#lucentaire

[ 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 ] - 𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔

@lucentaire

Ordinarily, Gray could be relied upon to be quick to spot anything in short order, his skill for observation and swift reactions often lent itself well to such a task. Whether it be a threat or simply a detail out of place, there was not much that escaped him. Usually, anyway.

In this moment, however, it seemed his sharp gaze was unusually dull. Fruitlessly, he cast his eyes about the dense forest, straining to find his target among the filtered lights and shadows. Even stretching out with his other senses, it seemed his typical skill was as elusive as that which he now sought.

He frowned at his companion even as he continued to search for what she had indicated she’d seen moments ago. “Where...?”

They stood close to each other among the thick trees, hardly daring to take up much space at all, lest they spook the rare, magical bird they had come in search of.

“There,” Evergreen said, in hardly more than a whisper, giving a slight nod to an area to her right, as to not startle the creature.

As Gray passed his gaze from her over to where she’d gestured, a flutter of movement signalled he was too late. Again. He trapped a frustrated sigh in his chest, brows furrowing and tension climbing like a vine over his body. What was wrong with him? Why was he having so much difficulty today? It was maddening.

A faint breeze brushed across him, a shadow accompanying it, and distantly he noted there was no air movement in the forest beforehand. The damn bird had moved yet again. And still, Gray’s ceaseless eyes could not seem to find it, even when he turned towards where he was sure it had relocated.

At his side, Evergreen stilled, almost as if she had become one of her own statues. Incrementally at first, she raised her hands. He blinked at the motion, eyes finding her as her hands settled lightly on his face.

As if she had reached into the cold depths of his chest and brushed aside the layer of frost keeping it still, his heart began a quickened beat. His tension of moments prior tightened ever so briefly before melting away like ice in the sunlight. Awareness of their proximity to one another jolted to the forefront of his mind, sharpening his focus to her alone and the contact she maintained with him.

His mind turned hazy, a static buzzing dully in the back of his mind, stealing his thoughts. He would later reason the strange reactions he had was simply due to the fact it was unusual for him to be touched, especially with...deliberateness, and particularly by Evergreen. (Didn’t that, in fact, make it normal then? Perfectly reasonable, he would decide.)

Her touch was light, barely there, almost as if she was handling something delicate or was wary of overstepping and making him uncomfortable. He typically didn’t like having his personal space encroached upon, and certainly not with physical touch, yet he found himself wishing she would press her hands more firmly to his skin. It was too faint as it was, a whisper of warmth, one that stirred a desire to have more, to be closer, that he might better soak up the sensation.

But what was she doing? He forced himself to think. She was someone who always had a good reason for everything, yet, this seemed strange (but not unpleasant, far from it).

His gaze skimmed her face for answers, observing the way the lighting around them brought out the colour of her eyes. His focus slipped briefly to her lips (just in case she would whisper, of course, so he wouldn't miss it, no other reason, no), but then returned to her eyes once again, and noted they had shifted to peer into a space off to the side.

With gentle yet persistent pressure, she turned his head. Reluctantly, he redirected his attention and allowed her guidance.

Immediately, his eyes set upon the most beautiful bird. The size of a dove, with dappled feathers capable of mirroring the colour palette of its surroundings and a pearlescent curved beak, it perched, preening upon an eye-level branch.

Eyes alight, and smile slowly spreading, Gray took in the sight before him. Hours of searching had finally found them success. He risked glancing back to Evergreen in excitement, but dared not speak.

send a meta topic // always accepting

In canon, Jenny has few interactions with other women (that i can remember) and it seems to paint her as the type that would have rivalry with them. With Mira, this is particularly understandable as they were models at the same time and both doing their best to promote their own guilds and whatnot (plus i have some other hcs about their dynamic that i need to work through).

In canon, Jenny aims to humiliate Mira twice (once with the bet and then at the water park by stealing her bikini top). I have opted to tweak the bet and remove the water park incident. Another notable interaction is a brief glimpse of her and Evergreen at Blue Pegasus, where the two seem to be squabbling and making digs at each other. Obviously that's not something I see for your particular portrayal or my Jenny.

I can definitely acknowledge that there are circumstances and factors that would lead to Jenny having difficulties with other women. She was/is in the modelling business where looks and popularity are Everything, and this can bring out great insecurity and a need to best everyone. It's not a good environment, and (my) Jenny does struggle with a level of insecurity at times as she grew up feeling unwanted.

(My) Jenny also admired Karen when she was younger, and we all know what a toxic person she was.

The key reason why my girl has not become a terrible women-hating lady is Master Bob. After Karen died and he started to see Jenny's attempts to emulate her, he talked sense into her and encouraged her to be herself. As she ventured into the modelling industry, he also took care to ensure she would not get consumed by it and the vanity of it all, he is a responsible guildmaster and looked out for her. Hibiki is also an important influence on her, as he is someone who has always accepted and valued her for who she is.

Adding to that, while her friendly rivalry was with Mira at the time and she could feel herself falling into bad habits, it was Mira's 7 year disappearance that also caused a shift in her - she could have been pleased that her rival had disappeared, leaving the top spot to her alone, but it was tragic and something that made Jenny value the time that she had.

Along with Bob and Hibiki, Evie has also guided Jenny at times, having gotten to know her through Bob and the bond between their guilds. Evie was an excellent role model for Jenny and always encouraged her to support other women.

I'm not going to say Jenny doesn't struggle at times, and that her competitive streak doesn't rear its head sometimes, but she is overall healthy when it comes to other women. She understands from her own experiences too, that sometimes women get treated unfairly or inappropriately, so she is quick to step in when she can and be on the woman's side.

In terms of female friendships, she has a few within her guild, and outside of the guild, she has developed bonds with Levy, Lucy, Kagura, Millianna. She still has a bit of an odd dynamic with Mira in my mind, but there is a respect and friendship there. I also do like to imagine she and Evergreen got along well while Evergreen was in Blue Pegasus, and I've always loved the idea that she and Sherry became good friends too.

the three towns of daisy, mysine and dianthus came together in the autumn time and had a vibrant autumn festival. though summer had just began, there was still planning that needed to be done. for the past few years, raven tail had a pretty significant booth. this year, raven tail would both be working some magical security as well as booths.

though normally, he would teleport back to raven tail, he decided to take the more scenic route. at least, until he decided he no longer wanted to. the apple did not fall down too far from the tree and like mother, like son — ivan felt a comfort amidst the throes of nature. he was isolated, he was free and the sun felt more as a comforting warm than a suffocating one.

he sighed once more. it happened this morning, before he left and he hasn’t seen ever yet today. bixlow and freed, however, were there when he found out. “my headphones broke. i have to get new ones.” truly, he was in the depths of despair.

he clutches his flashlight, stepping quietly — autumn leaves crunching beneath his boots. the sun had set several hours ago, most of the campus receding to their lodgings for the night. sterling beams his light to his watch. it read 10:05 PM when it had stopped ticking.  

they had only circled the forest for half an hour in search of the missing feline, if he had to guess. the quinn’s so thoughtfully volunteered them to search it, whilst they took to the campus dorms. they weren’t fond of the forest at night, but sting didn’t think much of it. when he had asked them why, meredith simply told him it was too loud. 

sting stops in his tracks, shifting his light ray with haste, back and forth. he then directs it to carena, clear signs of exasperation in his tone.

the train was unusually busy this day and ivan wondered if there was some sort of event going on. he did benefit from a crown when going near magnolia. of course, he got off at the stop just before that damned city — it made things easier. he didn't bother with too much illusion, just fixing his nose and changing his hair from black to brown. it wouldn't pass under any mage worth their magic, but the normal people? they had no idea he was ivan dreyar.

a sigh spilled from ivan as he looked out the window at delphinium. the garden of hope was still in sight, looking as promising as ever. but it would be a different wooded area that was his destination. but he could use some hope.

the sound of a door got his attention and, inevitably, it was time for his own compartment to get visitors. thankfully, that's what the disguise is for. at least, that's what he thought until he saw who. there was a high chance evergreen of fairy tail could see through the illusion.