spellbinders | [WORLD TWO | SUNSU FESTIVAL]

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[WORLD TWO | SUNSU FESTIVAL]

Who: All coven members, and more!
Where: Anmung Tower and about a mile radius from the base of the tower!
When: Day 174
Open/Closed: Open to All

For those coven members who come from worlds with Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, etc., they'll likely recognize Sunsu as a version of similar holidays. While there aren't any religious over or under tones, there's snow falling, a high level of merriment and cheer all around.

That isn't to say Sunsu isn't without a bit of meaning and lore. Certain stalls are focused on a minor history of Sunsu, a holiday stemming from the story of two lovers, Princess Xin and one of her ladies in waiting, who proved to the Princess' father that their love was worthy of marriage by blessing each other with a fabulous gift. Depending on your taste and place in life, Sunsu can be more romantic or more family-based. Sunsu is marketed as a holiday that focuses on blessing and giving to those that you cherish in life, and receiving a blessing or gift symbolizes uniting people together forever.

Because of this meaning, there is a certain romanticized overtone to Sunsu, though of course others celebrate in their own way. It's a holiday of togetherness, and everyone in Shehui seems to be in on the holiday spirit. There aren't as many monitors around, the streets around Anmung tower are packed with families, newcomers and couples alike. Are you ready to get into the spirit of the season?

personal shopper

As the day goes on, more and more festival decorations are going up -- which this may also be a job you've been roped into! With the sun falling steadily in the sky, the true beauty of Shehui can be seen as night creeps in. As per the request of the lottery winner, almost every structure in Shehui around the Anmung tower, including the famed structure, is illuminated with brilliant, twinkling lights in gold and red colors. Some areas are lit by different colors, like the nearby Huhu Coffee House that's building is wrapped in green lights, while Xi Park is filled with a soft pink variety on trees and fountains.

Streamers and banners are hung everywhere, with some offering simple seasons greetings, while others are making passers by aware of sales and wares to be sold.

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At midnight, the Sunsu event is supposed to culminate in a fireworks show -- and it does! To commemorate the day being over, fireworks of many different colors are being displayed all across Shehui, further illuminating the evening. It's almost as if it's truly daylight again, between the fireworks and Anmung tower.

What is going on?

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[ There's only silence right then, beneath the crashing fireworks that seem to be mirroring the way his heart's completely stopped and exploded in that moment. He thinks he's having a complete mental crash with what's going on- everything, from the recollection of memories that were racing through his head to the questions he wanted to ask about Noctis and his own experiences-

Shutdown-

He's suddenly too hyper-aware of the nice smell carrying itself on his best friend's skin, the flavor of berry and faint alcohol on his breath as his mouth comes up against his. What'shappeningwhatNoctthisisaajokeisn'tit his mind seems to be yelling at him, but no words come past his lips as his own lips move without thinking, pressing back against Noctis' own because he doesn't know what to do right then-

Does he kiss back? Does he push him away? Does he pull him in and continue it because this isn't actually happening and they'll just end up laughing about it later, won't they? Yeah, his face totally isn't heating up here- his body doesn't feel like it's melting and his heart doesn't feel like it's completely exploded because this is actually nice as heck-

And yet, there's a layer of sorrow creeping into his thoughts, because he's never been kissed quite like this before, like something...

Nice.

And before he can think of how to react or relish it, it's over and Prompto is staring dumbly at his best friend who- what even-

What does he even say?

The weight of it all is punching him in the gut as Noctis draws back while his mind tries to re-process everything and set it back into motion. Noctis is feeling drunk, so of course- yeah, he totally-

Missed Lady Lunafreya. Yeah. He got really drunk, and so messed up, he thought he was Luna, that's all...

Something about that thought makes a heavy lump form in his chest, before he ends up breaking the threatening silence with a sudden laugh, forced and dishonest, as he reaches over and playfully slaps his friend's back, as though that'll snap him out of it. ]

Y-Yeah, you totally haven't done this before, have you? It's supposed to last way longer than that, Noct! Especially under the mistletoe!

[ Joke it off. ]

[ Except they shouldn't be kissing at all, right? So why does he actually want to do it again?

Why are his hands reaching out and ohshitohshitohshit-

Curled around Noctis' jacket and tugging him back to face him, he doesn't know what his own expression looks like- he's trying to smile, and he can say he was drunk too- ]

Sorta like this-!

[ Light help him, now it's him who's moved in to kiss Noct- lips pressed back against his and feeling like he was missing the sensation of that shuddering heat that pulses right through him then. But they're just-

Drunk, right? And messing with each other-

And realizing in that moment that Noctis has a really, nice soft mouth that he can't really pull away from, until a loud crash of fireworks interrupts them and he seems to come to his senses, eyes widening for a bit- even in that moment, taking in the sight of Noctis' features looking like something out of a dream, before letting him go, forcing a grin on his face. ]

See? N-Nothing to it...! Yeah..!

[ Nothing to it? That had everything to it. More than Noctis expected, wondering where Prompto even learned to kiss at all like that or if it's just blind luck. It definitely felt like it had more weight to it than his own timid attempt, and he tries to come up with something to say in retaliation, a joke to cut through the sudden peak-suffocation levels of tension. But his mind turned off a while ago, and his body is all too awake, too reactive, his staggered heartbeats to match the ragged way he's breathing. If only he could play it off like it means nothing, but there's more warmth hugging the skin of his cheeks, stretching down the length of his neck until his collar feels too uncomfortable, sticky-wet against his skin.

He's also grateful when the fireworks explode, a distant light that stretches across the sky, swallows them both in all kinds of colors. His focus shifts to the blooming embers, watching with sudden fascination and almost wishing they'd never die down. Then he wouldn't have to face the aftermath of what they'd just done nor struggle to explain it to himself in a way that makes sense.

Why had he... why had they both...? He doesn't know why, only moved by something too primitive and careless, and if he regrets it, it's only because he doesn't want Prompto to hate him later or feel disgusted. But he kissed him back, so that must mean he's obviously not mad or grossed out. Did he do it just to reassure him then, or because he wanted to out of the same reckless impulse? Noctis doesn't think he had as much to drink as himself, but it's hard to grasp the stray memory to try and count backwards how many cups each of them had.

When the last of the lights die, he glances down at his hands, wondering when one had move on top of Prompto's, feeling the sweat gather on his palm and press into Prompto's knuckles. It's almost like he's crushing it, so he moves it away fast and tries to find something new to hold onto, fiddle with -his hair, his shirt, the skin on his own neck. ]

Yeah... nothing to it.

[ A final concession before he hunches over silently, unsure what else to really say. Is he sorry anymore? Should he go on pretending it didn't happen? This is all so confusing all of the sudden, but why should it mean anything? He's got his betrothal, and Prompto's still entertaining the thought of marrying his 'Grease-monkey Goddess.' It's obvious the two of them are just playing around, nothing serious. Nothing to get bent out of shape over, but he almost wishes for a second that he had somehow shaken Prompto's view of him, made him at least question things for a little bit the way Noctis had, but the thought is fleeting, quickly crushed down. ]

Happy Sunsu and all. Think I should probably hit bed about now anyway.

[ If only to put to rest all the haphazard thoughts in his head, find some way to expunge them completely and go back to normal. If there's even such a thing as 'normal' for him. ]

[ Having lived a lifetime of hiding how he feels, it's hardly a surprise that he's more convincing about his confidence than he actually feels. It doesn't help that everything about Noctis- from the way he reacts, to the way his hand feels warm and nice over his own causing him to just keep his own there- is just cute. It all culminates into a feeling of comfort that he rarely feels, and surprising affection for his best friend.

But best friends don't usually kiss like this, right... so why did he- he doesn't know the answer to that. They're friends. He likes girls, right? But- Noct is Noct, even if he is, like, super pretty too, so kissing him wasn't weird, even if-

Agh, he doesn't know what to think except for the fact that he really liked it, but come on, what guy wouldn't like being kissed by someone good looking, right? It's the logic he gives it, though he looks a bit sad for a moment when Noctis withdraws his hand and looks like he's troubled by it. Well, any guy would- but he must have wanted to, right? Because it made him want to, too, and...

He thinks he's going to faint, his heart's beating way too fast to be normal, and the more he sits here, the more he feels like his world is about to explode the way the fireworks are because nothing is making any sort of sense aside from the fact that he just- liked being kissed by Noctis. And the more he thinks about it, the more sobering it is, because it's tied with the guilt of, oh gosh, he's kissing Lady Lunafreya's groom-to-be, he should absolutely not, that's not fair to her or Noct, but he can make it easier for Noct by saying it was no big deal...

He could have done that without kissing him back. He could have.

But he wanted to.

And Noctis' words almost crash him out of that crazy desire, making him stop and stare at him, before lifting a hand to the back of his own head and releasing a little tight breath. ]

Yeah, you too...

[ A beat. ]

... I didn't hate it. You just need some practice. Bet I could help if you needed.

[ Just- joke it off. Noctis didn't mean anything by it, right? He'll probably forget it when he's more sober. ]

At least now we both can say we've had the experience, so Gladio doesn't tease us!

[ Just have to keep who they actually kissed from him or he'd just give them weird looks.

Even if... Prompto shifts a little, his throat dry and palms feeling too sweaty all of a sudden with a tight knot in his stomach, thinking- even if...

Gods, what is he thinking? He can't think too hard into this. They're friends. Noct's his buddy. He'd do anything for him.

Even kiss him... this is so stupid. So why does it ache to think of the possibility they might not again? That's how it should be, right?

Yeah. Yeah... ]

Just don't regret it when you're not drunk, okay? I'm not.

Edited 2018-01-11 04:19 (UTC)

[ Something about what he says -something about the way he says it- makes him snap like a full unraveling of every nerve in his body at once. Maybe it's his intoxication or the gentle mocking tone Prompto replies with, obviously not meant to be hurtful at all. Quite the contrary. It sounds like one of his own home-made deflections, but Noctis is still stuck on wanting Prompto to really react, to be shaken, to not just forget it. Because he suddenly doesn't want to forget later or sweep it all away himself, mostly because he's never kissed anyone -has thought about it, sure, wondered if he'd embarrass himself trying to kiss Luna on their wedding day, wondered if they'd get to even practice beforehand. He didn't want to be terrible at it, and thinking of her now does hit him in the gut with guilt that the rest of his body is ignoring as he twists Prompto's shirt between his fingers without preamble.

There's a sharp, savage tug, pulling his friend until they're close and until he can taste the remnants of the 'pink drinks' on his tongue. Then he's tasting it with his own, pressing himself into Prompto's mouth, licking every surface he can reach. It's messy, unhinged, graceless, but he likes the feel of it, the rawness of the texture of Prompto's tongue against his own, the acrid after-taste at the back of his throat. It all feels suddenly so real and tangible, and he wants to prove he doesn't suck at it with a childish urgency until his stomach starts to twist in on itself sharply.

There's something liquid hot moving through his veins, vivid in the way it throbs all over his body until he's light-headed, breathing too loudly from his mouth like something rabid, forced to release Prompto so he could fall back on the grass and throw an arm over his face. It's to cover the blood lurking beneath his own skin, quite sure he's flushed now, whether from drinking or sheer embarrassment. Nothing Prompto needs to see, and he'll break his camera if he tries to whip it out now. Or at least hide it from him for a very long time. ]

Like I need your help.

[ Words he says to try and sound like he's more cool-headed than he is, attempting to twist his lips into a self-satisfied smirk that never quite reaches the rest of his expression. ]

Totally nailed it just now.

[ Because if that wasn't enough to leave Prompto in at least a bit of a disarray then he doesn't know what is. But even more than that, he really doesn't want to regret this later, but there's no telling how sober him will take it. If sober him will hide away or manage to tease his friend about needing breath mints. He also doesn't want things to change between them, but he also doesn't want things to not not change. ]

[ He's not sure what's happening again and if he can think that when that's his usual state of being, that definitely means it's beyond what he's expecting. And he doesn't expect a lot! However, when Noctis tugs him right back in, his own brain can only process so much- the fact that his hands are clutching his and his own hands - somewhere and somehow, managed to grip Noctis' jacket- and his mouth is moving without his own control, breath hiking as he finds the scent- and flavour of Noctis' tongue and mouth overwhelming him.

This is either them really being drunk, or just- really liking kissing each other, but he doesn't think he can keep blaming the drinks anymore. His heart is racing almost violently and it feels far too good, more than it should. It's like his head's forgotten what thinking is like, but it's warm and comfortable and good and exciting and when they break apart again, Noct is-

Damn. His friend's always been the best looking of them, but he'd kill to kiss him again when he looks that cute. Compared to Prompto who likely has the dumbfounded expression of a very confused garula.

He's completely frozen to the point that any thought of capturing this moment with a camera is completely forgotten because he's too busy memorizing Noctis' expression then, his reaction and then-

What.

The long shock is snapped out of, before he stutters- ]

H-Hey, just- you got- I wasn't- MAYBE.

[ What are coherent sentences? His face is red all the way to his ears, and as the fireworks die down, he finds himself still frozen as he looks Noctis over- more than hyper-aware of the fact that his friend is making his senses react in a way that not even his Greasemonkey Goddess has yet (totally out of respect!) ...

Shit. What does he do? He realizes he's still pretty frozen before he finally lifts a hand to his mouth and drops his head, unable to focus anymore or even think.

Three first kisses with Noct. And he feels the same- he doesn't want things to not- not change, because this is big and whatever it is they just did has changed something. After what feels like forever, he finally sighs out loudly, moving to flop down next to Noctis and keeping his hands on his face. ]

Still think you need practice. Think I just forgot to breathe.

[ He mutters under it, defeated. Before he finally lowers his hands and looks up at the branches and sky above.

Noctis' eyes seemed shinier. ]

... your fault, buddy. Better work on that.

[ What else can he say? He liked it. He doesn't even know why, or why they're doing it continuously- just that he did.

Doesn't mean he'll give Noct an easy time of it either. Even if he wants to. And the thought of -that- only embarrasses him inwardly even more, before he tries to be coherent again. ]

It's nicer now, huh? The sky. You wanna head back and... hang, I guess?

[ Little does he know it's just a few remaining moments of peace, but- he's here with Noctis. His head's a mess, he can't think and he completely lost his brain in these moments.

But he's feeling happier than he thought he would, even if- it should be weird. Maybe it is?

Right now, he can't seem to care. ]

Not the only one in need of practice.

[ The only jab he can muster towards Prompto's words as exhaustion creeps up on him. Too many challenging thoughts in his head that night, the last of his recklessness sucked right out by the kiss a few seconds ago -one he initiated. One he's already regretting completely as sobriety touches the edge of his senses, and he wants so badly to shut that part of his brain off, live like a normal kid for just a little bit longer, stretch these careless seconds into an eternity.

But they're gone, and Luna's still waiting at the end of a boat ride he can't tell if he'll ever finish. Waiting, eager, welcoming, warm. He can't do this to her, can't do it to himself, can't do it to Prompto, either. But want and reason exist on wholly separate continents, and he'd be lying if he told himself it hadn't sparked something fresh and titillating inside him, the promise of all the experiences he neglected to fulfill as a teen.

While everyone was going on first dates, holding hands, fixing each other with dreamy-eyed looks, he kept his face buried in his books, tried to blot away the fear that his father would die too soon. There hadn't been any space in his mind for anything else but grief and occasional glimpses of happiness, but that's changed. Fear replaced by curiosity replaced by impetuousness. He could keep going right now or he could stop, take a breath, resolve to rethink this tomorrow, let the sun clear up his head a bit.

Intoxication is making him too willing, too agreeable, and sleep is safer for once. Nightmares familiar where as Prompto's mouth, his body, everything about him, is an uncharted minefield, and he's just smart enough not to run blindly into it at the moment. Hopefully, he'll understand; hopefully, he won't hate him later. Just two friends being overly comfortable, but it's done, it's out of the way. Curiosity fulfilled. ]

I'm good here. Not moving right now.

[ He doesn't think he can even if he wanted to, his body suddenly weighing 1000 lbs too many, and he's the sort who can sleep just about everywhere. If Prompto wants to move him, that's all on him, but he's done. ]

Wake me up in a few...

[ Hours? Days? He doesn't care right now. ]

[ There's guilt, for certain, and there's uncertainty, but as for regret... he can't really muster any, if only because he didn't hate it one bit- nor does he think this is changing anything for them.

Beyond the fact that he's just liking the idea of kissing Noct more and more...

But he can't demand it, nor can he want it without prompting. He can't force his friend to journey there with him when he's still not sure if he's ready for such a thing- they're still two guys, and while it's never mattered to him, confident enough in himself to be able to appreciate the attractiveness found in his own gender... he still does like girls, right?

Yeah... he still gets funny in his head when he thinks about Cindy and that pretty dragoon, and a lot of the other girls he might have glanced at in certain states of dress.

So it's odd that one kiss could make him feel an even more interesting twisting feeling inside of him for his best buddy who- without a doubt, is quite attractive, for a guy. He finally sighs, turning his head towards the sky and leaning back on his arms. ]

Right, right. Sleep on, Beauty.

[ He's got a lot to think about anyway- which the explosions coming up might not help, but the few moments of respite he does have, well-

He'll let his mind do its work until then.

And he might just sneak a picture of Noctis like that-

Just for the memory. Might never get to kiss him again, after all. ]

You too...

[ Words murmured tiredly as Noctis curls up tighter, closes his eyes, dreams he's back in his world, on the boat to Altissia -or maybe earlier. Back in Insomnia, laughing and smiling as they take down some monster together at the arcade. Back to the days of sharing sodas on the street, back to the days of falling asleep on Prompto's shoulder, mid-marathon of some obscure show.

A dozen times, Prompto could have and should have pushed him away, but he stayed where he was, a comforting presence, the only one who lets him act his age and doesn't heap upon him every single responsibility he'd incurred since he was a child. Who knows how long he'll have this freedom? If it will all disappeared when he's married and officially wears his crown, if he will feel fulfilled or just regret everything he hadn't been able to experience.

The thoughts continue to spiral inside of his head as he unconsciously seeks out the heat from Prompto's body, tucks his own head into his shoulder and hides for a little while. Let him stay here is his unconscious plea, words that will never see the light of day as Noctis' fingers curl around Prompto's shirt.

In the distance, the fireworks are already dying down, leaving them both alone in the veil of the night where wandering eyes don't reach. ]

[ He wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. From the moment he felt the encouragement, over an act he'd only done because he'd been so lonely that hoping for warmth and friendship with a little wounded puppy was the best thing he had to hope for. Lady Lunafreya's letter, to the hope that someone would want him to be a friend to someone they cared for...

He wouldn't want to be anywhere else at all. Because for the first time in a long time of that lonely life, someone else had wanted him to be with them. Someone had believed that he'd make a good friend to someone else...

She didn't know him, and he didn't know anything beyond the fact that Noctis was a kid who wandered about alone at school. Approaching him was one of the best moments he could think of, and he watches as his best friend- his first kiss, finally relaxes. The both of them remain unaware of the interruption they'll face soon, but in this moment-

He can welcome the silence, for a bit more, because he can spend it by his friend's side.

Just a little while longer. He doesn't know who he's wishing to. Just let me stay by his side a little while longer.

For the memories Noctis will take with him- for the smiles they'll bring him. Just a little more.

He wants nothing for himself, beyond a little more time where Noctis and him can be. He can only hope that the time he does get is time Noctis will cherish just as much as he does.

He can only hope, and he lets the silence settle around them, the breeze holding a comforting chill as he brings a hand over Noctis' to keep him there. ]

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[WORLD TWO | SUNSU FESTIVAL]

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