FORGET ME NOT

Even if this world kills you -- I will not forget you.

[sangapoet]

a song of blooming;

[acursedblackcat]

From the moment there was a knock on his door, Leaks knew the identity of his visitor. Who else could he expect to visit? And, honestly, who else even knew where he lived? He didn`t make haste, despite this, taking his time through all the vigorous knocking. Not a bit of surprise crossed his visage when he opened the door to see the usual smile from his friend.

"Alone?"

He acted as if being in such a state was actually a concern for Leaks, when it was really something he was naturally inclined to. Unfortunately (for the elder at least) the look on Shui`s face was quite determined. It wasn`t possible for him to get away with just closing the door on him — even if he did, the persistent librarian would just keep knocking until Leaks came forth again.  With a resigned sigh did he step past the threshold, locking the door behind him and walking right past the bright eyed male instead of offering polite greetings — not even a handshake. But that was alright, that was suited for them. Leaks acknowledgement of Shui at all meant quite a bit in itself.

"Knowing you, I assume you`ve already made a million plans for us.”

Shui had always been so excitable; it didn`t take rocket surgery nor brain science to figure out he`d scoped out the festival and planned to take him to every single stand. In passing, he tossed a question over his shoulder, asking what Shui planned to do at this ‘flower festival.’

[sangapoet]

Though it was lamentable that Leaks had read him so easily -- in the same vein, Shui found it endearing that he had. It warmed his heart that Leaks could read him so easily and though it may have just been because his friend was perceptive of others, Shui liked to believe it was because they were friends since long ago. Perhaps it was silly of him to do so but the thought remained and warmed him from the inside out. 

Clapping his hands together, Shui began to eagerly lead Leaks along as he began to explain what he had in store for the two of them. The festival had a myriad of options when it came to games and other activities after all, so things like crafting and then playing games for prizes was definitely on the list. It was a bit childish, he supposed but he wanted to win some prizes and make some memories of this day.

"Maybe the flower pressing would be more your style."

It would only seem right, he thought. Leaks did love books and maybe the two could press a few flowers as bookmarks. Just the thought tickled him pink -- and he wondered briefly if he could press a particularly lovely floewr for Leaks to use as a bookmark in the future. Shui sighed and swung his arms a bit as the two walked in the direction of the festival, smiling all the while. He was over the moon that Leaks had pseudo agreed to come with.

[sangapoet]

a song of blooming;

The idea of a festival somehow tickled Shui pink. It was familiar in a sense he could not fathom which made him all the more excited to see it for himself! While he was aware his precious and most cherished son was going, he didn't want to tag along and embarrass him -- that and Konoe had left before Shui could have latched onto his cute son. Hoping he could have gone with both Konoe and Leaks, the former was already at a loss but he didn't wish for the latter to miss out on the festivities either! Knowing that Leaks would absolutely and positively not go out of his way to attend -- Shui had gone out of his way to the teacher's home to invite him.

It took a try or two and some excessive knocking but eventually Leaks had to answer his door. When he finally did, Shui was sunshine and smiles like always whilst clasping hands together and leaning over, eagerly inviting Leaks out to play, so to speak. Absolutely and positively for Shui, he was not going to give up! It would be good for Leaks to get out and be among everyone at the festival as well.

He must have been lonely, right?

"You won't be alone."

"I'd really like if you and I could go together Leaks!"

[acursedblackcat]

secret library;

The library of Kairos was vast, glowing fluorescent lights above casting a glow through the windows, echoing that of the sunset that steadily crept over the town. It was his favourite spot for solitude, one where much work could be done, and usually in peace. The word “usually” was key, since there would be the occasional rude guest, or it would be impossible for Leaks to find a private room. Although most read silently at tables or against the very shelves themselves, far too lost in the text to even move, he preferred rooms that were designed specifically to cancel out sound. Going the extra mile was just like him, as he always felt as though the presence of absolutely nothing enabled proper learning much more than being surrounded by people, even if they were as silent as death. On this particular day, as fate may have it, the rooms were all but occupied. Prioritizing his most recent subject of study, Leaks allowed himself to merely settle for leaning against the hard bookshelf, hardly caring for the discomfort that would provided as it dug into his shoulder blade as the time and pages passed. It no longer took much time for him to be lost within the tomes of information, forgetting that the world even continued spinning outside this building.  There was a gentle clattering to be heard, one he assumed was just a single dropped book. It happened from time to time, what with butterfingers being a common cause of dropping things out of nervous habit in very quiet places. Due to how absorbed he was, slender fingers merely flipped a page as though it were a figment of his imagination. But it seemed the source was one that snowballed, and in a split second there followed multiple thuds landing on the floor, as though an entire row of books had fallen. Or perhaps rocks, given the weight with which they dropped. Closing his eyes (and his book at the same time) a sigh escaped his lips before he rounded the corner to find someone surrounded by several books that lay in disarray, some even turned upside down and half open. Setting his own book aside for the moment, the teacher approached them. Although his look was one that could be easily mistaken for condescending, his tone was even.

"…Do you need help with that?"

[sangapoet]

It wasn't as if Shui frequented many places. He only had two that one could almost always find the red head -- and the library was one of them. Due in no small part to the fact that he worked there. He had just started working in the library, having moved to Paralia due to the quiet nature of the town -- though he worked in the university in Kairos. It was quite the commute but he enjoyed it truly, and he enjoyed it and wouldn't change it for the world. Though Shui wasn't very much an intellectual type, he did enjoy reading the books that the university held. He knew quite a number of oddball facts that one wouldn't really suspect Shui to know.

It passed the time.

Though he was definitely getting carried away with his work today, carrying more than he could handle in his arms rather then the cart. He balanced what he could and shelved what he was able to up until things started to slip free. Shui tried to catch his mishaps but this only resulted in an undeniable mess of turned over books and scattered books. He was buried underneath and wiggled to try and free himself and only seemed to really try when a voice caught his ears. Shui's head popped out of the bundle of books -- a bright contrast of red against all the dull paperback and hard covers.

He glanced up to see a familiar stranger. Though, if they were familiar they weren't really a stranger, were they?

"I'd certainly appreciate it."

Why did this feel like deja vu?

Shui was half sure he had never met this man before, he would never have forgotten that face -- wait. Vivid green eyes blinked several times and the librarian wriggled himself up right among the mass of papers, tilting his head slowly to the side as he tried to recall why that face, that voice, this presence, and this very situation was being recognized as a duplicate in his mind. He appeared to be studying the face before it hit him and he suddenly bolted to stand as realization fueled his actions.

"Ah! We've met before haven't we? You. . .helped me before, once. I couldn't forget my savior!"

[in-sunlight]

Leaks wants to read in peace. Shui just thinks he’s comfortable :T

[chibishi]

ニトキラつめつめ

[virsuledin-deactivated20240301]

This intensity with which my body burns feeds on the bitter and the sweet Every time I speak that name Every time I imagine your face I become a sparking and bursting star and stream far, far away