[ There's an area off to the north of the Hideaway, a bit larger in size, completely flat, with nothing but grass growing, and it's this place he has in mind when he and Jill arrive at Obolus's boat. The old man doesn't ask questions, just drops them off with the knowledge they will signal him when they're ready to return.
Clive strides out into the middle of the field and takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and concentrating—
And in a tornado of flame, stands Ifrit, large and imposing. He turns towards Jill, regards her with a wary eye. ]
( Every time she sees Clive prime into Ifrit it takes her breath away -- worry and concern first and foremost in her heart for the cost it normally takes on the Dominant -- but even then she can't dismiss the awe that comes with it. A raging, warm inferno of flame, born from his passion to protect others. Jill throws up an arm to cover her eyes from the rush of light, letting it fall once it's faded and it's simply Ifrit there, in front of her.
While she has little care for her health or her wellbeing, the thought to be worried doesn't cross her mind. It's Clive in those blue eyes staring down at her, and Clive would never hurt her. This she knows, this she will always believe.
It's why she reaches out with a hand, fingertips brushing the skin of the Eikon himself -- all cracked rock, black and hard like the shores of Drake's Breath with fire running between the cracks. Warm, nearly hot enough to burn, but either Clive's control or her own magic keeps her fingertips from blistering from the heat. Though that doesn't prevent steam from rising up in the wake of her fingers, and the image is enough to make her smile. )
[ He would never. He would rather die before he hurt Jill, and the part of him that is Ifrit knows this as well. Ifrit also recognizes his fellow Eikon, though she seems to lay dormant. Still, it's enough to know better than to try anything, and there's a low grumble at her touch, lower still at her words.
( Jill does laugh at that, her touch growing less hesitant and more... distinctively like the sort one might use to pet a dog. Sorry, Clive. )
You are a good boy, aren't you.
( For a moment she considers how much luck she should be able to press, that Ifrit and Clive will both let her get away with. Neither of them seem to be particularly bothered, so she decides that she might as well indulge in this one time to see him up close and personal without danger raining down around them. )
Could I have your hand, Ifrit?
( For she wishes to at least be eye level with him. )
[ Well. Ifrit likes it at least, and Clive does too, but perhaps slightly less.
The bit about being a good boy though? They both like that, and Ifrit lets out a low, pleased, growl. At her request, Ifrit hesitates, but then lowers his hand, in a way that suggests how best to do it without hurting her, before finally crouching down and placing the back of his hand on the ground, one of his fingers directly in front of her. ]
( She confirms, before taking a gentle step onto the palm of the hand. Ifrit is large; Jill knows that from personal experience seeing him transform, but it hadn't really hit her in the way that it does now. The flames that lick the air, rolling off of him don't touch her and the heat radiating is simply comfortable rather than deadly. Whether or not that is Shiva's doing or Clive's control she doesn't know -- it doesn't matter all the same.
Jill settles herself, sitting on the palm of his hand in order to steady herself further. )
And now up, if you can. I'd like to see you face to face.
[ Theres a low grumble; Ifrit doesn't like it, but Clive's will is stronger, and he isn't about to tell Jill no. Clive is also why she's not being burned to ash in the palm of their hand; he won't let Ifrit hurt Jill, even accidental.
He'd be beside himself.
The hand raises, slowly, so she doesn't fall, until she's eye level with Ifrit and his snout.
( Ifrit may not like it, but he seemed to enjoy the attention from earlier -- so Jill reaches out once Clive has lifted her up, hands running over his snout in a clear petting motion, one even going under his chin to scratch there. )
Nothing you've done so far has convinced me you're not similar to Torgal.
( She points out, a hint of a laugh in her voice. Their Eikons are dangerous things to be sure, but with Clive they somehow feel less like instruments of murder and destruction and more like the extension of the self they are. )
( She hears it more than she sees it until he says something, and then she can't help but laugh -- rich and bright out of delight. He might be mortified but she is, unfortunately for him, thrilled to find out that yes -- he is quite dog-like when not battling whatever other Eikons might be threatening them. )
You're such a good boy, aren't you.
( Leaning forward, Jill allows herself to rest against the side of his snout, facing the bright burning blue eye and letting herself stroke the lava-like skin. )
( Too easy, but she takes it easy on him now that she’s proven her point, and instead is just content to rest against him — warm and solid beneath her. It’s fitting that, of all the men in the Twins, the sturdiest of the fire Eikons, the one gifted not with plumes of fire but of a river of it, it chose Clive. A shield indeed, of Roseria and of flame. )
Then I shall have mercy on you both for the moment.
[ A shield for the world, if he had his druthers, but there are too many people in his life who insist otherwise, now Ultima is gone.
The tail stops wagging when she stops petting, and Ifrit, at least, might feel a little sad about it. But Clive is just glad it's over, his own metaphorical tail between his legs. He's never going to live this one down. ]
( Jill smiles, pressing a cheek against the side of his snout and then, just as sudden as the desire to see if he can wag his tail, she turns her head fully to kiss the warm, unyielding rock. Nothing of this, of any part of him, is not worth loving.
No matter what he's done, no matter the burdens he carries. )
I should be the one thanking you for indulging me.
[ Ifrit's eyes rarely belie much. They are glowing embers of bright blue flame, the hottest fire can burn, and looking into them is a mystery. But when she presses her lips to the rock that makes up a portion of his skin, there's surprise there, from both Ifrit and Clive, and he blinks, a soft huff coming out of his nose. ]
So this is an indulgence then?
[ Said with both surprise and humor to it. She rarely allows herself these things, and a little bit of pride swells in his chest that he was able to allow her to do it. ]
( She can still see Clive in them, as much as they are a mystery. For all the Eikons are separate, are manifestations of magic coalesced in one body after generations, they are still part of them. They are still reflections of them. And the blue flame is as much Clive's eyes as it is Ifrit's. )
Of the highest order. ( She confirms, her hand still running over the skin -- less petting, and more a gentle stroke akin to the times she runs her hands over his bare skin and scars. ) Though this has all proven me quite correct.
[ Defeated. He IS like Torgal, and he doesn't know how to feel about it, because it's a little mortifying to be compared to your dog but also, it feels really nice to be pet.
( No, the Eikons aren't really considered anything but weapons of war. Jill sees as much when she considers Shiva; but the Phoenix and Ifrit are different, born from passion and the desire to heal and protect. )
It is a reflection of you. Whom I find very charming indeed.
( She can't help but blush all the same, useless at pretending she is unaffected by the title. He always seems to have a talent for using it when she least expects it. One day she'll get used to it, she's certain, but after thirteen years without hearing it from him, it won't be any time soon. )
( Says the woman who brought this upon herself. But she laughs in return, reaching for his snout to wrap her arms up against it in a clear hug, though she presses her lips against his nose in a return kiss. )
And I do love you. No matter what form you take, whatever you’ve become. I will always love you.
( Perhaps she shouldn't feel this calm, this safe, pressed up against Clive and Ifrit -- he has leveled buildings like this, she knows. But there is no safer place for her to be. This she knows intimately. )
Do you promise?
( A tease, because she knows he always stays true to his word. )
[ He huffs one more time, just to breathe in the scent of her, and then begins the slow descent with his hand to the ground, gently twisting just enough to give her a little more help disembarking. When he's satisfied she's on the ground, he takes a few steps backward, a column of flame engulfing him for a few brief seconds before Clive is standing there in front of her, a few wisps of flame clinging to his clothes before winking out entirely. ]
( But it isn't, really. Nothing is a competition when it comes to them, or a lecture. Not even her being correct about how similar he and Torgal might be. )
And, for what it's worth. I don't consider it a bad thing. Not when it means you and he are loyal, protective, and far stronger than you think.
[ He walks up to her, reaching for her arms to pull her a little closer. He knows she means it, and in his heart he can't deny her what she feels, even if he isn't sure he agrees. So he nods, cheeks just a little pink from the praise. ]
( There is nothing, no place on the Twins or anywhere that she'd rather be than in his arms. Wrapping her own around him, she hums -- as if it's a difficult decision to make. )
I suppose I do like you best, yes. Though we can't tell Torgal, he might take it the wrong way.
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for diamonddusts:
[ There's an area off to the north of the Hideaway, a bit larger in size, completely flat, with nothing but grass growing, and it's this place he has in mind when he and Jill arrive at Obolus's boat. The old man doesn't ask questions, just drops them off with the knowledge they will signal him when they're ready to return.
Clive strides out into the middle of the field and takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and concentrating—
And in a tornado of flame, stands Ifrit, large and imposing. He turns towards Jill, regards her with a wary eye. ]
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While she has little care for her health or her wellbeing, the thought to be worried doesn't cross her mind. It's Clive in those blue eyes staring down at her, and Clive would never hurt her. This she knows, this she will always believe.
It's why she reaches out with a hand, fingertips brushing the skin of the Eikon himself -- all cracked rock, black and hard like the shores of Drake's Breath with fire running between the cracks. Warm, nearly hot enough to burn, but either Clive's control or her own magic keeps her fingertips from blistering from the heat. Though that doesn't prevent steam from rising up in the wake of her fingers, and the image is enough to make her smile. )
I suppose we could count this as a 'stay'.
note to self: make ifrit icons
See? He's a good boy. ]
yessssss big puppy
You are a good boy, aren't you.
( For a moment she considers how much luck she should be able to press, that Ifrit and Clive will both let her get away with. Neither of them seem to be particularly bothered, so she decides that she might as well indulge in this one time to see him up close and personal without danger raining down around them. )
Could I have your hand, Ifrit?
( For she wishes to at least be eye level with him. )
:3 :3 :3
The bit about being a good boy though? They both like that, and Ifrit lets out a low, pleased, growl. At her request, Ifrit hesitates, but then lowers his hand, in a way that suggests how best to do it without hurting her, before finally crouching down and placing the back of his hand on the ground, one of his fingers directly in front of her. ]
Like that?
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( She confirms, before taking a gentle step onto the palm of the hand. Ifrit is large; Jill knows that from personal experience seeing him transform, but it hadn't really hit her in the way that it does now. The flames that lick the air, rolling off of him don't touch her and the heat radiating is simply comfortable rather than deadly. Whether or not that is Shiva's doing or Clive's control she doesn't know -- it doesn't matter all the same.
Jill settles herself, sitting on the palm of his hand in order to steady herself further. )
And now up, if you can. I'd like to see you face to face.
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He'd be beside himself.
The hand raises, slowly, so she doesn't fall, until she's eye level with Ifrit and his snout.
He huffs out his nose, much like a dog. ]
Alright.
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Nothing you've done so far has convinced me you're not similar to Torgal.
( She points out, a hint of a laugh in her voice. Their Eikons are dangerous things to be sure, but with Clive they somehow feel less like instruments of murder and destruction and more like the extension of the self they are. )
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Just a little, not quite a wag, just a little swish over the grassy field.
Both Clive and Ifrit are mortified and it's clear in those big blue eyes of theirs. ]
Jill...
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You're such a good boy, aren't you.
( Leaning forward, Jill allows herself to rest against the side of his snout, facing the bright burning blue eye and letting herself stroke the lava-like skin. )
Yes, Clive?
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This isn't fair.
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Then I shall have mercy on you both for the moment.
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The tail stops wagging when she stops petting, and Ifrit, at least, might feel a little sad about it. But Clive is just glad it's over, his own metaphorical tail between his legs. He's never going to live this one down. ]
...Thank you.
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No matter what he's done, no matter the burdens he carries. )
I should be the one thanking you for indulging me.
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So this is an indulgence then?
[ Said with both surprise and humor to it. She rarely allows herself these things, and a little bit of pride swells in his chest that he was able to allow her to do it. ]
You're welcome.
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Of the highest order. ( She confirms, her hand still running over the skin -- less petting, and more a gentle stroke akin to the times she runs her hands over his bare skin and scars. ) Though this has all proven me quite correct.
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[ Defeated. He IS like Torgal, and he doesn't know how to feel about it, because it's a little mortifying to be compared to your dog but also, it feels really nice to be pet.
And Ifrit agrees. ]
I didn't think the tail would wag.
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I found it charming. All of it.
( She likes the fact that he's unflinchingly loyal, with a good heart and a nose for trouble. )
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[ If he could blush, he would be. Ifrit isn't something Clive would consider charming.
But if Jill thinks so, then... ]
If you say so.
[ He doesn't quite believe it. ]
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It is a reflection of you. Whom I find very charming indeed.
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Well, not Ifrit, but all the same. ]
Why thank you, my lady.
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( She can't help but blush all the same, useless at pretending she is unaffected by the title. He always seems to have a talent for using it when she least expects it. One day she'll get used to it, she's certain, but after thirteen years without hearing it from him, it won't be any time soon. )
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Kissing her back. ]
Yes?
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( Says the woman who brought this upon herself. But she laughs in return, reaching for his snout to wrap her arms up against it in a clear hug, though she presses her lips against his nose in a return kiss. )
And I do love you. No matter what form you take, whatever you’ve become. I will always love you.
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[ And he won't ever stop. No matter what form he takes.
He presses their nose against her again, breathing in her scent, closing their eyes. ]
Forevermore.
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Do you promise?
( A tease, because she knows he always stays true to his word. )
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[ She's teasing, but he's sincere anyway. ]
Are you satisfied with my performance then?
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( For saving her. For always coming back. )
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[ He snuffles at her hair again. ]
I made you a promise that I intend to keep.
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And I know you will always keep it. Always.
( Another smile, and she rests her head against him as well. )
You can set me down now, if you'd like.
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I concede.
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( But it isn't, really. Nothing is a competition when it comes to them, or a lecture. Not even her being correct about how similar he and Torgal might be. )
And, for what it's worth. I don't consider it a bad thing. Not when it means you and he are loyal, protective, and far stronger than you think.
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I hope I'm at least not prone to shedding.
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No, on that front you come out ahead.
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[ Finally! He pulls her in all the way, wrapping his arms around her and placing his chin on the top of her head. ]
And that means you still like me best?
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I suppose I do like you best, yes. Though we can't tell Torgal, he might take it the wrong way.
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You're right. It'll be our little secret.