The More Things Change

[mithrarin]

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.

Comments

[nopixiedust]

[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.

[starfestival]

[ 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...?

[mithrarin]

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.]

[nopixiedust]

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.]

[starfestival]

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.

[mithrarin]

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?]

[nopixiedust]

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.

[starfestival]

[ 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. ]

[mithrarin]

[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.