AD 2208, 3/31, Unknown Area – Noel's Church of Sister Mercury

Juusan grunts as she fells the tree, her breath thick and heavy like the sap flowing in her hair. Murakumo blade in hand, she pivots with a frustrated huff, stalking back to the now calmer church, the troublesome villagers and their children having finally found all the easter eggs.

Juusan scowls as she sees groups of girls swinging sticks near the edge of the forest, clearly having watched her fell the tree and trying to mimic her movements. It's almost… bothersome.

Ada, being jubilant and jolly as always, coos instructions at the trio, cheering them on, even as their parent are fussing and worrying behind her.

Juusan's scowl softens minutely at the sight of her girlfriend of little over a year. Five seasons, she thinks idly. And yet… she's still caught up in the warmth of seeing her again.

One of the brats cries out, "Juusan, Juusan!" She rushes up to proudly point to her solid dent in a trunk, her stick broken, but her hands fine.

Juusan blinks. Huh. She must be stronger than the other children, for the splinters to not break her skin. Thinking on what Ada had said that morning about 'being encouraging,' Juusan ruffles the youngster's hair and mutters, "Good job."

She then continues her stride towards her girlfriend, waving to the other brats so as not to leave them out and upset Ada.

Ada beams, eyes crinkling playfully. "Aw, there we are!" She pulls Juusan into a hug. "Was that so hard, dear?"

Juusan huffs against Ada's shoulder, returning her hold and glaring at the parents who stare at her with disapproval. The villagers have always given her grief, from her 'scandalous' dress to her 'lack of manners.' Thankfully, they seem to care more about garnering Ada's approval than lecturing Juusan, nowadays.

Ada croons in her ear, being subtle. "You look absolutely fearsome, covered in sweat and sap. Why, it just makes me want to crawl into your lap."

Juusan scoffs, "I need a bath." She pulls away to push past Ada, calling back, "Join me. Or don't. Doesn't matter to me."

Ada giggles, stifling the sound with her hand as the parents all squawk and gasp. "Oh my, dear!" She calls, "I shall endeavor to meet you as soon as they calm down!"

Juusan grunts, wrenches the door open, and slams it behind her into the face of one of the angry fathers, causing him to fall on his ass with a yelp, judging by the thud. She smirks sardonically. Maybe today won't be quite so bad after all…

Juusan smirks as Ada slides into the shower behind her, wrapping her arms around Juusan's waist with a weary sigh.

Pressing a kiss to Juusan's temple, Ada huffs, "You know, they wouldn't be so difficult if you eased up on them, from time to time."

Juusan scoffs, "Why should I care what they think?" She scowls at the wall ahead, scrubbing harder. "They just don't like that I do what I want and don't care about their norms."

Ada hums, "That's… not untrue." She takes the soap to gently reach Juusan's back, massaging. "However, you can't keep judging them so harshly. They do care about you, me, and your sisters, if in a rather intrusive way."

Juusan grunts, reaching behind her head to start shampooing her hair. "They should mind their own business."

Ada sighs, before soothingly pulling Juusan back when she moves to step away. "Oh, don't worry, dear. I'm not disagreeing that they should keep a better distance, it's just…" Her voice softens. "They seem quite unused to our way of life, is all."

Juusan groans, "Why do you keep taking their side, then?"

Ada scoffs, "I'm not 'taking their side,' so much as offering their perspective. But don't misunderstand, I had quite a to do with mister Johnson. Why, that rapscallion insists that we make you to cover up in a burlap sack!" She mutters, "As if his cleavage isn't always on display for the whole of the village…"

Juusan, rinsing her hair, sniffs, "I'd like to see him try and make me." She closes her eyes, giving in to Ada's ministrations with a sigh. "Why do we have to put up with them again? We get supplies from Rachel, not their stupid stores…"

Ada patiently hums, "Because Noel likes their company, and Carl gets his parts from their mechanic, remember?"

Juusan looks at her girlfriend with a deadpan expression. "I still don't see why your brother sticks around."

Ada smiles brightly, eyes sparkling. "Oh, that's simple. I'm here."

Juusan murmurs, tracing Ada's jaw. "Troublesome…"

Ada leans into the touch, pouting. "Aw, but he's being so well-behaved! He only tried to follow us the once!"

Juusan arches a brow. "And that's supposed to be acceptable?"

Ada whines, "He's just looking out for me! It's cute! Adorable, even!"

Juusan scoffs, narrowing her exposed eye. "It's annoying, is what it is." She turns her head with a huff, "He should accept that I'm going to do what I want with you."

Ada gasps, "Why, dear! That sounds absolutely suspect!" She smirks. "But if I get to do what I want with you…" Her fingers creep low, and Juusan's breath hitches. Ada nips her ear. "Then I suppose I can accept that proposition…"

Juusan stares down at the rings in her hand with a frustrated sigh. Noel's proposing to Tsubaki on White Day threw all her plans into disarray. Would now be too soon? Would Ada see it as overshadowing Noel's engagement?

Juusan shakes her head rapidly, planting her feet firmly into the hardwood floor. Footsteps are coming. It's now, or never.

Ada swings the door open, donning only a fuzzy robe and slippers to meet Juusan's bare form. Ada tuts, "Tsk, tsk. Why Juusan, are you still—?!"

Juusan thrusts her hand out, staring Ada in her crystal blue eyes dead on with her own blood red ones, having pulled her eyepatch away to reveal her normally hidden eye, with its black sclarea and darkly veined eyelid.

Juusan opens her fist to reveal the amethyst laden steel rings, boring into Ada with every ounce of determination that she has. "Marry me."

Ada stares at the rings, stunned, then looks to Juusan, then back to the rings, then back to Juusan, before a bruise blossoms on her cheek, like she's been pinched.

Juusan narrows her eyes into a scowl at such an obvious use of Ada's drive, Automaton. She huffs, beginning to retract her arm. "You could've—!"

Ada whips her hand out to catch Juusan's wrist in a hard grip, prying her hand open to snatch the rings and hastily slide one on Juusan's finger. "I accept!" Ada's eyes, now full of giddy tears and sparks, lock onto Juusan's. "How could I not?" She wrenches the shocked younger woman into a tight embrace. "After all, you've made me so happy this past year, dear!"

Juusan, staring over Ada's shoulder numbly, glances down at her now ring-bearing finger. She scoffs, "It wasn't supposed to be this easy…" She pulls back to scowl up at Ada. "I practiced."

Ada beams, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Oh? A proper proposal argument?" She slips a ring on her own finger absent-mindedly. "I would love to hear it!"

Juusan sighs, and prepares to go through the spiel that Mister Valkenhayn got into her head, when she feels cold metal arms enwrap her and toss her onto the sheets. She grunts in confusion.

Ada unwraps her robe, smiling hungrily. "But first, we must celebrate and mark the occasion!" Her eyes darken. "I do hope you're ready, dear. I shan't be able to contain myself this night."

Juusan shivers, then smirks. This, she can deal with. Leaning back and spreading her limbs, she grins. "Do your worst…"