thenearshore | The More Things Change

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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.

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[Dust wouldn't have made his comment in public, or if he hadn't though he and Orihime had some measure of understanding between them. It might have been tactless, but tact sometimes isn't the best way to make a point.]

Seems there's something of a push to bring you into the social circles of the Far Shore. [Which did Orihime have more in common with? The old gods or the new? She's the former, of course, but seems ostracized from them -- and is continuing it by choice, to judge from their presence here.]

Ah, well...

[ Orihime brushes a lock of hair behind her ear. First, she turns to Marinette. ]

I am more than happy to visit, now that I am more able to do so at my own leisure.

[ She lowers her gaze down to the floor, before raising it back up at Dust. The smile is gone now, replaced by a faint frown. ]

I suppose if I do not embrace such kindness with open arms I am doing a disservice to those who have championed my causes for so long.

[ Her head tilts ever so slightly in Dust's direction again. ]

I wonder what you may have heard from those social circles...

[Let her just field that question by flicking a finger over in Orihime's direction.]

That you're a really pretty girl who needs to get out more, see more people, have some fun?

[A beat.]

Not that I would know, no one talks to little girls about anything like this.

[But that's what she's sure they're all here for, and, as far as she's concerned, they're the only social circle that counts. If Heaven has a problem with it, then they can speak up instead of pretending to be distant and better than everyone. Besides, there's no point in her just staying here like this!]

[This is as good a segue into things as they're likely to get. Dust mentally steels himself, knowing that this conversation won't be pleasant.]

There's... a certain amount of grumbling in the heavens that you're still here and not in a more 'suitable' temple.

[ Her smile flattens. ]

Ah. I suppose that is... Mmm.

[ She tries to fix the smile again, but it doesn't last. ]

I suppose that it is only natural they would not understand.

[ She rests one of her hands on a closed box on a nearby shelf. ]

There is nowhere else in the Far Shore I would rather spend my days.

It's been home for you for a very long time.

[And that much is true, but he hopes Orihime will say more on that score if he leaves it at that for now. Truthfully, he doesn't care if she moves; he doesn't see the need for her to have some grand new temple, no matter her current position. All he wants to know is what lines the battle will be fought on.]

[ She shakes her head. ]

This building holds no value to me that could not be replaced.

[ She lifts her hand from the box, vaguely pointing out the window instead. ]

That... that is what I would give up if I left.

[ Orihime turns and looks out the window, although there is room to come stand next to her. ]

For most of the year, this is the closest that I can possibly get to him.

That's what I thought.

[Now doesn't seem the proper time to stand next to Orihime. Especially not when his hand has balled into a fist so tightly that his arm trembles.]

They should have undone that separation when they restored your position.

[From the side, Wendy raises her hand.]

How come the two of you can't just get married? Isn't that what usually happens when a pretty lady and a cute guy love each other?

I think that would solve a lot! Like you not being lonely.

We... are married. In a sense.

[ She turns back towards Wendy, not able to remember if Wendy was around for Tanabata, but choosing to assume she wasn't. ]

Every year, when we are allowed to be together, we are as husband and wife. However, that is... not enough to bring his banishment to an end, as Dust observed. When we part again... I have no desire to seek an annulment, but I am not given the benefit of a husband at my side either.

But why?!

[If he were standing next to a wall or a table or anything, he'd slam his fist onto it. He isn't, so he just makes a convulsive gesture with one hand.]

They restored your position. They undid your exile? Why keep this punishment?!

[Cheeks in her hands, Wendy tilts her head to the side a little bit. Dust is obviously spearheading a lot of this, so it's up to her to at least lend a childish tilt to this whole thing... Draw Orihime's guard down. After all, people so do trip up when it comes to kids, explaining things in an upfront manner because they don't have a choice otherwise.]

[At least, Wendy hopes that's how it turns out, between Dust being Dust and her own tactics.]

Duuuuust, you don't have to get angry at her! You need to talk to Heaven. [Which has her beaming over to Orihime.] We can help you talk to them! I think Heaven is just full of boring single people, so they've probably forgotten how marriage works~. We'll explain to them that a husband and a wife need to stick together!

I... I am so sorry.

[ She puts her hands against her face, not quite crying but clearly affected by Dust's outburst as much as Wendy's reassurances. Muffled from behind her hands, she continues: ]

I have not dared to ask. In the long memory of heaven, my sentence being revoked could be perceived in the blink of an eye! I have failed him...

[ And she gently shakes her head back and forth. ]

[He isn't mad at Orihime! Perish the thought, Wendy. Dust's anger always goes where it ought to. (Except in the case of himself.)]

The purpose of a shinki is to remind the gods what it is to be human. Sounds like it's time to fulfill my purpose again.

I'll ask them. I'll find out why.

Orihime... if you were reunited, would you move? I want to know how to argue this...

[Well, someone here as to act as a reassuring source. Wendy promptly bounces up onto her feet, hurrying around the table so that she can wrap her arms around Orihime's shoulders.]

As long as you're still around, you haven't failed him. [One small hand pats the god's head.] Failure can't happen while you're still alive.

[ Orihime stops to pull her hands away, forming them into a prayerful press at her chin. ]

Reunited? How...

[ She can't really believe that's possible; he says that he's going to ask... someone... remind the gods...? She's not sure, but she's clearly confused, before finally nodding. ]

Yes... I would be willing to move wherever they expected me to go in the Far Shore, if he was no longer... banished.

[ After Orihime jostles a little on her feet, bending over slightly, and Wendy gets a stare for her hug + hand touch, because literally no one has done that to her before. ]

I... do not understand... [ She looks to Dust for an explanation in beseeching eyes. ] What is she...?

She's giving you physical affection, for comfort and reassurance. [Dust has to smile. Poor Orihime, he doesn't mean to laugh at her expense, but Wendy's simple and straightforward help plunging her into such confusion is honestly cute.]

You really need someone around more often, if you can't even remember what it's like to be hugged!

[...That, or cultural standards, but Wendy is pretty sure the culture shock isn't what's responsible for Orihime living on her own far away from most other people.]

I am aware of the gesture, I did not expect it... on my behalf. The purpose behind it... requires such a closeness to a person, in their bond with the other, that... that is what I did not expect.

[ She hopes that explains it. So, yes, cultural standards.

On the other hand, she gets a small smile across her face as she looks back at Dust. ]

Hearing you explain it was something I enjoyed, however.

I think the standards of the Near Shore, and the worlds we came from, are a little looser than you expect. [But at least he'd made Orihimne smile in turn, and she needs that, right?]

Well, we're friends now, aren't we?

[Clearly she's putting this poor woman into a shock, so Wendy finally lets go although she doesn't go too far. Instead, she settles down right where she is with a smile.]

Friends are allowed to be close.

[ She looks... amused. ]

Are we friends? ... Dust?

[ She's having trouble putting those words into Dust's mouth, but hey she's already been surprised several times today. ]

[The correct answer is complicated, twisting together Orihime's social expectations and Dust's sense of justice, the difference in power and station between an old goddess and a new shinki, and so much more.]

[The correct answer, though, isn't the right answer. Dust smiles, lifting his head slightly to actually meet Orihime's eyes with his own.]

Of course we are.

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The More Things Change

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