#003. ❝i am the gentle autumn rain❞ — interactions

[acernusarbor]

@artificeheart small plotted starter (Spider-verse)

❝People always tell you how it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all when you're grieving. As if it helps, as if it offers any semblance of comfort. They don't understand the anger or the GUILT that takes root when someone you love dies becuase of you. Because of who you are. You, though? YOU DO, don't you? I can see it in your eyes. In the way you're looking at me.❞ 

To Kazuha, at this moment, it seemed like there was an unspoken connection between the two- a level of understanding that was becoming increasingly rare to come across these days; his new identity was resulting in him becoming increasingly isolated, given that everyone around him that mattered had wound up dead. 

❝How do you do it? How do you live with yourself? How am I supposed to be this HERO when I have so much blood on my hands?❞ Tear-filled eyes rise to meet the outlanders directly, a silent plea within them.  

❝What am I supposed to do?❞

[acernusarbor]

THE COMPANY OF AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE WAS WELCOME, particularly after being away from his homeland for so long. He listened attentively to everything she had to say, chuckling at her comparison of a dying Anemo slime. A heartfelt smile settled on his face as the crisp evening wind blew against his skin. ( He hadn't realised how much he missed the simplicities of being home. )

❝Once we acquire better-quality leaves, I could teach you how to play sounds that aren't of the dying capacity- If you'd like.❞

They continue to converse as their stroll takes them through a billowy pink and white canopy of Sakura trees. Kazuha stopped briefly to pluck a sprig of the cherry blossoms from the ground, twirling it in his hands as he spoke.

❝It is a great relief to hear you have both been doing well.❞ He inspected the petals that had since fallen into his hands, contemplating her words as he did.

❝Is it already that time of year? It seems I have been away longer than I thought for the summer festival to be approaching us. How have you been getting on with your designs? I do love your fireworks.❞

It was never a pleasant feeling to get reminded of the events that transpired during the Sakoku Decree. The memories of such times are a source of inner turmoil for Kazuha, one he had attempted to leave in the winds as he followed his desire to travel.

❝I have been well. The Shogunate has indeed cleared the charges against my name. I have been much more at ease since, and it has been nice returning home no longer a fugitive.❞ He returns the blossoms to the ground, turning to face his friend directly.

❝You did so much for everyone during the resistance, and I feel compelled to thank you again for your efforts. It is an honour to call you a friend, and I shall be delighted to attend the festival this year to see your work. Celebrating a new beginning is just what everyone needs, don't you think?❞

( His words are sincere- perhaps the festival will be precisely the thing to lift everyone's spirits after everything they've been through recently. )

A sunny smile answers the ronin's apology - as if to say don't mention it! didn't mean to disturb ya! - under the pleasant summer sunset, full of warm and delicate pastel hues Yoimiya loves to draw inspiration from. In that regard, perhaps she and Kazuha have the same idea; the outside world truly a marvelous source of inspiration, for those with an expressive soul seeking an outlet.

Curious honey-coloured eyes contemplate the discarded leaves (music, huh? with these?), a little nod offered with each and every one of Kazuha's list of requirements to find the Chosen One. Gee, who would have thought being a musical of nature would be so complicated?? "I see, I see. It's like finding the right balance of powder and ore for a firework - if the composition is even slightly off, the result won't be up to par with the intended colours!" Yes, exactly the same thing. See! Even poets and fireworks makers can communicate, when they put their mind to it.

Anyway. More important than considerations of fireworks, is the chance at a little chat with an old acquaintance she has not seen in a very long time (and for good reason); thus, Kazuha's proposal for a little walk comes as a very welcome offer. "I'd love that! Maybe you can tell me more about leaf playing! I remember trying to do that when I was a kid - only sound I got out of them was that of a dying Anemo slime..."

"Oh, yeah, pops and I are doing great! You know the Summer Festival is right around the corner, right? Well, not quite, but it'll be here soon enough, so I'm hunting for ideas for this year's designs!" With a beaming smile, Yoimiya waves the sketchbook she holds in her hand, as she and the ronin begin their walk under the canopy of sakura trees.

"Business has been picking up again with the end of the Sakoku Decree, so we've been busy as bees... but it's good. It's nice to see things being set in motion, y'know what I mean?" She muses. "How about you? The Shogunate has cleared you of all the unfair charges brought against you, right?" She asks, voice softening into compassion. "You should come to the Summer Festival this year... Fireworks are a great way of celebrating new beginning, y'know?"

[acernusarbor]

TAG DUMP — GENERAL 01

saved // 001. ❝the wind lifted me up into the trees.❞ — saved

answered // 002. ❝i stop to watch the leaves fall.❞ — answered

interactions // 003. ❝i am the gentle autumn rain❞ — interactions

ooc posts // 004. ❝the mushroom is the elf of plants.❞ — ooc

ask memes // 005. ❝the wind smelled of starting again.❞ — ask meme

interaction call // 006. ❝a leaf dancing in an autumn sun.❞ — interaction call

wishlist // 007. ❝leaves fall from the tree without regret.❞ — wishlist

open starters // 008. ❝i can smell autumn dancing in the breeze.❞ — open starter

promo // 009. ❝her early leaf's a flower.❞ — promo