coastal | [ kara & lili are romance, somehow ]

[ hmmm. that's something to think on later, he supposes, as lili holds up his necklace. ]

I've always had it, since I was summoned. Why?

[she shrugs - as much as she can without aggravating her shoulder anyway]

It's the kind of simple memento that would be a good gift, so I thought someone might've given it to you.

Sometimes girls get hair ornaments - I've dealt with flowers, jewels, anything pretty and useless that they'd think is fit for the Water Tribe General's daughter...

But I think... I'd like anything - if it's from you.

[ hmmmmm. ]

Hair ornaments, and jewels... [ he shakes his head. ] Pretty and useless don't suit you.

[ he pulls back, just enough to reach behind his neck to undo the clasp of his necklace. once the cord is coiled in his hand, golden pendant sitting atop it all, he holds it out for lili. ]

This isn't much better, but... I don't mind if you hold onto it.

[oh.

she supposes that she should've seen that coming, but she didn't - and the simplicity of it manages to get her heart to skip a beat. for all of the weird bluster and strangeness of trial, where she pointedly ignored people lecturing ookurikara on giving her gifts, she never once felt like he refrained from getting her things because he wasn't interested.

she's rather sure that if she ever announced wanting for anything, ookurikara would give it to her if he could. it's just a matter of wondering if what she wants is important enough to ask for.]

... help me with it?

[since she can't really moving her arms freely at the moment, so she'll gather her hair and turn her back to him so it's easier]

[ kara just nods, and waits for lili to move. once she's turned around, he reaches around her neck for once side of the cord, pulling it back behind her neck to close the clasp.

the colors don't suit her. gold and black don't go so well with the regal blues and whites of her water tribe garb. and it is odd, to let go of a piece of himself like this. but he thinks, as he pulls his hands back, that he trusts her more than anyone to keep this small piece safe. ]

[oh, she's sure that kaoru would give her notes on accessorizing at this point, but once kara's done fastening it, lili can't help but bring a hand up to touch the pendant thoughtfully. she's normally not one for jewelry, aside from whatever she puts in her hair but...

this is different, she thinks. and something both heavy and comforting weighs on her chest as she turns back to him, and leans up to give him a soft, lingering kiss.

she can't help how she smiles, deeply pleased by the gift. the first and only one she's ever received that ever felt like it actually meant something.]

... thank you. I love it.

[she thinks she might love—

well, she'll think more about that later.]

Good. Keep it safe.

[ he knows she will, even if he hadn't made the request. so before she can answer, kara leans in to give her another quick kiss, the corners of his lips turned up in a faint smile. seeing lili happy, seeing her smile like this... he'd like to see more of that, he thinks.

just another reason to win this game. ]

I never told you what it means, did I?

[is she ever going to get used to that! who knows! she leans into the kiss even as she flusters again, but she'll try very hard to keep her cool!!]

Ah - I don't think so...

[even as she lets her pointer finger trace over the shape of the pendant, and she settles for leaning against him a bit more. it's comfortable, and nice, to be close to him.]

It's a symbol of a god in my country, one named Fudo Myo-O who uses his sword to cut through the minds of the foolish or ignorant. The carving on my sword, Kurikara, is one of the forms he can take.

So in a way, you'll be carrying my namesake with you.

... everything always comes up dragons...

[how is it always dragons? but she listens closely, and lets her head rest on his shoulder as she looks down at the pendant thoughtfully.]

Then I'll make sure to carry myself with honor for the both of us, while I'm trusted with it.

Are you that surprised? You've seen my sword.

[ and his tattoo. she knows his theme by now. ]

[the tattoo is so sexy, she is thinking about it - but also]

Mm... It's just kind of interesting - Kouka's creation myth is based entirely on dragon gods too, but that's not the case for everyone. Even the Water Tribe was said to be founded by the first Seiryuu - Blue Dragon.

[lili herself is not especially dragon themed, but it sorta of wraps around her life?]

It's a lot of dragons...

[maybe it's part of why they fit so well together?]

You've mentioned that before.

[ very briefly, but enough to stick in Kara's mind. ]

Is that why you like me? Because it's familiar?

[she

rolls her eyes but as affectionately as possible]

Yes, we're courting because you remind me of my tribe's creation myth.

No, you moron, it's incidental.

[ he just. gives a soft laugh at that. ]

[wow

she loves the sound of his laugh.

she melts into a puddle just a little bit before sighing. disgusting.]

... anyway, I have other reasons to like you.

[ones that outweigh how much he frustrates her.]

[ can you believe he was (half) joking ]

You don't have to tell me that. I believe you. I have reasons too, you know.

[ . . . . . . don't ask don't ask she doesn't need to ask it's not that important to ask]

.... I would hope so.....

[she obviously wants to ask even though it would send her to an early grave]

...I can tell you, if you want to know.

[ haha yeah, he sees that ]

[ . . . . . . . . ]

I'm trying to figure out if my heart could take it.

[SHE'S CURIOUS BUT ALSO RECOGNIZES HOW MUCH IT COULD KNOCK HER OUT]

[ he shrugs. ]

Then I won't tell you.

[ . . . . there's just a quiet whining noise as she leans against him.

she's an idiot.]

[ mildly alarming ]

...Lili?

[she's just mumbling it now]

I want to know...

[SHE'LL DEAL WITH WHATEVER HEART ATTACK COMES WITH AFTER]

Okay.

[ he gives her a gentle pat on the head. he speaks slowly after that, as if he isn't quite sure what words to use. after all, kara has always been better with action. ]

You're brave enough to stand up for what you believe in. You care about those around you, and you do your beset to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. You're always determined to find the best outcome for everyone, regardless of the risk to get there. Those are all things I would want in a master, if I could choose one for myself.

[ but lili, of course, isn't his master. so he moves on. ]

But you're always honest with me - even when you know I won't like what that means. You always try to understand if something is wrong... and you're better at it than anyone else has ever been.

[ he falls silent then, looking back to the bonfire's flames as he hesitates with the next part. ]

...And you came back, at the end.

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