2402/The Calm Before The Storm

The Calm Before The Storm
Date of Scene:	24 January 2017
Location:	Fujisaki Estate
Synopsis:	Nagihiko and Kukai share a quiet moment where everything is perfect. At times like these, its impossible to believe anything can go wrong.
Cast of Characters:	Nadeshiko Fujisaki, Kukai Souma

---

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
It's just a quiet day.

Well, not the entire day. The moment is quiet, though. Somehow Nagihiko's convinced Kukai to try and forget all the crap that's been happening lately.

He figures the roof of his house is a good place for this. There's no cherry blossoms, not even any leaves, but its still a peaceful place especially with the strip of woods behind the house. They're hidden here, too, and though people would know they're up here from the sounds of voices, the words are muffled.

There's a thermos of cocoa. Artisan, of course, and warm enough to chase away the aching chill in fingers. Also a blanket. It's a relative nest up here.

"This is my favorite place in the world." He pauses and looks at Kukai out of the corner of his eye. "Well. One of them, now."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai has not exactly had the best couple of days, but for right now it's a little less oppressive. Truth be told he'd been sort of looking for a way to get his head away from the manic problems of the past few days, mostly because he hadn't been able to get in touch with anyone who could deal with 'dream things'. It's the way it goes, though - people, even magical people, have their own lives.

So when Nagihiko had called, saying he had the day free and would Kukai like to come over, he'd jumped at the chance, arriving only a few minutes later and accompanying Nagi up to the roof - he hadn't even seen Aunty, strangely enough.

Daichi is off to one side, playing with Rhythm and Temari, making sure he doesn't mess up Temari's kimono, though. Kukai looks over at the three of them as he sips his cocoa, one arm around Nagihiko as they're relaxed on the blanket. "Mmm? Yeah, you mentioned that at one point. It is really lovely. Secluded and peaceful."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
"You should come see it in the spring. The cherry blossoms? I'm surprised I leave the roof at all when they're in season."

Rhythm is more than happy to rough house with Daichi. Even Temari joins in, flittering back when it looks like her outfit would get mussed.

Nagihiko looks up at Kukai. Even though they'd said, he still worries. His nails lightly scratch along Kukai's temple and through his hair. "Are you okay?"

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai grins and lies back, hand rubbing over Nagi's back slowly. "Yeah. I mean if you still feel like having me up here in the spring, that'd be lovely. It sounds gorgeous." He thinks. "I think I saw them a little bit from the ground back last spring."

He leans into the scratching and caresses, sighing. "No. I mean, I know it's not any more dire than any other situation, and actually a lot less dire, but no. If I can't figure out how to save a dead girl who appeared in my last dream so that her crazy sister has her around then..." He shrugs. "Honestly she won't be any worse off than she is now, but I'm gonna try it anyway. I guess that's the best way to say it."

Daichi eees and rolls around with Rhythm and accidentally splashes an errant puddle in Temari's direction!

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Temari gets splashed! Her eyes glint and she dives at Daichi--

But the most damage she does is to his hair as she noogies him!

Nagihiko snorts. "I don't think I can imagine not wanting you up here."

He sighs and leans against Kukai, fingers not stopping the gentle strokes. "I feel like I should know this one. I mean, people who do dream things. Is it all the time, or just occasionally?"

Kukai Souma has posed:
Daichi eeps but is not nearly fast enough to avoid an angry Temari! He wails a little and tries to get free from the noogies, which is hard with Rhythm helping Temari..

Kukai laughs and then snuggles in, kissing the purple-haired dancer's hand as it massages his forehead. "Mmm. Good. This is a good place." He yawns, just a little. "Well. I have a connection to a couple of people who may be able to help - I think Naru may know somebody since she had some dream problems recently." His eyes narrow and he continues with tone of humor in his voice. "Did you know she's a magical girl too? Finally came to her, which surprised me, but she's been a lot of help. And anyway, there's another girl, Ariel, who apparently does dream stuff. I just..." He shrugs, holding up his phone and shaking it. "Waiting for the response."

He shrugs. "I dunno. Once, actually, but Sachi-chan specifically mentioned something from the dream that she'd said in the dream, so I'm not going to let it just go."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Temari is pleased by the amount of noogies given Daichi! Good Rhythm, so helpful! When she lets Daichi go, Rhythm just beams at him.

"If you get tired, let me know. We could find someplace warmer to nap."

His eyebrows raise. "I didn't know. How is she adjusting?" Ariel? He needs to get out more. "Well. Entrance exams for high school just finished. That may be a factor."

He sighs. "Well, trust your guts. They're pretty smart guts."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Daichi stares, flateyed, at the two of them for a moment, before grinning and wrapping his arms around both Temari and Rhythm, hugging them tight.

Kukai yawns, then hmms. Napping with Nagihiko is right up there with playing soccer in Kukai's 'favorite things in the world'. "Weeell.. I won't ever say no to a nap with you. What'd you have in mind?"

Kukai shrugs. "I dunno. She was part of the fight against Miss White where I wrenched my shoulder real good - she covered the innocents and defended against the henchmen youma, so she did fine for somebody getting into it. I guess she's ok." He winces. "Oh, right. Man I keep forgetting about what's going on - I'm just glad most of school isn't awful hard. Or that I'm not putting that much effort into it like everybody else." He frowns again, thinking about that statement.

He looks back over to Nagihiko, then grins, shrugging slightly. "Thank you. Yeah, they've been good so far."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Temari lets out an almost quiet giggle as she accepts and returns the hug. Rhythm's never quiet.

"There's an old mattress in the attic and a pile of blankets. It's another place I like to go. Usually when its too cold to loiter on the roof."

It's one of those places where he's technically not allowed to go. His parents and Aunty knows he does, and since he doesn't wreak havoc on the old costumes and other attic type items, they quietly allow him to believe he's being sneaky.

The mention of his shoulder causes Nagihiko to hiss through his teeth as he gingerly prods the area. "Is it healed nicely? Did you take proper care of it? I can make some tea that will help..." Of course he worries. It's what he does. "I'm glad she seems to be doing well. And yeah. You have a lot on your mind, though." He goes back to hair petting. "I do okay reminding you if there's a big project, right?"

Kukai Souma has posed:
Daichi giggles. He's with two of his best friends. It's a good day.

Kukai eyes Nagihiko for a moment and grins. "Oh. Huh. The two of us up there alone? That sounds... fun." He looks up into the air, trying not to say anything. He doesn't know anything about whatever Nagi's parents say or do, but that sounds very private and sort of naughty.

Kukai frowns a little at Nagihiko as he pokes at his shoulder. "Yeah, it's fine, really. It's much improved, hon. Another day or two and it'll be like I never punched somebody in the stomach who works out like a maniac and had a magical shield in place too. And I used the last of the ointment you'd left me from Aunty. It was good." He leans into petting. "You do wonderful, Nagihiko. I don't know what I'd do without you." He hums, then sits up. "Wanna go get inside, somewhere warm?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nagihiko blushes. "Well, I just meant...we could do the Media Room. Or even one of mine. There's just always a good chance of having Aunty stopping by and maybe accidentally waking us up before you were ready."

Satisfied, he rubs the shoulder a little before leaving it alone. "We could probably find you some more to keep with you." Goodness knows he'd use it!

He blushes again, this time pleased rather than embarassed. "Well, I don't have any plans that would make you find out." Yes. He's pretty sure he'll be sticking with this one for awhile.

He stands and dusts off his slacks before offering Kukai a hand. "Yeah. I may have also snuck a small space heater up to the attic, so that little bit there will be toasty. If you wanted to go there."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai grins and then shakes his head. "No, no, I think the room in the attic sounds like the best idea. I like being able to sleep until I'm ready to wake up." He's able to avoid wincing as Nagi rubs the shoulder - it's not quite fully healed but it's good enough, now. "That sounds like a good idea. And yeah. I think... I'll stay with you as long as I can."

As Nagihiko stands up, Kukai takes his hand and leans in, kissing his cheek. "Toasty sounds very good. Lead the way?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
He blushes prettily, both at the attic and at the cheek kiss. He's not overly tired himself, but even if he doesn't doze, watching Kukai sleep is oddly relaxing. Maybe he'll get a nap anyway.

He gathered up the blanket and thermos before expertly climbing down the tree.

The attic is actually one of several attic rooms. Not all are connected. This is one tucked away, closer to his rooms than the rest of the house. It's small and used mostly for costume storage. Several of his own dancing kimono are stored in plastic bags.

The heater is indeed small and rests on a cinderblock. He figures its the safest way to prevent fires. The mattress is made up to be lined with pillows and a pile of blankets. It's obvious, especially with the book on the floor beside it, that he's spent many afternoons up here.

"Well." His arms flap a little, oddly nervous. "This is it."

It's funny how he doesn't realize he's never brought someone but Kukai somewhere until they're already there.

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai follows Nagi down the tree and through the house, towards the attic. When he gets into it, he looks around, poking at some of the dancing kimonos and the things around the attic, making an 'ooo' face. "Wow. This is kinda cool. It's Nadeshiko, Behind The Scenes." He grins over at Nagihiko.

Kukai eyes the heater for a moment, then nods. "I heard some of those little space heaters are kinda dangerous. You be careful with it, ok?" He ooohs, looking at the mattress, then arches an eyebrow back up at Nagihiko. "It's really nice, Nagi." He grins, wrapping the nervous-looking boy up in his arms and hugging him tightly. "Thank you. C'mon." He sits back down on the mattress, then stretches. "Hmm."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
He grins and rubs the back of his neck with his hand. "Yeah...Father doesn't really get rid of...anything. You know Makoto? The girl I was talking to at the party? Gonna try to shovel some of his excess onto her."

He nods. "I check the wires regularly. And I figure it's less likely to catch on fire with cement under it."

He relaxes under the hug and compliment. He settles down with Kukai, lying next to him and propping himself up on an elbow to look down at him.

His voice is quiet even up here, as though speaking loudly would drift his secret down the halls for all to hear. "When I was little, I used to come up here because its where my costumes were. When I started being Nadeshiko, I'd look around for the Nagihiko suit."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai nods, then grins. "Yeah, the super tall one? That sounds like a good way to do it. That apron didn't do anything for her." He grins. "And I tried not to look too much."

He looks over at the heater, then nods and holds Nagi in close, stretching out on the mattress and pillows, eyes closing as he listens. "... Did you ever find it?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
He laughs. "She's not much taller than I am. I think she's shorter than you are." There's a finger tweaking along his side. "She's cute. Even with the apron on."

She snorts a little. "Not up here. It made me so angry. Because I could find the deer or the sprite or countless other costumes, but not that one." He tilts his head a little. "I think I've almost found it. I just had to leave the attic."

Kukai Souma has posed:
Kukai nods, then laughs and awks, trying to wiggle away from fingers. "Well..." He shrugs, looking away. "I'm bad at that sort of thing, seeing if people are cute or not."

He looks back over at Nagi and then reaches up, hugging him close and petting his hair. "I'm glad." He grins, then yawns and leans back, arms around Nagi's middle, eyes closing. "whoof. OK. Yeah, I gotta doze off, just a little bit..." He seems half asleep already.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
"Well, you know I'm cute, so there's some taste in there." He preens a bit. Then he snorts softly. "Together we're cute-n-hot."

He snuggles down, head resting on Kukai's chest, ear over his heart. Perhaps the best pillow in the world is right here, with the gentle in and out of breath and the heart beat. "Okay. You sleep. I'll be here when you wake up. Unless I gotta pee, then I'll be right back."