TO HAVE AND TO HOLD [modplot]

[letsgolegion]

Who| Anyone who wants in
What| "To Have and to Hold" plot
Where| The planet Olum, Matihara Temple
When| Set vaguely the same time as "Gods Among Us" and "Other Mother"
Warnings/Notes| N/A

The planet Olum is a genuinely welcoming place. While the clothes they have to wear for the rituals are a bit...odd (provided they don't opt for coverups), they are comfortable, especially with such a balmy climate. Despite the Olumites allowing outsiders into their ceremonies, there's a distinct lack of tourist-ey elements; no gift shops, no merchants selling anything, just a spirit of genuine unity and celebration. The Olumite marriage guides seem to genuinely care about helping people with their relationships, and seem happy to share their cultural traditions with other species.

As far as missions go, it's definitely a nice vacation from the usual life or death struggles.

It means the Legionnaires have no distractions. They have to settle in and try to navigate this while faking sincerity as best as they can.

[ooc: All information about the setting can be found on the infopost.]

Comments

[marryonette]

Elphelt thought on the phrase for some time, letting out a small hum as she brought her eyes back out to the rolling waves, her breath steadying with their rhythm.

"For you, I suppose it was learning to let go of your anger. But... I'm not sure I can narrow down my shadow to an emotion of some kind, or any combination of them. Especially since that 'self', the one Mother coveted, doesn't have any..."

[touchmydragon]

"Black is still something we perceive though it is the absence of colors."

But that wasn't entirely the point. After all, she didn't need to let it go as much as ward it off.

"You are correct, however. I needed to learn to let go of myself but that is not the path you should take. Instead, you should create a solid, unbreakable core. One that can withstand attacks and help you retain yourself. That is what your most important memories and feelings are for."

[marryonette]

"It sounds like it may take awhile... I'm glad you've offered to help me get there, though," Elphelt nodded after a moment, affirming it to herself as well.

"If there was anyone here besides Ramlethal that had to see my inner self, my deepest thoughts and memories, I'm glad it's you."

[touchmydragon]

"I appreciate your confidence in myself." It was a step forward from 'wandering loner' and the old Blackwatch ninja he used to be so he'll take it. And thank his Master along the way for shaping him up in a way that let people trust in him.

"All I can state in advance is that what you may see is all part of a shameful past. I hope that I have grown from those days."

[marryonette]

Elphelt turned back to him with a warm smile, "That's okay. I understand. You're not the first person with a shameful past I've befriended. You'll get no judgement for me, and... I'm grateful that I can expect the same. I'm glad we're paired for this, darling~" she teased towards the end, giving a wink. She knew it was all pretend, but... well.

She could do worse, if she was being honest. He was rather attractive, with or without the holographic skin.

[touchmydragon]

Darling. That was a word he would have to get used to on this mission, even if hearing it did speed up his heart a little. It wasn't something he expected to hear anytime during his later life and not something he had guarded his emotions against.

"Thank you. And I suppose we will need to use these types of names so avoid suspicion so what would you prefer to be called for the duration?"

[marryonette]

That had her perking up.

"Oh! There are so many! Darling, Cupcake, Angel, Baby, Honey, Sweetie, Sweetheart, Dollface, Sweetums, Huggybear, Sweety-pie, Boo boo...," and she just sat there, rattling them off, uninterrupted. He may want to stop her.

[touchmydragon]

He does stop her, mostly by putting a hand on her shoulder. It's a gentle gesture but, being from Japan, all these terms are quite interesting.

"How about I call you Elphelt? Where I am from, using a person's first name with nothing else is considered a sign of closeness."

[marryonette]

"S-sorry... And that sounds perfect to me. Though, wasn't there something else Japanese people did to express affection?" She pondered for a moment, before it occurred to her, and an even wider smile slipped across her face.

"Darling Genji-chan~?" Stop her.

[touchmydragon]

"That is something that can be used but..." On one hand, Genji is more than capable of handling himself, even in emotional matters. But even he understands and accepts challenges as they come. Certainly, this feels like a challenge, which is the thought he has as he gives Elphelt a smirk.

"Despite how I may seem, if you wish to go down this path, I will match you. Do not expect much mercy."

[marryonette]

The thump of Elphelt's heart was almost audible, drawing back with a gasp but still smiling brightly. Her cheeks burned red, and her eyes shone... That, of course, wasn't an act.

"G-goodness... You're better at this than I thought."

[touchmydragon]

"Hardly."

That was an understatement. He spent his youth wooing many partners, male and female. In fact, it was all he was good for until his confrontation with his brother. Retreading those grounds for the sake of his mission, in a way that wasn't dangerous emotionally, wasn't exactly a difficult prospect.

Genji stood up and offered his hand to Elphelt nonetheless, to assist her in rising.

"Perhaps a little more practice is required. Then we can complete this mission successfully."

[marryonette]

"Leave it to me! This is definitely my specialty~" Oh lord.

She took the hand, lifting with a bounce, and furthermore taking his hand to loop her arms with his, starting to walk along the beach.

"The first step is things like this. There's a reason long walks on the beach are in so many dating profiles, of course."

[touchmydragon]

"Yes, that much is true. But would you not say that doing it at night would be more attractive? The stars hold much promise."

Not that he was putting a damper on the mood but it was his preference. Staring up at the sky at night was another way to put the soul at ease. The ocean at night was likely to double the effect. Regardless, he let himself be pulled along. Resisting might just cause him to be dragged.

[marryonette]

"Oh wow... You're kind of ahead of the curve, saying things like that. You're making me blush, at least," Elphelt hummed, shifting closer to him as they walked.

"N-not that I mind! I'm not gonna fall for you for real when we're only supposed to be fake married, ha ha..." At least she kept telling herself that.

[touchmydragon]

"No matter the situation, your feelings are your own. Do not let the preconception of others cloud that."

Even if it was his own and he was more than aware it could be his own preconceived ideas in this moment.

"But shall we ride on what they call 'floatypuffs'? That would provide a good view, at the least."

[marryonette]

"I could think of nothing better, darling~" Elphelt giggled, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. Despite the fact she could still feel the steel beneath, she hardly cared. They were a couple, after all. They had to keep up appearances. Plus she wanted to.

[touchmydragon]

"I'm glad the idea suits your expectations, dear." If he didn't respond, it would look odd to anyone watching. That and Genji got the feeling that Elphelt might be disappointed if he didn't go with it. Or perhaps she wouldn't, as deep as she was into it.

Regardless, using their connection, he helped guide them to the entrance to the ride. As they never had to leave the sand to get there, it was as good as a walk on the beach.

[marryonette]

"You'll hold me close during the ride, right?" Someone stop her.

"Ah, that is... I mean...," at least she had enough awareness to realize, for the moment, when she was getting too into it. But it was really really REALLY difficult to not throw herself fully into the illusion.

[touchmydragon]

"If that is your wish."

It was a way of saying that he trusted her. Being deep into it was different than going too far and if he could effortlessly offer something to help the experience for her, Genji was more than willing to step up to the plate and believe it wouldn't be taken too entirely wrong.

[marryonette]

So dreamy-eyed, so lost in the moment, that she didn't actually really watch where she was stepping, and the moment her foot hit the less solid cushion of the seating area of the ride, she immediately lost her balance.

"G'ah!" Well. That was one way to break her out of her romantic reverie.

[touchmydragon]

Thankfully, someone here literally has ninja-like reflexes and took Elphelt's arm before she had a worse or more painful outcome. It does, however, leave him off balance too as he tries to adjust to compensate. A light grunt leaves his mouth as he ends up on the ride, concentrating on not having the same outcome.

[marryonette]

"Eh heh heh, uh... whoops?" How awkward. And left them in a slightly compromising position, too, but she tried awfully hard not to think too much about that. But there was a slight trail of blood coming from her nose...