#drolliic / kazuha.

[mielmoto]

@drolliic sent: 📰 + Kazuha! :0

Send “📰” And my muse will answer these questions about your muse!

What is their name?:

"Kazuha! Kaedehara Kazuha, that is— if you want to be fancy-like. Zuzu on occasion, in my heart, (but I'd have to run that by him first so don't quote me on it)."

Relationship with them? / What do you view them as? (family,friend,other):

"We're friends, obviously! I mean, we haven't had the chance to spend tons of time together, and there's still a lot to learn on either end, but I think we hit it off well enough to land firmly in the 'friend' category— at least on my end. He's an Excellent travel companion." She speaks with easy certainty and a bright expression, before reaching to spin a lock of hair around her finger and hum a bit, "I hope he'd think the same of me, but it's not the end of the world if he, like, would err on the 'acquaintance' side! I know it takes more time for some folks."

Do you feel attracted to them in any way?:

"Oh I'm in love with him." Honey says it point-blank, without blinking, before waving off the 'confession' with one hand and laughing. "But I fall in love with someone, like, twice a day, so, take it with a grain of salt— seriously, though: Kaedehara-san is, like, something out of a storybook. He has the most soothing voice, like, ever, which he uses to spin poetry out of thin air; he's a super-graceful master swordsman; and, of course: he's beautiful. I can hardly believe anyone wouldn't feel drawn to him in some way– myself included."

What’s one thing you’d like to do with them?:

"The nice answer would be something like... I don't know, just going to the beach and walking the coast, collecting little shells and stuff together...

but more than that: the 'not so nice' answer is to go drinking. I understand he doesn't have much of a tolerance, and doesn't go in for it much, but, like... I bet he's ADORABLE when tipsy. I BELIEVE it. And I feel like it's something I have to witness in my life."

Tell us one memory you have with them.:

"Hmm... well, since we haven't had the chance to make a lot of memories together, can I cheat and share a memory I have of him? sort of?

It's a bit of a stretch, but... I remember, on one of the times my dad took me with him to Narukami Island we ran into an old man who was tending a couple bonsai– and dad, aspiring green thumb that he always was, couldn't help striking up a conversation with him, going and on about the shape and yada yada yada...

I wasn't the best at listening, then. but I did think the trees were pretty; enough to try to reach out and touch the fluffy-looking leaves, only to be caught just before I could ruin anything by my long-suffering dad. he scolded me a little, and apologized, but the old man just laughed a bit and waved him off. said something about 'having a grandson about her age' and that 'he was a curious one, too,' before showing me how to use the trimmers and snip a few leaves...

I don't remember his given name, but I remember my dad calling him 'Kaedehara-san,' too."

Anything you’d like to ask them or state to them? If so, say it now, please!:

"Nothing special. Just that he'd better stay safe out there with all that wandering, and I hope he has some pretty verses and nice stories to share when he stops by for a visit– when, mind you. not 'if'!"

[decoysouled]

unprompted asks // accepting. @drolliic // A hand settles firmly on Aether's shoulder before Kazuha speaks. "When was the last time you took a break, Aether?" although it's posed as a question, a gentle smile dangling from it, wandering samurai has no qualms to quite literally pick the Traveller up and personally make sure he takes some time to himself.

HE IS NOT SO FOOLISH AS TO IGNORE THE THREAT IN THOSE WORDS — naïve as Aether has the potential to be at times, ( or perhaps they are simply in denial, preferring to see the best in others because cynicism would lead their immortal life to be a more lonely existence than it already is. ) he is not so foolish to be unable to figure out that it is no question, but an insistence he takes a break from the daily routine of helping others that has taken quite the toll on his health as of late.

( helping has always been a welcome distraction from grief, proof they have had an impact, that they exist, that they did not simply watch idly as worlds fell into ruin. )

The hand on his shoulder feels both light & heavy at the same time — it is almost dizzying, to realise his perception of the world is off-kilter enough that he can't tell which it is supposed to be. Or maybe it only feels light because he is unused to touch, these days, even that which is firm & intended to ground him, or so he thinks. He's not quite sure, actually, what the purpose of it is, except that maybe Kazuha is trying to keep him from running away like he does most of his problems.

( or to still their hands, to take their attention from their attempts to sort through their current tasks. )

Truth be told, Aether is uncertain of where to begin with his answer to Kazuha's question, if only because he hasn't a clue what constitutes a break. If a break can be unwilling, then perhaps the two months of travelling through the wilderness before he came upon signs of civilisation might count, or the five hundred year sleep that was forced upon him before that.

But what of a willing break, the sort that one might call a holiday? Try as he might, Aether comes to the conclusion after an eternity ( what must have only been a few minutes ) of thought that he has not taken a break in recent memory — he & Lumine had travelled from world to world, carving out places for their own history, taking sides & casting judgement on others in warring galaxies that would later tear themselves apart no matter what Aether said & did.

( they have tried, of course, to still their hands & ignore the itch for validation via helping others. it has never worked. )

❝It's been long enough.❞ This is the only semi-honest response he can formulate, if only because he's concerned that Kazuha might see right through him if he makes any attempt to lie — after all, the evidence of sleepless nights must reside somewhere within his expression for the other to approach him at all. Either that, or he has simply been talked about by others having done enough as of late to warrant some sort of concern.

( they worry, briefly, that perhaps the mask of optimism has slipped. they hope he has not seen right through them into the harsh reality of sadness that tends to weigh them down. )

❝I mean, I take breaks pretty often.❞ It's a lie, Aether is sure that he can tell, if only because his constant travels would make that a rather interesting feat — in the end, there is only so much time to relax when he is constantly drifting from place to place, searching for something to do. Idling only tends to fuel boredom & allow grief to fester where it is unwelcome, so what little free time he has is often spend remodelling his teapot to meet the aesthetic demands of his companions.

( it may be a place for them to live during their time on teyvat, but they much prefer to welcome the company of friends by making it appeal to their companions than trying to figure out their own tastes & risk living amongst the ghosts of their past. )

❝But if you're really sure I'm in need of a break, I can spare some time. It's been a while since we did anything together, after all, so I don't mind.❞ The words are accompanied by a flicker of happiness in his eyes & a warm smile that does not quite reach them — it hasn't done so in a very long time, but that does not matter much on days like this, where fleeting joy takes root within his heart.

❝I can always finish this all another day, I'm sure.❞

[cryosewn]

@drolliic asked:

They've been catching up over a cup of steaming tea when the noise of something crashing reaches their ears followed by a loud yowl. A beat of silence passes before a ball of yarn rolls toward them. That... can't be anybody, but Tsuki who's mysteriously disappeared at some point and hasn't been heard until a moment ago. But before Kazuha can get up to check what happened, a colourful blur runs past them, skids to a stop and then runs back before bumping into Caiying. Upon being finally stopped, they can now see that what appears to be a tapestry has obscured the cat's sight and likely caused the rampage.

"She must have knocked the tapestry over and then ran off." spoken in the voice of somebody who's used to their feline friend's destructive tendencies. Tsuki herself is fine as proven a moment later when the tapestry is removed and she starts cleaning herself as if nothing happened. "I hope she didn't damage it. I do apologize deeply, I should have kept a better eye on her."

" -- ! "

She jolts, nearly spilling some droplets of tea onto her, when she hears the first bits of the commotion. It's not commonplace for her residence to be filled with such rambunctious energy. She's not sure what to make of the situation as she watches Tsuki collide with her, staggering here and there. The tapestry that has attached itself to the feline makes her pause. Then, she laughs -- truly laughs at the sight.

Caiying observes the cat with a fond expression. It must be freeing to be able to recover so quickly from incidents. She's almost envious of Tsuki.

The tapestry lays in her lap with some of its threads pulled loose or torn, but she pays it no great mind. Perhaps her work is altered now, but Tsuki had brought a smile to her face. This exchange is not unfair, so she drops the matter entirely.

" You worry too much, " she says, folding the tapestry. " If Tsuki likes it so much, then she may have it. I can always make a new one. "

If it means Tsuki will be happy, then she doesn't mind it getting treated like a toy. Just this once.

[erabundus]

@drolliic &&. said... Something went terribly wrong otherwise Kazuha wouldn't be in this situation. Maybe the intel was wrong or he was purposefully given too little information on his target. A simple wanderer, yeah, sure. The way he wields Anemo says another thing entirely, blades of pure condensed elemental energy chasing after him. Until one comes too close for comfort and despite managing to dodge it at the last moment, it nicks his mask and cracks it in half before it falls to the ground.

He can feel the warmth of a crimson rivulet making its way down from his forehead, probably from the same Anemo attack, though he pays no attention to it. "You're no regular wanderer if this is how the wind bends when you call upon it." makes him even more curious why he'd been assigned to deal with the other.

another  day,  another  fool  who  sees  fit  to  waste  his  time.  he  can  see  now  why  mortals  oft  struggle  to  accomplish  ANYTHING  of  value  with  their  short  lives  —  for  to  exist  is  surely  to  be  plagued  by  distraction  after  tedious  distraction. it's the only context in which ren would consider his ( literal ) eternal lifespan something of a positive, albeit begrudgingly.

loath  though  he  is  to  admit  it,  this  particular  NUISANCE  is  a  bit  more  talented  than  most.  he  blames  the  anemo  the  other  wields  —  where  did  the  fatui  manage  stash  away  someone  so  USEFUL?  (  why  had  they  only  seen  fit  to  hand  him  garbage  by  comparison?  )  truly,  the  wanderer  can't  help  but  feel  a  bit  offended.  he  thinks  breaking  their  shiny,  vision-holding  toy  may  be  an appropriate  way  to  vent  his  FRUSTRATION  —  because  honestly,  one  who  swears  loyalty  to  the  fatui  is  effectively  a  lost  cause  in  his  book.  he's  been  there;  he  knows  what  honeyed  words  and  insidious  tethers  ensnare  every  single  worthless  insect  that  hides  behind  that  familiar  mask.  he  has  no  interest  in  preaching  until  they  see  the  light;  some  people  are  simply  fated  for  self  DESTRUCTION. surely ren was no different, himself.

out  of  the  kindness  of  a  nonexistent  heart,  the  wanderer  simply offers  two  options  —  either  get  out  of  his  way,  or  be  crushed  like  the  pests  they  are.

ren  clicks  his  tongue  when  he  finally,  finally  manages  to  land  a  blow on this annoyance.  it's  nothing  worth  CELEBRATING;  barely  more  than  a  scratch.  yet  he  still  feels  a  tiny  rush  of  satisfaction  at  seeing  that  damnable  mask  snap  in  two  —  until  the  face  behind  it  is  revealed.

❝  you ...  ❞  his  jaw  works uselessly,  yet  any  further  words  are  quick  to  die  in  his  throat.  the  anemo  curled  around  his  wrists  flickers  and  disperses.  (  lacking  the  focus  to  maintain  them.  )  it's  a  rookie  mistake,  dropping  his  GUARD  like  that  —  something  ren  would  no  doubt  mock  others  mercilessly  for,  yet  in  that  moment  he  simply  can't  THINK.  blood  and  memories  roar  in  his  ears.  the  past  has  come  to  haunt  him;  it  hungers  for  its  pound  of  flesh.   ❝  who  are  you?  ❞  what  are  you?  the  wanderer  chokes  out. the other's question goes entirely unheard; he's too lost in his own fervent thoughts to notice.   ❝  did  they  send  you  on  purpose?  ❞

that shouldn't be possible. that  shouldn't  be  possible,  yet  the  COINCIDENCE  is  too  great  to  ignore.  or  perhaps  this  is  fate's  way  of  getting  back  at  him  for  his  past  transgressions  against  it? ren isn't sure; he only knows that the face looking back at him makes him SICK.

[lunatrics]

❝ I am genuinely glad you're no longer on the run, Kazuha. Even if I've lost the opportunity to chase you down myself. I'd much rather this be the outcome. Indeed. I suppose everything ended just how it should have. ❞

He can't help himself. Ah, the man was evasive for sure, and it proved a worthy challenge to try theorise or keep up with his movements. ❝ You know, I always hoped when you were caught that it would give us the chance to talk. Ah, but now I can do that freely, without any pesky bars between us. ❞ @drolliic

[electric-ecclectic-a]

@drolliic:

Aether and Kazuha would definitely love alchemized swords and the books would work v well on Sucrose and Albedo :3c

Right! Signe gets to work straight away, already experimenting with different materials. But…

…finding a book those two haven’t read already is going to be a challenge.

[scarletooyoroi]

While it may not be a strange sight to see people milling about the Kamisato Estate's grounds, the person sleeping on one of the sun-warmed rocks in the garden surely is for those who may not be familiar with him. With everything that's happened in the past few months, Kazuha has decided to take refuge in the one place he knows not many, if any, are going to bother him.

His nap, however, is short-lived when the telltale noise of paws hitting the ground reaches his ears and he opens his eyes just in time to see a bright white cat trying to get Thoma's attention. "Tsuki, let Thoma finish his tasks!" though it does little to deter the feline from her own task "Spoiled rascal." a laugh as he slips off the rock and ambles closer, intent on picking Tsuki up himself, flashing the retainer an apologetic smile as he does so "Sorry for her, she always wants to play."

Once again the concept of record time was being executed in the mid-afternoon. A familiar friend in hand, the small collective of dust upon the railings and hidden up into the small nooks and crannies held a bitter hope in trying to remain for long. Many have fancied Thoma’s movements similar to a dance from how effective he executes cleanliness in a virtually relaxed posture. No small space would find itself excused as these ‘bases’ of dust would hold little choice but to meet their maker.

What managed to change the flow of this status would be an adorable critter that paraded around the estate grounds as if this was her own veritable wonderland. A claws could be felt upon the bottom of his pants leg, that short and outright adorable mew as a set of marble like eyes peered up to him. It looks as if the young one was a brave soul who wasn’t shy in making their demands! To see that it also caught the attention of a welcomed companion finding rest here only causes the smile to grow upon Thoma’s features.

Now weren’t they quite the unique party settled together?

It was laughter shared as the ‘Old Duster’ found itself quickly cleaned and set to the side. With his hands now brushed, seeing Kazuha’s polite gesture causes him to shake his head, it was no big matter. “Is this her favorite time to play, when time may be of the essence?” Not that it was, all the same Thoma proceeded to crouch down in order to even the level just a little bit more between him and the cat.

Thoma found himself softened as the name’s meaning clicks within his mind. She truly was the moon walking amidst sunlight. Reaching forward, a careful, welcoming brush meets the side of the cat’s neck, keeping to a small portion along the shoulder as he pets them. “I certainly don’t mind. Attention like this is always a welcome given the familiar parties I have to mingle with. As the Fixer, it means people who play well into the realm of etiquette and business. Forthright emotions are beyond rarity in such a field.

So for this current moment? Thoma would soak in the attention while the atmosphere trailed to a more amiable state. Peering up to another good companion of his, a welcomed smile awaits Kazuha as he takes the initiative of picking up Tsuki himself, arms settled in a way where she can leisurely lay upon his cradling hold.

“Now days seeing those with a lot of energy is something I consider a blessing. So if you don’t mind me asking, what would happen to be a favorable game of theirs? All guests have to certainly feel welcomed here.”

@drolliic

[reginrokkr]

All it's taken for the feline to wander off is Kazuha briefly looking away. Luckily for him, he's quickly noticed the absence of his furry friend and has located her just as fast running after a light blue apparition. Better give chase as well, this isn't the first time this happens and certainly not the last either.

"Tsuki, leave the poor thing alone!" huffed as he finally catches up to her, scooping her up in one move. Only that upon trying to see where the Seelie ended up, he's instead presented with the ghostly being floating around a man. How peculiar, they usually return to their stone homes. "Ah, I hope she hasn't scared your friend. She just wants to play." which unfortunately more often than not means chasing the phantasms around.

■    ■    ■    Long has it been since the last time Dáinsleif allowed himself to take a moment to appreciate the beautiful scenery of nature and bask in the sunlight. What used to be nigh blinding to him centuries ago seems close to a blessing and a testament that the world is in relatively good health, all things considered. Before him extends plains filled with colorful flowers whose aroma permeates the location with every rise of the gentle zephyr. These fields bring a sense of nostalgia, a yearning for seeing once again inteyvats cover the earth like a mantle of white dotted with sky blue as far as one’s eye can reach in a nation that no longer permits such health for flora to grow.

For the first time in a while, the Twilight Sword takes a seat on the verdant grass and closes his eyes to enjoy the fresh air graze his face and caress long locks of light blonde hair that gently wave with the wind. Albescent lashes flutter open when acute senses warn him of a nearby presence in the form of a seelie that is hardly visible due to its phantasmagoric stance and its colors almost blending with the rest of the scenery.

Icy sapphires soften as the angelical creature circles around him akin to how one would greet to an old friend whom they haven’t seen in a very long time. Ultimately, Dáinsleif rises both hands in a cupping position to serve as a momentary throne for the seelie to rest as a couple more of guests make their presence here. So that’s why the seelie came here in a rush. The thought of a feline chasing the floating being is no doubt endearing, as much as it is her pawing in his general direction as if willing to reach out to the seelie in his hands.

❝Fret not. I believe that this little friend here doesn’t mind, otherwise it might’ve been gone by now.❞ At a second glance, recognition settles in his eyes. He remembers the young man, a ronin whom happened to defy the Raiden Shogun’s will some time ago and whom was prized were someone have what it takes to catch him. ❝It would seem that you no longer have to hide yourself as you had in the past.❞ He chimes casually in an act of letting on that he reminisces when he rid him of some undesirable company in search of the prize that would await them if they brought him back to Tenshukaku. ❝Fancy meeting you again.❞

@drolliic ✦

[mielmoto]

So close and yet. Regardless, Kazuha enjoys Honey's company and friendship.

proof positive that she could make an entire second board highlighting some more romantic, wistful, princely-type qualities; but, c'est la vie— he still hit more than half of this list, as is... (including the most important points, which anyone might be able to guess).

Kazuha is a rarity; uncommonly lovely on every level, but especially in his perspective on the world, the poetry he weaves from the commonplace. suffice to say: she enjoys his company a great deal, as well.

[lunatrics]

ℒ ╱ 𝚁𝙾𝙻𝙴𝙿𝙻𝙰𝚈 𝙼𝙴𝙼𝙴 • always accepting ⋰ unprompt​ ♡ ⋆ @drolliic ⤹ ❝ Ever busy, detective." Kazuha's soft voice teases in a sleepy hum, sway on his feet betraying further the poor sleep he had the previous night "I finally get a quiet moment with you and you're still on the lookout for anything suspicious going on." he can share the sentiment what with having been wanted himself which is why he's not upset about it "You're supposed to be on break so how about a short nap?" accompanied by half a step before his forehead meets Heizou's shoulder and a low snore leaves him. Ah, it looks like exhaustion has caught up to him a lot faster than he thought it would.

high concentration. barely a word is spoken as heizou calculates attentively, only a quiet hum in agreement. apologies kazuha, it looks like his work is ever ceaseless; it's never anything personal. just a trait he'd picked up along the way of his work ⸻ as well as an amplification of his own attentiveness.

❝ oh, I wouldn't say suspicious. ❞ heizou muses, however lacking the teasing in his tone was. still occupied within his own mind. but kazuha is right. this was the rare times they had on their own. he wouldn't take long. he just had to run through some things, just to be sure.

a weight hits his shoulder. huh? heizou snaps out of his thoughts almost instantly, but he doesn't jump. it takes more then that to surprise him. still, bewildered by the soft sounds of heavy, drifting, breathing, now, that was certainly unexpected.

how about a short nap. had kazuha ... just fallen asleep? of course, he was clearly lacking in sleep, that was something he'd noticed almost immediately. it was the fact kazuha could drift of so easily around him that was the real kick. could it be a test? hah. wouldn't that be something!

he has to force himself to remain quiet as a laugh threatens to break the peaceful atmosphere. enclosed hand presses against his grinning smile.

❝ it looks like you are the one in need of a nap, kazuha. was this your way of saying you want to sleep on my break? ❞ heizou muses softly to himself. ah. kazuha was just as serene sleeping as he was awake. less reserved, maybe, if his low snore was anything to deduce. don't laugh now. he'll keep his amusement as quiet as possible.

❝ doesn't seem you've left me much choice. a point to you then. I've been left completely at your mercy. ❞ haha! well, not much he could do about it then loosen his shoulders and watch the vast scenery around them, having slowly moved them to sit down, for both their sakes. couldn't have him falling over, nor him to just stand around and wait for it to happen. of course, heizou's eyes continued to wander to the man in blissful slumber. maybe, it was a win for heizou after all. gaining trust of those you admired was definitely enough to put him in high spirits.

oh, forgive him for the person he'd be once kazuha awoken. should he move him to his lap? wouldn't that be an amusing scenario. oh the ways in which he would tease him. this has turned into an interesting break after all.

[erabundus]

@drolliic &&. said... The tassels hanging from his hat? Under the attack of a playful snow-white kitty eyeing them carefully, fluffy paws batting at them every time they swing back. And since she's not satisfied with only that, it looks like she's preparing herself to pounce on them as well. Should Ren snatch her out of the air before she can achieve her plan, the necklace around her neck with a carved maple leaf pendant is going to come into view and signal who her owner is.

( If Tsuki's here, Kazuha is certainly not far. Most certainly he's looking for where his loveable feline gremlin friend has disappeared off to. )

it's  the  feeling  of  tiny  paws  batting  away  at  his  hat  that  manages  to  catch  the  wanderer's  attention.  he  isn't  especially  worried  about  having  it  STOLEN  —  it's  weighted  (  it  wouldn't  sit  even  otherwise  )  and  won't  be  so  easily  knocked  from  his  head.  however,  the  sensation  is  still  unusual,  still  persistent  enough  to  have  him  searching  for  a  source.  he  looks  down,  blinking  quizzically  as  indigo  gaze  settles  upon  the  little  culprit.

there's a cat ...

ren  leans  forward  to  observe,  knuckles  propping  up  his  chin.  he  isn't  especially  surprised  to  find  another  animal  lurking  about  his  vicinity  —  he's  been  running into an  awful  lot  of  them  these  days.  (  almost  as  if  they  can  see  something  in  him  that  he  cannot.  )  despite  his  feeble  PROTESTS,  the  wanderer  doesn't  particularly  mind  the  company  —  if  anything,  he  has  a  carefully  hidden  soft  spot  for  such  creatures.  they  are  completely  INNOCENT,  after  all;  an  ordinary  animal  doesn't  know  ire,  grudges,  betrayal.  they  simply  exist,  doing  only  what  they  need  in  order  to  SURVIVE.  he  spares  a  rare,  tiny  smile  and  dangles  one  of  the  tassels  in  front  of  the  curious  feline.  as  long  as  he  doesn't  have  to  worry  about  an  audience  staring  holes  through  his  head,  ren  supposes  he  can  play  along.

it's  only  when  the  cat  thinks  to  jump  that  he  decides  to  put  an  end  to  their  little  game;  he's  quick  to  scoop  her  into  his  arms  before  she  has  the  chance  to  complete  her  vicious  ATTACK.  ❝  alright ...  you've  had  your  fun.  ❞   ren  mutters,  though  not  unkindly.  ❝  time  to  go  home,  now.  ❞  eyes  narrow  as  he  holds  up  the  necklace  —  tracing  the  maple  leaf  with  a  thumb.  there's  a  slight  sinking  feeling  in  the  pit  of  his  metaphorical  stomach.  a  twinge  of  recognition. he didn't know he had a pet ...

ren  looks  down  at  the  cat,  and  arches  a  brow.  ❝  let's  go  find  your  human,  shall  we?  ❞  call  it  his  one  good  deed  for  the  day.

[erabundus]

@drolliic &&. said... "You must be… Ren, right?" uncertainty lasts only for a few seconds before Kazuha's expression brightens with one of his usual polite smiles "Aether mentioned you when talking about meeting up." which felt a bit suspicious considering he really wanted the three of them to meet up, but if Traveller knows the guy then he can't be a bad person "I'm Kazuha. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

A beat of silence passes before he takes something out of the folds of his clothes and holds it out for the other to take. Cradled carefully in his hands sits a bird carved from a block of wood. It shows that it's been worked on with a lot of care and love even as one can see nicks here and there where the blade bit a little more into the wood than it should have. "He also said it's your birthday today so… Happy birthday. May all your wishes come true."

[ spoiler alert; Aether's not coming bc he set them up-- ]

for  a  moment,  he  genuinely  thinks  he's  seen  a  ghost.

his  hair  may  be  pale  (  like  a  spirit,  his  mind  supplies  )  but  the  streak  of  red  cuts  through  his  locks  as  brilliantly  as  ever.  he  has  the  same  face  —  that  same  gentle  expression  that  makes  the  wanderer  feel  so  at  ease,  so  accepted  he's  almost  half  inclined  to  believe  those  saccharine  idioms  about  HOME  being  a  PERSON.  his  jaw  works  as  if  he  means  to  speak.  (  his  name  resting  on  the  tip  of  his  tongue  like  a  plea.  )  yet  ren  finds  he  can't  muster  the  will  to  say  anything,  too  overwhelmed  by  the  regrets  wrapping  around  his  metaphorical  lungs  like  so many PAINFUL briars. he wants to apologize. he wants to ask if he's real. he wants to know what he looks like through his eyes — human, puppet or something else ENTIRELY.

then,  he  speaks.  then,  it  clicks  in  ren's  head  —  this  isn't  niwa  at  all.  the  wanderer  feels  like  a  FOOL  for  not  noticing.  he  wanted  so  badly  for  his  fantasy  to  become  real  that  he  allowed  it  to  warp  his  view  of  REALITY. although, as he mulls over this stranger's name, he finds he doesn't feel disappointed at all. rather, an entirely new emotion starts to build. good. bad. a tangled mess of complex thoughts he nowhere near possesses the CAPACITY to unravel.

kazuha.  he's  heard  that  NAME  before.  if  this  is  truly  the  person  he's  thinking  of ...  the  resemblance  is  no  mere  coincidence.

...  aether  isn't  coming,  is  he?  ren  thinks  he's  going  to  kill  him.  (  try  to.  again.  )

pushing fantasies of attempted homicide to the back of his mind ... he  reaches  for  the  tiny  bird  —  though  his  hands  still,  mere  moments  before  they  touch  its  wooden  surface.  it's  with  an  almost  absurd  degree  of  CARE  that  ren  wraps  his  fingers  around  the  gift,  cradling  it  gently  as  if  it  were  a  living  creature.  the  wanderer  doesn't  speak  as  he  inspects  the  carving  with  open  curiosity.  a  thumb  drags  over  one  especially  deep  nick,  though  his  lips  quirk  —  as  if  the  IMPERFECTION  brings  him  some  odd  manner  of  satisfaction.  it's  flawed.  it's  homemade.  it  has  character. he values that more than any ( soulless ) reflection of an unrealistically perfect reality.

it  occurs  to  him  then  that  he  should  probably  say  something.  ren  looks  up,  expression  uncharacteristically  unguarded.  may  all  his  wishes  come  true,  huh?  such  a  kindhearted  sentiment;  he  isn't  sure  he  deserves  anything  like  that.  (  he  isn't  sure  kazuha  would  wish  that  if  he  knew  the  TRUTH.  )  still,  birthdays  are  no  time  for  such  dreary  thoughts  —  and  for  as  little  as  ren  values  his  own,  he  supposes  even  he  deserves  a  BREAK  one  day  a  year.

so  he  gives  a  faint  smile  and  holds  the  bird  close.  ❝  i'm  not  quite  there  yet.  ❞  the  wanderer  admits softly.  ❝  ...  but  i  think  i'm  CLOSER  than  i've  been  in  a  while.  ❞

[cryosewn]

@drolliic asked: Gently sets a handmade koi fish wood carving in her hands. "It's not quite the same thing as the real deal, but I hope it brings you happiness nonetheless." [ Kazuha! ]

She regards the carving with an awed expression as soon as he places it in her hands. Did he really make this for her ? Observing the craftsmanship, Caiying can't help but feel touched at the thought of how much effort must have been put forth to make this gift. It might not be a live fish that can swim about, but it's something she can look upon with fondness. She'll be certain to take care of it so it keeps its lovely appearance that Kazuha worked so hard to replicate.

" Thank you, Kazuha. " Her fingers turn around the wooden fish, brushing over every marking and ridge. " I will cherish it always. "

Of course, it brings her happiness.

[cryosewn]

@drolliic asked: ¥ + Aether and Kazuha? :0

Aether --

Looks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Personality: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Attraction: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Would they date them: yes | no | ??? Favorite thing about them: " Aether never forgets about his sister, even after all this time. For someone to be so dedicated to their loved ones, doesn't it make your heart warm ? " Least favorite thing about them: " If he could desist the practice of showing up at my doorstep with injuries, I believe my heart would not be subjected to one too many frights anymore. "

Kazuha --

Looks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Personality: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Attraction: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Would they date them: yes | no Favorite thing about them: " Kazuha is one of the few people in the world that is truly what one can call poetic. I would love to know what creativity still lays in wait inside of that soul of his. I will be sure to cultivate myself in preparation for our next meeting. " Least favorite thing about them: " Given his nature to travel here and there, he does not stay for long. But, as I have said, it is his nature, so there is no real reason to complain or force a change. People are much better when they are their natural selves. "