nexus_sages | Samhain Ball Redux - Second Star to the Right

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Samhain Ball Redux - Second Star to the Right

Something flits through the skies of the Nexus, bobbing and swooping only to climb again, an ecstatic aerial dance. At last, mirth of the moment giving way to some other whim, the flying figure drifts groundward, turning and drifting like a falling leaf until his feet, clad in pointed-toed green suede moccasins alight. Forest green tights hug lean legs all the way up to a bright green tunic, belted with rich brown leather and a bright brass buckle. On his left hip hang a set of pan pipes; on his right, a black-handled knife. An impish grin curls his lips, his eyes sparkle with the promise of mischief, and a pert green cap sits atop his head, crowned by a lone red feather. Could this be the black-suited GQ cover model who makes himself ubiquitous in the better-traveled spaces of the Nexus? Could it be Schön?

It is. "People of the Nexus, friends, in the world from which I hail we stand on the cusp of a special day, a harvest-fest when the walls between worlds grow thin, when masks and costumes are worn to frighten away wicked spirits--or to invite them in on more congenial terms. Today we bid Summer adieu, and raise fire and song to meet the long night! Join me, for an evening to last a lifetime, and a farewell to a season well-loved." His hand rises, pointing to where two bright beacons blaze in the churn of the Nexus' heavens. "Second star to the right, and we'll keep on 'til morning!" Crowing with laughter, he soars for that distant point like an arrow, leaving a trail of sparkling, glittering motes of light for anyone interested to follow.

Perched on the border between the parklands and the residential district, the night sky is like a pillow of iridescent black velvet, on which have been scattered an embarrassment of diamonds. Like an enormous pumpkin, a harvest moon presides over the shimmering vista, orange and plump. The air is cool and crisp, punctuated by the crackling hiss of dry leaves in motion every time a breeze picks up.

At the center of it all sits a stately house of Gothic style, ivy-clad and waiting. A square tower stands vigil over the entryway, tall windows overlooking the flagstone drive looping around a fountain full of water as blue and bright as a tropical sea. In the fountain stands an island, and if one peers closely enough, one might imagine they see figures moving about--on the deck of the tiny ship anchored in a cove, or swimming and splashing in a lagoon, or even creeping through the wooded interior. Of the house, the windows of the wings seem dark, perhaps waiting, but the line of the roof is limned with some glow from beyond, and the faint throb of distant music promises that the evening holds more than surfaces. The door stands open, a silent invitation to every brave soul who passes by.

((Happy Halloween! Enjoy the festivities, threadhopping is encouraged, tag back whenever you have time, and don't worry about missing out--we'll still be here when you get back.))
YouTube Playlist
Visualosity
Entrance
Ballroom
Banquet
Bonfire
Dark Corners

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Well, two outta three ain't bad. Everyone else seems to get along without common sense, so they'll be fine without it too, surely. There's too much madness in their lives for anything to be common or make sense.

But does he like sassy surprises? Because those become more and more likely the more he surprises her with things. (Was that part of the plan? She suspects it's part of the plan.) She's only sweet on the inside, behind all kinds of bitter and sour layers. The reward for his patience.

"Mmm, terrible thought," she murmurs, turning her head so she can kiss his palm. "And we're supposed to only be thinking happy thoughts." What a pair they make. Easy to spot, in these ridiculous costumes.

Other senses they can appease later. Now is the time for revelry! Dancing, dining and enjoying the moment. That's just the right kind of madness for them. Look how social the two of them are outside of the little circle of Nelson and Murdock with Samus and her ever challenging training.

Sassy surprises? He'll need more of those to say one way or the other. Verity is a sophisticated, intelligent woman. She is going to be exactly how she is. All the layers are revealed to him with trust. And he is going to proceed with care and patience as he always has. Matt is a sweet man with his own rough edges and less than lovely moments too. Anger, hurt and he is not going to hide these feelings from her nor unleash them on her unjustly. They just...happen sometimes. Rest assured that Verity has never been a person to be angry with or hurt by, not intentionally. One more thing to love about her. It's a very, very long list. One he's willing to keep researching until the end of his days.

Being his favorite dance partner was on the list quite some time ago. Right now he's reminded by the way they make their way over the air.

"You're at least ten of my happy thoughts right now." Which is why he's still airborne. "Uh... how long does this last, Tink?" Not that he's stopping.

Sounds like they'll be needing their senses of humor and fun. Hope they didn't leave those in their other costumes! They can be social when they want to be. But there are circles, some people kept closer than others. He has his and she has hers, and in places they overlap. He might do well to remember that he isn't actually the sun around which she orbits; his life has not entirely consumed her.

They have their moods, and sometimes are angry for no good reason and at the wrong people. They're learning how to mend those little hurts. It's one of those things every couple needs to practice. She's coming to know his moods better; his anger isn't so much of a surprise. It's frightening and beautiful, like a tiger stalking close.

"Hmm, ten? That's a good start." She'll give him another kiss to add to the list. "Oh... I don't actually know." Her tone and her careless shrug make it clear that, for tonight, she's not worried.

Those are woven into more than just fabric. It's in his head, in his smile and her's (even though he can't see it). Their orbits cross at all the right points. They dance and sway in a mobile or carousel of interworkings. Always moving. That's them. Matt is glad for her presence, for her...everything. And on and on it all spins. His world has existed before her and it's only brightened and perked in her light and warmth.

The no-good-reason kind are spacing out far more than they used to. Less stress on both job fronts. Still worry and his own bullheadedness cause trouble now and again. They practice together. Her own moods can be stormy. Not a soul could or would blame her. Matt's never minded the rain. He can either be a lightning rod or hold an umbrella.

"Probably more than ten," he has a smile after such a kiss. Though his brows knit just a little. "...Okay. Well, no rush." Not for now. And he means it. For tonight they can float and fly with their little... uh oh. Matt turns his head in Bobbi's direction. Okay. She's still there.

Orbits crossing, ships passing in the night... how sad it would be if that were all they had. They're binary stars, balancing each other and shining as one. Some of the fluctuations in their orbits still need ironing out. Stars have all the time in the world.

Less stress and more joy have helped them weather storms that would have eroded their shores before. No need for him to volunteer as a lightning rod, plenty of other people do that nightly. Their night work has its perks.

Bobbi's nearby, good girl that she is, doggypaddling through the air in an attempt to keep up with the dancing. There's so much swirling sparkling food-sniffs and people-sniffs! She's too overwhelmed with options to go far.

That lovely smile of his gets another little kiss before the teasing stars. "Maybe a dozen?"

She is his twin star. The balancing for and wonderful foil and that's still just a start to describe what she has come to be. Their own lives carry on and run together in some ways, part at others but always coming together. All these passing thoughts of galaxies and stars are funny when they're actually floating.

Night work and any bedroom activities are excellent stress relievers. Let's not forget curled up on the couch in bed with a blanket and a book. Storms come, storms go and the important things are constant.

A floating monkey dog is not going to be difficult to track down should they lose track of. Such a good girl to stay close to her people. Is it that lingering pack mentality?

"Baker dozen at the very least..." Her kiss has always been delicious. Tonight there's the flavor of magic. Maybe that's the pixie dust.

Some part of her is always floating when she's with him. Funny, she thought gravity worked the other way around, pulling people down to earth again. Maybe they're magnets. They're certainly unexplainable.

They've got so many ways to relieve their stress. Better ways than they had a year ago. Better than most people manage to find, if the lives they interrupt are any indication. Their floating monkey-dog is one of them. Bobbi's a pack animal and she wants to be with her alphas, loving on them and making them happy. The chance meeting with Miss Bobbi Sox was the second-best thing to happen to Ver this past year.

"Mmm, that's sounding better and better," she admits. Pixie-dusted kisses will keep them floating for hours. Mixing pixie dust into her lip gloss sounds like the sort of fun respectable almost-married women shouldn't indulge in. Pity.

Their very existence is out of the ordinary. Of course they're capable of things that cannot be explained. Floating, soaring bodies and hearts with everything else doesn't seem far beyond the norm now.

Bobbi only adds to their bliss. Sweet, energetic thing. They really are very blessed. It seems like they were all meant to find one another. Bobbi with not only Verity but Matt too. And who would believe that Matt Murdock has not only a bride to be but a dog! It has been a fantastic turn of events, one after the other.

"Is it the number of happy thoughts or the person saying it because...." Matt bites his lip and can't fight another sway forward for a kiss. Can someone get drunk on kisses and pixie dust?

Finding love is out of the ordinary. The rest of their stuff is just window dressing. The unexplainable should be expected at this point, and if it isn't, they just aren't paying enough attention.

The dog is more likely for Matt than the bride. Blind men and dogs kinda are a thing. Bobbi would be an adorable guide dog, but not a particularly helpful one. Better she keeps being their sweet lovely pet; everyone's happy that way.

'Drunk' may not be the right word, but they're certainly getting high. She gives him the kiss eagerly, lifting herself into it and wrapping her arms around him more firmly to keep from flying away. "Mm, because?"

The important details are in focus. This love of theirs is a serious commitment. Matt is happy to make it, happy to have her in his life, on his arm and in the books. The best discoveries should be documented.

Blind men and dogs are absolutely a thing. Matt, so set and stubborn in his ways believed he was above it. Also doubted his own reliability. A pet would need comfort, care, love and stability. Verity has helped him see that he can offer all of these things at once. Bobbi has also shown him he can live with a dog, smells and all. And they may have the nicest smelling dog in Hell's Kitchen if not all of New York.

"Because if it isn't me that's helping you stay a float I can try and give you reasons." They haven't even begun to socialize. Whoops. Well. Aside from their monkey dog. And the air.

Life, living, is more than what's written down in books. Not that she isn't looking forward to making their commitment legal. But she wants it all.

Bobbi gets a lot of baths. Fortunately, she's the kind of dog who likes baths. Splashing in the tub is fun, and getting toweled off is fun, and running around after is fun, and getting to cuddle in bed with them is fun! She's a pupper of simple but expressive tastes. Neither of his ladies have ever doubted Matt's ability to offer them comfort, care, and love.

"Oh, you can try, huh? Here where everyone can see us?" That's the thing about being the ones flying: they're kinda obvious. Socializing will happen when they're ready for it to happen.

Way, way more. More than what's taught in school. Even law school which does give you a full run of possible, illegal scenarios for a life. The record will show a legal union. One of many. Only those that know them most will see what a terrific gesture it is.

Clearly Miss Bobbi Sox has taken to being very affectionate like everyone else in the home. Petting, following, snuggling... it all is monkey see, monkey do! For now she is enjoying being a flying monkey, trying to perfect the art. And she might have just discovered her own tail. Might be something else up here!

His eyes widen. The only thing he can do is open and shut his mouth before shaking his head. "Not like that, sweetheart. Though I agree that's a very happy thought." Being here with her at all that's a very, very happy thought. Simple but so true.

Law school prepares a person for a life in court, not a life in love. There aren't schools for this kind of thing other than the one they've built for themselves. Their permanent records will show so much more than legal unions.

Bobbi's had an excellent example set for her. Good behavior has been rewarded more than bad has been punished. Love has been easy and freely given. Her pack is strong, if small, and her alphas are good. Everything's just the way it ought to be for a good girl. Her own tail is another matter--this is a crazy every-which-way sorta night and she's got to explore everything!

Verity giggles at Matt's landed fish expression. He knows she likes to shock him with ideas he also knows she'd never follow through with. While he gapes, she presses a kiss to one corner of his mouth; the other side gets a kiss when he's done talking. "Later," she promises.

Their education in one another, in love is a life long devoted study. Matt is glad for all the lessons before now. It's the road that helped him be who he is today. And somehow through it all made him a man that she can love and equally made him a man that can love a woman like her. All the kinds of people he's been would never believe this is the life he leads now.

That's without the whole other world that provided him with a place to meet her. Let alone dance with her on air with their dog.

Tease and counter tease. That's the way this goes. "Later," he agrees with a slow turn for them both. "For now I can wow you with the fancy foot work if you like."

Their life lessons have been harsh, and she's not sure she can be glad of them all. But she's glad she is who she is now, and that's a victory for her. She's even more glad for him being him. One of these days, it'll stop being quite so surprising that he chose her.

So many happy thoughts for them both. They turn in slow, graceful arcs while he leads; when she momentarily takes control, she spins them around a fair big faster and with more laughing. "Oh, please do. You know I love your fancy footwork."

Who she is right now, who they are together, ah if only the multiverse could see them now!

Until the say she is no longer surprised, she'll have a patient and loving man right with her. All things have their time. Matt wants to spend it appreciating Verity as she is, becoming a better person with her as they go. Wonderful moments with the terrible moments.

Dancing with her in the air, that's going to be a happy thought to hold on to long after the pixie dust wears off. Matt holds her tightly as they go. Laughter is contagious. "You think this is what they're talking about when they say light on your feet?" He has a wiggling eyebrow for that. Hoo! All that spinning is dizzying. When they slow up he's ready to lead them into a few moves that would not be so easy on the ground.

...Well. It kinda can. They're kinda making a spectacle of themselves.

Their moments together are all terrific, one way or another. Appreciating each other as they are will be another lifelong endeavor, since they're always changing. Changing together is much better than stagnating alone. Patience will always be a virtue between them; two human lie detectors and nowhere to hide will make things difficult sometimes.

Laughter is the best kind of contagious. It's right up there with kisses. And it keeps going, since he's being silly. Those wiggling eyebrows, such trouble! "Yes, this is obviously what they meant. And now I'm both excited and scared to find out what 'walking on sunshine' really is."

Fancy footwork in the third dimension! It's fantastic. And they've spent enough time trusting each other, in training and on the streets, for her to relax fully and let him do his thing. Somehow, she knows what to do, when to relax and how to reach for him again.

Blindness by love and general blindness make it very easy to just go and ignore all the gawking. How much can their be really? There's so much to do and see below. Uh. Hopefully!

Nowhere to hide and no way. Being in Verity's company has helped Matt to be honest. The impulse to lie is human, automatic. And having to do whatever he could to keep his heightened senses a secret has made it a more instantaneous impulse in him. Every stumble makes them stronger, understand more, fire forges their patience.

"I'm okay with this much, thanks." Though he cringes at the thought. Sunshine...or the sun itself and all of it's melting glory.

They move together so very well. Matt takes her into a lift and leap. It's more flying holding hands than dancing. Ah, well. His grin stays on as they move together with the music. "One of these days someone's going to challenge us to a dance off."

Easy for him to ignore, maybe. Fortunately for her, he's endlessly distracting.

The impulse to lie is learned. One they've both learned. One they're both learning to overcome. Being called out on it isn't fun, but it helps her learn not to. Every bad habit takes time to break, to be replaced with something better. He's her something better.

"Don't tell me the man without fear is scared of a little sunshine?" She reaches up to nuzzle away the cringing. "We've been spending too long in the dark."

Flying holding hands is just fine with her. A lift, a leap, a leap of faith. They've got this. "If they wanna lose, yeah."

He's had plenty of practice ignoring things that he can't immediately see. Television for one. As to scrutiny, he will gladly keep on being distracting. Maybe they could take their aerials to a more secluded area if it is absolutely so distracting. After all, the room is so full. So many other things and people to look upon.

The time spent and shared is devoted to making things better in each other and in the world. Patience and care make it less painful.

Matt's face melts from a scrunch to peace again to nuzzle back. "Your kind of sunshine is the right kind. Besides, I'm a night owl. Don't go around telling people my weakness."

Dancing was fun before, and now it's more ease. A chance to do so even more. "Are you trash talking before any competition even starts?"

Well, if he's gonna be like that, they should probably go someplace secluded. For their own good, and because there are children present.

Helping each other get better is a way of making the world a better place. If only it was enough to sate his appetite for heroics. She's not a good enough person yet to be glad he's risking their life so regularly.

"I thought I was your weakness," she protests with a huff of mock-indignation. "Me and chocolate. Too many weaknesses and we'll have to reconsider your night work, honey."

Easy and at ease. Dancing with him is like breathing. "No, just pointing out the obvious."

Well, not right now... no. For being a horned headed fiend most nights out of the week he knows when to behave in the eye of the public. Now is a good time to be sure. Children are present. That kind of dancing is just for them and no one else. With or without pixie dust, moments together are magic.

Night work and it's hazards are a very big balance in Matt's natural charms. Any and all understanding from Verity's corner is more than what anyone else gives. Foggy still is ready with discouraging words and worry. Then again he is also ready to talk about the good work that Daredevil fella does. There's no winning. Not really. Not while the city needs him. Matt doesn't throw himself into the fray so recklessly nor does he go alone.

"Would you out yourself as my weakness?" he pulls back in a move to then twirl her around. "A weakness who knows all the other points to aim at."

Once she has spun about at least twice Verity is back in his arms again. "Say the word and I'll clear a space on the shelf and we can get a trophy."

Something to look forward to.

Watching her parents' marriage fall apart gave Verity an interesting education about how relationships do and don't work. Encouraging Matt and being his helpmeet, she's got that part covered. Finding the line between helping and enabling isn't so easy for her. They're a work in progress, and in the meantime, at least she's watching his back.

"Yes, I obviously want to paint that kind of target on myself." She's got other, better targets on her already. Good places to kiss her. The places Bobbi dog-paddle-flies into when she's trying to get in on this dancing. She'd argue that all the places she's ticklish aren't good targets at all, but Matt might disagree sometimes.

"Hmm, so helpful, thank you." Her arms slide around him and she leans up for a kiss. "Which word is it, exactly? Bumfuzzle? Taradiddle? Flibbertigibbet?"

Being there at all, that's been an incredible gift to him. Matt has spent a large chunk of his life alone in walls he made for himself to protect his secrets. This work in progress is not nearly as stressful or riddled with the gripping fear of being too much. She is so strong in her own right. She deserves his attentive support. They're in this together. Some times it's a dance, sometimes it's a fight.

A year ago he would have never guessed a side trip between worlds would bring him here. One more happy thought.

"Obviously," he scoffs and shakes his head not even realizing what a peculiar truth they joke with. "Besides, I want to keep you around for a long, long, long, long time."

Their monkey dog dips between their joined hands and Matt stops short before she can be sandwiched. Silly pup!

His lips move in a smile but not enough to break such a sweet kiss. "No. The Matt, I want a trophy please words."

They've both built walls, and they both work to dismantle them. Together. It may not be the most elegant project, but self-improvement never is. The work in its wake will be elegant and lasting. Durable enough to survive all the times they fight with themselves.

"I don't intend on going anywhere." Not again. He's her forever, and she's holding on tight. For better or worse.

Bobbi doesn't think it's silly to want in on all this love and happiness! Alphas should share with the pack, and is she not their pack? Be a good alpha, Matt.

No giggles? Not even a smirk? Damn it. She's going to have to find sillier words. But... where? "Mm, right, those words. But I wanna earn it." Verity hooks an arm around Bobbi and the other around Matt to cuddle them both. "This is my victory."

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Samhain Ball Redux - Second Star to the Right

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