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[ Tsukasa follows along after her, freely grinning since he can't be seen looking like a lovesick idiot. He's glad she's having a good time though—he is too, and he almost, almostwants to show off...
...well, at least he could do it, here. He'd feel way safer if he was properly dressed for that though. ]
You're being kind and patient with her, Anya~. It's only natural she'd return the favor. [ Tourmaline's also one of the calmer horses too so— ] "If you're nice to horses, they'll be nice right back." Well, I guess that saying goes for any kind of animal, though.
...well, at least he could do it, here. He'd feel way safer if he was properly dressed for that though. ]
You're being kind and patient with her, Anya~. It's only natural she'd return the favor. [ Tourmaline's also one of the calmer horses too so— ] "If you're nice to horses, they'll be nice right back." Well, I guess that saying goes for any kind of animal, though.
[And she laughs a little bit because - ] Horses are Tsukasa's favorite. It makes sense for you to say it like that.
[SHE'S UNSURPRISED - but then she'll hum a happy little note as they trot along easily. She's still adjust, she knows that. So she definitely shouldn't push and try to learn something new but also:]
Tsukasa can do more than this, yes? Продемонстрировать? Will you show Anya?
[just show off, tsukasa. she wants to see it anyway.]
[SHE'S UNSURPRISED - but then she'll hum a happy little note as they trot along easily. She's still adjust, she knows that. So she definitely shouldn't push and try to learn something new but also:]
Tsukasa can do more than this, yes? Продемонстрировать? Will you show Anya?
[just show off, tsukasa. she wants to see it anyway.]
[ ....Ahaha ♪ ]
Not that much more. [ It's both true, yet just him being modest. He'll still lean forward on Butterscotch and pat her neck. ] Mmm... Do you want to show off a little, Butterscotch? We've had a good warm-up so far, so I think you can do a few jumps, right?
[ A little nostril flare, she recognizes jumps— Tsukasa'll sit back up and look at Anya and Tourmaline, tempering his smile. ]
Seems like she's up for it... They're not going to be that impressive though—not like you'd see with real show jumping or anything. I'm just a stablehand, after all, not a jockey. [ He can't afford to be a jockey..... because he'd so want his own horse. ] Is that okay?
Not that much more. [ It's both true, yet just him being modest. He'll still lean forward on Butterscotch and pat her neck. ] Mmm... Do you want to show off a little, Butterscotch? We've had a good warm-up so far, so I think you can do a few jumps, right?
[ A little nostril flare, she recognizes jumps— Tsukasa'll sit back up and look at Anya and Tourmaline, tempering his smile. ]
Seems like she's up for it... They're not going to be that impressive though—not like you'd see with real show jumping or anything. I'm just a stablehand, after all, not a jockey. [ He can't afford to be a jockey..... because he'd so want his own horse. ] Is that okay?
[Jumps!!!! Anya's expression lights up the same way - and she gently tries to guide Tourmaline into a stop just so that she can pay absolute attention to this! She's careful to not pull on the reins and confuse the horse when she claps her hands together in delight.]
Пожалуйста! Please...!
[Look, she just loves being impressed - and unfortunately given who Anya hangs out with, the feeling is actually quite rare. Regardless she hums a happy note and all of her attention goes to Tsukasa.]
Whatever you want to show. I would love to see.
Пожалуйста! Please...!
[Look, she just loves being impressed - and unfortunately given who Anya hangs out with, the feeling is actually quite rare. Regardless she hums a happy note and all of her attention goes to Tsukasa.]
Whatever you want to show. I would love to see.
[ does anya realize the things she says sometimes
Chiyo actually looks at the menu shielding them from two boys' view and regrets it because the desserts look delicious, and she is weak.
She hums, too, thoughtful. ]
You know, that's really possible! Really, really possible! I like that. I want to believe in this reason the most. [ Her chest feels a little lighter, considering it. There are fewer romantic complications in this theory. ] But... Anya, you say it's silly, but would you say no to him? If it were you?
Chiyo actually looks at the menu shielding them from two boys' view and regrets it because the desserts look delicious, and she is weak.
She hums, too, thoughtful. ]
You know, that's really possible! Really, really possible! I like that. I want to believe in this reason the most. [ Her chest feels a little lighter, considering it. There are fewer romantic complications in this theory. ] But... Anya, you say it's silly, but would you say no to him? If it were you?
in front of the mailbox
[ as if Retrospec's mailbox could give her answers]
[ as if Retrospec's mailbox could give her answers]
[ ...It's not like this is necessary, but he technically missed Valentine's Day, and. You know what. This is a good enough repayment day, White Day is, so of course he's giving her something. It's just going to be a carefully wrapped gift box though, delivered to her doorstep. Because maybe he's a little too nervous to do it himself, sure he'll stumble over his words and say something they'll both regret.
When she opens it up, there's a card decorated with watercolor bluebells! And under that are small shortbread cookies, cut into hearts and stars—emphasis on stars. As for the card, what's written inside in his careful, neat script: ]
Dear Anya,
In Japan, it's considered traditional for boys to repay girls for the sweets they get on Valentine's Day on March 14th—White Day. While we're not in Japan or anything, I'd like you to think of these as compensation for not being able to give you anything then... and as repayment for being my friend. On that fateful, cold November day, I thought you must have been some kind of angel sent to reward me for all my hard work shoveling snow... Isn't that funny?
Every day since then's been a lot of fun, and I'm really happy to have met you. I hope things can stay like this, and that I can become someone who brings as much joy to you as you do to me.
Sincerely yours,
Tsukasa
When she opens it up, there's a card decorated with watercolor bluebells! And under that are small shortbread cookies, cut into hearts and stars—emphasis on stars. As for the card, what's written inside in his careful, neat script: ]
Dear Anya,
In Japan, it's considered traditional for boys to repay girls for the sweets they get on Valentine's Day on March 14th—White Day. While we're not in Japan or anything, I'd like you to think of these as compensation for not being able to give you anything then... and as repayment for being my friend. On that fateful, cold November day, I thought you must have been some kind of angel sent to reward me for all my hard work shoveling snow... Isn't that funny?
Every day since then's been a lot of fun, and I'm really happy to have met you. I hope things can stay like this, and that I can become someone who brings as much joy to you as you do to me.
Sincerely yours,
Tsukasa
[SHE STARTLES BECAUSE YATO WHY.
And then she realizes what he says - blinks once, and then laughs. She'll reach to take Yato's hand in hers as she beams.]
Yato wanted to spend Valentine's Day with me....?
Следующий. The next Valentine's Day then. I will make sure I spend all day with Yato.
[aNYA]
And then she realizes what he says - blinks once, and then laughs. She'll reach to take Yato's hand in hers as she beams.]
Yato wanted to spend Valentine's Day with me....?
Следующий. The next Valentine's Day then. I will make sure I spend all day with Yato.
[aNYA]
i do not know if everyone feels the same way anya does
but when the people that are important to me are gone
it always feels
quiet
john is gone
yato is gone
davenka
tsukasa
occhan
james
more ...
but when the people that are important to me are gone
it always feels
quiet
john is gone
yato is gone
davenka
tsukasa
occhan
james
more ...
anya will be there
[ - because it sounds worse to leave Chiyo alone. And with that she'll rush over, running to the mailbox and picking up speed still when she sees Chiyo. When she does stop in front of her, she holds out her arms automatically in case the other girl needs a hug.
She might not have the breath for words immediately, but hugs don't require breath.]
[ - because it sounds worse to leave Chiyo alone. And with that she'll rush over, running to the mailbox and picking up speed still when she sees Chiyo. When she does stop in front of her, she holds out her arms automatically in case the other girl needs a hug.
She might not have the breath for words immediately, but hugs don't require breath.]
Can Anya help look? Помогите? Is there anything I can do?
[It feels worse to just sit around.
She's had too much of that already.]
[It feels worse to just sit around.
She's had too much of that already.]
[does anya realize the what she says
(no)
Still though, that's something that she hadn't considered - why would she, when Tsukasa said multiple times that he liked someone else that she didn't know? He doesn't seem like the type to lie to her.
But she pauses at the question.]
... Mm? If it were Anya....?
[In what kind of STRANGE WORLD would that happen.
There's a "yes" resting on the tip of her tongue, despite what she'd just said. She doesn't have a crush on Tsukasa. It would be wrong and unfair to agree to dating to him when that hasn't happened - right? Someone's feelings should absolutely be returned.
... but.
If he didn't have a crush on someone else. And he still was so kind to her, and held her hand, and got her thoughtful gifts, and made time to see her on the day that he had off as a break.
She hesitates.
(That's pretty big in itself.)]
.... Коварная.... How do I say... that does not sound smart to think about....? Tricky... maybe.
["Treacherous", really.]
(no)
Still though, that's something that she hadn't considered - why would she, when Tsukasa said multiple times that he liked someone else that she didn't know? He doesn't seem like the type to lie to her.
But she pauses at the question.]
... Mm? If it were Anya....?
[In what kind of STRANGE WORLD would that happen.
There's a "yes" resting on the tip of her tongue, despite what she'd just said. She doesn't have a crush on Tsukasa. It would be wrong and unfair to agree to dating to him when that hasn't happened - right? Someone's feelings should absolutely be returned.
... but.
If he didn't have a crush on someone else. And he still was so kind to her, and held her hand, and got her thoughtful gifts, and made time to see her on the day that he had off as a break.
She hesitates.
(That's pretty big in itself.)]
.... Коварная.... How do I say... that does not sound smart to think about....? Tricky... maybe.
["Treacherous", really.]
yeah. i can't imagine how spooky it probably feels.
but on the bright side like at least three of those people are with me!
actually, i have no idea who tsukasa is and dave's in like the cold wild wherever, but yato, chuuya and james and i are all together.
so we will at least be home soon.
but on the bright side like at least three of those people are with me!
actually, i have no idea who tsukasa is and dave's in like the cold wild wherever, but yato, chuuya and james and i are all together.
so we will at least be home soon.
[It's a sweet gift - and the appearance of it makes her smile in delight. It's cute, it's thoughtful, and his words -
She reads them once. Twice. Three times and she still wonders if they're correct. Like an angel? Anya? It's not that no one's ever described her like that - Yato has, plenty of times - but to hear it from Tsukasa, with the conversation she had with Chiyo lingering in the back of her mind.....
Still, sends him a text - because of course she does.]
tsukasa ! anya wanted to write you a letter back too
but it would take longer to get to you ...
so i am sending you this text message instead ヾ(☆´･ω･)ゞ
your card was lovely and your cookies so good !!
will you share the recipe with anya ?
polaris thought they were good too
[this is where she'll pause in her texting to send him a selfie she took with her cat.... and the cat sniffing at the cookie. curious cat to match a curious owner, apparently....]
but more important !
i have more to say
[and then there they are
the tell-tale ' . . . ' shows up to indicating that she's typing... and typing... and typing...]
thinking that anya is an angel is a little funny
because i think that angels are sometimes too far away
making wishes to angels and hoping for them to save people
it is wonderful ! a good story
but i think i am happier not being an angel
because it means that i get to be here with the people i love
and sharing the important times with them
with you ! (´｡• ω •｡`) ♡
so a reminder for tsukasa
is that you do not need to try to be someone who brings joy to anya
you as you are make me happy
°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
with cookies and with horses and with every small thing
and every big thing ?
maybe just every thing
so i wanted to say thank you too
for always talking to me
and being my friend
i am very lucky to know you
i am very very happy to know you
i do not know if the words that anya has are enough
but i hope my feelings still reach you
She reads them once. Twice. Three times and she still wonders if they're correct. Like an angel? Anya? It's not that no one's ever described her like that - Yato has, plenty of times - but to hear it from Tsukasa, with the conversation she had with Chiyo lingering in the back of her mind.....
Still, sends him a text - because of course she does.]
tsukasa ! anya wanted to write you a letter back too
but it would take longer to get to you ...
so i am sending you this text message instead ヾ(☆´･ω･)ゞ
your card was lovely and your cookies so good !!
will you share the recipe with anya ?
polaris thought they were good too
[this is where she'll pause in her texting to send him a selfie she took with her cat.... and the cat sniffing at the cookie. curious cat to match a curious owner, apparently....]
but more important !
i have more to say
[and then there they are
the tell-tale ' . . . ' shows up to indicating that she's typing... and typing... and typing...]
thinking that anya is an angel is a little funny
because i think that angels are sometimes too far away
making wishes to angels and hoping for them to save people
it is wonderful ! a good story
but i think i am happier not being an angel
because it means that i get to be here with the people i love
and sharing the important times with them
with you ! (´｡• ω •｡`) ♡
so a reminder for tsukasa
is that you do not need to try to be someone who brings joy to anya
you as you are make me happy
°˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
with cookies and with horses and with every small thing
and every big thing ?
maybe just every thing
so i wanted to say thank you too
for always talking to me
and being my friend
i am very lucky to know you
i am very very happy to know you
i do not know if the words that anya has are enough
but i hope my feelings still reach you
[ For a second he's concerned--maybe he should've called or planned this better?--but then that familiar expression of happiness appears on Anya's face and he can relax... which is a good thing because here she comes!
Mao is always ready to accept a hug from Anya, especially when it's been this long since he's seen her. He lets the bag hang from his wrist for now, wrapping his arms around Anya as she hugs him. ]
Whoa, hey! Ha, I missed you too!
Mao is always ready to accept a hug from Anya, especially when it's been this long since he's seen her. He lets the bag hang from his wrist for now, wrapping his arms around Anya as she hugs him. ]
Whoa, hey! Ha, I missed you too!
[ He's not expecting any replies really—though after Nazuna's cute video of Tsuchin chomping down on his cookies, he really shouldn't be surprised... but he's pleased, stomach fluttering and chest aching a little as he reads.
Good, she liked the letter. Good, she liked the cookies. Good, Polaris is soooo cute ♪
i have more to say nets him a sinking feeling in his stomach, and one that only grows the longer he watches her text box "..." on. The smile wanes, fingers drumming on his forgotten homework, and he almost, almost doesn't want to read whatever she sends—
but then it's there, and he can't help it. It isn't anything bad—it's a sweet message, full of sweet sentiments, so quintessential to the Anya he's come to know and become so fond of over the past couple of months. Tsukasa reads the words once. Twice. Three times, and he presses his smile into the back of his hand. All of that is stuff he should be thanking her for—she's the star here. Far off and pretty, but—
no. That's not fair to think, not when she's asserted she wants to be here with everyone (and him). Something a little closer to home... Just Anya, maybe. Warm, soft, wonderful Anya. Gracious and kind, who dresses herself in a smile, who can look unsure and who retreats just like any other person might.
He won't keep her waiting much longer; that wouldn't do. ]
I'm glad you liked them! And that Polaris-tan did too. ☆
Please pet your kitty for me.
[ ...that can't be all he sends. Tsukasa thumbs back up, reading the words again, and starts another reply; he, too has tell-tale ". . ." to show his... typing, but more accurately his pausing and retyping after every other line. It isn't fair to her if he likes her and she doesn't like him the same way, and she doesn't; he can't come on too strongly, because he doesn't want her to be upset. He doesn't want to be upset either, but thinking about Anya being torn just because of some stupid crush he hasn't managed to shake, some dumb teenage infatuation that's lasted through Hell and back... ]
Don't worry, Anya.
They reached.
Where do I begin...?
I'm happy that I can make you happy just like this. I think I'd still like to get a little better, though.
I'd like to become someone who can confidently stand beside you, wherever you might be ☆
And you're welcome, though I don't really need to be thanked for talking to you or being your friend...
I feel really lucky being able to do those things.
It's been exciting, hanging out with people my own age!! My neighborhood has a lot of old people (grandparents), and they're really nice?
But it's been a lot more fun with you and everyone else.
I'm glad you're here, too, and not an angel.
I said I used to think you were like that anyway~! You've really proved that you're way more mischievous than an actual one.
No real angel would ever tease people after all. That's something you and Hinata have in common ☆
(I don't mind it, before you get worried. It's kind of a nice reminder that we're friends.)
Good, she liked the letter. Good, she liked the cookies. Good, Polaris is soooo cute ♪
i have more to say nets him a sinking feeling in his stomach, and one that only grows the longer he watches her text box "..." on. The smile wanes, fingers drumming on his forgotten homework, and he almost, almost doesn't want to read whatever she sends—
but then it's there, and he can't help it. It isn't anything bad—it's a sweet message, full of sweet sentiments, so quintessential to the Anya he's come to know and become so fond of over the past couple of months. Tsukasa reads the words once. Twice. Three times, and he presses his smile into the back of his hand. All of that is stuff he should be thanking her for—she's the star here. Far off and pretty, but—
no. That's not fair to think, not when she's asserted she wants to be here with everyone (and him). Something a little closer to home... Just Anya, maybe. Warm, soft, wonderful Anya. Gracious and kind, who dresses herself in a smile, who can look unsure and who retreats just like any other person might.
He won't keep her waiting much longer; that wouldn't do. ]
I'm glad you liked them! And that Polaris-tan did too. ☆
Please pet your kitty for me.
[ ...that can't be all he sends. Tsukasa thumbs back up, reading the words again, and starts another reply; he, too has tell-tale ". . ." to show his... typing, but more accurately his pausing and retyping after every other line. It isn't fair to her if he likes her and she doesn't like him the same way, and she doesn't; he can't come on too strongly, because he doesn't want her to be upset. He doesn't want to be upset either, but thinking about Anya being torn just because of some stupid crush he hasn't managed to shake, some dumb teenage infatuation that's lasted through Hell and back... ]
Don't worry, Anya.
They reached.
Where do I begin...?
I'm happy that I can make you happy just like this. I think I'd still like to get a little better, though.
I'd like to become someone who can confidently stand beside you, wherever you might be ☆
And you're welcome, though I don't really need to be thanked for talking to you or being your friend...
I feel really lucky being able to do those things.
It's been exciting, hanging out with people my own age!! My neighborhood has a lot of old people (grandparents), and they're really nice?
But it's been a lot more fun with you and everyone else.
I'm glad you're here, too, and not an angel.
I said I used to think you were like that anyway~! You've really proved that you're way more mischievous than an actual one.
No real angel would ever tease people after all. That's something you and Hinata have in common ☆
(I don't mind it, before you get worried. It's kind of a nice reminder that we're friends.)
[ Ah, she'd love to see... ♪ Tsukasa trots over to the paddock's fence and calls over a fellow worker, and in short order they have a small obstacle course set up. The jumping fences are pretty low, but "low" in jumping terms means you still have to clear at least three or four feet. ...He is also given a soft scolding and a helmet to make sure he doesn't get hurt or something doing this.
Regardless, Tsukasa gently guides Butterscotch to the beginning and gives Anya a little wave. He's trying not to be anxious—he doesn't want his horse to catch it—but it's thrumming just beneath his skin, knowing he's being watched. He wants them to do well, to impress Anya... He leans forward to murmur an apology to Butterscotch for the nerves.
They don't start at a walk; it's a brisk trot that breaks into a canter, and they run through the jumps with practiced ease—largely because Butterscotch does this anyway, and he's putting his faith in her abilities. A long canter around the rest of the paddock and they do it a second time, rounding off on a third that he slows her to a trot to, then a walk back to Tourmaline and Anya.
It doesn't feel so impressive, despite the fences getting a little higher every jump until the end each time, but maybe it looks impressive. Maybe it looks cool ♪ Regardless, he tugs Butterscotch's reins gently to bring her to a stop in front of his friends, straightening up with a bit of a flush on his face. ]
She's pretty impressive, huh~? [ ...the horse. why wouldn't he praise her. ]
Regardless, Tsukasa gently guides Butterscotch to the beginning and gives Anya a little wave. He's trying not to be anxious—he doesn't want his horse to catch it—but it's thrumming just beneath his skin, knowing he's being watched. He wants them to do well, to impress Anya... He leans forward to murmur an apology to Butterscotch for the nerves.
They don't start at a walk; it's a brisk trot that breaks into a canter, and they run through the jumps with practiced ease—largely because Butterscotch does this anyway, and he's putting his faith in her abilities. A long canter around the rest of the paddock and they do it a second time, rounding off on a third that he slows her to a trot to, then a walk back to Tourmaline and Anya.
It doesn't feel so impressive, despite the fences getting a little higher every jump until the end each time, but maybe it looks impressive. Maybe it looks cool ♪ Regardless, he tugs Butterscotch's reins gently to bring her to a stop in front of his friends, straightening up with a bit of a flush on his face. ]
She's pretty impressive, huh~? [ ...the horse. why wouldn't he praise her. ]
[ It takes a moment for Chiyo to realize Anya arrived, but once she does, Chiyo walks right into her open arms and hugs Anya tight, pressing her face into her shoulder. ]
He shouldn't have had to die.
He shouldn't have had to die.
[ The hesitation is big when Chiyo knows Anya is straightforward and honest when it comes to love. That makes Chiyo look at Anya even more closely and focus less on keeping the menu shield up (it falls down). ]
Anya? Why is it tricky? There's nothing wrong with saying no, but... isn't it okay to think about? What are you thinking about?
Anya? Why is it tricky? There's nothing wrong with saying no, but... isn't it okay to think about? What are you thinking about?
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