Best of all best bros

[bodyscarred]

[ It's not hard to forget that he's technically here on business-- for a good couple of years, but all the same, Obi (despite appearances) does take his jobs very seriously. The young miss would be safe under his watchful eye - this time, and he thinks he'll always remember the singular time that she wasn't - and at the end of that time, he'll happily whisk her back into Zen's arms.

And maybe see if Kiki and Mitsuhide were dating yet, but without his help and interference, he highly doubts it.

It's a cold day as usual, however, and while Shirayuki is no doubt doing Pharmacy Things, Obi is...

Making snowmen??

Odd, that one sort of looks like Zen, though-- ]

Comments

[pharmaceutical]

[ Pharmacy Things, as Obi puts it, keeps Shirayuki's hands and mind busy for quite a while, as she likes it. Lyrias is full of new faces, different botanical remedies, faint variations on what she already knows. Consistently, with an increasingly wide awareness, she's been filing away obscure and helpful facts and tidbits of knowledge to bring back to Ryuu.

It gives her little time to miss Zen, which is probably for the best.

Her hands are full - of course they are - when she happens upon Obi and his unconventional art. Curiously, not making a smile, her lips twitch. ]

Obi?

[ Why does that one snowman have surprisingly beautiful eyes? ]

What are you doing?

[bodyscarred]

I thought you'd be lonely, Mistress.

[ Also he's a stinker. ]

So I'm bringing Master here in spirit by-- gently sculpting his likeness.

[ That sounds so gay, Obi?? ]

1 / 2

[pharmaceutical]

[ This

is

so fucking weird. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ Although a tad bewildered, Shirayuki's expression eventually melts into a smile. It is sweet of him, even if neither strictly necessary nor effective - a snow Zen can't talk to her the way the real thing can. It's a pretty pale imitation of her best friend.

Still, she can't fault a pleasant distraction. ]

I'm not really lonely with you here, Obi.

[ Shirayuki, don't? ]

[bodyscarred]

While I'm not going to deny what great company I am-- [ Obi shoots her a wry grin. ] I'm probably not gonna-- oh wait. I could make a Snow Miss Kiki, and then you'll have your girl talk partner.

[ Now he's just being a goof. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ Her own grin shifts into a pleasant smile, a tad more understated while still indicating her. This is very sweet of him! ]

We can't stop here, [ she says, playing along. ] We need a snow-someone for you to talk to, too. Who would you like?

[bodyscarred]

... Not the marquis.

[ He sure said that instantly. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ She's struggling not to laugh, lips pressed together in a fight against an indicative twitch, and hands tightening on her armful of notes in an optimistic attempt to distract herself. ]

I was thinking someone more like a friend of yours.

[bodyscarred]

Hmmmmmm... maybe our other farflung prince. I could probably manage his eyebrows...

[ Poor Raj. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ ... snrk.

Shirayuki smiles, expressing her amusement with warmth and fondness. ]

Okay, so Prince Raj for you, Kiki and Zen for me --

[ She sets down her book, committing herself more fully to this brief, silly interlude. ]

Maybe we should make Mitsuhide as well, so Snow-Kiki won't miss him too much.

[bodyscarred]

Snow-Kiki probably wouldn't admit it, but let's pretend we can read her mind long enough for it to count.

[pharmaceutical]

Okay, let's get to work!

[ Shirayuki is ready to DETERMINATION at some snow!! ]

[bodyscarred]

Have you ever built a snow-person, Mistress? There's an art to it.

[ Sure. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ Sure, Obi.

Regardless of how well she may see through him, Shirayuki answers the question seriously. The recollection is a fond one, though, and given with a smile. ]

Not since I was a kid. Whenever the first snow hit our little corner of Tanbarun, my grandparents would take me outside and we'd spend the rest of the afternoon playing.

[bodyscarred]

Oh right, you're originally a mountain girl.

I hope you haven't lost your touch, then!

[pharmaceutical]

[ Face scrunching up, she gives him a bit of a look. It's entirely good-natured, however; indignation, not irritation. ]

We'll see!

[ Hmph. She's so hitting him with a snowball later. ]

[bodyscarred]

Wanna make it interesting, then?

[ Obi, don't gamble. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ ................ ]






Yes, I do!

[ Shirayuki, that's not a good idea. ]

[bodyscarred]

Okay! We'll find a nice, impartial judge [ Ryu ] and whoever wins gets a favor from the loser.

[ Well, that's shockingly tame for Obi, but it's also Shirayuki. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ That's... a relief. Not that she thought Obi would try to disadvantage her overly. He's her friend, and she trusts him completely.

His narration was correct, though. It's shockingly tame.

In fact... ]

Are you going easy on me?

[bodyscarred]

I never said what the favor was, right?

[ ... it's still Obi. ]

[pharmaceutical]

... [ What does she have to lose, really? It sounds fun. ]

Okay. Who do you have in mind for the judge?

[ Surely not the Marquis... ]

[bodyscarred]

[ Perish the thought. ]

Why... your teacher, of course! [ The cute one he could piggyback. ]

[pharmaceutical]

Okay, let's... bring him out at the end, but not tell him which one is which. That way, there's no opportunity for partial judging.

[ Not that she necessarily things Ryuu would... at least, not intentionally. As intelligent as he is in some ways, as much as Shirayuki respects him, she's also aware of his age.

What if he sold her out for free piggybacks? ]

Does that sound good, Obi?

[bodyscarred]

Sounds good to me, Mistress! Just don't expect an easy win.

[ He'll actually put in effort. ]

[pharmaceutical]

[ Pulling a pair of gloves out of her bag, she tugs them on and then begins rolling a ball of snow.

Seeing no problem in casual conversation while they compete, she asks, ]

Do you like Lyrias?

[bodyscarred]

... Well, I can't think of a better place for a snowball fight.

[ legit. ]

[pharmaceutical]

Maybe it's for the best that Zen isn't here, he'd rise right to the challenge.

[ And you won't, Shirayuki?

Regardless, the thought makes her giggle audibly. ]

[bodyscarred]

But which one of you would make the first move?

[ HE KNOWS YOU, MISTRESS. ]