[D5 - AS - Private] Ghosts of the Past

"They might be expecting having only you as a parent," she answers. And then she blinks. "I don't think you've ever called me that before."

She leans a little closer, holds the closest hand. Hisui eases her Fuyu-chan into a more relaxed position, marveling at the wonders that were coming. A new child, implied to be one that was old enough that Hisui didn't need to worry about a sleepless Fuyuko attempting to use iaijutsu to change diapers. Or just having to deal with a sleepless Fuyuko in general. Hisui was well aware she could be a beast to deal with when lacking sleep, and she could imagine the petite Crane liked to rest as well. Plus a baby would just interrupt those nights where they held each other, two women in a pool of warmth and love.

The idea appealed to her. Allowing a new member of the family. A girl to introduce to Akiha and Shiki. A new set of pictures to go on their little wall. She remembered how quickly their relationship progressed since they first met. The pace was quick, but not frightening. As the Utaku pondered the notion of an adopted Doji joining them, she found it more exhilarating and comforting.

"A great deal of motherhood is instinct, Fuyu-chan. But I'll teach you what I can."

She nods. That was comforting to know that whoever Fuyu-chan had taken a liking to would be aware of both of them. That still didn't narrow things down, but that was mostly due to Hisui not knowing as much about her Delightful Doji Duelist's social circle than she would have liked. If it even existed, given Fuyuko's demeanor.

The hand squeezes gently. A tiny treasure given freely. The Crane would never need to take them. Not when the Unicorn handed them out with such loving ease. Affection would flow readily, as long as it was allowed.

Hisui cannot reply to the whispered words with anything but an embarrassed look. Shy, perhaps a little flustered --- not in a romantic sense --- at the compliment. She was unaccustomed to being complemented on her parental skills.

"Well, when we change yours, you can do all the work," she answers with a lazy smirk. "But I did buy a few things. Linens, pillow cases, that sort of thing. I even bought towels. Purple, powder blue, black. I had more than a few strange looks when I insisted on finding a set of towels that were blue on one side, purple on the other. Apparently, they don't exist."

"And I'd love to share quarters with you. But I worry a bigger bed means I can't spend all night holding you without having to actually reach across a whole bed. It's so far away."

She nods at the mention of legal paperwork. "Isn't there a provision for adopting an adult to perpetuate a family line? Or is that only legally permitted in the Unicorn provinces?"

"You did, I remember. Then I got distracted. Someone put a beautiful woman to decorate my room," she says with a chiding grin. "But that's alright. She's promising to stay close even in a bigger bed, so all is forgiven."

She coos as Fuyuko does.

She listens and nod, aware that Fuyuko was the authority on matters of the law. She is frustrated at the implied difficulty. However, she also has faith. Faith that Fuyuko would find a way. Faith that there would be a means to adopt this girl. Faith that Benten had a plan that involved their happiness.

"Alright. I trust my Magistrate."