All bubbles pop eventually

[thalassino]

Yesterday was a day of celebration. For once, it seemed that the foreigners were able to affect the coral, and in a positive way at that. The coral lit back up, the barrier strengthened, and everything looked like it was back to normal again.

Unfortunately, it doesn't last.

Overnight the coral begins to dim again, flickering wildly along with the bubble itself. Those who stayed up on the island might notice the strange lights coming up through the waves if they're awake. The ones who stayed in the bubble will notice more than that. The atmosphere is tense, and every now and then there's an echoing crack, like a massive piece of glass is slowly losing its integrity.

By the time the morning arrives, the crack in the bubble is evident. After hours of threatening it, the crack finally falls open with a thundering snap, allowing the ocean to rush in. It hasn't yet given up entirely, but there's a steady stream of water pouring in to the plaza and on to the coral. The waterfall would be a pretty sight if not for the situation.

Hopefully no one stayed down there that long.



((OOC: The bubble has cracked! Feel free to use this post as a mingle log if desired. The elevator is still functioning, so anyone down in the bubble will have some time to escape.))

Comments

[heartandsoul]

Don't worry about it. I was just messing with him.

[Now shut up and accept the cuddles.]

[symmetrophile]

...

[Oh.

Oh, okay, he-- he...

Is forgetting all about this going after Dirk business because Maka is both warm and comfortable, and basking in the gentle glow of her soul is spreading a kind of balm on his own spiritual fatigue.

Gosh, cuddles are kind of really great.]

[heartandsoul]

...Kid, have you mentioned to anybody that we're together?

[Not...asking because she doesn't want people to know, but reactions thus far have been...annoyingly perverted.]

[symmetrophile]

I've spoken to Liz about it. Why?

[Oh. Did. Something happen.

Sure, Angelo had some... interesting things to say about the subject, but it wasn't like Kid specified who he was talking about. And Angelo had been spying on them anyway!]

[heartandsoul]

I told Miss Marie...she started talking to me about STDs and getting pregnant.

[Yes. Something did happen. That something happened and Maka is very irritated with it.]

I feel like everyone's going to assume that we're all in this relationship for sexual things and that's...stupid. Why does everyone have to be so perverted?

[symmetrophile]

What.

[That's all Kid can say, at first. Just that one deadpan syllable. What. It isn't even a question, so much as a very abbreviated summary of all of Kid's feelings about how preposterous it is to assume STDs, pregnancy, and Maka should ever happen to share a sentence.



And then, he just looks incredibly relieved.]

It is? [Stupid, he means.]

[heartandsoul]

...What do you mean what? Of course it's stupid, I'm not interested in it, or ready for it, Rin knows I'm not and respects that. And if you're not interested in it, why should we force those views onto you? I guess it's something that might happen when Rin and I are adults, but...it shouldn't be viewed as a requirement. It's not fair.

[Sex is scaaaaary.]

[symmetrophile]

[CRISIS AVERTED.

Before one might misunderstand Kid's expression of muted shock for devastation at this news, he breaks it with a sigh.]

I was worrying about whether I was neglecting something important to you both, but in the end, I guess I didn't have to.

[He peers at her, closely.]

...How did you know?

[heartandsoul]

Know what?

[She's totally innocent here, what.]

I guess I made a lot of assumptions, uh...you don't strike me as the type to be interested in that. And...the fact that people keep assuming Rin and I are having sex isn't exactly new, either, I don't exactly like the assumption that it's something we "owe" each other.

[symmetrophile]

Vice President Angelo said something like that, too.

[Like asking if you need air to breathe.

Are they really going to have to deflect suspicion that they're having some kind of perverted kink-fest all the time? A put-upon frown follows, marring his previous relief. It seems they just can't catch a break.

Furthermore, when he's still recovering from a failed attempt to save the ailing coral, and reeling from the realization that the bubble has broken, this conversation was the last thing he expected to be doing.

Having a candid discussion on the role or importance (or lack) of sex in their relationship right after a run-in with Dirk Strider was also surreal and uncomfortable.]

There's a lot about this I don't know. I would hate for my ignorance to ruin--

[Well, everything they have.]

We've come quite far, after all. [From the tragedy that he arrived to, to the reparation and gradual change in a friendship that turned into love.]

[heartandsoul]

...We have come a long way, haven't we?

[And she smiles, bright and genuine.]

I don't know, after all that, I don't think something as perverted as that can wreck things.

[It's the return of the snuggles! Maka shifts herself up so she can reach Kid's cheek and kisses him there.]

I care about you a lot.

[symmetrophile]

[Oh god they're being those teenagers who cuddle grossly in public--

Okay, admittedly, they're a bunch of refugees in a village that was just repaired for their use, privacy is not exactly a luxury they can afford, and as painfully awkward as Kid can be in certain kinds of social situations (see also: this), it's also really nice.

Pragmatically speaking, people have quite a lot more to worry about than whether a lovestruck couple is sitting together giving each other kisses on the cheek. Gosh.

One good turn deserves another; he bows his head, in order to nestle the tip of his nose behind her ear. How she manages to smell nice all the time is anyone's guess.]

And you, too.

[Not like there was any mistaking it, when he was fully prepared to fizzle like a wet firework, all for the sake of saving the home the people he loved were living in.]