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

[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.

[shieldofrohan]

[She gives him a stern look, which is rather damaged by not being able to lift her head.]

I am not some frail maid. We shall both be comfortable, or neither.

[GOD REMUS HDU TRY TO HELP]

[moonshined]

I—

[HE CAN'T WIN HERE CAN HE]

Okay, okay, fair enough. Here, let's just—

[He tries to ease sideways and let them both down gently, but ends up sort of just...flopping over gracelessly onto the mattress. Nailed it.

[shieldofrohan]

[She flops down with him, landing half on top of him with a soft little oof!]

[Well. They're not hurt. Éowyn clears her throat, and shifts slightly against him, so she's not lying across his ribs too much.]

...Better?

[moonshined]

Much.

[He only wheezes a little, and it's bettered by her moving off his ribcage. His hand seems to have found its way onto her hip, which he's just now noticing.]

Oh. S-sorry. This is...I'm a mess.

[shieldofrohan]

[Her eyes flick down to his hand, then back up to his face, and she gives him a little smile.]

As am I, fear not.

[Her own hand slides down his arm, until it's overlying the hand on her hip.]

This leaves space for little else.

[moonshined]

[Remus lets out a nervous laugh, and the hand beneath hers gives a little, reflexive squeeze to her hip. He's thinking now about earlier, about those soft kisses they'd exchanged, and wonders...]

Sorry. If...if I was out of line, earlier.

[shieldofrohan]

[Éowyn blinks, frowning a little.]

In what way?

[moonshined]

Er...when I kissed you. It was sort of a spur-of-the-moment thing, see.

[It's not like he'd mind doing it again, but also...he doesn't want to make assumptions when neither of them are here by choice.]

[shieldofrohan]

[She laughs, and squeezes his hand lightly.]

If kissing is the worst shame you have, then you need not apologise. Especially as I did not mind.

[...Oh, what the hell. They're here anyway. She leans up, and presses another little kiss to the angle of his jaw, by way of illustration.]

I would not have you fear to touch me. Least of all at a time like this.

[moonshined]

Oh. Right. Well...fair enough.

[He smiles, takes a deep breath, and slowly pushes his hand out from under hers, letting his thumb caress her hipbone through her uniform.]

If I had to be stuck to anyone...I'm glad it was you.

[shieldofrohan]

I might say the same.

[She smiles back, sliding her hand a little way up his arm.]

We have not spent enough time in one another's company, I fear. Not since the contest.

[moonshined]

I...think you're right.

[He hasn't been avoiding her, really. He just hasn't wanted to make undue demands on her time, or assume that the first time had meant anything going forward.]

I only hope you haven't figured out how shit I was in bed since then.

[shieldofrohan]

[She laughs, sounding genuinely surprised.]

Had you been so very terrible, I would have won more easily.

I enjoyed it, Remus. You need not fear on that front.

[She's quiet for a beat, and when she speaks again, the laughter's gone from her voice.]

'Twas not how I thought to lose my maidenhead. But of those I could have lost it to... I am glad it was to one I could care for.

[moonshined]

...You make a fair point.

[He watches her as she seems to think for a moment, and blinks a couple of times, feeling his stomach grow warm.]

Éowyn, I...I'm glad. That you feel that way.

[He leans a little closer, so their noses are almost touching.]

I...d'you want to? While we're here?

[shieldofrohan]

[She looks a little surprised, then laughs, surprising herself with the lightness of it.]

I suppose, as we have naught else to fill our time...

[She slides her hand up his arm, onto his shoulder, and meets his eyes.]

If you would like, then I have no objection. Though getting undressed in this state may not be so easy.