[Ice-blue eyes meet violet ones, and for a moment Kokomi thinks that she and her sister-in-law are about to have a Moment before Ayaka over-corrects and cuts herself off. Which, honestly, Kokomi can hardly blame her for. She has repeatedly done the same to Ayaka and Thoma both in the few weeks she's been a part of this household. It's part of the reason her conversations with them are still so stiff and formal.
She hesitates, looking down at the book and back at Ayaka. And she decides that it's past time to actually take that first step.]
The latest volume of Princess Mina of the Fallen Nation? Yes, it is. I didn't know you were a fan of this series.
[She gives a small, shy smile. Her heart is pounding in her ears from nervousness, but she's trying not to let it show.]
I don't think you've been improper at all. If it's all right with you, I'd like for us to not be quite so formal with each other. We're sisters now, sort of, and... and I think it would be nice to get to know one another better.
[ Truth to tell, Ayaka has longed to ask her sister-in-law of the same. After all, she spends much of her day wearing the mantle of the Shirasagi Himegimi, and to have to do so for a new member of the family would have been taxing to say the least. That isn't to say that Ayaka will drop all formalities, but perhaps... Chatting about light novels and the like, that would be all right. Deep down, a part of her hopes that she can find a friend in Kokomi just as she had the Traveler - someone who can walk this seemingly lonely path of courteousness and the grace expected of the Kamisato Clan alongside her.
Still, it takes her a brief moment to truly understand what Kokomi has asked of her, as if the request hasn't quite sunk in. With a small, shy smile of her own, she nods with an affirmative hum. ]
Ah, I... I would like the same. Truthfully, I've been meaning to speak with you about this, but it seems you've beaten me to it. [ Her hand rises to conceal a quiet laugh upon her lips. ] Then, please, you can call me Ayaka from here on out.
[ A beat, then she adds, a bit sheepishly, ] And as for Princess Mina, I... Yes, I'm a fan. Although I haven't gotten a chance to get a copy of the book for myself, let alone read it. I hadn't even realized it had been released...
[In the burden of their respective obligations, Ayaka and Kokomi are sort of opposites. While the Shirasagi Himegimi feels isolated and lonely, the former Divine Priestess feels over-exposed and exhausted. But having to sacrifice part of themselves for the people they love so dearly is a common thread between them, and one that may be strong enough for them to grow close.
Kokomi has had many close advisors, but very few actual friends. It would be nice to make one, especially now that she’s so far away from her beloved island of Watatsumi.]
Then please, call me Kokomi.
[She closes the book, a subtle indication that Ayaka’s attention means more than the words on the page.]
I wasn’t aware either. I received this and a few other recent volumes of series I read as a sort of wedding gift from my pen pal.
[Yes, she and Yae Miko still correspond. And yes, they’re still using that cover story for any informal discussions between them.]
You’re more than welcome to borrow it, if you’d like. And once we’ve both read it, maybe we can talk about it?
[ At first, Ayaka seems caught with the idea of a pen pal. She's never had one before, and for that moment all she can think is how nice it would be, to have someone to regularly correspond with. Perhaps it would ease the loneliness, somewhat...
But perhaps, too, becoming closer with her new sister-in-law will help, too. ]
How thoughtful of them. Perhaps your pen pal has some kind of insider connection with the Yae Publishing House... I'm quite certain I didn't see that volume on display at the Irodori Festival, when Ayato, Thoma and I were shopping...
[ She's taken to leaning forward, scrutinizing its cover even as Kokomi closes the book. Surely, she would have noticed if the latest volume was out... It's not until Kokomi offers to lend her the book that she snaps back into awareness. Her eyes go wide once more, excitement clear and tangible on her face. ]
R—Really? Would that be alright with you? I'm sure that this must be some kind of special, pre-release edition... It must be handled with the utmost care.
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digitizedsouls2022-04-11 03:27 pm
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She hesitates, looking down at the book and back at Ayaka. And she decides that it's past time to actually take that first step.]
The latest volume of Princess Mina of the Fallen Nation? Yes, it is. I didn't know you were a fan of this series.
[She gives a small, shy smile. Her heart is pounding in her ears from nervousness, but she's trying not to let it show.]
I don't think you've been improper at all. If it's all right with you, I'd like for us to not be quite so formal with each other. We're sisters now, sort of, and... and I think it would be nice to get to know one another better.
no subject
Still, it takes her a brief moment to truly understand what Kokomi has asked of her, as if the request hasn't quite sunk in. With a small, shy smile of her own, she nods with an affirmative hum. ]
Ah, I... I would like the same. Truthfully, I've been meaning to speak with you about this, but it seems you've beaten me to it. [ Her hand rises to conceal a quiet laugh upon her lips. ] Then, please, you can call me Ayaka from here on out.
[ A beat, then she adds, a bit sheepishly, ] And as for Princess Mina, I... Yes, I'm a fan. Although I haven't gotten a chance to get a copy of the book for myself, let alone read it. I hadn't even realized it had been released...
no subject
Kokomi has had many close advisors, but very few actual friends. It would be nice to make one, especially now that she’s so far away from her beloved island of Watatsumi.]
Then please, call me Kokomi.
[She closes the book, a subtle indication that Ayaka’s attention means more than the words on the page.]
I wasn’t aware either. I received this and a few other recent volumes of series I read as a sort of wedding gift from my pen pal.
[Yes, she and Yae Miko still correspond. And yes, they’re still using that cover story for any informal discussions between them.]
You’re more than welcome to borrow it, if you’d like. And once we’ve both read it, maybe we can talk about it?
no subject
But perhaps, too, becoming closer with her new sister-in-law will help, too. ]
How thoughtful of them. Perhaps your pen pal has some kind of insider connection with the Yae Publishing House... I'm quite certain I didn't see that volume on display at the Irodori Festival, when Ayato, Thoma and I were shopping...
[ She's taken to leaning forward, scrutinizing its cover even as Kokomi closes the book. Surely, she would have noticed if the latest volume was out... It's not until Kokomi offers to lend her the book that she snaps back into awareness. Her eyes go wide once more, excitement clear and tangible on her face. ]
R—Really? Would that be alright with you? I'm sure that this must be some kind of special, pre-release edition... It must be handled with the utmost care.