[ Calling out over gentle kitchen noises, ] Is that so?
Then I would appreciate your input. I will admit I've never raised a garden from scratch, only maintained one.
[ So it goes when you're nobility and everything must be perfectly arranged before you move in or someone with just as much status but far less patience could throw a fit. A few certainly had when they first got a peek at how he'd let his own garden simply do its thing, but since the flora and fauna were content to keep themselves to his estate instead of sneaking into any neighbors it never became a big enough deal to force his hand on. ]
Yeah? Leave it to me, then! [Enthusiastic? No, never! Would it be weird if she blessed the whole garden after setting it up? Hmmm...] Do you have any particular plants you're fond of?
[--Poking her head around the corner into the kitchen because it's totally inappropriate to have a conversation from a different room, right?! Totally not snooping or anything strange. And since she just wants to be helpful:]
Oh, is there anything you would like me to help with? [Girl, he's just making tea, not performing surgery.]
[ Dara, please, he is just boiling water over here. And deciding on which tea leaves he's feeling today, a tin in each hand when she peeks in. ]
In here? No, that's quite alright. This shouldn't take long.
[ Aldrip is such a weird hodgepodge of the familiar and the unusual, sometimes he can find the most obscure little things just lying around, but he can't seem to find tea leaves in a form that's familiar to him. Close enough, but thank goodness he didn't have any guests over during the short adjustment period.
There was another question there though, hm. An innocent one he can't be called out on sentimentality for because how would Dara possibly know? ]
...Wisteria. All other plants I've been considering are with a wisteria tree in mind.
[Her offer shot down, Dara leans against the wall and smiles to herself--]
Good luck to humans and bad luck to demons, yeah? Fufu... [HOW VERY LIKE THE MOST FAMOUS ONMYOJI! Although that's entirely her assumption, knowing nothing about the Wisteria shikigami.] A good pick. I could try speeding up its growth a bit, too...
[She doesn't dig further. Instead, the god takes the time to imagine the garden of an aristocrat while Seimei finishes with the tea.]
[ If she's content to let him finish in silence, so is he. Not like making tea needs complete concentration or anything, he's just not the type to mince words or habitually fill any space that might have the chance to become uncomfortable, as Dara may have noticed.
And in a few quiet minutes the kitchen fills with a lovely herbal scent, teapot and cups softly clinking together as they're arranged on a tray. ]
If there was anything else you would like to discuss as per your "audience", we can drink and talk wherever is comfortable. The main room isn't exactly fit to impress and comfort guests.
Standing here, going elsewhere, I don't mind in any case! Whatever you prefer...
[Dara would love to savor the aroma and chat, but she trails off. There's something weighing on her mind. A deep unrest that has settled in her mind since becoming conscious. How self-centered of her to concoct plans that may involve him. Unintentionally, of course, but wouldn't it be better to give him a warning ahead of time? Outside of her shrine's caretakers, it's not as if she communed intentions to any other spiritual representative or priestly figure. It's hard to find the words without putting a sense of responsibility on his shoulders.]
Before that, though, I want to make you aware of my intentions for the future-- [She raises her hands suddenly, interrupting her line of thought:] Not to say that I want to directly involve you! You've already done so much, and I'm truly grateful for your assistance! I absolutely recognize that I put a heavy burden on you and we haven't known each other for very long...!
[Okay, Dara actually recognizes that she'd miss her point if she kept up the lengthy apology. Gotta fight the urge to continue!!!]
I-in any case, I suppose...if I were in your place as an onmyoji...I would value information above all. Um, not to say that I should dictate what's important in your own practice-- [UGH. Stay on task! She's practically squirming with her inability to verbalize her sentiments.] Er, sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself, yeah? It would be more considerate to allow you the choice of whether or not you would want to know my plans for...recovery? As a curse god and all that.
[The struggle to be straightforward is absolutely real.]
[ The struggle is real and apparent, but at least she's? Trying?? He's not doing anything of import right at this exact second (that has to wait until sundown) so the only time she's really wasting is her own. That's her main saving grace right now.
Which is why he's staying and listening, looking...'patient' isn't quite the right word, but she's right about him being interested in what she has to say once she's closer to the meat of it all. ]
You are correct. I do value information, especially concerning what any local gods might be up to.
[ Turning back to the tea tray for a moment, he'll pour a cup of golden-green and carefully offer it up towards her. Seems this talk's gonna happen right here in the kitchen. ]
I would also like to assist in your recovery, if I may. We've already discussed how imbalanced this world's energies are, and seeing to your health is one way to keep that manageable while researching others.
[Thank goodness he understands-! It feels like a huge weight off her shoulders, although the guilt of putting more work on him is sticking around. At least she gave him a choice.
Dara takes the cup with a soft "thank you" and turns it in her hands three times before staring down into it. It's all contemplative while she develops the best summary of her plans.]
Originally, planned to destroy the clown while making him suffer as I did, but death truly means nothing here. I don't want us two to enter a cycle of violence that drags others into it. If I didn't have anyone here to care about-- hm well, there's no going back, is there? Once you start. [The god sighs to herself but moves on quickly.] Anyways, I'm making a trap for Gogol. I'm altering a god-binding seal so that he can't get away with his spacial ability...but with care enough that it doesn't kill him. With risk-prevention in mind, I aim to have him enter a contract with me.
[With all that said, Dara finally takes a sip of her tea.]
[ If there truly was plenty of time to waste he'd comment on how impressive it is for a curse god to knowingly avoid a cycle of mutual destruction. That would be a pretty reliable self-charing battery for her after all. But she's finally stopped interrupting herself for the sake of personally tending to his ego, so all she'll get in that regard is an attentive look as he sips his tea and listens.
Using such a powerful seal on a human is a novel concept, at least to him, but with the otherwise average people here capable of strange and unusual things he trusts her judgement that it'll be needed. That isn't the part that catches most of his interest. ]
I recall you saying you had no interest in contracts when first we met. So what do you intend to do with this one?
[ "Risk-prevention" can mean an awful lot of things, especially with gods and maniacs involved. ]
Simple. Prevent him from attempting to mess with me and the people I care about. [Another sip.
However, it's more than just that. Yes, the ultimate goal is to put a leash on the clown, but there's more to the planning behind it. She's unsure how Seimei may judge the amount of torture involved, especially with the spell she has been developing since the idea came to mind. As far as that piece of info, she'll omit it for now until he digs for more.]
...Especially Shinjiro. [Yes, there is a bit of pink to her cheeks, but Dara has decided to close her eyes to avoid witnessing Seimei's expression.] Since he was the one to give the fatal strike, I don't want Gogol coming at him for revenge or start a hostage situation. Death may mean nothing here, but I don't want Shinjiro experience it a second time while here.
[ That does make sense. There isn't judgement in the expression she's hiding from, only understanding, but he'll avoid another possible tangent by keeping any direct commentary on Shinjiro's welfare to himself.
The important part is... ]
I can't imagine someone who went out of their way to harm others to such a degree would easily agree to such a contract.
[ Not if she's just going to keep him in one spot and ask nicely, at least. No, no, she has something else planned, and Seimei himself still has only a bare-bones idea of what all Dara is capable of. Both in ability, and in creativity. ]
I don't plan on persuading him...and pain is not the only method of forcing someone into an agreement.
[Dara pauses and takes a deep breath. Releases it. Normally she wouldn't care about her methods or how she was viewed if it meant following through with her role. Yet, there's a part of her that hopes Seimei doesn't view her as the vile god that makes up half of her existence. Her life as a human may have been filled with sneers and looks of disgust, but Dara doesn't want him to look at her that way. Odd...]
Interacting with the world and perceiving its response in return-- Gogol's one who enjoys freedom and theatrics. I figured as much from the few times I've met him. So I'm going to rob him of physical sensations. Sight, smell, hearing, touch, pain...Something akin to death until he gives in.
[Dara locks eyes with Seimei, her expression teetering on the thin line between a flattened affect and something morose. It's the only thing she can do to hide her apprehension of a (presumed) negative response.]
I won't be lenient. I am a god of curses, after all.
[ Torture, then. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but thinking on what she describes for longer than a few seconds it's easy to imagine the sort of existential dread being put in a state of death-not-death would nurture, fester even, steadily push any normal man over the brink of madness. (If this one wasn't mad already, but. Details.)
Questioning the supposed morality of spirits, gods, and the like isn't something he really does. They have vastly different priorities and views of The Big Picture, trying to impose a simple human man's views of right and wrong would be a losing battle...though the way that hint of insecurity in Dara's delivery, in the way she's insisting on looking at Seimei, tells him she hasn't let go of that piece of her humanity.
How very interesting. ]
I wouldn't expect you to be.
[ He's the first to break eye contact, watching the subtle ripples in his teacup. His tone nor his gaze hold any judgement, but they're also both very matter-of-fact. Whether he approves or disapproves is a mystery. ]
One must learn not to idly cross gods and spirits one way or the other. This man had the misfortune of running headfirst over a waterfall in order to learn that lesson.
[ Okay, some derision for "that man" snuck its way into his tone there. Pain in the ass. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Then I would appreciate your input. I will admit I've never raised a garden from scratch, only maintained one.
[ So it goes when you're nobility and everything must be perfectly arranged before you move in or someone with just as much status but far less patience could throw a fit. A few certainly had when they first got a peek at how he'd let his own garden simply do its thing, but since the flora and fauna were content to keep themselves to his estate instead of sneaking into any neighbors it never became a big enough deal to force his hand on. ]
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[--Poking her head around the corner into the kitchen because it's totally inappropriate to have a conversation from a different room, right?! Totally not snooping or anything strange. And since she just wants to be helpful:]
Oh, is there anything you would like me to help with? [
Girl, he's just making tea, not performing surgery.]no subject
In here? No, that's quite alright. This shouldn't take long.
[ Aldrip is such a weird hodgepodge of the familiar and the unusual, sometimes he can find the most obscure little things just lying around, but he can't seem to find tea leaves in a form that's familiar to him. Close enough, but thank goodness he didn't have any guests over during the short adjustment period.
There was another question there though, hm. An innocent one he can't be called out on sentimentality for because how would Dara possibly know? ]
...Wisteria. All other plants I've been considering are with a wisteria tree in mind.
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Good luck to humans and bad luck to demons, yeah? Fufu... [HOW VERY LIKE THE MOST FAMOUS ONMYOJI! Although that's entirely her assumption, knowing nothing about the Wisteria shikigami.] A good pick. I could try speeding up its growth a bit, too...
[She doesn't dig further. Instead, the god takes the time to imagine the garden of an aristocrat while Seimei finishes with the tea.]
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And in a few quiet minutes the kitchen fills with a lovely herbal scent, teapot and cups softly clinking together as they're arranged on a tray. ]
If there was anything else you would like to discuss as per your "audience", we can drink and talk wherever is comfortable. The main room isn't exactly fit to impress and comfort guests.
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[Dara would love to savor the aroma and chat, but she trails off. There's something weighing on her mind. A deep unrest that has settled in her mind since becoming conscious. How self-centered of her to concoct plans that may involve him. Unintentionally, of course, but wouldn't it be better to give him a warning ahead of time? Outside of her shrine's caretakers, it's not as if she communed intentions to any other spiritual representative or priestly figure. It's hard to find the words without putting a sense of responsibility on his shoulders.]
Before that, though, I want to make you aware of my intentions for the future-- [She raises her hands suddenly, interrupting her line of thought:] Not to say that I want to directly involve you! You've already done so much, and I'm truly grateful for your assistance! I absolutely recognize that I put a heavy burden on you and we haven't known each other for very long...!
[Okay, Dara actually recognizes that she'd miss her point if she kept up the lengthy apology. Gotta fight the urge to continue!!!]
I-in any case, I suppose...if I were in your place as an onmyoji...I would value information above all. Um, not to say that I should dictate what's important in your own practice-- [UGH. Stay on task! She's practically squirming with her inability to verbalize her sentiments.] Er, sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself, yeah? It would be more considerate to allow you the choice of whether or not you would want to know my plans for...recovery? As a curse god and all that.
[The struggle to be straightforward is absolutely real.]
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Which is why he's staying and listening, looking...'patient' isn't quite the right word, but she's right about him being interested in what she has to say once she's closer to the meat of it all. ]
You are correct. I do value information, especially concerning what any local gods might be up to.
[ Turning back to the tea tray for a moment, he'll pour a cup of golden-green and carefully offer it up towards her. Seems this talk's gonna happen right here in the kitchen. ]
I would also like to assist in your recovery, if I may. We've already discussed how imbalanced this world's energies are, and seeing to your health is one way to keep that manageable while researching others.
no subject
Dara takes the cup with a soft "thank you" and turns it in her hands three times before staring down into it. It's all contemplative while she develops the best summary of her plans.]
Originally, planned to destroy the clown while making him suffer as I did, but death truly means nothing here. I don't want us two to enter a cycle of violence that drags others into it. If I didn't have anyone here to care about-- hm well, there's no going back, is there? Once you start. [The god sighs to herself but moves on quickly.] Anyways, I'm making a trap for Gogol. I'm altering a god-binding seal so that he can't get away with his spacial ability...but with care enough that it doesn't kill him. With risk-prevention in mind, I aim to have him enter a contract with me.
[With all that said, Dara finally takes a sip of her tea.]
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Using such a powerful seal on a human is a novel concept, at least to him, but with the otherwise average people here capable of strange and unusual things he trusts her judgement that it'll be needed. That isn't the part that catches most of his interest. ]
I recall you saying you had no interest in contracts when first we met. So what do you intend to do with this one?
[ "Risk-prevention" can mean an awful lot of things, especially with gods and maniacs involved. ]
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However, it's more than just that. Yes, the ultimate goal is to put a leash on the clown, but there's more to the planning behind it. She's unsure how Seimei may judge the amount of torture involved, especially with the spell she has been developing since the idea came to mind. As far as that piece of info, she'll omit it for now until he digs for more.]
...Especially Shinjiro. [Yes, there is a bit of pink to her cheeks, but Dara has decided to close her eyes to avoid witnessing Seimei's expression.] Since he was the one to give the fatal strike, I don't want Gogol coming at him for revenge or start a hostage situation. Death may mean nothing here, but I don't want Shinjiro experience it a second time while here.
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The important part is... ]
I can't imagine someone who went out of their way to harm others to such a degree would easily agree to such a contract.
[ Not if she's just going to keep him in one spot and ask nicely, at least. No, no, she has something else planned, and Seimei himself still has only a bare-bones idea of what all Dara is capable of. Both in ability, and in creativity. ]
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[Dara pauses and takes a deep breath. Releases it. Normally she wouldn't care about her methods or how she was viewed if it meant following through with her role. Yet, there's a part of her that hopes Seimei doesn't view her as the vile god that makes up half of her existence. Her life as a human may have been filled with sneers and looks of disgust, but Dara doesn't want him to look at her that way. Odd...]
Interacting with the world and perceiving its response in return-- Gogol's one who enjoys freedom and theatrics. I figured as much from the few times I've met him. So I'm going to rob him of physical sensations. Sight, smell, hearing, touch, pain...Something akin to death until he gives in.
[Dara locks eyes with Seimei, her expression teetering on the thin line between a flattened affect and something morose. It's the only thing she can do to hide her apprehension of a (presumed) negative response.]
I won't be lenient. I am a god of curses, after all.
no subject
Questioning the supposed morality of spirits, gods, and the like isn't something he really does. They have vastly different priorities and views of The Big Picture, trying to impose a simple human man's views of right and wrong would be a losing battle...though the way that hint of insecurity in Dara's delivery, in the way she's insisting on looking at Seimei, tells him she hasn't let go of that piece of her humanity.
How very interesting. ]
I wouldn't expect you to be.
[ He's the first to break eye contact, watching the subtle ripples in his teacup. His tone nor his gaze hold any judgement, but they're also both very matter-of-fact. Whether he approves or disapproves is a mystery. ]
One must learn not to idly cross gods and spirits one way or the other. This man had the misfortune of running headfirst over a waterfall in order to learn that lesson.
[ Okay, some derision for "that man" snuck its way into his tone there. Pain in the ass. ]