Day 77 - Closed

[individuates]

Who: Kaoru Hitachiin and Seimei
Status: Closed ._.
When: Day 77
Where: Seimei's pad.
What: Worried Kaoru is worried, and stalks follows Seimei back home.
Style: Action
Warnings: Nope?

[Once the discussions end, Kaoru slips away again, making his way in the the same direction Seimei had gone. His attention was probably completely unwanted, but... Seimei had seemed so troubled when he had left. Kaoru couldn't just stand by and leave him to it. So here he was, trailing after as usual. He was always the one following behind like a lost puppy. Did that make him the kind of person who could only survive by attached himself to someone else? Wasn't that just futile, given how this place had already proved how fragile these attachments could be?

But this wasn't about him and his issues. Kaoru was just worried. He just wanted to check in - even if Seimei told him to leave, at least Kaoru would have tried. And even if Kaoru couldn't help... at least he could listen. That counted for something, didn't it?

He hesitated, approaching Seimei's lean-to, and called before he had a chance to change his mind-]

Seimei-san? Seimei-san. [He admonishes himself quietly. He can't help it, it's still a little weird to drop the honorific when addressing an elder] ...Seimei, are you there?

Comments

[yinyangfox]

It is not so difficult when you have help. [ The onmyoji replies with a calm and reasonable tone, changing their path slightly and walking back around the house. He gestures to the frame work and dividers being erected. ]

I am still able to summon the shikigami. When I am building, they are building as well. Often, when I am collecting supplies, they will come with me in order to carry more, or they will stay behind and build until I return. It is a process, Kaoru, but not an impossible one. The reward at the end will be a place I can think and have the privacy I need to survive.

[ Seimei smiles warmly and arches a dark brow. Reaching up to scratch his forehead lightly he suddenly remembers leaving his hat behind, ears coloring. In his upset, he had been disinclined to wear it, ignoring basic social etiquette. Perhaps, he mused, he had been more upset than he'd initially thought. To Kaoru, he would certainly look more himself at this point. Flustered, possibly, but more attentive and less mourning. ]

We should head back. I would like to gather up the fabric for you and I should indeed return to my work. I imagine laboring on the house will give me time to think, and distract me from those things I cannot change.

[individuates]

Shikigami. Of course. [He manages to keep his tone quite flat but thank goodness he is slightly behind Seimei so he cannot see him face palming, completely out of arguments. Of course Seimei has shikigami. He hitches up a resigned smile, pressing the heel of his hand against his temple with a sigh.]

Well then. I suppose I lose.

[He glances back at the frames again, brows furrowing slightly]

...would I be able to help out, some time? I can't say I'd have any idea of where to start, but I'm willing to learn...

[yinyangfox]

[ The onmyoji pauses for a moment, tilting his head to regard Kaoru over his shoulder. After a moment, the man smiles and nods, continuing back towards the lean-to. ]

Kaoru, I am flattered that you would offer, and I am honored to have you as my guest. Always.

[ Habitually, Seimei presses his fan to his lips, hiding the color of his face and the secretive smile below. ]

[individuates]

[his hands raise slightly] No-no, don't be too flattered just yet. I've never done anything like this before. If I make a mess of things you're more than welcome to kick me out or whatever...

[tilts his head slightly. He's getting it now, that nearly every time that fan comes out, there's something that needs to be hidden behind it.]

[yinyangfox]

[ Oblivious to Kaoru's dawning realization, Seimei guides their path back to the lean-to, where he rolls back his sleeves and begins folding the clothes up, breaking down his makeshift futon. ]

Not at all, Kaoru. If your talent does not lay in construction, I am certain you could take an eye to my gardening. Or decorating, if you're any good at artistic expression, as I am mixing paints for the interior doors. There is no doubt something you can do, to add your touch to my home.

[individuates]

[he makes a start himself, shaking the fabrics out before folding them into careful squares] I can manage either of those, definitely. I'm all right with plants, though I'm better at arranging them than growing them. My grandmother practices ikebana, she's not half bad... [understatement much, Kaoru? Just like her daughter, Kazuha goes all over the world to practice her art.]

I guess the talent runs in the family, but she's still a tough teacher. Carrying the family name doesn't mean a thing if our work sucks, so... she has exacting standards, little patience for sub-par pieces. She never wastes any time telling me when my work is worthless. [he runs a piece of fabric through his hands thoughtfully] In the end, we have a name and a reputation to protect. [and in the end, his name and his skills are really all that he has here]

[yinyangfox]

It fascinates me to hear these things and to realize how little the world changes over time. Peole are not so very different from one century to the next. Yes, perhaps they do have different standards of etiquette, or fashion. Yet the core principles, they seem strikingly similar.

[ The onmyoji nods slightly, finishing gathering up the fabric and setting it aside for Kaoru, dusting his hands off. Casting his eyes towards the skeletal house, Seimei smiles thoughtfully. ]

Would you like to decorate my house, Kaoru?

[individuates]

[Kaoru's turn. His head jerks up and he almost loses his grip on the fabric he's holding]

E-eh? But... but you've hardly even seen any of my work yet! What if I screw it up. Or, or worse, what if you don't like it?

[yinyangfox]

I assure you, should you try your best, you will not disappoint me. Besides that, I imagine anything you put your heart into can only be judged as perfection.

[ The onmyoji offers one of those infuriating, unreadable smiles with those glittering, amused eyes. It seemed as good an excuse as any to spend more time with Kaoru.]

You can do your fabric crafting here as well, if you like, in the meanwhile. No doubt the open space will be suitable.

[individuates]

[he can't help pouting and glowering slightly at Seimei as he runs the fabric from one hand to the other]

[deadpans] I never know what you're thinking when you smile like that. Makes me doubt your intentions.

[yinyangfox]

Oh? [ He asks, looking perplexed before a broad grin splits his face. ]

Allow me to allay your concerns. what do you think my intentions are?

[individuates]

I can doubt them without having any preconceived notions about them.

[continues to throw out play-frowns as he shakes out and folds fabric into perfect squares, all the while without taking his eyes off Seimei to look at what he's actually doing]

[yinyangfox]

[ There goes that fan again, hiding his mouth as his eyes close and he settles to sit on the steps of his house. ]

In order for you to doubt my intentions, you have to assume I have them. So, what do you imagine my intentions are, Kaoru? I really am curious, now.

[individuates]

W-well I haven't figured out that part either! [he would totally be flailing if he didn't have such precious cargo in his hands] Maybe I've just been around Tono for too long. I mean he's a nice guy but he always thinks that people have naughty intentions. Even me and Hikaru and we're completely innocent. Seriously! We're, like, the nicest, sweetest, most loveable people you could meet! [Honestly. They never did anything that would deserve their being tarred so!]

[yinyangfox]

So you imagine my intentions to be...intimate? [ He asks, blinking suddenly and lowering the fan enough that his shock is more apparent than his amusement. After a moment he folds the tessen and sets it in his lap, turning his head as his lower jaw cocks to one side and his lips pucker crookedly. A few secodns tick by before he clears his throat and fixes his gaze on the boy, inhaling and exhaling slowly. ]

You know I would never seek to do anything dishonorable with you, don't you, Kaoru?

[individuates]

[wait, hold up, how did they get onto this topic of conversation...?

...oh wait. Kaoru started it. His bad.]

I know that, I know that! And I'm not saying that you're planning anything of that nature, 'cos if anything you're much too honourable for that kind of thing but - well - not that it's not cute but you always seem so mischievous when you smile like that and, and, you see, the problem is from mischief we end up back to naughty which catapults us right back to intimate, which is what I was not suggesting, and that's why I need to stop talking.

[he manages all this at an incredible speed and, as soon as he's done, grabs for another piece of fabric and starts folding it a bit higher than strictly necessary so he can hide his face. Why does he always shoot his mouth up and end up looking like an idiot?"]

[yinyangfox]

[ Slow blinking fills the span of several seconds while Seimei - usually quite a quick thinker - attempts to process what was said. Uncertain of the entire meaning, the onmyoji sighs and looks away. A few more moments and his gaze falls on Kaoru, brows furrowed in confusion. Still silent, he stands and paces, tapping his tessen in one hand.

Eventually Seimei is forced to ask. ]

Would it offend you?

[individuates]

[blinks at him over the top of some more fabric he's snatched up]

Would... what, precisely?

[yinyangfox]

[ Rethinking the line of questioning, Seimei shakes his head.

He had known Hiromasa a year and hadn't dared venture into this territory. He'd known Kaoru a significantly shorter span of time and if he wanted to have any friends at all and not end up old and alone as he had mentioned earlier, it was in his best interest to backpedal. Better old and lonely than old and alone. A good friend was better than nothing, and Seimei was used to suffering his affections in silence.]

Nothing. I apologize I...I misunderstood. [ Quick change of topic. ] Shall I assist you in carrying your things back?

[individuates]

[blinks slightly at the sudden change of track, but accepts it with a nod. God, he wishes he could read Seimei's mind sometimes]

Mmm. This will be quite a pile once it's all together and I'd rather not drop anything and dirty it. So a bit of help will definitely be good. [scooping up an armful of the remaining fabric and holding it out] Would you help me fold these? It'll go faster with two... [and it would help to keep them both occupied]

[yinyangfox]

Of course. It would be my pelasure. [ The onmyoji replied, tucking away his tessen and crouching nearby to fold, his eyes on the task and avoiding Kaoru for the time being. He folds as neatly - if not more so - and sets everything into a pile in a manner meant to balance the weight of everything, allowing him to carry more.

Time that may otherwise have been filled with lighthearted banter suddenly seemed oppressive and silent. He wanted to say something, and normally would have had a better pool of topics to offer, yet he felt like saying anything might somehow reveal intentions he was now thoroughly convinced Kaoru would take poorly.

Ah, the trials of social anxiety. At least he felt his forced smile looked genuine enough to pass the time off as companionable silence instead of mandatory. ]

[individuates]

[about two items into his remaining pile, Kaoru realises that things aren't going as he had planned. At all.]

[Gosh, this is awkward. He hadn't meant it to be. At all.]

...I'm sorry.

[yinyangfox]

[ Hands stilled on the last item Seimei was neatly creasing, dark eyes flicking up as his head tilted. The expression went instantly from blank and on the verge of gloomy to curious and concerned. ]

Whatever in the world have you to apologize to me for, Kaoru?

[individuates]

Making everything awkward. [his hands bunch around the fabric a little] I didn't mean to do it. I know some of the values in your time are different to mine, but I forget sometimes. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

[yinyangfox]

[ He lowers his eyes, watching Kaoru's hands thoughtfully before looking at his own, still tingling where thumbs had drifted over them. ]

You did nothing wrong, Kaoru. I was...that is to say...Hm. I simply misinterpreted things. I am indeed from another time, and in that time we use a different dialect, so to speak. While you and I are are perhaps saying similar things, the accent is complicating our understanding. Neither one of us meaning to offend the other.

I have taken no offense, and I meant none of my own. I simply made a mistake and attempted to correct it. Does that make sense?