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

[individuates]

You do realise that all the magic is strange here to me, including yours? There's not much of that in my world at all these days...

...but I'm looking forward to learning from you, in any case. Something else to add to my list of delightful challenges?

[places his final piece on his stack and smiles, gathering it to himself and rising with it.]

[yinyangfox]

I find it tragic that your world is devoid of mystery and elegance. Hopefully your time spent here will be enlightening and exciting. [ The onmyoji remarks, standing with his own stack of fabrics. It looked like quite a heavy bundle, but Seimei seemed to have little trouble, if any. ]

If you consider challenges delightful, then you will be a remarkable student, I have no doubt. According to the earlier denizens of the Bastion, shards are useful for acquiring abilities here. If the shards can give you the energy, I am reasonably certain I can teach you the skills. I should, perhaps, learn to use these shards myself as well. We can learn together, you and I.

[individuates]

Don't say that - we're still elegant! [smiles, tilting his head in the general direction of the apartment buildings - "follow me" - and starts towards them] We don't have magic, in my world.

I don't get how the shards work, either [shrugging lightly with his bundle] But I'm not complaining, if they give me something to do. I feel a bit useless, not being able to help out like the rest of you. I do want to learn, though!!! Seeing it as a challenge just means I'm being realistic about it. but if I have it in my head that it's a horrible, terrifying, scary challenge, that's just setting myself up for failure.

[yinyangfox]

Would you accept the gift, if I shared my shards with you? I know you are adverse to adventuring beyond the boundaries of the Bastion, so I would be willing to impart a percentage of my collection to you. In return for your services in clothing - which I am also providing the fabric for - it seems only fair.

Perhaps after a time you can venture beyond the Bastion as well. Then you can assist in gathering goods and collect shards of your own. For now, however, until you are more secure in your own skills I would not suggest it. [ He talks as they walk, his stride relaxed, in no hurry to part from his companion so close on the heels of accepting courtship - which he was certain the shock and elation over had not quite settled in. No doubt he would be a fool when he returned later, fanning himself and fretting over proper timing, gifts and haiku. For now he was doing food to keep his feet on the ground. ]

[individuates]

[he nods slowly] I think... it would be foolish of me not to accept. I'm at a disadvantage here, compared to a lot of other people. Any that you can spare would be more than welcome.

I do want to help out there at some point. I just don't want to get under people's feet.

[yinyangfox]

Even someone supporting from a distance is good, Kaoru. I honestly believe you would best serve others as a healer. Magical, of course. Between all the others in the Bastion and myself, we could all impart a bit of knowledge. Your personality, your compassion and empathy all play a role in my belief. You would had made a very wonderful physician in my time. And since you have the opportunity to use magical techniques in this place, it is my opinion that you should focus on that, instead of combat. Often, people will not be able to balance the responsibility of offense, defense and curative skills.

It is something to consider, at any rate.

[individuates]

[he ducks his head slightly] ...I will consider it. I can`t say it was something I ever planned for myself, though. Where I`m from the family heritage and business usually plays a big role in one`s career path. [hums softly in thought, closing his eyes for a moment] ...yeah, I don`t think there have been any medical Hitachiins...

Would that be where your vote went, by any chance? Towards the hospital? Ah, if you don`t want to say that`s all right! Just curious...

[yinyangfox]

It was. I admit, I find the idea of voting for the ranch or the - electricity, was it? - to be hideously short-sighted. It seems entirely foolish to me. [ The onmyoji sighs, shaking his head. ] We have more than enough food right now, and much of the crops can be maintained in a small area and keep everyone fed for now. Besides that, no one has suggested eating the Skyway creatures yet.
Voting for the ranch seems greedy and excessive, when more people could benefit from the hospital. Ah well. In lieu of the medical center we will need more magical healers. Regardless of whether or not it was a family business, I think you could be quite skilled. And it would keep you out of direct battle under most circumstances, and allow you the benefit of staying mostly in the Bastion.
And regardless of your adventuring, you will always be enormously useful.

[individuates]

Electricity... [he can`t help sighing a little wistfully. It`s been so hard living without, Seimei. You`ve no idea.] As hard as it was for me to say no... mmm. I agree, that we need the medical facilities more. There`s no telling what will happen in this place. Of the three, I would have put the hospital first and electricity last. I left before the decision was made, though, so I guess we`ll have to see what they come up with.

...are they even edible? They seemed like ghosts to me. Very hard-hitting ghosts.

[yinyangfox]

No telling. I wouldn't eat the ones that look like people, but there were birds and there was a giant snake, according to some of the others on the retrieval. I imagine there's always something left behind, somewhere. Anyways, there are always standard animals, like the chickens and cattle.
I don't particularly like anything I can carry on a conversation with, but I have long since come to terms with the cycles of life and death.
And to be honest, I to like fried egg with my rice from time to time, and I deeply enjoy fish, though I haven't had any in a long time now.

[ A faint sigh and Seimei frowns wistfully. You miss electricty? He misses food. He wouldn't admit it, but he's a hedonist at heart. ]

[individuates]

Well as least we can get eggs and milk - it`s a step up from what we had before. Meat though... [he sighs, leaning against the door to the building to push it open. Come on up the stairs, Seimei.] Even I crave it from time to time, but I can live without it. We don`t really have enough livestock to go around killing them for meat, anyway.

[yinyangfox]

[ It takes Seimei a moment longer to follow Kaoru, standing there as he does, struggling out of his boots and setting them aside. Even so, he soon catches up. ]

I wouldn't anyways. Eggs will keep us healthy enough for a time. There aren't many chickens though, so we'll be spreading eggs very thing. Fortunately Lady Rin is very good with food. Between her and the other young woman I am confident everyone will get fair shares.

Still, I am keeping my attention spread between house supplies and finding anything viable for food. There are a wide variety of plants, certainly, and an excess of fruits. Still, I would prefer the occasional treat. I miss tofu more than anything, however.

[individuates]

[notice how this one hasn`t removed his shoes, and doesn`t even once he`s stepped through his own front door, which he holds open for Seimei. Only the bedroom is shoe-less territory, or it would be if he had a carpet or something.]

There`s not a lot to see in here, but come inside...

[he`s pieced together a few cushions by hand and those are on a slightly beaten armchair, supporting Tama-chan. He`s also got a sofa, and a workspace by the window, with covered pieces hanging from the curtain rods in lieu of a proper rack. Or curtains.

The bedroom door is slightly ajar with equally spartan conditions. He wishes he could do more with the space... right now he tends to just stay at his workspace by the window, not just because the light is better, but because the view is, too.]

[yinyangfox]

[ He did notice, but that didn't matter to Seimei. Some things simply weren't done. Someone else was perfectly welcome to do so, but the lack of a step up into the homes of others was no excuse to his mind not to remove his footwear.

At the doorway the Kaoru's personal quarters the onmyoji stood outside, looking around the room from his place in the hall. Invited inside he entered without comment or hesitation, too thrown off guard, but unease rapidly set in.
Back home, a place like the apartments was virtually unheard of at the time, and the only place numerous people lived in that weren't related tended to be either workhouses, or the homes of nobility. This wasn't a workhouse, so etiquette demanded behavior more like entering the Mikado's palace.
For Kaoru to invite Seimei past the apartment threshold was the equivalent of being invited into very private chambers in the palace. It simply didn't happen. To the onmyoji is felt as though things were suddenly moving much too fast. Under other circumstances, he wouldn't end up in private quarters until he and Kaoru were considerably closer. More intimate than friendly, as it were.
The man couldn't even attempt to hide his nervous unease. ]

Ah...Kaoru? If you do not mind I will simply set the fabric here and...be on my way...

[individuates]

[But this isn't a private place! This is his reception room. And workshop, such as it is. He sets his own bundle down on the free area of the desk, carefully rearranging things so that Seimei can put his down as well. He turns, slightly confused, a still-to-be-hemmed pair of trousers draped over his arm]

Hmm? You're going already?

[yinyangfox]

I...No? [ He blinked, tilting his head slightly before looking around. Eventually he sighed, forced himself to swallow his anxiety and eased into a smile, the best armor at hand. ]

No. Of course not. If you would like me to stay, I would be delighted to attend you, Kaoru. I only felt that after such a long day and the events before, you may be more inclined to privacy. Besides, I was almost certain you would like to peruse the fabric at your disposal and I am afraid I have no eye for such things.

[ Smile, be polite - gracious, even! Nod, agree with everything and pretend you're dealing with a foreign dignitary ignorant of your own social etiquette. It seemed to be the only answer, since even though they were both from Japan, they seemed to be from entirely different worlds. And after all, Kaoru had accepted his evidently archaic notion of courtship, so he could stomach Kaoru's own minor foibles. ]

[individuates]

[the trousers are folded carefully, creased and pinched into a tidy square to be laid on the table top, which Kaoru then leans against slightly, facing Seimei as he listens, only to interrupt once with a slightly stammered-] A-attend...? [because that word makes it seem like he has an entirely different view of himself. Different times. Different vocabularies. He is understanding this. It's just... to be attended would be the kind of thing Tono would expect. Really, Kaoru thinks it was one of his main reasons for founding the club in the first place - he was the king, they were his attendants.]

[he sighs, ducking his head slightly and closing his eyes]

...is this terribly awkward for you?

[yinyangfox]

[ Opening his mouth to deny it, Seimei stops, then smiles faintly and chuckles. Of course, the automatic response was likely not the best, so he waits, thinks, and finally answers truthfully. ]

Yes, a bit. I am trying to understand things, for your benefit. Even so, I will no immediately understand.

[ He sniffs softly, looking around the room, hands tucked into their individual sleeves, fingers holding the hems as he gestures around himself for emphasis. ]

This is a very private place. This is your personal suite within the communal living and where - or rather, when - I am from, it is a very big deal to be invited some place like this. Whatever you may think of it, in my time it is very inappropriate for me to be here so casually.

However. [ He quickly interjects before protests occur. ] I will remain here in your company if it is not inappropriate to you, Kaoru. You are the one from modern times, and it is I who should adapt. I only beg your patience. These things...it is not a simple thing, to undo a life previously lived well.

[individuates]

[he can't help but chuckle softly at that, leaning forward slightly]

I do understand what you're saying but to me... this place is nothing more than somewhere I've been allocated to live - there is nothing personal about it. I am working on it, and it might feel like home at some point, but... not right now. Because to be honest, I... I don't like it in here.

If it's awkward for you... I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. But you're not undoing anything by remaining here.

[yinyangfox]

Kaoru, if this place...If you do not like it, why do you stay? [ The onmyoji asks, tilting his head questioningly. ]

The Bastion is not a very large place, true, but surely you could find somewhere more to your liking? [ A faint frown forms, Seimei's expression thoughtful before he announces. ]

You are welcome to come to my home at any time. You need neither announce yourself, nor concern yourself with traditional gifts as a guest. If you like, I will even extend the porch, so that you may rest there over-looking the garden, and you can work in natural light. Perhaps it is only that you are alone here. At least at my home, you will always have the chickens, and my shikigami is often present as well. And when I am there, we can share drinks at your leisure. I have been experimenting with different plants and some of them make refreshing tea.

[ It all came out rather suddenly, words pouring out in a smooth rush like water from a tipped pitcher. Still, he felt rather good about himself after he'd said it, though he wasn't sure why. It simply seemed as though he'd been invited into Kaoru's home so suddenly, perhaps he could invite the young man to his own, less formally. ]

[individuates]

Because... because, I guess I wanted to try to stick things out on my own - to prove that I could? [Maybe it was a stupid idea...] And then all my stuff ended up here... I just kept telling myself I'd make it work, I guess.

That- - [he hesitates, surprised at the rush of words from Seimei, who usually measures everything. He can't deny... that it's a very tempting offer. Very tempting. His hands set to fidgeting again while he considers it.]

...if you're sure I won't be imposing. But... really, you don't have to redesign the place just because of me...

[yinyangfox]

I can only benefit from it as well, Kaoru. If I spend too much time alone, I'll fall back into my old ways of avoiding people. No one, myself included, can afford that in this place. Furthermore, I enjoy sitting out on the porch and had been considering making it a trifle wider. The weather in this place seems to be very good, for whatever reason. Mild at its worst, so napping out on the porch will not be quite as silly as it was back home.

[ Nodding once sharply, as if to say 'it is done', the onmyoji decided he would hear no more discussion on the matter. He would add to the porch without concern. It was nothing, if it meant the comfort of a friend. ]

Ah, also, I would like to replace the spell on Tama-chan, if you would not mind? I am certain by now the charm is likely bent and worn by now. Paper does not last forever.

[individuates]

[all right. Well. That's that decided, then.] ...I guess I can't argue with that. [He steps forward to take the bundle of clothes and fabrics, bowing his head slightly to Seimei as he does so with an almost shy smile] ...thank you.

[looking toward Tama-chan's armchair]

She seems quite happy as she is, but... go ahead and do that thing that you do.

[yinyangfox]

She, is it then? You've decided? [ He asks with a faint smirk. He was feeling surprisingly better, having invited a more permanent guest to his home. To say he had pep in his step would be exaggeration, but he certainly looked more at ease and happy doing something so reckless.

Pacing over to the chair, Seimei peels the ofuda free of the egg, turning it over in his hand a few times and checking it. A whispered word and the paper puffed into blue-green flame before simply burning up and vanishing. Casually as one might dust off their sleeves the onmyoji rubbed and flicked his fingers, then withdrew his ever-present calligraphy kit from his robes.
In less than a minute he had written up a new spell and pressed it to the side of the egg, radiating a gentle warmth. ]

There you go, that ought to do it. Be sure to keep an eye on it. If I were you, I'd ask some of the natives about Tama-chan. If they know anything, maybe they can tell you how long it will take to hatch? If nothing else, I would suggest a means of carrying it around with you more comfortably. When eggs hatch, whatever is in it tends to imprint on the first thing it sees. You'll want that to be you.

[individuates]

No, not decided yet. Even Tama-chan is just a place-holder name... it's much cuter than just Egg. But since we know it's a girl [or rather, he trusts Seimei's judgement on that front], it's nicer to say 'she' rather than 'it'. I'm working on ways to carry her around but I've been a bit busy putting some other things together... [he watches in interest as Seimei burns the ofuda and writes the new one, almost tempted to clap in awe at hisabilities, but he carefully refrains. In any case, his hands are full, though he quickly remedies that by setting his bundle down]

Thank you!

[he moves over the the arm chair, grinning] See, Tama-chan? You're all cute again~! [he has been dying to stick a ribbon onto the shell - you know, to pretty it up a bit. You have no idea how hard it has been not to]