Light up the Night - [BACKDATED to 2/5]

[mamaterasu]

Who: Ammy + Anyone interested
What: Fireworks show for the Lunar New Year!
When: Evening of 2/5/19
Where: Monkey Compound
Warnings: None so far, tag as needed!



[It's about noon when a message is posted to the Message Rock, as well as over the Stones of Farspeech - an elegant writing in kanji with a translation below. The voice is foreign, not often heard and possibly lost from most peoples' memories, but it sounds...excited? There's definitely a chime-like laughter hidden in the depths of it.]

All interested in a beautiful sight, please show up at dusk at the Hana--eh...the Monkey Compound. Drinks - for the elders among you - and some snacks will be provided, but I encourage you all to pack a box lunch.

Those unable to attend...I'll try to make sure you see it. Thank you.

[How very enigmatic indeed.

Still, those that do show up as the sky begins to change into a purple-blue color, dotted with small, glittering stars, will see that the Monkey Compound has been done up a bit. There's a line of small, flowering cherry blossom trees creating a lovely arch by the entrance, and little paper tags have been hung from a few of the branches, holding pictures of a tiny boar, or piglet, and a prayer written on the opposite side in kanji.

Inside has a very, very pleasant air to it. Much different than what this place used to be. It's laid with fresh, clean, springy grass and flowers, and a bountiful garden off to one side, which looks a little barren...probably because most of the foods have been harvested and laid out neatly on a bushels of palm fronds. Fresh vegetables and fruits from Ammy's garden, ripe for the taking and eating, if you're more the rustic type. There's also fire-roasted fish, skewered on a stick and cooking nicely by a crackling bonfire. Eat, enjoy, converse with neighbors and friends alike! Drinks have indeed been provided for the adults, a large barrel of sake with a ladle to pour it into one of twelve dishes. And yes, a bowl of water has been added to the side to rinse them off.

The centerpiece is a very basic shrine put up with a folding wall, once white in color but painted over with a beautiful portrait of a boar rolling a round firework, and a tiny, ceramic figure on a boar topping a little rock pile. Below the statue is an offering of sake, a single sakura mochi, a grilled fish, and some flowers. That is where the wolf will be when you first spot her.

For...a moment, at least. Because once the sky grows truly dark, and the embers from the bonfire has crept to soft, orange glow, a whistle will wheeze its way through the sky as a streak of light soars up, and up...before it explodes in a puff of white sparks. Nothing exciting, more a call to attention.

A minute passes, then another, and the're movement by the far end of the compound as the wolf readies everything she needs. A few final touches--...there! All ready for the show to begin.

And what a show it is.

The fireworks are beautiful and vibrant, coloring the skies in a vast array of rainbow hues, dancing like they're actually alive. True artistry, and a blessing from the God of Explosions, Bakugami (and the local rabbit god, who provided a number to help make this work). An explosive force meant to open the gate for a blissful new year - full of color, full of life, and bountiful in all things that bring happiness and joy to those with good in their hearts.

Happy Lunar New Year. ♥]

Comments

[thermalwind]

[He settles at Shiro’s side, leaning into him and basking in the moment. Keith watches Shiro’s face and his heart jumps a little. He can imagine flying through the fireworks or through the universe side by side.]

I haven’t felt this at peace in a long time. ...ever. [He leans up and kisses Shiro’s jaw and settles back against him.] Next time we’ll prepare for it if we can. But this one will always be special.

[He cherished every moment with Shiro. To see him like this is special. He’s a wonder and art made real, inside and out. He makes things better just by being there. Now he knows that he...helps him be better too. He grins at him.]

I think seeing those Lights did us some good. Just a bit.

[galrarm]

[ Shiro makes a soft, content sound at the kiss. Keith's lips are always a balm, even when he doesn't realize it. If he could kiss Keith every moment of every day, he would. Shiro sets his fingers just below Keith's chin and leans down to kiss him once, twice. And another for good measure.

He holds Keith close when he pulls away. ]

They were definitely... [ He clears his throat. ] ... They put words to those feelings I'd always known, but could never find a way to say. [ He slides his hand up just slightly, to sink his fingers into Keith's hair from the back of his head. ] Even if they were embarrassing.

[thermalwind]

[He drinks in the noise. He wants to hear him make it again. Shiro's hand grasps his chin and he lifts his head, sliding his arms around his neck as their lips meet. This is home. He's had that thought so many times and each brush of their lips together only drives it in deeper.

By the third kiss he's so relaxed, he has to blink a few times to clear his head. Focus, Keith.

He breathes in, settling his hands on Shiro's arms and laughing, it's light like he hasn't done in a long time. Except for when they're alone together.]

Yeah...they were really embarrassing and honest about everything. But, I'm glad we talked to them.

[galrarm]

[ He smiles as he touches his forehead to Keith's. ]

I am, too. And I'm glad you could see what I do--how incredible you are. I've always thought so.

[ He plays with Keith's hair. It's soft, and Shiro loves playing with it. Then again, he loves Keith. Every part of him. And it settles him, that he knows Keith feels the same. ]

... By the way, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. It's nothing bad, it's just something I've been thinking about for a while.

[thermalwind]

Yeah? What's on your mind? [He has a feeling he knows. He can read Shiro as much as Shiro can read him. But, it's important to hear him say it. His fingers run through white hair and still. If he messes around too much he'll distract him.

That's the last thing he wants.]

[galrarm]

[ He leans into the touch, and it feels ridiculously good. He fixes Keith with a look--soft, warm. ]

I was thinking, if you wanted... I'd like it if you called me Takashi.

[thermalwind]

[He leans into him, grinning. Just like he'd thought. They are both slowly opening up to each other.] ...okay. [He leans up and gives up a quick kiss on the lips and whispers.] I'd like that a lot, Takashi.

[A new year, a new step forward. He feels safe and content right now. He sets his hand against the side of Shiro's face.] I love you. I'll never get tired of saying that.

[galrarm]

[ He laughs lightly, returns the kiss. His name has never sounded better, and that Keith is using it... he feels warm and happy.

After everything they've both been through, Shiro thinks it's pretty amazing that they can be this happy. Then again, Keith makes everything brighter. Shiro's always thought so. ]

I love you, too. [ He turns his face slightly, so he can press a kiss to Keith's palm. ] I'll never get tired of hearing it or saying it.

[thermalwind]

[The things in their life have tried to rip them apart but here they are. His breath speeds up slightly as Shiro kisses his palm. Keith moves his fingers through his short hair.]

Let’s sleep in tomorrow. [He murmurs almost too low for his own ears. He repeats himself because he’s sure Shiro can’t hear mumble. Two years ago he would have never suggested such a thing.] We could all use a break for a little while.

It will be a late breakfast but I doubt anyone would mind. [Seeing as Lance can cook too, he doubts there will be much minding at all.]

[galrarm]

[ If he were a cat, he'd definitely be purring. He leans into the touch, and now that they're together, Shiro finds himself craving Keith's touch more and more. He'd already felt that way--being in Black for so long had resulted in Shiro needing touch. And now, he can get as much as he wants.

It's nice. It helps that Keith always knows what he needs, what he wants. ]

That sounds perfect. [ He smiles, content and warm. Keith really has changed from the prickly teenager he met all those years ago. He's thought it and said it so many times, but he's so proud. It makes his heart swell. ] We'll make a good breakfast. Something warm and delicious. I'm sure everyone would be happy with that.

[thermalwind]

[Keith smiles at the way Shiro leans into his touch like a cat looking for more attention. He loves giving it to him. He never realized how much he craved touch from someone he cares about. He's not a super touchy-feely guy with most people. But his boyfriend? He needs to make sure he's there and alive. The fact Shiro needs the touch too makes it easy.]

We'll figure out what when we come to that part. [He says as he turns slightly to settle content in Shiro's arms but still hip touching hip. It's a subtle level of constant contact.]

This year we should all pool some stories together and expand the cottage. Give us all more privacy. [He wants them all close in safe reach but...he wants more privacy for him and Shiro.]

[galrarm]

You won't hear me say no to that.

[ He touches his lips to the side of Keith's head, gently. He can't get over the fact that he can hold and touch Keith like this. It's like a balm, soothing the edges of wounds that still sting sometimes. ]

And I'm sure the others would appreciate it, too. More room is never a bad idea.

[thermalwind]

At the rate Kosmos is growing we'll need more room anyway. [He says with a laugh. He has no idea why he's getting so big. At this rate they can wrap up in him come winter. As if called Kosmo presses up against their sides with a whine.]

Oops, speak of the wolf. [A wolf on a mission it seems as he sweeps around the both of them. Shiro is as much his person by now as Keith.]

[galrarm]

Haha, before long he'll take up an entire room of his own.

[ And there he is. Shiro chuckles and gives the good boy a pat. ]

Hey, buddy. Were you looking for us?

[thermalwind]

[The wolf plants himself at their side and leans into them. Keith drops one hand to pet his head.] Sounds like a yes to me. And yeah...wish I know how big he is going to get. If Coran was around because he seemed like he could tell us. He recognized what he is.

[Having Coran would be good for so many reasons. Even if they're stuck here he'd rather have the whole team under his watchful eye. Keith gently nudges Kosmo to move and settles his hand on Shiro's back.]

Let's go sit down somewhere and keep watching the show.