Welcome to Gaia! ::

When: Summer
Location: Kyou's apartment building; Lobby
Time: A weekend, mid-afternoon
What: To deliver a soul bottle!!!
Weather: Moderate and cloudy

‘SLAM!!!’ Josh barreled through the entrance of the apartment building. His body crashed against the freshly wiped plains of glass as he shoved the door open. The elderly security guard shot him a glare dripping with unrest and anger; the deep wrinkles around his eyes drooped and sagged with irritation. It was obvious that he did not appreciate that the glass he has just wiped was being so carelessly smudged. The boy merely ignored the prying glances and made his way past the guard and to the center of the posh lobby where Dr. Kyou sat waiting. His orange converse clipped and clopped softly against the pristine tile floors. As he made his way over to the Doctor he repositioned the suitcase in his grasp and raked his hands through his hair. He tried desperately to reposition the tangled locks which had become mussed during his trip to the apartment building. A few stray locks refused to cooperate and hung around his head in a messy brown halo.

Even though the boy had rushed desperately to get here, he had still managed to arrive late. He would make sure to fuss at his mom about it later. He would have been on time if it wasn’t for her spastic ways. He was just about to get into his car and leave. That is, until his mom flung herself out of the house in her usual eccentric manner and demanded the young boy’s attention. She had found it most pertinent that Josh drop whatever he was doing right then and allow her to test out some new hair accessories on him. Apparently, she couldn’t go about this task by herself.

In the end, the small detour had made Josh a whole ten minutes late and had caused him a lot of unneeded stress. The boy wanted to make a good impression on Dr. Kyou by arriving early… however, it seemed as though that would not be the case. He stepped in front of the doctor and set the small black case on the coffee table before him. Josh looked down at the ebony haired man with his large auburn eyes. His stare was flustered and frantic. He coughed nervously, trying to calm his nerves, and choked out a reply to Dr. Kyou, “U-umm, hello there.” It wasn’t exactly how he wanted his first words with the doctor to go… at least it was a start.

Josh watched as Dr. Kyou put away the magazine he had been picking through. The cover was graced with a picture of a decadent looking cake drenched in an assortment of fruit. Well, that served to somewhat tear down that whole “super intimidating mad scientist” vibe emanating from Kyou. Josh wrapped his lithe fingers around the hand presented to him and gave it a gentle shake. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you Dr. Kyou. I’m Josh.” When the boy said his name he gave the doctor a generous smile hat seemed to radiate warmth.

Josh released the doctor’s hand and sat down on one of the leather seats. The chair released a few squeaks in protest, but the boy ignored them. His voice came out faintly, muffled by his own clinging anxiety , “I guess you know why I am here then?” He reached out tentatively and tapped a delicate hand against the black suit case. The case wobbled slightly and threatened to fall over, but Josh quickly steadied it.

Josh really didn’t feel like going over the fact that he had obtained the case from a hobo last Christmas, instead of the traditional box in the mail method. It was obvious that the bottle and vial had been intended for him though. The package it had come in had his name on it! At least, what he could make out from the scorched wrapping paper. Yes, it was meant for him. It had simply become misplaced in the Lab explosion. That may have explained why his essence was always finicky and volatile.

Josh nodded along with Kyou, “Yes, I have caught a soul,” the boy’s narrow face froze in horror, “N-no, I would never think of pulling out!” He was right, the idea had never crossed his mind… and never would. I gleam of determination flared in his eyes.

Josh stared dumbly at Dr. Kyou’s outstretched arms as if the two appendages were foreign to him. His auburn eyes followed down the doctor’s coat clad limbs and fell upon the black case they were pointed at. Josh straighten up and carefully slid the case over to Kyou, “Of course!”

Josh sighed and visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. So this was it right... now it was just a game of sit and wait?

Josh watched as Kyou took the case and sat up. So this was it after all…

"Hey, since you've come so far already, why don't we go have some coffee or tea?"

Hmm, or maybe it was just beginning? Josh’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he stood up and trotted next to Dr. Kyou. Once again, a jovial grin was plastered across his face. “S-sure!” The boy stood in place and eagerly waited for the doctor to make a move. After all, he had no clue were this café was.

Josh smiled at Dr. Kyou and waited by the elevator like the obedient little ‘puppy’ he was. He couldn’t help but have an eager bounce in his step though. The boy’s head was swimming with the promises of caffeine, sweets, and good conversation. Then there was also the promise of his future raevan bubbling over in his mind.

Josh sighed contently as he leaned against one of the marble walls of the lobby. He could see the elderly security guard flinching out of the corner of his eye. Apparently, the boy’s gesture had made a few more unwanted marks on yet another immaculate surface. The wrinkled man already had a small white rag in his gnarled clutches. The old geezer was at the ready, patiently waiting for Kyou and Josh to leave so he could once again pick up the divine task of removing the scourge of dirt from the hallowed walls of the apartment complex. Or something like that.

Josh chuckled at the thought. Smudges aside, today had been very productive day….