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 Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:40 am
While she was indeed listening, Lumine's innermost thoughts couldn't help but wander to the young Shinigami in the room over. Hanari seemed to be sleeping so soundly, so peacefully. Could she be dreaming again?
The Celestial had begun to eat as well while Michiko explained the history behind her mark, starting with a mouthful of bread. It was soft and fresh, with a hint of sweetness. Michiko's cooking was amazing! However, before she could indulge any further, it soon became her turn to speak. Naturally, she cleared her mouth of food with a sip of water before continuing the conversation; it was only polite, after all. "She was against it, huh? Because you were so young, I guess?"
A thought occurred to her as she set up cup back down. "Hey, that mark proves you're like...the last of the Rouki, right? Doesn't that entitle you to anything in the village?" She leaned her elbow on the table and in turn, rested her chin in the palm her of hand. "From the way those guards acted, your father's family must have been very important at one time. Have you ever thought about going back and like...starting a family or something, to continue the bloodline?" Thinking for a moment, she added, "Wait, are you the last of the Kazuko bloodline, too? I never heard Master Kazuko talk about having any other family, like brothers or sisters or anything... Come to think of it, she never really talked about herself at all..."
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:53 am
"Yes. I was far to young to, in her words, 'know what I was doing', and she apparently thought that I would end up regretting my decision when I was older," Michiko said,"You know how it is: These are permanent." She sipped some water herself, "In the end I did what I pleased, I suppose, and got the mark made, with my father permittion of course, since it was needed for that particilar pattern, since it was a family seal."
"Ah... I haven't, I guess its a bit selfish. The Rouki family was one of the oldest clans in the village, one of the longest most successful, rather," Michiko explained to Lumine,"I am the last Rouki but I have never believed in the tengu ideas of family aristorcracy and the like, Never indulged in the idea of love or family." She titled her head at Lumine."Oh I suppose you didn't know then."
"My mother was from a poor family of woodcutters. She earned a scholarship to the academy through her bravery as a young child during a youkai attack. She came from no clan, no riches, she made a name of her own. I in other words would be the one and last Kazuko as well." The though she hadn't thought of before...
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:59 am
"Well, you shouldn't have to then!" Lumine said in response, skewering a piece of food with her fork. "I mean, family and stuff is important; yeah, but it shouldn't decide who you're gonna be in life. That's... that's what I tried to teach Maemi..."
She stuffed her forkful into her mouth, and chewed in contemplative silence. So, Seijin was a normal girl when she was growing up..? This sparked a new found respect for the old Wolf in Lumine's mind. "...That's really cool, ya'know? About Master Kazuko, I mean. I bet'cha that's why she was always so kind and considerate: She didn't have all the traditions, family and associated politics looming over her shoulder that would corrupt her honor. She was still...y'know...like everyone else deep inside. It let her be herself, whereas a lot of the others at the academy were probably bound by their family's strict codes and traditions." Another sip, and she continued, "Hehe, I know a thing or two about Tengu, too! I did live with them for a long time, even if I was a... you know..."
"Anyway, if you don't wanna start a family or nothing, that's fine too!" Lumine said reassuringly, detecting a bit of uneasiness in Michiko's expression. "With me and Ochiba around, we can be your family! Right, Bunny-Sensei?" She shot a glance to the old Rabbit, a bright smile on her face. "It doesn't matter if you're the last whatever, ya'know? You're just you. And besides, I doubt there will ever be another 'Mayflower', haha..! And Bunny-Sensei looks too much like a kid to start a family~"
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 3:13 pm
"Mhm, my mother was brought up with humble traditions, and even when she respected the politics of the tengu society, she was known for being quiet... Blunt, when need be,"Michiko nodded, taking the time to take a bite out of her breakfast," She was antagonized for the time she told off Kenkaku-sama. As a matter of fact, she got in real trouble for that one, but since she knew the law backwards and forwards it was easy to defend herself in the case." The wolf stopped to add pensively,"An acquantaince of mine, one who used to come often, told me that story, and even in their eyes I could see the glint of excitement. Had my mother been persecuted for her actions she would have no doub become a martyr."
"The way the poor humble villagers put it, she was the voice they had, and it was their struggle against the hierarchy that had ruled them for so long... In realiy my mother was figthing for what was right; she wanted the Kenkaku to let their child learn another weapon from what the rumours said." Michiko looked to Ochiba who had looked at her during that part of the story,"My mother was made for family life, what with her morals, but I.... I wasn't. I am made for lonely life."
When Lumine spoke of them bein family a small "What" camed from Ochiba, but the rabbit nodded in hesitat agreement. Not because she wouldn't help the tengu, but because maybe the tengu didn't want to. Michiko's smile though, made it clear she was okay with the idea now.
As the celestial muttered about her child like apperance, the blind rabbit's ears perked,"I'll have you know I am older than anyone in this house? I may look small but I am a woman too!"
"And a rabbit. And we know how crazy rabbits are about reproduction. You start with two, by the end of the week you got a thousand of them. Can't stop them."
"What was that? I am a decent woman. I am a rabbit youkai, but I have principles or else I wouldn't be here!"
Michiko chuckled,"Let's face it, Ochiba, you are past your time, yet you look like a kid, and I doubt your personality will get you anyone. We, us two, are the loners of the forest."
"Bah, you are pretty and at least look your age, If you weren't such a grump, I am sure someone would tolerate you." Ochiba grumbled, as if for the first time confronted with the question of her child like appearance.
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 6:15 am
Lumine had sunken into her chair a bit as Michiko retold past stories of Seijin and, in turn, about Maemi. These were mostly things she had heard before, as told to her by the Tengu Swordswoman herself. Master Kazuko had done a lot of good things for Maemi, trying to do everything within her power to help her. It was partly the reason why she had come to respect and love Seijin; the old wolf loved Maemi and wanted to protect her as much as she did.
Coming back from the depths of her own thoughts, the Celestial was amused to find Michiko and Ochiba "arguing" about the last thing she had said. With a grin, Lumine held up a hand, index finger extended upwards and pointing towards the imaginary light bulb that shined overhead. "Why don't you two go out?!" Lumine thought for a moment; her beaming smile vanished, and the light bulb fizzled out, shattering into imaginary dust. Even she realized how stupid that was to say. "...Erm...never mind...."
Lumine remained quiet after that for a spell, picking at what was left of her food with her fork. Suddenly, she remembered the last thought she had in her mind before she couldn't think at all: Personal hygiene. "Hey! Um...Michiko, would you mind if I took a bath here? ...You do have a bath tub or something, right?" She laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head. "I haven't had much time to myself lately, so... I kinda forgot. For a while. Like... almost a week..."
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 6:46 am
Ochiba and Michiko stared at Lumine, totally agreeing with each other at how bad that idea was. "Yeah... no. Just. No..."
Michiko's ears perked at Lumine's question."Oh its a bit complicated, since I don't have running water. If its warm enough, usually a quick bath outside in the pool of water formed by the small water fall is easiest. It it's too cold, then I do have a small wooden tub in the back. I pretty much warm the water here, at the fire, and then use that to bath," Michiko explained,"Usually the bathing in the pool is no problem given no one ever shows up to begin with. But I suppose you could gather water and drop it in the tub over in the small stall in the back."
"Being completly alone helps in that you don't have to worry about people peeping on you mh~?" Ochiba snickered.
"I wouldn't be too surprosed If you did."
"Blasphemy, I have no use of your curves, tengu."
"That's a rather odd sentence."
Michiko forked the last of her breakfast and stood,"I you do want to warm up the water I can help you with that." She pointed towards the wooden bucket to the side.
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 9:16 am
"N...no bathtub?!" Lumine exclaimed, awestruck. Modesty kicked in, and her face blushed lightly. The Celestial was certainly no stranger to dipping in Youkai Mountain's hot springs, but that was far and away from prying eyes and was generally deserted - not to mention, it was usually only with Maemi. Ever since her passing, Lumine had stayed away from the hot springs... it was their special place, after all.
"W...Well, I guess I don't have a choice, huh? I really need a bath, and if that's the only way to do it, then...!" She looked sideways to the wooden bucket, taking a rather large gulp of air. "I-I don't wanna catch a cold... so I'd like the water to be warm, if possible! B, But, I'll take the water out myself when I'm ready, okay? I'd rather have a private bath, if you don't mind!" Her voice was somewhat loud, partially to counteract her embarrassment.
Finishing the last of her own breakfast in a few quick bites, Lumine quickly stood up and retreated to the bedroom door she had emerged from a little while ago. She slipped inside the gap she had left and once more tiptoed across the room, back towards the bed Hanari was still presumably resting on. Near the nightstand rested Seijin's messenger bag; Lumine had noticed it resting there earlier. Someone must have taken it off for her during the night.
Contained inside the bag, technically, was her only change of clothes...well, aside from the skirt portion of the outfit, which the Celestial only now realized that she was still wearing. Seijin's armored garments would just have to do for now, until she had time to wash her things. It was simply unavoidable! Master Kazuko would understand, right?
With a sly grin, she picked up the bag by its strap, as well as her boots, before turning to leave. She reemerged moments later from the bedroom with her items in tow. "Michiko, how long's it gonna be until the water's ready?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 2:33 pm
"Yes, I have had to make do without running water..." Michiko said, turning to put the water in a metal-like bucket, the one she used to warm the water up well. "It will be maybe ten minutes at the most? The fire is already going from breakfast, so it won't take too long."
Ochiba sat there and swung her legs in her seat as Lumine walked by,"I hope there is at least some curtain out there... Or we will have to hold that shinigami hostage for the while~!" Of course the rabbit was only teasing, and her joke earned a snicker from the white wolf that was setting the water into place.
"She is asleep, I doubt she will know she is outside. Just don't tell her and she won't go out looking for her~" Michiko snickered.
"Anyway, you get the water in a bit Lumine, the tub is outside behind the house, it is like a little stall... so it won't be sooo bad...." Michiko added,"Next to it will be the soap, in a small container on the floor."
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:26 am
"W-Well, I suppose I don't have any choice but to wait then!" With that, Lumine sat down at her chair again, casting a sideways glance at Ochiba. "Hey, don't talk about Hanari like that! There's no way that we'd ever...y'know! All we did was sleep together! ... J-JUST SLEPT! All night! And besides, we're worlds apart..." She continued, crossing her arms. "I'm a super-cool Celestial, and she's just a Shinigami. One night doesn't change anything!"
Who the hell was she trying to convince? Ochiba already knew the full story, and Michiko was probably smart enough to suspect something. Alternatively, Ochiba could have already told her the entire tale... Lumine was being defensive, and she knew it. She felt vulnerable, but why? She was among her friends, and neither Ochiba or Michiko would judge her for it. It didn't make sense, and thinking about it started to make her head hurt again...
Lumine tapped her foot on the floor, both as a nervous reaction and out of slight impatience. "...Hanari's still sleeping, anyway... she must be really tired... I wonder how long it's been since she rested properly? She needs to take better care of herself." She paused, then in a irrational attempt to change the topic again, Lumine reached out and pounded her fist onto the table, holding up her nose in feigned dignity. "Th-That reminds me! You two better not try to catch a peek at me, either! I know I'm beautiful, but even we must have standards out here..!"
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:41 am
Ochiba smiled a bit at Lumine. She didn't mind Lumine's reactions one bit and so she calmly said,"That's good, I guess, at least you two rested for a change. Ha, yes... 'slept' together, it doesn't necessarily have to involve anything weird now does it? People just gave it a a bad context, is all!" Once more she snickered,"The fact she is just a shinigami didn't stop you now did it? Who cares about where people come from,when all that matters is who they are?"
Michiko nodded in agreement. She was still standing by the warming water. "Yeah, that true. I bet the fact she is a shinigami didn't make the hugging any more awkward, did it?" She turned to look if the water was a boiling point yet.
There was a small silence as Lumine tapped her foot and Ochiba stood to collect the plates, leaving some food out for Hanari apparently. When the celestial spoke, the two looked at each other at Lumi's sudden accusation. As if either of them would! Ochiba laughed,"Please, I am five centuries too old for that!"
Michiko shook her head with a small grin,"Uhm. No. I certainly don't want that mental image. Thanks."
The two seemed very amused at Lumine for bringing that up.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:46 am
They were talking about it so lightly. Why? It made Lumine feel happy, but... did they really accept her this much? "N...No, it didn't. I don't care that she's a... a Shinigami at all. I like sleeping with her... I always did. I-It makes me feel safe..." Lumine played with the bag's clasp as she spoke. It seemed they really were okay with everything. It was a comforting thought and one that she missed, to know that she was accepted through and through. It was that same understanding and love that she had found in Maemi and Seijin. Maybe Hanari was right after all...
"Ah, h-hey!" Lumine's shot both Ochiba and Michiko a look of amused indignation. "Don't laugh! I'm serious! And what do you mean, 'you don't want that mental image'?! I'm cuter than you, at least!!" She crossed her arms under her chest, as if to somehow prove her point. "You're both just jealous because you'll never stay young and beautiful like me~!"
Lumine stood up and scoffed playfully, taking the messenger bag along with her. "Whatever. If my water's ready, then I'd very much like to take my bath now, thank you!" She walked over to Michiko, arms outstretched and ready to receive the bucket of warm water.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:23 am
Ochiba smiled as Lumine spoke of how the Shinigami made her feel,"That's all that matters dear, that you've found the one you had been looking for all these years." Michiko nodded in agreement from her spot. Both did seem to agree on that, and really, they were happy to see Lumine happy.
Michiko laughed again as Lumine came over and decided to tease her a bit,"That's right. You will forever stay the age of a kid~ Soooo cute with your little pinch-able cheeks and nothing under your shirt. Simply adorable!" The tengu ruffled Lumine's hair then patted back into order with a chuckle. She took the bucket and held it for Lumine to take,"Careful, it may be a bit heavy."
"Staying forever young can't be too good, Look at Ochiba. She turned out a grumpy old thing." Michiko grinned.
"Yes. No need to show your post-puberty body, kid, you are still years to young to carry and silent beauty!" Ochiba said.
"Oh, I can live with that!" Michiko responded.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:01 am
Lumine stammered, her face turning red for real this time. "H-H-How dare you?! I am not a kid, and there certainly is quite enough under my shirt--!! Hmph!" She turned from Michiko and stomped away, the bucket of water clutched in her arms. "If anyone needs me, I will be outside! Good day!" With that, she headed out of Michiko's home, stomping childishly the entire way.
Once outside, still pouting a bit from her indignation, Lumine rounded the side of Michiko's home to search for the small stall she had spoke of. Finding it, she let out a small sigh, and set the bucket of warm water down. The stall itself was indeed somewhat small, but most importantly, it would at least protect her from prying eyes unless someone were to walk right up next to it.
Confident that she was safely hidden, Lumine began to undress from her clothes and bandages rather quickly, wanting nothing more than to get the process over with - she'd have to wait to find a proper bathtub before she'd be able to relax. The cool morning air stung her exposed skin and sent a shiver down her spine, but she ignored it and climbed into the wooden tub situated within the stall, taking the bucket of water along with her and setting it to the side. The wood was worn and smooth, and actually quite comfortable to the touch, leaving no fear of getting a splinter or something.
She took the bucket and tentatively tipped it over part way above her head, dousing herself from head to toe; the water was warm enough to stave off the chill. Setting the remaining water to the side, Lumine then took the soap from the small container nearby and created a lather in her hands, and began to work it into her skin and hair while rubbing her sore muscles. The warmth of the water alone was helping her body relax, so much that she thought her entire body might be able to breathe a sigh of relief...
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:43 pm
Michiko only snickered as Lumine left stomping and pouting in her childish nature. "Right. We will know wherte to find you~"
"You may have actually insulted her," Ochiba sipped some of her tea."But, that is just me."
"Well, She should know I am kidding," Michiko said turning back to the simple design stove rolling a shoulder. About that time, a sleepy Hanari walked out the door, lingering at the frame with Drowsy look to her half closed eyes. "I am certainly not going to go out there and pester Lumine or anything, I just thought I'd mention she is cute in a very child like way."
"Yes, because we obviously approve of it." Ochiba retorted, as Michiko shrugged. The two too absorbed in their talk to notice the shinigami leave, draggig her scythe along. "It's not my fault you have a size complex." The door closed.
"Mh?" "Eh?"
When they looked over everything look the same, the two looked at each other. "Freaky...."
Hanari in her small dazed went out to see Lumine and tell her she had to go back to work while the celestial rested.'The back shaft of her scythe dug a small trench as she looked from side to side, and moved around the house.
"Well I doubt there is ghosts here. I made this place after all."
"Maybe your ill will brought them here!"
"You are very supersticious for a rabbit."
All she saw was the small stall, and not much aside from that. Curious as to what the stall was for, Hanari walked to peek around it...
"They say Rabbit's feet are of luck.'
"So you are superticious because you walk on two good luck charms?"
And into Lumine's bath.
"Not quite, but I think that if I was an educated woman, I would like to study folklore."
"Never would have thought."
First she went pale, then a feverish red, her eyes going big and round.
"Hmp. Why is that?"
"You are old enough to have written down those folklore stories yourself."
"OH JEEZ I AM SORRY!" And she poofed in her usual flash of redish-pink cherry blossoms.
Inside, the two keen eared youkai heard the small shriek, with another glance at each other,then to the room that's door was still opened; just sligthly more than Lumine had left it.
"Hanari!" "Lumine!"
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:54 pm
The moment of bathing had given Lumine some time alone to think, something she hadn't had the pleasure of doing in a while. So much had happened in the last few days... it had been an emotional experience, but somehow, Lumine felt stronger for having survived it. And she seemed to be on the right track - or, as right a track as she could fathom. She knew what she wanted, and hopefully, she knew how to get it... And even if it didn't work, there was still the chance she could forge a new life with things as they were now...with the way Hanari was now. There was that small hope, at least.
Content that her body was now fully massaged, relaxed and clean, Lumine reached out to take the bucket of water again. She didn't notice the approaching shadow on the ground. Bucket in hand, she lifted it up over her head and dumped its remaining contents on herself, washing away the suds and staving off the chill once more.
Just in time for Hanari to round the corner. Lumine stood there, empty bucket in one hand, her body still glistening from the water that dripped from her features. She stared at Hanari for a moment, not quite fully comprehending the situation to its entirety - somehow, she didn't particularly mind that the Shinigami had caught her in the nude. That is, until Hanari screamed an apology, causing Lumine's own embarrassment to kick in.
"A-AAH! HANARI, YOU IDIOT!!" She screamed, dropping the bucket and moving her hands to cover herself. Hanari quickly disappeared in a puff of pink Sakura petals, allowing Lumine a chance to quickly dress herself partially - undergarments first, then Seijin's armored tunic and skirt - and quickly run back inside Michiko's home.
She barged through the door, still dripping with water, with the rest of Seijin's outfit clutched in her arms. "S-S-Stupid Shinigami!!" Her face was red with embarrassment. "Why didn't you two stop her?!"
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