ahappylie | 048 [Voice

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048 [Voice | Action]

...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.]

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[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?

[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.

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.

[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.

[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?

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.

Of course. Even if you say that it's your nature, it's still a reason.

[Diligent, quiet, and well-mannered: not words that Homura would use to describe the Okita he knows.]

I didn't. You also didn't ask.

Because it's manners to introduce yourself. I suppose I was wrong to expect them from someone just because they are an adult.

[After dumping the pan of dust, he goes back to sweeping another part of the living room. As for reasons, he'll keep them to himself.]

[At least that secrecy is one thing he has in common with his adult-self. Homura still follows, more than willing to watch the child.]

It is polite, but it wouldn't have served my purpose. I'm Homura.

[Why is this guy following him? It's weird and it makes him think he isn't supposed to be here. Okita stops and turns, looking up at him.]

Is there a reason you're following me? It's creepy.

[That earns a laugh from Homura.]

Is it really? I'm following you because I'm curious. I've no intention of doing you any harm.

[He takes a step away, holding the broom a little closer.]

...It is. Only strange people stare at children like that.

Then I suppose that makes me strange, doesn't it?

[Is the child afraid? It is highly likely that Okita doesn't possess the same skill with a sword at this age.]

But you should believe me when I say that it isn't my goal to hurt you. I'd have already done so by now if it was.

[Yeah that doesn't make him feel any better, Homura. He moves away again and starts to skirt off toward the kitchen.]

..........

[It's not Homura's fault Okita's a scaredy-brat. He laughs again at the retreat, crossing his arms over his chest.]

If Ayumu's cooking dinner, that might not be the safest place to hide.

I'm not hiding.

[He's making a strategic retreat away from the creepy man who suddenly appeared at the house and is following him around. He stops by the doorway to the kitchen, staring at Homura uncertainly.]

I need to put the broom away.

[Uh huh. In other words, hiding.]

You might get away with that much. But Ayumu generally chases everyone out of the kitchen when she's started cooking. She can be quite forceful when she wants.

I'm not important enough to notice.

[And he skirts inside. A few minutes later, he returns, eying Homura suspiciously as he heads to the back door.]

[While it'd be simple enough to let Okita wander out of sight and merely reappear in front of him, Homura doubts it would do much to ease the child's mind. So instead, once Okita returns, he resumes following. Okita will just have to put up with the creepy man for now.]

Why do you think yourself so unimportant?

[Geh, why is the creepy man still following. Soujirou looks over his shoulder and frowns, then goes outside, heading toward the animal pens to feed them as is his job.]

Why are you so interested? Don't you have other hobbies?

[Of course he is. What kind of stalker would Homura be if he gave up after five minutes?]

A few. But most of them are better with company, and my usual sparring partner is occupied.

... [Soujirou sighs and gives up, going to the feed shed to pull out food for Tammy. The chocobo hears people moving and comes over, warking at Homura and Soujirou in kind.]

You're just like him. Maybe a little less rude, but just as weird.

Oh? Is that why you don't care for me?

[Homura stops watching Okita directly, at least long enough to go over where Tammy's appeared. He holds out a hand for the bird to appraise.]

Be careful when you open the pen. Tammy has a habit of running away.

You stare at me and follow me around. Why would I care for you?

[He struggles to pull a bale of greens over to the pen while Tammy smells Homura's hand. The smell of food distracts her though and soon she's moving toward the side of the pen where Soujirou is.]

Fair enough. So long as you judge me on my own merits, then.

[Homura grins as Okita struggles with the load. He turns again toward the boy, who is now the subject of Tammy's attention as well.]

I can help you with that, if you'd like.

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