thenearshore | Multicoloured kindnesses, met by chance, one by one

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Multicoloured kindnesses, met by chance, one by one

Who: Yuna and EVERYONE. No CR? No problem, drop on by to make new friends!
When: March 21st, all day
Where: Shinju's Temple
What: Hanami birthday party yayayay

[With a blanket invitation delivered, the only matter of business left is ensuring the temple is set up nicely for a gathering!

The main attraction of the day, of course, being flower-viewing in the temple's courtyard. With light snacks and refreshments lined up at tables inside the building itself and blankets and pillows available to pick up for lounging under the flowering branches, the 'viewing' part of the day should be set. As winds blow lazily through the area, blossoms in an array of colors are occasionally shaken free from the tree, falling in gentle showers to the ground below, creating a serene, relaxing atmosphere. A handful of paper lanterns have been strategically placed around the grounds as well, ensuring that anyone who happens to arrive or stay as the sun sets can still have a good view.

Elsewhere in the temple, the room Yuna uses largely for crafts appears to have spilled over somewhat. There are a few stands set up with origami paper, watercolors and brushes arranged at a table with a few chairs, card stock, glue, colored pencils, stickers, ribbons, and most importantly, there are flowers. There are flowers everywhere. Some arranged tastefully in vases, some dried and pressed and left alongside the other craft supplies, clearly for use in tandem with whatever you feel like making with the other things left out in such a tantalizing way. Go ahead. Make some stuff.

And, while the invitation had been extended to pretty much anyone wanting to drop by, should any of Yuna's friends decide to stay a little longer, she'll let them know of a cozy hot spring bath in one of the back rooms of the temple. Towels will be provided, of course, so why not stay and have a soak to wind the day down with?

The hostess herself will be roaming about the party in high spirits, ready and willing to top up beverages, share a snack, or just have a nice chat. So - kick back! Enjoy the sights!]

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[Chris sighed, and leaned forward to punch Tsubasa in the shoulder.]

You don't need to apologize, senpai. I get it. You don't have to explain yourself to me. In the end all I did was end up passing out with my face in a plate of seafood myself.

[...it is incredibly easy to imagine Chris just faceplanting into a plate of food. She gives a light chuckle and relents.]

Alright, fine. You are not wrong... After that ayakashi, it was probably not the best night for it, anyhow.

[Why does it always have to be something, though? It's like them just trying to sing normally attracts as much bad karma as in combat.]

Still... I would say everything before the parade was fairly successful, hm?

[She nodded.]

Definitely. I'm eager to give it another try... though the idea still makes me nervous as hell. I guess that's what it means to be a performer, though.

And as for our plans... we have now if we want to make up for it, right? [And she looked out at the flowers.] Our host set up a proper flower viewing, after all, and... there's the rest of the party, too.

[Chris's smile has become shaky. She's clearly angling to spend time with Tsubasa doing something fairly romantic. She did tell Irisviel she was willing to try to get closer to Tsubasa like this, but... this wasn't too overt, right? She hoped anyway.]

Being nervous isn't the wrong reaction. Even seasoned performers have their moments. When you push through them, you just feel even better for it.

[She follows Chris' gaze.]

Ah, well - of course. Getting hold of everything here, I guess we haven't really had time to just hang out normally, have we? We could probably do something later on too, if you wished.

[...sadly if Chris is going for romantic, there's a large degree that is sailing right over this sword's head.]

[That's fine with Chris. She's not really expecting too much at this juncture.]

Maybe dinner afterward then? I could make something myself at my temple for us. But seriously, this is fine for now. Kind of cozy, even with other people around, you know?

[She muses for a moment.]

Hmm, certainly. After all, I would hate to just continue burdening Mordio in that area. [Or god forbid, cook herself.

Do you want to see that, Chris.

Do you.]

You're right, though. [She looks from the tree back to her friend.] It's rare enough, even here. It isn't long since I've realized I can actually allow myself some time between matters, I haven't really had the chance very often...

... That reminds me. I need to come by sometime and see how you guys are keeping your temple in order.

[But... Tsubasa agreed. Chris takes a deep breath, and... tries to take the older girl's arm, smiling nervously. This isn't too much, is it? On one hand, she's nervous as hell, but... the more direct she is, the more Tsubasa will eventually realize, right?

She hopes anyway.]

Anyway, shall we?

[Please don't notice the telltale signs that Chris is resisting the urge to vibrate out of her skin.]

[...Tsubasa's brow twitches at that first thing. It's probably obvious, too.]

Ah... that's... [Definitely a mess. But she can't exactly keep Chris away, either.] That would be fine, Yukine. Of course

[However, the next thing she does perks her notice, and sends that thought flying right out. She blinks a little, noticing the vibration, and looks down.]

...certainly, but are you alright, Yukine?

[Chris smirks slightly.] I'm sure it will?

[... Eh? Uh oh.]

Huh? Sure, I'm alright! I just, uh... wish I'd brought a jacket, I guess. It's a bit brisk today.

[She tilts her head to one side.]

Is it that cold?

[It didn't really feel that way.

Oh that must be why Chris was leaning in so closely.

...

That makes sense.]

... Yeah. It's that cold.

[Chris does her best to hide the disappointment in her voice, but regardless, she's going to try and pull Tsubasa along with her.]

But let's just look at the flowers already, senpai. Spending time together is more important than all that.

Ah... alright?

[Tsubasa definitely feels like she's missing something all of a sudden, she just isn't sure what. Still, she lets herself be pulled along.]

I must admit, I would not have thought you the sort to enjoy flower viewing. That's not a bad thing, of course.

[Chris pouted a little. It was exaggerated, as if to show her she wasn't really that upset.]

Why does everyone act surprise when I like girly things? It's nice, peaceful...

[She pauses for a moment.]

Even a little romantic. It makes me feel good.

Ah, my mistake. I should not generalize. I guess it is refreshing...

[She stops for a moment and blinks hard. She glances at Chris for a second as she says that last thing, then back ahead.]

...well, if it makes you feel good, that is what matters.

People'll surprise you, ya know. I'm not all loud music and action movies you know.

[She smiles a bit wider when she notices Tsubasa's glance.]

Of course, good company is what really makes it special.

Hm, I would not doubt that. After all, one of those things is the Commander's fault, and besides that... I've seen plenty of soft music as well.

[A light shrug.]

Maybe not all that surprising.

...but I guess if you insist I am good company, who am I to refuse?

Heh. You're one of the few who get to see that side of me. You, Miku. Kirika. Shirabe. Yumi and the others. Our... whole... class...

Okay, maybe more people have seen it than I thought....

[She clings a little bit harder to Tsubasa's arm as she pouts a bit.]

Can I confess something?

Hm. Just a few.

[She's not going to needle her too much more on that, but the next question raises her curiosity. She gives her an inquiring look.]

Confess what, Yukine?

[Chris looked upwards for a moment, before answering.]

I wouldn't mind doing more stuff like this. Quiet stuff. Just. Us being together, talking. We hang out a lot, sure, but... it doesn't always have to be dinner, or karaoke, or whatever loud thing the idiot has going on, you know?

Ah. Hmm...

[She blinks a little, looking away and back at the flowers.] I would see nothing wrong with that. After all, you are my friend. You're the closest person I have here...

[She glances back and smiles.] Normally when someone says they have a confession I expect something a little more surprising. That would seem natural, Yukine.

...

[Chris looks down. A more surprising confession, huh? Chris could give you that, Tsubasa, if she didn't think it would ruin everything and make it awkward.

... But maybe she could add something more, all the same.]

Well, you know me. I'm awkward about everything, so I feel like I have to make a big deal every time, I guess. But. Uhm.

...

You say "the closest person you have here." For me, it's a bit more than that. Senpai, I really think. I really think I consider you my closest friend of all. Like, whenever I think about something like this, and who I'd want to spend time with... it's always you.

I end up missing you when you're gone. Every time I'd do something with the girls, my first thought is that I wish you were there. Every time I hear from you when you're overseas, it's like the highlight of my day.

In a lot of ways, you're. You're my best friend.

[Tsubasa stops and listens. Setting aside all playful banter for at least a moment. Chris sounds nothing if not sincere at the moment, and it feels important. Chris is often full of bluster and more often than not tries to obfuscate what's going on with her from others.

Of course, she understands Chris. She, Chris, and Hibiki, be it from how close they'd worked together, the way they were united when they first accessed their X-Drives, or just simply being around one another for so long had an intrinsic sense of one another sometimes. Nothing metaphysical or the like, but they just... knew each other.

So it was hard for any of them to let much slip past the others for too long.

Except maybe Tsubasa herself - though she'd started to lose her temper with regards to her grandfather, there were still very few who saw certain sides to her.

But she listens closely, but ... nods once she's done.]

It's funny for how we started out, isn't it? I suppose... you aren't wrong.

I work closely with Maria of course, but... I do think there are many times we still do not fully understand each other. Tachibana... [She gives a soft laugh, and actually looks a little embarrassed to admit the next thing.] ...is probably about as close to a sister as I have ever had.

But, you...

[She pauses for a moment, remembering the texts they'd send back and forth when abroad. How they'd just... go out to eat for no reason other than to do it.

How instinctive it was for them to coordinate their attacks to fool Dr. Ver. How easily she could read through Chris's forced lies then. How they could communicate without talking, or how quickly they took to uniting their songs when faced with the Alca Noise. Even without Hibiki, long before Genjurou had pushed them all into intense training to resonate with everyone.

Grasping for her hand had pulled Chris from her darkness, and gave Tsubasa a grounding to stay out of hers when they first activated their Ignite modules.

That all...

Hrm.

Tsubasa... blinks a bit to herself, tilts her head, but just smiles.]

Yes, that all sounds about right, Yukine. If that were anyone, it would have to be you, and I ... appreciate that.

I'm glad you can be so honest now, too.

[Chris smiles as she finds that she didn't reveal too much, and smiles wider as Tsubasa says what she does, confirming that the case is the same for her. She can't help herself, and ends up clinging a bit more securely to Tsubasa's arm, closing her eyes in contentment.]

It... it means a lot to me to hear that from you, senpai. I truly mean that.

[But... while she's more honest, she's not completely honest, is she? There's still something she's holding back.

...

But. That's something she can save for another day.]

[It's giving Tsubasa a lot to think about, really. A lot of thoughts are tumbling through her head that she most certainly does not have the space or time to sort out, right now.

So... another day feels about right for her, too. It seems better to just stop and admire the flowers, for now.

It's calming. Peaceful.

She feels more at ease than she has since coming here, in large part due to the company.]

I know. It's fine. If you wish, it is always fine for you to be honest with me, Yukine. About anything.

But you should already know that, I think.

[... Yeah. That's going to leave her feeling a little bit guilty.]

I know. Trust me, I know.

[She just needs to be ready.]

Anyway. Uh, we haven't been paying much attention to the flowers so far, have we?

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beyondtheblade - 2019-02-01 08:18 (UTC) - Expand

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