050 [ Action | Voice ]

[ahappylie]

[Despite being gone for weeks and just now showing up again, Okita doesn't seem all that worried. In fact, he's out making snowmen in the middle of the town square despite the hour and the snowfall. After making one or two small snowpeople and a small snow fort, he picks up his journal to announce his return.]

It seems I'm back now. The snow is nice.

Does anyone know how much time has passed? I suppose Ayumu-san will scold me. Let's not tell her right away, hm?

Comments

[action]

[ayu_nee]

[Yes. Yes, she will. So, Okita, what do you do when you find that Ayumu has discovered your snow fort and is examining it with a small but disapproving frown?]

[action]

[ahappylie]

[He'll hide behind it because it's an awesome snow fort and he can fit in the little igloo-ish room he's built into it by the time she comes around. Never mind the eyes peering out from the snow wall.]

[ayu_nee]

[Sure, she'll just completely ignore that.

....orrrrr not.

Ayumu remains where she is for a few more minutes, silently surveying the snow people and fort and trampled snow that shows some rather extensive playing, then finally folds her arms across her chest.]

This was more important than coming home?

[ahappylie]

[He's still staring from the pseudo-safety of his fort.]

I wouldn't say "more important."

[ayu_nee]

Then what would you say?

[ahappylie]

I'd say more that I don't remember where it is.

[ayu_nee]

You... don't remember.

[ahappylie]

That would be a problem, wouldn't it? It's so much easier to wait until someone comes to find me in a big public place like this, than to wander until I get lost in the woods, don't you think?

[ayu_nee]

[Now, see, if the Malnosso really did something and he's forgotten where their house is, Ayumu could understand that. And forgive him for not coming home. But if he's making excuses, then... well, he's in a lot of trouble.]

I'm sure it would be a problem.

How exactly did you forget where you live?

[ahappylie]

[He smiles and pokes his head out from around the fort wall.]

How does one forget anything? They take away the memory of how to get there.

[He's so not wearing clothing warm enough to be out here for this long.]

I'm not really sure how, but I simply can't remember.

[ayu_nee]

[He shouldn't be out in the cold for very long no matter what he's wearing, not in her mind. That and the fact that she isn't entirely convinced means she's still frowning in disapproval.]

You could have asked, you know.

But you should get inside. It's this way.

[ahappylie]

[He slips back behind the fort.]

Can't I stay out here a bit longer? I haven't been in the snow for such a long time.

[ayu_nee]

[She gives a rather significant glance around at all the snow sculpture work.]

How long have you already been out here?

[ahappylie]

I don't have a way to tell time.

[And he can't feel the cold or anything else so...]

...Since I came back?

[ayu_nee]

[You see this face, Okita? This is Not A Happy Face.]

I think you should probably go inside.

[ahappylie]

...Yes, Ayumu-san.

[He gets up out of the snow and dusts himself off, hiding his hands behind his back.]

After you.

[ayu_nee]

[...that was certainly easy, wasn't it.

Ayumu eyes him a moment longer, then nods and turns back in the direction of the house. What's important right now is getting him in out of the cold. And snow. Before he catches his death or something.]

[ahappylie]

[He really is trying to follow you, Ayumu. It's just that the snow is so distracting.

And about five minutes after they start walking, he's wandered off in a different direction and is playing in the snow again.]

[ayu_nee]

[You know, if she has to drag you home by the scruff of your neck she won't hesitate to do so, Okita. At this point, though, she just stifles a sigh and goes after him, gesturing pointedly toward the path.]

The house is this way.

[ahappylie]

...?

[Oh right, they were walking home. He gets up and pats himself off, then starts to follow.

For all of two minutes, then he's looking at something else.]

[ayu_nee]

Okita-san... you seem a little distracted, somehow.

[ahappylie]

[Oh! Whoa, what. What was he doing. Okita stops and looks back at Ayumu, blinking.]

Hm? Is there something wrong?

[ayu_nee]

You're supposed to be heading home.

[And that gesture indicates "home" isn't where he's standing right now.]

[ahappylie]

Oh, right!

[hahaha how silly of him! He starts wandering in the indicated direction.]

Is everyone doing well?

[ayu_nee]

[Yes. How very silly. Don't mind Ayumu, she's just going to be lurking very close by you for the moment, Okita, to make sure you don't wander off again.]

"Everyone", Okita-san? Is there anyone in particular that you mean?