haloedwings

[haloedwings]

"It's Sunday~! The day to celebrate my brother!"

[haloedwings]

"Thank you," Robin says. Then, with a soft laugh, adds, "It's cold here, but I've heard it used to be much colder, and I'm glad things are looking up." Her gaze sweeps over the city, and then she turns back to Gepard, smiling. "I actually came not as a tourist, though I wouldn't mind looking around the museum. I'm here on behalf of the Family."

@haloedwings

"Miss Robin. It's a pleasure to meet you. If there's anything you need while you're here, please don't hesitate to ask. We're still...getting used to having visitors from the stars but hopefully you'll enjoy your time here in Belobog."

[haloedwings]

// I think I've gotten to everything I owed, so if you want a Robin in your askbox, like this post! <3

[haloedwings]

As Robin shifts her brother's tie (which was not at all out of place to begin with), she can sense he knows something's wrong. They've known each other long enough -- in fact, their whole lives -- for her to get a feeling of it. In fact, perhaps this is why Sunday can sense something's off as well.

Thus her brother decides to cancel his plans, saying his meeting with Gopher Wood can wait. Robin's gaze lifts to look at her brother, and she takes his hand, feeling a little more secure already. So she smiles, exhaling a little breath at her own foolishness, and nods.

"Of course. That sounds lovely." It will also help for her to walk around and see nothing's amiss in the sweet dream.

There was a discordant hum in the air.

Sunday held still as Robin’s hands fixed his tie, head tilting slightly to the left as her troubled expression shifted from troubled to smiles – he had a feeling that it wasn’t so simple as that. Nothing had ever really been simple for them, not ever.

“Well, I had intentions to, speak with the Dreammaster, but the appointment can wait.” Gopher Wood wouldn’t mind the wait if it meant that he was spending time with Robin. Sunday could easily smooth ruffled feathers and such with a few, carefully placed words.

It had, after all, been quite some time since Robin had returned to Penacony.

He offered his hand to his sister, smiling, “Come, shall we see what the planet of festivities has to offer us this day?”

[haloedwings]

Robin spots him there, sitting slumped in a chair all bound up like a prisoner, and seeing him like that hurts viscerally, so much so that she inhales sharply, freezing in her spot as she calls out for him.

And then he lifts his head, so quickly as they lock eyes. He says her name, asks why she's here. But it doesn't matter now; she's rushing to him, hurrying to his side to crouch in front of him and place her hand in his cheek, mostly because it doesn't have restraints on it like the rest of him.

She wants to be strong, and to that end, she fight the tears welling up in her eyes. "I needed to see you," she says softly, hand lowering after a moment to place somewhere on his knee that's not restrained. "I was -- worried. And there was so much I didn't get to say to you."

                      sunday sat slumped in the poor excuse of a room they had locked him in.  his body was tightly bound to the chair,  restraints wrapping around his arms, legs,  and torso,  leaving him immobile.  not that he had any intention of escaping.  after his fall,  after his defeat,  sunday had given in.  the fight had drained from him leaving only the resignation of someone who knew the end was near. 

                      he closed his eyes and braced himself for what was to come.  he knew the script.  someone would enter,  deliver the grim confirmation,  and it would be time to face the end.  the inevitable of it didn't scare him anymore  —  or so he thought.   

                      what he did not expect, however,  was hearing the door open,  then closing and hearing that familiar voice.  his gaze shot upward, and there she was.   ❝   robin ...  ?   ❞   oh he can feel his courage wavering already.  he doesn't know if he will be able to face the end anymore,  not like this at least.   ❝   what are you doing here ?  you shouldn't be here.   ❞   

[haloedwings]

// crying because I just finished the previous story update with Sunday and "I want to tell her that I love all her songs." anyway now i can get to replies again hopefully

[haloedwings]

"Oh, I see," she nods, understanding. She had, of course, jumped to conclusions, but it hadn't caused offense or any harm, which was good. She was happy about that.

Her head tilts as she sees him thinking, and she wonders if he's trying to recall where it is. Perhaps she's asked for a place that is not as well known as she thought. But--despite this, Moze confirms that he's been there before, so it seems he can take her. Robin's shoulders lift, her little feathers fluttering slightly. "I'm glad," she says, smiling. "Lead the way, Mr. Moze. I'll buy you something, as well."

"I've crossed paths with a few of them but I don't know them well." He knew there were more than the three he'd met but they hadn't left the Astral Express when they were last in Xianzhou Luofu. Perhaps another time, he'd get to meet them all.

He had to think for a moment. The Xianzhou Luofu was similar but at the same time different than the Yaoqing. He had explored and mapped out the Luofu when they first arrived a while ago and was sure he remembered where their Aurum Alley was. "They had many food stalls there when I went before. That would be a good place to start." He agreed, gesturing to where they should be heading now that they had a better destination.

[haloedwings]

// that moment when you listen to the Robin song you quote in your blog pinned post and realize the quote is WRONG

[haloedwings]

Continued from [here] | @wingedthorne

Robin had been having strange dreams. She didn't quite understand them, but she worried they had something to do with the state of Penacony. She hoped not. She worried about the people here, and she also worried about her brother. He had been seeming a little... different, lately. Perhaps he was worn out?

She silently prayed for forgiveness as she stopped him before he went out for the day, running down the hallway before he left.

As he turned, confused, amusement plain in his features, her troubles eased a little. It was fine. Everything was fine. A smile came to her face, and she lifted her hands to adjust and then re-adjust the cross-tie on his chest. "I hope you have a marvelous day," she said softly, "that's all." She looked up at him, smiling.

[haloedwings]

Robin nods. "Yes. I shouldn't be surprised; you've met them?" The Nameless were heroes basically wherever they went, weren't they, she thought affectionately. She presses a hand to her cheek, thinking about his idea. "Food? Hmm, that's a good idea. I wanted to personalize it, so maybe differently themed foods. I might be able to guess what sorts of things they like."

She turned to Moze with a smile. "Let's go for desserts. I've heard of an Aurum Alley here?"

"The nameless?" Their paths had crossed recently and the few he had met were helpful against the borisin and their leader. His head tilted slightly at the thought of them, equally as perplexed on what one would buy for a group.

"Perhaps...food? If their interests are all different, then food might be the saftest course of action."

[haloedwings]

Robin blinks a few times, refocusing. Her head tilts slightly. “Oh, yes, well…” she begins, smiling slightly. “It’s a little difficult trying to find a gift for a group of people, unless I want to choose a decoration for the Express.” A delicate hand goes to her chin, thoughtful. “It’s a gift for the Nameless of the Astral Express, for helping those in Penacony yet again. I was hoping to find something here, but… I’m afraid I don’t know where to look, and their tastes do differ…”

"Are you having trouble finding the right one?" Is that why she looked troubled? Most people seemed excited to buy gifts. He didn't really ever go shopping to buy something for other people. He didn't celebrate birthdays of his own, could barely remember if he had one and didn't really partake in any other celebrations as a guest. Usually he attended as a guard and he had a job to do.

"Who is the gift for?"

[haloedwings]

starter for @halothes

Robin knew she should not be doing this. If anyone caught her, it would be… trouble. This was also, probably, an act of betrayal against her friends, whom her brother had hurt, or tried to hurt. But Robin couldn’t help it. This was her brother. Sunday. Her dear brother, locked away, and she didn’t know what they were doing to him, what was going to happen to him. She couldn’t bear it any longer.

It was easy to find out where they were keeping him, with her connections. It had only taken a day to find out all the information she needed. And so Saturday night found her with the key to Sunday’s room (room, they were not keeping him in a horrible cell, thankfully), unlocking the door and stepping inside.

The lighting was dim, the room only lit by an open window, seal by metal bars so no one could escape. Robin’s heart hammered in her chest, and she closed the door behind her quietly. Because in the center of the room, there he was, chained to a chair, head bowed. Suddenly, there was a chime of a grandfather clock: midnight. It was Sunday.

“Brother?” she whispered.

[haloedwings]

Robin had been informed of her false death, of course, and of those who had seen her “body,” Aventurine included. She wondered, though still did not entirely know, how he had known about it in the first place, if he had really just stumbled upon her by accident. Either way, from what she had gathered from others, he wasn’t so much of an active threat as someone to be careful around. That, and as a representative of The Family, Robin had to be cordial, diplomatic, and kind.

At the reference, she supposed, to the false death - you seem quite well – Robin exhaled quickly, a subtle sign of amusement, if lacking in much actual mirth. It was more relief. She was happy to be alive.

“Yes, I am well,” she said softly, smiling. “I’m glad to be able to be of help to the people of Penacony once more. That’s why I’m here, as a representative of The Family. And yes, that does include a performance.” It was a necessary part of the diplomacy involved, which would help get The Family into more influential circles.

One of the first things he had to learn in the trade was placement, not only is he expected to look and act the part he must also fill the position expected of it. That passes by finding himself in a lot of boring events that ultimately can be a waste of time. This one, however, already seems a little more entertaining than the others as he's approached by a new face.

Well, not exactly new. He knew exactly who the halovian was, as most people in the verse do. But he knows Robin in a different light, a corpse, a fake one, the wake of a murder without a culprit. He never really got that answer but ultimately it's unnecessary in the grand scheme. He greets her with a smile.

"Miss Robin."

"I am quite well... And by the looks, so are you." He didn't expect her to approach him. In the end, he shouldn't be that important to warrant the attention of the star. But he welcomes it, if anything to maybe forge a new friendship.

"What brings you here? Are you performing?"

[haloedwings]

starter caaaallll 🎶

please specify muse if you're a multi <3

[haloedwings]

Moze's answer seems a little uncertain, almost like he's slightly uncomfortable. She's not sure, though, it could be that her question confused him. Robin's head tilts to the side slightly, and she studies him subtly, trying to figure out if she's bothered him in any way.

He's largely unreadable.

So she follows his motion to step out of the alley. His question has her straightening, an easy smile coming to her face out of habit, though it falters a moment later. "Yes, I--was going to purchase a gift." Yes, though why is she frowning? She really shouldn't be.

Moze was starting to regret his decision to step out from where he'd been concealed from. Miss Robin liked to talk, he learned quickly and while he was used to that with Jiaoqiu and Feixiao, he was also more comfortable speaking with them than with other people.

"I....enjoy both?" Is what he answers with, gesturing for her to step out of the alley. He should ask something back, shouldn't he?

"Is there something you're looking to buy?"

[haloedwings]

"Oh. What does a shadow guard do, exactly? It sounds like a skilled position," Robin asked softly, curious. Obviously, he stayed in the shadows, but she was looking for a description that was a little more specific.

She visibly cheered, however, at his offer to walk with her back. "Yes, please walk with me; I could use the company," she said. "Maybe you can recommend me something to buy? Do you like desserts or drinks?"

"Moze. I am a Shadow Guard of the Yaoqing." He introduced as a partial explanation. He hadn't meant to spook her but he would be horrible at his job if she was able to see or hear him when he didn't want her to.

"I can walk with you back to your performance. You're not far from the marketplace if you were looking to shop."

[haloedwings]

Starter for @aventvrina

It's not often you run into on of the Ten Stonehearts, let alone one that tried to sort of... well, Robin's not exactly sure, still, what happened that day in Penacony. She'd heard enough, but upon seeing Aventurine at a break in a highly anticipated event (sponsored by the IPC), she couldn't help but approach him.

"Mr. Aventurine, I don't believe we've officially met," Robin says, making sure her tone is friendly. "I hope you're well?"