songerein | [OPEN] November Catch-All

Entry tags:

[OPEN] November Catch-All

Who: Toge Inumaki and YOU!
Which: Open Log
Where: Farmlands and Treehouses
What: Quests: Harvesting, squirrel wrangling, and tree pruning
Warnings: N/A, will update as needed!

Harvest Time
[Toge isn’t really much of a farmer, but he’s taken care of the gardens around the Jujutsu High campus, so he knows a thing or two about gardening. So when the call goes out to help out with the farms and harvest the fruit, Toge is there to lend a hand.]

[His short and lean frame doesn’t look like it would be much help with something as labour-intensive as harvesting, but Toge works quite diligently, filling baskets with salvageable vegetables and fruits and bringing them over with the rest of the harvest. He works alone for the most part, softly humming to himself as he works, and might not even be noticed at first due to his quiet nature. But if someone is in need of some help, whether it be needing help carrying baskets of veggies or pulling up weeds, he’ll approach them with a wave, before pointing at their task.]

Tuna mayo?

[By the end of the day, he can be found sitting near a pair of baskets full of food that he was allowed to take home, going through a couple small pouches of seeds. Maybe he can start up a garden closer to home…]

Pesky Squirrels
[Back when Toge had arrived, he had somewhat befriended a squirrel while exploring the rubble and ruins. That squirrel ended up living close to Toge’s chosen treehouse, and had become a familiar figure for Toge to keep an eye out for. So when winter began to set in, Toge decided to help the hungry squirrel, rather than chase it away like others. It was a friend, after all, so why not help it out?]

[The squirrel decides to use a little hollow in the side of Toge’s treehouse as a storehouse for extra acorns and nuts, which is fine; Toge doesn’t take up much space, so he doesn’t mind sharing. However, it seems as though, as “reward” for his help, the squirrel has been dropping off all kinds of trinkets and objects at Toge’s windowsill and door. Objects that most definitely belong to someone else. Toge’s grateful for the thought, but he should… probably return these items. So, he will put out a little PSA out on the journals.]

If anyone’s lost anything small, I might have it at my house. I have a squirrel living in my tree who’s been leaving me gifts.

Treehouse Pruning
[With winter coming, the treehouses have begun to get… interesting. They seem to be getting more excited, or at the very least warmer, which is nice for the encroaching cold but has also led to a couple nights where Toge has woken up sweating from the heat. Something’s gotta be done to regulate this.]

[After seeing a few people trying out their dreamotion powers on the trees to help cool them off, Toge can be found outside of his chosen treehouse, arms crossed and foot tapping. He’s just… gotta channel dreamotion energy, right? But how can he do so? Is it like channeling Cursed Energy? And if it is, will he suffer a backlash for it?]

[He knows the only way for him to test this out is to… do it. But there’s a hesitance to do so. There’s a reason he doesn’t venture out of his chosen safe words and commands very often, after all.]

[So focused on staring at the tree before him, he might not notice others approaching him.]

Wildcard
[Permissions for Toge's Cursed Speech, if it arises, can be found here. If you’d like a custom starter or would like to plan something different out, feel free to PM me here or hit me up on plurk at

pocketnoivern!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Although she's slightly relieved that he's willing to elaborate rather than leaving it at a vague affirmative, the extended duration of his scribbling does cause Naminé some small amount of concern. She's never lacking in patience, but she possesses, too, an inclination to consider the worst when left to her own devices. Openly interested in reading what he's wrote, the girl doesn't waste a moment before setting her gaze on the words once they're ready - then pauses and reads them again before glancing up at him, her head tilting. ]

You can't control it?

[ That's the natural assumption based on the strictness of his adherence to his peculiar speech pattern. If it's as he says, that's an admirable level of dedication, but her features wilt slightly at the notion of such a responsibility, one so heavy that he can't speak freely. ]

Not even by asking nicely?

Bonito flakes.

[Said with a shake of his head. He takes a moment to write down a few more words for her, before showing the journal to her once more.]

Control it, yes. Turn it off, no. I've had my Cursed Speech for as long as I can remember. Doesn't matter if I ask politely or not, if I tell someone to do something, they do it.

[Sit down, don't move, sleep, run away, get crushed, explode. All examples of commands he's done against various enemies, forced into compulsion by the power of his cursed technique. It was why he was often considered such a big target, even in mock challenges with his fellow classmates.]

[He also realizes that his last statement sounds a little harsh, so he's quick to amend it.]

There's more to it than that, though. And if I try it on a strong enemy or on too many targets for too long, I get a backlash. Which is why I'm careful, for myself and others.

I thought I could do the same thing with my voice like I do with my Cursed Speech, but I can't really figure out how to do it. It's different from my technique. Or maybe there's something I'm missing.

[Or maybe he's afraid of the possible backlash and after-effects that might happen. There was a reason he was so strict with his vocabulary, that venturing out of his carefully-cultivated words was always something that made him a bit anxious.]

[ Less restless this time when he takes a few moments to write, Naminé spends the pause considering further implications of power like his. Needless to say, this has her frown pretty firmly settled on her mouth by the time she actually gets to read his message. ]

... I'm sorry, [ she says sincerely once she's read through it, her voice quieted with sympathy; she's probably been waiting to say that from the beginning, going by the look on her face. ] That sounds... really hard.

[ Given all her misgivings and guilt about her own abilities, Naminé's in a prime position to understand how having power over others isn't always a gift so much as a curse in disguise. As frightening as she finds herself, at least she can turn her magic off. Even if she weren't already inclined to try to help Toge, she'd want to purely out of solidarity; humming with a knitted brow, she considers what she's learned already. ]

I'm not sure if it'll help, but-- [ She has to try, so, ] Sometimes... the words aren't what's important.

[ Well, that's more complicated in his case, which is why she straightens a little, turning to look at him more directly. ]

What I mean is, not all magic is about the words you use to cast it. What's in your heart and mind can make a difference, too, especially in a place like this. And there are lots of ways to tell someone what you want without having to speak.

[ A touch bashfully, she backpedals to a, ]

But-- I'm sure you already know that. [ He's proven his awareness of hand gestures, for one thing. ] I suppose what I'm trying to say is, maybe you can find a way to let your heart speak first, and then figure out what to do with your voice later on.

[Toge blinks at her apology, and openly stares at her for a few seconds. He's heard people hay his technique was impressive, was frightening, was strong, was a forced to be reckoned with... it's not often that he's offered pity for his inability to speak without causing harm. He blinks a few times, before offering a small shrug and looking away.]

...Tuna mayo.

[Even if he could say the words, how to respond to that? He's only ever been shown awe and a fearful respect. He's not sure how to handle pity, or genuine sympathy.]

[But when Naminé begins speaking again, Toge looks up at her, listening to her words carefully. He does nod slowly at her words; he does understand what she's saying, since he used the basis of such thought for his nonsensical ingredients-vocabulary. But his usual technique relied on him being extremely specific and careful with his words; choosing whether he should tell an enemy Don't Move, Sleep, or Explode could mean the difference between surviving an encounter or bleeding his throat raw. So, he should think up the meaning before the words?]

[He lets out a small hum, bringing a hand up to where his chin would be and tilting his head. So... with dreamotion magic, he should focus more on the feeling he wants, and let the words come later?]

[ Although she meets his stare with a one in kind that conveys uncertainty, even shyness, Naminé doesn't turn her gaze away. Neither, in fact, does she look afraid. There's not a trace of it in her expression as her eyes switch curiously between his, more concerned than anything else. You'd figure he'd told her he just had a problem with chronic throat pain, rather than that he could make a person's head explode with the wrong - right - words.

But it's awfully hard to tell what Toge's thinking. She doesn't know him well enough, for one thing, and the verbal barrier doesn't help either. Once she's said her peace herself, Naminé searches his expression for understanding. He seems to be considering all that she's said, so perhaps she ought to redouble her efforts to explain her reasoning in order to help him along. ]

... Maybe it's better if I show you.

[ The girl comes to this conclusion presently, as she watches him tilt his head. She hesitates a beat while she tries to imagine a proper demonstration, but it doesn't actually take long; it could be that this has been on her mind for a little while already. Setting aside her basket on the ground, Naminé straightens again to lift both hands into a careful, mirrored gesture, her palms facing each other. ]

You know what it's like to be cold, don't you? [ There's been plenty of chill in the air lately, after all, even if he doesn't come from a cold place. ] Maybe - when someone says the word cold, there's a sensation that you think of. But if you try to describe it to a person who's never felt it for themselves, they won't really understand what it means.

[ Like emotion and the memory of emotion not being the same thing. Starting to frown, Naminé carefully diverts that train of thought as her fingers splay a little wider, concentration settling into her expression to smooth it over. There's a weird sort of feeling that's starting to fill the air, a peculiar stillness that slowly grows cooler. ]

Because there are some things you just can't express in words. Some memories aren't that simple, no matter how strong they are. So-- you have to find another way to help them feel what you felt. And in a place like this, it's not so hard. This world... seems to want to connect with us. Our thoughts, our memories, our-- emotions.

[ The coolness grows gradually more palpable, a faint chill that begins to gather inward toward her small, waiting hands. ]

I remember... there was a time when I was trapped all alone because of a snowstorm. The snow was so fierce and fell so quickly that, overnight, it almost buried the cabin that I was staying in. The door was too heavy to open, and I couldn't see through the windows, either. Everything was covered in it. But the cold...

[ -- Is ever more tangible as she speaks, frost starting to form in the faintly visible currents of air that drift around and between her fingers, gathering and dispersing in trails that look almost like steam. ]

... Seeped in through the walls. I burned all the firewood I had to try to keep it out, but it didn't work. No matter what I did, it wasn't enough. And the longer it went on, the more it felt like I'd never be warm again. Like-- the cold was in my bones, and I'd never be able to get rid of it.

[ The frigid air cracks and pops as it starts to take more solid form, small chunks of ice coalescing in the space surrounded by her hands. ]

So I think of that place - of that memory. And then--

[ Her palms pull apart slightly, the Blizzard spell finally reaching completion with a more distinct crystal of frost that hovers in place. Not a large one, but enough to serve as an example. ]

I let this world feel it, too.

[ But then, Naminé has always been able to bend the world around her - dream-based or not - to her will in varying degrees. Her awareness of her own magical capabilities is vague at times, yet she can at least recognize that it may not work quite the same way for everyone; so she falters, looks up from her spell to regard Toge across it, and finally lets her hands fall. The ice dissipates, breaking back apart into chilly air that lingers around them even as it spreads out. There's a beat of somewhat self-conscious silence, and then she asks, ]

Does... that make sense?

Edited 2021-11-25 09:49 (UTC)

[Toge watches the display with rapt attention, his eyes wide as he listens to Naminé explain. The way she does it, he can clearly feel that cold as well, and that's not even counting the frost crystals forming in her hands. She really had gone through something harrowing, hadn't she? And the memory and emotion of that time was powerful enough for her to channel into magic. It's different from using Cursed Energy... but he can find some similarities.]

[He blinks a couple times when the ice dissipates, a shiver going down his spine. He looks between the vanishing crystals and back to Naminé. Slowly, he nods.]

Salmon.

[He thinks he understands... at the very least, enough to give it a try. A memory of cold, huh..? He closes his eyes as he thinks.]

[Cold... there's plenty of times when it got chilly in Japan, but he wonders if those memories would be powerful enough. The one that Naminé had described seemed to be specific and strongly memorable... so maybe he needs something like that? Well, while he was never stuck in a blizzard, there was another time he had felt an icy cold seep into his skin. When he had gone against an overpowering enemy and was defeated. A coldness had clutched his body as he struggled against the darkness of unconscious, trying to will his timid friend to run for his life. Jujutsu sorcerers dance with death on a regular basis, but that was the closest he'd gotten to actually succumbing to it.]

[He tugs down the zipper of his collar and pulls it open, revealing the lower half of his face and revealing the Snake Eyes and Fangs seal on his mouth before turning to look at the tree. With the memory clear in his mind he takes a breath, before resting his hand on the trunk of the tree. It takes some effort to focus hard on that icy numbness that had settled in his body, but once he has it clear in his mind, he speaks.]

Cold.

[It takes a few seconds, but eventually, the temperature does dip around them. It's different from the way Naminé had summoned forth ice; instead of creating a flurry of ice, or crystals of snow, the temperature drops in a way that forebodes tragedy. A chill that settles in the bones and creates a pit in the stomach. The uneasy calm before a storm, the icy pallor of a house of death. It's... not exactly the most pleasant of feelings, but Toge feels the unmistakable feeling of the bark beneath his hand cooling down some.]

[He blinks in surprise, slowly pulling his hand away to look at it. It's strange; instead of a burning in his throat, he feels a strange tingling under his skin. He looks at Naminé, blinking owlishly. Did... did he do it?]

[ Ever the patient tutor, Naminé holds tightly to her silence when Toge closes his eyes to think. Quiet as a mouse, the girl waits, watching as he reveals those peculiar markings on his face again and moves to the tree. She keeps her distance to let him figure it out, hands folded - although they tense when that sensation fills the air.

The two of them really do have different methods. That becomes clear quickly enough as his word causes the cold to wash over both the area and Naminé herself, her shoulders rising with the natural discomfort of the experience. Though she shivers, too, she endeavors to let the feeling pass through her without holding onto it, expression troubled in spite of her efforts. It makes sense that he'd favor a more emotional cold than the one she allowed herself; he's surely used to having a heart to feel it with, after all, while she's more familiar with the physical type.

Without realizing it, she's clutched her hands together close against her chest, as if she might thereby ward off the chill. It's not her most welcoming of postures, but when she sees him turn toward her, Naminé puts especial effort into nudging aside her own discomfort as she offers a careful smile in response to Toge's look. ]

That was good...!

[ Gently encouraging, the girl takes in a little breath to steel herself and - hopefully - brush away the remainder of that foreboding feeling. With a couple of small steps, she comes to stand near the tree as well, though she doesn't reach out to touch the trunk; it's Toge's friend, after all, not her own, curious though she might be what the plant's reaction was. ]

Maybe it's not so different from what you know after all. It seems like you've had practice.

[ With a related skill, anyway. And although there's more than one question on her mind, her memory first sparks a, ]

How do you feel?

[ that leads her to tilt her head as she regards him sidelong. He did mention backlash; that ought to be the first priority to make sure of. ]

[Her sudden praise catches Toge's attention, and he turns to look at her. Without his high collar to hide half his face, his expressions are easier to read, and by the look on his face he's clearly surprised that it even worked. And once his concentration is diverted to something else, that cold spell vanishes; the air returns to normal, the cold energy recedes, and the tree seems to shake a little, as if shaking off a bad chill. And while Naminé may not touch the tree trunk itself, she might notice the way the tree's leaves curl and the smaller branches shift. Maybe it, too, didn't really find that blast of emotions to be particularly pleasant.]

[Toge, for his part, looks down at his hand in surprise. That felt... different. So different from what using his cursed technique usually feels like. There's no burn, no familiar strain... just an odd tingling sensation. He even rubs his throat just to make sure.]

...mentaiko.

[Taking a moment to pause, he goes to his journal to write some lines for her to read.]

It was both like and unlike my Cursed Speech. It's weird.

I feel okay physically. My throat isn't burning. There's a tingly feeling in my skin though.

[ Taking in the look on his face - now that she can see all of it - Naminé starts to tuck her chin in response to his open surprise, but remembers just in time that she probably ought to play the part of the encouraging teacher, reserved though she might be by nature. So she urges her shy smile just a little wider instead, giving Toge a fraction of a nod as if to reaffirm her assessment of his skill.

It seems prudent to look away thereafter, so her keen eyes don't miss the tree's slower reaction when they happen to turn that direction. The corners of Naminé's mouth sink thoughtfully, but she holds her tongue long enough for her companion to put his thoughts into written words. Once she's leaned in to read them, the girl straightens again with her, ]

Then I'm glad that it didn't cause you any pain. But... it is strange, isn't it?

[ Curling a hand against her mouth, the girl only needs to consider briefly how to say what she's thinking. It may be that she's given it some mulling over already. ]

It's the same for me. Before I came here, I wasn't able to cast the spell I showed you earlier. I was trying to learn to do it on my own, but without a teacher...

[ That's neither here nor there. Humming, she lets the thought go to simplify it to an, ]

After I'd spent some time in this world, I realized that the magic here seemed different when I tried to practice with it, and that suddenly I could do all sorts of things that I couldn't before. It seems-- almost like the energy that exists within this dream can make other powers stronger, not just create new ones entirely.

[ So it gave something of a boost to what she was trying to learn before. Familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, like his (less-?)Cursed Speech. ]

[Toge nods slowly, his lips curling into a frown. It definitely was strange to speak and not feel the tug of his cursed energy, nor the familiar ache in his throat. He listens to Naminé explain how she learned to use the magic here, slowly nodding. So, this world... seemed to not only grant them new abilities, but augment old ones? Use them in new ways? It's so strange to consider.]

[And yet, there's a strange sort of thrill in Toge's chest. Being able to speak commands other than the ones he's used to, and have different effects... it's something that had never been a possibility. Something only obtained in his wildest dreams...]

[Maybe that's what it is. Maybe because it's a dream, things behave differently here. Now, he wants to know what else is possible.]

[He pauses for a moment, before writing down another sentence for her.]

It's kind of exciting and freaky at the same time.

[ Although Naminé has never been one to long for power, she can still appreciate in her own way the newfound freedom being in a world like this has granted them both. Beating her head against a wall in her previous cage with only secondhand memories to guide her practice when she was trying to learn to defend herself has made such a victory - or such a mercy, perhaps - all the sweeter. (The fact that she has fewer reasons to need to protect herself now is largely irrelevant. It remains an inevitability that she'll be under threat again at some point. Fortune favors the prepared, as they say.)

Perhaps she can sense his excitement, because she smiles even though she agrees, ]

Maybe even a little bit frightening. It's hard to say what the limits are, now - for any of us.

[ And she finds that troubling, sure, but the novelty and wonder of the experience still outweigh that feeling of uncertainty. Gradually, however, the girl seems to sober; with a sidelong glance up at the tree and its leaves, ]

But I do think--

[ The blonde hesitates, cutting herself off. Mouth flattening into a contemplative line, she lowers her head to regard Toge again. Her eyes switch once between his before she appears to decide she trusts him at least enough to not expect a bad reaction if she speaks freely for a moment. ]

I think... that if you're going to cast another spell on your friend, it might prefer that you use a-- happier memory.

[ She may not know what Toge was thinking of exactly, but the sentiment wasn't hard for her to perceive, and neither was the way the tree reacted to it. One of her hands curls unconsciously against her chest as she adds, ]

I probably don't need to tell you this, but living creatures' hearts are delicate. Even if asking nicely hasn't worked in the past, maybe... you can find another new way to speak to them, now that you're here. [ A shoulder lifting as she considers; ] At least to the ones that you don't want to hurt, that is.

[Toge nods, looking up at the tree. There would definitely be limits that need to be discovered, as is the case with any power. Still... it's kind of exciting, thinking of using these new powers of theirs, now that he has a bit of an idea how to use them.]

[He is brought from his thoughts by Naminé's words, and he looks at her with wide eyes. Happy memories..? He blinks a few times, surprise clear on his face, before he looks up at the tree. Oh... had... his memory been too much for the tree?]

...Salted cod roe.

[He says it as he pulls up his collar once more, but Naminé can probably see the embarrassed flush on his face. He didn't mean to harm the tree with the memory he chose... He clears his throat, before writing another sentence for her and offering it to her to read.]

I hadn't thought of that. Cursed energy works on negative emotions.

[Something he definitely has to work on, clearly.]

[ There's always a line somewhere - it's just a matter of finding it. Still, it's been Naminé's experience that that endpoint usually seems to be much farther out than she ever truly wants to go. She doesn't know the limit of even her own power, and to add yet more on top of that... anyway, it doesn't bear thinking about now.

The girl's own eyes blink a bit wider open at Toge's look, an instinctive sympathy of hers as she watches him realize the side-effect of his magic. She may not know his vocabulary well enough yet to translate the words directly in her mind, but she can recognize the sentiment in his flushed face before he hides it. (His timing in closing his collar again might be telling in itself.) Her reflex to soothe his obvious embarrassment gets held off only long enough for her to wait out his writing, her lips shaped into a wry, apologetic smile. ]

Then you must be used to it working that way, [ she observes understandingly, by way of agreement. ] But maybe you don't have to anymore.

[ Work on those kinds of emotions, that is. Faltering, she offers a bashful look with her amendment, ]

Not that you seem like a negative person to me...!

[ He's been nothing but kind in her presence, after all. She takes just a second to mentally chastise herself for her phrasing, then pulls her smile back together. ]

We'll both have to keep learning new things, just like everyone else who came here with us. So-- I'm sure there'll be plenty of mistakes to go around.

[ She's trying to commiserate, here. ]

[Toge waves a hand at Naminé, indicating that he doesn't think that she actually thinks he is a negative person. Using negative energy didn't necessarily make one negative. Being trained to use cursed energy from such a young age, Toge was more than adept at finding negative emotions to channel and boost his cursed technique. That was how cursed energy worked in his world; two negative forces created a positive result, and the stronger canceled out the weaker. Like a poison neutralizing a weaker poison. A little barbaric, but it was the way of his world.]

[But he's never had to think how to channel positive emotions before. It's like the inverse of what he's grown used to. It'll definitely take some time to get used to. He nods in understanding.]

Tuna mayo.

[She may look demure and small, but she's very wise. Toge can see that. So, after a small pause, he takes a moment to write something down before showing it to her.]

You seem to have a knack for this kind of stuff. Is it ok for me to ask for some help once in a while?

[ Although she'd been able to surmise from what she knew of his personality that he'd be unlikely to hold the comment against her, Naminé's brow does ease a little as he waves away her concern. Her tentative smile returns, though her eyes grow curious as she watches him write. Once she's read the results, she looks up with her, ]

Me? Really?

[ Since she's not exactly accustomed to receiving any kind of praise for her skills beyond wonder at her natural ability to do horrible things to a person's memory, it requires a bit of extra effort to process such a statement. More still to wrap her head around the idea that someone would want her advice on a related skill, but when she does, she has to admit, ]

I guess I do have some practice...

[ Both with her own magic and with a few other kinds, now. As strange as she might feel about the idea, though, the answer was always going to be, ]

... All right. I do-- sort of owe you.

[ For his generosity the first time they met. Curling a hand against her chest, Naminé looks a bit hesitant, but the more she considers it, the less she doubts. With a hint of regret, ]

And it's not easy to learn all on your own. I found that out the hard way.

[ In fact, with power like his, maybe-- it would be advisable for him not to work alone. Or at least, she can easily see how things could go very wrong, and having someone else around - like herself - who can heal potential injuries certainly wouldn't hurt. Rather seriously, ]

So... I'll do my best to help you how I can whenever you ask.

Salmon.

[Yes, he means her! He may be an expert in matters involving cursed energy, but it's clear he still has a lot of room to grow here. And since she's got the hang of things here, he's happy to learn from her if she's willing to teach him. So his expression softens and he nods to her, giving her a peace sign.]

Mustard leaf.

[He'll do his best to be a good student!]

[ That sounds enough like a vote of confidence that some further amount of the tension in her expression ebbs in the wake of it, and falls away entirely at Toge's funny little gesture. Naminé's exhale in reaction sounds a bit like a laugh, her smile returning and settling in along with it. ]

I look forward to working with you?

[ she tries, because what exactly is one meant to say in such a situation? She certainly doesn't have any experience to tell her. Yet her features are warm enough; it might sound like a question, but she means it. Something seems to occur to her, then, and she gives a small, 'oh.' Glancing toward the nearby trunk to indicate her meaning, ]

By the way - did you accomplish what you set out to do?

[ Since it looked like he was clearly trying to work with the tree before she disturbed him. ]

Tuna mayo.

[He honestly looks forward to working with her, too. Even if he can't verbalize it completely, he wants her to know that the feeling is mutual. Though, given her warm expression and smile, he has a feeling she understands what he's trying to say.]

[At her question, he blinks and looks up at the tree. Well, he was still figuring out the basics of it, but... yeah, he had. He nods, turning back to her.]

Salmon, salmon.

[ She gets enough of the point, going by those exact indications. Even with her natural hesitation about assuming too much when it comes to how welcome she is, Toge is the one who asked for her help. It's hard to have it spelled out any more clearly than that, having seen it written on the page in plain words.

Naminé echoes the nod in response to his affirmative, looking pleased - and maybe a little bit proud. ]

Good...! With any luck, maybe you'll be more comfortable from now on.

[ Both with the new power they've all been afforded and the temperature in his treehouse, since she'd surmised that problem as well. Her weight shifts back, then she turns to retrieve her basket from where she set it down, both hands grasping it carefully. ]

In that case - I should probably keep moving. [ Aware of the container she's holding and its contents, she looks momentarily bashful with her, ] I'd offer you some of these, but I'm sure you've already got more vegetables than you know what to do with, too.

[ Since they both helped out at the farm, that is. ]

Salted cod roe.

[It definitely looks like he can make this at least a little more comfortable. And if there's adjustments or mistakes made along the way, well, he knows he can ask her for help.]

[He looks over her basket, humming a bit and nodding. Yeah, he definitely has his own haul of veggies from helping out at the farm. He pauses to write some stuff down, showing it to her.]

I managed to grab some seeds from the farm too. If you wanted to try your hand at some gardening I can give you some.

[ Naminé holds the basket a little higher for Toge while he has a look, then lets it sink again once he seems to have come to a decision. His offer appears to surprise her, her brows lifting as she brings her eyes up from the message. ]

Oh, you garden? [ That seems to be the implication if he saw fit to gather seeds. Or-- perhaps he's just now taking it up? Humming thoughtfully, ] Well... I hadn't really thought about doing that.

[ It'd be very practical, though, and it's not like they're having any shortage for room to grow things. (Having lived in dire circumstances before, in fact, Naminé can't help thinking maybe she'd be silly to reject the idea when the skill could prove valuable later.) ]

I, um, don't think I'd know where to start, but... it does seem like it would be a good idea to learn, if you have some extra seeds you can spare.

[Toge offers her a small shrug, before he writes down another sentence for her to read.]

I'm not an expert, but I used to take care of the plants around my school back home. So I could show you a few things

[He knows there's also the communal gardens, but he does like the idea of his own personal little garden project. He gives her a nod and a thumbs up.]

Salmon.

[ Glancing back up from the paper, Naminé gives a small nod in response. ]

That's still more experience than I've got.

[ So he's as suitable a teacher as any in that respect. ]

Now that I think about it - this makes it kind of like a trade, doesn't it? I help you with magic, you help me learn to garden...!

[ Everything's a little more balanced, this way. ]

[Huh... when she puts it like that, it is like a trade, isn't it? He nods to her, smiling under his collar.]

Salmon, salmon.

[It sure sounded like a fair trade to him! Both of them helping each other out was a good thing, wasn't it?]

[ Seeing the indications of Toge's smile over his collar, Naminé offers a warm one in response. Perhaps they both feel better when things are even...? ]

Alright, then. If we're in agreement...!

[ What a lovely day it's been so far, to have been able to help so many people in one afternoon. ]

I suppose I can't do much with seeds until you give me a lesson, so-- unless you'd like to teach me now, we can meet again some other day?

[ Gotta give the poor fellow the chance to attend to his business after she's distracted him this long already. ]

(no subject)

fishflakes - 2022-01-06 22:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

lethechained - 2022-01-08 23:57 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only