🍷🎨

[noarchitact]

WHO: Kaveh, Shigeru, & YOU.
WHAT: Paint & Pour.
WHEN: April 2nd.
WHERE: Spring Segment, Prism Lake
WARNINGS: Drunk Painting.


[ kaveh decided to set up the paint & pour on the shores of prism lake, because a beautiful landscape seemed like something that artists of all skill level could enjoy creating. not to mention, it's also something that probably wouldn't suffer too much if/when guests inevitably started getting tispy. ]

[ there are three canopy tents framing the lake and, unsurprisingly, the first of which has all manner of art supplies: canvases, easels, and paints. the second has an assortment of delicious snacks made by shigeru and the third, final, and likely most anticipated has the wine. there are at least a dozen bottles, each labeled with the segment and shop it came from, because kaveh absolutely went around with the intention of helping them promote their business. ]

[ it's not a complete lie!
everybody wins!! ]


( ooc; feel free to assume that your character received an invitation from either kaveh or shigeru. it IS open to the public though, so if your character is strolling by and so much as makes eye contact with either of them, then they'll likely get dragged into the fun. anyway! bring your own top level~! )

Comments

[acquirement]

{ his gaze shifts from her, to the path ahead of them both. }

It's been a long time since we've been able to spend time together like this.

{ so maybe, just maybe, he's giving a bit more leeway than normal. plus, since she said she was dizzy it's a much better idea to handle her safety on his own rather than getting her to hold onto him. }

[mistsplitter]

Then... I think I would like to stay like this a little longer.

[ At least, that is certainly Little Ayaka talking. She laughs after saying that, leaning on Ayato a little more. ]

Hehe, I'm only joking. We're too old for that now.

[acquirement]

{ his hold on her doesn't waver, and instead just tightens a little more as she leans into him. }

I should hope you won't make a regular habit of getting dizzy from drinking alcohol, at least.

{ yet when it comes to entering the location, it's hard to do it like this. he'll gently lower her to the floor again, hand against her back to keep her steady as he enters in the details of the next place. }

You can be a little more honest about what you'd like, however.

[mistsplitter]

Hehe, please do not worry! I much prefer tea over wine or sake...

[ Or any other alcoholic drink, for that matter. ]

Why did you ask about Cloud, by the way?

[ Ayato did not ask about Cloud, but words aren't coming as easily as it normally would. ]

[acquirement]

A little every now and then doesn't hurt.

{ but she does need to be careful. but her next question has him pausing, almost struggling with his response.

he definitely uses the teleport as a means to delay it, sending them to the apartments area of the city from the lake. it isn't as though he doesn't want to share his thought with ayaka, but since he doesn't know what he thinks yet, it's hard. }

Perhaps we can discuss that when we get back to the apartment? Was that what you wanted to ask before?

{ this definitely isn't something he wants to discuss in the middle of the street either. it's... delicate. }

[mistsplitter]

It is only on special occasions. . . or social ones.

[ You know, if she is offered a glass of wine, she can't refuse, after all. ]

Mm, it was. [ But she won't press any further. If Ayato would prefer to talk about it once they are back, then that's fine! Perhaps it was more fragile a topic than she thought. ] I shall wait, then.

[ For now, she supposes it is okay to close her eyes. ]

[acquirement]

It was an enjoyable time, too. Well worth the occasion of wine, I think.

{ it's a lot deeper of a topic, that's for sure. one he'd rather have with the safety of their apartment for. }

Thank you. { he does glance down to check on her as they make their way back to the apartment, at least he's done this journey often enough now the route is automatic, no thought required.

he doesn't disturb her if she wants to have a nap, and had in fact started to wonder if she'd fallen asleep. when they're at their door though, he has to lower her again, if only because it's too difficult to unlock the door with his hands occupied. }

[mistsplitter]

[ Now that they are "home", Ayaka's a little more free to move around. She can finally have water!

She is a little loopy though, both from just waking up from a short nap, and the wine from earlier. ]

Ah, we've made it back. [ '-' How long did she close her eyes for... ] I hope I was not heavy, Ayato.

[acquirement]

{ hopefully the apartment is tipsy proof, as he'll let her wander off like a baby deer now she's in the safety of their place. if she falls, no one will be there to see but him. }

You were not. Please don't worry about it. Here, I'll put the painting aside if you'd like to get yourself a drink or snack. I'll join you in the kitchen after.

{ hopefully that shouldn't be too much }

[mistsplitter]

[ Please don't let her fall???

But yes, she will wander off like a baby deer, finding a glass of cold water to be of a lot of help to how she's feeling. In fact, she pours herself another.

If Ayato doesn't look for his sister, he just might find her seated on the floor with an empty glass of water. How did they both get there?

(Also she can't get up...) ]

[acquirement]

{ ah



he'd hoped the trip over had calmed it, so he's immediately concerned when he comes back to the kitchen--painting now safely set aside--to find her on the floor.

he was only gone a moment???? }

Ayaka? Did you hurt yourself?

{ he's down on his knees on the floor next to her immediately after, gently taking the glass from her hand to set it aside. }

[mistsplitter]

Oh no, I didn't!

[ then why are you on the floor, ayaka ]

I just wanted to sit down for a moment. I tried to stand up, but couldn't.

[ ??? ]

[acquirement]

{ he'll hold out both his hands for her then, endeared by her struggles. }

Then let's find you somewhere more comfortable to sit. Would you prefer the sofa or should I take you to your room?

{ she should probably sober up a bit before going to bed though... }

[mistsplitter]

The sofa will do.

[ Her brother is to her rescue once again! Holding both his hands, she feels a surge of warmth flow through her. She wonders if that is the case for him as well?

This world truly is magical. ]

I do not wish to retire for the day just yet.

[acquirement]

Very well. And... I did promise to talk to you about your question.

{ holding her hands and feeling that warmth definitely helps a little though, even if he's worried that he'll say something that will give her the wrong impression.

it's hard to know how to say this without it feeling like he isn't doing that though. }

Here we go.

{ he'll hold on tightly, pulling her up. if her knees buckle or she starts to tumble down again he'll be ready. this time once she's seated on the couch he'll ask her to wait in place, intending to get them both new glasses of water first.

he may not feel anywhere as tipsy as she does, but he does know the effects alcohol can have if not properly hydrated too. }

[mistsplitter]

[ 'u' oh, yes. she almost forgot she asked him something.

But is must be important! Especially because Ayato is getting back to her now. Thank goodness she didn't completely forget.

She grabs one of the throw pillows and cradles it close to her chest as she relaxes and waits for Ayato to come back. ]

[acquirement]

{ when he returns he has a tray in his hands with both glasses of water but also a small bowl of flavoured crackers. it's likely both of them may need something else after the pizza earlier, so it should be something easy to nibble on between conversation. he sets out her water on a coaster in front of her, doing the same for himself.

his movements are deliberately very slow, even though he'll start talking while setting this out. }

I asked about Cloud earlier, due to something that has happened here recently.

{ and then he takes a seat, taking one of the small crackers to eat between thoughts. ayaka may need to be patient with him through this, because even when he finishes eating the cracker his hand is still near his mouth, ensuring he chooses his words oh so carefully. }

And I haven't... been certain of how to process it.

{ which is!! a rarity!!!! }

[mistsplitter]

[ Oh! This is not about her relationship, then. Ayaka had just been interpreting things on a surface level, somehow not considering at all that Ayato was trying to figure something out for himself by asking about her own experiences.

One that has his mind boggled, it seems, if he is not sure how to go about it. ]

May I ask what happened?

[acquirement]

{ he can't go into detail of it, that's for sure, so it's a matter of wording it that gives her enough for feedback without overloading her. }

Hmm. { his eyes shift up towards the ceiling before closing, thankfully enough time has passed by now that he's had days to mull this over already. somehow, it still doesn't feel like an adequate amount of time though. }

Perhaps the simplest way is to say that I had never really considered pursuing anything romantically either, { his eyes open again, but he isn't looking at her, instead staring at the table. } as my duties are first and foremost in my mind. I want to ensure stability for our family above everything else, so I always knew that when the time came I would do what was best for that, but... { but. the one word weighs heavily between them. he even sighs, drawing in a deep breath. } But someone I care deeply about expressed interest, and I have to admit... I'm at a bit of a loss.

[mistsplitter]

We are already doing well, aren't we?

[ Ayato made sure of that. And he's sacrificed so many things already to protect their family and to bring honour back to their name.

As for what Ayato means about doing what is best when the time comes... it is both a gift and a curse— this lineage, the power and responsibility that comes with it. Ayaka could never consider this a bad thing, but at this time, hearing Ayato's thoughts... she wishes he was free. ]

And what happened in the past will not happen again.

[ She highly doubts it will. Inazuma in itself seems more stable now, though perhaps this is because all she sees are what's on the surface. ]

[acquirement]

We are already doing well currently, yes.

{ she isn't wrong. they've had even more stability now that the vision hunt decree and the sakoku decree as well. but he's aware of the whispers and talk of the kujou and hiiragi clans had done lately, thankfully crisis was averted but it had enough people talking about it. }

And I wish I could reassure you that is the case. While I have confidence in my abilities, many are lying in wait for me to make any mistake. My being selfish in this instance could very well cost us.

[mistsplitter]

Is what you want really that grave of a mistake?

[ Ayaka really can only speak from experience. What her entire family has experienced from a grave mistake that had happened many years ago. It took them years to get past that, to get the Kamisato Clan standing back again just like how it does now...

Nothing could possibly be as worse as that... can it? ]

How could it negatively affect the Her Excellency, or Inazuma?

[acquirement]

{ Is what you want really that grave of a mistake? }

You would think something that feels so right wouldn't be, wouldn't you?

{ but he knows how hard they've had to fight to get to where they are now. }

If anything, I doubt we'd be where we are today without their aid, but I don't think Her Excellency or people of Inazuma would recognise that in this instance.

{ his mouth feels dry, so he takes another sip of water. }

The evidence already shows they're a harsher judge than either of us would like.

[mistsplitter]

[ He is not answering her questions directly... Though perhaps Ayaka is seeing this as something so simple. If it is not wrong, nor does it harm whom they serve, then he may pursue it if he so wishes. ]

I do not believe it to be entirely true. What I have learned after the events of the Sakoku Decree is that we are all changing, and we have learned to accept, to forgive, and to welcome others.

[ Inazuma may not be perfect, but they are all still serving the Raiden Shogun, aren't they? Even though they themselves played a big part in the resistance. ]

[acquirement]

{ he isn't answering her questions directly, though part of that is trying to not make ayaka feel responsible for helping him decide what to do. }

There's... simply no delicate way to say this, but what I'm proposing would not be the norm and-- { his fingers tighten on his glass, eyes lowered to it until he forces himself to look towards her. } --it would require either asking you to take the burden of continuing our lineage, or perhaps I'd have to accept the scandals of finding a mistress. { the second part is an attempt to find some humour in it all.

but this time, he'll end it by being more direct. }

I'm talking about another man, Ayaka.