|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:01 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~a few days later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The clip-clop of hooves was heard as Aosagi rode up to the stables on Toto, with the patron Kibakichi sitting sidesaddle in front of her, partly supported by one arm she had slung around his shoulders.
The stable master was glad she made it back with the injured man, hoping he could recover to full health again after the grueling fall he had just half an hour earlier at the target range.
She had looked out for a rescue party heading their way, as she had sent the other horse, Gigi, ahead with a message scratched into her saddle... and frowned as she saw the sorrel mare standing in the yard of the stables, alone.
Where are all the people?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:43 pm
I look around and then turn my back to where I could see her out of the corner of my eye and I say. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:03 am
"No, Kibakichi-san, it is me who should be sorry. If I had not shown off that stupid trick this all would not have happened in the first place... here we are." Amaya stopped Toto in front of the living-quarters and gave the command for him to kneel again. The stallion obeyed, tossing his head as it was quite uncomfortable for him. She slipped from the saddle and held her hands out to help the injured man off the horse.
"Here, take my hands..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:53 pm
I push her hands away. I was embarassed at myself. I said. No. I'm fine. I tryed to do better than you and got what I deserved. I throw my leg over and I fell to the ground. I picked myself up using my elbows, coling my legs benaeth me, I lifted myself up of the ground. I stood straight, tall, and proud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:27 am
Amaya watched him pick himself painfully up from the ground with a dubious expression on her face, thinking:
Hálfvíti! Men and their foolish pride. Aloud, she said:
"Please come inside, Kibakichi-san and rest for a while, I will get you a rikhshaw to bring you home." She held the door open for the patron, motioning for Toto, who just got up from his knees with an loud chortle, to stay in the vicinity.
((Hálfvíti: icelandic for Idiot.))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:55 am
My eyes sadden at the word Home. I walk slowly and painfully over to the door, and say to her sadly, as a hiss comes from the armor-like bandages as they contsrict. I have no home, but I appresheate the offer. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:22 am
"Oh..." The stable-master flinched a little at the blunder she made. "I'm sorry to hear that. Well, if there is no other place you would rather go, I can offer you to stay here until you are well again."
She led him through the hall into the living room and motioned for him to sit down on the long bench near the dining table that also functioned as an operating table when needed, then went to retrieve some bedding from the linen closet upstairs.
After she had made the bed, she turned to the patron again.
"If you want to freshen up a bit, the bathroom is upstairs... but you can also use the sink in the kitchen. Do you need anything else? If not I will go tend to the horses..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:56 pm
It's okay, and thank you for allowing me to stay here. I say and I walk inside and slowly sit down on the bench. I say to her as she dissapeared down the hall. I will pay my debt to you, believe me. But it is nice to know where you come from, though. Until my hands are healed I don't how much use to you I'll be, but I will do whatever you ask to the best of my ability.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:38 am
"First you must heal... all other things can wait." Amaya said over her shoulder, then went to gather the horses in the courtyard. Half an hour later she had put the tack off of them, brushed them down, seen to their food and water and slipped them some rusk, patting each on their glossy neck.
"Thank you guys..."
She cleaned the snaffle-bits and hung up the bridles in the saddle chamber, putting Toto's saddle on the rack. Gigi's she brought back to the main-house to try and get the scratched message out of the leather later on. She put it over the back of a chair, then went to make tea and a small snack for her and Kibakichi.
When she was done, she set the tray with the tea and some sandwiches down on the table. Pouring him some, she glanced him over.
"Do you think you can hold the cup with your sprained wrists or do you need help?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:42 am
I turn, head over to the table, and sat down in a chair opposite to her. In a pure display of willpower and my high tolerance of pain, I grab the cup a take a drink from it, and in a very traditional manner. I see on the saddle Amaya brought in, a message, scratched into the leather. I look at the saddle and then to her and say. You don't need to worry about me be completely healed first. I have been in worse shape, and have fought in battles with injuries worse than this. I'm not bragging, I'm just being honest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:12 am
Amaya finished her sandwich, then took a sip of tea. Setting the cup down, she said:
"I have seen the scars on you, and I believe you, but there is no reason to risk a permanently stiffened joint. Alas, if you are absolutely determined to give me some sort of payback, I might have a proposition for you."
She took another sip of tea and leaned back in her chair a bit.
"Right now I have Yuriko as a stable maid, but there is an open position for another. We don't have many patrons at the moment, so I could not pay you much, but you would live with us, here. You could have a home. What do you think?" She studied his face, waiting for a reaction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:43 am
I nod to her and listen to her proposition. After she finishes I think about it for a while and loudly pop my wrists, releveing some of the stiffness. I smile and I say. I accept.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:33 am
The stable master winced visibly at the sound of his wrists popping, then smiled back at him and held out her right hand for him to shake in the kōmōjin-fashion.
"Welcome aboard, then."
((kōmōjin: "Red-haired people", foreigners. Note that Amaya is a hāfu, a half-breed, and has reddish-brown hair.))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:56 pm
I slowly rise to my feet. I pull off the bandages and my fighting glove, and extend my tan, calous, strong but gentle hand. I hesently grab her hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 3:17 am
Rising also, Amaya took his hand, briefly coiling her finger to give it a gentle squeeze, almost imperceptible, as not to hurt him more. She smirked at the stark contrast between her skin and his, then let go of his hand again. She could not develop a tan if her life depended on it.
"Alright, it is settled, then." Sitting down again, she first pointed at the sandwiches and then at his discarded bandages.
"Let us finish our meal. After that, I will prepare a poultice that will help heal your bruises and bandage your hands again, if you allow me to."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
