faepuns | --Faerie--

[One of the other villagers, a young girl who's never really fit in with the others, looks to Takame.]

It does...but I want to go.

[As does everyone else. The song keeps playing, luring the villagers out of the village and into the nearby woods. The trees are alight with silver, blue, and red, and there's a path to a hill.]

... Why do you want to go, too?

["Too". It was added unconsciously, Takame wasn't even entirely aware he said it. The longer the song played, the faster Takame's feet seemed to carry him. He fell in perfect synchronized step with the others, only faltering a few times because he wanted to stop and look at the colors the trees have become.

There is no color for me here. Is it in your land?]

[The girl doesn't respond, too enthralled by the music.

As they reach the hill, the doors open and let them into a gorgeous manor-under-the-hill. It's brightly lit, somehow, and not at all cold or musty. It's warm, inviting, and covered in gorgeous tapestries and paintings.

A harp plays in the middle by itself, and a white fox sits on a throne.

Everyone kneels.]

[Eventually, even Takame stopped trying to speak or stop. The hand white knuckle gripping his katana relaxed and he fell in complete step with the others. Like he was in the same trance. He just wanted to listen to the song. Follow the first thing that made him feel anything since he was a child.

He even kneeled with the others. But he seemed to snap out of it somewhat seeing that same white fox, pulsing with magic.

It was sheer shock, honestly, that made him stand again.]

You... I saw you before.

[The fox yips and jumps and turns into the man from the teashop. Just...rather more inhuman and with furry pointed ears.]

You have. Welcome, lost ones, to my home.

...!!

[It startled Takame, that sudden shapeshift. He could see magic, but he's never seen it being used right before his eyes. Habit again made him reach for the hilt of his katana, but was so surprised to see the man from the teashop that he dropped his hand again.]

... You are... traveling artist-san. From the other day. You are the white fox as well?

I am. I went to the village to find those who would be happier here with me. Shockingly, it was quite a few, as you can see.

... I don't understand. Everyone else here... I cannot speak for them, but I was content with where I was. So why have you brought me here?

[The proof spoke for itself, but it didn't register to Takame. He glanced at the girl who spoke to him earlier.

He still wondered why she wanted to be away like he did.]

Because you weren't content. No one who came out to hear the song was, even if they're denying it.

[Yusuke flips and starts to float on air.]

The girl you just glanced at--her aunt and uncle didn't want to take her in and made it known. The boy to your left, well, right now he looks like a girl, doesn't he? And the couple behind you, they've been mocked as outsiders since arriving. And you...

[Takame looked at each person pointed out. He recalled arguments about a "useless little girl" from the home down the street. Heard incredibly unpleasant words said about the child to his left that even made his blood boil. And the couple behind him hailed from the central continent.

As for himself, he looked down. Down at both of his hands that once held tight onto his katana.

"You weren't content. No one who came out to hear the song was."]

... Was I not content...? I was taken away... brought back to my homeland... was... was I not content with that?

Given the way that one idiot was speaking to you? I don't think you were.

Ah...

[Takame flinched, shrugging in on himself and closing his hands into weak fists.]

... But I owe him. [A sharp, frustrated huff of breath.] I owe the fucking arsehole for bringing me back here.

[From their conversation, Takame did not seem like the sort of man to swear. So that said a lot.]

And I'm sure you've repaid whatever debt you felt you owed by now. You're not even interested in his daughter, are you? But he still acts like you are.

[Irritated:]

She wants nothing to do with men or sex and had he bothered to pay a lick of bloody attention he would know that.

And you make my point. You weren't content, sir, so you came to me. And I can fix that.

...

[Takame didn't even realize that he'd raised his voice, proving the man's point even louder. He stood in silence for a moment. He did not think anything would change. He did not think he would have anything but a life constantly on the run, isolated from everyone. Especially those who he was made to call "family".

He went back to how he felt in that walk to the hill. How he felt a sense of wonder he never had before. How he felt warm at the singing. At the idea of being with the singer. The painter of his world of grey.

He looked up at the man.]

... I want to know how. I want to see how you can fix this.

[Yusuke smiles.]

What's your name?

Tsurugi.

[That's what he's gone by most of his life. He wondered, though...

It felt... unnatural, almost. But.]

... My given name... it is Takame.

You may call me Yusuke, Takame-san. Here, come forward.

[He holds out a hand.]

If you want to see what I can do, it's best to see it at my side.

Yusuke...

[Takame liked that name. He liked being called by his given name. It's been so long since he has. Not since his mother...

Takame looked at his hand, reaching out to take Yusuke's. He flinched back for a moment, reluctant... but eventually worked up the bravery to take it.]

Mm.

[Yusuke tugs Takame up into the air with him as his servants come forward.]

Take everyone somewhere they can sleep for now. I'll tend to Takame.

[His servants bow and soon it's just the two of them.]

Are you tired?

Ah...!

[He's floating now. He's floating with Yusuke who used his name without an honorific.

Gods, he felt like his heart was floating as well.]

I... I often need to stay awake late. To keep watch and perform the nightly chores. So, I've not yet slept...

[In other words: he's quite tired but doesn't know it. Honestly with the bags under his eyes it was clear he was a chronic undersleeper.]

[Hm.]

I see.

[Yusuke pokes Takame's forehead. That should put him to sleep until he is not longer underslept.]

Ah-.

[It did and Takame dozed off immediately. Snoring quietly, even. He was exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. The way he looked when he slept was so much more relaxed, bringing a release of tension to his intense features and softening them.

It was clear he had never known such peace even in sleep in a very long time... He'd have fallen to the ground if they weren't floating.]

[When Takame next wakes up, some thirty-six hours later, he awakes in the world's most comfortable bed. There is a hot breakfast waiting for him on the table nearby, and there is a bath the next room over whenever he wants to take it. When he does, he'll find soft robes to wear.

And when he comes out, he'll find Yusuke sitting at the table with tea.]

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