Lily Flushed Light Pink, Offering A Small Shrug. “I’m Not Really Much Of A Photographer, Honestly.

Very doting, for sure! It's sweet of him to be so determined, but if he's not careful then I really will run out of room for his gifts!

Not instead of working, no! Just on breaks and stuff.

...

Okay maybe sometimes instead of working on paperwork. Not my fault paperwork is boring! ;-;

Lillllyyyyy. God, can you please tell Xavier to stop spamming me pics every time he wins you a plushie. I get it.

He's what?

Xavier- ugh. Sweet of him to be so excited, but I'm sorry he's dragging you into this >//~//<

I'll see if I can get him to stop spamming you so bad.

On the bright side... At least he wants to share his successes with you? Maybe? ^-^"

Lily hummed at the suggestion and nodded. "I could make us little scrapbooks." She offered, looking up to him to see what he thought. "There's still plenty of photos on our phones to start with, after all."

The idea starts to snowball in her head, already figuring out what all she'd need to make it happen, and she is looking forward to getting to work on it. Looks like she's figured out how to spend her weekend, if she gets it off!

Though all productive (and self-deprecating) thoughts were derailed by his comment as she outright gawked at him. "You brat!" She laughed, moving to smack his arm before grabbed the food. No risking the food!

"Yes, let's go." She snorted, taking the lead out of the store to hold the door open for him as she thought. "I know there's a kind of small playground just a few minutes away that has some tables we can sit at?"

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

Lily nodded her agreement, crossing her arms again casually as she listened. “Fortunately the only gifts I’ve received that I didn’t... feel terribly partial to, were all little knick knacks I could display and be done with.” She admitted with a small snort. “My clothing style is pretty simple, so that helps a lot.”

Kaia’s excitement earned a small laugh and more enthusiastic nod. “Of course! Honestly it’s kind of hard to get to know everyone, what with us all ending up on different missions and things like that.” She mused “Even worse that I’m not really a drinker, and that’s their go-to bonding activity after work.”

Her commentary about her now-absent companion got a small snort of amusement from Lily, shaking her head. “I suppose so, but still. At least a little warning isn’t too much to ask, right?” She hummed before shrugging dismissively. She sure wouldn’t know.

"Oh, wait! Before you leave, what color do you think the jacket should b—" Not looking away from the clothing rack in front of her, she grabs the sleeve of the person nearest to her without thinking, and realizes a little too late that it felt... Different. She turns, blinking; the person she'd been talking to had left, and beside her instead was...

"Wait, you're—! Lily?! You're Lily, right?! Oh, my god, I am so sorry, I totally thought you were someone else! Gosh, and this is the first time I'm actually talking to you, too..."

—&&. @kaiakaya 🤍

Lily was more than a little startled to suddenly feel her sleeve grabbed while she was looking for a new jacket to replace her favorite one that has... been through it. It's getting a few small holes in it but she's already mended it so many times it's time to retire it.

She blinked in surprise at Kaia for a moment before she started laughing, keeping it relatively quiet for the moment so they don't draw too much attention.

"Yes, I'm Lily. You're Kaia, right?" She asked, hoping she doesn't make a fool of herself.

At Kaia's concerns about how this is the first time they're speaking, she shook her head with a smile and waved a hand dismissively. "It's alright, don't worry!" She reassured easily "Do you need help finding the person you're here with?" She offered, tilting her head slightly.

On anon or not, tell me what YOUR headcanons for my muse are.

Lily helped him keep his balance as he crouched down too, humming happily as she gently scratched under the cat's chin.

She decided to just accept the out, giggling a little as she leaned against him for a moment. "I appreciate the vote of confidence." She half-teased, though she does genuinely appreciate it.

She turned her attention to the cat again, the unexpected excitement of the evening already wearing off.

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

Send me a prompt!

~

Normally, Lily tries to be fully aware of her surroundings. Working as a Hunter means she shouldn't let her guard down, especially when by herself. Who knows what threats are just waiting for a chance to strike, after all?

Though normally, Lily doesn't have to resort to late night walks to try and clear her mind so that she can sleep.

Suddenly hearing a voice nearby startles her out of her own thoughts, immediately setting her on alert. Her head whipped around towards the source, her posture tense and ready for a fight. Once she finally recognized Xavier, she let out a slow breath that ended in a sheepish laugh.

"Xavier!" She half-greeted, half-scolded.

Once she finally processed his warning, she offered what she hoped came across as a reassuring smile. "I know, I know. But I'm a big girl, I can handle going for a little starlit walk before bed." She teased, running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to calm herself down further so her heart wasn't pounding so hard in her chest.

"What about you? You're out rather late too."

Lily wasn't the slightest bit concerned by having his hand by her face still, even shutting her eyes when he reached closer again. She let out a small, appreciative hum when feeling him fixing her hair, opening her eyes again in time to catch his attempt at looking impressed.

Beaming proudly, she couldn't help but snicker a little, more than happy to help make it easier for him. "I know, I know. But it's fun to tease you." She admitted honestly, happily letting herself be even slightly squished by his tightened grip. "You have fun reactions, even if they're subtle."

( from @lily-of-the-linkon )

Lily holds her arms out slightly towards Dawnbreaker, hoping to make it so he won't feel bad if he refuses her invitation.

"Would you like a hug?"

His eyes light up briefly at the prospect of physical comfort.

"...Yes, I would."

He steps towards her, enveloping her in a gentle embrace to avoid causing her any discomfort, despite his wishes. He leans his forehead on her shoulder, closing his eyes.

Once she was done stretching, Lily hummed and leaned against his side. They may be done with the hug, but she still wants to be affectionate!

Letting out a hum to show she heard when he said that the hug would last him a lifetime, she tilted her head back some so she could reach up and very gently boop his nose.

"I just wish that I could do more for you." She answered easily. "I wish that there was some way for me to make sure you get to relax more."

( from @lily-of-the-linkon )

Lily holds her arms out slightly towards Dawnbreaker, hoping to make it so he won't feel bad if he refuses her invitation.

"Would you like a hug?"

His eyes light up briefly at the prospect of physical comfort.

"...Yes, I would."

He steps towards her, enveloping her in a gentle embrace to avoid causing her any discomfort, despite his wishes. He leans his forehead on her shoulder, closing his eyes.

Giggles began to mix into the melody as she hummed with him, spinning with his help and a proper laugh.

This is it. This is the kind of moment she's always silently dreamed for. Getting to just be happy and silly in the safety of home, dancing with someone she loves and baking. What more could she ask for?

When he released her to check on the cookies, she went back to humming. Satisfied with how they looked, she found some oven mitts to pull out the tray and set it aside to cook before putting the next tray in.

"Oh that's right!" She beamed as she closed the oven, setting the mitts aside again. "Hopefully they aren't sold out already, because it would be fun if we got to go." She hummed thoughtfully, resetting the timer on her phone.

[Phone call, Xavier's voice sounds urgent] "I'm in great danger I need you to come downstairs right now. Please! You're the only one that can help. In fact, the entire complex may be in danger if you don't help me stop this right now."

As soon as she registered the urgency and he mentioned 'upstairs', Lily was rushing out of her apartment, only sparing enough time to grab her guns as a precaution.

"I'm on my way!" She reassured as she hurried upthe flight of stairs between them. Her thoughts were already racing a mile a minute, wondering what could possibly be causing Xavier of all people to struggle and call for help, especially without causing much of a ruckus.

By the time she reached his door her heart was pounding and she was braced for a fight.

⋆.˚𖦹⋆✮⋆.˚

🪦 EPIC: The Musical: Act One: The Underworld Saga sentence starters. Going by the exact lyrics for the most part unless I'm making it less lyric and more dialogue. Definitely change things to fit your muse's situation<3

The Underworld

"No matter what we hear: full speed ahead"

"Full speed ahead until we find the prophet."

"This land confuses your mind"

"All I hear are screams every time I dare to close my eyes"

"I no longer dream, only nightmares of those who've died"

"Nothing's what it seems"

"The past seems close behind"

"Five-hundred fifty-eight men who died under your command"

"Why would you let the cyclops live when ruthlessness is mercy?"

"I keep thinking of the infant from that night"

"That voice, it can't be!"

"When you come home I'll be waiting"

"Even if you're the last thing I see, I'll be waiting"

"I'm right here, mom. Can't you see?"

"I took too long, and ventured too far."

"I'll always love you, I'll stay in your heart"

"Your past is always close behind down in the Underworld"

No Longer You

"I am the prophet with the answers you seek"

"I see past and future running free"

"There is a world where I help you get home, but that's not a world I know"

"I see the sacrifice of man"

"I see portrayals of betrayal and a brother's final stand"

"I see you on the brink of death. I see you draw your final breath"

"I see a man who gets to make it home alive, but it's no longer you"

"This can't be!"

"We've suffered and sailed through the toughest of hells, now you tell us our effort's for nothing?"

"I see your palace covered in red."

"I see your wife with a man who is haunting, a man with a trail of bodies..."

Monster

"How has everything been turned against us?"

"How did suffering become so endless?"

"Do I need to change?"

"I'm surrounded by the souls of those I've lost."

"I'm the only one whose line I haven't crossed."

"What if the greatest threat we'll find across the sea... is me?"

"What if I'm the monster?"

"What if I'm in the wrong?"

"What if I'm the problem that's been hiding all along?"

"What if I'm the one who killed you every time I caved to guilt?"

"What if I've been far too kind to foes but a monster to ourselves?"

"If I became the monster and threw that guilt away, would that make us stronger?"

"And now no one dares to piss him off"

"Who would care if we're unjust?"

"Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves, and deep down I know this well."

"I lost my best friend. I lost my mentor, my mom."

"If we must sail through dangerous oceans and beaches, I'll go where Poseidon won't reach us"

"I'll become the monster. I will deal the blow"

"I'll become the monster like none they've ever known"

"So what if I'm the monster lurking deep below?"

"I must become the monster, and then we'll make it home"