--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

[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.]

[hoshikiri]

[Hello???

Yeah, have a man stunned in silence for a solid 15 seconds while you sip that tea.]

I underestimated more than I thought it seems...

[And now he just felt silly. He did move next to Yusuke though and hesitated before... sitting next to him.]

[stripartist]

Part of that was my doing, I will admit. The spell was only to make you sleep until your body decided it had slept enough, but I had to reapply it when there was...an incident in the kitchens. For your safety, I swear. Mortals aren't meant to inhale quite that much underhill spice.

[hoshikiri]

I see.

[Far be it for Takame to question a subject he didn't know much about. He didn't cook and when he did his meals were patently... "fine but wouldn't eat again if there was a choice".]

I thank you for your consideration. Incident or not... I was quite tired and needed the rest.

[stripartist]

You did. You're welcome to sleep however long you'd like here, so don't worry about that. I like my guests to be comfortable, after all, and you're a guest.

[hoshikiri]

Thank you... Yusuke.

[Gods, he felt so warm saying that.]

... You said you played that song to attract everyone discontent with their lives in the village. Is that the true reason you came here? Or rather... is that alongside your art the true reason you came here?

[Takame did make note of the many paintings were around Yusuke's home.]

[stripartist]

Oh, my art was simply a cover. I am looking to expand my domain, and this village is the perfect location for that. When I went in to explore and see how best to make use of the area, I noticed how many people were unhappy.

[And his priorities changed a little.]

[hoshikiri]

I see. I did not wish to assume. So I wanted to ask you directly.

[It made sense for a creature born of magic to want to expand their domain over humans. This also explained why the presence of it was getting stronger.]

I could think of nothing else but your song and the color that it created around me. ... I feel like I even dreamt of your singing.

[stripartist]

...oh?

[That's. Hm.]

You saw the colors?

[hoshikiri]

I did. Is... is that strange?

[stripartist]

Well, it isn't typical of mortals. Most of them can't see the colors of my magic--it's simply too magical for them.

[hoshikiri]

[Suddenly a bit nervous, Takame started fidgeting with his sleeve.]

I always have been able to. But I have never seen them so vibrant as yours... your voice, your colors... I could not resist following them to you. They were so new... so beautiful like you...