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[Were it an earlier point in her life, Rose would be out of luck. There’s something about the way Takame leaves abruptly that bothers her. Though she’s not known for outwardly caring for people, she can recognize something of herself in there. There’s a part of her that remembers—-remembers how she fled Fortemps Manor after the Vault.]
[Takame didn’t ask for her help, and he probably doesn’t need it. But Rose hasn’t gotten this far in life caring what others think, and she’s not about to start now. It’s not easy to follow him, and it’s not far in the journey before she has to rely on her “friend.” But, she eventually arrives at his apartment. After taking a moment to sit down and calm down, she knocks on the door.]
Takame, it’s me.
[She pauses and knocks again.]
Listen, I know. I know you’re not fine, and I’m not one of those overbearing assholes that’s going to make you talk about it. But I’m also not going to leave you alone after that. I’m going to stay out here, until you choose to open the door or come out on your own. And if you think I’m joking, I’ll remind you that I once spent an entire winter living in Ishgard.
[Takame didn’t ask for her help, and he probably doesn’t need it. But Rose hasn’t gotten this far in life caring what others think, and she’s not about to start now. It’s not easy to follow him, and it’s not far in the journey before she has to rely on her “friend.” But, she eventually arrives at his apartment. After taking a moment to sit down and calm down, she knocks on the door.]
Takame, it’s me.
[She pauses and knocks again.]
Listen, I know. I know you’re not fine, and I’m not one of those overbearing assholes that’s going to make you talk about it. But I’m also not going to leave you alone after that. I’m going to stay out here, until you choose to open the door or come out on your own. And if you think I’m joking, I’ll remind you that I once spent an entire winter living in Ishgard.
[Thankfully for him, even with Rose's voidsent to assist her Takame had plenty of time to sort through his incoming emotional outburst before she arrived.
Or so he thought. The moment she knocked on his door he felt the panic rise again. He knew that it was kind that she bothered, but he still swore under his breath. Not at her, but at himself for being so pathetic as to not have his emotions in check.
That came with the internal strife that he should no longer hold them back, but he still felt weak having them at all. From outside of the door she may hear a loud thump. The second punch to the wall he's given only muffled by the fact that his earlier punched already left an imprint of his fist in the wall.
There's silence for a long while, save for whispers of Hingan swearing, before the lock on the door is undone and he finally spoke aloud.]
Please come in.
Or so he thought. The moment she knocked on his door he felt the panic rise again. He knew that it was kind that she bothered, but he still swore under his breath. Not at her, but at himself for being so pathetic as to not have his emotions in check.
That came with the internal strife that he should no longer hold them back, but he still felt weak having them at all. From outside of the door she may hear a loud thump. The second punch to the wall he's given only muffled by the fact that his earlier punched already left an imprint of his fist in the wall.
There's silence for a long while, save for whispers of Hingan swearing, before the lock on the door is undone and he finally spoke aloud.]
Please come in.
[Rose nods, trying desperately to hide how cold she is. It is failing. By a lot. Miqo’te don’t have fur and she’s too pampered to be used to the change in temperature.]
[She walks in and immediately heads for the kitchen, where she starts rummaging around. Eventually she finds a kettle and fills it with water.]
That was a colorful choice of words. I hadn’t pegged you for the swearing type.
[She walks in and immediately heads for the kitchen, where she starts rummaging around. Eventually she finds a kettle and fills it with water.]
That was a colorful choice of words. I hadn’t pegged you for the swearing type.
I'm not. Typically... [Well now on top of being post panic, he was embarrassed at his word choice. He did what he could to maintain the image of being calm. His tone was even, if more quiet than normal and his expression was relatively neutral aside from a lightly ashamed pout.
It was in his body the lingering anxiety showed. How his tail was stiff as a board and his hair was loose and, while brushed, the job was hastily done for all the hair he had.
Perhaps being aware of this, he ran a hand through his loose bangs and shifted them behind one of his horns to keep up the appearance. Not even commenting on the fact that Rose started making herself at home but at least he kept the place warm.
He still joined her in the kitchen, pulling tea from a cupboard that would be too tall for her to reach.]
I pray you'll forgive my word choice. And my unacceptable behavior earlier.
It was in his body the lingering anxiety showed. How his tail was stiff as a board and his hair was loose and, while brushed, the job was hastily done for all the hair he had.
Perhaps being aware of this, he ran a hand through his loose bangs and shifted them behind one of his horns to keep up the appearance. Not even commenting on the fact that Rose started making herself at home but at least he kept the place warm.
He still joined her in the kitchen, pulling tea from a cupboard that would be too tall for her to reach.]
I pray you'll forgive my word choice. And my unacceptable behavior earlier.
[Rose nods a thank you as he takes out the tea and sets the pot to boil. After she does, she gives him a once over—-she can’t place it exactly, but he looks uncomfortable. Is it because a certain red-headed miqo’te invaded his living space and is currently making herself at home in his kitchen? Who can say.]
Don’t pay it any mind. I’ve certainly handled myself worse in stressful situations, and I’ve used language that puts yours to shame.
[She motions to the couch. His couch. Because this is his apartment, and she is in here with the barest amount of permission.]
Take a seat. I’ll bring you some tea when it’s finished.
Don’t pay it any mind. I’ve certainly handled myself worse in stressful situations, and I’ve used language that puts yours to shame.
[She motions to the couch. His couch. Because this is his apartment, and she is in here with the barest amount of permission.]
Take a seat. I’ll bring you some tea when it’s finished.
Ah. [Rose didn't seem like much of a swearing type, but at a glance neither did people like Zhian or Alisaie. That said, Takame has all but given Rose absolute control over his apartment.
If anything being able to relinquish that for a moment helped him to relax, even if it was a bad habit.]
Mm, thank you... [He's 100% aware of the silliness of the situation, but nonetheless took a seat on the couch as directed.]
If anything being able to relinquish that for a moment helped him to relax, even if it was a bad habit.]
Mm, thank you... [He's 100% aware of the silliness of the situation, but nonetheless took a seat on the couch as directed.]
[Rose nods as he takes a seat. She follows him shortly with a cup of tea. It's likely not the best he's ever seen, but she tried, at least.]
Here you go. When I was younger, if I was stressed, my mother would often offer me a cup of tea. It helps.
Here you go. When I was younger, if I was stressed, my mother would often offer me a cup of tea. It helps.
[She'll hear no complaint from Takame. Even if the tea wasn't great she still made the effort. Given how hot it was, he didn't sip at it immediately. But he was also half lost in his own mind.]
I see. [He looked down at his cup, briefly reminded of his own mother.] Indeed, a cup of tea does much for an... overwhelmed mind.
I see. [He looked down at his cup, briefly reminded of his own mother.] Indeed, a cup of tea does much for an... overwhelmed mind.
Happy Holiday from Zodiac!
Congratulations! You've been specially selected to take part in our first annual Secret Santa holiday gift exchange! 🎁
This year, you'll be giving a gift to Moxxie! Please try to find a nice gift for them by December 25th! And remember, Secret Santa always works best when it's a surprise!
We highly recommend you participate, as no one wants to suffer on the holidays!
Thank you, and enjoy the season! ☃️
[As usual, any replies will receive no response from Zodiac]
Congratulations! You've been specially selected to take part in our first annual Secret Santa holiday gift exchange! 🎁
This year, you'll be giving a gift to Moxxie! Please try to find a nice gift for them by December 25th! And remember, Secret Santa always works best when it's a surprise!
We highly recommend you participate, as no one wants to suffer on the holidays!
Thank you, and enjoy the season! ☃️
[As usual, any replies will receive no response from Zodiac]
[The text is in two languages: Japanese and English. Yusuke thinks Takame may speak Japanese, but he's not sure so he gets the bilingual text.]
Kesi-san, this is Kitagawa Yusuke from the Libra app. I have a preliminary sketch of those Lords we discussed on New Years Eve, if you'd like to see it.
Kesi-san, this is Kitagawa Yusuke from the Libra app. I have a preliminary sketch of those Lords we discussed on New Years Eve, if you'd like to see it.
[Success!!]
Would you like to see it in person or should I scan it and email it to you?
Would you like to see it in person or should I scan it and email it to you?
[Look.]
Then let's meet at this cafe?
[Insert address here!]
Then let's meet at this cafe?
[Insert address here!]
[At the start of the new year, Takame will hear a lot of honking coming from outside his door. It will persist until he opens the door and finds the goose, with a red bow tied around their neck, standing outside next to a gift basket. It will honk once more before waddling off, leaving the basket.
Attached to the basket is a note reading:]
We're sorry your Secret Santa failed to deliver. We've sent you this gift as an apology. And worry not, your Secret Santa will be dealt with accordingly.
Happy New Years from the fine folks at Zodiac
[Inside the basket he'll find: a bottle of fine rum, a pack of high quality smoked salmon, and a $500 gift certificate to a nearby bookstore.]
Attached to the basket is a note reading:]
We're sorry your Secret Santa failed to deliver. We've sent you this gift as an apology. And worry not, your Secret Santa will be dealt with accordingly.
Happy New Years from the fine folks at Zodiac
[Inside the basket he'll find: a bottle of fine rum, a pack of high quality smoked salmon, and a $500 gift certificate to a nearby bookstore.]
I'll meet you there.
[It took a bit for him to prepare for the cold, but indeed Takame eventually arrived at the cafe in question. With how many layers he'd packed on the only real way to know there was a man under all of them was, well, his tail that still stuck out.
At least these places tended to have coat racks for him to remove the big coat, hat, gloves and scarf. His long and loose hair doubled as a scarf anyway.
Takame only had a vague idea of what Yusuke looked like from... well, the previous filtered post so here was a very hard to miss Au Ra scanning the place for him.]
[It took a bit for him to prepare for the cold, but indeed Takame eventually arrived at the cafe in question. With how many layers he'd packed on the only real way to know there was a man under all of them was, well, his tail that still stuck out.
At least these places tended to have coat racks for him to remove the big coat, hat, gloves and scarf. His long and loose hair doubled as a scarf anyway.
Takame only had a vague idea of what Yusuke looked like from... well, the previous filtered post so here was a very hard to miss Au Ra scanning the place for him.]
[Takame may have been bundled up to the nose but Yusuke...had a light jacket and nothing else.
Also he has two fox tails now. Honestly, it's hard to miss him even if he hadn't been looking for someone looking for him. He stands and waves Takame over.]
Also he has two fox tails now. Honestly, it's hard to miss him even if he hadn't been looking for someone looking for him. He stands and waves Takame over.]
[There are two kinds of people.
Takame didn't mind the tails much, approaching the man waving him over. And being a bit blindsided by the fact his handsome face certainly matched his voice. Still, he gave his standard eastern bow in greeting.]
Yusuke, correct? 'Tis a pleasure to meet you in person. [And sober. Which it was easy to tell he was since during their New Years conversation, a stronger accent was present where here it is not except in the way he said Yusuke's name.]
Takame didn't mind the tails much, approaching the man waving him over. And being a bit blindsided by the fact his handsome face certainly matched his voice. Still, he gave his standard eastern bow in greeting.]
Yusuke, correct? 'Tis a pleasure to meet you in person. [And sober. Which it was easy to tell he was since during their New Years conversation, a stronger accent was present where here it is not except in the way he said Yusuke's name.]
[Look, Yusuke cannot feel cold. It's fine.
He returns the bow with a small smile. (Also damn, Takame is...extremely handsome. And tall.) His tails start to twitch and wag, nearly knocking things off the table.]
Yes, that's me. Please don't mind the, ah, tails, they're a little new.
He returns the bow with a small smile. (Also damn, Takame is...extremely handsome. And tall.) His tails start to twitch and wag, nearly knocking things off the table.]
Yes, that's me. Please don't mind the, ah, tails, they're a little new.
One was bad enough, but I woke up with a second one this morning.
[It's rude. But Yusuke gestures for Takame to take a seat before he pulls out his sketch book and turns to a page to show Takame.
For someone who's never seen them and is working off a drunk man's sketches, the Lords are looking pretty damn good!]
How do they look?
[It's rude. But Yusuke gestures for Takame to take a seat before he pulls out his sketch book and turns to a page to show Takame.
For someone who's never seen them and is working off a drunk man's sketches, the Lords are looking pretty damn good!]
How do they look?
[Meh, tails are nice until they give your emotions away.
But Takame could do little more than stare in awe at just these primary sketches. Color him impressed.]
They look remarkable. You have incredible talent to have depicted them so well from the crude sketches I gave.
But Takame could do little more than stare in awe at just these primary sketches. Color him impressed.]
They look remarkable. You have incredible talent to have depicted them so well from the crude sketches I gave.
I took commissions when I was in college to help pay for my supplies. Your sketches are honestly wonderful compared to some of the reference sheets I was given. These weren't stick figures.
[Just saying.]
You mentioned Genbu, but didn't draw him--does he not have a human shape like the other three? Should I give him one or leave him out?
[Just saying.]
You mentioned Genbu, but didn't draw him--does he not have a human shape like the other three? Should I give him one or leave him out?
I'm relieved they were sufficient. There's much I lack talent in, but I'm far more inept at art.
[when in doubt and when in cups, bubble people.]
Mm, he had one as well though his wasn't as drastic of a transformation. He still appeared as a turtle with a large shell but he had the hair of an elderly sage and stood on two legs while using his staff to conjure spells and test our strength. After I bested him, he transformed into a small sea turtle barely the size of both my palms.
[when in doubt and when in cups, bubble people.]
Mm, he had one as well though his wasn't as drastic of a transformation. He still appeared as a turtle with a large shell but he had the hair of an elderly sage and stood on two legs while using his staff to conjure spells and test our strength. After I bested him, he transformed into a small sea turtle barely the size of both my palms.
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