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 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:13 pm
Setsushi smiles when he sees the tea, though he still seems a bit nervous. Because the request, Tenkyuu understands, is rather embarrassing, and not quite proper... Though Tenkyuu is probably the most appropriate person for him to ask.
Would she trim off some of his hair -- a foot or so, or a little more? It was so much easier to manage in the Golden World, with Fuushi or a servant always around to help him brush, tie, or pin it, but it just gets in the way here in Gaia. Of course he's still a maiden, but it will be a lot saner to have his hair to his knees rather than his ankles.
Will she help?
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:19 pm
Is Setsushi asking Tenkyuu to do a servant's work? She eyes him for a few moments, one of her eyebrows rising in displeasure...
...before she laughs faintly, the sound of bells floating from her consciousness. Of course Tenkyuu would. However, Setsushi must find a seat. His hair cut will allow time for his tea to steep, anyhow. Her eyes soften slightly when he looks away from her, her eyes flowing over his sea-green hair.
While Setsushi's reasoning is practical...
"It really is a shame," murmurs Tenkyuu.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:46 pm
Some mothers cut their sons' hair before their weddings, Setsushi protests. Rika told him about it -- there are lots of towns that practice that custom, like, uhh... he forgets, exactly.
... Anyway, Setsushi retrieves three chairs, two for the Knights to sit on and one for Tenkyuu to use as a loom of sorts. While Tenkyuu works, Setsushi will watch the tea, and take out Tenkyuu's when it is done to her tastes.
... And they really should not mourn for a mere foot of his hair, he thinks as he undoes the sturdy ribbon binding his ponytail; the lower part of it is all split ends, anyway. sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:51 pm
Rika is a very knowledgeable woman, isn't she? Tenkyuu approaches Setsushi from behind after handing him the cups, her fingers moving to slide through his hair faintly before gripping a bit of the length. Tenkyuu idlely wonders when their wedding will be...
... She pauses, peeking at Setsushi from behind with a look of mock surprise. Is that why Tenkyuu is cutting Setsushi's hair? Setsushi is about to marry their princess?
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:57 pm
... ... ... What? No! scream
Nevermind that a proper wedding cut would be closer to four feet, they're cut off from the Golden World, and Setsushi couldn't even go to court Rika if he wanted to -- and she wouldn't accept him even if he did. Besides, the age difference is enormous; Setsushi thinks he's closer to auntie Tenkyuu in age than he is to Rika.
Why does Tenkyuu always tease him when he mentions her name!? If Setsushi were a woman, he would have the same esteem for the Fifth Imperial Princess that he does now...
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:03 pm
And Tenkyuu pauses at his outburst before she places a faint hand on Setsushi's shoulder. The contact is brief, meant only to calm him as her mind directs warmth to him.
Tenkyuu always believed the two would be a good couple. Tenkyuu has seen the two interact, watched them discuss various ideas of the day, and seen what lies in both their eyes. Tenkyuu is old, yes, but she is not blind.
Tenkyuu only wants to see Setsushi happy.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:15 pm
What is 'in their eyes'? Does Tenkyuu mean a dumb and fawning gaze on one side, and an already-world-weary, curious-yet-bored monocled stare on the other? That sure doesn't seem like a blossoming couple to Setsushi at all.
Maybe Tenkyuu isn't blind, but that doesn't mean she's not in need of a new pair of spectacles.
He beams a grumpy feeling at her, but relents after a few moments. More jokingly, he suggests that Tenkyuu give up her romantic fantasies concerning the two of them. Setsushi wishes only to be Rika's friend... indeed, he is not even so averse to the idea of remaining an eternal maiden by choice, anymore.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:27 pm
Tenkyuu has been in love and seen love throughout her years, she assures Setsushi softly. She knows the beginnings of romance, but it will come to nothing if the maiden does not pursue the princess.
Setsushi is one of the bravest men Tenkyuu has ever known, and she prides herself with having trained him. When it comes to matters of romance, however, he is as meek as a child. Does Setsushi believe that one who holds such an esteemed title as the princess will easily reveal emotion to someone she is unsure shares her feelings?
Tenkyuu firm tone softens as her hand again moves into his hair as she readies the scissors.
But if Setsushi believes as he does, if he looks to a woman he loves and is unwilling to approach her, he will remain a maiden, not knowing the bliss that exists between two who have become one. Tenkyuu falls silent as memories of the happiest past float through her mind, both torturing and pleasing her.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:32 pm
But Setsushi doesn't want to marry Rika!!!!!!!
It's his last burst of resistance before his body goes limp and he just sits there, grumpy, but unable to argue with Tenkyuu any more. His sulking is only interrupted by his removing the tea bag from Tenkyuu's drink, allowing his own to become toxic goo.
... When he speaks again, it is only a very gentle feeling of sympathy and comfort for Tenkyuu who suffers pains the spoiled child Setsushi can't even really imagine.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:39 pm
And lucky for Setsushi, Tenkyuu is unable to argue anymore. The scissors merely begin to move, carefully helping Setsushi shed a foot long length of hair. She remains silent for several moments after Setsushi speaks before she shakes her head faintly, her eyes focused on the ground.
Setsushi knows of loneliness, just as Tenkyuu does. Perhaps, more than any other that Tenkyuu knows, Setsushi knows the pain of loss. Tenkyuu pauses for a moment, her fingers already beginning to ache from the motion of the scissors. She sighs faintly, beginning to feel all of her years. A hint of the loneliness and longing slips from her before she can regain her composure.
... Tenkyuu apologizes. She was projecting her own feelings of lonesomeness on Setsushi, pushing him towards a path he would find lacking.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:51 pm
Setsushi repeats the feeling of sympathy and comfort, along with a reminder that she can take a break if the work hurts her hands.
Everyone interacts with others out of a mixture of selfishness and selflessness, though, don't they? Setsushi doesn't doubt that Tenkyuu really does want happiness for Setsushi -- the fact that she would feel some satisfaction and pleasure by proxy doesn't mean her intentions weren't sincere. Setsushi, too, makes Tenkyuu into Chiyo, but that substitution doesn't mean his filial feelings aren't real.
Setsushi would like to turn around and smile at her, but he has to content himself with just sending the associated emotions to her; even as Tenkyuu and Setsushi bicker about these things, they'll always continue helping each other along.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:57 pm
Tenkyuu would have it no other way. As she flexes her fingers before beginning to cut at his hair again, Tenkyuu thanks Setsushi for his kindness. They both are feeling off today, it seems.
Tenkyuu still encourages Setsushi to pursue those who he wishes to be with, however. As Setsushi's mother, she cannot help but demand grand children. While her biological may not give her any for many years, Setsushi holds the possibility.
Tenkyuu needs to stop teasing Setsushi, doesn't she? He is not the awkward, gentle young man that she once knew. No, Setsushi has blossomed into a fine maiden, befitting Chiyo.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:14 pm
Setsushi puts together a projection about finding a boyfriend for a Tenryuu and being 15 years past the 'blossom' date, but stops in the middle of sending it. Instead, he just snorts and lets Tenkyuu continue her work.
... ... ... Oh, yes. Something else the needy son wishes to ask his mother.
While she was on her job search, did she find anything suited to her nephew Kouyo?
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:28 pm
Tenkyuu seems to think on that before shaking her head faintly. While Kouyo was an excellent High Priest, Tenkyuu is afraid she cannot think of any jobs fitting him. Tenkyuu would suggest a low-stress job, but most of those are reserved for those who have what are called...
"Coll-eegee dee-grees," pronounces Tenkyuu awkwardly.
Tenkyuu will start looking for something suited for Kouyo, however. Tenkyuu will receive her first paycheck soon as well--how much would Setsushi desire for rent?
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:33 pm
Tenkyuu doesn't need to pay Setsushi for rent; that's just silly. She can cover part of the house's food expenses, but Setsushi would never charge Tenkyuu, his adoptive mother, for use of his walls and roof.
Instead, she and Tenryuu can save their money so that they can afford their own shack.
And so that Tenkyuu can go back to her peaceful retirement -- it really bothers Setsushi to see Tenkyuu bullied and burned at her new workplace...
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