[ The closer they get to the edge of the garden, the faster Maruki's heart beats; his mind won't stop racing with everyone he needs to see, everything he needs to set right.
He tries to corral his own thoughts, focus on the here and now – Chihaya, arm still linked warmly in his as they pick their way through the detritus of the garden, smile as warm as the autumn sun when he looks over to catch sight of it. ]
I am. Things aren't perfect, but...
[ He has to look away only to pay attention to his footfall through a particularly uneven path, careful to avoid a plant with prickly, twisting tendrils. ]
I was in so much pain. More than I ever would have let anyone know. Finally facing that, not being able to run from it... it's a convoluted path to happiness, but it's one I'm grateful to finally be able to walk.
[ Another glance over at her as he trusts the next few steps won't send him sprawling flat onto his face, and that gratitude shines through, radiates pure warmth right back at Chihaya. ]
It's exactly as your reading said it would be. Temperance, right?
[She's glad to see Maruki avoid any prickly plants, or plants in general- the last thing they need is getting sidelined by whatever mischief the garden is up to today.
It simultaneously breaks her heart and fills it to hear him speak of his pain. A sorrow that dogged his every step, haunted every smile, informed every decision, now lifted. He mentions her reading and she-
She-
She turns away for just a moment, feigning moving a wayward branch blocking their path as a pinprick of wetness springs to her eyes. When she turns back to him, nary a second lost, she looks no different from before.]
Yes. Balance is what it is best known for, that equilibrium free of any extremes, but some people also interpret it with themes of transformation. Being able to take different aspects and combine them into something harmonious and new.
[When she looks at Maruki she can see that as plain as day.]
You have an entire new life waiting for you back home. Obviously some of it was done with the help of the Phantom Thieves but it wouldn't work if you didn't want to move forward too.
[She squeezes his arm.]
I hope you remember to keep some of that energy for however long you stay here.
[ At the edge of the garden, that low stone wall that separates them from everything else Maruki must do, everyone he must see, every pain he inadvertently caused that he must now put right–
He stops and turns to Chihaya fully, hands landing on her slight shoulders. ]
I have a new life waiting for me here, too. I intend to make the most of it.
[ Every chance he's been given in a sacred gift that his former self never could have begun to dream of. Here in this reality, or back in the true one– no, Maruki won't waste a single second.
He draws Chihaya in then, wraps his arms around her to hug her gently, the warmth of his gratitude practically radiating from him. ]
Thank you. For everything... I really am so glad to get to see you again, Mifune.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He tries to corral his own thoughts, focus on the here and now – Chihaya, arm still linked warmly in his as they pick their way through the detritus of the garden, smile as warm as the autumn sun when he looks over to catch sight of it. ]
I am. Things aren't perfect, but...
[ He has to look away only to pay attention to his footfall through a particularly uneven path, careful to avoid a plant with prickly, twisting tendrils. ]
I was in so much pain. More than I ever would have let anyone know. Finally facing that, not being able to run from it... it's a convoluted path to happiness, but it's one I'm grateful to finally be able to walk.
[ Another glance over at her as he trusts the next few steps won't send him sprawling flat onto his face, and that gratitude shines through, radiates pure warmth right back at Chihaya. ]
It's exactly as your reading said it would be. Temperance, right?
no subject
It simultaneously breaks her heart and fills it to hear him speak of his pain. A sorrow that dogged his every step, haunted every smile, informed every decision, now lifted. He mentions her reading and she-
She-
She turns away for just a moment, feigning moving a wayward branch blocking their path as a pinprick of wetness springs to her eyes. When she turns back to him, nary a second lost, she looks no different from before.]
Yes. Balance is what it is best known for, that equilibrium free of any extremes, but some people also interpret it with themes of transformation. Being able to take different aspects and combine them into something harmonious and new.
[When she looks at Maruki she can see that as plain as day.]
You have an entire new life waiting for you back home. Obviously some of it was done with the help of the Phantom Thieves but it wouldn't work if you didn't want to move forward too.
[She squeezes his arm.]
I hope you remember to keep some of that energy for however long you stay here.
hehe wrapt for mee
He stops and turns to Chihaya fully, hands landing on her slight shoulders. ]
I have a new life waiting for me here, too. I intend to make the most of it.
[ Every chance he's been given in a sacred gift that his former self never could have begun to dream of. Here in this reality, or back in the true one– no, Maruki won't waste a single second.
He draws Chihaya in then, wraps his arms around her to hug her gently, the warmth of his gratitude practically radiating from him. ]
Thank you. For everything... I really am so glad to get to see you again, Mifune.