048 [Voice | Action]

[ahappylie]

...oh. They really did leave me in the woods.

...

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[Souji's back from his mallynap as a kid; a kid totally opposite of what he's usually like. He vaguely remembers Luceti and is wandering around in the woods on the edge of town, confused and dragging his journal around.]

Comments

[ayu_nee]

[The house may be emptier than usual, but Ayumu is still going through her usual daily routine. Those who are missing will be back soon enough, and it's the time of year when someone new might appear, and if dinner isn't ready on time she simply isn't doing her job.

As she's making her way to the shop to get something to make for dinner, however, she notices the small child and pauses to frown at him thoughtfully. He's... rather familiar, isn't he.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Someone is staring at him. He turns and stares back, frowning.]

....

[He doesn't know this person though...or does he? She seems familiar for some strange reason.]

Do you need something?

[ayu_nee]

I? No.

I'm not the one who seems lost in the snow, however.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

I'm not lost. [He stares down at the ground, however, a little put out by how cold it is.] I was just left here.

[ayu_nee]

Oh, dear, that doesn't sound very nice. Left here by whom?

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs and looks away. Saying who would be rude to Kondou since it was his parents. And besides, he doesn't really know if it's them. He's just been left. Maybe someone else left him there.]

I don't think it matters.

[ayu_nee]

It matters if you don't have anywhere to go. It's a bit cold for you to simply be out walking like this, don't you think?

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

...It's not too cold for you to be out here, so why is it too cold for me?

[ayu_nee]

Hm, were you on your way somewhere warm? Because I was.

[Action - October 10th]

[markofthewise]

[The day after his return, Sokka heads out at the barracks to see if Okita Souji will meet him. When he doesn't, he decides to head over to where Souji lives to go and see if he can flag down one of his housemates and find out if he's still missing. And should he still fail to find Okita Souji... well, there's plenty of other places he might run into him.]

[Action - October 10th]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[In fact, at the house is a tiny rather unimpressive looking kid who is hanging laundry and beating it with a stick to help toss off any excess water. He sees someone approaching and pauses, then decides to keep working anyway. If the stranger needs something, he'll call.

Sokka might notice that a familiar and disgruntled looking pig is sitting nearby on top of a rock, watching this whole thing like it's the Twilight Zone.]

[Action - October 10th]

[markofthewise]

[He was hoping for Ayumu, since he knows her. But this random kid will do, since he's already outside. But since when did they have a kid living here?]

Hey, kid. Uh, hate to interrupt your... laundry stuff, but is Okita Souji back yet?

[Action - October 10th]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Geh, why does he know that name. Is this guy another friend of that oaf Hijikata? Have a not so friendly stare before he goes back to beating the laundry.]

It's Soujirou. Who are you?

[Action - October 10th]

[markofthewise]

No no, I think it's just Souji. I don't know any Soujirous. [Is it half samurai, half kangaroo?] Anyway, I'm Sokka. He's my teacher.

[Action - October 10th]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[...What is this guy talking about. Souji isn't a teacher. He isn't even allowed to pick up a sword. The kid stops and looks over his shoulder.]

No, Souji is a stupid nickname given by a stupid man. If you're looking for someone from the Okita household, that's me.

[Action - October 10th]

[markofthewise]

[... wait. Okay. Looking objectively, the kid certainly looks girly. And the pig seems to be moderately okay with him. And his name is- ah.]

... oh. So you're him.

[Action - October 10th]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[And putting down the stick to toss some more laundry up on the line. This is hard when you're only like 3 feet tall.]

Sorry to disappoint.

[action] yay backdating!

[screwthegods]

[Homura has learned a great deal about Ayumu during the course of the relationship, including answers to questions he's never asked. Many of those involve her rule of the kitchen, best summed up as "absolute" for any wishing to take part in Ayumu's meals. Homura is no exception to that, which he finds part of the woman's charm. He knows this because he's pushed the boundaries by being late, and gone hungry for his trouble. Still, gods can't die of starvation, and sometimes pushing her boundaries can be entertaining.

But not that night. When Homura gets Ayumu's message telling him not only of Okita's return, but his present condition thanks to the Malnosso. It's unfortunate, but something that can only be endured until its passing.

When Homura enters the house, it's as someone who is familiar and comfortable there: without knocking, or otherwise alerting anyone that he's coming in. His presence is fairly established by this time, and the house largely empty besides. And of course, he's curious to see how Okita is doing at present.]

Re: [action] yay backdating!

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Ugh what is with people barging in. Soujirou was busy cleaning the living room when someone walked into the house. He looks up from his sweeping, takes in the stranger, and then looks away, going back to what he was doing.]

[action]

[screwthegods]

[Well, when they practically live there, it's just what they do. And when that person is Homura, he also stops and measures up the child.

D'aw. How tiny and cute.]

Okita, correct?

[action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He stops, tightening his grip on the broom. There's no one to hide behind though and so he simply nods and keeps sweeping.]

...Soujirou.

Re: [action]

[screwthegods]

Soujirou, then.

[Wow. How incredibly different he is at this age. Nothing that Homura is a stranger to, mind, but still, it's striking to see.]

Ayumu's already put you to work.

Re: [action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He keeps sweeping, pushing what little dust and lint there is into a small pile. He doesn't know if he's supposed to say anything to answer the 'put to work' thing, so he doesn't at first. Instead, he leans down, using a small metal pan to sweep the dust up.]

...yes.

Re: [action]

[screwthegods]

[How dedicated this boy is to his chores. Homura can only wonder just what inspired such a change in the Okita of the past versus the present, but that will of course have to wait. Instead, he continues to watch, and if necessary, follow after the child.]

Is that why you're so stoic, or is there another reason?

Re: [action]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

Must there be a reason?

[He finishes sweeping up the dust and carries the pan over to a dust bin, dropping it in as carefully as possible.]

You didn't introduce yourself.