NOCTIUM - IC Inbox

[gadder]

« mikuni » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION MIKUNI ✦ JINBA
RESIDENCE ✦ Residency
GEMBOND ✦ Amethyst

Please leave a note!

INFO ✧ PERMISSIONS ✧ KINKLIST

Comments

[gadder]

I would say you did.

Did you have a similar dream...?

[lumberlady]

Mmmm…

[she did, so…]

I think. Maybe is not a dream.

[gadder]

So... we actually did that? But in a dream together? This place - this place is so strange!

[ There's a long pause. ]

I... don't regret it, though.

[lumberlady]

Mmm...

[this place is weird, but-]

I don't... If Mikuni doesn't mind... I still want that one to be our do-over.

[gadder]

Well, let's consider it our do over then.

[ There's a breathless little laugh. ]

I don't think I have any right to complain.

[lumberlady]

Mikuni was, ah...

[It's... way more embarrassing to say out loud not in a dream, but. Also, he kind of earned it, so.]

Really good, so. Me neither... M- Maybe Gonta would, but...

[He's... not here. If he were... actually, she's not sure about that now. Her mind takes a sharp left turn...]

[gadder]

...well, we did - uh - ahem.

[ He clears his throat. ]

...I feel as if we both thought about "making it up" to him somehow.

[lumberlady]

The last, ah... the last bit, though...

[you know... the child bit...]

That was just... things getting a little tired, right.. ?

[gadder]

I... I was very much lost in my rut at that point, I think.

[ Awkward. ]

I wouldn't - I wouldn't suggest that otherwise.

[ You know, unless she and Gonta were both cool with it. ]

[lumberlady]

O- Of course! I just- You know, I just... wanted to be sure...

[she stumbles, though, because honestly she loves children So Much, but-]

As a dream it was... really good... I bet Gonta wouldn't be upset over... just talk...

[gadder]

No, no, I don't think he would be...

[ Although that dream had seemed very very real at the time, to be fair. ]

We should - well. We'll see what comes of it.

[lumberlady]

It's... nothing to worry about anyway. Gonta isn't... and- and he needs to look after the herd, he'd hate it here so much...

[It's why she feels so selfish, when she finds herself accidentally wishing he might be here with her. Of all of them... Gonta was so ill-equipped to navigate this giant city, with its strange ways... but still-]

So if... If Mikuni ever got lonely... or needed help here, with things... when it wouldn't be breaking my rule...

[It would only be proper. And she wouldn't hate it at all... sometimes having a warm bed.]

[gadder]

Er. I understand, I think.

[ There's a slow, deep breath. ]

I'd extend the same offer to you - if you're ever lonely or need help, I'll be there. No questions asked.

[lumberlady]

... Thank you, Mikuni.

[There's a soft sound that's hard to identify, but-]

And thank you for... treating me so nicely. Last night.

[What lady didn't appreciate being called "beautiful"... ///]

[gadder]

It's the least I could do. You deserve kindness, Konoha. After all - you put so much out into the world.

[lumberlady]

You've done a lot of good, too, you know...

I remember what you said... before. But I mean... after. Since I've known you.

[And whether it was... disconnected heads or eating human flesh...]

I'm glad that I know Mikuni.

[gadder]

I'm glad to know you as well.

[ There's a pause. ]

My past is my past. I've made my peace with it as best I can.

[lumberlady]

No one will find out from me. I promise.

[gadder]

Thank you.

It's not something I enjoy sharing, but it is a part of me and my past. I can't deny that.

[lumberlady]

... It is the past, though. It's been...

[Wait, let her do some math...]

I guess... I wasn't even born then, was I? And since then... Mikuni has been living a good life. Right?

[gadder]

I have. I don't hate humans anymore. I don't eat them. I just... live.

[lumberlady]

Oh, I made a mistake just calling and not finding Mikuni...

[She wants to hug him and it's a voice call!?]

Thank you... for not hating humans because of what some did... and- and for helping Gonta not hate humans anymore, too...

[gadder]

I don't think Gonta hated them later on.

[ There's a smile in Mikuni's voice. A sad one, but one all the same. ]

I think he was afraid of them. Just like I was.

[lumberlady]

[Afraid. That, too.]

Do you... Do you have nightmares like Gonta does... ?

[The ones that sometimes still wake him in the night in a cold-sweat, wild-eyed and ready to lash out at the threat that was still too real in dreams.]

[gadder]

Sometimes. Not as often as I used to, but still... sometimes.

[ Terrible dreams, really. About the taste of blood or his parents or a dozen other scenes. ]

And... well. I can't stand undercooked meat.