thenearshore | The More Things Change

Entry tags:

The More Things Change

Who: Dust, Marinette, and Wendy
When: December 23.
Where: Orihime's house.
What: Orihime isn't moving. Dust would like to know why.

[If this is bad news, Dust is still ready to cut down everything wrong about the world.]

[He shouldn't expect that, but he does. Which is why his measured pace down towards the river and the little house there carries with it intensity as sharp as a razor, his mouth fixed in a frown. But, well aware that he expects it and can get possibly a little too intense, he'd made sure to invite a counterbalance in the form of Wendy. And perhaps complicating matters further, when Marinette heard where he was heading she'd asked to come along, and he couldn't say no to her...]

[So, not for the first time, Wendy, Dust, and Dust's god set off to try to put things regarding Orihime right again.]

...Remind me to ask her about my suit while we're here. If I can. She was almost insistent the last time we talked and I never caught up with her about it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Why don't you ask about the suit first? It'll be something more familiar for her, and it'll star the conversation off nicely, instead of... intense.

[And Dust can be very intense. Wendy knows it, just like she knows that easing back some of that intensity is why she's hear at all.]

Actually, I agree with Wendy on this one. Ask her about the suit first.

[Because he might not have been with her for very long just yet, but Marinette had seen enough t know that he could be very intense when he wanted to be. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it might have been part of why she'd asked to come along when she'd found out what he was up to. That and the fact that she didn't want him to have to go off by himself.]

...Really? You think? [Both the suggestion and the quick agreement startle him, and he glances in the girls' direction with no small amount of surprise.]

If -- that seems like I'm trying to dance around why we're here, instead of being honest about it. "Let's make small talk, okay, by the way why aren't you moving?" It feels.... deceptive.

And if you just start off immediately interrogating her, asking about the suit will just feel awkward and out of place.

[Especially depending on if the conversation goes badly... But let it not be said that she's not amiable to change.]

How about you just say that you came here about the suit, but that you have something else you wanted to talk to her about after? [She looks up at Marinette.] So then it's still a little honest without rushing into it, right?

[Marinette nodded at Wendy's assessment.]

I feel like things would go a lot smoother if you take Wendy's advice. [Because showing up and immediately asking why she hadn't moved might be taken the wrong way. But asking about the suit would give them an in.

... But also-]

What kind of suit?

[Priorities, after all.]

I guess that's fair. Don't give Wendy an even bigger ego though, Marinette. [Dust glances back at his god with an amused smile. He adores Wendy, really.]

Normal suits itch. It's the fur. Orihime says she can make something that won't.

It needs to be bigger. People who are ninety-percent fluff wouldn't understand. [She prods Dust in the side, grinning a little.]

Anyway, that sounds good to me! I can't wait to see it, even without the talk you want to have with her.

I think her ego's just the right size. [She's just grinning at that, because Wendy was great.] Yea, a bigger size might help with the itching. Unless you're allergic to the fabric~ [Because that was entirely possible.]

But yea, I'm looking forward to seeing your fancy new suit! [As if that wasn't something she'd be interested in.]

I'm glad you two are so focused on the most important thing here.

[Though they were mostly here for backup. And maybe to help him handle this without declaring war on the heavens.]

[Luckily for his sanity, Orihime's house on the river isn't far now. Dust points it out for Marinette's benefit.]

Hey, you're all focused on the main thing, so someone has to focus on the clothing part.

[She gives a little hop when he points out Orihime's home, however, curious.]

You know, I don't think I've ever actually been here myself.

You say that like clothing isn't important.

[At that, she's giggling and shrugging. And then she's turning her attention to Orihime's home when it comes into view.]

It'll be like an adventure!

Right. Well, I got through the first adventure without having to cut down any old gods, here's hoping for two in a row.

[Dust is smiling. Dust is not really joking.]

[Up to the door he walks, politely knocking. There might be a better way to announce himself; he doesn't know it.]

[ When she does slide the door open, she's wearing a blue yukata with pale obi. She's dressed in semi-formal attire with hair done, makeup done, and clearly ready for guests at a moment's notice. She started speaking through the door but stops when the door is fully open. ]

Welcome! Please do come in-- Oh my! Well...

[ She smiles. Not the people she was expecting, so her shoulders clearly relax. ]

Dust - to what do I owe the pleasure?

Hi, Orihime! [From around Dust, Wendy leans out with a wave.] We'e here, too. Or, well- you remember me from the god meeting, right?

[If not, she expects Dust to make some introductions.]

Hi, Orihime! [Unlike Wendy, she was sure she'd never actually met Orihime before. But she'd agreed to come along for this, and she'd never been particularly shy, so she couldn't feel bad about following the other girl's lead now.

And if Dust had to introduce them all well... it'd be good for him!]

Hi, Orihime.

[Dust echoes his friend and his god with an amused smile, though he always has a smile ready for Orihime. After everything that had happened, how could he not? But beneath that is faint tension. From her attire and body language, he's guessing that the gods of the Far Shore are badgering her about the very matter he's come to speak to her about.]

[Not what he wants to know.]

[Stepping slightly sideways, Dust motions to the two girls.]

This is Marinette, my god. And Wendy, who was a huge help with, well, everything. [Dust hasn't forgotten how much he owes Wendy, and of course never will.] They heard I was coming down to talk to you, and were very eager to come along. And they're also going to make absolutely sure I mention that suit we once talked about.

Your suit... but I thought I had already...

[ Her eyes drift over Marinette, then back to Dust. ]

I am so sorry. Perhaps the attendant I sent it with deposited at... your former temple. No matter, I shall make another - I still know all of your measurements.

[ She looks back at Marinette, before gesturing for them to come in by stepping aside. ]

I will be most pleased to formally make your acquaintance, Goddess Marinette, and of course I remember Wendy. I am delighted that you two have become so well acquainted, Dust.

[ Leaving enough space for them to all stand in her living room, or sit on the floor pillows at their leisure, Orihime looks back at the group. ]

Although I fear I cannot know what else you would like to speak with me about, Dust, or I might have better prepared...

[ She has a smile on, but her tone and eyes radiate concern and confusion, as well as apprehension. ]

[Don't mind if she takes a seat, then! Wendy still isn't entirely familiar with the most proper ways to go about this, but she can kneel well enough and have her back be straight, so that should do for now.]

We can talk about all sorts of things, especially while you and Dust figure out about that replacement. But you know, I didn't know you had a shinki, Orihime!

[Because that's what an 'attendant' would be for a god, right?]

[It's only a little odd being addressed that way, and Marinette is just going to smile in response, and follow everyone else inside.]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, too.

[If nothing else, she knew enough to be on her best behavior. Not that it was a huge change from her normal behavior. Following Wendy's lead, she'll take a seat. Except she's going to sit cross-legged at first.]

We're friends, Dust. Of course I came down with you.

[And because she was always going to be curious about this kind of thing.] What color is the suit going to be?

You wanted to talk to Orihime about clothing. [Dust looks sidelong at his god with a smile, not letting her get away with that half-truth.]

[Dust intends to remain standing as long as Orihime does, being -- well, Dust. And he is perfectly aware that she has a hunch what he's here to talk about, though he permits Wendy and Marinette their questions first to let the tone stay light.]

My apologies for the confusion. [ She bows to Wendy. ] The attendant is not a shinki of mine. I... have not yet been assigned one by Heaven.

[ Although she smiles without continuing. ]

My my, Dust, do you mean that you found another goddess with a portfolio that includes weaving?

[ She looks to Marinette, seemingly happy to focus on that line of questioning. ]

I should be delighted to learn of it. I cannot tell you how many gods' portfolios include the elements, such as fire or water.

I see...

[While Orihime is preoccupied with Marinette, Wendy tries to exchange a glance with Dust. She still hasn't moved, and still hasn't gotten a shinki? That's even stranger.]

[But she'll let the two of them talk, instead, just for the moment.]

That too~ But I figured that would happen after whatever you needed to speak to her about.

[She's not even going to deny it, but even Marinette knows that there's a time and a place for everything.]

Another?

[To be fair, she didn't know an awful lot about Dust's life before she'd run into him outside the temple that night, so it's entirely possible that his former god was also into making clothes.]

Actually I've never tried weaving, but I've made other things~

[Well, good luck for a second deciding if your glance meets home, Wendy. This is Dust we're talking about.]

[But he nods, slightly. Yes, this is exactly why they're here, talking about suits aside.]

[Trusting that Orihime hadn't noticed that, Dust turns his attention back to the two gods.]

I figured you two would get along well. You could... use more friends.

... Oh!

[ She's quite taken aback by Dust's statement, but in a touched way. If it had been in public, or she didn't know him better, or both, she might have been quite offended. ]

You... came all this way with Wendy just to introduce me to this young goddess? That is most kind of you both.

[ And since she can certainly make conversation, she continues- mainly at Marinette at first. ]

By 'another' I was simply including myself in that number. I suppose you must have Dust staying at your temple now, as you are his goddess. I hope the trip was easy enough for those with the power to teleport with ease across the heavens, even with two shink in your company.

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I will summon Orihime!

/is summoned!

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