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 Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:05 am
Sauda & Kiku PRP Part 1 draconianraven Mother had firmly told Kiku that she was to go out and meet a few people, since apparently everyone else at the house had a very strict sense of what it meant to be on one's own and without outside friends, save a select group. Thus, when the opportunity had first presented itself, Kiku made her way to the little park a ways away from the house-- driven there by Winter, naturally.
Kiku knew she had to be careful, as she was still a young girl and thus might run into problems on her own, but Winter assured her that she wouldn't be far off, and that if anything should happen, Winter would come running. It eased the fears within the girl somewhat-- at least that left open the chance that she could find someone who was friendly enough to get to know without having to worry about the meddlesome others who might be roaming about.
Taking a seat on one of the benches, Kiku sighed and glanced around. It was a lovely day-- shining sun, birds chirping, a summer paradise. At least it was for now...
Tsunake She had been hoping to see Diago again--the teenager had promised that they would get to play baseball. Truthfully, she just wanted to see him again, pleased to have met someone who was nice. But her Mom was worried. She thought that it was her fault that Sauda didn't know any other girls--girls her own age. Well, she didn't see a problem with it. Most girls didn't like creepy stuff anyway...
After checking the baseball diamond and getting over her disappointment, the girl decided she'd stop in the park for a while. Tsunake would be mad, but that was okay. Tugging on that one particularly long strand of hair that hung partially in her face, Sauda happened to glance over at one of the benches. Someone was sitting on it--and the sight of her made the girl stop in her tracks. Arms had drawn up to her chest, a nervous gesture, but Sauda was too awed to be intimidated. She had never seen anyone like this girl--nor anyone who was as pretty.
Realizing that she was gawking, the kid shuffled her feet, eyes dropping shyly before floating up to the other girl's face. She was so pretty... "Hello." Came the soft-spoken introduction. "I'm Sauda...I like your dress..." draconianraven Blinking, Kiku smiled. "Why, thank you! Your outfit is adorable too-- and hello to you as well." She'd barely been there longer than a moment and already she'd met someone who seemed to be kind enough. Perhaps today would be her lucky day in such matters? "My name is Kiku," she added, realizing that the other girl had introduced herself, and she hadn't returned the favor. Such impoliteness would never do.
"Would you care to sit down?" she offered to the green-haired girl, delicately motioning for Sauda to take a seat if she should so choose. Kiku secretly hoped she would-- this girl seemed so very... different. Not in a bad way, of course, just one completely separate from the way Kiku ran her life at the moment, something which piqued the girl's interest greatly.
Tsunake The compliment immedietely eased Sauda's mind. That's right, this was another girl, not some stupid boy who was gonna make fun of her. A small smile was offered back, and her hand drifted down from that one lock of hair that she always seemed to be playing with. Well, maybe she could make friends with girls too. This one, Kiku, seemed so sure of herself. Very polite too. "It's nice to meet you, Kiku." Hmm...maybe they would be able to be friends after all.
"Thank you." Sauda tucked her skirt under herself as she sat down on the bench. She didn't want to rumple the thing by accident; that'd be uncomfortable. "Have you been out here long? It's pretty here, today...I'm sorta surprised that no one else is out." As much as she loved her video games, she also enjoyed just running outside. Climbing trees, all that good stuff...briefly, she wondered if Kiku did stuff like that. She seemed so proper; Sauda certainly hadn't seen her here before. Maybe she was new...? draconianraven "Not long at all-- my Aunt just dropped me off for a bit, as my Mother wishes me to make a few friends outside the family before spending too much time with my siblings," Kiku laughed softly. "But I find myself glad that you came across me first, rather than some person who might feel malicious."
This girl seemed nervous-- though it appeared she slowly found herself more at ease. How interesting-- perhaps Sauda hadn't spent much time around others? Or perhaps it was that she'd spent too much time around the wrong others that led her to this sort of reaction to meeting a new person. How fascinating...
Tsunake Sauda listened quietly, nodding once to show she understood. "Oh, I see. That sounds like my Mom too; she feels guilty that I don't really know anyone around here. Which is silly--it isn't her fault." The preteen idly toyed with her thumbs as she spoke, completely unaware that she was doing it. It was a simple gesture--one that meant she was thinking. She had a lot of simple actions that gave away her mood.
She was pleased that Kiku didn't seem bored with talking to her yet. She was so different from anyone that Sauda had ever seen before--she almost reminded her of the Corpse Bride. While Sauda was deeply impressed with that, she wouldn't say it aloud. People took offense to funny things--even if they were meant as a compliment. draconianraven Sauda was worried that she might be... judged, perhaps? Her body language spoke volumes-- her mind was moving far faster than the words stepping carefully from her lips. The girl wasn't at ease-- not entirely, at least. Perhaps she would never be-- there were many who weren't, but Kiku hoped that perhaps she was easing the concerns Sauda might hold.
This was one of her gifts-- observation. In a simple conversation, so many tiny details escaped the majority of people's perceptions, details which could speak the multitude of thoughts kept locked away inside, which could mean the difference between interpretation and static translation. "It usually isn't anyone's fault if someone doesn't know others-- the opportunity to get to know such others well simply hasn't presented itself," Kiku smiled. "Though I suppose Mothers will always worry about such matters-- they do try to want what they believe to be best for their children."
Tsunake Oh, entirely worried. She didn't want to make a bad impression on this girl, not when she was the first child her age that Sauda had actually spoken too. She obviously wasn't shy about speaking, but when it came to making a potential friend, she had no idea how to. Everyone always said 'be yourself'. Well, that would work if she felt more comfortable--maybe.
Sauda obviously had no idea that she was a subject for this vast gift of observation, and it was probably better that way. Though, it would have interested her greatly if she knew that Kiku was pretty much nailing everything about her straight on the head. "Mm...I should tell her that." She smiled faintly. "I guess so. It can't be helped really; even when we grow up, we're still going to be their little babies." How often had she heard that particular line... draconianraven "But of course," Kiku smiled. "Parents will always be parents-- there isn't really a way to become their peer, even when one reaches adulthood. They have their ideas as each person does. Perhaps it's better that way-- each person has their own perspective to teach, and thus everyone can learn and form a stronger perspective.
"Everyone's personality and personal view of the world comes from a variety of factors-- ah, but I'm talking too much," Kiku shook her head, her hair clips glinting in the sun, "forgive me."
Tsunake "And if they do become a friend, they can't ever really turn back into a parent." Sauda mused, knowing perfectly well that one didn't respect a parent as much as they did a peer. "That's true...when perspectives are taught, new ones are formed, so on and so forth..." This was fun; she couldn't ever really have a conversation like this with her Mom or her annoying brother.
She blinked for a moment, then smiled quickly, shaking her head. "Oh no, please don't stop. You're very observant; I like hearing about this." It was true. Sauda hadn't really ever thought about things like this, but the more Kiku discussed it, the more she realized her own, personal views. "What factors? Like...what sort of environment they were raised in and stuff?" draconianraven Well, while it was rude to monopolize a discussion, if one happened to be invited to do so, there wasn't really a problem, was there? "Well, the general belief is that everyone is born with a base personality, and that after that, the personality is formed by the environment they live in, which consists of a multitude of factors. Parents, peers, siblings, relatives, home, influences from media, events, and all sorts of things-- not necessarily mimicing the behavior they're presented with, but forming reactions to such behaviors, beliefs, and so forth.
"The reason the base personality is so important is that it defines our first reactions to the world-- for example, one person may react adversely towards, say, a certain sound, while another may find it not troubling in the least. In the future, the first might avoid such sounds, even developing a bias against them, while the other would not," Kiku explained, her mind racing through everything she knew of the subject and editing out that which seemed odd for a first conversation.
Tsunake Ahh, but Sauda was offering her imput as well. Kiku wasn't just droning on and on about something that was boring--the green haired lass was actually enjoying this discussion. Kiku was really smart--she knew a lot of things that most kids wouldn't even understand. "A base personality, huh..." Well, that was true enough. "I wonder if it's the same with animals too...if you beat a dog, it'll turn mean--just like its owner." Animals and people weren't so different from each other, in her opinion.
"Hm..." That made sense to her. "Like..." She hesitated for a moment, then decided to continue. "If someone attempted to make friends, but was shot down, then they might just decide to avoid people all together. Or at least be uncomfortable around them, right?" Yes, one of her own, dark little fears. She hadn't necessarily been trying to make friends with those boys, but the encounter had certainly left an ugly scar. draconianraven Nodding slightly, Kiku considered this. Was that what had happened to make Sauda so hesitant? That would follow. "Even if someone wasn't even trying to make friends, but simply coming across them, if they had a bad experience with people, they might begin to feel like meeting others or making friends simply... isn't a good idea because it won't necessarily work out. It could lead to lower self-esteem and a loss of self-confidence, even though it's not something that they were responsible for. That's why people need to be careful with how they act towards others, both human and animal-- you never know what another might take from it."
Tsunake More or less, anyway. Sauda hadn't done anything to provoke those boys--not that she knew of. And unfortunately, it had made her wary of new people in general, men in particular. However, she was still a child, able to trust and hesitantly attempt to bond with those around her. Kiku was the second person who she had spoken too--though the first if one just based it on age group. Since this meeting was going well, the girl would try again elsewhere. Bad encounters could be erased so long as they were not repeated. "I'd never thought about that before, but you're right..." Everything she did could have a positive or negative influence on people--and as Kiku had said, ultimately help shape their personality later in life. Not everyone was mean anyway; Diago and Kiku weren't...She'd just have to try again, and perhaps be more mindful of her actions.
"How do you know this sort of stuff?" The girl questioned, wondering why now it seemed so simple. She wouldn't have thought of it before--but when Kiku said it outloud, it just made sense. draconianraven "Well... I watch people. I see their tendencies, consider their reactions-- each a chain of events is just that, a chain, which can be traced back link by link. After keeping an eye out for a long period of time, I came to realize that everything was connected, and if I simply paid more attention than the casual observer, I would learn more about how things came together."
Of course, there was more to it than that. She'd worked for a long time to train herself to notice details that people wouldn't normally pay attention to. It had taken a great amount of effort, but it had been well worth it...
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:58 am
Tsunake Sauda listened in awed silence, wondering just how useful an ability like that could be. "Really?" She was quiet for a moment, then asked softly, "Could you tell anything about me?" She was curious, wondering how long Kiku had spent learning such a thing. "Is it hard?" Maybe she'd like to learn how to do such a thing...Not to the extent that Kiku could, naturally, but just little things. Why, if she could tell someone's mood just by how they posed themselves, or something of that sort, there'd be endless possibilities of what she could do.
The more she thought about it, the more fascinated Sauda became. Well, what if she tried it on Diago? She could try observing what he did, and as Kiku said, try to figure out some of his quirks. "Oh, I'm sorry if I'm being forward." The green haired girl apologized, realizing how eager she must have sounded. "This is all just new to me and I...I like to learn about new things." draconianraven "Oh, it's fine... let's see. I could tell you were nervous talking to me-- you seemed like you were worried I was going to judge you or disdain you or some such. It's not difficult once you learn how to watch, and it takes... well, depending on how detailed you wish to become in your learning, it can take anywhere from a week to years to learn how to be observant, though it's more concentration than anything else. It's not difficult as long as you can focus your mind," Kiku smiled slightly.
"If you're curious... perhaps I could teach you a few tricks," the girl laughed softly. Kiku enjoyed teaching others to see the truth of the matter, as long as it helped them become more adept at whatever they needed to do to move forward in life. An ability was an ability after all, something useful, a tool to be presented and shared.
Tsunake Green eyes widened slightly, wondering if her thoughts had really been so...well, easy to read. She wasn't embarrassed, but impressed instead. Why be embarrassed? She had asked what Kiku could tell about her, and, well, she had been uneasy. "Ohh, that's why you're so good, isn't it? You've been practicing for a long time..." Years, huh? Well, it was to be expected, right? No one was really good at anything without a bit of practice.
"I'd like to learn, as long as you don't mind." She smiled, pleased by the notion that she might be able to pick up just how this useful little ability worked. Even if she wasn't very good at it, it might help her conceal her own emotions--or pick up on other people's. First impressions were vital, and Sauda couldn't help wondering if those kids would have left her alone if she had appeared a little more...confident. draconianraven Such an eager girl-- it seemed prudent to give her at least a little bit of an idea of the way people worked before someone took advantage of her. But at the same time, it meant that Sauda would have to work, be willing to put in the time and effort-- not everyone wanted to. Most people wished for the end result without wanting to do what was necessary. That wouldn't do.
"I wouldn't mind at all, provided you're willing to put in the effort," Kiku smiled slightly. "I won't lie to you-- that would be demeaning to us both-- it's not going to be an easy task. But it will be a worthwhile one, if you choose it to be," the girl promised, silver eyes taking in Sauda approvingly. "You get out of anything what you choose to put into it, after all."
Tsunake Sauda had been sheltered after all, not choosing to stray out into the world and experience things for herself. Well, the time had come for her to break free of her secure environment at home, wandering out into the world so she could learn about how it worked--and how to fend for herself. This was the first of many encounters, and at this stage in her life, they could only help her. She understood that this would take time and patience; Kiku herself had said that it could even take years to get very good. That was all right. She didn't have anything else to do.
"Well, if it was easy, then everyone could do it, and it wouldn't be so special." Sauda reasoned. "I'd like to learn, and that's okay if it'll take some work. Like you said, it's pretty much worth the effort." A shy smile. "And maybe it'll help me understand people better--and not be so worried about what they might think of me. draconianraven Ah, to be sweet and shy again-- it had been a wonderful point in Kiku's past, that time when she'd been taken under the wing of that mysterious woman whose voice had guided her through so many ups and downs in life; the voice that had taught her how to watch, observe, learn... that voice in the shadows disappearing after she became of age to go out on her own and observe. Sauda needed someone to look out for her too, it seemed, which made Kiku feel... complete, in a way she hadn't felt since the voice had left her. It meant something to pass along the gift she had been given by such a prominent figure in her past.
"...I think it's wise of you to consider learning," Kiku smiled gently at the girl. "And I think it would be useful to you to understand people better-- not everyone's going to come at you with inherant dislike of anyone akin to you. People have their reasons-- you just need to understand how to steer around them to get to where you need to be.
"As far as teaching you to observe... when would you like to begin learning?"
Tsunake Perhaps Sauda, in turn, would be able to teach this ability to someone else if she was willing to work hard enough to earn it. Yes, she shouldn't jump ahead of herself; she hadn't even started yet, let alone would she be able to teach a single soul at the moment. Best be patient and see if she could even master this gift before thinking such things.
Kiku's comment made her smile shyly, her gaze dropping to her hands which had settled quietly in her lap. Though the other girl was about her age, Sauda somehow felt as though she was much older--she carried a maturity that was beyond her years. "If I can get over my own hesitance, then I think I'll be able to understand why people act the way they do, and how to get closer to them." Simple logic. A quiet blink, and Sauda looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I don't have much to do, so anytime in the afternoon would work perfectly." draconianraven Kiku smiled. "All right then. Did you want to begin today, or shall we plan to meet again some other day? I don't want to rush you. It's your decision."
The truth was, Kiku would prefer to wait a little while to teach her-- if they met again, or (preferably) if Sauda sought her out, it would show she wanted to learn more. Hopefully she'd gained some confidence from their little discussion-- enough to seek out new people and ideals on her own.
Tsunake "Well," The girl said reluctantly, tucking a lock of that grass-green hair behind one ear. "My mom’s probably worried that I haven’t come back yet. It'd be better if we could do this on a day where I told her I'd be gone for a while."
Tsunake wouldn't be too pleased if she wandered off again without permission. Understandable, and Sauda would like to avoid angering her mother. "I'll come try to find you again sometime--maybe we can find each other in this park again." She wouldn't plan a specific date, having no idea on when would be a good time to meet the other girl. Slowly, she rose from the bench, dusting off her skirt and pants. She'd just have to keep looking, like she was doing with Diago. "It was nice to meet you, Kiku." draconianraven Kiku stood as well, smiling softly at the other girl. "It wouldn't do to worry your mother. I wouldn't want her thinking I'm a bad influence on you without even meeting her-- then she might not let me see you again, and that would be most distressing. You're my first friend here, after all, if I may call you my friend.
"It was nice to meet you as well, Sauda. I'm sure we'll meet again soon," the girl curtsied.
Tsunake Sauda smiled quietly, shaking her head. "Oh, don't worry about that. My mom would be happy to know I was making friends--she'd just be angry that I didn't tell her that's where I was. She worries an awful lot." At the word 'friend', her smile widened, and she nodded. "Oh, of course. Because that means that I can call you a friend as well." So, she had another new friend now. She felt rather bubbly at the thought, but suppressed her silly impulses for the moment.
She bowed her head forward slightly at the curtsy, offering another smile. "I'll look for you." With another little dip of her head, the girl twitched her fingers in a small wave, then began to head home. How exciting--she had made a new friend without any trouble at all. Tsunake would be pleased to hear of it, too. draconianraven Kiku smiled, watching the girl leave. Sauda, her new friend. How... perfect and fitting. After all, there were so many things that could be taken care of as far as friends went. Sauda could learn much from Kiku, and Kiku knew that the other girl would be able to teach her things as well. As such things went, it seemed most... amicable. Pleasant.
She'd have to make sure to come by this place again sometime so she could run into Sauda again. It was nice to have a friend.
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:13 am
...:: 8.11.06 ::...
Movements, voices, meanings. Discern the answer from within the strange truths wafting through the air, whispering your words over and over again. A promise made is a promise kept-- thou shalt not let a lie fall from thy lips lest that lie be returned unto you. Bloody sunset rising, voices screaming vows. Waterfall of gentle lovers entwined in acts of--
Kiku's eyes sprang open, darting around her room at the Nest anxiously. She'd thought the dreams had stopped. She hadn't had them since leaving the Mansion. And yet they'd returned-- that which appeared before you once would appear before you again. So on and so on and so on until forever. Keep moving. Move until the voices stop screaming.
Her voice.
Forget the past, just let it go. Breathe. Forget. No, don't forget. Remember what you gained from the past, remember the teachings passed down from Master to Disciple, remember the importance of what you learned, what you hold onto. Forget the loss, forget what you left. Forget the painful memories, just hold onto the present. Breathe.
Don't let the dream be frightening, cling to the truths you learned long ago. Forget the dream, remember the belief. Faith. Breathe. It was only a dream. Only a dream. Nothing more, nothing less. Dreams carry meaning, but they don't mean everything. It's better to forget in some cases, not remind yourself of the meanings when they're too painful.
Kiku could feel the moisture on her cheeks-- tears. Understandable but not good. Not right. Tears meant regret. There should be no regret for that which has faded into the past, that which has gone on into a new place. What had passed by on its way to something better. If you regretted the past, it meant you left something unfulfilled, something wronged.
Get dressed. White dress-- white for purity, mourning. White long gown to cover the fears. Lace for elegance, to hide the regret. Tiny beads of gold along the hem, along the sleeves, to whisper of something better. White boots-- white on white. Lace. Golden bracelets, crystal pendant. Silver ring-- only silver-- with a heart of garnet, the stone of blood, of birthright. Breathe.
Kiku stared into the mirror, watching how her reflection shifted to accommodate the dress, the tiny tiara she'd threaded into her chestnut hair, the sweeping updo she'd hurriedly pulled together in an attempt for some possible hint of normality. Two swipes of makeup against golden skin-- eyes, lips. Another for blush, to bring some color to her paler cheeks. Under no circumstance can anyone know that there was something here other than the easiness. The knowledge. That gentle distance Kiku seemed known for, that everyone had come to accept. That Kiku who didn't have these nightmares.
Someone would know. Someone always knew, always saw. But she was gone now, gone away gone far far-- no. Breathe. Focus. Tiny movements betrayed thoughts, feelings, emotion. Calculate the way you present yourself and others will see only what you wish them to see, won't see the fears. It's easier to hide. No gift, only cowardice. Nothing more.
Nothing less.
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:50 pm
...:: 9.11.06 ::...
Raven slowly began to make good on the promise to take each of the children shopping for school clothes. Kiku wasn’t one of the first-- the first had been Renjyo with her obsession with ‘pretties’, as she put it. No one had disputed the little girl’s claim over Raven’s attention when it came to shopping, mostly because there wasn’t much to dispute. Renjyo obviously cared more than anyone else, which wasn’t particularly difficult, since Hera couldn’t care less about the clothes she wore, Mekt paid more attention to the experimental procedures he conducted in the basement than anything else, Nasir refused to let Raven buy him anything, and Kiku herself simply... didn’t feel the imperative to get new clothes.
After Renjyo had been Mekt, simply to get it out of the way, followed by Hera for the same reason. Nasir still hadn’t agreed to the trip, thus Kiku’s turn rolled about, leading to an outing past the mini mall, farther than Raven had ever taken the children in quite some time. The mall was large, double-sided, and quite... picturesque in an urban, strange sense.
The clothes within didn’t carry much that interested Kiku, truth be told. She managed to find a few nice dresses and such, but everything didn’t have the same connotations, the same meanings she normally would have sought in her clothes, so she found herself mildly disconnected from the action of seeking out clothes. Perhaps she should just make her own. Raven wouldn’t mind that, it seemed. She generally allowed her ‘children’ to do whatever they wished, providing where she could.
But that wasn’t what caught her eye the most, that wasn’t the focus of anything. Instead it had been a picture, a chord striking within the small girl, an image of someone forgotten-- no, not forgotten, only possibly distanced. Positively distanced through negative actions. Negative because something was taken away, denied, an association once cherished, emotion once held in highest regard taken. Gone. Left behind by that image.
Who was it? Kiku never knew her name, only that she was the Teacher, the Master, and Kiku the Student, the Disciple. Why did Raven carry an image, a photograph of the woman in her purse? Who? Why? What strange details rose to light, hastened by the curious present, the ever changing future?
There were questions that couldn’t be asked yet. Soon, perhaps, once further information had been gathered, had been taken together and made right again. Calm yourself, breathe in and out again, let the past go. Consider the implications of your actions before taking them. Everything had a reason, everything could be explained if you stepped back far enough to consider all the details. It would all be made right again.
Just as it had before.
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:02 pm
...:: 9.25.06 ::...
Dreams flowing through her mind, whispered promises long forgotten-- or at least, long since put behind-- rose again with a vicious cry, a need to come true. But how could anything come true when the one who’d given the promises failed to stay near? How, when she disappeared? How could Kiku hope to continue on the training-- no. Everything would be all right. She had to be strong. Just have faith in what was passed down from Master to Disciple, believe in what had been taught. Within those words lay the clues to everything. Keep in mind everything that was once so cherished, keep close the voices which gave the lessons.
Let go of everything.
Would she ever return? Would she ever come looking for her student, come searching for the little girl? “Mon coeur,” -- my heart. That was the name. Heart. Truth. Love. There had been something of love. Something so deep and pure it couldn’t be touched. And yet at the same time, there was something different. Because there was nothing sexual about it, just pure. Something wonderfully pure and sacred.
The shadows darted across the room and Kiku remembered the past.
Running through the forest outside the Mansion, everything so free, so gorgeous, leaves, spring, the scent of new life dancing in the air--
“Such a pretty child let out on her own?”
Who was there? No one. Someone had to be, there had been a voice just on the edge of her senses, a voice calling out, leading her forward. Someone. Someone existing there beyond the norm of what usually roamed in the woods. “Who’s there?”
“A friend. What are you doing out here by yourself, little one?”
“I’m not little. I’m exploring.” A foolish reply, but an expected one, or so it seemed.
“Exploring? Interesting name for getting lost. You shouldn’t wander beyond the Mansion grounds.”
She wasn’t off the Mansion grounds yet, but something felt strange-- and then the glorious hawk swooping towards the sky, that gentle laughter left behind...
Strange memories promising that there was more to life than what had been previously noted, the subsequent lessons, the understandings of what to look for, the understandings of what to find, what to see, what to know and understand in the world... Kiku would never forget her teacher, her gorgeous hawk on the edge of her vision, that voice in the shadows, that guiding light. That stranger who wasn’t strange at all, but really like the other half of her soul.
A half viciously taken away by choice, not by force. What had happened? What had split them apart? Something at the edge of memory. The Teacher had to go away, the Teacher had to leave, the Master had to find someone else because the Disciple knew too much, the Student was no longer learning as she could. An argument and tearful words, hateful words. Words which caused a rift, which couldn’t be taken back.
Now she remembered. Now she could see clearly.
But how to make amends for wrongs committed so long ago? How to make amends for something which couldn’t be explained? How to apologize for what had been done on accident, rather than on purpose? How to remedy a poison which came not from an herb but from a sickness in the spirit, an unrighteous anger? How to cure a heart wound long festering?
She’d have to learn...
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:33 pm
It had been supposed to be a 'girl's night out' at the Nest, with Hera taking charge, herding the other girls towards the movie theatre. Eri was (kind of) the oldest, so she was the one driving, but Hera, with the much more dominant personality, directed the endeavor. The drive itself progressed mostly uneventfully, except for the bickering over who would sit where, with it finally being decided that Kiku would sit in the back between Imelda's car-seat and Erianthe's demanded seat. Renjyo and Eleanor were pushed to the center of the van, with Hera taking shotgun as appointed navigator. It wasn't that bad, Hera reflected as they drove in mostly silence-- it had only taken them two hours to get into the car and settled. Not bad at all.
Surprisingly enough, the choice of movie hadn't been too difficult either. That was the part which truly surprised Hera, since she'd estimated another hour of bickering before they mutually agreed on the movie. Undoubtedly that was the doing of Kiku's dazed nature over the past few months, Erianthe and Imelda's near worship of Erimentha, and the fact that Renjyo and Eleanor were easily overruled in these cases.
"All right! So, Music and Lyrics it is!" Hera proclaimed, inwardly grimacing. This was one of those lovey-dovey movies that the girl would just gag over, but what choice did she have? The other kids had all agreed. Who was she to be the downer at this point?
Imelda whined as she clung to Eri, not liking the dark of the theatre as they entered. Too dark for the little orchid girl, she didn't like the dark... but there were pretty sounds and Eri's pearl earrings glowed in the dark. That made it a little better as they were led deeper into the theatre, to where they all sat in a nice row, a slight scuffle for who got to sit where taking up the bulk of the previews.
Was this what it was going to be like when she had her own little child? Eri wondered as she indulged Imelda, letting the baby sit on her lap. This kind of closeness, this way they all laughed, related so well to each other-- would this be what it was like? Would her child fit in with the cousins as well as they all fit together? What if she or he didn't? Would that-- no thinking now. Movie.
Erianthe smirked slightly to herself as they sat in the dark, her tail swooshing about in anticipation of what was coming. The lights were off and now they would watch and then they would play! Girl's night out had its wonderful moments. It was why Erianthe knew she could always count on her cousins to play with. They loved being tricked or at least responded well-- oooooh! MUSIC.
Quiet, Kiku watched the movie, not really paying attention. Too much had been happening recently. There had been a rush of pieces of information, Aunt Arch, who carried that strange sense like her Teacher, though the Lady claimed to not know Kiku... and then, of course, Eri, who seemed to be older, but she'd only just come into the family... Kiku didn't understand all of it. Perhaps she wasn't meant to. Either way, it seemed odd, and it kept her from considering things the way she normally would. She had to lose herself in the movie.
This movie really had been Renjyo's choice-- though she'd never admit that to Hera, since big mean older sister would probably have chosen a different one. She'd let Eri know which one she'd wanted to see and watched her cousin skillfully convince everyone to listen because everyone listened to Eri because she was the new one and the sweet one and didn't live with them, which made it easier on everyone. But Renjyo had heard the music and she wanted to hear more and more and more because that was the way that you learned about the music. It was different kind of music, pretty costumes than the rock from Japan Renjyo had consumed herself with recently, but not bad. Good, even... good to learn more about music.
Eleanor watched in silence, not really understanding. She'd only agreed to come along on this outing because... well, frankly, it was more interesting than staying at home with the adults and males. And besides, movies were interesting-- a way to observe that which was real which had become false which was being portrayed as something real. She could appreciate the irony in all of it, the way no one really did or said what they meant, all from a script someone had dreamed up to try to express something which didn't really exist.
After the movie, Eri took the girls to get ice cream, wondering when, really, they would be able to head back to the house. After all, things were happening now, and Eri was somewhat anxious to get back to her precious cabbage plant, even if it meant cutting short her time with her cousins. Ah well. Best to go with what was happening here, letting the girls have their fun, right? Besides, they were on their way soon enough, back to the house, back towards the rest of the family.
Something was different about Eri now, and Immy didn't like it. She didn't want her Eri to not pay attention, to be distracted enough to make it so Immy felt left out. Eri was the only one who really would play with Immy, and the fact that Eri wasn't being her usual self made the little Vale unhappy. It wasn't fair, wasn't right. Things weren't supposed to be done this way. It wasn't the way she was used to. It made Immy want to scream, but Eri had responded badly to screams in the past. Unhappily, the little girl shifted in Eri's arms, sucking on the spoonful of ice cream she'd been given.
Something weird was happening with the family tonight. It wasn't the same as it usually was, with their rampant running about playing tag in the dark. Eri felt weird, Kiku was being a cloudhead the way she'd been since Aunty Arch showed up at the Nest for the first time with Eri in tow, Renjyo was being quiet for once, seeming to digest the movie, Eleanor was never any fun, Hera was being bossy like usual, and Immy was just a baby, so Erianthe felt more than a little frustrated. She wanted to go somewhere, do something. Break into the zoo and see all the animals, something heroic! Something that took courage! But no one else seemed to have that drive tonight, which was a disappointment. 'Anthe was still too young to do this sort of thing on her own. So she just sulked a little, eating her double chocolate chocolate mint ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and chocolate fudge sauce and wanting everythings to go back to the way they were supposed to be.
Maybe it was just that the movie had been strange, but Hera could feel the tension in her sisters and her cousin. Things weren't going well. "All right, time to head home, I think," Hera finally decided, the blue girl pushing a strand of hair back, annoyed that it had fallen free of her high ponytail. "Besides, it's getting cold, and since no one really thought to bring a jacket," a pointed look at Renjyo and Erianthe, the two who were beginning to shiver slightly, "we should get back before people get sick and Mom gets mad at us. All right?"
Hera was always so bossy! But Renjyo shrugged, finishing up her vanilla ice cream and tossing it away. She'd gotten all dressed up for tonight, and she wasn't even getting to show it off? Oh well. The movie had been fun, with songs about sweet people and strange loves and people who were saying things they didn't mean and doing things they didn't say. People people.
"You probably want to wash off your makeup before we get back," Eleanor murmured to Renjyo. None of the other girls had really noticed the child's attempt at makeup-- a half-decent attempt, in Renjyo's defense. "Mother won't be pleased to know you've been in her collection again.
Renjyo rolled her eyes as she wiped it off, part of her glad Eleanor remembered to remind her. Mother had already gotten angry at her once for that same thing-- Renjyo wasn't really ready to repeat that.
Standing as well, Kiku moved to the car, gently helping herd everyone else along. The night had been spoiled before it had even begun, hadn't it? Something strange was infecting the girls of this family, and Kiku had yet to discover what it was...
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:58 am
David could handle most of the siblings. The cousins too. In fact, that even extended to handling Mother's double who came by every once in a while with his jabbing comments. David could handle pretty much anything, just listening and not responding to much, taking everything as it came, giving advice when asked. In truth, David tried to remain mellow about everything which happened.
But the little king-prince-emperor-whatever he was? No.
"Caspian, I promise you that your hair looks fine," David sighed for what seemed to be the millionth time.
"You wouldn't tell me if it didn't though!" Caspian protested. "You only tell people what they want to hear!" he practically whined as he stared in the mirror, trying to get his crown to sit straight.
Okay, maybe that was partially true. But at the same time, David felt a twinge of resentment at that. It wasn't as that was always the answer. David gave decent advice when asked to do so. "I would tell you, Caspian." If only to get you out of my room, the child added mentally. "You look fine. Just go on-- Mother wants to talk to you." Not entirely true, but maybe it would work?
"No, she's talking with the girls. We're supposed to talk to her after dinner," Caspian shifted his pose, trying to get a better look at himself from another angle. Maybe if he tilted it like so--? No, that made it worse. "It just won't--"
"Try it like this," Kiku's smooth voice cut in as the girl crossed the room to take Caspian's crown and re-pin it in his hair with a few of her hairpins. "There, see? That way it'll stay like that, and it looks straight enough, right?" she suggested, giving David a slightly apologetic smile. The girls knew how much David didn't like Caspian, though everyone tried to get along.
About to protest, Caspian took another look at how Kiku had made his crown look. Actually... that could work. He didn't mind that. Kiku had a knack for fixing hair and ornaments for hair to make them look good, probably because of her practice with her own detailed hairdos. "...thanks, Kiku," he smiled at her, before glancing back at David. "See, she's helpful," he glared at his sibling.
Taking off the glasses and closing big blue eyes for a moment, David sighed. "...of course she is. Kiku knows a great deal about one's hair and how to make it look most presentable." It's easier to just agree sometimes...
"Caspian, why don't you head downstairs? I think that dinner's just about ready," Kiku gently pushed her brother out, closing the door before turning back to David. "...I'm sorry you got frustrated, David," she murmured, crossing the room to sit next to her sibling.
"I don't know what it is about him," David sighed before giving Kiku a wane smile. "But if you were telling the truth, we should go down as well."
"We should," Kiku nodded, leading David downstairs.
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:12 am
It has been over a month since your last post.
This is not acceptable.
You have 2 days to make a post up to my standards, or Kiku will be *frozen.
This Warning and its Requirements are Not Negotionable.
*Frozen: When a pet is forced to remain in it's current stage indefinitely due to an owner's failure to comply with contractual obligations made and understood prior to the purchase of the pet. Additionally, the journal is locked and ownership is still retained despite the frozen state.
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