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Friendly Conversationalist
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 Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:32 am
"Now I want ye to promise me somethin', ye wee rabble rouser." William stood at the entryway just before the door of Piero's sprawling manor (the place they now called home), adjusting his suit and tie in the small mirror at Huan Yi held up for him. The small girl he was speaking to gave him a merry smile as she tucked her arms coyly behind her back. The sleeves of the dark green sweater she was wearing (another example of her female guardian's childhood clothes) draped over her fingers so she merely grasped at the ends as she rocked back and forth on her heels.
"What's that, jerkface?" Tsuji batted her eyelashes innocently.
"T-Tsuji!" Huan Yi looked at the young girl in half-horror, William contenting himself to roll his eyes at the small child. "Wherever did you learn a word like that?"
"On TV." She flashed a toothy grin. The older man looked at the two of them and shook his head, tucking in the collared shirt properly. He'd be reigning in her television time, if she were going to start calling him things like that.
"There'll be none o' that language this afternoon." He reached for the raincoat. "While the rest o' the household members are oot, it's up to Pasayo and Huan Yi 'ere to keep ye all reigned in. Don't be givin' the poor lasses a hard time." At the mention of being alone for the afternoon while everyone was out and about, the Ashe's eyes grew wide in joy, before narrowing mischievously. She wondered who else could be dropping by..
"'Kay. I promise," she answered simply, closing her eyes and giving him a gentle, almost honest nod. Huan Yi smiled warmly and William almost did too -- almost. He knew this girl and her tricks, and he wasn't about to be fooled by her, not for a second.
"Well then, if ye both'll excuse me." He pulled up the zipper on his coat and grabbed his bag, but he paused momentarily to point a finger at Tsuji. "You. Behave yerself." The door was pulled open, and he headed out into blustery weather. The warmth of the house kept the girls safe from the chilled rain but William headed out to the old station wagon to bear it on the roads. Huan Yi waved goodbye to him, as did Tsuji (although perhaps a bit more happily than she should have), before the door was shut against the cold weather. They stood at the entryway for a moment before looking at one another with a small smile.
"I think.. this'll be an interesting afternoon, Tsuji," Huan Yi told her simply. The Ashe blinked in reply, but the Chinese girl merely ushered her into the drawing room for the time being with a knowing smile.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:51 pm
The drive was smooth, an interesting new experience in and of itself for the purple haired Ashe. Tier had called this yellow contraption a "tack-see" while they were trying to hail one, which he had done by yelling the name and holding up a hand. Immediately after, one road up and the two of them got inside. His Guardian was ever careful, bundling up the young boy as much as any other time and even bought him a new pair of sunglasses since the others had gotten lost in the park.
Several exchanges were made between Tier and the driver, consisting of right's and left's, among other names and things he didn't quite understand. Whenever Tier read a sentence off of the piece of paper he'd had in his pocket, the driver turned this way and that, stopped and started again. It seemed, wherever they were going, Tier knew the way and the driver didn't. Here and there, Salem could detect annoyance in both of their voices but it never lasted longer than a minute or two and never escalated beyond that, so his calm wasn't ever heavily disrupted.
Curiosity was still getting the better of him, shown as his heels kicked gently against the seat's bottom. Whenever he questioned, Tier simply answered "It's a surprise," or "We're going to meet someone new." Salem didn't really like surprises, even tiny ones, so while his calm was continuing on like normal his appreciation for it all was quickly deflating.
It seemed like an eternity before the cab pulled up to an exceptionally large manor and Tier seemed just as surprised as the Ashe. The driver barked a price in his gravely voice, a light trail of smoke wafting from his mouth. Tier paid, as instructed, and lead Salem out of the taxi. "Do you know where I have to go today?" he knelt down to ask, gently removing Salem's sunglasses and folding them shut.
"The jobs?" since it seemed safe to have the sunglasses removed, Salem also tugged the scarf down from his mouth to reveal the blood-colored marks.
Tier nodded, smiling as he opened up one of Salem's breast pockets and tucked the glasses inside, "We'll see if they really want me working there or not. In the mean time," the blue haired man stood and held his hand out, which Salem took on cue, "There's someone I met just before I found you, she's very nice and I think you'll like her. She agreed to watch you today, as a favor, so you wouldn't be lonely while I'm out."
He couldn't help but frown as they walked closer towards the front door; it was so much larger than the apartment building, did it have lots of houses inside of it, too? Salem couldn't really wrap his head around this place, the situation, none of it yet. Even as Tier reached up and knocked, it sounded so hollow, uncaring and intimidating. Why here? Couldn't Tier bring him with?
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:36 am
Pasayo looked up from she had been seated when Huan Yi and Tsuji re-entered the room, a soft smile spreading over her black lips, and she slowly lowered down the book that she had been reading. The older Ashe had found that reading was a hobby she could enjoy that all of the Masters in the house approved of, Piero promoting it actually, so when she found she go go through several books a day it kept her quite occupied.
"Has Master William left already, my lady?"
She was dressed in her usual attire of full bustle gown, the thick fabrics swirling around her body like it wanted to swallow her whole, though the color today had ventured away from the normal lavender she wore and was instead a very soft shade of yellow. It almost was a bit too much with the dark black of her skin and the bright pink of her hair and eyes but somehow she managed to still look slightly regal. Her hair was pulled into a sweeping bun that left part down to flow about her shoulders, and as she rose to her feet to walk over to the woman even more loose strands cascaded down.
"If you would like to wait here, I believe I have heard a knock at the door. I shall go answer it and return with our other guests, so please make yourself comfortable."
Slowly, mainly because of the dress but also because of how she was taught to walk, Pasayo made her way towards the entrance that Huan Yi had just left and over to the heavy door. She unlocked it and backed inward to the house as it swung open, the sunlight pouring through the trees striking her eyes quickly and causing her face to wrinkle in pain. It only lasted for a moment as she managed to blink away the spots, and a warm smile greeted the man and small Ashe that now stood on her step.
"Sir Tier, it is good to see you again. This young man I shall assume to be Salem?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:35 am
No, no, the Ashe didn't like this situation one bit.
"I-I can't go with you?" A last ditch effort, an act of desperation. He could feel the tears welling up in his black eyes but he didn't want to let them go yet. They were still in the neutral tear limbo; if Tier agreed to take him to the jobs, they could turn happy but if he didn't...
Before Tier could open his mouth to answer, the door opened and Salem's other hand grabbed for Tier's, now holding it with both and keeping a death grip. Tier frowned, feeling the small boy's skeletal fingers digging into his flesh. Was this how kids always were when they first had to part with their parents at day care or was this something uniquely Salem?
"Hello, Pasayo, how are you?" It only now registered just how long it had been since the two had first seen each other. Of course, now there was an unspoken understanding from Tier that she was an Ashe and not some nut. Even now, as she looked completely different in terms of style, it was dreadfully easy to tell that it was her.
Giving a short nod, he looked down at his charge who was busy burying his face in Tier's pant leg. "Yes, this is Salem. He's a little scared, I haven't actually gone anywhere without taking him, yet, so this is a first..." Offering her a smile, he bent down on one knee, holding Salem's hands close. The small Ashe didn't seem to want to look at Pasayo, not yet. Even without Tier's vocal response, the answer to his question was clear now and there would be no way out of this. Tier was leaving for who knew how long and he was being left with strangers.
"There's no reason to be scared, Salem. Pasayo's very nice and she's going to take good care of you. I won't be gone for long. I'm sure you'll lose track of time and it'll seem really short." As Tier brought his hand down against purple hair and ruffled it, Salem shook his head. He knew this was wrong and Tier's assessment was a failure. Whether or not Pasayo was going to take care of him wasn't the point, Tier wouldn't be there. He was always there, he needed to be there. If he wasn't there, how would he know if he was doing things right and who would he go to for hugs?
The boy's hands moved to clutch at his 'father's' jacket, burying his head against his chest for some time. Tier smiled apologetically to Pasayo for how long it was taking, unaware that his charge was letting his tears flow freely now.
After a few minutes of comforting, Tier checked his watch and regrettably pulled the Ashe away to look him in the eye. "Don't cry. I'll be back and you'll be fine," he took one end of the scarf and brushed it against Salem's face, drying the trails his sadness had left. Standing, he held Salem's shoulders and turned him to face Pasayo, "Say hi for me?"
He didn't want to, not at all. Didn't even want to look at this strange woman that he knew nothing about besides her name and where she lived. For a moment, there was silence and Tier felt his patience waning but, after a small nudge, Salem glanced up at the woman in front of him.
Black skin, white hatch marks and the brightest hair he had ever seen. It matched her eyes and her dress, which carried an elegance he was completely unfamiliar with. His jaw dropped but he managed a soft "...'Lo" and Tier was satisfied. Wide eyed and numb from the cold, Salem barely felt his guardian release him, nor the parting kiss he'd planted on the boy's head. Another "I'll be back" was lost to his ears, which were gaining in pigment from both the Winter air and his growing wonder.
They were... similar.
No, was it safer to say they were the same? Of course there was a sense of familiarity, same as he had felt around Faustus and Tsuji but this was much stronger.
The roar of the taxi's exhaust behind him brought Salem out of his stupor with a crash and he whirled around, only seeing the back of Tier's blue head. "Ah!" Forgetting about Pasayo as quickly as he'd become enthralled with her, he rushed down the porch steps and attempted to follow but only succeeded in stumbling on the last one and falling forward with a whump.
The tears resumed their flow with reckless abandon.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:31 pm
As soon as Pasayo had asked about William's departure, Huan Yi only had a short time to nod before the knock demanded their attention. She gasped and made to turn around when Pasayo motioned for her to stay, so she decided to do as she was told. She made her way over to one of the tall-backed armchairs that adorned the room and lowered herself into it, her fingers tapping together in anticipation.
Rather than join her, Tsuji plopped down on the floor and scooted over to the wooden lace-covered coffee table. She had prepared earlier for the afternoon of indoors activities and brought with her a giant box of crayons and a ream of paper (which had been sitting in William's printer, going to waste). She'd never really attempted drawing before but Huan Yi had said it was something that she used to do growing up, aside from reading. Reading had a terrible habit of making Tsuji sleepy, so she'd rather take the more adventurous route.
But the sounds of activity from the hall grabbed the interest of guardian and Ashe child alike. The two looked at one another when soft crying had issued from the entryway. Huan Yi chewed on her lip nervously - had everything gone alright?
"Pasayo?" She called into the hallway. After a terse moment she stood quickly and crossed the room. Tsuji's eyes didn't follow for long before she pushed herself up and was tagging at her heels. The crying didn't sound like Pasayo.. had Rown brought home someone new? Her interest was immediately piqued at the idea. Was that what Huan Yi was being so secretive about?
But no, that turned out not to be the case. Instead they turned the corner just in time to see Salem's tiny form dash out the door and stumble down the steps. Huan Yi gasped in panic when he tripped on the last stair and fell on his face. The sound of crying made her feel very anxious indeed. This was certainly not how she had wanted things to start out.
"Pasayo, can you help me find the first aid kit? He may have hurt himself.." Tsuji's attention was less on their conversation and moreso on the boy who had fallen. So it was Salem! Rather than be as shocked as her guardian at his fall, she was more overjoyed that he had come to be her playmate today. The little girl wriggled out between the two sets of taller legs and leaped over the divide as she bounded down the stairs. Her guardian had called her name in surprise but the child failed to hear it.
Tsuji jumped the last step and landed next to Salem. She observed the boy on the ground with partial curiosity and partial pity. Why should he be so sad to be here? They were going to have so much fun - she'd already decided this for everyone. She lowered herself to the pavement next to him - knees first, stretching out the arms and lowering to her stomach - until she lay right next to him with her head resting on folded arms. The wind was cold and stung her nose and cheeks, but the position felt very comfortable. It would probably feel better inside.
"Hey Salem..." She spoke quietly, but wore a large smile. "Whatcha crying for? We're going to have lotsa fun today!"
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:29 am
Pasayo didn't answer Huan Yi's request, not that she was being rude, instead stepping outside towards the child who lay on the ground in tears. Her long skirt rustled against the concrete and she moved swiftly but gracefully, as if she were floating instead of plodding along on the ground, and as she knelt down by Salem's side she looked over at the Tsuji and smiled gently.
"He seems to be a little upset, but that will be alright. Do hurry inside Tsuji, you are not properly dressed to be out here. I will come behind you with Salem."
The teenage Ashe moved her gloved hands out and slowly reached to pick up the small child, quite aware that he could start to flail and strike her at any moment with his wild movements. She was not sure what to say to calm him down, since she honestly was at a loss for calming a child when they were injured and scared, but Pasayo felt that she should give it a chance and see if the results that arrived would be worth the attempt.
"Salem, you will be alright now. Master Tier has trusted you in our care because he thinks it will be wonderful for you, and that you will be safe here. Would you rather he have left you entirely alone, instead of in the company of other Ashes such as myself and Tsuji?"
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