I saw no reason to make you aware I knew.

{He reaches a hand back, placing it on their head.}

I am incredibly lucky.

{He leans down, lips pressing to her forehead.}

I feel the same, my mirror..

Won't you say it for me?

{Its head tilts, hand raising to her cheek.}

No, they simply act like clingy pets.

That is foolish to assume. I am speaking of Asahi and Izumi.

And what are your feelings, Dian?

{He knows the answer, he simply wants to hear her say it.}

{It shrugs.}

It was better to avoid attachment at the time.

Love is a strong term for it.

...it is amusing. Sometimes it is annoying, but I am growing more used to it.

I did not care how those under my command viewed me. I gave them orders, they faced punishment when they let me down, I went about my business.

They are far more clingy than you seem to think. I breathe and they appear.

.

...

Are there?

...

Dian. I am speaking of Asahi and Izumi. Not actual pets.

....

{He sighs heavily, running a hand through its hair.}

Again, I did not pay them much mind before. That...does not surprise me, however, considering how they still behave..

Is it truly that surprising I didn't notice?

I did not pay them much mind in the past. So yes.

{Stares back.}

What?

Sometimes it feels like I have clingy pets...

{He doesn't move, letting them jump on his back. Why should he bother when he doesn't even budge at the collision?}

Izumi. You are aware your tail was making noise, yes?

{Each jingle makes him note the steps between them, his own steps slowing ever so slightly.}

{He's ignoring them, curious how long they will follow him for.}

.....

{Sighs.}

It is.

{He offers her a drink of it.}

"Perhaps you should thank Meteion then. She is the only reason you get to know me this way." He chuckles, albeit a bit dryly, his attention flitting away now.

(( slams hands down
bump any rps we have, i wanna write this fuckwad ))

★ Muses ★

He melts ever so slightly into the hand running through his hair, closing his eyes for a moment. His hands finally raise, resting on her waist as he lets himself be pet, sighing quietly.

"I am grateful, my friend," he mutters, voice quiet between them.

.

{Looks down at her, quiet for a moment before looking ahead again.}

Spiked tea.

Then go.

{He waves a dismissive hand, heading back the way he'd initially come from.

Just as quickly as before, there's a glow before a large dragon seems to grow from nothing, long wings stretching before it returns to its napping spot.}

{Watching, drinking Something, a bit amused.}