Thinking everything about you, that's what I do

Back-dated after this thread / For @Godbrand!

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 As she left the lake, Aika couldn't help but let @Icarus's words slip into her head every now and then. The things he'd said had made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, but now... she was alone once more. The lady almost thought about sending up a call for him, if he was nearby, but wouldn't that seem desperate? Nonetheless, she wouldn't call for him either way, as...

 There, a rabbit stood at a grass patch, nibbling away. Of course, it was adorable, though Aika's stomach snarled hangrily. When had she last eaten? The woman wasn't sure, so, crouching down into a proper hunting pose, Aika shot forwards, snatching the rodent in her jaws before plopping it on the grass, beginning to devour. Ah, that hit the spot, thank goodness. It felt like the lady hand't eaten for years, before she had this small snack.

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short starter post!

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 He was out and about. Nothing to write home about, in a proverbial manner. He did not know where he was still, but he didn't rightly care either way. If the gods - unknown exactly their names at this moment - saw fit to deposit him here... Well, he was sure there was a reason for this. Movement caught his eyes too late; Bran was swept up in his thoughts.

 "He's led astray,
He stills himself

 Gentle was the breeze beneath the cliffs,
Gentle was the breeze beneath the cliffs ahead"

 His tone was light, his deep vocals holding a surprising gentleness. As he stepped, he recited poetry. To no one. Bran was not scared of what others thought of him. No, he was more self-conscious they would catch him in such a state. His guard dropped. It was by this design that a woman did, blood scent in the air. His poetry stopped. He stared, a slow blink.

 He had the thought of oh. damn before he cleared his throat quietly. Letting her know he was here. His distance was not enough to hide him.

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 As she ate, a stranger approached, the singing of poetry and tales slowly becoming louder on the lady's ears. Eyes glancing upwards from her meal, it was but a moment later that the man came in to view; decorated in colours similar to that of @Atreyu, though clearly darker. A little more menacing, compared to Atreyu's friendly appearance, in Aika's opinion.

 Eyes golden and lidded stared at her, and as Aika brought her tongue along her muzzle, she craned her neck upwards, head tilting in curiosity. Would either of them say anything? Ah, but then, he cleared his throat, and the lady nodded in acknowledgement. “ええと、こんにちはこんにちは,” — "Um, hi," She smiled wearily, before clearing her own throat in turn. “Hi, um, I liked your poetry,” Her tone was gentle, quiet. Aika could relate to the love of telling stories in song, or poetry, for that matter.

 “Do you, uh, prefer to tell stories, or listen to them?” Perhaps she could share some of her own. After all, her family – and the Fujiwara Clan, for that matter – had always been quite fond of telling and singing stories and songs. Aika just hoped she wasn't getting too rusty... 
“–I'm Aika, by the way.” Her words were hastily tacked on; not too ready for a social interaction right after meeting with someone like Aloy.

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 She had a different way of speaking.

Bran's ears flickered forward before going back, catching wind of the language before she switched to the common tongue. "Thank you." It would be idiotic to deny he had been reciting it anyway. She did hear it.

"A bit of both" Bran also answered, falling into the rhythm of replying to questions easily enough "though I do not tell them often." He would admit this to @Aika. She held her name out to him.

 He was reminded of the poem.

A woman beckoned to the man. He was led astray by a pretty face, only to be stabbed. He suffered only three hours, but Bran would not like to suffer at all, thank you. Though it had also a slight religious aspect.

Something he could not get behind, hence he recited out of confusion and a need to understand. Why does one turn down joy in life, for the sake of belief? "Godbrand" he answered Aika again, dipping his head to her.

 "Just 'Bran' is fine."

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 "A bit of both, though I do not tell them often." Aika nodded understandingly. Some tales were better earned than spilt for anyone to hear. Personally, the lad enjoyed speaking the more... personal stories, so it wasn't common for her to begin reciting to any stranger she may come across.

 And, as she told her own name, the
– formerly – stranger told his own; "Godbrand. Just 'Bran' is fine." The lady dipped her head in greeting. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Bran.” She hummed wistfully, clicking her tongue for a moment before tilting her head. What had resulted in his nomenclature? Was he truly a god?

 “Say . . . Mind if I tell you a tale about the gods?” Quite inspired by his name, Aika would try to muster up whatever memory she had left of the ancient folklore. The japanese gods that her family had loved to tell stories about... The lady truly had a lot to learn.

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 @Aika offered. It was rude to turn her down.

Bran inclined his head, somewhat curious of these deities that spoke a different tongue. "I would be honored." Sharing religion was something personal, in his opinion. Though many flaunted their "close personal relationship" with gods, he thought they forgot themselves in the process. Their ego was too big to care deeply. Their fanatics are impersonal.

 If their gods came to them one day -

He assumed They would strike Their apostles down for being so bloody annoying. He would not blame them. "Is it the same gods that gave you your language?" He asked her this directly, though not rudely. He was merely wishing to get his facts straight. She could worship another pantheon, for all he knew. She could speak many languages.

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Apologies for the wait! I’ve been rlly stressed from the overwhelming amt of toons rn lmao

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 With a nod towards his first statement, Aika smiled at his second, clicking her tongue and giving him a small — yet playful — ‘don’t ya think?’ look, before clearing her tongue so she could begin.

 “We’ll start at the beginning,” She decided. “with 伊邪那岐神 — Izanagi and his wife, イザナミ — Izanami, the two creators.”

 And with that… she’d recite, at least, up until her lungs would force her to take a deep breath, eyeing up Bran to see his gauge on the stories she told. The lady would wait to continue, though, but if he said nothing, she’d go on.

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Srry for the short post :( super unmotivated

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ooc; no worries! we can close this soon if you want. i'll speed it along to a natural end

He was not sure what strange language she kept speaking. It seemed so entwined with her story that it was second nature to slip back into it regardless of his language preferences. An ear flickered as she began, and Bran was rooted to the spot out of sheer politeness. He recalled two ruling deities at the moment. However, their names were not what Aika spoke.

It seemed common for a pantheon to rule as a pair, even if one could almost be at fault for the mess of it. She spoke of the plight of the woman, how her husband dared to look back. How she could not come back to him now. How it started a conflict, bore more gods. Bran felt it was a petty thing to start fires about, personally. Bran also remembered Aika's amused expression. A poem.

"god is the origin of all language
 wisdom's foundation and wise man's comfort
  and to every hero blessing and hope."

It came to mind. Though he was not sure what type of impact it would be. He recited it quietly, head somewhat lowered. "The gods give us much" Be it creation, language, or culture. Maybe all of them at once. The story of the two gods and the underworld... "we oft do not give them much back."

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That would be nice, thank you! <3

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 As the lady recited, Aika couldn't help but pause to listen to Bran's poem, ears flicking forwards. She hoped they could stay in touch, she appreciated the stories the brown man would tell with his sing-songy words.

"god is the origin of all language
 wisdom's foundation and wise man's comfort
  and to every hero blessing and hope."

 The girl smiled, nodding her head. "The gods give us much, we oft do not give them much back." With a chuckle, she'd tilt her head, analysing the man before standing. Aika would cross her legs, about ready to turn, though she had one more thing to say. “You are quite wise, Godbrand. It certainly compels your age. I take it your an old soul.”

 Quirking a single brow, as if to say 'would you like to go?', Aika would patiently await the mans next words.

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Upon a time, he had indirectly called Lady Kore an old soul. Though his leader did not become offended, Bran always assumed he was one too. He shifted on the spot, feeling a call back to Greenwood after this respite. Aika was a kind enough woman, however. Her company was welcomed any time if she wished it.

Her compliment did little to phase him though. Bran was not the type to blush or twitter awkwardly. He grunted a bit, giving a nod. Showing he had heard. Appreciated her words, but had nothing else to say. "Farewell," he said instead, noticing Aika had got up to turn away. Perhaps being on her way too "have safe travels." It was rude to keep her.

He rose, going back to the Plains. So close, he could touch and smell their scents of them. Time to head back to Greenwood.

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