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[Good morning, Lunatia. The video starts with a view of hooves, a too close view of a face... and then finally... a centaur? Who keeps looking off screen while she talks and never seems to actually focus on the lens correctly.]

Hello? Can everyone see me? Connor, am I doing this right? Okay? ... Okay.

[She clears her throat and dips into a bow, the camera bobbing along with her.]

Hello! This is Konoha... some of you maybe think my name is Shizu, but- It's Konoha! I'm from Echigo province, in Japan, if you know it... and I'll be in your care.

If you don't know me, which, I figure is most of you, this city must be even bigger than the capital I'm the... well in my world we say jinba but I'm the "centaur". I haven't seen anyone else like me so I think I can say "the"...

Anyway... what I wanted to ask was... if anyone had an recommendations for... shops? I've never really shopped before, and I haven't seen any locals quite like me, so if you know somewhere that does... I don't know, tailoring? Or a restaurant with really big seats or tall tables? Anything like that!

I'd appreciate it, so... thank you very much!

[Another bow, another bob of the camera... and a blurry flash of android helping her turn the dang thing off. Thanks, Connor.]

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Mmn.

[ He gives a small nod in return to her bow and words. ]

This place is also tolerable. It is good to know it is here.

[ His way of saying that he's grateful that she showed him where to go, and how to buy things. Money is very confusing. Why are people concerned about it? Why can't things be settled through bartering (or recognizing one is superior to the other)?

Ah, well. ]

And you will soon have other places to be, don't you?

I think so, too. They even have food here that's kind of like home's.

[Shen Qingqiu had called it "dim sum", but a lot of it had been pretty familiar... and even the strange ones were still mostly the ingredients she was used to, which was nice.

At least she's used to human money, though she let her boss handle the matter of her wages and pay her instead in rice for her family.

The question of other places, though, seems to confuse her, and she stands there holding the bolt of fabric with a curious cock of her head. Did he mean... she might have other plans after this, or?]

- Will I?

Is it?

[ Who's to say? He certainly wouldn't know.

Sesshomaru makes a very soft thoughtful sound as she tilts her head. He looks up at her, looking at her expression and face properly, before he turns his gaze away. ]

Yes. Clothing shopping with that person, right? [ A beat. ] Will you need chroma for it?

Yeah- It's really delicious, too.

[Before he turns away she just keeps looking somewhat innocently confused, trying to decipher out what he means. Clothing shopping... with that person...

Oh! Right! Other people could see all the conversations on the network "posts".]

With Aerith?

[Thinking she might have solved it, Konoha smiles to herself proudly, a bit touched that he didn't want to keep her from other plans.]

That's not until tomorrow, don't worry!

[As for chroma, though... She does have enough... But... he'd just used so much on her, and generating it gave chroma to both people... and the more he had the less likely he'd be to threaten shopkeepers............... so...]

I guess I am running a little low, but...

We'll eat here, then, sometime.

[ Because Konoha should not have to make every single meal. It would be good to treat her to these sort of things and places -- since she feels at ease here. ]

Mn.

[ He responds to her question with the half-sound. His eyes widen a little at hearing that it isn't until tomorrow, and he barely gives a small nod. ]

Hm. [ Reaching out, he takes her free hand to hold. There. ] You're probably hungry. Let's find a place to eat. [ Then, you also don't have to eat alone for a meal today. So, eating there sometime comes to eating there now. ]

[Her small smile at "sometime" because a bit larger when he takes her hand, and even larger with "now". Jeez, holding hands wasn't supposed to feel this nice... moonlacing was so strange.]

I'm almost always hungry, haha...

[Those two stomachs were to blame, it's not her fault!

Squeezing the bolt of fabric to her chest protectively, she points back down the street they came with both of their hands.]

There's a good place to the right at the end of the other street a man called Shen Qingqiu showed me! They have a courtyard with low tables that makes it easier to eat at... and maybe it won't be too crowded right now?

I see.

[ That is something that he is keeping in mind -- that she is always hungry. It seems more than gifts of cloth that he should bring food. ]

Shen Qingqiu, huh. [ Sesshomaru looks up at her briefly. ] I have met him, as well. He is not awful for a human. [ Look at this praise. ] If it is crowded, I shall just --

[ He halts in what he is going to say, and decides to not finish the sentence at all, before he starts to walk towards where she just pointed. ]

Oh, you have? He's a scholar, he said, and so smart- He taught me a lot about this area, and how to get settled and use the trains without being confusing.

[Definitely one of the people who has helped her a lot since coming here, and from a world... well, not Japan, but close enough that he knew how to explain technology to her in ways that made better sense.

Holding his hand gently and leaning down slightly so he doesn't have to hold his arm at a strange angle as they walk, she follows eagerly... and just as eagerly fills in the blank at the end of his sentence.]

-- get the food "to go" and take it somewhere else to eat!

[There's literally so many options, Sesshomaru!!!]

Did he?

[ It seems like he owes more to Shen Qingqiu for being kind to Konoha. Something to keep in the back of his mind, at least.

As she finishes his sentence, he turns his head away. There is a sigh that is building up in his chest and threatens to come out. However, he keeps it from doing so. Somehow. Perhaps, because he would never want Konoha to feel like her suggestions to him were being dismissed or considered annoyances.

No, that is the reason why. ]

Mmn. We'll do that, if it must come to it.

Yeah. He could probably teach you those sorts of things, too, if you need them.

[Konoha's hooves make soft little clopping noises on the Caihong district stone streets as she walks along behind him, looking down at their hands while he turns away- She doesn't push, but. She does tighten her fingers on his, though. They look really different... his skin is so pale and pretty looking to her, and her hands are the dark brown close to her equine coat color, rough and scarred here and there from hard labor... also hmm, he has really sharp nails, and hers are clipped short...

Still.]

It's really pretty in the courtyard, though, so hopefully they'll have space.

[Thankfully, when the dim sum teahouse comes into view... they are in a little bit of a downtime, half between lunch and dinner, so it doesn't seem to have as many guests as usual.]

No, that's fine.

[ It is not so much that he doesn't want to learn, but it feels not right to bother that person with his own small troubles.

In holding her hand, he notes the differences in the roughness. Hers from having to partake in hard labor and his own from wielding a blade. And isn't that fine? He will use what he has learned and know to protect her and what happiness she can have here. ]

Mn.

[ It is his favorite sound (no). However, it does seem like they have a bit of downtime and able to have them eat at the teahouse proper. Sesshomaru does let go of her hand as soon as they enter. There is a second when it seems like he will ignore the people that are running the restaurant, but that would mean Konoha would have to bow twice for her and him. ]

The courtyard, if it is available. [ He refrains from glaring and instead tips his head slightly. Rin did not ever care how he treated others (save that he just doesn't attempt to kill or harm those she likes), and accepted that he would be dismissive of them, but since such things seem to upset Konoha, he adjusts a little for her. ]

[Well, maybe it was fine, but. As far as Konoha is concerned, now he at least knows Shen Qingqiu is that sort of person, who could be asked. If he... ever did feel like it!

And look! He talked to a shopkeeper!

Konoha smiles a bit proudly behind him and mouths "thank you" at the waiter who bows and then leads them to the courtyard, offering them their selection of table, with only a few other customers scattered here and there, dining on small, steaming dishes in bamboo baskets and sipping on fragrant tea. It's nice and quiet in this area, the sound of wind chimes and a bubbling water feature nearby adding to the atmosphere.

Definitely a place Shen Qingqiu would recommend.]

How about that one?

[There's a table in the far corner, a bit away from the rest, with a low table and plush cushions to sit upon.]

[ Something like this makes her this happy?

Even if he isn't looking at her, he can feel her beaming brightly. It really does feel like the sun is behind him with how happiness seems to radiate off of her. His head is held high as he follows after the waiter -- his eyes remain fixed in front of him rather than looking around.

His pointed ear wiggles slightly at the sounds. They're really familiar. ]

Fine.

[ Sesshomaru has a tone almost comes off as uncaring. In a way, that's true. If it makes Konoha happy, he sees no reason to think more on it. He takes his seat first, as any lord would, and brushes himself off as he tips his head up to look somehow even more regal. ]

Order whatever. I don't care. [ A cold response and he waits for that business to get over. He waits until the two of them are alone before he finally speaks again: ] Are you feeling that you are settling in well?

[In the end, Konoha was a simple woman. She liked working hard, a full belly, and a safe and happy family. She could be made happy with something even as small as someone she'd hoped would come to be able to interact with this place better showing that perhaps they would.

She carefully lets go of his hand, preferring to use both to help herself down to the floor, lumbering carefully to her knees and then onto her side, arranging a few cushions to stuff here and there to support herself comfortably by the low table before reaching for the menu. There were so many dishes, but they were all only small portions with just two to four pieces, so...]

One of everything please! And a nice tea.

[Okay, so she doesn't know enough about tea to order a specific one, but. A nice one!

Once the waiter is off to prepare the order, she takes his hand again. Chroma and all that!!]

I think so... It's getting easier to sleep in the strange houses, at any rate. What about you?

[ Chroma and all that!!

He rests his hand on top of their lightly clasped ones. It is good to hear that it's getting easier for her to sleep in the apartments. Her voice is still light and doesn't sound too burdened. No one's bullied her yet, then. Good. His gold eyes pause to look to the hilts of his swords still resting at his side.

However, at the question of how he is doing, Sesshomaru would rather continue to live in the open area rather than live in an apartment. It takes him a second to realize that it would make it difficult for Konoha to visit him.

His eyebrows come together as he thinks that he could always visit her, but her feelings are generous and she wouldn't want to be a burden. Hn. ]

No other problems, then? [ He decides to shelf his thoughts of moving into an apartment for a few more seconds, as he decides to make sure he is right that she is not suffering any other issues. ]

[Definitely just for chroma. It's not like she enjoys affection of this sort or anything, or how warm and comforting it felt. As much as she enjoyed meeting new people, as many friends as she'd managed to make... There were still times she needed a little reminder not to get lonely or homesick for her own world- for the man she'd loved that she hadn't managed to admit her feelings to, for her parents, for her boss...

Absently, her thumb moves softly back and forth along the side of his palm.]

No other problems. Not with people anyway.

[It's almost... weird, in a way, not to be discriminated against at least in some ways... But she doesn't quite know how to express that. She does, however, know a dodge when she sees one.]

Are you mostly keeping to yourself?

[ Then, it is only difficulties with clothing and the like. He believes these will be easy fixes for her. If they can be acquired, she won't be troubled. Why does it feel like this is a hollow answer, though?

Sesshomaru only keeps his hands where they are at first. His eyes close before he lifts his fingers to lightly pat the top of her hand. Once, twice. ]

I am. [ Interacting with people has never been something that he does. (Only when he becomes plot-relevant!) It may be even more obvious due to how he is not very sociable, or seemingly friendly. He thinks briefly about Kagura -- but he does not want to get in her way of freedom and living. She should find her own way without feeling as though he's holding her back from whatever that may be. ]

There is no reason for me to get too close to anyone here. [ He would say that even if he was back home. ]

[Konoha finds it very ironic that he can say that right now, sitting next to her and patting her hand like he is, the bolt of silk fabric carefully stored behind her so as not to get ruined by any of the food that arrives. But she doesn't say that, instead just nodding along.

So he is...]

Was it the same in your world? I guess you were really busy with your duties...

[Since his father had passed, she just assumed that made him Lord of the West, which sounded like it would make him needed all over the place...]

That's right.

[ He can, at least, answer the first question that he did not attempt to get close to too many people back in his own world. Just Jaken, A-Un, Rin, Kohaku... he frowns just a little before deciding to clear a matter up. ]

Duties? [ Sesshomaru can guess what she means but starts out with a question, at first. ] My father did not name me to be his successor. [ A beat. It doesn't hurt as much because he believes his father wanted him to surpass him instead. ] He had grander wishes for me, yet the person that is to inherit everything is ... not yet capable to handle anything.

[Grander duties than Lord of the West? Would that mean like... Lord of the entire country, perhaps? Uniting the country like the humans had fought so many wars over, only with demons?

When it came to nobility, she certainly imagined that men had many wives and concubines, so the idea that his father would have other sons is not surprising... She just nods along at first, humming over the idea. He’d said there was a half-brother, maybe him?]

Does that mean you’re ruling in his stead until he can?

[Was that how it worked? She’s never really considered the finer points of feudal rule... or how those that above her in social class dictated inheritance and lordship.]

[ He clicks his tongue. ]

I do not rule in his stead. That would go against our father's wishes.

[ His eyes close for a second as he steadies his thoughts. While it is fine in the sense that his father thought well of him, it has become an annoyance once again to Sesshomaru. Because Inuyasha is from the past and does not know anything. Furthermore, his half-brother is denouncing their father who had high hopes for Inuyasha to bequeath so much to him.

It's an insult, especially given that Sesshomaru had recognized Inuyasha as their father's successor. Now he remembers why he couldn't accept his father's decisions. He is remembering why he felt so slighted. His lips curl briefly into a snarl before he opens his eyes. He evens out his expression to a calmer one. ]

Instead, I clean up after his messes and handle matters he cannot because of his incompetence.

[Oops, wrong guess.

Konoha holds off on her answer at first to accept the tea that comes before the food, thanking the waiter and gently untangling her hand from his to take the hot teapot gingerly before she realizes, oh, there's a cloth, wrapping that around the handle to serve. (The good thing about having multiple limbs... In place of her hand, she sort of just extends a foreleg to replace moonlacing contact with her brown-coated hock.)

There's no finesse or ladylike training to make it an elegant gesture like the nice restaurant might require, but it still results in two steaming cups of tea, one of which she sets in front of him.]

That sounds really stressful.

[But it does speak to his dedication to family, she thinks... Which is a good trait? Like most everything he says, though, the way he says it is questionable... but the actual words imply something... not so bad?]

I always wanted a sibling when I was young, but I guess there's no guarantee you'd get along just because you're family...

[ He, at least, sits back a little when the waiter returns with the teapot and tea. Breathing in deep, he tips his head the barest amount possible as a means to silently thank him for doing what his job is. His eyes close for a second and when he opens them, a cup of tea is already being poured for him.

His shoulders drop a little, as tension fades from them. It lasts only a moment but allows him to gift the briefest smile to her. Even if the training is not ladylike or proper, it is nice to share tea -- he pauses to lift it up so that he could take a small sip, not minding the heat.

Looking over the cup, he replies: ]

It is what it is. Father wanted me to support Inuyasha.

[ Sesshomaru is interpreting that however he chooses. Ah, in his annoyance about the situation, he actually names his half-brother. He realizes this is the first time that he has said his name to Konoha. ]

I do not recognize him as my brother and so there is nothing to get along with in terms of family. At the moment, I cannot recognize him as my brother. [ Because in part relations, as Inuyasha remembers them, are poor. Because, watching how Inuyasha is, it is enough to snarl and deny their connection. Still, the latter is... purely out of spite and the desire to see him improve. ]

[... Oh. He smiled. She's pretty sure he just smiled. It was small, sure, brief, but. It makes her happy enough that she almost misses when she reaches for her own tea, blinking in surprise and correcting herself, pulling the cup up to her lips with both hands, blowing on it softly to cool it.

Konoha's idea of siblings is nothing at all like Sesshomaru's experience. That much is pretty clear... Still. She learned his name was "Inuyasha"... which was another amazing name if it means what she thinks it does. ... Hadn't she heard that name somewhere before? Hmmm...]

You said he was half-demon, right?

[That part interests her, she can't deny it, coming from a world with only humans and jinba, and... certainly no children born between those few rare couples who crossed the physical boundaries between their species. But even though he was a demon... he looked exactly like a human... er. From the waist down. And as much as Sesshomaru has shared with her his opinion of humanity... she supposes she can guess one reason he doesn't approve.]

That's correct.

[ He dips his chin down slightly as his fingers tighten a little around the teacup. Sesshomaru pauses in how he clenches his fingers least he end up shattering what is in his hand. The injury would be minimal -- to him -- but it would upset their meal even further. So, he takes another drink, finding the heat of the tea matches his own heated insides, before setting it down. ]

I will tell you now that half-breeds are not looked upon fondly where I come from. They are an affront to both youkai and human alike. There is no place for them in either world.

[ His eyes narrow as he continues. ] However... Father would not have wanted such a fate for him. And, if he had lived, he would have ensured Inuyasha had a place in the world. Since he did not, Inuyasha has to make that place for himself.

[ Sesshomaru sits back slightly, crossing his arms. ] Father certainly left enough for him to be capable of doing that... if Inuyasha weren't so foolish and didn't constantly squander everything that was given to him.

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