practicality | (no subject)

Tian-dono, I need to speak with you at your earliest convenience. It's important.

I see. Very well.

[He stands up to allow Souji to fix the bed for him.]

[Which Souji does - not that there's much to fix up.]

I'm sorry - I know it's not what you're used to.

It is adequate for the situation.

[He walks over to the bed and then sits down on the futon, removing his belt with his sword. Shrugging off the top of his robe, he then lies down.]

[Souji takes the sword-belt, and leans it up against the wall by the head of the bed - within easy reach.]

Am I to ingest this thing or simply pour it on myself?

[He eyes the vial again, suspiciously]

I think - pour. Nobody tried to eat it last time, as far as I know, and it still did things.

Very well. You are not to leave my side under any circumstances.

[Opening the vial, he pours the rainbow sand over himself.]

[Souji is suddenly very glad he didn't finish all that tea, though the small sandstorm that springs up in his room is enough distraction. When it clears, Tian is peacefully asleep inside a clear bubble - one that doesn't seem to budge much when Souji pokes it.

He grabs one of the floor cushions and pulls it over by the futon, and then settles in to wait.]

[A whole day passes, and then the glass cocoon breaks into normal, boring tan sand, waking the dragon up. His ears flick slightly and he sits up with a frown on his face.]

Hm.

[Souji stirs slightly from his position up against the bed, and twists to look at Tian]

Are you alright?

[Rubbing his face, Tian sighs.]

It was rather vivid, but very dark. I think it was a memory... but not mine.

Hmm. Well, if the intent was to spread knowledge... I suppose that makes sense. What happened in it?

Hm. Everything was dark, and it was a bit hard to breathe. Then I heard the sound of a sword being drawn.

[He glances over at his sword belt.]

A fight broke out, in pitch darkness, and my opponent seemed to match my strength perfectly. Yet the fighting style was much different from my own. It was getting harder to breathe, too.

[Tian frowns slightly.]

Then I heard a voice, calling out to watch out behind me. It was a familiar voice, but I can't quite place it. A male's voice, and he told me to keep fighting even though my breathing got worse.

[Souji can feel his mouth go a little dry with fear - he wants to pretend this has nothing to do with him, to hide his weakness. But the name of this particular game is trust, and if he can't tell Tian this much...

His eyes drop down back to his lap]

That... that was my birth dream.

[Tian's eyes widen a little at that, but then he nods slightly. It made sense that he would see Souji's dream, since he had been instructed to give it to someone he trusted.]

I see. It was unusual.

I... suppose so. I've never asked anyone else about their birthdreams, so I wouldn't know.

[Remembering the harshness of his breath in the dream, Tian reached out and puts a hand on Souji's chest.]

Do you keep secrets from me?

[And that gesture makes the secret in question very, very clear. But after all this - he can't lie about it, not now. So he glances away, swallows audibly]

...Only one.

[Tian spreads his fingers, taking in the tiny frame under Souji's clothing.]

...why?

I didn't... want to seem weak.

Do you believe I only care about power? You are talented, Souji, and I know your strength.

[A small nod of agreement]

I think... I'm used to hiding it. I only told... my brother, here, and one of the medics.

I see.

[Cupping Souji's face, he pulls him a bit closer to kiss. It's oddly gentle, but ends with a fanged nip.]

I am a jealous, possessive creature. Even a dragon has flaws.

[His mouth tightens a bit and he doesn't seem happy about admitting that.]

I will not mention this again. But do not ever keep secrets from me, Souji.

[Another nod, and a small, slightly shaky smile - Souji's emotional vulnerabilities are showing for once.]

I won't. And... my illness. It's not contagious. It was one of the first things I asked about.

Of course. That goes without saying, Souji. Otherwise you would never accepted to share my bed.

[He was too kind to risk such a thing if he thought it was contagious, right? Even if dragons probably couldn't catch human diseases.]