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 Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 12:38 pm
The look the child gave him was one of complete cluelessness, blinking wide eyes appearing to be vacant for just a moment as her mind tried to wrap around this concept.
Not going home? But mother was there... she HAD to get back home! But he was saying that she couldn't...
No, this wasn't right. She'd just been at home, she recalled it very clearly, and she had been running down to her room. But she'd fallen... and she wasn't dead, but it had been a very long fall...
She was dreaming! That had to be it. Unfortunately, she knew very well that one didn't really feel pain in dreams, and her shoulder was still aching horribly where she'd bruised it upon landing. And she was certain that in her dreams she'd not have ruined her clothes, or would have at least urged her dreams to change them by now.
And still that blank, blinking face watched him, not quite comprehending everything all at once. Her thoughts raced wildly, each one trying to find a handhold and latch on, but nothing was sticking quite at the moment.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 12:46 pm
As the silence spans, and Hitsuga is quite certain her thoughts on the matter are being kept walled away, he shifts uncomfortably in his seat, feeling pinned under Kiku's blank, questioning look.
He's very, very sorry. He knows this is the last thing she wants to hear right now. He....he really doesn't even understand it HIMSELF. gonk As best as he can gather, at least a few of the people who have been reported as missing in the Golden World have turned up here, alive and well. For what reason though....that, he has no clue.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 12:57 pm
When his thoughts broke through the riot in her mind, she blinked, staring up at him for a moment longer before she finally started to think clearly again.
Her mother... would just hear that she's missing? Does anyone in the Golden World know about those who have come here? She's going to be so worried...
And that thought upset Kiku more than the realisation that she wasn't going home. Intense worry flooded her, not for her own situation, but for her mother. What was she going to think? She was going to be so concerned!
The thought of her mother's reaction was what started it. Kiku felt the brimming of tears in her eyes and quickly wiped them away.
Master Hitsuga is very kind, and she does appreciate the tea. She would very much like to see the Lady Rika, if she has more of an idea of how to get back. In the meantime, she had best find a place to stay. She has money, would he be so kind as to direct her someplace?
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 1:07 pm
And this time his own mental wall goes up, trying to sort out what to say next in a way that it would be the least upsetting to her. Beginning with, perhaps, the fact that Gaia uses its own currency...
Of which he could easily lend her some but...
Hitsuga makes the grave error of looking up from where he'd carefully focused his eyes on his teacup, being met with a face that is barely containing its dread and anxiety. One that seems to dare him to TRY and send a child out to the streets of a strange world for the night.
.....
confused
He does not know of any inns or lodges, he's afraid. But....as Rika lives just across the street, it makes little sense that Lady Kikushou should have to travel far from here just to find a room.
He's sure he can find space enough for her to stay for the night, if she would like.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 1:16 pm
That thought seemed to relax her a bit. After all, she did know him, at least somewhat, and the thought of meeting more strangers tonight, while interesting normally, would have likely only made her more tired. That, and she's certain that her sore shoulder is going to make her cranky, which would not be conductive to having a good first impression.
She does apologize, as well, for meeting him under such bizarre circumstances. The offer of a bed is much appreciated, and she'd be happy to take him up on that offer.
Pushing the thoughts of her mother and her worry out of her mind, Kiku found that she was better able to relax and be a proper young lady instead of a nervous wreck. She felt badly that she was being such a pest to him, and she'd just met him... but honestly? He was the only friend she had right now.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 1:28 pm
He assures her that she has nothing to be sorry for. Really. Speaking from experience, he knows full-well how it felt to be dropped here unceremoniously and have to depend on the kindness of others to get situated at first.
....he is still getting situated technically, but....
Hitsuga gives her what he hopes is a reassuring smile. He will do what he can to help.
....and he supposes he's really put off the shopping trip he keeps meaning to make to stock his house enough to accommodate guests long enough. He will do that in the morning so that he can, if nothing else, at least offer Madame a proper breakfast.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 3:18 pm
She would help, Kikushou warns, but it would likely not turn out well. She and the stove don't quite mix well yet, despite the cook's best efforts to teach her. But she can make tea!
Holding up the cup, she smiles then and sips the last of it, setting the cup down on the table once more.
So he and others have come here, much as she did? She wondered then if perhaps anyone in Golden World was aware of the disappearances or had tried to find them. Maybe Lady Rika will know, when they ask her. How did Master Hitsuga come to be here?
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 3:31 pm
Lady Rika had been aware of the disappearances. It is why she is here now, in fact. She has made some sort of equipment that has allowed her to cross planes into this world to attempt to investigate matters.
Unfortunately it is in a state of repair at the moment....
But last they had discussed it, he offers Kikuoshou as he tries to ferret out a positive for each negative, she had been very near to getting things operational enough to at least reopen communication with their homeworld, and perhaps that would make repairing things all the faster? 3nodding
His expression falters at being questioned of his own arrival in Gaia. Its....a rather long story. sweatdrop To give her the bare bones of it, he had collapsed at his desk after meeting with a strange man one evening, and had awoken here in a nearby park.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 4:25 pm
Well, that was better than getting knocked out of a window at the top of the Astronomer's Tower, she had to admit. Sounded less frightening as well. Still, if Lady Rika is working on something to pass between the worlds, Kiku is more than willing to help! Maybe even if it doesn't let people pass through, she could get a note to her mother to let her know she is all right.
Yawning, Kikushou blinks and covers her mouth quickly. That had been rather rude, hadn't it...
She apologizes for that lapse, but will likely be taking him up on the offer of that bed sooner than she thought. The events of the day have made her tired, and she hadn't really realised it until just now. If he's going to the market in the morning, maybe she can help him get the things for breakfast?
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 4:44 pm
Hitsuga would have to agree with her on that point. Things likely would have been much more stressful for him if he'd arrived in the same manner as Madame had...
He is sure that Lady Rika can tell her much more than he can, however, and hopefully she will be available tomorrow after breakfast (which he would be happy to let her accompany him to shop for, if she likes. The grocery store is, though very confusing, at least a fair bit more tranquil than the rest of the shopping district...)
At any rate... he goes on with a slight wave of his hand, reaching to take her empty cup and place it back on the tray. Madame should rest. And it is his hope that things will look much better for her in the morning.
Rising from the table, he moves out of the room to cross the hallway, opening the closed door there with a polite beckoning to follow. Inside his room there is not much....a dresser, a few candles, and a bedding-dressed mattress contained within a poorly-made frame that had been left over from the house's previous occupant.
He apologizes for the room's barren appearance, but it is hers for the night if she'll have it. sweatdrop And if she needs anything, he will be just across the hallway working.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:21 pm
This would be just wonderful, and she is very thankful that it's a bed at least. Considering where she landed, she could have very easily been napping in the grass if she hadn't found him. She moved across the room then, towards the bed, suddenly realising something. Where was Master Hitsuga going to sleep? This was his room, wasn't it?
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:24 pm
He nods once. It is, but he has already resigned himself to the idea he won't be sleeping tonight. In addition to shopping, he has also put off getting a solid start on his shop's stock for much longer than necessary....and he fears that if he shills on his responsibilities much longer, those who have bolstered him in good faith might be disappointed...
So he plans to attempt to amend that while he has the drive to work.
Really, there is no harm done, he assures her, privately hoping that this will not spark a debate on the matter.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:28 pm
If he's sure, then she graciously accepts.
Kikushou bowed to him then, beaming a smile at him as she rose again.
Master Hitsuga is very generous, and is a lovely person. She is surprised that he does not already have a wife, as he would have been a beautiful husband to someone. If there was nothing else that needed to be said, however, she was going to get ready for bed now, and would be most happy to accompany him to the market in the morning.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:34 pm
He sets his jaw, knowing she hadn't meant to strike a nerve, but feeling it twinge all the same. He....thanks Lady Kikushou for her compliments, as he quickly repairs the momentarily-slipped smile. And he hopes she will sleep well, in spite of everything.
Bowing to the young girl respectfully, he steps aside to allow her to close the door without him being in the way, wishing her a good night.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:38 pm
After bidding Hitsuga a good night, she closed the door and moved to the bed. Her outer robes were shed and folded neatly to rest on the dresser, while the thinner under robe was left on and tied as she crawled up into the bed. It didn't smell right... and the sounds weren't home. But she was tired, and didn't think she'd care one way or another once she fell asleep.
With how exhausted she felt, it wouldn't be long before she was out like a light.
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