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 Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:17 pm
It had been hard to talk over the thrum of loud voices that were part and parcel to the minishops district. If humans were not screaming at one another, then merchants were barking their price changes and menu selections on the streets in hopes of bringing in customers.
It had certainly not been the place for more delicate conversation such as what this world was or how they'd arrived in it, and so Hitsuga had settled for buying the two of them food, and engaging in smalltalk with Kikushou when the lulls in the noise would let them. At first she had been eager to investigate Gaia's fare of shops, and he had allowed himself to be dragged along behind her, but it quickly became apparent that the child's interest was being overshadowed by the uncomfortable feeling of being a stranger in a strange land.
When they had returned to the sidestreet, there had still been no answer at the door of the udon-ya and, lacking other options, he had invited Lady Kikushou back to his house for the time being. Just as long as she didn't mind that he had some work that needed doing before the day was out...
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:21 pm
Kikushou darted in when the door was opened, pausing just inside to brush off her dress. It had been a trying afternoon, and were people in this land always so LOUD? She looked to Hitsuga then in apology. If he could forgive her, she'd be most grateful, but she really didn't think that she could take any more of the screaming, arguing, bickering and general bad attitudes that they'd encountered. Granted, there were a lot of NICE people there as well, but the conglomeration of thoughts was truly getting to her. One tiny hand came to rub against her forehead as she waited for him to come inside.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:29 pm
The young man shook his head faintly. Kikushou has nothing to apologize for, he assures her. He feels the same way about the people in this world. They seem to prize loudness above everything else. On its own, his eyes wander to the phone on the wall, as if it is some sort of long-hated rival of his, and then he shrugs it off, shutting the door behind them.
But, at the least, it seldom travels this far down the street. Can he get anything for Lady Kikushou? Tea? Water? He has some juice he picked up from the marketplace yesterday, but he's not sure if its any good or not as he's yet to open it... sweatdrop
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:34 pm
Her gaze moved around the room, taking in the sights of everything. While most was comfortably familiar, there were still some items that were also completely foreign. Still, it was relaxing to see so many things that she recognized. And the scents! The place smelled wonderful, and if she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine the perfumery back home where her mother would go.
Tea would be lovely... especially if it was the full, earthy tea that she was so fond of back home. It wasn't until she opened her eyes again that she felt her breath hitch in her throat. Her mother wasn't here... the market wasn't here, her friends weren't here, her tutors weren't here...
And she didn't see of any way that any of them would magically appear. She was alone. For the first time since she'd woken up in this strange place, Kikushou felt her blood run cold as that relisation hit.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:41 pm
Well, he explains, already heading for the cupboard to fetch down the as-of-lately depleted tea tin, it may not be entirely what she's used to. The type he's become partial to here is called Earl Gray. It has a sweeter taste but it isn't--
He pauses, twinges of unease that are, for once, not his own needling around his mind, making him turn to look at her with concern.
....is Madame all right?
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:43 pm
Blinking, she threw a smile on her face, looking to him and nodding softly. Yes, she was fine, thank you so much for asking! And while it may not be the tea she's used to, she's very certain that it will be wonderful. If he could direct her towards the powder room, however, it would be much appreciated... she needs to freshen up a bit.
Behind the walls of her mind, she could feel those thoughts trying to break free, and had to get somewhere by herself, even if only for a moment. Preferably before she broke down in front of the kind Master.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:55 pm
He blinks as the projections that twinged the air are instantly gone, with the suddenness of someone slamming a door, replaced by her smile. His head inclines slightly as if he is debating asking if she's sure, though he cuts off that line of thinking abruptly. He, of all people, is not in any position to pry at others over the same mannerisms he's guilty of.
He, of course, can. Its just there, he tells her, gesturing at the closed door a short distance from the kitchen area. He will put the water on to heat in the meantime, and will be in his workroom checking a few things if she needs to find him.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:01 pm
Thank you kindly...
She turned then, darting off into the room and closing the door behind her. She leaned against it then, staring with wide eyes towards the far wall as her hands started to shake. She'd never been alone before in her life... mother was always there to keep her on the right path, to guide her and help her when she made mistakes. Who was going to do that now?
She slid down until she was sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, tears tracing down her cheeks. She wouldn't make a sound... she didn't want to disturb Master Hitsuga after all, he'd been nice enough to put up with her thusfar. "I w-want..." she murmured, barely above a whisper. "To go home." Burying her face against her arms, she let herself succumb to the tears, even if just for a few minutes. It was better to get at least some of it out now... and she could decide what came next, later.
Finally, when she realised she'd been in there longer than she should have been, she moved to the sink to splash some cold water on her face, then dried it quickly with the towel.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:14 pm
For his part, Hitsuga does his best to politely ignore anything that may be coming from the washroom as he fills the teapot with water and sets it on the stove, moving quietly down the hallway to his lab and out of range of the wisps of upset that still, occasionally, brush his mind.
Poor girl...
Granted, he still felt like a fish out of water in this world, but he at least had the benefit of having lived on his own for the last span of years to help him begin to get acclimated.
She was frightened and missing her family, no doubt. ....her family was likely missing her as well.
As he seats himself at his table, situating things to begin working once more, he sighs. Who is doing this to them, he wonders? And why? He can accept the fact, maybe, that his being stranded here had been to punish him, and perhaps rightfully so, but what could one such as Kikushou have done to deserve such a thing? She is only a child...
It makes no sense...
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:27 pm
Finally, when she felt presentable again, Kikushou moved out of the bathroom, walking back towards the kitchen where she'd last seen the man. When the room was empty, she stood there for a moment, logical reasoning taking hold. If he wasn't here, then he was likely somewhere else in the house.
Instead of going to find him immediately, she waited for the water to finish boiling as she hummed an old song of her mother's to herself. Whent he kettle started to truly get steaming, she pulled it from the heat and searched the cabinets for two cups. By the time she made her way down the hall, she had the pot and cups on a small tray, along with sugar, in case he wanted it. She was pleased with herself!
Master Hitsuga, if you are in there, the tea is ready and is waiting here.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:56 pm
He jolts a bit as the silence is broken by both her projection and her approaching footfall.
He'd been so caught up in his own thinking, apparently, he hadn't even heard the kettle whistle...some host he is...
He offers flustered apologies, pinpricks of self-admonishment tangible within them, and is already out of his seat, abandoning his project to help her with the tray. He really should have been paying better attention to the water himself and not made Madame trouble herself. She is his guest, after all... gonk
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 7:21 am
Oh no, no, it's all right! She was grinning as he helped her with the tray, then moved to climb up onto a stool nearby. It was really all right, after all the kettle hadn't sounded. Mother had always said that the best tea was had just before the water started boiling. Besides, he had been kind enough to invite her in, the least she could do was help a bit?
Besides, it would keep her mind off of other things that she didn't want to think about right now. Best that way, really. There was no point in breaking down over something she couldn't change. At least not while she was with company.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 11:34 am
He allows himself a smile as he situates the tray on the end of the table, far enough inward that it is not in any danger of being easily knocked to the floor. He thanks her greatly for the help, though still seems embarrassed about it, even if the kettle hadn't whistled.
Nonetheless he settles back onto his chair, carefully pouring the tea for them both.
Now that they are not trying to talk over the din of what passes as Gaian living, and he can answer her properly, what would Lady Kikushou like to know first about this place? he asks, daring to try and move the subject along from his poor hosting as he offers her a cup.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 12:20 pm
Yes, it did get a bit loud out there, didn't it? She settled on the stool, carefully taking the cup with both hands and inclining her head politely. He was very kind, regardless of how he felt that he had neglected her. He hadn't, really! Still, as much as she appreciated his hospitality, she really should be getting home. Mother will be worried, and even though she's fairly certain that home is a long way away, if he could tell her how to get there, she would be able to get going as soon as tea was finished.
Sipping the hot liquid, she felt the warmth slide down her throat and nearly purred. It was exquisite, really.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 12:33 pm
Despite the fact he'd prepared to be asked -something- to that effect, the way it is presented inwardly makes him cringe. She really had no idea of the situation she was currently in, did she...? And it falls to him to break it to her...
....Hitsuga begins to wonder what, exactly, he's done to make the gods THIS interested in watching him squirm.
He keeps all of this carefully away from where she may pick up on it and takes a sip of his own tea, savoring the taste before he ventures an answer.
Getting back to the Golden World, from here, is something Lady Rika is currently working on for both herself and the others like the two of them who have ended up in this world with no explanation.
And he would be most happy to take Lady Kikushou to Lady Rika to ask her about the status of such things personally (once she is home for comment), but....for the moment, he's afraid, she may be residing here for a bit... sweatdrop
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