Submission (#7324) Approved

Lanhe wasn't sure at first how long he was meant to stay at the other shrine with Yotsuyu. After their first, impromptu meeting the adult Elnin assisted him in detaching himself from the Kyendi foliage and the two began their way back to his temporary lodgings. The walk back wasn't as awkward as Lanhe had initially feared, rather he found it a bit easier to get along with Yotsuyu than he had with Suzaku. Perhaps more of Mayu had been passed down to the older of the two siblings. And despite both being able to wear the same ferocious smile, there was a lot less bite in the spoken words than Suzaku was often keen to carry in her own.

Another thing about Yotsuyu that Lanhe appreciates a lot more than he's comfortable admitting is how...helpful she is. And it is the sort of helpfulness that comes effortlessly; see a plant on the side of the path? Well, Yotsuyu knows its name, scientific name, medicinal uses, culinary uses (if it has any), and just about any other fun fact. Lanhe acknowledges to himself that she's no stranger to these lands and has acclimated herself quite well to the misty mountaintops. Even the way she walks is graceful! Despite wearing the thick layers of the priestess garb that Lanhe became quite familiar with during his stay with Mayu.

And here is now, a couple of days later, doing practically the same thing that he was doing on the other side of the mountain...but instead, he's on the opposite! Although he muses, he hasn't had as many nightmares plaguing him during the evenings as he previously did. So perhaps the grass is always greener on the other side? But Yotsuyu is also perceptive, and she's quick to pick up on the growing boredom the green kittom is expressing.

"Why don't you take a break brushing the same dirt from the left side of the shrine over to the right side of the shrine, and help me with mending some of the clothes here instead?"

Lanhe blinks a couple of times before feeling his face flush. He didn't mean to be so absentminded about his tasks...but perhaps instead of nightmares, he's instead being plagued by daydreams now.

"Sure...but I don't quite know how to sew. So I'm not sure I'll be of much assistance..."

His voice trails off near the end, but Yotsuyu doesn't seem dissuaded by his lack of confidence and instead ushers him inside the shrine. Yotsuyu starts by guiding Lanhe through the basics of fabric types and their strengths and weaknesses. As he smoothes his paws over each of the materials, he's once again amazed by the vast knowledge that she provides. The next thing he's attempting to do is properly thread a needle. It takes an embarrassing amount of time to finally get the small thread through the hole and his paws fumble a bit with tying a knot that won't immediately unfurl. Yotsuyu is patient and encouraging every step of the way, simply guiding him gently to the correct path instead of criticizing him.

Lanhe wouldn't say he's quick to pick up sewing...but he's been steadily learning the basics to the point where Yotsuyu has finally trusted him to work on some smaller portions of garments that need some mending. He's hard at work for a few hours before standing up to stretch and gaze out the window. The sun is still high in the sky, and in the distance, he can see the many mountains that Kyendi is quite known for. The brilliant green foliage is a sight to behold as well, and there isn't as much fog lingering along the ground now as there was during the morning. The shrine itself is situated near a natural waterfall, which is likely why they had their fateful meeting so near one. The sound of soft feet on the ground snatches his attention away from the window and back to where he had been working. Yotsuyu had gone out to collect some fresh water and was just now returning with some buckets. She urges him to take a break and come sit with her at the table and he's not one to argue about taking some time to relax.

"What were you working on over there earlier?"

Lanhe can't help but be curious. He tried to sneak a peak at whatever Yotsuyu was doing, it didn't exactly look like sewing to him, but he's not exactly an expert so...

Yotsuyu seems amused at the question and stands to grab the small circular disk she had been working on. She extends the object to him and he holds it gently in return.

"It's called embroidery. A little bit different from what you were doing...but still much of the same."

The embroidery or whatever one is to call it is beautiful. So many differently colored threads all woven together to create a beautiful image...something stirs in his chest at the thought. Yotsuyu must know something about the expression on his face because she places a comforting paw on the top of his head that draws him out of his spiraling thoughts.

"I can teach you some simple tricks...nothing too complex. Such mastery comes with time and experience. Which you are still fresh to."

Lanhe nods eagerly at the opportunity and his little chest feels like it will burst with joy at the thought of being able to make something so delicate with his own hands. He's suddenly very thankful for his journey over here and will have to make sure he returns with Suzaku's elecite coins and a gift of his own in thanks.