Chill Wrapping Wind

Spoiler:

It was the first time in a long while that he ever felt truly 'new'. Now was one of those times. The old clothing worn before just felt off to wear for some reason now. Why was he okay looking a bit like a fancy bartender before, but not now? Maybe it was the changes. Winds blood had changed so much, and the golden road had marked his skin. All of it. The mans very skin tone was now the plants proof that he had kept his vow, that they would still be with him. "It's really weird being healthy and not having talons... among other things." Everything was here. Ever since the demonic virus had been removed and soul repaired, everything was different. The souls that had been connected to him before had passed on. The plants remained. The bonds with his elemental spirits couldn't be held anymore since he was no longer a medium.
That was a strange thought, wasn't it? "...no longer a medium.." The mans head was still feeling dizzy from everything. Even their build had changed a bit. They were no longer genderfluid. "William took the changes better than I have.." William who was currently with a babysitter, as he wanted to get gifts for their 'daddy' and if the elder Omaras was there the child had been sure they would certainly peek. It was very adorable, though also weird. Being a parent was strange, wonderful, and he just needed a break from everything. It was around that time he spotted a familiar face, so walked towards it.

Would Perry recognize him? The clothes the young looking man had on seemed more like an official uniform, one build for moving in the cold. His hair was a pastel mint that was far more likely than the previous flat black. Having a human skin tone was also new. He still had wings, but they weren't exactly dragon and the doctor wasn't feeling up to looking like a silly over sized fae like being in public. they could have worn gloves, for once he could actually wear them! But the vice president didn't.

It was still strange to think about putting gloves on and having that as a viable option. Besides, bare hands felt so natural, normal, the way they had always been. He gave his friend a weak wave before reaching them, " It's Haraka, how about we find something fun? I smell cocoa and could use something. William ditched the event for Christmas shopping that he definitely didn't want his father there for." There was so much to say, but the doctor just felt so worn out. The young looking man decided that he could explain more over drinks, or food, or a game. After he felt less like a bag of raw new nerves.

Words: 469

Perry looked emotionally worse off than the doctor did. Well the man definitely hoped he didn't look as poorly as the worn looking friend. How was he? Well both of them didn't exactly look to be at their best, and Haraka wasn't speaking to a total stranger. How was he? "I'm better and worse.." The he bought some snacks from one of the vendors, hot salted pretzels and some crepes stuffed with with roasted ham, cheese, spinach, and egg. Both were items one could eat and hold in a lazy way, so perfect for anyone who didn't have the energy for doing much. He had ought four of each though, a miscalculation made from how used to having a certain child around the man really was. At least the elder Omaras had a hunger comparable to a bottomless pit. So each person he knew was there got one of each, besides the vice president who got double that. The young looking man continued to follow the smell of hot cocoa, slowly making his way through the crowd. "I was temporarily relieved of work until I dealt with my health, which used to be a ticking time bomb. An ice dragon with a demonic virus, a disease that most easily took hold on those with soul damage. The disease was extremely deadly, but held my fragile and cracked soul together..." There was a severe lack of fluff in the talk, certainly not a cheerful topic. He had been someone who used to smile and speak gently while struggling with multiple severe health issues. How does one learn to pretend everything's okay when its not?

Convince yourself that it was alright. No matter the research done, nothing helped enough. New medicines made that ended up helping others, but nothing to solve his own issues. None of it ever fully fixed anything, it was like running against a clock that was too broken to move.  How do you explain to someone that you were ready to die? Some people desperately struggle and fight, but others that had been like he was? When you are born with a wall and commanded to fall into the grave or live with that wall. Very few look at the obstacle and decide to try to climb it. He had been struggling against that wall in an effort that had already been accepted as likely to fail. It wasn't really something they had ever fully seen as achievable, an unreachable dream. One crepe had already been eaten through. The runny egg was almost like a thick sauce placed around the other fillings. It was the sort of food that could make someone feel filled with warmth even at chilly times. It was fitting for this time of year. "Something happened when I was eight and a half that caused my wind spirit to slowly drip his blood in me every night for half of a year. His blood is the essence of death in liquid form. It saved me, but I didn't accept it back then. I wanted to sage, grow old, fall for someone that I wouldn't outlive... Removing the demonic virus made accepting the consequences of his blood the only option to not dying. It feels a bit like I betrayed myself, but also like I'm more myself than I've ever been." The scent of cocoa was ever nearing, approaching. Something sweet would be nice. That was what he was thinking, but he had just finished eating down the second crepe. How could saying so little feel so exhausting?

But it did. Their red eyes moved towards the source of the sweet cocoa aroma, it was listed as a game. The doctor had briefly forgotten they had already paid for himself and Perry to play. The realization was a strange one, certainly strange feeling. He was someone who had considered every cent as important to keep track of where it went. It wasn't an expensive game, but that really wasn't the point. He let out a deep breath. Calm down. Oh, the salted pretzels. When did the two large salted pretzels he had vanish? A sensation sliding down the throat told him that it wasn't likely the two items had run off anywhere besides into his stomach. Stress eating was apparently alive and well in their very hungry body. "How have you been doing Perry? Nova?"

Words: 730
Haraka's Total: 1,199
Group Total: 1,992

"Thank my endless appetite for the food." It was a half joke, but better then none at all. Haraka grabbed one of the cocoa options from the game, one that was patterned after the black forest in flavor. The first sip told Haraka that thick cream, light milk, dark chocolate, cherry syrup, and coffee liquor had been used in this. It would have been more authentic if they had used a cherry liquor instead of a coffee one, but at least had whipped cream, chocolate powder, and a cherry on top. Perrys opening up was unexpected to say the least. Was what the doctor said an inspiration, or did they feel obligated by the weight of the previous speakings words? In any case it seemed they both had gone through some changes. That didn't matter though, did it? Not when the topic was something personal and heavy. If the time was right to share, it could feel much like a large boulder rolling from inside. Deep bright red eyes looked over the elvish figure as he finished the cocoa much like a shot. Another was taken, white chocolate cocoa with eggnog spice flavorings, marshmallows, and some dark chocolate syrup on top. This one tasted a bit too sweet for his liking, but it still had some nice flavors. Their gaze fell upon the drink samples before taking another flavor sample, trying the one Perry picked. Eyes went back to their friend. The drink had certainly been stronger than the last one with alcohol, but the orange and chocolate tastes made for a good taste with well flavors well suited to each other. "My great aunt was a king. She tried to have me killed if I showed any signs of weakness or taint since the moment I was born. It's not your fault for not noticing when I haven't stopped running from her shadow even now."

Well there it felt like he was fighting for his right to live, but with his grandmothers side of the family it fel more like arguing for the right to live. Fighting fr it was more terrifying in a physical sense, but it didn't come with tricky words or phrases. There was nobody saying they wanted you dead out of love. Noe of them ever accused his mother of not having the proper breeding to raise a child of pedigree. That was just a trap way of saying nobody outside of a certain rank was capable of raising a child to their standards. The unspoken truth of that line is all of it was merely strong opinions. That was easy to think, but not really say to the right people. At least those ones were dead, right? He had family issues on top of family issues. Even their health issues that had existed had been wound up with family issues. Wanting to have his own face was even... though now there was no need to want that, right? It was right here on them already. One dream had died, but another had been realized. Was becoming this a bitter sweet thing? No, becoming healthy shouldn't come with regrets, not any kind. Why did it... why did he...? Well it was less of a regret, more of the mourning over the loss of something he could have never achieved in the first place. It was a nice dream though right? To age like everyone else, to grow old. In a sense maybe facing family issues is harder because it's less upfront and woven with lies and truths. The heart was pulled in many directions with that, at least with the ghosts it was only in fear. Another cocoa sample was taken, this one of a less alcoholic nature. Dark chocolate with coconut, it even had chocolate whipped cream on top, the chocolate mixed in giving it a thicker texture. There was also chocolate chips on top, so honestly the coconut didn't feel like enough of a balance to him.

The next one was taken, this time before strolling closer to where his blond friend was sitting after taking the sample. The stride was fluid and calm, despite the internal mess going on inside that had caused him to eat quickly and apparently even drink as fast. The sample taken this time was a milk chocolate cocoa drink with some very nice eggnog seasoning, and possibly even some egg mixed in. He couldn't taste egg, but you aren't supposed to if it's done well. What you taste is a certain texture, a thickness. It complimented the chocolate, making the drink and chocolate taste richer. There was also some alcohol, but one should expect that as a chance in any drink that involves eggnog being added. There was a need to get closer so as to listen better and be less distracted by the many different flavors of cocoa samples. Haraka hadm't expected to hear of an emerald, nor the strange effects it had on the individual. Seeing the tiny fae fly was a little surprising, but not by much. He had seen things like this before, but certainly not owned by just any elvish bloodlines. Should he really assume that though? Items can pass through a lot of hands at times. "Hello Willow, I promise not to eat you." This was spoken in a bit of a teasing tone, briefly flashing his sharp teeth in a bit of a grin. He wasn't typically for jokes, but it might be a good mood lightener. Then again was he really a good example of how to make any mood less heavy? "It's nice to meet you, sorry for the bad joke." Why make that joke anyway? It was his dark fae typing reacting to her radiance, but this wasn't something the man would know. The lightness was briefly forgotten at Perrys physical change. He leaned closer to the blond elf.

Perhaps it was courage given by drinking at least three drinks with varying amounts of alcohol in it, for the eggnog flavored cocoa sample was very empty at this point. Whatever fueled the brief bit of courage didn't matter, only that he had leaned down towards the sitting figure to touch his nose against the others. It was the sort of kiss one might do when growing up in an ice cold climate, one that didn't involve lips. It was brief, the mint haired man soon straightening them self up after. His face was red, but maybe the friend wouldn't notice, maybe they would think it was a joke. "Thank you for opening up to me and sharing. You're still someone I love sharing my holidays with. How do you feel about the changes?"

Words: 1,116
Total: 2,315

"It sounds like you need to have a long talk with your family, but if you don't then I wont blame you. Family can be the hardest to face. I couldn't even face the long dead corpses of mine well." The last cocoa flavors were tasted by the vice president, a white chocolate with marshmallows, and candy cane sprinkles on top being one of the last tasted. There was nothing like depressing matters to make the stomach feel even more empty and ravenous. No amount of cocoa could ever sooth it, just as food more than likely wasn't the answer either. A flush was still on his face, but it was starting to fade with the taste of the dark chocolate mint cocoa with whipped cream. The elder Omaras picked a favorite, quietly suggesting a cherry liquor and a shot of espresso for the black forest themed one instead of cherry syrup and coffee liquor. What was the favored one? The one that had the orange liquor, it was the most well rounded of the various tastes. For the vote a token was received. Was this game related? The object was tucked away, red eyes looking to Perrys flushed face. Maybe the feelings weren't so one sided, that would be great. "I saw a snowball contest that will start in a few minutes. It might be fun to play fight for once and making a wager might be fun." Just thinking of what he was going to suggest made Harakas face flush all over again, but that was fine. This might be just what they both needed. What if he won the wager? Would this be how he lost his first kiss, over a bet during winter over who would win a snowball fight?

"If I win the snowball war, then I will get a kiss from you. If you win though, then you'll get to get me to make you anything. If you get cheeky and ask for for something like a house though then it'll be made of gingerbread! How does that sound?" Part of him was a bit worried. What if the bet isn't taken, or he wants to do something else? It was just one of many activities in the festival, not the end all be all. It was the one game that made a wager like this fun and possible though. This was stupid to get nervous over things like kisses and wanting to make playful bets that might involve a little kiss at the end. Why did it feel so thrilling and interesting though? His stomach started to make sounds for a brief time. That was just bodily sounds that didn't automatically mean someone was hungry! But in this case it wasn't far off, ah well.

Words: 462
Total: 2,777

The idea of cooking for Perry for a week wasn't a bothersome one. It wasn't anything awfully difficult and cooking was enjoyable anyway. It was odd to hear the blonds two friends decline, well okay it was sort of a given that the tiny fairy would say no. Still, it was a slight surprise Nova would decline. The heart raced a bit at the acceptance of the bet. Was this excitement? If he won then there would be a kiss. The doctor wanted to try to play things off like this didn't matter, but trying to calm down and do that would feel a bit dishonest. Why did this excite him so much. "Alright then, cooking for a week it is, if you win... But I didn't say I wouldn't use my wings." It was at least one thing that hadn't changed, wings that could be hidden with enough focus. There was no more tail though, one of many reasons that these would be different to use than the old dragon ones. These moved totally different, easy enough to tell even from the small amount the elder Omaras had used them so far. "You're right, lets hurry." It was true, they needed to head there. Feet moved as he hurried back the way they had traveled to get to the cocoa stand.

The tall fae stopped at one of the spots they had passed before, the sign up booth. Harakas face was still flushed as he signed his name up before walking over to stand where a few others were. The snow war would start as soon as the game did. Their smile started to curl a bit when his friend signed them self up, red eyes looking them over a bit before looking away. Focus, focus! You need to win to get that kiss! He tried taking a long deep breath to calm down, but then the snow war started. A pair of dragonfly wings appeared on his back as if they had always been there. They weren't used yet though, quick feet and nimble hands working on moving and gathering snow. The man was a fast person, though had rarely ever actually flown. Because of this it wasn't really instinctual for the fae to use flight even while their wings were out.

Words: 384
Harakas Total: 3,161

When a paranoid person enters a snowball war, one must expect they would be paranoid. It was safe to say that the doctor had expected 'attacks' before the signal to start had even been made. When one came his way? The man ducked and dashed out of the way of the incoming 'attack'. The snow soon slung from their hands had not been in Perrys direction, but instead to hit other players. Yes, there were young and old, fast and slow, all many eager players in this game. The fae wouldn't dare play with a short term plan in mind, for those would loose the person his prize. What was important? The long term plan of winning. The first part of that should involve getting as many players out as possible, not just hunting down a certain person. Keep calm through the speeding breaths and steps, that was what the man was trying to do. It was only on memories of the many lessons of the past that aided in slowing the speeding beats to a calm drumming. It was a temporary calm, one harder to hold when thinking of getting a certain elf with a shot of snow. This was another good reason to aim for others first. Animated snowmen where even less of a shake to the soul than such thoughts. Then again Haraka had seen weirder things used in competitions too. Focus on getting others first, then on a certain blond. The man kept his breaths slow, but feet quick. They should have hidden behind a cover, but moving from hits also told him where opponents were. One by one they fell, each hunted down one way or another. Tracing snowballs, seeing movement, or steps on the ground were good clues to the eyes of an experienced tracker. At some point it seemed best to... yes, yes it was time. "I'm coming track and catch you Perry." But of course that left his heart a bit of a mess all over again.

Words: 335
Haraka's Total: 3,496

Who would expect an elf to turn into a cat? Not a certain doctor, but he had certainly seen stranger things. One good thing about having had a long life meant a lot of things had been seen. Then again a lot had happened in only the short time in being part of the West Fiore Trading Company, like the time when all those in charge of the guild became young and small, or smaller and younger in Ruvels case. That was before Harakas current rank and before Johann had left the guild to create their own lawful order. Cirven was even still an important person in the company still back at that time. People have come and gone just as events have continued to happen. Even as the elder Omaras continued to change and adjust to the changing and ever fast turns that make life, things always felt like it was going a bit too fast. Perhaps it was why it was taking more time to adjust to such drastic physical and mental changes. Seeking a break from the ever quickening times that bring in whats new within a festival of ice had a strange effect. It didn't offer the type of break that had been expected. In this case it was more changes that were offering to sweeten things up. The strange complexities of the heart was something the fae had never really taken too much time to explore when it pertained to this region. This was as close to a date the man had ever been on before. This wasn't the way he had ever expected a first crush to come. It was in the presence of a friend, in playful flirting and hunting in a game with snow. He wasn't expecting Perry to play fair, only to still be in the game. Why still there? Because otherwise the elder Omaras was positive he would have been declared the winner at this point.

They were the only two left in this snow war. Feet quickly moved across the snow as the heart continued its erratic fluttering deep within. His face was as reddened as ever, a warm and embarrassing sensation that brought their smile to be a bit extra playful and wide. What was to be done when a blond elf couldn't be seen? The same thing eventually done as the very first test to enter the west fiore trading company. That test had been a good lesson back then. At that point magic use was still new to the man, so the idea of feeling out for magic with their basic senses as a mage had been a new concept still. Getting told to use them was what had lead Haraka to figuring out which Sol had been real. The idea of hunting the magic signature down and hitting whatever it lead to with snow was a bit of a weird thing, but it was also a logical conclusion. For the doctor it was one clouded in hunting skills originally gifted from a father figure than grown over a lifetime. It was overcoming the cowardly self that at one point used to speak the sweetest words while making and serving drinks for those who contemplated if he should die that day. It was a root of feeling a need to reel back on things that were needed to happen in order for his life to get better. How far did it go? The thousands of years of smiling at murderers that promised it was for the better each time was far more layered than being aimed at only strangers. Was it the killers that included the woman that birthed their fleshy body? The evil group that caused his home country to sink?

The answer was a reason why it took so long to allow himself to try to fall and flirt. Starting that was harder than it seemed, a push that always seemed to end with it feeling a bit like nothing happened, nor would. For a bit it had started to feel like maybe he had been a bit too old or out of it to make it in the messy game of love. The answer wasn't as simple as a snowball hitting a cat, but that felt a bit like a step in the right direction. This was why he decided to quickly create as many snowballs as they could. Everything inside still felt a bit like a large mess. This wasn't the end all of his friendship with Perry, but seeing one actually land its mark definitely made his heart feel a bit more erratic. Color deepened on his light brown skinned face as the doctor was announced as the winner and tokens given. Why were emotions from tossing a snowball more intense then victory, or enough to make it a bit easier to accept what fate had given? "Perry-" His natural deep and silky voice broke out, as it had through the evening on and off. "I'm still up to cooking for you for a week, if your little family eats with mine." He wasn't a 'smooth operator', there was no practice in trying to make a romantic relationship up until this point. This WAS the practice. "I'd enjoy that a lot."

Words: 880
Haraka's Total: 4,376

What to do when it feels like some flirting failed? Perrys comments of not wanting the reward after loosing was valid, but it meant more planning. This would typically be easy, the mind of his working like an ever bending pour of water. In the world of love? The mans heart and head was a total mess. It didn't feel like he was a total winner, despite evidence to the contrary. Why was that? It was so strange, the heart and racing of the heart. It was strange how magical the moment felt, despite how normal such a scene was between the two. Well it would be more typical if the elder Omaras was at an age appropriate for such shyness. There was at least no fears of Perry feeling nothing in return, not with the color on the others face. The fae wasn't the only one feeling something! And he was tired and done with being coy or running from a scary subject. There wasn't anything more terrifying than letting someone in, but wouldn't it be nice? As friends and maybe something more along the road. The only way to get there would be to let it out. Nothing will get done if everything's kept inside. The hunter had won his prize and now he could claim it. Think8ing about doing that just made everything inside feel warmer and more confusing. Somewhere in that mess of emotions had to be some sort of path, so he would plunge forward and continue forth. This didn't mean the older man would charge in like a lion though, that  would be a bit too blunt. Eyes looked around a bit before giving a playfulness to their grin. "They're just watching because I took most of the contestants out myself. I used my hunter skills to take every distraction away that I could in order to find the prize that mattered."

The color didn't exactly leave their face. What kind of strange confession was that? and in front of people whop are more than likely VERY curious about the real prize he was after. The motivation behind hunting down and hitting the majority with snowballs. You shouldn't exactly act like a hungry hunter around those you don't intend to harm. "Okay, outside, yeah, uh.. first." If he didn't do it now, he might loose his nerve later. Confessing would have to come now as well. If it wasn't now, when would it be? When else would it come forth without as much push back. "I'm an six thousand eight hundred and four year old person but you're the first crush I've ever wanted to pursue. I want to spend more time with you to selfishly deepen our friendship and get to know the heart I've fallen for more. An attractive heart is what gets me to look other places and think other things. Sorry for an awkward confession, but I'm not sure when I'll have the courage to try again." Then there was a rush, the man coming closer towards the elf. He had no idea the charm such a confession had. How many could really say their attraction to your body came from the one of your heart? But some may feel insulted that their body wasn't a star in such things. Perry spelled nice, their lips warm. It was a contract to Harakas own cold body and lips, though nothing went deeper than that. Though it has been a passionately pressed kiss, nothing left their plush lips. One might call it chaste, if there hadn't been so much energy behind it, if it hadn't lingered for quite as long.

Maybe the man shouldn't have enjoyed it as much as they did. This was childish he knew, putting so much into their first ever kiss. Even waiting so damn long had been a tad ridiculous. Despite knowing this, it all felt a little worth it at that time. With that done, the death fae left the area that had been meant for the snowball war. Well, he TRIED to anyway. Their face had met with a tree long before their mind had become clear enough to avoid it. This embarrassed mess was somehow the same person that had taken out the majority of the contestants on their own just so they could better focus on one particular target.

Words: 726
Harakas Total: 5,102

The memory of those soft warm lips lingered in the mans messed up mind. Part of him wanted more, but of course he had more self control than to listen to that part. Well, when it sounded unreasonable anyway. This was the first instance of him giving into that, even if just a little bit. Of course his hormones were acting like plants freed from a drought. The intense craving for more 'water' after getting a small taste, the wishing for a 'flood'. That would go against his own morality though, to scoop into Perry so soon until drenched by passions. One low breath left the man as the death fae moved their person from off the tree. How could they let such thoughts distract him so much? In the end, Haraka was still as much of a mess now as they had been when coming to the festival. At least now he wasn't thinking of the recent big changes that had brought a less happy sort of internal chaos. Was he alright? "Yes." Only his pride was a little hurt, if any of that was even left at this point. The vice president started brushing himself off a bit as they listened to the other speak. "I think both of our minds are a bit mixed up." The understatement of the year. It would be a new year soon enough, the start of more new things. Why did it have to be after a pulse charged by life was replaced by one fueled by death? His own body would never be warm again, if it ever had been in the first place. Ice dragons aren't exactly known for feeling toasty to the touch. That was one of the things going for him at the least.

The doctor had been cold as a mixed blood, just as they were as a full blooded fae. At least now they had nails instead of razor sharp talons. "I don't mind giving you time with some things, but as a friend I'm not going to dip out of your life. I want to help in whatever ways I can, even if its just in listening." Though what was he good at in helping? Fighting, it was something he had improved in, but it still wasn't something Haraka saw themselves as a master at or anything. Having training and instinct didn't make up for how little in his life the young looking adult actually fought. Actually the only times they could recall not running from a real battle had all happened after joining the west fiore trading company. He really was a coward, wasn't he? It really didn't feel like there was an honorable bone in his body. At the least, they were finding some stability in their voice again. Some amount of calm was trying to find its foot in the storm that was the heart and mind. How was it that his father was so good at this? Maybe its because he knew that sometimes things messed wit you so much that you couldn't do it alone. Sometimes it was hard to listen to reason from even those most beloved. He wasn't going to pretend like he thought Perry would automatically be happy with the doctors comment. "I can't consider myself a friend if I do things any other way." Would he ever ask about the strange large differences that had shaken in the elder Omaras voice only moments ago? That was one of the good things about moments like this.

So much was going on that it was unlikely it would even be mulled over as an after thought later. Thinking things like that only confirmed what the brown skinned figure already knew though, he was still a coward. This is more than the red eyed individual had been able to handle a year ago, but it still wasn't exactly something they would even fathom putting in the same room as a term like brave. This was at the least a good sign, wasn't it? At least he wasn't so much of a coward now that he would let someone just fade away into a much later tomorrow. There more than likely wouldn't be more kissing for a good while, but at the least this was someone already well adjusted to cold showers and calming thoughts. There was no issue in giving Perry space in that area, even if part of him really didn't want to. The other part of the man was freaked out over everything that had happened in so short of a time. What kind of person was he becoming?! No matter the case, he would force himself to stay on the right path. Having a mixed up mind and heart was nothing new.

Words: 796
Harakas Total: 5,808/1,500

[3847 extra WC]