Lily Snorted At His Shock, Though It Quickly Devolved To Proper Laughter As She Leaned Into His Side

EPIC: THE ITHACA SAGA STARTERS.

the challenge

"i'm supposed to choose a suitor to wear the crown."

"cause i would rather lie than allow them to think they've won."

"though i never thought i'd resort to this."

"but i don't know how much longer i'll last."

"just know i'll be here buying you time."

"cause i would rather die than grow old without the best of you."

"i would not have it any other way." "

hold them down

"where is he?"

"screw this competition, we've been here for hours"

"can't you guys see we're being played?"

"this is how they hold us down while we slowly age."

"where in the hell is our pride and our rage?"

"here and now there's a chance for action"

"here and now burn it down to ashes."

"only the ocean and i will know."

"i will not let any part go to waste."

odysseus

"i've suffered every punishment and pain."

"i have had enough."

"he's using the darkness to hide his approaches."

"our only chance is to strike him in the darkness."

"you don't think i know my own palace? i built it."

"you've destroyed the serpents head."

"let's have open arms instead." "let's make the bastard rot."

"we don't fight fair."

"there's a chance for us to win."

"mercy? mercy? my mercy has long since drowned."

"it died to bring me home."

"you've filled my heart with hate."

i can't help but wonder

"all my life i'd have died to meet you."

"thought about your name so much it hurts."

"and now you're here, i can't find the words."

"all this time i've wondered if you'd embrace me as your own."

"for so long, i've felt alone."

"oh my child, look how much you've grown."

"oh my child, the sweetest joy i've ever known."

"used to say i'd make the storm clouds cry for you."

"used to say i'd capture wind and sky for you."

"held you in my arms, prepared to die for you."

"i can only wonder what your world has been."

"things you've had to suffer, and the strength you hold within."

"all i've ever wanted was to reunite with my own."

"you were never one for hello's."

"i can't help but wonder what this world would be if we all held each other with a bit more empathy."

"i can't help but feel like i've led you astray."

"what if there's a world where we don't have to live this way?"

"if that world exists it's far away from here, it's one i'll have to miss."

would you fall in love with me again?

"is it you? have my prayers been answered?"

"is it really you standing there?"

"you look different."

"your eyes look tired."

"your frame looks lighter."

"your smile is torn."

"is it really you, my love?"

"i am not the person you fell in love with."

"i am not the person you once adored."

"i am not your kind and gentle partner."

"and i am not the love you knew before."

"would you fall in love with me again if you knew all i've done?"

"the things i cannot change, would you love me all the same?"

"i know that you've been waiting for love."

"what kind of things did you do?"

"hurt more lives than i can count in my hands."

"all of it was to bring me back to you."

"do you realize what you have asked me?"

"only my love knew that, so i guess that makes them you!"

"i will fall in love with you, over and over again."

"i don't care how, where or when."

"no matter how long it's been you're mine."

"don't tell me you're not the same person."

"i love you."

Lily snorted and moved to pat his back instead when he came closer, giggling quietly at his dramatics.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry for being such a cruel bodyguard and attacking you," she teased, not sounding the least bit apologetic, "we can go get you some hot chocolate, okay?"

She didn't mind his exaggeration, if only because it was so clearly over the top. That, and she'd never turn down an excuse for a hot drink.

❄️ -@artistrafayel

Send ❄️ to throw a snowball at Lily!

Lily yelped in surprise at the sudden impact before turning to Rafayel, seeming almost offended for all of... two seconds.

A wide grin spread across her face as she leaned down to make a snowball of her own. "Are you sure you want to play this game~?" she asked playfully, glancing up at him from where her hands were making quick work of the snow.

Lily hummed at the suggestion and nodded. "I could make us little scrapbooks." She offered, looking up to him to see what he thought. "There's still plenty of photos on our phones to start with, after all."

The idea starts to snowball in her head, already figuring out what all she'd need to make it happen, and she is looking forward to getting to work on it. Looks like she's figured out how to spend her weekend, if she gets it off!

Though all productive (and self-deprecating) thoughts were derailed by his comment as she outright gawked at him. "You brat!" She laughed, moving to smack his arm before grabbed the food. No risking the food!

"Yes, let's go." She snorted, taking the lead out of the store to hold the door open for him as she thought. "I know there's a kind of small playground just a few minutes away that has some tables we can sit at?"

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

When he mentioned 'writing it out', she tilted her head in confusion. She didn't bother questioning it though, just giggling at his reaction to her request.

Once she had the mitt on and took the tray, she took a moment to get on tip toe to gently kiss his cheek. "Thank you~!"

She did take the opportunity to grab a few ingredients to make a test batch of icing for the cookies, humming along to the music again. Is it selfish of her to hope that they can get more moments like this?

[Phone call, Xavier's voice sounds urgent] "I'm in great danger I need you to come downstairs right now. Please! You're the only one that can help. In fact, the entire complex may be in danger if you don't help me stop this right now."

As soon as she registered the urgency and he mentioned 'upstairs', Lily was rushing out of her apartment, only sparing enough time to grab her guns as a precaution.

"I'm on my way!" She reassured as she hurried upthe flight of stairs between them. Her thoughts were already racing a mile a minute, wondering what could possibly be causing Xavier of all people to struggle and call for help, especially without causing much of a ruckus.

By the time she reached his door her heart was pounding and she was braced for a fight.

Lily couldn’t fight the flush as Xavier went on about all of the little things that make her excited, her pout disappearing completely. Honestly, it made her heart skip a beat in a good way, to know that he paid such close attention to such little things. She really shouldn’t be surprised that he was so observant, but it was touching all the same.  

The affectionate train of thought was derailed by the teasing, her cheeks turning even deeper pink in embarrassment as she shifted to lightly elbow him in the side. “Oh, hush.” She ‘scolded’, even as she turned her attention up towards the menu.  

Fortunately, she did manage to decide before they made it up front, figuring she’d go with a fruity tea, something on the sweeter side. Once she had finally decided on a drink, she honestly seemed rather proud of herself.

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

As a heads up, I'm trying to work on revamping this account a little, cleaning up my tagging system and such. So bear with me if things look kinda messy!

Lily shook her head affectionately, running her hand over her ponytail. "He's something, alright." She agreed playfully.

She nodded to his offer, standing a little straighter. "Of course! I'll try not to distract you too much." She teased playfully, stretching out carefully. "Though speaking of, I should probably get out of your hair. Once I'm home I'll let you know when I'm supposed to be free so we can try to coordinate a day to come over."

( Jump - sender jumps on receivers back - @lily-of-the-linkon )

Lily grinned when seeing Jeremiah wasn't paying attention to her, a mischievous little plan forming in her head.

Putting her training to the test, she carefully approached him from behind. She kept her movements as silent as possible, slowly lifting her arms to brace herself for step two.

When she was finally within reach of the (unsuspecting?) man, she lunged to jump on his back. While she was careful not to knock him over if she could help it, she was still dramatic.

Almost immediately after 'impact', she couldn't help but break into giggles, shifting to at least attempt to look at his face. "Hi Jer~" she greeted with playfully exaggerated casualness.

"What the- ah!"

The sudden surprise and sensation of warmth pressed against his back shocked him enough to let out a yelp in surprise, but the familiarity of the voice immediately calmed his instincts.

He adjusts his grip to ensure her safety but doesn't put her down.

"Stars, Lilyyyy! Where did you come from!? How did you manage to be so quiet!?"

Lily at least tried to help with carrying the boxes so that they could head home, not the slightest bit phrased by his phrasing. “We should probably at least stop home to drop off the food, yeah,” she agreed, starting to lead the way once they had everything gathered.

His comment about taking a nap earned a small laugh, humming thoughtfully. “Honestly a nap does sound pretty nice...” She admitted, even if she knows she probably shouldn’t let herself take a nap. She’d ruin her sleep schedule if she did, and that’s the last thing she needs right now.

“To be fair, you work really hard, so I’m not surprised that you end up so tired.” Even if she wishes that she could do more so that he wasn’t exhausting himself so much... but she has such a long ways to go to even begin to compare.

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

[-> Jeremiah: Maybe we can get together tomorrow then? Get some food or tea or something then go to the claw machines?]

[-> Jeremiah: Meeting up around noon means we won't have to rush around in the morning at least.]

( @lily-of-the-linkon )

~ Hey, Jer, about that plushie date, I've got the next few days off

~ If you want / are able to, we could try to get together sometime soon?

~ Otherwise I can grab us a bite to eat and bring it over during lunch one of those days as repayment?

[->Lily: Hey, Lily! That would be great. I'm no Xavier at the claw machine but I'll do my best 😊]

[->Lily: No need to treat me to lunch. We can just do milk tea if you'd like. Let me know what day works best for you. Don't worry about the shop, things are slow lately so I can close up one of these days and save on electricity.]

Send “Trust me” for my muse to close their eyes and let yours act.

Or send “I trust you” for the opposite scenario.