primal

Takanashi Seiha. 小鳥遊 聖羽 Zoologist. Shifter councilwoman.

[divineindior]

Balmain Spring 2020 RTW

[takancshi]

imani-kingston‌:

Imani knew a thing or two about masks. It’s how she survived till this day with her brother. No one knew how she truly felt. She always kept it to herself, gave a front for everything. She was an alpha, she refused to break. As such she didn’t say anything as she took the inquiry as a rhetorical question. When they faced each other, the alpha wolf braced herself and expected the shifter to tell her off, that she ruined their friendship. However, she was welcomed with confusion and an apology. “What?” blurted out Imani as she was thrown off by the response. “I did that on purpose Seiha, I wanted to kiss you. If I crossed a line and that wasn’t what you wanted, I’m…” And next thing she knew, the Councilwoman retracted her statement. 

Standing there, the alpha wolf remained silent. For someone who wasn’t into commitment, this was a whole new territory for her—a challenge in itself. She wanted Seiha that was a no brainer and she wanted her to herself. The fact that she almost lost her was…scary. The fear of losing her felt shitty and difficult to process, but Imani was so certain that she didn’t want this outcome. So when the opportunity to try again presented itself, Imani decided to shoot her shot again as she nodded. The alpha backed Seiha up against the wall and closed the distance between them as she leaned up and gently pulled her down for a passionate kiss. Ideally, she’d be more rough, but she was careful and wanted to make this right. Who would have thought she could have restraint? She’d shove it into Truman’s face right at this very moment if she could. 

She remembered how Lethe’s Takanashi Branch reacted after she shifted back to her human form for the first time. Seiha heard how grateful they were and how much of an honour it was to have the main branch’s eldest daughter around. She was sure that they were saying it to make her feel better about this small town, but their words had an opposite effect. She felt indebted to the family for giving her another chance. Though she tried to make the best out of her new chance, she hated herself for the situations she had put herself through. Before the shades came, she thought that she was fine, but she wasn’t and it seemed that the only person who understood that was the woman that she couldn’t be friends with. “I know. I... I just acted... reflexively?” She chuckled nervously. What was she afraid of? 

The councilwoman knew the answer to that. This was the first time that she had ever felt this confused about another woman. Sure, she had messed around before, but at the time, she thought it was just a little bit of bi-curiosity. Nothing so serious, nothing like what she was feeling now. The werewolf was stronger, despite her small stature and to her surprise, Seiha was pushed into the wall behind her. She leaned down and kissed her back. Gently, she tugged at Imani’s lower lip and pulled her closer, wrapping her arms around her neck. If the family knew what she was doing, they’d lose it. Being disowned and exiled were too light for punishments in their eyes, and she was sure that they’d probably kill her. But still, she was willing to face those consequences for this moment.  

“Wow... ok.” She pulled away. “You’re... You’re really good at that.”

[takancshi]

johannakoning‌:

Date: 29 April 2021 Location: Well of a Time Antiques Time: early evening

@takancshi​

“Council woman, I wasn’t expecting you,” Jo blurts out, scrambling up from her seat. Or expecting anyone, really. The stool scraps across the stone of her shop, but she ignores it in favor of smoothing a hand down her sun dress, feeling out of place next to her. No, wait, this isn’t home, no matter how her mind had wandered to the heavy formalities whenever she drifted. Jo tilts her head, smile faltering with confusion. “Ah, what do I owe the pleasure? I’m afraid Greer is out today if you had an order with him, or was this something else?” It is very like Greer to not mention he has someone coming in, she thinks, annoyed and somewhat resigned. Her eyes flicker to the sword on the counter and she pauses, wondering how she could explain that. It’s not illegal to have, though, so she only offers a smile. “I’m studying the enchantments on it. It’s fae made so there’s little chance of me causing harm to anyone with it,” she ventures, just in case she notices it, eyes darting up to her.

“Just Seiha is fine!” She moved around a table as she approached the front, careful not to knock anything over. “I don’t even let my students call me Doctor or Professor Takanashi. No need for the formalities. I’m Seiha first before all other things.” She stopped when she noticed a beautiful blade, resting between them. She tapped the edge of the counter. As much as she wanted to pick up the sword and swing it around, she still had her manners. “Very cool. How good are you at enchanting things? I’ve got this.” From underneath her baggy clothing, she brandished a tipless tanto, before placing it next to the fae sword. 

“I want an enchantment for the tip... just the tip~” Not everyone in her family shared her enthusiasm for shifting, even if they were skilled at the art, so it was common for them to carry their weapons when conducting business. Normally, according to tradition, the next clan head would get access to the family arsenal, but they decided not to let her touch any of the enchanted items. Maybe it was her temperament, and she if was being completely honest, she probably wouldn’t let someone like her touch the family jewels either. “My attendant tells me to carry more often. I suppose they get tired of chasing after me.

[takancshi]

imani-kingston‌:

“Nope.” It was difficult trying to joke around when their conversation wasn’t as light hearted as it should be. “Fuck Truman, I don’t change the way I treat people in front of him.” If it wasn’t obvious, Seiha was technically the only individual that she’d invested most of her a time into. Everyone else was just there. “I know you’re here, but…” Her voice trailed off, what the fuck was she trying to even prove? Why was she for once tongue tied when having to explain herself? Hell, why does she have to explain herself? 

“And you think I am? I never said you’re messing shit up. Nothing is messed up between us other than the fact that…” That she wasn’t meant to be with her? Traditionally that is. The last thing she wanted was to get her in trouble with her father, let alone family. She knew what it was like to be the disappointment and how she dealt with it was murdering her own father out of spite. However, if you were to ask her, she’ll tell you that Richard Kingston deserved it. He was never a father to begin with. Snapping out of her thoughts, she watched Seiha walk over to the ashtray, back facing her. Was that it? Fuck, she was never good with words. Imani hesitated, but she knew it was now or never. If she got it all wrong, then she was willing to live with the consequence—even if it meant Seiha having to hate her. At least she wouldn’t have to be confused, let alone be stuck in a predicament that was making her uneasy. Walking up to the shifter, she gently placed her hands onto her waist as she turned her around. “Seiha.” Imani calls out to her and without a second to spare, she lifted her hands to cup the shifter’s face, before leaning upwards and planting a chaste kiss. As much as Imani wanted to continue, let alone deepen the kiss, she wasn’t sure if the Councilwoman felt the same way and so she immediately pulled away and dropped her hands to her side. “Fuck.” she blurted before taking a step back.  

Right now, it felt wrong to laugh, like she’d empty her stomach if she tried to really laugh. From the looks of things, she could see that Imani seemed to feel the same way. “I don’t know... Everyone wears a mask, right?” She kept her back turned to her, choosing to limit what she’d notice. Right now, the shifter was sensitive to even the smallest signs of departure; it would hurt to watch he leave. Even though Imani’s words said otherwise, her mind was deep in a dark place, anticipating the worse. 

Seiha pushed her palms into her face and then ran her hands through her hair. The Takanashi family disliked dogs, and Japan had folktales to detailing all the trouble they had with them. Over the years, Seiha guessed that the disdain against dogs moved over to the werewolves too. If she remembered her father’s words correctly, he said that, “shifters were better than the wolves tied to the moon and that we serve a higher purpose.” Seiha, of course, thought he was full of shit, and that was why she had gone back to meet with Imani. She chewed the inside of her cheek and dug her hand into her pockets. She hoped that she had a cigarette or something, but she wasn’t so lucky. 

“What?” She turned when she heard her name and before she could even realize what was happening, she felt Imani’s lips on hers. Her eyes widened and then she quickly let out an apology. “Sorry, I should have been more careful. Nearly locked lips with you there.” But she knew that it wasn’t her fault and she wasn’t mad at what happened. Seiha licked her lips and glanced at Imani’s. “Ehm... I didn’t mean that. Do you want to try again?”

[takancshi]

imani-kingston‌:

“I have a stash, whenever you need.” she casually offered with a shrug. Imani normally didn’t share, but it seemed like Seiha needed something to ease the stress of family expectation and she was willing to help. The more this conversation dragged on, the more the alpha began to realize that there was a shift in their friendship. Why were they acting weird? And then it occurred to her that she was holding onto something that she’d want to work. “I told you, you’re not in my way.” she stated firmly. “Likewise, I was beyond grateful and relieved to know that you were here. You make things bearable and you seriously make my day. I know I suck at expressing myself, but I don’t…I don’t want to push you away.” 

Biting the insides of her cheek, it occurred to Imani that Seiha was important to her. To see them both struggle in trying to find the right words to say spoke in volumes. “You’re not annoying. I mean I say you are, but that’s just me running my mouth. Look, just stop fucking degrading yourself like that. If you were an annoyance to me, I wouldn’t even be associating myself with you the moment I moved here.” Furrowing her brows, she shook her head and asked, “What perception?” Fuck, this was frustrating and confusing. However, Imani slowly nodded as she looked at Seiha, “I want this. If you’re down, I’m down.” 

“DJ Mani doesn’t just share with the common folk.” She tried to joke, but the sentence rolled roughly off of her tongue. It didn’t sit well with her or maybe she was just uncomfortable with all the uncertainty between them. She shook her head; none of this made sense. Everything that Imani was saying was about them continuing on with their friendship and yet, her stomach hadn’t settled down. She still felt sick. “I didn’t know that... I just thought you had a lot of patience and was just trying to be nice in front of your baby brother.” She frowned. “You’re not-” She sighed. “I’m here, so you haven’t...”

“Ok.” She tapped the cigarette to get rid of the ashes and brought it back to her lips. The hot smoke stung her lungs but she welcomed the distraction. It helped keep her mind off of the uneasiness. “I’m not that insecure... I just, if I’m a hair away from messing whatever up, now’s the time to tell me. I want to keep doing this...” Whatever it was, she wanted it. “Fuck, I don’t even know what I’m saying. I just...” She tried to take another drag, but the cigarette was spent. She walked over to an ashtray and put it out before sighing. Seiha wasn’t ready to turn back to her. Maybe it was time to leave. 

[takancshi]

imani-kingston‌:

“You can always mask it with your candles or incense.” Imani shrugged, that didn’t always help, but it made things bearable. “Edibles work too.” she mused. The alpha continued to observe her actions and felt confident in the idea that something was wrong. However, at the same time she didn’t want to push Seiha and scare her away. Was it too much if she cared? They were good friends after all and…Shaking away her thoughts, Imani focused on the conversation at hand. “You’re not making things hard.” clarified the she-wolf as she stared into the shifter’s eyes. She was dead serious and so when she heard her reasoning, Imani felt guilty and looked away. She thought it was pretty clear that she enjoyed Seiha’s presence? 

“Did I ever turn away from you? Help me understand. I’m fine with you being here or even associating with my pack. Further, sure you’re too much at times, but that’s what makes you…well you and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Why should the shifter change anyways? It’d be strange and out of character if she was tamed after all. “Worth what?…I do want you around. I thought that was…clear…” Fuck, Imani felt like an idiot. Her nonchalant attitude was seriously biting her in the ass. Feeling her mouth go dry, she began licking her lips and kept her gaze on the brick wall of the hospital. “I’m sorry.” she blurted out. “—If I made you feel any less…that wasn’t my intention.” 

“Yeah... you’re right... all those things could work.” She wasn’t sure when she last partook in marijuana, but she wished that she had some at this moment. Seiha couldn’t shake the discomfort and she was losing patience with herself. They were good friends, so talking shouldn’t have been so hard. Her stomach continued to turn. Why did she feel so uneasy? She wondered if she was looking at the wrong cause of her symptoms. “I don’t want to get in the way of things... feels like that’s all I’ve been doing since you’ve arrived. I was just so excited to have someone here that knew me...” Talking was hard, but she wasn’t sure how to lie to Imani about this. 

She continued to smoke, taking the time to think about what she’d say. “I’ve always been annoying so... Maybe... Look, I don’t really know what I’m saying anymore. I guess my perception of things was wrong or something.”  Seiha enjoyed being around Imani even when she seemed annoyed. It was like a game to her, but after speaking with her father, he put it in her head that maybe the wolf was more dangerous than she seemed. “I...” She looked up at Imani. An apology? Seiha stared at her and then quietly asked, “Do you want to keep this up?”

[takancshi]

imani-kingston‌:

Imani shrugged along with her, she wasn’t going to stop rebelling regardless if it was hypocrisy or not. It was in her nature to do things unconventionally anyways. “Resort to weed if anything.” she advised. Taking one last drag, she handed over her cigarette to Seiha and blew the smoke in the opposite direction. “Strange is an understatement.” she pointed out at first. “Hm, sure.” Eyeing the ring on her neck, Imani arched a brow and always wondered what the deal was with that piece of jewellery. It was like the shifter’s security blanket, but from what she remembered that wasn’t present back when they were in college. “Something’s bothering you.” she suddenly said. When she gave her an answer to her inquiry, the werewolf took a step forward, still giving them space, but clearly she entered her personal bubble. “Yes, you are—but will this be consistent or only when your father isn’t physically in the picture?” Imani paused and decided to cut her some slack by explaining, “I don’t want to make things difficult for you. So if I’m making things worse, tell me straight up. You’ve gone through a lot, the least I could do is make things easier for you.” 

“I need something that smells better then.” She chuckled and then followed Imani’s gaze. Seiha closed her hand around the ring, suddenly feeling like it wasn’t meant for the other woman to see. She didn’t want to offend her friend. She furrowed her brows at the thought. Why would a ring offend Imani? She lowered her hand and went back to holding it against her elbow. She needed to keep track of her limbs were going. Seiha didn’t want to look more awkward than she already felt. She took in a deep breath before taking the cigarette from Imani. “Yeah... that’s why I’m here...” She took a drag and almost forgot to exhale when Imani stepped closer. Mindfully, she blew the smoke away from them. “I don’t want to make things hard for you. I know that I’m your friend that’s a little too much and I come in uninvited... and... It’s my fault that I got caught... I just wanted to know if I’m worth...” No, that wasn’t it. “Look, I just was hoping to know if you still wanted me around... or...” She shrugged again. 

[takancshi]

imani-kingston‌:

Imani wasn’t buying it and she was just about to call the shifter out on it, but got side tracked once she took her cigarette. Arching a brow in amusement, she watched her take a drag and smirked. Truman, even the pack knew better than to interrupt, let alone take her cigs or joints when she’s enjoying them. However, she allowed it—bold move on Seiha’s part anyways. “Says the one smoking. I’ve heard it all, still doesn’t stop me. If shit were to happen, then it’s on me.” Once she gave her back the cigarette, Imani took it between her fingers and took a drag. The mention of Seiha’s father began to make sense, serious Takanashi business. However, to hear that it dealt with her caused Imani to feel uneasy. Does this mean they have to stop being in each other’s lives? Truthfully, she didn’t want that. 

Pushing herself off the wall, she turned and stood in front of Seiha, eyeing her briefly in silence. “Gotta love our patriarchs.” she muttered at first. “I know he’s still your father, but he’s not the one in your shoes. What do you want?” 

“Well, sometimes rebellion is hypocrisy.” She slightly shrugged and crossed her arms. Seiha lightly rubbed her left elbow with her hand as she listened to the world around them. She couldn’t hear as much as the werewolf in this form, but she was sure that things were busier than the silence. She wished she could hear the other animals better. “I’m trying not to keep the habit. I don’t heal like you do, but it helps during Takanashi things.” She hated the things that she needed to do for her role as the next head of the clan, but it was all a part of her strategy. Seiha looked over at the wolf when she stood in front. She was taller than her, but the alpha held herself in a way that made her seem daunting to most. “Hmm... The worlds a strange place. An extra appendage shouldn’t be that big of a deal, especially when they usually aren’t.” She joked and added a quiet chuckle. Seiha unfolded her arms and started to play with the ring, dangling from her neck. The other woman’s question was why she was hesitant about coming to see her. She knew what she wanted, but the thought of saying it out loud made her stomach turn. “Well, I’m here, aren’t I?”

[imani-kingston]

date: spring 2021

location: kingston animal hospital

time: end of day, almost evening

With Truman off for today, Imani was holding down the fort at Kingston Animal Hospital. It was steady for the most part, but she had her peak timings with her and her staff. Still manageable especially when the animals were on their best behaviour—talk about luck. It was nearing the end of her shift, but it didn’t hurt to take her occasional smoke break. Stepping out of her establishment, she took out her pack of cigs and lit one up. Taking a brief drag, she pulled the stick away from her lips and exhaled whatever smoke was in her. She thought she was alone until she picked up a familiar scent from a few feet away and immediately turned her body in that direction. Nodding at the Councilwoman, Imani continued smoking and greeted her with, “Yo.” She then tilted her head and simply stared at her, something was off, but she couldn’t pinpoint as to what. “What’s up? You good?”  

@takancshi​

[takancshi]

"Yeah, I’m good.” She took the spot besides Imani and reached over to take the stick from between the other woman’s fingers. “You know, smoking isn’t good for you even if you are a werewolf.” But she understood the need. She brought the cigarette up to her lips and took a drag, hoping to keep herself busy while she collected her thoughts. Seiha almost didn’t come. Before this moment, she had made up excuse after excuse, but she missed her friend and she needed someone to talk to. “I had a meeting with my father... and...” She extended the cigarette back to Imani. “The whole fox and the hound lecture. Made a big show of it and thought I’d check up on, just in case. He may have stepped down as the clan leader, but he’s still my father.”  Seiha smiled at her and leaned against the wall. It was quiet out. 

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

Yasemin wrapped her arms around Seiha for another hug. The shifter certainly has a big heart when it came to her family. “I’m proud of you.” she sincerely says to her. “Even if you don’t think I’m fun.” A smile soon crept onto her lips once she lets go, “You’ve been doing a lot for your age. Take it from someone who’s lived a ittle over a hundred years, sometimes you’re going to have to put your own needs over others. I know I’m very bad at this advice, but I guess what I’m trying to say is that we need to remind ourselves that it’s okay to be selfish once in a while.” 

She then rolled her eyes once she heard the shifter’s defence—clearly she wasn’t buying it. “I’m serious Seiha, you need some decent humane interaction here and there…even if we’re not the best.” Although she was willing to admit that on most stressful days, especially on the job—Yas preferred animals over people. Luckily she had Snow living with her. “If anything we’ll delay his process into our borders. I don’t know, let’s focus on the now shall we? He’s not here, so hang out with Imani as much as you want.” Being affectionate as she is, Yas pulled Seiha into one last embrace before pointing in the direction of her door, “I expected you to exit that way young lady, don’t even try me.” 

Her family didn’t really understand her and she didn’t try to be understood. From a young age, she cared more about the desired endpoint, rather than the journey to get there, much to the Takanashis’ dismay. Seiha was efficient even in the wild perceptions of her. “Mum, Mother, it isn’t nearly enough, now is it?” She was being dramatic again.  “I still feel hollow inside and I don’t think it’s human-ish interaction that I need... And selfishness is what got me into this whole state. Don’t know how that’s supposed to cure all of this.”

“Being a sexily tattooed single woman who happens to be quite independent should be enough, but fine, I’ll agree to this if it keeps you from repeating it.” She got up from the couch after receiving the last hug. “You’d bend the rules a little bit for me?  That’s so sweet...” Seiha gave her a slight smile and then started to head for the door. “Yes, yes, I’ll be sure to use the door this time. Only because you’re looking.” She winked at her and then left. 

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

Yasemin sighed in defeat, it was inevitable to prevent the shifter into her home. This was her child and she always told her that she has home here if needed. “Does it have to be you two? Isn’t there anyone else in your family that can lead?”  She rolled her eyes at the complaint and waved Seiha off, “Don’t be so dramatic dear, you’re just trying to avoid the truth.” 

“You can feel free, you just need to find a compromise to it.” Yas tucked a few strands of the shifter’s hair from her face and smiled. “You’re making excuses.” she pointed out. “And shifting and associating with other animals don’t count. Go see her Seiha, I know you want to.” 

“The others are too young or too stupid... I love my siblings, but the lifestyle would eat them alive and then spit them out before trampling them.” Her family would do worse, but she didn’t want to think about it. She had no problems with breaking traditions; her siblings, on the other hand, were safer following them. “You’re no fun, mother.” She sighed and stretched herself over Yasemin’s lap. 

“It counts! So we don’t gossip in English, but there’s plenty to do with the animals.” She sat up. “I just hope that my father doesn’t come back anytime soon... because I do want to hang out with her... even if she smells the way she does.” Seiha wasn’t going to say that Imani smelled like an alpha wolf. She knew whenever she shifted into an animal. If it wasn’t for the fact that they were friends, then she would have stayed away. The Takanashis didn’t get along with wolves. “Ok... I’ll be going.” She closed the takeaway carton. “Can I take your door?”

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

“You’re lucky Marek wasn’t here. Seriously dear, a heads up would have been appreciated.” Yasemin still maintained her gentle smile, in the end she didn’t mind Seiha’s company. “You’re a change that they’re not used to.” It’s an assumption. She didn’t know what goes down behind close doors, let alone the Takanashi clan held their own standards that she wasn’t fully aware of. However, she could tell that Seiha was a breath of fresh air for them, a change of pace and she knew that with more than a hundred year old traditions, change was inevitable, but more importantly unwelcome. “—But times have changed.” countered Yas. “If anything traditions should adapt and change.” 

Yasemin stared helplessly at Seiha. There was a lot going in her mind and there’s only so much she could do, but she didn’t want to overwhelm her. Instead, the nymph got up and gave her a hug. “I think you need a break. You’re not giving yourself enough credit.” Letting go, she sat back down and said, “I can see that you enjoy being in the presence of the werewolf. Why don’t you go see her? She’s your best friend and she gives you a sense of normalcy no? You’ve been working and been invested in your clan’s business, that you should have a social life dear.” 

“He smells a different way so I would have been fine.” Her mother’s man wasn’t a problem. She never talked to him, but he seemed nice enough. Seiha doubted that he’d hurt a mouse. “Of course they weren’t expecting me. Ryo was supposed to be the leader but he ran off to enjoy a rival’s son. I just wanted to shift into stuff.” She shrugged and sighed. Yasemin was right; things changed and adaptation was important. “Mom, my brain is melting like an icicle... I don’t think I can handle all that positivity...”

“I do need a break... I want hot springs and nakedness... or maybe just nakedness and more tattoos. I want to feel free again.” She accepted the hug and then leaned against her when she at back down. “I can’t go see her... she’s busy with her werewolf pals and her brother... This is probably why I’m annoying, she’s so busy and I just sort of pop up.” Seiha then narrowed her eyes. “You know I have a social life... Not one that you’d understand...”

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

“If we did, then we’ll be sure to hear it the next day.” There’s no use in overthinking it. At the mention of the hole, Yas stared at Seiha in confusion and then it clicked. “You broke into my home by shifting into a mouse?” she asked with an arched brow. “Seiha!” However, her expression hardened the moment she heard her response to her question. Shaking her head, she refrained the question and said, “Now Seiha—We’re talking about the now and that’s exactly it. You’ve built a life for yourself and even after everything you still continue to take each day that goes by. So why stop now? Just cause of tradition? And a bunch of old people chiming into your ear telling you how you should live your life? I know you can overcome the slump you’re feeling right now.”

Shaking her head, Yasemin sighed as she leaned back into her seat. She’s lived long enough to know that people find comfort in each other once the opportunity presents itself. That’s how she sees Seiha and Imani, despite the two not wanting to admit, let alone face their emotions on the whole. “If you were actually annoying then she’d cut you out of her life completely. She seems like the type of woman who doesn’t waste time.” The air nymph had to disagree with Seiha’s response. “No, you’re more than that. Although I can see why you’d think that, it’s all you’ve ever known.” 

“Yes, because finding my way out of my clothes is a lot harder as an ant.” That, and mice were cute. She gave Yasemin a soft smile, trying to clear the heavy air, but she could tell from the other woman’s line of questioning that she’d need to try harder. They were back to an unwelcomed topic. “It’s been ok, but my ideas haven’t been exactly stellar. The ideas that matter to me have only lead to... less than satisfactory ends...” An understatement, she thought. She continued to play with the ring, nervously pushing it into a spin around its chain. “I mean traditions happen because they work in some sense?”  She tried to keep a serious face but she couldn’t. Seiha cracked a smile. “It’s just maddening this valley of whatever the fuck this is.”

“Well, yes and no... she’s sort of the type of person who gives herself time to relax and chill out... I’m sure it fits her brand with the whole DJing thing.” She cleared her throat. “I mean DJs do that... Sort of like how DJ Khalid has his yell and he tries to look cool for a man in tracksuits.” Of course, Seiha listened to Imani’s work. Even after they faded from each other, she liked to play it while she worked. “I always had anything I needed even if I messed up... now I’m just... I don’t know.”

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

“Mmkays, we can take the day off too.” The City Hall and their respective jobs can do well without them for a day, especially since they deserve a break too. After learning Seiha’s truth, Yasemin didn’t say anything at first. It was a heavy wish for the shifter to state and even though she didn’t know how it felt, let alone what she actually went through, she was able to understand why she’d reach that conclusion. “Now if given the opportunity to have that option of staying in shift, would you take it?” She paused and clarified her actual question, for there was a truth she wanted to know. “You’d want to leave those you have met behind? Relationships you’ve built? Like myself or Imani?” Throwing in such examples were already a given now that they were brought up.  

“It seems like you two understand each other though. It’s better than being alone.” pointed out the air nymph with a softened gaze. “Exactly, you’d be missing a certain wolf and I’m sure she’d miss your presence just as much. I feel as if you’re finding it hard to accept that you do matter, your life on the whole matters too and that you have people who see you for you rather than the status tied to your name.” 

“Hope we don’t miss anything interesting.” Seiha didn’t really care if they did. Avoiding the bullshit wasn’t a terrible thing. She picked up the carton and started to eat the fried rice again. “By the way, you have a hole large enough for a mouse to crawl through.” She then turned to face Yasemin. “If it happened now... well... no... I’d miss you too much. But if it was back from when I first arrived here. Yes. Then I wouldn’t have ever met you or been reunited with her.”

Seiha knew that she was right about Imani. They understood each other and in her mind, that was what best friends were supposed to be like. “I don’t think so. She thinks I’m annoying, tells me often, that woman.” She chuckled and shook her head before reaching over to play with the ring that she kept on a chain around her neck. The shifter told people that she kept the ring as a hopeful reminder, but deep down she felt more burdened by her regrets. After all, her own selfishness was why she ended up alone. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have that status.”

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

Yasemin felt for Seiha and knew that she was doing her best in balancing both her role in the Council and as a Takanashi in her own clan. However, the expectations set out for her didn’t seem fair, which is why she tries to help her out in balancing it all. Her suggestion may piss off her clan, but there was no turning back on what’s already done to them. “I’ve been wanting to get another tatt…Did you want to get one with me?” she suggested. At least there’d be something positive to look forward to. “Take them and the expectations of you out of the picture. What do you want?” 

Nodding in understanding, Yasemin sighed and said, “Mhm, I know it’s been difficult…I’m here now though.” She then gave her an encouraging smile as she tried to look on the bright side of things. “So what does that mean for the both of you?” 

She liked to criticize her family for being too prideful, but she had learned how to be a proud person from them. Seiha leaned against her seat and started to mix her rice in the carton. Her pride was probably hurting her at the moment. “Yeh, well, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I need to get another and get the colours to pop again. It’s been a while.” She went silent for a moment to think about what she would say. Knowing Yasemin, the other woman would take her law degree and ask all questions deemed necessary to get to the bottom of things. Seiha sighed. “I wish I had stayed jammed and forgotten about my humanity. I wouldn’t mind being a bird for the rest of my life.” Uncomfortably, she adjusted her shirt above the scar on her chest. 

“I don’t know... I haven’t really talked to her about my father. We just don’t talk about family... Not after what happened with those shades.” She lowered her gaze. “Being a bird wouldn’t be so bad. I’d get to fly around and wouldn’t have to worry about certain rules...” She sighed again. “But it wouldn’t be too fun to not be able to hang out with Imani...”

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

“Well that’s annoying. Why is he suddenly all up in your business?” Out of motherly instinct, Yasemin rubbed her back as a means of comfort and sighed, “It’s complicated.” She knew why Seiha would state such a thing, after all the views of Lethe’s townspeople weren’t all the same. However, the way she sees it, you have your good apples and your bad. It’s all a matter of just dealing with it. “Honestly Seiha, I know you have it in you to do what you want. I think there’s more to why you’re holding back other than your family’s tradition and honour.” 

Which is how she go to her next point. “You can’t fool me.” she deadpanned as she sat up. Yasemin wasn’t stupid either. “I miss you too dear, but we do work together and going back on the topic at hand…” She paused and gave Seiha a look, the kind of look that meant she should be telling the truth moving forward. “She’s important to you isn’t she? I’ve seen you two together a lot.” 

“I don’t know. I thought they learned their lesson after Ryo.”  She rolled her eyes at the other woman. “My father probably wants me to consider another clan’s elder or something like that. It’s a tradition, which is why I should get another tattoo. I think they’re cool and most of the other families don’t quite like having a woman this inked up!” Seiha let out a loud laugh. “... Because it’s not the right time to not do what they want...”

She looked over and frowned when she saw the way Yasemin stared at her. The silence between them spoke more than her words. “I really do miss you. It’s just been work, work, work, work, and I don’t get to see you outside of it. Small talk is actually dreadful. I almost miss the Japanese trains.” She looked away. “Yes, of course... she’s my best friend and I don’t want to lose her, even if it means pissing off my father.”

[takancshi]

yasemin-asli‌:

The moment she entered her home Yasemin knew something wasn’t right. Snow normally greeted her at the entrance and further, she could feel a presence in her home. If it was Marek, he would have made himself known to her right away. Walking in silence, she placed her purse and keys on the foyer table and began making her way to her kitchen where she could smell takeout food. Someone was eating in her house, but who? She was just about to send a gust of air their way, but stooped once she realized who it is.

Letting out a sigh of relief, she furrowed her brows at Seiha and sternly greeted her with, “You could have at least texted me. Honestly, I thought I was being robbed.” She then took a seat opposite of her and noticed her demeanour. She softened her gaze as she spoke. “You know you don’t have to stay here. What’s stopping you from leaving?” 

Getting up she went to take a few napkins and headed towards Seiha as she placed it on the table in front of her. Right after, she pulled a seat up next to her and pulled her into a hug. “Hey, what’s wrong?” Usually the shifter was a ray of sunshine and ball of energy, but right now she was down and out. “Werewolf? Does this have to do with Miss Kingston?”  

“I would have texted you if my father wasn’t watching me like those weird unblinking fish do. So nosey... and an invasion of his grown daughter’s privacy, but then again, I did subject myself to this town.” She hummed thoughtfully and gently tapped her chin with the clean end of her chopsticks. “You know, sometimes I wonder if this town’s acceptance of Shifter culture is really worth it.” While she acknowledged how tough it could be for other shifters and the privilege she had having grown up around others like her, she still thought that the outside world wasn’t as bad as people in Lethe made it out to be.

Seiha cleared her throat and lowered the takeaway to the table. “There are so many werewolves in this little... dust speck of a place... For all you know, I could be talking about the werewolf councilman.” She chuckled and then sighed. Her jokes weren’t hitting the same as they normally would have. “She has a particular smell to her that any experienced shifter would know... and she’s my friend. I’ve gotten a stern reminder about what happens between dogs and foxes.” She paused. “And I miss my mother.”