[ EXACTLY!!! ALL OF THAT. there's a lot she forgave him for, in the end. tenjin told her to stay away. to go back to her human life but even then...
she looks up quickly at the word "noctaere". that sounds exactly like the sort of thing he SHOULD be fighting to help people! ]
That, yeah!
[ at the same time, she worries. yato is plenty capable on his own, but he was unstoppable with yukine. his dreamotion swords pale in comparison. she's sure yato knows that even better than she does.
all the same, this seems to follow yukine's guidance. ]
Shadow monsters made of nightmare energy... [ she says to herself. if this is a place of dreams, then couldn't that nightmare energy affect the world? nahida called this place a hypostasis - structured and stable - but now she's wondering if that's true again. this place could be manipulated by that nightmare energy as much as it is by dreamotion. ]
Doesn't that sound like Ayakashi? They were nightmares that fed off bad emotions, too. I haven't heard much about them bothering people but we should fight them, right? Before they do something.
[She's forgiven him for a ton over the course of the year they've known one another. More than she should have, probably. But that's why he lo-- likes her! Because she's such a kind, generous person! Haha~
He's in full agreement that it sounds like the dream equivalent of ayakashi, although he's also aware that she must know that there's some hurdles to tackling them like one another. The lack of Yukine is number one. The unknown factor is number two. The third...]
It does. Like they're counterparts or two halves of the same beings. My worry is that if I couldn't even handle a candy monster, will I be able to take down something fully formed from nightmare energy...? [Yeah, he's having a bit of a crisis of confidence here. And some mild fear to go with it.]
And there's no "we" anything. You-- [He jabs a finger at her nose.] --are going to stay put here if I do decide to go after them. I'm not risking you getting hurt. Or worse. Got it? We don't know what happens if someone is 'killed' here and I'm not about to let you find out.
candy monster did do a number on yato. despite that, ] Things are different now. You know how to use your dreamotion much more compared to then. And maybe you don't have Yukine-kun, but you were a God of War before you were a God of Happiness, right? I've seen you fight. You can do it when you put your mind to it.
[ all that and she gets a FINGER at her nose and told 'NO WE'. there is some logic to it but also? this is not fair. does he think she wants him to find out what it means when someone is 'killed' here? not a chance. she takes his wrist and stands out of her seat. ]
And I'm not letting you go alone, Yato. [ after trying so hard not to fight over romance hypotheticals, this is where they end up. this won't be another yomi incident. everyone else said it's normal for yato to disappear. it won't be normal here. not if she has anything to say about it. ]
[It's just a shame he's done so much to require her forgiveness.
He wishes he had her optimism when it comes to this, but little things like people disparaging his skills and his continued failures against the monsters here have taken its toll on his nigh unshakable confidence.]
O-Of course I was! I know that...! [It's just...] It's a change from what I've known for a thousand years. It takes some adjusting to get used to it. It's not like when I acquire a new shinki - I don't move naturally on my own. I'm not working in tandem with someone.
[In other words, he can't just breeze through things like he has been. He has to be mindful and work at it. He's not surprised when Hiyori takes him by the wrist and rises, eyes following hers with a determined fierceness.]
.....only if you maintain your distance if we encounter anything. No fighting. Someone needs to be able to run for help if I get in over my head. Alright? [Because he won't be allowing another round like with Kugaha, where Hiyori was the main target. He wouldn't be able to stand it if some nightmare monster made her its primary prey instead of him.]
[ it's not a shame to her. without those things, she might not be friends with everyone. she might've gone back to her very normal, very human life.
if he won't have nigh unshakable confidence in himself, then she will. bottom line.
this is new, too. acquiring a new shinki makes him move instinctually? he's not working in tandem with someone, but he can. she's not a sword or anything but her martial arts aren't anything to sneeze at, she thought. ]
If you get in over your head, I'm helping you. I'm not running away to leave you to--
[ fend for himself. suffer alone. die. any of those. ]
I know... I know I'm not as skilled as a fighter as you, and I'm not a shinki who can make borderlines and recite incantations, but I'm not helpless. I'll keep my distance, but I'm fighting if you're in danger. I will not abandon you if you're in trouble.
[Always so full of positivity. Even now, he can't be a hundred percent certain that her remaining with a foot on this side of the shore to be a good thing. He hasn't stopped considering that her being here is a result of that, too.
Yet there's no denying that for him at least, his life is that might better and brighter for her continued presence. That much will never be in contention. Just like how she's maintaining her unwavering faith in him.
Twisting his wrist around, he catches her by the hand, gently. Put all together, it almost feels like he can do anything when she's supporting him like this. Or at least that he can face everything that might come their way. He glances down at their hands, voice quiet.]
Hiyori... You know you don't have to.
[If he can't forcefully convince her, maybe he can at least get her to consider things from his point of view.]
It's not your fighting skills that I'm worried about. It's just... you. Even here, you're still a human facing off against inhuman opponents. We don't know what they might be capable of doing to you. [He reaches up with his other hand, taking hers in both his, mirroring their earlier pose.] I just want you to be safe.
[ there's the smallest waver in her expression when he takes her hand, reminded of fireworks and parade lights. she holds her breath but yato merely looks down at their hands instead of drawing them up between them again.
after that, she can keep thinking clearly.
no, it's not that she isn't considering his point of view. she's considering it very thoroughly in this moment. she's not worried about his fighting skills. she's worried about him, too. who's to say they can't affect gods as much as they can humans? he was brought here, too. they've kept him from summoning sekki.
she clutches his hands back and tells him sincerely, more softly but no less firm, ]
There's no place that I feel more safe than when I'm with you.
[Thankfully either he fails to notice her apprehension or is already adjusting his behavior to account for it, as there's no awkward gesture like at the parade.
The irony is that his feelings are getting more and more muddled by the moment. He wants to keep Hiyori safe, but at the same time he respects her strength and he himself feels better when she's near. But her safety should be his utmost priority, nothing else.
Sighing, he lets all the air out of his lungs, shoulders sagging. A small smile works its way onto his face and he nods, giving her hands a tight squeeze.]
Even if I told you to stay put, you'd still come after me anyway, wouldn't you? Stubborn little... [With a laugh he swings their clasped hands side to side.]
...well, I guess if I do end up going to my doom, at least we'll have a romantically tragic end together?
[ if he expects an answer, she doesn't give one. it sounds like he knows it anyway. what's the point in telling him "yes, I would come after you because I didn't when I should have the first time."
when his dad forced him to stay.
a... romantic... ]
Yato. [ she doesn't blush at the idea of it. she's too busy catching her breath. she keeps their hands motionless and grabs hold of him, searching his face with concern. while she's aware he's joking (?), she can't laugh. or is he? ]
You're not... we, we'll be fine! If things are too dangerous, we'll just leave! Right? You can teleport, and my soul will come back to my body! Nobody is going to--
[ meet their doom. or have a romantic, tragic end.
kofuku tying their plaques.
no. no, no. it's christmas, for goodness sake!! ]
Nothing bad is going to happen, okay? [ dropping his hands for a moment, she darts over to the pile of presents and carries the turtle plush back over and pushes it gently against his chest. ] You're my God of Fortune, so we'll be fine. Don't... say that. You won't go to your doom.
[He knows all too well she would tried to follow him then, too, which thankfully she didn't. It may have been the only thing that kept her out of his dad's wrathful vengeance for as long as she did.
As their hands still, he glances up at her with a wistful smile on his face. It's the kind of closed expression that doesn't belie whether or not his words were intended as a joke or not. Because it was kind of both.]
So you'll come in your spirit form, then? [That seems to relieve him somewhat, until he recalls that'd mean leaving her cord exposed. He shakes his head, frowning.] No, not unless you know how to control it perfectly. I don't want to risk anything happening to you.
[A shuddering sigh escapes from him as he closes his eyes, head shaking. There's no way he's going to allow her to put herself in that kind of danger. Not in the waking world, and certainly not here.]
Hiyori, you... ["Can't possibly know that" is what he wants to say, but she's already gone, returning with Turtle-chan who gets pressed into his arms. He takes her gratefully, hugging the plush to his chest. It feels so warm and full of emotion. Love, he might say, even if it's platonic.] ...yeah. We can always run away. I won't lead either of us to an unfortunate end. What kind of god would I be if I let that happen, huh?
[ control it perfectly? that's asking for too much. she's taking her spirit form. it's faster, stronger, and she can sense things more sharply. it's better than her heavy, human body. and if she's going to continue to not be normal, she can use it to her advantage.
and she does know that. she knows.
for a moment, she watches yato hug the soft toy to his chest and the pressure crushing down on her heart eases. that's better. what kind of god would he be...? it doesn't matter. it won't happen.
hiyori continues to stand there, the hem of her pajama top bunched in her fists. with yato hugging his turtle, she gathers the plates from the table and carries them over to the sink to set them inside gingerly.
that done, within the next second, she all but slams into yato's side. she has her face buried against his back and she hugs turtle-chan from behind him, sandwiching yato between the two of them. it lasts for a few seconds and then she lets go, slipping back. ]
I'm going to get ready for the day. Thank you for breakfast, Yato. It was really good.
[ the sound of her feet shuffle away quickly, down the hall and into the bathroom where the door shuts behind her. ]
[All fair points but still-- He honestly rather she just stayed at home where it's safe, fruitless as that wish is. Maybe she has a point. How many times now has she saved him, anyway...?
It was more of a rhetorical question anyway, so no answer is required on her part. Just like there's none from him as he hugs Turtle-chan, taking comfort in the soft plushness of her fur as he pads after Hiyori like a little kid. There's no real reason for it - he's not pestering her for attention or getting in her way.
Except for when she suddenly rams into him, startling him forward half a step as he glances over his shoulder at her. What...? He's still confused and beginning to blush when she backs up, leaving him hugging his plush even harder.]
Uh... O-Okay. You're welcome. Anytime, just let me know when you want more...
[For several moments after her door clicks shut, he remains rooted in place, staring after her. Then eventually he makes his way back to his own room, still blushing.]
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no subject
she looks up quickly at the word "noctaere". that sounds exactly like the sort of thing he SHOULD be fighting to help people! ]
That, yeah!
[ at the same time, she worries. yato is plenty capable on his own, but he was unstoppable with yukine. his dreamotion swords pale in comparison. she's sure yato knows that even better than she does.
all the same, this seems to follow yukine's guidance. ]
Shadow monsters made of nightmare energy... [ she says to herself. if this is a place of dreams, then couldn't that nightmare energy affect the world? nahida called this place a hypostasis - structured and stable - but now she's wondering if that's true again. this place could be manipulated by that nightmare energy as much as it is by dreamotion. ]
Doesn't that sound like Ayakashi? They were nightmares that fed off bad emotions, too. I haven't heard much about them bothering people but we should fight them, right? Before they do something.
no subject
He's in full agreement that it sounds like the dream equivalent of ayakashi, although he's also aware that she must know that there's some hurdles to tackling them like one another. The lack of Yukine is number one. The unknown factor is number two. The third...]
It does. Like they're counterparts or two halves of the same beings. My worry is that if I couldn't even handle a candy monster, will I be able to take down something fully formed from nightmare energy...? [Yeah, he's having a bit of a crisis of confidence here. And some mild fear to go with it.]
And there's no "we" anything. You-- [He jabs a finger at her nose.] --are going to stay put here if I do decide to go after them. I'm not risking you getting hurt. Or worse. Got it? We don't know what happens if someone is 'killed' here and I'm not about to let you find out.
no subject
candy monster did do a number on yato. despite that, ] Things are different now. You know how to use your dreamotion much more compared to then. And maybe you don't have Yukine-kun, but you were a God of War before you were a God of Happiness, right? I've seen you fight. You can do it when you put your mind to it.
[ all that and she gets a FINGER at her nose and told 'NO WE'. there is some logic to it but also? this is not fair. does he think she wants him to find out what it means when someone is 'killed' here? not a chance. she takes his wrist and stands out of her seat. ]
And I'm not letting you go alone, Yato. [ after trying so hard not to fight over romance hypotheticals, this is where they end up. this won't be another yomi incident. everyone else said it's normal for yato to disappear. it won't be normal here. not if she has anything to say about it. ]
no subject
He wishes he had her optimism when it comes to this, but little things like people disparaging his skills and his continued failures against the monsters here have taken its toll on his nigh unshakable confidence.]
O-Of course I was! I know that...! [It's just...] It's a change from what I've known for a thousand years. It takes some adjusting to get used to it. It's not like when I acquire a new shinki - I don't move naturally on my own. I'm not working in tandem with someone.
[In other words, he can't just breeze through things like he has been. He has to be mindful and work at it. He's not surprised when Hiyori takes him by the wrist and rises, eyes following hers with a determined fierceness.]
.....only if you maintain your distance if we encounter anything. No fighting. Someone needs to be able to run for help if I get in over my head. Alright? [Because he won't be allowing another round like with Kugaha, where Hiyori was the main target. He wouldn't be able to stand it if some nightmare monster made her its primary prey instead of him.]
no subject
if he won't have nigh unshakable confidence in himself, then she will. bottom line.
this is new, too. acquiring a new shinki makes him move instinctually? he's not working in tandem with someone, but he can. she's not a sword or anything but her martial arts aren't anything to sneeze at, she thought. ]
If you get in over your head, I'm helping you. I'm not running away to leave you to--
[ fend for himself. suffer alone. die. any of those. ]
I know... I know I'm not as skilled as a fighter as you, and I'm not a shinki who can make borderlines and recite incantations, but I'm not helpless. I'll keep my distance, but I'm fighting if you're in danger. I will not abandon you if you're in trouble.
no subject
Yet there's no denying that for him at least, his life is that might better and brighter for her continued presence. That much will never be in contention. Just like how she's maintaining her unwavering faith in him.
Twisting his wrist around, he catches her by the hand, gently. Put all together, it almost feels like he can do anything when she's supporting him like this. Or at least that he can face everything that might come their way. He glances down at their hands, voice quiet.]
Hiyori... You know you don't have to.
[If he can't forcefully convince her, maybe he can at least get her to consider things from his point of view.]
It's not your fighting skills that I'm worried about. It's just... you. Even here, you're still a human facing off against inhuman opponents. We don't know what they might be capable of doing to you. [He reaches up with his other hand, taking hers in both his, mirroring their earlier pose.] I just want you to be safe.
no subject
after that, she can keep thinking clearly.
no, it's not that she isn't considering his point of view. she's considering it very thoroughly in this moment. she's not worried about his fighting skills. she's worried about him, too. who's to say they can't affect gods as much as they can humans? he was brought here, too. they've kept him from summoning sekki.
she clutches his hands back and tells him sincerely, more softly but no less firm, ]
There's no place that I feel more safe than when I'm with you.
no subject
The irony is that his feelings are getting more and more muddled by the moment. He wants to keep Hiyori safe, but at the same time he respects her strength and he himself feels better when she's near. But her safety should be his utmost priority, nothing else.
Sighing, he lets all the air out of his lungs, shoulders sagging. A small smile works its way onto his face and he nods, giving her hands a tight squeeze.]
Even if I told you to stay put, you'd still come after me anyway, wouldn't you? Stubborn little... [With a laugh he swings their clasped hands side to side.]
...well, I guess if I do end up going to my doom, at least we'll have a romantically tragic end together?
no subject
when his dad forced him to stay.
a... romantic... ]
Yato. [ she doesn't blush at the idea of it. she's too busy catching her breath. she keeps their hands motionless and grabs hold of him, searching his face with concern. while she's aware he's joking (?), she can't laugh. or is he? ]
You're not... we, we'll be fine! If things are too dangerous, we'll just leave! Right? You can teleport, and my soul will come back to my body! Nobody is going to--
[ meet their doom. or have a romantic, tragic end.
kofuku tying their plaques.
no. no, no. it's christmas, for goodness sake!! ]
Nothing bad is going to happen, okay? [ dropping his hands for a moment, she darts over to the pile of presents and carries the turtle plush back over and pushes it gently against his chest. ] You're my God of Fortune, so we'll be fine. Don't... say that. You won't go to your doom.
no subject
As their hands still, he glances up at her with a wistful smile on his face. It's the kind of closed expression that doesn't belie whether or not his words were intended as a joke or not. Because it was kind of both.]
So you'll come in your spirit form, then? [That seems to relieve him somewhat, until he recalls that'd mean leaving her cord exposed. He shakes his head, frowning.] No, not unless you know how to control it perfectly. I don't want to risk anything happening to you.
[A shuddering sigh escapes from him as he closes his eyes, head shaking. There's no way he's going to allow her to put herself in that kind of danger. Not in the waking world, and certainly not here.]
Hiyori, you... ["Can't possibly know that" is what he wants to say, but she's already gone, returning with Turtle-chan who gets pressed into his arms. He takes her gratefully, hugging the plush to his chest. It feels so warm and full of emotion. Love, he might say, even if it's platonic.] ...yeah. We can always run away. I won't lead either of us to an unfortunate end. What kind of god would I be if I let that happen, huh?
no subject
and she does know that. she knows.
for a moment, she watches yato hug the soft toy to his chest and the pressure crushing down on her heart eases. that's better. what kind of god would he be...? it doesn't matter. it won't happen.
hiyori continues to stand there, the hem of her pajama top bunched in her fists. with yato hugging his turtle, she gathers the plates from the table and carries them over to the sink to set them inside gingerly.
that done, within the next second, she all but slams into yato's side. she has her face buried against his back and she hugs turtle-chan from behind him, sandwiching yato between the two of them. it lasts for a few seconds and then she lets go, slipping back. ]
I'm going to get ready for the day. Thank you for breakfast, Yato. It was really good.
[ the sound of her feet shuffle away quickly, down the hall and into the bathroom where the door shuts behind her. ]
no subject
It was more of a rhetorical question anyway, so no answer is required on her part. Just like there's none from him as he hugs Turtle-chan, taking comfort in the soft plushness of her fur as he pads after Hiyori like a little kid. There's no real reason for it - he's not pestering her for attention or getting in her way.
Except for when she suddenly rams into him, startling him forward half a step as he glances over his shoulder at her. What...? He's still confused and beginning to blush when she backs up, leaving him hugging his plush even harder.]
Uh... O-Okay. You're welcome. Anytime, just let me know when you want more...
[For several moments after her door clicks shut, he remains rooted in place, staring after her. Then eventually he makes his way back to his own room, still blushing.]