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]

I have no experience with children. [ The onmyoji admits, voice and expression unreadable. He had no particular feelings about it one way or the other. He had no problem with children, had not spent much time with them in his own youth and never expected to have any. Just as Seimei had never had the nerve to court anyone, no one had ever even considered him as a marriageable option. ]

I will help with what I can, but I am afraid the old adage "It takes a village to raise a child" may indeed be true. One of the ladies here is pregnant. You might consider asking her for advice.

[individuates]

[hums quietly] Well, I can't spend forever worrying about what she's going to be... I'll just find out what I can about animals that hatch and what they might need afterwards. [and worry intensely about what it might need instead]

Right now the only possibilities I can think of are "bird" and "lizard". What would I feed it, bugs? What if it can't handle solid food at first...?

[yinyangfox]

Then you mash up the food with a mortar and pestle. If it is a reptile it will be able to handle solid foods right away, but a bird may not. And not all birds can live on insects; some require fruits, or other meats. [ He nods, folding his hands into his sleeves and cocking his head to one side to regard the younger man. ]

Do not worry yourself overmuch on the issue, Kaoru. I will help you, and I am fairly certain most of the other inhabitants will as well. So far as teaching a bird to fly or a lizard to hunt, many tend to these things instinctively, but I can discuss it with the shikigami and I assure you, they will have no trouble adopting an animal form and teaching Tama-chan whatever she needs to know.

[individuates]

[sighs] You see, I'm glad you know this stuff. We love animals but we were never allowed a pet in the house. We used to catch frogs and bugs a lot and once we even managed to keep a mouse for about a week before it escaped... [laughs a little awkwardly] Oh, we got in a lot of trouble for that one...

Anyway, my point is I've never actually raised anything in my life before. It'll be a learning curve but... to be honest, even though I'm doing all right so far, that's mostly down to your guidance...

[yinyangfox]

Well, as I said, you have me, and no doubt everyone else. You have many friends at hand here, and you are not limited by the rules of house in this place.

[ Leaving the egg behind, Seimei trails across the room to the window, standing in the light from outside, eyes heavy-lidded and expression distantly thoughtful. ]

You are a good man, Kaoru. Good men cannot fail at good tasks.

[individuates]

[hums quietly, picking up Tama-chan in his arms] ...I may not be "limited", as you say, but I was hardly gifted in the first place...

[he colours slightly at the "good man" comment. Now, which part is it that he objects to?]

[yinyangfox]

[ Silence stretches between the two, Seimei's eyes eventually sliding sidelong, casting a surreptitious glance over his companion. Pondering the situation, the onmyoji finally lowers his head in a small bow. ]

while it pains me to do so, I should leave. Duty calls, as they say. My house will not build itself and there is yet much to be done, particularly if I am to arrange an extension of the porch. In the meanwhile, consider what sort of decorations you might add? I should ask you not to make it too busy, or too far from traditional homes of my ear. It is supposed to be a sanctuary, after all.

[individuates]

[smiling at him over the top of the egg, stepping aside to make sure he's not blocking the path to the door.] All right.

I happen to pride myself on my excellent taste, but I'll be extra careful so as not to do something you dislike. Once it starts taking shape, I'll be able to get some ideas. In the meantime though, I'm willing to help out with the construction!

...just don't overdo things and wear yourself out, all right?

[yinyangfox]

I certainly hope not! I led a particularly sedentary life before all of this. The events in the year prior, and whatever propelled us into this place, have been the most exciting events I have ever endured, aside from learning about my mother or joining the Onmyo...

At any rate. Take care of yourself. Do not hesitate to visit, should the mood strike you. In the meanwhile, I wish you good luck and good rest.

[ He dusted himself off and offered another bow before heading towards the door, pausing at the entrance to look over his shoulder at Kaoru briefly. A few moments, a steady, unreadable stare, then he nods and heads down the hall, a deep, shuddering sigh the only sound he makes. Barely able to contain his own elation, Seimei decides now is probably the best time to build, and work off some of that nervous energy. ]