[His touch--it's warm, just like it was before. He's back to normal, really and truly, and she can't hold back the relief that floods her limbs, stepping in to give him a fierce hug.]
About time that damn Erda gave back what it stole! [She huffily grumbles into the front of his shirt as she holds him. Had they taken Natsuno's status as a jinrou for granted? Maybe, but regardless--it would've always been the Erda's fault for taking away so much of his hope and happiness. Of course she'd been determined to stand by him no matter what his level of shikification. Still, determination alone couldn't change the obvious weight it had put on him. And for that, she isn't going to forgive the Erda.
For now, though...she's so happy to see that smile on his face.]
[He wraps his arms around Rita, his fingers tracing gentle circles on her back. How wonderful it is to hold her close and be held without feeling self conscious. Natsuno wonders if she can feel his heartbeat.]
I'm glad, too.
[Unlike Rita, he doesn't hold a grudge against the Erda, didn't even think about it until she brought it up. Natsuno views the Erda as an alien force that operates on chance and perhaps hidden, often clashes desires of passengers. There's no point in getting angry at it... but she wouldn't be Rita Mordio if she didn't get righteously mad on behalf of her loved ones.
He plants a kiss on the top of her head.]
I missed this. Missed you.
[But a kiss on the head isn't enough. He was too disgusted with the idea of being cold and dead before, but now, finally... Natsuno pulls back gently, just enough so he can stroke Rita's cheek and lean to press his lips against hers.]
[She still would've stood by him as a regular shiki. She's confident they would've been able to make it work. Yet...there's no denying that the warmth of his fingers and the sound of his heartbeat is wonderful.]
Yeah...me too.
[She gives him an extra squeeze, just because she can. She's not going to forget that her own thoughtless comments made it harder on Natsuno than it already had to be, so she's still going to consider what she says more carefully. And there's the worry that, if he became a regular shiki once, there's always the possibility the Erda could do it again...
Right now, though? Natsuno looks so happy and free again, and it's pretty much all that fills her mind--this is still the best outcome they could've hoped for, and she couldn't possibly put a damper on it when that smile's on his face. She gives him a warm grin in return, meeting the kiss and running a hand through his hair.]
Well...what's the first thing you want to do to celebrate?
What he really wants is to invite Rita to his cabin and blanket until further notice, but the sun is so nice and his stomach is rumbling. Making out will wait... for now.]
Eat. I'd almost forgotten what normal food tastes like.
[He squeezes her hand. Much like the tokusonas above them, he's unlikely to let go of Rita's hand any time soon. This is as close to happy drunk as Natsuno can get without magical wine.]
[Some blanket time--especially when he doesn't need to feel self-conscious about his temperature--sure would be nice, wouldn't it? Then again, just the way he squeezes her hand already makes her feel warm and fuzzy, and she smiles softly at him. Yes, she's close enough to hear his stomach grumble.]
Hmm...yeah, let's do that. Maybe we can even ask that Max guy to make you something. Since, you know...he made those things before, and they were pretty good.
[She will hold that hand right back no matter how sweaty it is--that's her sweaty-palm-vampire, and just getting to see him grin so carefreely once again means the world...
It's almost enough that she doesn't fall for the teasing. Almost.]
J--just because it was good, doesn't mean it was comfort food. I'm just saying his skills aren't half-bad!
[Natsuno agrees easily, secretly pleased with getting a reaction out of her, however small. He feels strangely giddy and Rita just looks so cute when she's worked up.]
I don't get why so many people use the kitchen when the buffet exists, but I guess we can't complain about novelty desserts.
[It did almost feel like a blow to her pride to admit that Max's cupcakes were good...but she let it slide. His helping Natsuno may have helped sway her...
Anyway, as they walk, she hums in thought. Now that he mentions it-]
You know, normally I'd agree--it is pretty weird when there's already plenty available, but...I guess it's something they can do. There's not a whole lot of that around.
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[His touch--it's warm, just like it was before. He's back to normal, really and truly, and she can't hold back the relief that floods her limbs, stepping in to give him a fierce hug.]
About time that damn Erda gave back what it stole! [She huffily grumbles into the front of his shirt as she holds him. Had they taken Natsuno's status as a jinrou for granted? Maybe, but regardless--it would've always been the Erda's fault for taking away so much of his hope and happiness. Of course she'd been determined to stand by him no matter what his level of shikification. Still, determination alone couldn't change the obvious weight it had put on him. And for that, she isn't going to forgive the Erda.
For now, though...she's so happy to see that smile on his face.]
I'm glad. I'm just--I'm happy for you.
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I'm glad, too.
[Unlike Rita, he doesn't hold a grudge against the Erda, didn't even think about it until she brought it up. Natsuno views the Erda as an alien force that operates on chance and perhaps hidden, often clashes desires of passengers. There's no point in getting angry at it... but she wouldn't be Rita Mordio if she didn't get righteously mad on behalf of her loved ones.
He plants a kiss on the top of her head.]
I missed this. Missed you.
[But a kiss on the head isn't enough. He was too disgusted with the idea of being cold and dead before, but now, finally... Natsuno pulls back gently, just enough so he can stroke Rita's cheek and lean to press his lips against hers.]
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Yeah...me too.
[She gives him an extra squeeze, just because she can. She's not going to forget that her own thoughtless comments made it harder on Natsuno than it already had to be, so she's still going to consider what she says more carefully. And there's the worry that, if he became a regular shiki once, there's always the possibility the Erda could do it again...
Right now, though? Natsuno looks so happy and free again, and it's pretty much all that fills her mind--this is still the best outcome they could've hoped for, and she couldn't possibly put a damper on it when that smile's on his face. She gives him a warm grin in return, meeting the kiss and running a hand through his hair.]
Well...what's the first thing you want to do to celebrate?
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Eat. I'd almost forgotten what normal food tastes like.
[He squeezes her hand. Much like the tokusonas above them, he's unlikely to let go of Rita's hand any time soon. This is as close to happy drunk as Natsuno can get without magical wine.]
Wanna get lunch? We can take it out here.
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Hmm...yeah, let's do that. Maybe we can even ask that Max guy to make you something. Since, you know...he made those things before, and they were pretty good.
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[He starts toward the buffet. Sweaty palms or not, he's keeping a hold on Rita's hand until he absolutely has to let go to pick up the food.]
Are you ready for his smug face, though? [He grins, teasing.] He'll have a few things to say about "comfort food."
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It's almost enough that she doesn't fall for the teasing. Almost.]
J--just because it was good, doesn't mean it was comfort food. I'm just saying his skills aren't half-bad!
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[Natsuno agrees easily, secretly pleased with getting a reaction out of her, however small. He feels strangely giddy and Rita just looks so cute when she's worked up.]
I don't get why so many people use the kitchen when the buffet exists, but I guess we can't complain about novelty desserts.
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Anyway, as they walk, she hums in thought. Now that he mentions it-]
You know, normally I'd agree--it is pretty weird when there's already plenty available, but...I guess it's something they can do. There's not a whole lot of that around.