insurmountable | i wish that i could run // back into your arms

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i wish that i could run // back into your arms

[Ajax shoots a balled up, crumpled piece of paper into the basket next to him as he waits for the appointed time.

It's a bit below his station to do so, but on occasion, the CEO of Nizhnii Corp likes to surprise people and pop into interviews or other people's offices. He gets restless in his own office, not always enjoying having to deal with the board of directors or investors. There were many that say he doesn't really fit his position, that his demeanor wasn't good for being the CEO of a company. Diplomacy was never his strong suit, but despite that the company still managed to flourish. Happy employees always made for better work- and though Ajax himself was a ruthless businessman, he still treated all his subordinates like they were family.

And that's how Nizhnii ended up with such a good reputation, and how he finds it so easy to find good applicants.

Today was no exception, and Ajax plans on making a surprise appearance for this part-timer who's hoping to land a job here. Adjusting his cufflinks on his suit as he walks down the hallway, he makes his way towards the conference room where they generally conduct interviews- and he tells HR that he'd like a little time with the potential hire first. She's already gone through their first interview, and passed it with flying colors, so now he's interested to see who exactly it is who's gotten the interest of their hiring managers. He's timed it so she should be waiting in the conference room already, provided she wasn't late- but he's sure that he wouldn't have to worry about that.

The first thing he does is pop his head in, smiling warmly at the girl waiting patiently for someone to come in to start the interview, before coming in and walking up to her.]

Good morning! Sorry to keep you waiting. I had a small matter to attend to before I was able to come down. I'm Ajax Volkov, it's a pleasure.

[He offers a hand for her to shake, before he'll politely take a seat across from her at the table.]

HR will be with us shortly, but I thought I'd take some time to get to know you a little better before we start asking the stuffy, boring questions of the interview. I hope that's alright.

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[Ajax doesn't understand what's happening to them right now. His body is so relaxed, so familiar with this closeness, feeling like this is exactly where the both of them should be- in each other's arms. He can feel his own cheeks begin to flush now, and it's not from the alcohol. He wonders if she's feeling the same, and though he tries to dismiss it not to make it awkward between them, there's something he just can't shake here.]

No, hold on a second. Lumine, I feel as if we've done this together before. But...we've never met before your interview at my company. And yet...

[He stares down at her, studying her eyes, as if he might find the answer there in them. Instead, he's met with a reflection of himself in them, with no answers but plenty of feelings swirling around in his chest.]

...I don't know. There's just something familiar about you, and about us.

( Lumine blinks up at him, she can't even tell if they were still dancing or stood still. Completely focused on Ajax and trying to figure out what is going on between them. Her breathing slowing to match the rise of his own chest, her heart pounding so loud and fast in her chest. Surprised to know he was feeling the same level of deja vu as she was having. )

I'd be labeled a liar if I said I didn't feel the same way... I just thought it was the alcohol making me think like this... That this was one of those moments of deja-vu...

( The intensity in his eye contact, as though searching for some answer that she doesn't have. This was getting dangerous, the romantic atmosphere of the wedding, the alcohol, the closeness of being chest to chest, the eye contact, and talk. )

...Perhaps we could just be falling victims to the atmosphere...

( Squeezing his hand, she just could not look away from him. Even if her words indicated they shouldn't think too much on it, she was feeling the atmosphere change. Feeling like right here in his arms is where she should be. )

Even if that's true, would that really be so bad?

[Even if he doesn't fully believe this is just coincidence and a result of drinking along with the romantic connotations of a wedding. He's been to plenty of weddings and drank at them without having this sort of interaction with any girl. But Lumine, she's different. Special.

Someone, without barely knowing them, had already somehow settled in his heart. It's not love at first sight either, it goes deeper than that...he just wished he understood why. That's when he gets an idea, one that's either going to make this better or worse. If just dancing was making them feel like this, then...]

Will you kiss me?

[It's a question asked earnestly, and almost seemingly out of the blue. He has his reasons, even if he realizes it's a bit unexpected...]

Mm, I suppose not...

( Lumine was not expecting his next question at all, her heart pounding loud in her chest. She doesn't know why her heart felt like it was going to burst in joy. She should say no, they barely know each other, but for some reason it's almost like it was something she's wanted to do for so long.

Ajax was handsome, considerate, family-oriented... She could see that. She can see why anyone would fall for someone like him. Despite him getting on her nerves the first time they met. Ears burning bright red, unbeknownst to her, her body subconsciously leaning against his comfortably. )

I... Would I...? ( She looks to his lips and it did feel right, like it isn't the first time they've ever kissed. So, she'd lean up to press just a small, quick kiss. Perhaps out of nerves or she stopped out of surprise at herself. )

[Ajax only stays silent as she leans against him and contemplates whether or not if she would kiss him. He can see in her eyes the conflict and confusion, and yet he also sees her comfortableness with him and a small bit of affection in those eyes. He feels the same way- though they definitely seem to have different ways of dealing with it. But maybe he should be thankful they'd had something to drink before they stepped out to dance with one another, because whatever inhibitions that might of stopped them from having this moment are gone.

And because of it, he's met with a small kiss that's pressed to his lips, closing his eyes to savor it as much as he can as he kisses her back. The kiss itself wasn't anything that special, but he can feel his head get a little light and his chest buzz from the gesture alone. An experiment to see what might happen between them if they were to kiss, one that he'd hoped would tell him if this strange deja vu they were both experiencing went farther than just dancing.]

Mmmmmm. That felt pretty good to you too, right?

[There might not of been fireworks exploding in the sky as they kissed, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel something warm and familiar with this, too. It felt like there shouldn't of been this romantic, fireworks-like moment between them...because it felt like this closeness was normal. Right. Exactly the way things should be.]

Like you've done it a thousand times with me?

( Lumine's heart soared feeling his reciprocation of the small kiss. It's a good thing she stopped it at a short kiss, because that familiarity and warmth would have made it longer. It's crazy how just one kiss made her want to just keep kissing him, like in those romantic movies. Two people in love meeting again after so long. But they weren't that right? His questions afterwards making the blush brighten in intensity of dormant feelings that seem like their coming back up. )

Mmm, it really did. Though, maybe one more time would help.

( With that said, and confirmation he was okay with it, she leans up again to press a kiss to his lips. This time longer and slower, just taking in the feel of his lips against hers, the hammering in her chest... Just soaking up his presence as she almost forgets about the setting their in.

Her hand that's rested on his shoulder reaching up to rest against his neck, thumb running over his jaw. Pulling away slowly, it did feel like she's kissed him like this so many times. Pupils dilated and a familiar fondness appearing in her eyes for him. )

[One more time...?

He barely gets that thought through his head before she leans upwards again to take him fully in, capturing him in a loving kiss that he could of only dreamed of having with her. The soft, sweet waves of love roll through him and lap up on the beach within his mind, and his body responds on what feels like muscle memory alone as his mind blanks and all he can think or see now is Lumine.

His hands instinctively move to hold her closer to him, one staying on the small of her back while the other reaches upward to tangle into her hair as his head tilts to the side to deepen their kiss. Ajax delivers long, languid strokes to her lips, coaxing her to open her mouth so his tongue can delicately dance with her own. Whether this is a result of the alcohol mixed with the atmosphere or something else, he cares little for the reason why. All he knows to do is kiss her like he knows she likes, something that awakens within him and tells him that Lumine has always like it when he touches her this way, kisses her that way, makes her feel like the most special woman in the whole world when he makes her the center of his world.

And when they finally pull away, with her thumb brushing over his skin, he feels like he's on top of the world. There's no doubt in his mind that he's kissed her like this many times in the past, yet he knows that can't possibly be true, and yet he's met with a fondness in her eyes that he swears he's seen her give him time after time immemorial. And in turn, his own eyes reflect a confident, stalwart admiration for her, one of total devotion and ardor for this woman in his arms.]

And help it did. Lumine, I feel like I've been in love with you my entire life, and never knew until now.

[It's a bold statement, but Ajax has never shied away from such things. He won't stop now- he wants Lumine to know how he feels, because he can see his own feelings reflected in her eyes. She felt the same, he's sure of it.]

( Bodies now flush together, the closeness brings both hands to the sides of his neck. The way he was deepening the kiss brought her heart to pound even faster, her jaw slacking to let his tongue mingle with hers, a dance of their own. Her face combusts, cheeks and ears red, her foot popping in the air returning the kiss with just as much emotion. The kiss coaxing a faint noise from her throat, the unexpectedness of it makes her heart stutter.

Glad they pulled away to recoup and relax, but she couldn't when he was looking at her like she was his whole world. Just like he was hers, like those romcom movies she likes to watch. The feeling of reuniting with a long, lost lover after believing she'd never see him again. But they've never met before this moment. His words confirming that he also felt the same way, like two lost lovers. Golden eyes sparkling with surprise, affection, and some hidden longing. She should speak too, not leave him in suspense.

Small hands reach up to his cheeks, one thumb rubbing his cheekbone, the other over his bottom lip. Slowly nodding her head along with his reveal, her heart soaring at the declaration of love. )

I... I feel the same way. No matter how many dates I've been on, they all didn't feel right... And I never knew why... But, it's because my heart belonged to someone already.

( Since he was not shy in his feelings and they were reciprocated, she felt the courage to explain her own feelings too. Smiling at him with the gentlest of affections, she moves her arms down to wrap around his middle and just hug him. The comfort and security his presence made her feel was real. )

[Ajax feels like he could die happy.

To think that all he'd ever want for was standing right here in front of him, in his arms, kissing like they both needed each other just to breathe. Lumine could do whatever she wanted to him, he wouldn't care, as long as her eyes looked at him with that longing, that absolute love that they shine with now. He holds her in a tight embrace when she moves to hug him, like if he let go, he'd lose her forever. Like all he wanted was one thing...for her to stay.

Ajax's head drapes downward to press against the side of her own, breathing in long, labored breaths, doing his best to control his emotions. His heart feels like it's going to beat right out of his chest, pounding against his ribcage like a piston in overdrive. Relief floods his system at the same time to know that she really did feel the same way about him, even if the manner of how they came to reach this point is still completely inexplicable.]

Lumine, [he mutters as they hold each other in a loving embrace,] I need you to stay with me for a while, tonight. This is so sudden...and honestly, I don't know what to do with myself.

[He lifts his head, looking downwards at her, expression tender, yet confused. This all came on so fast, and his head is spinning with emotions that he can't sort out, and definitely won't be able to deal with alone.]

Can we...go somewhere? I know it might be a bit rude to leave early, but my head's a mess.

( Wow, how was she going to explain this to her brother if he ever asked. She really didn't know how to explain it still, doesn't make it any less real. Perhaps she hugged him to clear her own thoughts, because staring into his eyes and kissing like that, was not making the confusion any less important. She's just breathing in and trying to get her heart under control.

Hearing him call her name, she pulls away just to be able to look up at him comfortably. She knows Aether wants her to call him when she's ready to leave, but she's sure Ajax wouldn't mind getting her home. So to be able to hear him over the music, she focuses on his words.

So, when he asks to go somewhere else, she looks over to the newly-wed and the rest of the banquet. Before turning back to face him and feeling in her heart like she had no worries with him around, she gives him a nod. )

Yeah, I'm sure they'll understand... ( She looks back to her chair and sees her purse still there, she lets go of him in order to walk to their table. Grabbing her purse, she should've gave it to Aether to take home. Turning back to walk over to Ajax. )

I agree, my own is quite a mess as well. Somewhere quiet would probably do us some good.

Okay. Let's go say goodbye and apologize for having to leave. We'll just say something came up and we have to go.

[Ajax reaches for Lumine's hand, threading his fingers with his as he leads her over to the newlywed couple to say goodbye. The two notice how they both seem to be with each other, not knowing that Ajax or Lumine even knew each other...but they don't ask questions. With a smile, they thank them for coming and for the gifts, and with that done Ajax leads Lumine out of the reception hall.

Outside, the air is brisk and cool on their skin, the moon beginning to rise as night falls on the city. The wedding had been held on the outskirts of town, away from the bustling and busy grid of noise and people, and the quiet was nice. He was used to the noise, but he'll always love the peace and quiet of the countryside, much like where he was raised. Still hand in hand, Ajax elects to just take a walk to clear their heads a little, happy now to have her alone with her at his side.]

There, much better. I feel like I can think now that we're away from all the noise. I think there's a small park nearby, so let's go sit there. No one should bother us.

[He can already see the entrance to the park the minute he says it, not realizing they were so close.]

( She bashfully smiles at how easily he wrapped her hand in his, fingers threaded as they go to say goodbye to the newly wedded couple. Lumine feels like she can breathe, taking a big breath of fresh air. The brisk night air sending goosebumps up her bare arms and legs, but it was refreshing. So many bodies in one reception hall, despite being quite big, was getting too warm. )

That sounds like a great idea. Seems like you know your way around here.

( Spotting the park and entering it, she hurries over to a small swing set and takes a seat, tucking her short dress under her. Smiling as she just gently rocks herself back and forth on the heel of her heels. Patting the only other swing on the set, for him to take a seat as well.

Looking up at the moon and stars in the sky, she began to think about everything. The fuzziness she feels in her heart that's pounding out of her ribcage, the feelings of deja vu still stumbles her. Feeling a slight chill run up her spine, she let a sigh of relief escape. )

This is a cute park, I never noticed it on the way to the wedding.

[Ajax takes a seat next to her, sitting down in the small swing, his knees practically coming up to his chest as a consequence of his height. He looks a little silly sitting on a kid's swing, but he doesn't seem to mind it at all...if anything, he looks right at home.

He can tell Lumine, like him, has a lot on her mind. He's also dealing with the rush of excitement that came with their passionate kiss, their confession to each other, and the sense of familiarity and comfort Lumine gave him. Ajax has never been one to think too hard on matters like these if it wasn't necessary- not that he won't notice- but if it gives him what he wants in the end, then why think about the means? But there's still things here that don't line up, and he's not entirely sure how to address them while also processing his emotions.

So he's grateful to start this with small talk.]

It is. I did a little scouting out here for the couple ahead of time, so that's the only reason I knew it was here. Otherwise, I would have been completely lost.

[He shoots her a smile, pushing himself back and forth on the swing a little, hands gripping onto the chains.]

I didn't think I'd be using it for a respite from the party itself.

( She just watches him take a seat with her and it brought out a genuine laugh to escape from her lips. To see him sitting on a swing meant for kids was a sight to see, never imagining to see a respected CEO sat like that. It definitely helped her relax even more. She had a lot easier time sitting comfortably than he is thanks to her smaller stature.

They had some serious talking to do in terms of what was going on and how they had a sense of familiarity that neither of them can understand. Most she's ever heard was in her fantasy, romance novels, but that was pure fiction. She hums in understanding to how he knew this park was here, that was nice of him to have helped the couple. )

Luckily, we'd just have to follow the loud music escaping the venue. But it really was getting pretty stuffy in there.

( She'll just return the smile, turning back to the open, night sky. She was beginning to feel a bit bashful, to talk about what happened between the two at the party. It wasn't the alcohol talking, despite how she wants to blame it, as she never did anything like that while drinking. )

...How are you feeling?

[Ajax's eyes follow hers as she turns her gaze towards the starry night sky, letting the quiet settle between them now that they were away from said loud music in the venue. He's glad there was a place like this in the neighborhood now, breathing out a sigh through his nose, as she asks him a simple question.

How is he feeling?]

If only the answer to that was so simple. I feel...happy, and at home. Like I've been reunited with someone long lost that's near and dear to my heart. And I feel confused, lost, and asking how and why this has come to be this way. I feel like there's something missing that we're not seeing here. And I feel frustrated that the answer feels just out of reach.

[He falls silent again for a moment, before looking back to her.]

I imagine you probably feel the same way, right?

( It's funny to think he said everything she felt as well, not just the happiness that comes from a destined reunion. But the frustration at the lack of answers and reasons, why they felt like this with each other and she'd say she felt it back during their first meeting at his office. Though, that initial attraction had plummeted before they made amends. She can hold a grudge for as long as she wants, but for some reason she can't with him.

Nodding along with his reveal, she wished she had the answers they both were looking for. There was no such thing as soulmates, she's seen many friends go from one 'soulmate' to another. Feeling his eyes, she turned to look at him before golden irises look down to the soft pellets that filled the park. )

Yeah, pretty much the same thing. I think you worded it quite amazingly... ( She looks up at him. ) I don't know, I wish I had the answers to this confusion.

( She gives a small smile though. ) I have to say, I'm quite glad I'm not the only one feeling this frustration. Otherwise, I'd probably seem absolutely crazy. I guess only time will tell us the true reason.

[Her comment makes him laugh, a short little hah as he looks at the ground and smiles. Yeah, if they both weren't feeling the same, he'd probably be seen as crazy too. Even he thinks he might be a little crazy, and Lumine sharing in this experience with him is the only thing keeping him from thinking he's gone nuts. He tries to think about their previous interactions...even then, he was really interested in her.]

I appreciate your optimism, [he begins,] but I can't say I share in it. There's nothing that can explain how you knew those dance moves. I even threw a few of my own in there for fun, and yet you still danced as if you knew exactly what I was doing, like you've danced with me before.

[He looks over with a serious expression now, recognizing that things are weirder than originally thought. He can buy a love at first kiss scenario, but not the rest.]

I don't know. Something doesn't sit right with me about it.

( Lumine blinked, staring at him as he spoke, feeling surprise fill her bones. He'd added his own steps in the dance, something she could never have learned otherwise. That was a revelation that shocked her quiet, to know she danced in perfect sync with him as if they've danced together. Looking down at her heels, she could only try and think back.

She wishes she had the answer to their confusion, initially she could have just told herself she had learned it subconsciously. But he thwarted that with his revelation. A deep breath escapes her lungs, unsure what to say. )

I... Well, you shocked me there... I don't know a good enough answer for this, I thought that was just part of the dance.

( She looks back at him, her smile gone and face serious as well. )

Even our previous interactions felt weirdly familiar to me...

( She gets up from the swing and walks forward a bit, feeling like sitting was making her anxious. Arms crossed, looking down at the ground, she can only sigh. This was frustrating... )

[He can tell by the way she reacted that it really was a surprise. If there was any doubt in Ajax's mind that somehow, Lumine knew some Snezhnayan steps and wasn't telling him for some reason, it was gone now. She really didn't know, her body just moved on instinct, read him like a book as if he were a story she'd come to learn inside and out.

It's romantic, flattering, and downright upsetting. He feels his chest buzz with affection and his brain have a mild panic attack. And she says it felt familiar before between them...that's just another piece of fuel to the fire here.]

I too, felt a strange magnetism from the moment you stepped into our office at work. Even your name felt familiar on my tongue, now that I think about it.

[Everything is getting too weird, way too weird.]

Can you tell me a little bit about you and your family? Like, where you're from and what eventually lead you here. ...Maybe it's something we're just overlooking.

( Lumine crossed her arms with a hand to her chin as she tried to think back. Listening to him talk about how he felt the same familiarity as her the moment they met in his office. It's funny, it felt like saying his first name was an intimate privilege, as if only those close to him called him it. But she doesn't know any other name to call him.

Turning her head to look back at him, his question about her family... Looking forward away from him, wondering why she always felt so uncomfortable revealing things about herself. As though no one should learn a thing about her, that she should keep others at arm's length.

Giving a soft shrug, she looks up at the starry night sky as though she felt a weird connection to them. Which was absolutely impossible... Insane even... )

There... really isn't much to say about my life... It's always just been Aether and I, we were orphans. Never knew our parents, but it was okay because we had each other. ( She turns her body to face him sideways, looking him in the eyes. ) We moved here to start a new life, my brother got promoted and I sold my old shop to open a new one here...

( She frowns, brows furrowed down at the ground, gold eyes shifting to show her trying to search through her memory. ) .... When we moved here, we took Paimon as part of the family after saving her... There's not much to my story, honestly...

[As he feared, there was nothing in Lumine's backstory here that gave him any clues to how on earth they felt so familiar to one another. His family never dealt with orphanages, he doesn't even think he's been to one himself. Certainly not when he was a kid. And as adults, they should have no problem remembering each other if they'd met. His brow furrows, annoyed at the universe for playing some sort of trick on them.

Not that he isn't thankful to have Lumine in his life now, but the circumstances around it are a mystery. But his face does fall a little to hear it all, that sounds like a hard life.]

...I'm sorry if I forced you to dredge up bad memories. I had no idea.

[Maybe the guilt he feels right now is what he gets for being so nosy.]

( Surprise to hear him apologize, she look back at him to see his face fallen with guilt. Taking a deep breath, she slowly walked over to stand before him and placed a hand to his shoulder. Giving her best reassuring smile, bending at the hip to look him in the eyes. Voice soft, showing she holds no grudge against him: )

It's okay, Ajax... It was hard, but I had my brother and that was enough for us both.

( The twins would not know what would happen had they been separated. Had Aether not been in the picture, the memories would be painful. But his presence made those miserable memories fill with happiness. )

Besides, we have to figure out this confusing sense of deja-vu, right? Thank you for the apology, though.

( Maybe now she has someone else to care for, to fall in love with. Now all she has to do is find her brother a partner, lol. Which she's sure he'll have no trouble. )

[Glad that she's not at all upset with him, a small smile spreads across his face. With Lumine looking at him from this angle, her hand on his shoulder, she looks downright ethereal in the moonlight. He nods in acknowledgement, before craning his neck upward and letting his hand gingerly brush her cheek to press a soft kiss to her lips. He's once again washed over with the sensation of warmth and familiarity, albeit brief.]

There's one last thing, Lumine.

[They've run into a wall with any other lead, but he remembers the vision he had.]

When we were dancing, I saw this flash of a scene I didn't recognize. There was a figure dressed in white with golden hair in it, in a place I've never been to before. Maybe that scene has something to do with all this.

( The kiss to her lips made her heart grow in size and her stomach doing somersaults, returning the sweetness of it. Smiling bashfully to him, straightening her back, looking down at him. His scene he's describing that he had while they were dancing surprised her, albeit a bit. Bringing her free hand up to her gold locks, now that was strange... She always had dreams of fun adventures, in a new world she made up ( or so she thought) and she had a little fairy friend.

But she doesn't ever remember the finer details of the dream, but she always was in a white dress. )

Strange... I always had strange dreams, the ones you get that you can never remember once you wake up? In them I'd go on fun adventures with friends, but I was always in a white dress....

( What was those adventures? She doesn't know. But what were the chances that his vision was was about her? Maybe after some time... They'll be able to uncover more of these deja vu moments. It was all definitely confusing. )

[Now that's interesting. It could be a coincidence that Lumine would happen to have dreams where she was always wearing a white dress, and normally he definitely would have written it off as such. But these are no ordinary circumstances, and he looks up at her as if he were studying her very appearance, piecing together the puzzle that might help them understand this strange phenomenon they're experiencing.]

That doesn't sound like something we should ignore...and it's far too similar to what I saw to be considered a coincidence. Hmmmmm...

[But what to do about it? Having visions and dreams doesn't do either of them much good even if it is related. He holds his hand up to his chin in thought, wondering if there was something or someone who could help them.]

This might seem a bit foolish, but perhaps seeking out a professional in these matters may help?

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OK QIQI. THIS IS WHERE WE DECIDE IF WE WANT PLOT OR NOT

AHHHHHHHH hmmmm....... LETS GO WITH PLOT!! X3

PLOT IT IS THEN

WOOO

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