Inbox;

[flaredo]

"Heeey, you've reached Yang! Well, actually, you didn't reach far enough, 'cause I'm not here right now! But don't yang up! Just leave a message on this baby, and I'll get back to you soon enough, okay?"

[ Please specify VOICEMAIL, TEXT or CALL. ]

Comments

[flaredo]

Yeah, I'll just feel it in the morning. [ She manages a smile for him, though, also giving him a sweeping glance. ] You're okay?

[ So what if she got knocked through a window, she's had worse! ]

[masakados]

[Naoki reaches out to run his hand the length of her arm, not hesitating to cast a little healing just in case. That was glass she went through, okay???] I'm okay.

[There's something about him that seems more muted than usual, but...]

That was the first thing I've seen in here so far. [He gestures with his other hand back to where the reindeer was.]

[flaredo]

And you got a doozy for your first time. [ He does seem... oddly subdued, and she studies his face, inquisitive, even as she keeps speaking. She'll thump him on the shoulder for the healing later. ]

But there are some weird guys with sharp teeth around, too.

[masakados]

[Naoki... notices how she's studying his face, and a tiny grimace tugs its way over his lips. His fingers flex at her arm, squeezing slightly as though he needs the contact-- and there're the giveaways that not everything's okay with him right now.]

If it's me and you, we should be able to take a couple of weird guys with sharp teeth, huh?

[flaredo]

[ Yang nods (well, of course)-- and this is probably not the time, she's going right ahead and leaning in to leave a kiss against his cheek. ]

We'll crush 'em.

[masakados]

[Whether it is the time, Naoki appreciates her closeness when something in him needs it a lot right now. He turns his face slightly, his nose brushing against her cheek, followed by his lips.]

Sounds like it's teamwork time.

[flaredo]

Ready to roll, demon lord?

[ And okay, one very quick meeting of mouths-- ]

[masakados]

[Naoki kisses her a little longer than quick, like he's trying to drink in her warmth and her presence in that moment of contact-- and then he steps back, offering his hand to her.]

Ready when you are, charisma queen.

[flaredo]

[ It's okay, Naoki, she isn't going to stray from his side. But she takes his hand, squeezing reassuringly. ]

... We're gonna have a talk after this.

[masakados]

[Naoki squeezes back at her hand, his fingers sliding through hers and his eyes shut for a moment. It's funny. He remembers the days he'd dreaded speaking about things.]

...Yeah. Please. [And he starts to walk.] We'll just take care of all of this, first.

[flaredo]

Whatever all this is... seriously, what gives? [ WHAT IS ALL THIS SHIT. ]

[masakados]

CERES strikes again. [Naoki supplies dryly as he steps forward, pulling her by the hand. His other one lifts and fire catches once more to send a light before them.]

This is the most twisted I've seen of any Christmas things.

[Murderous Santas and sleighs and reindeer...]

[flaredo]

... Christmas stuff still? I was wondering about that thing outside.

[ Thank god she'd had a nice, sweet one with Naoki, but she's keeping one gauntlet close to her side. Anything jumps them, she'll be ready. ]

[masakados]

Yeah. [Naoki sighs.] I'd like to just... pass on their ideas.

[That's for damn sure. He'll take the one he had with Yang any day. His gaze is fixed ahead of them, though, head cocked as he listens closely.]

Did you run into anyone else yet, Yang? [And her team? He frowns.]

[flaredo]

I was with my team-- we got separated, though. But...

[ ... No. She believes in them. She'll lift her chin, resolutely. ]

They're fine. I'll meet up with them.

[masakados]

[Naoki nods his head too, and a more determined light comes into his eyes.]

You will. I'll help you, too.

...I know there're other people around, I can feel them, but... [And then there comes a skittering sound. And a clattering one from overhead, where the roof gapes open, letting in snowfall.]

[flaredo]

... Let's deal with our company first, and then we can focus on finding everyone else. I'm sure we're not the only ones fighting.

[ So, glancing up-- ]

Wanna give me a boost?

[masakados]

[Naoki's looking up as well, eyes sharp, before back to her as he nods firmly.]

Yeah, no problem.

[He's got you, Yang.]

[flaredo]

I'll be bringing a new friend back with me, so be sure to say hello.

[ And she's letting go of his hand, nodding to him.

... She'll be back. ]

[masakados]

I'll have my most energetic hello waiting.

[And he's shifting to cup his hands together, waiting for her to plant her foot there.

He knows she will-- he trusts her.]

[flaredo]

[ There goes her foot, and she places a hand on his shoulder, just for temporary balance.

BON VOYAGE. ]

[masakados]

[BON VOYAGE INDEED.

Because he's giving her that boost as good as if she weighed nothing at all, tossing her straight up with ease. GO BRING THAT NEW FRIEND BACK.]

[flaredo]

[ Off she sails, straight and true--

And then there's the sound of a gunshot, a bellow of enraged pain as she comes plummeting back down, dragging a screeching reindeer thing with her. To its credit, it's still trying to valiantly impale her. ]

[masakados]

[Ah, there's their guest.

Naoki spreads his feet apart, bracing himself as he watches them plummeting down. One hand shifts, fingers flicking as wind whips up, to slow Yang's descent--]

[flaredo]

[ Completely at ease when she feels the wind rush up to meet her, Yang blows Naoki a kiss-- and then twists mid-air, slamming one gauntlet down against the creature's side.

It's one pissed, squalling reindeer coming down to meet you, Naoki. At least your girlfriend will land just fine. ]