#oeidn

& It's so easy to tell how flustered she is — that bite tends to come out when she's grown embarrassed , bashful in the face of the playful confidence Fang carries . The tint of pink on Light's cheeks prompts a sly smile , a quirked brow challenging Lightning's protests .

     Colorful™ holds both arms out in front of him, giving them a once-over. His eyes widen slightly as he turns his palms. … The display might’ve been believable if the subtle lift of the corners of his mouth didn’t give him away first. Time to drop the act.

(post arcane when she lost her eye?)

making demands .

It isn't intended to be demeaning — the look on Lightning's face makes that clear enough , her expression twisted by the concern that weighs on her mind . Despite this , Caitlyn finds it a bit embarrassing , salt in the wound still struggling to heal .

making demands .

Lightning means well — Caitlyn knows that , but anything that may be regarded as a command is met with a dismissive huff . Rather than halt her steps , gather her thoughts , she continues to pace 'round room with arms crossed defensively over her chest .

' It's the same shit it always is ! Marcus refuses to listen to me , despite the answer being so obviously under his nose . I didn't even push too hard this time — I asked him for permission to provide a theory , but he'd hardly even let me finish , and the second I tried to continue he threatened a write up for insubordination . '

send me a 🍓 and i'll compliment you !

making demands .

Lightning isn't wrong — the gunblade is clunky in Caitlyn's hand , restlessly wiggling as she attempts to get a comfortable grasp on the hilt . Still , she's far too stubborn to give up on it just yet : her struggle to catch on only igniting irritation .

' Just — just give me a minute ! I'm not used to it , is all . Let me focus . '

She takes a deep breath , finally finding a comfortable position before she flicks wrist as Lightning had instructed . To her surprise and relief , the blade unsheathes , prompting a small laugh as her confidence is restored .

"I'm not sure I've ever thought of it that way." There was a soft tone to her voice, like she wasn't quite sure what to make of the statement at first. "I've always been a bit frightened of the dark. I suppose I see it differently than you do. Sometimes it feels like..."

Faith sighed, holding herself steady in front of the woman, someone who was already much stronger and braver than she'd ever been, trying to explain herself. "In the dark, it feels like all my secrets are laid bare. Even with the blackness caving in, it's like there's nowhere to hide. That everything isn't ok, that I should be scared because the darkness will threaten to take over everything and there's nothing I can do about it. But I imagine it's quite different for someone who lives with an artificial sun every day."

. “ Death greets us all - but not today. ”

. @oeidn

and  she  chooses  to  believe  her  -  she  has  to  .  because  she's  standing  right  here  ,  because  if  she  reaches  out  to  touch  her  ,  she  has  to  trust  she  won't  disappear  .  but  she  can't  make  herself  .  she  can't  risk  this  moment  dispersing  into  the  thinness  of  the  atmosphere  ,  perished  by  the  reality  of  several  futures  have  been  all  too  cruel  ,  and  all  too  taxing  .  every  shift  ,  every  change  ,  she  feels  behind  her  eyes  ,  through  her  bloodstream  ,  her  limbs  paralyzed  by  the  woes  of  tomorrow  .  yet  ,  in  this  moment  ,  she  stands  .  face  to  face  with  everything  she's  wanted  ,  and  she  wonders  if  etro  is  toying  with  her  again  .  is  this  some  kind  of  dream  ?  is  lightning  really  here  ?  she  can't  make  herself  prove  it  .

❛  you're  right  .   ❜  she  states  with  a  confidence  born  just  recently  ;  jumping  through  space  and  time  ,  experiencing  new  worlds  ,  new  people  ,  new  cultures  ,  and  new  hurt  ,  has  gifted  her  the  ability  to  live  beyond  the  sea  -  side  home  of  bodhum  ,  old  and  new  ,  and  she  walks  no  longer  in  the  shadows  of  others  ,  but  in  her  own  light  ,  crafted  by  her  growth  and  determination  .