Event Log: A Little Touchy-Feely

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for the A Little Touchy Feely event
Where: In the city of Hadriel
When: September 20th-29th
Warnings: Cuddles? Please keep in mind our rule about potentially adult content.

In the morning of September 20th, you wake up with an itch you can't quite seem to scratch. There's a strong impulse, lingering in the back of your mind and it's difficult to figure out exactly what you need at first. You may be unhappy, unsatisfied for most of the morning, but everything clicks when you run into someone else- whether it's a casual interaction with a roommate or friend or a more intimate one with a boyfriend or girlfriend, after a brief moment of contact, suddenly everything falls into place.

You'll spend the next week or so seeking out that contact, consciously or unconsciously. It's not enough to have a handshake or a hi five, you want to be close to people: physically, emotionally, any way you can get it. The closeness makes you happy, the happiness makes you forget about how lame it is on a rocky desert island on an alien planet. Everybody wins, right?

Make sure all cuddles are consensual, and try to stave off the horrible coldness that comes from your fear of being alone, at least for a few more days!

► This log covers September 20th-29th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you get cuddled to death, please let us know here.

Comments

2.1

[requiemshark]

[ Back in his paranoid days, Ephemera had a habit of sleeping on the floor or in full armor, whichever was more convenient, and waking at the first hint of movement. He's gotten somewhat better about that. He hasn't slept in his armor since coming back to Hadriel and the bed they share is warm and full of pillows. Most of the time, he doesn't even dream. But habits become reflex after a while and never do break easily.

Ephemera doesn't think so much as react to the intrusion into his space. One moment he's asleep, surrounded by pillows, and the next he's wide awake, pistol aimed at the intruder's head. ]

What the fuck?!

[abbatis]

[Edgar has grown far too comfortable and careless around Drake. He has learned to separate the sense of danger away from the man. That must be the only explanation why the presence of another person slipped away from his notice.

Ah, he could almost hear his father's scolding words. Stupid, foolish child. You made a mistake and now you pay for it.

His eyes widen and lips curl downwards when the gun is pointed at him. There's not much time for him and he needs to react now. Flight or fight. Edgar chooses the latter.

Hand with sharp nails move forward to grab the person holding the gun by the wrist. All he needs is skin contact and the game will be over for the other person.]

[braveoff]

[ Drake didn't hear his fellow monster come in the window, but he stirs as soon as Ephemera pulls away. And then suddenly he's very awake, because he knows that tone of voice and -- oh shit.

He sits up to confirm it and sure enough, there's Edgar's shape backlit by the moonlight coming in the window. Shit. Shit, he fucked up. And he can see the movement, knows what it's intended for. ]

No! Edgar, no, Ephemera, don't shoot. I know him, it's okay.

[requiemshark]

[ Ephemera jerks back with a snarl, getting his feet under him. There's someone in his space, a clear threat. It can't possibly be anything else. But he holds. He holds, hands going white around the pistol, and doesn't pull the trigger. ]

Somebody better fucking explain this.

[abbatis]

[Edgar halts immediately when Drake shifts and sits up. He turns his head quickly to look at his friend's face, eyes stressed with dread before he backs away from the bed. The tension in his body remains.]

What is this?

[braveoff]

[ Okay. Edgar didn't make contact, is backing off, things will be fine. Drake knows better than to try and touch Ephemera at this point, knows it's better if he lowers the gun on his own. He lets out a harsh breath of relief and moves to the edge of the bed himself, getting up with slow, obvious movements. ]

Ephemera, this is Edgar. He visits like this sometimes, I forgot to tell him he needs to call first now. And use the door. Edgar, this is Ephemera, my partner. The one who painted the murals? He came back.

[ He's shifting to stand between them now, his hands up placatingly. ]

It's okay.

[requiemshark]

[ It takes Ephemera a moment to remember he needs to breathe, to let something other than reflex control the moment. Because it's fine, Drake said it's fine and Ephemera trusts him. Drake wouldn't lie, wouldn't tell him to stand down unless it was well and truly safe. The knowledge is foremost in his brain, but the tension of having a stranger - a threat - in his space, who somehow managed to get this close without either of them noticing, hurts even more: a sharp, physical ache in his chest.

Drake is between them now, hands out. Calling for peace.

Ephemera breathes. Exhales sharply. And lowers the pistol. He's perfectly still but has a feeling he'll be shaking in a moment, dealing with the burst of adrenaline that didn't have a place to go. ]

What the fuck.

[ It bears repeating, he thinks. ]

[abbatis]

[Edgar keeps his eyes on Drake as he speaks, taking in the quick introduction.

Ephemera.. He had known that there was someone like this person in Drake's life, even if they hadn't exactly talked about him. The apartment was full of subtle signs of love and companionship. It had made him wonder why Drake's partner was never around but he hadn't dared to ask why.

Well. He was around now and Edgar wasn't sure how to feel about it.

He returns his attention back to the gun, eyes cold and serious. It's not like he's scared of it, no. A thing like that wouldn't be able to kill him but in worst case scenario it could cause lot of damage if aimed right. And trying heal from gunshot isn't the way he planned to spend this night.

Without making any sound he watches the man in front of him, waiting for his next move.]

[braveoff]

[ Drake hated people feeling sorry for him. He hadn't really discussed Ephemera's absence with new friends, only the ones who knew him already. It had never specifically come up and honestly, it was easier for Drake to focus on other people's problems than his own loneliness.

Except he really should have given them both a heads up here. He just got distracted. ]

Edgar, can you give us a minute? There's bags for you in the fridge if you want a snack.

[requiemshark]

[ Ephemera concentrates on slowing his breathing down. It's fine. There's no crisis and no reason to make things violent, not when Drake said it was fine. So breathe, idiot.

Let it be.

He doesn't let go of the pistol, watching the stranger with his good eye narrowed tight. ]

[abbatis]

[The man, Ephemera, is everything but alright. Edgar can hear the fast heartbeat and the way the blood is rushing inside him from where he is standing. That is the only reason why he doesn't put up a fight or feel hurt when Drake asks him to leave.

Part of him thinks it'd be the best if he just left altogether, the same way he came in. But he also feels that pushing this moment aside won't do anyone any favors. There are things that needs to be cleared after all.

With slow steps he backs away, towards the door and leaves the room.]

[braveoff]

[ Edgar goes without argument and Drake's shoulders uncoil a little more -- he doesn't mean to hurt him, bad enough a warning slipped his mind. They just need a minute.

He turns to give Ephemera his full attention, reaching out to set a hand on his arm and give a little squeeze. ]

Hey. I'm sorry, this is my fault. He's probably just hungry, I picked up our supply yesterday. Are you steady?

[requiemshark]

[ Ephemera is careful to set the pistol down on the nightstand instead of doing something stupid like drop it. Only when that's done and the weapon is out of reach does he let himself exhale, knowing that once he does, there will be nothing to stop his hands from shaking.

Breathe, motherfucker. It's fine.

It does not feel fine.

Ephemera bows his head. Puts his hand over Drake's and squeezes, focusing on the contact. ]

Give me a minute.

[ Drake told him about Edgar earlier, about the blood. They've had stranger things in the fridge, Ephemera told him, and hadn't pressed too hard. Of course, that was before Edgar came into the apartment in the dead of night. ]

Fuck, he's quiet.

[braveoff]

[ Drake nods, bringing his other hand up too and settling it on Ephemera's neck, holding on to ground him. Like he used to, when the other man was upset. Contact is soothing in general right now anyway, thanks to whatever god bullshit is going on. ]

Yeah, I think that just comes with the territory. But he's not here to hurt anybody, and I'll make sure he learns to knock. Promise.

[ He huffs, sheepish. ]

I did want you to meet him, but this isn't ideal. If you want to camp out in here that's okay.

[requiemshark]

[ Breathe. Ephemera bows his head, trying to center himself. Drake's hand is something to focus on, so he zeroes in on that. Just breathe. ]

....give me a few minutes. I'll be okay.

[ He lifts his head a little, meeting Drake's eyes. ]

I'll come out when I'm ready. Promise.

[braveoff]

Okay. No rush.

[ He holds on for a moment longer, knowing that letting go will ramp up their stress again just because of this event. Nothing to be done about that, though... at least it usually takes a few hours before he's truly uncomfortable, and that seems consistent with everyone he's spoken to.

Ephemera gets a kiss on the forehead and a little squeeze before Drake lets go and pulls away, heading out towards the main living area. Whether Edgar wound up in the kitchen or living room, he'll be able to see once he gets to the end of the hall. ]

Edgar? You find the bags?

[ Where'd you go, little brother? ]