THREE... TWO... ONE...

[shieldofrohan]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Is something nobody says, for the very simple reason that at the stroke of midnight, most people's mouths are abruptly occupied. Anyone within earshot of the bells is drawn to the person nearest them, whether they're familiar or a stranger, and regardless of their intentions, those two people are lip-locked now.

Of course, you can choose to be chaste about this, if you really want. But on the other hand, it's gonna be a long kiss if you're not even trying to enjoy it - the enchantment, whatever it is, lasts until the clock strikes one. That doesn't mean you have to kiss that whole time, but neither of you can break physical contact with the other - some parts of your body always have to be in contact.

Might as well start the year as you mean to go on, right?



[[OOC: This event hasn't been sanctioned by the mods, because I'm a dumbass who didn't think about it until like an hour or two ago. If that's a problem, this post may be taken down, and I apologise.]]

[[Your character does not have to be involved if you don't want them to be. Any characters who are sleeping or out of range of the bells - or out of range of other people - are unaffected. If you do want your character to be affected, either post a toplevel describing where they are/what they're doing, or reply to someone else's]]

Comments

[moonshined]

...Yeah, true. I suppose it's only an educated guess. But...

[Remus glances around, and nods toward the foot of one of the grand staircases. It's away from the door, but not so far away to make getting there a pain, and they can at least sit down.]

Sit over there?

[shieldofrohan]

[She follows his gesture, and nods agreement, starting towards the stairs. It's awkward to move, joined together like this, but not impossible. It just requires some rather undignified crabwise walking.]

All I had hoped for was a good rest ere the morning. [She sounds both resigned and very annoyed.]

[moonshined]

[They figure it out, somehow, together, and Remus is glad to at least get into a more comfortable position so they can wait this out.]

I just wanted to look at the moon before bed. But...if you like, you can rest your head on my shoulder. It...it might be a bit more comfortable.

[shieldofrohan]

[She hesitates a moment - partly because she's weighing the risk of getting her face stuck to him again, and partly because there's still just enough of a sense of impropriety to catch her out - but then she does as he suggests, letting her cheek rest on his shoulder with a little sigh.]

[She will never, ever admit how oddly nice it feels, to rest on someone like that, even under duress.]

[It's some time before she speaks again.]

Do you go out often, then? To see the moon?

[moonshined]

[He figures they're already stuck together, nothing could really make this all that much worse...right?

And, well. It's sort of nice, having her resting against him. He likes Éowyn, after all, so he's a lot more comfortable being stuck to her than he would be a stranger.

His free shoulder raises in a shrug.]

Yeah. Every so often. It's peaceful, now, being able to look at it through my own eyes.

[shieldofrohan]

Oh. [She'd forgotten about that.] The... werewolf?

I can scarce imagine.

[moonshined]

Yes, the werewolf.

[His smile is small, but tight.]

I used to fear the moon. Dreaded it. But now? It's sort of like a victory every time I see it.

[shieldofrohan]

[Again, she's quiet. At last, she gives his hand a little squeeze, since she's holding it anyway.]

I am sorry. I had never thought how it would be, for the very sky to be your captor.

[moonshined]

[The squeeze of her hand is nice. Comforting. Remus smiles down at her.]

Don't be. Most people don't have to think about it. And those of us who do...well, we learn to deal with it.

[shieldofrohan]

A man can learn to deal with much.

[Her voice is quiet, and a little sad.]

That does not mean he should have to. I am glad you are free of it here.

[moonshined]

You make a very good point.

[He really didn't mean to be such a downer. He gives Éowyn a friendly nudge with his shoulder.]

Thanks, though, really. It's good to hear that.

[shieldofrohan]

[She smiles, nudging back.]

We all have our burdens here, but I think we all have some we left behind, too.

[moonshined]

And I'm thankful for that.

[Without really thinking about it, completely on impulse, Remus turns and plants a kiss atop Éowyn's head—and by some stroke of luck, manages not to get stuck there.]

[shieldofrohan]

[Well, she didn't expect that. Which isn't to say it's not nice. She manages to turn her head, without breaking contact, to press an answering kiss to the side of his neck.]

[What? It's the only place she can reach.]

[moonshined]

[If Remus's cheeks weren't already burning, they sure are now. He clears his throat, and turns his head so that his lips find her forehead, just above her brow.

Y'know. Just a friendly friend kiss.]

[shieldofrohan]

[Sure. Friendly.]

[That's why she's going a little pink too. As friends do.]

[Biting her lip, she takes a deep breath and shifts awkwardly beside him.]

...Be glad you have better uniforms than we do. I may never rise again. [The step is cold and her ass is cold. That's a duly unsexy thing, right?]

[moonshined]

[Just some friends being pals.

He's holding his breath, afraid that he might have crossed the line, been too intimate, or caused her offense—always a legitimate worry with Éowyn—but when she speaks again that doesn't seem to be the case.]

...Are you cold? I could...try and keep you warm.

[THAT'S NOT A COME-ON HE SWEARS]

[shieldofrohan]

A little.

[She's not sure whether it's a come-on or not. Judging by her tone, though, she's not offended - just a little rueful.]

I would give much for a uniform with leggings. Or, at least, a thicker cloak.

It is warmer beside you, though.

[moonshined]

[He lets out a nervous note of laughter, and slowly lets one arm curl around her shoulders.]

We can move. If you want. Somewhere less...made of stone.

[shieldofrohan]

Is your room better-heated?

[Also not a come-on. She figures it's either going to be his or hers, and her room has other people in it - people she would rather not see her in this predicament.]

[moonshined]

Much. There's hardly a draft at all. And I've got quite a few blankets.

[On his bed. Which he's pointedly trying not to talk about, because his bed is where sex happens, and has happened before between the two of them! And he doesn't want her to think he's angling for that.]

Here, we can help each other up there. One step at a time.

[shieldofrohan]

I feel like an invalid.

[She grimaces, but gets to her feet. And... yep. Damn. Her head's stuck to his shoulder. This is going to be an awkward trip up the stairs.]

[moonshined]

Anyone who's ever met you would testify that you're perfectly able-bodied.

[More than Remus himself could ever imagine being, that's for sure. He helps her as best he can, making sure she doesn't stumble backwards and take him down with her. It's a long trip up the stairs, but eventually they reach the top.]

Makes me glad my chambers aren't on a higher floor for once.

[shieldofrohan]

[She laughs a little, nodding as best she can against his shoulder.]

I am glad of it, too. I have never known a flight of stairs to tax me so sorely.

[moonshined]

[Remus chuckles softly as he steers Éowyn down the hall toward his chamber. He's immensely grateful, not for the first time, that he doesn't have a door knob on the door to his room. That would be especially difficult in their current predicament. He helps Éowyn through the door and shuts it firmly behind them.]

Right. You make yourself as comfortable as you can, and I'll...adapt.