2017-06-26: Under Your Wing
- Log: Under Your Wing
- Cast: Riesenlied, Noeline
- Where: Old Petra
- Date: 26th June 2017
- Summary: Riesenlied and Noeline retire to rest after the skirmish near Tindus Town, and Riesenlied shares a snippet of the past...
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied has been resting, and -- if nothing else, Noeline's certainly seen to her recovery such that she's able to withstand the pressures of that last operation and get out of it relatively... all right. It was a rude shock, to be certain, and one that they were reeling from, but all else told, she doesn't appear to be as... withered as Noeline might expect her, on some of her worse days. The commander is attentively listening to some soldiers as they relate their feedback from the operation, though she dismisses them as the converstion comes to a close.
"Noeline..." Riesenlied whispers, bowing her head. "Thank you for your protection in that last skirmish..."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Ever since coming across Riesenlied on one of those worse days - giving her a fright that she'd never admit to, but that cut her to the bone - the Crimson Noble has been taking some pains to ensure that she is around the camp a little more, curtailing some of her trips out to Adlehyde and Lacour at least until the Tournament starts properly and spending more time within sight of Riese, if not at her actual side.
'Fortunately', Gylfi's demise has made that extremely easy, because it's meant having to do a full review of what documents and secrets they may have left behind in the wake of their unexpected flight. Noeline is one of the experts on such matters of intelligence, after all - and in determining what humans might be able to glean from it in turn.
She waits for a moment to allow the soldiers to file out, watching after then as she gauges how they're doing - and then turns towards Riese, allowing a quiet and ever so slightly rueful smile to grace her expression. "... you don't need to thank me," she admits, meeting Riese with a peck on her forehead and not quite teasing. "That /is/ my job, isn't it?"
True enough, she hasn't really let herself stop after the attack on the cannon - and is currently still garbed as Riesenlied's Chevalier, her armor pitted and marked in places but otherwise mostly whole, her hair down in a sheet around her.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied steps towards one of their chambers and takes the stairs down, before returning to her room in short order. She has a tome that she carries with her. "I thank people for their job..." and then she pauses for a moment, as she reaches down towards Noeline and slips her fingers to the Crimson Noblest's cheek and planting a soft kiss in turn.
"... and to you, it is a bit more than a job, is it not?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline perhaps gets to look even more shoujo than normal, between the flower-like armor she's wearing and the way that Riesenlied is the one to initiate the contact - and she revels in it, humming happily as she tilts into the touch at her cheek. "All the more reason you do not need to thank me," she retorts after the kiss. As the knight, her smile is softer, as if her own emotional protections aren't as fully up as they are when she's the Crimson Noble. "If I let you get hurt, I doubt I could forgive myself."
One day she's going to learn Maya's deal and just be absolutely approving.
Her gaze does flick towards the tome for a moment - but she's busy here, sneaking her way into a light embrace with the other demon.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied -- has to pause for a moment as she slips back and sit down very gently. "... your armor has gotten rather -- flamboyant since the last time. Are you sure it is an... ah, appropriate disguise? I don't meant to question you, but..." She drapes herself just a little needily.
She sets the tome aside on her desk, before murmuring, "Let me pamper you, just a little... do you want some tea?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline's laugh is surprisingly gentle, and her rueful expression a little more complex than she'd like. "... I wonder..." she replies aloud, but the rest of her comment can apparently wait as she nestles into the embrace, letting out an audibly relieved breath as she affirms her own and Riese's presence all at once. For her, it's a very open sort of noise, the spy perhaps making an effort to share more of herself in the wake of their confessions, and only swallows when her lips briefly meet Riese's. "--thank you. That would be very pleasant."
"It is not normally the other way around?" she teases immediately afterwards, as she lets Riesenlied prepare the tea. Because she's Noeline, and she can't help herself sometimes. "I thought I was the one who did the pampering." Sat on Riesenlied's bed, she works on detaching the outer plates of armor at least, letting out a sigh as she examines the gauntlets and their damage; part of her arm is covered in bandage, though her non-Tainted healing has taken care of the worst of it.
"I suppose--... I suppose that I do not mind as much? Perhaps I've learnt to accept myself as someone who straddles the line - and someone who is proud of protecting you either way."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied has her own tea set, so it isn't a very long trip for her to start boiling water and preparing two cups. "It is. I thought I'd make the effort, regardless? I must do my part for you as well..." as she looks behind her shoulder affectionately for a moment.
"And today of all days, I thought I should make the effort given that I don't feel under the weather," she adds with a soft smile as she turns to serve them. There's biscotti as well. She lays her hand on her bandages gently, before remarking, "I'm glad I could help give you a sense of purpose... I'd been scared for some time, about that."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Underneath her armor, Noeline does at least wear the same sort of functional bodysuit that many Metal Demons do - though in her case she's vain enough that it's a little more flatteringly designed and lighter, worn more as a second protective layer than anything in its own right and coloured in gentler tones to match her 'disguise'. It makes her look a little smaller, lacking the body of either her crimson dress or her armored one.
"It's as if you /want/ me to tease you about being under the weather so much," she huffs softly - though her smile is genuine and appreciative as she accepts one of the cups, resting back a little as she moves to provide Riesenlied some space to sit next to her.
One of the things Noeline /has/ been leaving camp for are little reminders of Riesenlied's home in the Gutters, some 'human' touches for comfort, which includes a warm fur she bought somewhere, and she's quietly thankful she had the idea now.
"I... hmm. I wonder if I really have a sense of purpose yet? ... if we're honest about it, aren't I still rather running wild on impulse?" she wonders aloud, leaning immediately into Riesenlied's side. Perhaps it's a little unfair to herself after her work in Old Petra as of late.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... n-no," Riesenlied huffs very gently, before sitting down and picking her tome back down to place at the side of the tray. "I'm just cognisant of my own limits, is all. It's best to make the most of what you have, when you have it, after all."
She does look towards Noeline for a moment longer, before sipping her tea. "It doesn't have to come immediately... but I think you already have more of one than when we last spoke on this topic."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline's dig into the other woman's side becomes a little more insistent - a little more 'pet me, pet me' - as she first takes a long sip of her tea and then lets out a slow and calming breath. Her injuries don't seem to slow her down, at least, though Riesenlied's touch at her arm definitely drew a blush onto her cheeks. "Perhaps-- at the very least, I do feel a little more secure in my course, I suppose. Any intelligence officer enjoys working towards a goal," she grumps slightly, though for most the goal is probably not 'contact your anathemaic enemies'.
"... I'm glad to see you well," she admits after another quiet moment, her voice remarkably gentle by her standards and rather obviously an understatement. "I was worried-- but there was simply too much to do all of a sudden."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied replies somewhat firmly, seated onto Noeline's side to start stroking at her hair, "It... is a contingency I had planned for, is all." It's definitely the most diplomatic way she can phrase that. "It is important to remain mobile, in any kind of venture of this sort, and expect the unexpected."
She draws her legs up just a little bit. "The Photosphere Salvage divisions contacted me. They said they found material I would be interested in... I took a look, and it was... interesting. It is a passage from -- what passes for my ancestor, I suppose. A legion of dragon-shifting, dragon-riding Hyadeans, called the Ash Legion." A pause. "They are considerably more harsh and strict than I am." She chuckles. "I think they would be disappointed."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
The noise that Noeline makes as a hand finds her hair is precious, and definitely not one she would ever dare make in public. She huffs softly once she realizes she even sounded it aloud, letting her eyes close as she savours the moment - and when she sets her cup down it's only to mirror the motion with Riesenlied's blonde hair, fully drawn up against her. "... I don't know that we could call what happened 'unexpected'... honestly, perhaps I need to deliver a lecture or two to those gathered here about prudence," she grumbles.
Her ears perk up as Riesenlied continues, however, her curiosity obviously peaked as she opens one eye. "Hmm... when was this? I dare say the world is a lot different now - so who can say how they might have changed along with it?" comes the rather protective huff.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... it comes from the top, unfortunately," Riesenlied speaks on the subject of prudence. Quick flash to Berserk laughing at Devet about 'computer security' and that 'phishing is for chumps'. "But, even still, it pays to be prepared. Anyway." She lets out a noise of her own as she leans against Noeline's hand, then moves closer as the stroking gets a bit closer towards her scalp.
"... back during the Metal Demon Wars, a thousand years ago. Surprisingly, it doesn't appear to have changed that much... not enough that their tactics are illegible to me."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Of course a reaction like that is going to encourage Noeline, of all people. With a soft snort and a toothy grin that would look much more at home on her Crimson Noble persona, the spy shifts a ways towards Riesenlied's front, leaning upwards as she brings both arms around the commander's shoulders. Not only is it a little closer, allowing Noeline the chance to relax more fully in the hug, the motion also leaves her with both hands now working slowly at the other girl's hair.
She does like to consider herself a historian, though, and her sense of curiosity is riding pretty sky-high at such a find. "Really... that's interesting, indeed." Other demons would probably lead off with 'is there anything you can use', but Noeline's kinder than that. "... did it offer much about how they lived?" she wonders instead.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied lets out just a little pip of nervousness, as Noeline encroaches upon her and she leans back shyly. "... to be honest, the doctrine is much similar. Eliminate your weakness and fear... submit yourself to the service of Mother. Leave your enemies no mercy."
She softly sighs and remarks, "I can lend it to you -- I've perused it enough for now. But it does speak of green fields, much more than what we have in today's ranchlands..." A pause. "Is it not strange, how beautiful nature is... and yet, how harmful it is to us?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
"I would be curious," Noeline admits with a light nod. She doesn't press her luck too much - not yet - but certainly aims to see what happens when her touch ever so lightly scratches at Riesenlied's scalp. Not painfully, just-- there. "I suppose it makes sense that much of the teaching would be the same, given what we know of Photosphere, but--"
--but she trails off, as Riese continues. Already, she's begun to wonder if they themselves might be responsible for a weakening of Filgaia's lands, as the Guardians divert their energy towards Mother. It doesn't seem the right time to really suggest that, though, nor to worry Riesenlied with talk of such things in general.
So she hums softly instead, shaking her head. "... I have faith in you. In what you can accomplish. And I am quite sure that, so long as you stand and I can support you, you will enjoy those fields once more."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied pauses and-- lets out a little mewling noise, her cheeks reddening considerably. "... is it possible? It is counter to what we are, what we all are... but I am sure there must be a way. Somehow... somewhere." She lets out a little fond sigh, and sips her tea again, before draping her head down to Noeline's shoulder.
"... it's a bit strange to have you in this suit, rather than your regular dresses. Can I not start wearing similar?" knowing that Noeline's answer is probably going to be 'no, stay in the clothes I picked out for you!'
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
With a laugh, Noeline rests her head against Riesenlied's, cheek-to-cheek as she takes in the other woman's reactions with a pleased grin. "--that is the goal I work towards, in the end," she notes with confidence. "Everything else... well, if I were to say I didn't care about Old Petra or the Ebony Wings it would be patently untrue, I suppose," she admits with a soft laugh. "But I do have my priorities and preferences, as well."
There's a long pause, and Noeline's frown would be disapproving were it not so mischievous. "Speaking of which, this is a /disguise/," she grumbles, as if that excused any of it. "I have done what I can to make it suit me, but I still prefer to follow my calling where I can. I'd just rather you do the same," she adds, "And it would be a terrible shame for you to look so-- simplistic."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied blinks rather surprisedly, saying, "... is it..." She sighs faintly, before murmuring, "I don't feel you've made that rather explicit before. How can I better help, then?" as Noeline speaks of her end goal, reaching forward with a hand to lace their fingers together.
She pauses for a moment as she mumbles, "... t-then can I not adopt my own? I do sometimes think the skirt is a bit short, on particularly self-conscious days." Her wings wiggle up and down with some consternation, aaaa
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline pauses for just a moment, her eyebrows raising - before she laughs again, shaking her head. "... perhaps you misunderstand. My goal, my aim - is to support you. Whatever information I can draw on Filgaia, or pull from its ruins - I would like to see your new world come to light, so that you can walk through it without worry." It's a very eloquent statement, delivered quickly, so of course Noeline has to dent it a little with some teasing, even if their fingers lace at the same time.
"The way you 'help' - is to ensure you can keep going. Even if that means leaning on the rest of us whenever you feel yourself about to fall apart," she adds, this time with her voice edged with genuine concern hidden behind a great deal of grump. "Honestly, to have seen you that bad..."
But she shakes it away, or rather consciously moves onto other things. More fun things, her eyes flashing in amusement as she tilts her head appraisingly. "... whatever is wrong with it?" she wonders, fishing for more reactions.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied blinks just a few more moments as she realises her mistake, before flushing up even more. Unbeknownst to her knowing still, those soft, gentle motes of light are starting to shed around her in her embarrassment. "O-oh... no, you'd made it sound like you'd researched how to make our sustainability a priority..." She swallows faintly and nods gently, smiling ever wider with drooping eyes. "... I won't falter like that again, knowing you're at my side."
A pause, as she -- gasps to say, "A-ah! Um--" she sulks gently to say, "But... what if other people are gawking?" It's /almost/ a leading question, as she asks, "Aren't you jealous...?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
"I am not saying you shouldn't," replies Noeline as she flicks out her hair, forgetting herself and her current status as 'just a Metal Demon sat on Riesenlied's lap' to go full Crimson Noble for a moment. Well, it's not like the two sides of her haven't blurred tighter together, as of late. "Just-- that I am researching everything I can. And, that you are not alone in thinking that way," she sums up with a quiet smile and a remarkably confident note.
That confidence continues as her eyes dance with quiet mirth, thinking over poor Riese's situation with a slow and theatrical noise. "Hmm... I suppose I /would/ be jealous... but then, that seems like part of the fun, as well," she wonders aloud, rather far from serious and with a growing toothy grin. "I shall just have to make sure that they all understand you are mine, I suppose."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied blinks just a few more times, her wings wiggling for a moment as the glow starts to intensify and she yelps again. She's rather conscious of how she -- um, 'accidentally delocalises', after all, to put it in her words. "... I don't want to have you be jealous... but-- what would-- I mean--" she seems bashfully tongue-tied as her horns start to wilt. "Wouldn't it better to not have that misunderstanding in the first place?"
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline seems buoyed up by the phenomenon, on the other hand. Not that she'd be likely to ever admit it to Riese in words, but it's certainly written plain as day on her face as she glows at the sight of it happening. "I /suppose/," she makes a show of humming in return, her fingers at her chin. "But then you would not look nearly as beautiful as you do. You would look less 'Riese'," she adds, which might be a little bewildering to the poor short-skirted demon. "And I don't really know if I could ever forgive myself for that."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied starts just a little bit as she protests, "A-am I just the length of my skirt to you...?" Which is about as close to taunting as Riesenlied could possibly get, self-consciously pulling at the hem of her skirt to tug it down just a little bit. She doesn't /sound/ like she's absolutely serious, at least... but this is Riesenlied, and there's always a measure of self-consciousness to consider.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
With a bright and free laugh, Noeline uses Riesenlied's moment of distraction to redouble her embrace, and when she leans in it isn't so much a kiss as lightly pressing her grin to Riesenlied's pout. "You are many, many things to me," she promises, amusement clear in her voice. "And strikingly pretty is one of them." A beat. "If you'd rather it be fair, I /could/ just dress to match?" Just can't help herself.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... y-you are too," Riesenlied almost burbles in her bashful affection, after they slip from their kiss. "The vivaciousness in which you carry yourself... the grace in which you take to all your tasks... the--" she pips towards an almost muted silence as she stammers, "D-do you not think your usual dress is enough? It is awfully low..."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
"Oh, my," replies Noeline, not missing a beat as Riesenlied's stream of compliments starts to falter; she studiously ignores the way in why her cheeks heat, instead grinning from behind her fingers. "Does that mean you get jealous over me, in turn?"
But she's clearly in a good mood, and a relaxed one - because in the next moment she lets the teasing go to offer a warm smile. "... well, then. If that is what you look for most in my habits, I shall have to make sure I do not get discouraged either, hm? We will pull each other along, should we need to."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied lets out a fallow little whimper as she tucks her head down, peering just a little bit closer. "... a little. Or maybe it is nervousness? I do not exactly have the same... spirit when I deal with others, after all. The way you can dance around others with your words is not quite something I have..."
She draws just a gentle sigh as she closes her eyes, finally, letting themselves rest. "... Filgaia was green... when our ancestors came. I wonder what their thoughts were? We were promised a new world... yet, we had to fight for it, for every sharl of land... ... it is a harsh trial, to be sure..."
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
With a softer laugh, Riesenlied finds the faux vampire's hand in her hair, simultaneously stroking it and patting her fondly on the head. "... rest assured. I am not about to go skipping off ever again. You have me, now," she admits, perhaps grandstanding a little through sheer force of habit. "Nervous or not, spirited or not, I am at your side. And I am only interested in your eyes on me."
that last part is probably, technically, a lie, but she's kind of soaring from the idea of Riesenlied getting jealous over anyone. K-kyaaa...
She does ease up, at least, still fussing fondly over Riesenlied as the two of them find time to relax. "It is - whether we choose to fight or share, I have no doubt it will still take a great deal of time and pain. But we will make it through," she adds, letting her confidence carry Riesenlied.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied's cheeks are ever brighter, perhaps finding some affectation in that firm statement of possessiveness of Noeline's. "... a-and you have mine as well... my eyes are only for you, in turn, Noeline."
She ... tilts her head very softly to one side, her horns tweaking suit. "... nothing worthwhile ever comes easy... so I agree. I'll stand by your side to the end... no, beyond the end, if I must." What she exactly means by that, perhaps even Riesenlied doesn't know, but she insists.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline isn't the sort to argue or even scorn a impulsive, uncertain thought like that - if anything, she probably feels that Riesenlied needs to follow such feelings more often, to avoid getting wrapped up in thought and counter-thought. "... and I, at yours," she promises gently. "Even if I cannot yet show my face as a fellow Wing - someday, I shall. I promise it."