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[while Itachi sees to that (and, perhaps, sits???), Blue looks to the stocking in his lap. it has his name on it...peculiar, but perhaps not that surprising in the long run.
he withdraws a small bag of plain-looking crackers or cookies - familiar in make to what Peter had been up to months prior, but not glittering with the amount of sugar those had been loaded with.]
How generous... Did...everyone receive such things?
he withdraws a small bag of plain-looking crackers or cookies - familiar in make to what Peter had been up to months prior, but not glittering with the amount of sugar those had been loaded with.]
How generous... Did...everyone receive such things?
( yes, god, he'll take a seat. he ends up in one of the armchairs, possessed of the ease of a king atop a throne. )
Yes. They seem to have taken especial care to ensure everyone aboard the Ximilia received something for this holiday of theirs. Mine was nail polish.
( someone seems to have noticed his was chipped. it was oddly thoughtful, if discomfitting that someone seems to have paid him mind enough to notice. )
Yes. They seem to have taken especial care to ensure everyone aboard the Ximilia received something for this holiday of theirs. Mine was nail polish.
( someone seems to have noticed his was chipped. it was oddly thoughtful, if discomfitting that someone seems to have paid him mind enough to notice. )
[Blue smiles a little as he returns the bag to its stocking.]
People here...they really are quite kind. Even if regret brought me here...I'm far more grateful than remorseful.
[...considering the alternative would to be dead.]
People here...they really are quite kind. Even if regret brought me here...I'm far more grateful than remorseful.
[...considering the alternative would to be dead.]
Edited 2021-12-13 18:31 (UTC)
( it would be easier, he thinks, if they were not kind at all. he has long accepted that it may be necessary to kill them, but things like this — little gestures, kind words — wear on a mind already rife with guilt and old sorrows.
he is so very tired of fighting, of slitting throats in the dark, of having violence be the only option one can reach for. a little of that weariness bleeds through the proximity with blue — put away as soon as he's aware of it. )
It is interesting to engage with a world so dissimilar to my own.
he is so very tired of fighting, of slitting throats in the dark, of having violence be the only option one can reach for. a little of that weariness bleeds through the proximity with blue — put away as soon as he's aware of it. )
It is interesting to engage with a world so dissimilar to my own.
[perhaps that awareness comes when Blue's eyes lift and linger on Itachi in that way that shows he's looking at him - but not at his physical features. at least, not after that fleeting glance to his fingers. nail polish, huh?]
Are there things...you would wish to take back with you? Should you return.
Are there things...you would wish to take back with you? Should you return.
Memories. Experiences. Traditions...
[for a while, he's wondered if those things will go with them, or if power will simply see fit to grant their wish and nothing more. fickle conditions...seem to suit the nature of their circumstances.
what little of their circumstances they truly understand, and what even littler they know of the orbs...]
[for a while, he's wondered if those things will go with them, or if power will simply see fit to grant their wish and nothing more. fickle conditions...seem to suit the nature of their circumstances.
what little of their circumstances they truly understand, and what even littler they know of the orbs...]
[Blue's mouth pulls a bit. he doesn't doubt Itachi's words, just...their truth. not that Itachi's lying, but rather...it seems a bit much to assume he'll be unchanged by these things.
he imagines if he were so fortunate as to see his Mu people again, if what he'd undone was the right thing to do...he could also come back of dreams of a place where humans saw Mu as something other than monsters.
he closes his eyes, running his fingers across the stocking in his lap.]
I think...were I ever to see that world again...there'd be no way to keep such things...from changing so much of me. [his mouth tugs.] Even after three hundred years...someone can still change in ways.
he imagines if he were so fortunate as to see his Mu people again, if what he'd undone was the right thing to do...he could also come back of dreams of a place where humans saw Mu as something other than monsters.
he closes his eyes, running his fingers across the stocking in his lap.]
I think...were I ever to see that world again...there'd be no way to keep such things...from changing so much of me. [his mouth tugs.] Even after three hundred years...someone can still change in ways.
（ he glances at blue perhaps a little more intently. three hundred years. it isn't impossible, given what he knows of madara, and what orochimaru's attempts at immortality. especially as he knows very little of the mu beyond the fact that they are a telepathic race that is subject to eradication. ）
The implication being that I should not expect to remain unchanged as well?
（ his tone is faintly amused. ）
The implication being that I should not expect to remain unchanged as well?
（ his tone is faintly amused. ）
（ he lifts the eggnog again, his attention not wavering from blue.
he could continue discussing the matter — he enjoys debate, for all that he hasn't had much opportunity in the last decade to indulge — but instead: ）
Are you up to seeing the others?
he could continue discussing the matter — he enjoys debate, for all that he hasn't had much opportunity in the last decade to indulge — but instead: ）
Are you up to seeing the others?
（ there is a long moment, and he rubs at a droplet of condensation dripping down the festive glass. then: ）
If you require energy, I will supply it.
（ it is not a selfless offer — humans use festivals as a time of togetherness. blue has strong bonds here, but they can always be stronger. it's to both of their benefits for him to be shown making an effort to mingle. ）
If you require energy, I will supply it.
（ it is not a selfless offer — humans use festivals as a time of togetherness. blue has strong bonds here, but they can always be stronger. it's to both of their benefits for him to be shown making an effort to mingle. ）
（ he makes the necessary seals, and then he holds his hand out for blue to take, wordless. once there is contact between them, blue will feel that selfsame sensation of before — soft warmth like sunlight on skin. a sensation of strength follows that will banish the weariness — temporarily at least. ）
[Blue takes hold of his hand and closes his eyes, reflexively tensing at the flood of stability and strength that is so very lacking in him rushes on in, tinging his skin a little pink for a moment.
he blinks his eyes back open, brighter somehow, and withdraws his hand and gives it a curious look, as though he expects there to be a brand or some sign of the exchange. instead, just with the fleeting thought, he can bid it glow his namesake without much strain.]
It feels as though...I could be able to fly again...
he blinks his eyes back open, brighter somehow, and withdraws his hand and gives it a curious look, as though he expects there to be a brand or some sign of the exchange. instead, just with the fleeting thought, he can bid it glow his namesake without much strain.]
It feels as though...I could be able to fly again...
Let's not.
（ whether he means it metaphorically or otherwise — it seems a bad thing to add to the ximilia's rather over-decorated halls. ）
I believe there are presents under the tree. 'Ugly sweaters', they called them.
（ he plucks his off his shoulder. it's too big for him, and he's had to roll up the sleeves to keep it from eclipsing his hands. ）
（ whether he means it metaphorically or otherwise — it seems a bad thing to add to the ximilia's rather over-decorated halls. ）
I believe there are presents under the tree. 'Ugly sweaters', they called them.
（ he plucks his off his shoulder. it's too big for him, and he's had to roll up the sleeves to keep it from eclipsing his hands. ）
[no? no magical space flying? boo.
Blue gets to his feet, wavering a bit. energy or not, it doesn't give him new muscle mass, unfortunately - he still has to take care.
he looks to Itachi fussing with his sweater...and smiles.]
I do not think it is ugly.
It looks comfortable.
Blue gets to his feet, wavering a bit. energy or not, it doesn't give him new muscle mass, unfortunately - he still has to take care.
he looks to Itachi fussing with his sweater...and smiles.]
I do not think it is ugly.
It looks comfortable.
It is.
（ and looks don't matter to him at all. shinobi missions required all different sorts of attire — this man has worn cat-ears on a mission, he has no sense of observable shame. ）
There is most likely one for you as well. I heard something about a 'contest'? An odd custom.
（ and looks don't matter to him at all. shinobi missions required all different sorts of attire — this man has worn cat-ears on a mission, he has no sense of observable shame. ）
There is most likely one for you as well. I heard something about a 'contest'? An odd custom.
Over the sweaters? [that is peculiar...
sort of...
after giving it a bit of thought:] Well...there are many here who have a strong, competitive streak. It makes sense to have that kind of activity to keep some occupied.
[he gives Itachi a thoughtful look, lingering on the headband.]
What custom is the head piece for?
sort of...
after giving it a bit of thought:] Well...there are many here who have a strong, competitive streak. It makes sense to have that kind of activity to keep some occupied.
[he gives Itachi a thoughtful look, lingering on the headband.]
What custom is the head piece for?
How curious.
[but not terrible, he supposes. it'll be interesting to hear if Itachi does find out what it's about later.
Blue takes a few paces in the small space of the room if only to enjoy being able to walk without that dreadful wobble. the lap takes him back to his nightstand, where he gives a fleeting glance to the books there.]
Are you done with the gatherings today?
[but not terrible, he supposes. it'll be interesting to hear if Itachi does find out what it's about later.
Blue takes a few paces in the small space of the room if only to enjoy being able to walk without that dreadful wobble. the lap takes him back to his nightstand, where he gives a fleeting glance to the books there.]
Are you done with the gatherings today?
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