#CHUCKES HIM AT ITSUKI FULL-FORCE

[badboysupr]

Look, Leo was no expert in the performing arts. One could actually say he didn’t know the first thing, so asking for his opinion on the topic…? Might as well ask a fish about the art of flying. (Unless it was a flying fish.)

But when a sweet girl was as positively stoked as Itsuki while speaking of this particular hidden passion of hers, you’d have to be pretty dang heartless to do anything but enthusiastically encourage a little “presentation.” Dinner and a show, right? No going wrong there. No going wrong with supporting a friend’s interests to begin with, but add a delicious meal to the mix, and Leo had absolutely nothing to complain about.

—even with the show not exactly being stage-worthy just yet.

He made sure to clap, obviously—once he was totally positive she had finished and didn’t have a second number to bring to the table. Taking the time to pause in stuffing his face (and putting down his utensils, too; that’s a show of respect!), he let out a low whistle beneath a quick round of applause, climbed to his feet to meet her halfway across the room.

“What’d I think? And you want honesty?” Leo parroted with a lopsided grin. An arm swung loosely around her shoulders as he feigned a long pause for intense contemplation, and he shook his head, clicked his tongue. “Oh, Itsuki. Itsuki, Itsuki, Itsuki… My spunky lil sis. Ice ice baby. Sweet winter child. Precious snowflake—” He pulled her in closer. “When have I ever been dishonest with you…?”

Leo gave her about two seconds to answer that. Then, with maybe a touch more seriousness, “It’s a good start! I mean, I liked it, if that counts for anything, but a thought for next time…” He poked at her waist. Repeatedly. In a few different spots to find where she might be ticklish. “Loosen up a little bit!”

A PART OF HER WAS DEFINITELY NERVOUS, but she knew proper feedback would help her so, SO MUCH in the long run. For as much as she appreciated all the love and support that the other villagers would give her... it was almost as if she could do no wrong in their eyes. And honestly, it dismayed her as time went on, especially when she actually wanted some proper advice for something.

And so she had been THRILLED, when they had offered to actually watch her sing and dance. The little girl having eventually shared her little dream of singing and performing to her guest that day. Whilst they chatted and ate a humble yet delicious meal of rice and stew at her little home... A simple conversation of one another's' going ons would somehow lead to this, and honestly Itsuki couldn't be happier at this rare opportunity!

Needless to say, there was most certainly A LOT that she would have to work and improve on. With the little one's SINGING going OFF-KEY more than handful of times, and her DANCING being almost NO DIFFERENT to how she ran and FOUGHT ON THE BATTLEFIELD itself... Needless to say, she was anything but graceful.

... but that was why she needed their honest opinion! And suggestions on what she can do after this to make it all better! Itsuki had been working on all of this all on her very own, and had little to no aid, save for a few stray songs and performances she'd been so lucky to hear or watch of others...

Ending her musical number in a little TADA! pose, Itsuki was noticeably out of breath by the end of it. Already quietly noting to herself that she would take off her arm and leg guards BEFORE performing next time. And as beads of sweat rolled down the sides of her flushed face, Itsuki couldn't help but beam with pride. Proud that she had FINALLY tried out this very special little thing of hers that she had planned for quite some time-- to someone who would be honest with her.

"S-So... whadya think? An' be honest, now!"