Tunnel of Love (Or is it? Valentine's Theme Bonding)

Elz tripped into Nec, and that rock behind Nec hadn't been there just a moment ago! It sent them both tumbling and crashing to the ground, Elz on top of the changeling and horns digging into suddenly soft ground.

Not that Nec minded being stuck in this particular situation...

The narrow tunnel wasn't much used so the two was in no rush, and if feathers and clothes were a bit more rumpled than they should be when they returned to the main tunnel, well, could anyone blame them?

Jeremi and Kemori

Kemori was breathless from laughter, from desire, and from physical exertion when their little game finally came to an end with himself on laughter, from desire, and from physical exertion. The touches and nips and kisses were definitely sending his mind into certain realms that with Jeremi he was quite comfortable being in.

"So it seems!" He laughed, tails flickering over them as he tipped his head to better permit the kisses to his jaw, then accepting the brushing kiss before deepening it further, letting his weight settle comfortably on his lover.





Taki and Emyr the Bubble Bod

The next section at first would startle Taki a bit, the darkness and blue lighting a stark contrast to the previous. But the scenes that were playing out all around them soon stole away her alarm. Such happy moments had the Myrgwae's tail flickering in delight.

*Ooh! Look! Look!* She pointed to a scene of a young man dropping to a knee before a young woman, and at the woman's enthusiastic nod Taki bounced in the boat to the point that she had to take a moment to regain her balance when it rocked and adjusted her hat.

But in adjusting her hat she looked down into the water where she would've expected a reflection of the happy memories...and found the exact opposite. Like a magnet the sorrowful side of love caught her gaze, instinct making her try to Draw the anger and sadness away even though there was nothing there for her to pull. They were just images after all. Helpless, a few tears would trickle down her cheeks and whiskers, the pain made all the worse for the joy of before.

A tap on her shoulder, utterly unexpected, made her jump.

*Eep!* Taki looked over to see Emyr settling back where she'd sat him. She couldn't help but blink in surprise. Had the Bubble Bod just intentionally tapped her, or had it merely been a result of her rocking the boat? She tipped her head at him, but he wasn't forthcoming with any replies. Finally Taki just shrugged and hugged him (carefully of course; he was a bubble).

*Thanks, Emyr! You're the best!* To keep from looking down Taki snuggled up to her inflatable friend, head propped on his shoulder to have it directed up at all the happiness instead as the boat drifted on.



Cobalt and Tamren

Even though he basically answered himself Cobalt still nodded in answer to Tamren's question, one hand absently rubbing at her right forearm as she looked at that crude, first map.

Sometimes she swore she could still feel it there, even though it had long been buffed and enameled away.

The compliment, however, had Cobalt twitching in surprise. In the back of her mind she heard her commander's voices: What are you doing? You don't have time for pointless things. Who ever heard of a Warforged artist? You're a soldier, stop acting stupid! Every word convinced her that her drawings were a pointless waste of time, only useful when it could be used for military purposes like maps and pinpointing the positions of opposing forces. Since coming to Teragaia she'd indulged herself partially out of boredom, a literally mind-killer to a Warforged, and partially because those around her had been both encouraging and even at times pestering at her to do so.

But they were her Bondeds and comrades. They were those who were fond of her, saw things in her that she didn't see herself all the time and were predisposed to take her side. In other words, biased, however good their intentions.

Tamren, however, hadn't even know her for two hours. Whatever reason they were in here together it certainly wasn't romantic interest or even real friendship, such as she understood it. Such things couldn't form as quickly as she'd known him.

And he said they were... amazing. That even 'amazing' wasn't enough.

Metaphorically speaking, Cobalt might have blown a spring.

"They're...amazing?... I – Thank you." She really had no idea what else to say, and hopefully that how much she appreciated it showed in her voice as she had no other way to express it.

Kemori and Jeremi

Aah, Jeremi knew Kemori all too well. Knew his moods and knew how to hit all the right buttons. The Kitsune's eyes shut in pleasure when his back was rubbed, pressing down more into his lover as all thoughts of possible onlookers vanished from his mind completely. With this kind of setting the people running the Tunnel of Love were practically inviting it anyhow! The barker had hinted at that after all - far be it for Kemori to not take the offer when presented.

The current three tails caressed over what of Jeremi they could reach as Kemori curled one arm above Jeremi's head and the other hand began tugging suggestively at the hem of Jeremi's shirt seeking skin beneath. Coming into here was definitely...

Abruptly Kemori's ear twitched and he went still, eyes opening. He'd heard something. Not approach, which he'd happily have ignored.

A more animal sound. A grunt. It sounded a second time, closer, and ardour turned on a dime to protective instinct.

All eight of the Kitsune's tails fanned out into view, a display of his power. His eyes glowed purple and he twisted up to crouch over Jeremi on a knee, war fan in one hand and Foxfire dancing around the other in warning.

"It seems we are not alone," he warned, eyes searching for the source and ready to defend Jeremi if need be.



Taki and Emyr the Bubble Bod

After the previous room Taki would be more than happy to let her gaze be captured by the floating instruments. She was careful to keep her happy bouncing to a minimum so the boat wouldn't overbalance, but even before they began playing she started applauding the performance.

*This is incredible!* she cheered to Emyr as the instruments flowed between their songs. Eventually, as they floated there, She started singing along. She didn't know the words per say but she vocalized with her Silent Speech as best she was able. Had they been on solid ground she might have started dancing with Emyr but for now this would do.



Cobalt and Tamren

Cobalt instantly turned at the sounds of destruction ringing out from the previous room. Like Tamren she'd taken a step to investigate when the culprits entered, by the ruined canvas telling what they'd been up to and their intentions clearly enough.

On Eberron Warforged likeCobalt were often seen as emotionless, soulless. Things rather than beings. It was a mindset that Cobalt had been trying to work through ever since she'd arrived on Teragaia and had come under the influence of her Bondeds and those she'd come to term allies. Though she'd accepted that she had emotions easily enough the thought of a soul was far more difficult to deal with. It was literally a Question that had plagued entire nations for ages.

But in that moment her own words came back to her: Every creation is a part of the heart and soul of their creator.[/b]

And these intruders dared to destroy that!

Without hesitation one of her chains dropped into her grip, the sharp point lightly touching the floor.

"I will delay them," she said to her companion. "You should scarce." Tamren hadn't looked like a combatant to her crystalline eyes. Briefly, though it was impossible to tell as she lacked pupils, she looked over the artworks now in the line of fire – her own. Things she'd forgotten about, but now remembered. Things she realized she valued greatly. Things that might be damaged or even destroyed in the coming conflict.

I made them once... I will make them again.

With purpose Cobalt strode forward past Tamren and snapped one chain against the ground, indicating she was the threat they needed to be concerned with.

Jeremi and Kemori

Jeremi felt the change in Kemori and was instantly on alert himself. Sitting up, he glanced at the other, worry clear on his face. The other's words did nothing to sooth him either. Gathering up his legs under him, he tilted his head this way and that, but didn't hear anything himself. The healer also knew his hearing was average and knew that Kemori's was a hell of a lot better than his. If he said something was out there, then Jeremi was gonna believe that something was out there. Despite all the evidence that said otherwise.

The air of the room seemed to grow heavier as Jeremi slowly stood up. He refused to hide behind Kemori though. Combatant he wasn't, but he was also not about to let his lover face anything alone. He was going to be beside him for as long as possible. End of story there.

The grunting kept coming closer from the direction of one of the higher walls of the maze. Finally, Jeremi could hear it and he paled. Knees would turn to jelly as he reached out placed a hand on Kemori's shoulder. A light squeeze as his eyes turned to where the sound was coming from. "You know...I really hope I'm wrong. I seriously don't want to face down zombies." Because that was the sound to him. A zombie one.

And lo and behold!

A member of the unintelligent undead was slowly scruffle limping towards them. Drool dripped from its gaping mouth and it actually had no eyes. The hair was limp and the skin had a slight green tone to it. It was...Jeremi could only describe it as awful as he fell back to the ground. He was having a panic attack and was trying to stop it before it became a liability. He needed grounding and pretty fast too.

((You have permission to do whatever you need to do with Jeremi kay in your next post~ ))

Taki and Emyr

Her vocalizing and doing her best was the thing the songs were waiting for. After about three minutes, the boat would start moving to the next room. As the happy love music faded out, the next room would be a bit...Redder. Deeper. Darker. The same instruments seemed to be in this room as well. Floating just as gently. But at the boat slowed to a stop, the music that swelled up in this case was vastly different. Whereas the previous room was all about sweet love, this was all about the obsessive side of love. The kind of love that lead those who feel down a dark path.

Jealousy.

Death.

Possession.

The toxic side of love was what swelled in this room. Louder than what was probably necessary. The boat once again, wouldn't move, but how was Taki going to get out of this one?

Cobalt and Tamren

"What? Wait. Cobalt! What are you tal-" He jumped a foot into the air as that chain seemingly came out of nowhere for him. Okay. That was definitely scary. He wanted to point out it wasn't worth it. That they should both escape together and find help. They didn't know how many there actually was and...He had to stop those thoughts pretty quick though. He had been grabbing a lot of the smaller pieces, hiding them in his pockets so they would be safe. If he was doing this expecting to run away, why shouldn't Cobalt fight to protect them. It amounted to the same thing and who knew what lay beyond this room? Who knew what other artworks would be in the line of fire. Or in this case, line of tearing?

Nodding at Cobalt, he turned on his heel and ran off to the next room. Cobalt was right in her assumption, he was no fighter. So that just left her alone with a quickly filling room of people. People in all black and wearing masks that hid their entire faces. Making it hard to tell if they even had faces to begin with.

Their heads turned at the chain snap and then a natural progression as they followed the chain to star at Cobalt herself. Then the promptly just ignored her, focused on the artwork. Which was easier said than done as somehow the doorway had narrowed a bit and Cobalt wasn't exactly leaving them a lot of room to get around her to the artwork. Once they realized this, they paused for a second to take that into account. The first one stepped forward, hand reaching towards Cobalt. Might as well destroy her too right. She was in their way and they didn't like that. Not one bit.

Though Cobalt would quickly find out that for every one she knocked down, it would seem three more would take their place. This wasn't gonna be an easy fight. That was for sure.

((Obviously, the enemies will be endless so have some fun Kay!!))

Percival

Percival entered the dark, just like everyone else and came out into the light and...An amusement park? If he had wanted to ride the ferris wheel or the coaster, he could probably have just stayed outside! Strangely enough, as he started to explore, this park had no games. Just rides. From spinning ones to rollercoasters to high flying ones. It had it all. There would be metal gates around each ride to help with the lines and to keep the people out from the machinery as it worked. Or would have if there was anyone around. Percy was all alone. Not a soul in sight except for his bubble bod.

Trash blew in the breeze. Popcorn wrappers and cotton candy cones. The rides seemed to be in perfect order and with no lines, did he want to at least attempt the swing ride? Even if it didn't work, he could swing back and forth. Or there was always the lovely spinning tea cups. He could probably spin them around in a circle if he twisted it hard enough. But other than rides, there wasn't much to do and the park stretched as far as could be.

So what would Percy do?

Jeremi and Kemori

As Jeremi stood Kemori pointed both ears towards the approaching sound trying to identify it. He knew between the two of them he was the most combative, and besides his Kitsune instinct was flaring. They'd been interrupted, and if it was just another couple enjoying the game, well, that was one thing.

If it was a threat....

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jeremi suddenly pale and felt the other rest his hand on his shoulder with a squeeze, but not one of reassurance. More like Jeremi... Yes, he recognized the sound, which though Kemori had never heard personally he had something of an understanding of the word 'zombie.'

Finally, their foe – for it was most certainly a foe – made its appearance, and Jeremi stumbled to the ground. Kemori's ire rose even more as he glanced back and saw his lover's fear so plainly displayed.

This zombie had just made a very, very big mistake, as it was going to learn.

"Kyonshī," Kemori murmured to himself with eyes blazing purple, "your time on this world is long over. And I will be only to thrilled to send you away." First however, he would not leave Jeremi in his fear.

Words spoken and hand not holding the fan gesturing, and five sigils made of fire floating around Kemori. They weren't for himself, however, as he extended one tail back to Jeremi, wrapping around him. It was both an offering of comfort as well as practical; the sigils transferred from the Kitsune to the healer. They would be pleasantly warm to Jeremi, though there was clearly a lot of heat on the other side as even Kemori's fur would be rippling from the waves of it.

"A Kyonshī," Kemori said, though he would sound as if reciting it from some lesson he may have had, "can be driven away by mirrors, for they fear seeing what they have become; by the sign of the elements that governs all; by the ringing of a handbell. But to their destruction, bring forth the crackling flames so that blood may rush forth and bones cry." His free hand gestured again as he spoke the proper words and this time tongues of flame danced at the tips of his open warfan. He flicked the fan out towards the undead creature and a fan of flamed rolled out and over it with a growling roar!





Taki and Emyr

At first, as the boat began its flow again, Taki was quite happy, even bouncy in as much as she felt safe being in a boat. Now only had it worked, but it had been a lot of fun!

But just as before with the scenes the next room was the flip of the first. Some small part of her was beginning to think she should've expected something like this, but the majority of the Myrgwae reacted by covering her ears and scrunching her eyes shut against the sound. Reasonably she knew what likely would make things progress, but how could she, a fae dedicated to bright, happy emotions, sing along to something like this? This was the kind of emotion that she typically Pulled -

Abruptly, Taki blinked her eyes open. She'd just gotten an idea. Possibly a bad one, but an idea.

*Love doesn't have to be like this,* she said to Emyr and to the instruments, sitting up straight and summoning all of her courage and control. She'd need it.

Rather than try to block out the emotions the music invoked Taki reached out with her Empathy and Pulled, drawing the negativity to herself as her kind was built to do, while at the same time Pushing positive loving feelings back out. It was a long shot that she could reverse the music, at least not without blacking out herself from the overflow of bad, but she had to try. Reaching out she took hold of Emyr's bubble hand for a source of grounding and support.





Cobalt and Tamren

Cobalt heard some scuffling from Tamren, then his retreat. She was glad for that. She wasn't built to be a defender and she'd not seen anything of a weapon on him, so unless he was a spellcaster for him to retreat was strategically the best. She hoped that there were no further opponents behind, but then the enemy approached and she could think no more on anything but combat.

The first one reached forward and Cobalt didn't let him reach her, chain snapping out to wrap around his arm and with a flick she'd flung him to the side, crashing into a pedestal and sending the piece of her artwork across the room. The next two came in at the same time, perhaps believing they could overwhelm the Warforged. Down came the second chain and her arms started to move almost independently of one another, snapping in a cycle of whirling loops and arcs and drove them back. One of the invaders saw the pattern of her movements and after a couple of false starts managed to get within reach, grabbing her shoulder and trying to pull her backwards. Though Cobalt's footing did move she just let herself step with his pull, turning about and catching him with her elbow. He fell clutching his hands to his face and his broken nose.

She was made of metal, after all!

The one she'd first thrown had gotten to his feet, though he was favoring a leg, and pulled something from a pocket, some kind of long, slender thing Cobalt hadn't seen before. He pointed it at her and a ruby red light shot from it. She tried to swat it with a chain but the light got through and impacted her with a small fireball, igniting some of her leathers and wooden joined. Cobalt growled in her chest and spun around to extinguish the lingering flames, not giving them a chance to fully catch. Her chain snapped out and though he dodged the point the blunt of the chain itself bashed him into the wall. He slumped into a heap on the floor.

From behind Cobalt was suddenly jumped upon by one that had sneaked up on her! He looped his arms around her neck perhaps thinking to choke her but she wasn't a creature that drew breath. It was throwing off her balance however, and for all her spinning Cobalt couldn't shake him as he began kicking at her legs. Wildly lashing out with both chains to keep the others at bay she quickly backed into the nearby wall, really putting her considerable weight behind her. Her opponent grunted, and it actually took a second impact to make him lose his grip. Cobalt kicked him away with perhaps more force that necessary, but as far as her mind was telling her this was a battle for survival. She didn't even see where he ended up as another opponent was making for the door she'd moved away from. Cobalt snapped her right chain towards him, wrapping it around his waist and pulling him back. Simultaneously another chain swatted another combatant away, though it left her open for another three impacts from behind as a couple of them just threw whatever came to hand.

For Cobalt everything was just a rhythm of strike, avoid, and prevent them from leaving the room except the way they'd come. She refused to let her self-given objective fail, that of protecting the doorway. If they got through, the lost the battle. She was a Warforged, trained to fight in a War that few here could wrap their heads around, and what's more she'd survived it.

She didn't often lose. This, she was determined, wouldn't be one of those times.

Percival truly disliked being this alone so he made a point to go and try to find someone else, he was searching for a good while before realizing there was no one else and he was truly alone. So with that resolved he made his way over to a rollercoaster and looked over it, he'd never seen the like of it before. "What is this?" He muttered as he looked at the thing then went to get on the ride when he had a chance, the bubble bod was interesting and stayed close but he stayed quiet. Why did he need to bring a second with him if he was going to be alone anyway?

"What is with being alone here?" He asked as he walked up to the cart and got into it, he then got into ride the Rollercoaster and head on towards figuring out more of this place.

Jeremi and Kemori

The tail around Jeremi flicked against his hands in comfort, the touch no distraction and in fact adding more incentive to Kemori's already considerable amount.

Nothing would hurt Jeremi. Nothing.

As the flames found their target the Kitsune felt a considerable amount of satisfaction in its shriek telling him that his recourse was accurate, though he did flinch a step back closer to his lover as the zombie began its manic running. He'd seen some zombies react in such manners to fire and holy attacks but it wasn't any less alarming, and he was worried that it might in its randomness turn towards them. He prepared a wind spell to repel it in that event, but it proved to not be needed as the undead collapsed and...

Kemori blinked. Pink sparkles. Okay, that was new!

As everything began to shift and fluctuate, Kemori came to Jeremi's side and knelt to take hold of his hand, seven tails flicking and winding around them in a defensive display that gave a bit of a jerk in surprise as the applause came from behind. Kemori twisted around on the balls of his feet to stand as well, two around wrapping around the healer adoringly even as the Kitsune realized that there was no further danger.

Whereas Jeremi saw fluctuating images, Kemori actually saw another of his own Clan, a female Kitsune that faintly reminded him, visually, of several Kitsune he'd temporarily been romantically involved in... in as far as he'd become romantic with them. In all cases they'd parted amicably enough with mutual understanding that neither of them was a true match, but with this woman there was also a sensation of her being both playful and sensual.

Almost as good as Jeremi. Almost.

"I wouldn't leave Jeremi," Kemori replied, putting his arm around his lover to join his tails. "His safety is most important in my mind, even if it meant that it would take longer to deal with the Kyonshī." Kemori smiled sidelong at Jeremi. "And I'm very happy he remained – I would have been very worried about further attacks had we been parted. I would be willing to wager that made my magic even stronger, having my loved one within tail's reach."

Kemori had just mused to himself that he really was going to have to try that sitting on air trick – it certainly would be fun at parties! - when a new voice addressed them or specifically him as a gargoyle came from around their feminine host. His ears twitched at her question, then he smirked.

"Well, I would hope that should I be in need, those who care about me would come to my defense, Mai Yōgo-sha. That's the nature of caring for another, after all. You support one another when need is there." He nuzzled Jeremi briefly, then bowed to the woman before they left.

((Mai, being a variant reading of ma meaning real or genuine and ai meaning love or affection, with Yōgo-sha for protector. In short: True Love's Protector))





Taki and Emyr

Taki's eyes widened in surprise at the energy she felt, so pure and warm and good, then even further at the female voice she heard coming from nowhere. Then she was in a comfy, squishy embrace that made her feel like everything was going to be just fine.

*Emyr?* The Myrgwae blinked at the BubbleBod. She'd held onto his hand, and leaned on his shoulder, and even thought she'd seen and felt him move but a part of her always doubted it. But now there wasn't a doubt, and she gave a happy smiled in the hug as she returned it, tail flickering as everything wavered and faded into a simple room with an EXIT sign.

What a cute picture they made!

Seeing the hippocampus Taki oooh'ed in awe, having never seen a floating bubble of water before and moving up, Emyr at her side, she peered in an the occupant before turning to the voice again.

*I know,* Taki agreed sadly with a nod. *I've seen it before. And I've tried to help where I can, in one way or another." The woman's image would constantly shift to Taki's eyes because to a Myrgwae romantic love wasn't really a consideration, but to the last they all had an agape love for everyone and everything, therefore she would look like every possible combination there could be and Taki found each one to be beautiful and kindly.

Taki happily clapped her hands as the hippocampus announced that every couple had successfully made it through the Tunnel in unity, tail flickering in a merry curl, then took Emyr's hand again.

*I really couldn't have made it through without Emyr,* she admitted. *And not just because it was a rule that I come in with someone, either. He really helped when I was scared and sad by all the dark images in the water.* Emyr squeezed her hand and patted her on the head gently, making her giggle and adjust her hat briefly. *I'll tell you all about it, Quill! So lets head home. And you're welcome too if you want, Emyr." The BubbleBod nodded, Taki waved farewell to the woman, and they left the Tunnel.

{{ALSO! I'm using a Dream Cloud Creature in my Weyr's Far-Go box to claim Emyr the BubbleBod as a Dream Creature for Taki, with Tide's permission.))



Cobalt and Tamren

Cobalt felt frustration start to rear up as a few slipped, albeit cunningly, past her. No! She was failing the mission! The odds were just too overwhelming – she couldn't hold the door alone!

Then came the fog that rolled around from behind her, sending the intruders coughing back through! Cobalt took a couple of cheap shots as they stumbled past then looked over her shoulder to see Tamren through the mist with a device that she couldn't name but was clearly the source. Though she couldn't really express it save for through her eyes, she grinned at him.

"I won't be arguing!" she replied as she snapped her chain out again to ensure one choking hit the ground, then ensnared and threw one he bashed towards her. Though she'd not thought him much of a combatant she was finding she was mistaken; though he lacked formal training his resolve and innovation was potent!

The yelling made Cobalt jump, however, and she was very surprised to see the Caradras thundering onto the battlefield! She'd seen the equine species around in her travels and when she'd been spending time in the Village, but this was honestly the closest she'd been to one. But the Warforged was definitely approving of having another combatant to help out. Together, certainly they could drive these destroyers away.

Then suddenly, everything would go away! Cobalt recoiled, chains snapping into her arms in her surprise, then she joined Tamren in his spin to see the woman moving towards them. At the urging she slowly relaxed, taking the advice to Stand Down especially when their victory was announced.

"What happened?" She couldn't help but ask. After everything was explained she nodded her understanding, then looked at Tamren and the Caradras, clearly real as she hadn't vanished with everything else.

"I suppose we should go then, Tamren, Valanar. And thank you for fighting alongside me. You're both sound allies."

((Squee!!!! I love them all!))