Welcome to Gaia! ::

The mysterious being smirked at the offer, she was a creative one. "That name would be great" he whispered, not wanting to shout, and knowing that the original being probably wouldn't hear him, though, Cherry might have.

He started thinking about who would come back to JdH, or trying to foresee what kind of person would. Even though he didn't know much about the ones that were here before, he still sensed their auras while he meditated. He assumed most of them would not come back, but he wasen't always right, especially about these sort of things.

- The rain had ceased for a good hour or so. Pale gold rays pierced through the clouds in a sporradic fashion, making the gloomy day seem just a tad brighter. Such peace was not to last long.

Just when things seemed to be getting a bit calmer a soft yet rising wind commenced to pick up. Amid the uproaring winds folliage swirled, the orange, gold and red leaves foreign within the Hyde. Along with the growing zephyr the undertones of a familiar presence could be felt among those who were keen to such things. The uproar lasted for less than a minute and once things settled a faint myst formed about the grand entrance of the hyde.

Out of that fine, humid atmosphere the small and petite figure of a felinesque female stepped forth. Had it not been for the signature silver color of her hair nor the bright amethyst of her gaze, Mimi might have been completely unrecognizable.

Those short cropped tresses had long been outgrown, as the thick strands proved from where they had been carefully gathered atop her head in elegant plaits whose tips brushed against her shoulder blades. The casual cotton tops had been traded for somewhat more revealing attire of black brocade and her trademark jeans ditched for a pair of dark grey slacks. The kitten of old had somehow grown up after all.

Despite the wardrobe change and the faint hardening of her features, Mimi hadn't changed much. Beneath the somewhat frigid aura of the warrioress she'd been forced to become lay the happy-go-lucky of yester-year.- Well, some things hardly change.

- As soon she stepped through the hesitant doors of the Hyde the grim expression on her face faded. A new light had been lit amid those purple orbs. - Its still warm and cozy, if not somewhat empty...

-Delicate brows became furrowed at the sudden shriek that came from the bar room. For a moment, the somewhat newer version of Mimi came to view as her small frame tensed ready for battle. Human-like fingertips had somehow elongated to alien porportions, the otherwise well manicured tips now razor sharp. If she'd been in full feral form a nice bristling of hairs would have been visible.

But as Cerise's voice followed the shrieks, the cheery tones discernable from those of violent types, the nekojin slowly relaxed. The cold beauty of her features melted upon the sound of her name, only to be replaced by a warm grin. - Cherry!! How could I forget you? You're one of the most memorable people I have ever met.

-She would have said more had it not been for the girl's sudden outburst of offerings that were accompanied by flying cups. In the end, she delicately plucked the nearest one only to find out it was hot cocoa.- By sweet Bast, Cocoa. I haven't had hot chocolate in ages!

(( I'm so distracted lately. I blame it on certain people... xD ))

-As eccentric as Cherry could be and as aggravating all that energy was at times, Mimi had missed it. Such auras were too far and in between in the Den realm, the characteristics more fitting for a child than anything else. Kyaroru was considered an 'adult' in her pride. Not just any adult, a "rather vital and important adult that shouldn't be bothered by children," according to Daisuke. In other words, Mimi had been thoroughly alienated, her acquaintances heavily restricted.

She only saw those he wanted her to see.

But now things had changed. What respect she had earned gave her now the ability to do just about as she pleased-- all within reason anyhow. In the meantime, she had her will. Her freedom. She'd deal with the problems as they came along.- Lets just say a friend of mine called to me.

-Mimi smiled a bit, the gesture tainted with sadness and regret. - Besides.... This is home to me. I thoroughly missed it. But enough about you, how has life treated you?

-And this time, her words were not only directed to Cherry but to the man nearby. Before they could answer, she spoke again, her purple gaze locked on the gentleman. - Neit, isn't it? I apologize for not having said something earlier. Its a pleasure to see you around here again.

{Woo! Background post! *just realized that she's never explained Cerise's background* ^.^;}

How had life treated her? Now, there was a funny question. Cerise was rather glad for Guess/Neit's interruption; it saved her from having to answer. She listened to the conversation with a sugary smile, appearing to listen intently as she sipped at her cocoa. But her mind was elsewhere, stuck on Mimi's oddly phrased question.

Frankly, life had been treating her well. It was the people in it that had been the problem. Amidst the relative safety of the hotel, Cerise felt quite free from the troubles that had plagued her childhood, and had, to some extent, added a certain level of paranoia to her teenage years. Here, she had a real job or at least constant work. Reading palms and tarot cards could hardly be considered a respectable position...even with the success of her little shop.

"Life's been great, Mimi! I finished high school!" Cerise chimed, if a little belatedly. "I've even got a diploma and everything!" There was a hint of pride in her words. It was no small wonder that the girl had graduated early; enhanced mental abilities did wonders for one's performance in school.

That hit a weak spot... Guess thought, looking at Mimi's appearance when he mentioned Hakan. Yes, now he remembers the demon better, and his little grudge against him. Though she misunderstood when he said 'pesky little man', since he was talking about that other resident, the one that was in love with taryn.

He kept a solid smile, and then got up from the chair he was sitting on. "That sounds like a good idea, we can celebrate Cherry's accomplishment, and a little get together" The mysterious man said, starting to walk towards the kitchen.

"I'm only sixteen, you know," Cerise said with a giggle. "Sixteen years, one month, two days, and...." She shut her eyes for a moment, as if calling up some inner information book. "Four hours and ten minutes." This statement was followed by a short chorus of giggling.

"Buuut, if you insist, Mimi, one little glass won't kill me, right?" She shot the elder woman a sly smile and winked conspiratorily. "Soda is just as good, though, really."

The prospect of simply grabbing a glass was tempting.... After all, what better way to rebel against the regulations of her old boarding school? But drinking was a bad habit! Her conscience always had a habit of spoiling her fun.

Cerise sighed. The fridge opened and a bottle of Coke flew to her waiting hands. "So, where've you been, Mimi?"