[Amber: 001]

[hakanai]

[Today Yoshitsugu is regarding the amber with an air of intent, tapping one hand against his facecloth as he speaks (despite the clawed gauntlets he is wearing making this a somewhat hazardous thing to do). What serious matter does he want to address? All will shortly become clear!]

The flow has washed in new souls, the mirror shard is providing new mysteries that may or may not be wise to solve, new beauty blooms beyond the tree and more questions are on everybody's lips. But there is one question I have yet to hear, which is disappointing, so it is now up to me to ask it.

[His tone is even and calm, but the lack of seriousness in the question he is about to ask is betrayed if one really examines the part of Yoshitsugu's face that is visible; there is a certain amused sparkle in his eyes.]

Do you carry a handtowel with you at all times?

[Yoshitsugu is a bit of a mystery all on his own...]

Comments

[handtowels]

[It says something about how deeply he trusts Yoshitsugu that Takatora releases his friend's hands and rolls onto his back. Then again, that head tilt also challenges him to prove his words.]

All right.

[He waits.]

[hakanai]

[Now free to move again, Yoshitsugu sits up and turns himself so he can look over Takatora in a delibrately theatrical manner; almost like he has a great challenge placed before him.]

Step two? Position. Position is key.

[Inside his own head he is laughing as he leans over and begins to (for want of a better word) arrange Takatora, lightly shoving him around and repositioning limbs as he likes.]

[handtowels]

What else would it be?

[Warm-cheeked, Takatora is pliant as Yoshitsugu rearranges his limbs; he is curious to see where his friend is going with this, no matter how ridiculous.

It's not like Yoshitsugu's hands on him is difficult to bear.]

[hakanai]

[How cute. Yoshitsugu's expression did not change a bit, and neither did his tone of voice when he spoke next.]

There are other options that might work even better, but you aren't trained enough for that. [After a moment of thought he pulls Takatora so he is resting on the left side of his body.] This knowledge is perilous enough. If you can master it I might consider opening up further to you.

[There is some further rearrangement of limbs, and even some messing with Takatora's hair that can't have anything to do with getting a comfortable position, until Yoshitsugu pulls back and crosses his arms, apparently finished. He doesn't say anything else yet, however, apparently waiting for Takatora to talk first.]

[handtowels]

[Rather than speak immediately, Takatora laughs at the absurdity of this, his shoulders shaking with mirth.]

So, will I fail if a single hair is out of place? There are standards and then there is an exercise in futility.

[Yet he still remains in place.]

[hakanai]

[One beat, two... and then Yoshitsugu is at Takatora's side, laying down in one swift movement and pulling the other man in so their faces are barely an inch apart (hand remaining in Takatora's clothing after). Yoshitsugu's tone takes on an ominous, dark note as he pulls down his facecloth with his free hand.]

Are you telling me you are not up to this after all?

[But that flower's effects mean his small smile is still present, and it's genuine, somewhat ruining the menacing approach. Yoshitsugu is a mysterious tease with an unusual outlook to life, and hard to read, but he's also still a human man. Some things are impossible to resist (especially with the helping hand of nature's bountiful flora).]

It's too late to back down.

[handtowels]

[Takatora's eyes widen, his heart pounding and his mouth gone suddenly dry. His face feels hot, and there is only one thought in his mind: What is Yoshitsugu doing?!]

I didn't say that.

[He retorts, half-mumbled.]

[hakanai]

[Oh Takatora... it's amazing how such a serious and dedicated warrior can be as dense and amusing as this. Yoshitsugu can't help but laugh before letting go, resisting one urge to give into another.]

How cute.

[He shifts away a little so he can lay on his back, staring up at the tree branches above.]

Step three requires a companion, so it's not always an option.

[And thus part of the reason he drew down his facecloth becomes clear: Yoshitsugu begins to sing. It's an old children's song that hasn't passed his lips since he was a child, and one of only a few without some darker meaning. This one speaks only of falling snow, flowers blooming in trees and a contented cat in its warm place. Perhaps Takatora will remember?]

[Clearly, step three is 'a song to make you sleepy.']

[handtowels]

[...Well, all right then.

Takatora's confusion is momentary; once Yoshitsugu begins singing it quickly fades. Smiling, he closes his eyes and listens intently, nostalgia warming his chest.

He doesn't feel sleepy, but he does feel content. Long before the Azai there was just him and Yoshitsugu, and his own elation banishes the sorrow from that thought.

He'd meet Yoshitsugu's impossible demands for this any day -- a sentiment which goes unvoiced because Takatora has no wish to interrupt.]

[hakanai]

[It's a short song, so Yoshitsugu repeats it a few times before finishing and drawing his facecloth up once more. He doesn't move fully this time, however, remaining on his back and only reaching out a hand to pat Takatora on the head.]

You're doing a good job so far.

[This really is an excellent spot for a nap, but apparently it was also a good place for a spot of nostalgia.]