chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

Hehe, just a little. [And he's loving every moment he manages to get her to lose her usual composure.]

But I meant what I asked. [So what's the answer?]

[ Hehe, he says. His face has never been more punchable, yet the smile persists through the heat on her face. ]

I should toss you for that. [ The same voice telling her she can't is probably the same one that stopped him during the flowerworks show. And just look at what's happened since.

. . . She looks down. Fang tilts her head up at her, like "Are you finally going to pay attention to me?" (No--) Then, just as Susato looks back up and seems ready to give her answer, a loud crash of thunder sounds, shaking the windows. The lights around them go completely dark. ]

[She's probably right that this was a tossable offence. But he doesn't get any further say as the lights suddenly go out. Fang lets out a surprised bellow, the feathers on her pulsating light that faintly illuminate the area. Not enough to really see far though.]

...Of course the lights would go out. [His hand is still gripping onto Susato's as he tugs slightly.] I have candles we can use.

[ Fang's outcry doesn't quite help the way Susato's heart seems to drop, nor the dragon's ethereal glow. Susato looks up towards the ceiling, letting out a breath she'd sucked in at the sudden darkness. She's not scared, but she does seem to take comfort in Kazuma's grip regardless. ]

The kind with a lovely scent to them, I hope.

[ Her attempt at a tease in return aside, they might be sorely needed if their lights and other luxuries stay out. ]

They were bound to come in handy. Let's light them together.

You're going to be disappointed. [They're just regular candles. With a whistle, he gets Fang's attention. As she comes over, he gives her head pats.]

Candles. [Fang seems to understand a single word as she moves ahead of them. Like a beacon, she was a guide in the darkness to where Kazuma had stashed away the spare candles.] How has your fire progress been?

[ . . . So that's a no. That's alright. She will just add it to the growing list of things she can spoil him with in the future.

She follows Kazuma and Fang, but rather than answer verbally, she just reaches for one of the (sadly unscented) candles, cupping it in both hands. She finds the wick with the tip of her finger and closes her eyes in concentration.

There are some gentle sparks that fly from the wick and her finger, like one would see coming from a modern-day lighter. Then a flame starts to grow, slowly, and it flickers like a little heartbeat.

She opens her eyes. ]

I do the same with our lanterns at home every night. [ And he likely knows how she tries to incorporate practice into her kitchen duties. ] . . . What about you?

[In the darkness, he waits for a flame to flicker to life from the candle Susato had been holding. He grins, knowing there's been progress from her. Being the show off that he is, just a wave from his hand and the candles beside him flicker with flames.]

Progress, for sure. [In fact, his flames may be too powerful that it causing some of the candles to melt faster.] ...Perhaps a bit much for a few candles. [He'll try to save some of the candles before they're completely melted.]

[ In lieu of actually clapping her hands together, Susato simply squeezes the candle she's holding a little tighter. There's a wide, impressed grin on her face, and for a moment, any embarrassment she had is gone. Only a nostalgic reminder of how much she had looked up to him all these years remained.

A mere wave of his hand. She would get to that point, too. Someday. ]

You should take one with you. [ A candle, that is. ] If you still wish to... [ And she trails off there, maybe feeling some of that embarrassment coming back.

He would never force her to do something she didn't want to. But she never did answer him. ]

[No, she has not. He picks up a candle once he's put out the others, and then turns to look at her.]

Are you sure you'll be alright in the dark? [There's a click from Fang. Excuse you, she has Fang to keep her company at least!]

[ Honestly! She has Fang, and a bunch of candles, which she can totally light herself, by the way. All this helps to keep Susato's spirits up somewhat, at least. She actually manages to laugh, but she realizes too late that some of her composure has slipped again with it. ]

Of course I would. But what about poor Fang?

Hypothetically speaking, wouldn't she be terribly lonely if... if we... I mean, assuming you even meant it, which-- [ Pbbbffbtbt. She pauses, making a noise, and her hands start to move animatedly all on their own. ] well, you said you did, but then the lights happened, so I, I don't even know why I'm bringing it up again, but here I am, just-- just yapping away. Honestly--

[Ah. She's doing it again. He can't help, but find it adorable when she hardly ever loses her composure like this. Just trying to work out her own feelings. Which-]

Is that a yes? [He just cuts right through the flustering and to the point. Fang, is just tapping her tail, shaking her head at these two ridiculous love birds.]

[ Susato stops mid-thought, mouth hung open. Then at his question, she just clamps it shut, burying her face behind a hand that clamped over her mouth, almost in disbelief. Why is this so hard? Does she want this, or not?

Perhaps her hang up is the small part of her that wants it, while the overly rational part of her knowing that she shouldn't. That they were supposed to be taking it slow--whatever that meant. Her nails start to dig into the wax of the candle, which is the only reason she stops squeezing. ]

. . . [ Just say yes. And yet, when she opens her mouth, all that comes out is, ] You are lucky that I love you.

[Man, they're just getting clean. He comes forward, being careful with the candles as he gets close enough to whisper into her ear.] I love you too.

[His free hand, casually runs through strands of her hair as he moves passed her.] I'll prepare the bath then.

[ KAZUMA, PLEASE, THEY ARE ALSO GETTING NAKED. Maybe in another 17 years, she would feel ready for that, and even then.....???? Who knows. For a moment, she remains frozen. His words linger in her ear and the feeling of his touch remains within her hair until she reaches up to rub at the spot.

Once he disappears from sight, she turns to look down at her remaining companion. ]

I think I've gone mad, my learned friend.

[ Only explanation. Susato pats Fang's head, leaving her hand there for the inevitable nuzzles as she strokes her softly. ]

. . . Don't let anyone in, okay?

[ With a sigh of anticipation, she saunters vaguely after him as she always has, disappearing down the hall with the glow of her candle. ]

[Fang lets out a few clicks, understanding the command and doing so without much of a fuss. Kazuma owe hers some playtime later, that's for sure.

Susato could probably hear the sound of water running as the wooden bath is getting filled. He's lit up a few more candles inside the bathroom so there at least some visibility. A smile was playing across his face, seemingly happy about something.]

You can use the shower room first. [Speaking as he sees an approaching ball of candlelight.]

[ He left the door ajar. Susato gently pushes it open with her free hand on her way in, still unable to say anything. The sound of running water echoes the walls, and then she sees his face by the candlelight, through the steam.

She places her candle with the rest of them. At some point on the journey over, she'd gotten a towel for herself, too. She drapes it onto the towel bar next to his, all the while staring at him. She still is, when she places a hand on the shower room door. ]

You are smiling. [ He's been doing that more lately. She thinks. ]

Hm? [He glances curiously in her direction. Honestly, he wouldn't have even noticed unless she brought it up.]

...I suppose I am. [The smell of hinoki wood fills the room. A calming citrusy aroma almost.] Am I keeping you from proceeding...? [He ask in jest.]

[ For a moment, she smiles, too. Him smiling more is a good thing, after all. The soothing aroma of the wood fills the air, which only does more to help, but before she realizes it, his expression has slipped into something else. That subtle teasing look. There is something expectant about it, and yet . . . nothing pressing at all.

Kazuma will see a brief flash of fluster before she slips into the shower room and shuts the door. ]

Yes. [ She makes sure she is heard over the sound of the water as she stands there, back against the door. Then she realizes her answer doesn't make any sense. (Was she just joking, too?)

. . . Either way, her hair loops come undone first--which is a relief. Next, her clothes are slung over the walls of that shower room, perhaps more delicately than is necessary. An additional chorus of water running from the shower soon joins the water filling the tub.

Then there's just a muffled, ] No.

[The sound of the water muffles the laughter coming from Kazuma at both of Susato's replies. Where did this constant need to tease her come from? Maybe he just wants to see what more he could pull from beneath that "modeled woman". Is that wrong for him to think...?]

The bath is ready when you come out. [The water for the bath had stopped, having filled it to a suitable amount for two that it wouldn't overflow. He puts a hand in the water. A little cool to the touch, but he'll be able to remedy that momentarily thanks to the warmth he just naturally emits. He'll go ahead and pull the ribbon from his hair in preparation to use the bath. He was sitting with his back to the shower room, in case Susato wanted moment to adjust.]

[ Susato is not expecting a response, so she doesn't really listen for one. She just spaces out, continuing to breathe in and out deeply as she feels the nervous energy leave her body. Her eyes close at some point while she goes through the motions, sweat and grime being scrubbed off every limb and strand of hair.

By the time Kazuma calls out, she has no idea how long it has been. Did she doze off? No one knows. ]

I, I'm done.

[ There's a sense of urgency in her tone. Presumably Kazuma would like to use the shower room, too. It still takes her a few more minutes, though. Her hand reaches out of the shower room out of habit to grab her towel, which she then wraps around herself. It is snug enough when she steps out, but not too snug.

. . . She makes her way towards the wooden tub before getting too comfortable, and she dips her feet in to test the water, as if sitting at the edge of a pool. ]

[He hears the water stop from the shower room, and approaching footsteps from Susato. He waits until she's dip her feet into the water before looking properly at her. He's certain at this point, that he rather likes her hair when it's down.]

Please, relax. I'll try not to be long. [The water should be warm enough now as he removes his hand. If Susato doesn't stop him, he's going to head on into the shower.]

[ She sees no reason to stop him. There is a nervous quality to the smile she gives him. She chooses that moment to toss some of her hair back behind her shoulders, as if she doesn't know what do with it.

Relax, he says. ]

Um... Okay.

[ She'll try. For a while she was content to just sit there at the edge, lulled by the familiar warmth of the water. Well after Kazuma has gone into the shower room, however, that towel comes all the way off and she finally does more than just splash her feet. It's insane how vulnerable this makes her feel. She easily sinks into the comfort of the water.

Soaking. Fidgeting. She might have blown some bubbles? (What is she, five years old?) ]

[All this happening and Kazuma isn't there to see it. It's fine, he thinks Susato probably needs a little space before he joins her anyway. He might be taking a little longer in the shower, having a bit more dirt and grim to clean off. Not a big deal, and he's soon wiping himself down with a towel except....there's blood?

He blinks, seeing blood smeared over his towel. He checks himself, there are no open wounds to be seen? He looks down at his feet, eyes widening. There was blood everywhere, and a moment later, he lifts his hand to find blood himself.] What...?! [He can't wipe it off. There's just so much. There may be some thumping at the shower door as he moves about to clean this impossible mess.]

[ Susato's eyes are closed, and she's trying to think of what the hell else they're supposed to do in a bath. Bubbles are fun, but it's tempting to doze off again. Can she just sleep through the embarrassment? (So much for a young maiden's secrets.) Luckily...or not, her eyes shoot wide open when she hears the sudden exclamation. It takes her a moment to react. She has to be sure she didn't dream that. ]

...Kazuma-sama?

[ She glances over towards the shower room, where the water is still running. She doesn't see anything unusual, and is perhaps prepared to leave it alone, but then she can hear the thumping. She cleans enough to be able to recognize something familiar about it.

The hell is he doing? After a while, she looks left and then right, as if a dream carriage might show up in the bathroom at any moment to run her over. Then Kazuma will hear the sound of approaching footsteps (or will he?)--gentle and tentative. ]

[Shit. No matter how much he tries to clean it up, there's still blood everywhere. It's going to flow out, she'll see. The water is still run, hoping it'll wash the blood down the drain. Susato will receive no reply, only this uneasy chill the closer she gets to the shower room.]

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CW: Blood imagery

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