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[beathollow]

i will make this pretty later

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[timidheart]

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...?

[beathollow]

(


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.

[timidheart]

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…?

[beathollow]

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?

[timidheart]

[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.

[beathollow]

( 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...

[timidheart]

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...

[beathollow]

( 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. )

[timidheart]

[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.

[beathollow]

....


Oh. ... Hm.



Do we need divine robes-

[timidheart]

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.

[beathollow]

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

[timidheart]

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.

[beathollow]

( 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?

[timidheart]

[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.

[beathollow]

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

I'm glad, then.