[ they can be touchy feely all over each other as much as they want, as long as it's out there...!! and not in here, the last safe haven from the touchyfeelypocalypse. the window is closed... for now. although he doubts that naki will leave it open for him if he wants, because that's dangerous. ]
Oh, well — that's perfectly fine. It'd be cool if you both could talk, though. You could talk about so many things...!
[ but that also might take smallest fox's attention away from paying attention to naki's silent actions, and when he thinks about it like that, that's no good... he keeps moving robofox around, but listen, a pet fox is incredibly fascinating!! picking it up off of his head, he now sets it in his lap, and reaches for its pink pawpads. ]
You should try touching your fox's pawpads sometimes, Naki. They're not nearly as satisfying as a puppy's pawpads.
[ he got a new puppy....! fox pawpads win over puppy pawpads, though... but does robofox like having its paws touched? ]
[they should put up a sign saying NO TOUCHYFEELIES ALLOWED, like one of those boys-only treehouses or something! also naki would totally leave the window...very slightly open...like maybe just a crack? tsuru could figure it out from there, right?
ah, but pawpads...he actually hadn't thought of doing that? looking down at fox under the bed...who looks back up at naki.....and back to tsuru and robofox.]
Well, I wouldn't mind him touching them, if he wants...is there a difference between fox and puppy pawpads, though?
[robofox allows the handling fooorrrrr a minute! before struggling for freedom.]
[ perfect!! just don't ask tsuru to write it, though, because it'll end up looking like chicken scratch and very much like a boys-only treehouse sign... but yes! he can figure out cracks in windows perfectly. ]
Yeah! At least, I think there is. [ there probably isn't.
oh... robofox is only generous for so long, so tsuru stops squeezing its pawpads, which pleases it! it'll climb back up on his head again, as if it's a soft, white-haired fox throne.
but he also wants naki to squeeze smallest fox's pawpads!! even if they've successfully avoided the touchy feely plague, there's never any escaping the touchy feely plague of soft pawpads... so he encourages smallest fox, gently: ]
Then, go on and let him touch them — wouldn't that be nice, Naki?
[naki would totally write it if tsuru told him to...he's got good handwriting!
meanwhile fox and naki stare at each other for another half minute before naki finally reaches own to pull him all the way out from under the bed, set him in his lap, and.
gently. hold his paws? oh, pawpads are pretty soft.....a surprise!]
This is...it's somewhat embarrassing, actually......
[ yes... this is how it should be: tsuru making absurd suggestions and naki following them without hesitation. sometimes, they end poorly (see: pitfall), but other times, they turn out just fine! (see: pawpads) clearly, tsuru is a most trusted comrade.
but as he watches naki squish the pawpads with great interest, there's something that he realizes, with a quiet — but audible — gasp. he doesn't know if it's true nor if it applies to them, though he'll mention it anyway, looking completely serious. ]
Does this mean we've been infected by the... touchy thing, too? [ but with pawpads...?! ]
[ugh the pitfall...he still hasn't learned. these pawpads are so soft! what if people had pawpads too? is it only foxes and puppies and things that have pawpads...
that totally audible gasp gets both of them to look up though! did something happen! is it something bad! is it--]
[ ugh naki is so trusting.... it's only animals that have pawpads! he can try to feel for haru's pawpads all he wants, and while haru's hands may as well be very soft, they just aren't satisfying like the pawpads of foxes and puppies and cats.
but proceeding on with this VERY SERIOUS TOPIC.... he continues on, in his serious tone. ]
Would you have wanted to touch these pawpads last month?
[ since, you know, everyone was just fine then! no one was trying to hold group touchy-feely sessions...! ]
[tell him to feel for haru's pawpads and he'll totally...try......poor embarrassed saniwa.
this is a truly important conversation topic though! naki sits attentively in his spot on the bed, fox sprawled in a rather undignified manner on his lap.
he's still holding one of fox's paws....looking down at fox again. letting...go....? ah, but he wants to feel it again....
.................oh no, he's been infected!!?!?!?]
H-how could this have happened without us noticing? Will it be as bad as the others, if we wait...!?
[ he would never lead naki astray... sure, he'd lead him into pitfalls without hesitation, but he'd never make naki touch the disappointment that are human pawpads! they're nice to hold in their own way, but they just can't compete with animal pawpads.
he's the older senpai here, he has to come up with something... is there any sort of test that they can perform to test it out, he wonders, that doesn't involve anyone else that's seemed touchy feely so far?
.........ah, he's got something.
so he holds his hands out to naki, palms up. ] Here, try holding my hands.
[ and tell him how you feel! if you feel anything at all! ]
[tsuru-senpai's so smart, always thinking up plans and answers and things...nakigitsune takes the offered hands, holding them gently, and thinks...well, they're not pawpads, but it's not like hands feel bad. plus tsuru's hands are probably all soft and pale, just look at him. he's taking this experiment very seriously, y'know.]
[ see, he's so smart — all of these plans and answers and things! anyway, naki's hands are warm and soft, but there's also something tiny and precious about them, like actual animal pawpads. uh oh... is this the curse of fox-named swords? holding their hands is nearly as satisfying as holding animal pawpads...
which is why he's a little relieved to hear naki's vague answer, and while it isn't good or bad... ]
[it's not that that's it, it's more that he doesn't know how to say what he wants to say about it? he was rarely held by human hands as a sword, and he hasn't really held hands with anybody as a tsukumogami either, and...this is nice? it's a different nice from pawpads. comforting?
he's just sort of staring down at tsuru's hands, like he's studying them or maybe just lost for words. or both.]
Nakigitsune...greatly appreciates being able to hold your hands.....do you think he may really have become affected?
[not that fox doesn't appreciate touches himself, but considering the topic of today's conversation...]
[ he studies naki's expression for a bit, but doesn't see anything different... so he glances back down at their hands, because it's not as if he spends a ton of time staring at naki! as far as he's concerned, he looks the same as he always does.
so he's looking back at smallest fox, for help — because if there's anyone that knows naki best, it's smallest fox. ]
Well... I'll leave it up to you. You say that he greatly appreciates this, but is he any happier than he usually is, holding my hands like this?
[hmmm fox exchanges a look with naki, before trying to explain for him.]
I would say...as he rarely interacts with others in this way, the act of holding your hands does in fact make him happier than usual. I would normally say it is because of his nature or history, but...looking at the other swords...
[ for a decorative sword like naki, it's only natural that he isn't used to shared gestures and contact with others. in a way, tsurumaru finds it kind of cute... and innocent... there's so much of the world that naki hasn't seen! like hand holding, hugs, and filthy magazines!
still, that's enough for him to conclude what he needs to, finishing in smallest fox's sentence. ]
— it doesn't make him as happy as them, huh?
[ so with that, he lets go of naki's hands again, so that naki can perhaps reach for better goals, like fox pawpads. ]
You can do these things with us, you know. We'd be happy to hold your hands, or whatever else you have in mind, whenever you want — all you have to do is ask.
[will tsuru-senpai show him filthy magazines next...!
naki doesn't immediately reach for fox once his hands are free. no, he just sort of looks down at his hands...then up at tsuru? the suggestion that he ask people to hold hands with him somehow strikes him as being difficult to actually do. does he want to hold hands with people?.....well he kinda does now, yes.
but.]
Whatever else?
[what other things could they do...headpats? he knows headpats!]
[ how can tsuru show naki something that he doesn't have.......! he's pure!
but while he probably wouldn't make such a lenient offer to any other sword, naki is, well, naki. he wouldn't come up with weird, unusual tasks that pick betray, would he? so tsuru's perfectly happy to indulge him in headpats and handholding and maybe pats on the back? very friendly! ]
Yep! It's not like you'll ask for something really weird, anyway. Is there something you have in mind right now?
[ he can definitely do headpats... he can even do headpants! who needs pants on legs when they can go on heads! ]
[what would a sword even consider a filthy magazine......
but aah tsurumaru-san is offering things! what should he ask for it's so hard to--no he knows what he wants, we established this already, it's just hard to speak up.
nakigitsune exchanges a look with smallest fox, who's now moved to sit expectantly off to the side, before looking back at tsuru again. he shifts a little in his seat! he folds his hands in his lap!
there's actually kind of a pause where his mouth's open and nothing's coming out, but. eventually.]
.......Pats. [there's a period there but the way he says it sounds a very tiny bit like it might be a question, somehow.]
[ maybe... swords being refined? gosh, what do they even consider filthy?
tsuru sees him opening his mouth! is he going to say something! ...no, he doesn't... oh, but then he does, and whenever naki has something to say, tsuru listens with all of his attention — because it's not everyday that anyone gets to hear naki's actual voice.
it's not as if he's going to pass up a chance to pat naki! not that he thinks he'd be declined, but giving pats out of the blue without reason is strange.
so this is enough reason for him, and he's already fulfilling his request, slowly putting a hand on top of his hair... and giving it a soft ruffle! ]
[sword refining....that's totally filthy, for sure!(???)
yes, exactly like that! naki closes his eyes at the hair ruffle, quietly enjoying it for as long as it lasts, though he does let out a quiet mmhmm for the question. he loves his pats! he likes touches...swords are meant to be held! probably! maybe? if you listen to mutsu-san then maybe swords are meant to be sitting on display stands, but this is so much nicer.]
[ somehow, patting naki is much more satisfying than patting puppies and puppy pawpads. tsukumogami hair is just soft on an entirely different level, especially the hair of a display sword who's never ever gone outside to play in his entire lifespan... and no one needs to listen to mutsu, he's five.
so he continues ruffling naki's hair, and lets out a quiet laugh, at how strangely comforting this situation is. naki is small and fragile! he has to be protected from the dark horrors of the world... which tsuru, along with the other swords, is certainly going to see to. ]
You could probably pass as my little brother, see? Not to the swords, but to other people.
[ and it would certainly be an excuse to give him even more pats, as rewards! ] Even though we don't come from the same school, we look alike.
[it's quiet and peaceful in this room, and he likes tsuru-san's company, and the hair ruffling feels nice...it really is comforting, somehow, in some way he can't describe. he never was good with words.
he does lift his gaze up to tsuru's face at that comment though, a questioning look in his eyes.]
Would people treat you differently, if they saw you as brothers?
[the fox has made himself comfortable on the bed, off to the side...but he's still here for the conversation!
weren't they trying to escape touchy feelies earlier?]
[ they're in a different kind of touchy feely hell now... it's still far purer than whatever's going on out there, with people being all touchy feely with each other! but at that, he takes a moment to think, resting his hand on naki's head as he does so. ]
I don't know, actually. It's just an excuse to give you pats for doing good things, but you have the rest of the Awataguchi family for that, don't you?
[ nevermind that naki is one of the older awataguchi swords, and probably gives more pats than he receives pats in the first place... ]
We're sort of from the same time period, except you don't really know what it's like to be outside, so see — I thought I could show you, like a...
[oohh an excuse for free pats? he can definitely get behind that, and nods at tsuru's explanation--though the nod kinda slows when he mentions the awataguchis.
the toshibros never really give him pats...because they're the ones getting them, of course.
instead of mentioning this, though:]
....a brother? [that's the answer right, that's totally what you were gonna say! or at least that's what tsuru mentioned a minute ago?]
[ yes!! an excuse for endless free pats, like year-round tickets to disney-pat-land!
but his expression falls when naki brings up the wrong term, although he can't really fault him for it — tsuru had led him to that conclusion, after all. ]
No, kind of like...
[ HE'S GONNA SAY IT ugh naki don't laugh........ ] A senpai?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2016-04-23 01:38 am (UTC)Oh, well — that's perfectly fine. It'd be cool if you both could talk, though. You could talk about so many things...!
[ but that also might take smallest fox's attention away from paying attention to naki's silent actions, and when he thinks about it like that, that's no good... he keeps moving robofox around, but listen, a pet fox is incredibly fascinating!! picking it up off of his head, he now sets it in his lap, and reaches for its pink pawpads. ]
You should try touching your fox's pawpads sometimes, Naki. They're not nearly as satisfying as a puppy's pawpads.
[ he got a new puppy....! fox pawpads win over puppy pawpads, though... but does robofox like having its paws touched? ]
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Date: 2016-04-24 04:39 am (UTC)ah, but pawpads...he actually hadn't thought of doing that? looking down at fox under the bed...who looks back up at naki.....and back to tsuru and robofox.]
Well, I wouldn't mind him touching them, if he wants...is there a difference between fox and puppy pawpads, though?
[robofox allows the handling fooorrrrr a minute! before struggling for freedom.]
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Date: 2016-04-27 07:02 pm (UTC)Yeah! At least, I think there is. [ there probably isn't.
oh... robofox is only generous for so long, so tsuru stops squeezing its pawpads, which pleases it! it'll climb back up on his head again, as if it's a soft, white-haired fox throne.
but he also wants naki to squeeze smallest fox's pawpads!! even if they've successfully avoided the touchy feely plague, there's never any escaping the touchy feely plague of soft pawpads... so he encourages smallest fox, gently: ]
Then, go on and let him touch them — wouldn't that be nice, Naki?
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Date: 2016-04-28 03:06 pm (UTC)meanwhile fox and naki stare at each other for another half minute before naki finally reaches own to pull him all the way out from under the bed, set him in his lap, and.
gently. hold his paws? oh, pawpads are pretty soft.....a surprise!]
This is...it's somewhat embarrassing, actually......
[not resisting though!?]
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Date: 2016-05-01 07:27 am (UTC)but as he watches naki squish the pawpads with great interest, there's something that he realizes, with a quiet — but audible — gasp. he doesn't know if it's true nor if it applies to them, though he'll mention it anyway, looking completely serious. ]
Does this mean we've been infected by the... touchy thing, too? [ but with pawpads...?! ]
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Date: 2016-05-02 02:30 am (UTC)that totally audible gasp gets both of them to look up though! did something happen! is it something bad! is it--]
...............Are we?
I'd hope not...!
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Date: 2016-05-02 10:02 pm (UTC)but proceeding on with this VERY SERIOUS TOPIC.... he continues on, in his serious tone. ]
Would you have wanted to touch these pawpads last month?
[ since, you know, everyone was just fine then! no one was trying to hold group touchy-feely sessions...! ]
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Date: 2016-05-03 03:48 am (UTC)this is a truly important conversation topic though! naki sits attentively in his spot on the bed, fox sprawled in a rather undignified manner on his lap.
he's still holding one of fox's paws....looking down at fox again. letting...go....? ah, but he wants to feel it again....
.................oh no, he's been infected!!?!?!?]
H-how could this have happened without us noticing? Will it be as bad as the others, if we wait...!?
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Date: 2016-05-04 03:25 pm (UTC)he's the older senpai here, he has to come up with something... is there any sort of test that they can perform to test it out, he wonders, that doesn't involve anyone else that's seemed touchy feely so far?
.........ah, he's got something.
so he holds his hands out to naki, palms up. ] Here, try holding my hands.
[ and tell him how you feel! if you feel anything at all! ]
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Date: 2016-05-04 11:22 pm (UTC)...They're nice.
[is that a good thing or a bad thing...]
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Date: 2016-05-05 09:40 pm (UTC)which is why he's a little relieved to hear naki's vague answer, and while it isn't good or bad... ]
Is that it?
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Date: 2016-05-06 05:05 pm (UTC)he's just sort of staring down at tsuru's hands, like he's studying them or maybe just lost for words. or both.]
Nakigitsune...greatly appreciates being able to hold your hands.....do you think he may really have become affected?
[not that fox doesn't appreciate touches himself, but considering the topic of today's conversation...]
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Date: 2016-05-08 06:42 am (UTC)so he's looking back at smallest fox, for help — because if there's anyone that knows naki best, it's smallest fox. ]
Well... I'll leave it up to you. You say that he greatly appreciates this, but is he any happier than he usually is, holding my hands like this?
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Date: 2016-05-09 03:52 pm (UTC)I would say...as he rarely interacts with others in this way, the act of holding your hands does in fact make him happier than usual. I would normally say it is because of his nature or history, but...looking at the other swords...
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Date: 2016-05-09 06:41 pm (UTC)still, that's enough for him to conclude what he needs to, finishing in smallest fox's sentence. ]
— it doesn't make him as happy as them, huh?
[ so with that, he lets go of naki's hands again, so that naki can perhaps reach for better goals, like fox pawpads. ]
You can do these things with us, you know. We'd be happy to hold your hands, or whatever else you have in mind, whenever you want — all you have to do is ask.
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Date: 2016-05-10 08:34 am (UTC)naki doesn't immediately reach for fox once his hands are free. no, he just sort of looks down at his hands...then up at tsuru? the suggestion that he ask people to hold hands with him somehow strikes him as being difficult to actually do. does he want to hold hands with people?.....well he kinda does now, yes.
but.]
Whatever else?
[what other things could they do...headpats? he knows headpats!]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-11 05:37 am (UTC)but while he probably wouldn't make such a lenient offer to any other sword, naki is, well, naki. he wouldn't come up with weird, unusual tasks that pick betray, would he? so tsuru's perfectly happy to indulge him in headpats and handholding and maybe pats on the back? very friendly! ]
Yep! It's not like you'll ask for something really weird, anyway. Is there something you have in mind right now?
[ he can definitely do headpats... he can even do headpants! who needs pants on legs when they can go on heads! ]
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Date: 2016-05-12 07:26 am (UTC)but aah tsurumaru-san is offering things! what should he ask for it's so hard to--no he knows what he wants, we established this already, it's just hard to speak up.
nakigitsune exchanges a look with smallest fox, who's now moved to sit expectantly off to the side, before looking back at tsuru again. he shifts a little in his seat! he folds his hands in his lap!
there's actually kind of a pause where his mouth's open and nothing's coming out, but. eventually.]
.......Pats. [there's a period there but the way he says it sounds a very tiny bit like it might be a question, somehow.]
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Date: 2016-05-14 09:34 am (UTC)tsuru sees him opening his mouth! is he going to say something! ...no, he doesn't... oh, but then he does, and whenever naki has something to say, tsuru listens with all of his attention — because it's not everyday that anyone gets to hear naki's actual voice.
it's not as if he's going to pass up a chance to pat naki! not that he thinks he'd be declined, but giving pats out of the blue without reason is strange.
so this is enough reason for him, and he's already fulfilling his request, slowly putting a hand on top of his hair... and giving it a soft ruffle! ]
Like this?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-15 10:15 pm (UTC)yes, exactly like that! naki closes his eyes at the hair ruffle, quietly enjoying it for as long as it lasts, though he does let out a quiet mmhmm for the question. he loves his pats! he likes touches...swords are meant to be held! probably! maybe? if you listen to mutsu-san then maybe swords are meant to be sitting on display stands, but this is so much nicer.]
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Date: 2016-05-16 02:30 am (UTC)so he continues ruffling naki's hair, and lets out a quiet laugh, at how strangely comforting this situation is. naki is small and fragile! he has to be protected from the dark horrors of the world... which tsuru, along with the other swords, is certainly going to see to. ]
You could probably pass as my little brother, see? Not to the swords, but to other people.
[ and it would certainly be an excuse to give him even more pats, as rewards! ] Even though we don't come from the same school, we look alike.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-16 05:32 am (UTC)he does lift his gaze up to tsuru's face at that comment though, a questioning look in his eyes.]
Would people treat you differently, if they saw you as brothers?
[the fox has made himself comfortable on the bed, off to the side...but he's still here for the conversation!
weren't they trying to escape touchy feelies earlier?]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-21 12:36 am (UTC)I don't know, actually. It's just an excuse to give you pats for doing good things, but you have the rest of the Awataguchi family for that, don't you?
[ nevermind that naki is one of the older awataguchi swords, and probably gives more pats than he receives pats in the first place... ]
We're sort of from the same time period, except you don't really know what it's like to be outside, so see — I thought I could show you, like a...
[ like a senpai! ]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-21 06:33 pm (UTC)the toshibros never really give him pats...because they're the ones getting them, of course.
instead of mentioning this, though:]
....a brother? [that's the answer right, that's totally what you were gonna say! or at least that's what tsuru mentioned a minute ago?]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-23 07:25 pm (UTC)but his expression falls when naki brings up the wrong term, although he can't really fault him for it — tsuru had led him to that conclusion, after all. ]
No, kind of like...
[ HE'S GONNA SAY IT ugh naki don't laugh........ ] A senpai?
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