[OPEN] Sentimental Stitches

[bunnii]

Who ⬤ Nito Nazuna and you!
What ⬤ Making handmade dolls
When ⬤ Late September
Where ⬤ Outside Dandelion, Tamamo Territory
Content Warnings ⬤ None


[During his breaks and even for a little while after his work is finished, Nazuna takes up a spot on a bench near the flower shop's entrance with a small bag that looks to be filled with a variety of fabrics and other sewing supplies. Everything is diligently organized so it's easy for him to find what he needs while he works on what appears to be a small plush doll.

The design itself is rather simple and far more cutesy than realistic. Part of it was an aesthetic choice while other parts were to make it easier to complete for someone with only the most basic skills. He likes to think he's improved a little but his stitches are still a bit uneven at times and even slightly crooked at others. But taking his time, he's still been able to complete the body of this one. His current project appears to be a doll of someone with light blue hair just short of their shoulders and bright purple eyes.

It's not dead silent out here, but it's still peaceful. He found he liked working on them here.]

You're coming along nicely Hajime-chin~♪ It took me a while but I think I'm starting to get the hang of this. In any case, it's a lot better than the puppets I helped make last year.

[There's still plenty of room on the bench for anyone looking for a place to sit-- or even those who might be feeling a little curious about what he's doing out here.]

Comments

[localweirdo]

[Meanwhile, Hu Tao had been spending the past couple of days trying to appease all of her customers. Who knew that the people in hell were very picky about how they wish to be buried here? While she can't argue that she was getting more customers, she was more surprised at how busy she was. Back home, there were people who barely even bothered her. But here, it was a different story.

Now that she managed to find some time for herself, she happened to spot a familiar looking person. With a huge smile, she was hoping to sneak up on him before taking a closer look at what he was doing.

Carefully, she walks ever so closer....and closer......and closer....!]

So what are you doing? Looks like you got yourself a new friend there!

[bunnii]

[Nazuna is so focused on trying to keep his stitches as straight and even as possible that he doesn't stand a chance. He never hears her coming, so when he suddenly hears a voice so close to him, he jumps in his seat.]

--unyuu?!

[Looking around in all directions, he finally spots her and can take a much needed breath.]

O-oh, it's just you Hu-chin. Don't sneak up on me like that! I thought my heart was gonna fail for a second~

[Well, he says that, but he looks fine now besides a bit of puffing and pouting.]

[localweirdo]

[The moment that he jumped up, Hu Tao couldn't help but let out a giggle. After all, there was nothing wrong with giving him a little scare and especially if it was harmless fun!]

But at least it gave your heart a nice little workout, no?

[That said, her attention went straight to the doll he was working on.]

Care to tell me what kind of project you're doing? It looks pretty cute if you ask me.

[bunnii]

It's never boring with friends like you around~

[He can laugh about it now but whew-- it'll be a bit before his heart rate goes back to normal.

Still-- he lifts up the doll to her face with a grin.]

I made puppets for a play once, so I thought I could make something like that of my friends from home. My needlework is a little sloppy, but I'm pretty proud of how it's turning out~

[localweirdo]

[As Hu Tao got a closer look, she couldn't help but give a small nod in agreement. Indeed, it really did turn out nice. With that, a huge grin slowly appeared on her face before she was leaning a little closer.]

I can't deny that, it certainly looks nice! I never knew you were interested in doll making. You felt like taking it up again?

[inspiteful]

[ So like he said earlier, Skylark has decided to visit Nazuna at his workplace, only to see that Nazuna is already outside. Maybe he's already missed Nazuna's shift, but that doesn't stop him from sitting next to Nazuna on the bench. ]

Who's that?

[bunnii]

[Seeing Lark, Nazuna grins and turns sideways on the bench so he can face him properly. He puts down the needle for now so he can show of his lovingly crafted work.]

This is Hajime-chin~ He's one of my precious juniors in Ra*bits! Isn't he just the cutest? Tanabata made me realize just how much I missed certain people so I thought maybe something like this would help cheer me up.

[inspiteful]

[ Cute... ]

Really cute. What's he like?

[bunnii]

[As a proud parent, Nazuna is always prepared to brag about his children.]

Hajime-chin's a real sweet kid~ He comes from a pretty poor family so he has a really good work ethic and can do a lot of things the rest of us can't. And his singing voice is beautiful. It's soft and soothing~

[inspiteful]

Hehe, he seems like a gentle person when you talk about him like that.

[ Though maybe that isn't really a bad thing to be, wherever Nazuna is from. ]

[bunnii]

He is~ Well, each of them has their own unique charms. It's gonna take a while but I want to make one for each of them. [Humming for a moment, he adds--] I think... I'd like to make Valkyrie, too when I have time.

[inspiteful]

Ah, you mean that "Itsuki"? ...How many are there,in total?

[ He means both ra*bits and Valkyrie. ]

[bunnii]

...............yeah, that would include him too.

[Lark's ability to retain (embarrassing) information is powerful. He really should remember that.]

Now that Hajime-chin's done, I just have four left. Mitsuru, Tomoya, Kagehira and Itsuki.

[...alright. Revenge.]

You've got someone special you really miss too, right? If you told me what she looked like, I could probably make you one too.

[inspiteful]

[ Beware mentioning names to him, Nazuna, Lark remembers all of them.

As soon as Nazuna mentions Crane though, he gets flustered. ]

Well, I mean...you have four more dolls to make, right?

[ Nazuna is already busy! ]

[bunnii]

It's not like I'm in a huge rush to finish them. This is just something I'm doing for myself, anyway.

[He's not letting Lark get away with bowing out politely. He's familiar with that sort of good kid. And that just makes him want to spoil him more.]

If it's for you, I can definitely make time to add one more~

[inspiteful]

But...

[ He can't help but worry a little of its be too much of an imposition. But if Nazuna is offering, then he can't really say nii-chan doesn't want to do it either. ]

...She's really, really pale, and has white hair and red eyes.

[bunnii]

[That's right. He will hear none of your arguments mister.]

--yeah? She sounds really pretty~

[inspiteful]

If she heard you say that she'd probably punch you.

[ Fun fact. ]

Her hair...is kinda like yours, I guess. [ He gestures to how their sidebangs are about similar. ] Except on both sides.

[bunnii]

So you like them feisty, huh?

[Sorry, not sorry he means exactly what he said.]

Oh-- huh. I used to wear my hair like that actually. So I have a pretty good idea what it should look like.

[inspiteful]

W-what is that supposed to mean?

[ SIR!!!!! ]

...You must have looked pretty good too back then...

[bunnii]

I wonder~♪

[Zero remorse. And with a comment like that, Lark's only going to get more playful teasing.]

Hey, are you saying I don't look good now? [...] But I guess if you're comparing me to her, then it's only natural you'd think that way.

[inspiteful]

You're just teasing me now...!

[ Even if he is not actually puffing up, he is probably giving off that energy. ]

And I mean, I think you look good now too! Just 'cause she's pretty doesn't mean you aren't pretty either!

[rottencactus]

[Mayoi has been behind Nazuna for some time. He had actually seen him on his way and got curious, so before he could stop himself, he'd followed him all the way to the bench and then got utterly engrossed in watching him work.]

[Nazuna may feel the strange feeling of being watched after a while. If not, then probably his voice, out of absolutely no where, behind him, will be what gives him away.]

...I-Is that one of other members of Ra*bits...?

[bunnii]

[He's pretty focused on his work. Since he lacks experience, he can't get too careless. But even so, there's something about being watched by Mayoi that makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He can't really ignore it. Still, he waits and sure enough he speaks.

...still can't tell where the heck he is but. Well. At least he knows who it is so he can relax. He holds the doll up a bit higher with a proud nod.]

Mm-hmm~♪ I'm glad you could tell. I made something like this before for a puppet show, but it's been a while. Cute, right~?

[rottencactus]

Veeery cute ~𝅘𝅥𝅮

[He will come out of where he was hiding, at least, Because even he knows its unsettling to just talk to a voice. He comes out from behind the vending machine not far from the bench and folds his hands behind his back.]

Ah ...he was the one who tried to tend to me when I got ill during our shared job. I mistook him for an angel and panicked.

[bunnii]

[...part of him wants to ask how he got back there and more importantly how long he's been there, but he decides it's probably better to just let that mystery go.]

Ahaha-- that sounds like Hajime-chin alright. He has a pretty big family, so he's good at looking out for others.

[He holds the doll out to Mayoi, if he wants to hold it for a bit so he can get a better look at it.]

Do you like these kinds of cute dolls too, Ayase-san?

[rottencactus]

[That's a wise choice. Mayoi works in mysterious ways.]

He seems very kind ...though, I-I'm afraid I must have left a bad impression...

[Well, he says that, but Ra*bits did come and support ALKALOID during their debut.]

[Mayoi's eyebrows raise as Nazuna offers him the doll. He hesitates for a moment like maybe he shouldn't be allowed to touch it? It is such a cute doll, after all, and he is a very gross person! But ...it's so cute that he caves and takes it from him, anyway. He will look it over with interest.]

I do... I have ...a bear I used to keep with me in the dorms. It was one of my small treasures.

[bunnii]

If anything, he probably wanted to apologize properly for startling you. He's a good kid, so I hope the two of you can become good friends.

[Although it's a little funny to think of someone as soft and delicate as Hajime scaring someone. Then again, Mayoi is... delicate in his own way. He trusts him to take good care of his tiny Hajime while he pulls out a few other pre-cut pattern pieces.]

Before you got here, the city celebrated Tanabata. It got me thinking about all the people I wish I could see... So I decided to make these. Just looking at them makes me feel better~ Like I can definitely do whatever I need to do.

[rottencactus]

He is the sort of person who shines so brightly, I would worry about turning to dust if I looked too closely.

[But, Mayoi says that in a fond way. It's certainly a compliment. He feels that way about the others too, like Tatsumi. He is a dark creature, after all. Good things would purify and exorcise him.]

[Even so, Mayoi is extremely gentle with the doll as he inspects the handy work. He can tell that Nazuna is learning still, but all the same it's very well crafted.]

I see. Making something like this ...it isn't so different from writing a wish on a slip. The act of putting what you desire into something you make with your own two hands is it's own way of manifesting a wish, I think...

[After all, with how fondly Nazuna talks of Ra*bits, surely getting back to them is something Nazuna desires, much like how Mayoi desperately wishes to see ALKALOID again.]

[bunnii]

...anyone else would probably be confused by that sort of compliment, you know.

[Him, well-- he's used to cryptic, dramatic sounding praises like that so it doesn't faze him as much as he's well aware it probably should.]

But I think so too. I'm here right now working to make my own wish come true, after all just like everyone else. This kind of thing too... if I can, I'd rather do it myself.

[Even with Hajime finished, he still has four more he'd like to finish. But he's not in any rush. He'd rather take his time and do it right anyway. But watching Mayoi gently turn the doll over in his hands-- he can't help but smile softly.

He wasn't the only one missing his "family". As important as both Ra*bits and Valkyrie were to him-- that was probably just as true for Mayoi and ALKALOID. Considering the rough situation they were all in, even if they hadn't known each other all that long, they'd likely built bonds that were all the stronger because of it.]

...do you want me to teach you? I could help you make your friends too, if you want.

[rottencactus]

[Mayoi gives him something of a curious look at that. Anyone "else", huh? He does know he has a strange way of speaking sometimes, but, Nazuna seems to understand his meaning, regardless. Explaining himself is stressful...]

I am glad that Nito-san is able to understand my gloomy way of speaking. I-I'm sorry if it's off putting..

[He does perk up a bit, smiling a little as he agrees. He's not surprised at all to see how much of a hardworking person Nazuna is, so of course he would tackle something like this in such a way.]

[The offer does surprise him, though.]

Eh? W-would you really? [...to have... a small version of them...that he could look at every day...]

[Oh... He might cry at the thought...]

I could m-make Aira-san ...and Hiiro-san ...a-and Tatsumi-san...?

[bunnii]

How should I put it... it reminds me a little of Itsuki. The things you say are a little over the top, so it's hard to read sometimes. But I don't dislike it. Not everyone's used to people like that though, so for them it might be difficult if they don't get to know you first.

[He promises it's not a bad thing-- not to him anyway. But he does want to make sure the other is aware of it. He wants Mayoi to be able to make a lot of new friends here. And he doesn't want to see him get hurt or treated poorly.

He's a good guy. It's heartwarming to see just how choked up he looks over the idea.]

Of course! We can work on them together~ You'll feel a lot better having them with you, right?

[rottencactus]

I-I see...

[It is ...a little embarrassing to be so seen like that. Mayoi isn't sure what to say. He feels like he should apologize ...but Nito-san had said he didn't dislike the way he spoke just that it was weird. And it was, Mayoi could agree. He's a strange and off-putting creature, after all.]

[Ah ...there it is. That feeling of wishing to vanish into the darkness never to be seen again-]

--Ah. I would! I would love them very much!

[At least he is easily distracted. The idea of having ALKALOID dolls successfully killing his spiraling thoughts in one fell swoop.]

[Mayoi will...shuffle over to the bench and ...look down like he is considering sitting but then he looks back up at Nazuna in a way that is clearly asking permission.]