Walk among the Stars [Roxy/Rivers]

[Trésor de Lys]

Blossom Festival Date for: Roxanne and Rivers
Location: Heaven’s Pass

NPC’d by: Lindsay



It was dusk, and the stars were starting to paint the sky with their luminescent kisses. Wherever the pair was in the world of Nova, they would feel a light breeze, as though someone was breathing on their neck, when they turned, the would see a bright light, impairing their vision, as though as supernova exploded. The pair would be transported to a clearing on heaven’s pass.


Before them a path of candles would light their way over to a blanket and a telescope. Against the telescope would be a platter of bread and cheese, and a bottle of a bitter white wine. As dusk faded into night, and the pair’s vision began to return, they would hear the whisper of a voice to the left of them “Searching for the one can make a man search as far as the universe.” The voice would disappear as a shooting star flew across the night sky, and their vision returned.

[Rivers]

Rivers had been playing cards at the time of the event. In truth he hadn't really expected much to come of the blossom festival for him. He'd had some fling here and there, but nothing serious since coming to the past and the Blossom Festival tended to be a time of more serious romance. This made it all the more strange when he suddenly found himself looking up at a sky that he'd remembered countless time from so long ago.

Rivers put his hands in his coat pockets and watched his breath puff out as mist. It was freezing, but the weather atop the Heaven's Pass was almost never what one could call warm.

Rivers looked out over the vast expanse that would one day see the birth of a girl named Iris, and a boy named Kurosu. Without even thinking about it he began to scan the view looking for the Loki, but the large gorilla like denizens of the pass did not live here yet, good thing too, it is still too warm for them right now.

[Roxanne]

It was a nice evening for relaxing outside in a hammock, which is just what Roxanne was doing. She was dressed in a simple, dark green tunic and black leggings. The front of the tunic had a V neck and was cut into a halter top style. The edges of the tunic, including along the inside of the V, were threaded through with black thread. Her leggings were tucked into her calf high black boots, the handle of a knife sticking out of the top of one.

Roxanne sighed, closing her eyes, as a light breeze stirred her hammock and ruffled her bangs. Her long red hair was styled into a braid besides those. A bright light flashed behind her closed eyes. A moment later, she found herself on her feet, unsure of where she was. A whisper blew in the wind and was gone as her vision returned. A candlelit path stretched out ahead of her and she could see in the distance that a blanket and a telescope awaited at the end. Looking around, she noticed at last that she wasn't alone.

A small gasp escaped the half demon as she looked Rivers over, her lavender eyes wide with shock. Acting before she thought it through, Roxanne threw her arms around him. "I didn't know you were back...I didn't really expect that buying that rose for you would do anything at all, that you'd even get it. Rivers...it's good to see you. I've missed you," she said quietly, her voice muffled against his chest.

[Rivers]

"Ogfff~" Rivers grunted as Roxanne suddenly embraced him. He kept his hands out to the side at first unsure as to what was going on, or why someone had intruded upon his reminiscence. However, seeing how much emotion was on display he closed his arms around her and said "hey now, while it is certainly a fantasy of mine to have a busty and attractive redhead run tearfully into my arms...would you mind telling me who you are?"

Rivers released Roxanne and stepped back a confused smile on his face. In the brief silence a black crow fluttered down and landed on his shoulder cawing at the woman.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne could feel the surprise in Rivers' reaction as he stiffened before embracing her. At first she thought perhaps it would just be that he didn't expect to see her here. It was a rather odd location really, especially for a date. His words cleared up that confusion quickly however, sending a foreboding shiver down the demoness's spine. She looked up at him, her lavender eyes blinking in awe as she searched his face.

A flash of hurt crossed her face, not quick enough to be hidden efficiently before Roxanne straightened as Rivers released her. A calm, collected look had replaced it and she crossed her arms over her already noted bustiness. At least he still found her attractive, even if he didn't remember her. The thought made her smile briefly before her attention was captured by the crow. She gave it a curious look before focusing on Rivers, eyeing him thoughtfully.

She remembered what Aria had said about the mark she placed on her employees and what it would do to them. This seemed a bit extreme though and she wondered if perhaps there was something else at work. Not that asking Rivers himself would likely yield her any useful information, as she guessed that he didn't remember that either. It was certainly good incentive not to ever leak any information though. Still...she couldn't help herself. "Are you serious? You really don't remember me?" Roxanne asked, her tone flat but incredulous.

[Rivers]

Rivers watched the beautiful demoness’s expressions shift from joy to confusion to hurt as she crossed her arms he continued to curiously watch her expression. Then she spoke and he found himself caught between the desire to smirk and to sigh. “Well I either don’t know who you are, or have decided to play ignorant for some untold reason, and either way the answer would still be ‘no’.” Rivers admitted with a shrug.

“Now, that answer has no bearing on whether or not I would like to know you.” He admits with a grin as he steps towards the edge and looks out over the expanse. The place really did change over the course of a millennia. As he looked at his home his carefully maintained affable expression seemed to soften as he briefly fell into reminiscence

“So, all of that being said, I suppose it is impolite not to introduce myself, my name is Rivers.” He greets with a flourishing bow. “Any what may I have the honor of addressing you by?”

[Roxanne]

Rivers answer drew a resigned sigh from the half demon. She let her arms drop, keeping one hand on her hip. When Rivers mentioned that he'd still be interested in getting to know her, she returned his grin with an amused and gentle smile. She didnt say anything right away, but rather moved to stand next to him, taking in the view for a moment. "I'd like that," she said simply.

As Rivers introduced himself, Roxanne grinned, holding back a laugh. She knew he knew who he was but if he wanted to keep things formal, then so be it. "It's a pleasure, as always, to meet with you, Rivers," she returned, changing the greeting to fit the situation, "My name is Roxanne, though you can call me Roxy if you want."

A gust of wind picked up then, and the half demon shivered. Heaven's pass did have quite the view but it was a bit chilly on the mountain. "This is a nice little set up that the goddess provided, and I bet that alcohol would probably warm us up a bit but thoseven candles simply won't do much to help,% she noted, laughing. "A small fire shouldn't hurt the stargazing," she muttered thoughtfully. Roxanne turned, making her way over to the impromptu picnic and cleared a small area. She glanced back at Rivers, smirking and giving him a wink before she snapped her fingers and small fire came to life in the circle.

[Rivers]

As Roxanne introduced herself Rivers too gave a grin. “I apologize if I seem pretty blasé about this whole thing, there are only so many times you can have your memory erased before you get used to dealing with it. It’s probably more troublesome for you if we were close.”

As he watched her shiver and then summon a fire his eyes softened a became distant for a moment. How many years would it be until Rivers’ father would revolutionize the torches of the mage settlement he was born in? Would that even happen now that the Fated were here? Moving the guardian from the forest had already created a large ripple.

“So, would it be okay for me to ask what our relationship was? No matter what we’ll be starting anew, but it would be nice to know what you are working from?”

[Roxanne]

Roxanne nodded as Rivers apologized, giving him a wry smile. "That makes sense, unfortunately. It must really suck to keep losing your memory over and over. I've a small taste of amnesia, once upon a time, and it wasn't pleasant," she said, attempting to sympathize somewhat. She just shrugged as he mentioned it mostly being troublesome for her. It was nothing for her compared to the fact that he lost his memory. At least she still had the memories, which she was quite fond of.

After Roxanne settled down by the fire, she reached for the bottle that had been provided and the two glasses. She poured both full and offered one to Rivers, smiling when she noticed the distant look on his face. Of course she wondered where his mind has gone, but didn't ask. Rather, Rivers was the next to ask a question and Roxanne looked at him in surprise, clearly caught off guard.

"You're welcome to ask me anything you like. That question makes sense of course, I just wasn't quite expecting you to be that forward. Though why, I can't say," she laughed at herself, shaking her head. "Our relationship wasn't serious, to be clear. We weren't exclusive or anything. We actually hadn't known each other long but we ended up living together for a time, same house, different rooms. We played naked truth or dare in the hot springs. You helped console me and explain about being Fated sometime after that. You made me a dress and a hangover cure. You showed me a trick or two in my bed one night," the half demon said, smiling warmly. Her lavender eyes were as distant as Rivers had been, the memories softening her face momentarily.

[Rivers]

Rivers watched the demoness with a curious look on his face as she began to explain what their relationship had been. He was no stranger to relationships that were brief but had a lot happen, when your life was in as much flux as his that tended to be more the rule than the exception. Though that thought stopped him as he realized he was thinking about their relationship, he even smiled at the thought of what he’d found behind a door, though it was not relevant to Roxanne.

“Well, it certainly sounds like we were good companions at the very least. This might be a bit awkward, but can you tell me what I was like?” He asked curiously, both Serenity and Roxanne seemed to imply that he was quite different than he thought he was.

After the question he sat down next to her so their shoulders touched slightly and took the glass from her. “Well to reunions.” He toasted and then drank.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne nodded as Rivers mentioned they'd been good companions then smiled gently at his next question. She waited until after he'd sat down, surprised when he settled so close but saying nothing as he poured the wine. She toasted her glass with his, echoing the sentiment with a grin.

The demoness swirled the wine in her glass lightly and watched the flames dance, considering his question. "It doesn't seem awkward to me. You're missing memories. It seems natural that you'd have questions, want to fill in the blanks a bit. I'll help as much as I can," Roxanne said, smiling. They were fond memories so she didn't mind having to revisit them on his behalf.

"We met under complicated circumstances. A battle, though you weren't much for close combat. You were brave and you wanted to help people. Living with you was fun. You were laid back, but caring. Knowledgeable, good for advice, and considerate. You taught me how to do basic bandaging when I cut myself on purpose, surprised at losing my self healing abilities. You were flirtatious and charming, joking, but also serious when it called for it. You were full of good stories and always interested in hearing new ones. I'd say you had a well balanced personality," she answered carefully, her words slow and thoughtful.

[Rivers]

Rivers laughed as he mentioned that he had not been much of one for close combat. “Honestly in worlds like Nova, there is already far to much fighting. Those who want to prove their strength, heroes who wish to protect all around them. There are so many reasons to fight that seem like good ones, but in the end, fighting is practice hurting and killing people. I do not really like it in any of its forms.” He admits as he takes another sip of wine, his cheeks visibly flushing.

As he leans his head slightly so he looked Roxanne in the eyes he says “I appreciate your honesty Roxanne. To be honest with you I know a bit of this, I’ve spoken to another person who apparently knew me during this time lapse, but I am glad that they were not lying to me.” His slightly unfocused smile dulls slightly as he realized what he had said and followed up with. “I am sorry, has been quite rude of me now that I think about it. Particularly to a friend.”

After pondering for a moment he seems to come to a decision. “How about I do one thing for you to apologize, you pick.” He offers, clearly having had a bit more alcohol that originally intended. Though something about this place did make him seem to act a bit younger.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne listened as Rivers explained kind of why he didn’t like combat. She nodded, smiling sadly. “You’re right about the wars. I can’t say I agree with your whole opinion, though. I’m a mercenary. Or at least, I was. I’m not sure what I am, now. I kind of promised you I’d stop hunting people for a living,” she said, smiling ruefully and taking another long sip of wine.

She laid back flat on the blanket, her arms tucked into her red hair behind her head. Roxanne sighed as she stared up at the stars, her breath just barely visible in the crisp air of Heaven’s Pass. “It’s more peaceful here, in general, than Feyurlun seemed to be. People are more accepting of strange things, including magic. Magic where I’m from was taboo, so hated and distrusted. I think even if I had the option to go back, I wouldn’t,” she said, thoughtfully.

The half demon turned her attention back to Rivers, smiling up at him as he thanked her for being honest, the look melting into one of curiosity as he said he already knew some of what she’d told him. She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. Someone else who knew him? It couldn’t be Kail. The blonde would have killed Rivers and asked questions later. Shy wasn’t around anymore and her partner in crime was on the run. That left one option she could think of…

“You’ve run into Serenity then?” she asked, then continued. “She wouldn’t lie to you anymore than I would, but of course you couldn’t know that, given the situation,” she added after he apologized. Rivers apology caught her off guard. She stared at him blankly for a moment trying to figure out how he was being rude. To her, it made perfect sense for him to want to fact check whatever Serenity had told him. It would be too easy, given his amnesia, for her to insert her own version of him.

Roxanne downed the rest of her wine carefully, as she was still laying flat on her back. Her timing was perfect as Rivers decided to make her a very interesting offer. If she’d had any wine in her mouth, she would have spit it out in surprise. She sat half up, resting her weight on her elbow and looked at him for a moment, seeing the flush in his cheeks and trying to gauge how much wine he’d had. She didn’t remember him being such a lightweight.

She wasn’t sure what to ask for. This was, for him, their first meeting. She knew who he was and part of her didn’t want to push him. They didn’t have the history there anymore. Nothing was keeping him here with her, save for perhaps a bit of nostalgia and curiosity. The other part of her had other ideas entirely. It was the same war she always had, human sympathy vs demon desires. The half demon grinned after the moment of thought, having come to a compromise with herself.

“I want you to kiss me,” she said simply. "Unless you had something else in mind?" she offered. It was just a kiss, it shouldn’t push him away and it was what she wanted from the moment she saw him standing on the cliff’s edge.