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Hello, Mafuyu.

[ Jade greets her with a smile, drinking tea in the inn's lobby. His eyes are closed as he sips, not even having to look at her to tell it's her.

Wild. ]

How are you today?

Oh...

( she's been more reclusive than usual since... dipper's murder, and her own encounter with herself. jade's actually lucky to catch her out in the wild, really- even if it's mostly to just make herself something to eat.

she sets down a freshly rolled rice ball and politely turns to face him. )

... I think... I'm okay? It's been quiet, today.

[So. There was quite a lot to process about uh. Everything. What started as egg-sitting turned into ...something Mayoi has yet to put into words. He left as one person, and returned as ...something new, he thinks. Someone different. But not in a bad way. He feels unreasonably optimistic, actually, which is scary in itself.]

[That is why once the high of their return has warn off, and he has bid good-bye to the people he spent so much time with ...he quickly heads to Mafuyu's room. He has not yet even bothered to drop off his own things- he goes straight to see her. As he does, apprehension rises in him. Worry. Fear.]

[...Will she find him repulsive...?]

[Anxiously, he tucks some hair behind his (newly pointed) ear. He knocks on her door.]

...Mafuyu-saaaaan...? I'm back...

( mafuyu has mostly been resting. the deernicorn has taken to resting on her bed with her, curled up against her legs, and she's dozing off mid-chapter when the knock wakes her up-

mayoi.

she lights up a little before moving slightly. when she opens the door, he'll see her hair is down and a little unbrushed and curls shining through, in the coziest fuzzy pyjamas and sweater she could get. )

Welcome home-- --ah?

Horns...?

--They're ugly, aren't they?

[He reaches up to take them in each hand. Drama-mode, engaged.]

Ah- what? N-no, it was just surprising!

( oh god oh fuck did she say something wrong aaaaaaaaaaaa )

Please don't find me repulsive, Mafuyu-saaaaan... so much happened while I was away, I don't know how to even start explaining it, uuue...

[Hands in face instead. Look at all his pretty scales...]

...D-Do you like them...?

(

why is he- huh?

does she...? that's... ... they're pretty. but... why is he asking her? that doesn't make sense...

after a moment, she nods with a soft whisper of a smile- barely there, but warm and sincere all the same. )

I do.

Oh… I’m glad…

[He removes his hands and tries to compose himself a little. Okay. Okay!!]

Have you been well…? How have things been…?

I've mostly been resting. It's quiet, I think, since winter is here... no one wants to go out as much, most likely. My illness has also gotten better, mostly, I think...? Jiaoqiu has been taking care of me.

( but clearly so much has happened on the beach! )

What all happened? You're... well, you know. ... It is striking, don't get me wrong, I just... don't understand?

[He nods, happy to hear things have been uneventful and that she's feeling better. He was so fussed about leaving, honestly. he already looks more at ease.]

Ah, I-I will try to explain. We went out to the beach to look after the little ones...but of course we were assailed monsters. An army of grotesque creatures cobbled together and reanimated like undead puppets on strings. I-It was very scary, Mafuyu-san!

B-But the others there were very strong and brave and defeated them. The little ones were able to hatch a-and, we were visited in dreams by their parents. We were offered a gift ...a blessing from the dragons.

[He gestures a little.]

The blessings were ...quite physical in nature.

( there's a soft gasp at his description- she shouldn't be surprised, given the monsters that plagued the forest the season of her arrival but- it sounds horrible... )

I'm glad you're all okay. ... That sounds like something out of a- a fairy tale though...

Yes... that certainly does seem like something from a dark fairytale. Truly the Brothers Grimm... Such as been my life for some time.

[S-Sigh...]

Ah... it is taking some getting used to but ...I did accept their blessing willingly.

[And then something occurs to him and he fidgets a bit.]

There is something else that happened...

( please let mayoi rest. maybe sometime she will bring him to the bath house... but she listens quietly, tilting her head a little but letting him continue. )

[Please take him to the bath house he needs it so bad.]

...While the fight raged on I ..ah, I prayed to Ourania-sama for help and she answered. I-In exchange for her power I ...agreed to be her priest.

....

Oh. ... Hm.

Do we need divine robes-

I-I don't know. That feels... like almost too much. A-Ah, I've done nothing to earn such clothing.

[This is what has him worried, though. He suddenly has a very important responsibility and he feels out of his depth.]

Never in my entire meager existence did I think I would ever be given the title of Priest... it's quite scary. I-I only know one other priest a-and he and I are total opposites, Mafuyu-san.

Don't be like him. That's not why you were asked. You were asked because you're you.

I-I don't think I could be like him if I tried...

[What a crazy thing to entertain. Trying to emulate Tatsumi-san. The thought makes him anxious for other reasons. Tatsumi had a light about him, a charisma that lead his school into a revolution. He's had followers and devouts... he doesn't know how he could possibly do the same.]

But ...is there truly a way for someone like me to be able to lead others...? I... to have others look up to me. I haven't ...not since I was ALKALOID's trainer. A-And even then, its very different to lead people in choreography than it is to lead those in faith. At least ...that is what I assume.

[He's fussing because there's suddenly so much to think about.]

Uuue... I'm not even sure where to start... and now I've been suffocating you with my wretched complaining... I'm sorry, Mafuyu-san.

Edited 2024-12-22 05:31 (UTC)

( mafuyu listens before gently patting mayoi's head, careful not to knock the horns in case they hurt from growing or something. )

There, there. ... I think... you're allowed to complain, though. If you bottle it all up... won't that just hurt?

[They are a little sensitive still, yes. Her caution is appreciated.]

Yes... [It sure will but maybe he deserves it???? Have you considered that?? He does not say this outloud for once. Instead he sighs a little.]

Thank you for ...for listening to me as always. I feel much better now, even though the future feels a little scary.

( from her? ... how strange. but there's a welcome warmth in her chest at his words. )

I'm glad, then.

[Well, with their moving out, they had surrendered their rooms, that was only fair. When they came back to weather out the storm, Mayoi found with some surprise that only one of their rooms was still available. Well...]

[That was fine, wasn't it...? Ah. They were sharing space in the shrine and they often spent time in each other's rooms before moving out. It is more intimate than their usual arrangements but ...well. That was their relationship, right...?]

[Before Mayoi can allow the voices of doubt and disdain rise up in him, to mock him for his thoughts and wants, he takes the key and confirms if Mafuyu is okay with the shared space. of course she was, and it was silly for him to even worry, he knows this, but sometimes...]

[Ah.]

[Ah, right. There's only one bed in these rooms.]

[Mayoi drops his modestly packed bag and begins to put things away. Get's the tea kettle out, so they may make something nice and warm to drink later, yes that will be nice. He is not going to linger on those thoughts of his that going quietly excited just now ugh, filthy. Awful.]

( mafuyu is... a little slower on the uptake, instead focusing on setting up spots for the deernicorn and the owl-ple to rest- not that they've followed their humans up to the room. they're both independent, resting in front of the fireplace for the best warmth while she and mayoi set up, and it's only once she turns around that she realizes- h.

oh. um.

...

mom would kill her, for sure. )

Will this be okay...?

[Perhaps if he squashes the thoughts down he will not have to worry about it at all!! Haha!!]

[Mafuyu notices and he lets out a little eek! in response, to which he straightens himself up and tries not to look like he wasn't deeply turning this entire bed situation in his head like a rotisserie chicken.]

I-I have no objections!

[Wait, god, what the fuck was that. That was really sketchy??? to just say that?? He coughs loudly like that might wipe that sentence out of existence and tries again.]

I mean-, that is to say!! I ...ah. I will accommodate whatever Mafuyu-san's comfort might require, b-but I am unbothered.

...

Please be honest, you seem nervous.

( maybe its nerves from the trek- the wraiths had circled and called and cursed and it was only them looking out for each other on the way that really saved them, she thinks. )

Fuueee...

[Like being given permission actually flips a switch in him, he settles down. Composes himself.]

I-I'm sorry. I know the accommodations are not ah ...they are more intimate than maybe we both anticipated. I ...I am not opposed to sharing a bed with someone I adore, but I do not wish to make you uncomfortable.

Oh.

( ...

she'll close the distance and press a little kiss to his cheek. )

You're very sweet. ... I don't... like being alone. So I think, maybe... this might be nice? And it will help us both stay warmer...

[They're literally dating and he is being so!!!! careful!!!]

[But he does feel a little silly getting worked up. He can't help it. She presses that kiss to his cheek and he deflates with relief. He will reach down to take her hands.]

I- yes, I think so, too. And, that aside...

[Gentle kiss on the back of her hand.]

Mafuyu-san's happiness if very important to me...

-!

( mayoi is always sweet and romantic and gentlemanly, but it still makes her heart flutter every time.

she glances away bashfully. )

... You make me happy.

Uuuuuuueee-!

[Holding her hands while leaking from his face because your sweet and romantic babygirl is crying.]

Mafuyu-saaaaan is too good to meeee…!

( oh, mayoi. mafuyu pulls him into a hug. pat, pat. )

There, there. ... I don't think there's any such thing as that, though. Not while you treat me so well too.

You deserve happiness, same as anyone else, s-so I merely try to treat you as such.

[Hugs back, nice and warm.]

I am glad, though, because you make me very happy, too.

Mayoi... Thank you.

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