--Faerie--

[stripartist]

[A beautiful white fox sleeps on a stump outside the village. Most of the villagers are unsure of the fox, as white foxes aren't typical here and it might be a bad omen. But so far nothing has happened, so no one has tried to chase it off.

The only reason nothing has happened yet is because Yusuke is recovering from travel. Once he's had a good long nap, he plans on making this village part of his new kingdom and will be inspecting it.]

Comments

[stripartist]

[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.

[hoshikiri]

...!!

[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?

[stripartist]

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.

[hoshikiri]

... 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.]

[stripartist]

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...

[hoshikiri]

[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?

[stripartist]

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

[hoshikiri]

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.]

[stripartist]

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.

[hoshikiri]

[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.

[stripartist]

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

[hoshikiri]

...

[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.

[stripartist]

[Yusuke smiles.]

What's your name?

[hoshikiri]

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.

[stripartist]

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.

[hoshikiri]

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.

[stripartist]

[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?

[hoshikiri]

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.]

[stripartist]

[Hm.]

I see.

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

[hoshikiri]

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.]

[stripartist]

[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.]

[hoshikiri]

Mn...

[When Takame wakes he's unusually groggy. Looking outside he knew it was morning. He just assumed it was morning the next day. He'd thought the entire thing with Yusuke was just a wishful dream. But seeing it wasn't based on his surroundings and the massive presence of magic...

Takame sealed his fate and ate the food given. It was delicious, traditionally made and nostalgic for him. He had the passive thought that if he had a tail it would surely be swaying happily right now.

The bed is very comfortable, much moreso than the futon he had gotten used to. But he pulled himself out of it and stretched his muscles before going for a bath. It took some time as he needed to wash all of his hair, but once that was done he exited the bath in the robes given with his hair loose as he sought Yusuke out at the table.]

... Yusuke-sama?

[stripartist]

Please, just Yusuke. I'm too old for honorifics, anymore, and I haven't been in this part of the world in so long...

[He smiles at Takame.]

How are you feeling? You look better.

[hoshikiri]

Ah, if... you insist. Yusuke, then.

[That felt so informal and unnatural... for anyone else it would be fine. But Takame liked just being able to call him by his name alone.

He tucked some hair behind his ear, a bit sheepish.]

I feel better. I hadn't realized how tired I must have been. I've slept further into the morning than I ever have.

[Local man unaware it's like 11 AM two days later.]

[stripartist]

Well, yes. It's been two days.

[Yusuke just. Sips his tea.]