Hoshido Hanami
Apr. 8th, 2019 02:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nyanderenekoWord Count: 1,260
Summary: Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh growth, and as Nova and Nishiki take in the stunning seasonal scenery, she can’t help but wonder if the second chance she’s been given will be a permanent one.
*Author’s Note*: Ooooooo boy, my first official Nishiki fic! I actually have a handful of other fics I was planning on posting first, but when I got the idea for this fic…it just seemed really fitting, so I finished it up first! A sweet and simple little exchange that hints about the development of deeper feelings…idk, the concept just really spoke to me, and I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope you enjoy!
The breeze was warmer than usual, carrying the scents and sounds of Spring on its current. The emerald forest scenery was temporarily outshined by the abundant sakura blossoms that made their debut during this time of year. Nova had observed them from a distance on a few occasions, catching sight of the bright and dazzling splashes of color that transformed the trees on the other side of the border into a vibrant marvel. She couldn’t help admiring their quiet beauty, their subtle sophistication that made her a mite jealous of the residents who were able to bask in such brilliance to their heart’s content. Nothing was keeping her from enjoying the view either, of course, but at the time the idea of passing into that foreign territory was more than impossible for her to imagine. Hoshido was a forbidden wonderland, but now she finally had the privilege to explore it herself.
She wasn’t sightseeing on her own today, however. She probably should’ve expected it by now, but instead she still found it a little strange when Nishiki asked to accompany her on whatever business or outing she had to take care of. She didn’t think most of the trivial tasks she dealt with were that interesting or important, and surely the chief of the village had much more pressing matters to attend to. Whether it was because he was worried about her defecting or conducting some other brand of deception he felt compelled to keep an eye on, or simply wanted an excuse to get away for a bit, he almost always accompanied her when she ventured beyond the village borders.
It wasn’t necessary for her to leave the hamlet if she wanted to enjoy the short-lived Spring time scenery. And she already had someone that perpetually warmed her, who was brighter and more inspiring than the flowers’ and trees’ fledgling buds. But admiring the scenery wasn’t her only reason for going out today, and the kitsune chief tagged along happily for the duration of her quick and inconsequential errand. With the arrival of the new season came the restoration and rejuvenation of the local vegetation, which had laid dormant for so long throughout the oppressive winter months. She wanted to take advantage of the occasion and gather a small store of the freshest ingredients for medicinal treatment she could, while the plentifulness was at its peak.
Much like any other time she was around him, he was as cheerful and uplifting as ever. Strolling beside her with his arms casually tucked behind his head, she found herself admiring him without even realizing it most of the time. It may have seemed like such a silly thing to do, but he had an overwhelmingly radiant and calming presence, one that wordlessly and effortlessly captivated her. His honey colored hair shined like gold in the sun, which only added more warmth and radiance to his smile, if such a thing was even possible. His eyes gleamed with a brightness that was livelier than the strongest ray of sunlight they encountered, and she found herself soaking in his personal glow in a manner similar to the leaves that shaded their path. He was such a unique and pervasive influence in her life, a change of pace that she couldn’t have anticipated and that she still wasn’t sure she had the fortitude to withstand.
“Everything’s so beautiful this time of year,” he remarked, carefully stopping himself before he thoughtlessly added anything about her being included in his observation. “It’s nice to see some color come back into the world. Makes for nice weather. Sometimes it’s even a sign of good things to come, at least in my eyes.”
“It’s a magical time,” she agreed, shifting the basket full of herbs in her arms. “I’ve never really been fond of this time of year. Too much sunlight and too many bugs. The weather where I used to live was a bit more consistently overcast, so I guess I’m just more used to that. But the array of colors and sounds that I’ve been experiencing here…they’re really special. I may even start liking them a little.”
A gentle gust rustled through the trees and bushes, sending a light shower of soft pink petals fluttering down around them. Nova thought it looked almost like snow, although much pinker and full of life. A few of them landed in her dark hair, and she flicked some off her ears before noticing that there was definitely something else touching her. Looking up, she realized Nishiki had plucked one of the delicate petals from her wind-swept strands. Closing his eyes, he pressed it to his lips and stood still for a moment; she was perplexed and unable to do much more than turn quite flustered and panicked. It was a seemingly meaningless gesture, but the tenderness with which he conducted himself…her cheeks mimicked the same pink shade of the petals.
“It’s beautiful, but fleeting,” he murmured, and she swiveled her ears so she could hear him better. He opened his eyes just a sliver, and despite how little she could see of them, she was sure something intense and indecipherable was dancing in them now. Something she desperately wanted to understand. “I know you’ve only been here a short time, and I’m certainly not going to hold you hostage like some sort of captive. But I hope that your presence won’t be as fleeting as the sakura.”
Startled by his simple yet heartfelt words, her face flushed a deeper, unmistakable scarlet. Standing here with him in the middle of this breathtaking scene, nothing so far had managed to take her breath away as effectively as he had. With just a flattering phrase and a supportive, slightly playful smile, he was the sole wonder that had managed to capture her heart. She wanted to say something, anything, even if it was nothing more than an embarrassed retort or admonishment. But all she seemed to be able to do was keep staring into his eyes, momentarily distracted by the fragile petal that drifted away on the next passing wind.
The outfit he’d made for her, a thoughtful deed in the wake of her unexpected arrival…the fabric of her dress was marked with sakura blossoms. She’d obediently covered herself in pink hues from head to toe after being told it would help her blend in in this new and unknown land. To be honest, she quite preferred the soothing nature of this color. She’d known that these flowers held a special significance for the people of this kingdom before she’d even come here, but now the weight of their symbolism was starting to envelope her. Was he worried from the start that she’d be a temporary visitor, or was that what he’d been wishing for all along? The look in his eyes indicated that he desired nothing more than to continue sharing her company, to keep trading words and glances with her that would only prove to bring them closer together.
She was confident her time here wouldn’t be nearly as short-lived or vulnerable as the precious blossoms that existed all around them. Besides, there was something notable and unshakable taking root in her chest, growing and expanding before she could even properly grasp what’d been planted in the first place. A similar feeling had also embedded itself in him, and although they couldn’t quite see it yet, there was no doubt that their emotions and hearts would inevitably twist, bend, and flourish together as they slowly continued to nurture one another.
Summary: Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh growth, and as Nova and Nishiki take in the stunning seasonal scenery, she can’t help but wonder if the second chance she’s been given will be a permanent one.
*Author’s Note*: Ooooooo boy, my first official Nishiki fic! I actually have a handful of other fics I was planning on posting first, but when I got the idea for this fic…it just seemed really fitting, so I finished it up first! A sweet and simple little exchange that hints about the development of deeper feelings…idk, the concept just really spoke to me, and I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope you enjoy!
_____
The breeze was warmer than usual, carrying the scents and sounds of Spring on its current. The emerald forest scenery was temporarily outshined by the abundant sakura blossoms that made their debut during this time of year. Nova had observed them from a distance on a few occasions, catching sight of the bright and dazzling splashes of color that transformed the trees on the other side of the border into a vibrant marvel. She couldn’t help admiring their quiet beauty, their subtle sophistication that made her a mite jealous of the residents who were able to bask in such brilliance to their heart’s content. Nothing was keeping her from enjoying the view either, of course, but at the time the idea of passing into that foreign territory was more than impossible for her to imagine. Hoshido was a forbidden wonderland, but now she finally had the privilege to explore it herself.
She wasn’t sightseeing on her own today, however. She probably should’ve expected it by now, but instead she still found it a little strange when Nishiki asked to accompany her on whatever business or outing she had to take care of. She didn’t think most of the trivial tasks she dealt with were that interesting or important, and surely the chief of the village had much more pressing matters to attend to. Whether it was because he was worried about her defecting or conducting some other brand of deception he felt compelled to keep an eye on, or simply wanted an excuse to get away for a bit, he almost always accompanied her when she ventured beyond the village borders.
It wasn’t necessary for her to leave the hamlet if she wanted to enjoy the short-lived Spring time scenery. And she already had someone that perpetually warmed her, who was brighter and more inspiring than the flowers’ and trees’ fledgling buds. But admiring the scenery wasn’t her only reason for going out today, and the kitsune chief tagged along happily for the duration of her quick and inconsequential errand. With the arrival of the new season came the restoration and rejuvenation of the local vegetation, which had laid dormant for so long throughout the oppressive winter months. She wanted to take advantage of the occasion and gather a small store of the freshest ingredients for medicinal treatment she could, while the plentifulness was at its peak.
Much like any other time she was around him, he was as cheerful and uplifting as ever. Strolling beside her with his arms casually tucked behind his head, she found herself admiring him without even realizing it most of the time. It may have seemed like such a silly thing to do, but he had an overwhelmingly radiant and calming presence, one that wordlessly and effortlessly captivated her. His honey colored hair shined like gold in the sun, which only added more warmth and radiance to his smile, if such a thing was even possible. His eyes gleamed with a brightness that was livelier than the strongest ray of sunlight they encountered, and she found herself soaking in his personal glow in a manner similar to the leaves that shaded their path. He was such a unique and pervasive influence in her life, a change of pace that she couldn’t have anticipated and that she still wasn’t sure she had the fortitude to withstand.
“Everything’s so beautiful this time of year,” he remarked, carefully stopping himself before he thoughtlessly added anything about her being included in his observation. “It’s nice to see some color come back into the world. Makes for nice weather. Sometimes it’s even a sign of good things to come, at least in my eyes.”
“It’s a magical time,” she agreed, shifting the basket full of herbs in her arms. “I’ve never really been fond of this time of year. Too much sunlight and too many bugs. The weather where I used to live was a bit more consistently overcast, so I guess I’m just more used to that. But the array of colors and sounds that I’ve been experiencing here…they’re really special. I may even start liking them a little.”
A gentle gust rustled through the trees and bushes, sending a light shower of soft pink petals fluttering down around them. Nova thought it looked almost like snow, although much pinker and full of life. A few of them landed in her dark hair, and she flicked some off her ears before noticing that there was definitely something else touching her. Looking up, she realized Nishiki had plucked one of the delicate petals from her wind-swept strands. Closing his eyes, he pressed it to his lips and stood still for a moment; she was perplexed and unable to do much more than turn quite flustered and panicked. It was a seemingly meaningless gesture, but the tenderness with which he conducted himself…her cheeks mimicked the same pink shade of the petals.
“It’s beautiful, but fleeting,” he murmured, and she swiveled her ears so she could hear him better. He opened his eyes just a sliver, and despite how little she could see of them, she was sure something intense and indecipherable was dancing in them now. Something she desperately wanted to understand. “I know you’ve only been here a short time, and I’m certainly not going to hold you hostage like some sort of captive. But I hope that your presence won’t be as fleeting as the sakura.”
Startled by his simple yet heartfelt words, her face flushed a deeper, unmistakable scarlet. Standing here with him in the middle of this breathtaking scene, nothing so far had managed to take her breath away as effectively as he had. With just a flattering phrase and a supportive, slightly playful smile, he was the sole wonder that had managed to capture her heart. She wanted to say something, anything, even if it was nothing more than an embarrassed retort or admonishment. But all she seemed to be able to do was keep staring into his eyes, momentarily distracted by the fragile petal that drifted away on the next passing wind.
The outfit he’d made for her, a thoughtful deed in the wake of her unexpected arrival…the fabric of her dress was marked with sakura blossoms. She’d obediently covered herself in pink hues from head to toe after being told it would help her blend in in this new and unknown land. To be honest, she quite preferred the soothing nature of this color. She’d known that these flowers held a special significance for the people of this kingdom before she’d even come here, but now the weight of their symbolism was starting to envelope her. Was he worried from the start that she’d be a temporary visitor, or was that what he’d been wishing for all along? The look in his eyes indicated that he desired nothing more than to continue sharing her company, to keep trading words and glances with her that would only prove to bring them closer together.
She was confident her time here wouldn’t be nearly as short-lived or vulnerable as the precious blossoms that existed all around them. Besides, there was something notable and unshakable taking root in her chest, growing and expanding before she could even properly grasp what’d been planted in the first place. A similar feeling had also embedded itself in him, and although they couldn’t quite see it yet, there was no doubt that their emotions and hearts would inevitably twist, bend, and flourish together as they slowly continued to nurture one another.