009. [Video]

[preybeforemeals]

[Good evening, Johto! It seems that Tsukiyama's in a decent mood today; we're doing this again, from the sound of it, and he's got the camera set up as he usually does - the focus is low, aimed more toward the piano than the player with the exception of his hands, and keeping his face out of the shot. (It can be seen, however, that he is once again unironically wearing one of Chihiro's janky-ass scarves, because of course he is.) He'll speak after a while, though; he sounds pleased, at any rate.]

It doesn't seem all that long since the last time I did this, does it? It's hard to believe it's been a year or so. But time flies like that, n'est-ce pas? Even if we have a funny way of ending up back where we started, in some ways.

I asked last year, where you all thought you would be now; some of those who answered have left, but some surely haven't. So tell me! Have you managed what you'd hoped you would, in the past year? I've been wondering about it, a bit...

Of course, I'd like to hear what you've done with yourselves this holiday season, just in general; I want to know the sort of experiences you've had. Assuming that you don't mind sharing - that's what this time of year is good for, c'est vrai?

Comments

[occultigen]

Did they! Why, how magnificent; was it St. Nicholas, perhaps? The tailoring is very fine, and the fit is quite pretty.

[This would be a lot more effective an attempt at innocence if she weren't visibly preening at how well it came out.]

It suits you well, I think!

[preybeforemeals]

[...is there even a reaction to this that isn't oh no it's cute because]

Oh, I certainly agree with you, at least with that latter part of it all.

[...]

I do appreciate it, Miss Everett, thank you.

[occultigen]

Why, I'm not sure I know what you could mean by—

[...And there it is, the moment she can't keep up the act anymore.]

...Oh, all right, I suppose there's no sense in playing at all that anymore. Really, it's nice of you to wear it; I do think you look very well in it.

[preybeforemeals]

[oh no]

Well, why wouldn't I wear it - it really is lovely, I like it quite a bit.

[At the very least she knows his taste well, goodness.]

[occultigen]

Well...it's a bit forward, don't you think? It leaves the one being gifted in the awkward position of rather having to wear it, like it or not, or coming up with excuses not to if it's really poor.

[She hesitates.]

...That is to say, I doubt it'd be done at all, back home. And perhaps I might be looked down on it a little for it, but...I don't care, because I thought it'd please you a great deal, and I'm glad to see I wasn't wrong.

[preybeforemeals]

I don't find it to be forward at all - and besides, you know me rather well by now, I think. Better than most, really, if I had to guess.

[...]

It's been a good fifteen months or so, hasn't it? I've enjoyed it quite a bit, and it's been a pleasure spending it with you as I have.

[occultigen]

Mm, just about, yes! It was around the twentieth of September, I think, and it's the twenty-fifth today, of our second December. So that's just about right, mmhmm.

[She pauses a moment.]

...So I suppose this year it'd be prudent to ask if I might stay here, beyond just tomorrow morning?

[preybeforemeals]

[Oh, that gets him to laugh, honestly.]

As though I would ever refuse...?

[occultigen]

Well, at least there'll be no saying I never asked, at least from here on out.

I'm very happy, Mr. Tsukiyama. To have met you, and to be staying here with you as well.

[preybeforemeals]

...You always have somewhere to come back to, here. That isn't going to change - it isn't anything I want to change.

[And that is getting incredibly close to feelings, so let's just - ]

I'm always grateful to have met you, you know. It's been good, finding my own happiness here, and I'm glad that you've been a part of it.

[...Let's just decide it's a great day to have a feeling, apparently. Okay, then.]

[occultigen]

[She falls still a minute, listening intently, and a touch of flush rises under her cheeks, making her duck her head against it. She's not quiet for long, however, because after a few moments of processing that, she keeps her eyes just barely averted and offers thoughtfully.]

I'm...

[She stops. Considers.]

...I...wonder, then. If I should happen to be very forward again, by my estimation. Do you suppose you'd find it so, from your perspective?

[preybeforemeals]

[He tips his head a bit at that.]

I think that if it's what you want, I'd like for you to do it anyway. It won't be too forward, no.

[occultigen]

...Very well, then.

[And before she can think better of it, she's up on her toes and using the lapels of his vest for a little extra leverage, and that sure is a kiss on the cheek (which, as we all know, is like Victorian third base) Tsukiyama's getting, in addition to his everything else.]

I'm happy, too. So very much.

[preybeforemeals]

Ah...

[And while Tsukiyama usually doesn't fluster easily, he can feel the damn heat rising to his face at that; he's still smiling, though, definitely, even if his eyes slide closed for a moment before he can refocus himself.]

...Thank you. For everything.