WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO LIES CLOSE TO ME

[unversed]

THE CATCHALL ROMANCE MEME

HOW WE ROLL:
> Post with your character, put name/fandom/etc in the subject line.
> Someone tags you with one of the scenarios listed below.
> "AND THEN THEY PORKED."
> PORNPROFIT.

THE DEETS:

ONE ➔ CONFESSION: You've been admiring this person from afar, or you've been friends with them for a while. Either way, you've finally worked up the courage to admit how you feel!

TWO ➔ LOVE NOTES: Send your crush personalized little love notes for them to find! Flick them at your crush, or hide them in their shoes! Draw pictures of you two kissing! Heck, even an old fashioned YES/NO checkbox note will do. But you've gotta get their attention with your written prowess! Get creative! Maybe they'll come up to you and you'll find true love!

THREE ➔ KISSING BOOTH: You're working a kissing booth, for whatever reason. Charity, for your school, or just because you got conned into it. But will something special bloom from a chance encounter with a booth guest? Or will you just be embarrassed for life, and punch your friends for getting you into this later?

FOUR ➔ LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: You've been completely dazzled by this specific person! Your heart races, you have a cold sweat... whoa wtf is happening. You simply must get to know them! Maybe it was meant to be!

FIVE ➔ TSUNDERE STYLE: Sure, you like them, but you can't show that by being cute or cooking them lunch, hell no. You have to punch their shoulder and tug on their hair, obviously. W-what? They're complimenting you? Try not to blush too hard, or shove them too much.

SIX ➔ CAPULET & MONTAGUE STYLE: You're both already taken, or you simply can't be together for some reason! Your families hate each other, your friends hate each other, or you only see each other once a year! But you don't care, you have tonight, and romance is in the air. Maybe you can break away from what can't be, just for one night of fun and love.

SEVEN ➔ NEVER SAY NEVERO: You're super intent on making this person yours! You're willing to go to the extreme to garner their affections! How can they say no to extreme outbursts of love and other hard-to-ignore signs of affection? Though, it might be easier to just ask... but that's not big enough for your love!

EIGHT ➔ TLC: You suddenly feel blue, and you feel the need to be comforted. It's time for some sexual healing.

NINE ➔ SMOOTH OPERATOR: Flowers, candlelight, a bottle of champagne... it's time to woo your sweetheart!

TEN ➔ GRAB SOMEBODY SEXY TELL 'EM HEY: There's something about messing around in a public place, where anyone can walk in on you anytime. Try to keep quiet, the woman over in the bathroom stall next to you might hear you and your partner heating up and fooling around.

Comments

[curepotion]

[ an afternoon nap sounded good after he wrapped his injuries.

after all, no one was coming back until late if everything went well. this just meant that for once, Riku could curl up in the laundry room, surrounded by old fabrics and a light, soft breeze from an open window, and nap peacefully in a small nook that hid him perfectly from sight. if robbers came back, they'd rob the place blind while not even noticing Riku.

Riku was quite sure that no one could get through the barrier he'd put up, though, so he didn't worry.

not until he heard a hoot and looked up towards the window. ]

Highwind.

[ the owl ruffled its feathers proudly and hopped onto Riku's head--he chuckled quietly and offered his arm instead, the bird flapping a few times before stabilizing and setting the letter that'd been in his beak into his hand.

he almost laughs aloud when he reads; it's funny, it's embarrassing, how warm his chest gets when he reads her scripted words. he tries not to think too much about her father--

he remembers Kain vividly. whenever Kain was around, his father had a way of being exceptionally upbeat, keeping a smile on his face because Kain tended to be completely stoic. those were some of the happiest times... for a few minutes, he doesn't know how to respond.

she's too kind.

perhaps it's the day... the exceptionally dreary day with wounds and blood, that makes his burden feel much, much more than it actually was. days like this never turned out well. ]

If you ask it of me,
I will fashion whatever
dish you would like.

Perhaps your music, too
would lift my heavy heart.
Thank you for your words.

[ ... should he stop writing, now? for good?

he has the sinking feeling that something big is happening, especially with the thieves being numerous as of lately. ]

Please, take care.

- Farrell

[ he holds the letter to his chest, against his heart, and then looks at Highwind.

he hoots impatiently and clacks his beak--Riku runs a hand through his feathers, scratching at the back of his head idly. ]

I think you deserve a break. Or a nap.

[ he lets the owl sleep for a good hour--Highwind spreads out his wings around his shoulders like he's a blanket for Riku, and he closes his eyes, though he keeps an eye open.

an hour is all Highwind will take; once it's up he's back to giving a rather demanding hoot. ]

You're way too impatient for a messenger.

... once you come back, I'll give you a whole fish for your trouble.

[ --that makes him even quicker to snatch the note and fly off. ]

[dualstance]

[ It's not until well after the dinner hour that she's able to return to her rooms, having spent all of the afternoon with Lady Aerith and speaking about the future of the kingdom. Particularly, her involvement with it. Although the conversation started out pleasant, by the time she had left, she's retained something life altering.

She would need to find a king at the upcoming suitor's ball.

The thought would normally excite a young girl- finding a man to marry and spend the rest of their lives blissfully happy. However, the mere thought freezes her with uncertainty, not knowing how she'll even be able to choose a person among dozens. So many people vying for her attention, so many promises of an ever after and yet she can't even think to do give any one of them that same promise.

Except-

After all this time, she still thinks of him. The lost boy who'd been a good friend to her, understanding and accepting. The one that somehow got away from all this.

But then again, there is someone else. Someone who feels eerily familiar that she almost wants to say it's him. That he'd been found finally after all these years. Unfortunately, she doesn't have all the proof yet. Though Lady Aerith did have a knowing smile in parting...

A sigh escapes her as she returns to her room, only for the tiredness to disappear for a few seconds at the sight of Highwind waiting patiently for her at the window sill. He greets her with a hoot, flapping his wings so that her attention is solely on him, which earns a small laugh from her. Truly this owl is remarkable in his own right and she has to wonder again how special he is. ]

I apologize for keeping you so long.

[ Ruffling his feathers, he nips her fingers when she makes to stroke his head, nudging her to the letter instead. Now that she's here, he seems a little impatient and unbeknownst to, wishes to get that prize promised to him from her future intended. Never mind that she has yet to realize it.

Taking up the letter and reading its contents, Roxene can't help the silly smile gracing her face. With her earlier thoughts of that lost boy, she can't help but wonder. There are some similarities, certainly, and Mera Farrell hasn't been known until that one meeting at the gala not too long ago. It's a slim chance but one she wants to believe in. Perhaps she should have confided in Lady Aerith about this as well. Maybe tomorrow, before the upcoming events begin to take over her time. ]

I look forward to the day
when both of our hearts can be lifted.
It seems that they can be eased
simply from each other.

The days to come shall be busy,
as a most important ball will be hosted here.
I sincerely hope to see you there.

And you as well, my good lord.

- Roxene

[ She didn't know when she would be able to reply next, knowing that the days to come will be laden with preparations and more lessons from her mother about the kingdom. Hopefully he will not be discouraged by the finality in her words of this letter and that she will meet him again soon. So much hope.

Bringing the parchment to her lips, brushing the paper as if leaving a kiss, she folds it up and holds it out for Highwind to take. She smiles with fondness. ]

It seems like this is the last we'll meet. I do hope you take care of yourself from now on.

[ The owl nuzzles against her in return fondness before taking the note and flying through the darkening sky. ]

[curepotion]

[ there's a certain clamor in the kitchen; it seems there's a rat.

Riku's well aware there are no rats in the house, but both his stepmother and Reno both seem to agree they saw a peck of black fur scurry back into the wall. Riku just scowled at both of them and prepared dinner with the ingredients they'd brought back, the salted meat that he kept, and the bread he'd made early on in the day. as soon as they're out of his sight and out of the kitchen, he closes the wide doors and shuts them out, opening his windows in anxious wait for Highwind's return.

it's halfway through preparations that he does return, and Riku has to hand it to the owl: he's persistent. and polite, despite his impatience--he doesn't wander over to the food, but glides over to the far end of the table, sets the note before him, and gives a pleasant hoot. ]

Hold on.

[ he stirs the soup three times before he goes back to the icebox, taking out a fresh fish and setting it down outside, in the small flower box that hangs from the window.

he takes a moment to check the pots and oven before he sits down to read.

ah... he knew something like this was coming. it'd been in the air.

but he'd have to find out about this 'ball', now, even if he probably wouldn't be able to go. he hesitates, looks at Highwind, and wonders if he should pen a note to reply. he seems to be enjoying his dinner, after all--is there really a need? ...

maybe it's best to let it go for now. it's unlikely he'll make it to the ball, being cornered like this. he'll keep an ear for news, to see why this ball is so important--it's none of the noble's birthdays, he knows that.

either way... now may be a good time to let go and slink back into the shadows, unless it really calls his attention.

maybe once his punishment is lightened, he can go to another ball and see her again, dance around the ballroom with his hand on her waist. he can hope, at least. he folds her letter to him carefully and tucks it away with his journal for safekeeping, and goes to the window. it's dark now. he can see all the shining stars, and he lets his gaze linger on the constellation they'd agreed on beforehand.

and then he pulls back, going to finish dinner. Highwind, at least, should have two places to stay. though the owl hoots at him with impatience, he only says: ]

She's busy right now. I'll wait until I hear about the ball, and then I'll send something.

If you want to visit her, go. I'm not stopping you.

[ Highwind, of course, ruffles his feathers in a grudgingly accepting way.

he'll return to Roxene in the morning, maybe. with no news, but a nip for good luck.

he'll just keep an eye on these two. ]