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[Crickets.

Sorry Bolin, Naruto has gone to the showers.]

Is that

Bad??

I thought you liked your brother?

Naruto...

[ It's not difficult for Bolin to figure out that Naruto did not in fact have it in him to wait while Bolin ran down the stairs to his room.

Frowning, he sets Yun down, letting her eye Taco Salad angrily and no doubt pick a fight with the fox sooner or later. It's not his problem anyway, and he just marches over to the bathroom, the mist from the shower hitting him as soon as he wanders in.

He sulks beside the shower curtains. ]

I told you to wait a second! Naruto!

I do! [ He does! ] But this is exactly the kind of thing that was so annoying about him! He was always like "that's not a good idea, Bolin" or "I don't think you should do that, Bolin" or "Bolin, can you please be serious?" even when I was being serious!

And now... I'm doing the same thing!

[ She has so many people standing ahead of her, that she's trying so desperately to catch up to. Her mother, who was so generous that she didn't hesitate to give her life for her son, who was so kind and elegant and intelligent, the perfect queen and mother. Her sister Hinoka and her unbeatable prowess on the battlefield, who is as strong as she is graceful and driven, angelic when she soars through the sky. Her sister Azura, who is quiet and withdrawn but comes alive when she dances, shining with grace and beauty and magnetism.

Hana and Subaki, who act as her sword and shield. Her title as a princess of Hoshido and all the duties and expectations contained in it, that make her life secondary to her country. Her vision of herself in the future, the person she wants to become.

She tries so hard to keep moving towards them, facing forward and standing tall. But somewhere in the back of her mind lies the persistent thought that, no matter how fast she runs or how far she stretches her arm out, she can never reach any of them. ]

Wh-What if my own s-strength... what if my own me isn't good enough?

[He understands that feeling too, even though he knows it's different for her than it is for him. Naruto has always been trying to catch up to the people around him. He'd wanted his strength to be worth acknowledging because that would mean that he, as a person, was worth acknowledging. That he mattered. It's only as he'd gotten older and learned more about the people around him that he realized the true meaning of strength like that- to protect the things important to him.

It sounds like Hime-chan has had that part all along.]

Isn't good enough for what?

[The question is maybe a little rhetorical, but he really only has his own realm of experience to draw from.]

Would it be so bad to have a different kind of strength? All your friends are different from each other too, aren't they? I bet every one of them has felt that way- scared that it won't be good enough.

Oh. Okay.

[What whiplash]

So does that mean you're gonna leave 'em alone?

[He's only a little bit surprised that Bolin has decided to chase him down after all, but the truth of the matter is that they've been in one another's space for so long now that this is just kind of an extension of that. Naruto's voice is a grumble of protest from the other side.]

Taco peed all over me again I wasn't gonna just stand around'attebayo.

[ He's wearing an extremely unwilling expression despite his revelation. ]

Should I? I still think you'd make a better boyfriend.

I don't know what kinda boyfriend I'd be, I've never been a boyfriend before.

Your carrier lovingly hacks up a small package that would fit in your hand, as well as a handwritten letter with some sort of armored animal drawn in the corner...

Dear Friend,

We may not know each other very well yet, or maybe at all! I've only seen one battle here, but the amount of bravery and care that people have shown for one another both on and off of the battlefield lets me know I'm part of something special. People have lost their homes and loved ones, and while we can't bring those back, I know that there are people here to believe in. And I'm very lucky to get to fight alongside them.

It's not much, but I hope you enjoy a few snacks that I've made! A full tummy always makes me feel better. Maybe we can share a snack together in person sometimes soon.

Sincerely,

Orihime Inoue & Kou-kun
井上織姫とコウくん

The package is wrapped in pink and blue paper. When unwrapped, your character will find three cute little animal-themed pastries! (You're welcome to decide which three.) They have a sweet bread outer layer and some curious fillings...

Pink Bunny is hopping and happy to see you! It is filled with a sweet carrot cream.
Purrfect Kitty is very pleased and ready to be eaten! It is filled with some sort of chopped meat, reminiscent of a BBQ Pork bun.
Sleeping Froggy knows it's delicious. It's filled with a MYSTERY FLAVOR...which is either a sour green apple or...seaweed?
Friendly Puppy isn't supposed to have chocolate, but it's filled with it anyway. Don't tell anyone!
Cute Chicky is filled with a egg-flavored cream. Yeah, that one actually isn't surprising, although maybe a little morbid when you think about it.

He peed on you again? You really need to train him. [ Says Bolin, who, after seven months, still can't keep Yun from trying to kill everything she encounters.

He frowns at the shower curtain, wondering if it's worth it to stick around because ]

You kind of ruined the moment.

Edited 2016-09-07 08:05 (UTC)

[This package you will receive doesn't come by Carrier. Rather, Vietnam has given strict instructions that this will be treated like every large package, and will be delivered like so. After all, it is one! A letter, and a little box. Wonder what it is? And when do you receive it? Any time between the September 6th to the 15th. And in the case of the newer Heroes, it comes sometime on the 8th or after (hint hint).]

COMRADE,

No matter our opinions of our situation or this place, we are all the same, brought here from different places. Still, we all have each other. Whatever fate has in store, we will chose. I suppose what cane be important here now are the bonds we create.

To celebrate that let me share a custom. In my world, sometime in the Autumn, is the Mid-Autumn Festival, known to me as Tết Trung Thu. It is said that during this time, the moon will be so round and will shine its brightest. To appreciate the moon, one can ask for blessings from the gods. You can give thanks for the harvest or harmonious unions. You can pray for prosperity and good fortune. But also, it is a time to spend together.

Each year will it would be celebrated on a different day. In the year I left, 2016, it should fall on September 15th. I believe the equivalent date here is Sylvant 15th. So please take this chance to relax. I have included one free pass to a two night stay at the inn I manage, Dragon's Flight and Phoenix Dance, located on Gisela. On these islands, you will be able to see the sky, so very close. I have also included a mooncake of lotus filling. As per custom, you share your mooncake with family and friends to signify unity. I hope it is to your tastes.

May your year be filled with prosperity.

Vietnam

CODED BY TESSISAMESS

[Naruto may have a near indomitable will, but so does his carrier, and he recognizes a losing battle when he sees one. If he stays out Taco's way then there's less... mess to deal with.

His elbow pushes against the curtain when he moves, a rustle of confusion.]

What moment? We had a moment?

[ His frown deepens, and he stares intently at the faint outline he can see of Naruto before sighing, the theatrics dropping him from his stance like a tangible weight. ]

No, I just mean. It is a big deal. Being cut in half. That's not exactly a flesh wound. I've never even lost a limb so being cut in half is.

[ He has to wonder if he's being unnecessarily needling about the subject when Naruto is so laissez-faire. But it boggles his mind. It's so important. ]

I mean. Maybe it's not a big deal to... [ How exactly is he supposed to describe Naruto, and all the others here that are so accustomed to massacre and sacrifice? ] someone with your experiences, but for people like me, and a lot of other people, it's kind of horrifying. I get that you have this thing about doing what needs to be done no matter the cost but, even if you act like that, don't say it isn't a big deal.

[ He can't believe he's saying this to Naruto's naked silhouette, and the bizarre situation is enough to get him to pull a face again. What a time to be alive. ]

[The water slows to a trickle, and stops. There's a moment of relative silence on the other side of the curtain while Naruto listens, reaches for a towel, and reminds himself of everything Bolin must have seen so far. It isn't a stretch. Naruto has seen friends in terrible states too- has seen his friends throw themselves in harms way, be irreparably hurt. It'd been difficult to endure for him, but it must mean something else for someone that didn't grow up to be a shinobi- who didn't have it taught to them so early that those kinds of things were inevitable.

The curtain opens. Naruto's gaze is on Bolin's face like he's known where it was the whole time.]

I'm sorry I scared you.

[His skin is damp and his shoulders are still beaded with water, lending to the impression that he'd made the most minimal of efforts to dry off. He has. It stopped being a priority he isn't sure when. Instead, the way they have so many times before, Naruto's arms wrap around his friend's shoulders and pull him into a hug that's physically grounding- maybe for them both. When he leans back, one hand lingers on his shoulder.]

I have a hard time being careful. I always rush into things without thinking them through, and I'm so busy trying to keep people safe that I put their feelings in danger in the process.

I know it can't always be helped'attebayo. But I don't want to make someone feel that way by accident. My bonds are really precious to me. I shouldn't forget that it's that way for you too.

It's not that hard. It's basically like being good friends with someone, but with [ he stifles a grin here ] slight differences.

And you're a good friend, so I have faith in you.

Well you're a good friend too...

I still don't really understand why you're so worried about me having a girlfriend and not you though.

[ On the seventh, Naruto will find a note attached to his door. ]

Naruto,

Sometimes it is best to share a gift with those who are near and dear to us. For that reason, I am inviting you to a special gathering, on the 10th of this month, at Seven in the Evening, in the Hall of Glory Commons. I will be bringing a mooncake, as they are best shared with friends and family. I could think of no one better to share this treat with.

There is but one catch: You must invite someone else to attend as well. As said, these gifts are best shared with friends, new and old. Should you wish to bring anything, teas and other snacks are highly encouraged. I will leave that up to your judgment.

Sincerely,
Lux Crownguard

Edited (handwaves you saw nothing) 2016-09-08 05:02 (UTC)

I'm not worried. [ Not about Naruto anyway, Sakura is a slightly different story. He wouldn't care if Setsuna wasn't so old. ]

Are you trying to say I should focus on myself?

Is it working?

[ He sighs a little, his shoulders rising and falling. ]

I don't know, I'm trying.

I should'a guessed it be hard for somebody like you, huh?

You're always thinking about everyone else.

[ Is that a compliment or an insult...? ]

Why would that make it hard for me?

Because you're trying to take care of other people first.

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