[ Having done most of his exploring and training on his own since arrival, there is a comfort to this. Something he didn't often get even in the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo — at least not anymore. Two sets of footsteps on the pavement, the soft sounds of someone simply being next to him as they walk. ]
Ceremony. [ It does take concentration on the syllables to say them aloud without their ambient connection shifting his language, but Subaru manages. ] Thank you, I think I can remember it.
[ As they enter the tiny park situated at the end of the block, Subaru doesn't immediately turn his attention to what trees remain. There's a playground in disrepair, most of it rusted and overgrown. A swingset remains, just across the sandbox. He glances at it, but ultimately ends up slowing to a stop to gesture for Caelus's hand instead. ]
Jichinsai is a specific ceremony. It's to bless the land something is built on. This... [ With one hand supporting Caelus's from the bottom, Subaru traces kanji onto his palm with his index finger. ] Gishiki. A ceremony. Or a sacred ritual.
[ Ah, here it is again. Caelus thought he's used to this by now. Will this person's beauty ever stopβ¦ Blessed with such looks, voice, heart, and personality, and soft moments like these, also display stunning gracefulness. It's mesmerizing to simply listen to Subaru talk, to witness his slender fingers move so slowly against his hand. The sensation is soβ¦
It all causes Caelus to pause, doing his best to commit it all to memory. The characters are shown to him, drawn carefully. Maybe he won't be able to remember all the strokes of this kanji right away, but he exerts every effort to recall as much as he can. The terms taught to him as well. Everything, he wants to keep in his heart as treasures. ]
Jichin⦠sai. Gi⦠shi⦠ki.
[ Some leaves being carried by the wind pass them by. This abandoned park may have been forgotten by time, but with Subaru and Caelus here, creating new memories together, this park has now been remembered once more. ]
[ Language transmutes with his touch. It was in his blood as an onmyouji, it remains there as a runecaster, no matter how it's changed. Hands are the tools of prayer, the instruments with which people sow connection. Subaru believes that, even through the violence that's been enacted upon him — and by him, just before here.
Caelus's hands are warm, but now so are his.
This time, he traces the simpler shapes of kana onto his palm, punctuating each one with its syllable: ]
[ Though unused to the Japanese accent, Caelus is surely picking up. It comes with his ability to adapt as a trailblazer, a person who is always having new encounters. He has always been a fast learner. He takes a significant pause to memorize these as well, and when he doesβ¦
He says it, with the perfect tone, a high note of appreciation. The kind of pitch that no one can easily reach, not unless they're bursting with emotion like he is now. ]
[ There are so few bridges that connect Subaru to others in a lasting manner. He remembers everyone. He remembers every emotion that's ever come to him, in faith or fatuity, in heartbreak, elation, gratitude. He just never expects others to regard him the same way. But listening to the way that Caelus picks up on the language he shares in these tiny increments makes him think that this might really be one of those bridges, brilliant in its traversal, pleasant in pitch.
Subaru returns his hand to him in a serene slip of his fingers, but there's less finality in the motion than usual. ]
[ As Subaru is gently lowering their hands, just before their fingers separate, Caelus suddenly reconnects the grip. Similarly to earlier, when Subaru squeezed their hands tighter, Caelus does the same now. He wants him to know without a doubt that this feeling is unquestionably mutual. Whatever they share, they're all real, and they didn't need this tether to prove it.
He lifts his radiant gaze to him, giving him another smile as if the earlier ones were never enough. Which is true. They're just never enough. He can keep smiling for this person, always. With that, Caelus finally lets go and approaches the most stable-looking tree nearby. He gestures to it, indicating he's ready to proceed. ]
Do you need a thin branch, or does it have to be large?
[ With their task at hand, rising up over the ambient wash of interconnected feeling, so warm and sweet that it nearly manifests corporeal in his throat, Subaru follows Caelus to the chosen tree. It's not in great condition, but few things in this landscape often are. His gaze sweeps the branches, keen in spite of being halved. ]
Thin is fine. Two of the same length is preferable.
[ Subaru measures out a distance of around sixty centimeters with his hands. ]
Like this, [ He demonstrates. ] if the tree will be kind enough to help us.
[ After memorizing the length indicated, Caelus looks up at the zombified tree. Like the rest of the flora and fauna, everything looks quite unnatural, and this tree is no exception. Still, this tree lives on, though its leaves have already started to fall. He's not sure if it's because it's possibly autumn or if it's already beginning to wither away.
The branches near the bottom are too thick. The thinner ones are closer to the peak. Caelus reaches to test out the lower branches, trying to bend them. When they remain stable, he begins to climb the tree without hesitation. He doesn't want to overwhelm the branches with his weight despite their stability, so he makes his movements quick. He stands tall on a branch and then leaps constantly, parkouring his way to the top.
Once he's at the peak, he slices off two appropriate branches before hopping off, landing perfectly on his feet. He offers them to Subaru after straightening up. ]
[ Subaru remains at the foot of the tree while Caelus ascends it for what he needs, tracing the corruption in the branches, the sooted lung-like fibers of its reach. He can tell that the trailblazer is minding his steps, maybe for both the tree's sake and his own. He entertains laying his palm upon its trunk to see what permeates the rings of its age, but decides against it. Which is just as well when Caelus drops back down, graceful and sure in his landing. ]
Thank you. [ Subaru takes the branches, weighing them in his hands. ] These will work fine.
[ Branches in one hand, he extends the other, indicating the pocket knife. ]
[ A light smile. Of course. Caelus turns the pocket knife around so it's safe when he hands it over. He places the handle on Subaru's palm gently, the blade facing away.
He wonders what the onmyoji intends to do with the branches, but he supposes he'll see it now. Thinking about it, some of Subaru's arts remind Caelus of some friends of his from Xianzhou, particularly Hanya, who also works with ink and paper on her spells. ]
[ Subaru accepts the blade just as gratefully as Caelus is careful in handing it to him. Tucking one of the branches beneath his arm, he indicates that they can begin the walk back to the trailer. On the way, he gently whittles the end of the branch in his grasp. Beneath the strange shade and texture of the bark, the wood is remarkably normal.
White making a notch with the edge of the knife, Subaru's brows draw upwards in curiosity. ]
My work is similar. I'm an onmyouji. [ He pauses his knifework, steps slow. ] How do you know that?
[ Oh, another word Caelus doesn't know. He looks a little confused as they walk together again, retracing their steps back to the trailer. But his curiosity is evident about it, as well as the handiwork that Subaru is performing on the branch.
He lets out a quiet, amused laugh when he appears to have made an⦠almost correct guess? So it's not exactly an exorcist, though maybe it has overlapping roles? ]
I have a few friends who are exorcists, I met them through my travels in my universe. Some of the gestures you do sometimes remind me of them. You all have a very certain way of holding paper, for instanceβ¦
I see. [ So, Caelus noticed something familiar in how he creates and wields talismans. He swaps the prepared branch for the one tucked under his arm, moving slow and thoughtful, with purpose. It's not exactly hesitation, but more a natural deliberation on what words to choose, how to bring this vast part of himself to light. ] With how traveled you are, it stands to reason that you'd meet others in my trade.
[ Finishing the other branch, he clicks the pocket knife shut and offers it back to Caelus. ]
Exorcisms are one area of my work. Onmyoudo itself is a large school of magic that spans back hundreds of years in my home country. I can perform divinations, protection rituals, blessings... things of that nature.
[ Or — he could, before this. Working with runes hasn't been entirely dissimilar though. Comparatively, he's taken to Sleep's magic incredibly fast. ]
[ Accepting the item back, Caelus slides it back into his bag as he continues to walk alongside Subaru, listening to every word attentively. He's impressed after hearing the explanation, knowing this must be why his precious friend has such a disciplined mannerism. ]
That's amazing. That makes sense why you can perform the ceremony for the trailer.
[ Wait⦠]
Hm? I thought we all lost our powers, coming here. Did you retain yours?
No, I didn't. [ He confirms. There's an undercurrent of conflict to those simple words, but he remains steady in spite of it. He holds his palm out in front of him, elegant fingers curled just so. ] This magic isn't my own.
[ Subaru is never the first to espouse his abilities. But with everything that Caelus has given to him, his unerring warmth and his deep-seated secrets pressed into the contours of his hands, he thinks he can explain without regret. ]
In many ways, onmyoudo is a magic of translation. Onmyouji translate energy, elements, the stars. I feel that whatever powers I gained by coming here are similar. There's a language I instinctively know, even if it's not complete. It's how I've been able to teach myself similar techniques.
[ A flicker of concern hits Caelus when he feels that momentary conflict. Did he accidentally say something he shouldn't have� This is why he wanted to navigate carefully around Subaru, on wanting to be patient in getting to know him. After all, he's sensed a lonely aura from him before⦠A wounded soul that he's come to know, that he's so determined to heal, even through the smallest ways. Thankfully, Caelus didn't seem to need to worry too much, as Subaru shares his words with enough stability and calm.
Relief soon hits Caelus with that realization, so he's able to listen to everything without feeling guilty about it. In fact, he's honored to hear everything now, because it means Subaru decided to tell him despite whatever weighs him down about it. He takes every word to heart. ]
I understand. That's quite a coincidence, then.
[ Is it a good or bad thing? Caelus doesn't know, but it'll at least allow Subaru to adjust much better. So he can protect himself and others better. ]
What I received confounds me a little. I'm not sure what exactly it is, even now. Though I've begun to notice several things about it at least, unlike the last time I mentioned the topic to you.
[ Caelus is so careful around him. He feels it pulsing, aware, alive. As if the trailblazer is mapping him like his namesake constellation, as if he's capable of seeing its seventh star. That is the nature of connection to others, to lay fault lines bare knowing one could break open at any provocation, exposing the raw nerves aching beneath. That is the nature of tethers. But Caelus navigates them with such a reactive softness...
It's been difficult to remain on his guard. ]
You did mention that. How you weren't sure what was going to awaken in you. [ Briefly, he remembers the hue of his eyes. Like direct sunlight glowing off metal. It was so striking. ] Has something changed for you?
[ Though Caelus is being so gentle in approaching, there's also an irrefutable desire lingering in that tether to break through and hurriedly make his way to Subaru. But it's very subdued compared to his larger intent to remain patient. He knows to take his time, as acting selfishly will never lead him to true understanding with a person.
In fact, it may even cause the opposite effects that he wanted⦠The mere idea of that is heartbreaking. So he'll wait, no matter how long. He smiles a little when he proceeds to explain his findings, wanting to continue the good mood of their gentle conversation. ]
I don't know if anything changed specifically, but some strange things happened. There was a time I was looking through the luggage trolleys for hauling my scavenged items, then they started moving on their own for a minute! I almost thought the hotel was haunted.
Another time was when I was repairing devices. Some of the devices actually powered on for a split second, and I was so shocked. They don't have a power source, so that should've been impossible.
[ There was a near past where Subaru was certain he didn't want anyone to reach him. Where a gentleness like this would have been wasted on the ruination of his heart. Whatever warmth he felt he was quick to release so it wouldn't catch in the undertow of his true wish, so it wouldn't drown with him. Now, pulled back to the surface by a force he hasn't even begun to grasp, now, given an impossible second chance, now...
Now, he's not so sure.
It's easier to focus on what's right in front of him, the shape of his thoughts coalescing around what Caelus shares about his experiences. ]
Do you think it's something to do with electricity? Or metal? [ That molten color shines in his memory. ] The latter would explain the trolleys... it could be related to polarity or magnetism.
[ There are lingering complicated emotions in their tether, and Caelus is aware it must be related to how he must've accidentally stepped on something he shouldn't have. So knowing he needs to leave it alone for now, he continues to distract Subaru with something else.
He keeps smiling for both their sakes, further increasing the sensation of warmth and security to keep away any traces of that seemingly lonely confusion within the other's heart. He hopes one day, they can face that more bravely together. ]
I think so. It has to be related. After I found out that I can power devices like that, I tried to experiment with various items, like flashlights, table lamps, clocks, cameras, gas stoves, electric stoves, and even a motorcycle engine. The only thing that didn't work in that list is the gas stove. Though, it wears me out really, really quickly, so I can't do it efficiently right now.
That wasn't the end of it. I didn't notice at first since I already have a love for engineering and⦠um, random objects. [ Trash-loving raccoon⦠] But I think something caused my crafting skills to significantly improve as well. I was "sure, I can fix this" good, but I wasn't "sure, I can fix this, and upgrade this and that while I'm at it!" kind of good!
[ As they return to the trailer site, Subaru diligently listens to each of the aspects Caelus describes. People call him a workaholic, but... clearly, the trailblazer also can't be kept down when it comes to finding answers for himself. And, just like it'd benefitted Subaru to lean into the native flow of magic, Caelus had been able to help secure them clean water in the treatment plant by the same measure. ]
I don't doubt that it'll be a valuable skill to have in this landscape. Metal is an important element in onmyoudo too... even though everything I've seen here is more advanced than what I know.
[ Even in ruin, he can tell this time is not the same one he inhabited. Its wreckage gleams too focused, concise, sharp. ]
Your interest in it means you'll probably adapt quickly.
[ "More advanced than what I knowβ¦" Oh, that's right. Subaru did promise to tell Caelus more about his world. He wonders if this topic is okay? He seems to hesitate a little, afraid of stepping on something wrong again, but he decides to ask regardless. There's no way for him to find out if he doesn't.
So, very curiously, and at the same time timidly⦠]
I can. [ Subaru stops near the fire pit, his notched branches held carefully in his hands. Whatever he has planned for them he mindfully pauses, giving Caelus his full attention instead. ] Was there anything specific you wanted to know?
[ He does, of course, think firstly of Japan. But then — Caelus has traveled the stars. Would the Earth itself be more suited? ]
[ !! Does that mean it's okay? Caelus brightens, feeling excited to hear about this. He can't help but approach Subaru closer, beaming up at the taller man. ]
Ehh, let's see⦠[ What does he know about Japan so far? He'll try to review⦠] So, so! Japan is⦠on planet Earth. Where people speak Japaneise! The continent is called A⦠A⦠[ Hold on, he has this. ] Aseeia?
[ β¦ Well, almost got it. Look at him, his pronunciation is getting a little better at least! ]
On Earth, there are many other continents I don't know. But I heard of Korea. And Ameri.. America! Is where we are, Manhattan! America is the one that looks like a big whale on the map! I heard the term New York too, but I don't know what that is.
[ The smile that upturns the corners of his mouth is faint but genuine, patient. ]
Yes, we're in North America. Within that continent, we're in the country of the United States of America. New York is one of those states. Manhattan is one of its districts... ah, boroughs, are what they're called. Even though it's an island.
[ Shifting again in consideration, Subaru moves across the parking lot, kneeling to pick up some of the smaller rocks, bits of concrete, and other sturdy debris. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Ceremony. [ It does take concentration on the syllables to say them aloud without their ambient connection shifting his language, but Subaru manages. ] Thank you, I think I can remember it.
[ As they enter the tiny park situated at the end of the block, Subaru doesn't immediately turn his attention to what trees remain. There's a playground in disrepair, most of it rusted and overgrown. A swingset remains, just across the sandbox. He glances at it, but ultimately ends up slowing to a stop to gesture for Caelus's hand instead. ]
Jichinsai is a specific ceremony. It's to bless the land something is built on. This... [ With one hand supporting Caelus's from the bottom, Subaru traces kanji onto his palm with his index finger. ] Gishiki. A ceremony. Or a sacred ritual.
no subject
It all causes Caelus to pause, doing his best to commit it all to memory. The characters are shown to him, drawn carefully. Maybe he won't be able to remember all the strokes of this kanji right away, but he exerts every effort to recall as much as he can. The terms taught to him as well. Everything, he wants to keep in his heart as treasures. ]
Jichin⦠sai. Gi⦠shi⦠ki.
[ Some leaves being carried by the wind pass them by. This abandoned park may have been forgotten by time, but with Subaru and Caelus here, creating new memories together, this park has now been remembered once more. ]
How do you say "thank you" in your language?
no subject
[ Language transmutes with his touch. It was in his blood as an onmyouji, it remains there as a runecaster, no matter how it's changed. Hands are the tools of prayer, the instruments with which people sow connection. Subaru believes that, even through the violence that's been enacted upon him — and by him, just before here.
Caelus's hands are warm, but now so are his.
This time, he traces the simpler shapes of kana onto his palm, punctuating each one with its syllable: ]
A β ri β ga β tou.
no subject
He says it, with the perfect tone, a high note of appreciation. The kind of pitch that no one can easily reach, not unless they're bursting with emotion like he is now. ]
Arigatou! Subaru!
no subject
Subaru returns his hand to him in a serene slip of his fingers, but there's less finality in the motion than usual. ]
You're welcome.
no subject
He lifts his radiant gaze to him, giving him another smile as if the earlier ones were never enough. Which is true. They're just never enough. He can keep smiling for this person, always. With that, Caelus finally lets go and approaches the most stable-looking tree nearby. He gestures to it, indicating he's ready to proceed. ]
Do you need a thin branch, or does it have to be large?
no subject
Thin is fine. Two of the same length is preferable.
[ Subaru measures out a distance of around sixty centimeters with his hands. ]
Like this, [ He demonstrates. ] if the tree will be kind enough to help us.
no subject
[ After memorizing the length indicated, Caelus looks up at the zombified tree. Like the rest of the flora and fauna, everything looks quite unnatural, and this tree is no exception. Still, this tree lives on, though its leaves have already started to fall. He's not sure if it's because it's possibly autumn or if it's already beginning to wither away.
The branches near the bottom are too thick. The thinner ones are closer to the peak. Caelus reaches to test out the lower branches, trying to bend them. When they remain stable, he begins to climb the tree without hesitation. He doesn't want to overwhelm the branches with his weight despite their stability, so he makes his movements quick. He stands tall on a branch and then leaps constantly, parkouring his way to the top.
Once he's at the peak, he slices off two appropriate branches before hopping off, landing perfectly on his feet. He offers them to Subaru after straightening up. ]
Here you are.
no subject
Thank you. [ Subaru takes the branches, weighing them in his hands. ] These will work fine.
[ Branches in one hand, he extends the other, indicating the pocket knife. ]
May I?
no subject
He wonders what the onmyoji intends to do with the branches, but he supposes he'll see it now. Thinking about it, some of Subaru's arts remind Caelus of some friends of his from Xianzhou, particularly Hanya, who also works with ink and paper on her spells. ]
Were you perhaps an exorcist back home?
no subject
White making a notch with the edge of the knife, Subaru's brows draw upwards in curiosity. ]
My work is similar. I'm an onmyouji. [ He pauses his knifework, steps slow. ] How do you know that?
no subject
He lets out a quiet, amused laugh when he appears to have made an⦠almost correct guess? So it's not exactly an exorcist, though maybe it has overlapping roles? ]
I have a few friends who are exorcists, I met them through my travels in my universe. Some of the gestures you do sometimes remind me of them. You all have a very certain way of holding paper, for instanceβ¦
no subject
[ Finishing the other branch, he clicks the pocket knife shut and offers it back to Caelus. ]
Exorcisms are one area of my work. Onmyoudo itself is a large school of magic that spans back hundreds of years in my home country. I can perform divinations, protection rituals, blessings... things of that nature.
[ Or — he could, before this. Working with runes hasn't been entirely dissimilar though. Comparatively, he's taken to Sleep's magic incredibly fast. ]
no subject
That's amazing. That makes sense why you can perform the ceremony for the trailer.
[ Wait⦠]
Hm? I thought we all lost our powers, coming here. Did you retain yours?
no subject
[ Subaru is never the first to espouse his abilities. But with everything that Caelus has given to him, his unerring warmth and his deep-seated secrets pressed into the contours of his hands, he thinks he can explain without regret. ]
In many ways, onmyoudo is a magic of translation. Onmyouji translate energy, elements, the stars. I feel that whatever powers I gained by coming here are similar. There's a language I instinctively know, even if it's not complete. It's how I've been able to teach myself similar techniques.
no subject
Relief soon hits Caelus with that realization, so he's able to listen to everything without feeling guilty about it. In fact, he's honored to hear everything now, because it means Subaru decided to tell him despite whatever weighs him down about it. He takes every word to heart. ]
I understand. That's quite a coincidence, then.
[ Is it a good or bad thing? Caelus doesn't know, but it'll at least allow Subaru to adjust much better. So he can protect himself and others better. ]
What I received confounds me a little. I'm not sure what exactly it is, even now. Though I've begun to notice several things about it at least, unlike the last time I mentioned the topic to you.
no subject
It's been difficult to remain on his guard. ]
You did mention that. How you weren't sure what was going to awaken in you. [ Briefly, he remembers the hue of his eyes. Like direct sunlight glowing off metal. It was so striking. ] Has something changed for you?
no subject
In fact, it may even cause the opposite effects that he wanted⦠The mere idea of that is heartbreaking. So he'll wait, no matter how long. He smiles a little when he proceeds to explain his findings, wanting to continue the good mood of their gentle conversation. ]
I don't know if anything changed specifically, but some strange things happened. There was a time I was looking through the luggage trolleys for hauling my scavenged items, then they started moving on their own for a minute! I almost thought the hotel was haunted.
Another time was when I was repairing devices. Some of the devices actually powered on for a split second, and I was so shocked. They don't have a power source, so that should've been impossible.
no subject
Now, he's not so sure.
It's easier to focus on what's right in front of him, the shape of his thoughts coalescing around what Caelus shares about his experiences. ]
Do you think it's something to do with electricity? Or metal? [ That molten color shines in his memory. ] The latter would explain the trolleys... it could be related to polarity or magnetism.
no subject
He keeps smiling for both their sakes, further increasing the sensation of warmth and security to keep away any traces of that seemingly lonely confusion within the other's heart. He hopes one day, they can face that more bravely together. ]
I think so. It has to be related. After I found out that I can power devices like that, I tried to experiment with various items, like flashlights, table lamps, clocks, cameras, gas stoves, electric stoves, and even a motorcycle engine. The only thing that didn't work in that list is the gas stove. Though, it wears me out really, really quickly, so I can't do it efficiently right now.
That wasn't the end of it. I didn't notice at first since I already have a love for engineering and⦠um, random objects. [ Trash-loving raccoon⦠] But I think something caused my crafting skills to significantly improve as well. I was "sure, I can fix this" good, but I wasn't "sure, I can fix this, and upgrade this and that while I'm at it!" kind of good!
no subject
I don't doubt that it'll be a valuable skill to have in this landscape. Metal is an important element in onmyoudo too... even though everything I've seen here is more advanced than what I know.
[ Even in ruin, he can tell this time is not the same one he inhabited. Its wreckage gleams too focused, concise, sharp. ]
Your interest in it means you'll probably adapt quickly.
no subject
So, very curiously, and at the same time timidly⦠]
Subaru? Will you tell me more about your home?
no subject
I can. [ Subaru stops near the fire pit, his notched branches held carefully in his hands. Whatever he has planned for them he mindfully pauses, giving Caelus his full attention instead. ] Was there anything specific you wanted to know?
[ He does, of course, think firstly of Japan. But then — Caelus has traveled the stars. Would the Earth itself be more suited? ]
no subject
Ehh, let's see⦠[ What does he know about Japan so far? He'll try to review⦠] So, so! Japan is⦠on planet Earth. Where people speak Japaneise! The continent is called A⦠A⦠[ Hold on, he has this. ] Aseeia?
[ β¦ Well, almost got it. Look at him, his pronunciation is getting a little better at least! ]
On Earth, there are many other continents I don't know. But I heard of Korea. And Ameri.. America! Is where we are, Manhattan! America is the one that looks like a big whale on the map! I heard the term New York too, but I don't know what that is.
no subject
Yes, we're in North America. Within that continent, we're in the country of the United States of America. New York is one of those states. Manhattan is one of its districts... ah, boroughs, are what they're called. Even though it's an island.
[ Shifting again in consideration, Subaru moves across the parking lot, kneeling to pick up some of the smaller rocks, bits of concrete, and other sturdy debris. ]
My home country, Japan, is also an island.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)