( 10 ) Reveal your hand, show me what makes you glow like apple trees, like Tokyo.

[utenacar]

➜ basically, this is a Valentines open post!
➜ refer to the below links for prompts, or make up your own!
➜ feel free to post your own characters, or tag one of mine.
➜ can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/whatever tickles your fancy!

💟 Valentines Meme
💟 Kisstletoe
💟 Married life/Domesticity
💟 Red String of Fate
💟 Hades & Persephone
💟 Mind-altering Cupcakes
💟 Smutty Scenarios

Comments

[asaviorshand]

[ Dimitri shifts around a bit in place when he's spoken to. The hand holding the Valentine's Day gift goes behind his back, where she won't be able to see it. ]

Ah, well, not yet. I actually haven't taken a look at the books yet today. More than anything, I wanted to talk to you today.

[He pauses. Should he now? Hmmm...]

...Um...this is some nice weather we're having for this time of year, isn't it?

[toshokanin]

[ She almost catches sight of his gift, but only because of the movement of his arm. She wonders if it's just her imagination, but his focus seems to be a bit of everywhere. Could whatever he's got be the reason why? Maybe it's a book he wants to rent but is embarrassed to show her? Maybe... ]

The...weather? [ Odd direction of conversation, but now she's honing in on that embarrassing book title hypothesis. ] I'm afraid I wouldn't know. The library always has a bit of a chill to it. Hence the shawls I bring with me.

[asaviorshand]

Wait, you haven't left the library?

[ That raises all kinds of questions within Dimitri's head. Moreover, to someone who is as active as he, the idea of staying in a single (albeit huge) room all the time is not one he can understand an appeal of. ]

You haven't been feeling ill, have you? I would be more than happy to help determine if you have a fever, if you're feeling feverish. Or bring you a bowl of soup for a sore throat.

[toshokanin]

Oh, no, it's nothing like that. I haven't been sick in a long, long time. [ Putting it lightly, honestly. ] I'm just...

[ She hesitates, not wanting to just up and say it. ]

I've always been more of the introverted sort. I'd pass the time for days and days in my quarters, buried in books that caught my interest. It's much more enjoyable for me to be here among the volumes I love.

[asaviorshand]

[ Dimitri is making a mental note to include a walk in their date -- if she accepts, that is. ]

That would explain why I seldom see you outside of the library. But please, don't overlook your health. I'd hate to see something happen to you.

[A pause.]

...I apologize. I overstepped just now. Please understand that I just wish for your health and happiness.

[toshokanin]

[ She grumbles a bit to herself as she looks herself over. Does she really seem so out of shape? Perhaps it's because of her pallor? ]

You needn't be sorry for being concerned. It's proper exercise to carry and place books. I'm plenty happy here.

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri considers Murasaki's response. Sure, enough books would provide plenty of weight, but they'd also be unwieldy. He can't help but think back to the time he caught her while she was trying to balance a stack in her hands.]

You do have a point about that.

[And rather than harp on about it, Dimitri tries changing the subject to one more up Murasaki's alley -- and still in line with the gift he's holding behind him.]

Have you read any interesting books lately?

[toshokanin]

[ Normally, she'd be more than happy to wax poetic about her latest book of choice. However, something's a bit off here. He doesn't sound as at ease as he usually does, so she can only wonder if something's wrong and he just doesn't want to say. ]

Is there something else on your mind? You seem...distracted.

[asaviorshand]

...It's that obvious, is it?

[ Dimitri's shoulders slump. This was far harder than he had anticipated. ]

There is, but...I, I don't know how to broach it properly. It's like nothing I've ever done before.