--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]

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...

[stripartist]

...you think I'm beautiful?

[Hm. Yusuke may have found his consort...]

[hoshikiri]

[A nod.]

I do. It is staggering, your beauty. I was startled by it... I do not think I've ever seen nor heard a more beautiful man.

[stripartist]

[Yep. Consort.

Yusuke blushes a little.]

Tell me, Takame, what skills do you have?

[And are they in the bedroom?]

[hoshikiri]

[Takame hesitated. Again, he fiddled with his sleeve.]

Forgive me but I, ah, I have very little save for manual labor and impeccable combat ability.

[stripartist]

[He can fix this.]

And being handsome, yes?

[hoshikiri]

Ah?

[Him? Surely he's not bad looking but handsome? He looked away slightly, now pushing loose hair behind his ear again.]

I... I would not consider myself particularly striking. Is it a "skill" to be handsome? I would go so far as to say you are more trained in it...

[stripartist]

[Oh, if only he weren't human.

....Yusuke can fix that.]

Flatterer. Trust me, you are extremely handsome for a mortal. I'll have to make sure no one else tries to take you.

[hoshikiri]

It is the truth.

[It isn't baseless, he was just objectively pretty.

Takame tilted his head.]

Take me? I don't understand what you mean.

[stripartist]

People like me love pretty mortals. Most would resort to kidnapping, including from another of our kind.

[hoshikiri]

I see.

[In all honesty, he disliked the idea of being with another creature of magic besides Yusuke.]

... Will you keep me? Am I handsome enough for you to keep me? Is there anything I can do to make myself more appealing for you?

[stripartist]

[...is he just. Asking that. Outright.

Good gods.

Yusuke smiles and reaches out to caress Takame's cheek.]

Right now? Rest and enjoy yourself. Maybe let me experiment with you, see if you look better as...I don't know, a blond, maybe?

[hoshikiri]

Ah... [Oh, Takame's heart went wild at that touch. He started to blush a little. As he was showering, he had the thought that if he stayed here having eaten Yusuke's food already... would he never be alone?

Would he never have to run again? The more he thought of that, the more weight he felt leaving his shoulders.]

I confess that I am unsure of how to simply rest. But I will try.

[Experiment with him, though? An odd choice of words perhaps but the idea of him going blonde... he imagined it in his head and thought that it would look nice.]

So long as you do not cut my hair... you may do whatever you wish.

[stripartist]

There will be a trim, but just to keep your hair looking its best. Humans need that sort of upkeep, at least until they get used to magic.

[By which he means "transformed"]

But no more than strictly necessary, I promise.

[hoshikiri]

[Takame collected his loose hair, bringing it to his front and hanging onto it protectively. The word "trim" had him reluctant. His hair was what allowed him to feel just a little pretty.

But collecting it as he did, he noticed the many, many, many split ends he had from letting it grow out poorly and being unable to take proper care of it.

So begrudgingly... he nodded.]

If you insist...

[Flicks at a split end. Get used to magic... surely that simply meant the same as getting used to an elevation level or something akin to that.]

[stripartist]

Just the one trim, I promise. Otherwise...is there anything in particular you'd like to try? Appearance wise?

[hoshikiri]

[He'll trust Yusuke and let his hair go free, relaxing. As for the question, he tilted his head.]

I am not sure... I... I would like to try having blonde hair. I have never considered changing anything else.

[He already had a damn good body, he knew that much.]

[stripartist]

[Snap!

Takame's hair is now blond.]

Like that?

[hoshikiri]

[He saw that almost immediately, being used to his hair falling over his face a little. He noticed it was lighter, brought the loose hair back around again and the entire thing was lighter.

He stood up to find the closest mirror nearby to see himself and just... stared in awe for a long moment, running a hand through his now blonde hair.]

Ah... [The way he ran his hand through loose strands and kept turning his head to see how it looked from different angles showed he liked what he saw. Yusuke did this just like that...]