rest under the stars

[purevanillacookie]

Who: Peepaw + You cause lbr he's inviting everyone
What: Sleepover! In an outside blanket fort!
When: Time is wobbly
Where: Outside Peepaw's Place
Warnings: It's gonna be cute and loving

[ Life's been rough, come hang out at Pure Vanilla's in a blanket fort, which is what the little jot in the journal says. The quest was for loved ones, but Pure Vanilla loves all of them? So, blanket offering.

Literally. ]

Please come visit tonight and spend a moment of rest and relaxation with me, my dears! This month has been rough, and I feel we can all use it.

[ Those who show up will find one side of his Cookie Cottage absolutely turned into the largest blanket fort he can make it. Most of it is made up of wool blankets, but when he ran out of those, he's stolen extra blankets from the Inn, as well as stripped his house of them. Pillows and furs line the ground, and small shards of light that seem almost ethereal litter around the area. Some float in the air like small gleaming prisms, some are attached to the ceiling of the blankets like their own stars, while others sparkle gentle amongst the furs. Touching one for any length of time will make it fade into the person who touched it, and give them a sense of warmth and peace.

And there's food. Lots of it. Drinks too, carefully marked that they will aid you into sleep. Peepaw spent the entire day busy. And a bunch of various things to do to unwind with. Books to read, marshmallows to roast over carefully shielded fire pits (there's little magic circles around them to keep the fires magically going and safe), a record player with various records he borrowed. If you really want to fall asleep, he even had his things to make yarn dragged out, just be sure not to fall asleep mid-spin. And a little telescope or two set up from the School.

It really does look like a school camping trip...

There's also a larger shield around it all, near invisible in the moon and starlight, but it shimmers occasionally. People gathering in one spot is always a prime target, and he's not going to let his loved ones be hurt.

Vanilla will greet every one with a wide, happy smile and a hug. Get loved. ]

Thank you for coming!

Comments

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua is more than happy to come to Pure Vanilla's get-together. He isn't really certain what to call it otherwise - is it a party? A meal? It's hard to say. But he brings Willowisp with him, because Pure Vanilla should meet her if they are all to be working together. No matter what the gathering is for, he knows that she will sit docile and keeping to herself until he has need of her, so she won't be an intrusion.

He hadn't been expecting something quite like this, though. It's almost ethereal. Beautiful, really, and the sight of it alone warms him. After how this month has gone, it's... nice, to be somewhere so calming.

And he can see that shielding, too. It means that it's safe from the snakes. By far the biggest relief of the bunch.

Joshua avoids the drinks marked as sleep aids, but Willowisp certainly seems interested in some of the meatier foods, so he spends a bit taking off smaller bits of a larger piece and handing them to the little white owl on his shoulder. She is, maybe, getting a little bit spoiled already. ]

[purevanillacookie]

Hello, sweetheart.

[ Joshua is going to be greeted with a warm smile and a hug from the small Peepaw. It's a warm, loving hug though. Squish. He pulls back after a bit and immediately reaches up to begin fixing Joshua's hair. It's a mess, he needs a hair cut, maybe he'll let him trim it just a bit.

Thinks the man with hair down to his tootsies.

He beams at the owl sitting on Joshua's shoulder. ]

And this must be your familiar?

[kingincognito]

[ Oh, we love hugs in this house. Joshua is glad for it, expression lighting up as Pure Vanilla approaches, and he's quick to return the gentle squeeze with one of his own. Willowisp does not seem all that ruffled about it, thankfully, though she does turn her head and look at Pure Vanilla as though he's grown a second head. Like owls do. ]

It is good to see you. [ Not that they see each other nearly daily or anything. ] This all looks amazing. It must have taken you all day.

[ He will, at least, submit himself to the fussing without complaint. It's just what Pure Vanilla does, and he's learned it's done out of affection. ]

Yes. This is Willowisp, my stolas.

[ The aforementioned stolas blinks, tilting her head. ]

[purevanillacookie]

[ Ahaha, ah yes. The Owl-Look. He beams at the owl in return, hello sweetie, before turning his attention back to Joshua. ]

Thank you, my dear, and though it did it was worth it. It is notoriously rough here in the Grove, and sleep does not come easy to many of us. So if I can help aid everyone into peace for at least one night...

[ Good boy for letting the fussing happen, though he won't do it for too long, dropping his hands after a moment. And he smiles to the Stolas again, how much does she understand? ]

Would you like me to connect her to you now? Or later?

[ Oh, would you look at that, she's already filtering the ambient energy of the world. Fascinating! ]

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua lifts a hand, scratching one finger beneath Willowisp's beak. It seems to soothe her from the not-offense she had taken, and her eyes close in comfortable happiness. ]

That is very kind of you... I know all too well how difficult it is to sleep properly. I may take you up on the help in a while - Founder knows I could use it.

[ The stolas sits and watches as Pure Vanilla fusses over Joshua, watching those hands work with a quiet intelligence behind those eyes. It seems like, if she doesn't understand, she is certainly taking it all in. But, stolases are highly intelligent creatures. It's more than likely she's picking up some of it. ]

Oh. That depends on how difficult it is, I suppose. I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time.

[purevanillacookie]

[ He laughs a little to that, looking amused. ]

Then do feel free to partake of the drinks labeled as such. I promise you, my dear, you will sleep and it will be restful.

[ Unlike Affogato's tinctures which invoke a deep dreamless sleep, Pure Vanilla's focuses on helping the body and mind heal. Sweet rest, sweet dreams if one dreams. ]

Oh it's not a difficult thing at all! But I understand if you would like to not worry about such things tonight.

[ He's studying the Stolas already as well as Joshua... mmm yes, shouldn't be too difficult to wrap their energies together. He can see they already are in a way. ]

[kingincognito]

Then I shall. Once I have had my fill of everything else.

[ Perhaps he can get Clive to drink one, too. He knows they both have their fair share of nightmares, and if it will ease his brother's, he will gladly press the issue. Clive can make him take his medicine, and he will make Clive get a good night's rest. ]

Well, if it does not take too much of your time, I do not mind getting it out of the way.

[ He offers a hand to the little stolas on his shoulder, which she climbs on the back of with no hesitation. Joshua brings her down, holding her near his heart. ]

What needs to be done?

[purevanillacookie]

[ He smiles lightly as he watches Joshua move the Stolas, the expression distracted as he ponders her. He could use the same symbol he used for Elswords Eye-Lemons, or even his own Staff earlier, but... well. This is far different. And why bother etching symbols when he's become who he is.

Instead he holds out his hand, palm up for her to sit in like a ball. ]

May I?

[ He's going to need to hold her. ]

[kingincognito]

Hm? Oh, of course.

[ Joshua gently moves his hand, holding her out to Pure Vanilla. She pauses for a moment, giving the offered hand a scrutinizing look once again, before finally deeming it a suitable perch and stepping over. ]

Mind her claws - she usually tries to be gentle, but no guarantees.

[purevanillacookie]

Ahaha, oh no worries, I shall be fine.

[ Because there's a reason he had her sit in his palm instead of his finger. He gently reaches over with his free hand and places his finger on that gem on her forehead. A soft mental word - some light? from underneath his robes? coming from him? - and she sleeps. It's just easier on her like this.

He then reaches out and gently presses his fingers to Joshua's forehead, his smile peaceful. There's more glowing coming from him - and his right eye bleeds away into yellow entirely - as he ties the Stolas and Joshua together. It's a lot ... like... tying a soul into a body and his heart quickens. Has the method been staring him in the face the entire time?! Has it been as simple as when he tied himself to his Staff, his Staff to himself?

To Joshua it will feel like he now is innately aware of his Stolas. Her thoughts are his, her aether his, and in turn, he will find he can fill his aether into her and use her to quicken the magic he's been learning. But of course, this means if she's ever injured, he will feel the backlash. He knows this as if he'd learned this from his studies.

Pure Vanilla is sort of pouring knowledge into the boys head, being careful about it of course.

He could see through her eyes, if he wanted to, speak through her, know what she knows as readily as if he were to breathe. For a moment he is her, peacefully resting in a warm cupped hand, heart faster, thoughts quicker, perception brighter.

Then Pure Vanilla drops his hand and Joshua is 'back to normal' though now he feels his bird like another heart beat in his chest. Vanilla looks back to normal too, beaming as he hands the tiny bird back over, rousing her as he does. ]

There.

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua didn't know what to expect, so he shouldn't be as surprised as he is. The light from beneath Pure Vanilla's robes makes his eyes widen, and he watches as Willowisp just... drifts off. He trusts Pure Vanilla, so it isn't as concerning as it would be otherwise. Instead, he watches in fascination.

Until Pure Vanilla is pressing his fingers to his forehead, and he sucks in a short breath. A lot of information finds itself in his mind, things he has no idea how he would know unless they were being transferred directly. But being keenly aware of the stolas, feeling her heartbeat, her sleep-thoughts, is both the strangest and most natural-feeling thing he's felt in his life. As though he's the one sitting perched in Pure Vanilla's hand, warm and comfortable and resting.

And then it's over, and while he can sense the presence of Willowisp within himself, like the Phoenix but not quite the same, everything feels... just as it should. Joshua lets out his breath, looking down at himself as though something has changed, but it hasn't. Just his feathers standing oddly on end, slowly relaxing back down. ]

... oh.

[ He doesn't know quite what else to say. It's a lot to take in. ]

[purevanillacookie]

Indeed.

[ His tone is a little laughing and he gestures to usher Joshua to sit down into a pile of thick cushions and pillows. ]

Sit, breathe, relax. It will take your mind and soul a little bit to adjust. Let yourself ponder on the connection, get used to it.

[ And he will fetch him little tidbits of food and drink, making a little platter that he can then set beside him and settle himself down beside him as well. ]

Are you feeling all right?

[kingincognito]

[ Indeed! Indeed. Joshua exhales softly, letting Pure Vanilla lead him back to the plush pile and sitting down as instructed. It isn't that he's dizzy or anything, so there is no threat of stumbling, but.

Well. It's a lot!

But he does as Pure Vanilla suggests, sitting and letting himself just... experience the new sensation. Playing with it a little bit, like a switch turning on and off. It's like tapping into the Phoenix, in a way.

So, when Pure Vanilla sits next to him with food and drink, he doesn't even need to ask. ]

She's fine.

[ An observation. He can feel that she's fine. He blinks at the tiny, sleeping stolas, then up at Pure Vanilla again. Ah, right. He had asked a question. He shakes his head, shaking himself out of it. ]

-- sorry. Yes, I'm fine. I'll be all right.

[ A little out of sorts, maybe, but overall fine! It's an adjustment. ]

[bajamutblast]

[Dion wasn't exactly planning on going to the sleepover. However, a passing glance had revealed the sleeping drinks and, well... he's already prone to nightmares. He'll take whatever advantage he can get.

He's already dozing in a pile of blankets, halfway through his drink, when he hears a familiar voice. Dion sits up, rubbing at his eyes and trying to focus. When he finally settles on Joshua, he lifts a hand in greeting, followed by a sleepy smile. Don't mind him, he's a little sleep drunk.]

[kingincognito]

[ Oh! Joshua hadn't expected to see Dion here, honestly. He... doesn't expect to see Dion laying drowsy and comfortable in a pile of blankets, either, honestly. It's enough to make him laugh softly, fondly. It isn't a bad look.

He offers Willowisp a temporary perch on the back of a nearby chair, which she is glad to take, then moves over to sit by his friend. ]

Well, you certainly seem comfortable.

[ It's good to see, though. Dion could use the rest, and Pure Vanilla made these drinks, so they are trustworthy. ]

[bajamutblast]

[Dion's smile is warm as Joshua draws closer. Addled as he is, he doesn't even make an effort to hide how giddy the man's presence makes him. Nor does he pause to consider that there are other eyes here, ones that are certainly not privy to the shift in their relationship. No, he thinks solely of Joshua, and quickly motions for the man to sit.

Should the offer be taken up, there will not be a second of hesitation before his head is laid upon the other man's shoulder.]

Indeed I am. And all the more so now that you have arrived.

[kingincognito]

[ ... oh. Oh, Dion must be very sleep-addled to be this blatant in public. Their kiss in the garden notwithstanding, of course. There were only the possibility of eyes on them, then. Here, there is a certainty.

And yet, Joshua doesn't find himself minding all that much. Dion may mind when he is more sober, but that just means that Joshua will have to make sure that this is the most that he does. So, he does his best to make sure that he is a comfortable pillow. ]

I had no idea you were here. I would have come sooner had I known.

[ ... can he find Dion's hand with his own? Surely winding their fingers together isn't too egregious. ]

[bajamutblast]

[Certainly not. And if they are worried about it, they can just tuck their hands under the blankets, no need to worry about it. Not that the thought occurs to Dion specifically, considering the fact that he's more content stroking his thumb over Joshua's skin.

He also, notably, still has that feather tucked behind his ear. He hasn't left his room without it.]

Admittedly, I did not intend to be. It... seemed a bit juvenile to me, at passing glance. But I was curious, and... [He trails off, pursing his lips. Even tired as he is, he knows what he has to say will concern Joshua. He weighs whether or not to say it at all, before inevitably tacking on:] The prospect of something assisting me in my sleep was too difficult to pass up.

[kingincognito]

[ Oh, he certainly does still have it there. Noticing that makes Joshua's face light up with a smile. They still wear each other's token... But a feather is so fragile. He really must make something more permanent soon.

But... ah. Yes, Dion is right to think it will concern him, because the moment he says it, Joshua does frown. He knew that the tea was supposedly helping, but... ]

Are you still having difficulty?

[ He gets it. He really does. His own sleep most nights is a bit restless, and he can only imagine what nightmares must plague Dion. But he squeezes his hand gently, reassuringly. ]

It certainly seemed as though the drink was helping. Please, do not mind my presence. If you need sleep, I will gladly allow you to rest upon my shoulder.

[bajamutblast]

Some nights are easier than others. Seldom few are without trouble entirely.

[He doesn't argue Joshua's permission. Sleep still has a hold on Dion, and he can't help but recline back against the mound of blankets once more. It's made all the better by the fact that he yet clings to that warm hand, and knows Joshua is still nearby.]

You need not accompany me, or stay close. You came here of your own volition, and I would hate to take you from whatever plans you may yet have.

[kingincognito]

[ As Dion reclines, Joshua briefly considers his options. He could remain sitting... or he could also recline. The pile of blankets is certainly large enough for more than one person, but what if it is a bit... much. ]

I have no plans. You are not interrupting anything, I assure you.

[ ... alright. He's made up his mind. He tucks his wings against his back, ensuring that they will not get awkwardly crushed or rumpled, and he reclines a bit himself. On his side, to avoid any potential harm. Which means he is facing Dion, but that's just fine - they're still holding hands, after all. ]

Did this problem plague you back at home, as well? Is there anything I might do to ease the burden?

[bajamutblast]

[It's perfectly fine in Dion's books as well. He finds himself turning onto his own side, if only to continue to stare into the glimmering blue that is Joshua's eyes. They're all the more endearing beneath the stars. Or perhaps, if one were truly feeling poetic, they might be stars in their own right.

At Joshua's question, Dion at first only sighs. His brows draw together, but his face overall is far from troubled. The sedative effect of his drink keeps the worst of it at bay.]

It has plagued me, to varying degrees, since I first entered the fray. The years made it worse. And, of course... [He trails off. They both know what really tipped the scales.]

[kingincognito]

[ Oh. Hello, Dion very close to his face. Well, perhaps not, but it certainly feels like it. Or maybe that's just because it affords him an unobstructed view into those eyes that he still likens to the sunlight itself.

But Dion's words are hardly surprising. Fighting of any kind is like enough to cause nightmares, but what they must go through as Dominants...

And of course. Of course he knows. He pulls in a breath through his nose, frowning as his eyes angle down to Dion's chin. ]

... I will look into options. I want to be able to ease this burden for you. You deserve to be able to rest.

[bajamutblast]

Joshua.

[There is a chiding note to his voice as he releases the other man's hand. Now free, he reaches up to gingerly cup his cheek. With each passing, sleep heavy moment, he feels less and less like they are in good company, and more like it's just another afternoon tucked into one of their rooms.]

You have already shouldered many of my burdens. I would not ask you to take this one. [But, just as Dion feels uncomfortable accepting yet more help from an already busy Joshua, he knows Joshua cannot so easily relinquish the need to help.] Though if it will set your mind at ease, I will speak with the other clinic staff regarding a more steady supplement of sleep aids.

[His smile is gentle, if a touch playful. Small wonder as to why, considering how, after a few seconds, he gently taps Joshua's nose before bringing his hand down once more. Sleepy, silly Dion.]

[kingincognito]

[ That chiding tone makes Joshua pull in a soft breath, particularly as Dion removes his hand, but that is all very quickly assuaged as Dion's hand comes up to rest so gently on his cheek.

But Dion is right. He has been pressing himself lately, and if Dion doesn't want him to overburden himself, he should concede. So he does, nodding even as he presses into that touch.

But when Dion shifts his hand, tapping him on the nose, Joshua can't help but laugh. Oh, Founder, he loves this man. This very sleepy, very silly man. ]

All right, then. But I will hold you to it.

[ And location be damned, they're reclining and it's easy to hide. He leans in quickly, stealing a brief peck of a kiss. He can't help himself. ]

But for now, you should try to rest while you can. Pure Vanilla Cookie will not let anything happen.