open | cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

[stressweets]

WHO: Tsukasa & you
WHERE: A variety of places, both in Recollé and outside of it... (which is just Pesgare) (for a weekend)
WHEN: Throughout the month
WHAT: It's an open post... and a catch-all. All-purpose post.
WARNINGS: None, will add if necessary

do. drawing in the city

[ Due to some recent... developments... Tsukasa's been putting a lot more effort into keeping himself busy, and that chiefly involves getting better at drawing people. Landscapes, flora, all of that? He's perfectly great at, albeit his style errs more on a loose, flighty style of watercolor.

But again. Getting better at drawing people. He can be found at a few of the parks doing studies on people, couples, animals, you... all of that. Looking vaguely frustrated and, at one point, just kind of. flopping back in the grass with the world's loudest groan.

Not that his attempts at it at the square are much better, where he ends up laying on the fountain's edge, looking at the water like he's considering rolling into it.

......Yeah, it really isn't going well. ]

re. drawing out of the city

[ "Maybe I'll have better luck somewhere new," he said, and then went to Pesgare one weekend when he wasn't busy.

Except Tsukasa doesn't handle boats well, so on the way he can be found leaning on the railing and looking more than a little miserable. He prefers these to like, airplanes? Definitely? But... boats... Three hours of this is awful, like at least it isn't walking into heat but Respartum had only been like an hour away...!?

When he's there though, he can be found resting his poor stomach on the side of the road for a bit before he starts sketching again. Those with a keen eye will notice, though, that he ends up drawing the sights more than the people... Pesgare is beautiful, and he needs to practice architecture anyway... ♪ Even if he's supposed to be focusing on people.

He can also be found just around, taking in the sights and... in the marketplace, taking in the smells. And the bakeries. And— look, he likes food, shush. Are you reaching for that last chocolat au pain or other tasty treat too? Tsukasa'll back off with an "Ah, sorry," though he'll look a little put-out at not being able to have it himself. ]

mi. wildcard

[ Nothing catching your interest/we already have plans/you wanna do class stuff (his electives are art and home ec, he's in Art Club)/maybe at work at the riding school and stables/whatever? Go ahead and throw me anything, I'll roll with it! You can also catch me over on plurk at flaired, or on Discord at Bella#4429; I'm quicker to reply to pings though, as a heads up. ]

Comments

[admiringly]

[ It's not pathetic. ]

You're loyal and understand your oldest friends the most. That makes sense! I wouldn't mind learning to understand horses and chocobos as much as some of my human friends. [ She gives Lord Farthington a few extra patra, as if to say, please give her guidance, milord....! ]

But I don't think I've met that many people that are total bullies? [ One of the rudest people she's met is... Minato. ] But they kind of sound like... maybe they're really awkward with showing affection? Or don't know how?

[ Like a 90s tsundere archetype is what she thinks, but she also thinks it's a little rude to simplify people that much. ]

[stressweets]

[ To be fair, Minato's pretty rude. He still manages to get on with both Tsukasa and Elizabeth somehow though?? ]

If that's true, then I guess they're pretty fond of a lot of people...? [ . . . he's making a face. ] Mm, that feels wrong to say about them... H— They complain a lot, so I can't imagine them ever being happy enough to like anyone... Ah, but I showed them the horses earlier this month too, and they seemed impressed. ♪

[ but said with the tone of like, "who wouldn't be impressed by horses." ]

[admiringly]

That's kind of sad, though? It's easier to like someone than hate someone. It takes a lot less work. [ Not that Chiyo has ever actually actively hated someone to know how much work it really is, but staying mad at someone is tiring. ]

Maybe they just need to treated with the things they like more? Invite them to see the horses more, and maybe it'll become more natural for them to be less... um, fussy?

[ That's what it sounds like this person is like. ]

[stressweets]

[ .......fussy is a great word for Sena. ]

Invite them to see the horses more... Mmm, I wonder if they'd be interested in that though... [ ... ] I guess there's no harm in trying... Ah, would you like to see them more in the future though? While we're talking about it.

[admiringly]

Of course I would! I want to get to know them better since you love them so much.

[ If she can take an interest in things her friends love, she's going to. She doesn't want Tsukasa to feel like he's weird for liking horses so much. ]

[stressweets]

[ Chiyo........!!! ]

R-Really? [ ♪ ] Aha, you don't have to for my sake or anything though... Um, but I'm flattered all the same... and I know everyone here would really love to see you around, too. We can visit the chocobos next time too, actually.

[ MIGHT AS WELL AFTER ALL... ]

If you want, anyway. I know most people are familiar with them now, even though horses were here way longer...~ It's really disappointing how many people are like, "I've never seen one in person!" Even though the stables and stuff have been here for a while, yeah? And they definitely weren't always chocobos... [ probably. no, definitely. ] Um, well, I guess I can't really fault people for that either though... It must sound pretty boring to visit some stables...?

[admiringly]

Tsukasa, if it were boring, I wouldnn't come here and I would't ask to visit. It's not just for your sake. It's for mine, too! I don't want be one of those people that's like, "I've never seen one in person!" [ A pretty good imitation of Tsukasa's imitation. ] And if I can change that because I'm friends with you, then it's the perfect solution!

[ Doesn't that make it a win-win scenario? Chiyo thinks so. ]

Introduce me to all your friends. Horses, chocobos, if you have a cat or a dog or a rabbit, I want to meet them, too.

[ Let her level up to be the best shoujo protag she can be...! ]

[stressweets]

[ Ah... He's quiet for a moment, staring at her, as redness slowly spreads out from his cheeks and creeps down his neck. It's not completely hidden by turning his face away, but uh. he's. Doing His Best.

He has... such good friends, why are they like this... ]

...Mm-mmm, thanks. [ all his friends... ] You probably already know everyone I do people-wise, honestly... Except maybe some older people? Mm, I don't really have any pets—my parents think I'll get distracted if I have one—so the stables are all I have...

[ ...but he has a lot of friends here, horses and chocobos and some of the cats they keep around to catch mice, so he'll give her a shy, earnest smile when he feels his face cool off and he can look at her again. ]

But~ There's still plenty of animals to meet here, so shall we...? [ with an extended hand, like he's cool instead of a total loser who got flustered-embarrassed-pleased like ten seconds ago. ]

[admiringly]

[ The more she hears about Tsukasa's parents, the stricter she thinks they are. It's not in her to criticize parenting choices, however, so if Tsukasa isn't protesting it too much, it's fine, isn't it? ]

Well, I guess with so many friends here at the stable, that's not too shabby!

[ She takes his hand. Being flustered totally didn't happen. It's fine. ]

I'm ready to meet the rest of them. Let's go!

[stressweets]

[ It's easier to compromise and sneakily rebel than to make outright protests, Chiyo. ...The last time anyone protested they were kicked out so—

uwah, she actually took his hand ♪ He'll lead her along though, let's find some cats... They're sort of sneaky, they have to peek around for a Bit before a snow white one pokes its head up lazily from a bale of hay. ]

...Ah, there. That's Regalia. [ .......named after a pony from a show but anyway. ] Pretty, isn't she~? She's a really young cat, she's only... two years old, I think? She likes treats and doesn't like being picked up, but she'll tolerate it if you kiss her.

[ Regalia's ears twitch at "treats" though, she'll stretch and get up, where are the treats humans where— ]

Ahhh, no, no, Regalia, I don't have anything for you, I'm sorry... Um, except a friend? This is Chiyo-chan, she's as cute and sweet as you~. Please be nice.

[ ...Regalia stares at Chiyo for a bit, flicking her tail, then rubs against her leg. Treat please. ]

[admiringly]

Ah!! She's gorgeous!

[As soon as Regalia comes up to her, she drops into a crouch and offers an empty hand out. This won't earn Chiyo any favors, but she won't try to pet Regalia without permission since she doesn't have the requisite treats that are loved. ]

I'm sorry. I don't have any treats for you, too, but you're so, so lovely. Like a princess.

[ Chiyo beams up at Tsukasa. ]

I can see why the stables are good for you. Everyone here is wonderful.

[stressweets]

[ That's fine, Regalia's under the impression treats will just Appear if she rubs and purrs cutely at Chiyo enough... which is what she'll do, meowing a little too. Tsukasa bites back a grin and crouches down too, batting the cat's tail playfully. ]

Right~? I was really lucky. ♪ Ah, but it wasn't really luck, I guess... [ He's told Hinata this, because he asked, so he feels a little indulgent just talking about it without being asked but— ] Mmm, I started... I guess... I was fifteen, so two years ago, or something like that... Or coming up on it... Anyway, they initially refused me.

[ A Shocker. ]

Um, well... Anyway eventually they caved—or, well, I proved I could definitely do whatever they asked of me and more—and I started working here... Just part-time, though one of the riding instructors asked if I'd be interested in assisting her full-time when I graduate. I'm not a bad rider, and she says I explain things really well, so I guess I'd be a good pick for that kind of thing...? [ Ahahaha. He taps Regalia's nose when she gives another plaintive meow, then sighs and stands up. ] I think I'm gonna get her something though... Do you ant anything, Chiyo? Mmm, I can get us drinks or something like that... We have a vending machine, so if you'd prefer something other than water, I can grab it.

[admiringly]

[ Well, okay, then. Regalia will get all the pets until she decides pets are no longer something she wants. ]

It wasn't luck. It was determiation! I got my job because I was childhood friends with the owner's son. [ Nepotism. ] But you had your skill and your diligence! I think that says a lot about you, that you worked your way up and everyone else sees how great you are for it, too, if the riding instructor asked you if you want to work full-time eventually! [ Honestly, that's so great for Tsukasa that he has that option if he wants? It means he's that good. Her friends are amazing. ]

But water's great! Thank you. Regalia's more important. It sounds like she'll cry if she doesn't get a treat soon.