sound of hope

Iliya Arkadia. Affiliated with Rule of 9s. ► wife to Hatake Kakashi ► housed in apartment D-5 ► teaches music at the orphanage

[musicaluminis-blog]

harsh winter (closed to Kakashi)

[maskedmirror-blog]

She sat next to him, her body shivering from the cold. They got closer and closer till their bodies touched. A slight blush ran across his face. He sat up straight and extended his arm carefully wrapping his limb around the woman’s shoulder. 

He rested his head on hers and held onto her, fighting the elements. The room glowed with a fiery orange but still the cold bit their skin. His wife turned to him and asked for a blanket and with out hesitation he did.

Kakashi jumped off the couch and walked into the bedroom. He stared at the bed, a bed the two haven’t shared yet. Has she ever felt lonely sleeping there by herself. The jonin let out a sigh and grabbed a few blankets. The more layer the better. 

Returning to the sofa he sat back down throwing the blankets over them. He lightly grabbed her hand and leaned into her. “Warm now?”

[musicaluminis-blog]

"Yes."

Iliya gives a shaky sigh, the white mist floating in the air in front of her. She clutches her husband's hand tighter as she pulls in the blanket around them.

It's not a small blanket; it could have given them a lot of space between the couple while still having both of them underneath. But the cold makes her throw all personal space away as she huddles as close as she can to Kakashi.

The possible consequences of the way she's acting right now run through Iliya's head, but she ignores them in favor of whatever warmth she can get.

It isn't getting any less cold.

In fact, it's just getting colder by the second.

She stares at the flames as if willing them to would make their warmth spread farther. Another shaky sigh as she closes her eyes.

Hopefully their wait for the doctor to get things fixed wouldn't take too long. God forbid, it's already been long enough.

[musicaluminis-blog]

harsh winter (closed to Kakashi)

[maskedmirror-blog]

He noticed the blush on her face and his face followed suit. Luckly his was hidden by both his mask and scarf. He held her a bit longer before letting go, smiling as she agreed to his plan. Doing what he does best the ninja cracked his knuckles and advised his wife to stand back. 

Soon his interlocked his fingers together in different positions, rapidly speaking a few words before slamming his palm down on the wall outside his door. 

“Earth Style: Earth Wall Jutsu.” The force of his palm resonated along the earth shaking the underground just a tad bit before a small, opened top cube appeared before him.  He lifted the earthy cube inside setting it in front of the couch. Kakashi then interlocked his fingers again, hovering two fingers above his lips. “Fire style: Fireball Jutsu.” Soon the the small cub was filled with a roaring flame and Kakashi sat down.

“Come join me.”

[musicaluminis-blog]

She had seen what he called "ninjutsu" before, but no matter how many times she witnesses the action, she can never think of it as anything other than magic, much like the electricity that's supposed to be running around Civilization 9.

Well, this magic will help them with the cold, at least, and she's thankful for it, she thinks as she takes a seat next to her husband.

She then giggles, still shivering, hesitating before she leans on him.

"We should probably take the blankets, too, but I don't feel like moving," she says. "C... can I trouble you?"

She's faced such cold weather before, but she feels like this cold weather just keeps getting worse by the second.

[musicaluminis-blog]

harsh winter (closed to Kakashi)

[maskedmirror-blog]

Kakashi heard the door opened then close followed by a pause then her calling out his name. He steps out of the bedroom his neck and face wrapped with a scarf.

“Hmmm? I’m home Iliya. Something the matter?”

His eye glanced at his wife before walking towards her and grabbing the grocery from her hand. He saw his wife shivering in the cold and dropped the bags. He walked over to her and held her hand, pulling herself closer to his body.

“I know it’s cold, I tried to fix the heater but nothing seems to work. If it gets to much I can make a fire.”

[musicaluminis-blog]

Still not quite used to the intimate physical contact, the heat of her flushing face helped warm her up. Not sure what she should say or do, she stays silent, close to the ninja's chest, her face red.

Maybe she should compliment him on his scarf.

But she bids farewell to that thought when the blizzard outside violently knocks on their door.

"Let's... let's make that fire."

Kakashi surely had something in mind to make sure the fire doesn't take over the apartment, so she went ahead and made the request.

[musicaluminis-blog]

harsh winter (closed to Kakashi)

The doctor seemed to have erred on something, and now everyone everywhere is freezing.

Iliya enters her apartment from buying food and other groceries, expecting at least a bit of warmth, but it's not much less colder than the blizzard outside.

She sighs, holding her gloved hands over her mouth to catch her warm breath.

"Kakashi," she calls to her husband, not forgetting anymore to drop formalities ever since their brief moment of intimacy during that baby incident. They hadn't really done anything further than that, though. "Kakashi, are you around?"

She rubs her hands together, closes her eyes, and shivers.

Maybe a fire would be good, but without the stove, she doesn't know if she should go through with the idea. What if she burns down the apartment?

And she should be making food, too.

[musicaluminis-blog]

child (closed to Kakashi)

[maskedmirror-blog]

Kakashi’s eyes widened, he was a dad. He didn’t prepare for it. He thought had months or even a few years to prepare. He gets up and takes the note his wife had handed to him reading it slowly and closely. Has science really gone that far.

“He looks just like you,”

The comment caught him by surprise he gazed at the baby and it looked so much like he and his wife. Kakashi soon feel back down to the couch.

“I-I’m…..I’m a dad.”

Finally he got up and got up. He looks down at the baby and places his finger around the infant’s hand and right away the baby grabbed it. Looking at his wife she had a glow of radiance he hasn’t seen since Kurenai had her baby. Is this what being a mom does to women? He smiled and pulled down his mask before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Well seeing as your body hasn’t readied itself to prepare natural milk we have to use formulas.” Kakashi pulls out a scroll from his vest pocket and bites his finger, trailing the wound onto the scroll.

“Pakkun.”

“Yes Kakashi?”

“I’ll need you to run to the store and grab some formula.” He pulls out a small pouch of money and hands it to the dog. “And grab something for you too.”

“Hmmm understood.”

With that being done the ninken ran out the door the money in his mouth. He then turned to his wife and smiled. “Don’t worry about him he can handle it.”

[musicaluminis-blog]

The baby had awoken and grabbed Kakashi's finger. He's rather calm, and didn't cry like she thought he would. Rather, a smile. A smile which Iliya returned.

Distracted by the baby though, she didn't notice her spouse finally take off his mask and--more surprisingly--kiss her on the cheek--

Well--

What--

Wait--

Um--

Iliya freezes in place, her face heating up, the child in her arms laughing at her.

At the back of her mind, she sees Kakashi summon his dog--a feat she should be gaping at, and yet--and send him to get the formula for some milk.

She just stands there, still as a deer, as the child keeps giggling.

Then she looks away, not sure what she should say, opting instead to grab her husband's hand when he went back to her.

"Th... that's too sudden," she says, still facing away from her spouse.

[musicaluminis-blog]

child (closed to Kakashi)

[maskedmirror-blog]

He still wasn’t comfortable being too close to his new wife, since their meeting he had been sleeping in the living room. Maybe one day soon he might be intimate with her but at the moment he’s just a courter. 

His evening had been uneventful, filled with dreams a night well rested. The sound of his wife busy in the kitchen which was reminiscent of morning of his sensei’s house when Kushina would make him breakfast. 

He took a quick peek into the kitchen as she moved around only the house. When he noticed that she was coming close to him he quickly closed his eye and pretended to sleep. What came next startled him up.

A slamming door followed by his wife calling her name, her voice trembling.

“Iliya! What’s wrong?”

What he saw in her arms caught him by surprise. Oh Senseis help him now.

“Is th-that a baby?”

[musicaluminis-blog]

Iliya nods calmly, and then sighs to calm her contrasting frayed nerves.

"Apparently it's supposed to be ours," she explains to her husband, handing him the letter from the doctor. She gazes at the sleeping baby curiously. "I wonder how he even got him," she says, stroking the child's white hair gently.

"He looks just like you," Iliya comments in an almost motherly tone. Then she looks up to her husband, and blushes once she realized what she just said was.

She turns her face away to hide the flushed cheeks.

"Well, the eyes and hair, at least," she added to her previous comment. "Do we have milk in here somewhere, I wonder?"

[musicaluminis-blog]

child (closed to Kakashi)

Iliya and her husband still hadn't had much experience of intimacy. They still haven't held hands, much less sleep in the same bed. Iliya only found herself lying alone when the... "alarm clock" started ringing.

She woke up way earlier than usual, intending to try making pancakes.

Her spouse slept on the couch in the living room. She takes a moment to look at him and observe... the mask is still on...

A mental shrug before she wipes her hands with a towel and heads outside to check for the paper and get some last minute ingredients, until her foot nudges a basket as she closes the door.

She tilts her head, curious, before kneeling down to take the envelope attached to it.

A moment to read it.

Welcome to Civilization 9, Mister and Misses ____! I do hope you are doing fine and are adjusting to your new life here. There is not much time for me to explain, for I have many things to do and many other bundles to deliver, but inside this basket you will find your first challenge as a married man and woman. … It is more of a practice, truth be told, but I am confident you two will handle it accordingly!

I am looking forward to seeing how you handle this new situation, and remembered — it is all for the good of the civilization.

Good luck, 

Robert Ivers.

She unveils the basket.

The next thing that happens is Iliya slamming the door open as she heads back inside the apartment.

A calm smile.

"H-hatake..." she calls in a trembling voice to the sleeping ninja, completely forgetting to drop formalities.

[musicaluminis-blog]

no sky (intro/open)

[maskedmirror-blog]

“I’ve been a ninja for a long time. I’ve seen the atrocities life has dealt. I understand what you say but I prefer to look up in the future. One that had done bad in the bad in the past may be good in the future. Honestly it’s all perspective.”

He gave her a quick smile and returned his hand back to his pocket. He lightly chuckled as she covered her mouth in embarrassment. She was quite pretty blushing.

“I take no offense. Mmmmm you can say it like that. Though there are others who specialize in healing or cooking. As for our village it was beautiful, it was more like a city similar to where we live now but different architecture. The people were friendly and everybody treated other fair. The weather was fair too, sunny most of the time. “

He tilted his head back and looked up, and again in his life the village was gone. “Hmm what about you? How was your kingdom hime?”

[musicaluminis-blog]

"That's true," she agrees with him. Perspective is something one should not forget about. She idly wonders if her spouse has been in a war. Most of the people who talked like he did were soldiers who have fought and seen terrible things.

Cooking--

She looks away innocently at the mention of the word. As much as she'd always wanted to try, no one had ever let her cook because of her royal status.

Could her husband cook? If not, they might be in trouble.

But! This is a good time to learn how to cook! "By the way H--Kakashi, what did you want to eat tonight?"

“Hmm what about you? How was your kingdom hime?”

The question has her silent for a moment, thinking on what to say.

"Although it was in the constant danger of war, and although the world was slowly ending, it was incredibly beautiful. Full of different kinds of people, bustling with life. It was a place I wanted to protect the most."

[healing-heartsx-blog]

Lost Again || Opening/Intro

[healing-heartsx-blog]

” eh ? “

That certainly confused the young girl entirely when the other party apologized to her. Wasn’t she the one at fault with all of this ?

” A-Ah, no no I’m not hurt at all ! “, she said nodding her head. ” you’re not hurt though right ? “, she then asked with a worried frown on her face.

” I am truly sorry ! I was the one who should have paying attention but … I was distracted “, Kobato said with a nervous smile and laugh.

She did have a thing of getting distracted at worst times with stuff going on through her head or something else. Even if she was lost she needed to make sure she didn’t crash into people. It was times like these though, she needed Ioryogi’s guidance that helped her out a lot. Or maybe she was getting to dependent on that blue friend of her’s. She could do this on her own right ? Of course she could !

” Um ! My name is Kobato Hanato ! “, she said quickly while bowing.

” I-If there’s anything wrong just tell me ! I’ll try my best to help ! “, she said nodding.

[musicaluminis-blog]

Iliya is, understandably, at a loss of words at the deflection of her apology and concern, both of which got sent back to her by the kind-looking girl.

Such innocence and selflessness, evident in her voice and actions.

She just smiles, and gives a small giggle behind her hand before bowing back.

"Iliya Arkadia," she introduces herself to Kobato. "Don't concern yourself so much over me; nothing's wrong."

Then she puts her hand back to her side. "Although if we wanted to complicate things, then I suppose we're both at fault, so let's call it even."

She tilts her head as she takes in Kobato's image--the dress she wears is very pretty. Iliya wishes she still had most of hers, but that's a small thing not worth complaining about.

"Are you new here? Maybe there's something I can help you with."

[tsumugi-senpai-blog]

"Light and Fluffy..." || Open

It had been a while, and Mugi was gradually becoming accustomed to life in Civilization 9… and her new husband wasn’t all that bad either — but still, every once in a while she would remember her old life, with her friends, and when that happened she would take her keyboard, go to a secluded spot behind a few shops, and play a song to soothe herself.

Today was one of those days.

And at this moment, Mugi was in her usual spot, having just set up her keyboard.

Today, she felt, was a good day for one of her favorites.

She took out a fold-up seat, sat down, flexed her fingers, and began to play.

“Every time I look at you, my heart goes pitter-patter…” 

Mugi recalled the first day she encountered the Light Music Club, when it was just two girls struggling to keep their club afloat.  Mugi had come looking for the chorus club, but the two girls she had come across had convinced her to stay on with the Light Music Club.  And she was glad she did — there was nothing in the world she would trade for her experiences there.

“Like a marshmallow, my swaying feelings are light and fluffy…”

She recalled the day Yui Hirasawa had joined the club.  A girl with absolutely zero experience on the guitar was to be their lead guitarist?  Mugi almost laughed out loud at the thought — but Yui certainly proved them all wrong.  What she lacked in experience, she more than made up for in raw natural talent, and almost immediately became the cornerstone of the club for years to come.

“Even though I’m always looking at your diligent profile, you never notice…”

She recounted in her head all the fun times the club had had after school, with delicious tea and cake supplied by Mugi herself.  Every day the girls enjoyed wonderful snacks, with maybe a little practice on the side.  Those times, Mugi thought, were the most precious of all.

“Even if it’s just a dream, I can close the distance between the two of us…”

Mugi remembered their club advisor, the entertaining Yamanaka-sensei — of course, the girls all called her Sawa-chan, and eventually this caught on with the rest of the school, much to Sawa-chan’s chagrin.  Sawa-chan had been the source of endless hours of amusement, advice, and… interesting costumes, and it was thanks to her that their first live performance, and all since, went off without a hitch… well, without MUCH of a hitch.

And Mugi recalled that first time they’d performed on stage, in front of the entire school, at the culture festival.  They were all incredibly nervous, but thanks to Yui’s enthusiastic emceeing, they were able to loosen up and play at their fullest capacity.  The fantastic performance, coupled with Mio’s… accident at the end, made that day one that would stand out for the rest of their lives.

“O God, please Give me the Dream Time just between the two of us Holding my favorite bunny, I go to sleep again tonight…”

Mugi took a breath, and softly played out the last few words.

“Light and fluffy time, light and fluffy time, light and fluffy time…”

Without noticing it, Mugi had broken out into tears, but she wiped them away upon noticing a person standing there, listening.  Whoever it was, they must have had a sharp ear to be able to pick out her song among the noise of the bustling society around them.

“I’m terribly sorry you had to see that little display there,” she said, apologizing and wiping away the last of her tears as she turned to face her would-be audience.  ”Have you come to listen to me play?” 

[musicaluminis-blog]

The music captured Iliya's attention the moment it started, so she went to look for its source: a keyboard being played by a young blonde girl.

Looking at her, she reminds Iliya of a girl she once came to the rescue of, a memory that had her smiling sadly.

A song with a playful, almost happy, tune, and yet the girl doesn't look to be in either mood as the tears rolled down puffy cheeks.

Lovely memories resonating from the sound she made.

When she faces Iliya, Iliya doesn't say anything but instead smiles at her, faces away and brings the trumpet to her lips.

An intake of breath.

She blew, and her fingers started dancing on the musical instrument, and out came the melody the young girl had been playing.

Iliya looks to her, a smile in her eyes, bidding her to join in.

[musicaluminis-blog]

no sky (intro/open)

[maskedmirror-blog]

“I’m sure you are, I can read your face. A face hidden by secrets and pain. I can tell by your eyes.” He smiled and grasped her shoulder. “And if anything bad did happened, it was all the past.”

Then he noticed the blush on her face and the withdrawing hand. So his previous thought was right, she had wanted to hold hands. Wasn’t it too early to do it or what? He let out a huff of breath of through his nostril as she turned her head away.

“Ninjas are…warriors, stealthy warriors that uses a multitude of different tools to take down enemies or to find out secrets. Some are just and fair and others are…..deadly. Most are affiliated with different villages such as,” He clanked the metal on his forehead. The leaf insignia glistened in the light.  ”Where I’m from the Leaf village.”

[musicaluminis-blog]

The past... That's right. All that's in the past stays there. The war's passed--that's what it looks like, at least. But still--

"The past may have passed, but I don't think it's alright to stay on that path of thinking. Bad things may have happened, but I'd rather not forget them."

The hand on her shoulder surprises her, though. And confuses her more.

“Ninjas are…warriors, stealthy warriors that uses a multitude of different tools to take down enemies or to find out secrets. Some are just and fair and others are…..deadly."

"Oh, so you are basically like spies, then? Or would 'assassin' be a better word--" Iliya puts her hand over her mouth. "Um, it doesn't look like you mind, but I don't mean to offend you."

She places her hand back to her side upon mention of the man's village. "What's the Leaf Village like?"

[cake-and-ribbons-deactivated201]

Intro Post (Open)

[cake-and-ribbons-deactivated201]

“You’ll help me? Why thank you that’s be wonderful.”

Mami sincerely smiled and followed the women into the large city. It was reassuring to know that the people in her new place of residence were friendly and willing to help someone, all the ones she had met so far at least.

Curious, Mami looked at what the women went to get. In her hand was a trumpet. She had never met anyone who could play instruments nor could she play them herself. “You play trumpet? That seems like a nice hobby.” Mami commented offhandedly. She wasn’t the best at small talk considering she had been alone for the past few years of her life.

But it was nice to talk to someone again.

“Ms. Arkadia, if you don’t mind me asking. Would you mind talking about yourself? You don’t have to if you don’t want to of course but it’d be nice to know the person helping me around.”

[musicaluminis-blog]

Iliya smiles in response to her gratitude as they left the library.

“You play trumpet? That seems like a nice hobby.”

"It's rather fun, although I never really thought of it as a hobby," she replies, not too adverse to small talk. "From where I am, this was only used in the military," she  continues as she strokes the trumpet.

“Ms. Arkadia, if you don’t mind me asking. Would you mind talking about yourself? You don’t have to if you don’t want to of course but it’d be nice to know the person helping me around.”

She laughs softly at the girl's request.

"I don't mind. My story might not be very interesting, though--or perhaps outlandish." Iliya then looks up, reminiscing. "I was the first princess of my father, the Archduke of Arkadia, and the trumpeter of my squad.

"What about you Ms. Tomoe?"

[musicaluminis-blog]

no sky (intro/open)

[maskedmirror-blog]

His eyes widened, he is married to a princess. It’s not like she was the first princess he met. In fact in his travels as a ninja he met a few and protected most himself.  Still though he was surprised but then again to many people it might be suitable. A princess marrying her knight…er equivalent to one?

He gave her a light but sincere smile. “Princess huh? I’ve met a few, Most are stubborn and strong willed. I wonder if you are too?” He inquired jokingly before leaning back, his hands keeping themselves busy in his pockets.

“About me huh?” Now heres the point where he would just go to his usual aloof self and just be vague or not. He studied her face a bit to see if she was trust worthy or not. He stared into her blue green eyes with his one eye. He stared at her out stretched hand not knowing if she wants him to grab it or was it some other gesture.

“I’m a high ranking ninja. A Jonin. You can say where I’m from…I’m part of a somewhat militaristic component of my nation. We protect our border and our people from danger. Besides from that I’m a teacher. If you were to see a blond kid in an orange and black jumpsuit…he’s one of mine. “

[musicaluminis-blog]

Stubborn and strong-willed... This wasn't the first time she's been called that. "I wouldn't say that. I'm no one that admirable."

Despite her holding out her hand, though, the man kept his hands in his pockets. The hand swayed, a finger twitching, before Iliya slowly pulled it back, an embarrassed blush subtly forming on her cheeks.

Maybe that was too straightforward, the thought running through her head as she looks away in an attempt to hide the small blush, exhaling as she listened to the man talk about himself as they walked together.

"A ninja?" she looks back to him, curious. "What would a ninja be?"

[healing-heartsx-blog]

Lost Again || Opening/Intro

Everything to her was so sudden. This nuclear explosion, being suddenly engaged to some stranger, it completely flew over her head.

The fact that she was finally able to have her new life, and she was once again with Ioryogi and Fujimoto, she was happy and grateful. She didn’t even remember this nuclear explosion happening, no matter how many times she tried to remember, it couldn’t come to her.

She just assumed maybe, it was from a hit on the head. That was what she was told at least, so maybe it was that.

” but … engaged . . “, no matter what hearing that couldn’t really stop a pain from fluttering in her heart. Was she supposed to just forget about Fujimoto then … ?

For now though that would have to be put to the side, as she was worrying and panicking. If there was a nuclear explosion then what about Fujimoto, Ioryogi, and Sayaka and her husband ?

She couldn’t help but worry about them and pray that they would be alright and be alive.

She looked around the area she was in and had a slight frown on her face as well, she was lost. What street was this, she wasn’t too sure. But she would make the best of this, she would make the best of this new life adjustment. Even if that meant being married to some total random stranger who she had never met before in her whole life nor did she even know the name of.

” Kobato will do her best ! “, she said to herself giving her the encouragement that she needed as she started walking down whatever road she was one. First thing was first though, maybe she should probably figure out which way to get back to where she was staying at maybe ? Or possibly somewhere else. As she thought of this, she wasn’t paying attention as she accidentally bumped into someone and stumbling back a little.

” A-Ah ! “, quickly standing back straight up she quickly bowed fidgeting also. ” I’m sorry ! I wasn’t really . . paying attention ! “, she said stumbling around with her words from the sudden surprise.

[musicaluminis-blog]

She had been wandering around the city in an effort to get used to it. While she couldn't get around the lack of a sky, there's still a lot to see in the city--experiences both familiar and new to her.

She now realized something, though.

Although what brought about this civilization could not be described as the same, the city is peaceful.

There is no war. Only people struggling to familiarize themselves with a new life. Maybe this peace wouldn't be permanent, but Iliya hopes it will last long.

It would be nice if she could play her trumpet without disturbing anyone, though. Although she did teach a music class, it didn't really give her an opportunity to play it. Again, she was probably just thinking about it too much.

And then, an idea. Iliya tilts her head, a finger on her chin. Maybe she could ask the doctor about it--if she could find him. 

Although, her thoughts where interrupted when someone bumps into her back.

She turns to the girl stumbling with her words.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry--I wasn't paying attention." Iliya apologizes, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I hope I didn't hurt you."

[cake-and-ribbons-deactivated201]

Intro Post (Open)

[cake-and-ribbons-deactivated201]

Startled by the voice, Mami turned around to see the kind looking women asking her what she needed.

“Oh! I’m sorry I suppose I didn’t see you there. I know this may sound strange but do you know where I am exactly and how to get to the orphanage from here? No wait…”

Mami shook her head, disregarding what she had just said.

“Where are my manners? Let me start over. I should introduce myself first.”

“My name is Mami Tomoe and as you could probably assume I’m fairly new here and I am very unfamiliar to the area.”

Mami stuck out her hand, offering to shake hands with the stranger.

“If I I might ask, what is your name?”

[musicaluminis-blog]

A serene smile.

"Iliya Arkadia," she introduces herself, bowing her head slightly. "I'm fairly new here myself, but I believe I can help you."

She stops, and thinks a while. Through her tilting head runs the thought of giving directions, but directions can be really confusing. It's not like she's been here long, either.

"But perhaps it would be better if I just showed you the way myself," she finally says. "Let me just get something," she adds before disappearing from the young girl's sight once more and reappearing with her trumpet.

She gestures towards the library's door. "Shall we?"

[musicaluminis-blog]

no sky (intro/open)

[maskedmirror-blog]

The shinobi chuckled and walked out. Locking the door behind him. He hovered his arm above her shoulder before slowly dropping it. It was most likely too early to try any form of physical contact. 

“Well what do you prefer I say? Looky loo? Check out?” He asked with quizzical look. His eyebrow raised accompanied by a smug smile. Then there it was again. She nearly called him by his last name again. One reason why was she had some form of military upbringing. He’ll have to ask her that tomorrow.

“Then my wife, lets go.” He motioned have her walk by his side before slipping his hand into his pocket. 

“So…tell me more about yourself?”

He was fairly new in courting a woman so he wasn’t all that sure but he was smart enough to take the advice of Jiraiya Sensei and just do the opposite. This was he had to do right?

[musicaluminis-blog]

Iliya softly giggles at the man's comment. "What if I said 'looky loo'?" she returns as she notices him drop his arm from her shoulder into his pocket.

“So…tell me more about yourself?”

She wanted to say "nothing special", as she didn't really think of her origins as special herself, but most people did. She was a princess, after all. That spoke volumes, and she had been burdened with a great responsibility--a responsibility she was well aware of and was willing to sacrifice herself for, as her father and her people looked to her as their salvation from war--and yet she willingly sacrificed herself for the life of a single child.

The sudden downfall of her thoughts didn't show on her expression though; it remained gentle and calm as she regarded her spouse in thoughtful silence.

Well, if they were a couple, it wouldn't do to forsake honesty.

"I was the princess of my people."

Then she looks at her husband, a silent hum as she thinks of what to do.

"What about you, then?" Iliya asks as she holds out her hand.

[cake-and-ribbons-deactivated201]

Intro Post (Open)

“This place…it’s so much more different than Mitakihara.”

Mami cautiously wandered the streets of Civilization 9 alone. This place was so large and had such a strange appearance. She looked around and saw a park, a bank, grocery store, bar. Her new surroundings were much more overwhelming than they should be. She normally took new situations with a smile and adjusted to it as best as she could but now…Now she just felt stressed out. She looked around again and saw a library.

Mami feels relief and sighs. Not that she’s been looking for the library but it’s a nice perfect quiet place to deal with her headache and to figure out where things are and ask someone for help.  She didn’t want to admit it but she was lost and a library seemed like the best place for help.

She slowly opens the door, it’s creaking seems so loud and Mami didn’t want to bother who ever was in there too much. The library was grand, it smelled of old books and had wooden floors with large windows. The sight was almost breathtaking. Whenever she was more familiar with her surroundings she would have to stop by here, maybe drink some tea and read a book. It was so lovely. But she wasn’t here to sight see she needed to find someone to help her.

She looks around the library “Hello? Is anyone here?”

“I really could use some help if it isn’t too much of a bother…”

[musicaluminis-blog]

She didn't really come to the library for books--although several had caught her eye, so she made a mental note to herself to visit again someday. Iliya was more or less looking for a quiet place to be to think of the recent events.

Although, she would much rather be playing her trumpet right now, but she doesn't think she could do it without bugging anyone in the underground city. The sound traveling in such a place would reach very far compared to what it would be in a land with a sky.

Well, where she came from, music was only used in the military. This place is entirely different--she's probably thinking too much.

A silent, resigned sigh as she strokes the trumpet with a finger.

“Hello? Is anyone here? I really could use some help if it isn’t too much of a bother…”

A voice called out in the quiet library. The librarian didn't seem to be around currently, though, so Iliya took it upon herself to answer.

She stands and walks to the newcomer's line of sight, a gentle smile on her face.

"Yes? How may I help you?"