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Post by misui on Jun 17, 2008 13:30:45 GMT -5
The moment their hands met Misui came back to herself, she felt her world shift back to the ground where it usually resided. Her body felt at ease for the time being, it was so hard to dream big, at least for a little girl from the North Pole. So many things were scary and uncertain. While Misui never looked the type to be afraid of man nor beast nor nature the idea of throwing her heart into a relationship made her fidget like a rabbit on the chopping block." My mind says I'm crazy for saying all of that." She admitted with a slight smile, the tiniest upturn of her mouth but it was somewhat forced through her nervousness.
" But my heart says thats how I really feel." Her eyes returned Ryota's gaze and her grip tightened on his large hand. Sure there would be some problems, starting with the distance the relationship would have, the time away Ryota would spend. Would she still love him after months or years away from him? Logic told her no but his eyes said she'd be longing for his return waiting patient as a stone for him to come back to her. Such an odd thing love is, it didn't seem fair to steal the man she felt so much for so soon.
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Post by ryota on Jun 26, 2008 13:05:14 GMT -5
Shortly were Ryota's expectations proven, his suspicions lain to rest. He couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt questioning Misui's honesty, since that quality seemed to be one of the greatest traits about her that he loved. While in reality more of a 'candor' than 'honesty', Ryota found it endearing all the same. He should have known she would speak her mind, not hiding her feelings behind sweet and sugary words. His heart was touched.
A deep breath came and went with a certain revelation, feelings that lay below the surface showing at an inopportune moment. Notions of regret passed through his mind, but his heart insisted he stay by Misui's time. Their time together wouldn't last forever, as much as he could hope and yearn that it did. Instead of letting these feelings tear him away from Misui, he opted for the exact opposite course. Pulling her close, one hand hooked around her waist, the other still tightly grasping that of Misui. Blood rushed to his face, obvious through the pink tones glowing from his full cheeks. His lips pressed against hers, eyes closed from the world.
As much as he wanted to say something existential and philosophic about the fleeting nature of time and their time in each other's arms, he couldn't bring himself to it. It would be impossible without breaking the illusion, since he was certain that the only thing to escape his mouth was a flurry of nervous stutters. His hand drifted up from her side to her cheek, but it was then that Ryota heard from behind a rather shocked voice.
"May I ask what's going on?"
Ryota neither bothered to look or say anything, but his eyes widened considerably. Whoever it was, they had caught them red-handed deviating from the tribe's strong sense of social propriety.
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Post by misui on Jun 27, 2008 11:02:46 GMT -5
Misui felt herself fall into the kiss, the pressure of his lips against hers was sending a giddy flutter through her heart and for once she didn't mind it too much. Her free hand settled on the chest of his parka, the spirits know they'd exchanged small kisses before, pecks on the forehead cheek, where ever else they could but this was different, in a very good way. Thoughts of running away with him came to mind, but there were also images of him staying in the North with her, raising a family alongside her sister, children never having to be alone when they could play with their siblings and cousins in a large loud happy family.
Her sister came to mind again, it was odd to be thinking of Untipai at this point, especially when she was pressed up against Ryota so tightly...
" May I ask what's going on?"
That was when she immediately cut off the kiss and stared wide eyed at her older sister who with her eldest twin nephews' gazed at the pair curiously. The twins looked at one another, giggled and hid behind their mother obviously having meant more than a small shared glance. The older women held her shopping basket in one hand with her remaining one on her hip. An eyebrow was quirked at the two of them, she first scrutinized Ryota then Misui, taking her sweet time in summing them up. " So this is where you've been off to all the time..."
A considerable scarlet tone came to the healers cheeks but she simply nodded, usually she'd be one of the first to head to fisticuffs with her sister but right now she was too embarrassed to do anything of the sort. The silence from the younger woman only urged Unpai to continue. " I don't suppose he's given you a necklace yet?"
If it were possible to become any brighter that was achieved by Misui's already flushed face, she shook her head swallowing her embarrassment and moving away from Ryota enough for her own comfort and chastity though it seemed irrelevant at this point. " He's from the south, I don't believe he even knows about that..." This was when her rebellious nature leeked out, the condescending way Unpai smiled, it was enough to instill a small spark of her old self into her. " Not like it went unnoticed when you had the twins a month after the ceremony."
Now it was Unpai's turn to flush, then scowl. Alright sure what she and her soon to be fiancee had done before the wedding was a little scandalous, but the hadn't been caught nore did they do anything in public.
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Post by ryota on Jun 27, 2008 21:01:26 GMT -5
Nothing like being caught in the act. He only knew the bare basics of northern law, but he was certain of one thing in particular. Ryota knew kissing Misui in public was a bad idea, but the consequences could prove just as disasterous. That is to say, unless he thought quickly. Knowing Ryota, that wasn't likely.
And in typical Ryota fashion, his hand was quick to grasp the hair of his scalp as he sidestepped from Misui, appearing as though he'd broken his mother's favorite heirloom vase. Eyes were wide like the moon, drawn actually to a subtle twitch as they gazed upon Unpai. He didn't even hear what Misui said in response, as the loud drumming of his heartbeat tended to muffle most sounds around him. Spirits help him to think up a good excuse...
"Uh...er..."
Single syllables were all he could say. Not only was he caught off-guard, but he normally spoke like that regardless. The demons of anxiety were not his best friend, no matter how vague and slight the ways they happened to manifest. He tried his best to tame the grimace on his face, while breaking eye contact with Misui's sister.
"What...what if I already do? I just forgot it..."
Ryota's claim would land him not only in the dreaded clutches of commitment, but a web of lies that would entangle him. It would have been better to keep his mouth shut, but that simply wasn't in his nature to leave a question unanswered. His hands quickly shuffled over his body, the pockets of his parka and trousers, handle of the axe hanging from his back, and into an eventual shrug, attempting to be innocent and clueless. It was easy for him to wear his usual guise.
"See? Nothing."
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Post by misui on Jun 30, 2008 11:20:05 GMT -5
Misui pouted and shook her head at her sister, now that the blame had been turned onto her there wasn't much anyone could do about it. Simply huffing the older girl looked away from her headstrong sister, she didn't feel like fighting until she had good enough ammunition to fire back, it would come soon enough. The twins now bored with the exchange began to wanders off only moments before their mother noticed their departure. Sending a stern look to the pair she sighed. " Stay out of trouble, you don't want rumors to spread" Then she departed after the troublesome duo before they got too far away.
Letting out a small breath the younger sister felt some of the tension leave her, though her cheeks continued to flush. It was true that they weren't engaged, but for how long would Ryota stay around the North Pole, It wasn't like they could just cast everything aside and stay together. Keeping her hands one over the other at her front she attempted to relax, or at least think of something to say to Ryota, nothing sounded reassuring or comforting.
" She is right though......" She finally managed to say keeping her eyes on the retreating figure of her sister and nephews. " It's improper to be acting like this..." It wasn't like she regretted it, there was a tight knot in her mind telling her this was wrong, that she should go home and forget about it until there was a pendant rested snuggly against her neck.
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Post by ryota on Jul 2, 2008 12:54:00 GMT -5
Apparently Misui's sister knew a ruse when she saw one. Pity. It wasn't a big deal, as Misui's retort seemed to have a much deeper effect than anything Ryota could say. Then again, he supposed knowing someone all their lives like that would grant someone such knowledge, to rightly point out unflattering facts if needed. It wasn't very kind of Misui to do so, but Unpai didn't exactly bake them cookies herself. Maybe she deserved it.
There may have been a ton of options, plenty of things to say at that moment, but Ryota truly was at a loss. Handfuls of nervous habits made them known, fingers grasping hair, eyes shifting left to right, mouth pursing and wincing. His only reply was a simple nod and gentle hum.
What can I do?
He was sure there was no short supply of the stones they used for betrothal pendants, but to buy one was such a great step. Ryota wasn't going to be with Misui forever, at least not until the war ended, and to promise her his future...well, the idea made him tense. Sure she was a great girl and they shared an equal fondness, but he was riddled with uncertainty. Never before had he needed guidance like this.
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Post by misui on Jul 2, 2008 14:41:01 GMT -5
Misui's head turned toward Ryota, he didn't say anything, not a word. Honestly it wasn't very encouraging at all. She wound up starring at the floor, feeling foolish for falling in head over heel so quickly. Maybe she was just feeling her age, beginning to understand the desperation older women found when they found themselves twenty and unmarried. With a sigh she knew that this was most likely the cause of her spirits-may-care attitude.
Regrettably she admitted that this most likely wasn't love, she just made herself think it was. Logic seeped it's way into her heart, her mind was confused, her heart whined, wanting to stay with Ryota but being caught in the act force it to reconsider it's motives. Her hands craved to be in his, her lips begged to be pressed against his once more, there was nothing she could do.
Her arms went around herself in a tight hug, there was little she could do to remedy the situation. The sooner Ryota left the better, she could forget this silly childish notion of finding love so suddenly. " Perhaps we should stop seeing one another..." The words left her mouth so automatically she almost didn't comprehend that she was speaking at all.
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Post by ryota on Jul 3, 2008 23:12:03 GMT -5
What happened? How did that happen so fast? Ryota was left almost in bewilderment as Misui said those fateful words. To have seen their bonds of affection, so unbreakable, shattered in instants was heart-breaking. In fact, it almost brought him to tears. Yet, the glassy mirror of his cerulean pools told no lies. His feelings weren't hidden.
"Misui," he spoke softly, saying to himself the name he didn't want to lose. Again he spoke her name in a louder tone, following the healer at the slowest pace, voice raised to reach her ears and grab her attention. Ryota just knew, he could tell the right words would mend every wound, would draw them back to each other's arms. To make a promise of marriage would bind their souls forever, and life would bloom with happiness. He hoped. He could only hope...
Stepping toward her, he sighed; "Do you really want that yet? So soon...?"
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Post by misui on Jul 4, 2008 11:03:47 GMT -5
Her hands folded into her own sleeves, she began to walk away, again no response, she should expect as much, after all, this was a game of make believe. It was almost enough to make her cry like a little girl but she was a woman, she'd not drop herself to that level.
At her back she heard Ryota calling her name, she stopped quietly mulling over her own thoughts, feelings, emotions, it was confusing. Usually she knew what she wanted in life, or at least went with the flow. She didn't want to force a relationship that may or may not be there. This whole situation was improper. Something someone of the lowest classes would do, her family was a far cry from royalty but they had their pride and their sensibilities. Was she throwing this all out?
" It's difficult, the war is still going on, you'll be leaving soon. I don't see the point in this sort of torture." Misui turned enough to see him and something of his profile. So what if they got married he might not come back from war, he might not come back to the North, she might loose the feelings she had. So much was up in the air it seemed easiest to just forget.
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Post by ryota on Jul 4, 2008 16:22:32 GMT -5
"But," Ryota said, almost humming that lone syllable to himself like a child. A young one would likely repeat the same word over and over to plead their point, but Ryota kept finding more of a reason to persist. As far as he was concerned, Misui was a real catch. Yet he didn't want to seem like a stalker. If only she would allow more chances for him, no...them.
The final step of Ryota's jaunt toward Misui ended with a slide, though he was able to maintain his balance even as his feet caused him to careen on the ice past Misui's slow pace. It was a bit of a rush, but that wasn't his greatest concern. It could be comical how little he cared that he almost fell flat on his face.
"Please, listen." He said to her, ready to follow if she kept on walking. She seemed firm in her resolve, but there was no chance she too would give up and let go entirely. She had to still hold a fondness in her heart. "Don't call it 'torture'. I know I'll leave soon, but..."
Excuses flooded his mind, from the practical to the fanciful to the just plain absurd. He was fully prepared to give up everything just to stay behind in Shai City, if only for the prospect of being with her. Ryota was certain he could make his way if love was the goal. But that was starting to seem like a stretch. "What if..."
He sighed, ready to make a claim that would surely land him in over his head. But did he care? "What if I promised myself to you, that I would return, that I would never forget you. What would you think? Have faith in me, please."
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Post by misui on Jul 4, 2008 20:27:12 GMT -5
So many things flew threw her mind, it was dizzying to even think about, what if he didn't return as he promised, what if they lost their fondness for one another, it had only been days they were together, not years. Her expression was somewhat pained as she watched him not knowing what would be the correct answer to her problem, well...... their problem.
Ryota nearly slipped as he passed her and she had to keep herself in place, to not run over near him and see if he was okay but her will kept her still. It was so hard to pull herself away from him. She'd make herself do it though, it would hurt less when he left.
Her lips pursed and she looked up at Ryota with her baby blues gazing hopelessly into his, already her stomach was in knots and she found it oh so hard to breath or think. Everything felt so hopeless, she didn't want it to be that way. So badly she wanted a life with this man, but her mind told her she wanted a life with any man, Ryota was just in the right place as the right time, there wasn't love to blame or spirits influence, that was logics take on it.
" Theres no guarantee, theres no way to even predict that you'd ever come back to the North... The world outside the city is a dangerous place." Misui held her head tall and even with him, she was a proud woman, even he couldn't doubt the truth in her statement. Many warriors were lost in each battle, many more would meet their demise in the coming months. Not much could he said about that.
" I'd love to be your bride and I'd love to throw everything away but it just wouldn't work, theres no point in that when so much would be lost to achieve something so selfish." Her shoulders slumped looking at Ryota, her works were harsh and brutal, it might hurt him but she knew these were facts, she never pulled her punches. " How do you even know this would last?"
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Post by ryota on Jul 7, 2008 2:15:07 GMT -5
As down-to-earth as Misui always made herself out to be, there was a downside. She pointed out things so plainly, so realistically that sugary sweet notions of romance couldn't hold a candle. It was more than a little disappointing to hear her voice what was ostensibly in her heart, her own words trying to convince her not to follow her short-term dreams. Even though Misui's core intentions were much like his own, Ryota slumped his shoulders and looked to the floor. Her closing statement aimed to seal the deal, so to speak.
"I don't," Ryota sighed, trailing off to a dejected silence. As with Misui, Ryota was telling the whole truth in those two words. He really didn't know, and doubt was creeping into his mind. Where his heart once fluttered with dreams of love, it now felt like a stone sinking to the darkest blue depths, never to be seen again. Knowing full well he wanted Misui more than anything else, Ryota felt desperation kicking in.
Nearby lay a beautiful fountain, ornately crafted from ice with a lovely reflective pool rippling from showers of water vaulting high into the air and down again. Within eyeshot of the structure, hearing clearly the spattering of water, Ryota walked ahead of Misui and squinted his eyes for a better look. Almost with hesitation, he looked her in the eye, grabbed her hand, and squeezed longingly before letting go and beckoning her to follow. "Come with me."
On the way, to make for a more tender setting, he would turn around and look at her. Even going so far as to walk backward in short bouts, making sure his eyes never left contact with hers for too long. "Hear me out. I can promise you one thing. What if..."
Rubbing the back of his head, he felt a familiar tingle rushing to the surface of his skin. No doubt the caramel shade of his skin burned with rosy tones, but the fact he was rubbing the back of his head absently showed he would follow with words nothing less than poignant. a handful of gestures only could make it more moving. "A year we can both wait. Just one whole year after I leave. You and I both can both count the days. I don't know about you, but there'll be one person on my mind that whole time..."
Smiling, his edict seemed to take a dive toward irrelevance. He would need to change courses if he wanted Misui to take him seriously. But as though his thoughts were rehearsed, he seemed so oddly fluent in all that he said to her. Maybe he was growing more comfortable in her presence. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to return. The world's smaller than you think. I've been out there two whole years and I don't have a mark on me...so I think I can last another year without losing any important body parts."
Briefly breaking eye contact, he brushed an errant strand of hair from his eyes. The fountain was no no more than a body's length away, but nonetheless served as a fine backdrop for what Ryota had to say.
"Misui. If the war's not over by then, I'll gladly lay down my sword, er...," he paused to lay his hand on his axe's grip, remembering his weapon wasn't quite the same as it was when he arrived. No matter. "I'll lay down my axe just to be with you. I think life in Shai City would be just great. What do you say?"
Then came a rather sincere grin, which he was sure she would appreciate.
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Post by misui on Jul 7, 2008 9:56:48 GMT -5
Misui watched Ryota carefully, he was becoming just as dejected as she was now, selfishly she enjoyed bringing him down to her level, to make him understand but she was guilty as well. Hurting him that way, she could cry though she would never allow herself to do so. It was a struggle to have her mind and her heart set on such drastically different goals. Her mind was only winning out because Misui knew what it would bring, the tale of love and romance her heart spun was full of risks chances and unsure circumstances she didn't want to consider.
When he finally admitted that he didn't know what would come of this she felt like the deal was sealed, that was the end of the conversation. Closing her eyes and collecting herself she made a move to walk away, forget all this silliness and go back to her life, no doubt he was to blame for her dull drums in the first place. Notions of love and romance making the rest of her life unbearable and bleak. She'd have been better served to let the whole matter go in the first place.
Before she could even take a few steps her hand was snagged by the husky warrior, her head turned and her eyes stared into his curious of his motives, surely this was a last ditch effort but she'd be wrong to say she didn't want him to keep trying. She knew how obstinate she could be, having some one pull her by her heels might be just what she needed. As his fingers pulled away from hers she felt her hand involuntarily attempt to keep him in her grasp, disappointment washed over her when the contact was lost. Now a slow blush spread across her features. One more chance wouldn't hurt...
Cautiously she followed Ryota, her gaze going from him to the side to the fountain before returning to him, she couldn't keep her attention on any one thing for too long, especially not Ryota, she had to be careful, least what ever enchantments befall her before returned. Finally when he started to walk backwards she allowed herself a long gaze of the man. He was trying so hard, why couldn't she do the same.
A sly smile fell over her for a moment, she dropped her head and closed her eyes not knowing if she should laugh cry or slap him, his words were.. not exactly what she wanted to hear but to stand and watch in judgment of his effort would be foolish.
Lightly her brow twitched as she attempted to contain herself but it was so hard. She was nineteen years old, still a teenager, not yet made a woman still a far cry from a girl. Always she's tried to hard to be grown up, feeling decades past her own age. She'd always taken a large role in raising her family but perhaps now that they were self sufficient being childish wouldn't hurt. " I don't know what more I can honestly ask of you..."
Tears pricked her eyes and slid down her caramel stained cheeks as she all but through her arms around the large man, what more could she do while he was standing there, smiling like an idiot who had all the answers. Her face pressed into his chest and shoulder, she didn't care who was watching anymore. Why should the presences of vows and a token of subservance be the dividing factor for a couple. He was an idiot but she'd already admitted spending her life with him wouldn't be the worst fate to befall her. She wanted it, there was a time for proper logic and there was a time to let it go.
She had to let go.
With a nod Misui pulled away from him enough to look up at his face. Not a thing came to her mind that she could say, for someone so opinionated being speechless was a large step, not that she didn't have anything to say. Pushing her self up on the balls of her feet Misui's lips found Ryota's and she allowed them to linger there for a while. " I will wait, as long as I need to.. " She found a small smile as she pulled back from him settling her feet back on the floor. " Even if you come back in peices."
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Post by ryota on Jul 7, 2008 15:44:09 GMT -5
As Misui's arms draped around him, he took much of the same liberties as his hands hooked behind her waist. Body heat merged with his own, causing sensations of warmth in more ways than just one. Another gentle kiss made his world feel at ease all over again.
How nice it felt for his words to be heeded, for his thoughts to actually matter and make a difference in Misui's life. Whether she spoke sincerely or not - and being Misui, who ostensibly had no need to hide her feelings, she probably had - Ryota felt a distinctive closure as she reassured him in her own unique way.
Now came the time to look for a way, some tangible way to show his promise wasn't just hot air. For a while he pondered a more traditional route, much like he had explained - or rather, rationalized to Unpai just to prevent her from prying further into their business. He was sure she would love a necklace, but he knew he'd need would need a more constant reminder. It wasn't as though he'd forget Misui even if they went seperate ways without a word, but to see such a fond reminder each day would remind him of his weighty declaration of love.
Although her agreements had led him away to oblivious bliss for a bit, he quickly snapped back into consciousness before Misui could really a chance to worry. Surely she wouldn't know what he was planning behind those eyes. Tightening his grip around her waist, he hoisted her up onto the lip of the fountain, meanwhile hoping strongly she didn't slip and fall. Letting go, he looked up to her and smiled. "That's all I need to hear."
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Post by misui on Jul 8, 2008 7:13:04 GMT -5
"Good" Misui smiled warmly at the man, perhaps this would work, she left an arm on his as he carefully set her onto the fountain, once she was balanced she carefully took her hands back setting them on her thighs and watching Ryota's face lovingly. He was so plain and open with his emotions, she enjoyed it immensity, It would be strange to miss something you'd only known for a short while, but then again it wouldn't be the first time she'd lost something she'd only known briefly.
Maybe she could do something for him before he left, she didn't know what thought, as much as she hated to admit it she may have to ask other women for their assistance in gathering information on something acceptable for the job. Gossip was something she found to be quite annoying given the chance for it to be.
A necklace might do the trick, not like an engagement pendant, it would be difficult to carve anything given her lack of experience. Her younger brother knew enough though, she might wrangle him into helping, it would be hard to do so without telling him the hole truth. Maybe she could sew him something, it would need to be something she could make quickly though, a parka wouldn't get much use in the earth kingdom so she heard.
Leaning foreward her lips brushed against his cheek bringing a wider smile to her face. It might be a bit inappropriate to be doing this but once you put all that out of mind this had to have been the best time she'd had in a while. Forgetting about the war was easy with him, logic be damned. Sitting near the fountain with someone who valued you drove the cold away, the soft splatter of the water made it feel even more like a private world that was impenetrable. There was just Ryota and Misui easing through the time they had left together.
[misui out]
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