[She doesn't think Higekiri would be familiar with the details she'd have to dig into, so she decides to leave it vague.]
He made a lot of choices that hurt me and my family. And we thought it was going to get better after he had... kind of a wake up call, because those choices almost killed him. But, then he just kept on making those choices. So I decided - it would be easier to think of it like he really did die. You know...?
[ . . . he just makes a soft noise in response to that before leaning over, closer toward her so that he can press a kiss to the top of her head, gentle]
You had to find a way to protect yourself, instead of letting yourself continue to be hurt... isn't it?
[he'll just rest his head atop hers, humming faintly]
... an old myth, I suppose - or it could be truth. When my brother and I were forged, his sword was longer than mine even though we were meant to be created from the same amount of steel - and my smith was imprisoned. So he prayed to the gods to prove his innocence -
And so I was bestowed the power to cut my brother down to equal length.
Tomokiri, they named me afterward - Friend Cutter.
no subject
I'll extend my gratitude to you as well.
I'm relieved to know that you will be safe this week regardless.
no subject
[It's then that she sits up slightly, pulling the sheets up with her so she's covered.]
Are you hungry? I could go for some pancakes.
no subject
but like
he's pausing]
... pancakes do sound good. I have not had them very often...
no subject
Does something else sound better?
no subject
no subject
No, go ahead. What is it?
no subject
You - had something here...
no subject
Oh my god. I... I promise, there's an explanation that doesn't make me seem like a total asshole.
[Maybe.]
no subject
I do not think that you are.
[and he sounds sincere about it?]
no subject
[Which doesn't quite make it easier to know where to start. That might be why she's running a hand over her face, sighing.]
no subject
[he tilts his head, still not judging]
Whenever you feel is comfortable. We have time.
no subject
[She doesn't think Higekiri would be familiar with the details she'd have to dig into, so she decides to leave it vague.]
He made a lot of choices that hurt me and my family. And we thought it was going to get better after he had... kind of a wake up call, because those choices almost killed him. But, then he just kept on making those choices. So I decided - it would be easier to think of it like he really did die. You know...?
no subject
You had to find a way to protect yourself, instead of letting yourself continue to be hurt... isn't it?
no subject
[She blinks a few times, but—]
What does yours mean?
no subject
... an old myth, I suppose - or it could be truth. When my brother and I were forged, his sword was longer than mine even though we were meant to be created from the same amount of steel - and my smith was imprisoned. So he prayed to the gods to prove his innocence -
And so I was bestowed the power to cut my brother down to equal length.
Tomokiri, they named me afterward - Friend Cutter.
no subject
But that was before you were... Like this, wasn't it? I mean, you didn't exactly have a choice.
no subject
[ . . . ]
Or so I had thought... But if it's a mark on my body in this way, it is something I ought to feel guilt over, isn't it?
no subject
no subject
[ . . . but regardless he just hums softly]
I suppose I don't know - but I at least don't intend on cutting my friends in the future.
no subject
[She offers him a small smile.]
That's good to hear.
no subject
But I believe that regardless of what we've done in the past, it's important what we choose to do with ourselves now.
no subject
Don't worry about it, I promise.
[But as for what he says next... She gives him a soft smile, and a nod this time around.]
I think so, too. What's that, for you?
no subject
Completing my missions, I suppose.
[he doesn't have aspirations greater than that]
no subject