My father once said that there were many kinds of courtships. He believed in the spirits the way no one did, and in forging a relationship with spirits, deities -- only one thing is necessary: the heart.
[ She huffs softly. ] It's something like love, I imagine. I never asked.
[ Susano-o no Mikoto, the god of storms and the sea, mighty demon-slayer, had allowed him to be taken. All that remained for her was to wrest that legend from him in her grief and rage, to build monsters that could beat the storm, and could themselves destroy the demons.
Mako bites her lip, knows she's spoken too much, and she quickly changes the subject. ]
Apologies, that was inappropriate. Do you want to start the lessons soon?
[Raw words, and there's an all too familiar pain in them, a grief that he knows. She lost someone she loves, and nothing can heal that wound completely. Steve's been there.]
None needed, Mako.
[He assures her quietly, pressing his lips into a gentle smile.]
Voice
I'm very familiar with it. What do you need me to do?
Voice
So you do know how to do it? Could you teach me? I need to learn how to fold it into the shape of flowers.
Voice
[ Mako's curious at that. ] Trying to impress someone, Steve?
Voice
[He sounds sheepish, but also a little amused.]
It's something of an offering to the dryads. I got some information that they might like this sort of thing.
Voice
Voice
Voice
[ She smiles at that. ] So, is this a request for tutoring, or a commission?
Voice
Voice
And finger cramps. How many are you looking at?
Voice
[No pain, no gain Rogers.]
Just a few. Maybe a dozen, give or take.
Voice
[ Can't have just one, the others will get jealous. ]
Voice
This is starting to sound like a courtship.
[Which might actually work in his favor, if circumstances were different.]
Voice
Isn't it a form of one? You are, after all, asking them to trust you.
Voice
[And you can hear the realization in his.]
I guess you're right about that. I am trying to build a relationship.
Voice
My father once said that there were many kinds of courtships. He believed in the spirits the way no one did, and in forging a relationship with spirits, deities -- only one thing is necessary: the heart.
[ She huffs softly. ] It's something like love, I imagine. I never asked.
Voice
He sounds pretty wise.
Voice
[ Susano-o no Mikoto, the god of storms and the sea, mighty demon-slayer, had allowed him to be taken. All that remained for her was to wrest that legend from him in her grief and rage, to build monsters that could beat the storm, and could themselves destroy the demons.
Mako bites her lip, knows she's spoken too much, and she quickly changes the subject. ]
Apologies, that was inappropriate. Do you want to start the lessons soon?
Voice
None needed, Mako.
[He assures her quietly, pressing his lips into a gentle smile.]
Whenever you're ready, teacher.