[Closed] Looking at the stars

[It's November, and the weight of the shame hanging over Aether's head after the sheer number of shenanigans he got up to last month has made it difficult to want to do anything else except hide in his teapot for the next few months. But it's fine -- he just needs some time away, and he has just the person he wants to ask!]

[And not just because (he thinks) he never ran into her last month, so he won't need to start this message off with an apology. He just wants to go on a trip with one of his best friends!!]

Hey Ayaka!
I'm planning a trip to Chubu in the next few days. Are you interested in coming with?
We never had a chance to go on an adventure together back in Teyvat, so maybe we can make up for that now?

You are really inviting me? Yes, I would love to come with you! ヽ(♡‿♡)ノ

What shall I prepare?

Great! It'll be more fun with the two of us going.

It's not too cold yet this time of year, but we'll be camping, so dress warmly!

We should be safe as long as we stick to the area around Mt. Fuji, but we should be prepared for anything nonetheless. A lot of the wildlife there is more dangerous than what you'd find elsewhere in Nippon.

And it'll be faster to head out from Tokyo, so we can meet up there in two days!

Does that sound good?

Alright. I shall prepare accordingly. How long do you think we'll be away for?

I'll meet you in two days, then. Should we meet in the morning?

That depends, actually. Since I'm not just going for the sake of it.

Have you heard of a flower called a yumenu blossom? They only grow in Chubu, directly on the trunk of a yumenu tree. If you dry the petals and crush it into a powder, it can be brewed it into a potion that keeps you from dreaming.

I've known about them for a while, but since they're pretty hard to find, I've never really considered going searching for them myself. But I received a map recently that shows where they're usually harvested, so it shouldn't take more than a few days to reach.

[Because yes, for all that he hasn't brought it up since the day he first mentioned it -- his weird dream issues are on-going. Though by now, all he's experiencing are ordinary nightmares, not time surges.]

No, this is the first time I've heard of it. I'll be sure to read up on it now before our trip.

It may be difficult to do so now given that we are not speaking in person, but tell me more about your dreams when we meet. While I don't think I would be able to make them go away, I would still like to hear about them.

[ Just as any friend would! She is someone Aether can talk to about anything. ]

Of course. We can talk on the way.

[And thus, two days later, they begin their trip to Chubu. Given how far Chubu lies from Kanto, it would be unrealistic to set out on foot. A quick train to Yokohama, and from there, a brief ride by airship brings them to the edge of Chubu. The view of Mt. Fuji sits in the near distance, as a wide stretch of forests extends beyond. Up until now, all conversation likely just revolved around what to expect while camping, the dangers he knows exist in Chubu, and what to do in case of an emergency! ...he may or may not have revealed he has a certain Yaksha on speed dial just in case.]

[But once it's finally just the two of them and the bags on their backs, he lets himself take a nice big deep breath. Out here, like this, he doesn't need to think about all the wacky shenanigans from last month.... right?]

It really feels nice to be out here. Thanks again for agreeing to come with me on such short notice! I'm sure you're pretty busy these days too, right?

It has been rather busy, but... I don't mind at all!

[ She sounds very pleased saying so. Proud, even. Your friend has an actual job, Aether! ]

It's so nice to teach children, and I get to meet so many new people along the way.

[ But now, she is here not to teach children! She has her sword with her, as well as some other things that she thinks will help her on her adventure. Hopefully Ayato and Cloud aren't worrying too much back in Kyoto. . . ]

The air here feels very different.

[He can't help the bright smile that crosses his features when she mentions the kids, pleased as he is to see his friend flourishing in this world.]

[His eyes move upward when she mentions the air -- and he nods. Truly, he feels more in his element out here exploring the wilds.]

I've heard the forests in Chubu are some of the most unique in Nippon. A lot of plants and animals can only be found here, since so few people live here-- it's almost like a completely different world. It sorta feels nice, getting away from everything for a bit.

[Especially after last month, which absolutely needs to come up somehow.]

[ Ayaka nods, in complete agreement with what Aether said. Especially the last bit. ]

It does. Perhaps I needed to be away from the city for a while. The events from a couple of weeks ago have. . . mm, I wish I knew how to describe it. It was all rather draining.

[ She needs to relax and get away from what she's used to! This is such a good opportunity for it. ]

Hehe... here I am saying all these things, and we've only just arrived!

[The events from the last couple of weeks... yeah, not something he wants to think about, but all the same, he feels it'd be remiss of him not to at least make sure nothing too bad happened to her.]

Yeah... the festivals in October are a bit overwhelming. I hope you didn't get into too much trouble?

[Strange... he didn't run into Ayaka at all during those two weeks, did he? For some reason, it feels a little odd to be asking.]

[ The question gets her to frown, but she's not incredibly sad or anything! If anything, she's... a little embarrassed. ]

I pray that what I will tell you will remain between us, but... The moon made me transform into a slime, you see.

[ At least, that's the only thing she knows that resembles what she turned into. So that is what she uses to describe her state then. ]

And— I was very...

[ ... horny. ]

[Aether stops dead in his tracks. A slime?]

[There's no way.]

[It can't be.]

Wait, did you mean a... cyro slime?

I... think so?

[ U_U she is absolutely red right now. She can't look Aether in the face. ]

It felt as if I lost who I was and... had such simple thoughts. It's so embarrassing...

[This is a mutual sentiment. Though Aether can't help but glance at her. Does she really not remember??]

Well, you're not the only one who was acting strange, so I wouldn't worry about it. Especially if you looked so different. No one probably realized it was you.

[...]

But... can I ask you a question?

[ look there were multiple slime fucks ]

I should hope so.

[ And of course, Aether can! She looks at him curiously, head canted a little as she blinks. ]

Yes, what is it?

[ She'd tell him anything at this point... After everything they've shared together, it's not like things can get worse! ]

...just how many other blond catboys do you know?

[He's embarrassed but also wOW DON'T JUST FORGET HIM??]

...?

[ "catboys"??? What a term. Oh, but— that's because he... ]

[ HE ]

You were—

At the alley?!

[ ?!?!?!!? Goodness!! Ayaka covers her mouth from the shock. Then she takes a step forward to inspect his face. ]

It was you...

... I'm somehow very comforted knowing it was you.

[ She thought it was some stranger all this time???? Fuck ]

Ayaka, my entire body was inside of you.

[This was gonna be a gag tag but I'm keeping it.]

[She's not going to get a very good look at him, because he's currently covering his face in shame. He defiled his best friend!!]

N- No! Just— Aether, [ WHY IS SHE THE ONE TRYING TO BE SENSIBLE HERE ] It- It is just... a relief that it was someone I know.

[ HE DEFILED HIS BEST FRIEND A LONG TIME AGO what difference does it make ]

I can apologise properly, because it is you.

[He didn't fist her that time, that's what!! ....does it even count as fisting when the whole body is goo?? Who even knows.]

You don't-- you don't need to apologize. I'm just embarrassed.

Honestly... it's probably for the best I ran into you like that? I spent the past two weeks trying to bite everyone I knew, so at least I didn't hurt you.

[........]

Er... I didn't, right?

[Surely that's not how slimes actually reprod-- nope, not going in that direction.]

[ She shakes her head, looking away now. ]

You didn't hurt me. Um... it was quite the opposite, in fact.

[ SHRIEKS ]

[Closed] Looking at the stars

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1/???

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OKAY IM DONE

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1/2

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