(Day 7, EN) I Can See Myself In You

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Monkhbaatar looks down into the water where Lord Moon was reflected. There were whispers that the water was cursed, but that did not make the small pond any less lovely. He looked over to Tsukimi and smiled softly. "I wonder if what they say about these waters is true?"

[Usagi Tsukimi]

She considered, and looked at the reflection of the sky and the moon in the pool, then back to the Unicorn she had announced her affection for earlier.

"I don't know. They say all stories are true, to some extent or another."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He looks back to her with a smile. "If that's true maybe I should start making up stories so that they can be partially true. Remake the world according to my will with legends and myths."

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"Wouldn't that be something? But you have that opportunity, to shape the future into something you want. A little bit of exageration can make a story more palatable, or more fantastic, or more strange, or sad."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I think I'd want to make the story more exciting and impressive," he replies with a chuckle.

"And so Monkhbaatar, the 7 foot tall man on the largest steed in the world, rode into the labyrinthine forest to seek out the legendary sword! He eventually came to find it guarded by three legendary monsters and would have to face them!"

"Original story? Monkhbaatar found a sword in the forest and had to scare off some raccoons that were hanging around it." He smirks at her.

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"I'm sure they were burly raccoons, ferocious and cunning," she smiled demurely.

Then her eyes lit up in the moonlight, and she chuckled.

"The stealthy Hare, Tsukimi, who moved like shadows across the sky, was gifted the ability to fly by the kami themselves, and she stood watch over her city, protecting it from Dragons!"

She laughed, "When in reality, Tsukimi was dared to climb the tallest tree outside her village; she got stuck up the tree for two days, and saw travelling tattooed monks on their journey from her perch."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He smiles warmly at her. "The power of a story. I wish I was as skilled as the Marta but that is not my role in my clan. Perhaps someday when I've gotten in enough skill with so many of my pursuits."

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"That's the power of a good story, though, isn't it. It inspires, it instills hope, it encourages the imagination, it whisks the listeners away to somewhere else.
The only way to get better at a skill is to practice it. Being unafraid to take the risk that you might suck. But sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something."

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

"I agree, but practice takes time and there are other things that I need to practice. I'm fresh from my gempukku after all and need to learn how to serve in the capacity I was trained in better than I am able to now," he say. "It's a worthy pursuit, but as far as those skills that I have that aren't vital to my duty, I'm already spending a fair amount of time on some. Such as learning proper etiquette as it's understood in the empire rather than among the Unicorn as well as learning more of theology and religious topics."

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"Speaking of proper etiquette... I have something I would like to give you, Monkhbaatar-san."
She reached into her obi, and retrieved the fan she had painted the other day. Without flourish, she held it out to the Unicorn.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

Another? he thinks to himself. And songs from them earlier. This could be difficult if very flattering.

He looks at her and smiles widely. "Tsuskimi-san, I appreciate the gesture, but you have been far too kind to me already. I couldn't possibly," he says, starting the whole refusal thing. He still thought it was silly.

[Usagi Tsukimi]

"Please, I insist." So began the dance. She smiled, if a bit sadly. "I am aware that we may not end up together. I am aware that another cares for you as well. But you told me to be bold. And so here I am. Please." She offers the fan again to him.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He takes her hands in his gently, and looks in her eyes. "Your song earlier today was enough to show me that. I need nothing more to understand your feelings, intention and boldness. But I appreciate the thought."

[Usagi Tsukimi]

She takes the moment and leans forward, to press her forehead against his softly.
"I would really... really like to give you my fan, Monkhbaatar-san." she said quietly, just above a whisper.

[Shinjo Monkhbaatar]

He was a bit surprised by the sudden closeness that Tsukimi initiated, but also appreciative of it. "It's so rare for the folks of the empire to be so close. The fact that you are choosing to show that level of contact and intimacy is worth more than your fan," he puts his hands on her arms. "That shows more than a fan ever could." He pulls her into a hug and rests his chin on her shoulder.