Oh, really? I guess I have. [Huffs gently.] To be honest, the nature of our task is kind of awkward with someone I don't know, so maybe... it's perfect that you ended up here, too.
[Not that he knows Tsukasa all that well, but even P would feel weird about doing this with someone he's not spoken with even once.]
I was thinking much the same! Even if the task is ultimately only to put on some sort of performance that evokes strong emotions, it is a lot to ask of a stranger.
[It's... also a lot to ask of someone he barely knows, but we're forging right along anyway! Think of it as an acting challenge, Tsukasa...]
[Partly because if they don't... they'll both end up facing a rather awful fate of engagement annulment, and no one wants that.
But, mostly, Pinocchio also doesn't consider this a terribly difficult challenge if it's with someone he knows at least a small amount; it is easy to think of it as equal parts performance and equal parts sincerity from a boy who has very little to hide.]
We'll have to decide who's the Prince and who's the Princess.
You do seem like the princely type. I think you could pull it off better than me.
[What does the "princely type" mean for Pinocchio? Clearly, someone who has bright confidence and flair(?), so maybe Tsukasa is a better fit for it than him. He doesn't mind being a princess. he has the hair for it already]
Well... [Uhh. What's a good performance that could also act as "intimate"] Oh! How about dancing? That's something prince and princesses do all the time.
[Oh, Pinocchio, truly that's the way to his heart. He's preening now, of course, basking in the praise.]
Ha ha ha! Of course I do! [sure. Of course.]
But that is an excellent idea! Dancing is a very meaningful and emotional performance, especially between two people! If you're bringing it up, I assume you're familiar with waltzes and other pair dances?
[He really likes his showmanship, he thinks with a smile. Must be a troupe leader thing, but it just means he'll have to match that energy.
...Performatively, at least.]
That's right. I've learned a few since I've been activated. [as a fairy tale expy, he is basically legally required to at least know how to waltz] Let's try a waltz! There's definitely enough room for it here.
I... suppose so? It feels a little ridiculous, but we'll never know if we don't try.
[But Pinocchio did say he's ready (not that he sounded that sure, but Tsukasa doesn't feel too sure either), so... brow furrowed in determination, Tsukasa reaches out to gently press his fingers to Pinocchio's chest.
And he'll try--think of this as improv, as acting, Tsukasa, just try--to draw out that rose.]
[It does feel a little silly, and there is a part of Pinocchio that belatedly feels odd about it all, despite what he said. In his chest beats the part of him that has made him more... human, and there is something unreal and vulnerable about another reaching inside to claim it. Even if that isn't technically what Tsukasa is doing.
Yet it still settles with him oddly. He cannot... quite pinpoint why.
Still, that brief moment of uncertainty subsides, because as soon as Tsukasa's fingers touch his chest, they sink in deeper as though touching a warm pool of water instead — and the sensation is oddly... pleasant. Warm. It makes him feel docile.
Pinocchio closes his eyes, allowing his partner to feel for, and draw out, a royal blue rose from within.]
[It never stops being boggling that... the bizarre things that happen here really do happen. Rather than encountering resistance as expected when Tsukasa presses his fingers to Pinocchio's chest, instead his fingers sink forward, and then... the rose.
He draws it out carefully, blinking at it, and then smiles despite the weirdness of the situation, because, even with the bud still closed, there are glimpses of the royal blue:]
Oh, what a lovely color!
[A beat, and he comes back to himself, clearing his throat.]
[The "recovery" comes swiftly, with P gusting a soft exhale after the rose is pulled from his chest. He sways a little on his feet, but not unpleasantly, like being awoken from a languid dream.]
Ah...
[What a weird feeling? Slowly, his eyes focus on Tsukasa again.]
[He reaches out a little when P sways, but he regains his balance well enough, and Tsukasa lowers his hand with a small, quizzical smile.
Interesting. It was nice, huh...? What a strange place this is.]
I see! I'm glad to hear it. [Better nice than painful, after all. He clears his throat. Next step...
Is to reach out, and tuck that rose into Pinocchio's hair, right? But they're to dance together, and he doesn't want it to fall. It feels like something precious, right? So, with a surprisingly quiet murmur given it's him:]
Just a moment.
[He reaches out with a few deft movements to, if Pinocchio allows, take up a few strands of his hair to form a quick but tidy braid, which he'll then tuck the rose into so it's more secure.]
[Oh, of course he allows it. It seems such a quiet gesture from a boy who is always so loud and spirited and full of energy, but there's a part of P that did not doubt he was capable of it. After all, Tsukasa seems kind atop it all — and this gentleness, as he braids his hair, just feels like proof of that fact.
Once the rose is tucked in, though, he blinks. Reaches up a hand to touch at the unblossomed bud, and... the braid itself.]
Tsukasa blinks at that, eyes widening, before he smiles, if with some concern to the expression.]
Really? But you have such nice hair!
[Huh... He supposes maybe if P doesn't have a sibling, there would be less reason to do his hair with someone else, maybe.]
Though I suppose I only learned how to do braids and things to be able to do my younger sister's hair.
[With the rose tucked away properly, Tsukasa, already relatively in Pinocchio's space, just shifts a little to put himself in proper position for a waltz (to lead, naturally. He's the Prince, after all).]
[With a quirk of a grin. Get it? Heh. But Pinocchio falls into stance, too, to prepare themselves for a waltz. He will take Tsukasa's hand and gently place his other on his side. He waits for him to lead!
[And Pinocchio follows quite easily to the imaginary one-two-three beat. He has no issues keeping up, no stumbling feet, just an easy match of movement against his partner's. It's the blessing of being an advanced puppet who must learn how to move quickly and precisely and effortlessly, else he be destroyed in battle by things that want to kill him — dancing with ease is just a happy side-effect.
But maybe it's also because he does enjoy the dancing, too. The performance of it all. The extra beautiful flair of their "ballroom", couched in so many beautiful roses.
Hard not to notice how Tsukasa absolutely brightens at the mention of his sister.]
Saki... Tell me more about her. And what it's like, being an older brother.
[He is, obstensible, an only child. And will remain as much.]
[The dance comes together so easily and smoothly, and Tsukasa hums to himself as they step in time.
One, two, three.
And... Saki. Of course. If he's a puppy, Pinocchio is an only child in that sense. He wouldn't know what it's like to be an older brother.
How does he put something that's so intrinsic, so important to his entire being...?]
Hm! I suppose the best way to put it is that... from the moment Saki was born, I knew that more than anything, I wanted to make sure she would always be smiling.
[Even when it was difficult...]
Her happiness... means more to me than anything! I believe that's only natural when you're an older brother.
[More to him than anything. That's the thread that binds most family together, isn't it? What had Mr Apple called it, not that long ago...?]
...Unconditional love.
[That's what it must be. To have someone mean more to you than anything, no matter what. And the protective nature of being an older brother must underline than tenfold.]
She's lucky to have you. And you're lucky to have someone like that, too. How much younger is she?
[Unconditional love. Yes, he thinks that's accurate. No matter what, Tsukasa will always love and do anything for Saki. It's the core of his dream, and the core of who he is as a person.
He beams to have it understood, of course.]
She's a year younger than me. [Even though Tsukasa talks about her like she's a lot younger than him.]
But yes, absolutely! I am the luckiest older brother in the world!
Ah, and she is an incredible musician as well! She plays piano much better than I do at this point, and she composes as well!
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This is fine.
They meet up in the rose garden proper, and Tsukasa grins at the observation.]
So are you! But yes, I prefer to be up bright and early! Being here is no reason to change up our schedules, of course.
How are you this morning?
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Either way, that doesn't matter.]
A little better. [After Everything had happened, it was a rough night or two.] I keep getting distracted by all the roses...
[At least he's aware of this. Why did he come up here...? Oh.] I was hoping to find someone to do my task with, but maybe it's too early in the day.
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Is that right?
Well then, look no further! You've found a willing and perfectly adept partner for your task!
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Oh, really? I guess I have. [Huffs gently.] To be honest, the nature of our task is kind of awkward with someone I don't know, so maybe... it's perfect that you ended up here, too.
[Not that he knows Tsukasa all that well, but even P would feel weird about doing this with someone he's not spoken with even once.]
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[It's... also a lot to ask of someone he barely knows, but we're forging right along anyway! Think of it as an acting challenge, Tsukasa...]
Do you feel up for giving that a try?
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[Partly because if they don't... they'll both end up facing a rather awful fate of engagement annulment, and no one wants that.
But, mostly, Pinocchio also doesn't consider this a terribly difficult challenge if it's with someone he knows at least a small amount; it is easy to think of it as equal parts performance and equal parts sincerity from a boy who has very little to hide.]
We'll have to decide who's the Prince and who's the Princess.
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[He perks up immediately, completely focused on the concept now.]
If you aren't opposed, I'll gladly play the role of the Prince! I assure you I'll do so impeccably! [Of course he wants to.]
Ah, we should also decide what sort of performance we'll put on. What sorts of things do you enjoy?
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[What does the "princely type" mean for Pinocchio? Clearly, someone who has bright confidence and flair(?), so maybe Tsukasa is a better fit for it than him. He doesn't mind being a princess.
he has the hair for it already]Well... [Uhh. What's a good performance that could also act as "intimate"] Oh! How about dancing? That's something prince and princesses do all the time.
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Ha ha ha! Of course I do! [sure. Of course.]
But that is an excellent idea! Dancing is a very meaningful and emotional performance, especially between two people! If you're bringing it up, I assume you're familiar with waltzes and other pair dances?
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...Performatively, at least.]
That's right. I've learned a few since I've been activated. [as a fairy tale expy, he is basically legally required to at least know how to waltz] Let's try a waltz! There's definitely enough room for it here.
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[A waltz it is! Tsukasa nods, and then straightens, clearing his throat. Right...]
Now... all of that nonsense with the roses. Are... you ready?
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I think so? Are you really supposed to just... reach in? Where my heart is.
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[But Pinocchio did say he's ready (not that he sounded that sure, but Tsukasa doesn't feel too sure either), so... brow furrowed in determination, Tsukasa reaches out to gently press his fingers to Pinocchio's chest.
And he'll try--think of this as improv, as acting, Tsukasa, just try--to draw out that rose.]
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Yet it still settles with him oddly. He cannot... quite pinpoint why.
Still, that brief moment of uncertainty subsides, because as soon as Tsukasa's fingers touch his chest, they sink in deeper as though touching a warm pool of water instead — and the sensation is oddly... pleasant. Warm. It makes him feel docile.
Pinocchio closes his eyes, allowing his partner to feel for, and draw out, a royal blue rose from within.]
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He draws it out carefully, blinking at it, and then smiles despite the weirdness of the situation, because, even with the bud still closed, there are glimpses of the royal blue:]
Oh, what a lovely color!
[A beat, and he comes back to himself, clearing his throat.]
Was that... alright?
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Ah...
[What a weird feeling? Slowly, his eyes focus on Tsukasa again.]
It was... nice. It didn't hurt at all.
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Interesting. It was nice, huh...? What a strange place this is.]
I see! I'm glad to hear it. [Better nice than painful, after all. He clears his throat. Next step...
Is to reach out, and tuck that rose into Pinocchio's hair, right? But they're to dance together, and he doesn't want it to fall. It feels like something precious, right? So, with a surprisingly quiet murmur given it's him:]
Just a moment.
[He reaches out with a few deft movements to, if Pinocchio allows, take up a few strands of his hair to form a quick but tidy braid, which he'll then tuck the rose into so it's more secure.]
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Once the rose is tucked in, though, he blinks. Reaches up a hand to touch at the unblossomed bud, and... the braid itself.]
...No one's ever done that before.
[done his hair 🥺]
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Tsukasa blinks at that, eyes widening, before he smiles, if with some concern to the expression.]
Really? But you have such nice hair!
[Huh... He supposes maybe if P doesn't have a sibling, there would be less reason to do his hair with someone else, maybe.]
Though I suppose I only learned how to do braids and things to be able to do my younger sister's hair.
[With the rose tucked away properly, Tsukasa, already relatively in Pinocchio's space, just shifts a little to put himself in proper position for a waltz (to lead, naturally. He's the Prince, after all).]
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[With a quirk of a grin. Get it? Heh. But Pinocchio falls into stance, too, to prepare themselves for a waltz. He will take Tsukasa's hand and gently place his other on his side. He waits for him to lead!
A bit more seriously, and curiously-]
You have a sister?
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He dances well, and is clearly very familiar with waltzing; it's easy to sweep Pinocchio into a proper waltz amongst the roses.
This really is a lovely place for a dance, he thinks.]
I do!
[He brightens, eager to talk about his sister.]
Her name is Saki, and she is incredible! She's wonderfully talented, and the strongest person I know!
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But maybe it's also because he does enjoy the dancing, too. The performance of it all. The extra beautiful flair of their "ballroom", couched in so many beautiful roses.
Hard not to notice how Tsukasa absolutely brightens at the mention of his sister.]
Saki... Tell me more about her. And what it's like, being an older brother.
[He is, obstensible, an only child. And will remain as much.]
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One, two, three.
And... Saki. Of course. If he's a puppy, Pinocchio is an only child in that sense. He wouldn't know what it's like to be an older brother.
How does he put something that's so intrinsic, so important to his entire being...?]
Hm! I suppose the best way to put it is that... from the moment Saki was born, I knew that more than anything, I wanted to make sure she would always be smiling.
[Even when it was difficult...]
Her happiness... means more to me than anything! I believe that's only natural when you're an older brother.
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...Unconditional love.
[That's what it must be. To have someone mean more to you than anything, no matter what. And the protective nature of being an older brother must underline than tenfold.]
She's lucky to have you. And you're lucky to have someone like that, too. How much younger is she?
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He beams to have it understood, of course.]
She's a year younger than me. [Even though Tsukasa talks about her like she's a lot younger than him.]
But yes, absolutely! I am the luckiest older brother in the world!
Ah, and she is an incredible musician as well! She plays piano much better than I do at this point, and she composes as well!
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