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 Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2020 10:15 pm
Quote: The City has been lit up for the Star Festival with banners and twinkling decorations strewn off the windowsills of shop fronts and windows. The gardeners at one particular park have put their heart and soul into creating a fairy's paradise: Fairy lights have been carefully dangled from trees to make strings of stars, little beaded jewels have been hidden among the hedges, and even the old cobwebs have been sprayed with just a touch of glitter. The park is open to everyone and the citizens of Destiny City have been invited to respectfully explore the hidden wonders that have been placed throughout. The park is magical enough on its own but there have also been reports of a strange, ethereal and shimmering stranger in the park. The glimmer of a beautiful costumed figure fluttering through the park has been passed around as rumor, and no matter what anyone claims to see, no one can take a picture of it. As if simply seeing some magical figure isn’t mysterious enough, there are also reports of mischief and small pranks being played at the same time this figure seems to appear.
Settled in a ladder he was hanging lights into the branches, he was too short to do it on his own and climbing was not his thing. Perched up where he was, with a bag hanging from the ladder filled with lights and bottles of water, the ashen blond was happy to work on setting the park up for the holiday. It was something he enjoyed - the meteor shower, though this year it would be spent alone. Even if he brought his older cousin with him it wouldn't be the same. Shaking his head, wanting to not think of such things, Alexandre went back to what he was working on. Every so often catching sight of some bug, and each time jumping a bit as he thought it could be a spider. He really was hoping he didn't encounter one...falling from a ladder would not be good...and how would he fend off his mother henning cousin if he got hurt?
More lights were woven between branches, trying to hide the wires to the best of his ability, as he worked his magic with what he'd been given. Reaching for the bag in order to grab a bottle of water in order to take a drink - he needed it. He was trying to keep hydrated unlike some people.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 1:51 pm
Things recently had fallen into a bit of a lul. One day bleeding effortlessly into the next it was as if Aiden had lost all sense of time. School was out for summer break which meant that he picked up more hours at the pool as a lifeguard and even sighed up for hours at the parkour gym teaching young kids, around the age of seven to ten, how to be safe when performing tricks; it was kind of like a summer camp that they were trying out for the first time this year. As of late, the weather had been relatively nice; sunny and warm with a nice light breeze on most days however the day before had been rainy. Aiden glanced out his window and looked up at the clear blue sky, “Want to go on a walk?” He asked and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever on the couch beside him lifted his head. Riley was an intelligent dog, a gift given to him by his ex-boyfriend but that little tidbit of information didn’t matter. Had it not of been for Riley he would have likely fallen into a destructive cycle but as it was he had a responsibility to take care of his furry companion. “Come on!” He patted the side of his leg and Riley got up, tail wagging eagerly then jumped off the couch and stretched before prancing in circles around his legs. The dog barked loudly in excitement then trotted over to the door where his leash was in a basket just waiting for them to go on a walk. Since their breakup, Aiden had to invest in a used vehicle since he only had his motorcycle to get around in. Before, Alex was the one with the car that they used to run errands such as vet trips or trips to the grocery store. But now that he was on his own he needed something else to get around in since the motorcycle wasn’t always the most convenient. So, Aiden grabbed is second set of keys and clipped the leash onto Riley’s collar then walked with him outside. The Destiny City Star Festival was back and last time he checked there were no rules prohibiting pets and since he had no intention of going alone, he decided to bring his dog along instead. They walked together down busy streets with color stars hanging between trees and storefronts decorated for the occasion when a volunteer approached them. In her hand was a map with the layout of the festival, showing where the stalls were, food area, and where events were currently taking place; one of which was a fairy garden. “Here” before he could take his leave she offered him an emerald star charm that hung from a red satin ribbon, a gift for anyone attending the event. Aiden gave his thanks then wandered some more, allowing Riley to take the lead at times, until they reached their first actual destination. It truly was a Fairy’s paradise, light dangling from trees that made strings of stars. The hedges had jewel-like beads hidden among the leaves and even spider webs seemed to shimmer just a bit brighter than usual.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:14 pm
The spiders webs were, for the most part, avoided by Alexandre as he worked on decorating the park. He did not need to deal with spiders - he didn't care for falling off a ladder. He'd had worse injuries over the years ,that was for damn sure, but he didn't need to fall in front of people watching the park being decorated. Spraying some leaves, just enough to dust the edges of their leaves in glitter, the ashen blond took the time to glance about.
It was starting to really come along and look nice, it would be even better once it got dark out and the lights really were noticeable. They just weren't so bright during the day time. He heard the sounds of collars, and likely dog tags, as people walked their dogs and people chattered below as they admired the work himself and others were doing.
Sure that what he felt on his hand was a leaf, he was busy working on trees after all, he was not expecting a red ribbon tied to his finger...or a black spider to be crawling up his hand. It was a rather immediate response from the blond. His hand flailed, as did his slight frame, and over balancing as he started to suck in air and let it out in a rather loud manner. As he over balanced the ladder it was no wonder it went over, taking the blond with it, as it made for the ground. Wide eyed and pale as a ghost, or something similar, he was already starting to panic as he shook his hand - even with the spider having been flung somewhere and no longer visible on his hand. This fear ,and reaction to the eight legged monsters, was what once cost him a job. It was what might very well land him in a hospital.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:27 pm
Riley jumped back, startled by the ladder that began wobbling beside him he looked up and barked, not out of fear or anger but rather out of excitement from spotting a familiar face. Aiden hadn’t even realized there was someone on the thing until he glanced upwards and saw one of the volunteers flailing about as if some but was up there flying in their face. This was a garden after all, there were going to be little six and eight-legged critters out and about, that was just the nature of this place. The loud shout caught him off guard and without really thinking on his actions he moved, not to let the person fall but to catch them before they hit the ground. Not exactly the best idea since he wasn’t exactly in the best position to catch anything for that manner. The two fell in a pile of tangled limbs with a full-grown retriever jumping all over them, tangling his leash around their legs as he jumped on the two of them. “Ouch…” Aiden groaned beneath the volunteer while silently giving prayers of thanks to whatever God had been watching out for him. His tailbone hurt like something fierce but at least his groin didn’t get squished in the landing. “Are you ok?” He asked as he shifted beneath the person he had caught.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:36 pm
In the middle of a panic attack Alexandre didn't much hear the dog barking, or people around shouting or saying things. It was like cotton was in his ears and his vision went spotted about the edges. He didn't even totally notice he'd been caught and landed, though he felt the movement of his body it was sort of...dulled to where he didn't feel the full impact.
Air was not so easy to get into his body as he lay on top of whomever had saved him, trying to clutch a something and help himself as much as his panicked mind could manage. He knew what was going on as far as himself but it was hard to sort himself out and notice things, it was all rather difficult. He'd never been good at handling a panic attack on his own, it really was a wonder at times.
It was no wonder, given his situation, that he didn't verbally answer the one who had helped him - saved him. He was too busy trying to get enough hair into his body, as hard as it seemed to do at the moment. He had gone into this knowing the risks but he figured the chances were so damn small. He wanted something to do - he wanted to help. The park would look amazing and he wanted to help with that.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:08 pm
Dazzled by the fall, it took Aiden several moments to gather himself with Riley nose bumping him rather aggressively. “Calm down,” he took ahold of the leash and held his dog at arm’s length so he could get up. However, he paused when finally he realized who exactly was on top of him. “Well… seems like things have come full circle.” The red string draped over them was unexpected and strange but he paid it next to no mind as he raised a curious brow at Alexandre. “I’m guessing there was a spider on you.” Nothing else ever made his ex lose his composure quite like an eight-legged critter crawling anywhere near him. Doesn’t matter if it is five feet away or fifteen feet away, the reaction was almost always the same.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:17 pm
The reaction was indeed always the same. Sometimes he managed words and pointing and other times not, in order to help someone remove the spider from his presence, and now he did manage a nod of his head as wide eyes tried to focus on Aiden. He knew the voice, distant as it sounded, he'd heard it a few times when he was like this.
If he could get ahold of himself, get himself breathing right, he could manage to think better and maybe notice the red string. He'd seen it...right before the spider. He would have said, or done, something about it had the spider not been there. But it had been there, though now it had been flung somewhere, the ladder was still on the ground and someone had gone to get others working on things and tell them of the accident. It was likely he wouldn't be working on this any longer, he was a hazard to himself. It was always something which brought him to his knees, sort to speak, and could cost him a job or anything else. He'd just been lucky enough to never have a spider issue while in a battle and powered up - that would be a hell of a weakness to show. He knew of one senshi, and only one, who knew he had an issue with spiders but he hadn't seen them in a long time...hopefully they were dead.
A few gasping breaths and a managed word from the blond. "Please." Please what? He needed some help...to get himself past this and it was hard to do it himself, it had never been easy. Clutching the others shirt tighter he tried to move till his ear was pressed over Aiden's heart so he could try and focus himself...to get something to try and mimic...to try and breath with the other.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:30 pm
Although he didn’t like the situation, Aiden understood the turmoil Alexandre was facing. Fear was a powerful emotion, debilitating at times which lead to paranoia and schizophrenia behaviors. There was no doubt in his mind that his ex would likely be swiping his hands down his arms to wipe off something that wasn’t there; a hair perhaps but his mind would trick him into thinking that the spider was crawling on his arm again. Again he shifted so he could stand up and wipe the dirt off his backside. Riley sat obediently beside him with his tail wagging uncontrollably. “Come on,” Aiden leaned down and wrapped one arm behind his Ex’s back and hooked the other beneath his knees. Normally you’re not supposed to move someone who might be injured, but between the two of them it was like he had taken more damage then Alex. A bruised tailbone no doubt and a scraped on the side of his knee as well as his hand. If there was anything else wrong, he’d figure it out later. With Alexandre in his arms, he walked over to a stone bench and set him down carefully while the other volunteers took care to clean up the mess. “Breathe.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:37 pm
He clung, like a child might, as he was lifted up, his head finding the others shoulder. When he was settled down he still clung but he was able to try and breath - to try and help himself. He had Aiden to help him and Aiden was used to this. He did keep glancing at his hand, like it might just still be there, like it might be hiding, but nothing was there but a string of red.
It was something which he picked and plucked at, especially when it brushed the back of his hand. It was bothersome at the moment, it kept making him look down. Slowing his breathing, slowly, he took in deep breaths and held them, forcing himself to slow and match the others breathing. He needed to just focus and make himself calm down. As he felt things start to open up, to get louder, he left his eyes close. He was tired but not enough to sleep. T hat was...draining and embarrassing as well. It took time, it always did, but when he was at ease enough to talk, to breath properly, he shook his head.
"All those people saw..." Another pluck to the string, his eyes open and focused on it as if expecting something else. "This..." Looking at it he took the time to look over it - to track it...right to Aiden?
"Red string....?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:51 pm
“I don’t know where it came from.” He glanced down at the string that seemed to have shortened a bit now that he was beside Alexandre. “I was following it right before you fell out of the sky, or tree rather, and landed on me. Nobody else seemed to have noticed it as I was walking.” There was a shimmer of light in his peripheral which caught his attention. Aiden glanced over to the side and there he saw a beautiful costumed figure dancing around the rose bushes. Unfortunately, he was not attracted to such things and for the most part the costumed volunteer went ultimately ignored. “It doesn’t matter what the other people saw. Are you hurt?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:58 pm
Shaking his head he took the time to lift his head and stare up at the other. "No...you broke my fall. I should be asking if you're ok." Small as he might be he was still a person and he still weighed a decent amount. Him landing on someone was not likely a good thing, it was likely rather painful.
"If no one can see it but us...and it's connecting us..." Was this run in meant to happen? He didn't like to believe in fate, he wasn't that sort of person. But he did believe in magic, not the same sort people who claimed to be witches did, but he knew magic was real. Was this some sort of magic? It wasn't like he had never heard the term red string of fate - who hadn't? But was it real? Or at least as real as magic?
"Maybe this." Wiggling his finger. "Means something...." Could it? Could it be a real red string of fate? He could hope, he hoped about a lot of things, and he wouldn't mind the idea of him and Aiden being meant to be....as cheesy as it may sound. He had missed the other a lot. Maybe this was a good thing...sort of, since he had landed on Aiden and likely hurt him. "We should get you home." He didn't say which home, he didn't care. "I'm sure you got hurt." Even if only a little. He didn't like the idea of Aiden being hurt, it was why he kept him clueless about the war and his own part in it.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 4:23 pm
“Honestly,” Aiden raked his fingers through his jet black hair then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees he sighed. “I’m not sure what to think of this. Coincidence, maybe. I don’t know and truthfully speaking, I don’t really want to think about that right now.” His heart was still closed off. A crack had formed when Alex fell into his lap, quite literally, but that fissure was slowly re-freezing. Riley seemed to sense this change and let out a loud bark beside his head. “I’m fine.” Aiden placed a hand atop his head. “He’s been missing you. Why don’t we go take a walk for a bit, get you something to drink to help calm yourself.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 4:32 pm
"If you're sure you're ok. I don't want you walking if me falling into your lap hurt you." But he was slowly getting up, offering hand out to Aiden. "He's not the only one who's been missing someone. Cadha misses him...and you - and so have I." It was lonely without Aiden around, and Riley. It wasn't the same and he missed it.
"If you're up for it a walk would be nice...we can talk as well." He was hopeful, he wanted to talk. More than anything he wanted to work things out, somehow, he just wasn't sure how to do so without explaining things....without divesting himself of his secrets. He didn't want to though, it was dangerous, but maybe he could make it work somehow?
"We can figure this out." Wiggling his little finger in the others face gently, a soft smile in place. "Drinks are on me." Even if Aiden was the one who had helped him. Reaching out towards Riley to pet him gently, he really had missed the others. They were part of his family.
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