|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:42 am
The Shop, The Ring
As she walked down the street, Final idly wondered just why she was out in the rain. Her hair was down, the dark strands dripping as some pieces stuck to her flushed cheeks, and her contacts were out, revealing her eye's true color. Still walking, she felt her shoes slowly soak in water as she tried to avoid the puddles, though they appeared to be everywhere on the narrow street. She was going down the main road that led in and out of town, and all that was under her feet was the dirt, or more like the thick mud that made up the path. Her eyes, somewhat being closed so her eyelashes could easily protect her vision from the rain, glanced around at the large trees that swayed with the wind, shifting along as the breeze danced. It had been a warm day, the rain coming out of no where as all the signs were missing, save for the humidity that usually hung over the lands. Sighing softly to herself, Final pulled her traveling cloak closer and held tightly onto the basket she needed as she headed into town to visit the market.
As she finally reached the outer entrance to the town, the rain seemed to lighten considerably, though the sprinkle still left a mist of droplets on all surfaces that were unfortunate to hide under something else. Final moved quickly through the streets, avoiding passerby's as she simply glanced at the strange blacksmith shop before continuing onward.
"Hmm..." She glanced over her shoulder once more before she suddenly paused and turned back, sighing as the rain picked up once again and most of the market shops appeared to be closing. Her feet slipped slightly as her heel turned, but she still caught her balance as she moved towards the large wooden door, her eyes moving towards the sign that swung slowly as she walked inside. As the door closed behind her, she pushed back the thick dripping strands away from her face, her eyes taking in the dim room around her.
"Hello...?" She called out softly, her sensitive ears catching the echo as her voice filled the space that was the room. Taking a few more steps in, she waited, but heard nothing but the rain that was slamming against the outer walls. The metal shelves were all bare, the room empty of all merchandise as Final walked slowly around to find someone, anyone. Finally, her eyes looked towards the counter, and she caught sight of a sign of life. On that counter an open book sat, open and face down, the pages seemingly darker than everything else. As Final walked over towards the book, her hand reached out to brush across the smooth bindings, the book moving away to reveal a small ring that sat underneath, hidden. Breath caught, she looked around once more, before she lifted the ring and held it between her thumb and her index finger.
As the dim light caught it just right, a strange glint seemed to blind her for a moment, and she blinked quickly for a few moments before pulling the ring away to set it down. As it left her fingertips, a breeze filled the room and gave her a chill, the absence of the jewelry seemingly feeling wrong for some reason.
"Alright..." Final said quietly to herself, "This is officially weird..." As if on clockwork, her mind suddenly recalled her dreams, all of her fantasies of the legends she had heard while in town, and her belief in the gods. She remembered being told that if someone believed, they would gain a gift from the gods, one that once touched, the believer could never part with. Once again, she suddenly acted on impulse and picked up the ring, smiling to herself as she wondered if anyone would miss it.
"I...could always ask later..." She said slowly before she glanced towards the door, seeing the light leak through under the bottom crack, and she quickly walked towards the door, looking over her shoulder as her hand rested on the knob. Taking a deep breath, she released it slowly before silently swearing to return, and opened the door to make her way home, the ring safe in her grasp.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:52 am
The Neighbor [A Private RP with SummerRaven] Sitting silently within her dining room, Final held her hands slightly in front of her, her palms cupped together as they seemed to all but glow as they held a tiny treasure. The ring she had found the other day still seemed to keep her interest, her eyes always drawn to the piece of jewelry every time she would enter a room that it sat in. It was a mystery, something she wanted badly to solve though she did not know what she was solving or how to solve it. Every day she would sit, starring at the black ring until her eyes were strained and her head would throb softly, her searching never relenting. She knew that the ring was special, and as she had spent the whole day in her dining room, she was determined to find out why. As silence surrounded her, she shifted slightly, leaning back and closing her eyes.
Curious and concerned about her neighbor and friend, Summer quickly walked up to Final's front door, knocking loudly. She hadn't seen the poor girl outside in a day or so and wanted to see what was up. It couldn't possibly be that she was sick, for Summer would know that, and she most certainly hadn't left, for Summer would know that too, just something had to be wrong. What was it? Still very curious for her friend, she knocked again, even louder this time. She stood there carrying a basket of cookies, something she caught on from her mother. Whenever something felt wrong in the neighborhood, Summer's mother would always bring cookies.
Jumping at the second knock, Final fought for a few moments to gain her balance as the chair she was in tipped dangerously back, and as her hands flailed, the ring flew up to the air. Gasping, she suddenly leaned forward, catching the small item as the chair fell back, her body standing to prevent her from following the path of where she sat moments before. Turning, she blinked before smiling, clenching the ring close as she wondered who would be visiting at such short notice, having not realized she had been inside alone for so long. Her socks sliding slightly on the flooring as she walked, she paused and opened the door, her smile growing as she caught sight of Summer, though she had smelt the cookies first.
"Summer, it is great to see you here, come in, come in! I wasn't quite expecting company, so I hope you wont mind the slight mess..." Looking around, it was pretty clean, however there were some out of place items, but she hoped they weren't too noticeable.
Summer gave a sigh of relief when Final opened the door, "Are you okay? What's wrong? Why haven't you been outside?" She started blurting out a bunch of questions, until she realized what she was doing and shut her own mouth. "A slight mess doesn't bother me! I was just very worried! Oh and here..." She gave the basket of cookies to Final, with a small grin upon her face. "What do you got there?" She asked, pointed to the hand that held the ring.
Blinking at the barrage of questions that assaulted her right as she closed her mouth, Final looked to her with a sideways grin, it growing as her friend and neighbor caught herself and halted her speaking. Pushing off a stray lock of hair, she nodded her head as her hands came out to get the basket, softly giving a thanks before she realized the ring had gleamed from where it was revealed to the light. Pulling back, she looked down and let out a soft wisp of breath, "Oh...this..." She said slowing in response to Summer's questions, her eyes slowing raising to meet the other's, and she bit her lip lightly as she tried to think of what to say, but than gave up and decided to just speak.
"Well...you remember how I always told you I had that fascination in believing the story of the gods...the ones that were said to have graced the land years and years ago...?" She trailed off, waiting to see her response.
Summer wore a puzzled look, trying very hard to remember talking about that. "Yes, I think...well, maybe. Anyway, what does that have to do with anything?" She asked, her eyes glued to the ring that her friend held. Why was a stupid ring so important to her? Smiling, and still staring at the ring, she opened her mouth to ask more questions. "Why do you have that ring, and why do you handle it with much care? It's just a stupid ring, right!?!?"
Final looked at her silently, taking a deep breath after all of her questions. Rolling the smooth ring around in her grasp, she caught it between her thumb and index finger as she held it up, the dark color glinting to shine strangely, as if instead of reflecting the light, it reflected the darkness. Sighing out her held breath, not having realized she was holding it until a moment before, she looked to Summer, "I always knew the gods in the legends were real, and this is living proof..." She trailed off before adding softly, "Well...not living, but you can see cant you...this ring, though simple in the design...I just know there is something more to it..."
Summer watched as Final played around with the normal looking ring, and looked very confused. "Yes, gods of legends may be real, but I still don't get what it has to do with the ring, I mean, it looks completely normal to me. " She continued to stare at the ring, still not seeing how Final could see something special in that ring. "I can't see anything, sorry...."
Final sighed softly but smiled none the less, moving away from the door and nodded to herself, "Right...well, come on in, I can't let you stand out there for any longer, you are a guest." She smiled brightly, her hand clenching the ring in a protective fist as she moved to place the cookies in her kitchen, keeping an eye out to make sure Summer would follow as she hoped she would. Turning back towards the door, she looked towards Summer, "So, any reason as to exactly why you are visiting me?" She asked with a roguish grin.
"Alright!" Summer stepped in with a sly grin, looking around for anything unual. Quickly, she walked right behind Final as the two of them entered the kitchen, and her eyes dashed around, still looking. "Yes! Why, I was worried! You haven't been outside at all in a day or so, and I guess now, I see why...." She said, pointing again to the hand that held the ring. "And I wanted to talk, you know, because we're friends and neighbors and all."
Final smiled as she sat down, gesturing towards a chair that was close by, "It is nice to know you are worried..." She said softly with her smile, looking to her friend and knowing just what kind she was. Enjoying the fact she had such a close friend, she knew she could always talk to her if needed, "Well...lets talk, how have you been since I haven't seen you in awhile..."
She sat down on the chair Final told her to, and nodded her hand repeatedly. "Yes, I was terribly worried. I get like that a lot, you know!?! If someone I care about hasn't been seen." She ended her sentence with a shy grin, and leaned back into the chair, stretching out her arms to get comfortable. Final was one of her closest friends, and she always needed to know if she was alright or not, because she cared. "I've been.....busy. I haven't been home much, always out and about, but when I'm home, I check out my window to see if I can get a glance of you, and I haven't been able to untill now. What else would you like to know?" She paused, catching her breath, and added, "Where did you get that ring anyway?...."
Final seemed to blush about how worried her friend was. 'Not to self...' she thought silently in her mind, 'Always go and visit Summer at least once a week...' with a small smile she tuned back into the conversation. Setting her hands onto the table, she pulled them away to reveal the ring, it just sitting there for a moment, gleaming every so often. Sighing she slowly started to speak,
"Well, you see, the other day I was walking into town, you know, when there was that big storm. It started to really pour, so I looked for a place to stay and wait it out, considering the market was closed..." Slowly, she placed her hands in her lap, intertwining her fingers, "...so I walked into this strange store...one without any merchandise...and all that was there was this ring...as if it was waiting for me to find it..." She knew is sounded crazy, but she had to tell someone, and Summer was there, so she hoped she was willing to believe it.
Summer sat silently on her chair, listening to every word that Final had said, wearing the best interested face she could make. Nodding her head every few seconds to show that she was listening. When her friend was done speaking, Summer smiled brightly, "Really? Well, I'll be! That ring was looking for you? Amazing! I wonder what it stands for, you know, why it's here, and why it chose you!" She said, still amazed at the small story. "So you just picked it up, and came home?"
At that point Final blushed quite brightly, turning her head to the side meekly, "Well...no one was there for me to ask if I could see them..." She laughed softly, more of a short, nervous chuckle. Scratching the back of her head, she continued, "...so I figured I could visit sometime later and tell the owner of my predicament..." She than looked to Summer as she grabbed one of the cookies, taking a small bite and smiling as she noticed they were her favorite, just as her friend knew.
"Wow, great cookies, like always!"
"Ah I see, so you didn't steal it then, considering no one was there, but you also didn't pay for it, so what would you call that?" She teased, laughing loudly. "I'll come with, I want to meet the owner, maybe, possibly, I could get a ring of my own!" She joked, putting her nail up to her mouth and chewing on it, a stupid habit she picked up one day. Smiling, she picked up a cookie right after Final did, and stared at it for a moment. "Yes! Thank you!"
Final smiled softly and moved to stand, "Well, than lets go to the shop, I need to go and now that we are thinking about it, we might as well go!" Moving towards the door she grabbed a coat and another cookie, stuffing it in her mouth as she put the coat on. Smiling she looked behind her, "Lets go Summer!" She sang out, before she gasped and raced back into the room to grab the ring, laughing to herself.
Final moved so quickly, she was already moving before Summer could even get up from her seat. "A little bit eager, I'm guessing!" She laughed to herself, and followed her friend out the door, wearing a goofy smile. This....visit was going to be interesting, and Summer knew it. Just what was to be expected when she got there? An empty building? Or a building full of other items. Maybe Final was the only one who could see the 'specialness' of the normal looking ring, therefore was the only one who could see an empty building.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:06 am
The Return to the Shop
[A Compiled Shop RP with The Avatar Forge, Remove, and Psyren]Walking slowly down the street, Final took a deep breath, her heartbeat seeming to quicken as she moved closer and closer to the blacksmith shop that was her destination. Her feet somewhat sliding against the worn path, she placed her hands in her pockets to slowly play with the dark ring that she had safely placed there, though she felt the need to feel it just to make sure it was still indeed there. As soon as she got to the door, her hand quickly shot out to take the handle, however it recoiled just as quickly, a contemplating look filling her contact covered eyes. Sighing, she opened the door once more, looking into the darkness as she just paused in the doorway, biting her lip and hoping that when she came out the ring would still be with her.
The shop was as empty as usual. A thin veneer of dust graced the empty shelves. Somewhere in the distance a drop of water echoed. The sound bounced around the room, magnifying the cast feeling of the space. Then there was a noise which was most definitely not a drop of water. A scratchy sawing noise cut through the air, a noise like fingernails being run over a chalkboard. It seemed to scrape at the inner lining of the ear. It was followed by a loud booming noise, like thunder, and then a young woman dressed entirely in black came marching out of a room in the back. She made a beeline towards the front counter and did not seem to notice Final's presence at the door.
She sat on the cobbled street playing with her hair that hung over her face. Her hands were covered in dirt as she looked around. Her dark sadden eyes spotted something though she wasn't sure who it was it was deifnatly someone. She watched curiously as she knocked on the door to the blacksmiths. Just because she didn't know the other person didn't mean she couldn't follow her right? After all she was going into the black smiths and no one ever walked in or out of there.
She put her hands down by her side and pushed herself up slowly. Leaning against the wall she pushed her matted her out of her eyes as she watched and slowly headed towards the blacksmith. Her heart thumping against her chest she had always been scared of the blacksmiths as she had been told rotten stories about it. It was safer to watch the other person for now at least.
Letting her hands drop, her head seemed to spin for a second as she wondered just what that noise was, but her thoughts were halted as she noted a figure rush out right to the counter where she had discovered the ring days before. Taking in a shaky breath, she stepped into the shop and seemed to jump as the door closed right behind her and the room was cloaked in its strange dimness. Taking a few hesitant steps closed towards the counter, she swallowed her nervousness and spoke up slowly, wondering if her voice was as loud as it sounded in the seemingly silence.
"Erm...hello...I came by the other day...but no one was here..." She trailed off, noticing the girl was ignoring her.
Wordlessly the young woman slid behind the main shop counter and sat down on a rickety wooden stool. Black hair clustered around her face, framing large and unusually bright blue eyes. With a somber expression she rocked back and forth on her stool a moment and then leaned onto the counter, resting her forearms on the smooth black surface.
The woman brought her eyes up and fixed them upon Final. Her expression did not change.
The girl ran to the blacksmith and tried to peer inside to see what she could. She peered through a small rack in the door, her body shaking and sweating. Her heart pounding so loudly she was sure someone would hear her but she was curious. She had to know what was going on.
Final resisted the urge to take a small step back as the woman seemed to just gaze at her with an unreadable expression, and once again she tried to continue, her voice growing with confidence as she reached into her pocket to brush her fingertips across the smooth surface of the ring.
"...I saw that there was this ring on the counter...and well..." She blushed softly, before reaching fully in to pull it out, "...I felt bad for taking it..." She didn't say anything about the connection with the ring that she had felt, and looked to the woman to see her response, if there would be one.
The woman stared for a moment more, studying Final carefully. Then she leaned away from the counter, tipping her stool almost to the point of collapse, and yawned loudly. She was polite enough to cover her mouth.
She watched carefully especially as the ring was shown. She stopped shaking for a brief moment and held her breath listening hard to what is being said in the blacksmith. This was all new to her and very strange. Why did that lady not ever talk? Was it possible she didn't know how to? She got rather confused so stayed in her place trying to calm herself down.
Final blinked, her mouth opening slightly as if her jaw had dropped, and she watched as the woman lifted a hand to cover her mouth. Gasping, she moved the rest of the way to the counter and set the ring softly down on the surface, her blush still evident. Taking a second, she seemed to have to use all her will power to take her hand away from the ring, and her hand felt cold without the smooth item in its grasp.
"..." she opened and closed her mouth, fully speechless as she looked to see if the girl would recognize the ring.
With a smack the girl's hand landed on the counter next to the ring and she leaned over the artifact until her nose was an inch away from it and her eyes were crossed. She hummed thoughtfully, a hum that continued for a good twenty seconds. Then the pinched the ring carefully between two fingers and lifted it into the air.
"Here," she said, sticking her arm out and dangling the ring in Final's face. "You dropped this."
She was getting bored now and couldn't see the ring properly. Going inside though. That would just be wrong. Oh well she could sneak in and hide in one of the dark corners she would blend in well. Her black matted hair could cover her face and her body was mainly black from all the dirt.
She took a deep breath and took hold of the handle. Turning it as quietly as she could she opened the door shutting it quickly and running, skidding into a dark corner under one of the shelves. Dust flew everywhere and she couldn't help but sneeze.
The girl behind the counter looked in the direction of the sneeze with a frown and continued to stare in that direction, totally unmoving.
Final faintly heard the sneeze and glanced over her shoulder, but turned back around anyways to slowly lift her hand and take the ring, puzzled by the owners actions as she took a deep breath, a small smile crossing her features. Pushing back her long bangs, she held the ring close and looked back to where the woman was, still wondering just if she owner the shop, so she decided to ask.
"You are the owner here...right?" She felt foolish about this question, but had to ask, now that she knew the woman could talk.
The strange woman slowly turned back to Final with another hum. She blinked once. "I'm the Caretaker," she said, and nodded sharply. The stool creaked underneath her.
The girl cowered in the corner putting all her energy into not shaking or making more noise. She rubbed her eyes to remove the dust that had settled there and looked at the piercing eyes of the women behind the counter. Why was she so scary? Maybe the stories she had been told were true but surely they were just there to scare her? well it was working. She was terrified.
Final listened to her short response and knew that she should feel satisfied with that answer because she did speak, and in fact she was. Turning her head, she looked to see the girl that had entered while she was getting her ring, blinking once, as it was hard to make out the form from the way she blended into the shadows. Taking a deep breath she looked around at the empty shelves and moved a step away to look back to the new comer, "Hello..." she called out, keeping an eye on the owner as well as she got used to the atmosphere.
The Caretaker, perhaps emboldened by Final's example, also called out. "Hello! Are you a vegetarian?" she asked.
She froze for a second not moving, blinking nor breathing. She looked at the girl and then back at the strange women. She gulped and took a deep breath before speaking, "he...hel..hello.." She stuttered quietly still not moving out of the shadows. Her voice was soft and sounded reasonably calm apart from the stuttering. She was the total opposite to calm though. she still wasn't sure about the whole vegetarian thing though. She ate what she was given most of the time.
Resisting the urge to laugh at the comment and question the owner had, she seemed to warm up slightly in the atmosphere. Taking a deep breath, she gently brushed her hair away from her neck and looked towards the girl, "Are you alright?" She asked softly, wondering why the girl seemed to want to stay in the shadows.
The girl looked at the caretaker briefly and then back at the girl. "You have guts to come in here! I am alright thanks.. just.. nothing im fine thank you." She turned back to the caretaker and gulped before speaking, "Why did you want to know if I am a vegetarian?" She spoke even quieter now as she sounded alot younger then she actually was.
"Those pesky vegetarians," said the Caretaker, leaning back on her stool and crossing her arms. "They are always eating the iron rings on my curtains." She offered no explanation for this strange statement as she uncrossed her arms and reached down underneath the counter for something. A moment later her hand reappeared clutching a pack of pink bubblegum. She took one piece for herself and held the pack out for her guests.
"If you are not one of them you can have some chewie-gooey."
Final smiled softly and looked back towards the caretaker, gently grabbing a piece of gum and smiling some more, "I can assure you I am not one of them..." She turned back to look at the other girl and held out the pack, "Would you like some as well?"
She smiled for the first time and slowly pushed herself up from the corner, hitting her head on the shelf and catching a few cobwebs in her hair to add to the lovely street child image she already had. "I eat what ever is given to me most of the time. Meat is rare but I do love it!" She took one slowly and shoved it in her mouth before brushing some of the dust off her tatty clothes.
"Hm," hummed the Caretaker. She put the gum in her mouth and started to chew. Her face took on a thoughtful expression and she stared up at the ceiling. Her feet bounced back and forth against her creaky wooden stool.
*Psyren was walking around town when a shop, seemingly set into the background caught her eye. It...looked open, so she carefully opened the door, as a small bit of dust blew into her face, making her cought softly.
'Darned allergies!' she thought to herself as she fought to stop coughing.
Final chewed the gum softly in her mouth as she looked back to the ring in her hand, smiling to herself at the thought of it, and how cool it would be if it was a gift from the gods she so strongly believed in. Looking to the girl, she listened and realized that she wasnt as well off, and slowly a plan formed in her mind, "Hey...do you have anywhere to live?"
She was about to answer the girl when someone else entered. She looked a little scared and moved quickly to hide behind the girl with the ring whispering quietly a "no" hoping that this other person wasn't coming in to cart her off to some strange place to live.
The Caretaker continued chewing her gum. She seemed to be totally absorbed in her task and failed to notice when the door opened for the third time today. She just kept staring up at the ceiling and bouncing her feet.
Final seemed to sigh softly as she looked to the girl, and turned, looking into her eyes, "I live alone, but there is a lot of room in my house, if you would like to stay until you can get yourself back onto your feet, I would love for company." She smiled brightly, feeling bad for the girl and wanting to help her out.
Psyren waved the dust away, as her coughing spree finally slowed and stopped.
"Eh, I absolutely hate that." she muttered quietly, as she opened her eyes fully.
It was...dark. Perhaps that would be the way to explain it. Most unlike other shops she had been in, but..at the same time, it had a sort of aura about it that was inviting.
Closing the door behind her, she turned to the people within the room.
Bowing slightly, she apologized for her coughing.
'Gomen nasai. I'm quite sorry for the interruption.' she replied, straightening back up to look at the three people.
"I'm Psyren, and...what a unique shop you have here." she nodded, looking around a bit more, but not finding anything out for sale...
She looked up at her and her face lit up, "really?" This girl seemed unreal most people would send her to an orphanage or somewhere worse but she seemed to be really nice. She then looked back to the stranger though staying hidden behind the girl who's name she didn't know.
The Caretaker slowly brought her gaze away from the ceiling and looked over at Psyren. Her mouth was working overtime on the chewing gum. She fixed Psyren with a long stare. Then she brushed a few stray hairs from her ponytail over her shoulder in a nonchalant manner.
Nodding, Final giggled to herself and moved towards the door, nodding to the newest girl with a small smile, "Well, I must be going...though I will be back..." She looked towards the homeless one, "If you wish to see my house, feel free to come with, I have nothing much to do, just came to visit the town, and though my house is a good walk, it is spacious enough for you to be more than welcome."
She looked up at her and smiled, "oh thank you so much I would love to come!" She smiled and stood up properly. "Thank you!"
Psyren nodded.
'Well it was nice to meet both of you. ^^' she smiled, and directed it towards both girls, especially the smaller, frightened one.
'I hope to see you again, as well.' she grinned, moving away from the door, and turning her attention to the shopowner.
'You have a very nice shop here.' she added, looking around again.
'Has it been around very long? I don't remember seeing it the last time I walked through this area...' she inauired, curiously.
Nodding, Final moved towards the door once more, opening it and pausing as the light and the fresher air filtered in, though it didn't seem to lighten the shop. Turning to make sure the girl was following, she spoke up, "By the way, my name is Final..."
"Some time immemorial," said the Caretaker mysteriously, still staring at the ceiling. "Or maybe since last week." She gave a small shrug and began to blow a bubble. Slowly she exhaled, blowing her gum bigger and bigger until she had a bubble nearly as big as her face.
The girl looked up and smiled, "Hello Final! I have never really had a name. Always been yelled at to remove myself so have been calling myself Remove for ages!" She straightened up a little still slightly timid.
Final smiled, and nodded, looking back to the owner, "Well...thanks..." She said finally, and turned to walk outside, calling over her shoulder, "I hope to be able to visit again soon, well Remove, shall we?" And she was out the door.
The girl smiled and followed her out the shop giving the caretaker one last quick glance. She was a strange one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:07 am
Contemplating
As the sun slowly slinked down towards the western horizon, Final moved away from the small room in which she had just helped Remove get situated in her new room. The girl was something else, having lived on her own for so long justified her reactions usually. Small and mousy, Final knew it would be a lot of work to get her used to being around others. However, she did have hope, and in taking the young girl in, she knew she would have a lot of time and quite a bit of chances to help Remove open up in the end. Walking down the thin stairs, she ignored the squeak of the wood step as her socks moved easily over them, and she reached the bottom to turn and walk towards the kitchen to see if she could make any food for herself and the sleeping girl upstairs.
Settling herself in the chair, she snapped on the old oven and placed a large pot onto the flames. Her elbows rested upon the cool surface as her palms held her chin. Slowly, her mind clicked into action as it once again settled on the idea of the ring, and her recent travels to the strange blacksmith shop. She remembered the woman, how she seemed to never speak unless she really felt like it, and though she appeared to be wise, it was as if she hid her wisdom behind words of humor and random themes. Overall, the idea of the woman confused her beyond recognition, and she wanted nothing more than to just stay there until she answered questions. Another thought brushed her mind, reminding her of how the woman seemed to examine the ring with such interest, and than she just acted as if Final owned it the whole time.
"But I never did own it..." Final said softly, looking at the black shine the ring emitted, "...I wonder...just what is to come with you...are you really a gift from the gods, or a simple ring that will just be cold and lifeless..." She shook her head, noticing the water was boiling as she stood and quickly put in the noodles into the water, taking a wooden spoon to stir it until the boiling water was under control. Turning back to the ring she smiled.
"No...I know it, you are something special...you are a gift from the gods...I just know it..." Holding the ring close, she brushed its cool surface before turning, bringing her attention back to the water so she could finish the meal and tend to her new guest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:52 am
The Manifest The Avatar Forge Congratulations, your avatar has Manifested!  I cannot modify the post due to the forum migration but here are your new details: Alignment: neutral neutral Attribute: super dexterity Strong Point: independence Weak Point: charity Divine Powers: none yet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:53 am
The Child
It was something different, Final knew that the moment she heard the cry from the living room. As she walked quickly towards the crying, it seemed to grow in sound and clarity until she was standing by the door, and her eyes landed right on the form of a small child, a child that was sitting right where she had left the ring hours before. It took her a moment to react, and before Remove could come down to ask about it, she rushed over and picked the small child up, sitting in the soft couch and bouncing the baby on her lap slowly, cooing her into a silence as it slowly settled in.
Only hours before Final had been walking home with her new roommate, Remove, holding the dark ring in her hand, and now it seems as if the ring itself had changed into the small baby girl that was sitting in her lap, playing with her short hair. Moving up her hand, Final found herself brushing it across the baby's soft skin, though her short ponytail, across her cute cloths, as if memorizing the miracle in front of her. Her breath caught just as the two soft eyes looked up into her own, one black and the other soft lavender pink, and as the baby smiled up, Final couldn't help but smile back.
"So..." Final started with a soft coo and a small tickle to the baby's side, pausing to listen to the angelic laughter, "...you are the baby that came from this ring..." She trailed off and took notice of the ring, its small shimmering form resting on the child?s left forefinger. Taking the baby's hand, she played with her fingers but didn't dare move the ring, as if in her mind she already knew something bad would happen if she messed with it.
Standing up once more, Final made way towards the kitchen, thinking silently to herself as she kept a hold on the child. She sat the baby down in the chair and kept one eye on her as she went to get a drink, searching for a cup that would help the baby drink easier and turning to smile and wave to the gurgling baby as she played with the placemats.
"What should I name you..." She asked softly, moving back and helping her drink the water, putting it down and kneeling to push away the child's bangs. Just gazing into her eyes, Final was lost at words, but before she knew it, a name drifted into her head, and she bit her lip softly, knowing it was perfect.
"Well...Sjestaia...how about we go to town and get you some things..." Standing and picking Sjestaia up, she walked towards the stairs, ready to tell Remove and make her way to town to get prepared for a whole new experience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:47 am
Job Hunting and Independence
For many months the small town had expirenced all sides of the weather. Shifting from the cool nights of the fall, the trees lost all of their colored leaves, painting the ground with their markings as the winds helped bring forth a chill from the north. Over the leaves, a cold sheet of snow settled, a blanket that pushed all warmth away from many months of ice and darkness.
Yet, as always, the snow melted away, forming a bright spring for the inhabitants to come out and play, the flowers springing to bloom as the dew shone in the light. Warmth rolled across the ages and within a few months, summer was back and giving everyone a reason to spend their days outside in the bright light.
From her window, Okuda Takiko watched all of the seasons changes with a deep gaze. Always, her hands were full with her new daughter, more like a sister in her young eyes. Somehow, the small child had appeared from the black right Takiko discovered in the fall, and now resided in her small house to be taken care of and to grow into something special. From the first moment the teenage touched the deep colored ring, Takiko knew that her life was about to take a turn towards something great.
Now, with months of 'mother training' under her belt, the 17-year-old finally got her chance to get out and see the world, taking her now walking and talking toddler. Though the first few months were hard, things seemed to be shaping up, and Takiko had the feeling she could look for a job soon. Be she ready or not, it was time to get the means to support her family, her sister and her daughter all in one.
"You are doing great, Sweety..." A voice spoke brightly, filled with the sunlight that illuminated the street outside of the old shop. The shop was the same one where Takiko found her ring almost a year earlier, "Keep up the work, and look where you are going!" The last sentence was said with humor as the teen steered the toddler away from a bench and a man passing by. Flashing him a perky smile, she ignored her disheveled look and just made way to continue towards the bench ahead. In her hands were the smaller ones of Sjestaia, waddling along with the support of her adoptive mother.
It only took a moment of confidence for the small toddler to yank her hands out of the teens, and Takiko stood back to just grin at the girl while she slowly moved ahead, before pausing and going down to her backside. Settled there, Sjestaia turned her head to look to the side of one eye, her dark black one gazing the best it could at her big sister.
With her stride at ease, Takiko picked up Sjestaia with one quick movement and set the girl on her hip, a smile across her features before she looked around that the buildings on the street.
"Comeon, Taia. Let's go find Taki a place to work."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:23 pm
Meeting the Older Brother
The sun was just falling below the horizon when Takiko settled into her couch, having spent a nice long day searching for places to work. When at first she assumed that a job would be easy to find, she was surprised to find just how few openings there were in the small town. What jobs being offered were well out of her standards or just demanded too much of her 'Taia-Time'.
"Well, I guess tomorrow will just have to be another day, now won't it my dear..." She asked the young toddler softly, picking Sjestaia up from where she had been playing. Getting a cranky fuss in return, the teenager let out a warm laugh before grabbing the object of interest as well.
"Now now, here is bon-bon back," The creature was a small, fuzzy bunny that had long soft ears, and was all white. Right away, Sjestaia attached to the stuffed animal and refused to let go, clearly stating what was hers in the house. Taia always was one who attached to the objects presented to her, never letting go unless something bigger and better came along.
All Takiko could do was let out a short laugh, before a sudden knocking took place. Turning her head and brushing back her hair, the teen glanced to the clock as a spike of fear clenched her heart, "Who would come at this hour...and this far from town..." Glancing back towards Taia, Takiko gave her another toy (this time a nice fluffy sheep) to distract her before standing and brushing her long dress.
"Yes, yes, I am coming!" She called out, having to respond to a second bout of knocks that seemed more forced than the first. Each step she took seemed to cause her heart to race harder, her mind more worried for the youth behind her than her own life. It was well past nightfall, and Takiko usually put her daughter to sleep at this time. Being just a different day than before, the teen got caught up in playing a few games and the time just flew. Stopping a moment before the thick wooden boundary, Takiko closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she dismissed her past thoughts before reaching out to brush her fingertips across the knob.
All at once, the door slammed open and Takiko was forced back, sprawling towards the ground to land in a very ungraceful fall. Yet, at the last second possible, her wrists were clenched in a warm grip, and she was pulled forward in a sharp whoosh of air. Her body became encased in a warm hold, and she could only lift her chin slightly to make out the features of one Okuda Inoue.
"Inny!" The sharp whine escaped from her mouth before she could think, and suddenly she lifted her hands and shoved hard against his chest, "What are you doing here!" Her eyes were wide; clearly surprised at the fact he was on the doorstep and at such a late hour too. Catching her manners, she moved a step to the side and gripped her hand on the door, a sign for him to step in before she closed it behind him.
"What, is it so wrong for your big brother to miss you and want to spend time with you?" The question drifted through the room along with his eyes, his footsteps echoing as he explored the house, "Though I must say, this place is quite nice for it being your first home..." With that, he spun around with a cheeky grin, and took a few long strides back to stand before her. His smile shifted slightly as he looked at her, and it softened with his eyes at just how much his sister had indeed changed since their last meeting so long ago, "I am sorry it took me so long to come and visit."
The sister of the two, and the very much smaller one as well, simply just smiled in return before giving him a true hug, her anger for his barging in now forgotten. They were like that for a few moments still, until she pulled away and took a hold of his hand, "Come on, I would like you to meet someone very special to me."
His laughter was what followed, along with the raise of his brows and the glimmer in his eyes, "Special you say? I would like to meet them indeed, and make they are alright for my baby sister." With that said, he followed her through the kitchen and towards the small living room, the wood and carpet brushing their feet and her silence surrounding him and filling the house. Each step towards the room caused a sound of giggling to grow stronger, until suddenly a white sheep flew out to bounce before the door, and caused Takiko to stop.
It was silent once again for a long moment, before first a sniffle was heard, and than a large wail. Inoue felt his hand released as his sister rushed over to pick up the sheep, and turn nervously towards the side before walking and letting out a soothing tone.
"Don't worry Taia, Sheepy is right here, please don't cry. Everything is alright..." She settled onto her knees and danced the fluffy toy before the child, until two hands reached out and snatched the toy away. Inoue was almost afraid to walk into the room. Each step closer caused him to let out a nervous chuckle, until suddenly he was leaning through the doorframe and looking with wide eyes right at his sister. A cough sounded at the sight of the baby, and he lost balance before falling roughly over and landing face-first in the carpets before him.
Laughter met his fall, not from his sister but from the child who seemed to have forgotten the sheep, as always. A new toy had suddenly appeared for her claiming, in the form of a very tall human before her.
"Inoue!" Takiko screeched, surprised as well before rushing on hands and knees to his side. Helping him sit up, she examined his head before his hands pushed her prying ones away, and he got a better look at the toddler. She just gazed right back with those bi-colored eyes, before they narrowed and a childish smirk crossed her features slightly.
"I am so sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t think you would react that way," Takiko said with a slight sob in her voice, clearly assuming the worst from the silence of her older brother, "Sjestaia is something magical, she came from a ring and when I took care of it and believed, the gods blessed me in the form of this girl, they gave me someone to care for and love. They gave me love in return!" Her sentence was babbled out, clearly an act to explain it all in one breath as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. However, she was cut off as the one she spoke too suddenly crawled over towards the toddler, his legs crossing while he just sent Taia a very goofy smile.
His hands reached to the side of the girl before lifting her up slowly, the memories of his youth with Takiko flooding back while his grin still etched across his features. When he brought the girl face-to-face, she reached out and grabbed both of his ears, tugging harshly only to bring out a very jovial laugh.
She was settled in his lap when Takiko moved to his side, her face holding a smile as well. No more words were spoken between them at that moment, the only sounds the light baby chatter between the three as the night grew on, until Takiko moved to show Inoue his room and put the child to bed. As the door closed behind Takiko, and she checked the cradle once more to make sure Sjestaia was asleep, she failed to notice the slight glimmer, a perfect diamond shining from the moonlight.
The next morning however, the search would begin, for if Inoue loved one thing, it was the diamond earring he never took off, the earring that was currently resting under the pillow of the slumbering avatar youth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:34 pm
The Morning Hunt The next morning Takiko was woken with a sharp howl, and than the sounds of a toddler screaming at the fact of being awakened. Sitting up slowly with a confused gaze, she was only given a moment to think things over until a loud slam was heard. Something had fallen over.
Rolling out from under the covers, the teenager quickly pulled on some breeches and got on a clean shirt. Leaving her hair down, she stood and stretched her arms high before moving towards the door and out of the room. All that sounded now was the crying of Taia still, the downstairs scene unheeded as Takiko moved into the small room.
"Hush now Taia, everything will be alright..." Picking her up, she rocked and cooed to the toddler until both eyes closed shut in a soft slumber, and Takiko was able to put her to bed once more. Turning to walk out the door, she paused at the entrance and just listened silently, watching and waiting for any more noise.
"God Dam-" The curse was cut off by another loud crash, and Takiko rushed down the stairs towards the living room, only to be met by the couch being turned upside down and a flustered Inoue digging underneath it.
"What are you doing?!" She cried out in a rush, moving over to check and make sure the couch was in tact, ignoring any injuries the elder might have taken, "My couch! You're here one night and already my house is being torn apart!" Moving away from the couch, she grabbed her brother's ear and tugged him hard, ignoring his hiss of pain.
"I'll ask again...What. Are. You. Doing?"
"God Takiko, let off for a second!" He shouted, pushing her away, "It's my earring, I can't find it anywhere!"
"Your diamond earring?" She asked curiously, her anger gone for the time being, "When did you last have it on?" Moving to sit on the couch, she settled down the best she could and just looked at Inoue, who was currently rubbing his bruised ear as well as his bruised ego.
"I had it on when I came here, in fact I don't remember taking it off..." Lowering his head, he dug into the cushions again and let out a frustrated groan.
"But Inny..." Takiko chimed softly, "You didn't have it on last night at dinner...oh dear..." when he looked at her with a murderous glare, she just huffed lightly and turned around. They needed to search, because that earring had been from his old boss, a man that was like an uncle to them both, and currently was not alive.
"It has to be here somewhere!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:43 pm
Sibling Love
It took awhile for Takiko to get used to seeing her brother so much, but after about two weeks, it clicked. She felt like she was home again, always waking up before him and sleeping before him, but his presence was there. Inoue always loved to party, being a night owl and not waking until past one the next day. Thankfully, Takiko knew that Sjestaia could sleep well through the night, or else she was sure she would get an earful from her brother every single day.
Today, the teen had been surprised by the scent of a meal upon her awakening, and had to check her clock quickly in a skeptic manor. Quickly getting dressed, she rushed to pick up the awakening Sjestaia before moving down the steps with a keen eye. At the last step, she turned and walked into the kitchen, her eyes widening at the sight before her.
Inoue had baked a whole stack of pancakes, and currently was drenching his pile with warm syrup. Her mouth starting to water, the teen placed the toddler into her high chair before taking a look at the feast before her.
"Wow!" She finally cooed out, lifting a fork and stacking her own pile on the plate before her. Taking one off the top, she settled to cut small pieces out for the toddler, and lightly put syrup all over both the plates.
"I thought for once, I would surprise you, and this is the least I can do for your kindness in letting me stay here," The male said, softly smiling to his sister before turning towards Sjestaia and tickling her while she was distracted. Takiko, just watching the two with a warm eye, leaned back in her chair for but a moment until she felt her stomach ache, and dug into her meal. It was times like these that she was happy to have her daughter, as well as her brother living by her side. Everything, all of her hardships to get this far, were suddenly worth it. In her mind, this was all that mattered.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:23 pm
Meetings in the Sandbox
[A Compiled Shop RP with Remove]Violet had found somewhere, away from the shop where she first got this strange object, a bangle that wouldn't fit! She chuckled a little before putting it away, she played with it far too much, as if it had some sort of hold on her.
She had found a small park, benches dotted about here and there, this is where she spent most of her time now. It was a lovely place to relax and not many seemed to walk through here.
She got the purple bangle out again and started to play with it again. What else had she to do?
Not too far down from the park, a figure sat brushed the sands with another. They were playing in the sandbox, something the toddler still loved to do dispite how much she was growing still. Takiko had a feeling that, soon enough, the strange diety-like girl would have another growth spurt, and would become an even bigger part of her life.
Looking up to the sky above, Takiko leaned back and left the toddler to play alone for a moment, just thinking over the past few weeks and the new members of the family who were currently in her home. Her brother, a new nephew and now she had a few pets, everything was just getting smaller and smaller in that house.
But worst of all, she needed a job.
Getting up she walked through the park and then past where the mother and daughter were playing. She dropped her bangle accidently before leaning over to pick it up. It was then she noticed the girl in the sand box.
She had seen her before with her mother in the shop when she had recieved her bangle. "Hello there little one!" She smiled and kneeled down by the little girl, putting the bangle into her pocket.
Turning her head, her hands caught in mid lift as the youth blinked silently at the elder girl. Gaping slightly in her childish way, Taia tilted her head as well before her bi-colored eyes caught sight of the bangle.
When it was pushed into the pocket, the todder's face fell into a tight frown, before her first and favorate word sunk out of her mouth.
"Mine!" And with that, she moved to grab out to where the stranger was, before Takiko saw what was going on and quickly diverted the child's attention by picking her up.
Violet smiled and got the bracelet out again, "Here she can look at it if she wants." The girl smiled, she adored children so this was definatly something she would like to do, give the child something to play with, maybe even keep it. The bracelet didn't fit her nor be any use so why not give it to someone who wants it?
"She is such a lovely girl. You must be so happy!" That was all she really had to say, she was too busy admiring the toddler.
As soon as Violet offered the bracelet, Taia grabbed out for it with a quick squirm. However, Takiko pulled her back and let out a soft sigh, seeing the quick hissy fit that was about to ensue.
"Actually...it would be better if that didn't happen, Taia has a tendency of keeping things she is attached to and hiding them somewhere I don't even know of...so it is better to just wait until she finds something else, and endure the crying that I am sure will happen right about-"
As soon as her words trailed off, she was caught with a soft wail before more squirming and scratching took place, the baby set on getting what she wanted no matter what the cost. Since she had issues with the bigger mother, she could only cry her way through it until she got older and learned new techniques.
Violet looked a little confused but just nodded.
"She could have it if she wanted, I mean, a bracelet that doesn't fit isn't very useful to me. It might fit her." She watched the little one crying, which tugged at her heart, she would be a rubbish mother, purely because she would hate having her child crying so much.
Distracted for a moment, Takiko glanced up to where Violet was and blinked at the offer, her sense of Dejavu taking over for a moment.
"...my ring never fit either..." Soft musing caught the child off gaurd, and Taia stopped her crying as if she knew just what Takiko was really speaking of. At once, her chubby fingers gripped the ring as well, before looking back to her mother.
"Really, it would be too much, and Taia already has enough nice stuff...you should keep it..."
She looked confused again.
"You had a ring?" She wasn't sure whether or not she was suppose to hear the words, but she did. She was curious. She still found this bangle thing rather uninteresting and somewhat boring.
"Oh, ok, maybe I could give her a gift some other time." She smiled and looked at the bracelet again.
Takiko jumped at the question, and blinked once more up to the girl before her.
"Oh well, I still do, it is just...Taia has it now, it really belonged to her. You see, after I found the ring...well she..." Trailing off with a soft laugh, Takiko settled Taia down on in the sand and moved to stand, brushing her pants clean.
"You probably would think it silly...but Taia found me." Sending a soft smile to violet with a seepish blush, she turned to look up to the clouded sky.
She sat down, playing with the bracelet a little before putting it down in front of her. "Please explain that to me, i would be interested in hearing the story."
She pushed her hand through her hair and settled down to get comfortable so she could listen.
"It is quite a long story, one that is hard to tell in one sitting...but I could give you the simple summary, if you last through that..." A nervous chuckle sounded from Takiko's lips as she blushed slightly, "Please forgive me ahead of time...only my brother believes the so-called fairytale..."
And with that, she settled in the grass beside the sandbox, just looking to the sky for a long moment with a contemplative expression.
"I would say it was a year and a half back, possibly a little longer, when I ran across a strange dusty shop..."
She nodded, "I will listen, then decide whether to believe." She was being honest, she couldn't believe beforehand now could she?
She listened, this is what she needed to know, so it made sense for her to listen, to try and understand what happened to thie girl here.
Just silenced for a moment, a slow smile once more crept across Takiko's features, her whistful gaze starring in the distance she she pictured the events one step at a time.
"I had appeared in there a few times before, and always no one seemed to be around. It almost was abondened, until the day I ran across this strange, ebony ring. It all but glowed before my eyes, and I couldn't help but be drawn to it, until I found myself taking it home. When I returned a few days later, I met a girl, but she insisted I keep it, saying great things were only to come..."
Pausing to wet her lips, she closed her eyes before continuing on, "I always knew myself as a dreamer, so every day I prayed that something great would come from the ring. Dreams of it being of the gods filtered my nights, until one day I went downstairs only to hear a shrill crying. The gods had heard my prayers, and they blessed me with Taia, my beautiful little girl..."
As she said this, the child had crawled to where Violet set down the bracelet, and all at once attempted to hide it in her clothing. A good ways away when she attempted this, the child just blinked innocently towards Takiko, having assumed the 'I'm not doing anything' pose.
She listened, confused but interested. "You think this bracelet might be special then?" She looked down to where she had put it but smiled at the girl instead, it was probably in her pocket.
She thought about it a bit, strange things could happen and this girl didn't look like her mother, so maybe? "I.. I think I believe your story. I do hope it can come true for me. That would be nifty." She chuckled a little and looked at Taia again. She was so pretty, Violet had always wanted children. She wasn't sure how her brother would react though.
Shrugging seepishly, Takiko looked to where Taia was with a thoughtful glance, before once more turning her attention back upon the girl.
"There is always the chance...but I guess the only determination is if you believe in the gods..." Sighing, she picked up the toddler so Taia was standing, before brushing off the sands that were on the girl's clothing. Not feeling out the bracelet, for it was quite small as of yet, she just passed right over it much to the pleasure of the young child.
"I apoligize Violet, for it is getting late, but maybe we could meet again? I would enjoy someone else to spend time with besides my fool of a brother." Turning her smile up a bit, she moved to pull out a spare scrap paper on the back of her grocery list, digging around for a small pencil as well she had used to cross the items off.
"Here is my address, if you ever would like to come over, you are more than welcome!"
She listened and nodded, she would have to do some reading.
"OH I would love to!" She took the paper happily and smiled, "Thank you very much for the story and everything. I shall hopefully come over at some point! Thank you!" She chuckled a little, smiling happily before turning and rushing off a little.
She wanted to go home and read and believe and examine the bracelet some more.
Watching as the other turned and rushed away, Takiko picked up Taia and just looked silently at the child before you.
"You my dear, are in dire need of a nice bath...lets head on home..." And with that she walked off, the child in her arms holding a very content smirk that Takiko failed to take note of. Had she done so, she might have realized just what was up, but alas that would be an event to be discovered for another day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:24 pm
Frustrations "Oh no, it's gone!"
Takiko couldn't believe it; for once again the thief had struck at the worst of times. Waking up to finding your necklace missing was not a way to start your day, and she knew just how her brother had felt a few weeks prior. It had become apparent when she went into the shower, only to reach behind her neck to find no clasp. Searching all over the bathroom and her bedroom, she spent so long that the water grew cold, and was thus forgotten.
Inoue was out of the house, having gone to get some food to avoid the woman's frantic search. He only left her with a fleeting word of advice, 'all would work out in time', before rushing away from the flying pillows of frustration.
It was almost impossible for the item to go missing, however it had happened and Takiko was having a panic attack. The earring Inoue had gotten from their 'uncle' was part of a set, for during the purchase Takiko also gained a small golden chain with a diamond hanging at the bottom. It fit perfectly, the glimmering stone falling right in the hollow of her neck as the rest was easy to place on. And now it was gone, the last physical memory she had of her uncle disappearing with the diamond.
Stomping downstairs, she just let out an angry groan, heeding the fact that Taia was still upstairs sleeping, before flopping on the couch and pulling on her hair. Lifting her arms up, they fell to each side of her, one catching at the top of the couch while the other just held downward, a clear sign of defeat playing on her figure.
"Oh of all the things to lose..." She whimpered out to herself, hearing the jingling of the knob signaling Inoue had returned. Sitting up a moment, she just placed her hands over her face, before her breath froze. Slowly pulling the appendages away, she looked over each finger until a real scream echoed through the house.
"Where is my ring!?"
And so, a new search began, for not only was her precious necklace gone, but now was her grandmother's emerald ring. Today just wasn't her day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:08 pm
First Step Towards Discovery
[A PRP with Remove]The night grew young as Takiko settled within the kitchen, reminding herself of earlier that week when she met the other girl, Violet. A smile crossed her features at the idea, and she just looked back to the meal soon after. It all felt like it was slipping into place, her brother was home and she had a new friend to spend her time in the town with when he just got to be too much.
That and Taia seemed quite content and well behaived these past few days. Thinking nothing else on the matter, the teen finished with the soup and went to check on the chicken, readying a nice feast to end an amazing week.
Upstairs, Taia was slumbering away in her crib, the four mysterious stolen items all tucked safely underneath the pillow to hopefully never be discovered until she found her own better hiding place.
Violet was in a panic. She had spent all the time looking or researching fo her bracelet, then it clicked.
Taia.
She rushed to get her coat shouting at her brother as she rushed out the door and down the street, a piece of paper in her hand. She looked at each house quickly but the one she wanted was easy to find.
She ran up the path and knocked on the door a few times,
"Please be in, please be in, oh please!" She was pratically begging at the door, she wanted her bracelet back, it had been stolen and she wanted it back now.
Hazel gray eyes snapped in the direction of the sounds as they made way through the house. Waiting a moment to see if her brother would answer, Takiko just let out a frustrated sigh soon after.
"Thank you Inny!" She called out harshly, before setting down her food and closing the oven, "I'm coming, I'm coming!"
With that, she moved across the way and to the door, unlocking the thick bolt before opening it with a wide eyed gaze, "Violet...is something wrong?" It only took one look at the flustered girl for Takiko to know the answer.
"Please, come in."
e walked in and looked around, hoping she might see the bracelet somewhere. She turned quickly though, "My bracelet.. I think Taia has it." She didn't want to accuse the toddler but she had looked so many times to try and find it.
"I am sorry for saying she has.. I just can't find it and I know what you said about her liking things... and then.. oh I am sorry." She stopped talking and looked at her feet feeling very silly.
Closing the door behind them, Takiko just leaned against it slowly and glanced to a figure that walked through the far hall and to the kitchen. At least her brother could do something right, and helping finish the dinner worked fine. Looking back to Violet, she couldn't help the smile that crossed her face at her antics, though it soon turned into a frown.
"Why am I not surprised..." She mumbled lowly, before rolling her eyes and pulling a hand through her hair, "I love that girl to death, but she just really loves her shiny things...so I don't blame you for coming to me..." Trailing off, she glanced towards the stairs and wondered if the toddler was still asleep or no.
She nodded, "I wouldn't have minded but when thinking about your story, I just couldn't help wonder, I mean, what if?" She looked helpless and rather distraught, not quite understanding what was going on or what she was really doing about it. She had done her research, hadn't told her brother for he cared little about her.
She wanted a child so badly, she wasn't going to let a chance slip away.
Takiko forgot about Taia for just a moment, and just looked at where Violet stood. Smiling softly, she brushed a hand once more through her hair and let out a warm laugh.
"So you really do believe..." Looking down a moment, she got caught before shaking her head and moving to the stairs, "Come on, her room is right upstairs...that would be the only place for her to hide such a treasure, she doesn't have full reign anywhere else..."
Violet nodded and looked up at her, forcing a smile onto her face before following up the stairs to hopefully find the bracelet she was desperatly looking for.
With each step closer to the room, Takiko just had to wonder if indeed her child was a theif, though somehow she already knew the grim answer. For when her hand touched the knob, behind the closed door a child quickly placed the bracelet back underneath her pillow and fell back into her sleeping position.
A creak sounded in the room while Takiko opened the door, and light streamed to the small crib. Looking in with a solid gaze, the teen moved to go further and check on the child.
"Taia...Taia darling get up..." With that, she picked up the 'drowzy' toddler and settled her in her arms.
Violet moved carefully behind her, not wanting to move too quickly, or too slowly but she was slightly nervous. What if she had it all wrong? What if the bracelet was still at home somewhere?
She just watched, not saying anything, lingering in the doorway.
Lifting the child up, Takiko just looked at her a moment before letting out a mix of a laugh and a sigh. She saw those eyes open slightly to peak through. And with that she held the toddler with one hand and moved towards the crib with the other.
"I figure the only place it could be is here...under the covers or something..." And with that she started with her right hand to search the covers, ignoring the suddenly fussy child that sat in her other hand.
It was when she went under the pillow that everything stilled, her hand touching a small object that should not have been there in the first place.
Violet watched the toddler this time and the fuss she kicked up. It made her even more suspicious.
She did turn her attention to the toddlers mother for a while and when her hand stilled she stared. "Is it?" She wanted to know, she needed to know.
Pulling out the item, she blinked a moment before setting Taia down with a cold air. Back still turned to Violet, she hoarsly called out in the slight darkness.
"Could you turn on a light please?" With that she just starred at the item, disbeliving that a toddler would do such a thing though silenly understanding that the girl had no idea it was wrong, yet.
With that she turned, and opened her hand to show the bracelet sitting there, smooth still dispite how her hand was starting to shake.
Violet did as asked. Turning the light on she looked back seeing her bracelet. She didn't ask for it back, she couldn't even start to know what the girl was feeling.
She just stood there looking at the two of them and the bracelet, her bracelet, she had it back, or would soon.
Her heart was starting to calm down now, her imagenation flying, she could have her own child now, her own daughter or maybe a son, oh she couldn't wait.
After spending a good minute looking at the bracelet, Takiko quickly set the thing in Violet's arms, not sure if she even grabbed it. Turning back towards Taia, she blinked at the girl, slowly inhailing. Letting it all out from her nose, she shook her head and moved towards the door.
"Taia needs to sleep some more..." A soft whisper, she moved to pass Violet, and paused when they were shoulder to shoulder, "I'm sorry for what Sjestaia has done...and for all the inconvience it has caused, I do hope you can forgive her one day...but I can't say she didn't mean it, for she knew exactly what she was doing..."
Leaving it at that, she moved to stand by the door, and held it for Violet as she waited for her to leave the bedroom.
Violet nodded. "Thank You." She smiled and walked out, happy to have the bracelet back in her hand, at last, her bracelet and the chance that it might be a child.
"I can forgive her, if she knew what she was doing or not, she is still a child, they have to do wrong to do right sometimes." At least she had anyway. She smiled and looked down at the bracelet before holding it close to her chest.
Walking down the stairs, she glanced towards the kitchen to see dinner already ready, and let out another sigh.
"It seems my dinner is ready...I wish I could offer you some, but there is only enough for myself and my brother..." Her voice still soft, she was stunned at the revelation, and was currently thinking of other things that had gone missing. Her ring, her necklace, Inny's earring, were they all a part of Taia's collection?
Moving to the door, she gripped the handle before smiling softly once again, "Please come back again, we can have lunch sometime...and if you are blessed, I would love to see a new face in these parts as well. I just know it now, that bracelet is something special alright."
She smiled, "Its fine really, I would like to go home and, pray I guess." She chuckled and put her arms around Takiko giving her a hug.
"Thank you, for everything and I shall see you soon I hope!" She smiled and walked out the door, maybe now, maybe she would have the child she wanted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:44 pm
[Q] Lessons that Must be Taught to be Learned [Q] She couldn't believe it, even after a good night's rest Takiko couldn't believe that Taia had indeed stolen such a precious item. Sure the shiny earring was something that made sense, but for the bracelet to be taken just blew the teen’s mind away. All in all, the grim weight that fell on Takiko’s shoulders only meant one thing, clearly everything would not be as cracked up as it seemed.
"Taki..." A soft voice cooed, and Inoue walked slowly into her room, closing the door softly behind him, "Look, I don't blame her, and neither should you...she is only a child..." He moved to her side and settled right there, swinging his arm over her shoulders and just pulling her to lean next to him.
Turning her head to his side, she was happy once more that he now lived in her house, his support something great. Him just being in the room made her feel like all he told was right, and everything would go back to old times where she was blissfully unaware. And yet she knew, for once more that deep down feeling sprung to life, that everything was not okay, and now was when it would all change. Taia was something special, but in the end she seemed to be special for the wrong reasons.
"Inny...Taia knew what she was doing...when I saw it in her eyes and when she always fussed while I searched her bed. She knew that she had something bad under that pillow, and that she was doing something wrong...and yet she still did it for her own gain...for her own collection."
Moving to stand not a second later, Takiko made a break for the door, but right as she took the first step she paused once more, and just turned back into her brother's waiting arms. Holding him around the waist in a needy hug, she expressed her wish to forever be secure silently, her actions speaking so much louder than words ever could.
"So she knew...at least now we wont be surprised if it happens again...Taki, we need to learn from these kinds of things, not hide from them."
Pulling away, he paused and than smiled warmly once more, "If you hide and condemn her actions, Taia will grow bitter, but if you work now to do the right things, you can help her grow to a stronger person..." Trailing off, he watched as she raised her eyes, the hazel color brightening softly until that same old smile crossed her features. He was right, and she knew it, and thus his job was done, "Go Taki; go teach her the right thing to do in these kinds of situations."
Lifting her spirits, he turned her form and pushed her towards the door, just waiting behind her as a clear sign that it was her turn to fix things for a change, and that she had to do it alone. The door closing behind her, Takiko knew he would wait a bit and probably fall asleep, though once again he showed her that he could be the big brother any would want.
Scampering down the hallway with short steps, she paused at the door like always, before slowly pushing the knob open. A creak sounded long in the silent hallway before she stuck her face in and saw the toddler. Taia was just sitting there, clearly having moved her pillow before remembering nothing was there. Letting out a soft sigh, Takiko moved the rest of the way in before grabbing Sheepy from the side-stand. The stuffed toy brushed her hands with soft fluff before she settled it down in the crib.
"Taia...I know you can’t quite understand me just yet, but I want you to know that what you did was wrong. As much as you love the shiny and the gold, it is not yours; it is not your Sheepy..."
Taia blinked up at her 'mother' with bi-colored eyes before gripping the sheep that was spoken about. Holding it close, she wondered what Takiko was talking about, though seemed to comprehend from her tone that it was in fact quite serious.
"That's right, Sheepy belongs to you, but my ring," She lifted the once stolen good, and than lifted her necklace from her neck, "and my necklace belong to me. Just like you don't wish for your Sheepy to be taken away, it hurts for my gifts to be taken away, for they are near and dear to me."
Moving to tuck Taia in, she just smiled as the girl yawned, "Please remember this conversation if you can, remember that while you may like something, stealing it is not the answer…and it hurts those around you..." Leaning down, she kissed the child softly on the forehead before walking to the door. Looking back one last time for the night, she closed the door and leaned against it while in the hall. A sigh echoed while a smile crossed her face.
Inoue moved in on her a few minutes later, clearly hearing that the door had closed. Waving a hand in front of the dreaming sister, she caught it before a soft laugh erupted from each.
"I take it that it worked than?" He asked in a low murmur, heeding the slumbering child in the room beside them.
She brushed past him at that, still holding his hand as they moved down the stairs. Walking step after step, they went down past the living room and to the kitchen. By than, they were far enough that Taia would not be disturbed, and thus Takiko moved and settled down in her seat.
"Oh Inny...had she understood, I think she might have learned something today!" Laughing again at that, Takiko deep down decided that her speech helped, and in the future things would always be worked out like that.
"You know Taki...I think she can understand...and right now she knows next time, she won't steal unless she needs to and it won't hurt anyone. Taia is a smart girl."
And indeed, she was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:58 pm
The Neophyte The Avatar Forge ninja It looks like someone got bored of being small: 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
