Welcome to Gaia! ::

Meeting Sei had left Hoshi thoughtful, and it was something that remained throughout the next few days. He saw little enough of his housemates what with Mireille closeting herself away to work on her next novel and Ruokei leaving every morning to wander around with Sailien, but that was fine with Hoshi. He'd spent his own days as he was spending this very day - wandering around Gaian streets in a bid to refamiliarize himself with a place he'd called home not so very long ago.

Sometimes, he stopped at shops, looking at the goods through the windows, and occasionally ducking in for a small bit of food or a trinket. He'd figured on giving Sei a week or so to get used to the idea of his father being back before Hoshi pushed for more. But in the interim, there was little else to focus on, save hazy part-memories of Before. However, when his eye caught sight of a dark-haired woman that seemed somehow vaguely familiar. He paused in his tracks, considering for a moment before lifting a hand in greeting. "Hello," he said, not really certain if he even knew the woman, but after everything that had passed, willing to take the chance.

Hoshi started to open his mouth, then blinked as she shifted from dispassionate politeness to uncaring rude words. "Ah...," he said after a moment, frowning a little as he considered her. She still felt familiar to him vaguely, and determined not to be offset by the rather confusing way her attitude had shifted, he gathered his composure. "This may seem like an unusual question," he said after a moment. "But... do we know each other? You seem familiar, and I'm afraid I don't remember everyone I once knew." Hopefully, the candid words would put her at least somewhat at ease.

Hoshi, on the other hand, looked a little alarmed at the loud breaths the cat was taking. He bent down on one knee to examine Keene a bit more carefully even as he sought out an answer for Keir. "I was... away, for a long time," he explained, holding up dark blue fingers for Keene to sniff, so that Keene might decide he was friendly enough. "While I was gone, things happened, and when I returned, many of my memories had faded. I'm afraid that whatever happened also faded into that haze," he added, frowning down at Keene. "Your cat doesn't look very healthy. Do you know what's wrong with him?"

Oblivious to just what was irritating Keir so much, Hoshi continued to pet Keene even as he looked up at her. "Then... perhaps we're in the same boat," he suggested. "Your pet looks like he needs something to eat, and it's getting on toward lunch," he added after a moment, doing a quick mental calculation of the spending money that Mireille had freely handed Hoshi. He'd have to find a job soon, he knew, but she'd stressed that his first task was to get to know where he was again. "Why don't we eat somewhere, and you can tell me where you went, if you remember? And we can get him some food and water, as well."

This whole conversation hovered somewhere between baffling and uncomfortable for Hoshi, but he rallied gamely, rising and nodding. "I'll tell you what I can, certainly," he tried, offering a look that he hoped would be interpreted as sympathetic. In truth, he didn't really know what to think of it all. "And you're welcome to tell me only as much as you feel comfortable with. I don't mean to pry."

Hoshi nodded, not liking the fear he saw in her eyes, and wishing he could do something about it. "I'm not," he agreed quietly. "I am Fa'e, that much I know. My name is Hoshi," he added, remembering belatedly that he hadn't introduced himself. He'd just assumed that if she felt so comfortable with him, then likely she would know his name. But that was clearly not the case. "And... you are?" he asked, his voice a touch leading as he hoped to coax a name from her.

At her sudden excitement, Hoshi found himself smiling. "Hoshi's star, hmm?" he asked, looking down at the faint mark on her shoulder. One hand lifted, the dark blue, star-speckled fingers stopping short of actually touching as they hovered over the area. "I wish I could remember," he said apologetically. "But at least now we know why you seem familiar?" That thought buoyed him as he pointed out a small outdoor cafe along the street. "Will that work? Perhaps they'll bring Keene a bowl of water and some... meat?" he added, looking curiously at the cat. In Gaia, it was anyone's guess what any given animal might eat.

Blinking and awkward at the sudden influx of questions, Hoshi waved one hand. "I'm no prophet, Keir," he said firmly. "But... I'm also not a good example to judge on. I'm sure people remember you - friends and family you've been close to. Parents, perhaps?" he added, then blinked as he remembered the relationship that had drawn him back to Gaia. "...Or children?" he added gently.