thebastion | Day 100 :: mingle - end of the core hunt[open]

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Day 100 :: mingle - end of the core hunt[open]

Who: anyone and everyone
Open: Open
When: Day 100
Where: in the Bastion
What: This is a mingle post for after everyone gets back to the Bastion.
Format: action
Warnings: none

[So. They Bastion has a hospital now.

Seeing as how several people got pretty hurt, it might be a good idea to use it.

Or you can mingle and talk to people, if you want. Now is a time for resting and relaxing after a difficult day.]

((The OOC info post about the end of the event can be found here))

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[he gives Seimei more than enough time, just to be safe, enjoying the water and the lingering sensations of Seimei's hands before standing reluctantly, picking up his towel and heading inside to change. He's relieved not to be intruding on anyone - just Tama-chan, who is sitting comfortably near his clothes. He gently nudges her toward the door with his foot]

Did you seriously just sit here and watch Seimei change? I'm not gonna put on a show for you, go on. Outside.

[once she's out he manages to dry off quite quickly - not burdened as Seimei is with an overabundance of hair - gets his clothes on - not quite what he's pick for himself, but they would suffice - and steps outside, closing the distance toward Seimei, Tama-chan following. When he has finished speaking, Kaoru gently slips one arm though Seimei's.]

I know. I've never pursued someone else in earnest either.

In many things, it's one thing to be book smart, it's another to be experienced. And I know that you want to be, but in this... I don't think it's a bad thing, to be inexperienced. We learn from each other.

...I won't judge you, you know that, right?

I do not believe you would. [ He remarked with a faint smile, looking down at their looped arms before turning to gesture for Tama-chan to follow as he headed to the apartments.

He suspected he should drop Kaoru off at home to rest. Hardly a few steps in that direction and he paused, jaw-muscles working as he debated with himself. Having come to some internal conclusion, the onmyoji tiled his head towards his own home. ]

Would you...prefer to have company tonight? I know the night after traumatic events can sometimes be very...difficult to pass in solitude. I...I have a screen, and Taisan can bring your pillows if there are not enough cushions for your liking. It would not be in any way inappropriate.

[he nods with a slightly shy smile as he throws Seimei's own words back]

That sounds in no way inappropriate. With or without the screen.

...I'd probably have come anyway. With a pillow and a blanket and no shoes. Really, it's better this way. Saves you the trouble of having to be woken up by me.

[his other hand reaches up to touch Seimei's head with the slightest of frowns] Did you dry your hair properly? I don't want you getting sick...

Mm. It takes a long time. I usually just bind it back until a get home and then comb it out to dry.

[ He was grateful for the change in subject, walking along towards his house on the outskirts. ]

Back home, I would have wrapped and pressed it in dry cloth, then combed in oils before twisting it and binding it in the top-knot. There are not quite so many luxuries available within the Bastion, so I make do. The weather here is generally mild.

I am not likely to catch ill.

[ A beat, then... ]

I will send Taisan to get your things. He is already preparing a light meal. Some sort of soup? He says...hm. He says 'potato soup'.

He seems to think it is 'comfort food'.

Thank you. And Taisan, too.

[he follows along a little while in silence, broken occasionally by Tama-chan rustling through the grass nearby]

Then... we'll eat, and I'll fix your hair, if you teach me how. Or the other way around, whichever comes first.

[he won't let Seimei sleep with wet hair though. Even if it's not likely, Kaoru won't take that chance.]

[ Dark eyes went sidelong to watch Kaoru as they walked, lips curling into that enigmatic smile of his. ]

As you command. Hm. Do not complain if the tedium is too extreme. I usually leave Taisan to tend to me, but I must admit...you...have a certain talent and touch that I prefer.

[laughs quietly, laying his other hand on Seimei's arm]

I'll remember all this in case I need it later. I'll be sure to withdraw my talents should I ever get mad at you.

It's highly unlikely, though. I enjoy playing with your hair too much.

[ In that moment, Seimei was suddenly pleasantly comfortable. Walking arm in arm, escorting Kaoru to his home. He should have felt more nervous or something, but he only felt relief and a sort of low, thrumming satisfaction. A joy that was warm instead of fiery. The casual banter had relieved some of the tension from the onsen. ]

Then consider it your right above his. Should ever you see fit. I would even consent to styles and cuts of your preference...were you not too absurd in your demands. It is not precisely easy to grow and maintain it as I have.

Don't cut it. I forbid you to cut it, and I know you'd hate to make me sad. [with a small smile to show he's not that serious about it. So long as it suits Seimei and he's comfortable with it.]

That doesn't mean I won't play with it a little bit, though. I may have trouble keeping my hands out of it.

Goodness, that is not extortion at all. [ The onmyoji remarks mildly, rolling his eyes and pursing his lips in amusement. ]

I wouldn't want to deprive you of my hair for goodness sake. Honestly, if you like it that much who am to be fool enough to change it?

[chuckles, ducking his head and leaning toward him slightly]

No, no, it's not extortion - it's emotional blackmail. But at least I'm honest about it!

I do not believe there is such as thing as honest blackmail, Kaoru. You may have a bit of trouble facing the afterlife with that kind of karma. [ He drawls, arching a brow and shaking his head with an amused smile.

And just like that, he was suddenly completely at ease without even realizing it, turning the corner around the apartments and heading towards his own home. Here he was, escorting Kaoru to his house to stay the night and he wasn't anxious or uneasy. He might have been curious about it, if he were thinking too hard. as it was, his comfort came from how easy it was to talk with and to his companion. None of the uncertainty he'd always shared with Hiromasa because he never knew where they stood.

Asking to court Kaoru had, he realized, given him a great deal more freedom of action because they knew their intentions in the end. It was almost exhilarating. ]

[playfully poking out his tongue] I never said it was that kind of honest. Just that I wasn't lying to you about it in the first place. Complete transparency. I'm not going to get in trouble for that, am I?

[is it strange that Kaoru is the one who has the slightest sensation of butterflies over the whole thing? Not in an unpleasant or uncomfortable way it's just... he's sleeping over at Seimei's house!]

I cannot really say. I am a master of spiritual arts, but in regards to the state of the human spirit I find myself at a loss to really understand and explain all the nuances. Always when I think I have absolute understanding, they always surprise me...

[ He smiled, trailing off as he slowed to a stop at the first flagstone of the walk up to his house, turning to look at Kaoru. Really look at him.

He was swept up in the moment; the perfect seconds passing, the ease they were finally able to share.

After a moment he reached up, cupping his hand against the red-head's cheek. His pulse leaped, color creeping into alabaster cheeks, dark eyes suddenly very deep. His lips parted, tongue tripping across them nervously as he made some small, breathy sound.

And just like that, he panicked and withdrew. It was not a terrible backpedal - he didn't yank away or hurry on. He simply slid his hand away, letting it fall to his side, staring at Kaoru with an apologetic smile. ]

We should see you fed...you look peaked. [ The onmyoju murmured, eyes sliding sidelong as he turned away and moved to continue forward, the hand that had touched the boy's face balled against his side and hidden by his sleeve. Madness, that's what it had been. Foolish, stupid. ]

Shame. I was kind of hoping for pointers - I would hate to drag you down with me.

[smiles and leans into Seimei's touch, watching him for a moment before closing his eyes contentedly.

He has been very lucky today. Very spoilt today. He may not be so tomorrow, so he'll enjoy it while he can and try not to be too disappointed when Seimei withdraws.]

[Tama-chan knows the way, and darts out of the undergrowth and up the path ahead of them as Kaoru follows behind Seimei, reaching for his arm again]

...I enjoy it, you know. When you touch me like that.

[ Dark eyes darted side to side before lowering along with his face. He smiles, expression one of mild regret. He wished he could be more casual. If wasn't fear so much as habit that stayed his hand so often. Life was becoming rapidly more complicated in a way he rather liked, but he worried about boundaries enough to keep himself as restrained as ever. Still...]

The feeling is mutual... [ He replied cautiously, resting his hand over Kaoru's on his arm. ]

Why not go into the garden and wait with Tama-chan while I see about food with Taisan, hm?

Mmm. [smiles back at him. Small steps are all right, Seimei. Really.] Okay. I'll make sure she's not doing anything too destructive.

Hurry back, okay?

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Day 100 :: mingle - end of the core hunt[open]

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