#ai - relationships - cloud on a drought's horizon (shiroi---kumo)

[musesofthemoon]

It wasn’t all that difficult for the children to remember Kumo’s birthday once it had been told to them. How many birthdays had he missed now? How many years had he been fighting? Neither child knew, but they did understand that it was a crime for this to stand further. For all Kumo does for them, and with them, he at least deserved one day to be all about what he wanted to do. Usually, they’d be alright with heeding his wishes, but this was different. Whatever he wanted to try, to eat, to do, they’d provide it for him! At least, as much as they could. 

At any rate, first came step one of their plan, and the most important part to boot. The gifts! With a bit of allowance they’d been given from their parents, they’d taken to the stores! Both were proud of what they held in their hands, but only time would tell if that pride was warranted as they waited for the swordsman to grace them with his presence. 

And then, once he did…

“Happy Birthday Kumo!” the twins exclaim, maybe a bit too loudly for so early in the morning. At any rate, both children were all smiles, with presents held at their backs not so cleverly hidden. 

“Here’s mine first!” Ai begins, Yu deciding not to question her on that split second decision. In her hands and shown with pride is a well wrapped, and quite small box. “I don’t know if you wear stuff like this or anything, but I saw it and it made me think of you! I really hope you like it-” Within such a box, lies a necklace, the charm on it being a terrarium design with clouds seeming to float inside of it. 

Then, comes Yu’s turn, who comes up a bit slower on the draw, but seems to have just as much excitement in his heart. The box in his hands is quite a bit bigger. “Well, I know you said you don’t need stuff like sweaters and blankets, but um… You still seem like you like them a lot, so I decided to get one I thought you’d like- Uh, sorry if that spoils the surprise or anything- Just- Here!” he replies, wishing he hadn’t had to stumble through his words, and placing the box into the grasp of the other. Within this box, would be a simple white sweater with a bluejay design on it. 

Once that process was out of the way, now came the second part, which was still just as nice as the first, if not less surprising. “And since it’s your birthday, we’re gonna do anything you want!” Ai declares. “Just say the word!”

@shiroi---kumo

[musesofthemoon]

Although things were calm, there was an excitement that came from the children as they continued to listen. It was so wonderful, as if they were hearing something about some land that still existed, that they could still go to see one day. They knew that this wasn't the case, that much was clear. They knew it had been because of Chaos, and that still made them interact with that concept in a way that felt wrong. They hadn't even existed when Misterica fell, at least from their own knowledge. Even still, their larger whole had, and they hated it.

And yet, the children ignored such a thought. At least for now. They had to believe that they had nothing to do with this, that it wasn't their fault. They should appreciate this unseen treasure from the past, rather than worrying about something that they had no control over.

"It sounds so beautiful..." Yu states, unable to stop himself from just gawking. If only they could pretend that such a place was still around. If only... Instead, neither child could find all that much left to load him with, instead, full of so much knowledge, sitting with it felt so much nicer. Despite that, Ai still thought about it. It made her want to say something, even though it probably wouldn't be as helpful as everything else. She had to remember that Kumo was recovering from a wave of emotions, and yet she wanted to say something, and not let that bitter ending linger in the air.

"I hope... Nowhere else like that will disappear... I don't want any more places like your home to get eaten. It's not fair-" She isn't loud about such thing, but she still could feel a slight resolution in her mind. She couldn't do much. She was just a kid... She had to lean on the Unlimiteds, even if she truly wanted to do more.

Maybe this could be it. Maybe this would be what she did to assist him. Keep him happier, let him be okay, if only for a moment... It was a shared wish, for his happiness.

His hands are reaching to pull them in close to him, arms wrapping around them to keep them close as they all set beneath the warmth of this blanket he’s been provided with so kindly and he has a feeling that eventually they might end up in a pile again, asleep if he’s not careful. Both of them are like small heaters that work to keep him quite toasty in such a pleasant way.

Yu wants to do something for his birthday and Ai wants to know all she can of Misterica. Bright eyes filled with wonder. It makes him wonder how these children could be all that could ruin the universe one day. They are - they are more than they seem to be and more than they are supposed to be. Much as the Unlimited are - he knows these children are destined for greater things.

But this quiet pocket of calm… it is one of the finer things in life.

“Most of us spoke the same language, Ai but I am fluent in Black Wind’s as well as my own. ” He pauses and gives her a playful grin in that moment before he sounds again.

“Kuten minun kaltaiseni prinssiltä odotetaan.” (as expected from a prince like me.)

He speaks the words quickly and without hesitation, pulling out noises from a deeper place in his throat that he almost never does.

“My family held me to high expectation, so there are many things I know how to do that most Mistericans could not, but as for your other questions we had all sorts of festivals. Far be it for a Misterican to not throw a good party.” He laughs lightly at the comment with a grin.

“We had many and most of them were filled with dancing. We honored the stars and the sky. The Celestial Mother and the natural world around us. We had so many dances and the music that filled the air was intoxicating.

Our entire culture was built on those island due to the resources they held for us. So naturally due to our ability to fly, we built our homes on them. Misterica was a beautiful place. Cities and homes made from pure crystal. I’ve never been able to find anything like it. I wish - I wish I could have shown it to you.”

[musesofthemoon]

@shiroi---kumo gifts: It's not often that he speaks in this sort of tongue to them but he needs to in order for it to carry the approperate effect he thinks. "Ai, Yu - come over here please." He sounds his hands moving forward to take each one of the twin's into his own grasp. Ai his right hand, and Yu his left. "I need you to know from the bottom of my heart, rakastan sinua niin paljon. Olette molemmat niin arvokkaita minulle ja rakastan sinua. So I need to give you both this. They are special to me, and I need you both to have them, alright?" His hands are moving down to the belt where he keeps his bottles of Mist to slide one out of the way to pull out a silver chain sat with a white crystal in the shape of a tear drop. It almost looks glowing and if one were to look closely it looks like the sky has been trapped within it. His hands are moving again as he unlatched the chain and slips it behind Ai's neck to fix it so it's now hanging upon her. Then the Misterican is working again to slide out and reveal a crystal bracelet that is green in color excluding a single white gem that sets at the center, also very much glowing with the sky seemingly trapped inside. This time he moves to take Yu's hand and slip the trinket onto his left wrist with the utmost gentleness and care. "I made them for you." He remarks. "Do you like them? The crystals you see were forged from my own Mist. It is a Misterican custom to give such gems to our loved ones and I usually give them out on special occasions. So of course I would never miss your birthday. Not after you both were so kind to make mine so magical. So now it is your birthday and we can do whatever you desire." He pauses. "Within reason." There's a slight smirk on his lips as he smiles at them. "Hyvää Syntymäpäivää, Ai ja Yu. Rakastan Sinua niin paljon." __ translation: "Rakastan Sinua niin Paljon" -> I love you so much "Olette molemmat niin arvokkaita minulle ja rakastan sinua." -> You are both so precious to me and I love you. "Hyvää Syntymäpäivää, Ai ja Yu. Rakastan Sinua niin paljon." -> Happy Birthday Ai and Yu. I love you so much.

They come over as they are told. And while they aren't quite expecting the hand holding that follows, it's not as though they mind it all that much. And they want to understand what he is saying, they really do, but from the sounds of it, they can just tell that it's meant to be heartfelt and kind. Do the exact words truly matter? As long as they are loved, as long as he loves them, the way he says it doesn't need to matter. They're just happy that he's here...

The children are gifted with Mist upon their person, but they aren't aware of its significance until he vocalizes it. They were crystals made from his Mist, his lifeblood. And there was something about that which felt so special. Like a piece of himself that would be with them always, that he would always be looking after them, no matter where their lives led. Vocalizing that feeling was hard, so instead they could only say words that didn't feel like enough.

A "Thank you!" comes from them quickly. Ai swiftly jumps in for a hug, and Yu follows suit soon enough. "This is the best birthday gift ever..." Ai says with a dreamy sigh. Certainly, they've gotten great gifts in their time, but something so special had to take the top spot. And they wouldn't be taking these crystals off either, not if they could help it.

Of course, that didn't mean they weren't excited about any day they might have planned. Different as their interests may be, there was something they could both agree on. It would certainly be within reason too. They were simple kids, they didn't need to do anything wild and crazy. Well, maybe aside from one thing.

"Well, getting some sweets is a must," Ai states plainly, though the smile doesn't leave her face. "And I like doing the stuff we already do together too but..." She takes a look back to her brother, making sure that he's alright with the request she's going to make on both of their behalves. After assuring herself, she grins. "But, if you're sure it's okay, you always said that you wanted to show us the sky... Could we maybe... Do that now?"

[musesofthemoon]

 “ what am i?”  from Kumo for either twin

What Are You? | Accepting

"Fierce but fun!"

"Best Uncle Ever!"

[musesofthemoon]

@ Ai, Yu:

People keep giving Kumo birds...

"I mean... He seems to like birds a lot, I'm sure that's fine but... I wonder if we have the same birds as they do?"

The children share a glance with each other for a moment, before finally speaking again.

"To the library?"

"Good call-"

[musesofthemoon]

Why do you two stay close to the ones who are meant to kill you? You twins can't honestly think you're safe with them can you? Kaze does not care for you and Kumo has a history of betrayal. Both of them are vile wicked men and yet you keep attempting to foster a friendship with them. Do you really think they care about you? Do you really think they give a damn about your well being? If you get out of control, they'll end you both without a moment's hesitation and they won't feel anything for it.

Unwarranted Criticism | Accepting

Both kids are uncomfortable, but each in a different way. While Ai could feel anger and annoyance take her over, Yu found himself worried. What could he even say? What would make this make sense. There was too much for each one to say at once, so Yu let Ai take the lead on his, who was more than ready to start shouting at this strange person.

"Kaze may be a big dumb jerk, and we may not know all that much when it comes to Kumo and his life before, but there's always a reason! You didn't see what they did before! Before all this, they were helping people! They were trying to save the world from this big Chaos thing! What's the past is in the past, you know? They care about us now, and that's what's important! Well... Kumo sure does, sometimes I'm not sure about Kaze but... I'm sure he does too!"

Though soon, Yu's turn to speak comes to pass, but he feels more stiff when he starts speaking. Its worry, insecurity that takes him, instead of the conviction that takes his sister. He wants it to be easy, like it tends to be for others. But he just can't, especially with how he felt the words come out.

"Like Ai said, they're saving the world..." he sighs, trying to make this feel easier to roll off the tongue. "And... You say stuff about us going out of control causing us to die but... Maybe that's not the worst thing in the world. We were part of Chaos after all... I turned the sky red once! If the world is in danger because of that, they they'd have a good reason... For now, they stick around us. If the day come where that has to change, then I won't blame them."

Ai feels herself patting her brother's back at the end of that comment, looking at him with kinder eyes. "It won't happen... You don't have to worry so much, okay?"

It may not stop him, but it makes him feel better, at least.

[musesofthemoon]

Boss Battle! - From Kumo at the Twins It looks like he's brandishing a rolled up newspaper at them.

Decisive Battle! | Accepting

Dung Defender - They may be going down, but not without a fight! I just think the lighter tone to it makes a situation like that stand out a little bit. Considering this is a punishment sort of thing, they'll totally be trying to avoid it, but still! It's just a little silly, it could even work for training them, you know?

[musesofthemoon]

This is nice. She likes just being held. He probably knew that she hadn't been completely truthful beforehand, and she was glad that she didn't have to say anything. Instead, she finds comfort in just being held, in just. Being for a moment. She usually only felt such a relaxation, such a comfort, in her family.

But that's right, Kumo is family now.

"Can we just sit for a little..? Thank you..."

He's pulling her around to set in his lap, so he can just wrap his arms around her. He's leaning his cheek up against her head as he holds her close.

"If you'd like to talk, I will listen. If you would not, I can simply hold you for a while."

[musesofthemoon]

🌟 + Kumo

"Kumo is really nice! He doesn't know a lot about everything on Earth, and I do kinda wonder if he really gets how emotions are supposed to work, but he's really good to Yu and me. I kinda think of him like the uncle we never had, though I hope he doesn't mind me using him as a test subject sometimes when I show him new things."

"I feel a lot of the same stuff sis said. I think that he hides a lot, though. Like, even though we spend so much time with him, we've never learned much about his life. And we just call him Kumo, we don't know if that's anywhere near his real name. Everything we know, we saw. I wish we could change that one day, but I'm content with not knowing for right now."

"I don't know the man well, but I think that he's very well-mannered. He reminds me a lot of myself, sometimes. I don't know why, maybe it's just because he has this feeling of trying so hard to make an image of yourself to the rest of the world. I get it, honestly. I wish I didn't, but I do."

[musesofthemoon]

Neither child would ever dare to leave the grasp of this dragon. Not many would dare to tame such a creature, but there was more to this one than others seemed to realize. Most would see him, under the orders of the enemy, and have fled such a thing, believing only in deceit. But seeing what these children had, it became a different story.

They may have been adversaries, at one point, but such things became water under the bridge once they knew the truth about him.

And what a wonderful decision they had made, for it was no mere dragon they had come to care for. No, Kumo was so much more than that. He was a caretaker, he was a playmate, he was a friend. It hadn't been long since the two had met him, not really, but even so they couldn't imagine their lives now without him. How different would it be? How dull?

They don't think about that now, because within that grasp comes a rest of mind, one that often comes after play. Although it hadn't been much time since they had been taken into their plush entrapment, the prince before them already seemed to be sleeping so peacfully, and naturally, this action was contagious. Without anywhere to go, the drowsiness soon hits their eyes, caught under a spell of sorts.

Ai almost thinks, for a moment, that she could try to move away, to leave without disturbing Kumo or her brother, but she stops in that idea quickly once she realizes the peaces in his sleeping state. How often would such a thing happen for him? How often did the man get to indulge in that simple pleasure, even if it were not a necessity for him? So, with such feelings in mind, she leaves herself to her fate, as she can soon note Yu's eyes starting to flutter as the siblings share a glance.

It's at that point that she, too, feels the same sort of way. There was nothing for her to do that was more important, what could possibly be? It was moments like these, between those you cared about, that needed to be remembered. And on that note, the girl joined the pile in its rest.

Ah, the dragon and its horde, what a beautiful sight.

He's trapped them and there's no way to escape. A year ago he was  raising his sword in their direction. Focusing his gaze on Black Wind alone and bowing his head to Chaos' every whim. He followed them; he stalked them and kept track of their every motion at the behest of the one he called master. A year ago, he was Makenshi to them. Hailing to a name that only signaled a monster and it seems he's trapped them once again… but this time there is no one to save them from the Mist Prince's intent. 

Trapped by the Demon Swordsman, whatever shall they do?! Who to save them?! 

A thin but strong arm is wrapped around Ai, keeping her at the swordsman's right. While the other is wrapped around Yu keeping him at the swordsman's left. They rest close to his form. As close as he can physically keep them, to the point that the elder Hayakawa is settled upon the swordsman's chest as it rises and falls in a gentle rhythm. 

There's nowhere to go. There's no escape.  How will they ever get away?

A small hand is resting against pink hair to keep her head against the swordsman's chest. The other is tucked under the boy's arms to wrap about his chest completely to make sure they both stay as close as can be and they feel so warm pressed against him. They feel so warm and comforting.

Toys are scattered about the floor as the body of white lies still upon the Hayakawas' plush couch. Mist coated lips are parted ever so slightly letting the white substance leak out in small controlled puffs but there is a soft rumbling admitting from the back of the swordsman's throat as he breathes. They are trapped in the arms of this white dragon but his grip is not strong enough to do harm to them, but instead to just keep them close. As close as can be. 

The rumbling from his throat only gets louder for a moment before it quiets back down to almost a soft purr. The Hayakawa twins have been captured by the Light's Unlimited and it seems the only thing they can do at the moment is either wiggle away from him or relent and wait until he wakes. 

They're just so warm though. So warm and cuddly. It would be a shame to wiggle around too much and rouse him from this much needed sleep. Especially when he has them both cuddled so close and he seems to be dreaming so peacefully. It's not very often that Misterica's King allows anyone to hear him do anything so unbecoming as snore. 

He can't help it though. These two. These children have captured his heart and tamed this dragon. So it appears that the only thing they can do for now is simply join him in his unscheduled nap. 

||| @musesofthemoon

[musesofthemoon]

The language drives interest with the children, never before having heard this language being spoken before. Certainly, the two had ideas that Kaze and Kumo had come from other places, with their own histories and cultures, but this was the first time they could truly see it for themselves, since it wasn't something they were meant to ask about.

"Wow, you sound even more like brothers than you look, which is already a lot-" Ai laughs, taking note of their arguing already. Some things really never changed, did they? Despite that, now she wanted to learn more about this Red Mist... And since Kumo already seemed busy with whatever was put in front of his face, maybe this would be the one chance she had to do it.

"Buuut, since Kumo's busy right now, and we were gonna ask him to go out so we could play with the new ball I got, you could go with us instead?" She turns on the charm at this point, hoping that it would be enough to get the new face to take the bait. She would hope at least, that he would be able to see the fun in things, unlike a certain gunman she knew.

Yu waits to the side, however, as if trying to gauge how he'd take the girl's request. He felt the same intrigue about the Red Mist, but he hadn't any clue what he might really be like, and the demanding nature of his sister didn't give him any more security on the matter. Still, he couldn't say that he wouldn't find any enjoyment around their new acquaintance, that he could now dub Kiri in his own mind.

@musesofthemoon​​ asked:

Kumo’s brother is here? Well, now he has to deal with two (2) children to the wayside, looking over at him with interest.

“Hey, we never got your name when you got into that fight before… What’s your name?” It really is too bad if Kiri wanted to be alone now, because here we go!

“My name?” He sounds with raised red brows as equally red eyes look over his shoulder to the body of white whose nose is buried deep into the book that’s stealing away all his attention. 

“Pilvi, keitä nämä lapset ovat?��� (Pilvi, who are these children?)

“Ystäväni, Usva.” ( My Friends, Usva. ) 

Red eyes look back to the pair before him and his lips pull into a frown. His arms cross over his chest as he looks them up and down once and then twice. So these were… Pilvi’s friends? 

“Punainen Usva.” The words come out of him with a sigh as his shoulders rise and fall with the motion, only to have a body of white close the book in his hands to float over to his brother’s side and rest a thin hand down on his sibling’s shoulder. 

“What he means to say, is that his name is Red Mist. That’s what it translates to. Usva, this is Ai.” His hand raises to point at the girl with bright pink hair and then over to the boy with deep brown. “and this is Yu Hayakawa. They’re twins.  So they’re the same age. They really are quite lovely children though. I’ve grown rather fond of them.”  

“Praise be to the Celestial Mother I wasn’t twins with you.” Comes a harsh retort but a smirk on pale lips after it’s said. A playful push from the younger of the pair but still smiling lips despite the hazing. 

“Usva you’re jerk.” 

[musesofthemoon]

Well, it was good to know that there was something to go off when figuring out when they would celebrate it. The idea of seasons themselves were weird on Earth, considering seasons tended to start around the end of a month. It was certainly odd to work through, but that wasn't too difficult to most standards. Figuring that out would be interesting, after all. Then, maybe they could throw some sort of surprise party for him, wouldn't that be nice...

Yu sort of understands it, though. "Well, seasons are kind of weird here, since seasons can start in the middle of a month but... I think that might be January 29th? If that makes any sense..." Hm, if he was correct, maybe he could plan something for that day... "But, if I knew when your birthday was, I'd be able to get you something nice for it!" There's a smile that comes to the young man's face as he thinks about all he might be able to plan for that, with Ai seeming to match his gaze a few times, as if they'd both known something but didn't need to say a word.

However, Ai's attention is soon grabbed by the descriptions given to her by the Misterican. It isn't so strange, instead making sense with how he so often spoke about the skies and how often his kind would be within them. It felt as though it had been a normal setting for the world, but those ruins having been what was left of his home world... While it was wonderful to hear that something was left, it still felt hollow, knowing that there was so much that Kumo had lost. But knowing more about that world had still given her many questions to ask, and much more that she'd want to know.

"Wow..." Her awe betrays, before quickly moving back to the asking of questions. "That's really cool, that islands on your world could be in the air. But I also meant like... Stuff that happened. What sort of festivals happened, or what languages you had there, I wanna know everything that you can teach me!" Sure, her goal seemed ambitious, especially for one person to speak on, but he at least seemed willing to talk, and that was all she needed to know.

There’s a sly smile growing on his lips as he grins at them both. Yu’s comment has his attention and the prince can only reach forward with a single finger extended to poke the child softly on the nose.

“My birthday?” He sounds. “Why would you want to know something like that?” He continues in a tease. “You don’t need to decide. I know when my own birthday is Yu.”

He’s grinning as he speaks, but slowly it fades out to a more neutral look, lips tugging downward ever so slightly as he lets out a small sigh.

“I just have yet to figure out your human calendars is all. I was born on the - ”

Jade eyes look down at slender fingers as the Misterican sets for a moment mumbling under his breath counting out numbers upon them until he stops and returns his gaze to his half pint company.

“-on the twenty ninth day of the second month of winter. I don’t know what you humans call it in comparison, but in Misterican the month of my birth is ‘Tammikuuta’. ”

He pauses for a slight blush to creep into his features, and he finds himself mumbling again.

“I believe I said that correctly.” But jade eyes shift to the very pink of the twins and he smiles at her notion. He could fabricate whatever he wanted about his home, but he chooses not to. It’s always nice to hear words like hers. Eager interest in his home, so he decides to start with something small.

“What do you mean Ai? You’ve seen it. At least part of it. When you met my brother. The space you all were in, above the clouds when you met Usva. That was part of the ruins that existed on Misterica. I snuck out to them often, so I know them quite well. That was how most of the Kingdom existed. Misterica as a Kingdom was built nearly entirely on islands in the sky far above the clouds. As world however. I can hardly say I was got to see very much beyond the palace walls. Father and Mother were quite strict about me getting very far out of their sight, and Revon was quite skilled at making sure I didn’t.”

There’s a soft look in his eyes that’s never quite been there before. A fondness almost. Fondness for memories of people long since gone.

[musesofthemoon]

A laugh... A laugh! It was something so nice to hear from him, and it was because of something they had said. It was something so precious and gentle to see, where the young children felt a resolve in order to protect that laughter, that smile on his face. Sure, maybe they would be in over their heads on that front, but what mattered in the moment was that they could try.

It didn't matter what might be going on out there, really, since everything else could wait a while. Everyone else had been alright those moments before, they could only hope no one else was all that worried about it. He shouldn't have to hide, but it was also true that they couldn't stop him if that's what he wished to do.

At any rate, they both get the answers they want. Like a kiss then? They'd both assume it was to do with something soft and on the forehead, as there were many things humans used their lips for, which would make a lot of sense being different within other cultures. Then, it would make sense to let him initiate that if he ever did, and never just touch the horns without permission.

Hearing the longer explanation about fevers and such, and about what he might want, it's good to know that for future reference, after all. "Well, I don't mean right now," the boy replies, mostly about the idea of gifting. "But maybe for Christmas, or if we ever decide on when your birthday is compared to Earth Time."

"That really is so cool though!" Ai adds, mostly having waited for everything he had to say on the matter. "I know you don't have to tell us anything, and you could just make stuff up if you didn't want to tell us- But, if you can, it'd be really cool if you could give us lessons or something about you and your home world-"

It was a subject now that they were fully engrossed in. A group of beings who used the sky for travel, and showed their care for others through different means. They were different, and the idea of learning about that would be good to hear about. Maybe not now, but someday. Someday, then, maybe they could ask again?

Hopefully Kumo wasn't planning on keeping everything else a secret, because now the children may not leave him alone about it!

They were curious children and the turmoil that had been plaguing his mind moments before was fading away to recesses of it where he failed to think of it in only moments at the onslaught of questions he was given by the twins. Ai’s assessment of a hug with your head was enough to make the Misterican laugh in their presence even if the sound was only short lived. Still it escaped him nonetheless and it earned slender but strong arms reaching forward to pull them both to his chest again and give them a strong but short squeeze.

He loves them.

He loves them so much and he hopes they know that.

Both of them are just full of questions and for once he’s content to just set here under this blanket and not worry about the way the world is racing all around them. He’s content to just set here and talk with these two twins until Lisa undoubtedly gets worried and comes looking for them.

“It’s more like a kiss.” He sounds in correction to Ai’s comment with a half grin on his face as snow colored brows upturn and the blush fades from his face, remaining only in the faintest tint in his cheeks.

“It’s more like a kiss and it all depends on pressure. A soft motion is a soft kiss. Mother did so often when we were upset or we had done something she was especially proud of. There were a few times when I was injured as a child, that she did so out of relief. It’s hard to explain. Just know it’s affection to my people. All of us had horns, so it was normal to us.”

But he’s turning his attention to the other twin as Yu fires off his own set of questions, and he can’t say he’s honestly had anyone show this much interest in his culture in a long time. Cid did, but that was purely medical reasons and most of it the engineer ended up figuring out on his own.

“If I had a fever you would know it very quickly, Yu. I get quite miserable and very whiny. Cid says my fevers are closer to usual human body temperature and the man takes them very seriously. Generally when our bodies grow too warm, my people would use the skies to lower them. They can get quite chilly the higher up you go. You know I would show them to you without hesitation as long as we had your parents permission. You’d need a thick coat though. I wouldn’t want either of you catching cold. The sky can get rather frigid. ”

He’s grinning and the misery that had been lurking in his eyes seems to be fading away as he speaks. Arms still wrapped around them as he keeps them close. He’s content to just set here hiding away from the world for a while with these two endlessly curious children.

“Black Wind calls me a frosty creature because of it and I have to say that’s the greatest compliment he’s ever given me.” He chuckles again as his smile grows. “But you would know if I’m running a fever. We take our temperatures through our horns. They can feel like hellfire when I’m sick. As for your fluffy sweaters I have come to be fond of the ones that are soft like blankets. They feel so nice against my skin, I very much enjoy the feeling, but you don’t need to get me anything. I’ll be alright, the cold doesn’t bother me in the same way it does your people or Windarians even. Black Wind is practically allergic. ”

Oh he’s chuckling again and it seems to be at the other Unlimited’s expense this time.

[musesofthemoon]

What felt the strangest wasn't found in these long untold remnants of a lost culture, but instead found in seeing something so utterly human within someone who appeared anything but. He had feelings, they were both aware that everyone had to (despite how Ai would vehemently deny the red haired Unlimited did). But he'd always seemed to above them, so regal and strong on his own merits. Seeing him fight off the effects of a blush seemed new, yet so wonderfully comforting.

Everyone held a side like that to them, didn't they?

Soon, he finally begins to explain himself, and Ai is certainly satisfied with the answer. He had a family, more than just that strikingly similar figure they'd seen during one fight in the past. There would have to be more, too, but maybe forcing him to think about something lost wouldn't be best for him now. He didn't deserve that, after all.

Instead, her eyes are full of wonder as she listens to him, Yu sharing a similar look to his face. It felt nice to see him able to open up to them, no matter what it came in the form of. It was a world gone now, but that didn't make it unimportant.

"Oh..! That makes sense, it sounds like a hug with your head... Wait, is that right? Or is it something else?" Ai speaks, already speaking in circles without quite meaning to. She quickly stops however, knowing that he could probably just answer her somewhat. "Is that something you do all the time, or is it only for special occasions?" Maybe her line of questioning was a bit too overwhelming, but despite that she didn't even notice. It was rare that she learned something about either Unlimited, so she wanted to take the chance for what it was, until either party didn't find the questions interesting anymore.

Yu, as well, seemed to fall into this, though his were a lot less in number. Despite that, finding more that Kumo would like would be nice, especially to make the Misterican feel more at home on Earth. "So what would happen if you had a fever? And, I never learned it, but what kinds of fluffy sweaters did you like? We could get you some if you ever wanted-"

The children would find anything that he responded with interesting, in all honesty. And, whatever the immortal was thinking about, hopefully they'd at least be distracting him from that train of thought.

Yu is content to cuddle in close when he asks for present company to remain and the boy says nothing else - Ai however. The girl finally makes her presence known, and the questions start making the Misterican pick his head back up and tip it to the side ever so slightly at her inquiry wondering what she meant -

Oh. Oh My.

His hands pull away from them and come to rest on each side of his face for a moment only to cover it in his embarrassment. A rose tint floods his face just below ivory skin as the Prince feels his features growing warm by the second. He - they don’t realize what he was doing. What he was saying. Oh he didn’t think twice about these two having not a clue of Misterican tradition or culture.

You’re the last one left, Pilvi. Of course they don’t understand.

A voice is rumbling inside his mind telling him he needs to correct this oversight, and honestly they’re children. He somehow doubts they’ll be offended by his show of affection. It’s unlike either of the Unlimited though as the elder acts stone cold and the younger just tries to act as aloof as possible to avoid any form of emotion leaking through.

But he has them. Oh does he have emotions, he just swallows them on a regular basis.

As he pulls his hands away from his face, there is still a tone of rosy tint lurking in the Light Unlimited’s cheeks, signaling the slightest twinge of embarrassment that remains.

“Affection. It was affection, Ai. Mistericans rub their horns together or across a loved one’s face to express affection. It was something I did often with my family.” He explains using words he’s never dared mention before - one of which mentioning that he has a family at all.

But I mean - of course he does. Doesn’t everyone?

“And no. I’m not sick or anything. I know I must feel freezing to you, but this is standard temperature for my people. If anything you feel like little walking heaters to me.” Comes a tease as a smile finally finds it’s way to his lips. Small puffs of white rolling off his lips for a moment as he chuckles.

“It’s part of the reason why I love blankets and your fluffy sweaters. Or why I think that Hot Coco of yours is a novel invention. You humans certainly have a myriad of ways to keep warm don’t you? But if you think I’m cold, I promise you the skies are much, much colder.”

Whatever was plaguing his mind before seems to be fading away at the moment. Still though, he’s keeping those kids close.

[musesofthemoon]

The moment of silence feels as though its hours, both of the twins looking at him in an expectant way. It's better than seeing the Misterican freak out in some capacity, however, so they sit within it until they're pulled into Kumo's arms. Its a surprise when it happens, but certainly not an unwelcome one. Ai almost feels bad for accepting it on her own, knowing that Yu was the twin that had done all of the work.

They notice one thing very particular about him, and that was how horribly cold he felt. Was it pain from some form of illness, was that what made him flee? No, that didn't seem to be right, he wasn't acting any different before making that escape. Both made a note in order to ask him about that later, as they soon felt something else that they wouldn't have known before. The feeling of a cool, smooth gemstone across their cheeks, feeling calming to the touch in some strange way. This was how his horns felt? What a novel feeling, especially since neither had dared touch the Unlimited's horns before.

Once Kumo finally speaks up again, Yu feels relieved that he hadn't done something foolish in this regard. That, and Kumo was at least able to accept that help, in a way he wouldn't have been sure would have happened. They could certainly stay here for a while, especially when things were as important as this. Even if someone else found them, it didn't matter, whatever was happening outside these four walls would just have to wait.

"Oh, of course we can-" Yu replies, kindly keeping his position near Kumo. "For as long as you need, we'll stay right here." He feels determined in this, to make sure that he would be as okay as he would need to be before really letting him go.

Ai, while feeling a similar way, felt a bit more curious in this moment. She wasn't sure whether or not she would overwhelm the other by asking them, but whatever she said must feel better than whatever was consuming his mind, right? She could only hope so, as she was ready to ask anyways

"Um, you don't have to answer right now if you don't want to but..." she begins, more careful than she usually was in her speech. "You seem really cold... Like, really cold. Are you alright? And what was that thing you did with your horns? I don't think either of us have ever seen you do that before." She's not sure how she's coming with all of these question, but she doesn't mind it all that much. She's curious, and learning about their otherworldly caretaker should be alright...

A warm blanket is over him before he can move. Yu is taking charge and the Misterican can’t bring himself to stop the child from anything he’s doing. Part of him is telling him he needs to be the adult in this situation but the other part of him is telling him that accepting help from others is just something he’s going to need to grow more accustom to in order to survive.

He’s set out to help them so why can’t he accept help from them?

He needs to. He can’t do this alone.

Cid isn’t here to calm him down, and he’s not about to bring more people into this than needed. The kids came into this of their own free will and later he would pull Lisa to the side and explain because he’s sure she’s going to come looking for them all eventually.

It’s strange though.

In the entire time he’s been revived since he managed to help take down Gaudium he hasn’t really received much help from anyone - outside of Cid and Miles anyway. They brought him back from the brink with no motive to their names. He’s always been the one helping and not the one to be helped even when he’s needed it.

Of all people within the space of the universe his other was the one who knew him the absolute best but yet the man can’t be bothered to so much lift a finger for him. It’s a strange symbiotic relationship between them and he would say at times it almost boarders on parasitic with the way the Windarian benefits from his tactical skill, but yet provides no form of companionship or comradery.

He can’t take living like this anymore.

Black Wind or Chaos, it’s all the same.

And of all the people in his life, he has a small child to be the one to come to him and provide him some kind of comfort. To tell him he doesn’t need to ‘pretend’ to be okay. It’s a pair of children, who have come to bring him softness and understanding. A pair of children, who have come to bring him grace and love.

His hands release their death grip around his legs and he lets them fold down so they no longer are blocking his chest as his arms raise. One hand reaching towards Ai and other reaching towards Yu to slip them over their shoulders and to bring the small bodies in and close to his chest.

His head drops, pressing his forehead to the place where their shoulders meet and the Misterican lingers there for several moments before his head raises and he tilts his head to the left side to lightly brush his tallest most horn down the side of Ai’s cheek and then he tilts his head the opposite direction to mirror the motion again Yu’s cheek. He does this to both of them once, and then twice before he returns his forehead to press against their shoulders, his horns lightly pressed down atop them.

“I’m just - Thank You, Yu. I’m just having a moment. I just need a moment to compose myself, but I - I don’t want to be alone. I would be appreciative if you both would just… stay with me for the time being.”

[musesofthemoon]

It was strange, to see the usually calm and collected Kumo fall into something that looked like panic (they hadn't gotten a close enough look at the Unlimited to tell what exactly he was feeling) without even saying a word. What had happened, what had caused this in him? Although they couldn't be sure whether or not they'd be able to do anything, they couldn't just stand by and do nothing. He seemed like he was suffering, and no one deserved to wallow in their misery like that.

They look within each of the currently empty rooms for any signs of him, which proves difficult until they finally reach Yu's bedroom. It's difficult to make out in the darkness, but they can at least see what looks to be a small form within it, which they could only think to be the Misterican. They stay quiet at first, unable to tell what exactly they should do in this situation. Both children held memories they would see linger in their dreams that they'd much rather forget... But they'd never seen anything like this in their daily lives.

They can both see the look in his eyes when he finally responds, both understanding that it looked to be a lie. Ai didn't have much in the realm of saying, which felt so odd to her. Usually, she always had some form of response, but even she could tell that whatever she'd have to say likely wouldn't help. Yu, however, soon found himself working. The boy knew his own room, even in the darkness.

He grabs the duvet off his bed and tries (with hopefully some success) to drape it over Kumo, hoping that it would provide him with some form of comfort. In his own experience, it felt nice to stay huddled in a blanket and forget about the world for a while. It was only a hope, though, and he didn't have enough experience to have any real strategy for something like this.

"I don't... I don't know what's going on, or what happened to you but... You don't have to pretend to be okay, you know?" he states, hoping that the way that he speaks doesn't disquiet or frighten the other. He tries to keep his voice down to combat this however, not trying to make Kumo feel too much too quickly. "You don't have to tell us anything either... I just... Want to make sure you feel better, and I'm sure sis does too..."

To that, Yu hopes to get through to the Misterican, even if just a little bit.

A Year of Song || Accepting

@musesofthemoon​ asked:

🎁 for whichever of the twins you’d like (or both if you choose!)

#94 - Citizen Soldier - Mess of Me

It’s one of those days where everything’s a mess.  No, he’s the mess.  He’s the mess and he doesn’t know if he can hold it down long enough to find a place to just disappear from the sight of them. He’s supposed to be watching the kids but the voices are loud and the feeling of hands brushing down his skin is ever present. He’s having another “attack” as Cid would call it.  Cid told him these moments were episodes and they were related to his PTSD. 

The kids were with Lisa. The kids were with Lisa, he could take a moment for himself or several.  No one else can know. No one else needs to know about the hell he went through in that castle of false joy - though he has a feeling they’ve made assumptions since they all saw the way he was so mercilessly dispatched by way of his own blade all that time ago.  

That little demon may have died in body but he was certainly alive inside in mind. He can’t talk about it. He can’t talk to anyone because The Blade Does Not Weep and if he does surely Black Wind will have something to say about it. He can’t talk to anyone because if he lets the monster out he doesn’t know how to get it back in.  He’s afraid of the torrent of emotion that will escape him if he lets up his vigilant stand for even a second. 

But he can’t hold it back forever. 

He’s slipped off to the upper levels of the Hayakawa’s home, found an empty room and kept the lights off. Human eyes cannot see the glow that Windarain eyes can - can they? He just needs a moment to himself. He’ll return to them momentarily right as rain and no one will ever have to know about these episodes of his. No one will ever have to know about this PTSD. Cid has given him all sorts of suggestions to manage these moments but nothing ever works. 

Grounding he called it. Naming off things he can see, hear, touch and smell. Engaging his senses to try to ground himself in the hear and now and help dampen the tricks his mind is playing on him. He can hear footsteps. Two pairs. Small. 

The kids. 

He can hear tiny heartbeats and tiny lungs. He can hear the kids and they’re coming closer. They’re looking for him, and he’s setting in a dark room trying avoid anything and everyone. Lisa doesn’t sound like she’s with them at least, but how is he supposed to lie to them if they find him like this? He’s practically balled himself up with knees to his chest just to make it harder for his phantoms to touch him.  

He can’t bring his head up when he hears feet stop at the door. They’re there. He can feel their eyes on him even when he doesn’t look up. Even when he keeps his forehead pressed to his knees and his arms wrapped around himself. He needs a moment to compose himself and this moment wasn’t nearly long enough. 

Slowly does he tip his head up to let one jade eye shine in their direction. There’s distress in his vision even if he’s trying to will such a thing away. 

“ It’s okay, I’m alright.  “