Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

new year;

[mombastic]

[ In a sense, it's strange to think that Leon's been with her this long, while on the other hand, it's strange to acknowledge that he hasn't been with her longer. Slowly but surely, he'd adjusted to a world not his own, and accepted her as family when they weren't blood-related. He had things he wanted to accomplish here now, and Otome had done her best to guide him while letting Leon handle certain things on his own-- often at his own insistence.

But now, hovering outside the closed door of his room, she slowly tilts her head and frowns. ]

Are you sure you don't want any help with your kimono, Leon?

[discard]

I am [guh, his sleeve slips and he fumbles] --quite certain--!

[He's struggling.

He's struggling so much. The clothing is completely foreign to him, entirely complicated and trying to put it on is making his head go in circles.

On the other hand............. he's embarrassed.

That's literally the only reason he hasn't accepted her help. It's just that he's an embarrassed teen boy who thinks he should be able to handle this on his own.]

[mombastic]

... It's quite common for everyone to get some help. The more elaborate kimonos are pretty complicated to put on, even for the natives.

[ Leon, please don't strangle yourself with it. ]

[discard]

[A long pause.

A l o n g pause.

And then, tentatively--]

Is that...so...?

[It's not just him?]

[mombastic]

Mm-hm! Makoto actually had to help me last year, too.

[ So open the door, Leon. ]

[discard]

[...Okay fine.

Tentatively he opens the door.

And is definitely a tangled up mess in his kimono. Help.]

[mombastic]

...

Mm. Okay, for starters, turn around?

[discard]

[... Fine.

Fine.

He turns around, arms folded now that he's given up on fighting with it.]

[mombastic]

[ Worry not, Otome's here to help. She's working on loosening the sash to re-tie it and to adjust the whole thing little more comfortably on his shoulders. And absolutely not remarking on what a disaster it is, nope. ]

[discard]

[Thanks, mom... you're merciful.

He's patient, at least, as she readjusts things. It's Otome, after all, and he knows that he can trust her, even with something as simple as this.

(But also he's comfortable enough with her, too, to not be bothered by her touch.)]

[mombastic]

[ Otome's never really going to take Leon's trust in her for granted. Because he's been through so much-- she understands that there was no guarantee for him to ever believe in another person.

But here they are, and as she patiently adjusts his sleeves and moves to the front to make sure everything's neatly into place, she nods at him with a warm smile. ]

There. Does that feel a little better?

[discard]

...Yes.

[He shifts to glance at his back and the way the folds fall (he wants to at least know how it's supposed to go from here on out) though mostly he seems a little...well, bemused.

(And kind of tickled by the outfit, not that he'll admit it.)]

This is a rather peculiar get-up.

[mombastic]

I know it seems like a lot, but it's traditional garb-- I'm sorry if it's heavy, though. We shouldn't be long.

[ Hang in there, Leon!! ]

[discard]

I have no complaints about it.

[Don't fret, mom... he's happy to participate in her traditional activities.]

It is simply unusual to me. Do not take that as me having an issue with it.

There is...no rush, after all, should you be inclined to stay longer.

[He doesn't want Otome to cut things short on his behalf.]

[mombastic]

Well, let's compromise on that. We can stay until we're both ready to go... how about that?

[discard]

...That seems acceptable, yes.

[So there!!]

I believe...we are both ready now, correct?

[Despite himself, he's honestly a little excited, because he has no idea what to expect aside from what he's read in books.]

[mombastic]

Correct! Then let's get moving, Leon-- we'll be dealing with a lot of people.

[ She's not kidding. ]

[discard]

A--

[What??

Wait hold on??]

How many people is--

["A lot of people"]

[mombastic]

Upwards of... a few hundred? We're going to one of the smaller temples.

[discard]

[O...h.......]

But we do not have to... deal with all of those people, correct? We can just... handle the situation on our own and avoid the majority of them.

[he doesn't want to talk to people]

[mombastic]

We won't have to deal with them, no! Just the attendants and... well, a lot of them will want to wish you a good New Year's going forward.

[ Sorry, Leon. ]

[discard]

[Grumbling:]

They do not even know me...

[But, more loudly:]

It shall be fine. It is not the first time I have dealt with a crowd of people.

[mombastic]

And we'll be together! I can't wait to show you everything!

[ which she's saying as she's ushering him out, beaming like the sun. ]

[discard]

[She's so...happy..........

He can't ever argue with happy Otome; it softens his own expression as well.]

Very well then. I shall... look forward to learning everything with you.

[mombastic]

Mm! Just let me know if there's anything you have questions about-- I'll try my best to explain everything, but it can be a lot.

[ And indeed, the closer they get to the temple, the more people seem to be joining them and chattering loudly. ]