[imeeji - inbox]

[artisticliberty]

"Hello, this is Fox. Please leave a message."

Comments

[dragonheartedgirl]

Hiryuu: Yes, that would work if it's not an inconvenience to you.

[artisticliberty]

Fox: Not at all.
Fox: Give me about five minutes and I will be ready.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Hiryuu: Please, take whatever time you need.

[artisticliberty]

[it's not very long before he replies with:]

Fox: I am ready anytime.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Hiryuu: Okay.

[ within the space of a few minutes, there's a knock at the door.

If/when he opens it, Hiryuu is on the other side--along with a very large bouquet of flowers: bluebells, purple bittersweets, white poppies, blue and purple hyacinths, and several large, full irises, all bound by a length of green ivy with white sprigs extending up into the bouquet.

if you're curious ]

[artisticliberty]

[fox is immediately surprised and preoccupied by the flowers]

Did you bring these for me?

/2

[dragonheartedgirl]

Yes!

[ although suddenly it's occurring to her that he might have the wrong impression

from her suddenly showing up at his door

with a bunch of flowers. ]

Don't--it's not--I'm aware that you're dating both Joker and Prim and I'm not trying to make any sort of advance--!

/3 i lied

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ he probably didn't think that in the first place. but if he did--well, either way, she is actually... more... embarrassed now. maybe she should... not... give one of these to North as well.....

AUGH just. focus; one thing at a time. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

... It's traditional, to give flowers... as a gift when someone has gone through something tragic, as acknowledgement of their suffering. I wanted to apologize properly... for what you went through because of me.

[artisticliberty]

[there's a lot to unpack here]

I did not think you were propositioning me... surely you would have picked more appropriate flowers if that were the case. These are all far too melancholic to suit such a thing.

[he carefully takes the bouquet]

However, they are lovely. I shall place them in my atelier so I can admire them while I work.

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ She relaxes a little. ]

I wasn't sure--I'd hoped, but I couldn't be certain you'd know what they meant.

[artisticliberty]

I have studied flower language, although I am more familiar with the Japanese take on it. Please, come in.

[he ushers her inside and goes to find a vase to deposit the flowers in, which he'll place on the low table that has been turned into a kotatsu for the changing seasons. toasty feets.]

[dragonheartedgirl]

I didn't realize there were different--interpretations?--To the language of flowers.

[ following him inside. ]

... I see you're all prepared for winter already.

[artisticliberty]

Most of my knowledge on the subject comes from art; artists have historically used flowers as symbols for a number of things.

Would you like some tea? We have fruit, as well. I find these are best enjoyed at a kotatsu during cold weather.

[dragonheartedgirl]

You've all pulled the kotatsu out again?

[ She remembers that from last winter.... A faint, nostalgic smile turns her lips up. ]

Are you sure it's not too much trouble for you?

[artisticliberty]

Not at all. You have come here to express your feelings to me, and it would be rude of me to simply dismiss you before you have had a chance to properly tell me what is on your mind.

[heads into the kitchen and comes back shortly with a plate of orange slices and two steaming mugs of sencha]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ She'll go ahead and take her seat then.

Please don't mind if she looks a little lost in thought. She has... many things on her mind. Or perhaps more accurately in her heart. ]

[artisticliberty]

[waits]











[eats an orange slice]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ FOX YOU DON'T HAVE TO LET HER STARE INTO SPACE FOR FOREVER

she starts a little when she realizes he's returned without her noticing--and her cheeks turn pink. ]

S-Sorry!

[artisticliberty]

It's alright. Take your time.

[sips his tea, patiently]

[dragonheartedgirl]

... I just.... had a moment. ... I think the last time I was sitting here drinking tea at the kotatsu it was with Ardashir and Shuten. Not too long after the first time we were put through that horrible house....

[ things have.... really really changed since then.... ]

[artisticliberty]

[oh]

... you've been here for quite a long time, haven't you...

[dragonheartedgirl]

Since the beginning.

[artisticliberty]

... I miss them, too. But I imagine you must miss them just as much, if not more.

[dragonheartedgirl]

... I don't know that it would be right to compare my pain to yours. I know you also loved Ardashir a great deal... and maybe you knew them in ways I never did, being their unit mate.

But I... do miss them, deeply, every day.

[ a deep, slow breath in--and then a very heavy exhale. ]

... It must have been difficult for you... to come back to this place everyday, where you shared so much time with them. I hope it's become easier.