aerialassault | Appointments

Ah, wait. [Before Cliff could stand, Souji reached into the top of his kimono and pulled out a small pouch. From this, he took out a red woven hair tie before he put the pouch back. He scooted over and behind Cliff and, with practiced hands, gathered the longer strands of his hair together, tied them with the woven thread into a low ponytail. Satisfied that it would hold for a short time, he stood up and dusted his kimono off at the knees.]

There we go. If you ever need it cut, you can come see me. Or for those shoulders of yours. You're far too tense.

Aah. I'm fine, Souji.

[Although the strange attention to detail was a nice surprise, he simply wasn't used to playing gentle. He always played rough, and loved it when others do the same.

...but, he could play nice if the situation called for it.]

[He shrugged a little and smiled as he held his hand out to help Cliff up. He couldn't help the habit, his nagging need to take care of someone. He'd been assistant and friend to Hijikata for so long, it was just second nature.

He'd have to remember to keep that barrier up then. He couldn't let himself fall into old habits here, even if they were friends, he didn't think Cliff would understand.]

Habit. Shall we go?

[Cliff understood the sentiment better than Souji realized. Although the situation was different, he was in a stable, mutually trusting and respectful relationship with his long time friend and sister-in-training, Mirage. Although their personalities were drastically different, there was an understanding there that Cliff missed.

Souji was by no means like Mirage, but it was clear that Souji wanted something.

Whatever it was, Cliff could try to accomodate.]

Aah. Sure thing.

[Cliff took his hand and let Souji help, although he was more than capable of doing so on his own. It was the thought that was important in this situation, and it was slowly becoming apparent that Souji had some tendencies that were almost motherly.

A grin spread on Cliff's face as he recalled the woman Souji had been only days before. He reached over and brushed a few stray blades of grass off of Souji's clothes, returning the gesture.]

So. What sorta thing are you in the mood for?

[He helped the taller man to his feet and smiled. He knew he was being selfish and Cliff was only catering to his childish whims, but even that was enough for now. Even if he would never again feel what he felt during the experiment - a sense of home, of being loved - it was nice to have friends who didn't turn him away or leave.

Still, he would have to remember.

Cliff was not Hijikata.

He could not make one man the surrogate for the other, no matter how much his heart ached being away from him. It wasn't as if anything could ever be returned in either case, so it was better to simply smile and play along for as long as he had.

He laughed at Cliff brushing the grass off his clothes and then tapped one finger to his cheek as he thought.]

Mmmmm.....waffles! With syrup and fruit.

[There was something holding Souji back behind that cheerful smile, like there always was. In a few ways Cliff recognized a little of it in himself-- a reluctance, of sorts, to let someone get that close to him. Mirage was always his right hand, his best friend, and the one who was privy to his most important secrets and emotions...but, that was her and her alone. They understood eachother with little more than a look and a touch, but that was all Cliff ever needed.

Anyone else could potentially compromise his ability to lead, and it would only put them in danger. Cliff couldn't allow that to ever happen.

He had a hunch that his reasons were far different from Souji's, but he wasn't going to press for more details. That was Souji's business. If Souji ever wanted to tell him, then Cliff would stay and listen.

But, it wouldn't ever be a moment before Souji was okay with it.

For now, Cliff just laughed along with Souji.]

Waffles? Well, I never expected that one!

[It was their little game, for better or for worse. Cliff was content to enjoy the hell out of it until the board shifted one them, one way or the other.]

You missed the time when I ate all the pies and cakes in Luceti because someone asked me which was my favorite and I couldn't decide. I promise not to eat the waffles in the same way. Let's go.

[He laughed, linking his hands behind his back, and gave Cliff a smile that usually brightened most people's days. He didn't want Cliff to worry about him, or think he had to worry about him. He just wanted them to stay like this until the day when Cliff had to leave. Everyone left, in the end, and that was something he knew he'd have to prepare for the closer he felt to anyone here in Luceti. It would be a secret he'd keep along with how he felt, for as long as his friend was here.

Even without his geta on, he could still walk and Souji motioned for Cliff to come with him as he started walking. He knew that Saizou would find them eventually, so he'd have to save some fruit.

And for now, that was all that could be done: save things and wait.]

Appointments

August 19, afternoon

August 19, afternoon

August 19, afternoon

August 19, afternoon

August 19, afternoon

August 19, afternoon

August 19, afternoon