deercountry | A day where we can shine!

A day where we can shine!

Who: Luz, Lexi and you!
What: The couple are having their blood joining ceremony!
When: The fifteenth of this month!
Where: Darcmoth at the rocks, formerly fort Avatar.
Content Warning: Merrymaking, possible spiking of punch, unnecessary gushing, likely much nerding about.

It had taken some time to personalize some things for this inherited house, but the girls opted to keep it much as Korra and Asami had pooled their strengths to make it their own. The home was still hidden by the cliff face, so Luz had made sure to put some light glyphs up for today, so when people came to the shore of Darcmoth, they'd see the lights and follow then down.

The steps will eventually lead you around the cliff face to the hidden house, and therein the lights lead you to the lowest part of the three levels, where the deck is. It's decorated for the ceremony: purple lights, little glowy stars, and heavy draped curtains with each of Luz's glyphs painted on them. She made a mental note, of course, not to set off any, lest it set off and scare the surrounding people.

At the center of all this is a dais that Luz managed to construct with a little time and care: nothing fancy, just some steps and a canopy over the whole preceding.

Luz is there to greet you, giving a wave if you're not as familiar and a hug if you are! She explains that the whole ceremony will start in about an hour, and you can help yourself to the refreshments further down from the chairs set up down a deck from the podium.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, it wasn't something she had to worry about here. Neither one of them were drinkers and while the Pthumerians could mess with their minds, they both knew that was only temporary. That sooner or later, they'd both be in their right minds and could, well. Pick up whatever might have been broken and fix it.

It was Trench, they were always in danger. A little bit.

She needed to start letting go of the idea of being like Cassie. Of expecting people to expect her to be like Cassie. And maybe...probably...almost definitely stop waiting for Cassie to show up and ruin everything.

And start really being herself? Her full, weird, totally dresses up as Bob Ross on Halloween self?

"Maybe stronger than I notice, too. But you did."

Luz had run into many situations where someone she knew was influenced by the things of that month, and a lot of those times Luz understood it had to be something that had to be weathered. People didn't mean to be affected by these things, but when it happened, something that was meant to be hidden managed to come out.

All you could do was try to mend it. That was the best that you could manage.

Luz was prepared to deal with Cassie if she ever appeared, but she was more concerned with making sure that Lexi didn't have to constantly have to compare herself to Cassie and stay feeling second best.

Well yeah. Look at the girlfriend you had.

"I did. And I'm still noticing it."

She wanted to make sure as much as she could that when she was influenced, she didn't lose track of whom she really was. She knew that was likely a fool's errand, but that didn't stop her from wanting to try. She kept thinking of this dumb Christian saying, 'let go and let God.' But wasn't that basically what Lexi had to do with the Pthumerians?

She was confident that they could fix whatever might come their way because they loved each other and now they were bonded. Bonded!

Lexi was making a resolution with herself. No more obsessing over Cassie. She wasn't here, she wasn't making life awkward or awful, Lexi could define herself here. Simple as that.

An amazing girlfriend! And they so were cosplaying Utena and Anthy.

And Lexi melts. "I really love you. You see me. And I see you."

It would be hard to resist. Luz hadn't ever wanted to think she could lose control of her own body, but after the Pulpatine incident, that could clearly happen to either of them, right?

At least with them being Bonded this way, it would be MUCH harder to fool the other.

They would find a way! That was what this day was about, after all: overcoming fears and proudly proclaiming their dedication to each other!

It was just Lexi here now, only it would also be Luz too. If Lexi could handle that, she could handle anything!

They definitely would be now!

Luz smiled. "Yeah, we're in for the long haul. I promise I'll do everything I can to make you feel the way you deserve, ok?" Let me know when I ever make you feel frustrated or unloved, ok?"

Right. And Lexi had never been so terrified as she had been of when she looked at Luz and Palpatine's yellow eyes stared back at her. She counted her mercies that Luz was able to be freed in time.

Absolutely. They'd immediately know if something weird as fuck was going on.

And this day was a rousing success as far as Lexi was concerned. She was bonded to the love of her life and she was happy. Happiness alone was reason enough to celebrate.

Lexi could handle that. At first, she'd been convinced others from home would follow. Now? Not so much. And she was surprisingly okay with that. Let them live their lives in East Highland, Lexi would live hers here.

"And I swear, I'll always make you feel special and valued because you're special. Because you're unique and you have so many amazing things yet to do. Because you're a survivor and you'll let me shelter in you as I learn to survive by your side"

Oh, Luz was NOT going to like those memories once she got them from Lexi's perspective. The nightmares had been bad enough, but seeing herself looking like that was going to be enough to make Luz think about making Lexi a secret way to take her down if things ever got that bad.

That was the biggest advantage they'd have. It was why she'd done the bond with Varian and then with Luca.

It was! Luz had gotten the bouncy house she promised, she was able to say her heartfelt words to Lexi, and now they'd have the rest of Trench life to be together.

And cake!

Luz knew a part of her would miss home, and miss the Boiling Isles. But she knew there was still a HER that was back there, living that life. This one here, this was hers, and she'd made with the knowledge of making a home in Trench.

With her found family and with Lexi, she had that. She wouldn't give it up for anything.

"I...just said 'Ok' a lot, didn't I?" Luz was blushing wildly at Lexi's words, because how could she not? "But...I know. It's funny, knowing you think that, when I didn't think that about me. Now I know I can, and I hope I can make you feel as wonderful and as clever as I know you are. Here's to life."

She had a cup of punch, and she cleared her throat.

"l-L'chaim!"

Lexi had been terrified the entire time, but she knew that she had to be strong in order to save the girl she loves from that monster. She was grateful that in the end, they were both strong enough to kick Palpatine from Luz's mind and body. And if there was to be a contingency plan for Luz, there ought to be one for Lexi, too.

They'd always be stronger together.

"Let's go play in the bouncy house," Lexi suggested, grinning broadly. It was the most fun wedding/bonding thing she could imagine. Leave it to Luz to come up with a way to make an already fun day even more fun.

And lots of cake!

Lexi felt the same way. The other her would do just fine. She was confident in that for the first time in ages. The her who was here would be doing even better.

She loved Luz, she loved her friends, she loved here. Even with all of its quirks and bizarre aspects.

"You did, but it's okay," Lexi said with a wink. And Luz's blush makes Lexi blush, too. "You do. You do every day just by believing in me. And I'd do anything to make you happy, to keep you feeling safe and secure and--and believing in me. In us. In our love. So, yes, here's to life!"

And she lifts her cup of punch up as well.

"L'chaim," echoed through their friends and Lexi grinned broadly, so broadly she had a hard time taking a drink of punch. But she managed.

Luz knew that Lexi was getting herself ready for the times where Luz was going to have to be saved. That should be bothersome to some, but obviously Luz understood why it had to be done. There were going to be time that forces might test their mettle against each other. They needed to have a clear head.

And that was why they work well!

"You read my mind!" Luz said, then laughed. "Ha! I just realize how weird it is to say that now! Oh, no more water fights though. Luca and Sharon thrashed me earlier! I got them too, but well. Luca is an actual fish guy, and Sharon's amazing with a gun. They were both intense opponents.

Luz knew that now. It made her feel so much happier that Lexi was slowly starting to be comfortable with thinking for herself, and knowing she shouldn't ever be neglected. She was loved, she was noticed.

Luz loved her. She would make sure Lexi never felt that again.

"Jeez Lexi," Luz said. "I'm going to sink into the ground. That's so sweet! But I can't NOT believe in you. You're super driven and smarter than you give yourself credit for. You worked on yourself, and you've gotten so much stronger now. And I hope I can help make you even stronger, since you already inspire me to be!"

Luz took her drink and cheered. "Woo! Maybe we should have gotten a bottle of wine! One bottle though. Just to make it officiaL!"

It wasn't--well, it was bothersome, to think about Luz being in danger. Even the thought of it rocked her to her core. But she knew there was always a good chance of that happening, so she wanted to be ready. As ready as she ever could be, she wanted to be Luz's rock, just as Luz was hers.

They worked like puzzle pieces, fit together.

"I know, right,' Lexi squealed. "And nope no water fights, especially since Luca and Sharon got to you first. That, and I don't want to ruin this dress. I really, really like it," she said teasingly.

It had been a long time coming, but Lexi was so glad that it was. She was herself, she dealt with situations in her own way, Cassie was herself with her own coping mechanisms. Who knew who had the right ones? But Lexi figured that overthinking was better than flitting from guy to guy.

And with the bond, she could feel Luz's love and wanted to make sure that Luz felt exactly the same way. More so, actually.

"No, no, no, no sinking," Lexi exclaimed dramatically, hooking her arms around Luz's arms and curling up onto her shoulders. "And you're finally loved by others and appreciated by people other than me. But you were even before I entered the picture, I saw how upset people were in the post about you dying and coming back. People worried about you. People love you. Myself included. And you're loved for exactly who you are. Because who you are is amazing on so many levels"

"But not the Manischewitz grape version, it tastes too much like drinking liquefied grape jelly. The blackberry version is better. Besides, I can think of better ways to make it official," and she leaned in for a kiss.

Luz was predisposed to get into trouble: sometimes she looked for IT, sometimes it found HER, and sometimes things just kind of morphed into chaos around them. Being in Deerington had strangely made Luz ready for just about anything, though she knew something very well.

Lexi was her weakness, and she would be someone she'd defend to her dying breath.

"What can I say, they both really have things working for them. But I'm no pushover either!"

Let her just quietly blush at the compliment about her clothes. She was probably never going to quite get used to that.

It would be worse if it happened to you. You look gorgeous today.

That was going to be a pretty clear thought she threw in Lexi's direction.

Everyone had their own way of dealing with, well, life. Luz couldn't see great options for Cassie if she had to find validation of herself through partners that didn't care. That wouldn't be sustainable, since a relationship wasn't going to be good if both people weren't on the same page. Luz hoped that Cassie would eventually find another way to feel good about herself.

Luz felt it all right. It was actually overwhelming, just as she suspected, but not in a bad way. If anything, Luz was starting to come to terms now with someone caring and loving her like she had with so many friends and family, but having it directed at HER. That was still something she never expected, but felt so happy to have now.

"In that case, any of them who are left are sure to like you too. You're just as sweet and smart and strong as I am, in your own way. I've been kind of in awe of you the moment we met. I'm not sure specifically when, but I made a vow to make your wishes happen however I could."

Luz was pretty sure it was the second time they spoke. That feeling had never changed, it just deepened and then Luz found she could directly, by being around, make that happen.

"Ooh, I do like blackberries! Sounds good!"

Luz chuckled. "I look forward to your innovative ways of stunning me into submission!"

Lexi tended to avoid danger like a champ. She'd gotten stoned once, never again. She'd watched her parents and Rue drink and drug and resolved not me. She didn't want to think that made her superior? She wasn't superior. She'd just made other choices.

And she'd take on any foe to keep Luz safe, even if Lexi died in the process.

"I know you're not. You're a badass. One of the many reasons I'm glad to be with you."

[at first, it's a Lexi.exe not functioning, then We both look gorgeous. I'll never forget this day.]

So did Lexi. But her sister had pinned too much on her appeal to guys and she was afraid that Cassie always would. She'd been trained by their parents, their school, and their classmates that the only things which would matter are a size 2 dress size and a 34-DD bra size. The damage was probably already done.

And cue Lexi blushing. "I can't believe that you feel that way about me. You're so brave, so unafraid of what people think of you that they can't help liking you anyway. And I remember...fluttering. Along with warmth. I felt like you were part of my life since the beginning. You're so easy to talk to and you made me feel so comfortable, even despite the talk of dying! Weird, right?"

She figured it had to be weird, but she wasn't as afraid of being weird.

And Lexi laughed. "Oh, no. No need for submission, this isn't 50 Shades. Equals. So we can swoon over each other equally, we'll just need matching fainting couches."

This wasn't Luz. While Eda had at least been able to keep Luz from doing her usual foolhardy stumbles into death defying situations, trouble and Luz still found each other. More interesting still, Deerington and Trench were surreal enough situations that drugs were rather mild in comparison.

Hopefully, it would never come to that.

"Me? Bad a-! No way! I'm just adorable, witch inclined Luz!"

[Still fighting with me there? Ok. We both look good. And that's kinda awesome.]

It was a sad thing to think about. How could those things be the only thing that matter? Luz, of course, knew that Cassie had not been issekai'd to another world, or met as many different people as Luz had. There were so many worse situations you could be in, there was so much in the world you didn't get to see. How could anyone settle for a life of being validated by other people?

Granted, Luz was biased. She only needed this one person.

"Of course I do! Talking with people, you never know who'll be on the other line. So you try to get a feel for them, find common ground, which makes sense in a place like this. But I met you and I didn't even have to try. I just felt, like, a glow, talking with you. Like I'd met someone who was me but NOT me, who was able to be charming and smart and effortlessly original without trying to be. I think I could have talked with you for hours about anything if you let me!"

With Luz, that was a life philosophy: be weird!

Luz returned the laugh. "Hey, it's not like that! Honestly, it's more like fighting and losing, but kind of being OK that you lost? More like that."

Luz didn't need to faint! She just needed a big book to hide her face when she blushed at things Lexi said to her.

And the one time Lexi tried getting high, it completely removed her brain to mouth filter, which she'd hated. Loudly and openly discussing her fears and insecurities to anyone who would listen? No thanks.

It wouldn't. At least that's what Lexi hoped.

"You are adorable and witch inclined, not gonna argue there"

[And I do love this dress But you're perfect and don't argue with me there.]

From what Lexi had observed, it was awful. One dramatic mood to another and not helped by the party lifestyle.

And Lexi only needed Luz.

But now Lexi was blushing bright red, unable to keep herself from smiling as her eyes met Luz's. "We all have the common ground of trying to fit in at this lovely place. But, seriously, I think it's more than that. All of us have something inside that sets us apart from people back home. So finding that spark is part of the fun. And I've never had a first conversation go so well as it did with you, I was looking forward to talking to you again as soon as the first conversation was over."

Lexi was trying to make hers "be yourself. Which is kinda weird."

"Ohhh, okay. That makes more sense. Much more and much better sense."

Just once, Lexi wanted to swoon dramatically onto a fainting couch. Even if it was just part of a play.

That was just funny to Luz, because the ritual they'd just done was going to make it so that Luz had no filter to Lexi's thoughts anyway, and any and all insecurities she had, Luz would know about!

Then again, Luz cherished and loved Lexi, so obviously this wasn't going to be so much of an issue. Luz knew how to keep her girlfriends' secrets.

They'd do their best!

"You're the best, do you know that?"

Luz was blushing, and pulling Lexi in gently for another kiss.

[I'm going to enjoy losing to you.]

It wouldn't really feel like losing, after all!

Luz chuckled. "Yeah, I felt that way too. It had been a while since I did too, that quickly. I didn't know what to do with those feeling at first, so I just sort of thought you would be one of those really fun friends I had a lot in common with. I was trying not to realize how bad a crush I had on you."

Which Luz had failed to hide miserably.

That worked!

"I figured you'd like that."

Only if Lexi had a cute Southern accent as she did it. That would be perfect.

Well, yes, but she's okay with it because it's Luz. Rue and her drug dealer friend, not so much.

And Lexi knew how to keep Luz's secrets. And come to her defense whenever necessary.

"I think you meant 'I'm the best,' but thank you."

And Lexi goes in for another, delighting in the thrill of kissing her bondmate. (bondmate)!

[Mwah-hah-hah, I win at everything! Except for who's cuter, that one's you.>]

"I'm glad it's mutual. I mean, one of us pining? That's a tragedy. Both of us pining? That's a comedy of errors, followed by a triumphant kiss. At least if we were in a modern-day Austen novel. I'm still not ready for much, but I think we can at least manage French kissing. That would make poor Jane Austen faint. And it took me a little longer to realize it was a crush but once I did I was like. 'Oh hello feelings I've always been feeling!'"

"I do. But I plan to lose as often as you do."

Nah, there's nothing cute about Southern accents. British all the way!

Right. That makes sense.

Luz could really use that, even if she didn't really think about it regarding herself.

"Yup, that's what I just said. You're the best.

Was Luz not getting it or doing that on purpose?

Luz couldn't help but laugh at the wording.

That actually sounds like something I would have called me and Margot, my sister that was a wolf, in Deerington! Man. I really miss her.

Enough that Luz's omen resembled her sister, at least in being a wolf. Quietly, Luz wouldn't have been able to take it if her omen talked. It would have been too much a reminder, and Tempest was fine with that.

But enough of that. Kissing is happening now!

[I mean, you're more attractive than cute. But don't worry, we can change that. I just need to know how you feel about Kugurumis?]

"Ugh, just one of the worst animated tropes you ever want to meet. I mean, JUST get together already, you don't even have an obstacle, right? I mean, other than the place that occasionally risks your life without you asking."

She smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I get it. I'm not looking to rush you. I haven't ever been with anyone that intimately, but I also never had anything negative associations with it either. We can go as slow as we want."

Luz smiled. "Yeah, but I couldn't keep it to myself long. I needed to go for it, since it was the first time I really felt it for someone. No way would I keep that to myself."

Aw, now she was beaming!

Not true! Luz loved...some Southern accents! British shouldn't be the default!

I wish I could have met her. But...you could show her to me, right? A nice memory, not a messed up Deerington one? She was glad that Orville was silent too, except for the little hedgehog chirps. He nuzzled her neck and into her hair when Lexi was happy, puffed himself up as much as he could so that his prickly spikes were more pronounced when she felt as though she was in danger, black eyes intense. And yes, kissing is happening now! Okay, you're literally the first and only person to call me that. But what's a Kugurumi? I know, but what really grosses me out is that most of the time, the princess isn't much over sixteen when she meets the guy she's supposedly going to love for the rest of her life. What kind of message is that to send to impressionable little girls? That if their high school boyfriend isn't the love of their life, they've failed somehow? Gross. Slow. Slow is nice. I don't want to hurry into...stuff. The fact that I can't say what it is exactly is probably proof enough that I'm not ready, right? I would've kept it to myself because at the time I didn't know how to do stuff like that. Tell people I like them. And Lexi was beaming, too. British should be the default! Fite her!

I can! There are plenty of moments of us in her garden, or in a cuddle pile or gathering in stuff for Eda!

[They could leave out the memory of seeing her killed by Darth Maul. Woof.

Orville would always be adorable, and Tempest would be content being majestic and standoffish. In a way, Luz admired that too.

Yeah it is. So much kissing].

That's everyone else's fault. A Kurugumi is an animal themed onesie. I have one from Usagi that helps dispell bad dreams. But mostly I wear them because they're cute! I haven't in a while since I had no one to share them with though.

[And that's where YOU come in]!

Oh, those are fairytales though, told by people from long ago! Or, well, unenlightened long ago. But tropes of the past need to be dead and buried for a reason, mostly being that they don't really do the story any favors, whether in tales or applied in real life.

I guessed. Like I said, I don't have that obstacle, but I'm also new to even having those feelings about anyone, so we don't need to rush anything.

Heh. I had a bad experience with that in the past. Kinda decided to keep it to myself after.

[Aw, that smile!

She would this time, and she'd win]!

That would be great. I'd really appreciate it.

[yes, that could be left firmly in the do-not-show pile.

kissing was amazing]

Ohhh. I've seen you in them before. You have an otter one, right? But can't you wear them just for fun? I could join you. We'd watch bad horror movies, throw popcorn at the screen every time someone did something stupid, drink hibiscus tea?

[precisely!]

The Little Mermaid wasn't that long ago. She was sixteen. And I remember people calling Frozen a feminist triumph because the girl chose the second guy. Whoop-de-shit. If I'm going to be fed heteronormative BS, I'll stick with the original fairytale tellings.

Thank you for understanding. Most people wouldn't.

Hon...I'm sorry. It's their loss.

[/queues up Mortal Kombat music]

I'm sure you would have liked each other! She was honestly someone I cared about, and still do to this day.

[With regret, sadly, because she disappeared from Deerington, and she knew all too well the fate that waited for poor Margot.

Yes, yes it was. Luz might never get used to having lipstick all over her face].

Yeah, and a few others too! They're all cute! That sounds great, by the way, though why hibiscus tea?

That's true, though I guess they didn't think too much about that in the heteronormative "happily-ever-after" and reconcile it with real life?

Ugh, don't get me started. Mid tier songs with character designs that were much better in Tangled anyway.

I'll admit I'm curious about it, if only in the way I might make you feel good? But I know that those kinds of situations are made better by being with each other longer and knowing each other better. I'm not in a hurry. I love you. That's always enough for me.

[She couldn't help but chuckle in her head].

That song will never die!

Were you able to say goodbye? Or was it sudden, like it is here?

[that sounds ominous]

[red lipstick, like a brand. 'Lexi was here,' or something like that]

I like hibiscus tea? Simple as that. And it goes well with kettle-korn.

Even though the original Sleeping Beauty wasn't woken up by true love's kiss, she was woken by twins nursing her. Gross. Bad enough that the was taken advantage of her sleep, but to leave her with babies? Fuck that.

The bar scene was cool. Along with everything with Mother Gothel.

Um. French kissing makes me feel good. Along with some over the clothes stuff. I don't know how else to put it, but I'm glad that you're not drawing me into whatever I'm not ready for yet. God, I'm a prude.

As long as you're not sure about that.

It was a sudden thing. And trust me, I was kind of a wreck when Eda was gone, so you can imagine how it was when Margot went.

[Luz moped for WEEKS.

No argument there. It was a branding Luz was totally fine with]!

OOh, it does?! I gotta try it then!

Ok, that is super disturbing. It's bad enough that some people WOULD do that to a person asleep if they could get away with it.

I think I liked the song between them, and Mother Gothel, the evil lady that stole and gas lit her? I guess she is really good at making you hate her!

You're still working on the way they made you think about it back home. Negative associations happen for a reason. I'd rather have you comfortable with me than uncomfortable because I made you do things you don't feel good about. That's why we work as a couple. What if you forced me to go into caves knowing I hyperventilate anytime I'm in one?

Hey, if you need a pick me up, that song does the trick!

Oh, hon...[Lexi said softly] I can't imagine what that's like. But I'll do my best to love you through it.

Yeah, it's got to be sugared to go along with the popcorn, but it's already pretty sweet on its own. Just like you~~.

Absolutely disturbing and way too close to reality. Guys are creeps. Too bad she wasn't saved by a lady knight instead, she'd just kiss her and leave it at that.

Oh, yeah. Mother Gothel is entirely hateable. She gets off on making Rapunzel feel bad about herself.

I'd never make you go into a cave. Just as I know you'd never make me do stuff I'm not ready for. And yeah. That's how we work as a couple. Because we ask things and we talk things through and we have consideration for one another. All reasons I'm more than happy to share my mind with you.

And it's not Rickrolling. Thank fuck for that.

It was a pretty low moment back then, trust me. Vira can tell you, I was in a bad place. Losing Margot happened more when I came here though. Thank you though, sweetie. I know you would.

I have no problem if we're going sweet! Hun, you have to stop, I will set myself on fire with my own face. Wait, did that sound right?

It is, ugh. A lot of guys like that would, which is sad. I don't think guys in general would, but it is just a sad thing to know anyone would take advantage of that.

There should be more lady knights!

As if it wasn't bad enough she had kidnapped her and was keeping her in the tower! Great song though.

You don't seem like the spelunking type, sweetie! But I get what you're saying, and I appreciate it. I think couples should just do that in general though, I don't know why more don't. Maybe it has something to do with ego, or maybe we haven't hit our huge rift yet.

[Not that Luz was in a rush for that moment].

See, the funny thing is, I DO like that song, just not the whole "thinking one thing and its that song instead" part]!

I get it. In a weird way, at least. I'm so used to having Cassie as the benchmark, it's hard for me to establish myself as me. Not just her little sister.

No! No! No setting yourself on fire! That's a firm nix from me.

Guys are guys. At least back home, that's their excuse. That guys will be guys as they use their smartphones to record things they shouldn't, then share with everyone else.

There should! A lady knight would respect Sleeping Beauty's autonomy and let her wake up on her own after the kiss. Instead of 'oh hey, here's a defenseless young woman, let's take advantage of that!'

Mother Knows Best is one of the best Disney songs in the last decade. Prove me wrong.

I'd like to think it's just because we get along so well. We get each other's triggers and try to avoid them as much as we can. Another reason to love you. No caves! Not at least as I can help it!

Yeah, that's a douchebag move. Oh hey, videos of kittens! Only you've been Rickrolled.

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I needed to go with "otter" Luz here!

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