lifeaftr | November catchall

Entry tags:

November catchall

Who: CT and you!
What: Hanging around, trying to recall her lost memories...or maybe just enjoying life without them
When: Early to mid November
Where: Enso
Warnings: None!

CT followed a ghost off a cliff last month, with a result that honestly shouldn't surprise anyone. The gap in her memory became apparent pretty quickly, but although she knows she's missing a lot, try as she might, she hasn't even been able to remember so much as a second of it.

On the one hand, that sucks. She hates not knowing what had happened to her, hates how cryptic Wash has been about the whole thing, hates the fact that she can't even remember the man who urged her to her willing death. Helplessness has never sat well with her, but in this case, there doesn't seem much that she can do.

On the other hand, she's living without the burden of a lot of pain and horror and loss that's been weighing on her for months. Rather than mooning over her absent fiance and dreaming of the day she'll get back to him, she's actually enjoying life on the islands. It is, after all, the first real home she can remember having. Intermittent horrors and punishments for dying aside, it's actually pretty nice here. She lives with her friends on a tropical island, she has no worries and no responsibilities beyond figuring out what to eat and how to get Wash to wear actual clothes rather than his armor once in a while, and whenever she's able to forget that gaping hole in her memory, she's actually pretty content.

The recent renovations to the huts and cottages mean that she's no longer working just to get the roof patched up and the floor resembling, well, a floor. But that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Today, she's hanging around the cottage that she shares with Carolina and Wash, opening the windows, occasionally sweeping out dust, and going in and out of the door, occasionally picking a few wildflowers in the grass outside to take back inside.

God help you, Freelancers, your roommate's being domestic.

(Feel free to use the prompt or your own, or hit me up for a closed starter!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Thankfully, she hasn't forgotten everything. CT may not have a ton of friends here, but honestly, that just makes checking in on the ones she has and still remembers even more important.

Her latest venture into cooking - a soup simmered over the fire - had turned out to be both a) pleasantly better than expected, and b) way too much for her, Wash, and Carolina to finish. Knowing that it won't go to waste when Gladio's around, CT packs up the leftovers and makes her way over to the other islet, slowing only when she approaches the cottage, Amitusha at her heels. She glances around the deserted exterior, then knocks on the door, accidentally pushing it slightly more ajar in the process. ]

Oh - uh - hello?

[ Well, it was open. She sticks her head in, peering inside. ]

Edited 2018-11-03 06:54 (UTC)

[The scene that CT walks into is oddly calm and domestic. With Gladio's shoulders and arms still not working right, there are some tasks he has been unable to keep up as well as he normally would. Taking care of his hair, for example, has proven almost impossible considering how painful it is to lift his arms very high. That is why he's currently seated between Ignis' legs allowing his partner to comb out his freshly washed hair.

Leo is curled behind and around Ignis so his head can rest on the Shield's knee. The last few weeks have been hard on the tigerlily, trained as he is to interrupt or prevent certain behaviors in the pair. He'd known something was wrong, but had been unable to do anything about it. Now that they have returned, Leo is determined not to let them out of his sight, going so far as to make the most pitiful sounds when they attempt to leave the cottage without him.

While Ignis' hands don't pause in their work when he hears CT's voice, he does raise his head and give her a smile. The reaction completely normal for him...aside from the fact that the scars on his face look fresh and ashen, and there is magenta flame burning around his eyes.]

Greetings, CT. Please do come in. How are you doing?

[It really is quite pathetic how clingy Leo's been since they got back, even braving the Storyteller's temple to remain by Gladio's side despite how terrifying their last encounter was.

Gladio looks up at the same time as Ignis, eyes moving but holding his head carefully still to not tangle his hair up in the comb in Iggy's hand. His hair really is far too thick for a simple comb to really be able to tame it but he'd spoken to Ignis about helping him braid the top back out of the way at least for now.

Leo would normally lift his head, maybe even shuffle over to greet her, recognizing CT as a friend. But all he does is look up at her, ears perking a little, his attention flitting to her briefly before looking back to Gladio and rumbling a warning. Apparently dad's not allowed to leave and the lily thinks CT's presence means they're going somewhere.]

Calm down, buddy. [A gentle scratch below one ear, moving his arm as little as possible.] Hey Cee... good to see you.

[ She has to smile at the sight - Gladio sitting quietly on the floor, holding his head perfectly still in a pose familiar to six-year-old girls everywhere. And Ignis sitting behind him, in the mother's position, patiently combing out his long hair. Her smile falters once she catches sight of Ignis's face, though she does her best to mask her shock immediately. He might not be able to see her reaction, but she's still not going to stare like an asshole.

Amitusha perks up at the sound of Leo's low growl, and pushes forward past CT to see her friend. ]

Hey - watch out! [ CT laughs, stepping out of the way and holding up the container of soup to prevent any accidents. ] Uh - hey. I'm fine. How are you guys?

[This time Ignis' hands do fall still in Gladio's hair, his head bowing slightly as if that might somehow hide the appearance of his face--an appearance that clearly makes any 'we're okay,' no matter how confidently stated, a lie.]

Our own foolishness is making things a bit more difficult than we would like, but we are doing our best to get through it.

[Carefully, he frees the comb from Gladio's hair and then lets his hands drop to rest on his legs, head tilting as if he is studying the top of the Shield's head though he can't actually see anything.]

Also attempting to figure out how the bloody hell I'm going to braid this man's mane when I can't actually see it.

[Look, he knows the basics of braiding. The theories, but he's never actually put any of it into practice before. Especially without his vision.]

Foolishness, yeah.

[A muttered agreement, an eyeroll clear in his tone even if neither of them can really see it. He's still very carefully keeping his head still for Ignis. Even when Amitusha comes over and Leo, uncharacteristically, grumbles at the kitten and presses himself more firmly into Gladio's lap.]

Tch! [Sharp and scolding and Iggy's hands fall away just in time because he scowls down at the lily in his lap. Leo rolls onto his side, sliding off so it's just his head on Gladio's foot and he falls silent. ] Sorry, Cee. He's been an anxious mess.

[Sitting around guarding Gladio's corpse for a day or two would do that.]

Iggy... Just shove it in a ponytail, babe. It's fine. Hell maybe I should just shave it off.

Ami.

[ She says it quietly, but firmly, and Amitusha stops, looking back at her with a pleading look - but Mom, I want to play - before obediently retreating. That potential crisis averted, she moves to set the soup down on the table before joining Gladio and Ignis. The food can wait, and besides, this is way more interesting. ]

Don't you dare.

[ This is directed at Gladio, with a bright smile to cut the harsh words. CT's not kidding, though. She kneels down next to Ignis, reaching up a hand to both stroke through the mane in question and brush Ignis' fingers briefly, so he knows that she's there. ]

It shouldn't be too hard, once you get a handle on it. But I could show you, if you want? Just so you know what it's supposed to feel like.

[ It's not that she has any doubt that Ignis is more than capable of doing a stunning braid. But having someone else walk him through it should help him get his bearings, so he'll know when he's on track the next time. ]

She's quite right. Besides, you're far too young to start mimicking your father's hair style. At least wait until I start causing you to go grey.

[Ignis laughs softly, then turns his head in CT's direction as she settles next to him.]

I would like that a great deal. I know the basics; I've just never had a chance to use them. Unlike Gladio, I have no younger siblings, unless you count Noctis, and he's not the type to wear braids.

[He holds his hands out toward her.]

How would you like to do this?

Oh no if both of you are gonna be playing in my hair I might just go back to sleep.

[He's kind of useless right now, no harm in sleeping in, right?]

And I am starting to go gray, you've just lucked out. [CT could potentially call bullshit but there are a fair few silvered strands weaving back through dark hair. Nowhere near enough to really call him graying but the first signs are there.]

[ CT laughs and shakes her head, nudging Gladio's arm with her elbow. ]

Wrong. You have to entertain us. Tell us more jokes about your totally graying hair.

[ She hums softly, trying to figure out how to do this. It's not the blind leading the blind, but she's never had to try to teach someone how to braid by touch before. Or how to do anything by touch. ]

Well, okay. It's pretty simple, right? I mean, people braid their own hair all the time without being able to see it.

[ She scoops up a chunk of Gladio's hair in one hand, trying to figure out how much a third of it would be, what she's working with here. Then she takes Ignis' outstretched hands and, a little awkwardly, guides them into place, helping him part Gladio's hair into thirds. ]

A normal braid's pretty easy, just right into the middle, then left, then right again. The big thing's making sure you've got even chunks.

Yes, and after that, we can talk about how I was gray at fifteen.

[Okay, so dirty blonde is different from gray, but if Gladio's going to play up a few silver strands, then Ignis is going to match him.]

Generally, they practice first before doing so, at least in my limited experience, but the concept is, fortunately, quite simple. It's getting it even that I worry about. That and keeping it tight so that nothing slides out.

[Which is why he is very seriously listening to her and focusing on how she moves his hands. Too seriously. Really, this isn't a battle.

Relax a little? Maybe?]

If you're going gray it's Noct's fault not mine.

[But despite the teasing Gladio leans back against Ignis a little more, nuzzles as much as he can without distressing his boyfriend any more than he already is.]

It's not that big of a deal, babe. You can leave it down for all I care. I just thought it'd be easier so you don't have to brush it out again in the morning.

[He glances over at CT, cocks a brow, his look clearly asking her to help him get Iggy to wind down a little. He's way too invested in what was supposed to be something to make his life easier.]

Hmm...

[ She catches Gladio's look, giving him an understanding nod and a quick smile in reply. This shouldn't be a big deal, and there's no reason for Ignis to beat himself up if he can't get it right. ]

Well, you can always ask me for help. But you're right. I don't know how well a braid's going to hold.

[ Suddenly, her expression brightens, and she looks up at Ignis eagerly. ]

We could do a French braid.

I don't mind brushing it for you, Gladio. Even if it is every morning.

[Ignis says it softly, uncertain if the Shield really thinks he would be bothered by such a thing or if the real issue is that Gladio is embarrassed by having to ask for help with such a simple thing. Now isn't the time to ask, but he will have to bring it up later.

In the meantime, the sudden shift in CT's position and the eagerness in her words draws Ignis' full attention.]

A French braid? I'm afraid I haven't. How is it different from a normal braid?

[And what makes it 'French' whatever that is?]

[The shift in Ignis' tone isn't lost on him and he frowns a little, not sure how to reassure him without starting something in front of CT. He doesn't want Ignis to need to spend so much time on him in the mornings on top of everything else. It's one thing to be helpless to contribute to the household, it's another to add even more burdens.

He's just so frustrated with being so useless.]

iris has made me do an awful lot of braids over the years and I don't think I've ever heard of that one, either.

It's probably called something else there, if you guys have it.

[ After all, if there's no France, there's no French braids, right? ]

It's a little more complicated, but it'll be more secure, too. And -

[ And it'll look pretty, but she stops herself before saying that much out loud, not sure how Gladio will take it. She's looking forward to seeing him with a fancy braid, though. ]

...Here, let me show you. [ She undoes the beginning of a braid they'd started so far, then moves Ignis' hands up to start over and start showing him the technique. ]

Okay, we're gonna start the same way, then we combine these sections...

Perhaps. Is that where the style originated from?

[Ignis sounds a lot more engaged now, curious as to if he will recognize the braid as something he'd seen back on Eos. CT will find it easy to direct his hands, and almost immediately he understands what she means by it being more complex, but also more secure.

Astrals, what he wouldn't give to actually be able to see Gladio when they are done. He has a feeling the style is going to very complimentary.]

It builds upon itself and that redundancy makes it more effective. Brilliant.

[He's such a nerd for well-planned things.]

[He's man enough to accept being pretty, Cee. It's cool. She trails off and, she can't see it with where she's sitting but he grins.]

Aww, gonna make me look pretty, Cee?

[He laughs as he says it, trying to tilt his head back a little to make it easier on her, being so much shorter than both of them, offering up the top of his head.

Once she gets started though, the explanation and the feel of it has Gladio humming his understanding.]

Mmm- Igs it's like the Altissian style thing Mom used to do.

[It was also the first thing he'd done for Iris all those years ago, when she'd asked him to do her hair like Momma's picture. The memory aches a little, more sharp because of the specter that had been haunting him so recently. He'd felt so guilty but so relieved when she decided long hair was too impractical and had cut it off when she was seven.]

[ Well, if he's ready to embrace it, she is too. CT grins in delight, pushing Gladio's shoulder playfully. ]

We definitely are.

[ Just as she'd hoped, the style transcends universes even if the name doesn't. ]

Yeah. France - it's a country back on Earth. Uh, my homeworld.

[ Or humanity's homeworld, at least, though CT herself had never spent much time there. ]

I don't know if it actually is French, but...that's just what everyone calls it.

[ But whatever it's called and wherever it's from, Ignis is doing an admirable job picking it up. CT helps him a little, making sure the braid is neat and centered and that none of Gladio's hair slips out on the sides, but soon enough she's watching as much as guiding, beaming with pride. ]

You're doing great.

Oh, of course! That's why...

[Ignis' voice trails off because now he's got a mental imagine to go with the guidance CT has given him and that causes everything to click together in a way it hadn't before. He shifts his hands slightly to make the way he's holding the sections of hair easier to handle.]

So Altissian for us and French for you.

[If CT was proud of his progress before, she'll be even more so now as he picks up speed and even figures out a way to more easily check for stray hair without letting the braid loosen.]

Thank you. It makes me wonder if there is more about Altissia's culture that would match your French culture or if this is just a coincidence.

[There's something so devastatingly comfortable about this. CT playful and teasing, Ignis practically beaming with pride as things click in that brilliant mind of his and he finds one more thing he can do unhindered by his disability. Both of them sliding fingers through his hair. It's so easy and domestic and relaxing he doesn't even fuss too much about the fact that his arms are practically useless.

He just wants to stay right here and bask in the moment, appreciate how happy they both are, even if it is over something so simple as braiding his hair.]

We'll have to compare sometime, yeah.

[Soft agreement, almost uncertain of saying anything in case he puts his stupid foot in his mouth and breaks the atmosphere.]

This is... really nice. And I think, here, maybe braids are more practical?

[ She'd expected Ignis to maybe be close to a passable French braid after another two tries or so. Instead, she finds herself dropping her hands away, watching with frank admiration as he plaits Gladio's hair as elegantly and efficiently as he does everything else.

She's so impressed and enthralled that there's a noticeable delay before she responds to Gladio's question. ]

Yeah...yeah, definitely. You won't have to worry about it falling in your face, getting in the way.

[ Not that such concerns had ever kept her from her trademark hairstyle.

This is nice, though, and she shoots Gladio a quick look and a quiet smile before addressing Ignis again. ]

Ignis, you're amazing. I don't know why you thought you needed help.

[Ignis hums softly in agreement with them both. While it may seem like what he's doing is effortless, he is still learning and one misstep will have the whole thing coming apart a lot faster than it would for someone who can see.

A light blush does dust his cheeks at the compliment though, fingers stilling to prevent a mistake while he gathers himself.]

It's passable. I have a lot of practicing yet to do.

[Sorry, he's a perfectionist and that's not likely to change anytime soon.]

[Keeping the top pulled back did a decent job keeping his hair out of his face but the length he's gained since coming to the islands is making that style a bit less effective. Especially since he was rather loathe to cut it any shorter than it was, what with Ignis' fondness for it.

He reaches up when Iggy pauses, skimming his hand lightly over the front. The motion hurts, of course, and it's clear on his face and the way his breath comes out a little strained.]

Think I might make you do this most mornings though, babe. It'll be a helluva lot cooler too.

[All that hair twisted and pulled back, up off his neck at least. The problem with hair as luxurious as his is that it's thick and it's hot as hell in the tropical climate they're stuck in.]

You sure I can't shave at least some of it off again?

[ As the only one who can actually see the results of their work right at the moment, CT takes it upon herself to speak with authority here. ]

It looks way too good to shave off. I promise.

[ And the faint blush on Ignis' cheeks is endearing in a way that makes her grin, warmth blooming in her chest. He's so proud of how well he's doing, even if he won't admit it. She's not about to make this easier for him when he's clearly up to the challenge.

Speaking of making thing easy, though. She doesn't miss the way Gladio winces when he reaches up to feel the braid, and she gives him a nudge with her foot, concern masked by feigned censure. ]

Hang on, we'll find you a mirror or something soon.

November catchall

closed to chocobro cottage

Apologies for the delay! Being sick sucks. X.x

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