011 ♫ (video)

[behisstrength]

[Motochika sits in his living room, his shamisen resting on his lap, idle. His expression is placid; when he speaks his tone is thoughtful.]

Vatheon's streets are bustling again. Like their older counterparts, these newly-arrived locals have no voice. [Metaphorically, of course.]

Casting that matter aside:

[A beat -- and then Motochika smirks,

Comments

straight into action;

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Several minutes after Motochika's post, Mitsuhide enter the living room with an expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation. His hair is up in a high ponytail today.]

My Lord.

[He shakes his head, but smiles afterwards.]

Was that really necessary?

[behisstrength]

[There is the same picnic basket from their first venture into their clearing sat upon the coffee table, already packed; Motochika's bachi is already tucked into his obi.

When Mitsuhide enters, Motochika takes hold of his shamisen and stands. He smiles warmly.]

Mitsuhide. There is nothing wrong with giving your friends opportunity to fuss over you.

[He braces his shamisen over his shoulder, then places his SFC inside his top, where the support of his obi lends the necessary structure to keep it safe. After, he moves closer.]

I am glad to celebrate the fact that you were born.

Had they known, others would desire to do the same.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide folds his hands before him, bows his head slightly and says, formally:]

You honour me.

[His tone becomes more casual again. There is undisguised warmth in it.]

You know I am not one to go out of my way to invite attention to myself, Lord Motochika. But I will not oppose this.

[The tradition of celebrating birthdays is something he'd never experienced prior to Vatheon, but there is something rather pleasant about the idea of celebrating the births of those you care for. Mitsuhide's gaze flickers to the picnic basket.]

We are going out?

[behisstrength]

Yes. Are you ready?

[Motochika moves to pick up the basket, slipping his free arm through the handle and sliding it along to sit at the crook of his elbow.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

I am.

[He is fully dressed (wearing one of the blue kimono Motochika put in his warderobe before), tidy, and has no plans to go elsewhere. But... his gaze slides to the basket Motochika is carrying.]

I could carry that? It would be easier, as you already have your shamisen and my hands are empty.

[He tilts his head.]

[behisstrength]

There's no need.

[Motochika answers, appreciating the offer but brushing it off all the same.]

Let us depart.

[He leads on, heading out of the room and off towards the door.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide shakes his head a little, but does not argue the point. Instead he follows on as expected, waiting until they are out of the house and the door is closed before speaking again.]

So.

[He sounds curious.]

Where are we going?

[behisstrength]

To our clearing. [Motochika leads on.] I have a gift waiting for you.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[A gift? Well, now, consider Mitsuhide even more curious. The samurai raises both eyebrows and smiles.]

That is generous of you, Lord Motochika.

[He says nothing else yet, simply following his lover through the streets of Vatheon and to the entrance of the forest. A path thet have both walked many times now. The sight of all of the greenery, and the sounds of unseen animals, are as welcoming as ever.]

[Their second home is here, further in.]

This will never grow boring to me.

[Mitsuhide starts to hum a quiet, pleasant tune then, one very revealing of his current mood.]

[behisstrength]

Good.

[Motochika smiles affectionately and listens as he walks, knowing that it is a sign Mitsuhide's in a bright mood.

Eventually Motochika brings them to their clearing -- however, it's not empty. Within sits a young peach tree, ready to be planted wherever Mitsuhide chooses.

There are also necessary tools and materials for planting at the ready, not far from the sapling. Motochika moves to place down the picnic basket without commenting upon the gift, leaving Mitsuhide to do so first.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide's humming stops when he sees the gift; he walks over to it and kneels, touching the sapling only lightly.]

[He himself can't be sure it's a peach tree yet, but... it looks like it might one, and that would be fitting, wouldn't it? Not just for the fact that he loves peaches so much, but also because of the jokes and laughter the fact has generated.]

[Vatheon is generous with its peach supply.]

[Back home it was seasonal, and during the periods of time it was available he'd eat his fill as often as he could, knowing that there would come months when he wouldn't get a single one. A special treat, a simple one that he always looked forward to. But somehow, even though he can have them as and when he wants now, it's not made them any less of a treat.]

You spoil me, Lord Motochika.

[His voice has turned soft, contemplative is a more positive manner to usual

[behisstrength]

One day you shall have fresh peaches within your immediate grasp.

[Motochika's smile deepens at Mitsuhide's tone. He opens the picnic basket and retrieves a blanket, then unfolds said blanket and spreads it out on the grass. Once done he straightens up, returning all of his focus to Mitsuhide.]

Today you must choose where your tree is planted.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide laughs quietly.]

It seems so.

[He stands up again, and turns to face Motochika, bowing deeply.]

Thank you.

[One day... it sounds like a simple statement, but truthfully it echoes Motochika's confidence about remaining at Mitsuhide's side, no matter what. A complex issue, but for the moment, Mitsuhide remains focused on the positive half of it. He begains to pace around the clearing, deciding where the tree should be planted.]

[behisstrength]

[It's not the only gift that Motochika has for Mitsuhide, but his second gift can wait until later. He takes a seat, watching Mitsuhide's pacing as he rests his shamisen in his lap and frees his bachi. After a minute or two Motochika calls out.]

Gracia is cooking a special dinner for you as we speak.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide stops then, for two reasons. One, he's found the perfect spot for his tree. Two... Gracia's cooking? He knows she likes to try, and indeed he encourages her to do so, but has always been certain to be close by when she uses the kitchn in their household.]

That is very kind of her.

[It is, so he forces himself to try and not feel so nervous about it. Instead he kneels down and brushes a hand across the soil, checking it over before nodding to himself.]

I assume she will let us know when she is ready?

[behisstrength]

[Motochika smirks faintly, amused.]

She will message me.

[He cocks his head.]

Satisfied, Mitsuhide?