Dreamland (round 3)

[foundationmods]

[A strange house of some sort sits in the pitch black nothingness that exists around it. For those just now wandering in, they will be drawn to the building, finding it lit up in a way that it should not be. It's as if the whole area- house, yard, fence, and giant sakura tree- all give off their own light, and the newly-arrived are drawn to it like a moth to the flame.

Inside the boundary of the yard, the familiar faces of those who have passed on already will greet them. Depending on who is asked, they might give an accurate explanation. But even if they don't, one thing is clear: you don't want to leave this place. The area outside feels Dangerous, and it is probably best to stay put.

Fortunately, the house is built in an old style, and there are many rooms to explore. One room on the second floor seems locked, but the rest are open to explore as desired. The standard rooms are easy to find: kitchen, a W.C. and a bathroom, a sitting room of some sort, and a couple bedrooms (with plenty of futons for the dead to use). There are also several tatami mat rooms with nothing in them currently, but it seems like there might be some use for those rooms.

Around the house, perches for birds can be found. No birds are on them currently, though.

Sometimes Watanuki can be found in the house, but most of the time the dead will be left to their own devices. The question is, what will they do here?]

Comments

[sotoshini]

[ Natsuno's more than happy to comply, humming quietly as he continues to move his fingers through the ever increasing strands. When he picks up a new ribbon of pink, he imitates his same movement from weeks ago; a light and loose braid. ]

Mn, as long as it didn't ruin it or anything. [ Pausing for a second to kiss that crown of pink. ] I like your hair long.

[anonnomnomnom]

[Anon makes a happy noise and relaxes further at the familiar touches -- he's pretty much a puddle by now, comfortably curled up in a cozy blanket of Natsuno and feathers and the soothing motions of braiding. His arms around Natsuno give him a lazy squeeze at the kiss, Anon's laugh muffled in the middle of it all.]

Hmmmm, I don't think I've ever had my hair short that I can remember.

[So probably not for years and years, since he was really small; he's been growing it for a long time now, apparently having escaped sword haircuts and the like. Maybe that's a testament to his dodging ability, or--]

'Cause my hair is definitely just as strong as me.

[Or he could just make up a reason, too. It's probably not real. Who even knows, with Infernal hair.]

[sotoshini]

[ He laughs, pausing in the braiding to really soak everything in him, his feathers quivering with pure mirth. That's believable actually, which is why he's so amused. How did he wind up with someone like this? It's a pointless thought, but he can't help but feel this weird sense of pride over it. There was no one else in the universe like the infernal curled around him, and that coudln't make him happier. ]

I believe it. [ Spoken with sincerity and warmth, he picks up the braiding again. ]

I used to keep my hair shorter, but I grew it out in middle school just to annoy the teachers. I never wanted to grow it much longer though, because then it'd be like my dads.

[anonnomnomnom]

[Anon shifts again, just a little to tuck his face against Natsuno once more and provide better access for the idle braiding; it's harder to tell from this angle but Natsuno might feel the movement of his expression against him anyway -- close and soft and distracted. Definitely smiling.

Anon can feel and hear and see the laughter bouncing between them like this, after all, the way it ripples out into Natsuno's wings in a delicate wave, like the feathers make the sound bigger somehow. The sensation is interesting when he cuddles down into the feathers, too.

(It's so warm he's almost drowning in it, and would definitely be too warm for the island. But in a dream, it's okay.)]

Ah, then it's just the right length.

[There's a brief movement against him, nuzzling what hair Anon can reach without jostling the braiding too much.]

For just me to play with it. Your teachers and your dad can stay away.

[sotoshini]

I think the only person who would even try is Shimizu. And we know how that would end up. [ There's always time for nostalgia like this he thinks, but it's also an affirmation that he wouldn't let anyone else get close to his hair. Or any other part of him, really.

Just for insurance, he sneaks another quick kiss wherever's most convenient between the braiding, cuddling, and feathers. The past seems so far away now, and the names of those in Sotoba are starting to grow fuzzy, something he didn't think was possible but is welcome. There's a few he'll likely never forget, including the aforementioned Shiki splat on the ground, his dad, Ozaki, ah- ]

Actually maybe Kaori would on a dare. But I wouldn't let her either. [ This name is new which may not be surprising considering how many names he's thrown out during all their talks (how did Sotoba seem so crowded while being empty all at once?), but what is markedly different is how he says it. There's no malice or hardness in this denial, and while it's not soft, it might have been at one point, worn down by age. ]