Welcome to Gaia! ::

Omi was walking, looking into the brown paper shopping bag that she was carrying. She was making sure its contents were still okay as they walked. "Are you sure he's going to be awake?" she asked absently, speaking to the girl that was skipping along beside her.

Oh yes, Kiku is sure. Master Hitsuga is the type to get up early in the morning, because he seemed to be rather put out when he woke up late the night Kiku slept here. So if he was that upset, then he must be used to getting up early.

Kikushou was looking around at everything. This place was just so interesting to her, completely foreign from where she'd grown up. It was taking some getting used to, but it was happening at least. Master Youko had taken her to get some more clothes that she would actually wear, and apparently there were a few shops in Gaia that sold respectable kimono and garments. Now she didn't have to wear the same thing all of the time, but didn't have to wear those awful jeans-things that they tried to put her in. A lady? In PANTS? Scandalous!

As she rounded the corner towards the area where the Porcelain houses were, she broke into a grin and started off at a run.

Master Hitsuga! Master Hitsuga!! Kiku is back! The Lady Omi made a VERY big mistake the other day, and we're here to apologize and brought you something nice! Kiku hopes he will like it?

Yes, yes. Kiku is well, although the clothing here is very strange. Lady Omi and Master Youko have seen to it that she has appropriate clothes for a young lady, however, so she is doing much better now. Has Master Hitsuga been well? He looked a bit peaked when she'd seen him the night before, when the beautiful lady came to see him. Was everything all right now?

Omi approached then, also nervous as to the result of this meeting. How, exactly did one remove their foot from their mouth when it was in all the way to the knee? Bowing before Hitsuga politely, she spoke aloud, and projected as best she could.

"I'm here to offer my apologies to you," she said, wincing inwardly when she remembered her actions and words. She had misunderstood the situation completely, and the only rationale she could give was that her maternal instinct had kicked in before the more practical side of her mind had the chance to interfere. "I made some accusations that were entirely unfounded, and I had no right to speak to you as I did. Please accept my apology."

As she spoke, she moved to hand the bag to Kikushou, who was fairly vibrating beside her.

Kiku and Lady Omi brought you this! It was something that we had found, and I thought you might like it. It's very relaxing, I think, and so beautiful to watch.

Inside the bag was a plain box, containing a small 'deer chaser' fountain that had caught Kiku's eye at the market the night before. The girl had so desperately wanted it, that Omi couldn't say no... even if it was a bit pricey. Unfortunately, the money that the girl had brought with her from the Golden World was no good here, so Omi had paid for it herself, gladly. It was the least she could do after her epic screwup.

"It's lovely," murmurs a female voice somewhere behind them; a somewhat bedraggled-looking but smiling woman has been slowly making her way towards the group, and is only now close enough to see what had been exchanged.

She gives off a warm, though sleepy, feeling of greeting, then one specifically to Miss Kikushou and one to the... human? She tilts her head curiously but does not inquire at this time; "My name is Baikou," she introduces herself to Nozomi.

Her gaze then moves among them -- Omi, Hitsuga, Omi, Kikushou, Hitsuga, Omi -- and... Baikou, in her infamous body language-blindness, cluelessly asks, "Are you Hitsuga's friend?"

He'd given a jolt at Baikou's presence, having not heard her approach, so slow and careful was it....and then offers her a smile, and a private projection of apologies. He'd not wanted to wake her, he'd just wanted some air.

And then back to Kiku, he offers reassurances and his agreement at the outcome. Hitsuga would have been quite upset at letting such a misunderstanding remain in place. He is, however, glad that she is being taken care of.

Seeing her otherwise engaged with speaking to Baikou, he politely silences himself to allow them to talk.

Safe, yes. Kikushou responds, her head nodding forward just a bit with the thought. Lady Omi and her father, Master Youko are taking good care of her, and even got her a doll! It's at home on the bed right now, because Kiku was afraid that it would get dirty outside. It's very pretty, however.

There was a twinge of longing in the girl, for just a moment. She'd had beautiful dolls at home too... but that thought was carefully put away for now. There was no use in spending every waking moment pining for home, as much as she wanted to. It wouldn't get her there any faster.

Omi watched Kiku go on, and while she couldn't read the girl's projections unless they were aimed specifically at her, she was certain that Kiku was bubbling at Baikou, just from her expression. The curiosity of Baikou didn't go unnoticed, but Omi attributed it to the woman being curious about Kiku's well being. It never occurred to her that she might be mistaken for a normal human... even though she looked like one now. Before, it would have been painfully obvious to her, but Kiku's presence seemed to give her something else to concentrate on instead.

She was also more than willing to let the water flow under the bridge, so to speak, and offered Hitsuga a smile. She was glad they could be friends, Kiku seemed to be very fond of him. She'd been speaking of him ever since her arrival at the house, and had been worried for him.

Baikou nods as Kikushou continues, attending to the child's words carefully. "It sounds like Madame may be able to make you more comfortable than we can," she comments. "There is little space here, and few beds..." She is apologetic and vaguely guilty, as she is taking up some of that space and one of those beds.

"But... Please do not worry, Miss Kikushou. Rika and I will do our best to open the way home as soon as we can. In the meantime... Would you like to send a message to your mother or Miss Souyuu?" She smiles more brightly, hoping that the suggestion will cheer the girl up.

Baikou told Rika to let the scholars know that Miss Kikushou had been found, so Lady Yuushou will probably worry less, knowing that her child is safe. But still, "I am sure nothing would bring your mother greater joy than to receive a message written by her own daughter's hand."

She pauses, then tries to peer into one of the udon-ya's windows, craning her head to one side. "Are they awake? Perhaps you could go in and do it now."

What time does Sir Setsushi usually rise? she asks Hitsuga.