the veil is thin . . .

[thespaceopera]

[ On the night of the 16th, the feeling of tension and horrid anticipation comes to a head. Everything stops when the sun goes down-- even the ever-present music in the hoppingest part of the city center. One by one, everyone turns their eyes to the skies. The young and old alike pour out of their houses, some in bare feet, and they point to the velvety blanket of stars.

It takes a second to find it, especially if one is unaccustomed to the starscape. But even a casual observer can see it.

A brightly-shining star, larger than the others, and growing larger.

An announcement cuts across all communication channels that encourages people to evacuate to the space station, but it’s clear that these are just people and they’ll need some help. Supplies, equipment, organization, there’s something for everyone to do.

Civilization is disrupted by a panicked stampede of people vying for limited seats aboard spacefaring craft. Within hours, there will be crushed glass, looting, and chaos.

The clock is ticking. Will you help? Or would you rather watch the dying gasps of a Singing Planet from a safe distance? ]

[OOC: Please see this post for plot details. Phase two has begun! Feel free to use this post as a reaction post, mingle, etc. or make your own!]

Comments

[brainiest]

... Thank you.

[ And that's what she does. It's a little awkward but she's doing better than she was a year ago; when she had first arrived from the Drabwurld food still made her feel sick and the ridiculous paste and powder they had here was actually more appetising.

She gets the feeling she's going to need to work on it with Ignis around.

Eventually, though, she does finish, and she hesitates for a moment. ]

You don't mind if I turn back, do you?

[nonightdriving]

[He's careful not to watch her too closely as she eats. But he does watch her. When she is unhappy or too busy or too anything, she neglects the most basic of things, such as resting and eating. And if she has any reason to avoid it, she will.

And knowing her history, he doesn't blame her for her aversion, but he needs to make sure that she is as well taken care of as the others. When she speaks, he looks fully at her.]

Not at all. I can face away if you'd like some sort of privacy while you do.

[As if he's going to tell her she can't do something. Please.]

[brainiest]

[ Hermione is just far too used of taking care of other people to think about herself, and it comes at the cost of her own health sometimes. She does try her best, and she has been eating and sleeping better since she woke up on the fleet - less nightmares, less warfare and shards and kings and queens - but she still struggles, sometimes.

Her friends make it easier, and she is more thankful than she can put into words. ]

No, it's alright, you don't need to. You don't really see anything.

[ And she moves, shifting as she transforms back down into a lioness, moving forward to rest her jaw on Ignis' shoulder. ]

[nonightdriving]

[Ignis turns his head at the feel of the large cat's head on his shoulder. He knows it's Hermione, but it doesn't seem real at the same time. Woman, cat, witch, all the same in one package that he cares very deeply for.

He runs a hand over her soft pelt and just barely reins in the desire to kiss her fur.]

This is hardly sleeping, Hermione. Rest while you can. While there's down time.

[brainiest]

[ She nudges against him for a moment, but she does finally move and curl up at his side. Her wings fold down beside her, and her head rests on haw paws as her eyes finally close.

One wing does move, slowly, to wrap around Ignis, just settling there for a moment - to keep him warm and safe, too, just in case. ]

[nonightdriving]

[He doesn't stir as the wing wraps around him to protect him, basically, but it is nice. Sleep is far away from anything he can possibly do when she is so close to him.

However, he does allow himself to relax just a bit, one hand resting on her nearest limb.]