❛ New scrapes to mend, hm? ❜
The light in the hut is dim, but the figure who speaks is unmistakable. She's older now, as is her former teacher and Master in this vision of his. It might be a dream, or an event in the distant future-- regardless, the student is ready to tend to her Master, who cannot seem to learn his own lessons.
❛ You saved lives. But you also took some. ❜
She resembles the fledgling sparrow she used to be, still donning robes and wearing her favorite stones. Yet, her hair has begun to gray, and her left arm no more, except when she summons earth to replace it at need. It is there now, as she walks over to her old Master with her basket of thread, needle and alcoholic spirit, to start mending his wounds.
一 to Foreseen Yasuo
@weavertali ⸺ unprompted inquiries; always accepting !
"You know me well," he laughs; the timbre in his voice much more aged and refined by his years, just like the rest of him. The weight previously present on his shoulders slowly began to dissipate the moment the hut is filled with just the two of them — Taliyah has always managed to pull him away from his destructive tendencies, and throughout the years it persisted. She was the only one he considered home.
Yasuo takes his spot beside Taliyah, knowing full well what was to come. It was like their own little ritual — patching one another up after their excursions, whatever they entailed. "Yes," he is pained to admit it; taking lives has always worn him down, but it's gotten more impactful on him with each life he takes. Reminding himself — or rather, Taliyah reminding him — that he saves them too is always what keeps him moving forward. She keeps him moving forward. "More bandits accosting farmers. I'm uncertain where they keep getting more numbers from out here." He attempts to make light of the situation, for both their comforts.
After all these years, he had begun to feel more like the student and her the master, given how much he continues to learn and grow from her influence. With each artistic stroke she drew from stone or thread, Yasuo's would tremble by comparison, though he is not without his grace no matter how aged.
As she worked on him, he was sure to provide assistance however she needed, whether it be holding a basin of fresh water or holding onto rags. Once they are done, Yasuo smiles warmly to his student, his teacher, his friend, his daughter — full of light and love and appreciation. He places a firm hand on her shoulder and hugs her with his good side to hers, before placing a kiss to her forehead once he returns space between them. "Thank you."
She has grown and changed and evolved into such a beautiful woman he could scarcely believe it — but he swelled with pride and joy at each sight of her. Yasuo may have made many mistakes in his youth, and still today he does, but one thing is for certain; Taliyah is his one bright light — the only success that matters. He was always terrible with affectionate words, but he still tried.
"I love you dearly, little sparrow." His smile persisted, ruffling her hair softly with an outstretched hand, "shall we get lunch?"
















