe away the tears that Nephele had been crying.
She never wanted to hurt Nephele like this. C'Leenas eyes continue to glisten and shimmer with the lies of tears, the fear finally ebbing away into just pain. She had been hurting for so damn long and she's had enough. Thankfully, Nephele is here with her. She's real. This isn't a dream. She is right here, C'Leena.
Her breathing doesn't fully settle, but it's still an improvement. It's still ragged and hard, but she's no longer hyperventilating which is now beginning to catch up to her. In her delirious state, she does the only thing she can think of. Very slowly, she tries to speak as clearly as possible. "I'm sorry for ruining the day. It was meant to be a nice day."
She continues to wipe away Nepheles falling tears and keeps looking at Nephele like she asked. She really, really didn't want to burden Nephele with all her problems and woes. "I'm sorry. None of it matters, none of it should be put on you, it's my problems to deal with myself, it shouldn't be something for you to be burdened with. I'm sorry.."
C'Leenas begging and pleading has now morphed into profuse apologies for everything, but mostly just repeating "I'm sorry" over and over again. C'Leena feels shattered. This was closer to one of the worst panic attacks she's had in a good while, and the fact that it came from absolutely nowhere doesn't help. Now Nephele is going to be worried about her needlessly and shes made her cry - C'Leena made her cry for fuck sakes.
"I'm so fucking sorry for making you cry, please don't cry," She leans her forehead against hers and closes her eyes. Taking a few more breaths, she begins to try soothing Nephele with gentle shushes and softly combing her fingers through her hair. It's strange to be actively in the middle of a panic attack and also try soothing someone else, but frankly, she needs something to do, even if it's unusual like this is.
Her voice remains shaky and fragile, like she'll lose it any minute now. Despite that, she continues with her attempts, trying to calm Nephele down enough to stop the tears which C'Leena is still wiping away with her thumb. Her actions are also shaky and still panicked, but it's obvious that they're being done out of just sheer love and concern. C'Leena loves her so goddamn much, she'd do anything if it meant seeing her smile again and seeing another one of those shooting stars in her eyes. She still doesn't know what they mean, but she's still on the 'Very good mood' hypothesis, though.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
22
Renown
Faeborne
Trying to stay at peace in all its forms
305 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Nephele on May 22, 2023 17:34:29 GMT -5
Nephele’s heart sings in triumph when she can hear C’Leena’s breathing slowly get better, evening out very slowly. A deep sigh escapes her when she hears C’Leena manage to speak, only a slight difference in her voice. She stops the tapping after a moment, petering out the movement so it wouldn’t feel too abrupt.
“You didn’t ruin anything, and I doubt you ever will. I told you not to apologize for this, r-remember?” There is a very light tone of chastising. Despite this, she couldn’t force a smile. Nephele was a master at ignoring her feelings, but that didn’t mean she was a master at hiding them. The tears down her face were more reminiscent of waterfalls, not ceasing even as C’Leena wiped them. “Nothing that you can say would turn me away, dearest. Don’t you know that?”
Nephele sniffled, sighing as she looked at C’Leena’s face and movements, even as she wiped her tears. Still jittery, but better. Thank goodness.
“Cee, I would cry you literal rivers if you wanted me to. Because you can’t. I told you I’d teach you to feel again, right?” Nephele smiled sadly, a heart-aching sight as the tears didn’t stop. “I’m your catalyst. If you can’t cry, then I’ll cry enough for both of us every time. You are entitled to every touch and emotion, you deserve to feel it all.”
Nephele looked up. The sun was almost gone by now, slowly beginning to sleep for the night. She didn’t care too much about the time, but she sighed. “I was going to wait to tell you, but I feel you need to know this: the shooting stars you see in my eyes? I think I know what causes them now. I don’t know when they started, but every single time you’ve pointed them out…” Nephele pauses to think, her heart pounding in her chest:
“It’s always right after I’ve envisioned spending my whole life with you. If we’d still be doing this decades from now, would we still be laughing and singing and crying like this together. Would you even want forever with me?” Nephele had to shake her head, breathing heavily. It was so painfully honest that Nephele’s chest began to hurt. Still, she ignored the tears. “C’Leena, nothing, absolutely nothing you’ve done today should be deplored. I love you, and I literally vowed to help you. That’s not just with the simple stuff, it’s things like this too. Do you understand me?”
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
5
Renown
None
Past events can never be changed. Instead, change the future.
430 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by C'Leena Thomas on May 22, 2023 18:30:35 GMT -5
C'Leena was speechless. She was moved to silence as she passively wiped tears that kept coming. Nepheles words were so.. genuine that she was startled to hear them. C'Leena had been wondering something recently - well, two things, but the second thing she'll learn soon enough. Once she regains her words, she immediately asks her something.
"Do you have a last name?" Out of context, it's an incredibly random question, but she has her reasons. Her breathing after Nephele had spoken has stabilized a bit more, making it easier for her to talk and think more clearly. She's feeling a bit calmer, too and her heartrate has slowed down. Slowly but surely, she's easing out of the panic attack. "Well, it's just that I've never heard you mention one before, and I'm curious."
C'Leena has no idea what fey traditions are like and if they are at all similar to some of the traditions she knows, but after hearing all of that? Fuck it, what she wants to do is probably the most ill-advised thing ever, but there is not a single soul that can tell her otherwise. She needs to find time alone to get things organized and everything. Tonight. She'll get what she can while they're still here, and make it happen perhaps at Eclipse City. Nephele still has another one of those obsidian chunks from when she was out collecting a bunch of them, she's fairly sure.
"Nephele.. I want nothing more than to live my life with you. If you're still serious about it, I would love to get our own place we can return to, have hundreds more moments where we laugh and cry and just.. love." She pauses, thinking through her next words. "My people back on earth have these ideas of soulmates - Certain people that are just simply made for you. It's not something I subscribed to, but now? Neph, it's cheesy as fuck, but that night we danced on the way out of Thunderhoof Village? I knew I found my soulmate. You're The One."
Truly, C'Leena found her all those months ago. A part of her is glad that Nephele isn't on earth. On top of that, something that C'Leena had only recently realized is that she's stopped considering earth 'home'. Her home is wherever Nephele is. She truly loves this woman to the moon and back a million times over.
"I understand." She says after a moment, responding to Nepheles final question. "..Only if the same goes for you." She adds. She doesn't want to be the one constantly needing support and whatnot; that would make her feel like shit. Nephele needs someone there, too. C'Leena wraps her arms around Nephele again, gently pulling her back into a hold.
"Thank you for this, Neph. Christ, thank you so much. You gotta stop doing shit for me like this. My debt to you is getting intense, here." She lets out a breathy chuckle as she takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. "You're far too precious for your own good, petal. I love you more than the stars themselves." She looks up, seeing the stars beginning to reveal themselves in the sky.
"Each of those stars is a sun like ours, you know? Most of those stars have planets orbiting them, and some of those planets have moons orbiting them, too." She begins explaining, before looking back down at Nephele in her arms. "If we were back on earth? I would spend multiple lifetimes with you just exploring each and every one of those solar systems, simply to see what was there. Here, though? I'd spend lifetimes mapping each and every one of those little stars, drawing constellations and giving them meanings.
"I'd walk the world with you, sail across the seas to whatever lands may be beyond Charon. I'd do all of that if it meant seeing another star cross your eyes."
A free hand goes around to the pendant still around her neck and she smiles. At some point, her eyes had reverted back to their normal aquamarine, and other than the cold sweats she had during it, theres nothing suggesting she just had a panic attack moments prior.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
22
Renown
Faeborne
Trying to stay at peace in all its forms
305 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Nephele on May 22, 2023 19:29:28 GMT -5
Nephele was beginning to grow less overwhelmed as C’Leena continued to speak. It was a miracle that she could even speak right now, she’d blame it on her emotional adrenaline (was that a thing?). Her tears had slowed down, eventually stoppering as soon as C’Leena said “The One”. Her face lit up like a million lights at once, as she was very familiar with the concept of soulmates. It was what most fey called their life partners. It seemed like wherever C’Leena was from the concept was arbitrary, but for her? It was fantastic to even imagine, especially for her.
Being pulled back into a hug as she continues to listen both lulls her and keeps every bit of her attention. Nephele could say something back, yet somehow it feels like words would dull in comparison of whatever she could do instead. So Nephele simply stayed quiet, enamored by the unscripted song C’Leena was ‘singing’ for her. She would do something for her soon, very, very soon.
Nephele doesn’t immediately respond to her inquiry, too lost in the declaration that it takes her a moment to register that she was asked a question. “A last name…I don’t think I do. I believe I used to but it’s grown obsolete now that I’m away from the Land of Wonder. I’ve used many names to hide my identity, but Nephele is my one true name.”
“You owe me nothing and less, I’ve told you this.” Nephele reiterated, managing to crack a smile as her eyebrows drew together. She pokes C’Leena’s cheek, a ghost of a teasing gesture and ever her love language. “How long will I have to drill that into that brain of yours, hm? I tell you every time and it seems like you still forget.” Nephele pauses, sniffing and blinking up at C’Leena with a steadying sigh. “I jest. I’d tell you a million times more if you wanted me to.”
Nephele suddenly took note of C’Leena’s eyes and smile, and Nephele suddenly grinned wider. She reached up, careful not to poke her in the eye as she ran a thumb over the corner of C’Leena’s eyes. She adjusted so she wasn't touching her scars, and with a little more confidence, Nephele softly whispered: “There you are. I was looking for you. How do you feel?”
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
5
Renown
None
Past events can never be changed. Instead, change the future.
430 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by C'Leena Thomas on May 22, 2023 22:58:52 GMT -5
Watching Nephele light up as C'Leena was talking was a gratifying experience. seeing that little smile grow wider and wider as she talks is something she'll never grow used to. That, and her careful touches to avoid the scarring is also incredibly sweet.
Hearing that Nephele doesn't have a last name is an alien concept to her, and that is very obvious by the frown and cocked head upon hearing it. "Well, I'm glad I learnt your real name immediately. It's such a pretty name, it would be a shame to hide it away." She releases a hand and lightly taps the tip of Nepheles nose before returning her hand and smiling.
"I've no idea what you're talking about, petal." She says, feigning confusion. Her smile gives away the truth, but it was a half-assed lie if she ever did tell one. C'Leena just likes joking around with Nephele, even if there is no punchline or point to doing so. She enjoys the little games. "Well, you'll just have to continue reminding me, won't you?" She chuckles softly but instead begins lightly coughing as she looks downward to avoid coughing on Nephele. It's simply an after effect of crying harder than she has in years for 10 minutes straight.
"I'm feeling better. I really don't know where that came from. Jeez, talk about a trauma dump." She says honestly. She winces but is unable to rub the back of her neck since both her hands are currently wrapped around Nepheles torso, and she really doesn't want to move them again. Instead, with 0 warning, she begins an attack in the form of kisses on Nepheles lips. She likes seeing the momentary startlement in Nepheles eyes when she does something unexpected.
She continues this onslaught, trying to convey all her love with each and every kiss. For a moment, however, a sudden memory hits her and she smiles. "Remember back in the poppy field where I had first kissed you, and you struggled to ask me for another one?" She laughs softly, cherishing the memory. "I'm not going anywhere with this train of thought. It was an adorable moment that I wanted to remind you about." She barely gives Nephele time to respond before she goes in for her second assault, cherishing each and every moment of it.
If this were heaven, she'd consider it paradise as long as Nephele was with her.
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
22
Renown
Faeborne
Trying to stay at peace in all its forms
305 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Nephele on May 22, 2023 23:41:45 GMT -5
The term ‘trauma dump’ seems to throw Nephele for a loop, like a sudden realization. “That is…such a good way of explaining it. I never knew that was a phrase...” Nephele murmured, mostly to herself as she compartmentalized that as one of the many C’Leena Words she would come to learn. Maybe the term was used elsewhere, but Nephele learned it through her. It’s a C’Leena Word until further notice.
It was around this time that Nephele was suddenly attacked by kisses, completely catching her off guard. Her eyes went wide at the very brief second that C’Leena paused to watch her reaction, until she continued the onslaught. Nephele was a laughing, squirming mess as she continued her attacks, shrieking loudly. Completely unable to breathe through the kisses, Nephele batted C’Leena’s face away long enough for her to catch her breath.
When asked about the poppy field, Nephele laughed breathily. “Oh don’t remind me. I was so grossly inexperienced. If you knew how much I was staring at your lips the whole night you’d be horribly remiss.” Nephele groaned. She spoke about herself like she were a mere teenager when they met, despite it being only a few months ago.
And then she was being attacked again, her laugh exasperated as she “tried” to fight it off. “C’Leena! S-Stop!” She managed between high pitched giggles, trying to kiss back but her mouth was too busy laughing. That’s when Nephele remembered something, something…important. She was lucky it was getting dark, as her face was already flushed. Nephele pulled away for a second, catching C’Leena’s lips for a brief second before fixing her girlfriend with a look.
She wasn’t sure what C’Leena’s energy level was right now, but she decided whatever, Nephele loved her. She’d consider this the first part of her showing her adoration. C’Leena had words, and Nephele? So did she.
“You know…I still need to, as you say, ‘cash in’ those kisses you owe me. Three days is quite a bit, but I could break it up.” Nephele adjusted a strand of C’Leena’s hair, a habit she developed when she was nervous. Her voice was steady, but her movements were not. “I think you need time to relax, whatever you want that to mean.”
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
5
Renown
None
Past events can never be changed. Instead, change the future.
430 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by C'Leena Thomas on May 23, 2023 4:15:31 GMT -5
C'Leena was smiling widely as her onslaught continued unrelenting. She powered through the feeble defense of Nephele, cherishing her giggles and half-assed protests. She only paused for a moment to respond to her. "It's a fitting name, right?" It really was fitting. Sadly not her term, but one she uses when it applies.
C'Leena giggled, that tinkling sound that does not sound right coming from her upon hearing Nepheles side of the poppy fields. It was adorable, honestly. It seems that while Nephele was distracted with C'Leenas lips, C'Leena herself was distracted by Nepheles eyes. I mean, come on. You cannot look at the small but countless constellations in Nepheles eyes and not say that they're beautiful. Being a woman who prefers being blunt, she says exactly that. "You're beautiful." She says simply.
And then Nephele suggested she cash in. There was something to her voice that short circuited C'Leena and caused her to blush harder than ever before. She couldn't name what it was exactly, but it was something. C'Leena froze, stopping her attack and simply looking at Nephele with wide eyes. Suddenly, in a burst of movement, she let go of Nephele, pried herself from her hands and quickly began gathering their things.
Once she got everything, she turned to the right, took a hold of what looked to be reality itself and unzipped it as if it were a hoodie1. Beyond the tear is an endless expanse of space with red and blue nebulas and stars shining brightly. With no hesitation, C'Leena threw everything they brought into this tear. Once everything was inside, it closed up, and she summoned her wings2 and ran back to Nephele.
Slowing down a bit, she scooped Nephele up into her arms and continued to run, moving faster and faster as her wings stretched out, gaining lift. Then finally, she hopped into the air and they began ascending into the sky, the wings flapping hard and blitzing them across the plains and back to the town. It took them all of five minutes to get back, the wind whistling and rushing by making conversation more than a little difficult.
Landing in front of the tavern, a lone passerby staggers back in surprise as she lands and dismisses the wings and runs inside and into the room, where only now does she put Nephele down. "Yes. Absolutely, yes. Cash that shit in right fucking now." She says, panting slightly but with the dumbest grin on her face. The entire trip and even now, she is blushing hard. Perhaps the nobles were of some help.
1. Space Pocket 2. Divine Ascent
|
|
Tradesfolk
IS OFFLINE
22
Renown
Faeborne
Trying to stay at peace in all its forms
305 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Nephele on May 23, 2023 12:17:03 GMT -5
What Nephele suggested wasn’t a joke, but the face of pure shock on C’Leena’s face was an expression of which she had never seen before. It made her wonder if she said something wrong, and she was about to take it back when suddenly C’Leena was tossing their things through a rift in reality (when did she learn to do that?), charging towards her, and grabbing her up in minutes. Nephele gasped, clinging on for dear life and not entirely sure what had just happened until she realized they had arrived at the inn - and in record time, too.
When she was finally put down and C’Leena rushed out what she did, Nephele finally processed where and what had just happened. Nephele stared in disbelief, blinking at C’Leena owlishly. Oh…okay. Nephele was laughing before she knew it, not mocking at all. She wrapped her arms around C’Leena’s neck, continuing to giggle quietly under her breath.
“W-Where did that energy come from?” Nephele managed, smiling widely. Her eyes were drawn to the red of her face, a color she’d never seen in such a vibrant hue before. She moved one hand and thumbed her finger across her face, staring unabashedly at her face, tilting her head and pretending she wasn’t just as flustered.
“Nevermatter, I suppose. Although, this color…” Nephele pressed two soft, long kisses to C’Leena’s cheeks, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. “It quite suits you, dearest.”
As she’s talking, her voice gentle as always, Nephele is walking backwards toward the bed, grinning and not removing her hands from her face. She gets to where she can sit down, but takes it a step further and falls backward on the bed, hooking onto C’Leena so she fell on top of her. For once, Nephele wasn’t squirming away, and the North Star in her eye sparked with an intensity as another shooting star shot by. She could feel that one.
“May I see more?”
|
|