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πππππ‘ β ππππππ.
EVEN WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS
EVEN WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS
( ...ah. He wants to be of service. A beautiful, trusting, tender soul, the kind Seishirou might hold in his hand — )
My boots want licked. How about it?
( And crush, out of habit. )
My boots want licked. How about it?
( And crush, out of habit. )
And I'll leave Fushiguro Megumi to his wonderful day.
[ (ooc. this is for whatever night he stayed with Caelus at the hotel after the fight with Charlotte!)
In the morning outside the door of whatever room Subaru is in, he'll find a small decorative box. there is a tag on top with his last name in English and a simple note on the back of 'thank you,' as well, with a little doodle of a small cartoon raccoon holding its paws in the air with heart emojis.
it's signed by Aventurine, also in English. (He is hoping the other can read English because after asking like one or two people who speak Japanese and getting a mini lecture on the potential kanji differences of names, he decided English was so much easier.)
Unfortunately, that's the best Aventurine can express on paper here, but in the box will be carefully placed talisman papers from one of the shrines on the island, each one meticulously placed in the thin transparent wrappers finished ofuda are sold at shrines in usually. there's maybe 50 sheets or so in total, so not a ton as Aventurine went through a lot to pick out the nicest and best preserved he could find for making the little gift. It includes a calligraphy brush, a calligraphy pen, a (very) small vial of sealed black ink, and a...hello kitty pen because not everyone's perfect and it's in case of emergency since he doesn't even know if Subaru needs a writing utensil to make use of the paper. ( In his defense it writes really well!)
he also has placed a small business card that's a little bit beat up, but still very legible, and tucked in there for the shrine that he found the items at, in case Subaru needs other supplies or whatnot that might useful to him. ]
In the morning outside the door of whatever room Subaru is in, he'll find a small decorative box. there is a tag on top with his last name in English and a simple note on the back of 'thank you,' as well, with a little doodle of a small cartoon raccoon holding its paws in the air with heart emojis.
it's signed by Aventurine, also in English. (He is hoping the other can read English because after asking like one or two people who speak Japanese and getting a mini lecture on the potential kanji differences of names, he decided English was so much easier.)
Unfortunately, that's the best Aventurine can express on paper here, but in the box will be carefully placed talisman papers from one of the shrines on the island, each one meticulously placed in the thin transparent wrappers finished ofuda are sold at shrines in usually. there's maybe 50 sheets or so in total, so not a ton as Aventurine went through a lot to pick out the nicest and best preserved he could find for making the little gift. It includes a calligraphy brush, a calligraphy pen, a (very) small vial of sealed black ink, and a...hello kitty pen because not everyone's perfect and it's in case of emergency since he doesn't even know if Subaru needs a writing utensil to make use of the paper. ( In his defense it writes really well!)
he also has placed a small business card that's a little bit beat up, but still very legible, and tucked in there for the shrine that he found the items at, in case Subaru needs other supplies or whatnot that might useful to him. ]
[ Some time after Subaru takes his leave of the hotel, it will receive another visitor: a white-winged bird, no bigger than a finch. (But just as fat.) Papery and soft, it carries the faint mark of a Token's magic, the cherished black of the ink used to create it tucked neatly into its feathers.
When one of the residents leaves the hotel for scouting or supplies, it follows on silent wings, using birdsong to signal where passages through the city are safest. When threats are near, it lands in warning to go no further.
It remains active so long as nothing destroys it. (And is content to roost on the hotel's awning when not in use.) ]
When one of the residents leaves the hotel for scouting or supplies, it follows on silent wings, using birdsong to signal where passages through the city are safest. When threats are near, it lands in warning to go no further.
It remains active so long as nothing destroys it. (And is content to roost on the hotel's awning when not in use.) ]
[ It's been more or less a week since Subaru stayed at the hotel. Between continuing his exploration of the huge city, Caelus also maintained his habit of visiting his friends and checking on everyone. Naturally, Subaru is among the list, especially as Caelus never forgot the fact that his dear friend had been constantly sleeping outdoors for a while.
Considering the Sundowning's continued effects, it's natural for him to worry. That's why he decided to start a side project that he's been working on for the entire week. He finally finished it today, and he's excited to present it. Thus, using the tether, he calls outβ ]
Subaru? Are you busy?
Considering the Sundowning's continued effects, it's natural for him to worry. That's why he decided to start a side project that he's been working on for the entire week. He finally finished it today, and he's excited to present it. Thus, using the tether, he calls outβ ]
Subaru? Are you busy?
[ Subaru likes to be moving. His apartment in Shinjuku felt like a matter of formality at many points — a place for his phone he never answered, for his work contracts to gather in the formalized net of his answering machine. Bereft of life, wreathed in smoke, perforated by the city's lights through half-drawn curtains. There were so few things he was attached to there, all of them preserved by memory.
He hasn't much had the heart to call anyplace home in this city, either. But he's dutiful and the tether thrums with the soft stability of his answer: ]
No, I'm not. Is everything alright?
He hasn't much had the heart to call anyplace home in this city, either. But he's dutiful and the tether thrums with the soft stability of his answer: ]
No, I'm not. Is everything alright?
[ As a traveler of universes, a Nameless, Caelus can certainly understand the feelings of those constantly on the move. That's why he didn't push when Subaru didn't seem interested in settling in one particular location, and why this particular idea eventually came to him. It seems to be a good solution in Caelus's head! Though this solution is actually incomplete even in its "finished" stateβ¦
Regardless, Caelus wants to see if Subaru is willing to try it. When Subaru's soft voice comes forth, Caelus is unable to stop his smile. He doesn't think he'll ever tire of hearing this comforting voice. ]
Oh, I'm okay! I just wanted to show you something. If you're free, can you come to this location?
[ Sending him the coordinates through the tether⦠]
Take your time. I'll be here for a while.
Regardless, Caelus wants to see if Subaru is willing to try it. When Subaru's soft voice comes forth, Caelus is unable to stop his smile. He doesn't think he'll ever tire of hearing this comforting voice. ]
Oh, I'm okay! I just wanted to show you something. If you're free, can you come to this location?
[ Sending him the coordinates through the tether⦠]
Take your time. I'll be here for a while.
[ No way⦠For several seconds, Caelus is almost stunned. He feels as if he imagined that, but of course, it's real. It's not the first time he's felt or seen Subaru's smile, but that just now⦠It felt very different that he simply stops. After catching himself again, he clears his mind.
After Subaru's confirmation, Caelus patiently waits at the mentioned location, silently appreciating the short conversation in his head. If only he could've seen it right in front of him. ]
After Subaru's confirmation, Caelus patiently waits at the mentioned location, silently appreciating the short conversation in his head. If only he could've seen it right in front of him. ]
[ Subaru doesn't idle, but neither does he rush. He was already out and about, as he usually is, scrying meaning from the cracked maw of the city they inhabit. He's always more focused on the nature of the violence it endured during the moon's fall, in the monstrous florals, the poetry and song seemingly scorched into the fabric of this reality. It's as if the entire thing sits cradled in the hands of a ghost.
But, as those around him are so colorfully reminding him, even in comfortable silence over the Murmur — it can't always be his focus.
His birds arrive at Caelus's location just before he does. Tiny, enchanted wisps of paper on dry wings, but still stronger and swifter than his last set as he grows accustomed to rune magic. They usually accompany him in the city in case of danger; one flutters low to land on the trailblazer's shoulder. It remains there until Subaru finally rounds the corner, hands in his coat pockets and scented faintly like smoke. ]
I hope you weren't waiting for too long.
But, as those around him are so colorfully reminding him, even in comfortable silence over the Murmur — it can't always be his focus.
His birds arrive at Caelus's location just before he does. Tiny, enchanted wisps of paper on dry wings, but still stronger and swifter than his last set as he grows accustomed to rune magic. They usually accompany him in the city in case of danger; one flutters low to land on the trailblazer's shoulder. It remains there until Subaru finally rounds the corner, hands in his coat pockets and scented faintly like smoke. ]
I hope you weren't waiting for too long.
[ Instantly awed by the sight of flowing origami seemingly dancing, Caelus can't help but focus his eyes on the paper birds in flight. Their movements are so graceful, every flutter of wing reassembling leaves within autumn winds. He lets out a cheerful laugh when one of the birds introduces itself to him, moving a gentle finger to stroke the top of its head. ]
Little one, are you a friend of Subie?
[ Subie, the paper bird digilently guarding the hotel. Caelus gestures to the familiar friend with his other hand, the sight of it resting on a nearby rooftop. Though once Subaru arrives, the trailblazer turns in the direction of the precious one's voice with such radiant life. Here it is again, his recognizable warm energy, unchanged. ]
Hello! [ Lifting his hands, he uses both to wave several times, maintaining his expression as he does. ] Not at all. I have company, after all.
Little one, are you a friend of Subie?
[ Subie, the paper bird digilently guarding the hotel. Caelus gestures to the familiar friend with his other hand, the sight of it resting on a nearby rooftop. Though once Subaru arrives, the trailblazer turns in the direction of the precious one's voice with such radiant life. Here it is again, his recognizable warm energy, unchanged. ]
Hello! [ Lifting his hands, he uses both to wave several times, maintaining his expression as he does. ] Not at all. I have company, after all.
[ Seeing him is like a flood of warm water, a balm against the transgressions of the world that rises up around them. Immediately, some of the spiritual malaise that clings to Subaru lessens. His expression eases, in turn. ]
It's good that you didn't have to wait alone for long. [ As if responding to some silent magical cue, the bird takes flight again, wheeling upwards and over the buildings behind them to keep watch. Subaru tracks its movement briefly before his attention returns to Caelus. ] What was it that you wanted to show me?
It's good that you didn't have to wait alone for long. [ As if responding to some silent magical cue, the bird takes flight again, wheeling upwards and over the buildings behind them to keep watch. Subaru tracks its movement briefly before his attention returns to Caelus. ] What was it that you wanted to show me?
[ The expression shift on Subaru affects those who see it without a doubt. At the very least, Caelus always is. Understanding what that really means for someone so subdued like this onmyoji, the trailblazer is always immensely humbled to witness every one of them. He will never take every sight of it for granted, always keeping it among his dearest memories as he observes every detail.
Every lovely color of Subaru's sides. Even if the world has yet to notice it, the trailblazer always will. Caelus closes in their distance and reconnects their hands, a cool wind seemingly encouraging his movement as he steps forward. He smiles once more, then pulls the beautiful onmyoji along with his excited motions. He takes him to a nearby parking lot, where this trailer is waiting.
The paint is recent, as Caelus had to refresh its dilapidated look. The plants are artificial, since he didn't want to place zombie plants around the house. The fairy lights are currently unlit, but there's unique wiring on them connected to a nearby device. He'll likely explain that eventually. There's a nice-sized campfire at the side, also unlit, but there's already some chopped firewood in it. ]
This! What do you think?
[ Considering its renovated state, it's undeniable who did it and who it's meant for. A person who is always on the move, a house just the same. Well, it obviously won't be moving anytime soon without a working car attached to it, but it opens up the option in the future. ]
Every lovely color of Subaru's sides. Even if the world has yet to notice it, the trailblazer always will. Caelus closes in their distance and reconnects their hands, a cool wind seemingly encouraging his movement as he steps forward. He smiles once more, then pulls the beautiful onmyoji along with his excited motions. He takes him to a nearby parking lot, where this trailer is waiting.
The paint is recent, as Caelus had to refresh its dilapidated look. The plants are artificial, since he didn't want to place zombie plants around the house. The fairy lights are currently unlit, but there's unique wiring on them connected to a nearby device. He'll likely explain that eventually. There's a nice-sized campfire at the side, also unlit, but there's already some chopped firewood in it. ]
This! What do you think?
[ Considering its renovated state, it's undeniable who did it and who it's meant for. A person who is always on the move, a house just the same. Well, it obviously won't be moving anytime soon without a working car attached to it, but it opens up the option in the future. ]
[ When Arthur reaches out across the Murmur, it's a familiar feeling to their dance in the dream; pragmatic, professional, clean lines borne with a subdued grace. Along the edges, there's a subtle warmth, like a stubborn frost being eroded by the accumulated heat of a hearth upon a windowpane. ]
Hey, got a minute?
Hey, got a minute?
Of course.
[ A wintry return pulse, fluttering like a bird's wing or a shorn flower, a too-natural capitulation to the bond the Murmur brings. But familiarity gives the sensation new dimension as compared to the dream; Subaru has already felt this man's hands, so what cords his mind and heart are also easy to bear. ]
What is it?
[ A wintry return pulse, fluttering like a bird's wing or a shorn flower, a too-natural capitulation to the bond the Murmur brings. But familiarity gives the sensation new dimension as compared to the dream; Subaru has already felt this man's hands, so what cords his mind and heart are also easy to bear. ]
What is it?
[ Oh. Huh. That was a friendlier reception than he was anticipating. Not that he thought Subaru hated him or anything.
Something to consider, later. For now, he has a different topic to go over. ]
There's aβ[ Arthur pauses, searching for the best word to describe this. ]βmethod I wanted to tell you about, to help discern a dream from reality. I don't doubt your natural ability to keep both feet on the ground, so to speak, but when we're dealing with dreams like the one we met in ...
[ He trails off, letting Subaru fill in the rest. Sleep's dream (or rather, One's, because Kalmiya had corrected that notion) had been ultra-real, even with the fantastical elements. It catered to the senses and had a solidity that was abnormal by usual human standards. ]
Something to consider, later. For now, he has a different topic to go over. ]
There's aβ[ Arthur pauses, searching for the best word to describe this. ]βmethod I wanted to tell you about, to help discern a dream from reality. I don't doubt your natural ability to keep both feet on the ground, so to speak, but when we're dealing with dreams like the one we met in ...
[ He trails off, letting Subaru fill in the rest. Sleep's dream (or rather, One's, because Kalmiya had corrected that notion) had been ultra-real, even with the fantastical elements. It catered to the senses and had a solidity that was abnormal by usual human standards. ]
[ Hand in hand, Subaru is content enough to follow Caelus's lead into the lot that sits square to a Chelsea neighborhood. Or what remains of it. The sight of the trailer is conspicuous in comparison to what the state of the city has otherwise accustomed him to — it's bright. His fingers briefly slack in wonder. Carefully, his gaze travels the trailer, noting the manner in which it's been preserved, cleaned, and detailed. It looks like an incredible amount of work went into its restoration, even without electricity. ]
It's amazing. [ He doesn't measure his words in saying so. It comes from the heart. ] You did all of this?
It's amazing. [ He doesn't measure his words in saying so. It comes from the heart. ] You did all of this?
[ Normally, Caelus would be all over compliments. He's shameless, after all. But coming from someone like Subaru, someone so reserved, silent, yet so kind, the trailblazer feels an immediate reflex to keep his mouth shut. He's struggling to contain his smile, so he looks away for a short while to let it out. Pink blooms across his face as he looks into the horizon, releasing the positive energy elsewhere rather than throwing it all to Subaru.
But not all of it! Once most of the heavy blows have flown away, Caelus returns his gaze straight at Subaru and redirects that giddy smile. He raises both their connected hands, pressing the older man's palms against his own face, his own palms over them. Heat of that pink blush transfers easily to their layered hands, increasing the luminosity of this area. A trailer equally bright as its renovator. ]
All for you.
But not all of it! Once most of the heavy blows have flown away, Caelus returns his gaze straight at Subaru and redirects that giddy smile. He raises both their connected hands, pressing the older man's palms against his own face, his own palms over them. Heat of that pink blush transfers easily to their layered hands, increasing the luminosity of this area. A trailer equally bright as its renovator. ]
All for you.
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