x 2nd Record; [video/action near the Old Chateau in Eterna Forest]

[smoothstrider]

[When the video first pops up, the beat of a certain song is playing loudly in the forest, there's a close up of a Meowth looking curiously at the screen before it backs up to reveal the clearing where the sound is coming from

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[Perma-Action / broadcasted through Davi's feed]

[grimdarkcentaur]

[In SBURB, Equius's title had been "Seer of Void." Like all with Seers, unlocking his powers meant seeing possibilities, events, and scenarios based on the world around him. Had his powers been tied to the element of Light, it would have been based on luck and chance. Had his powers been tied to the element of the Mind, he would have been able to see into the intents of others and the consequences of their actions

[smoothstrider]

[So caught up in the music, she didn't even sense his presence there until he was right there and it threw off both her and Remix with the suddenness.

It was only a quick pivot and flip along with Remix halting his attacks that narrowly saved her from a painful burn that would have been a bitch to take care of.

Her chest raising and falling just a fraction quicker than normal, not too much as she does this often but noticeable at least due to the shock, she turns her attentions to Lalonde. There's annoyance there, but also a sliver of confusion. Why does he seem so freaked out?]

Training Remix, what's it look like?

[grimdarkcentaur]

Trai-Face red with anger, embarrassment, and several other flustered emotions, he seizes her shoulders and gives her a good shake, all but yelling in her face] You could have gotten yourself killed or worse if Remix's aim or timing were even the slightest bit off! And it would have been no one's fault but your own foe being so gosh darn careless! What would I have done then, Davi? What would I have done then?

[smoothstrider]

[Those words are enough to bring every train of thought in her mind to a screeching halt.

He's... actually scared?

For her?

She doesn't know what to say to that, just blinks up at him in mild confusion. Her mind is too busy being everywhere and no where to manage a proper response for the moment. She doesn't even move to fix her shades that slip down a fraction because of that shake.]

[grimdarkcentaur]

[ . . . ]

[Ahem]

[Well]

[This was awkward]

[Time to push forward as though this was an entirely intentional, and not, in fact, a moment of panic.]

[He pulls her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her as tightly as he could without constricting her breath, face pressed into her hair]

Stupid, stupid, thoughtless girl...

[smoothstrider]

[He's hugging her.

He's hugging her.

The most she'd let him invade her space is usually when she's stuck on the back of a Ponyta with her but this.

This is awkward on several levels and does not mix with her already confused feelings over the situation. In fact, it really just makes them all the more confusing.

But with every bit of awkward a Strider possesses, after a minute she lifts her arms to wrap around him as well. It's another couple moments of feeling awkward as shit before she's able to actual say something.]

Hey... I'm fine alright? I knew what I was doing and Remix would never let me get hurt too badly. You know how protective he is.

[She can't lie though, the hug does feel kinda nice.]

[grimdarkcentaur]

Accidents happen, Davi. [And yeah, he's really starting to feel silly, but the thing about his dreams was that they always seemed so real. So very possible.] And he's a fire pokemon. Perhaps if you had a water pokemon with you, it wouldn't be such an issue, but...

[He sighs, his shoulders slump as he disengages from the hug, gently pushing her away]

You just don't think things through, do you?

[smoothstrider]

[No, she's not disappointed he pulled away so soon. At least that's what she plans to keep telling herself.

Her stare up at him is still blank, still that same confusion but her mask slowly slipping back into place.]

I always think shit through. I was willing to get burned in order for him to improve. Nothing happens if you're not willing to take risks.

[grimdarkcentaur]

Not all risks are necessary to take! [He frowns, stepping further back with his hands clenched into fists at his side. He had to remain cool. Had to remain distant. Lalondes cared nothing for anyone but themselves, they were detached and unflappable. Or completely trashed, but he was a bit young to be going down that road just yet.] And besides, even if the hypothetical burn had been minor, it would have been on your foot. And you would have to be off said foot for over a week while it healed. Don't you think that would set your training back just a bit?

[smoothstrider]

Just cause it gets burned doesn't mean I'd stay off of it.

[No, you invaded her space now she's invading yours. She follows that step back he takes, keeping the distance between them the same.]

You know how stubborn I can't be, I've worked with worse injuries before.

[grimdarkcentaur]

[Fine, then he's staying right here. Solid and cold as a stone wall]

I would tie you to the bed if I had to to keep you in place. And I will show Remix pictures of feet with infected burns and tell him that's what will happen to you if he unties you.

[smoothstrider]

[Her stare is unreadable now, shades pushed back up to fully cover her eyes once more. She doesn't say anything, there's nothing to say again.

He confuses the shit out of her, makes her jumble of thoughts and odd emotions even harder to sort through.

So words aren't necessary if she doesn't have any to give. Instead she steps forward again, ignoring her own comfort levels to wrap her arms back around him as they were before. Make him as uncomfortable as he made her. If she's not allowed to pull the emotionless act, neither is he. Not after that little freak out.]

[grimdarkcentaur]

[There are days when he tires of this dance. The falseness of it all, the constant need to stay two, three, even five steps ahead of everyone else. All it takes is one false move, one miscalculated nudge, and things can fall apart so rapidly. And no matter how closely you observe them, no matter how deep into their lives you pry, people simply aren't predictable. Even more so when they dance to the same song, even if it's under a different name.]

[The hug was as much of an attack as it was a gesture of affection. To retreat would be to concede defeat. To do nothing would be a standstill. Returning the hug would be an acceptable counter attack, why settle for the minimum? If something was worth doing, it was worth doing exquisitely, after all.]

[Maintaining the cool, stony expression, his practically a mirror to hers, he placed his hands on her shoulders, and leaned in for a kiss]

[smoothstrider]

[She could push him away, back down now before it's too late. But it's already too late, isn't it? It has been since he flipped the fuck out and declared he couldn't lose her.

What else is there to lose?

She moves her arms to around his neck and pulls him down the rest of the way for the kiss. So many conflicting thoughts nearly screaming at her to stop and think for a minute. Thinking is overrated and only makes her confused. She can think later.]

[grimdarkcentaur]

[Excellent move, Davi. Well played. This was no longer a battle of facetious affection, but a war of pride, and the playing field had been narrowed down to the point where he had no choice but to advance.]

[He was considerably inexperienced in ventures such as this, but Mom had always done her best to traumatize the everliving daylights out of him with descriptive tales of all her little... romantic exploits. He knew what to do, even if he wasn't sold on the how. Hopefully, Davi wouldn't notice.]

[His hands slide from her shoulders to her back, one resting between her shoulder blades, the other settling in the small of her back, pushing her hips closer to his own. His head tilts to the side, aligning their mouths a little more comfortably, lips parting and moving slowly against hers.