( Audio )

[confined_to_briah]

( A day filled with the memories of betrayals, hm? Alexiel is glad that certain residents are no longer in the city. Otherwise she would have more than one knife in her back.

However, after feeling the impulse to right her betrayals (i.e. by using someone else like a pin-cushion), she decides to spend the day high above most of the other citizens. While a knife in her back wouldn't kill her or keep her down for long, it would hurt and she doesn't want to deal with the inevitable backlash of "I wasn't myself!" etc. etc..

Oh city, you never disappoint. )

Should anyone feel I've betrayed them, I suggest that you buy a doll and take out your frustrations on it.

( Her voice is laced with bitter amusement. )

I think it would do you more good in the long run.

Comments

[confined_to_briah]

( She uses her grip on him to tug him closer, her hand eventually latching onto his hip. )

I'm not shy.

[beyourarmy]

I know that but-! [He can't really finish, he's a bit flustered. Oh well. Better her hanging on there than his ankle.]

[confined_to_briah]

But what? ( She throws her weight to the side so she is practically underneath him. ) I told you I would win.

[beyourarmy]

Yeah, okay. You win. Point proven. [He looks down to grin at her. It was fun while the chase lasted.]

Now what?

[confined_to_briah]

( Well that shouldn't be too hard to figure out since she gives him an unapologetic and hardly tentative kiss on the lips. )

I like it better when you smile.

[beyourarmy]

[It's pure impulse, maybe brought on by the lack for so long, a reflex of sorts, but no, Setsuna's never been shy about pushing away. He kisses back, his lips eager at first, then he looks stunned and pulls away.]

Wha-

[A pause while he gains his bearings again, there's a blush, but none of his confusion and stress from being torn about Kira and Saya. A snort.]

Funny, I like it better when you smile, too.

[With that, he pushes his wings harder, and tries to slip away, attempting to give chase again, if he can.]

[confined_to_briah]

( She doesn't make a fuss about his eagerness. If anyone can feel his stress and confusion on a deeper level - it's her. Fortunately for her - during her many days on Earth - she has experienced affection. It was fleeting, of course, and it usually ended in utter tragedy, but she does know how warmth and proximity can soothe a heart.

Besides, there are few she loves as much as Setsuna. )

Oh? ( Dropping back a bit, she lets him gain some headway before chasing him again. ) We should endeavor to smile more often.

[beyourarmy]

[Setsuna hadn't realized how much he might need it. Something to hide away the complications in, forget, for just a while. A soothing balm. He knew it now.]

[He stops, just out of reach, wings flapping, to taunt.]

Mmm? Yeah. Maybe. Maybe we should go flying more often, then! [With that he takes off again.]

[confined_to_briah]

( There are a lot of options he hasn't considered yet. Alexiel doesn't mind teaching him how nice seemingly random affection can be from someone who cares can be.

At his taunt, she smirks and beats her wings against the air powerfully. )

I think that would be nice. ( It would keep their wings in shape.

Surging forward, she flies a good distance behind him, enjoying the open air. )

[beyourarmy]

[Too much on his mind to consider outside options, even though that's normally his way. When it comes to love and relationships, however, he's one of those old-fashioned idealistic types. It might get in his way.]

[And yet, he's more accepting right now. Either because it was Alexiel, or because of the mess, and his inability to sort it. Or, maybe, without Sara, all of his idealistic notions took a hit. They could never crumble, not when they're his, but they need to regroup.]

[He notices her distance and turns to fly backwards.]

Are you biding your time?

[confined_to_briah]

What if I am? ( Alexiel brushes her hair back, tying it into a ponytail. ) Take advantage of it. ( She smiles mischievously, stretching out her wings so that the sunlight touches her feathers. )

[beyourarmy]

[He should have. He should have flown off and gained distance between them, but instead, he watches, eyes blinking, focused right on her wings. He has them, but he's never considered how they felt before. Never tried touching his own.]

[Setsuna stays right there, flapping his wings lightly to maintain his altitude.]

[confined_to_briah]

...Setsuna? ( She watches him curiously, tilting her head. ) What is it?

[beyourarmy]

[Instead of answering, he flies back over to Alexiel and reaches out, curiously, to touch them.]

I've never actually felt them before.

[confined_to_briah]

( Her gaze follows his hand and she smiles, understanding. )

Why not? ( She knows her touch won't be the softest, but she lays a hand against his feathers. )

They can be sensitive.

[beyourarmy]

[His own touch is gentle, barely there, but he keeps feeling.]

I never thought about it before. [He gives Alexiel wide eyes when she touches his in return, but there are no complaints. She wasn't kidding about them being sensitive, but consider how frail the bone frame is, and where it all attaches, that makes sense.]

They're soft.

[confined_to_briah]

Which is why one of the cruelest punishment is to have your wings slowly destroyed. ( To feel the loss of each feather and to feel the bone structure slowly breaking is agony. ) It would be far easier to die than feel that pain.

( Her fingers brush over his feathers, gently smoothing any ruffled ones. )

You should take care of your wings like you take care of your body.

[beyourarmy]

[He shudders, his wings tremble.] That's what Sevothtarte did to Zaphkiel.... [Because of him. Because of his big mouth. He looks terribly uncomfortable right then, thinking he would deserve the same, but horrified of the idea at the same time.]

Take care? But isn't it kinda hard doing it on yourself? And - [again, he looks uncomfortable, shifting his gaze away as he manifests all six of them] - wouldn't this get tiring?