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 Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:14 am
It is not often that Xue helps with grocery shopping, but when the trip to the market in Barton is announced, he volunteers. Not that he is good at shopping, or handling money, or even putting things in the cart without spilling them. In the end, it is his "brother" Eriol who ends up doing all the shopping, and Xue is set to entertain the little girl with them.
Across the street from the market is a small fountain, and it is here that Xue sits, folding a large sheet of newspaper. He has only ever done this once, but he is sure that if he remembers the first step, he can do it!
Viviana watches with interest, but every so often her gaze wanders towards the market, as she eagerly awaits her guardian. She does not like to be away from him, but if she must, she is glad that she is with someone familiar, and doing something interesting. Outcry is happy too, attempting to swim up the streams of water with limited success, and enjoying the feel of running water over his body. The bathtub really doesn't compare.
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:38 am
He still could not get over the change in it all, the differences between the things he recalled and the things he was seeing now, and it was hard on him. If this was the Silver World then many things he had heard were entirely overrated, mostly those stories of it being paradise without humans, and a little inside Kinji felt cheated. There were humans everywhere, one of them even caring for him, so this was not the Silver World.
He steps out from the classroom that he has been waiting in, the man who is caring for him still inside, and he glances about at everything that awaits him. He can feel nothing but anxiety, a feeling he clearly projects as he continues to look, and it is though he can't feel anything else.
. . . .I miss home.
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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:11 pm
Xue finishes the last crease in his newspaper boat- which, in truth, looks more like a newspaper triangle- when a rush of anxiety hits him so strongly that he drops it into the fountain. It takes a moment, but he recovers and fishes the soggy paper out and sets it aside, feeling about for the source of the worry. As soon as he has a general direction, Xue grabs Viviana by the hand and gently pulls her along, trying to explain that they must find someone.
Not understanding, Viviana is likewise anxious as they leave Outcry swimming in the fountain. At first she protests, but when it becomes clear that neither Xue nor Outcry is listening, she gives it up. If there is pain, Outcry will come to her. Instead she clings tightly to Xue's arm to keep from falling over as she takes her slow steps.
Though Xue is gentle and patient with Viviana, his mind is frantically searching for the anxious person. Anyone who feels that poorly must need some kind of help, and quickly! He spins around, searching the street opposite the market, and- there! Porcelain! Friend! biggrin
... why is Xue's new friend so sad? sad
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:51 pm
Kinji lifts his head as soon as he hears a question directed at him, the feeling of another Porcelain still a little strange to him despite trying to overcome, and he turns his gaze around before he finally spots who has addressed him.
. . . .I am not sad. I...am thinking.
He answers short and polite, in the manner he has been taught over the years, though he is quick to place his hands behind his back. He does not want this other to see more than he thinks they need to, more so because there is someone non-Porcelain with them, and Kinji already feels shame.
I am also waiting. Are you not doing the same?
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:49 pm
Despite this new Porcelain's statement, Xue can't help but think that there is sadness there somewhere. But he doesn't push the matter. Instead he inches closer, still projecting curiosity and friendliness very strongly. What is New Friend thinking about? Is it something Xue can help with?
Fortunately, Viviana cannot feel Kinji's shame, or she would be even more upset. As is, she's already uneasy having left her father in the store, and Outcry in the fountain. She squeezes Xue's hand and shyly looks away from the stranger.
Xue squeezes back. He knows he is not Vivi's favorite person, but he will keep her safe and happy. And, he adds to the new Porcelain, he should not be concerned about her. Vivi is Xue's family, after all! 3nodding
And yes, they are waiting for someone. Grinning widely, he gestures to the fountain. If they are all waiting, would New Friend like to wait with them? Xue and Vivi were about to sail a boat... or he hopes, anyway. sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:00 pm
Kinji gives off the feeling that he cannot, his eyes turning towards the building and a certain young man who resides inside. The young man in question turns to look out and nearly pales at the two, though he quickly moves his attention back to whatever it is that he is doing.
He is not allowed to wander off just yet. The young Porcelain with his eye covered shakes his head politely, a smile crossing his lips, though he indicates that if they stay here he may be able to speak for a little while longer.
Kinji asks who the two really are, only gathering that they are not going to hurt him, but he is curious. There are so many Porcelain here!
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:31 pm
Xue cannot quite make out the person in the building from his position on the street, but he assumes it is the boy's guardian. He is disappointed- the fountain is only across the street- but he is willing to make that sacrifice if it helps him make a new friend. In a flash he sits down right on the pavement and pulls Viviana into his lap.
Squirming uncomfortably, Viviana tries to stand up again. Xue is barely big enough to hold her, and rather bony. But he isn't letting go, and she can't stand on her own anyway, so she reluctantly settles in and shyly looks up at Kinji.
If it will let them talk, Xue will stay as long as necessary! He doubts that Eri will finish shopping anytime soon, and even if he does, he can wait. As to who he is, he is Xue! And the very cute little one is Vivi, and she has a whale in the fountain. And Eri is in the store. But then Xue remembers he was only asked about two, and puzzles to figure out which two they are.
... oh well. There are a lot of Porcelain, aren't there? Isn't it wonderful? biggrin
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:06 pm
He is unsure how he feels about seeing other Porcelain still, it only makes him remember things he would rather not, but he does his best to not project those feelings. This 'Xue' does not need to know, so Kinji hides however he can.
He introduces himself as Kinji, the kanji hard but he can write them proudly, and he gives a warm enough greeting to the other pair. They are not looking at his eye and hands that rest behind his back, he thinks, so he feels a little at ease about that.
Inside is Hisame, he cares for me. He is kind, but he can't seem to hear me. It worries Kinji that Hisame has a hard time, but every now and then the human male seems to understand what the small Porcelain boy wants.
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:30 pm
If Xue senses anything, it is merely lingering anxiety. Xue supposes this Porcelain must be shy. He knows shy people... but does not always know how to act with them, and proceeds with his normal cheerfulness.
Xue is very happy to meet Kinji! And very impressed he can write his name. Xue can write his if he tries, but not much else. He is sorry that Kinji's guardian cannot always hear him. Xue is lucky that he has Des, and that most of his brothers and sisters can hear him as well, but it is always frustrating to come up against someone who cannot understand. But sometimes they can learn, and Xue hopes that this Hisame will learn.
Viviana wonders why these two are just staring at each other. Though she does not understand what is going on, her confusion is pronounced, and easy for a Porcelain to pick up.
A bit sadly, Xue rubs Viviana's head. Vivi is still learning too, but Xue is trying to teach her. He would like to talk to her, when she is able to talk back.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:12 pm
Kinji understands a little the sadness feels at not being able to properly talk to the little girl, his own feelings coming from being hardly able to communicate with the man, but he agrees that he hopes things will change.
He is still not used to seeing so many humans - he knows the people that aren't Porcelain are called this because Hisame told him - and he wonders why there are Porcelain here too. Where he came from he was the only one left, the others were gone because of a sickness, and he wonders if Xue has ever heard of something like that. Or if Xue knows why he is here now, or how Xue got here to begin with.
Kinji is full of questions when he is calming down!
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:05 pm
Xue agrees, and repeats his own hope that Kinji's friend will start to understand soon. Sometimes people have difficulty. Maybe Xue could try to explain it to him? If Kinji has failed, Xue is not sure he would fare any better, but it could not hurt to try.
Humans can be overwhelming, Xue agrees. But he has been on Gaia for a while now, and he is used to it. If anything, he is not used to seeing as many Porcelain as he does now, but that is a most happy change!
Xue's glee fades, however, as he takes in what Kinji tells him. The only one left? How sad! It must have been a very bad sickness, and Xue had not heard of anything like that. He is sorry that Kinji was in such a bad place.
Though the sadness is still evident, Xue is at least slightly pleased that Kinji is opening up more. Xue came to Gaia some time ago. He does not remember the circumstances very well, but his projections imply dark and fog and something very frightening for a small child. Some fear lingers still, but it is muted and faded from years of a comfortable life. Xue is sorry that he could not be more helpful. But if there is anything else Kinji would like to know, Xue will try to help! It seems like Kinji is only recently arrived from this scary place he came from.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:27 pm
Kinji nods his head about the disease being bad and him being sad for being alone, but as he sees many more people now and many more Porcelain sometimes being overwhelmed is okay, he thinks. He is, of course, still wary around everyone but he is trying to get better about it.
He does not know how he got to Gaia, as he knows this place is called thanks to Hisame and others telling him, but he remembers falling asleep against a tree and waiting for the Silver World. This is not the Silver World and he thinks often that he misses the Golden World. He misses Kin'u, he knows, and that feeling is evident. It waves from him like a small breeze, and he sighs in the memory.
But Kinji is thankful for Xue's help! He is still feeling rather lost, so if Xue wants to explain more about the world, he is willing to listen.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:08 pm
Xue is glad that Kinji is getting better. It must have been startling to end up somewhere other than where he was, and of course he must miss his family greatly. Xue briefly thinks of the family he cannot remember, but then moves on to something else.
Gaia is a nice place, for the most part. Very strange things happen sometimes, especially at a time called Halloween, and Des doesn't let them leave the neighborhood then. But that's okay, because they still get to dress up in fun costumes and get free candy!
Going along that train of thought, Xue continues to describe Gaian holidays. Christmas, he explained, is in the winter and everyone chops down trees to decorate them indoors, and a big man in red clothes (here, his projections imply the big man as well as a cow) brings everyone presents! There are lots of presents for that one. And in the spring there is Easter, and a giant robot gives more candy and eggs. And there are other holidays, with hearts and greenery and jokes, but they are less important.
Xue pauses. Does all of this make sense? Xue is not used to being the one to explain things.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:09 pm
Halloween? Candy? These are all strange ideas, and Kinji shakes his head as he files away Xue's thoughts for later. He will try to ask Hisame, should the man be able to hear him sometime, and he hopes that he can get more information out of him that way.
When Xue finally stops Kinji shakes his head up and down, nodding that he understands, but it is still a little confusing. He only remembers the holidays from home, The Golden World, though he has not celebrated in a very long time. He does not know if Hisame knows of any holidays, as the man seems to not do too many things outside of his routine.
Instead of keeping on as he is, Kinji asks Xue if the weather here in Gaia is much like the Golden World. He has only seen the sun shine, never the rain or snow, so he is curious.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:51 pm
Xue still thinks they are strange ideas, even after having become accustomed to them. But they are fun as well as strange, and fun is the important part, right? smile
A bit sad, Xue admits that he doesn't know any of the Golden World holidays (or really what the Golden World is, for that matter). He would like to hear about them sometime, but not now. Now, it is Xue's turn to be the teacher, and inform Kinji about the amazing place that is Gaia!
... although Xue still can't get over being the teacher. xd
The weather? Xue frowns. How could one only see the sun? That would mean that it would always be a nice day, but wouldn't it be boring? And the plants in the garden would be hot and dry, unless the Golden World is full of the spiky desert plants. But yes, there is both snow and rain in Gaia. It probably won't snow again until the winter, he thinks, but there is lots of rain in springtime. It is good for the flowers, or so he hears.
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