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 Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:59 pm
"I give you credit, it's just that..." he trailed off, not even sure himself what he wanted to say. Things seemed to be getting more complicated, only nothing had changed.
Kurama wasn't quite sure why he picked only the one thing, but he did feel it necessary to give him credit. He always made a conscious effort to make the youkai feel needed, cared for, appreciated, and all the like. The fox seemed to think that if he didn't, Hiei would just leave. While he could see through his cold exterior, that fear always remained within him.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:15 am
The demoness came in then, carrying a large tray. She set food before the two of them, as well as putting food at the places Night and herself normally sat.
Come to think of it, where /was/ that girl? She was supposed to bring the drinks. If she had run off again... well, at least she couldn't ruin the dinner. That had happened more times than Kasai could count. Figuratively, of course.
After a short time, the psychic gave up on the child. So instead of letting them, especially herself, be without juice, she used a bit of her power to bring the drinks to them. Nothing flashy, just a small bit of telekinesis.
She said nothing, just let the two be. Why bother interfering, now? She had no real reason to, and she never did things without good reason. And why give Hiei more to b***h about? He seemed to hold contempt for everything she did, anyway.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:24 am
"Forget it," Hiei said softly, closing his eyes. Kurama seemed distracted, and that was not something that would prove useful to their current situation.
Hearing an approach, he opened his eyes. He watched guardedly as Kasai lowered the food and presented drinks. It seemed necessary to make a point to radiate his distrust, eyes narrowed and dark. He did not even look at the food, but kept his eyes steady, alert, and suspicious on Kasai.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:44 am
"I wouldn't mind taking your food, as well," said Kasai to Hiei, only briefly looking up from stuffing her face. She did not take kindly to being stared at... being the center of attention was not her idea of fun. Wasn't that fox more important to him, anyway?
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:05 am
"You really think I care about food?" Hiei droned, shifting again but keeping his stare firm. Though he did allow it to wander when he thought about the food in front of Kurama. Surely the fox wasn't going to eat any. He was being rather quiet. Hiei looked away, disliking Kurama for a brief moment. Hiei did not like to accept this kind of petty concern.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:22 am
Kurama did not touch his food, or look at all interested in it. His plan wasn't working well, since that child wasn't there. He doubted that much could be drawn from their hostess.
He was not surprised at Hiei's reaction. In fact, he would have expected nothing different. But if they expected to gain anything from this, he would have to be more pleasant. The fox accepted the invitation only to find answers, and with luck, they might get some, even if they had been throughly thought out.
"When you said that you brought us here for entertainment, what exactly did you mean?" He didn't bother waiting for her to reply to Hiei, since he was sure that would only cause more anger. The question itself was direct, since he saw no reason to be subtle.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:35 am
Her answer was not immediate. "I said I brought you here for entertainment, I never said mine, did I? That little girl is bored here, alone with me all the time. You saw how eager she was to play, did you not?"
The demoness avoided saying anything that might give away one of the main things she was after. The female /was/ demented, but lying was something she hated to do.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:45 am
Hiei allowed his eyes to close half-way, something he did when he began to tire of whatever he was doing. And right now, that was being in the dining room. But he still listened to the woman. It was said that Hiei almost had a sixth sense about hidden things. That much was undeniable. He had a feeling the boredom of the demon child was not something Kasai would care about that much.
Growing sick of the smell, Hiei pushed his food from him with a face Yuusuke might have laughed at.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:10 am
This woman was clearly hiding something from them. He got the very strong impression that she was purposely leaving something out.
And while she did seem to care for the child, why would she specifically choose them? Why such an elaborate plot?
"That makes sense... but why Hiei and I?" He was curious as to how she would answer this one.
After asking the question, he gave the Koorime a quick glance. Kurama held back a smirk, finding his behavior quite amusing, but wanting to look like he was paying Kasai his undivided attention.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:41 am
"Saw you both at the tournament, and you stood out." Still as careful as ever with her words.
After a moment, she continued, "Since you two refuse to eat, I suggest you both go back to your room. If you do get hungry, I'll leave you to the kitchen."
Kasai stayed to wait for Night, wanting to at least talk to her. And her food was getting cold... something that could have easily been fixed with her fire abilities... had she ever practiced with them! She was lucky to light a candle.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:47 am
Hiei was more than willing to go back at this point. Opening his eyes, which had closed all the way some time during the conversation, he rose from the chair. Impatience had risen as well, and he tugged softly on Kurama's sleeve to try to get him up faster. The faster they got back to the room, the faster they could be alone to talk, and then the faster they would probably get out of the castle.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:54 am
The fox noticed his impatience, so he quickly got up, told their hostess good-bye, and began the fairly long walk to the room. The politeness was not deserved, as far as he could see, but it might help them leave this castle faster.
This whole conversation with Kasai had been nearly pointless, since they learned nothing about her true plans. If that younger girl had been there, he might have been able to use her. But that was a definite might, because the psychic may have purposely told her nothing, as well. If she was guarding this secret so strongly, what was it that she wanted to hide? Couldn't be anything remotely good.
"Well, that didn't help any. Honestly, I'm more confused than I had been," Kurama admitted, his eyes meeting the Koorime's for just a second. He didn't want to give him any sort of false hope.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:24 am
"Don't be," Hiei said without delay. "Confusion won't help us."
He remembered the way in which they had come, so he didn't have to pay much mind to his walking. He was loose again, at ease dispite the fact they were still trapped. He walked close to the wall, tracing his fingers along as he did for a moment. Why was it that the things he touched in this house all had an appealing feel to them? The wall felt cold against his fingertips, but it was a nice cold. Like cool leaves brushing against his skin.
Thoughts overtook him and he was silent all the way back. When they re-entered the room, he did not sit. He simply stood by the bed with a hand on the soft covers. Though he turned to give Kurama a look of question, as if asking 'what now?' It didn't seem there were many things to do.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:14 pm
Kurama rolled his eyes at that. As if confusion was something he could control... but he could at least hide it. And really, his slight confusion didn't stop him from thinking everything over carefully.
The basic feel of the place was something he noticed, as well. If they hadn't been trapped here, he might have thought the place quite warm and inviting. Kasai also had not shown them any aggression, except a small bit to Hiei. He wasn't quite sure whether she was trying to give them a false sense of comfort, or she really meant no harm, as she had said before. With the way she had acted, he got the feeling that she had been telling the truth the whole time, just dancing around the facts, telling only what would benefit her somehow.
He caught the questioning look, and answered simply, "I suppose there isn't much to do but talk... but I doubt you want to do that."
The kitsune then lied down, simply staring at the ceiling, but occasionally giving Hiei a glance.
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