[Feelings are hard to understand most times. He's pretty sure they've all had at least one moment where a sentiment similar to "is this better than the way things were before?" has crossed their minds, maybe very briefly or maybe very clearly.
But the struggle of moving forward is worth it in the end, he thinks. He just doesn't really know how to convey that in words yet either.]
It's okay to take some breaks if things are too much, y'know? If it's too heavy or too confusing, it's okay to step back for a little while until it feels less scary or overwhelming. You know that, right?
[And then mental respite is just as important as a physical rest, of course.]
[He bows his head very slightly; another half-nod, careful of the brush.
It's easy to forget that. That they can step away from everything, if only for a little while. He'd done it often before, that's what his naps had been for him, but--with everything that had been going on recently, it's been a while since he actually took one of those breaks.
Maybe that's why he's worrying? No, that can't be the only reason. All this thinking is just bringing him back to "feelings are hard," "life is confusing," "things were easier before," it's an endless circle.
He attempts the verbal equivalent of shaking those thoughts out of his head.]
How do you take breaks? [emphasis on "you," if not enough for italics.]
[He's not a great sword to be answering that... He may be good at dispensing Generally Decent Advice, but he sure isn't great at actually following it. How does he take breaks? ...Does he??
Well, sometimes - there are some things he does to step away.]
Mmm... D'you have any hobbies or things like that that you really like? Or, like - someone you really like talking to? You could always wind down for a little with something totally unrelated and then talk to someone else to try getting a new perspective.
[He wonders if Nakigitsune's even tried to talk this out with smallest fox yet. Maybe that would be a good first step.]
[People he likes talking to....he doesn't really talk though? Outside of these super quiet one-on-one moments. He doesn't even have an answer to that, talking to people is hard.
Thinking though...what counts as a hobby? What does he like to do that actually requires attention...]
....Games? [He plays handheld video games like Pokemals sometimes! Or rhythm games on his Cerevice! Casual stuff.]
Mm, if you haven't tried playing any yet, maybe give that a shot? Try some multiplayer ones or some puzzle ones or something, maybe.
[Ones that take a little more concentration or have more of a social element slipped in. Not quite as taxing as conversation, but probably still delivering a companionable air.]
[Puzzles and multiplayer...he can do that. Probably. There's enough people in this apartment he could find someone to play with, right? Or to help with the puzzles. Fox would probably enjoy the puzzles, at least.]
Okay.
[Kashuu's so helpful...he doesn't say it out loud, but there's definitely appreciation here somewhere.]
[There's a little humming noise in response to the thanks - a nonverbal "you're welcome".]
I can play something with you too, if you want. Oh - someone taught me how to play chess a few days ago... I could teach you too, if you don't know it yet?
[Learning a new game might be just as good as multiplayer. As long as Naki's not too tired out by direct interaction, he certainly doesn't mind donating his time, either.]
[Naki's hair is doomed to be at least slightly messy...ah, but strategy and stuff sounds like a game that's both interesting and helpful? Learning! He gives an actual nod this time, despite the brush. He'd been holding still all this time...]
[Naki doesn't say "okay" again, but he does make a vague noise that could possibly be interpreted as one...he also closes his eyes for that hair ruffle, before turning back to look at Kashuu.]
[Smallest fox is the loudest fox of all, don't underestimate his small size! Naki's obviously used to it, having not reacted at all to the noise...his gaze does turn back to the fox at that question, though.]
...Better. [Since Naki returned, that is.]
He won't leave me alone. [Take how close they usually are, and imagine the fox being three times more clingy...is what he's trying to say?]
[Small but filled with noise, he sees how it is...]
He's probably not gonna leave you alone for a while.
[It's hard to even imagine a clingier smallest fox, but he's not too surprised. He imagines this might last for quite a while, considering the abruptness of Naki's death.]
[He makes a quiet affirmative noise, and...ah, would fox wake up if he petted him? He might....Naki's hands return to his lap. Maybe he's holding back for fox's sake, maybe he just wants to stretch out this single moment of alone time before being stuck with a permascarf for the next week.]
[It's like looking after a baby... Good luck, Naki, truly.]
He's really good, yeah. You both are. It's good you've got each other, too.
[Smallest fox can help out smaller fox when needed and vice versa, which seems like a pretty good deal to him. Having those dependable comrades is definitely always important.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2016-06-08 07:04 am (UTC)But the struggle of moving forward is worth it in the end, he thinks. He just doesn't really know how to convey that in words yet either.]
It's okay to take some breaks if things are too much, y'know? If it's too heavy or too confusing, it's okay to step back for a little while until it feels less scary or overwhelming. You know that, right?
[And then mental respite is just as important as a physical rest, of course.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-08 04:10 pm (UTC)It's easy to forget that. That they can step away from everything, if only for a little while. He'd done it often before, that's what his naps had been for him, but--with everything that had been going on recently, it's been a while since he actually took one of those breaks.
Maybe that's why he's worrying? No, that can't be the only reason. All this thinking is just bringing him back to "feelings are hard," "life is confusing," "things were easier before," it's an endless circle.
He attempts the verbal equivalent of shaking those thoughts out of his head.]
How do you take breaks? [emphasis on "you," if not enough for italics.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-08 11:43 pm (UTC)Well, sometimes - there are some things he does to step away.]
Mmm... D'you have any hobbies or things like that that you really like? Or, like - someone you really like talking to? You could always wind down for a little with something totally unrelated and then talk to someone else to try getting a new perspective.
[He wonders if Nakigitsune's even tried to talk this out with smallest fox yet. Maybe that would be a good first step.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-09 03:47 pm (UTC)Thinking though...what counts as a hobby? What does he like to do that actually requires attention...]
....Games? [He plays handheld video games like Pokemals sometimes! Or rhythm games on his Cerevice! Casual stuff.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-10 12:15 am (UTC)Mm, if you haven't tried playing any yet, maybe give that a shot? Try some multiplayer ones or some puzzle ones or something, maybe.
[Ones that take a little more concentration or have more of a social element slipped in. Not quite as taxing as conversation, but probably still delivering a companionable air.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-10 03:56 am (UTC)Okay.
[Kashuu's so helpful...he doesn't say it out loud, but there's definitely appreciation here somewhere.]
Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-10 04:32 am (UTC)I can play something with you too, if you want. Oh - someone taught me how to play chess a few days ago... I could teach you too, if you don't know it yet?
[Learning a new game might be just as good as multiplayer. As long as Naki's not too tired out by direct interaction, he certainly doesn't mind donating his time, either.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-10 06:18 pm (UTC)I don't know it.
[It's an unspoken "Yes, please teach me." Playing games doesn't tend to require too much talking either, so it's win-win, right?]
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Date: 2016-06-10 10:39 pm (UTC)[He pauses in his brushing for a second, attempting to flatten a particularly stubborn piece of hair with his palm and failing miserably.]
It's pretty fun... And you can think about strategy and stuff.
[ie: the sort of game that takes up attention, without leaving much room for a wandering mind.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-11 05:41 am (UTC)Okay.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-11 06:45 am (UTC)[He won't even scold Naki for not staying still! He's been doing a good job of it until now, okay. Good work punk.
After a few more runs through with the brush, he raises his opposite hand to ruffle Naki's hair.]
Almost done. Looks like most of the tangles are out, anyway.
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Date: 2016-06-13 02:03 am (UTC)Were there a lot?
no subject
Date: 2016-06-13 03:54 am (UTC)[Just like someone with natural bedhead had been spending a lot of time in bed lately...]
If you need it brushed again, lemme know, okay?
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Date: 2016-06-13 06:22 pm (UTC)I will.
[And the still-sleeping fox in the corner lets out an extra-loud foxy snore.]
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Date: 2016-06-13 11:08 pm (UTC)—That was pretty loud. [Incredible... He smooths the brush through Nakigitsune's hair for one final sweep and then sets it off to the side.]
How's that little guy been doing, anyway?
[He already knows Nakigitsune is having A Time and he assumes the same for smallest fox...]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-14 03:38 am (UTC)...Better. [Since Naki returned, that is.]
He won't leave me alone. [Take how close they usually are, and imagine the fox being three times more clingy...is what he's trying to say?]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-14 04:46 am (UTC)He's probably not gonna leave you alone for a while.
[It's hard to even imagine a clingier smallest fox, but he's not too surprised. He imagines this might last for quite a while, considering the abruptness of Naki's death.]
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Date: 2016-06-15 02:23 am (UTC)He's...a good fox.
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Date: 2016-06-15 06:54 am (UTC)He's really good, yeah. You both are. It's good you've got each other, too.
[Smallest fox can help out smaller fox when needed and vice versa, which seems like a pretty good deal to him. Having those dependable comrades is definitely always important.]