midnightstar | Shionne and Alphen in Menancia

They've all come a long way since Calaglia, both in terms of distance and... other things. Things Shionne was forcing herself not to acknowledge. Because what would the point be to acknowledge those thoughts when she couldn't act on them - when at the end of this journey, she had no future? Ah... but that was something she hadn't - couldn't - tell the others, who she's begun thinking of as more than just 'tools'.

Particularly Alphen.

It was the hardest to think of him when she knew how much she was keeping from him. Much to her frustration, however, the group had decided to take a break for a little while since Shionne's pace had been pushing the others quite a lot - and they did just gain two new companions. Shionne was avoiding them as much as possible, deciding to go for a walk through the city almost...baffled by how accepting the Dahnans and Renans were.

It was ... nice. But it felt so alien to her, at the same time.

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That was fair - she was in the same boat as him, "It's really not that important.." But since it related to him and wanting him to like her more she needed to know his likes and dislikes...aesthetically...too.

"My hair...do you like it better up like this or..down..?" She's been wearing it up for a lot of their journey but it was before she was ready to acknowledge her feelings for him too. And now that they've sorted THAT part out - what he liked was very important~!

Wow that was a bit of a turn but then the topic was not one he disliked so he gave it some serious thought, cupping his chin and everything.

"Hmmmm I do think the hair down look gave you a more...no I can't really say comfortable or relaxed given the situation. But while on the journey all around this world, I will admit I can't think of you having it in any way other than the ponytail."

Wow, he was taking the question so seriously. Shionne couldn't help but smile for it, admiring that thoughtful expression he had, "Haha.. I suppose that makes sense," she brushed her hand against her ponytail, "It's the same for you." She hummed, folding her arms, "I've already mentioned I didn't think I'd ever be able to see you without your mask - but the other thing, I don't think I can imagine seeing you without your armor either." But he's probably going to dress more casually when everything was over, right? Her gaze drifted to the scarf around his shoulders, her smile warming more. He's worn that throughout their entire journey too.

"Hmmm well when the day comes that I don't need to wear this armor anymore, I'll be sure to ask for your advice on picking out something more...day to day." After all she was the one who pointed out he'd look good with the scarf and it had become an utterly integral part of his outfit. So if he were to get used to wearing more civilian attire, he would naturally consult with her again.

Shionne smiled at that. She was the fashionista of the group, after all, and she couldn't deny she was eager to see him in something outside of his armor. Though she was going to have to make sure the scarf stayed part of the ensemble. "I look forward to that day." She smiled faintly, "A day we can both live quietly, peacefully somewhere.." With occasional traveling when they got restless. She didn't think for a /second/ he'd ever stop being a weapon fanatic, so wherever they settled down would have to have enough room for him to work on or collect his weapons. Though the idea of living together still seemed like a pipe dream, she rather liked the idea of losing herself in that fantasy to reality scenario.

As long as they had enough land for a small smithy and a storage room for his products then that would be fine. Though odds were Shionne could absolutely steal away a bulk of his time just with the constant cuddling and just being herself. To say nothing of...other activities. Alphen was luckily too distracted to make it past anything more than kissing Shionne but that was still quite possible in the nearer future compared to their little cottage in the wilderness.

"It's a day I will absolutely make happen. I swear it, Shionne~"

Goodness, once things were quieted down and they found a nice cottage to stay in, Shionne would have a hard time letting go of him. Even if he wanted to get up at any point. Fortunately she was more distracted with imagining the different styles of outfits she wondered what he would look best in. A vest or slightly open shirt was definitely... DEFINITELY vital... Ah, why was she thinking about that? The entire reason they changed the subject was so they wouldn't get tempted to risk the thorns! "I believe you, Alphen," Shionne smiled softly, "If there's any constant in the world, I know that.. I can always believe in you." Cheesy, maybe, but it was making her blush a little just knowing how far he would go for her.

Those words...meant the world to him considering the incident when she got captured. Because he felt he had failed her horribly at the time. Just more reason to make it his life's goal to make it so that SHionne would feel nothing but happiness in her life going forward.

"Really wish I could at least hold your hand right now...."

Funny, she was thinking the same. Well she wished he could hold her too. She didn't blame him for letting go of her hand - rather, herself for hurting him at all. She'd given up on everything in that moment she realized that the man she loved would only be hurt if he touched her. He was the last person she wanted to ever hurt. Even so, she lifted her hand slightly, but didn't bring it close enough to his hand- the painful longing was palpable, ".. so do I. But we both know what would happen..." ... yet a part of her wanted to touch him anyway. A tiny, selfish part.

"Gonna be honest...I'm probably going to get frustrated enough to go for it anyway even if only for a second." Alphen tried to laugh it off as a joke but there was definitely a hint of resolve in his voice to endure that pain for just a moment of physical contact between the two of them.

Shionne gave him an exasperated glance, "You don't --" she stopped. Even though he said it jokingly, she suspected he did mean it. Which was part of the problem, because she didn't feel confident that she would stop him - or herself - even if he was injured. That craving for his touch was almost impossible to ignore.

She was even tempted to bargain with him - to offer to let him hold her hand as long as he let go when he couldn't bear it anymore. She shook her head, "One of us has to be firm," She teased lightly, "Or will I have to throw something at you to keep you at a distance?"

He would. He so would and that look in his eyes betrayed how willing he'd be to risk it even for a few seconds of touching her hand. Maybe since their moment where he embraced her in the middle of her cursed rampage, he had started to hope to develop an endurance to it.

"You always were the more determined one in that regard." He points out oh so unhelpfully even if he WAS right.

If only. Privately, she had hoped his body had adapted to the feel of her thorns even when he couldn't feel pain. But that look in his eyes ... god, she knew it must mirror her own, wanting so desperately to touch him even for a second.

She had to look away, flustered and frustrated, even a tiny bit guilty at his point. "..you.. really don't make it easy.." He didn't even have to DO anything at this point.

Which is an opening for him to actually take that quickest risk to lunge forward and brush his lips against her cheek and suppressing the wince of pain almost completely before pulling back with what he hoped was a convincing smile at his sudden ambush. He tried to get the drop on both her and the curse with that one. Bold to say the least.

Ambushed! She definitely didn't expect him to take advantage like -that-, letting out a surprised little gasp as her head came up to shoot him a startled look. "Wha.. Alphen!" Her expression looked torn between scolding him and looking worried -- the blush probably wasn't helping matters though, "Why did...?" Didn't it hurt when he did that? He was giving her a strange smile, and she narrowed her eyes slightly. "Are you crazy?" Taking risks like that and all!?

"I probably am. But I don't regret it." Still stung a little bit but seeing that blush on her face was absolutely worth it and he felt a little appeased by those results. He could last for a while on that. Or so he told himself but it would be the case for a while so in the end he felt it was a net positive.

"W...well don't do that again..!" She folded her arms, trying to look stern. Stern! Be Stern! Except stern was really not the impression she was giving with her fighting back the smile and blush. She was going to look elsewhere instead, fingers drumming gently against her arms as she cleared her throat. Ahem! Yes, that -totally- made her angry. Is he buying it?

Not. One. Bit. He grins behind her back and leans in close enough to almost speak in her ear while they just stand there in under the endless sky.

"I can't make a promise I know I'm likely going to break." SO SHAMELESS TO THE END

HOW DID HE GET SO SHAMELESS!? She let out a startled squeak, the sound of his voice that close getting quite the reaction out of her. "Haa...you..." She huffed a noise that was almost a laugh. No, don't laugh Shionne, laughing will only enable that sort of behavior! "W.. what's gotten into you?" She added a little 'hmph!' to try and make it seem like they weren't totally flirting. Blatantly.

"I just realized how much I've grown used to having you close so I have to take every opening I can get away with." ALphen answers with a cheeky smile but doesn't go for another kiss this time. Not for lack of longing to do it but because he doesn't want to overdo it and make her feel guilty with his pained noises.

.. it's not like I'm going to go anywhere at the end of all this. You'll have all the time and opportunity you could possibly want .." She probably shouldn't give him a blank card to be bad like that though. She glanced over her shoulder for a thoughtful moment, and opted to admit one other thing. "After all.. I'll want to be close to you too." And he won't have to feel pain for it. Unless he wanted her to - uh, wait, ignore that part.

"I can't wait for that day." he smiled warmly almost reaching for a handhold again before he caught himself. As for the pain idea....in contrast to the instances of the curse affecting him, there was a pretty high chance he would enjoy THAT kind of behind the closed doors level of pain.

Oh. Oh my. WELL THEN. IF she knew he enjoyed it, she would certainly keep it in mind. Heck, she might not be able to hold herself back at that point. But for now, she smiled gently at him, "Neither can I." She agreed brightly, turning around to face him again. "Just thinking about all the time I can spend with you without worrying about my thorns hurting you..." She'd naturally be hesitant out of habit, but once she was used to the idea of touching him, he'd have to get the jaws of life to get her off of him. . . if he ever wanted to.

"Sounds like a dream worth going to the ends of the world for, doesn't it~?" He grinned happily back at her. Honestly it was so easy to get silly and daydream with Shionne. He loved that fact so much that he wanted to pursue it every chance he got.

"Just the two of us lying on the grass somewhere under the huge blue sky. Or maybe you would lie on top of me?" He smiled wistfully not really filtering his words from his thoughts at the moment.

Shionne smiled at the sight of that happy grin of his. She truly, truly cherished it. She could lose herself in that smile every time if she wasn't careful. ". Yes.. I think it's worth everything we put on the line." She grinned back - though its the latter part that throws her for a second. Or particularly his phrasing. "On-- ON top of you..?" That ... that was closer than she'd ever been with him. Not even necessarily as an intimate act, but just lying on top of him --

..as if she hadn't dreamed of something like that, snuggling on top of him with her arms wrapped tightly around him and her head against his chest.