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 Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:40 am
 It was cold. It was beyond cold. Scirocco had waited too long into the autumn to return home to Lemon, and now the first snow was starting. Scirocco licked a snowflake off his lip and shrugged deeper into the oiled and many-layered cloak he had been forced to acquire. Scirocco had been travelling with Ashura for seasons, now, and he never would have stayed out so late if not for relishing the time he spent with Ashura. Now that it was too cold for Scirocco to travel, he had no choice but to return home. Return home or freeze, in any case; Scirocco was the essence of a desert wind. He wasn't meant to be holed up in some thin leather tent, huddled under a blanket and trying to keep the cold away. His aura, while convincing, couldn't really conjure something out of nothing. The winds in winter were sharp and cruel, nothing like the blasting heat of summer air.
That was why they had begun to travel back to Lemon. Scirocco had invited Ashura to make the journey with him, but he dreaded the end: would Ashura choose to leave, then? Stuck in one place for the rest of autumn and for winter. Scirocco had been too shy to invite Ashura to stay; he didn't want to make Ashura uncomfortable. Scirocco had grown increasingly more comfortable in Ashura's presence, however. To think about parting ways was painful. Scirocco reached over to Ashura and rested his gloved hand on Ashura's shoulder, making eye contact with him and smiling. Scirocco pulled some of the remaining summer heat from his own aura and pushed it into Ashura's shoulder, lent him some of his heat. They were nearly there.
The gate to Lemon and Scirocco's home was open, as it always was. It was heavy and iron, with intricate designs bent into the metal. Lemon's work, of course. The yard, while normally messy, was cleaned for the winter. Scirocco winced internally: it was likely that Lemon had just carted all his junk into the spare room off the side of the house. Lemon was definitely not the kind of moonfolk to voluntarily put things where they belonged. While Lemon excelled at putting things where they belonged in his inventions, his real life was chaotic at best.
It was snowing heavier, by the time Scirocco reached the gate. He looked over at Ashura and took a deep breath, piercing his lungs with the frosted air. He beckoned Ashura to follow him. He had planned to get Ashura settled at the inn first, but the snow was coming down so thick, and it seemed like they could at least stop inside for a hot cup of tea or cocoa. Scirocco pushed the door open and Lemon was immediately there, pink hair and vivid smile and all.
"Well met, brother--" Scirocco squeezed out, before Lemon had launched at him and pulled him into some kind of spinning hug. Lemon and Scirocco may have been brothers, and Scirocco may appear strong, but it was Lemon who had the significant physical strength.
"Scir! I waited so long, why are you late? You never come back this late! It's snowing already and you hate snow," Lemon chattered away, still holding on tightly. Scirocco managed to extract himself, and he shrugged his damp cloak off, pushing the wet strands of hair away from his forehead. He cleared his throat, drawing Lemon's attention to Ashura with a glance. "Oh, I see, Scir. You've been romancing the locals?" Lemon wiggled his eyebrows, grinning. He took Scir's damp cloak and suspended it from a hook shaped like the paw of a susikoira.
"Lemon, it is hardly that. Ashura is not a local," Scirocco replied, tending to Ashura's outer wear, offering silently to help him remove the outer wear. Scirocco was clearly flustered, and his face was flushed. It was difficult to tell outwardly whether the blushing was because of his temperature change, or because Lemon was embarassing him. In actuality, it was mostly the latter.
"You didn't argue about romance, though...!" Lemon insisted, grinning madly. Scirocco sighed and shook his head.
"Now you see what I was referring to," Scirocco murmurred to Ashura, his face in a wry grimace, though the edge of his mouth tilted into a smile. "Lemon, there is a time and a place for interrogations, and it is not in the foyer. We must show Ashura some hospitality, do you not think so?" Scirocco turned to his brother, refusing to answer the romance at all. If he responded, Lemon would merely latch on to the response and escalate the matter.
"Fine! But you owe me details later, Scir. You're starving me here, making me wither away...!" Lemon's shoulders heaved and he made what was presumably meant to be a pouting face. "So, Ashura, I'm Lemon. In case you didn't figure that out by now. My brother usually has pretty intelligent friends, so I'm probably wasting my time explaining, but there you go. Do you want tea, or hot cocoa?" Lemon offered, beaming. Scirocco shivered, and went to find them a towel or two, squeezing Ashura's shoulder reassuringly and trying to tell him he'd be back in a moment. The linen closet was on the way to the kitchen, and their main floor was small enough. The foyer they stood in was tiled in a soft brown, and had no walls. The tiles simply changed into a plush carpet on the left, which was the living room. There was a heavy red chair, clearly well-loved, around which was piled stacks of books on inventions, parts, gears and processes. All sorts of nonfiction that Lemon enjoyed frequently. On the right, a set of stairs ran up and turned left behind the wall. There was a closet with a door beneath the stairs. It was in that closet that they kept linens. Down that corridor, between the living room and the closet, there was the kitchen and then the back door which led into Scirocco's garden.
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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:54 am
 Seasons changed and passed them by, yet Ashura wondered if it was him and Scirocco that did the passing instead. Time appeared to fly while both of them were on the move yet it was time this journey would come to an end. Scirocco was going to see him settled in an inn at the village, then head home for the rest of the winter, but Ashura couldn't help but want to ask of him to stay a little longer. When he as much as would stop and think ahead to their parting his heart would slump, heavy as a rock, filled with a bitter feeling of emptiness. What was he going to do now that the cold would set in? What would he do on his own? Would his world simply come to a standstill until spring when he'd be able to embark on a journey again? And even then... would Scirocco still be willing to travel with him when that time would come? He was insecure. It had been a long, long time since he last felt that confused. So empty of reason.
And so, with this and that he hadn't had time to notice how late they had progressed into autumn and now... there was snow. He wasn't exactly good at dealing with cold either, yet neither was Scirocco. There was no reason to hide the lingering eagerness for their arrival at their destination. For better or for worse Scirocco's and his brother's home were closer than the village on their way. They need not part just yet but the snow sure was a hindrance. He was seriously looking forward to some warmth instead of anything else. And there he was, Scirocco, just like all those other countless times he appeared to be able to read his mind, leaned closer to lend him some warmth. He sure was thankful. Returning the smile he nodded, thankful of his ever-thoughtful friend.
After all their destination appeared to be quite close. The gate to the home of the brothers appeared to be made out of heavy metal, intricate in design. Ashura believed it to be Lemon's work. Even after having of his achievements from Scirocco that man he hadn't yet met still managed to amaze him in all sorts of ways. He'd stop and gaze upon the intricate designs a little while longer if the snow hadn't began falling heavier by the time they reached there. He was falling behind a little, something he noticed late as Scir beckoned him to follow inside. He took a deep breath and did as suggested, following a couple steps behind Scirocco as he pushed the door to his home open.
Lemon lived up to his name from what stories Ashura had heard so far. Energetic, lightning fast, almost like a hurricane. And he really must have loved his brother. This much was apparent by the way he almost glomped him by the time he made it to the door, holding on tightly. It made him feel a little lonely, but he was going to be okay. After all this time he spent with Scirocco he had come to deal with a lot of things, even though he didn't think he was ready to discuss his past openly just yet. When he -first felt, then saw, Lemon's gaze turn to him he made a small bow of the head as a greeting, a small smile forming on his lips.
Yet he didn't have enough time to lift his head, Lemon's next set of words making a blush scatter on his cheeks. Romancing...? was Scirocco romancing him? While he couldn't tell and while he was on the verge of saying that he wouldn't mind if he were it made him somewhat uncomfortable to discuss it with someone else... even if that someone else was someone as close to Scirocco. "W-Well..." he tried to stutter a reply when Scir spoke to him. He truly were right about everything. He tried to keep himself from telling Scir it was okay if his brother asked questions and that he didn't mind if they'd do it there... but in the end he didn't want to get between the two of them.
Still, he couldn't help but laugh a little at Lemon's dramatic response. So he was an actor too, among all those other things. Maybe the brothers just had a keen sense for art, both of them, after all. That would explain a lot. "It is nice to meet you, Lemon." he responded as soon as he was given the time to. "I've heard a great deal about you, from your brother. He appears to love talking about you so." at the same time he moved a hand to fix his hair that were now wet from snow, to keep them from falling in his face. "You two must be close. I suspect you are happy to have him back. Sorry I kept him from you longer than anticipated..." he bowed his head a little yet again while speaking those words. Why, if it weren't for him wanting to see all those new sights from up close, maybe Scir would have made it home in time. Just as Lemon had noted earlier, he was late that year and from what he understood he had never been before, therefor he must have been the cause of it.
"Some tea would be nice if you have any. But I'd gladly settle with whatever you have ready in case you need to go into the trouble of making it for me." he just didn't want to inconvenience, plus he'd be stealing time away from the brothers' reunion and he'd hate it if he did. He cast a glance to Scirocco as he moved further down the hall before returning his attention to Lemon, just a slight bit awkward. He had so many things to ask Lemon too. Things he heard from his brother during their time together. But questions could wait, if only just a little, just as Scirocco had suggested moments ago.
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Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 1:53 pm
Lemon surveyed Ashura, playing with his earring idly, a smile stuck on his face. He seemed like he was working something out in his mind. "I'm sure that if Scir had bothered to write to me, he would have told me all about you, too," he said, grinning. "Hey, no apologies necessary, I know who he loves more now...!" Lemon teased, saying it rather loudly so that Scirocco's eyes snapped back on his brother and narrowed. Scirocco was clearly exasperated with his brother, and Lemon didn't even need to look behind him to know. His grin just grew.
"I'm just glad he had you to keep him company," Lemon admitted more honestly. "Travelling is lonely, but he can't stay put. He needs to wander or he gets depressed," Lemon finished. Scirocco walked up behind him and cleared his throat.
"Lemon... Tea. Please," he said, gripping Lemon's shoulder firmly and staring him in the eye. Scirocco seemed tense for a second, and then he sighed and relaxed his grip. He was on edge. Scirocco had never taken anyone home before, and he had never felt this way about anyone-- What is it that I feel? Scirocco wondered, his eyes wandering over to Ashura. He couldn't help but smile as soon as he saw Ashura there, in his foyer. Scirocco left Lemon to his own devices, bringing Ashura a fluffy towel to dry off with. "Are you alright? Cold? Damp?" Scirocco asked softly. Within the warmth of their home, Scirocco was able to draw his hot aura back again, and pulled it around Ashura as well as himself. It was a gentle heat to help dry him off and drive away the chill. "If you'd like, you can take your damp boots off and use my slippers," Scirocco offered. "I don't want you to catch ill," he admitted, a little more gently, his wide eyes fixed on Ashura. Scirocco's hand slipped up to Ashura's cheek, brushing the side of his chin lightly.
Lemon peered out around the side of the wall leading into the kitchen and called out, "Do you like herbal tea or green tea, Ashura?" Lemon sing-songed his voice. He was being even more ridiculous than usual.
Scirocco, clearly startled out of whatever impulsive gesture he had been caught in the middle of, took a sudden step back from Ashura. He removed his damp shoes and put them beside the door on a woven mat, stripping off his socks as well. The skin under them was cold and damp, pale. He retreated off of the tile floor and stood on the plush carpet. Lemon waited just long enough for Ashura's answer, and popped back around the wall. He made so much noise while preparing tea that, again, Scirocco had to wonder what exactly it was that Lemon did to teas.
Scirocco stood beside the window in the living room and looked out at the snow. It was falling fast and heavy. It had already covered the ground and showed no signs of letting up. "Do you mind that we're having tea first? I was hoping the snow would let up enough that we could make it to the inn..." Scirocco's voice grew soft and sad as he finished his sentence, turning to Ashura.
What was that feeling? Whenever he looked at his traveling companion, his heart grew tight. It felt like fingers wrapped around his heart, squeezing, and then letting go: in the sudden absence of pressure, there was only a sweet warmth. Like blood was rushing back to his heart. Scirocco's face grew warm again. "After tea, I can show you around our home," Scirocco said. He didn't pay attention to the word 'our' at first. He had simply meant the house, and yet even when he thought about 'our,' he couldn't help but involve Ashura in that conceptualization of home. Ashura seemed like a home that traveled with him, one that Scirocco shouldn't have to leave anywhere. Never left behind. Scirocco was much more reserved with his affection than his brother, but at that moment, he longed to reach out to Ashura somehow, though without seeming strange or embarrassing. Instead, he smiled at him, a wistful expression of longing.
First snows always made him feel strange.
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:49 am
Ashura quickly lowered his own eyes at the feeling of Lemon observing him so closely. He was one... strange person indeed, first impressions aside. But not really strange in a bad way. He was just as strange as he need be in order to be unique. And there was nothing wrong in being unique. "I... I'm pretty sure he loves you more!" he stuttered, blushing at Lemon's words. "Y-you're his brother... after all." he sighed softly. Lemon was right, in the end. Travelling was a really lonely way to pass one's time, he knew that better than anyone. Even worse, you couldn't even stay in one place for prolonged periods of time, in fear of becoming close to the people that inhabited said place. And usually it wasn't the proximity that hurt the most but the impending separation; speaking of which, he appeared to have already made such a mistake.
"I am ever grateful for his company also." Ashura admitted, smiling a little in Lemon's direction who was dismissed but a moment afterwards to make tea. Scirocco appeared to be on edge. Ashura silently wondered why; he was usually quite calm, even though he always radiated with a quiet power, a gentle reminder to people who might be thinking to mess with him. He didn't think it would be polite to ask, after all he might as well be the cause of this giddiness, him being a new guest and everything.
As soon as Lemon left the foyer lapsed back into a soft, homely quietness. Homes were never silent, after all, as quiet as they appeared to be sometimes. Even though no one was talking if you'd listen closely to the familiar sounds of everyday life you'd realize that the home had a voice of its own. He vaguely wondered what this one home's language was like. Scirocco had once said that his brother worked to repair a lot of things or make new ones; judging by this he guessed that the sounds one would hear in a workshop would be part of it. His train of thoughts was interrupted by Scir just moments later as he passed him a towel to dry himself with. The first thing he did was bury his face into it in a rather childish manner, seeking to warm the one part of his body which felt completely numb at this point, his nose. "Thank you." he mumbled, still from 'inside' the towel before removing it to wrap it around his shoulders so his clothes wouldn't get damp from the water that was hiding in his hair.
"I'm alright, yes." he tried to keep himself from sighing in relief as the warm air encircled them. He had so long got used to Scirocco's power so he wasn't surprised by the sudden gentle aura that picked up inside the house, yet he was ever grateful for it not to mention it made him feel oddly at home. Ashura blushed when Scirocco offered him to change out of his shoes. Would that really be okay...? "It's okay... I don't mind. I don't want to inconvenience you, not to mention you'll get cold if you walk barefoot. Really-" he tried to say but then brought himself to an abrupt halt as he felt the warmth of Scirocco's hand gently brush against the side of his face. W-What is this? his mind practically screamed at him. It was all so sudden, yet, if he could, if it was within his powers, he'd maybe like to lean into this gentle touch, have Scirocco stay there for a little while longer. Like this. Just... Stay. Please stay. it was crushing his heart.
His heart was practically beating out of his chest when Lemon interrupted them as he peeked out of the kitchen to ask about what kind of tea he preferred. Scirocco pulled back, he straightened himself up and just like that that strange feeling was lost. Well, not entirely lost, but it dissolved itself into sparks that created a small anxiousness somewhere inside him, almost like butterflies fluttering in the pit of his stomach. He was pretty sure he had once heard people call it that, but to visualize it was ridiculous. How would the butterflies even end up there?
"Either one is fine." he smile awkwardly. "Although I believe herbal tea is most suited to this kind of weather." green tea was just as good yet it was a modest, refreshing blend that was most suited to a summer afternoon rather than the first snow in winter.
Removing his own boots so he could step inside, he followed after Scirocco in the living room. He wasn't afraid of getting lost, after all the home wasn't that big, but being close birthed a different kind of a secure feeling, especially since he was someplace he'd never been before. "I don't mind... It really is cold outside." he replied softly taking a few moments to study Scirocco's expression in order to decipher it. 'In fact, I'm glad...' he thought to himself. As much as he hated snow he was starting to think that it would be better if it wouldn't let up at all, as selfish as this was.
He had thought it impossible for him to think like that anymore. After all it was his own selfish desire that brought him away from home; and without thinking once he had done anything he could to get to his destination only to have his request denied. Thinking back to it, he must have hurt a lot of people's feelings back then, so readily voicing his stubborn creed. What would Scirocco think of him if he knew what he had tried to do that time...? He tried to think of an answer to that himself but failed. And there he was now, wanting not to let go.
"I'd love it if you showed me." he nodded his head. At first he didn't think about the word 'our' Scirocco had so naturally spoken. 'Our home', therefor his and his brother's. He knew that, as well as he also knew that some part of him clearly wished that somehow he could be included in what Scir thought of as 'home'. They had been travelling together for long enough for Ashura to consider Scirocco to be one form of 'home' to him. A home that he didn't have to return to, because it was always with him, a constant variable he could always refer to.
"I wish I could show you around my old home too, but alas..." he trailed off, smiling a little. He wasn't sure why he said that, though. Especially since he kept from referring to his homeland as much as it was possible.
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:06 pm
Lemon didn't answer Ashura with words, when he blushed and protested that Scirocco loved him more because they were brothers. Lemon was only kidding, and besides, he had always cared for Scirocco regardless of who he was in love with at the time. Surely, that would be the same for Scirocco. Scirocco just guarded his heart better. Besides, Lemon worried for his brother's inability to express himself clearly or openly. Scirocco became shy when he really should be bold. However, Lemon's whole nature was focused on being bold, so it was difficult to complain that his brother's quiet confidence flickered now and again. In the end, Scir would do what had to be done. Lemon was just going to amuse himself speeding up the process, and harassing his brother. He was grateful for Ashura, and wondered at the providence which had brought his brother and Ashura together.
Lemon, before Scirocco sent him away to prepare the tea, squeezed in, "He's pretty horrible at showing it, but I'm sure that being with you makes him happy." Lemon ran before Scir could protest or smack him for being so silly.
"That infuriating man will tell all of my secrets if I don't watch him more closely," Scirocco said, exasperated. For some reason, in his home, he felt as though he was finally ready to tell Ashura something. He just needed to find the right words. Lemon was helping, in that he was making sure Scir could no longer get away with keeping his secrets. Lemon was just setting him up to risk it all, like Scir wanted to. Scir was not very good with risks. He preferred to be assurred of the results, certain of what would happen. There was little certainty in what he felt, but he realized that he didn't want to travel without Ashura again. The days before Ashura seemed long and a little empty, where he was constantly in the middle of a sacrifice. He had to part ways from his home, from his beloved brother, in order to seek the item which he so desperately wanted to acquire. In order to fulfill his nature and his need to travel.
With Ashura, he was happy. He hadn't even realized how deeply unhappy he had been until Ashura repaired it. And he was unwilling to let that go, now. When Ashura tried to assure him that he'd be fine with his damp boots on, and that Scir would get cold barefoot, he just laughed. "You know I won't get cold, not now that I'm indoors. I won't force you to remove your damp clothing, but if you would be warmer with my slippers on, please feel free to change," Scirocco insisted. His feet were already returning to their normal tan, now that he was on the carpet and drawing his aura tightly around them. When he brushed Ashura's chin with his hand, he didn't pull away. Ashura didn't say anything, and Scirocco kept searching his face for answers, but... at the very least, Ashura didn't pull away.
What made Scirocco so hesitant to do anything forward was Ashura's sweet nature. Scir didn't want to hurt Ashura, nor put him in a situation which made him uncomfortable. Scirocco was terrified that Ashura would just let him do what he wanted. Scir didn't want to hurt Ashura like that, and he was afraid that even if Ashura didn't voice concern, he was secretly upset or uncomfortable. Scir's eyes grew dark and he felt a weight settle over his heart, like the snow building in mounds outside the window. If Scir wasn't so painfully oblivious, perhaps he would have noticed the butterfly feeling Ashura seemed to get. Scir could be the most observant and considerate individual when it came to the well-being of Ashura, but as soon as his own feelings were involved, it was a confusing mess.
"Really? Herbal tea? Alright, then!" Lemon called back, surprised. The brothers usually only drank green tea, but they kept flower teas in the event of company.
Scirocco couldn't help but smile when Ashura said he'd love to see their home. "Would you? Well, I'll be sure to show you every detail, then. Save some of Lemon's quarters... it really is like a magpie's den in there. Walls of clocks and glittering things. Unless you want to see, of course," Scirocco added, laughing. "And you can see my floor... The upper level of the house is mine exclusively," Scir said, nodding. Lemon's room was hidden beside the kitchen, where one would have expected an unbroken wall. He had his own bathroom, which was obscenely large compared to his bedroom. Lemon's bedroom was more like a walk-in closet with a bed and nearly no floor. Lemon spent most of his time in the living room. Scirocco had a lot of space to himself on the upper floor: a large sleeping area with a wide bed, and soft sheets; a bathroom with tiled floors and a rare mirror; a sitting area with plush rugs and mounds of pillows. The rooms in Scirocco's area seemed nearly to defy the physical space they occupied. Scirocco lived in luxury, when he stayed in his home; it was a secret he kept carefully. After all, Lemon was a celebrated craftsman and he was a bard and performer. Together, they had the means to live well. Whatever Scirocco wanted, Lemon could essentially make for him.
Scirocco understood Ashura's desire to show him around his once-home, and he felt a pang of pain for Ashura's loss, again. He was also surprised Ashura mentioned his home, with all the bad memories it seemed to bring Ashura. "Perhaps you could describe it to me, one day," Scirocco suggested quietly. He longed to reach out and hold Ashura close, and tell him that he wanted to give him a new home. Scirocco wanted to offer that to Ashura. Over the last seasons, Scirocco had already come to think of Ashura as part of his home. He spent nearly all his time with him, there seemed to be no reason why he shouldn't. Ashura had snuck into his heart and stayed. For someone like Scirocco, who was always so eager to leave things behind before he became attached... that was quite a feat.
"Brother dearest and handsome companion, tea is ready!" Lemon called out to them. More smashing, like pots hitting pants, and the clink of bone china against wood. Lemon was warbling some song about a teapot and a frog; one of his favourite songs to sing. Scirocco brushed past Ashura on his way to the kitchen, and slipped his hand around Ashura's in passing.
"Follow me, if you'd like tea?" Scirocco mumbled, his face flushed, eyes glazed as though he was intoxicated. As quickly as it had started, he'd withdrawn his hand. He couldn't impose on Ashura, he couldn't do that. And yet, when he was near him... it felt like a plant reaching for the sun. He wanted to reach over to Ashura.
The tea was on the kitchen table. The table had one of Lemon's favourite aesthetics, its wood unembellished. It had a natural finish, and its grain hadn't been sanded away entirely. It was low to the ground, and surrounded in plush cushions. Lemon was wearing a ridiculous apron with fabric flowers sewn on, and a big white rabbit in the middle. He was grinning, as per usual, as he set the teapot down on the table, along with a plate of almond biscuits.
"Thank you for preparing tea, brother," Scirocco said, nodding. He gestured for Ashura to take a seat wherever he would like, and waited until Ashura was comfortable before he sat close at hand. Lemon sat on the other side from the table, leaning his head in his hand and his elbow on the table, grinning at Ashura and Scirocco. "Is there something I might help you with, brother dear?"
"No, no! You two are just so cute together, that's all," Lemon said, grinning wider. He stopped leaning and poured himself some tea. Scirocco took the teapot and offered to fill Ashura's cup, arching a brow at Lemon, before he bothered to pour his own. "I didn't make the biscuits, so they will probably taste good. Oh, the tea is another of my own blends. It's orange-chrysanthemum. Scirocco has a secret sweet tooth," Lemon said, grinning.
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 2:00 pm
Ashura took a few moments to wonder if he truly had somehow unsettled Lemon with something he said. He hadn't thought that he might be a vulnerable person like that, by the way he talked and the way he acted and the stories he had since heard. Yet it would appear that his worry was for naught as Lemon just turned over and went his own merry way to the kitchen after sneaking yet another last phrase at him. He would really take those words to heart. After all Lemon was Scirocco's brother, he was one to know better. Not only that he, himself, hoped it was true. To make someone else happy, to make Scirocco happy... just by being there, was that even possible? Was that so easy?
Even though he was confused he couldn't help but smile at Scir when he exasperated at his brother's antics. "It's not a bad thing, though, is it?" he mentioned raising his shoulders in a small shrug. He wanted to know more too, so if Lemon was to give Scir away he wouldn't mind. He would simply stand aside and listen so that maybe he could know more in time. Before he'd have to be alone again, left to resume his travels to places far away from this world. And he didn't want to leave, for if he left he knew that for once... he'd be the one who'd get left behind. Behind everything. He'd lose his reason again. The thing he spent so long searching for, the very one that was now right within his reach, were it to disappear- what reason would he have to move forward anymore?
And for once, after all this time, he had allowed himself to crack and open up to someone other than himself. He was happy to be with Scirocco, to learn of all those new things, to come to know this world he was now passing through. Not once in his travels away from his home had he felt that way before. He'd give up anything to not have to leave. If only he could just for once get rid of this lingering insecurity that stopped him in his tracks and all his proper manners and just speak his mind clearly... 'Don't let me go. Don't leave me behind.' he could only just hope hat Scirocco would notice, like all those other times he did or said something even before he had a chance to ask him of it. If only he weren't so weak when it came down to things like that he could have told Scirocco. Maybe then it would be better. Yet he was who he was and there was no changing it. Not now.
As Scirocco moved on to give him a little pretaste of the tour that would soon follow he shifted his attention to him, trying to envision what that part of Lemon's quarters might appear like. A magpie's den, huh? He bet it couldn't get worse than his sisters' bedrooms; really, thinking back to that, what did they ever do with all those trinkets and clothes? "I don't mind seeing that either." he laughed "Why, I might come to learn of something new about your brother too." to say he wasn't curious would be a lie.
And then Scir's private quarters on the upper floor. He tried imagining what they would look like. If he were to judge by Scir himself he would expect something that would give off a refined simplicity. Functional and classy yet not overly embellished. Then again he might as well be wrong maybe he preferred something more luxurious while he was at home? He'd have to wait and see, seeing how he couldn't just make wild guesses all the time.
As for his own home... Scirocco asked for him to maybe describe it someday... but what was there to say really? He could of course speak of the days of glory the old halls had seen but there was nothing of that left over in the grey world Zippangu had turned into. There was really nothing there. Just nothing. From the wind that didn't blow, to the clouds that wouldn't move, the rain that wouldn't fall and the sun that wouldn't shine... there was just no reason for anything to exist there anymore. He looked away, not wanting to look Scirocco in the eye, fearing that his feelings were much too obvious yet much not suitable to that evening. "Maybe so..." he trailed off, yet he was uncertain of his words the moment he voiced them.
Nowhere to go and nowhere to return to, always searching for a way home when there was none. Maybe Enma Dai-ou was right in what he told him when he departed from the Underworld. He really was cursed.
Grim thoughts interrupted by the reality at hand he was brought up from the well he was trapped by the sound, or rather the loud noise of Lemon preparing the tea to be served in the kitchen. And he couldn't keep himself from smiling again. Despite all of the things that passes his present appeared to be so different, so strikingly different in comparison that he had even dared to want something again. He wanted to stay glued to that present. He'd gladly give his powers away if it meant his reality could stay the same as it was now. All because he had ran into Scirocco not far from there, a few seasons ago. Scirocco was really godsent that day, wasn't he? The only person in the world able to break his spell... and he somehow appeared in his life so unexpectedly.
Ashura could finally see the exit, all he had to do was take one final leap of faith.
The warmth of Scirocco's hand passing over his, it made his heart ache once again. It made him light-headed almost, as if he were drunk. This time he wouldn't let Scir just retreat however. In the end he was so desperate to hold on. Chasing after the retreating warmth with his own hand he allowed his fingers to brush against Scirocco's palm yet again. 'Then I'll follow wherever you will lead me' he had once promised so, after all. "Of course." yet he wasn't sure that was the answer just to Scirocco's suggestion but his thoughts as well.
He was surprised, to say the least, when he entered the kitchen; surprised to find a table so similar to the style they used back home. Lemon's current attire was certainly equally -if not more- eye-catching in any case. Such a strange apron... he silently wondered if it was usual for the people of this world to wear such aprons when they were to serve tea. So far he hadn't really seen one quite like it though so it might just have been Lemon's own strange taste in dress code.
Taking a seat close to Scirocco so he wouldn't feel like an outcast he made a small bow in Lemon's direction. "I, too, thank you for going into all this trouble to prepare this tea." he spoke with a straight face... which quickly turned into a mask of the purest embarrassment; head bent low, still, to hide his blushing cheeks underneath a curtain of hair. Whyever did he allow himself to get so flustered was a different story. He might just have been not used to it. "T-thank you..." he trailed of uncertainly. He wasn't really sure how to think about that compliment.
The blend of the tea appeared to be quite interesting too. It certainly included orange and the sweet smell was enough to send a jolt of vitality to shake him up and make him more alert. "I didn't know you created your own special blends." he smiled at Lemon. Scirocco never mentioned anything about his brother and his connection with tea. "Is there a special process you follow?" he really was curious about it. "What I want to say... it's remarkable. Among all the other things you do..."
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:46 am
The look on Ashura's face bruised Scir's heart, to see him look so down when his home was mentioned. Scirocco bit the inside of his cheek, silently rebuking himself for being so rude. Again, he wanted to slip his hand over and brush the frown from Ashura's expression, to ease the pain that seemed to roost there. It was with relief that Scir noticed the banging noises Lemon had been making startled Ashura into a smile.
When Scir had brushed his hand across Ashura's it felt like a stolen touch. But when Ashura reached out to brush his hand against Scirocco's, again, Scir's eyes widened and his breath caught. His heart started to move way faster than he had ever felt. Ashura had moved of his own accord to reciprocate the touch, and Scirocco could barely take it. Did that mean...? A shy smile snuck across his face. Could it mean that he had a reason to hope? That maybe... he could really keep Ashura by his side. Scirocco sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm his mind.
Once they had all settled down for tea, Scirocco sat a little closer to Ashura than he needed to. His thigh was nearly touching Ashura's. He was finding it difficult to form words. In fact, Scirocco would much rather stare at Ashura and just not say a word. Except his brother, in the silence, was doing far too much talking for him. "Lemon, you're embarassing Ashura!... and me," Scirocco protested, sighing again. He took a sip of his tea, and grimaced. He did have a sweet tooth, that much was true. "Lemon, this tea... is awful," Scir said, staring at his brother.
"It isn't that bad!" Lemon protested, taking a sip of his own cup. He tried not to shudder, but as soon as he put the cup down he popped an almond cooking in his mouth and kept it there without chewing, as if trying to sop the flavour away. "See? Ashura thinks I'm remarkable. Why can't I keep him, instead? You can go live at the inn," Lemon said, scowling.
"He's right there, you don't have to talk about him like he is not in the room with us," Scirocco retorted, his eyes flashing in irritation with Lemon. "No, you may not 'keep' him, he's not some sort of toy or a broken thing to fix--" Scirocco caught himself. He was getting so defensive, so protective... why? He realized he didn't relish the idea of sharing Ashura with anyone, but... this was his brother. It wasn't some sort of thug. A thug, Scirocco would have already punished. Scirocco would never have let anyone speak to Ashura that way, but that's not how Lemon meant to be. It was just his nature, and he was kidding. At the same time, Scirocco wondered if his brother had agency behind his provoking. He couldn't help but consider the possibility that Lemon was saying such things in order to make it more evident or clear to Ashura how much Scirocco cared for him. "Fine, Lemon, it isn't so bad. I preferred your last mix, however."
Lemon had taken absolutely no offense to anything Scirocco had said, and his good sense of humour was clear. He grinned and tried to hand half a soggy cookie to Scirocco. "Here! This will cheer you up, I think." When Scirocco refused to take it, Lemon finally answered Ashura. "Thanks, by the way. I don't really have a process. I kind of just throw things that smell good into boiling water and let them steep, really," Lemon admitted, not embarassed in the least. He plucked idly at one of the fabric flowers on his apron. "So! How did you two meet? And when? I haven't seen my brother in such a long time, I want to hear about you two. Particularly you, though, Ashura," Lemon said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I can tell you all sorts of secrets about my brother..." he 'whispered' across the table at Ashura, wiggling his eyebrows. "But later, I think."
Lemon leaned back and listened to whatever Ashura was willing to say. Scirocco sat with his hands in his lap, taking the occasional sip of his tea, nibbling at an almond cookie. Outside the window, the light had faded. A lamp Lemon had created to absorb the heat of the sun and turn it into energy lit their garden. It wouldn't last long; it was primitive, though promising. The snow, falling softly in the porch light, looked like little wishes sent down to their plane. Scirocco moved closer to Ashura without really thinking about it, seeking the heat from Ashura's side.
Lemon, as if operating on an unspoken cue, looked out the window and rose to his feet. "It's snowing pretty heavily," he said. He opened the porch door, and a mound of snow poured in. "Ah! It's freezing!" He did a kind of awkward dance, shaking the snow off his bare feet, and shoved the door shut quickly.
"Lemon! It's melting all over the floor, why did you open the door?" Scirocco protested. He burst into laughter and shifted his weight, so that his leg leaned against Ashura's. He didn't look over, but relished the touch, and his face grew warm. They had been drinking tea for quite some time, by that point.
"It was snowing!" Lemon replied.
"That's not even an answer," Scirocco said, laughing again. All the tension he had felt before the tea was easing away. Somehow, but repeating such a familiar gesture, the edge had slipped away. Scirocco was himself again, though he still felt flushed, tense. He had so much he wanted to say to Ashura, and he was... he was glad that the snow had not stopped. He was so grateful.
"It was an answer, undoubtedly! Whether you liked it or not is a different subject. I mean, it made sense to me," he protested. "I'll clean it up! Just stay there." Lemon picked up a cloth from the counter and swiped the snow up, putting it in the basin where he washed dishes after tea. "Just put the tea cups and the plates beside the basin and I'll clean up in the morning, alright?" he said. "As a kind of apology for filling the house with snow," Lemon finished, sheepishly. He rubbed the back of his neck. Then, his eyes got wide and excited. "Tomorrow we should play in the snow!"
By saying that, Lemon seemed to take for granted that they would all be present the next day. It was Lemon's own strange way of welcoming Ashura into the family, even though Scirocco himself hadn't expressed his intentions, yet. Scirocco was a little surprised Lemon was being so... helpful, in his own way. It was sweet of his younger brother. Still, Scirocco was embarrassed, and his face flushed again. Before Scirocco could answer, however, Lemon continued, "Anyway, I'm pretty tired. Making all that tea and wearing this apron and just... being me takes so much energy. I also want to wake up early so I can frolic in the snow drifts, so I'm going to retreat to my room. I'll do the dishes tomorrow, alright?" Lemon grinned and winked, saluting Scir and Ashura. He walked over and kissed Scir on the top of the head, and squeezed Ashura's shoulder lightly. "You're always welcome here, you know?" Lemon said to Ashura. "Scir, don't forget to make him something good for breakfast tomorrow, okay?" Lemon said, winking at Ashura and bursting into laughter. He escaped before Scirocco could swat him, disappearing into his den.
Once they were alone, Scirocco didn't say a lot, but rather got up to put the cups next to the basin. His heart was beating too fast and loudly for him to find the words to speak. Finally, when he had covered the cookies with a container and placed them in the ice box, he turned to look at Ashura. His eyes grew soft, and a smile crept across his face. He went over to Ashura and began, a little quietly, "It's... snowing a little too heavily..." He spoke a little louder, and continued. "Ashura, would you care to spend the evening in my living quarters?" He blushed, and added hastily, "Not that I mean anything disrespectful! I just-- I don't want to have to make you walk through the dark, and the snow, and..." Scirocco paused, and took a step closer. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to say goodbye," he said. He looked up at Ashura and his face was a mixture of apprehension, longing, and adoration. What if Ashura said no? What if he had just ruined everything? He waited with his hands by is side, oddly stiff. It wasn't as if he'd just confessed his true feelings... not yet. He was still too scared to do that much.
He thought of the nice, warm bed upstairs, and the soft sheets. He would, of course, give that to Ashura. He could sleep in the mounds of pillows in the sitting area, so long as Ashura didn't mind if he took the spare blanket. Perhaps he could simply bring some of those pillows into the bedroom and sleep on the floor, however. He had grown so used to sleeping close to Ashura that the thought of even being in another room made him sad and uncomfortable, afraid he'd never fall asleep.
Scirocco waited with bated breath, for Ashura's answer.
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:01 am
The scene at the table felt oddly familiar, full of reminiscence. There was a a certain quality to it that made him feel comfortable, welcome. Ashura really hadn't thought about it before, but to be able to be with others like this, to smile, and laugh and chat or joke about things that were all so trivial yet at the same time so important... He hadn't realized he missed this kind of social activity before all of this, and he probably wouldn't have noticed otherwise either. And it was even stranger that his feelings were oddly not weighted down by memories of his past. It was almost as if, as soon as he sat there, all of those memories that were usually preventing him from becoming involved just so he could keep walking forward had become cloaked by the atmosphere of the moment leaving him unexpectedly lucid.
He was about to taste the tea that he had already deemed good-smelling when Scirocco got to him first. The following comment about it tasting foul made him pause, hand still holding his cup raised in mid-air on its way to his lips. Was it really safe to drink? While he trusted Scir's taste in tea it would be disrespectful to his brother to not at least try it; so, taking a deep breath he brought the cup all the way up and tasted it. For a moment he sat there, completely calm, hands moving to place the cup down on the table. It really was awful, the taste so strong and strange it stung his tongue. Even so he didn't really want to put Lemon down, and in any case, one must be polite while visiting anyway. "I-it's not too bad..." he tried to say, avoiding to look at either Scirocco or Lemon as he spoke those words. At least it wasn't so bad that he couldn't stand the taste at all? It could certainly have been worse... maybe.
As for Lemon's next comments. Ashura didn't know for yet another time whether he should feel flattered or embarrassed. Lemon really was as straightforward as Scir had made him to be in his stories. And it wasn't a bad thing but it could maybe take some using to before Ashura could face that kind of behaviour with a straight face. And the way Scirocco lashed back at Lemon before he could as much as word a reply... it was a moving gesture, if nothing, although he didn't feel like Scir had any reason to want to protect him from his brother of all people. Why he was sure Lemon, too, was kidding when he spoke about him like that, no matter his words were as possessive.
Lemon's explanation made sense if you were to think about the way the tea tasted. It sure had a nice smell... but teas were usually meant to be drank. The next question he could readily answer however. Why, he remembered that day as if it was only yesterday, even after all this time. Chuckling at Lemon's remark of telling him secrets about his brother he leaned a little to his side, to feel Scirocco a little closer to him, almost as if he sought to gather courage from that action and sighed. "Well..." he started placing his thoughts in the right order. "It happened in the woods, not far from here, you had tired Scirocco with weighing his backpack with some sort of ornament and I... had only just recently arrived in this world and was trying to find my way out of the forest;" he paused, realizing that Lemon might find his wording strange. It wasn't everyday you'd happen across a planeswalker anyway. "I know the concept of transcending space might be unfamiliar to you but that's what I do." he added. He'd detail more if Lemon wanted him to, but it wasn't a really impressive process no matter how flashy it sounded to be. "I got my hair tangled up in some vines, yet I didn't want to cut the plant down so I was in the process of untangling it when he found me." such an odd meeting it was, that one. Almost as if unseen forces had slowed both of them down just so that they could collide. It had such a poetic feel to it were one to think of it that way. "I had only my company to offer to repay Scirocco for his kindness. We thought we could travel together until our roads would part but-" they actually never did.
He shrugged a little, looking over at Scirocco, embarrassed of monopolizing the conversation for this small while. He was so caught up in his narration of that first encounter that he hadn't realized just how dark it had gotten outside. Following Lemon's gaze out of the window as he turned to look he was met with the sight of the snowflakes drifting whimsically in the wind. The fact that it really was snowing heavily was rather apparent, even without Lemon pointing that out. As much as he didn't like to be out in it Ashura just couldn't deny that it was beautiful. That, accompanied by the feeling of Scirocco moving closer to him unsettled him in a pleasant way yet again, but it all created an image that was right in his mind; the warmth generated by the proximity was also welcome.
He blinked in surprise when Lemon opened the door as a wave of freezing air rushed into the room carrying with it the snow from outside. It really was a strange thing to do considering homes were meant to stay warm inside. Lemon's exaggeration together with his strange little dance as he tried to shake the snow off his feet made him laugh, together with Scirocco. It was almost insane; of course it was freezing; yet this whole course of action still managed to make sense in a really bizarre way, especially because it was Lemon doing it. And just after that Lemon still rushed to clean up the snow and moved into making plans for tomorrow. Just how much energy did that single moonfolk house inside of him? Ashura wondered. And such was Lemon's excitement when he spoke that when he mentioned they should play in the snow tomorrow, Ashura found himself nodding to it regardless of how he disliked the cold and without even thinking he might not be there by that time next evening. It had sounded so natural, the way Lemon had phrased it that it didn't even occur to him at that time.
It appeared that it was finally time that even Lemon got tired however; but even when he said he was tired he still appeared to have enough energy to act it all out. And was he ever thankful of his next words. If only Lemon could know just how deep Ashura's appreciation for him became that very moment... he'd laugh. Ashura was sure he'd laugh it off, somehow. He felt like he wanted to squeeze that hand back and never let go. "I... thank you so much for your kindness." he managed to say. He hoped that there would come a time that he could repay him for those kind words as well. It was among the most calming things anyone had ever told him.
Once they were left alone quiet crawled inside the room again, filling up the empty space between himself and Scir. It was strange, but he was only just then beginning to realize just how much more empty the room seemed without Lemon. His presence was so bold, it really did fill the room up while he was there. Even so he relished the quiet, even though it yet again gave rise to the tension from before as neither of them spoke. He had really thought of saying something to break the silence at some point but he hadn't really anything meaningful to share at this moment in time so he waited, patiently, for Scirocco to finish collecting the dishes.
When he had finally finished that and turned to him in order to speak, Ashura felt something grip his heart violently. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear but was unable not to listen to what Scirocco had to say at the same time. Yet, despite his doubts, by the time Scir finished talking Ashura felt drunk in a strange sensation that was a mixture of relief and happiness and a whole lot other things that he couldn't name because they were too odd, both familiar and strange to his heart. And he was suddenly filled with so many thoughts; thoughts and words that were fighting their way to be expressed. He wanted to say so many things, thank Scirocco for his ever kind demeanor, for looking out for him all this time, for everything, really. But even though he had so much to say at first he failed to make the slightest sound. His face became flushed, this was all so awkward. "You... don't have to say goodbye..." his voice was barely anything more than a whisper, but he didn't have the power to speak any louder, fearing that he might cry, after all, relieved. "You don't have to... as long as you don't want to." he drew a deep breath to calm himself and looked back at Scirocco with what was a blend of all those clashing feelings he couldn't express. But he wanted to let it out. If there was one thing that was true in that moment, it was this.
"I don't want to say goodbye either." he finally admitted eyes quickly shifting to his hands laying there, unmoving on his lap. He was still so afraid. Afraid to believe that all of this was real; almost as if it would all up and disappear as soon as he'd dare to believe in it, just like a vanishing dream.
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:16 pm
Lemon listened to Ashura's explanation of their meeting, smiling the whole while, nodding periodically. When he was finished, Lemon finally said, "Why would I burden Scir with a trinket? That's just ridiculous. He probably put it there and forgot." He wrinkled his nose, beaming. Scir didn't even answer, just shook his head at his brother. Because that was the day he had met Ashura, of course Scir could remember the heavy metal ornament Lemon had snuck into his pack. You'd think Scir would have learned by then not to leave his bag alone when he was leaving.
On his way out of the room, Lemon stood in the door frame of his quarters and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. The way you take care of my brother when I can't is thanks enough." He demonstrated a rare moment of lucidity. The he was through the door and there was the sound of wood sliding, being placed on the floor, and of splashing water in his bath. Then, silence.
Initially, Scirocco mistook Ashura's silence for a rejection. His face fell, and his heart slumped in his chest. When Ashura finally answered, however, Scirocco's breath caught and he wanted to sob in relief. His eyes shone and his hands shook with nerves. He drew a deep, shivering breath and listened in silence as Ashura assured him that he didn't have to say goodbye as long as he didn't want to. So Ashura wasn't tired of him, after all. He didn't want to leave. Scirocco never wanted to let him go. There was so much about Ashura's gentle goodness that Scirocco was unwilling to give up. He loved the way that Ashura went quiet sometimes, that he was so unselfish, that he had a gentle strength in him. Scirocco did think of Ashura as strong. All those memories he held inside him, the burden of his suffering, the loneliness of travelling between worlds... Scirocco could barely imagine that pain. And yet Ashura had not grown unkind, or angry, because of it. His heart was still a beautiful thing, a treasure if Scirocco had ever seen one.
Suddenly, something occurred to him. He had been looking all that time for an instrument to listen to the voices of spirits who had yet to settle in their plane. In a way, Ashura had been able to do that all this time: Ashura carried the voices of other worlds within him. The ability to travel to the places the spirits rested before becoming Moonfolk. And all this time, Scirocco hadn't realized he'd found what he was searching for all along. The clarity with which he viewed Ashura multipied tenfold: Ashura made him so at ease because he was the completion, in a way, of a goal Scirocco had always sought. A mythical figure which he had never really expected to find. Of course, this was not the end of their journey together; Scir was still a traveller, and knew no other life. But from then on, he would take Ashura up on that. He would not say goodbye ever again.
With Ashura's admission he didn't want to say goodbye either, Scirocco felt one more knot of tension unwind. He released a breath he had been holding. Instead of finding the right words, Scirocco walked up behind Ashura where he sat, and got on his knees behind him, minding Ashura's beautiful hair. With one slightly trembling hand, he brushed the hair back over one of Ashura's shoulders and leaned his chin over, slipping his free arm around Ashura. He rested his chin on Ashura's shoulder from behind, and held Ashura in a sort of half embrace. "Are you certain? If you mean that, then... I will never offer words of parting," he said. "Never." He pressed Ashura closer and breathed deeply, the clean, soft smell of Ashura's hair and clothing and skin. His traveling companion, his best friend... Scirocco was still too shy to verbalize that third aspect of Scirocco's feelings for Ashura, but with any luck, the right time was approaching. "Come upstairs? I'll show you where I live, when I am here-- where we can live, if you like it," Scir offered, blushing. Was all of this really happening? What felt like too soon, Scirocco carefully rose to his feet, so that he still would not hurt Ashura or his hair. He waited with his hand out to help Ashura rise, and if Ashura took his hand, he wouldn't let go. His face warm, and his heart still pounding, he turned to lead Ashura upstairs.
The stairs creaked with every step. They were a smooth wood, polished unlike the table. The stairs wound up between two walls, until they broke into the spacious sitting room. It was covered in plush pillows on either side of the path through to his room. There were doors on all three of the walls: one for his room, two sealed with secrets within. He would gladly show those to Ashura, some day. The walls, apart from the doors, were bare. All of his books were downstairs mixed in with Lemon's technical manuals. The rug underfoot was heavy and plush, a deep red. The cushions were all different shades, many with embroidery. A couple of them were as tall as Scirocco himself. They looked like a wonderful place to just lie down for a nap. Scirocco didn't pause in the cushion room, though, but rather led Ashura around through the cushions to his bedroom.
The bed was large, far larger than one person would need. A white, translucent canopy hung down over the bed, floating lazily in Scirocco's aura as he entered the room. The sheets were cream, folded perfectly, and topped with a cocoa coloured comforter, as if Scirocco slept cradled by the earth. The pillows were fluffy, though there were only two, one on each side of the bed. A green blanket was folded neatly at the end of the bed, in a square: Scirocco would take that, in order to sleep. "The bed is yours," Scirocco offered immediately. He had so few words. It was one of those times when he wished he had a lot more to say, that he was better with words, like his brother. "You'll never be cold if you stay under that comforter," he added, thinking again about Ashura's comfort. He quietly led Ashura into the washroom. It was all cream tiles and carved mosaics on the walls. Depictions of lore from their world. They had gold accents, and some of the eyes on the carvings were jewelled. The bath, like Lemon's below, was full of steaming water, covered by wooden boards to keep the heat in. Lemon always filled it for him when he knew his brother was coming home. There was another basin to the side for pouring, along with a pitcher, and a rack of more fluffy towels. Scirocco had clearly invested a lot of time, energy and earnings into his living quarters, which made it exceptionally strange that he was so comfortable on the road. He liked that, though; he liked knowing that at the end of his long journey, home had a soft, clean bed and a warm bath.
A frame had been built around the bath to help keep the heat in. Glass bottles of all different kinds of shapes and sizes lined the far side of the frame. Some had a liquid coloured like honey, some were clear, some blue; they had all different hues and some had intricate stoppers. "Those are all scented oils," Scirocco explained, a little embarrassed. He definitely did live a little luxuriously at home, even though he hardly ever felt the need to use the oils. However, he was glad he could offer these things to Ashura. Lemon's side of the house was nothing like Scir's; Lemon didn't need a lot of space because he was always out and about. He hated being cooped up in the house, and his workshop was usually the lawn or the study, or sometimes even the kitchen table when Scir wasn't there to scold him. Scir's possessions were of high quality, though he didn't have a lot of accessories around. Whatever ornamentation was in the rooms was mostly built into the items themselves, like the carved supports of the bed. He didn't have paintings, sculptures or baubles; every thing of beauty was useful to him.
Finally, Scirocco took a deep breath, and turned to face Ashura. He was afraid that if he turned to look, Ashura would turn out to be a mirage. That he would just vanish right there. Thus, when he turned, his eyes were closed. He opened them, and a moment of fear passed over him. Ashura was still there. He felt reassured, comforted. Perhaps Ashura was real, perhaps his acceptance was true. Scirocco still felt unwilling to take him for granted.
"So... if you are too tired, the bath will still be warm for days. Typically we wash outside the tub, using the pitcher and the basin, and then the bath water is for relaxing; you can add an oil or two to the water. I'm not sure if that is how you are accustomed to it..." Scirocco trailed off, not sure if Ashura would find it strange. "If you do not mind, I will move some of the pillows into the bedroom and sleep on the floor-- I'm not sure I can manage sleeping very far from you, all of a sudden," he admitted. A smile slipped across his features, and he took a step closer to Ashura. He slipped his arms around him, and held on tightly.
"In all my travels, I have never received any gift as precious as your unwillingness to part."
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 2:38 pm
Ashura thought it had been inconsiderate of Lemon to have weighed down Scirocco's backpack back then and he found it even more inconsiderate to not admit to it now. Even though it was clearly something that took place such a long time ago and there was clearly nothing none of them could do about it... he still felt like getting a little angry. Just as angry he'd get with any of his sisters, though, really. It wasn't even an outwardly spoken anger. Just a lingering irritation that always was quick to fade. And there he was, comparing Lemon to his sisters yet again. He wondered what exactly was so familiar about him. He decided it was a mixture of things based on personality. He could certainly see the resemblance despite the fact that Lemon was clearly male.
Ashura could only nod in response to Lemon's final words before he left them in silence. Even though it mostly seemed that Scirocco was the one who was always looking out for him he too worried about him in return. If there was anything he could do, anything to return the kindness with which he was treated he'd do it. Every favour repaid in twice its debt until no one has to think twice about helping anymore. when was it that he stopped thinking about it? He simply had lost track of the exact moment. His journeys with Scirocco had their own rhythm, an everyday routine he had grown so accustomed to in so little time. And it was only when he came to fear of losing all of this that he finally realized its worth. Those lessons he learned, more than any other time, they felt them to be right. What so long had laid there, scattered at the confines of his heart, the pieces of his own puzzle slowly had started clicking into place.
Every creature is birthed for a reason, or rather with a reason. His teacher used to say that most people live their lives searching to find this reason with any various means each has to their arsenal. Planeswalkers, as rare as they were, were like that all the more. They had a reason that was so powerful and demanding as to drive them away from their homeland to places unknown all so that they could someday, someplace acquire it. No one ever explained what 'reason' was. So when his homeland fell in ruin he thought that his reason was, of course, to restore it. He was the only one who could. He had a choice. But Enma Dai-ou denied him his wish. No one can bring back those who are gone. Thinking he had nothing left, for a while Ashura drifted with no meaning, without a destination. He crossed worlds without looking back, never looking back; for he feared that his will wouldn't be enough to keep him going if he dared do as much. Until he started yearning for a place to call 'home'. Any traveller should have a place to return to.
And for him, his home, was fated to be this one person.
He hadn't expected the course Scirocco's actions would take, mainly because he had never done something like this before. Yet he didn't try to pull away, on the contrary he felt comforted by Scirocco's presence all around him. The warmth of his body against his back, the arm holding him close, the weight of his head on his shoulder and his breath against his cheek. It was all so reassuring that he wasn't living in a dream. And he had never felt more assured of the fact other than the way he was being held. "An eternity... is a long while." he spoke quietly, looking away. To never offer words of parting, that was his desire also. To be able to stay home, where he belonged. "I don't mind spending it with you." he completed his thought. He remained unmoving, lacking a reason to turn and look at Scirocco when he trusted him of being right behind him. Finally, nodding his head as a reply to Scir's suggestion of showing him upstairs he finally turned and took the hand that was offered to get up. "I'd love to see it." his reply really was typical but he was still stumbling inside this light-headed haze of his, drunk on emotion. He didn't think that he could do any better if he tried.
And so, he left himself in Scirocco's hands; or in fact, the palm of one hand, as he lead him upstairs through a winding staircase until they finally reached one sitting room on the upper floor. He blinked in awe, he hadn't expected such a room to exist in this house but there it was, full of cushions that appeared to be temptingly inviting; almost as if they called to you to sit on them. But they didn't stop in that room, merely passed through it and into the next room, a bedroom.
What was most eyecatching in this room -as one would have expected considering the kind of room it was- was the bed itself. It was large -why, Ashura was almost sure that three people would be able to sleep on it just fine. And it wasn't only that... but also the colors that felt comfortable to the eye, relaxing browns and greens. He had gotten used to these colors with all the sleeping outside they did. When Scirocco told him he would be using the bed Ashura was most grateful, yet he wondered where would Scir would sleep. he had grown so accustomed to sleeping near him he wondered if it'd be possible to fall asleep not listening to his breathing. Yet, before he could phrase any words he was led into the washroom, the one room Ashura thought the most luxurious so far.
The brilliant shimmer of the small bottles filled the room with sparkles similar to those of gems. The bottles held a variety of liquids inside which Scirocco told him to be oils. He knew what those were, they used them back home as well. There were even several ones reserved for special occasions. He wondered if there was any sort of tradition of the like here, but as Scirocco didn't mention anything on his own he didn't ask. Yet he felt filled with joy simply with the possibility he could take a nice warm bath before sleep that night. Being on the road was great and all but relaxing at home was a different thing altogether.
He smiled, listening to Scirocco speak. It was amazing how Scir would look out for him even if it was for small things like that. "It's not the same, it's not very different." he replied, thinking about the bathing process. "What I think I'll require is something to sleep in, however. I wouldn't want to soil this beautiful bed with my travelling clothes." he mentioned. Well, it's not as if it was really dirty or anything, he just thought it disrespectful. "Oh. I was wondering about that." he spoke once Scirocco mentioned sleeping on the floor. They appeared to be thinking alike about being used to sleeping close to one another, yet to have his host sleep on the floor, that Ashura wouldn't accept. What if Scir caught a cold because of him? "Are you sure you want to sleep on the floor?" he mumbled, his expression halfway a frown. "I could sleep there or... the bed is large enough I'm sure both of us could fit..." he trailed off, not realizing just yet what he was suggesting. Once he did, however he felt his blood rushing to his cheeks. How did he manage to embarrass himself so?
Lost within his wondering he barely had any time to realize what Scir was doing until it was too late. He found himself caught in an embrace that was so sudden as it was welcome and the only thing he could do was raise his hands in uncertainty and hold on from Scirocco in turn. This... together with those words... He really wanted to speak, let Scir know what he was feeling... But he found himself at a loss for words again. No other phrasing but the one Scirocco used explaining his own feelings better as well. It was ridiculous, he knew it was, but nothing else would do.
In all of mine, not once was I presented with one as precious as your willingness to hold on. he spoke, ever so quietly. By that point he was sure his face was on fire. He really lacked the practice for this kind of thing...
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Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:07 am
Would eternity be his, with Ashura? It seemed impossibly beautiful, the idea of never having to part. They were already spirits, and Scirocco wished he could set it in stone. However, the fact that Ashura was comfortable enough to accept eternity with Scirocco was reassuring. He took a deep breath, and tried to fix the memory of those words in his mind.
Ashura remained silent for the tour of his living quarters. Scirocco just hoped he found them alright, and wasn't regretting his decision to stay in Lemon and Scirocco's home. Finally, Ashura spoke, enlightening Scir as to how bathing worked in his home. Scirocco was very glad Ashura felt comfortable enough to make the request. "Ah, of course! Although I will never mind if you make my room messy, I'm sure you'd be a lot more comfortable in fresh clothing," Scirocco said, smiling gently. He would find some of the soft linens he slept in usually.
"I would never let you sleep on the floor while I took the bed," Scirocco insisted, "and the floor will be fine for me; those pillows are quite plush. Thank you for your kind offer, Ashura. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable, though," Scir said. He had, after all, not yet voiced his love for Ashura. He had only expressed a desire that they travel together, really; the knowledge that they had gone so far together and that he himself had managed to say all those things already, yet still had so many more things to express, intimidated him.
Perhaps it was that thought which drove him to embrace Ashura so boldly. Scirocco grew increasingly more concerned he was making Ashura uncomfortable again, until his traveling companion finally spoke. Scirocco held Ashura tighter, briefly, and then let go, standing back to take in Ashura's expression. He seemed to be blushing, and Scirocco wondered if it was embarrassment at letting the embrace go on as long as it did, or if Ashura was embarrassed at finally expressing that sentiment. Scirocco decided he didn't look upset or angry, so he smiled. "If it were acceptable, I think I would never let go at all," Scirocco said, after which he became a little flustered. He was being so forward, he wondered if Lemon had drugged his tea. He really wouldn't put it past his brother, and in fact was surprised it had taken him that long to suspect anything. He would have to ask Lemon in the morning if his bravery had anything to do with the tea...
Lemon hadn't done anything in particular. The tea was pretty not delicious, but it was unaltered. Scirocco's courage was his own. Even if he wasn't very good at it. Scirocco realized he'd been standing there awkwardly, smiling at Ashura, for a pause too long. He ruffled the hair at the base of his neck and smiled sheepishly, then cleared his throat. "Come with me, I'll find something for you to wear," he offered, finally. Scirocco turned and headed back into the bedroom. He opened a dresser made of the same kind of wood as the bed frame, and gently searched through the clothing there. Eventually, he took out a shirt and loose pants that would be warm enough. They were silky, and Scirocco secretly loved wearing them, himself; he always felt like he was swimming in his bed when he wore the soft fabric against the soft sheets. It really was just like falling asleep on a cloud.
Scirocco offered the garments to Ashura with a bow, and said, "If you don't mind, I will go change in the room with all the pillows while you get settled here. Everything you need should be in the bathroom. I'll start making my bed on the floor, too," Scirocco said. He was clinging to the details of their sleeping arrangements to keep himself from stepping up to embrace Ashura again. The desire to do so was overwhelming. He wanted to treat Ashura with respect, though, no matter how much he physically wished to keep Ashura close. It didn't even occur to him that Ashura might want him to be close. Scirocco sorted through the drawers and took out another outfit for sleeping in. He hadn't changed out of his traveler's clothing in a long, long time. It wasn't that he disliked it; Scirocco loved the road, and all the lifestyle changes associated with it. What he didn't love was the emptiness that occurred sometime after the sun had set, and before sleep: the hours of darkness and cold where he wished the wind could form words.
With Ashura, he had never felt that period of time. Instead, it had transformed into something soft. A tenderness had replaced the emptiness, and Scirocco was grateful for that. There was a lot about Ashura that Scirocco was grateful for, and he didn't want to take any of that for granted. Scirocco let himself into the sun room off of the pillowed room quietly, changing into his sleeping wear. He folded his traveling clothes up and set them on the table, briefly. He had left the door ajar. Inside, it was strangely balmy, despite the snow: big windows would clearly flood the room with light, and the air was moist. It was another of Lemon's inventions. With this room, they were able to grow food and flowers even in winter. It was why Scirocco loved so dearly to be home for the winter. Even when the rest of the earth was in slumber, he could grow things, surround himself with life. Perhaps that was an aspect of Ashura: life, which Scirocco wanted to embrace in full.
He lingered a little too long, tending to the plants, and he realized that while daydreaming of Ashura and making sure his plants were all in good health, he had forgotten to make his bed out of the pillows. Had Ashura managed to find his way into the greenroom? He had left the door open. Scir turned around, to see where Ashura was.
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Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:54 pm
Ashura's mind was still trying to catch up with the new reality that had began to quickly unfold itself in front of him. It was hard to realize he had finally had found a place to be like this. He could somehow picture himself spending the winter in those beautiful halls that made Scirocco's living quarters, yet at the same time the thought filled him with regret. It was too forward, too selfish of him to think ahead to things like that when he had only been accepted into the household. And in such a manner... who'd have thought that evening would end like this?
He smiled back at Scirocco and nodded "Thank you very much... but I don't think I'd feel comfortable if I somehow messed up your room..." he spoke quietly. "It is so beautiful after all, I would feel like committing a crime." maybe the expression was a bit more dramatic than it should, but at least he got his point across. Beautiful things were meant to be preserved. Beauty was so fragile after all; the most stunning blossoms were always the weakest ones. Of course one could always clean up the room afterwards, but... Maybe it was just it had been a long time ever since he was somebody else's guest.
Ashura was about to to complain again about their sleeping arrangements but somewhere deep inside him he was glad, somehow. If Scirocco would have taken him up on his offer to sleep together with him on the bed he doubted he'd get any sleep at all. He figured he would be so nervous he'd stay awake all night long. It might sound silly, considering it was him who had so clumsily slipped up and suggested it without thinking, but it was true. Scirocco was being so kind with him that he'd hate refusing his offer a second time. Giving in he sighed softly and bowed his head a little. "You're always so kind to me, Scirocco..." he really didn't have the words to say what he wanted. He was feeling more than the deepest gratitude he always felt for his friend. To be cared for in such a manner...
He really was not used to this. Yet, at the same time, he almost felt like he could entrust Scirocco with this. He hadn't had the strength to pull away, moreover he didn't want to pull away, even though he was feeling so strange that he couldn't control his nervousness or keep himself from blushing. Drawing a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down he looked up at Scirocco and smiled back at his smiling face. "You really don't have to let go if you don't want to." he finally said with a thoughtful expression. "But won't you get tired of me if you see me every day for the rest of your life like this?" he chuckled lightly. He wasn't sure why he suddenly wanted to play around like this. It was probably because of this lightheadedness of his. If he'd keep this up he'd make a fool of himself, for sure. "Because I... wouldn't mind." he spoke quietly after a small pause. He was slowly coming to terms with it, this peculiar situation of theirs.
Lost in his own thoughts he didn't as much as realize that Scirocco took longer than normal to go on but quickly followed after him when he mentioned he'd find something for him to wear. Ashura peered at the dresser Scir had opened in order to find the clothes. Everything was so neatly put away it made him want to smile a little. Everything appeared to be so spotless and perfect for someone who spent most of his time away from home, constantly traversing. It surely wasn't a bad thing, however. Once he had received the garments from Scirocco he bowed back to him to express his thanks for another time. And they felt so soft in his hands... he almost had the urge to touch them to his face just to savour the feeling of the silken fabric more.
"I won't take long, either." Ashura reassured him when Scirocco mentioned he would go change in the next room over. Watching him turn to leave he quickly rushed over to the bathroom in order to wash himself. He quickly, but efficiently removed all of his garments and folded them with care. Those clothes, too, were his travelling companions, seeing him through any hardships. They also happened to be one of his last connections to his home; back in Zippangu those would be easily recognized as the travelling garments of the first Prince. Never mind that. He closed his eyes as he washed himself and in the silence let his thoughts escape his mind. He felt completely calm, for once, sure that everything would piece itself together and find its way.
Surprisingly enough, it didn't take him long to clean himself up and get himself changed into the clothes Scirocco had given him. Considering how long it was ever since he had last properly bathed like this it was a little surprising that he'd make haste to get ready. Maybe it was simply that he didn't want to leave Scir alone for too long. It would be unforgivable to make him wait just because he wanted to relax a little while longer. After all they would sleep when the time would come.
Taking his clothes with him, and more importantly wearing his rosary back on his right hand where it should always be, he placed them on the edge of the bed and looked around. Scirocco wasn't there and he hadn't really began to make his bed either. He silently wondered if his friend had been so tired he fell asleep in the room with the pillows after getting changed. Making sure he kept as quiet as possible in case that was what happened he peeked through the door at the next room but Scirocco wasn't there either. Maybe he went downstairs?
Stepping into the room, he looked around for signs that might show where Scir had disappeared to and almost immediately noticed the change. One of the doors that were previously closed was now open. He figured that were Scirocco was so he made his way to it and glanced inside. He didn't as much as step inside, he'd feel like intruding since Scirosso hadn't taken him in yet himself. It was surprising to find a greenhouse within the home, yet Ashura thought it was incredible, like most of the other things he was shown that day. It was only soon after that maybe because it was time to return, or because Scir had sensed his presence there he turned over to look. Ashura took a step back and smiled, a little awkward to be caught in the act like that.
"I'm really sorry." he made haste to apologize "I didn't mean to pry, I was simply wondering where you disappeared to..."
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 1:33 pm
Scirocco tilted his head, regarding Ashura with soft eyes. "Messes can merely be cleaned up, you need never worry about such things," he assured him. "Besides, you have seen the chaos my brother prefers; I am extremely used to living within that environment," Scirocco added, shaking his head, smiling. It was definitely a little extreme to suggest that making a mess was a crime, but at the same time Scirocco appreciated that Ashura was so considerate. He had always appreciated that, however. Lemon trampled over things, Ashura seemed to have a hyper-awareness. The difference was refreshing.
Unbidden, the idea of holding Ashura in the large bed popped into Scirocco's imagination. He blushed furiously and looked away. He could not think such ungentlemanly things. Ashura was so sweet, so tender; to be so forward would be to risk bruising what it was Scirocco loved of him. Of course, Scirocco would love to sleep closer to Ashura, in the soft bed, but he would not allow himself that. The floor would be fine; having those pillows would more than make up for the firmness of the floor. Besides, Scirocco needed a firm mattress in the first place; it wasn't as though the floor was that far off. He wasn't able to transition well from the ground to a soft, squishy bed, so he had been forced to acquire a firm mattress that was an adequate transition. "I am kind to you?" Scirocco asked, surprised. "You are beyond kind to me, and there is no way I can ever repay you for the hundreds of small and significant kindnesses you have shown me," he said, his voice firm. His serious expression gave way to a smile, and he sighed. "Perhaps I am becoming too serious for the situation, though..."
When Ashura started to joke around with him, Scirocco's tension eased instantly. He couldn't be too offended, if he was at ease enough to play around like that. "I could never get tired of you; every day you look a little different. I want to see all of those changes," Scirocco played back. However, when Ashura admitted that he wouldn't mind seeing him every day, Scirocco was left speechless. His face burned and his breath was caught in his throat. Was that true? Would Ashura really allow him to stay by his side that way. However, was it just as friends?... Scirocco wasn't sure, yet; his own nerves were preventing him from interpreting Ashura's words correctly. What if Ashura merely wished to have a friend he could count on? Scirocco was beginning to understand how much more he wanted to ask of Ashura. In time, however. He had already asked for so much...
After they parted, and Scir had moved into the greenhouse to care for his plants, he really had lost track of time. He was glad Ashura had managed to find him, and immediately set to reassuring Ashura, beckoning for Ashura to come in. "Oh, no, I am so sorry I forgot time, I have not seen my plants in a very long while... Please, join me? I would like you to share this with me; everything in my home, you are welcome to," Scirocco offered. His face grew warm again, but he didn't look away. He reached one hand out for Ashura to take, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible in case Ashura would be uncomfortable taking his hand. It was a pretty personal gesture, after all...
Scirocco stood next to a small plant with dark berries growing on it, and a row of potato crops and carrots. They all needed special conditions, and it was a combination of Lemon's skill with inventions and Scirocco's gift with plants that kept them alive. Scirocco reached his free hand over and plucked a berry, popping it into his mouth. The dark juices stained the side of his lip, and he licked them off. "Would you like to try one?" Scirocco offered, quietly. The juices of the berry made his lip sticky. He pictured what it might be like, to... and then even the beginning of the thought embarassed him, and he turned to look at the berries.
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 5:56 am
Ashura nodded his head a little. Scirocco's words were true. But to compare this floor's tidy rooms to the mess of downstairs was- well, he supposed it was okay. He would still do his best to keep everything clean and tidy if he could. After all they had to travel all the time, it was good to come home to a better environment after all. On the other hand he was rather thankful that Scirocco was thinking of his comfort first. While he was denying to let the room not be orderly Scir's suggestion made him relax even further. He was really starting to feel like home, something that both frightened him and calmed him further in an odd clash of more feelings he didn't know how to deal with. To feel secure and insecure at the same time made no sense at all, after all, did it? Yet there was little he could do but deal with it as it was.
Ashura was unaware of Scirocco's thoughts but he did find his blushing and looking away a little confusing if not unsettling. It was the same feeling of what felt like worry he had familiarized himself with through the evening. He figured Scirocco might have been thinking the same thing as him, that it would be quite embarrassing if they both had agreed in sleeping together on the bed. But he couldn't really know either. And then... to be regarded so highly... he was about to decline all this praise by shaking his head and saying that he was always like this anyway and that he didn't mind but in the end he really couldn't bring himself to do so as Scir lost some of his serious attitude and smiled. Maybe he was right, they were supposed to spend yet another quiet evening together, even if the environment was different than their usual. They certainly didn't have to weigh the mood down without a good reason.
"Oh, I take offense to the last one!" he spoke back, making a dramatic motion with his hands when Scirocco mentioned that he looked different every day and that he'd like to see those changes. "What am I to do if you see me and my hair is all messy?" he pretended to frown but at that moment noticed Scir's sudden change of mood and paused. Scir on the other hand seemed to be pausing himself, almost as if his world had stopped turning for a second. Ashura wondered what it was that caused this. Was it something he said? Was he being too straightforward? He didn't really want... hadn't really meant to upset him, not after all of this. Afraid to ask for more information he drew a deep breath and tried to calm himself as he rushed to the bathroom to give Scirocco some space to breathe.
He was glad that when he saw him again, a few minutes later, Scir seemed to be doing just fine again. He was even reassuring him everything was okay even though he had acted on his own accord and practically messed up in his own mind. He nodded his head quickly, in agreement as Scirocco spoke and stumbled awkwardly in his direction as he gave his reply. "Don't worry yourself with that, please. After all those plants, too, are living things. You should offer them as much of your time as you think it's appropriate. Why, I'm sure they're happy to see you too." while it was a strange statement to say he was taught from an early age that all living things are equally important, whether they were plants or animals or other people they were all the same in the end. He took the offered hand once he was close enough and sighed softly. "You never cease to amaze me, however." he smiled, looking around him. "You do all those beautiful things..." he blushed a little. His way of thinking sure was strange if you were to think about it a little better. So very strange. He hoped Scirocco wouldn't think that too.
He took a few moments to study the plants that were growing near them. He thought it was great he could easily recognise most of them even though he wasn't really good when it came to gardening or anything. He wondered how exactly Scir and Lemon managed to maintain all of them, they seemed to be all so well-raised. He was sure that whatever their secret was they had been raising all those plants with a lot of love; at least Scirocco seemed to be quite fond of his plants. Just looking around had been keeping him rather busy but he was returned to reality when Scirocco asked him if he'd like to try a berry. Turning to look at him, then the plant in question he nodded. "I'd love to." he smiled. He was sure it would taste fine, after all Scirocco had already eaten one and was offering him; he wouldn't be offering if it wasn't good, Ashura trusted as much.
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:00 pm
Scirocco was trying hard to breathe evenly. He was normally so good with air, with wind, that having to remind himself to breathe deeply was difficult. He couldn't keep thinking these things, couldn't keep picturing Ashura in his bed and shifting so that his hand brushed Ashura's side. They were figments of his imagination, which seemed to be running wild. Scirocco made a conscious effort to take a deep breath, searching Ashura's face for some sign of what he was feeling. However, when they did lighten the mood, he found it so much easier to breathe and relax. Really, there was nothing strange going on. His travelling companion had agreed to stay the night, and Scirocco would enjoy that.
"Why would you take offense?" Scirocco laughed at Ashura's dramatic motion, his face breaking into a soft smile. "I have already seen you with your hair disheveled! The first day that we met, remember? I helped you untangle it," Scirocco offered, reaching out and touching a lock of Ashura's hair very gently. But the moment was over, and he was preoccupied again, and before he knew it Ashura was racing off into the bathroom.
The greenhouse was soothing. The snow melting above them was beautiful, and the soft glow of the lights exaggerated it into a pale halo. "I suppose I can see both of you at once, perhaps? That may spoil me, though..." He ran his thumb gently across Ashura's knuckles once Ashura held his offered hand. "I never cease to amaze you?... I feel like it is the other way around. You know all of these worlds which I have never experienced, and yet you travel with me regardless. You are..." Scirocco took a deep breath. He was about to tell Ashura how kind he thought he was, how gentle but fascinating. Scirocco smiled, instead, and rubbed the back of his own neck with his free hand. He didn't think Ashura was strange. Or if he was, that the difference in his personality from everyone else Scir had met was what made him so unique. Ashura's personality, his likes and dislikes, made Scirocco so happy. A simple sentiment, but not entirely expected in Scir's life.
Ashura accepted his offer of the berries, and Scir reached over to the plant to pluck a couple. They were sweet with the smallest hint of tartness, a little bite to them. They were just shy of perfectly ripe, and that was when Scir liked them best. He offered them to Ashura; he imagined bringing one of the berries to Ashura's lips, and turned scarlet, but didn't act on it. He just held his open palm out to Ashura.
When the berries had been handed over, Scir stretched and yawned. "Perhaps it is about time we slept?" Scir asked, growing quite tired again. He was a little like a child; when he grew tired, he grew extremely tired and didn't think very clearly. He'd clearly fall asleep very soon, whether he was lying down or standing up.
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