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 Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:00 pm
Kouyo slumps into one of Setsushi's chairs, resting his elbows on the table and his face in his hands. He had not gone into work the day before, and, by the upset feeling he was giving off, it seems the priest is not particularly enamored with the idea of going today, either.
The red-haired Porcelain remains seated for a few minutes, mulling the decision over in his mind. Then, with a small sigh of exasperation, he gets to his feet again and starts pacing across the house again. He had already done his measuring twice that morning, and had also not yet bothered to change out of his sleeping robes.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:05 pm
Setsushi steps out of the bathroom, changed into his cafe uniform, a couple of heavy-duty hairclips in his hand. "Hey," if Kouyo isn't busy at the moment, could he help Setsushi deal with this annoying mass of hair before he has to go to work? sweatdrop
He pauses, watching Kouyo, and then sighs. ... Kouyo isn't going to go to his work today again, is he?
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:11 pm
Probably not, Kouyo admits as he walks over to join Setsushi. ... Actually, definitely not.
The priest is thankful to have something else to think about, at least for a few minutes. Where is Setsushi's hairbrush? What does he need Kouyo to do? Does his friend need him to trim his hair a little more?
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:15 pm
The brush is back in the bathroom -- though Setsushi really just needs a bit of help controlling the beast while he puts it up.
... After hesitating a moment, Setsushi decides to go ahead and ask why Kouyo hasn't wanted to go to work. It really seemed to Setsushi like Kouyo was beginning to enjoy the work.
... Did the light-haired one come back in and bother Kouyo? Setsushi thought they insisted on provisions against that.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:23 pm
In a weak attempt at humor, Kouyo asks his friend what he will do if his hair keeps getting longer. Even Setsushi is only so tall. Then he puts his hands out and offers to hold onto all the clips so both of Setsushi's hands will be free.
At least Kouyo does not have to worry about putting his own hair up for today. Although this reminds him that he should still probably brush out all the tangles he has ignored so far this morning. Maybe get dressed, too....
Kouyo automatically replies that he is fine. And adds that he has not seen Master Whitestone since the human gave him the key.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:28 pm
... ... ... Setsushi would kind of like to hack off a foot or two. ... Or even cut it short entirely. He's practically married to himself already... eh heh heh heh...
... If Kouyo is sure he's fine, Setsushi will believe him. But Kouyo does seem, at least to Setsushi, to be a little anxious recently. But then again, Setsushi knows that if there's anything Setsushi can help with, Kouyo will ask.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:47 pm
... Kouyo blushes furiously and studies his toes, keeping his next train of thoughts very hidden from Setsushi.
Really, though, Setsushi is a rare man in a very good way. Surely there must be a woman somewhere who can love him if Setsushi decides he wishes to find her. And if he does not, and wishes to remain a maiden forever, it is not because he is a bad person. Some rare men are apparently beyond help, but Kouyo's friend is not one of them.
And Kouyo will always love him as his dearest and only friend. Especially now that the only other branch upon which the priest could perch has finally shown its thorns.
... The High Priest is not really sure what Setsushi can do about that, if anything. With a sigh, he falls silent, and starts to shed a few tears after a moment.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:59 pm
Ummm, maybe it was a bad joke...
It is indeed probably possible for Setsushi to find a wife, but... well... Well, it's not really worth ruminating about.
... But assuaging Kouyo's tears is certainly worth any amount of effort. Can Setsushi truly do nothing? Not even stay and talk a bit, or make Kouyo some hot tea, or give him a chocolate bar?
... Kouyo should really try one of those.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:10 pm
... Some hot tea would be good. And Kouyo supposes he can try the chocolate bar, too. It could not possibly make things worse.
Setsushi was correct about humans. Kouyo was foolish and now, for a second time, has been deeply disappointed.
... He should be alright on his own soon, though, so Setsushi need not make himself too late to work. Kouyo probably just needs time to think.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:32 pm
If Kouyo is sure, though Setsushi will stay for at least as long as it takes to make the tea.
As he goes to begin boiling the water, he wonders why this is the 'second time' -- ... does that mean Kumoru bruised Kouyo again? Setsushi thought he would handle him gently, but perhaps he was unkind to Kouyo's feelings...?
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:45 pm
Kouyo could probably forgive the mage for any physical bruises. He had wanted to trust the human. He had already started to trust him.
And then Kumoru had shown his true colors finally, and told Kouyo that he studied necromancy and played with souls, looking for power. He was no Wind Mage, but rather had apparently been driven from their ranks for his choices.
And Kouyo felt kind of like his little heart had been broken again. He had been so foolish, falling for the human's manners and intelligence.
... Setsushi can hold him while they wait for the water to boil, right?
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:01 pm
Setsushi walks over to Kouyo, but instead of embracing him massages his shoulders gently while scowling as he ponders this new information.
'Necromancy'... an unnatural use of souls? Setsushi thinks about this, keeping any sort of emotions or visceral reactions he may have to himself, in order not to disturb Kouyo.
It is... somewhat horrific, Setsushi finally agrees. The wicked mages from Karyasihu had carefully hidden their projects... And such people are really allowed to practice in practically broad daylight in this land of Gaia? Is this world truly as lawless as this?
Kumoru had seemed to show true concern for Kouyo, and he treated the little Porcelain so well, too. ... Does Kouyo think they are in danger? Should he and Setsushi try to rescue them, or at least inform them?
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:17 pm
Kouyo had never seen the human casting any magic that seemed dangerous. And he had shared the information with Kouyo after great hesitation, like he was sharing a very important secret with the Porcelain. He had seemed to request Kouyo's understanding of all things, and had offered to show him... something or another - an offer which Kouyo had not exactly accepted, which seemed to offend Kumoru.
He has no idea about the children. If he knew little about Kumoru before, Kouyo feels he knows nothing now. Except... Kumoru had never lied. He had avoided giving answers, but Kouyo did not think he had ever told him anything false.
Part of Kouyo clung to that fact, at least, somehow still desperately hoping Kumoru was still a friend.
He slipped away from Setsushi after a moment to walk to the wall, and leaned against it, punching at the surface and shedding a few frustrated tears. Kouyo wished to love everyone who came to him. So why did those people have to be ones who would not tell him the full truth and break him later. His wife and now his teacher - why did Kouyo have to be such a terrible judge of character? And why did he still wish to love them anyway!? He had to be insane!
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:33 pm
... Perhaps Kumoru is still trustworthy? Perhaps his magic is not like that of the evil mages from Karyasihu, but is more aligned with the correct cycling of souls? ...Setsushi doubts it even as he suggests it, but...
Setsushi lets Kouyo be for a moment, his brow furrowed with worry and sadness, and then reaches out to him again, to pull Kouyo's hands away from the wall at the very least, so that Kouyo does not cut or bruise them.
Kouyo is kind and good... He extends compassion to everyone, caring for everyone, like a true nobleman and priest. Setsushi does not think that is madness, but virtue, a magnificent virtue that Setsushi envies. ... But it hurts Setsushi to think that this kind of freely given love, though it may be the glue of society and the healer of souls in the Empire, might not be welcome among humans...
Setsushi doesn't know what to say.
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