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The flicker of Siesta we got was pretty nice, wasn't it…? Who said all the stuff in this place had to be messed up? Ugh.

[ also

huddles closer to Rafayel. I guess we're just the trapped in a cabin meme except it's a cave now as Elysium scouts out the lay of the land… why tf is it windy. ]

[ as dramatic as rafayel can be, it's also true that he tended to find beauty even in the unorthodox, and so he can't help the way his eyes also begin to linger at the sights around them. ] It was nice. Would be even nicer if we actually got to enjoy it, but... I didn't think you were a beach guy?

[ maybe this is also a subtle prod about the second place they saw too.

still, he does let elysium do his scoping. does his fire work in this? ]

When we're out of here, find a portal to Terra and I can take you out on a date properly. My favourite band plays every summer.

[ A wry smile… They can no longer trust these fkin simulations. ]

If I'm remembering right, there should be a place nearby we can hunker down… [ He says it more to himself than to Rafayel. Maybe a small miracle, considering it's just white, white, and more white, but he seems to be moving with purpose anyway. ] But what makes you think I'm not a beach guy? I love beaches. They call me the Winds of Iberia when I'm out there on my board.

Well, the date is less about the destination than who it's with, right? I think I'd have fun no matter where it is... [ with you... is said under his breath. he's love-arrowed. he's devoted. even if the volcano did throw him off. ( rafayel voice ) it's a citizens job to help idiots

even when... who is the real fool here.

brb, snow is pelting him in the face, so he's spitting some out of his mouth before responding. ] There's no way anyone actually calls you that. There's no reason to show off, you know.

Yeaaaaah, but. It does set the tone, thanks for trying.

[ They can attempt to salvage this after they get out of this stupid blizzard!!! His grip on Rafayel tightens, even if he starts to feel frostbite creep into his fingertips. Also I am not sure if your question about his fire was rhetorical or not, but I leave that up to you……

why couldn't the volcano glitch into the north pole. sad. ]

And what do you mean, no one calls me that? Next time they want us to offer memories, I'm showing you just exactly who you've been so lucky to catch the interest of.

[ only because he registered himself into a competition with it!! shut up!! ]

[ help, thanks for answering my powers faq

but, i guess he can use it to at least illuminate their wintery and very perilous path here. plus, provide at least some form of warmth, even if it's all just perceived and entirely in their own heads. but, surely they're on path to the cave... that's so webtoon

but how did we miss out on the north pole and that one rat that dances to drake on tiktok ]

You do know that just makes it sound even more contrived? [ sorry, he doesn't believe it. ] think I'll feel a lot luckier when I see that Mister Gales of Iberia [ getting it wrong on purpose ] not looking like a whole popsicle, yeah?

[ you saying this like i have any idea what that tiktok even is, tears up. ]

Life if the "hottest" part of my title were literal and figurative…

[ Shut up. It's maybe three minutes of this before a cave comes into view in the distance. It's still been however many minutes too many that they've been pelted with snow. How is this the second time they've been against the elements… wao. ]

Oh. It is a perfect recreation. [ unsure how he feels about this. ] … Good.

[ this is my cue to slide more into your dms ]

If it was was literal, you'd also be complaining. Don't lie.

[ he has a feeling he can just as easily see him complaining if they had stuck around with the volcano, too. or they end up... virtual dead? rafayel doesn't actually know what the consequences were. anyway— ] Is it good? Why do I get the feeling anywhere you recognize is just trouble?

[ but heading to the cave they go... i see the vision now. body warmth meme... ]

[ body warmth meme into trapped in a cabin meme when they're caved in on ]

I keep telling you. The thing wouldn't accept any of the other locations I tried to feed it…

[ He also doesn't want to test what happens if they virtually die… If you die in the game, do you die in real life? Could they still end up in the river? Who knows. They make it through regardless, and he drags Rafayel the rest of the way before collapsing against the wall once they are far enough inside. Terrible. ]

You can keep trying to change it if you want. … I won't lie and say Terra's generally a safe place, but I was hoping to show you the finer parts of it. Sorry.

If you have an ulterior motive, just say so.

[ bringing them somewhere this remote? seems like it's kinda on purpose? or so seems to be the implication, and he would have been clearer about that if he couldn't feel his teeth chattering for the first time. he's from the deep sea, he isn't supposed to feel this cold. ]

But, no worries. I have always wanted to see an actual arctic tundra. it's different from catching it online. [ if anything, their whimsy... will keep them alive. he also leans back against the wall.

they should start some form of fire, so he is trying to keep an eye out. they don't even have anything to light, huh... ]

It's not ulterior when I made it obvious I wanted us to be alone from the start.

[ Rafayel… please… his mind is not in the gutter.

On the bright side, dying of hypothermia takes anywhere from fifteen to forty-five minutes, and they probably are not there yet. At the very lowest end of that estimate, they only need to eke out five more minutes and they'll be fine. Still, Elysium shrugs off his jacket long enough to drape it over both of them before settling quietly at Rafayel's side. ]

Where were we, though? I'm not trying to be evasive. I just don't know where to start. It's a long story.

[ oh, that's bold.

rafayel can't help but smile at that. though, his brows do furrow just slightly as elysium places his jacket over them. it reminds him a little of when they first got here, and instinctively, he reaches over to pat elysium on the head. you know where he had once been bleeding for what seems like ages ago.

he only draws his hand back at the question. ] You were going to tell me about the place we were first in, right? The one with all the monsters?

[ unlike val, he would like being pat on the head like a lads. He is so needy. He finds himself instinctively leaning into it, like encouraging Rafayel to keep going—a muted sound of protest leaving his mouth when he withdraws.

Does he hate him? He beams this thought directly into Rafayel's head except not really, because those are not powers that he has…. ]

Oh, yeah. My hometown. [ … ] It isn't supposed to look like that, for the record. I think the simulation had it all messed up. [ He sighs. ] That's probably how it will look if the Seaborn aren't ever contained.

Taking someone to your hometown on a first date's a bit much! But you could say the same for a volcano and the tundra…

[ ELYSIUM!!!! keep your dignity as a person... bird.

yet, despite this, rafayel is entirely an indulgent individual, and so it's clear... he'll be back for more. which can already be felt by the way he scooches a little closer, his shoulder leaning fully against elysium. ]

It is all a lot, but I think I'm... kinda glad for it. I mean, to learn more about you. Though, with the whole monster thing, I'm sure you might not feel that way. [ he seems to think about what to say, before: ] Do you think about your hometown a lot?

You're learning a lot about me, but what am I getting to learn about you?

[ What dignity…… it's been gone since the first week. Still, a hand comes up to poke his forehead at the sheer frankness of his admission. So this is the power of an otome… wow. ]

Make this feel a little more equitable and I'll consider answering your next question. So—what kind of place did you come from? We can go back and forth until one of us caves.

[ he wrinkles his nose just a bit at the gesture. not that he's actually offended, but rafayel does like putting on an act. especially, if it makes elysium smile... the power of otome and elysium who is also basically an otome. ]

My hometown... maybe isn't so different from yours. It feels very far away, though. It's different from places you see just on land. There's sea as far as the eye can see. There are lots of different fish and wildlife... [ he smiles a little as he remembers. does it warm him or chill him to think about, though? he isn't sure. ]

Maybe one day I can take you.

[ he is not an otome he is an unromanceable side character who even in sequels and fandiscs is not a route. this is word of god, sorry.

But as the warmth settles in, he realises this angle isn't exactly ideal for catching Rafayel's expression. He tips his head back just a little, shifting until he can face him properly. Curiosity is written plain across his face. ]

On Terra, the race that hails from the sea are called Aegir. We Liberi share a country with them, and I've always wanted to understand them better. Circumstances make that difficult—but still. I want to believe that one day, living in harmony won't be such a distant idea.

[ His hand searches for Rafayel's, fingers finding his. He laces them together and gives a gentle squeeze. ]

One day, but not today?

[ teasing. ]

[ why is elysium so elusive... ]

You really think something like that is really possible...? [ about the idea of two very different entities coming together. occupying the same space didn't necessarily mean they had the same intentions; he can't say if liberi are any closer to humans, but rafayel can't stop his own mind from veering in that direction.

hence, he tries to recalibrate. he isn't sure what they are, but he does trust elysium. ... and this only seems to be solidified by the warmth of his hands. rafayel relaxes into the touch for a moment, before he eventually draws their hands upwards. just enough so he can lean forward and place a kiss on the back of elysium's hand. ]

You don't think seeing one person's hometown in one day is enough?

[ time isn't real tell me why i feel like i last tagged this ten years ago ]

You don't think we can be proof of that?

[ The sea and the sky, two concepts that couldn't be more diametrically opposed. There are things he has accepted he will never understand about the Aegir, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can't find common ground.

The fish may never glide the wind the way a bird can, just as the bird cannot dive to the ocean's deepest reaches. But a fish doesn't need to be a bird to understand the wind at its back, just as a bird doesn't need fins to feel the water beneath its feet. Is that not proof of coexistence in itself?

The mouth at the back of his hand tickles, instinct almost making him pull away. Instead, he laughs, slipping his hand free only to rest it against Rafayel's cheek. ]

Look at me. How can we be talking about seeing each other's hometowns if we don't have faith in us?

[ HELP us both thinking this was from ages ago ]

Now you're getting ahead of yourself. [ but they're not words made to dismiss his claims. instead, there's a certain softness to it, as if to suggest that he wanted to believe in them. there's a certain poignance in his optimism ... and that thought continues to stay within him, even as he feels elysium hand leave his hold.

he would have instinctively pursed his lips, maybe in a weak attempt to put on an act of pouting, but the way the warmth returns against his cheek... makes him forget all about it. ] But, you have that much faith? Really? Then, you can prove it, right?

[ he says as he leans in, almost touching his lips to elysium's. ]

Is it getting ahead of myself if the other person's just shy?

[ Rafayel didn't have to do much at all, but the fact that he leans closer is encouragement enough to close the last bit of distance between them. It's a chaste press—perhaps not ideal, since both of their lips are either frozen or heavily Vaseline'd to protect against the cold if Elysium has his way. Still, it's tempting as it is to deepen the kiss and to warm in a completely different way, only—

He pulls back instead. They have to go slow… to show he cherishes him, yes? ]

There. Proof of—

…

Not again.

[ sorry, he's not like. recoiling from rafayel out of disgust or anything, because he is very aware of how cold it is and the fact that they're kind of relying on each other here, but he is turning back around to bury his face in his knees nonetheless. why this. ]

[ considering their lips are frozen solid and severely lacking in moisture and color— can they even feel the kiss? mostly, rafayel just feels the brief warmth of elysium's breath, and it's already over. before he can get settled into the touch, but then elysium suddenly pulls away, and: ]

...? [ tilting his head.

he's not offended at least, mostly just confused. ] Listen, my lips aren't always this dry.

Are you saying you want a redo when they aren't?

[ Elysium, too, is good at larping he is normal… this is fine. ]

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