[ He's definitely learned to catch on by now, and it's enough to lift him up just hearing her voice. As evident in the perk in his voice. He's not as cheerful sounding as her, but for Cloud, he's more conversational in his tone. ]
Just got better. [ True. But okay his real answer, ] It was alright. Bricks didn't have anything lined up for me today, so I went training and window shopping.
[ Not that he finds that a bad thing! But...he's also curious of the other implications. Had she not been going out often? ...for herself, anyway. Like he's any better. ]
Really? What kinda instrument did he play?
[ Cloud rolls over onto his side, magi-comm to his ear as he gets comfy. ]
Well... I do not work, so I am limited to taking care of the house. It is not a task I wish to impose on my brother, even if he were more present.
[ While it's not a complaint, she would like to do other things, too. Now to gauge if Cloud would be willing to listen to her or not, after saying something like that. ]
He plays a biwa. I would like to see him again tomorrow.
[ Cloud hums audibly over the phone regarding the biwa, remembering seeing one of those early in his ventures when getting a "lay of the land". ]
Tell me how it goes.
[ And he's open-minded to it to wanna hear more! But...something else has his attention. ]
Maybe you can hire a housekeeper? Free up some of your time?
[ Ayato's done well in securing what he has for his family! ...and it's that very thought that grants him pause after asking those things. Cloud might have other questions depending on what she says. But as he waits, pushing himself upright as he sits with his legs crossed, his eyes follow the magi-comm he holds to his ear, to the sound of her voice. Pensive. He's listening. ]
Edited (too mindready akjdsf) Date: 2022-07-13 08:48 am (UTC)
It is what I would like to do... So that I'm able to do something for myself and help with the expenses here at home.
[ That's her answer to his question, but she said she would like to ask for advice, so she adds: ]
Ayato said I didn't have to, since we are living comfortably. He said he would support me if I really wanted to, but... it doesn't seem like he needs my help.
[ Her voice gets softer and softer the more she talks, until she punctuates her story with a heavy sigh. ]
[ It's times like this he wished he could just hop on a train and be there in minutes. Or win a lottery, maybe ask the researchers to hook him up with a place in Kyoto that wasn't the dorms or... He has to think rationally, he reminds himself. But knowing Ayato between the few times they've talked and how much Ayaka's shared and talked about her brother... ]
Maybe he doesn't. [ A beat to let that thought settle before he adds: ] But sometimes that doesn't matter.
I think you're not doing this because you need to. It's because that's your brother and you want to. He's just looking out for his sister, but...
[ An audible, lighter huff as he thinks on what Ayato told him. To watch over her when he couldn't. ]
When I was younger, Ayato refused to let me have a bigger part in the Yashiro Commission. But I couldn't let him do all the work himself...
[ Because that would have been so much to bear. As his only family left, it was her job to help in carrying their name. As a person, Ayato could not have done it alone.]
I had never bested my brother in a duel before, but I challenged him to one, anyway. If I won, he would allow me to hold authority.
[ And she did. That's how the Shirasagi Himegimi was born. Ayaka doesn't speak of other details now, such as that was also when she got her Vision, a gift from the gods. ]
I do not think it the case, but... my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me. [ She doesn't want to believe that, but it's a thought she has now. A thought that she's had for some time, disappearing every now and then but only creeping back into her thoughts whenever she's feeling down.
Cloud might hear some shuffling on Ayaka's end. She's getting comfortable on her bed. ]
Would it be okay if you distracted me from such thoughts?
[ Cloud doesn't have siblings. Or any family at all anymore. Yet he's still absorbing and trying to see things from Ayaka's point of view. Yet judging by Ayato's character, he can also see his side as well. They both lost their mother and father at a very young age, right? Asking a little girl like her to stop playing so she can shoulder the responsibilities of her clan... No. He unfortunately can't put himself in her shoes. Not truly.
He holds his tongue, mulling over how she'd bested him in a duel. How she became the Shirasagi Himegimi, caged yet strong enough to loose Ayato's share of the load. Then...why can't he trust her to do the same here? She didn't have to duel him again...did she? No.
"-my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me."
To that, his heart feels heavy, and he starts to regret even implying that he didn't need her help. Cloud meant well! And he meant maybe he didn't need financial help. But still... His breath catches as he takes a deep breath to rethink what he said. He doesn't have a brother. Or a sister. His own mother and father are long gone, and five years of his life were a blur. Yet still, deep down... ]
Of course he needs you. He cares about you a lot.
[ So much that he'd entrust someone like him to watch out for her when he couldn't. But that's a conversation he'll keep between Ayato and himself. ]
I... [ It's as she said. She needs a distraction, and knows her thoughts aren't true. Cloud telling Ayaka what she thinks isn't true is helping, as well. They may have only known each other for a short while, but she believes in him.
Ayaka exhales from her nose, audible through the call. But she doesn't seem that down when she speaks next. ]
I told Ayato that I can't get him any gifts using his own money. I would like to be able to give you presents, as well. And if we go out on dates, I would prefer to use my own money.
... um. What do you think would be a suitable kind of work for me?
[ A more relaxed breath when they get on the topic of how they want to spend their money for the future. And it makes sense! It's satisfying knowing you earned the money you've spent things on, rather than just borrowing or having it given to you by someone else. At least, for him, if that were the case all the time, he'd feel more bad. ]
Then we're on the same page. Gotta make enough to spend on you, too.
[ They can both play rock, paper, scissors over who pays for which meal. ...that's how couples do it, right? No. ]
A job for you?
Hmm...
[ He leans back on one hand, canting his head as he relaxes again. ]
Let's see... Professional Shogi player doesn't sound stable enough. [ He's joking. ] Maybe...something relaxing. Something you already enjoy doing. You got a lot of talents...
Maybe sharing them for business is just the ticket.
They'll look professional to me. After kicking my butt enough times.
[ But he'd like to learn how to play. Call it the competitor in him. ]
Think you'd nail it as a florist. [ His voice has an uplift to it, more encouraging at the prospect. If only because this is exactly what he was thinking of. Tea ceremony. Ikebana. Teaching Hanakotoba. A dojo for Kenjutsu (if not the Kamisato Arts) may be more work...
... Ahem. Anyway. Cool as a cucumber. He goes back to lying on his back. ] They will.
You got a customer in me.
[ But you're biased, Cloud. ... even if her arrangements would fly off the shelves. ]
[ Hahah... Hearing her tell him he's sweet, but he can't even be there in person for it. Cloud's still content either way. ]
I'll help. [ Just like how she was so eager to support him when he wasn't sure what to do or where to go in terms of work. ] If I find anything for you while I'm out and about, I'll let you know.
[ And he most certainly will tell his friends! He'll tell Aerith, too. Something tells him these two would get along. Two flower girls... ]
Tomorrow? [ He repeats what she just said, as if filling the space and to give his brain enough time to catch up. It wasn't very often that Ayaka's travels took her to the other side of the tracks. And there's almost no hesitation, the audible sound of fabric rustling as he pushes himself upright in bed while saying: ] Yeah...!
[ Ah... She caught him off guard, he failed to temper his excitement. ]
I-I mean no. Yeah, I don't mind.
[ Okay trying that again with a little huff. Aaand, ]
Ah— [ She sounds so surprised! Cloud's response makes her so happy; this should have been what she asked first when she wanted to cheer herself up... ] Would it really be okay?
[ He's not the only one excited... ]
Perhaps we can meet for lunch, if your schedule is still free.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-07-13 04:10 am (UTC)[ The cheer in Ayaka's voice is there in and instant, and he might even hear her smile in her voice. ]
How was your day?
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Date: 2022-07-13 05:36 am (UTC)Just got better. [ True. But okay his real answer, ] It was alright. Bricks didn't have anything lined up for me today, so I went training and window shopping.
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Date: 2022-07-13 06:34 am (UTC)[ That's very important! And she hopes he had a good day. ]
What did you buy?
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Date: 2022-07-13 06:56 am (UTC)[ Cloud is, after all, still keeping a tight hold on his money and spending frugally. He's gonna make it to Kyoto sooner than later. ]
And your day, Ayaka?
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Date: 2022-07-13 07:35 am (UTC)[ Ayato's at work and Cloud's away. She should probably start socialising more, but her friends also have their own lives to lead! ]
I did come across an elderly man. A local. He said he plays music at the park everyday. It was fun to watch him.
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Date: 2022-07-13 08:01 am (UTC)[ Not that he finds that a bad thing! But...he's also curious of the other implications. Had she not been going out often? ...for herself, anyway. Like he's any better. ]
Really? What kinda instrument did he play?
[ Cloud rolls over onto his side, magi-comm to his ear as he gets comfy. ]
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Date: 2022-07-13 08:09 am (UTC)[ While it's not a complaint, she would like to do other things, too. Now to gauge if Cloud would be willing to listen to her or not, after saying something like that. ]
He plays a biwa. I would like to see him again tomorrow.
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Date: 2022-07-13 08:29 am (UTC)Tell me how it goes.
[ And he's open-minded to it to wanna hear more! But...something else has his attention. ]
Maybe you can hire a housekeeper? Free up some of your time?
[ Ayato's done well in securing what he has for his family! ...and it's that very thought that grants him pause after asking those things. Cloud might have other questions depending on what she says. But as he waits, pushing himself upright as he sits with his legs crossed, his eyes follow the magi-comm he holds to his ear, to the sound of her voice. Pensive. He's listening. ]
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Date: 2022-07-13 09:11 am (UTC)[ It's as she said. She's running out of things to do.
There's a rather lengthy pause from Ayaka, before she finds it in herself to ask. ]
... may I ask for your advice?
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Date: 2022-07-13 09:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-07-13 09:50 am (UTC)[ That's her answer to his question, but she said she would like to ask for advice, so she adds: ]
Ayato said I didn't have to, since we are living comfortably. He said he would support me if I really wanted to, but... it doesn't seem like he needs my help.
[ Her voice gets softer and softer the more she talks, until she punctuates her story with a heavy sigh. ]
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Date: 2022-07-13 10:21 am (UTC)Maybe he doesn't. [ A beat to let that thought settle before he adds: ] But sometimes that doesn't matter.
I think you're not doing this because you need to. It's because that's your brother and you want to. He's just looking out for his sister, but...
[ An audible, lighter huff as he thinks on what Ayato told him. To watch over her when he couldn't. ]
Whose watching him, right?
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Date: 2022-07-13 10:50 am (UTC)[ Because that would have been so much to bear. As his only family left, it was her job to help in carrying their name. As a person, Ayato could not have done it alone.]
I had never bested my brother in a duel before, but I challenged him to one, anyway. If I won, he would allow me to hold authority.
[ And she did. That's how the Shirasagi Himegimi was born. Ayaka doesn't speak of other details now, such as that was also when she got her Vision, a gift from the gods. ]
I do not think it the case, but... my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me. [ She doesn't want to believe that, but it's a thought she has now. A thought that she's had for some time, disappearing every now and then but only creeping back into her thoughts whenever she's feeling down.
Cloud might hear some shuffling on Ayaka's end. She's getting comfortable on her bed. ]
Would it be okay if you distracted me from such thoughts?
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Date: 2022-07-13 09:06 pm (UTC)He holds his tongue, mulling over how she'd bested him in a duel. How she became the Shirasagi Himegimi, caged yet strong enough to loose Ayato's share of the load. Then...why can't he trust her to do the same here? She didn't have to duel him again...did she? No.
"-my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me."
To that, his heart feels heavy, and he starts to regret even implying that he didn't need her help. Cloud meant well! And he meant maybe he didn't need financial help. But still... His breath catches as he takes a deep breath to rethink what he said. He doesn't have a brother. Or a sister. His own mother and father are long gone, and five years of his life were a blur. Yet still, deep down... ]
Of course he needs you. He cares about you a lot.
[ So much that he'd entrust someone like him to watch out for her when he couldn't. But that's a conversation he'll keep between Ayato and himself. ]
You bet. I tend to be pretty good at that.
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Date: 2022-07-13 10:41 pm (UTC)Ayaka exhales from her nose, audible through the call. But she doesn't seem that down when she speaks next. ]
I told Ayato that I can't get him any gifts using his own money. I would like to be able to give you presents, as well. And if we go out on dates, I would prefer to use my own money.
... um. What do you think would be a suitable kind of work for me?
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Date: 2022-07-14 01:15 am (UTC)Then we're on the same page. Gotta make enough to spend on you, too.
[ They can both play rock, paper, scissors over who pays for which meal. ...that's how couples do it, right?
No.]A job for you?
Hmm...
[ He leans back on one hand, canting his head as he relaxes again. ]
Let's see... Professional Shogi player doesn't sound stable enough. [ He's joking. ] Maybe...something relaxing. Something you already enjoy doing. You got a lot of talents...
Maybe sharing them for business is just the ticket.
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Date: 2022-07-14 02:08 am (UTC)[ But that's very nice of him to say! And amusing. It's doing well in cheering her up. ]
I do like taking care of flowers, and tea ceremony, as you already know. Do you think I would do well if I worked at a flower shop?
What if the customers don't like my arrangements?
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Date: 2022-07-14 05:38 am (UTC)[ But he'd like to learn how to play. Call it the competitor in him. ]
Think you'd nail it as a florist. [ His voice has an uplift to it, more encouraging at the prospect. If only because this is exactly what he was thinking of. Tea ceremony. Ikebana. Teaching Hanakotoba. A dojo for Kenjutsu (if not the Kamisato Arts) may be more work...
... Ahem. Anyway. Cool as a cucumber. He goes back to lying on his back. ] They will.
You got a customer in me.
[ But you're biased, Cloud. ... even if her arrangements would fly off the shelves. ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 06:43 am (UTC)The money you'd give me would just be the money we'd use on dates!
[ So it'd be as if he didn't pay her at all! It's funny to think about. He's biased. She likes it. ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 06:55 am (UTC)[ He laughs from his chest, soft, in the same lane as Ayaka. Now there's a smile on his face. ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 07:32 am (UTC)[ And he's doing very well in providing her with a distraction. ]
If I do find work in doing flower arrangements, I hope you'll tell your friends, too.
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Date: 2022-07-14 07:42 am (UTC)I'll help. [ Just like how she was so eager to support him when he wasn't sure what to do or where to go in terms of work. ] If I find anything for you while I'm out and about, I'll let you know.
[ And he most certainly will tell his friends! He'll tell Aerith, too. Something tells him these two would get along. Two flower girls... ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 08:15 am (UTC)[ And she's not just saying it to be polite. She truly is grateful. If only she could express her gratitude properly.
Ah... ]
Um... Would you mind if I went to see you tomorrow? I promise not to take too much of your time.
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Date: 2022-07-14 08:22 am (UTC)[ Ah... She caught him off guard, he failed to temper his excitement. ]
I-I mean no. Yeah, I don't mind.
[ Okay trying that again with a little huff. Aaand, ]
I wanna see you, Ayaka.
[ And not just for a "little while" either. ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 08:52 am (UTC)[ He's not the only one excited... ]
Perhaps we can meet for lunch, if your schedule is still free.
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