( closed ) how do we breathe, how do we climb

[unalign]

WHO: Lumine + others
WHERE: Shadowlands, and then various places in Stygia
WHEN: December
WHAT: event shenanigans + notice board things
WARNINGS: blanket warning for event-related stuff, possible spoilers for the sumeru updates

[ ooc: closed starters will go here. if you want a custom starter, send me a PM or comment on my plotting post and let's hash things out. ]

Comments

— hibiki

[unalign]

[ the cold's never bothered her before.

before, being the operational word here. the chill that settles all around her doesn't feel normal as lumine watches frost creeps across her armguards and the gold decorations of her dress. a few merchants she works with also calls out her lack of layers, her dress revealing pale skin that's growing even paler in the cold. soon enough, it'll match the white and light blue colors of her ensemble. ]

It's fine, I'm used to it. But thank you.

[ she smiles at one of the older women looking over a stall, gently pushing back the cloak she's offering her while she exchanges the bag of vegetables and herbs with a few coins.

it's only after lumine's walked away from the stall that she pauses under a store awning, exhaling hot air into her hands and rubbing her arms, watching the snow slowly fall down from the skies. it's gotten so cold she can't even focus anymore, but this won't do. she still has a few things to do, a few errands and requests to run.

a few moments later, she puts on a determined look on her face. yup, she's getting out of the canopy and going back to work. no use chickening out just because of the cold. she's dealt with this before. ]

In three, two ...

[windsongs]

[ Why does it feel so much colder in Stygia than it does anywhere else? Maybe it's all in her head, but even layering as thoroughly as she has been, Hibiki can't seem to shrug off the chill. But this should be the last supply run she needs to make before taking an extended trip into the wilds--and away from everyone else. She's already had enough awkward situations to last her a lifetime in the past few days, and she would like to not have to lock lips with whoever crosses her path thank you very much!

Mittened hands clutching a metal thermos, Hibiki turns and pushes the small cafe door open with her back, shivering as cold air rushes inside. Whelp, time to brave the elements once more, ugh. ]

I owe you one, Zlata! I'll bring you some cake when I get back!

[ Stepping outside, the small blonde turns and presses the door shut with her hip. She is going to hold on to that warm thermos like her life depends on it. Exhaling deeply, her gaze slides from the shop she left to the small woman standing under the canopy next door. The one with barely anything on, her complexion nearly as pale as the snow falling from the sky. ]

Um...

[ Tilting her head slightly as she faces Lumine, Hibiki puts on a mildly-concerned smile. Girl you're going to die (again) of frostbite (again) at this rate, what are you even doing dressed like that? ]

[unalign]

[ wrong canopy to stand under, really.

lumine glances when the door in the next shop opens, the bell tinkling softly in the chaos of the harbor. her gaze flickers at the thermos held by the other girl and a part of her debates getting something inside before she rushes off into the cold again. maybe it's a good idea, if only to momentarily melt the snowflakes stuck to her eyelashes and hair.

but she still has errands to run ...

before she can make a decision though, she blinks, meeting the other girl's look and smile. lumine instinctively smiles back, looking sheepish. ]

Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. [ at the thermos in her hands ;; ] Is the coffee here good?

[windsongs]

[ She sees you eyeing that thermos, Lumine. Hibiki also sees that there's a severe lack of coat, boots, or anything else that would keep frostbite at bay. How long has she been standing there like that? This girl is going to freeze to death, and she isn't about to have that on her conscience!

Making her way over, mittened hands still cupped over the warmth inside the thermos (it's soup, not coffee sadly), Hibiki tilts her head slightly before smiling sweetly at the traveler. ]

Mine's better. Wanna try?

[ Holy shit? HIBIKI??! ]

[unalign]

[ lumine blinks at the remark, taking a full second to realize what the other girl just said and what she actually meant. and it sends a shot of warm amusement through and elicits a laugh from her lips, which is surprisingly clear and unaffected by the cold, free of chattering teeth and stuttered sounds.

to be fair, she does wonder if she's truly freezing over, seeing that that took her a while to catch the double entendre. ]

Will it change my life?

[ for better or for worse, but it's coffee. it always changes one's life for the better, in her experience with the drink, unless it's badly made. ]

[windsongs]

[ Well, she didn't mean it that way, but as soon as she hears the other blonde laugh, Hibiki locks on. Oh, she's fun--all the more reason for her to step in and offer assistance. She is going to make sure that this woman has some time to warm up, and that she sends her home with something to wear over her current outfit. Frostbite is a real, genuine concern here. ]

It'll change your unlife, guaranteed. But there's only one way to find out for sure, huh?

[ Gesturing for Lumine to follow, Hibiki turns to walk deeper into the marketplace. If this mysterious traveler doesn't immediately follow, she will reach out for her arm. This way, please! ]

[unalign]

[ is she turning into someone like paimon, easily convinced by food or drinks?

lumine chuckles to herself, forgoing the debate of staying under the awning and continuing with her notice board commissions after a minute and instead following the girl right out into the streets. she's probably making a terrible mistake, already shivering the moment a rather strong breeze decides to blow over them, but she trails after her anyway.

even though common sense reminds her that she really shouldn't follow random strangers into the cold and deeper into a marketplace full of restless. ]

You're not leading me to a place where I'll be turned into coffee instead, right?

[ she won't make for good coffee, hibiki. sorry. ]