wizardmanor | Floor 2, Room 4

[Though Phil isn't going to say a word to make taking Day's hand into a bigger deal than it already is, he's going to continue to be bold and this time be the one to stroke his own thumb lightly across the back. Since Day did it to him earlier, surely he won't mind having it done in return, right?]

Mmm... no, not exactly. That's where gods and goddesses are believed to dwell?

[He's read enough books both here and back in his own world to understand the concept, however.]

[ Oh, this is... When Ginger did this, it was a sign of their friendship, that they trusted each other enough to be comfortable with it as a gesture.

With Phil, Day finds his cheeks flushing from the intimacy, and how foolishly happy it makes him. His heart is practically soaring right now and he feels like a teenager in love again, which he knows is silly. ]

Basically, yeah. That's how it's like where I'm from. Apparently in some worlds it's part of the afterlife instead? [ Mumbled incredulously. ] I...work for Heaven. Bureau of Destiny, Division of Serenity, specifically.

Edited 2024-06-08 07:46 (UTC)

-- you're a god?!

[He's holding hands with a god? Oh no, now he's very certain that he is being far too forward, yet at the same time pulling away would probably be even worse, and so Phil just sort of freezes in place, unsure of what to do.]

I-I apologize for not realizing...

Oh, no, I ain't a god. [ He can understand why, but it's really too much that people just assume he has to be a god??? ] I'm, like...a mortal with a bunch of extras tacked on. Blessed by a goddess, remember?

Though I guess in my case you could also say I was destined for it, 'cause she's one of the sisters in charge of fate and destiny.

O-oh... I'm glad. I was afraid I'd just been very rude to another world's deity. [...] Not that I think that being rude to you would be acceptable with you not being a deity, but you understand what I mean.

[Which means handholding can continue unabated!]

So you were directly chosen by the goddess for your position, then?

Holdin' hands with a god too much for you? [ It's a joke. ]

But yeah, basically. We get chosen at birth, but we won't find out 'bout it until much later, usually after we've grown up. [ ... ] My division handles destinies that involve things that bring joy. Stuff like love and culture.

[Cue Phil doing yet another amazingly accurate impression of a tomato.

Help him. Please hold for a moment while he tries to remember how to speak.]

Joy... oh! Is that why your name is 'Joyous Day'?

[Change the subject change the subject change the subject--]

[ Oh no this is cute. The way Phil is so easy to fluster will probably never stop being amusing to Day. ]

Heh, a little. I picked it 'cause I thought it sounded nice. [ Implying that this is not the name he was born with. ] But people here keep surprisin' me with what they take away from it.

[ Like Tatara suddenly telling him he understood what it meant. Bringing joyous days to others, which Day personally thought was sweet. ]

[Fortunately for Day, Phil will also probably never stop being easy to fluster. Call it one of the bonuses of being socially awkward.]

It does sound nice. [...] And... it's very fitting, I think.

["Because you've already brought so much joy to me," is the other part of what he thinks but doesn't say out loud.]

I suppose in return it's only fair that I admit that the 'Biqe' is my title rather than an actual part of my name.

...Thanks. [ All the people who have told him this have no idea, he thinks. ]

Huh. Is it some kinda important title? [ He feels like he has to ask, since Day is used to names that sound more like titles and sobriquets anyway. ]

The title given to the most powerful and skilled mirrist in the kingdom.

[Allow him one tiny moment of pride! He worked his entire life and devoted everything he was to earn that title, so he will cling to it as hard as he can even though it was also part of what led to all of the terrible things he was responsible for...]

[ He assumes "mirrist" is something like a sorcerer, based on what he's been able to glean through context. ]

...You look better when you're proud. [ Day finds himself saying this an observation. It's a better look on him than how meek Phil often comes across as. ]

[The urge to hide his face is back, largely because this time he knows he's turning bright red. Being complimented about his ability where mirristry is concerned is one thing-- he's more than used to that by now as it comes with the title, and while it's true that he's proud of his skills, it's far easier to dismiss that kind of compliment as being merely perfunctory.

Hearing Day tell him that he looks better this way, though? Somehow that hits in a way he wasn't expecting, and the only thing he can think of to do in response is to put his free hand over his face as though that will somehow hide the luminescent shade he's currently turning.]

Th-thank you...

[ Day laughs again, a low, pleased sound of serenity. Cute, he thinks. His seniors were right that age has little to do with cuteness; anyone can be cute.

He wants to reach over and brush that hand away, so he can enjoy a full view of how flustered Phil is, but he knows that would be overstepping his bounds. You knows despite the fact they're in the same bed and holding hands. ]

Hehe, you don't gotta hide your face, Phil.

You say that, but...

[But he's still blushing and it's embarrassing!

Still, once he's certain enough that he's not going to spontaneously combust if he looks over at Day, he will in fact lower his hand. And yes, he's still pink, and yes, he's trying to pretend that he's not.]

You just like seeing me like that.

[Turning the tables right back around! Or trying, at least.]

[ Oho? Is Phil...trying to banter? New and exciting development. ]

And what if I do?

[ Without a speck of hesitation or shame. And without realising what he's implying either, or possibly not quite caring. ]

[He was indeed trying until he got bantered back at and he realizes the error of his ways. Phil is so out of his depth here that it's just hilarious...]

And here I thought you were the sort of person to enjoy a challenge, not something that doesn't take any effort to speak of.

[He can dunk on himself because he knows it's the truth!]

Hehe, it's a skill as much as any other. Gotta practice 'fore you get good at it.

[He indeed enjoys a challenge and an easy mark too, but... In this instance, he's probably enjoying it because it's Phil, specifically. Not that he'd say that. ]

So you're keeping your skills sharp on me, in other words...

[...]

... mmm. I don't mind.

[If it were anyone else, he absolutely would mind. But when it's Day? It reminds him of the way...

... perhaps he should stop that train of thought there.]

[ Day, blissfully unaware of who he might be reminding Phil of: ]

It's a chance for you to practice too, y'know.

On you? I couldn't possibly--

[But then he thinks back to just a few moments ago, where Day had in fact offered to allow Phil to practice speaking with him, and realizes that the offer is in fact genuine.]

... well. I suppose all of this counts as practice in and of itself, even if it's more you teasing me than the other way around.

You'll get there some day ♪

[ In a slight lilting tone, as if to say "I believe in you." Up to Phil to decide if that's teasing too. ]

[The rush of heat that seems to start somewhere in his stomach and bloom into his cheeks definitely can't be attributed to the fever this time, and that only serves to make the sudden thought of "He couldn't keep talking if I kissed him" that springs unbidden to his mind that much worse when he can't even blame it on his thoughts being addled due to illness.

So he promptly rolls over to face the opposite direction, which will definitely solve this problem.]

[ And that nets Phil another amused laugh from Day. Funny how he seems to be hearing it a lot, huh?

(Day tries to not be disappointed that Phil has let go of his hand in favour of rolling over, because, well, even if it's not a dire context this time, shouldn't he already be used to his hand being let go of?

So he won't try and ask for more than what he's already got, as much as he wants to grab hold of Phil's hand again. Even if he wants to be selfish, there's a limit to such things.)

Instead Day settles into quiet humming. It a soft, mellow tune, not unlike many of the songs he practises on the erhu. ]

[Slowly but surely, Phil finds himself relaxing as he listens to the quiet tune. It's like a lullaby in a way, gentle and soothing, and it's not long before he can feel sleep beckoning to him once again.

He still can't quite turn back to face Day after that stray thought (that was not entirely unwelcome and that's a whole other thing to be thinking about, but not right now), but what he can do is reach back with one hand, a wordless offer if Day wants to take it. Because, unexpected thoughts about wanting to kiss him aside, Day's presence is like an anchor keeping Phil's thoughts from drifting to dark places as he closes his eyes.

The mission is still on the forefront of his mind, the pain still fresh and raw. But if this simple touch can keep the memories of it at bay for the time being? Then surely it's all right to be just a little selfish this one time.]

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