mistsplitter | 🌸 seasons inbox

The one that I had recently was called "pomegranate tea". It was very fruity! Like a... berry, I suppose, but different.

[ They don't have local pomegranates in Inazuma!! ]

Much as I would like you to try it, I don't think you will like it as much. It was on the sweet side.

[ On its own! And you even had the option to drink it with milk and sugar!!! ]

Though... I think it would still make a good pair with some mochi.

[ With tea poured into two cups, and the pot still containing some for refill, Ayaka pushes herself up and sits down next to the blond on the couch.

Her home seems so simple right now. So much different from her home in Nippon, and couldn't even be compared to her home in Inazuma. Still... this is where she will be staying now. Before reaching for her own tea cup, though? She looks at Cloud, canting her head slightly at him with a smile. ]

Did Yoimiya respond to you?

Probably not.

[ He can handle sweet. But it has to be on special occasions. He didn't have a sweeter tooth like Ayaka did. And nobody could compare to Ei's. Don't even try. ]

I'll try a sip or two though.

[ Because one never knew until they tried! He thanks her when she presents him with his cup of sencha, deciding to let it sit for a moment until Ayaka's sitting at his side. If they weren't about to have tea, he'd have slipped an arm around her already. But she's instilled Inazuman manners into him quite well! Cloud can be patient. Especially since his phone vibrates in his pocket, almost as if on cue, when Ayaka asks about her home friend. Giving the last message sent a read over, he doesn't respond back just yet. Instead, it's all Ayaka's to take as he hands her his device. ]

Have a look. [ And once he knows Ayaka has his device to read? Then he'll reach for his cup of tea with a calmer smile. ] Think I got her stamp of approval?

[ He has no idea what she sounds like and yet he can hear a voice through her text alone. He closes his eyes and takes a breath in of the tea, filling his lungs and relaxing him further. No one made it quite like Ayaka did. Even without her full set. He takes a sip. ]

[ See? She told you that Yoimiya would find it romantic, Cloud!! Such a silly goose... he had nothing to worry about!

Reading Yoimiya's responses makes her laugh, covering her mouth with a fist, while Cloud goes on ahead with his tea. ]

I must do my best and calm her down the next time we meet. She sounds so excited!

[ But it is a big deal though, Ayaka. And you, yourself, sometimes can't even get over the fact that you have a hot stud for a beau!!

Placing Cloud's phone on her lap first (he's drinking!!), she then reaches for her tea. She blows on it first before taking a sip, a calm smile on her face through it all. ]

I'm very glad, Cloud. I'm very fortunate that I'm able to share more of myself with you like this.

She looks like a bundle of energy. [ He halfheartedly shrugs so as to not disturb his cup of tea in his hands. ] Let alone sounds like it off of text alone.

[ But that's okay. It doesn't bother him any. Especially since Cloud's still allowed to react and work at his own tempo. That, and while she's far more composed and 'elegant' about matters? It's not like Ayaka wasn't a ball of cute energy from time to time either. ~~Or Zack. Zack had energy written all over him.~~ ]

Mm... [ It doesn't make him sad to think about, but by comparison to Ayaka... ~~he has more games that need to come out— I mean SDFJAHK~~ ] I'm glad I get to be here for it all.

Feels like I only just got started with sharing more of me to you...

[ Even if they'd taken that fateful trip back to Nibelheim. Something that was on his mind was how a year had passed Ayaka by, whilst her return to another world brought back her memories of their time spent together with the proverbial snap of a finger. Cloud? Everything he came to understand about his future...and what happened in his past, it all happened off Planet. Who knew where he was going to end up if he were taken back home again?

One thing was certain. This time, he wasn't planning on going back until he either had no choice? Or if he knew for a fact that he had a way back to her. This second chance taught him about everything he could have lost... ]

Yoimiya is very lively, isn't she? Just like the fireworks that she makes.

[ Also so beautiful and colourful. That's Yoimiya! :) ]

I will be there for it all.

[ All the sharing. No matter how long it may take them, she'll be there for Cloud. And if they go their separated ways, she will look forward to the day she gets to see him again, where she can learn more about him and be in his company once more. And when that happens? It would be for good. ]

It needn't be rushed.

[ She'd have gotten a 9 if he were actually playing the game. Ayaka's his only 10. ...or in their special ruleset, 20/20. ]

You're right...

[ Taking another sip of his tea, he leans forward to set it down for the time being, only to lean back and lounge a little more. This was something they didn't get a chance to do much back in Nippon... What with getting used to proper posture and sitting seiza all the time. ]

... feels a little different.

Edited 2023-03-09 07:58 (UTC)

A little... But I don't mind.

[ Holding the teacup up, she hows him the proper way of holding it. ]

I've learned the proper etiquette over teatime here. Saucers must be left on the table. Your thumb must be on top, and two fingers go through the middle of the handle, while the others support underneath the handle.

Huh?

[ Ayaka gets his undivided attention, but he looks confused as he instinctively follows along, picking up his teacup again. Thumb on top. Two fingers through the middle. Others supporting the handle.

...

Wait. ]

Edited 2023-03-09 08:25 (UTC)

[ He's never been a boisterous laugher, but he can't help but this time. A rarity even when it's just the two of them, Cloud lets a soft chuckle escape him. There it was again; a look of adoration in those mako-infused blues of his. The laughter fades as quickly as it comes. ]

Yeah, but... [ With his free hand, in his peripheral he guides it into hers. ] I meant this.

[ Before, he almost didn't notice it, considering how strong their bond was to begin with. And without any Kizuna to alter or shift that bond, all that was left were these true feelings from the heart. Of course any time he held her, his heart raced. Of course every time he kissed her, sparks would fly in his head. But after getting settled in with this world, and the one crucial condition to maintaining oneself here sinking in, simple as it sounded on the surface... ]

How "touch" is what's supposed to keep us alright in this place.

[ But more interesting, was how good it felt. Not necessarily in any kind of sinful way (~~they'll figure THAT out eventually.~~) But it left him with a fuzzy feeling. Even fuzzier than normal whenever Ayaka was involved. ]

[ He just- he just laughed at her! Ayaka's jaw doesn't drop or anything, but she stares at him, mouth agape as a soft "ah!" escapes her. It doesn't take long for her cheeks to turn pink either, far too embarrassed that she didn't understand what he meant right away.

Still...! ]

So rude!

[ >:T Not that Ayaka could ever be truly mad at Cloud, but it is more embarrassing that she misunderstood him because he laughed! It has been such a long, long, long time since Ayaka puffed her cheeks and looked remotely angry at someone, but she does now, but is fortunately halted when Cloud takes her free hand.

It is not just the usual feeling of comfort that Ayaka feels when their palms touch, but something more. Much more, that she cannot deny what he is trying to say. Her heart is racing, and she feels so light. Her puffy cheeks are gone in an instant, nothing but wonder left in the white heron's expression now. ]

Do you feel it? That... euphoric rush... It feels amazing.

[ Not at her! But he supposes he should have been more specific. He can't say that he would like to repeatedly make her cheeks puff the way they do while she's blushing. But it's also an expression he won't soon forget any time soon. ~~So this is the fabled bullying™ he's heard so much about.~~ Hand in hand with Ayaka, he can feel his skin tingle, the finest hairs along his arms standing up. ]

Yeah...that. It's different from Kizuna. [ But she already described it best. ] "Euphoric" sounds about right.

[ Cloud's made contact with some others too. With Zack, he felt warm but in a content way. But here, with her palm resting in his, color spreads to his cheeks. ]

'Specially with you.

Perhaps the deeper the bond, the better it feels?

[ Hmm... They'll have to do some research on this, it seems. ]

But I don't know if that has any effect towards the seasons we are said to represent.

Wouldn't be too surprising...

[ It just means he'll have to experiment. High five with varying levels of acquaintances and friends versus high five with his girlfriend. ... Except Ayaka's the only one who gets "extra" care. ]

That's another thing. The Seasonals... [ He'll drink more of his tea shortly. This line of topic leads him to thinking about their predicament. ] You and I woke up in a field of cherry blossoms.

And most cherry blossoms bloom in the Spring.

[ Others might have learned about what season they represent by now. Ayaka? She's in no hurry, but she has a feeling already. ]

Let's go to the library soon. Perhaps we can find books about the Seasons and read up on them.

The more I see them, the more I like them...

[ In more ways than one. Ayaka's had the biggest influence on him in that department. In fact, it may not be very long now before the fruits of his training with Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu ripen. And she can see for herself the kind of impact she's had on his life. ]

Sure. Honestly it's relaxing just thinking about it. [ A beat. Two beats. A squeeze of her hand in his. ] That or it's the "touch".

When we were getting to know each other, I asked what your favourite flower was. You didn't seem very certain when you said sakura, though.

[ But that's okay! Knowing what she knows of him now, it's understandable that he didn't have one or didn't really care to think about it before. She is glad he took an interest in them, though. It's been so fun talking to him about flowers and arrangement. ]

There is also the tea.

[ If he's relaxed and all!! ]

I've had time to think. [ And the right girl that he may never keep his eyes off her. ] And I've got a favorite now.

[ The tea though...that is also good. Even if it's a shortcut of what she would normally prepare. It can never be bad when it's coming from her. ]

Tea, thinkin' of a day reading... [ Strum of his thumb along her hand in his. Okay he underestimated how good this would feel. ] Handholding...

So it really is sakura, then?

[ 'u' she will have to buy some more for his house, then! Normally, it would be a variety of flowers, depending on what is fresh at the store, but if Cloud has a preference, then she will make sure she gets what he likes!! ]

Handholding while reading and drinking tea?

[ ♡~且( o^ ^o) 人(´ω`*)且~♡ ]

Yeah. No doubt.

[ He certainly won't say no to more gifts from her. Especially if he was going to be returning the favor in this world. While he keeps thinking fondly of cherry blossoms, he also doesn't mind other arrangements. Especially now he knows so much more about them thanks to the Hanakotoba book she gifted him a good while ago. ]

Hmm. [ They'll really be multitasking. Can they stay on task if they do it all at once? ] I can swap a hand between tea and a book.

[ Because his hand is on permanent reserve. ]

Me too.

[ She really likes holding his hand, okay!!! This is very, very important.

And right now, this would be when sakura would start dancing around her. Their bond is strong and unbreakable, but it unfortunately doesn't physically manifest anymore in this place. ]

I'll look forward to our trip to the library.

[ May anime and video game logic save their hands from clamminess. ]

Mm. [ Just for that, she's getting a kiss to her bang-covered forehead. ] Just say when.

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