Battle Scars [open to anyone who has the means to get there] [THNMY]

[vicioussweetie]

Can she excuse my wrongs with Virtue's cloak?
Shall I call her good when she proves unkind?Ali stood at the railing, the cold night air long before having prickled lengths of exposed skin and set her breath to a cloud. The music from the party drifted up from below, masking the other voices until the conversations were nothing more than a pleasant

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[pax_libraria]

When the party is quite over, and the last guest has been seen to the door, Raphael once again slips an arm around Ali's waist, subtly steering her toward cozy seclusion. Admittedly, he may have something in mind other than she'd wish, but he hopes she'll forgive him the trespass. "That went fairly well, don't you think?"

[vicioussweetie]

Ali is willingly steered. One might even say she's obedient, this once. "Oh yes, it went well enough. Thank you for staying through it."

Well, somewhat obedient. She's not in a talking mood. She's in a kissing mood.

[pax_libraria]

Mmm, kisses. Kisses are a good thing. They're so nice and soft and warm and--focus, Raphael, you've got to focus here. This is important. Think with the head that reads for a while.

Reluctantly, he breaks the kiss, drawing back far enough to look into Ali's eyes. "So... you were out on the balcony tonight?"

[vicioussweetie]

Kisses are good and nice and soft warm and determined. She tries to claim another before answering. "Yes."

And then she's intent on kissing again, nice and soft and warm, like so much of her.

[pax_libraria]

Oh, kisses are so good... but he has to be stern. After long enough to realize she's trying to simply kiss her way out of this talk, he pulls back, holding her at forearms' length. "Yes...?" he asks, his tone prompting.

[vicioussweetie]

She groans in frustration when stopped again. "Less talking, more kissing?" she whispers pleadingly, wide-eyed and sweet.

[pax_libraria]

He wants to say yes. Faced with those soft lips, those eyes, those curves, who wouldn't? But concern drives him on. "Soon, love. You were brooding out there. What's wrong?"

[vicioussweetie]

She pouts, folding her arms and thrusting out her lower lip. "I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said it was nothing?"

[pax_libraria]

"You wouldn't brood over nothing," he counters, finding it a great act of will not to try to soothe her pout away.

[vicioussweetie]

With a frustrated huff, she leans back against a wall.

"I have a lot on my mind. You know that."

[pax_libraria]

"I know. But as the saying goes, a burden shared is a burden halved. Whatever weight is on you, love," he pleads, "let me help you carry it?"

[vicioussweetie]

After a quiet moment, she relents. Perhaps it's more apt to say a dam has broken.

"They're scared. Scared of me. I never wanted them to be. But I can't blame them either, not after what happened. I should probably be scared too. What if it's always going to be that way? Wild and uncontrollable? I don't know if I can fight it forever." She looks down, embarrassed.

[pax_libraria]

He draws her close, rubbing her back soothingly. "You don't have to fight it alone, love." He guides her hand to rest over his heart. "I'm with you. And I doubt I'm the only one."

[vicioussweetie]

She knows he's trying, but part of her wishes he could do better than the same old lines that really don't mean anything. She manages a quiet "thank you", but it doesn't quite sound heartfelt.

[pax_libraria]

He compresses his lips, seeing her doubt. "Ali, the Dreaming is strange, and wild, and wonderful, and frightening. You've always shone brightly, always done amazing things. It's a little daunting--you're like the best of the old days, come again. Right this moment, they're a little frightened, but I promise you, everyone you saw tonight is going to remember all you've done, and all you are. Their fears are fleeting things, but your good endures."

[vicioussweetie]

"Does it?" She looks up again, seeking some proof that he's right. "Shall it? What if I keep frightening them?"