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[summonere]

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[sealeted]

So, something happened, and I don't want you to feel pressured or anything, but the option's on the table now if you want it.

[She should assure him of that first and foremost, she's pretty sure.]

Do you still have, uh, misgivings over staying at the Temple?

[summonere]

I'm sorry?

[ What is the first thing and how does it relate to the second thing? ]

What happened?

[sealeted]

[Look at her, tripping all over her own tongue in enthusiasm. She takes a breath to settle herself, and says what she probably should have led with.]

I got a house!

[summonere]

Oh.

[ She had mentioned wanting a place of her own last night, he hadn't realized it would happen so imminently after. Then again... he woke up very different himself today. ]

As a blessing, I see. That's wonderful.

[sealeted]

Yes, I can barely believe it.

[A house. A blessing. A home, all her own.]

So?

[summonere]

So?

[ Oh right, there had been a question. Although now it's more clear how those two things relate. ]

Ah... Yes, I would like to leave the Temple, but I could find my own way of doing that.

[sealeted]

V, if you want to, I would love to have you live with me and my partner.

[She has to be explicit about this, she realizes now.]

[summonere]

[ He really does want to leave the Temple. He can't stand being this close to Vergil like this. He really cannot stand it. ]

I would... like that.

[sealeted]

Wonderful. Pack up your things and let me know when you're set; I'll map out a good route to get there.

[A cane-friendly route.]

[summonere]

[ Luckily he doesn't have much. A few sets of clothes, a few odds and ends. The books he's accumulated so far are transported by Griffon, who is assuredly the stronger of the two of them.

This does not prevent Griffon's complaining about it being heard well before they reach the house. ]

You didn't need the damn books, V!

[sealeted]

[Hakuno has been restless—looking in every room, arranging her own, shifting things around to make a single room's worth of belongings fill an entire house, aside from the basic, cozy furniture she's been airing out from the dustcloths they had been buried beneath—very busy, truly.

She's sweating and jubilant as she opens the door, hair knotted up in a messy ponytail. She knows that squawking anywhere.]

V! Griffon!

[She moves out onto the front steps but is stuck there, slipper clad as she waits with palpable happiness.]

Welcome home, guys.

[The words feel clumsy.

Heavy.

More precious than she knows what to do with.]

[summonere]

[ Welcome home sounds exactly like her, and maybe he should have been more prepared for that. He hadn't gotten as far as home. He's not sure what that means, but he is glad to be here. ]

Thank you... for having us.

[ Yes, that sounds a little wrong too doesn't it. But if there's anyone who will let him be a little awkward and precious, it's likely her. ]

Lemme in so I can put this shit down already!

[sealeted]

The next time I say that, you can just say, 'I'm back.'

[It doesn't translate directly to Japanese, doesn't have the same connotations, but it has a certain weight to itself all on its own. There's something to be said about having somewhere to return to, after all.]

Of course, come on in.

[She shifts back, ushering them both in.]

I've got a kettle on the stove. I've been trying to move the bookcases in the study, so they'll have to stay packed for a little while, though.

[She doesn't have to guess what such a big, heavy parcel is.]

[summonere]

Ah, is that how it goes?

[ He hangs back as Griffon makes a scene to get in inside. The bird wriggles loose of the bag once its there on the floor in the landing, then lands on the back of a chair in the next room, still muttering and complaining. ]

We might be able to help with the bookcases, but I'm... not in a hurry.

[ The house would come together eventually, he didn't want her to overwork herself. ]

[sealeted]

It can be.

[They have options. What a life.

She follows after Griffon, leaning against the back of his chain to gently stroke his wind-chilled feathers.]

Yeah, poor Griffon definitely deserves to have a breather, after all that.

[summonere]

[ Griffon puffs up. ]

There, see, somebody appreciates my efforts after all. Should've just dropped your books in a ditch!

Yes, thank you, Griffon.

[ A small tinge of sarcasm, if only because the weight of his books is being exaggerated. Clearly. Probably. ]

[sealeted]

[She rubs under his chin, gentle and soft.]

Poor guy. You want some tea, too?

[summonere]

[ Griffon's complaining ceases and he sticks his neck out eagerly so that she can rub him. His wings flap a little, the fitful stirrings of a happy demon. ]

He confessed to me that 'tea isn't so bad'.

[ Hah, it's V's turn to snitch on you, bird. ]

[sealeted]

[This is her, now. Hakuno Kishinami: Griffon Whisperer.]

We've established that he's a bird of good taste, haven't we? Are you two in the mood for black or something more adventurous today?

[summonere]

Black. Lots of cream. Lots of sugar.

[ Was that the secret to Griffon's interest, all the sweetened additives... ]

Black as well, please.

[ While this one just likes to keep it simple. ]

[sealeted]

[She lingers at the demon bird's side for a few minutes longer, then retreats to the kitchen to grab the kettle and some teabags. She gets two mugs steeping for them, and brings them and two small mason jars of sugar and milk into the study-in-progress on a tray that was probably supposed to be decorative.]

Give it a couple minutes and it should be ready.

[Her own mug has a fruitier blend steeping, apparently.]

So, did you get anything helpful from the blessings, this round?

[summonere]

[ V has already wandered over to the study's window, looking out curiously at the view from the interior. He turns his head when she comes back. ]

It was... generous. I wasn't expecting to receive so much assistance.

[ Maybe if he had he wouldn't have jacked that violin. ]

My largest familiar Nightmare has been returned, albeit... shortened.

This guy's usually real big, Nerd. Comes crashing down like a fuckin' comet and you can take out a whole squad of demons! [ Griffon cackles with glee. ] He's kinda shrimpy now though.

[sealeted]

Nightmare, huh?

[She tries to picture what it might be, using "Griffon" as a name-to-appearance standard.

...

Yeah, nothing's coming to mind.]

He sounds like a handy guy to have around. Short or otherwise. I think you mentioned he wasn't as, um... eloquent as the good Chevalier, here.

[summonere]

[ It's some horrible amalgam of a thing, V has seen inside its thoughts. The voices, the hands reaching. Better to just call him a golem. ]

No, it doesn't speak. It was really created for war and destruction. But... I'm fairly certain I can convince it to move a bookcase.

[ He smiles at the absurdity of that. ]

[sealeted]

[Cheery. The pithy naming streak continues, it seems.]

Tools of war still have plenty of use when peace comes around. I'd appreciate it, really.

[However fleeting that might be.

Glancing at the tea, Hakuno starts prepping Griffon's with all the trimmings, now that it's the right color.]

Is that enough sugar?