caughtinanetwork | 022 ♫ (video)

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022 ♫ (video)

[Motochika stands on the island, the restless ocean in the distance behind him; he is dressed in the thick, white fur coat Gracia gave him for Christmas, and his oshawott Takumi is tucked inside, head poking out. Snow falls heavily, catching in his hair and his eyelashes. The strong wind howls as it buffets them.]

The weather rages up here on the island, unrestrained... with no sign of relenting on its third day.

[Exhilaration is bright in his eyes; he smirks faintly.]

Severe conditions are a rare occurrence. If you must venture to the surface, do not come unprepared.

[Motochika spares a last look over his shoulder before he heads back in the direction of the elevator -- a conscious inclusion out of consideration for Mitsuhide's peace of mind -- and turning off the feed.]

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[A wise inclusion indeed; Mitsuhide would have commented in a rather annoyed manner, otherwise. He doesn't like Motochika taking unnecessary risks with his health in general, but with their wedding coming closer and closer Mitsuhide has even more reason to keep his lover in good health.]

[As it is, he sounds relatively calm.]

How long are you going to be, my Lord?

[Today, there is something very important they need to get done. Something he doesn't need to specify.]

[Motochika notes that tone; his smile in response can perhaps be heard.]

Fifteen minutes. Give or take.

That should be fine.

[Mitsuhide hums, thoughtful. One can hear his footsteps as he walks around, and the people around him talking amiably.]

I am near the plaza. You'll find me there when you are ready.

So be it.

[Approximately in line with his estimate, Motochika makes it back into the bubble without incident; when he approaches the plaza, his pace slows as he turns his focus to locating Mitsuhide.

Takumi seizes the opportunity to squirm free from the confines of his coat. No longer at the mercy of bitterly cold and rough weather the loss of his pokémon's body heat is inconsequential, and with no more risk of losing one another to poor visibility, he makes no attempt to stop it. Instead he speaks to Takumi once Takumi leaps to the floor.]

Let us see which one of us can find Mitsuhide first.

[A little challenge to help warm them up could only be beneficial for them.]

Edited 2013-01-11 13:07 (UTC)

[By the time Takumi jumps to the ground, Mitsuhide has taken a seat at the opposite end of the plaza and is reading a book as he waits. Occasionally the samurai glances up from the pages and looks around, checking to see if Motochika has arrived yet.]

[It's Takumi he spots first; the little pokemon's master is not visible, however. Mitsuhide laughs quietly, and closes his book. He does not immediately call out, however, and instead watches Takumi pad about.]

[The Oshawott looks so tiny in the crowd, but does not seem at all bothered by it.]

[When Motochika finally sees Mitsuhide, he also catches sight of Takumi at the edge of his vision -- daimyo and pokémon share a look before they both sprint across the plaza towards Mitsuhide's bench with single-minded determination, chasing victory.

Motochika crashes onto the bench with a whump and clasps Mitsuhide's shoulder; Takumi dives through the air, plopping straight onto Mitsuhide's lap, rolling onto his back with momentum. Both incline their chins at one another after taking a second to steady themselves, before Motochika shifts his attention to Mitsuhide.]

There you are, Mitsuhide.

[He says, pleased and ever-so-slightly breathless.]

[Mitsuhide catches sight of Motochika only moments before he crashes into the bench. It's quite a dramatic entrance, to put it mildly; Mitsuhide gasps, before bursting out into loud, warm laughter.]

Here I am.

[He fishes inside his own kimono, searching for something; after a few seconds he pulls out a treat. Glancing down, he offers it to Takumi with a smile.]

I think you might appreciate this after such a fine effort.

[Mitsuhide glances sideways at Motochika.]

Sadly, I have no treats for your trainer.

[Motochika's mouth curves into a wide smile as Mitsuhide's laughter washes through him; he raises his eyebrows and huffs at Mitsuhide's teasing, but keeps his smile.

Takumi, meanwhile, reaches up to take the treat and chitters smugly before eating it.]

Oh?

[Motochika lets go of Mitsuhide's shoulder he clasps, only to slide an arm round Mitsuhide's shoulders and shift closer.]

Not even one small kiss?

[Motochika has no qualms about flirting in public -- especially not when they are to be wed this very month.]

[Mitsuhide flushes ever so lightly at that.]

[He glances down at Takumi again for a moment, watching the pokemon happily eat his treat, before returning his gaze to Motochika.]

Maybe just a brief one.

[Which is fairly generous, considering they are in public. Mitsuhide has always been a little uncomfortable with open displays of affection when there are strangers around; he is not quite as strict with this as he once was, however.

Excellent.

[Motochika's satisfaction rings clear in his voice; the combination of faint colour warming Mitsuhide's cheeks and Mitsuhide's assent pleases him.

He leans in and kisses Mitsuhide -- and leaves it entirely to Mitsuhide to pull away.]

[Mitsuhide lingers in the kiss for a few seconds before he pulls back from it. His eyes had closed while they had kissed; afterwards they flutter open again. The samurai looks a little shy, but he is smiling.]

Is that treat enough for you? [He asks softly.]

Hmm...

[Motochika hums, eyes drinking in Mitsuhide's expression.]

Most certainly.

[As Motochika relaxes back against the bench and Mitsuhide's side, Takumi -- having finished all of his treat -- grasps the fabric of Mitsuhide's kimono and tugs on it, with a querying "Osha?"]

[It would be incredibly easy indeed to sit here for a while, the air between them warm and content, but Mitsuhide is pulled out of that mindset by Takumi's enquiry. He blinks, and then nods.]

Ah, yes. Forgive me, little friend.

[He gently picks the Oshawott up and places him on the floor, before standing himself. Turning, Mitsuhide addresses Motochika again.]

We have an important task to do today, don't we? Best we get it done as soon as possible.

I have looked forward to this.

[That sentiment echoes in his expression as he rises to his feet. He extends a hand for Mitsuhide to take.]

I shall bear your bellflower with overflowing pride and love.

[He declares, unabashed.]

[Mitsuhide takes that hand... and then his flush turns fierce, Motochika's open expression of affection making it inevitable. Such frank words are welcome and loved. He takes a moment to collect himself before replying, in words so quiet they were barely audible:]

...in binding myself to you, I have ensured that my life shall be filled with moments like this.

[He is very obviously referring to his embarrassment.]

But your words are appreciated.

[Mitsuhide tugs Motochika along then, beginning the very short walk to the tattooist. His voice had been sincere and honest; though he could not find himself able to tell his lover that he felt the same when the eyes of others were upon them, the samurai is certain Motochika knows he does.]

[Perhaps when they are alone, Mitsuhide will give voice to the words, too.]

[Motochika laughs, soft and deep and smug, as he falls into step with Mitsuhide. Takumi keeps pace with them.]

So you have.

[He will hardly deny what is true -- he relishes every opportunity to impact Mitsuhide so, and that will never change.]

[That's quite a laugh, Motochika. Mitsuhide smiles a little, shaking his head.]

You always sound so smug.

[As smug as a person with nothing but good things in his life, or a man who holds in his hands the greatest of prizes. It's amazing that anyone can manage to convey that amount of satisfaction with themselves merely through the tone of their voice.]

It's ridiculous.

[Mitsuhide raises a hand to his mouth and touches his lips briefly, looking thoughtful.]

Ah... which way was it again?

[He looks around, frowning. It's nearby, but for the life of him Mitsuhide can't remember exactly where.]

[Motochika smirks.]

I have good reason to be.

[Tugging on their joined hands, he takes the lead.]

This way. Come, Mitsuhide.

[When they reach the tattoo parlour, Motochika opens the door with his free hand and lets Takumi head in first before he steps inside.]

[Mitsuhide follows on. After stepping inside, he squeezes Motochika's hand before letting it go and moving away.]

[The last time he came here had been over a year ago. In that visit he had spent quite some time laying on his front while the tattooist had inked swirling lines of sea-green across Mitsuhide's back; a design identical to the one Motochika himself had. It had been a gift, a symbol, and a mark that would remain with Mitsuhide even if...]

[If 'that' happened. That thing he can't let himself think about clearly, least he spoil his mood.]

[Almost unconsciously, Mitsuhide raises his left hand and rubs his right shoulder with it.]

How long do you think this will take?

A couple of hours.

[Motochika guesses.]

Do not worry. The time will rush us by.

[Motochika briefly touches Mitsuhide lightly on the shoulder blade, their fingers overlapping for a handful of seconds.]

[After those few seconds, Mitsuhide drops his hand and dips his head briefly.]

[He isn't so much worried about the physical pain he will experience (as a warrior he is used to such things, even if he doesn't enjoy it). No, it's the uncomfortable sensation he remembers as bothering him the most.]

[Still, Mitsuhide will sit through this and he will smile. It's a romantic gesture, after all. A symbol of his bond with his lover.]

Once, I never would have considered tattoos upon my own skin.

[He laughs quietly.]

How things have changed.

[There's a teen girl on screen, presumably down in the bubble, and either way quite safely indoors. Her eyebrows are drawn in at the middle, and even now that she's started recording, it takes her a second to speak.]

Is it seriously snowing up there? That hard, and for three days already?

[She can see it, sure, but the disbelief is still in her voice.]

It is. [Motochika inclines his chin a fraction, a mild undercurrent of challenge in his tone.] Why not take the elevator up and see for yourself?

[He wipes snow off his SFC, and regards the screen. He's lived in Vatheon long enough to recognise most foreigners, but doesn't reocgnise her.]

You must be newly swept under. Welcome to Vatheon.

[Challenge, huh? Her expression hardens into resolve.]

Maybe I will then. I might as well give it a look sometime.

[She'll just need appropriate winter gear. Snow is cold, right? And this guy hardly looks lightly-dressed, with that coat he's got on.]

I am. I only showed up about a week and a half ago, but with any luck I won't be here much longer. Is that normal up there, though? Seasons changing over the year?

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022 ♫ (video)

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