Uranus: Lillies and Pauses. (Haruka thread)

[Anastasia]

Life goes on.

It really is summed up right there, in three words. You'd think that before this, that Viluy or your unnamed desire of Michiru would bring some great change to your life? A vast, emcompassing switch to a happy tomorrow and the day after, right? The fairy tail has a joyous ending with the Prince(ess) and Princess?

Bzzt.

It merely takes reflection onto the fact of that paper due next week isn't even started yet, or that it's a nasty, chilly, snowy day in late November, or even it's not weather you can ride your motorcycle in to shatter that illusion. Or if the regular grindings of reality weren't enough, a simple pause from Viluy is worth tenfold that to drive that fact home.

It's one such case, interestingly enough. Mugen's pool is warmly heated in the winter time, so it makes a wonderful getaway after school. Viluy suggested it yesterday, and it sure seemed like a good idea with a cold front coming in. With a pleasant, toasty feeling as you enter the pool room, you have to agree it's a good idea. Viluy is sitting on the edge of the pool. Hair down and longer now, as she's been letting it grow out, and almost completely sea green, she wears a navy blue one piece bathing suit. Her feet kick in the water as she braces herself back with her hands on the tiled floor surface, staring upward at the ceiling absently. She's rather pretty this way, when she's not really aware of what's going on.

She's just herself at the moment, not Viluy or Michiru or a slave of Germatou. A slight smile plays across her face as bits of water are splashed about by her agile legs. Almost like she's feeling rested and peaceful.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka luxuriates in the warmth of the water, allowing it to sap away some tension, though the unsaid wish was that the issues bouncing around in her mind could be washed away just as easily.  Rolling her neck slightly to work out a kink in her neck, Haruka uses the motion to mask her open study of Viluy.

A smile touches Haruka's lips as she catches sight of Viluy engaged in idle play, though that smile remains a ghost when her eyes trail along her sea green locks.  What started as a simple splash of color amid a sea of silver has spread in tandem with their burgeoning relationship.

Or so I think....

Whether all this - their realtionship - was really what Viluy wanted or what Michiru wanted was hard, bordering on impossible, to sort out.

Just how the heck are you supposed to tell anyway?!

Introspection and the like was just SO not up her alley she decided.  With that, she gives her head a dunk in the water to douse the flames of doubt for the time being and with a kick, she pushes herself through the water to glide then stop by Viluy's side.

"You look like you're having a pleasant thought," Haruka comments, though a second later the thought that keeping the peace might have been better does flitter by.

[Anastasia]

"Hey," Viluy smiles down at you, a lingering, light expression that brightens her face. Wispy in it's way, it reminds you more of the former Senshi than the new one, like a piece of delicate glass artwork.

"Just staring off into space," she admits freely, crooking her neck to look square down at you. "Had plenty of time to do that today; most of my teachers cancelled. I don't know why I bothered to come with that blizzard coming." At that, she smiles and kicks a bit of water at you with her feet. "Or maybe my reason is obvious?"

So pretty...I should....

Launching herself slightly, Viluy slips into the water. Turning so that she faces her girlfriend, "Say," she taps her chin, "Race you to the other side of the pool?"

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka turns her head away with an exagerrated huff.  "The only racing I do is on solid ground," she begins, then looks at Viluy askance with mirth in her eyes.  "But, I'll make an exception since the opponent seems so fetching."

Preparing herself, she takes a position to the left of Viluy.

"No cheating now," Haruka warns with a waggle of her finger.

I am so going to lose....

[Anastasia]

"Good," Viluy smiles back, going to the pool wall with a single push of her legs. Droplets of water splashing around her and finding their way to you without dampening the green haired girl, "I won't cheat...I am talented at this, though. Fair warning." Matching your playful tone, she focuses straight ahead.

I wonder if Haruka can keep up with me here? She's like the wind, but...I'm at home.

"Ready...set...GO!" With that, Viluy takes of, snaking through the water like a five foot and change fish. Barely even bothering with taking gulps of air, she zooms on with only a faint smile as she indulges in her element.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka catches the way the droplets splash AROUND Viluy with a slight frown, but preps herself for the short race by pushing it out of her mind for now.

"Warning noted, oh talented one," Haruka replies back cattily with a chuckle for good measure.

This might be a bit more than I can handle...

Haruka gives a sidelong glance at her opponent as they both set themselves for the start.

...but I'm not one to ever back down from a challenge.

Her resolve strengthened she tenses, waiting for Viluy to call the start of the race, as her heart beats a little faster in excitement - as it always does in the heat of competition.

'Go', Haruka hears Viluy call out clearly before being forced to bite back a curse at the uncanny grace and speed Viluy exhibits while cutting through the water.  Proving that she's no slouch herself, she stubbornly pushes herself forward as well!

[Anastasia]

The two women race through the water! Haruka gives it her all, cutting through the pool with pure vigor and spirit. With that and her finely tuned body, that would be enough to surpass most opponents. But, Viluy of Neptune is no normal foe.

With graceful skill and speed borne from her elemental affintiny, she takes a strong lead and indeed beats Haruka despite her best efforts. On touching the far side of the pool wall, she stops and smiles implishly, quickly scooting across the wall to line up with the approaching Haruka.

Come on, Haruka...right into my arms for once...

[Liddo-kun]

A quick glance reveals to her a water obscured view of Viluy taking the victory.  Haruka bubbles out a sigh of dissapointment, but grins widely nevertheless.

It was a good race even if I didn't win.

She stops her strokes and kicks, choosing to glide the small distance to the finish line.  Haruka keeps her head submerged, staring fixedly towards the pool bottom as she lazily coasts along - so there comes some startlement when she makes bumps headlong into Viluy's arms.

Haruka breaks to the surface with a questioning (but not unhappy) look as rivulets and droplet of water run down her feature and back into the pool.  "Viluy?" she prompts curiously.

[Anastasia]

A bit surprised, Viluy is bumped slightly by the incoming Haruka. "Hey...doesn't the winner deserve a prize?" she asks winsomely, a tiny smile playing across her wet face.  After a moment, arms gently go around your back, like warm water jets soothing away your day.

Don't panic...you love her, Viluy...

Leaning in slowly, "And since I don't see a trophy around..."

[Liddo-kun]

The gentle touch and following embrace are soothing, yet surprising - coaxing a startled gasp to escape Haruka's lips.

Soft and warm....

She leans ever so slightly against Viluy and rests one hand on the edge of the pool for purchase, while the other wraps itself around the small of the girl's back to draw each other closer.

This is what I want, isn't it?

Haruka is slightly taken aback by Viluy's unusual... forwardness, but she makes no move to reject her overture.  She smiles softly, while within the smaller girl's grasp and amusedly asks, "And what, pray tell, would the victor be claiming?"

[Anastasia]

"What I want is..." Viluy begins, a creeping smile working on her face.

This is what I want...I love Haruka dearly...right...?

"...A little reward from you." Staring at you with sultry, burning eyes and her cheer turning to something more...interesting, Viluy slowly leans forward.

I want this...I know I want this...

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka smiles, then closes her eyes, allowing Viluy to take her reward.

If she does follow through, I wonder what it'll mean...

...but if she doesn't follow through, what will that mean as well?

Nervous anticipation bubbles in the pit of her stomach as she can feel Viluy come closer.

Treacherous thoughts!  It shouldn't be this difficult!

[Anastasia]

To the darkness of your closed eyes, the proceeding second stretches far beyond it's given time. Like a teasing, harsh mistress it goes, until...

The soft feeling of lips on lips is felt, yet with a hesitation as your lips rest on each other's....until Viluy slowly pulls you in closer and closer, a hug to go with a now probing kiss...

[Liddo-kun]

The kiss sent a jolt through her body, which was followed by a warmth that centered on her heart and spread with every beat and pulse.  Sure they had kissed before, but this... this seemed to have a bit more... meaning to it.

Haruka reciprocates, wrapping her arms gently around Viluy - almost fearful that this delicate moment could be shattered by even this simple action.

Breathless, she eventually breaks contact, but keeps her hands rested atop her partner's shoulders.  Haruka opens her eyes in a dazed - almost sleepy manner, as she looks across at Viluy.

That was...

...wow....

[Anastasia]

Viluy's half lidded eyes meet yours, only a bit of her sea green orbs visible, as if she was just waking up next to you.

Oh...Haruka...

Slowly smiling a slightly dazed smile and breathing quickly, "Isn't that better than a trophy," Viluy asks, mantaining the last husky embers in her voice. "

Isn't it?

"We should race more often..." Trailing off and still catching her breath, she gently lays her head on your shoulder, wiggling into your embrace.