It's not the end

[riset]

[ she's not expecting much more than the usual, even with the tiny part of her constantly being alert for otherwise. Rise's learned her lesson, that things tend to happen without warning. But she's feeling tired today, setting down her tome of a script and padding out of her room and down the stairs. No need to talk to her grandmother, as she's had this habit for years of just going out and wandering. If anywhere's mostly safe to walk about without any form of disguise, it's Inaba. The town's accepted her as one of its own and, aside from a few stares and the occasional person disrupting her walk for an autograph (there will always be a few tourists, somehow), Rise can make her way towards the floodplains unhindered. It's a good day to sit by the river.

Maybe she should be expecting something new today, but she doesn't. ]

Comments

[tokugawa]

Whaaaaaaaa- it's so different here!

[Was someone calling for a tourist?

Except well, not really. There's just going to be the sound of approaching footsteps as Ieyasu goes toward the river. He'd just recently come by to the town, not entirely sure what he was looking for but also fairly certain that Inaba would have something to offer that a place like Tokyo or Sendai or even his hometown of Nikko didn't.

... like pretty girls apparently sitting by the river.

And so he tilts his head, distracted from his sight-seeing and calling out because... well, he's worried.]

Miss? Is everything alright?

[riset]

[ it's certainly not his fault, but Rise has to hold back a grimace at an unfamiliar voice disrupting her from her thoughts of absolutely nothing, just when she was considering kicking off her sandals and soaking her feet. Instead, she tilts her head back to catch a glimpse of the voice's owner, pigtails hanging and eyes coming to rest on him.

... Strange, the new ones are usually much older or come in packs. ]

I'm not about to throw myself in the river, I promise.

[tokugawa]

[ . . . pffff. He chuckles a bit and laughs, though a hand does come up to sheepishly rub the back of his neck.]

That wasn't particularly my concern...

You just seemed a bit down. I'm sorry if I'm further disturbing you.

[riset]

[ ... well, now she's glad she hid her initial reaction. ]

Nah, it's all right. I just needed a break for a little while.

[tokugawa]

Hmm...

[He approaches then and takes a seat next to her- sort of. He's at least very aware of not wanting to seem too forward. So he'll sit about a foot away and glance over.]

Well... a break from what, if I may ask?

[ . . . ah. And then he pauses, before sheepishly grinning.]

If you don't mind, that is... But misery loves company, as they say! Though you're free to tell me to leave any time you wish.

[riset]

[ ... what is this guy. Rise's next glance is a considering one, keeping her surprise carefully hidden. He doesn't seem to recognize her, which is odd enough, but not anything she'd object to. And there's something about his manner that puts her in mind of the patient way her leader would sit there and listen. ]

A break from work. It's a lot and it piles up sometimes, so I'm used to throwing myself at it, but you just need to get out and breathe sometimes, you know?

[tokugawa]

[A pause and he nods contemplatively.]

I do! [a laugh] 'All work and no play' and all that, no? Makes sense to me to want to get away now and again. We all deserve a little vacation or maybe an hour a day to take a walk to appreciate the finer things.

[He offers her a smile before seeming to realize something-]

... ah. I'm intruding on that time then, aren't I?

[the look on his face just reads 'oops']

[riset]

[ okay, that earns him a laugh. ]

You're not exactly work, so I'll make an exception!

[tokugawa]

[After a moment of consideration, he'll just shake his head and laugh along with her.]

Then I must say that you're far too kind.

[ . . . now if he could just pin her as to where he's recognizing her from-]

[riset]

It's way too early to be saying that! Who are you, anyway?

[ well, might as well start off straightforwardly. ]

[tokugawa]

Nonsense! It's a matter of first impressions, isn't it?

[But don't mind his surprised look at the question-]

Ah...! I apologize. I never introduced myself, did I? I'm Tokugawa Ieyasu- I've recently come to decide that I'll be living in Inaba! [a bright smile] It's very nice to meet you.

[riset]

First impressions are tricky.

[ but she says no more on that note, offering him an equally bright smile to match his. ] Ooh, so we've got a newcomer! I'm Kujikawa Rise-- it's nice to meet you, Tokugawa-san.

[ ... interesting name, though. Hasn't she heard it before? ]

[tokugawa]

[an excited nod!]

The pleasure is all mine, Kujikawa-san. I think I've chosen a very nice place to live if the general population is half as welcoming as you've come to be. Thank you very much for that.

[riset]

Well, yeah, everyone'll know you in under a week... but why Inaba? Do you have family out here or something?

[tokugawa]

Ah... no. Not really. Father's in Nikko, Mother is... [a blink and a wave of his hand] Elsewhere. I haven't heard exactly.

[though he doesn't look too bothered about it]

But I suppose... you can call it curiosity? I've yet to live in the countryside!

[riset]

... Aha, that's some reason. I hope you like it!

[tokugawa]

Oh, I'm certain I will! I've yet to meet a town I've disliked.

Have you been living here long, Kujikawa-san?

[riset]

You can call me Rise. [ she's not Kanji, she doesn't mind. ] And I was born here, but I only moved back a little while ago.

[tokugawa]

Rise....? [He blinks, apparently not expecting at at all. A bit of red comes to his cheeks as he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly and laughs.] Ah, then... please! Feel free to call me Ieyasu too.

But how interesting...! Do you have family in the area then?

[riset]

[ that makes her grin, a little impishly, though she'll refrain from teasing him just yet. He's still pretty much a stranger, after all. ]

Ieyasu, then! It's just my grandma out here, but we're pretty close. Drop by Marukyu Tofu sometime and I'll even give you a discount on ganmodoki!

[tokugawa]

Ah...! How kind of you... [he chuckles] Whether it be for the tofu or your company, you can count on me stopping by.

[riset]

I think you should think big and go for both!