IC Inbox: empatheias edition

[hearted]

Hey, it's Minako! Got a message for me? Drop a line and I'll be right with you!

[crystal communication | snailmail]

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[faithfulflame]

[Rei leans against Minako and starts walking then, making brisk strides towards the lake and the little place she'd rented out. She's actually in somewhat of a hurry to get there, for a number of reasons. Eagerness, nerves, not wanting Usagi to feel left out, and earnest desire to get to the romantic portion of her evening.]

I'm glad. I've not been able to focus since I got up this morning.

[That...takes some doing, too.]

I can't believe, that after all these years...I'm actually celebrating Valentine's Day.

[Which, yeah.]

You're a miracle worker, sometimes.

[hearted]

[Minako hurries, though it's a little tricky in heels...not that it should be, considering.]

Yeah, it's incredible! All these years, those people so disappointed at the shrine. All those dreams that never stuck. I wanted to see you find someone...anyone, just to see the way your eyes would light up.

[She sped up to match her racing heart.]

I didn't think it would be me, but...I'm glad I get to see it up close.

[She moved herself in front, walking backwards on her heels while tipping forward to nuzzle Rei's nose. It shouldn't have worked. But it did, somehow.]

[faithfulflame]

Well, let's be honest, any suitor I'd even give consideration to would have to be someone likeminded. A kindred spirit.

[She nips a quick kiss out, glad that Minako's all dressed up and ready to go. It'll make this evening all the more fun, she thinks, if a little more nerve wracking.]

And that means it'd have to be a soldier. And you make perfect sense, if you think about it. You're an ideal choice.

[hearted]

[Minako returns the kiss with enthusiasm, then steps back to playfully salute her.]

I've always been happy to stand by you. But there's a time and a place for duty, and for once? This isn't it.

[It's a hard thing to admit sometimes, but it makes her feel light. So light, in fact, that her amulet shimmers and they're soon accompanied by bubbles in the breeze.]

This must be a really cute place!

[faithfulflame]

[Not just bubbles, but little red hearts. Rei can barely keep her amusement and excitement under wraps as they walk, nearing the lake at a steady pace.]

It's just down the way from the one we had on your birthday. I got the biggest one available. Since I think maybe we should spread our wings a little bit.

[Lowering her voice a little, she chuckled and added:]

I think tonight's the night we should fully unfurl them, if you're still ready for that.

[hearted]

[Minako could feel herself abruptly turning red. Oh...oh wow.]

Rei...you're really ambitious about tonight, aren't you? I didn't think a lot of room was needed, but if that's how we want to play...

[Her mind is going to strange places.]

[faithfulflame]

[That is going some very strange places, but Rei leans in further, pointing to the cabin as it comes into view.]

Well, that depends. Tonight's a celebration of love. I supposed lovemaking with the goddess of love could get a little wild, and I took that into account.

[Really she is just trying to sound appealing to get Minako's blood flowing.]

[hearted]

Of course you did. You always plan everything so well.

[The admiration just radiates from her. She can't wait to swing that door wide open and see what's awaiting them.]

I've always wanted to be with my beloved by the fireplace. Do we have one?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei trots up the steps of the cabin, fumbling for the key...]

A fireplace? Minako, honestly, what do you think of me? As if I'd rent a cabin without a fireplace.

[She's teasing but also, well, a fireplace made her feel at home.

And getting the door open reveals a spacious living room, with a huge couch, a lot of carpet and soft things, and a kind of rustic look. Like a mountain ski lodge, with windows slatted and curtains drawn. There's even a fireplace, of course...]

So what do you think?

[hearted]

[Minako loves it immediately, of course. She immediately leaves her heels at the door, slides her toes through the carpet, and rolls on the couch like a certain lazy cat in her life.]

Oh, it's perfect! Rei-chan you really did it!

[She nuzzles the fabric, then slowly lifts her head over the back of the couch and smiles invitingly.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei closes up behind her and more gracefully steps across the room, a bit of wind closing and locking up behind her. She makes a beeline for the blonde and takes a seat beside her, taking care to arrange herself perfectly. Posture, poise, the exact opposite of a lazy cat.

Maybe it's because she's nervous, or maybe it's because she wants to impress.]

I said I'd find us the perfect place. Don't I always deliver on my promises?

[Teasing! Teasing!]

[hearted]

You always do.

[She says it with clear admiration lighting her eyes. She cozies up to Rei with a gentle grin, taking a moment to breathe and admire the view---of the room, but mostly of Rei.]

It's not too cold yet, but...hey, you think we should light this up?

[She looks curiously at the fireplace.]

[faithfulflame]

You want me to light your fire, then?

[Rei snuggles up against Minako and holds out her fingers, an almost casual gesture of magical talent, something she's always had...something that made her Rei. And with a wiggle, a little fire springs up, growing inside the fireplace and casting a warm, orange glow around the room.

Turning, she smiles like one of Minako's lazy-cat smirks.]

How's that?

[hearted]

Consider it lit.

[She loves this side of Rei. She loves all sides of her, actually, but that special glimmer she revealed only to those closest? She pulls her into a firm kiss when the idea strikes her, enjoying, savoring...and concentrating.

The glow is distinctly golden now, with a few gold tassels falling strategically over the furniture for good measure. She'll have to clean it up later, but...worth it.]

Seducing a goddess is supposed to be the most dangerous choice in the world...but when it's two, I wonder.

[Wink. That was terrible. Sorry.]

[faithfulflame]

[The kiss is absolutely what she'd been hoping for. She returns it eagerly, almost greedily, giving it her whole attention. She pressed in, the air around her filling with glowing hearts, her heart skipping more than a few beats.]

Hah...the thing is I believe we've seduced one another.

[She bumps her forehead to Minako's, one hand reaching up to fiddle with the buttons of her top.]

Maybe we cancel each other out. Or...maybe we make the world around us shake. We can find out tomorrow, don't you think?

[hearted]

[Minako responds with a laugh, lazily enjoying this...at least, until that last part. She sits up and pouts.]

Not until tomorrow?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei leans in and kisses Minako around that pout before she answers.]

You think I'm letting you leave the cabin to discover the results before tomorrow? Unless we bring down the house around us, I'm not leaving this place to investigate.

[Boy is she on fire tonight.]

[hearted]

[She laughs aloud.]

...I'd try it, but I know I'd be on the hook for a really big deposit. And I don't think my odd job money covers that.

[faithfulflame]

Yes, yes we would.

[And that would kill the mood, too...]

So...my beloved. Is there something you've always wanted to do...but haven't ever done? Tonight would be a night for our firsts, so we may as well make it a night of fantasies, too.

[hearted]

[Minako melts and curls into Rei further. That's absolutely her favorite name.]

Other than the obvious? Well...swimming in a tub of pudding and diving off a stage mid-concert are probably out, but what about doing up your hair?

[Just to pull it down later, naturally. And she knows just how to do it.]

Or did you have something in mind, Rei?

[faithfulflame]

Well, I don't mind doing my hair up.

[Rei snorts a rather...inelegant laugh and slides across the couch to take a seat on Minako's lap. Straddling her, even, she takes the blonde's face in her hands and kisses her. Hard, firm, with all the passion she can manage.]

Should I turn around and let you?

[hearted]

[Minako's started drawing a mental image of a hairdo in her mind. It falls apart with that kiss, of course, and it takes a moment of flustered sputtering for her to regain her footing.]

If you would, Rei? I promise it'll be good for you...

[And to prove her point, she starts delicately threading her fingers through Rei's hair, massaging more than anything else while she visualizes the loose but elegant updo she wants.]

[faithfulflame]

Of course, beloved.

[Flustered Minako is a cute Minako. Rei nods and turns around, sitting comfortably in Minako's lap. She straightens her back and tilts her head up so her dark hair spills down into easy reach.]

But do please continue rubbing my scalp. That feels...very nice.

[hearted]

[Minako is very proud of her plan indeed. She takes her sweet time caring for Rei's hair, enjoying that wonderful feeling through her fingers...but eventually she makes good on her promise to loosely braid it up.]

If only we had the hand mirror...but I can tell you you look stunning.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei doesn't have one, and were this any other evening, she probably wouldn't trust Minako to do this. But...she knows she's got her partner worked up, and that means she's not going to do anything to jeopardize the evening...right?]

I'll take your word for it. Would you like me to do something with yours?