avantgardes | Locked to deeprealm

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[Another day in the castle, another day of chores.

Really, Mitama has so many better things she could be doing right now--she could be napping in a hay stack, she could be practicing her haikus, she could be contemplating her navel, she could be trashing her room further by attempting to find more of her haiku books...she could be doing just about anything right now, but nope. Her father had been becoming far more adamant in her using less of her time to sleep, and try as she might, she was stuck with a fair portion more chores than she expected. Not to mention that people kept checking in on her...it was frustrating, really, that she could barely enjoy any of her precious time.

The chore for this week is grooming the pegasi and cleaning the stables. Mitama was never all that fond of those creatures--they were horses that could fly and they could outfly just about anything, what kind of hideous force of nature produced them? She wasn't afraid of them, really, just not very fond of the idea of getting near them.

Still, a job was a job. She managed to finish cleaning out the stables, and that meant going up to these things with a brush and hoping for the best. Nice and gentle...hopefully the pegasus didn't mind as she tried to untangle the various knots in it's mane, and lord above, she sincerely hoped it wouldn't start flying...

Mitama sighed, looking at the creature before her.]

A horse gifted wings / your like are uninspired / I'd much rather nap.

[The pegasus seemed to respond to her with a sharp noise, and it caused Mitama to back away out of fear--don't tell her these godless heathens understand human speech?! ...It'd make the most sense, when she has the moment to think on it, due to being sent into combat so much, but jesus.

When Mitama looks back at it, it hasn't even raised any sort of fuss, and seems to be...looking at her? ...Huh.]

What? You've made your point. / Your equivalent of scorn / Is not lost on me.

[It made a noise again! It only seemed to stare at her, though, and that...caused her to tilt her head a bit.]

Do you enjoy this? / Never thought I'd find kin in / an equine-equse one.

[And it reacts again! You know what? Mitama could get behind this, seriously. She's never really had anyone to enjoy her haikus with before, and if this is what her life will be for the week...

Well, she can enjoy it. She goes back to brush through it's mane, smiling away.]

...Perhaps I was wrong / not so abominable / when we share a love.

[...This is probably how it's going to be for the next few hours, or until someone stops her--Mitama spouting haikus to the one audience that actually seems to enjoy her work. It's a shame that this is likely someone else's. They couldn't appreciate what a kind, kindred creature they had in front of them. She's found a new best friend.]

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[Chores are an essential part of maintaining the army's stability and as always, Shigure throws himself into his work. Part of it is a dedication to duty that some have called admirable (though it isn't, not really; not in comparison to the retainers of the royal siblings or those who loyally serve Corrin through everything) but part of it is also Shigure's need to keep himself busy. When he's busy he doesn't have to worry about being sad.

And really, what does he have to be sad about? He's united with his mother, father, and his sibling (a sibling! he'll never get over the fact that he has one, though he's not sure why his mother and father kept them in separate deeprealms) so really, he shouldn't complain. He misses his caretakers though and all sorts of things remind him of them.

Working hard is an excellent way to keep those thoughts away, however, so Shigure helps out wherever he can. It's no surprise that he's asked to check in on Mitama, since she's known for falling asleep and he's known for being very good with animals.

(He wouldn't say he's any better than anyone else. He just listens and tries to understand them. Anyone could do it.)

Shigure enters the stables quietly; if Mitama is asleep he doesn't want to wake her. Instead, he hears her speaking and he hesitates for a moment, head tipped slightly to the side. Oh, her haikus again. But who is she speaking to...?]

Oh, Mitama, I didn't know you were friends with Cerulean!

[He wasn't aware she liked animals at all, actually, but this is a pleasant surprise.]

Soaring through skylines / bathing in shining, white moonlight / I--

[Mitama jumps when she hears Shigure pipe up, turning quickly to meet his gaze. ...Hers, in turn, is not exactly pleasant.]

A calamitous occ...a...oh, to the abyss with it. [If she had one of her brushes right about now, she'd have snapped it in two in response.] I assume this one is yours, then? A lovely creature, and an enthusiastic audience--I'll thank you for raising him diligently, if this was your intent.

Father sent you, didn't he? I swear, he has a sixth sense for when I'm in euphoria... What does he want?

Edited 2016-04-02 05:27 (UTC)

Oh, I didn't do very much to raise her. She's always been very well-behaved.

[But Mitama's cut right to the point, so Shigure nods.]

Yes. Your father was worried you had fallen asleep out here.

[...Maybe "worried" isn't the right word, but Shigure has no idea how to read Azama. He seems so happy all the time, even when he's saying rather off-putting things...]

Do you need any assistance?

[If he's bothered by her biting tone, he doesn't show it.]

Anticipated. / Father's quite presumptuous / when he's not nagging.

[Mitama rolls her eyes a bit, honestly. Everything was going so well before he decided to become a maniacal villain to disrupt her perfectly good sleep and life cycle.

...Still, Cerulean's a she? Mitama actually looks back at Cerulean when she speaks, her tone apologetic.]

Then I offer my sincerest of apologies to you, dear Cerulean. I wish I had known sooner.

[After that, she turns back to Shigure, pausing.]

No, I'm making good time. I've finished cleaning the stables, and I've gotten started on grooming...

[...She might not actually know that she's been in here for a while. Oops.]

Though, I must confess / that I have no desire / to leave my new friend. I've yet to find an audience as enthusiastic as her. I was worried at first that she took offense!

Two friends, together / share their worlds, even through a / barriers of words.

Edited (wording dammit) 2016-04-02 05:58 (UTC)

I'm pleased you two are getting along so well! I wasn't aware you were so fond of animals, Mitama.

[Shigure's smiling at that; it really is nice to see someone getting along with Cerulean so well.]

I can help you finish off the rest of your work if you'd like to keep going. As long as you don't mind my company, that is! I certainly would like to hear more of your poetry.

[It's not a style he's familiar with but it sounds interesting.]

Your father did say he'd like to have this done soon. It's been quite some time since you were supposed to start.

[He says it apologetically and he looks a bit embarrassed by it. It really is rude of him to interrupt her like this, but Shigure does his best to follow orders.]

She's the exception, rather than the rule, I confess. I would have been content to give her a once over and be on with it, but I do appreciate her kindness.

[Mitama doesn't really know the first thing about taking care of these animals, but she's 10x weak to someone who appreciates the arts, dammit. She can at least expend effort for that much.

Her expression dampens considerably, though--not when he offers to help, because while she's skeptical, she won't deny some extra time to regale Cerulean in the fine art of haikus and pretentiousness.

What she's concerned about is far more dastardly.]

And be ripped away / like loose leaves in a fierce gale? / I wish I could stay...

...He's not asking you to report to him once we're done here, is he? Knowing him, he wants a reason--I'd rather be the one to give it to him.

[Entirely so she can lie through her teeth about how much she enjoyed this.] You may stay, but please, I beg of you--do not tell that diabolical man how much I enjoyed this!

My cruel, cruel father / if he sees me having fun / he'll surely stop me!

[Shigure tips his head, expression concerned.]

I'm afraid I don't understand. What father wouldn't want his child to enjoy themselves? I can understand moderation, but...

[Has Mitama really been slacking off so badly that even enjoyment like this is considered bad? It's a strange thing to think about. His father was telling him he should spend time painting the other day, so hearing that Mitama isn't allowed to enjoy her poetry like this is startling.]

Perhaps it would help if I spoke to your father? Surely he'd understand that you lost track of time but you were very productive! I've lost countless hours to my paintings, so perhaps someone else's perspective would help?

[Aaaand there he goes again sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. He's trying to help!!]

He can't be reasoned. / Contrary, his nature is / it's why I am here.

[There's that biting tone again, and Mitama's just going to go back to brushing Cerulean out.]

He's already made it his mission to deprive me of my most lavish of pleasures, in an attempt to see work harder. I have no reason to believe he wouldn't try to do that, in the false belief that I'm slothen, even here.

[...not the, you know, legitimate belief that Mitama is a lazy fuck who shouldn't have been left to languish in her Deeprealm for so long, so she wouldn't develop into this.]

You've good intentions / they could not phase his thick skull / let me handle this.

[He doesn't like the idea of giving up, but Mitama seems determined to handle it on her own... maybe his mother will have some idea of what to do.]

...Very well then. I wish I could help you, Mitama.

[Shigure doesn't know exactly what happened that brought Mitama here, but from the sound of it, it wasn't very pleasant. He's not sure if it was anything like why he joined the army or not, but it certainly isn't his place to pry.]

Forgive me for intruding on your personal affairs.

[He dips his head a bit in apology, though if he's perfectly honest, he's not that sorry.]

[...

Guuuuuuuh don't do this to her--maybe it's that pegasus's influence, but Mitama turns to face Shigure.]

Cease that, at once. You barely know anything of the situation, and you look far too pitiful about it.

[...It's...it's an attempt...]

A pure heart needed / to raise lovely pegasi / it's useless against...no, no, that's not right. Ugh! [CONFOUND YOU, WRITER'S BLOCK.] I'll handle it, especially if it will allow me more time with Cerulean. You needn't worry yourself, Shigure.

[Not that she quite understands why he would, anyway.]

[Does he really look pitiful? He wasn't aware he was making any strange faces... Oh dear.]

Of course. You can spend as much time with Cerulean as you'd like. I didn't mean to trouble you any, Mitama.

[He says, fully planning on meddling in her business. Good job, Shigure.]

My thanks, Shigure / t'would be a sublime life if / this could continue.

[...Not that...she knows if the rest of these pegasi would appreciate her work, but dammit, this one is her new friend. Can she keep her? Please?? She'll tell her haikus every day, brush her, feed her, everything.

Still, Mitama's finally going to go back to brushing Cerulean out, chuckling gently as she begins with her haikus again. She doesn't know if they actually care about this sort of thing--they can't use their hooves to brush their own mane, and it's not like they could pull their own hair, and their wings don't seem like they'd need anything other than medical attention...

...Still, in the middle of her haikus, her look becomes just a bit more mischievous and she'll try to make sure Shigure can hear this one.]

Like dear friends, are you? / Have you any silly tales / of your master, there...?

[Of course, she means it in jest. She can't understand Cerulean's reaction much, if at all, but hey. Girls can be gossipy hens sometimes, dammit.]

Edited (added an extra syllable oops) 2016-04-03 04:22 (UTC)

[Shigure isn't very good at sitting still without working on something, so he'll tend to the other pegasi while she works on Cerulean. He's much more comfortable around them than the wyverns, but he's never had any trouble with them either. Still, pegasi require more grooming and Shigure is always happy to oblige. He's humming softly as Mitama recites her poems. He finds it fascinating that she can come up with them on the spot like this and Cerulean certainly seems to like them.

The last one gets him to look over though and the quiet humming abruptly stops. He doesn't say anything at first, just watching Mitama and Cerulean. When he speaks up, his voice betrays nothing, but his smile is a bit awkward.]

Ah, there's nothing to tell, I'm afraid. I'm not very silly.

[...She was expecting that, but you know. Maybe it's the inner Azama in her (as much as she loathes to admit she takes after the man), but...]

Come now, you barely allowed her any words in edgewise! [...not that...she could understand them...] I've heard that you were quite the conservative one, but there must be something!

Perfect incarnate / must even have his moments / like father, like son.

[Mitama giggles a bit once she's finished saying that, though, clearly not meaning anything malicious behind it.]

Oh no, no! I'm hardly perfect.

[He tries to laugh it off, but that manages to be even more awkward than the smile. Shigure does mean that — he doesn't think he's perfect. There's certainly expectations to live up to and maybe he should be perfect, but he isn't.]

It's just that I've never had any embarrassing stories about riding. I've found it to be enjoyable and rather easy.

[...in other words, he's just naturally talented.]

[...Mitama does give him a bit of a look at the laugh, though she tries to brush it off--is he truly taking this seriously? She thought she was being clear that it was in jest, but...

...Still, that only manages to spur her on a bit.]

She is unknowing / my curiosity still / hungers for such tales. Perhaps I am simply barking up the wrong tree, then?

[She continues brushing Cerulean, but she's definitely going to stare at him now. ...Which...would help if Cerulean didn't keep moving her head. She's clearly got his back here, even if Mitama just thinks she's being silly. Or attention grabbing.]

Ah, well, that's... I'm not entirely sure who you would ask, but...

[That's not awkward because of his dead caretakers, that's awkward because he didn't think before he opened his mouth and now he's realizing that his mom and dad would totally tell embarrassing stories about him. Sure, he has always been great at riding, but just imagine the horrid tales they could tell about his dancing or worse, his old paintings!]

Haha... surely you don't find it that fascinating?

[oh gods]

Of course I find it fascinating!

[It's practically her birthright to find this interesting, do you dare deny her this]

Well, I was thinking about barking up your tree, in truth...unless you have a suggestion?

[Come on, deets.]

No! No, not at all!

[oh gods no]

There really isn't anything interesting, I assure you! I'm perfectly ordinary, really.

[He'll go back to brushing this pegasus and trying to hide how red his face is getting, alright.]

Boring, boring, bore! / I refuse to rest until / I've gained one story!

[Oh gods yes.

She almost wants to say that she's willing to barter for it--a story for a story, but she notices how he's turned away. That just makes Mitama giggle some more.]

Really, denial / only makes the curious / crave even further. No one is exempt from such things!

You don't see me prying into your personal life...

[WELL THAT SURE IS A LIE but he honestly doesn't think about what he was just planning on doing so it's an unintentional one.

Brush, brush, brush. Maybe she'll give up eventually??]

...I'm sure any stories you did hear wouldn't be worth the effort.

Now the pot's simply calling the kettle black!

[Mitama sounds a little miffed by him saying that, starting to climb back over so she can look at him properly for that--]

--W-waaaaaah!

[...Is this what karma feels like? Because uh.

She probably should've grabbed the keys for the stables this morning, in that case--she'd managed the climb in just fine, but the climb out...

Well, if the fact that she's flat on her face is any indication, this may have been the god's way of letting Shigure know they were here for them. Ow...]

How inelegant... / I wanted your stories but / made one of my own. ...Consider the subject matter dropped, if only because you have ammunition, now.

[Mitama's at least going to get herself up on her own, checking herself. Well, nothing's broken, thankfully! At least anything she can see, but she can feel her nose running...

Well. She's gonna pinch her nose for a bit, shaking her head. Just let her try to bend and get her brush back so she can at least look like she's working--]

Ahh, Mitama—! Are you alright?

[Shigure's on his feet immediately and moving to her side, expression worried and momentary torment long forgotten. His concern isn't because he thinks she's frail, but landing on your face hurts and he really hopes she hasn't broken her nose.

Her words get him to stare for a moment before it sinks in.]

Ammunition... No, I would never! I'm more concerned about that fall you took, are you going to be okay?

[HE WOULD NEVER BLACKMAIL he's too pure for this]

I could be better, but I suppose that's karma for you...

[She's a little surprised by how quickly he's by her side, though she half wonders if he's going to start laughing. He'd be well within his right, even if she's certain that a part of her would hope he's hit with a practice arrow if he does--

...And then he says that, and Mitama just stares directly at him for a few moments, not...quite sure if she heard that correctly.]

...You can't be serious. I've been teasing you for the past two minutes--do you take me for a buffoon?

[He can't possibly be this pure. He just can't--]

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