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

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Saizou bites the edge of the dish as if that would keep Ayumu from taking it and slowly drags it further away.]

It reminds me of someone else I know - rude, ill-tempered, insufferable.

[ayu_nee]

[At least he isn't making a mess, but Ayumu frowns at the pig a moment longer before turning back to start heating water for tea.]

Oh? Who might that be?

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

.......Some brat who's friends with Kondou-san. I dislike him. He calls me names.

[Souji goes over and crouches in front of Saizou's dish, staring at him. The pig eats and stares back, less than amused.]

He spends all day chasing after women and then gets angry at me just because I was born in a samurai house. It's not like I asked to be born that way.

[ayu_nee]

Hm, that doesn't sound very nice at all.

[...oh, the things she will have to say when Okita is back to normal.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

He's not. I dislike him, but he's Kondou-san's friend so I can't say anything. He just comes over and freeloads. It's annoying.

[ayu_nee]

What do you do at Kondou-san's house?

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

....

[Get yelled at.]

...Chores. Clean the yard, wash the laundry, wash the dishes, put things away when needed.

[ayu_nee]

Oh, really? Perhaps I shouldn't have been so quick to tell you that you didn't have to help.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

........

[He looks up at her, then back down at the eating pig, shrugging. It isn't as if it's any different from what he's been doing lately. ...Even if doing that is what got him sent away. Thinking on that makes him frown and he settles his chin on top of his knees, staring at the pig to keep himself distracted.]

...if that's what you want.

[ayu_nee]

And what is it that you want?

[Don't mind her, she's ever so busy with making the tea. She isn't even watching. Really.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Pig eating is v. distracting. He isn't going to answer for awhile and it might even seem like he's ignoring her question since he's quiet for nearly a minute.]

....It doesn't matter.

[ayu_nee]

Perhaps not. But I'm still curious.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

For someone so curious, you don't answer others' curiosity very well.

There has to be a reason you're being nice to some kid you just picked up on the road. Most would leave them alone, despite the snow.

[ayu_nee]

Hm, I suppose I don't, do I?

[She'll just be busily setting out some sweets to go with the tea — she made them for Okita, after all, even if he's a lot smaller now. But after a pause timed to make him doubt whether she'll actually answer, she does continue.]

Truth to be told, we've met before. Though you wouldn't remember it.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Now that? That freaks him out. He stops dead and hopes she can't see his fear on his face. There are only a few reasons why he wouldn't remember someone - and the one that comes to mind first is the sword. If this woman were after the sword or after revenge for what he did, of course she would be nice to him at first. Lower the defenses and then take what was wanted. Basic strategy.

He quickly turns his face away and fists his hands against his knees.]

.............................I see.

[ayu_nee]

I doubt that. It has something to do with being in this place. Just as they can bring people here without warning, they can also make you forget that you were here before. Which you were.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

... [That just makes it worse. What if people here know what he did? What he was? He gets up, turning to bow to Ayumu.]

I appreciate your kindness. I should leave.

[ayu_nee]

Why would you want to do that? You don't have anywhere else in mind to stay, and the tea is ready.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

...How much do you know about me?

[ayu_nee]

[She glances back over her shoulder at him, one brow raised slightly.]

You live here, Okita Soujirou, even if you've forgotten about it.

[And then she just turns back again, lifting the tea tray and heading for the table. You want some, kid? You'll have to come with her.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[What.

The hell.

She knows his full name and... he lived here? Yeah, he's following if only because what she said made no sense.]

What do you mean I've forgotten living here?

[ayu_nee]

It happens from time to time, apparently at the whim of the Malnosso. Sometimes people disappear for a while, then return with no memory of having been here before.

As a matter of fact, it happened to me a few months ago, though it was only a temporary thing. Give it some time and perhaps your memories will return as well.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

.... [He stops by the doorway, listening to her. So he's been here for awhile and just doesn't remember. Well...that's weird, but alright. It still doesn't make him feel any better.]

....

[He hangs back by the door, letting his facial expressions die away. This is a new house where he has to make them like him - or at least tolerate him. Just like the Kondou household, only this time they don't have the marriage tie to force their association.]

I'll help with laundry and the animals then.

[ayu_nee]

I would appreciate that. There isn't too much laundry to be done at the moment, with the house as empty as it is, but I won't refuse any help.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

... [Soujirou nods and stays by the door frame, halfway clinging to it for support. This place and these people scare him.]