Day 10 Deito - Yusuke

[assent]

[ From what she's seen of it, the Shrine is actually rather small. The candles off a nicer, softer light and rather than planning anything romantic, she opts for calming. There isn't much on offer in the room itself, so she takes some paper from the art room along with some colours. She's also brought juice and two glasses with her and has placed them on the side for now.

She actually arrives early, dressed in a blue dress this time with her hair down. It isn't as easy to do the braid on her own so she's left it this time.

When Yusuke arrives he'll find she's already making a swan origami to hopefully put in the shrine to make it prettier than the dreary raccoon monstrosity it is. ]

Comments

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke arrives with his easel and art supplies in tow, along with a small bento of onigiri for them. he doesn't say anything when he arrives, just stands in the doorway looking at her, a small smile on his face]

[assent]

[ It takes her a good minute or two for her to notice he's arrived, partly because she's concentrating on folding the paper as precisely as she can. It's when she lifts it to check the widths that she sees him properly, offering a smile in return. ]

Good afternoon. [ She lowers the paper to her lap. ] Do you need some help?

[ That is an awful lot of stuff there. ]

[artisticliberty]

Thank you, but it will not take me long to set up. Ah, though, if you wouldn't mind?

[he hands her the bento]

I made some for us if we feel like eating later.

[assent]

[ She moves to stand, using both hands to take the bento. ]

Thank you very much. I can put it next to the drinks so we will not forget.

[ Which she'll move to do now as well, the paper half-finished swan forgotten on top of the pile of other papers now. ]

[artisticliberty]

[in the meantime, yusuke is setting up his sketchbook and easel, etc.]

Hmmm... the lighting in here is not ideal for taking a portrait.

[assent]

Is that what you wished to do?

[ She glances back over her shoulder, peering at him curiously as he sets up everything. ]

[artisticliberty]

Unless you have any objections?

[assent]

Not at all. [ Partly because she can't imagine denying him the time to enjoy his passion, partly because she's curious to see what he'd create. ]

Is there anything you need me to do?

[artisticliberty]

I only need you to find a pose in which you will be comfortable. Please think of that while I find a suitable background for you.

[he looks around the shrine...]

Not the stained glass, that will only wash out your complexion... not to mention how unforgivably ostentatious it is. Perhaps by the altar?

[assent]

I will consider it, then.

[ She's had photos taken before but those are over quickly and on the other hand like... she probably sat too stiff and regal for it to be comfortable at all. ]

The altar? [ She glances towards it. ]

[artisticliberty]

The candles will cast shadows regardless of where you are, which will be a challenge, but if the background is neutral then perhaps it will mitigate that. Here...

[he starts moving candles over to place them on the altar, as many as he can find]

[assent]

I see. I admit I am not really familiar with how lighting should be, so I will leave that to your discretion.

[ She will, however, seat herself in front of the altar as he'd asked before, leaning back onto her hands as she tries to work out how to get comfortable. ]

[artisticliberty]

There, that should do for now. Fortunately, I am more than familiar with the contours of your face now that I should not have any difficulty drawing it.

[what does that mean, yusuke,,,]

I knew I wanted to draw you when I first met you, but I think that if I had not waited to do so until now, that my attempt would look amateurish.

[assent]

Truly...?

[ She blinks, surprised as she looks at him setting up and her face may be a little flushed now, unsure of how to take any of this. ]

[artisticliberty]

[it's dark in here, so yusuke doesn't notice. he takes a seat by his easel and starts to make a preliminary sketch]

Of course. It was not unlike when I first approached Ann. I saw your beauty and radiance and knew it would make for a fine work of art--but I thought it would be better to get to know you before I made the attempt. I am glad I did.

[assent]

[ Probably for the best, he doesn't need to know she feels embarrassed and charmed at the same time. Charmed enough that her heart is speeding up a little too. Yusuke why are you this smooth. ]

Is Ann a friend of yours? [ It's easier to focus on the conversation instead, though. ]

[artisticliberty]

[he doesn't even try!!]

Yes. She...

[his lips quirk and he smiles a little]

She may have been my first friend, now that I think of it. I saw her on the subway platform one day and I approached her to ask her to model for me. I could not have known then who she truly was, and she refused several times before agreeing... not to mention how bizarrely that situation turned out... but still, I am glad I met her.

[assent]

[ That's what makes it worse!!! Too naturally charming. ]

I... I am glad that you have someone like that, then. It sounds as though it was an unusual circumstance, but things worked out, yes?

[artisticliberty]

[he nods]

The four of them... Ann, Ryuji, Akira, and Morgana... they fought for me when I was trapped. They stood by my side when I felt helpless, even though we were complete strangers. I shudder to think of where I would be now without them.

[assent]

[ She pauses to let that sink in, there are two extra names she's unfamiliar with there but it doesn't matter right now, what matters is that he's freer now. He was given the opportunity because of those people.

Her eyes shift away from him, but she doesn't move. ]

They seem like they are good people, those that I do not know, I mean.

[artisticliberty]

I would agree. They are not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but we had all been victims of the selfishness of adults, and we all vowed to fight together to change society. I would fight by their side against anyone, even God or the Devil.

[assent]

No one is perfect, after all. I am glad you were able to find them, and that you were able to make a difference together if that is the case.

[ This is good, let's just talk about Yusuke tbh. ]

[artisticliberty]

[this puts into context a bit about yusuke's insistence on overthrowing governments though, doesn't it]

Yes. Before that, I... was quite a lonely person.

[assent]

[ It does a bit, yup...

And at the admittance, she stays a little quiet, unsure of what to say at first. ]

But now you are not, no?

[artisticliberty]

No, not anymore. Breaking free from my cage was the best decision I've made.

[there's something pointed in that comment, but yusuke just keeps sketching]