三 -- path of beasts, indeed [video]
[ The near constant rain reminds Mukuro, at times, of intervals in Brescia during his childhood -- although it is somewhat different, all things considered. Say what you will about the hyperbolic metaphor of cats and dogs (or even frogs, in the more miraculous cases), but Italy’s rains were never given to schools of fish. What a strange world this continues to be, even by Mukuro’s own standards.
It’s been a long time -- many years in fact, when he was less than half of his present age-- since Mukuro has been required to travel like this, on the road and in the wilderness. It’s different now, in the absence of Ken and Chikusa, and with other matters making him more -- shall we say, compromised, than he would like. But there is no point in drawing comparisons, is there?
The cave, at least, has been adequately crossed, and, at present, Mukuro and Chrome have lately finished setting up their tent for the evening.
(Neither is watching the PokeGear because neither intends for this event to be broadcast, but so it happens sometimes when you have a horde of rowdy, semi-sentient creatures nosing into your technology.)
It’s still raining outside, and the water striking the exterior of the tent can be heard, muffled, over the device.
It’s Chrome who speaks first, stretched out on the floor of the tent in her nightgown, her head resting contently on Mukuro’s thigh. She’s on her back, facing him, and smiling softly. Her eyepatch lay forgotten on the floor, though within arm’s reach, and she looks more peaceful than many have probably ever seen her ]
Mukuro-sama? Are you alright, traveling like this? [Because Chrome knows too that it’s been quite some time since Mukuro has even seen the outdoors, much less had to travel it]
I’ve little choice in the matter, it would seem.
[ A quiet laugh, as ever. As if this were a sort of joke. But that’s really nothing new. ]
I’m sorry. [An empty sort of apology, though she does feel bad. If this place hadn’t taken away everything from them this entire journey could be over much quicker.
She says nothing more for a moment, simply enjoying the other’s presence and after a moment she rises just enough to undo her hair from the pineapple-style she favored to get more comfortable. She was completely at ease with him, despite the initial awkwardness of meeting her ‘master’ in the flesh, and not just a very real illusion.]
But it must be nice, a little bit. You can actually feel the sun again, and enjoy things without a fake body. Right?
[ And Mukuro reflects: She apologizes, as if she has caused this situation, or as if this is something more than everyone within the vicinity who is travelling (and there would seem to be many) is experiencing, which of course it is not. How strange you still are to him sometimes, Chrome. But perhaps it is an understandable response. What he undergoes is no more or less than what anyone does, but for one who has always seen himself as above such distinctly mortal, mundane limitations --
When Chrome undoes her hair, Mukuro cards his fingers through the place where the tuft had been. (He much prefers it up, you know, but he supposes he can understand how sleeping would be easier this way) In truth, he’s a little less certain of what to make of the change in his situation with her, and with his plans, which are now on hold. For Chrome, it is a happy, easy transition. But so far as Mukuro can see, she has no reason to call him master here, and he has no inherent reason to remain with her, beyond that curious familiarity, but he is doing so, regardless. Therefore, perhaps it is pointless to question or re-assess.
So. ]
I could feel the sun were there ever sun out in this place, yes. [ Another laugh. His laughter permeates the conversation, every word; a steady undercurrent. ] You’ve no need to worry, Chrome.
I can’t help it. [She smiles a little, sheepish and largely unaware of his inner thoughts.] I’m sure the sun will be out again soon. And we’re not that much further from Azalea. [She pauses a moment, glancing off in thought; the feeling of Mukuro’s fingers through her hair is another comfort the lulls her further into a lazy contentment like a cat being stroked.] Ah, I wonder is Ciel-san and Sebastian-san have left yet...
[And as soon as the words leave her she regrets them because she knows Mukuro, for whatever his reasons are, isn’t very fond of them (or at least the one of them). Or so his actions have led her to believe. Chrome looks to him, quietly gauging his reaction before she continues on]
Either way, I... I’m very glad you’re here, Mukuro-sama. You were the only person I really hoped to see here. [It’s a quiet admittance, the words “I missed you” unsaid but still there under her words for him]
[ Mukuro does not react at all to her mention of Sebastian and Ciel; he is simply smiling, finger to his chin as if in contemplation of something distant. In truth, he’s not too perturbed by the idea of them, at least not at this very moment -- not now that he’s had time to let it all digest. This may well change when they’re all together sharing the same space, especially if Sebastian’s usual manners remain true, but ah. For now, it’s of no consequence. And Mukuro is more focused on other meetings in Azalea, at any rate. ]
My other student, the more useless one, is also in Azalea. I’m going to see him. [ Granted, Fran is actually very talented, though Mukuro would never say so aloud, but in this world, he has only his charming personality, and. Well. At any rate. ] But, ah. It’s late. Shouldn’t you be getting your rest now?
[ No mention of himself. It’s implied, maybe. But he’s not eager to dwell on the topic of, you know, living like an essentially normal person. ]
Ah, I’m not-- [She begins to say she’s not at all tired, when a yawn forces her to retract that statement. She blushes lightly and pushes herself up to sit--there’s a moment where she actually looks a little disappointed, because she was quite comfortable where she was thankyouverymuch.]
Yes, I am a little tired... [A small sigh as she crawls to where the blankets are, a little make-shift bed area to lay on, and it’s only after she settled herself in that she turns to look at Mukuro again]
O-oh, shouldn’t you be going to sleep soon too? [Trust Chrome to bring it up; she’s concerned with Mukuro’s well-being too]
Shall I keep you company? [ His most ridiculous, closed-eyes grin at this. Not implying anything untoward, just. Deflecting. ] I suppose.
[Chrome blushes, not exactly embarrassed but...well, blushing was something that just came naturally to Chrome when faced with any given situation at any given time.] I would. [A little bold maybe, but she honestly would be comforted by his presence there. It feels natural for him to be there, almost, and she feels decidedly lost and confused if she wakes to find he’s gone already (which is often enough to warrant bringing attention to).
And then, more practically, she continues] With the rain and the cold, it would help to keep both of us warmer. [it’s just a fact. But she does turn away again and curls up then, hiding her reddened face]
Lie down, then. [ And once she has done so, Mukuro pauses a moment, giving her a sort of appraising look -- though it’s really the situation as a whole he’s appraising, because it is still. Rather unusual. But he smooths this particular wrinkle of his consciousness aside for now, once again, and tosses a blanket over Chrome’s shoulders, bundling her pillbug-style before lying down beside her. Were her tuft still in place, it would be peeking out from the top. Mukuro has not yet closed his eyes before he notices Haru and I-pin fluttering over to fall into place on either side of Chrome.
Typical, that. ] Well. [ Nothing witty to say, for once. ]
[She wiggles a bit to turn so she’s facing him, peering up over the top of the blankets. She’s quiet, simply studying him, though her concentration is broken momentarily by the ruffle of feathers around her. Chrome glances to the owls and can’t help but smile. It’s really quite nice to have pokemon that actually, you know, like you. And aren’t constantly trying to peck your hands or wrap you in tentacles.
Thought speaking of pecks... Chrome looks to Mukuro again and rises up just enough to press her lips to his forehead in a brief, chaste kiss--and whatever she was originally going to say is forgotten as her eyes widen in alarm] Mukuro-sama, you’re burning up...!
[There’s a flurry of movement as whatever pokemon was secretly recording them shuts the dex off to see what it can do to help, killing the video feed]
It’s been a long time -- many years in fact, when he was less than half of his present age-- since Mukuro has been required to travel like this, on the road and in the wilderness. It’s different now, in the absence of Ken and Chikusa, and with other matters making him more -- shall we say, compromised, than he would like. But there is no point in drawing comparisons, is there?
The cave, at least, has been adequately crossed, and, at present, Mukuro and Chrome have lately finished setting up their tent for the evening.
(Neither is watching the PokeGear because neither intends for this event to be broadcast, but so it happens sometimes when you have a horde of rowdy, semi-sentient creatures nosing into your technology.)
It’s still raining outside, and the water striking the exterior of the tent can be heard, muffled, over the device.
It’s Chrome who speaks first, stretched out on the floor of the tent in her nightgown, her head resting contently on Mukuro’s thigh. She’s on her back, facing him, and smiling softly. Her eyepatch lay forgotten on the floor, though within arm’s reach, and she looks more peaceful than many have probably ever seen her ]
Mukuro-sama? Are you alright, traveling like this? [Because Chrome knows too that it’s been quite some time since Mukuro has even seen the outdoors, much less had to travel it]
I’ve little choice in the matter, it would seem.
[ A quiet laugh, as ever. As if this were a sort of joke. But that’s really nothing new. ]
I’m sorry. [An empty sort of apology, though she does feel bad. If this place hadn’t taken away everything from them this entire journey could be over much quicker.
She says nothing more for a moment, simply enjoying the other’s presence and after a moment she rises just enough to undo her hair from the pineapple-style she favored to get more comfortable. She was completely at ease with him, despite the initial awkwardness of meeting her ‘master’ in the flesh, and not just a very real illusion.]
But it must be nice, a little bit. You can actually feel the sun again, and enjoy things without a fake body. Right?
[ And Mukuro reflects: She apologizes, as if she has caused this situation, or as if this is something more than everyone within the vicinity who is travelling (and there would seem to be many) is experiencing, which of course it is not. How strange you still are to him sometimes, Chrome. But perhaps it is an understandable response. What he undergoes is no more or less than what anyone does, but for one who has always seen himself as above such distinctly mortal, mundane limitations --
When Chrome undoes her hair, Mukuro cards his fingers through the place where the tuft had been. (He much prefers it up, you know, but he supposes he can understand how sleeping would be easier this way) In truth, he’s a little less certain of what to make of the change in his situation with her, and with his plans, which are now on hold. For Chrome, it is a happy, easy transition. But so far as Mukuro can see, she has no reason to call him master here, and he has no inherent reason to remain with her, beyond that curious familiarity, but he is doing so, regardless. Therefore, perhaps it is pointless to question or re-assess.
So. ]
I could feel the sun were there ever sun out in this place, yes. [ Another laugh. His laughter permeates the conversation, every word; a steady undercurrent. ] You’ve no need to worry, Chrome.
I can’t help it. [She smiles a little, sheepish and largely unaware of his inner thoughts.] I’m sure the sun will be out again soon. And we’re not that much further from Azalea. [She pauses a moment, glancing off in thought; the feeling of Mukuro’s fingers through her hair is another comfort the lulls her further into a lazy contentment like a cat being stroked.] Ah, I wonder is Ciel-san and Sebastian-san have left yet...
[And as soon as the words leave her she regrets them because she knows Mukuro, for whatever his reasons are, isn’t very fond of them (or at least the one of them). Or so his actions have led her to believe. Chrome looks to him, quietly gauging his reaction before she continues on]
Either way, I... I’m very glad you’re here, Mukuro-sama. You were the only person I really hoped to see here. [It’s a quiet admittance, the words “I missed you” unsaid but still there under her words for him]
[ Mukuro does not react at all to her mention of Sebastian and Ciel; he is simply smiling, finger to his chin as if in contemplation of something distant. In truth, he’s not too perturbed by the idea of them, at least not at this very moment -- not now that he’s had time to let it all digest. This may well change when they’re all together sharing the same space, especially if Sebastian’s usual manners remain true, but ah. For now, it’s of no consequence. And Mukuro is more focused on other meetings in Azalea, at any rate. ]
My other student, the more useless one, is also in Azalea. I’m going to see him. [ Granted, Fran is actually very talented, though Mukuro would never say so aloud, but in this world, he has only his charming personality, and. Well. At any rate. ] But, ah. It’s late. Shouldn’t you be getting your rest now?
[ No mention of himself. It’s implied, maybe. But he’s not eager to dwell on the topic of, you know, living like an essentially normal person. ]
Ah, I’m not-- [She begins to say she’s not at all tired, when a yawn forces her to retract that statement. She blushes lightly and pushes herself up to sit--there’s a moment where she actually looks a little disappointed, because she was quite comfortable where she was thankyouverymuch.]
Yes, I am a little tired... [A small sigh as she crawls to where the blankets are, a little make-shift bed area to lay on, and it’s only after she settled herself in that she turns to look at Mukuro again]
O-oh, shouldn’t you be going to sleep soon too? [Trust Chrome to bring it up; she’s concerned with Mukuro’s well-being too]
Shall I keep you company? [ His most ridiculous, closed-eyes grin at this. Not implying anything untoward, just. Deflecting. ] I suppose.
[Chrome blushes, not exactly embarrassed but...well, blushing was something that just came naturally to Chrome when faced with any given situation at any given time.] I would. [A little bold maybe, but she honestly would be comforted by his presence there. It feels natural for him to be there, almost, and she feels decidedly lost and confused if she wakes to find he’s gone already (which is often enough to warrant bringing attention to).
And then, more practically, she continues] With the rain and the cold, it would help to keep both of us warmer. [it’s just a fact. But she does turn away again and curls up then, hiding her reddened face]
Lie down, then. [ And once she has done so, Mukuro pauses a moment, giving her a sort of appraising look -- though it’s really the situation as a whole he’s appraising, because it is still. Rather unusual. But he smooths this particular wrinkle of his consciousness aside for now, once again, and tosses a blanket over Chrome’s shoulders, bundling her pillbug-style before lying down beside her. Were her tuft still in place, it would be peeking out from the top. Mukuro has not yet closed his eyes before he notices Haru and I-pin fluttering over to fall into place on either side of Chrome.
Typical, that. ] Well. [ Nothing witty to say, for once. ]
[She wiggles a bit to turn so she’s facing him, peering up over the top of the blankets. She’s quiet, simply studying him, though her concentration is broken momentarily by the ruffle of feathers around her. Chrome glances to the owls and can’t help but smile. It’s really quite nice to have pokemon that actually, you know, like you. And aren’t constantly trying to peck your hands or wrap you in tentacles.
Thought speaking of pecks... Chrome looks to Mukuro again and rises up just enough to press her lips to his forehead in a brief, chaste kiss--and whatever she was originally going to say is forgotten as her eyes widen in alarm] Mukuro-sama, you’re burning up...!
[There’s a flurry of movement as whatever pokemon was secretly recording them shuts the dex off to see what it can do to help, killing the video feed]