tushanshu_logs | and the air was full [April, catchall, OPEN]

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and the air was full [April, catchall, OPEN]

Characters: Raine Sage, OPEN
Date: April, various
Location: Healers' Guild, apartment, sky, other
Situation: a variety! This is definitely your stop for Raine at the Healers' Guild, for sure. Others tba.
Warnings/Rating: None currently; will update as that changes.

A | Healers' Guild | open

Raine, most days of the week, can be found at the Healers' Guild, though rarely at the front desk. Any of the multiple kedan who volunteer or heal here will be happy to point visitors toward Raine's office, however, especially if they have an appointment; even those not strictly looking for Raine will be pointed her way if they express they want to help around the Guild.

Raine can also occasionally be found in the halls, or simply passing through the main entryway, though she will appear somewhat distracted and may take a moment to focus on someone talking to her.

B | errands, out and about -- any sector OR outside Milyn's clinic | open

Basket in one hand, staff in the other, Raine isn't an uncommon sight in markets, or especially in the streets of the Water Sector. She walks quickly, like she's on a mission, but she can't help but turn her steps in Water toward Milyn's clinic.

She doesn't go in, but she stands across the street for a long time, a distantly troubled expression on her face.

C-1 | Hatal, Lorn Level | open

Raine's been spending some more time in Hatal, lately, but this-- this startles her. A group of Kin'nal are experimenting with something she recognizes-- a strange vehicle that looks somewhere between a motorcycle and a butterfly or dragon, and a small pack. "Excuse me," Raine says, hardly able to believe she's saying it. "I-- believe those are mine."

Anyone in the vicinity will shortly thereafter be witness to a peculiar sight, as Raine takes the pack and runs her hands over it. Yes, there are her initials, graven besides the silhouette of a wing. She manipulates it just so, and the entire vehicle vanishes into it, in a curious sliding of matter. Raine lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she tells the Kin'nal, who are more or less happy to let her take it, though she does insist on giving them some recompense.

She doesn't know what her rheaird is doing here, but it's a stroke of luck.

C-2 | skies over Keeliai | open to those with flight capabilities

Raine wastes no time in making sure it works as it should, and anyone in the sky or even looking up at the right time may catch sight of her. It works like a charm, and she handles it with the ease of practice as she skims over the city, mindful of the safe distance. She likes flying, a great deal more than she likes anything to do with swimming, and the rheaird is a small-impact piece of magitechnology, one that doesn't put an undue drain on her environment.

She indulges herself with a loop, when she thinks no one could possibly see.

D | apartment, Earth sector | Solomon

It's one of those days when Raine comes home after Solomon; she announces her return with a quiet "I'm home" from the door, and sets about putting her things away. Her jacket gets hung by the door, since things are warming and she really doesn't need it indoors, her staff leans next to it, and she idly orients on Solomon's mana -- his study, unsurprising -- and heads that way, turning the day over in her head as she does.

"Some days, I wonder about the wisdom of working in the Water sector," she says wryly, half to herself though it's aloud, and she leans in the doorway. Open, so he isn't involved in something he'd mind being interrupted. "How did your day go?"

[ooc: feel free to tag in to any one of these, or, if none suit, shoot me a pm or a pp at

makaricrow and we can work something out! I'd love new CR as well as old.]

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Finally Raine takes pity on him and stops him. The rambling is impressive, really, the way he verbalizes the train of thought that swings wildly, but she thinks if he could stop he might have already.

...It is somewhat flattering, though, to be informed so openly that she's someone's favorite, even if he amends it in a moment or two.

"Erskine," she says, holding up her free hand, though she manages only quiet amusement instead of sternness. "It's all right. I don't mind, really. I do take lunch with Solomon some days, but not every day, and I can spare the time for you."

She waits for him to be done with his assessment of his socks before moving on. "Although I wasn't aware you thought so highly of me," she adds, a little dryly, as they move along. Above Skulduggery and Erskine's socks.

He blinks, looking up from his sadly mismatched socks, and it seems to take a second or two for what she's saying to sink in. And then he gives her a rueful smile and straightens back up, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his trousers as they start off again.

"Sorry. I did try to cut it short. I'm having one of those kinds of days, I suppose." Not that that's a bad thing, in this particular instance. Mismatched socks and some slightly manic tendencies are the trade-off for an otherwise startlingly coherent day, and one largely free of the symptoms of depression. It's the way he usually acts on the network, but not needing the protection of the console to do it.

"I...." He laughs. "Would you believe me if I told you I'm trying to butter you up to shave off Wreath's eyebrows?"

Raine will take the rambling, however manic and looping, over the weight of other things. "It's all right," she says again, somewhat more amused this time, as they emerge into the entrance hall. "But I'm not sure I'd believe that, no. I think you know me well enough by now to know I wouldn't, which would make flattery rendered for that purpose pointless. One moment."

She detours only briefly from Erskine to talk to the kedan healer at the front desk, letting him know that she'll be gone for lunch, likely not too far, and should be radioed if any emergency happens that requires her. With that done she rejoins Erskine, and accompanies him out into the open air of the Water sector. "Which way?" she inquires, since he seemed to have something in mind.

"No, I didn't suppose you'd believe that one," Erskine sighs good-naturedly, still smiling. He doesn't offer any further explanation, however, hoping that Raine will become too preoccupied with speaking to her staff to bother pressing the issue.

Honest emotion? What's that?

Once outside, Erskine pauses in place for a moment and looks around, trying to orient himself within the city. He walked that way, from the Hotel, and that way is the Fire Sector, which means that way--

"This way," he says, nodding his head vaguely. There are several food stands in that direction, so there's nothing out of the ordinary in suggesting it.

"Hm," Raine says, and lets it go; not because she's content to leave the question unanswered, but rather because Erskine's lack of answer is just as revealing. It's likely the emotion he's not entirely comfortable with. "I see." She hadn't expected that he genuinely would have such a good opinion of her, given what their past interactions have comprised, but there it is.

She herself does consider Erskine a friend by now, after all, even if one to watch.

And, notably, Raine follows him without undue questioning. It seems a reasonable direction to take, and he might even have a plan. "Where are you intending to take us?" she inquires. "We're certainly not at a loss for options."

"I thought we might try the stands on the edge of the sector this way. I don't eat outside of the Hotel often but I've had these a few times and they're pretty good. That way we can each pick what we like." Hands still in his pockets, he shrugs and smiles. "Something nice and normal for a change. Unless you're planning on ordering sea prunes. Then I might have to seriously re-think this entire relationship."

They're on one of the walkways that criss-crosses the sector, but most of the travel in this part of the city utilizes the series of canals that runs through it. Erskine wasn't lying--he hasn't spent much time in this sector. It's beautiful, though. Peaceful. It reminds him, not surprisingly, of Venice. It's the kind of place that one could spend a lazy afternoon just enjoying the atmosphere, seeing the sights, and spending time with friends.

For once, it feels like that word might actually apply to the two of them.

"Do you want to take a boat over there?" he asks suddenly, looking over at Raine. "I still haven't done that. Walking in this sector feels a bit like cheating, doesn't it?"

Edited 2016-04-10 05:52 (UTC)

"You can rest easy," Raine says, dryly. "Sea prunes aren't something I usually plan on, no, though they do rank somewhat above mushrooms." She sincerely detests mushrooms. Fortunately, she doesn't run into them all that often here.

She's all set to follow him along the walkways toward aforementioned stands -- she frequents them herself, now and again, and is well familiar with where they are -- when Erskine makes his suggestion. Boat. Raine stiffens before she can stop herself, and then forces herself to relax again.

A boat will not be happening. "It's just as fast, if not faster, to walk," Raine points out, keeping her voice credibly steady. The canal system isn't so bad, as bodies of water go -- it isn't a storm-tossed ocean, after all, and the risk of actual drowning is relatively low -- but some things she just can't manage to shake. "Here-- this way. I could use the walk, in any case."

He happens to be looking right at Raine as her entire posture goes tense, and Erskine frowns slightly, his eyebrows knitting together. Was it something he said?

"I.... You're right. Okay. Forget it." It was a silly thought anyway. Raine's already said that she doesn't have all day, and dilly-dallying on the canals would just eat up the time he's planned for the rest of this little excursion. He nods and sets off down the walkway Raine has indicated.

A long couple of minutes passes before he tries again. "So... what have you been up to lately?"

Raine feels, perhaps, a little apologetic about disappointing him, but that's quickly subsumed in the relief at dodging the potential boat ride. The boat would have been worse for both of them, and this really is more practical than taking the canals. She's sure someone else will be happy to accompany him another time.

"Guild management, for the most part," she says, with a wry smile. "As well as healing. I'm told I need to delegate more. When I can, I've been refining my artes, and expounding on the magical theories laid out by Master Boltzman. There's some additional research into herb usage..."

Skulduggery has told her she needs a hobby. Raine is not convinced. And driving certainly wouldn't count for a hobby, but--

"Ah-- I found my rheaird a few days ago, in Hatal, as well." That, she sounds very pleased by.

Ah yes. Erskine smiles a little, listening to Raine talk about her magic and theories and research, remembering the conversation they'd had about Raine needing some real hobbies. He's not so quick to dismiss all of this as he was before; during that last conversation Raine had been pretty persuasive about her love of research and mathematics and the like. Still not Erskine's cup of tea, but to each their own.

"Your--" He frowns for a moment, trying to remember where he's heard that word. "Your flying machine?"

Raine nods. "That's correct," she says, and she shifts her jacket aside, showing briefly that there's a small case resting at her hip. It's a sleek little thing with a faint design of a wing engraved on it. She pats it, and lets her jacket fall back as they keep going. "It's cut down on my commute somewhat, thankfully. I'm happy to show you, if you're curious, but the food stands you're talking about aren't that far."

It is gratifying that he's actually trying to pay some attention to what she says about her research, anyway, even if it's in general terms, and Raine's smiling easily, the threat of the water already set aside.

"I'd love to see it," he says, with genuine enthusiasm. "Not now, though, you're right. Is that... is that it?" he asks, gesturing to the case at Raine's hip. "Is that the control for it? Or does it really fold up that small?" Very handy, if that's the case. He can't quite imagine it, but then again they don't have magical flying machines in his own world. Certainly nothing more convenient than a regular old airplane.

"I suppose I could try flying with you," he muses, with a small smile. "I think I'm getting better at it. I haven't fallen on my arse quite so many times lately."

"This is called a wing pack," Raine explains. "It's designed to contain certain kinds of magitechnology. It isn't precisely folded, but without going into the science of it, that's a close enough analogy. The rheaird fits inside without any trouble." As would an Elemental Cargo, in fact, but -- perhaps fortunately -- that's not what appeared.

Flying with her. Something Erskine is getting better at. Meaning magic, not rheaird. Raine blinks for a moment, then smiles over at Erskine. "I'd like that," she says. "The last several times someone has taken me flying, it's been for an emergency." Which is part of the nice part about having her rheaird, as well.

"That's fantastic. Your world may have its issues--" Because what world doesn't, apparently? "--but it sounds like you've got some great toys. I'm very jealous, you should know."

"It's a date, then." He grins. "We'll just... I don't know. Stick to flying over something soft, in case I do fall on my arse." He would have suggested water, given that he's an Elemental, but something in the back of his mind is suggesting that perhaps it's best he doesn't mention water again. "Do you suppose Keeliai has a pillow factory somewhere? Marshmallows, maybe?"

Before the joking completely dies down, Erskine speaks again--hoping to preempt any questions about himself for the time being. "And the wedding? How are the plans coming along?"

Every world has its own special share of issues, it's true. "In some places," Raine says, sounding a little amused, "dragons are domesticated for riding purposes, whether winged or flightless. The rheaird's design takes some inspiration from them, as you'll likely note when you see it. However, rheairds are, on the whole, safer and more efficient."

For some reason, the fact dragon riding is a relatively common concept in her world seems to take a number of people by surprise.

"Perhaps the fields will do," Raine suggests, carefully skirting water as well in her turn. "I'll admit, I haven't looked into the presence of... pillow factories." Her tone's still dryly amused, overall. Falling into joking with Erskine feels almost natural; like it will be natural given a little time and practice. Overall, Raine decides this is a good thing.

"Plans?" she says, a little blankly. What is there to plan? "We have rings handled, and I believe clothing as well. Once everyone we'd like in attendance can be assured of coming, we'll settle on indoors or outdoors as the day permits, and proceed from there." Should there be more than that?

He hesitates, still smiling, before shaking his head. "We don't have dragons either. Mages, werewolves, ghosts and ghouls, yes, but no dragons. Have you... actually seen one? A real dragon? How large are they? Do they actually breathe fire? Do they have mountains of gold and everything?"

The idea of actual dragons seems to take over the idea of flying, at least for now, and he lets the joking about the latter stand where it is.

For a moment, after Raine's answer about the wedding, Erskine simply blinks at her. He's no expert on weddings (the idea isn't just almost laughable, it's one hundred per-cent laughable) but he's pretty sure there are a few details missing from Raine's rundown of the situation. Aren't the brides supposed to be the ones going gaga over the details?

"And... the cake? The flowers? Have you asked Klaus about doing the flowers? I'm sure he'd love to help."

"We've both ridden them and fought them," she explains. "Some are about kirin sized, or a little larger. Wild dragons have the time and resources to grow much larger, easily three times the size of the average person. Most breathe fire, though some have developed other elemental alignments over time, depending on locale. Hoarding isn't a behavior I've observed, however, with one exception-- the dragon we fought in the Temple of Earth was protecting some not insignificant treasure."

She even restrains herself, in explanation, to the details Erskine explicitly asked for.

Raine blinks right back at Erskine's bemusement, in her own turn slightly bemused as well. "Flowers?" she echoes, blankly. "Why would we..." She did know wedding traditions, a variety of them, had simply never thought to apply most of them to herself. "We weren't planning to make a great deal of the celebration, that's all. Very little is genuinely changing, save formalities."

"You've fought dragons." It's not a question, it's a statement. The statement of one very profoundly impressed and amused sorcerer. Ever wondered how to impress a four hundred year-old man? Fight some dragons. "Does that mean... I get to call you 'Raine the Dragon Slayer'?" Erskine asked, a little hopeful note in his voice to indicate that he was teasing. Mostly. "'Raine the Mighty'?"

He shakes his head. "Does that matter? Just because you're already living together doesn't mean you can't have a nice little party for yourselves, does it? Do you need more of a reason than a wedding?" He could see the food stands down the street, just a block or so away now, but he kept up the conversation, smiling. "Did any of us ever tell you about Dexter and Rover getting married just so they'd have an excuse to throw a party in the middle of the war?"

Certainly not everyone has fought dragons, but when you've traveled as much as Raine has, it seems simply a matter of course. "Not alone, of course," she qualifies. "As a caster, I'm not suited for the front lines of most battles. More typically Lloyd and one or more of the others skilled with melee would engage at close range, while myself and Genis, sometimes Colette or Zelos, would stay some distance back, allowing the focus to cast uninterrupted." She isn't bad with her staff, but she doesn't have much finesse, either, and it's really more a magical focus than anything else.

She has also not actually weighed in on whether or not Erskine may apply those epithets.

"It isn't about the party," she says, after a moment's thought. "It's only formalizing what we mean to each other: making the promise explicit, for as long as we have each other. And it will be simpler, to refer to him as 'husband' rather than only 'partner.'" The way the corner of her mouth curves up is wry. Yes, that was one of the tipping points in their discussion. "But that hardly means it should be a solemn occasion, you're right. Hence why we've invited friends. Pepper is involved."

Pepper makes everything about five times more vibrant, simply by virtue of her enthusiasm. "I don't believe you have," Raine says with a quiet laugh. "I would believe it of Rover."

Erskine has absolutely been listening to Raine's explanation of their dragon fights, and he certainly hasn't missed the little detail of her failing to answer his actual question. As with most things, though, not expressly telling a Dead Man 'no' is tantamount to giving him free reign.

Raine should really know better, by now.

"Raine the Mighty," he repeats, nodding a little absently to himself. Obviously amused. "I like the sound of it. That's what I'm calling you from now on, over the network, by the way. Just so you know." His tone is very matter of fact. That's just the way it's going to be, Raine. He's tempted to add something else about subduing a necromancer but manages to edit himself just in time. She's marrying the fool, after all.

"Oh, well if Pepper is involved that's all right then," he laughs. "I'm sure she'll liven the party up. Maybe I'll see if she needs any help."

"You should have heard them bickering about the wedding plans. If I recall correctly, at one point Rover tried to convince Dex that he should be allowed to 'fly' in with angel wings. The more ridiculous the details became the more we laughed." His smile is wistful, but for a change it's not necessarily sad. "Skulduggery and I can probably manage to fly you in, if you like," he adds, suddenly grinning again. "Or Wreath, if you prefer. But only if we get to surprise him."

Raine twigs a little too late to the nickname problem. "I really don't think that's necessary," she says, attempting to stave it off. Pros: It is a step ahead of 'Gorgeous Ultra Cool Beauty', which she will never thank Zelos for. Cons: it's a nickname she doesn't need. It could be worse.

He's right about Pepper, at least. "Pepper knows far more about partying," Raine says wryly. "I'm sure she'd appreciate the help, though." Pepper seems to just genuinely like people, and being around them, which is a skill not everyone has.

She's laughing before Erskine has even finished describing Rover and Dex's discussion. She only met Rover the once, but it certainly sounds like him, and the laughter was probably the goal, both then and now. "Flying won't be necessary, either," she says, trying to be stern and utterly failing. "Although I appreciate the offer. Did they make use of wings, in the end?"

"Most things in life aren't strictly necessary," Erskine replies immediately, straight-faced. "Just useful. Like pants."

And then he immediately drops the subject of Raine's new nickname, leaving that little gem of wisdom hanging in the air and most assuredly determined to use the nickname anyway.

"No, unfortunately. No wings. For all their big talk we were still in the middle of a war. We were lucky they didn't have to hold the ceremony while we were knee-deep in some muddy trench, honestly--but that's not the point. The point...." Erskine's voice trails off as he tries, valiantly, to remember just what his point had been. "The point...."

"The point," he repeats, as they approach the food stands, "is that you deserve a lovely wedding, and I'm going to buy you lunch."

"Erskine," Raine says, sounding not quite scandalized but certainly resigned. She... doesn't actually have a rebuttal for that, and in any case Erskine is moving ahead too quickly for her to properly argue.

She will definitely be arguing if she hears the nickname out of him, however.

The swing in topics startles her only for a moment, before her expression softens. "I can hardly argue with that, I suppose," she says. "After all, small doesn't preclude lovely. Still, I think things are in hand. Here, this one looks good." She points Erskine toward one of the stands, one she's reasonably sure has relatively mild food. They haven't precisely eaten together a lot before, and she's hedging her bets on his taste.

Yeah, Erskine's never heard his name spoken in that tone of voice before. It's kind of a Dead Men thing.

"Good, then we're in agreement. A small but fantastic party it is."

Mild is good when it comes to Keeliai's selection of food. Erskine doesn't consider himself a foodie--he's made himself one too many grilled cheese sandwiches and eaten far too much Chinese takeout over the years to claim that title--but even he draws the line when the food literally tries to wriggle off the plate. Some of Keeliai's food is amazing and some of it makes you wonder what kind of digestive system the kedan possess under their changing shapes.

Erskine nods in agreement and steers them toward the indicated stand, and after making his selection (it's fairly close to fish and chips, all things considered) he sets down an amount of juulan that should easily cover both of them, as soon as Raine has made her choices.

"Thank you," Raine says, with some feeling, currently unaware that she has not come out ahead in this conversation. Small is where she's going to put her foot down: the rest can be left in Pepper's and Erskine's capable hands.

She picks out something close to what Erskine ordered, though involving a different starch, and she nods when Erskine sets down the juulan; when they have their food she'll step carefully away from the groups of people around the food stands, making sure not to lose her companion.

"We're fortunate it's a nice day," she comments idly, when they have space enough to converse again. "Have you been traveling the city more often, lately?" Since he said he'd eaten here before.

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