( he reclaims the glass without complaint. the eggnog is rather too rich for his tastes to drink in any large amount, but he is unaccustomed to allowing things to go to waste, and has certainly drank worse than this. )
[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?
( 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. )
( 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.
[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.
[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 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?
Meeting you has not impacted how I will deal with telepaths in the future, or other Mu, except to know the threat they pose. I would not say that is necessarily a change.
I wish to... [there's a very definitive but in there.] I took some time...projecting. Watching. At least in that way, I can be around others without my body...becoming an issue.
（ 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. ）
（ 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...
（ 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.
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.]
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Of course.
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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?
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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. )
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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.]
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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.
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Are there things...you would wish to take back with you? Should you return.
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Physical items? No.
( is he maybe being deliberately obtuse? mayhap. )
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[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...]
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There is no guarantee we will be able toe choose what we take. However, if I retain my memories I do not expect I will be influenced by them overmuch.
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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.
smh not letting me fix that terrible typo
The implication being that I should not expect to remain unchanged as well?
（ his tone is faintly amused. ）
perish
You've already changed. You never...dealt with a Mu before, did you?
hahaha...
（ he sounds perhaps a bit dry. ）
Meeting you has not impacted how I will deal with telepaths in the future, or other Mu, except to know the threat they pose. I would not say that is necessarily a change.
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but the shinobi seems pretty adamant to keep his view uncontested, so Blue just shakes his head and lets him keep it.]
As you say, then.
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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?
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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. ）
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I would greatly appreciate it, actually.
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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...
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（ 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. ）
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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.
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（ 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.
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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?
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I did not ask. The Doctor... insisted. It seemed impolite to refuse.
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