( 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

[beyourarmy]

[It's something he fails to sense, figuring he'll see her before she sees him, unaware she was high above.]

[confined_to_briah]

( A sudden dive will bring her up close and personal. She pecks him on the cheek. )

[beyourarmy]

[He jolts at first, then grins, before trying to dive down. He hasn't been tackled yet, so it's fair! Right?]

[confined_to_briah]

( She had been hoping he wouldn't give up so easily. Shifting easily, she dives after him, paying no mind to the fact that they are practically free-falling now.

Oh dare-devils...dare-angels? )

[beyourarmy]

[He's too stubborn to give in easily. Besides, wind rushing along side him, the ground closing in, it's an addicting rush.]

[He pulls up, so close, almost too close, he barely was able to turn his momentum around. That just makes him laugh.]

[confined_to_briah]

( Alexiel nearly runs into him, but she has enough control to just miss him. Although the wind from her wings likely gives him another rush. )

You've adapted to flying. ( One of her wings brushes the ground as she turns and tries to gain altitude again. )

That won't save you.

[beyourarmy]

[He looks back only to grin, then tries to speed up. It's a taunt, of course.]

[confined_to_briah]

( Tch. She launches herself forward with a powerful beat of her wings, reaching out for one of his ankles. )

[beyourarmy]

[When she has a grasp on it, Setsuna turns to laugh. Though he does stick his tongue out.]

I can carry both our weights, you know!

[confined_to_briah]

( She smirks and narrows her eyes. )

I trust you won't harm us. ( Go ahead. Try it, Setsuna. )

[beyourarmy]

You're not gonna hang on, are you?

[He can do it, if he was carrying her. But her holding onto his ankle? That might hurt, some.]

[confined_to_briah]

I'm hurt. You don't trust me? ( She'll let go and grab him bodily if he plans on taking her through an obstacle course. )

[beyourarmy]

I trust you to win! [Flying back down was first on his mind. Second was flying near a building.]

[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.]