007 ♫ (video)

[behisstrength]

[Motochika folds a blanket as he speaks, on the dining room table. A small basket is nearby. There is an anticipatory glint in his eyes, though what he is waiting for is anyone's guess.]

We are returned to our rightful bodies. A relief, certainly, but did you not find the experience to be insightful?

[When the blanket is folded small enough, he

Comments

Action; MATURE MATURE SO MATURE

[wavesoakedlegs]

[He comes down the stairs a short while later, wearing... yes, a kimono in a very deep shade of purple.]

This is ridiculous.

action;

[behisstrength]

[Motochika pauses, to glance across. He smiles at Mitsuhide's contentness.]

What is it about?

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[wavesoakedlegs]

It is about a young man named Takamaru, and his fight against a beast named Murasame.

[Mitsuhdie fidgets a little, apparently getting uncomfortable and proceeds to roll onto his back, holding his book up.]

A beautifully told tale. Takamaru is a likeable hero.

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[behisstrength]

I see.

[Curious, though not without an idea, Motochika asks:]

What makes him likeable?

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[wavesoakedlegs]

He is a noble man, determined to do what is right and protect others, while putting himself in danger to do so.

[A smile.]

Admirable traits.

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[behisstrength]

Very much so. [His gaze becomes indulgent, as he speaks lightly.] They sound familiar.

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[wavesoakedlegs]

[A soft, if somewhat embarassed, smile. He knows what Motochika is talking about.]

They do?

[A tilt of the head.]

Well... if my Lord think so.

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[behisstrength]

I do.

[He says with certainty. Then he returns to eating the last of his food.]

action; LIKE FOR LIKE? LMFAO XD

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide returns to reading his book for a short while, and gets through a few more pages before looking back over at Motochika.]

...

[His gaze does not shift for a moment, and then... an almost daring and yet slightly shy smile? He sits up.]

Your hair is very different to look at, but...

[He draws closer to his friend, and touches his hair briefly.]

It is just as smooth.

action; LE GASP. Also why do I not have an appropriate icon for this tag

[behisstrength]

[Motochika's eyelids flutter at the touch, then he looks Mitsuhide in the face as he catches his friend's retreating hand. He's surprised by the gesture, but certainly welcomes it -- the comfort with him, and the closeness that it implies from someone as reserved as Mitsuhide.]

Oh?

action; IDEK BUT YOU SO NEED ONE

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide's smile grows more shy and less daring as his hand is grabbed, but he still holds that gaze.... for a moment.]

It is. Very much so.

[Anndddd... now he has to look away.]

action; IKR I COULD NEVER HAVE ENOUGH

[behisstrength]

I shall consider it an expert's approval.

[When Mitsuhide looks away, Motochika turns his eyes to the elegant yet strong hand in his grasp.

He had admired these fingers as he'd painted them, when they were briefly his during the curse; they were slenderer than his own, and calloused in different places. He still recalls the precise adjustments he had to make to craft music with them.

He loosens his hold a few seconds later, so that Mitsuhide can easily pull free, but does not let go himself.]

action; NEVER I need more awkward icons myself

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide doesn't pull free. Not immediately. But he does say something that, perhaps, he's wanted to say for a while. Now seems like the right time.]

Thank you, for always holding on.

[Then he moves away, shifting to the side a little and looking up at the forest canopy.]

This is a pleasant spot.

action; <3 x a million

[behisstrength]

Yes.

[Motochika closes his eyes.]

Let's claim it as our own.

action; so so much <3

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide smiles a little.]

A fine idea.

[Pause.]

But how would we do so? We ought to mark it, somehow.

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[behisstrength]

You are right, my friend.

[He opens his eyes, and glances around.]

We may have to wait. We lack the means to make a permanent marker, as things stand. Temporarily...

[He moves his empty plate out of the way, then turns onto his stomach, near the edge of the blanket. He picks up a stick, and with it draws his own mon into the mud -- the way he might have done as a small child, when he had ambition but little idea of how to actually conquer anything. He huffs a laugh, and then looks over his shoulder to Mitsuhide as he offers his friend the stick.]