perfectmatch | week four

[ She at least has a simple, casual kimono on as per normal, so she's minorly more dressed up than him. Odile turns discreetly to glance back at the staff, huffing softly in amusement. ]

They're intent to keep us within their line of sight, though Shoko mentioned to me that if they do their job well they don't need to be so close to manage that.

[ ...

They back off a smidge. ]

[. . . heh]

I guess there's no ditching them this week either way. [an amused huff] You look pretty nice today, Odile.

As I ever do. You, however, could use a hand.

[ They Will dress him up in something simple to, she's decided. To the rentals. ]

No buts. You have to give some respect to the Expressions when you're both asking and thanking them for their guidance.

Hey--

[trotting after her as she about-faces to the rentals, brows raised]

The. . . what? Expressions?

If Crafts are my world's "magic"... Expressions are my world's "gods" -- at least, as far as Ka Bue goes. Vaugardians believe in a singular one for their beliefs, the Change God, but allegedly he is rather lazy.

[ He is. By the way. ]

Each and every thing, from the physical to the conceptual, has a "spirit". That is what we call Expressions. One might pray to the Expression of Courage to bolster themselves, or the Expression of Search if they were seeking something. Understand?

[ALLEGEDLY RATHER LAZY. . .]

I get it. . . [hm!] It's not dissimilar to what I was raised on.

[polytheism included!]

Which. . . "Expression" will you be praying to today?

[ Correct!!! She'll answer him in a moment, studying the...... shades....... of the rentals before picking out a darker one. Deep blue for Edamura, with thin lighter pinstripes. ]

Here. And I think I'll pray towards... Creator Craft, Writing, and...

[ ........ ]

Luck, though I doubt we'll we need it.

[a good choice. darker blue is one of his preferred colors. he takes the rental yukata from her and holds it out to examine it, running the fabric between his fingers]

Haha. . . maybe not. But it doesn't hurt to ask, does it?

[though. . . he did notice her pause]

. . . are you okay, Odile?

Peachy-keen. Why?

[ Maybe a mask for him too... a monkey. Or a dog. He's rather doglike. ]

[. . .]

[carefully lays the yukata aside. . . and then reaches out to SMOOSH HER CHEEKS TOGETHER]

[ Hello???

She's swatting him off, turning away to break his hold with stern purpose. There is a limit to her patience and that's edging it. ]

I'm asking sincerely. What makes you think so, you brat?

[a small huff, but he draws back when she pulls away, hands falling back to his sides]

. . . I'm just making sure, I suppose.

[no counter to the "brat" comment! he is being gentler today]

If something is bothering you and you don't want to talk about it, that's okay. And if nothing is bothering you, then. . . I guess it's just me.

[he will scoop up his rental yukata and drape it across one arm]

[ Right, and his gentleness is...

...

Mm. Odile sets him with a less severe look, then sighs. While it doesn't bother her... it does bother her that people might think her bothered. ]

Pitying the crone after you snagged your own partner?

Hey, hey. It's not pity.

[he doesn't think she wants pity, and he would never insult her that way!!]

After our conversation last week, you just seemed a little. . . down. I wanted to check in with you again on that front. That's all!

[ESPECIALLY AFTER YIDILE HAPPENED IN FRONT OF HIS NEPHEW SALAD]

[ Correct!!!! Good nephew!!!!! ]

I hadn't any expectations coming into this house, after I'd seen the average of ages. So there's little to dwell on.

[ Sure, it may not have helped that she had immediately distanced herself with that simple fact, but...

... she really could hardly believe anyone would want to court a woman old enough to be their mother. ]

As for general companionship... I have made my offers. We may see what yet comes of it, if aught at all, though I know Siffrin would be more than happy to continue accompanying me once we've otherwise split apart.

Is one of those offers Yingying?

[her dog associations were correct. if he had a tail it'd be wagging]

Yes. I thought it best that, if she were to enter society once again, she would do so first in a land that resembles more of what she may have been used to rather than the... more advance ones, like your own.

[ what is that look for ]

Additionally, there is the matter of her frail health, which Body Craft may be able to better and fortify her current form. It's well-practiced in Vaugarde, so there would be little issue in seeking the advise of an expert.

[ ...

Look, she's always thinking of others and thinking ahead, Odile is a supportive person who will do what she can-- ]

[the look is for nothing!!]

Oh. . . right. [his features do fall as he is reminded of Yingying's frail constitution, but they perk up again pretty quickly] . . . I actually offered her the use of my wish for that. I don't know if she'll take it, but it's not like I have any need for it, you know?

[and it feels right, for someone without any wishes of his own, to give his away to the wishing fairy herself]

Nor have I use for mine, but... wishes do have limitations, Edamura. Something she and I are both well aware of.

[ They've spoken briefly on it, and Odile ruminates quietly on it once more before waving her hand. ]

Dress. We can speak more on it after, though I truly doubt that she's lacking in offers where wishes are concerned.

[ ... Or where places to go will be concerned, but... That is also her decision, regardless of the words she'd spoken. ]

They always do in stories, but I have no idea how these ones are supposed to work.

[WISHES AREN'T REAL WHERE HE COMES FROM!! with a wave of his hand, he slips into the dressing room to change, though he continues the conversation as he does so]

And she probably isn't! That's okay. If she decides not to take it, then-- [. . .]

I have other thoughts.

Such as?

[ Please, enlighten your poor auntie. ]

[HE WOULD LOVE TO, BUT--]

. . . it's about something shared with me in confidence.

I'll tell you-- I promise-- but not now.

[not while there are CAMERAS ON HIM. and he also would have to make sure it's a wish the subject would even. . . want]

You're a tease.

[ But she'll leave it for now, trusting that he will indeed tell her when he can. Very interesting. ]

... Do you really have nothing to use it on? For my part I have seen what can happen and want little part in it again, but I thought normally people might wish for all numbers of things.

[he will! at the very end!!]

[now clad in the rental yukata, Edamura pushes the dressing room curtain aside, emerging from same with a. . . slightly stilted, slightly awkward look. he is not used to dressing like this, okok]

What, things like money? Good health? A little bit of fame? [he shakes his head] I'm happy with what I have back home. I don't need any of that.

I suppose you are "self-sufficient" enough to get by.

[ iykyk,

And Odile reaches out to fix his collar a little, patting it gently once she's done. ]

Arm.

[ Once offered, she'll take it. Or she'll take it anyway. He'll get used to wearing it -- he'll have to if he visits... ]

When was the last time you went to a shrine like this?

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject