vatheon | ☆` it's the tide of your conviction that keeps us afloat

Who: Gracia (

kagayakashi) & Motochika (

behisstrength).
Where: Inside their living room.
When: Backdated to Motochika's birthday, June 11, sometime during late morning to noon. Before this log with Mitsuhide.
Style: [ Action. ]?
Status: CLOSED.

[ The day of Motochika's birthday came all too quickly for Gracia's liking. She was still looking for the perfect gift to give him when it dawned on her that she was probably too late to do anything extravagant, like before on his previous birthdays. She admitted it; she had a hard time deciding on what to give him. The electric guitar she gave him last year was one thing, but the personalized bachi was that extra step she couldn't top. What gift was worthy enough for Motochika, someone she cares for deeply? ]

[ And then, it hit her! As she was reading one of the books from Gorthan's birthday present to her - a huge collection of stories, myths, legends, culture, and folklore from all over the world - Gracia realized that Motochika would enjoy it if she gave a gift that was just as personalized as the bachi the year before, even if it was simpler and smaller. ]

[ She's worked hard for her presents, but now it's time to give them to the birthday celebrant; she hopes he'll treasure it. ~~It's one birthday celebration she'll never get to spend with him again, back home...~~ ]

[ Gracia stands at the foot of the stairs leading up to the higher floors and calls out happily; ]

Motochika! Come down, hurry! I have something for you!

[ She takes a seat on the couch and hides the said presents behind her back. Her smile is wide and genuinely excited for his reaction when he finds out what she's given him. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Motochika chuckles at that.]

Today is the day that it will be celebrated this year, certainly.

[ Gracia is unable to play the game any longer. The young woman's lips break out into a big and bright, beautiful smile as she takes a step back to reveal the gift she's been hiding behind her back all this time. ]

That's right! Today is your birthday! I didn't forget! Happy birthday, Motochika!

[ The gift was lather wide; a rectangular shaped box that was rather flat. It was packaged rather neatly this time around, with a navy blue ribbon tied across each end, from left to right. The wrapping paper was turquoise and shiny. She hands him the present, and embraces him as soon as he receives it.

If he tries to shake it, he will hear nothing. Wonder what could it be...? ]

[Motochika takes the gift with obvious interest, his warm gaze speculative. Rather than open it immediately, however, he turns his eyes back upon Gracia.]

Come; let us sit down.

[He moves over to the sofa and sits down, placing his gift upon his lap. He waits for Gracia to take a seat beside him before his eager fingers tackle the ribbon.]

[ She takes the seat next to him almost at the same time he moves to sit too, and grips at his bicep in anticipation. She's nervous, but she's worked hard on her gift for him...Gracia hopes for the best! ]

Go on, open it! And don't make fun of it, alright?

[ Gracia looks slightly embarrassed, for inside the box, beneath the bubble wrap and shredded paper padding, is a picture frame made of silver, shiny enough to see one's reflection. The frame itself is thick and ornate, giant swirls encompassing the entire width from left to right. It was a very elaborate design, something that Gracia felt appropriate for Motochika's own style. But more importantly than the picture frame's exterior is what it's framing; within the clear, clean glass, the frame holds a one-of-a-kind painting. Done in watercolor and ink, it depicts of Mitsuhide and Motochika underneath plum trees during, what seems to be, the peak of the season. The perspective is quite linear, done in a landscape orientation. All the figures made a vertical line, yet they were surrounded completely in pastel colors of pink, light blue, and soft shades of purple and violet. Mitsuhide is sitting with his umbrella to the right of the picture, his free hand holding Motochika's. His expression, while hard to make out, is subtly peaceful. Motochika is the central figure, his shamisen leaning against his shoulder. His eyes are open and dramatized with thick black ink and bright gray. Gracia is to his left, gazing up at the falling petals as they fall in drops of gentle colors.

It was no masterpiece, but it was a painting done with much effort. The three of them were blobs of paint in a certain shape at best, but Gracia was able to give them life in her own style. As soon as Motochika sees the image, Gracia looks away and only gives him a glance or two, a tinge of blush on her pale cheeks. ]

I'm...not very good, unlike you and Father. [ Yet the way the picture was made still upheld a certain sense of artistry that could only be a result of her upbringing in the Akechi househould, and what was perhaps, inherited artistic ability. ] But he told me how much art materials we have at home, so I thought I'd make you something instead of getting you a gift from the market.

Edited (my descriptions feel inadequate lmao xD) 2012-07-16 13:09 (UTC)

Very well.

[Motochika undoes the wrapping and opens the box; he removes the bubblewrap, digs his fingers into the shredded paper and curls them around the ends of the frame, which he lifts free.

He gazes at his gift.

Perhaps it was no masterpiece, but perfection hardly mattered to Motochika. It was an expression of Gracia's soul, her vibrancy and her love in painting – and that Motochika easily found more valuable. It was a precious gift indeed.]

Do not be so swift to put yourself down. It is beautiful.

[After a few moments he turns his gaze onto Gracia; his smile is deeply affectionate and his voice warm.]

It deserves no less than pride of place.

[ She lets out a heavy breath; she looks incredibly relieved to hear those words, and her smile is simply radiant. She inches closer to him, her hands raised up to her chest in a closed fist. Gracia gulps the lump in her throat, before replying. ]

Do you mean that, Motochika? You really think so?

[ Her green eyes go wide with unadulterated joy. ]

You'll...hang it up where you can see it every day?

[Motochika places a hand upon the crown of her head and strokes his palm over her vibrant hair before he nods in affirmation.]

In my music room, where it shall inspire me.

[ She can't help herself, Gracia flings her arms across his shoulders and brings him to another embrace. She smiles fondly. ]

I'm so happy you like it! And...there's something else!

[ She pulls back and touches the opposite end of the picture frame with both hands. ]

The real gift that I wanted to give you.

[...??? ]

Oh?

[Motochika inclines his chin, intrigued.]

How mysterious of you. Go on.

[His gaze is lively and his anticipation is clear in every lines of his body as he waits for her reveal.]

[ She nods and takes the picture frame very carefully. She turns it so that the actual picture is facing Motochika, and the opening of the frame from behind is facing her. Gracia unhooks something discreetly hidden in the crevices of the elaborate design, and when she has it in her hands, she takes a deep breath. She doesn't want to keep him waiting too long. so despite her nervousness, Gracia sets the picture frame down on the coffee table and hands Motochika a bracelet.

The silver chain mimicked the quality of the frame, yet what really took attention were the blue and white precious beads that were strung into it. Right at the center of the beads was a single wooden charm that Motochika might have found familiar. It was the same one in Gracia's necklace, and in the one she gifted her Father during his most recent birthday celebration. Inscribed into it, in badly carved yet still readable Japanese;

"The hand that will never let go of the both of us." Remember! - Gracia

She holds back her emotions and waits for his response. Though she can't help but say one thing... ]

Now, in case we all leave Vatheon, we'll be able to remember each other as long as you wear it.

☆` it's the tide of your conviction that keeps us afloat

Yes! I bought a new one, hahahaha!

HENRY, I HEARD? 8'D

YES :D

OH MY GOD i just realized how many boo-boo's there were in that last comment, I'm so sorry XD

petpet it happens to us all! X3

sob, those moments....XD

♥♥♥

no subject

sorry for the delay! I was on a pokénobu spree 8'D

sorry for the lateness too! XD go pokenobu!!! still need to get that asdfghjkl