nobody's in the mood for recording 6.9: the post-trial garden tea "party"

[tsunderine]

The flowers that bloomed at the end of the trial are ones that only seem to prove, continuously, that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Of course, it's only natural that many of the people are full of mixed emotions - grief? sadness? anger? frustration? maybe something else completely different?

But it's there, along with the end of the week.

Miasma still continues to be around, of course - but make use of the fact that this might be the last time it'll be at a low level one before it shoots up again.


Well.

Life continues as usual, disregarding any feelings that any of the house's occupants might be feeling.

So what are you doing these next two days?

Comments

[dreamshielder]

I...

[It's his turn to freeze. Of all the things he was expecting, a direct call out like that wasn't it. Haku doesn't fluster easily, but he stares at Hikage a moment before quickly averting his eyes again. It isn't often that he finds himself tongue tied either. He'd already started backpedaling from this because the idea was heading into nebulous territory, but if Hikage isn't going to let him drop this... well.

He takes a deep breath, trying to let go of some of the tension around his shoulders.]

Am I allowed to ask something like that?

[Whether that's a question for Hikage or himself is debatable.]

[kaliedoscopes]

[ Infuriatingly Hikage seems to have recovered all of his poise, which means while he's not scowling he's not smiling either. Sometimes this is just how things are with him, off and on like an unruly lantern flickering in the night. ]

You pretty much already have, haven't you?

[dreamshielder]

[He gives Hikage a side glance, half way tempted to inform him that he was cuter when his head was bothering him more. It occurs to him a bit belatedly that there's a lot that's gone wrong here, and he half way wonders if Zabuza's going to be irate about this.

But then again. Who really knows how much of a future they actually have.]

... I suppose I have.

[He breathes out.]

So?

[kaliedoscopes]

[ Who knows if that would have wound up like the shirt comment. Alas, that is a mystery for an alternate timeline. But it's almost funny how the flame flickers in the other direction again, briefly, momentarily before steadying. There's the tiniest note of something else when he speaks, light and heavy at the same time. ]

If you don't forget, and ask me properly then—I'll go.

[dreamshielder]

[There's a pause before Haku turns and gives Hikage a nod and a smile. Then just as quickly, he feels a little like crying. A small future plan of his own that exists outside of his life as a ninja, outside of being an instrument of Zabuza's dreams? Somehow he's not sure who he is anymore. But it's also something he knows he can't get emotional about. There isn't an explanation he could give for it that wouldn't also say too much about something or another.]

.... I think you gave me your headache.

[But it's said with warmth.]

[kaliedoscopes]

[ He shakes his head then breaks into a small smile of his own. ]

Maybe it's contagious.

[dreamshielder]

[That gets a tiny huff of amusement.]

I don't appreciate that kind of generosity. Take your headache back.

[kaliedoscopes]

No refunds.

[dreamshielder]

I see how it is.

[Just gonna reach over and flick Hikage on the forehead.]

[kaliedoscopes]

Hey, I've already been hit in the head twice today. [ He glares but it's not a particularly sharp one. ]

[dreamshielder]

Because you were being stupid, yes.

[Look how we've come full circle here.]

If you think you deserve something different, I'll take suggestions.

[kaliedoscopes]

Tch. [ They really have and he's not about to repeat himself! ]

Sansai no nimono. [ Stewed wild vegetables. Who knows in what language this conversation is taking place in, but in this instance he speaks distinctly in Japanese rather than English. ]

[dreamshielder]

[A blink. But alright sure, he's actually more comfortable speaking Japanese anyway, so!]

...and you had the ingredients for that in your other mansion?

[kaliedoscopes]

Unfortunately not, but we could at least make actual food like miso soup and curry. [ What a downgrade... ]

And you said a suggestion, not a realistic possibility.

[dreamshielder]

[Haku from the future would like to know why the hell the bridge to the afterlife is so darn Japanese, but.]

So you set me up for disappointment. That's almost cruel, you know.

[kaliedoscopes]

[ Find out next time on Dragonball Z. Hikage meanwhile will not be looking sorry at all. ]

Now you know how I've felt this entire time here. We even got fresh fruit every other day.

[dreamshielder]

[Haku shakes his head.]

I don't. When I was younger, I had to fight stray dogs for scraps out of the garbage to survive.

[kaliedoscopes]

[ Well that's not what he intended and it certainly shows on his face. ]

Ah, I—[ He winces and one hand goes to his head. ] I didn't... I didn't mean it like that.

[dreamshielder]

[But at that, Haku reaches over to give Hikage a soft pat on the head.]

It's okay. All I meant was that things could always be much worse.

1/2

[kaliedoscopes]

[ As soon as Haku pats him, Hikage freezes. ]

2/3 i lied

[kaliedoscopes]

Don't touch me. Why—

[kaliedoscopes]

[ He forces his eyes shut, gritting his teeth. ]

Why is that... [ Inhale, exhale. ] Sorry. I need to, I need to rest.

[dreamshielder]

....

[He'll pull away, sure, but he's concerned now. Is what he said really so terrible that it just spontaneously induces headaches or something...]

.... did I do something wrong?

[kaliedoscopes]

No. [ Another breath. ] I've just had a long day, that's all.

[dreamshielder]

[He stays quiet for a long moment before climbing off of Hikage's bed.]

Rest well.