#𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ﹕‏‏‎ ‏‏‎‏‏‎ charactersㅤ›ㅤhakuno.chrㅤ›ㅤanswered .

[nulltune]

'jus a wee bit more. no slouchin', lass, gaun yersel, spare nothin' pullin' it back!' restless hands adjust aim and posture, bow held less clumsily in her hands as he stands behind her and assists. they'll land this shot or both die trying. 'aye, thas a wee bonnie bird. now keep yer eyes open, fill it with a wee bit of hope - then let it sing!'

          ❝    ..   i'm not slouching .    ❞       and yet ,   her back straightens   (  from an already near perfect posture          a constant ,   an aspect ,   programmed to her character  )   just as instructed .

          keep your stance solid ,   but comfortable  ..  don't hold for too long  ..  eyes on the target and              she lets go .   and sing it did ,   for the sound of the arrow piercing through the air ,   piercing through the silence ,   was almost deafening to her ears  (  at that moment ,   at least  )   .   it's closely followed by an encore :  the cries of the avian as it fell .

          ah .   i did it !!   a crowd cheers in her mind ,   but the glee doesn't quite reflect on her face  ;  hakuno has never been the expressive sort .       ❝    . . .    ❞       and had any other individual be in her shoes ,   perhaps they would have sought compliments or praise for such a feat ,   but hakuno has long come to terms with her own inadequacy              those kind of things were not necessary .   the girl finds herself exhaling a breath she doesn't recall holding .   hakuno knows not to waste time in a battlefield   (  even though this was more of a training ground ,   if anything  )    ,   and so ,   she turns to the other ,   as if to seek the archer's instruction on what to do next .   the expression upon her face though ,   is incomprehensible .   

          . . .  acknowledgement for her hard work is nice though .   maybe even a  headpat  too ?

unprompted  ,    always accepting !

[nulltune]

“Who are you?”

          who are you ?       ❝    hakuno ,    ❞       "  𝚊 𝚜��𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 - 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝 .  "

                     her lips remain parted ,   but she pauses suddenly ,   eyes widening a fraction .   those words ,   the ones that were just about to spill from her own lips ,   are false .   i'm in chaldea now ,   she assures herself ,   NOT the moon cell .   right ,   that's right .   she's no longer in that virtual world ,   she's no longer in that academy ,   nor is she a second - year student ,   but then  . .   why would she  ..  ?  because it's part of her programming .       ❝    ..  kishinami .   hakuno kishinami .    ❞       sometimes ,   she's not very fond of her voice .   too monotone ,   it feels like ,   reminiscent of a doll with a pulled string .   (  and sometimes ,   it feels as though she's trying to convince herself of that .   convince herself that she is hakuno kishinami ,   and not just strings of code .  )

          ..  the thoughts are shoved aside for now ,   she doesn't want to appear so unseemly in front of a stranger ,   she supposed   . . .   or anyone ,   really .   and so ,   hakuno tries to clear her mind .   think of something else .   hakuno's expression remains stoic and unchanging ,   though she's far from disinterested ,   for the servant has her full attention once more .       ❝           it's nice to meet you .    ❞  

question starters   ,    no longer accepting !

[nulltune]

'I'M COOL, RIGHT?! EVEN WITHOUT HAVING ANY SPECIAL STATUS AND THE PERSONALITY OF THE KIND OF WORTHLESS GUY WHO'S MORE TROUBLE THAN HE'S WORTH, I'M STILL COOL, RIGHT?!'

          ❝    ..  i thought the contract between us was of master and servant           not caretaker and drunkard .    ❞       pat pat ,   she jests .   what they have is more of a   . . .   friendship ,   she thinks .   allies  ..  comrades  ..  words along those lines .   a thing unfathomable in the world of magi ,   who viewed heroic spirits as nothing more than weapons and tools   ,   but hakuno can't see it any other way .

          though right now ,   her friend was a drunken ,   insecure mess .

                                                                                                                                 sigh  . . .

          what does one even do in this situation ?   hakuno opts to blankly stare at yan qing .   not that it seemed to matter ,   he seemed to be ranting on about being  " cool "  or whatever .   since when was he ,   mister constantly - parading - around - half - naked ,   concerned with that ?   she wonders briefly ,   but banishes the thought ,   dismissing it as an effect of alcohol .   alcohol makes one do unexpected things ,   that was a fact she'd concluded in the past hour .   she sighs once more ,   vacant eyes remain fixated on the other's visage ,   though her thoughts are wandering far ,   far away .

          ah  . . .   was this how she looked back then ?   much worse ,   probably .   

          a lone girl ,   crying miserably in the imaginary number space ,   and for what reason ?   nobody could hear her ,   nobody could help her .   there was no point .   all hope was lost .   she'd made a terrible ,   terrible mistake and would be suffering the consequences of it all .   she understood that ,   the tears continued to stream down her face ,   and she   . . .   she still refused to give up  .   hakuno kishinami is a terribly pitiful sight  ;  a tattered wretch pushing itself beyond its limits   (  and for what ?   there really is no good reason ��)   .   it's useless to cry ,   but she continued to do so regardless ,   and then            a nobody heard her ,   a nobody helped her .

          even without having any special status  /  even though i'm just a glitch of codes and binary and the personality of the kind of worthless guy who's more trouble than he's worth  /  with an empty personality that'll all lead to nothing ,   i'm still cool right ?!  /  would you'd still stay by my side ?

         a pause ,   not because of hesitance or inability to find a reply ,  but because   . . .   what an illogical answer .       ❝               of course .    ❞       she can't quite wrap her head around it ,   but even so ,   that was the answer she / he had decided upon .   the answer she / he will continue to believe in .   just like that time ,   a hand is stretched out to the other .   the difference ,   however ,   is that hakuno's hand finds itself placed upon a crown of black ,   affectionately ruffling raven tresses .       ❝    you're plenty cool ,   yan qing .   though i'd rather you hear it from me when you're sober .    ❞      of course she'd find the one who saved her cool ,   though you should find an answer of your own .

          and also  ..  try seeing yourself from her point of view .   maybe then you'd realize just how wonderful you are .

[nulltune]

“Why are you bleeding?!” @ servant!hakuno

         red ,   green ,   blue .   a black screen ,   switching on            but all it display is static   (  violent ,   grating .   to her  " retinas "  ,   to her  " eardrums "  ,   to her mind  )   .   the sensation is much like a fish out of water / a program out of a system  ;  even breathing hurt .   a breath air feels foreign to her " lungs " ,   and it takes all of her strength to not lose consciousness and collapse right then and there .   𝚊_   𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚎_𝚒𝚘𝚛   𝚌_𝚙𝚢   𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚕_   𝚝_   𝚑_𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎   𝚝𝚑_   𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚍_𝚗   𝚘𝚏   𝚜_𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗_𝚎   𝚌𝚊_𝚗𝚘𝚝   𝚑𝚊��𝚍_𝚎   𝚊   𝚙𝚑𝚢𝚜_𝚌𝚊_   𝚋_𝚍𝚢 .   through the pain ,    she hears             a voice .

          "  why are you bleeding ?!  "

         bleeding ?   ah ,   blood .   she confirms it when a shaky gaze falls onto the ground   (  not out of her volition ,   her legs seem to have failed her  )   ,   met with a vision of crimson .   lots of blood .   hard to identify the source of it when it felt as though her entire body / every bit of data in her was being ripped apart ,   but a hand of hers finds itself soaked with that deep color as it brushes past her waist .   that must be it then .   bleeding  ..  is this bleeding ?   is this  . . .  blood ?   really ?

         she struggles to lift her head up ,   but is ultimately unable to do so .   the ground below her is stained red ,   but why is it that she sees static polluting her sight ?   she hears it too .   it's loud ,   terribly loud .   if that voice from earlier was calling to her ,   then it's been long drowned by white noise .   through it though ,   the question still rings in her mind ,   why am i bleeding  ..  ?   but           she cannot find an answer .   𝚝𝚑_𝚜   𝚜_𝚌𝚝𝚒_𝚗   𝚘_   𝚖𝚎𝚖_𝚛𝚢   𝚌𝚊_𝚗𝚘_   𝚋_   𝚘𝚛𝚐_𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚎_   .   instead ,   it brings about more questions .

         where am i ?   why does everything hurt ?   what am i doing here ?   who is this person ?   who  ..

         . . .   who am i ?

         ❝            !   ❞       she tries to let her voice out   (  a cry for help ,   a scream ,   anything would do  )   ,   but no sound comes from her .   all too sudden ,   as though a flip had been switched / a program had been shut down ,   all her senses turn black .   

question starters   ,    no longer accepting !

[nulltune]

Ares has prepared a small shield for Hakuno for Christmas... but also, a pair of cool shades and a dramatic cape just for fun. Fafnir, meanwhile, has brought her 27 different harmonicas.

          hakuno is well aware that this was the merry season for gift giving ,   the season to be jolly  ~   or however that song went .   her being exempt from it was a natural assumption of hers ,   however ,   so the sight of such generosity was  ..  entirely unexpected ,   and              quite shocking ,   to say the least .   the brunette stood completely frozen right then and there for a good minute or two ,   staring blankly at the objects laying by her bed .   wh ..  what's all this ?!   not just the mere idea of her receiving presents ,   it was also the amount of said presents that made this act a CRITICAL HIT !   she really would've had a harder time believing these were meant for her ,   had it not been for her name so clearly written in bold letters on the card sitting by the pile of gifts .   that didn't do much in making this feel any less surreal though      

          let's see   . . .   a shield ,   a cape ,   a pair of sunglasses   (   and don't tell her        could these perhaps have some sort of magic imbued to them as well ?!   )   and twenty - five  ..  twenty - six  ..  twenty - seven   (  ?!   )   harmonicas .   hakuno lifts up one of the intruments to her lips ,   blowing into it .   her breath comes out as an almost comedic  '  brrppht '  sound ,   matching the emotions she felt perfectly .

           ❝    ..  merry christmas .    ❞       there isn't even anyone else in the room  . . .

[nulltune]

She’s not Gilgamesh with an unlimited gate that shoots out candy but !! she’s someone that’s all for hand making wagashi sweets , maybe there’s a tiny arrangement of cheesecake too , mostly candy though and candied strawberries as well. she’s not skipping any corners while running through the hallway looking for one brown haired mon rabbit. Out of air it takes a moment to gather herself but even then she’s offering out the decent sized box towards her. ❛ TA – DA !! Happy Valentine’s Day !! ❜

          ❝      . . .   yes,   valentine's commonly involves chocolate,   but   ———   uegh,   no.      ❞        a sigh,   and a shake of her head.          ❝      that's no good   ..   ahem,    ahem.    ritsuka,    do you want some chocolates for valentine's day ?    well,    sorry to say,    but i    ————    huh ?    no way,    what the hell is that !    that one's just   . . .   way,   way,    way worse  — !    [   another sigh   ]    uuu   . . .    listen,    i'll be blunt.    i don't have any chocolates for you,    ritsu   ——      ❞

"    TA - DA  !!    happy valentine's day  !!    "

          a shrill,    undignified squeak.    there's a hasty swish of chocolate tresses,    hakuno turning away from the wall to face the source of the voice,    mouth gaping slightly.    nimble hands fumble with the item in her hand in the process,    and she ends up hiding it from the other,    holding it behind her back.    (    damn it.    she has no pockets,    aside from the one by her breast   . . .   she internally curses the entire fashion industry for a brief moment    )        ❝      ..  ritsuka.   you shocked me.    ❞        a not - so obvious thing,    given how stoic she still appeared to be,    but that was the simple truth.    hakuno gets over the initial shock fairly quickly,    though porcelain cheeks soon begin to color a faint pink.    partly because of that   ..   terribly embarrassing sound she just made,   and because   . . .   gebuuehgh   ..    (    now what was that sound ?!    )    talk about a hell of a timing !    had she been looking through things from an outsider's perspective,    she would've found it comedic,    really.    to be part of it though ?    terrible,    absolutely terrible.    hakuno finds herself pouting as a result,    gaze drifting away to the wall.

          . . .   a very shortlived act.

          something smells sweet   ..   hakuno kishinami is quite the simple - minded person,    you see.    a very simple - minded person with a very sweet tooth.    one blink,    two blink.    intrigued is her expression,    nose subtly twitching in attempt to make sense of that enticing scent;    much like to that of a bunny    (   a moon rabbit indeed  ..   )    ——    her attention is quickly directed back to the box held out to her.    the answer lies there,    so it'd seem.    and it was only now that she finally got a good look at it.

          ❝      ———  !!      ❞        there's no visible change to the  " muscles "  of her face,   but the joy and elation is made abundantly clear through the bright twinkle in hazel hues.   uwaaah   ..   she's never seen so much sweets before !    many of which she's never even tried before !    hakuno is silent for a good few seconds,    staring down into the box.    like a child staring at a toy in a store,    separated from them with a thick layer of glass.    that isn't the case for her though,    there's nothing separating her from it.     right ?    right ?    it's right there,    it's right there.    and it's something   ..   foreign   —        ❝    . . .   for me ?    ❞        —   but not at all unwelcomed.

          a nod in response from the master.    a beat.    hands reach out to accept the gift.

           ❝      ah,      ❞        whoops.    she'd forgotten about her own gift,    until she'd unintentionally held it out to the other like this.        ❝      i   ..   was meaning to give you something too !   it's not chocolate or anything sweet,   but   ———   here.     ❞      a box as well,    but of a smaller size.    truthfully,    she'd wanted to make some sweets for ritsuka,    but what with the chaldean master making treats for just about every breathing individual in chaldea   . . .    and the many who had the same thoughts as her,    wanting to give something to the redhead as well   . . .    seldom did she find the chance to use the kitchen.    surprisingly,   she did manage to make several decent treats here and there,    but were those good enough to gift to ritsuka ?    when it came to this kind of thing,    hakuno seemed to hold herself to an incredibly high standards.    (    but of course !    you'd only want the very best for someone you held so dear,    wouldn't you ?    ) 

          in the end,    what she prepared for ritsuka was   ..   quite the variety of items as well.    and like the other,    items which were of a particular category.    a storage box,    brushes,    tweezers,    nail dotting tools,    nail decorations    ———   all essentials for the chaldean master's little hobby !    a brief laughter is shared between the two,    as they made the exchange for each other's present.    the healthy flush on her cheeks isn't one born from embarrassment now,    lips curving upwards ever - so - slightly.        ❝      happy valentine's day to you too,    ritsuka,    and   ..   thank you.     ❞      

[nulltune]

It was time for Hakuno to get a surprise visit! Who was it? Nix and she was carrying her fluffy munchkin too. The cat was then carefully placed on the others lap. “I heard you like cats and thought you two should meet. This is Rai!”

          ❝    . . .    ❞       AAAAHH         ?!   it takes a second for things to register ,   but hakuno is quick to accept it .   very happily accept it .   having a cat on your lap really is one of the best feelings ever ,   huh !       ❝    nice to meet you ,   rai .   i'm hakuno kishinami .    ❞       and in an attempt at a handshake   (  pawshake ?   hand - pawshake ?   paw - handshake ?  )   of sorts ,   two fingers lightly tap onto the feline's paw .   it felt so soft .   has she ever encountered anything even close to that in se.ra.ph ?   no ,   never .   she never thought she'd ever have the opportunity ,   really .   even the simplest of joys felt so far beyond her reach  ..  so that's why         this felt like a blessing !   hakuno turns to the other woman ,   a small breath escaping pink lips .      ❝    nix ,   rai's so cute and fluffy   . . .   i might cry .    ❞       

                      it's hard to believe when paired with a monotone voice and an unchanging expression ,   but true to her words ,   a comically large teardrop was very much there  ;  and very much threatening to spill from her right eye .   how it hasn't already made its down her cheek will forever remain a mystery .

[nulltune]

One of the sphinx trio was here today, observing Hakuno curiously from the doorway for a moment before making their over to her, stopping when it came close, and peering up.

          silence was all that followed the   (  adorable  )   sphinx's movements ,   with the girl just standing there ,   wordlessly gaping as it inched closer to her .   a multitude of questions form in her head         what's this ?   did rider send it here ?   or did it come out of its own volition ?   what kind of treats do sphinxes like ?         alas ,   she no pays attention to of them .   it's not without reason ,   however ,   it's because suddenly ,   she was no longer hakuno kishinami ,   she was   . . .   francis xavier  the chosen one !   the one to have won the favor of the almighty  (  and all - fluffy  )   sphinx cub / god !   and its loud father ,   perhaps !   (  if rider had been the one to send this angel here !  )

          ..  or something like that .   in her shock ,   she'd come up with a rather odd scenario ,   so it'd seem .   thoughts running amok ,   hakuno finds herself unable to string up a proper sentence ,   though she simultaneously felt as though her head had just gone blank              completely and utterly dumbfounded would likely be the best way to describe the girl right about now .   yes .   still ,   she's able to lower herself to the sphinx ,   getting a better look at the very fluffy - wuffy animal   (  how could these faceless creatures be so cute ?! )      ❝    ..  hello there .    ❞       slowly ,   she reaches over in attempt to give it a nice little pat - pat               only to pause midway ,   for the sphinx had just looked up at her ,   tilting its head in the most precious way possible .   hah   . . .

          . . .  THAT'S SO GODDAMN FRICKING CUUUUUTE .

unprompted   ,    always accepting !

[nulltune]

Pats Hakuno's head, and seems quite pleased with herself. Yes, moon girl is soft, warm, reassuring. Chiemi is at peace and will now proceed to walk off down the hall. "Seeya later, Kishinami-chan!"

          ❝    . . .  !    ❞       the effect the act has on her is immediate .   the brunette's actions come to a stop ,   footsteps coming to a sudden halt ,   and though no words come out ,   her mouth remains slightly agape .   hakuno's expression is still that inexpressive neutral   (  though it bore a bit of a similarity to a mildly shocked goldfish  )   ,   but those with a keen eye would notice              a faint twinkling in her eyes ,   alight with elation .   had she done anything to earn a reward like this  ..  ?   not that she expected a reward for any action of hers ,   but that was the most logical assumption one would have in this particular scenario !   

          hakuno ponders it for a good few seconds ,   gaze bashfully fixated on the ground .   nothing seems to come to mind though ,   and before she could ask the other about it ,   the redhead has already begun to turn on her heel .       ❝    ..  ah ,   yeah .   i'll see you later ,   chiemi .    ❞       quick to regain her composure   (  on the surface ,   at least  )   ,   she manages to give a quick wave to the taller woman before they could go their separate ways .   that was  ..  anticlimatic ?   surreal ?   in any case ,   this whole thing was just  ..  a pleasant surprise !   a bit confusing ,   but she certainly isn't complaining .

          . . .  still ,   what was the reason behind it ?   they say you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth ,   but if she could find out the reason why  ..  maybe it'd lead to more headpats in the future  ..

unprompted  ,   always accepting !

[nulltune]

“Do you need a hug?” - from sirin

          ❝    a hug  .. ?    ❞       echoed in a whisper ,   in disbelief ,   almost .   when had she ever gotten an offer like this ?   comfort like this ?   the brunette mulls the idea over ,   hazel eyes flicker over to the smaller girl   (  though she's quick to look away after a mere glance  )   .   really  . . .  she must be looking utterly ridiculous to sirin ,   huh ?   taken aback by such simple words .   there's no ulterior motive here ,   she knows that ,   this is but a sincere question from a child  ;  innocent and pure .   (  the color  white  appears in her head at the thought          from there ,   another image :   of a young girl just as sweet ,   snow white hair tied into two braids  ) 

          it feels as though her  " heart "  clenched in her chest .   hakuno turns towards sirin ,   lips parting              only to close .   she shakes her head and hopes her face no longer displays any sort of concerning expression .       ❝    . . .  i'm quite alright .   thank you though ,   for the offer .    ❞

question starters   ,    no longer accepting !

[nulltune]

❛ … Hey, are you having a bad day or anything like that ? ❜ from witsu

          truthfully ,   hakuno has always felt a sort of  ..  separation .   from the others ,   from reality .   even in the company of another ,   sometimes ,   she feels as though she's not quite present  ;  that constant inexplicable feeling of being all alone in a crowd .   in the back of her mind ,   she knows why .   it feels as though she were on the outside ,   peering in .   no ,   no .   that's wrong .   she's not outside   . . .   but nor is she inside .   she is             not quite alive ,   not quite dead .   not quite real ,   not quite fake               stuck in between .

         how foolish .   it seems like she hadn't noticed the downcast expression she'd been wearing !   though not very expressive ,   she's always worn her heart on her sleeve ,   after all .       ❝    . . .  huh ?    ❞       hakuno doesn't ponder ritsu's question much            it's a day like any other ,   she supposed   (  no shine ,   no rain ,   the inside of her head littered with a myriad of grays  )   .  the expression on ritsu's face is one she recognizes as concern ,   so she averts her gaze ,   hand raised in a dismissive wave .

          ❝    oh ,   sorry          did i worry you ?   don't be .   i was just  ..  deep in thought ,   is all .    ❞       pesky thoughts ,   she might add ,   but she doesn't .   because none of that is any of their concern   (  she means that in a good way ,   she only wants the best for them  )   .   her troubles are hers to deal with ,   and hakuno is more than content to shove these wretched thoughts aside ,   perhaps for all eternity  ;   keep them tightly locked and swallow the key .   she'll leave them to rot in the confines of her mind .

          . . .   her ,   and her alone .

just monika starters   ,    accepting !

[nulltune]

' Hey Hakuno , you've got some serious modeling potential. If ya' want , I can set ya' up with one of my agents and get cha' started ! '

          ❝            e - eh ?   ah  ..  you flatter me  . . .    ❞       compliments are a terribly foreign thing to her ,   she's not quite sure on how to react !   venus is much too kind ,   she thinks ,   and it's true .   the blonde's words are sincere and genuine ,   so much so that        despite thinking otherwise ,   hakuno can't help but smile timidly in response ,   a healthy flush coloring porcelain cheeks at the warmth of the other girl's praise .       ❝    thank you .   i don't think i'm cut out for the modelling world though .   i'm not nearly half as pretty as you are ,   you know !    ❞

unprompted   ,    always accepting !

[nulltune]

Santam has appeared! Hakuno has been good(ish) this year! So she'll be getting presents! Yayyy...OH SHIT SHE SPOTTED HIM. Uh!!!?! "Don't eat all the sweets you get this year all on one sitting, your cast-iron stomach can still get stomach aches." Wait, how would Santam know that unless- Crap his secret identity might be exposed! Gotta do damage control! "Sit on my lap and tell me what else you wanted for Christmas again." RIP Santam. No thoughts head empty.

         christmas .   hakuno knows that it's the holiday season              made apparent by the decorations other have put up ,   and the festive cheers echoed throughout chaldea's hallways .   the excitement is not nearly as contagious as one would expect ,   however ,   and it is right then and there that it dawns on her that she'd nearly forgotten the holidays .       ❝    archer  ..    ❞       ah ,   right .   christmas .   is that the reason behind that ridiculous mask he's wearing ?

         had she been as expressive as any other   /   a normal human being ,   her features would have long contorted into  . . .  a look that words cannot describe .

         the secondhand embarrassment she feels is  . . .  immense .

                                    (  part of her wants to outright leave the room       )

        what an absurd situation ,   made a million times worse by the words spoken by this masked  " stranger "  .    is he  ..  playing the role of santa claus ?   hah .   had hakuno been a gullible child ,   then perhaps she'd have complied ,   but           ❝    no .    ❞       the word is stated bluntly ,   leaving no room for argument .

         it is then that she ponders the question            what she wants for christmas ,   he'd asked .       ❝    ah  ..    ❞       once upon a time ,   she'd been asked a similar question ,   albeit on a much grander scale :   a wish  ;  one that came the cost of the blood of a hundred and twenty - eight .   at the end of that story ,   hakuno kishinami's wish was granted ,   what more could she ask for ?   and so ,   here she is   (  once again  )   ,   lacking an answer .   perhaps she was just a terribly simple being ,   wholly lacking in wants or desires        or more accurately ,   deeming them as nothing but pointless .       ❝    i  ..   don't really know .   i never asked for all the candy either .   i'm keeping them though .    ❞       but such a response wasn't quite satisfactory ,   so it'd seem .   brows slightly furrowed ,   hakuno inches closer to the other .       ❝    if you insist ,   then             not your lap .   i'll be borrowing your shoulder for a while .    ❞       

          she takes a seat next to him .

          come to think about it  ..  a lap pillow doesn't sound so bad either  . . .  oh well ,   maybe next time ?   it's with a soft sigh that she rests her head upon his shoulder ,   a small smile surfacing on pink lips .   never mind a christmas present .   this ,   she thinks ,   is more than enough to make her happy .   that is              the company of a loved one .

[nulltune]

*ㅤㅤ𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄ㅤ𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐃 ㅤ.ㅤㅤㅤ"Is that how you paint with acrylics!? Give me that! Its giving me an hernia by just watching your poor attempts at painting----" Although he has refused to teach her about his artistic ways, he is now taking her paintbrush out of her hands and showing her how a professional worked /IMSOSORRY                   @artisticichor​​  .

›ㅤtrying to clear my inbox  ,   so it's closed for nowㅤ!

          a finger taps the side of her chin ,   unintentionally smearing it with a bright blue of some paint she'd accidentally gotten on hands   (   she's made a bit of a mess of things ,   so it'd seem   )   .      ❝    . . .  yes ?    ❞      she probably shouldn't have thrown away the cover for the acrylic set so soon ,   huh ?   there were instructions written on one side of it ,   she could've easily cheated for this abrupt pop quiz !              err ,   in the first place ,   she probably should've read it first rather than assuming acrylics would work the same way as crayons do .   the answer she'd given was completely incorrect ,   it appears to have completely flown over the other's head .   valden - sensei   (   a nickname that was of unclear origins and reasoning   )   has long snatched away her brush ,   starting a new painting of his own .   hakuno doesn't mind ,   choosing to take this as an opportunity to observe the more skilled painter rather than ,   in his words ,   give him hernia .   he seems to start with mid tones ,   before giving more depth with darker tones .   lightest colors go last  . . .

                         maybe it's not the right thing to ponder when she's   (   kinda ?   )   getting a free art lesson from the edgar valden ,   but she's really hoping he'd return her paintbrush to her soon  . . .  she wants to finish her painting !   she knows now that just about everything she did had been improper in terms of technicality ,   but the painting doesn't really look bad ?   she's a bit proud of it ,   actually !

          *   the painting in question :  

[nulltune]

"just---- give me the avocado Please---" HE HAS TO TEACH HER, SOMEONE HAS TO-

          too late .   the final syllable is accompanied with a chop to the last avocado ,   the slice falling over in an almost comical plop .   the avocado ,   the victim .   hakuno ,   the executioner .   the knife in her hand ,   the guillotine .   and norton ,   the unfortunate watcher                the look on the other's face does seem just as ,   if not more ,   horrified as one's expression would be ,   had they bore witness to a beheading .   hakuno remains unfazed ,   though the complete exasperation leaking from the other's words do raise a brow from her .

          what's the reason behind it ?   hakuno looks over her shoulder   (  expression unreadable ,   the norm for her  )   ,   slowly setting the knife down in a way that was completely unlike how she'd dealt with the green fruit .   the ferocity of a barbarian ,   brute force enough to leave deep marks upon the cutting board .   she sets her gaze back onto her handiwork then ,   examining each and every clumsily chopped piece   . . .   ah         she seems to have come to a realization ,   eyes lighting up ,   while nimble fingers remain holding onto one of the avocado rings slices .   she sets it down with a nod .   he must really want to eat an avocado right now ,   huh  !   

                ❝               enjoy .    ❞       the largest and finest one among the bunch is held out to the other .   bon appétit ,   nonon .

unprompted ,   always accepting !

[nulltune]

*ㅤㅤ𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄ㅤ𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐃 ㅤ.ㅤㅤㅤhakuno-chan!! do you want to bake christmas cookies with me?                  @orihibae​​  .

›ㅤunpromptedㅤ,ㅤalways acceptingㅤ!

         ❝    ah  ..   right .   it's           ❞       a brief pause ,   as she cants her head softly to the side .       ❝           beginning to look a lot like christmas ~   ❞       her tone falls flat and dry   (   hakuno has never been a good singer  ..   )   ,   but in complete contrast to her seemingly unaffected demeanor ,   the corners of her lips can't help but pull into a small smile .       ❝   what kind should we make ?   ❞       already ,   she thinks of sugar cookies ,   chocolate chip and hot chocolate ,   gingerbread and fluffy marshmallows .   amongst those treats ,   a peculiar item comes to mind ,   however ,   that being  ..  red bean and cheese cookies !   the lighthearted memories ,   as well as the prospect of baking more treats with orihime ,   is enough to make the the smile on her face broaden just a bit .

                     whatever it is they'll be making   . . .   she's looking forward to it ,   that's for sure !