Release! Freedom! Joy!
Early afternoon brings all these wonderful things to Natsume. Being deemed fit and healthy enough to go home, you are released just after lunch. A shame, too, as lunch wasn't quite as bad.
Ah well, you muse as Grandfather drives you home. No great loss. Home! Ami! Home! Sailor Mercury! She accepted!
Oh, and Kurumi's chatting, too. "So...thought I'd make a good dinner for everyone," she smiles, "A homecoming for our brave heroine!"
"Ah...Kurumi...about that," Natsume starts, trying to find the best wording. "I was wondering...would it be alright if I made dinner tonight?"
That gets Kurumi to stop mid word, turning toyou. "Natsume?" she asks openly, surprised. "Aren't you still recovering?"
"Oh, well, I feel better already! I don't even have a headache anymore," she assures her. "And its not like cooking is going to tax me all that much physically...I think."
She decides to get right to the point...
"Its just...I invited a close friend over tonight, and I was hoping I might be able to cook dinner for all of us," Natsume explains. "She's never been over before and I want to make a good impression."
"That Ami girl," Kurumi asks curiously, while going on. "I don't see why not, but are you sure you're up to it...or, for that matter, is she up to it?" Smiling even as she shakes her head, "Natsume, I remember your last meal."
"Eheh, yes, I remember that all too well," she says with a nervous laugh. "But I was hoping my wonderful and talented younger sister would be in the kitchen with me to look over my shoulder. To make sure I don't mistake the sugar for the salt, or the vinegar for the white wine and all that...."
Kurumi just nods, "Alright, but...promise you'll follow my directions," she asks, while Grandfather quietly looks heavenward, muttering something to himself.
"Of course, I'll do everything you say, to the letter!" Natsume promises vehemently. "I'll even clean all the dishes afterwards!"
Damnit, why did she have to add that last part....
"Well," Kurumi brightens at that promise. "I suppose we could just make some steaks, since it is a special friend," she nods, already planning. "And rice. Something simple but really nice..."
"Steak...yeah, steak would be perfect! Thats a brilliant idea!" Natsume exclaims. "Ummm...do we have steak?"
"We'll stop at the store," Grandfather says, shaking his head.
Kami help poor Kurumi...
"I assume your head is as strong as the rest of your body, with your recovery," Grandfather goes onto note.
"Oh, of course, the store. Why didn't I think of that?" she mumbles as she lightly raps herself on the head...then cringes as she is painfully reminded of the crack in her skull. "Dear Kami, please let tonight go smoothly."
"Amen..." Kurumi murmurs.
----ONE TRIP TO THE STORE LATER----
At least that went well. It was quick and brief, getting exactly what you needed. Loading it into the trunk and driving back home, you feel butterflies all the way, even as you watch Grandfather and Kurumi haul in and put away the groceries.
"We'll need to start soon, Natsume-chan," Kurumi notes. "So you can get cleaned up before dinner."
"Good idea, I also need to figure out what to wear...," she notes. 'Huh...I've never actually been on a date before...do I even have anything appropriate?'
She quickly gets to her room and browses her closet, looking for anything that might work...
"Come back soon," Kurumi calls out as you leave. "We'll take a bath together before dinner," she calls.
In your closet...you do have some clothes, but you need to figure out what to wear.
OOC - Figure out your outfit next. I'll leave it in your hands.
Hm...couple of sets of school uniforms, some jeans, a few shirts...in other words nothing that can be worn in a formal affair...
"Ugh, I'm starting to regret not having Kurumi's sense of fashion..." Natsume groaned. "What am I gonna do now?"
As she laments over her lack of style she eventually recalls something she usually kept in the last drawer of her dresser. She figuratively slapped herself for nearly forgetting, it should fit the occassion, but would it fit her?
"I know its here somewhere..." she mumbled as she rummaged through layers of random articles. "Ahhh...there it is."
Neatly folded and wrapped in plastic was a red silk kimono her mother used to wear when she was her age, at least according to grandfather. He had given it to her for safekeeping, hoping it would be of some use to her someday. Seems he had amazing foresight...
'Grandfather must of thought I'd look like at least little like mom when I grew older...otherwise he wouldn't have given this to me,' she thought. 'At least I hope so...'
It took a few minutes to put it on. The last time she wore one of these she was a little less than ten. It took some time to recall all the steps...
"Hmmm, not too bad," she critiques as she gives herself a once over. The sleeves were a little long, but otherwise it fit perfectly, it was pretty comfortable too. "I can see why mother would wear these alot."
Well, that and grandfather was a rather notorious stickler for tradition....
Now that that had been taken care, she aways to join her sister in the bath.
IN the bath, Kurumi smiles as you sit. "What did you decide on," she asks, making conversation as you settle into the warm waters.
Ah, at least this still feels good, if nothing else.
"Hehe, that's my little secret," Natsume says with a sly smile. "You'll see at dinner tonight."
This was the first moment of real relaxation she'd had in several days.
"How about you?"
"Just a blouse and skirt," Kurumi says idly, sinking into the tub. "But why the secret," she smiles interestidly a moment later. "Your're not really inviting someone else over, are you," she asks, her meaning clear. "That cute nurse who took your pulse, maybe?" *Giggle*
"NO!" Natsume exclaims, her face instantly red with embarrasment. "It...it's...Dr. Mizuno's daughter..."
Laughing easily as your ejaculation of no echos through the bathroom, "I'm kidding. You invited that Ami girl over? That's right, you two know each other." Peering as she contains her amusement, "Guess I should just expect your nice pants and blouse, right?"
"I want to make a good impression, so yeah I guess you can," Natsume nods. "I just hope nothing winds up going wrong...ugh, I shouldn't say that, I'll jinx myself..."
"I don't see why something would go wrong," Kurumi comments, giving you a funny look. "Natsume-chan, she'll be a guest, but aren't you worrying too much over this? It's just having a friend over for dinner, isn't it?"
"Uhh, well, yeah I guess you're right," Natsume says while laughing nervously. "Well, you know me! Always overreacting hehehe...heh...."
"Yeah," Kurumi shrugs, trying to put it behind her. "You aren't still worried about cooking, are you?" she asks a moment later, smiling as you can just TELL two things clicked in her brain. "We'll knock this out good."
"Well, I'm sure with your help I'll be able to pull it off," she assures, more herself than Kurumi. Though sudden smile on her sister's face does make her raise an eyebrow, but she has no clue as to what she could be thinking. "What do you have percolating in that little brain of yours."
"Oh, that you were worried you'd ruin dinner and embarrass our family in front of your guest," she replies. "You don't have to worry about it...at worst, we'll just say the steak is well done."
"Oh, thank you for your unwavering faith in my latent culinary skills dear sister," she drolled. "All the more reason to submit myself before your gastronomic genius, if something does go wrong I'll have a convienient means of deferring blame."
Kurumi smiles at your mouthwork, nodding. "Yep!" Lacing it with a giggle, she rises and gets ready to go back to the kitchen.
---
The bus ride home is something else for Miss Mizuno. With your special package, a much lighter purse with only a few yen AND the thoughts of what will happen if anyone figures out what's in the shopping bag; Ami is rather nervous for the entire ride.
On reaching the end stop, she makes good haste home. Unaccosted, as usual, she goes right to her room and puts away the dread box, even as thoughts of what in the WORLD was she thinking race in her mind.
Also...your date tonight. Hm, getting ready for that?
OOC - Do your setup for it from this and I'll move you along.
Ami bites her lip as she eyes the box she's just stored her purchases in hestitantly, then shakes her head.
No, definitely not. Even if I had the nerve to wear them, a dinner with her family is definitely not the time for them, especially that... She blushes. What WAS I thinking? But...I don't...I don't feel like returning it.
That much decided, Ami turns to her closet, her thoughts turning to the evening, and butterflies beginning anew their mad dance in her stomach. She sighs and begins rifling through her clothing, and to her nervous frustration, a horde of sensible, but not altogether flattering clothing greets her eyes.
"This isn't going to work..." she sighs aloud. "I can't-" she pauses. But...I must try. Not too formal...the dress Artemis and Usagi got for me is out...But not too casual. Jeans or slacks wouldn't work...How would Rei-chan dress for something like this? Uhmm... She pauses, picturing the Senshi of fire's tastes. Lets see...dark clothing, figure hugging... Ami blushes
"Well, Maybe I can...? I wonder if I still have my..." Ami smiles to herself, and moves over to a chest of drawers, and carefully moves clothing around until she locates it-A soft turtleneck sweater her mother gave her a year ago, clingy, but made of a fluffy, almost Angora looking material. She beams, pulling out of the drawer, and laying it on the bed, running her hands over the fluffy, midnight blue softness. I love this sweater. Haven't had many chances to wear it, though.
Somewhat encouraged, Ami goes back to her closet, and looks for a few moments, locating a loose, knee length black skirt. Excited now, she pairs the items with a pair of black tights, then slips them all on. Examining herself in her bedroom mirror, Ami blushes a little.
I...don't remember the sweater being this tight... she thinks, her face red. Still...that other t-shirt is tighter than this. It...should be okay...right?
"Looking good, Ami-chan," Artemis calls, to your surprise. "Very nice," Luna agrees, entering on his heels, the two currently cats having nudged your door open just enough to enter.
"Going out somewhere," the white cat asks, hopping onto your bed. "Your Mom's dragging your out to a nice lunch or dinner?"
Ami spins around to face the Mau, hot embarrassment creeping up on her cheeks, and she drops back a step.
"Ano...no..." she murmurs, hesitating before deciding keeping it to herself will just make them more curious. "Kusanagi-san invited me to her home to eat tonight." Fidgeting slightly and her blush darkening at Artemis' presence in the room, Ami folds her arms around herself, almost protectively, and tries not to sigh as a touch of the earlier meloncholy returns at seeing him with Luna.
Should I begrudge him that? After all, Natsume...But, I can't just dispell my feelings about...for...?Him...
"Ah," Luna smiles. "Artemis mentioned her to me today. How is she doing," Luna asks, sticking rather close to your cat crush.
Luna is my friend. Artemis is my friend. No matter what I'm sorting out for him, resentment is silly, especially if Natsume... THAT perks her up a little, and helps her avoid using a chilly tone.
"She's fine." Ami smiles wryly. VERY fine. No blushing, no blushing... Her face pinks a little as she works to control it. "It was just a mild concussion...mother's going to send her home this afternoon."
"That's good news," Artemis agrees, as he lies on your bed, and probably sheds on it, too. Luna nods agreement, lying next to him. "Mmm...Is Usagi going with you? I know she's friends with Natsume already."
Ami blushes visibly, this time. "I'm not sure." She replies, truthfully....if only barely. "She didn't mention that."
"I'll ask her when I get home," Luna volunteers, stretching out, sending her cat limbs akimbo. "Maybe after a nap...wore myself out," she yawns, Artemis seconding that. "It was more work getting to the piers today than we thought..."
So murmuring, he curls up and rests his head on his paws. "Have fun, Ami-chan."
Ami gives the Mau a meloncholy smile, and scratches lightly behind his ears. "You too, Artemis." she smiles. Resist....Resist...I can't! She thinks with a flash of pure mischief. "And be good. We don't want the neighbours to know you and Luna are sleeping together. There'd be a scandal." this last is tossed over her shoulder as she heads out of the room, her face burning as the uncharacteristic tease makes her thoughts spin.
That wasn't like me...what is WRONG with me today?
"AMI!"
"AMI-CHAN!"
The dual yelps from the Mau echo as you retreat, assured blushed on both of their faces at your comment. From the plopping sound, you're sure they both fell over from that little gem of commentary.
I enjoyed that far too much. Ami admits to herself with a deep blush. I wonder if that will make it awkward? she thinks, feeling mildly guilty. Slipping down the hall, Ami ducks into the living room to...well, she doesn't know, exactly. She can't go back to her room, and she still has time before she needs to leave to track down Natsume's address...
Even as you sit down, a memory pings your mind. "Come visit today, Ami-chan..." drifting through like a breeze from the cold north wind.
Ami frowns, finding the silent invitation...startlingly compelling. I...I thought I dreamed that. I did, didn't I? Biting her lip, Ami nods slowly to herself. But...if I didn't...I should....Well, I should go apologize to Tellu. Right? Or....something...
That decision tentatively made, Ami gets ready to leave, glancing at the clock to make sure she has enough time to go to Mugen AND Natsume's dojo.
You do, though you shouldn't tarry too much here if you are going to. It doesn't hurt that the bus routes work well with this, making you do minimal switching and walking.
Ami nods, and slips out of the apartment with a called 'See you later' to the Mau. The nature of her dream cast in doubt, Ami fights a growing unease as she hurries to Mugen. I didn't do that with Tellu....not REALLY. Right?
As you think on it..her touch, her smell, the feeling of her tongue...there...
A fierce blush comes to your face at that, even as the words, "I love you," from her play in your mind. If she did...do that and said that....
Ami stares at her lap, her face hot. Wh-What do I do? I mean, if I did that with Tellu...and Natsume is...How did I go from being alone to THIS dilemma?
Since you seem to lack a guardian angel to tell you these things, the empty air gives you no response. Only your memories of Tellu, a blessing that you desired but didn't expect to tget...
I'll...figure it out? I just need to ask Tellu why...and how...and....yeah. I think. Ami sighs and leans her head on the glass. How do these things run away with me?
And thus, Ami goes out. The bus routes are running well enough today despite the remaining snow, so it's not a terribly hard trip.
Yet, then why do you feel butterflies as you approach the edifice of your school?
Ami approaches the school nervously, wondering what she'll find. Usagi turned out to be a dream...Tellu...But, I thought...I...guess I need to stop stalling, and find out.
Ami shivers, pulling her coat tighter around herself, even though she's not cold, but her nerves are not happy with this, not at ALL.
With anticipation mixed with shy reluctance, Ami heads into the school, and makes a beeline for the greenhouse...
The greenhouse is warm when you enter, almost too warm by far. Stifling, humid and nasty, making you ditch your coat instantly. Ugh, how does Tellu stand it sometimes?
Reversely, you don't see the girl around on a basic inspection. It looks quiet, the various plants showing their blooms of multicolors to the empty air and dust spectators.
Ami dabs at her forehead, moving deeping into the greenhouse, looking for Tellu timidly. "Tellu-chan...?" Was it this hot the other day? I don't remember finding the atmosphere in here so opressive before...
It's like a wet oven is wrapped around you, and you're going to puke up your vital fluids. As you head deeper, to the back and her little living space, you don't see her at all. Yet, you find your gaze torn to the roof and outside, the misting snowbanks and chill wind sounding like a fine relief to this miserable heat.
At this rate, you're going to need another bath before dinner, as you're sweating like a hog.
Ami winces. "I can't...I can't!" as quickly as she can, Ami makes for the door, not even bothering to grab her jacket on the way out. I'll have to leave her a note...or...why is the heat on so high? I feel at though I'm melting...
As you fumble and stumble out of the greenhouse, the cooler halls of Mugen feel better. Not nearly good enough, though, to your overheated body. By the time you escape, you feel like you want to jump into a pool of ice water and freeze there, sweat almost pouring off of you.
Ami keeps going, making for the doors, and the oh-so-sweet cool of outside, stumbling dizzily at this point, and groping at her wrist to pull off her talisman...
You stagger to the doors, as you paw at your Talisman. It...it'...it's hard to pull off, almost like it's resisting you. Yet, your mind is distracted by it as your body weight pushes the door outside open, a gust of cold air feeling like the breath of heaven. So much better than the unneededly hot air inside...
Ami breathes deeply, letting the acceptable tempurature soothe her body, and clear her head. I thought I was going to pass out... Ami thinks with some alarm. One thought DOES remain. Was my talisman trying to stay on? Tentatively, Ami attempts to remove it now, when she can concentrate...
The Talisman is pleasant to the touch, coming off with a double tug. Yet, the cold air still feels good after it's in your hand and not on, still refreshing.
Ami blink blinks at the lack of intense cold when she removes the bracelet. "Has it warmed up since then, maybe?" She wonders to herself.
Thinking on that, Ami finally gives up, as she doesn't have enough information. Sighing and spending a few more moments outside to cool down enough that she won't ruin her outfit for the rest of the evening, Ami heads inside to retrieve her jacket...and frown a little at her talisman.
Finally, she slips it into her subspace pocket for the night...She REALLY wants tonight to go well, and suffering under the peculiar weakness to heat is likely to be a bad thing. Tomorrow she'd go back to wearing it non-stop. One night couldn't hurt, right?
Once put away, you go to get your jacket. When you enter the greenhouse again, it's not nearly as overly hot, though it's still quite nasty as you briefly go in to get the article you left.
Ami sighs and nods to herself. "Tellu's not here...I suppose I DID dream it." she muses as she retrieves her jacket, and prepares to leave. Am I disappointed? Well....Maybe a little. Tellu-chan is very pretty...and...it's special to be confessed to, like that.
Slowly walking out of the greenhouse, Ami decides to make a quick check of the office, just in case Tellu is around. She debates leaving a note, but decides against it, as she's uncertain whether what she thought happened really happened...
In the office, to your surprise, you find Eudial. She's at her desk, typing away at a computer and stifling a yawn. "Hey, Ami," she calls, turning from her task. "Snow's going down enough to get up here easily now?"
Ami smiles. "Uh-huh. It's warmed up quite a bit." she adds, smiling. "I don't have to impose on you now, at least. Has Tellu-c...Tellu been around?"
"Not today," Eudial comments. "Looking for her?"
I MUST have dreamed it, then.
Ami shakes her head, blushing. "Just thought I'd go see her if she was." Ami replies unconvincingly. "What are you working on?"
"Nothing," she shakes her head, turning the monitor on it's swivel. You see what looks to be a fancy racing game. "Beats sitting around and doing nothing," she smiles.
Ami giggles at that. "True." she admits. "Though, I'm relieved...I'd hate to think their was something to do while I'm being made to recover..."
To that, she just nods. "Anyway, you're just here for Tellu," she asks. "Caught the bus up here?" Smiling even more now, "You know...I can give you a ride home or whereever you want to go. Professor Tomoe won't need me for the rest of the way, he's busy with that woman you saved."
Ami smiles slightly, and blushes as her hand closes around the address Natsume had given her from in coat pocket. "Well, I wouldn't mind, but I'm heading out for dinner...It's a bit out of the way..." Ami replies vaguely. She thought the older girl might be looking for an excuse to get out of the school, but leaving her a way out if she was more interested in her game.
"Like that's a problem," Eudial snorts cheerfully. "I can get you to anywhere in Tokyo with in a half hour!" So asserting, "C'mon, I'll go get changed and drive you there."
Ami laughs softly and nods agreeably. "Alright." she agrees with a sheepish smile, and preparing to follow Eudial.
As you head out, "I had to park by the gym today, so I changed there...my clothes are all the way on the other side of the school," she complains, annoyed. "So anyway, we'll have to walk there."
So going, Eudial chatters away about this and that. She seems in a good mood today despite it all, mentioning how she heard that Cyprine and a boy from the senior class were seen together - when you, as you pass by a intersecting corridor, see a glimpse of green heading into a classroom. It's only a momentary impression, but it's there.
Ami smiles and nods as Eudial talks, not saying a great deal, but listening and commenting...(Embarrassedly, in some cases) Until she sees the green out of the corner of her eye, and all her attention fixes on it, and her steps falter.
Did I just...But what would...? Ami thinks uncertainly. She feels strange, again...not quite stopping walking, but trying to arrange her thoughts...
Eudial stops lively chattering, slowing herself. "Hey, Ami, you there," Eudial asks, blinking. "Something wrong?"
Ami shakes her head. "Did I...see..." she mumbles to herself, shivering and only barely acknowledging Eudial as she slows and stops, staring down the hall, a distant part of her mind trying to get her to pick up her feet and begin following Eudial again...
Eudial blinks, but shivers then. "Uh...why don't I just go ahead while you sort whatever it is that's got your attention out," she ventures, nervous now at your strange and abrupt shift.
Ami looks up and blinks at Eudial as though just remembering she's there. "I...Uhm...Eudial?" Ami asks nervously, no longer certain about ANY of her conclusions anymore. "Can...Can you wait here? I thought I saw..."
Ami swallows nervously. "Or...maybe I'm overreacting...It's been a strange few days..."
"Sure, I can wait here," Eudial says calming down. "You look like you've seen a ghost, anyway."
Ami smiles weakly and nods. "Thank you..." she murmurs. "I hope I'm just imagining things, but...I'll be right back."
So saying, she hurries off down the hall, in the direction of the classroom she saw Tellu...That WAS Tellu, right? Enter into...
It's a quiet, small lecture hall you enter into. Dim with only some light from the shuttered windows illuminating things, you don't see any sign of green from inside. Though, you'd have go inside more to see, and there's a little door on the side to another room. Perhaps a closet, or a small teacher's ready room.
Something about this situation makes the hairs on the back of Ami's neck stand on end. "Tellu-chan?" she calls tentatively, shyly proceeding into the room.
Glancing around the room, she nervously examines her surroundings. I thought...but she...Not where she told me to meet her...DID she tell me to meet her? Why did I feel so compelled, if it WAS a dream?
Ami hestiates, listening for some sort of response, a shuffling of feet, ANYTHING in response to her call before she heads to the other door.
The room is strangely quiet as you squint, then blink. Uh...what? For a moment, you could swear you got a nasty bit of light shone in your eyes, almost like a reflection for something. Perhaps a bit of light from the window
As you clear your eyes, "Ami-chan..." Tellu says, her voice soft. It's from behind the teacher's desk. A cough sounds a moment later.
Ami turns toward the sound of Tellu's voice, blinking away the momentary sparkles from her eyes adjusting themselves.
How could that happen in the dark?
"T-Tellu-chan?" Ami whispers, not liking the sound of the cough at all, and suddenly very nervous. "I-I came to the greenhouse, but you weren't..."
"I know...just come here, Ami-chan," she manages, coughing twice after that, hacking sounds that probably rock her unseen body. "I....help me..."
Ami's eyes widen, and she hurries to the Teacher's desk, looking behind it for the Green haired girl. "What's wrong?" she asks, almost afraid of the answer. "What happened?"
Tellu is curled up beneath it, wearing her normal lab coat outfit. "Uhhh...." she reaches out to you, one hand. "Take my hand, Ami-chan...*cough*"
"I need your help..."
Ami doesn't hesitate, and her ealier misgivings all but forgotten as she grabs Tellu's hand, genuinely afraid for her friend. "Of course, but maybe you shouldn't move..." she begins, crouching down to examine the older girl as she takes her hand.
She's cool to the touch, a bad sign right there.
Perhaps.
She raises slightly, wrapping her arms around you. "Oh, Ami..." she whispers. "Just stay with me here a little while, okay? It'll make me feel better."
Ami blushes as Tellu wraps her arms around her. "I-I'll stay with you right now..." Ami begins, and gently touches Tellu's neck, feeling for her pulse. "But you need a doctor...or at least to have the professor look at you...your temperature is really low." Ami tells Tellu anxiously. "Do you want me to take you to the greenhouse?" she asks, concern written all over her face. "It's warmer there..."
Painfully so, but Tellu seems to thrive on it.
As you do so, you feel strangely sleepy. Comfortable, though, as she hugs you. "Don't worry...I just need to be with you a little while, Ami. I love you so much..." she whispers again.
Ami feels her eyes begin to droop, and she struggles to stay awake, gently tugging on Tellu. "Tellu-chan...please...if you're hurt, and I don't..." she trails off, yawning a little and trying to gather the larger girl in her arms. "...Want...to help..."
"You have, Ami," she says gently, even as you drowse off. "Love you...forever..."
Mmmm...
Just as you feel like youre goint to fall entirely asleep, "Ami," Eudial calls out, the sound of the door you came from hitting the wall lightly. Blinking groggily...you're under a desk alone? Mmmm?
Ami groggily stirs, and jerks upward as Eudial calls her...banging her head sharply on the underside of the desk. "Itai!" she whimpers, scrambling out. "Tellu?"
AS you do so, you don't see Tellu anywhere. Only a vague sleepiness still haunts you. "Ami?" Eudial stops and asks, staring as you yelp and come out from under the desk. "What the hell were you doing under there?"
Ami rubs at her eyes and looks up at Eudial, trying to banish the sleepiness from her consciousness. "Eudial-did Tellu leave?" she asks urgently, looking around, confused and upset. "How long was I under there...?"
"Uh, no," Eudial says slowly, caught off guard at the question. "It's been five minutes. I thought you'd gotten lost back here or something."
"She didn't...did I fall asleep again?" Ami wonders, beginning to worry about narcolepsy. Is there a sexual narcolepsy? No, wait...'it' didn't happen this time.
"You're SURE Tellu didn't leave?" Ami presses, feeling frustrated and stressed out about these strange dreams, which seem somehow linked to reality. "I...She was coughing, like she was sick...Am I delusional?" she wonders, upset.
"Unless she went that way," Eudial glances at the other door. "I didn't see her at all." Offering you a hand if you need it, "Look, why don't we go? You probably just need some fresh air and a drink - you look pale."
Ami accepts the help as graciously as she can, shaking her head. "But...she seemed so sick..." she mutters, confused. "How could she get away without you at least hearing...and she was cold..."
Ami sighs. "I'm sorry, Eudial...That was bizarre, and...I'm not even sure it happened, now."
"Have you been sleeping enough," Eudial asks, before frowning. "Or have you been wearing your Talisman? I'm sure I didn't see Tellu at all."
Ami nods a bit at the mention of sleep. "Actually...I slept most of yesterday, and...My Talisman?" Ami repeats, puzzled. "Well, yes...Until a little while ago, I was wearing it constantly...to keep an eye on it."
Eudial just shrugs, then. "Well, maybe it's just you," she offers, taking a little detour to a teacher's lounge. She comes out with a warmed drink can, handing it to you if you want it. "You still look pale, Ami," she notes.
Ami accepts the drink can meekly, sipping from it with both hands. "Not a pleasant thought, but...I can't see any other causes." Ami concedes, sighing. "Thank you."
You nearly have to wince, as it's hot to the point of burning your mouth. "Just take it easy tomorrow,"s he shrugs. "Sleep in, rest up and all that." Falling back in step with you, "Or you're just tired from that incident earlier in the week?"
"Gpmth!" Ami replied, hurriedly swallowing the drink, and breathing quickly to cool down her tongue. "P-Perhaps..." Ami winces, the burned feeling to her tongue decidedly unpleasant. "But as I said...I slept from noon until this morning yesterday..."
"You're probably really getting sick," Eudial nods, "If you're sleeping that much and still ill. Or..." Smiling now, strongly, "Either that or you need to get your blood pumping. I can help with that option."
"I don't -feel- sick." Ami protested, blowing on her drink. "Blood pumping?"
"Yeah," Eudial nods happily. "I just tweaked the engine in my car, so...."
Frankly, Eudial's grin at the prospect tells you everything you really need to know on the subject.
"Right. May I have a blindfold this time?" Ami asks innocently, without missing a beat. "And I suspect you're mistaken...blood has difficulty pumping at all with the G-forces you deal in..." Ami's expression remains completly guileless, but there's a trace of a smile in her voice.
Eudial snorts and smiles herself, tossing her head and hair back. "We'll see about that, Ami," she vows, as you approach the gym changing room areas. "I'm sure I'll figure out some way to swing it."
Ami nods, sipping more carefully at the 'warm' drink Eudial gave her. "I'm sure you would." Ami replies wryly, taking up a position outside the changeroom doors. "Someday, I'd like to see what exactly you put under the hood..."
"Someday," Eudial nods, going back to change. As she leaves you, you have to suppress a burnt tongue yawn, sleepiness still evident and felt.
Ami sighs, slumping against the wall. "What's happening to me?" she wonders softly, gingerly finishing her drink, then taking out the Talisman again to examine it. Could this be the key? But....that last...dream, or whatever it was, didn't happen while I was wearing it...
Your Talisman feels pleasant in your hand, damn good to hold. The new snowflake design glitters in the light, like ice reflecting the sunshine in the Arctic. Yet it provides no answers, only the passing of time as Eudial changes.
Experimentally, Ami slips it back onto her wrist, wondering exactly what it does to her body to produce such a strong ward against cold, then removing it again. I've been delaying, since the professor tested it himself, but maybe it's time for me to run scans...
When you slip it onto your arm, you feel slightly better. It's comfortable and soothing in it's way, and a minor dissapointment when you take it off. As you ponder this, Eudial comes out in a heavy blue jacket and pants. "Ready," she asks laconically, adjusting her winter wear.
Ami raises her eyebrows at Eudial's attire and simply nods, slipping the talsiman back into her subspace pocket with a slightly worried frown. Am I getting attacted to it, somehow?
"Ready." Ami agrees softly, standing.
It's a short trip to her car, and you note that the seatbelts are in fine working order.
Thank God, Buddha, the Kami, and Queen Serenity.
Eudial's grin perks up as always as she gets in, getting the engine going. Makes a fair deal more noise than a normal one, too.
Ami nervously buckles herself into the passenger side seat, thanking kami for the racing belt, and closed her eyes, fishing the scrap of paper from her coat. "Do you know where to find this address?" She asks.
Reading it over, she nods. "Yeah...that's Natsume's place, isn't it? I had to take her home after the blizzard," she explains. With that, it's going...going...ahhhhhhh!
If nothing else, she must've tweaked the engine, and it's lucky that she's such a talented driver. Reaaaaally lucky, you think.
Ami covers her eyes, resisting the urge to whimper. "My respect for the skill required to manage a car at these speeds grows with every ride I take with you, Eudial."
The coment was meant to be delivered dryly, but the best Ami can manage is a panicked squeak.
"It's not so hard," she grins as you race along. "Hell, I'll teach you if you have the time!"
"At this point, that's directly dependent on your talent..." Ami replies, peeking out from between her fingers and yelping in dismay, squeezing her eyes shut again.
"But, if you're serious, I may take you up on that. At leasy I have firsthand proof you're good at it..." Ami manages, trying not to hyperventilate.
Ami succeeds, if just barely.
"I'll hold you to that sometime," Eudial nods, as you race on!
--------
Well. Having to take a pan out to pour the grease outside, Natsume could grumble. It's really not what she expected to do on coming downstairs, but them's the breaks. Nor did she expect a familiar station wagon to come to an almost light speed stop on the other side of the street - or for Ami to come out of it a few moments later, looking a bit peaked.
"Araaa...." Ami mumbles to herself after thanking her ride. "Who needs a teleporter? We can have Eudial drive us to the moon...She can't be far from escape velocity..."
'AAAH! SHE'S HERE ALREADY?!' thought wildly as she scrambles back into the house, hoping she had not been seen. "I...I didn't expect her for another hour!Is the dinner ready?I need to get to dressed!But she's right outside my door!Why is she so early?!Why didn't she calll?!"
Natsume's brain runs a mile a minute, as does she, as she scrambles to get everything prepared within a span of a few seconds.
Ami clears her eyes as Eudial drives off. Turning to Natsume's house, she sees a flash dart inside. Who was that...?
Ah well, it's the right number, anyway.
Ami sighs. "Well, I made good time, anyway..." she murmurs, checking her watch. "Eep!" she begins to blush. "A little too good..."
She looks up nervously at the home and figets, debating whether she should stall a bit or not. After spending five or ten minutes in a debate with herself, Ami nervously enters the yard, and walks up to the doorstep, preparing herself to ring the bell. Eudial... She grumbles inwardly, Thanks....I think. Please let this go well...Please?
Taking a deep breath, Ami rings the doorbell...
"She'shereshe'shereshe'shereshe'shereshe'shereshe'shereshe'shere!!!" she recursed as she finished setting out the table. "I still need to get dressed! SOMEONE STALL HER!"
With that she charges up the stairs as if the devil were at her heels. Well...it is said love is the root of all evil....
"Um..." Kurumi says eloquently at Natsume's panic, watching as she races upstairs.
"I swear, you'd think her fiancee was coming over, if she had one," she says in mystification, before shrugging it off and going to answer the door.
Ami sees a cute girl in an apron answer the door, bowing. "Ah, Ami. You're Natsume's guest tonight," she asks, smiling.
Ami smiles back, nodding and bowing politely, blushing and figeting a bit nervously. Uhm...what to I say? What do I call her?
"Un...I hope I'm not putting you and your family to too much trouble, Kusanagi-san." Ami offers shyly.
"It's not a problem," she smiles demurely, moving aside. "Please, come in."
"Natsume spoke highly of you today," she goes on, nodding at the little nook where you can put your shoes and get slippers. "You're her friend, yes? Did you meet at one of her kendo competitions?"
Ami wishes suddenly, intensely, that Natsume had told her what she was going to tell her family. She blushes as Kurumi mentions Natsume speaking of her, resisting the urge to inquire further on that point.
Slipping off her boots and stepping inside, Ami tucks them away and retrieves the guest slippers, pulling them on. "Uhm...Actually, I only really talked to her for the first time at my school." Ami replies. "Before that it was just a chance meeting where we met..."
I'm not used to keeping it a secret anymore. Still, that's the truth, and it doesn't contradict what Natsume-chan said in the hospital...
"Oh, what school is that," she asks politely, nodding as you are lead past a nice living room. Natsume's grandfather is there, who turns and nods once, gravely to you, before turning back and letting Kurumi lead you on. Past this are a few more rooms, then the sitting meal room. Very traditional style, down to the low table. "If you'll just sit here, Natsume will be down soon and I'll have dinner out. There are pickled plums there," she gestures at a small bowl, "If you're hungry now."
"I attend Mugen Gakuen." Ami replies softly, and follows the younger girl's lead into the sitting room, and situates herself as she's instructed, smiling. "Thank you very much."
Natsume sits down on the bed, needing to take a much needed breather. She was getting entirely too worked up, she needed to calm down and be rational if this night was going to do anywhere near as planned.
"There really is nothing I need to worry, thank God Kurumi is such a fast cook," Natsume whispered to herself. She wanted to make dinner herself, but she wound up taking more a position of 'helper'. Chop this, boil that, drain this smelly stuff. Still, it was a learning experience.
She glanced over at the kimono she had laid out several hours before. In hindsight, it was probably a bit much, especially when this was supposed to be just a friend coming over for dinner....
'Hm, well, if they start asking questions, I'll just confess,' she resigned in thought. 'I'm not going to let my own worries ruin this night. I have to be more responsible from now on if I want to make this work.'
Tonight was going to be a special night...one way or another...
"Mugen? That's a nice school, isn't it," she smiles. For such a young girl, she's just like what you'd imagine Natsume's mom to be in a position like this. "It's good to know that you're doing well for yourself," she goes on, nodding.
Natsume-chan wasn't exaggerating a bit when she said she takes care of everyone...she reminds me of Usagi's mother... Ami blushes and shrugs self depreciatingly. "I'm lucky to be able to go there." she agrees. "Do you attend Juuban with your sister?"
Kurumi nods. "I do...and ah, I'm sorry," she bows again, "But I need to take dinner out of the oven." With that, she departs and leaves you alone. Yet not for long, as you see Natsume coming...
OOC React and let Natsume post intro hersel.f
Ami nods, letting Kurumi exit the room gracefully, and turns as she sees Natsume about to enter from the corner of her eye.
Natsume descended the stairs slowly, one step at a time. Walking in a kimono took a surprising amount of skill, which she did not possess. She had decided to let hair down, rather than wear it up like she usually did. She thought it would look nice, but now there was the problem in moving in such a way that a stray hair did not fall into her eyes or mouth.
'Who knew trying to look nice would be so hard...' Natsume thought in minor despair.
As she stepped off the final step she came to face to face with Ami. A blush immediately flooded her face, but at least she was imagining to keep her wits intact.
"Uhh...welcome."
Ami's eyes go wide as she catches sight of Natsume, and she struggles to keep her jaw from dropping. Oh my... Ami smooths her skirt nervously, suddenly feeling distinctly underdressed. She...kimono...Hair... She stares openly at the taller girl, who looks like she just stepped out of time machine to feudal japan, before collecting herself and trying to stutter out a response.
"Uhm....Ano...Thank you!" Ami blurts, bowing...or starting to, remembering she's seated at a table just in time to avoid braining herself on the tabletop. She can -feel- the red rising from below her neckline to engulf her face in heat. "Ah...Y-You look nice," Ami stumbles, unable to take her eyes off the other girl. Kirei...Sugoi...
"I...I'm glad you were able to come," Natsume started, reluctantly. "Dinner should be ready in a moment or so."
No need to be nervous, such be polite and courteous and everything should be fine.
"Umm...if you like...I can show you around the house...its pretty big," she offered.
Ami nodded slowly, biting her lip to keep from saying anything untoward, before replying. "Uhm...Yes, please." she told Natsume softly, rising. "I'd like that..."
It was a rather simple task. Natsume guided her from room to room and gave Ami and simple description of its purpose. Bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, study, koi pond, and finally outside to the training hall.
"And this where grandfather and myself train," Natsume briefly explained. "Or as Kurumi likes to call it, controlled violence."
This was also the place where she spent over fifty percent of the hours in the week in, but left that little detail to herself...
Ami curiously entered the dojo, looking around, and feeling vaguely...intimidated, somehow. Training with Ms. Makihara downtown had nominally been a dojo as well, but the Kusanagi family training hall had the feel of a shrine, as well.
"I...don't know what to do." Ami admitted meekly. "The dojo I train at is nothing like this. I feel like I'm visiting a temple..."
"Hmm, I don't know the entire history of my family, you might not be too far off," Natsume says. "Grandfather doesn't like talking about the past very much, at least in that context."
She approached one of the walls, where various shinai and bokuto were displayed. She chose one of them and took a moment to examine it before coming to some decision.
"I realize its a bit early in the evening, but I figured since we're here..." Natsume starts as she walks back toward Ami. "I want you to have this."
She presents Ami with the bokuto she selected. The grip and the blade portion were noticeably worn, but it was still in pretty good shape regardless.
"This is my personal bokuto, the one I carry around at school, as well as what I use for practice," she explains. "That time in the hospital, when you accepted...I was very happy to say the least. So...I want to give you this to show my thanks."
Ami blink-blinked, and gingerly accepted the bokken in both hands. While not athletic, the use the practice weapon had obviously seen lent it a valuable air...and if it was Natsume's, and she'd broken it in to her fighting style until it was a part of her...
...The significance wasn't lost on Ami. She held the bokken reverently before bowing. "I accept..." she murmured softly. Is this too formal? Well...it feels appropriate.
Shifting the weapon to one hand, Ami held it pointed down in a gentle grip, and reached into thin air, pulling a what looked like a polished violet gemstone out of her subspace pocket. "I...have something for you, too." she added shyly.
"How did you...?" Natsume said as she watched Ami reach into, well, nothing. She then saw the object Ami pulled out of...wherever. "Oh, Ami...its beautiful."
She admired the lavender stone, especially how it sparkled.
"Thank you...I don't know what to say..."
That's a suprising reaction. Ami thought, blinking. I....Oh! Oh dear...
"It's not valuable." Ami blurts hastily, blushing. "I actually made that..." she trails off, clutching the bokken to her chest.
"You made it?" Natsume asked as she inspected the stone critically. Though, she was not a professional jeweler, so she had no clue what to look for. "Well, if you made it, than that makes it incredibly valuable. Don't you think?"
Ami blushed darker, beginning to get a little flustered. "Not really...I mean, I suppose it's a rarity...but It's not even really a gem...I was using crystal base structures to make that into a better lens for your lightsaber than the diamond that's in it already..."
Crystal base structures? Huh?
"Ah...I see," Natsume says anyway. "Well, regardless, I'll treasure no matter what the value is. You made it with your hands, so to me its alot more valuable than any gem you can buy."
"I....ah....you're welcome." Ami stammered, blushing. "And...Thank you, Natsume-chan..." she added, feeling the need to express herself equally. "I...can tell this was close to you..."
Did I just call her with '-chan'???? Ami thought suddenly, looking up, nervously.
"I have my other sword now, so I don't really have a need for this anymore," Natsume said in regards to the bokken. "It'd be a shame if it just collected dust in the dojo. I'm sure it'll be very happy with you."
Unconsciously, Ami looked down at the bokken in her hands, her cheeks bright pink. She looked up at Natsume with a small smile and just nodded. "Just the same, Thank you."
She's so cute when she smiles....
"Ah...we should probably be getting back now," Natsume says, while blusing herself. "I'm sure Kurumi is wondering where we disappeared to...."
Ami nods, hastily trying to compose herself and banish the blush that seems burned onto her cheeks. "Umu...Hai." She mumurs, smoothing her skirt nervously and looking over to Natsume. "Whenever you're ready."
Natsume leads her back to the main house. As they enter the dining room they see Kurumi laying out the last of the meal. It is hard to believe that one girl, with some help, was able to make such a spread. She pulls out a chair for Ami before sitting down herself.
"Kurumi, do you know where grandfather is?"
"He went to wash up," Kurumi smiles as she just finishes her task, sitting carefully. "We'll start as soon as he returns, Natsume-chan."
"Hm, well, hopefully he'll be done soon," Natsume says. "Oh, Ami, I noticed you were dropped off by...Eudial was it? Did you come from Mugen Gakuen?"
Ami smoothes he skirt under herself as she settles into her seat, momentarily flashing back to the peculiar incident at school. An uncomfortable look flickers across her face before she manages a weak smile and nods. "Un, It's why I was a bit early. I had been going to find my way here on the bus, but Eudial offered me a ride..." she murmured embarrassedly.
"Is she a former race car driver or something?" Natsume asks. "She doesn't drive like a sane...errr....normal person."
"No." Ami replies succinctly. "At least, I don't think so. Haruka is very interested in racing...and she was involved for awhile, I think, but Eudial...I think she just loves her car." Ami decides, giggling a bit. "She built it herself, and she's rightly proud of it."
Every minute with that woman at the wheel is like a year off your life...
"So...what is Mugen Gakuen like?" she asks next. "I mean...aside from all the weird stuff that seems to happen on a daily basis there..."
"It's a good school." Ami replies with a smile, her manner relaxing with the subject matter. "The work is challenging, and Professor Tomoe gives me a lot of...freedom to experiment in my free time."
"Professor Tomoe seems like a really nice guy, I wish the teachers at Juuban were like that," Natsume muses. "I hear that less than ten percent of applicants ever make it through the doors of Infinity Academy. Kind of kills any chance I have getting accepted..."
Kurumi listens along politely, keeping her own council as the two 'friends' chatter on.
This pauses, however, when..."Ah, Kurumi. And Miss Mizuno, wasn't it," Natsume's grandfather enters, walking with an energy that belies his old age. His face has a neutral if stern set to it, not breaking as he sits at the head of the table. "Welcome to our house. I trust that you have found things to your liking?"
Ami stiffens a little as the older man sits at the table, and nods respectfully. "H-Hai!" she blurts, then hesitates, trying to curb her nerves. "You have a beautiful home, sir." she adds softly.
"It's been in the family a long time, or the property has," he nods, going into a familiar spiel to Natsume and Kurumi. "After bombing damage in the second World War, we rebuilt it. Since then, Kurumi has done a good job to maintain it in recent years."
Ami smiles and nods, quietly listening to the older man, thankful that he liked to supply conversation himself, as she usually had pathetically little to add to a conversation.
She smiled a little at Kurumi, nodding back to Natsume's grandfather. "She's done a good job...especially for such a large house." Ami replies. Why is it I can't seem to add more than inane responses to a conversation? Ami thought with sudden, nervous frustration.
"As you can tell, grandfather has been alive for quite a long time," Natsume comments. "Though for some reason he dislikes admitting his own age..."
Ami shoots Natsume a brief, shocked glance before looking back to her grandfather to see his reaction with no small amount of trepidation...
"Natsume," he says reproachfully, "Young in spirit and ki is more important than being young in body." So saying, he takes his cup of tea and sips, eyes slitted open as he peers at the both of you.
A slight smile manages to show up then, however.
Ami lets out a small, soft sigh of relief and smiles a little, blushing a bit as she notices the scrutiny. "That's what the grandfather of a friend of mine says frequently." Ami adds quietly. Of course, being young in spirit and ki probably means something entirely different to Rei's grandfather... She thinks ruefully.
"In any case, grandfather has taught me everything that I know," Natsume. "He's probably more experienced than Usagi, though the areas of application are a bit different."
Ami inclined her head curiously. "Such as the application of harnessed bio-energ..." Ami trailed off as she becan to notice puzzled looks. "...er, ki?"
"Yes," her grandfather says quietly, as Kurumi listens. "Your friend is quite skilled in those things, yes?"
"Yes, she is, though her techniques are aligned towards healing and enrichment than combat," Natsume explains. "Even Ami herself has some skill in the area!"
Ami sweatdrops, flushing. "Nothing as dramatic as Natsume or Usagi's talents, though." she demurs, trying to keep track of the tangle of what Natsume's family knows, and what would give the game away.
Ami is starting to need to go to the bathroom. Timing figures, doesn't it?
"Really? If you are willing, could we see a display of your talent after dinner," he asks, curious now. "It's so rare these days to see youths with such skill in these matters."
'Good, I think grandfather is starting to take a liking to her,' Natsume thought. 'If all goes well...maybe when I tell him the truth the impact won't be so hard.'
Ami squirms a bit, the sudden, slight pressure on her bladder only adding to her discomfort.
"Uhm...if you like." Ami agrees shyly, glancing nervously at Natsume before nodding. Of all the times...should I hold...No, best not to tempt fate. "Forgive me for the poor timing, but may I be excused for a moment?"
"Go ahead," Grandfather nods, starting o his owm meal right after.
Ami nods and gets up from the table, and hurries to the bathroom. Without, of course, looking like she was hurrying. She hoped.
Natsume watches Ami get up and leave. As she exits the room she breathes an internal sigh of relief. So far, so good...
"So...what do you think?" Natsume asks grandfather in a bit too cryptic a manner.
After a few bites of his meal, "She seems like a nice enough girl," he ventures. "Are you thinking of learning from her?"
"Ahh, y...yes! I am! She is really very intelligent, and I think I could learn alot from her," Natsume says, with a bit of a nervous laugh. "I...was hoping she would meet your approval. I'm...so glad..."
"I don't see any objection, should her talents be in order," he agrees. "Which we'll see after dinner. I'd rather you took up with one of my friend's grandchildren, but if she can teach you well...so be it."
"Oh, I'm sure Ami is just as good if not better," Natsume says. She knew very little about grandfather's 'friends', but from what little knowledge she did possess, she had no interest in any kind of training with them. "Her abilities certainly are not the norm."
Ami quietly pads back into the dining room, and resumes her seat, nodding sheepishly as she sits, and quietly resuming her meal.
Natsume eyes dart back and forth between everyone present as they all eat in silence. She is at a temporary loss as to how to break the lull until...
"I've been meaning to ask, Ami. I know your mother is a doctor, but what does your father do?" Natsume asks. "I realize its an odd question, but I was curious."
Ami smiles a little wanly. "He's an artist, actually." she says slowly. "I don't know what he's doing now, though. I haven't seen him since I was very little."
"Ah, I see," she said. Ami's situation certainly felt all too familiar. "I'm...sorry."
Ami smiles and shakes her head. "No, don't be. I'm not..." Ami hesitates, pondering her words carefully. It wouldn't be fair to say she hated her father. Indeed, she rather admired his abilty, from what her mother told her, but...
Well, to a little girl who desperately craved affection, the absence of a father figure did rather raise a certain amount of resentment. "I'm not upset about it. I would be lying to say I didn't care, but it was a long time ago."
"I see," Natsume says. "What's his name, maybe I've heard of him?"
"Kyoshiro Mizuno." Ami replies, smiling a little. "Though, father is relatively well known, you probably wouldn't have seen anything of his unless you frequent art galleries and small showings."
"I most definitely don't," Natsume admits sheepishly. "Even though you don't see him, its nice that you least know what he's doing right now."
Natsume's face turns wistful. Not really deep in thought, more like being struck by a memory out of the blue.
"Kurumi and I don't really know our parents very well," she says finally. "They...went away when we were very very young."
Natsume's Grandfather nods, "I've been raising them for a long time now," he adds in, studying the blue haired girl carefully. Not pryingly, but you get the sensation that he's keeping an eye on you all the same. His face is poker like, composed, polite but not really giving any emotions away right now. The face of an old samurai, perhaps.
Ami nodded, shifting slightly and forcing herself not to squirm under the older man's scrutiny. She turned Natsume's revelation over in her mind, feeling slightly embarrassed about expressing Displeasure with her father, and she nodded.
Her younger sister assumed a mothering role because she had to. Natsume-chan is devoted to bettering her skills, and Kusanagi-san...
"I'm sorry." Ami murmurs softly. "I can't imagine what that must be like...though, you're fortunate to have each other, and your grandfather." she ventured, smiling uncertainly.
"Yes, we are, though he can be incredibly strict at times," Natsume said smiling. "Fortunately, we learned to get used to it....eventually."
Ami giggles softly, and nods. "That's how you can tell a parent cares." she opined, delicately continuing with her meal. "Or at least that's what mother tells me."
"Oh? What else has your mother told you?" Natsume asks curiously.
"That making faces will make my face freeze that way, and that brussel sprouts build character." Ami replied glibly, blushing inwardly at how easily she'd relaxed with her speech.
"Brussel...sprouts?" Natsume repeats before breaking into laughter. "Its amazing the kinds of things parents will tell their kids to keep them in line. Grandfather would tell us that if we didn't brush our teeth every night, demons would fly into our mouths and possess us while we slept!"
Though that wound up being more traumatic than it should've been, then again she was only seven years old at the time...
"Anyway, Kurumi and I should go get desert," she says as she stands. "If you liked dinner you'll love the mochi we made."
Ami laughs outright at that, smothering her mirth behind her hand as she nods to Natsume, smiling in affirmation. "I can't wait, if it's as good as this..."
Kurumi nods in agreement to Natsume, rising herself and waiting for Natsume.
Grandfather simply stays quiet, seemingly content to let the two chat away.
She and Kurumi disappear into the kitchen for several minutes, then return with a plate full of the confections. Half of them were perfectly formed and baked...while the other half were malshapen and slightly burnt..
'Eheh, l hope she doesn't figure who did what too quickly...' Natsume thought nervously.
Ami finishes the last of her meal, glancing at Natsume's grandfather nervously, but keeping quiet, as she had no clue how to make conversation with the older man.
He nods to you slightly as the two depart, "I hope you have found things pleasing," he intones, while turning as they return with the half bounty of burnt and well made desserts.
Ami nods in response. "Un. You've all been very kind." she offers shyly, smiling slightly.
"I hope you enjoy them," Natsume as she lays down the deserts. "Eheh, though some of them didn't turn out as good as they could have..."
Ami shrugs and smiles. "I'm sure they're fine. Most likely better than I could manage."
She doesn't have confidence...but some of these look excellent...so she must have made the other ones. Ami shrugs and selects one of Natsume's, and gingerly partakes, curious to see how the other girl managed, keeping her face still for the moment, so as not to betray her thoughts yet.
Natsume watches closely as Ami tempts fate.
'She'll either love it...or die of food poisoning...' she thinks. 'Pleasedon'tdiepleasedon'tdiepleasedon'tdie....'
Ami blinks as she bites into the unusually crispy mochi. The burnt exterior doesn't quite pass muster, but the interor seems to be normal, if a bit gooey. "It's not really that bad." Ami says with a smile, trying not to spit the charcoal taste from her teeth. "Not perfect, but definitely edible."
Natsume breathes a sigh of relief. She actually made something edible! And with her own two hands!
"Thanks for putting up with it," she says. "I know it doesn't taste all that good. I tried one myself."
Ami smiles a little. "Really, I think you're underestimating yourself." she replies warmly as she finishes. She picks up one of Kurumi's and tastes it, her eyes widening. "Oh..." she murmurs, resisting the urge to shiver as the confection slides down her throat. "W-Well, I can understand it now...these are as good as Mako-chan's...they'd be an intimidating benchmark..."
"Kurumi tells me she's training to be a wife," Natsume recalls while glancing at he sister. "Her domestic abilities are at a much higher level than mine. It can get rather depressing at times..."
Kurumi blushes at that, but nods. "You're not so bad, Natsume-chan," she offers, though she betrays herself by glancing at the rather misshappen mocha left behind, as Grandfather wisely avoided the burnt ones, leaving plenty of them to note.
"You'll make an excellent wife, if that's your aim, Kurumi-san." Ami offers. "The only other person I know who can cook this well is engaged already."
As Ami and Kurumi chat Natsume collects the used dishes. It was almost time for Ami to put on her demonstration.
"Uhh, Ami, could I talk to you for a moment?" Natsume requests, indicating they take it to the kitchen.
Ami shoved down her own mounting unease over the impending demonstration to Natsume's family, and smiled and nodded shyly to the taller girl, agreeing readily, and following her to the kitchen.
After laying the dishes in the sink she turns to Ami, and she can clearly see the nervousness on her face.
"Ummm, well, if you don't feel like putting on that demonstration grandfather asked for, you don't have to," Natsume said. "I can make up some excuse."
Ami smiles slightly nervously, and nods. "It's...well, it's not that I don't want to, but my abilities are...distinctive." she reminds the taller girl. "If they have any reason to draw the connection..."
"Hmm, I'm sure grandfather won't be problem. He's seen so many things in his lifetime I can't even begin to describe. He probably won't even bat an eyelash," Natsume says. "As for Kurumi, she doesn't keep up with senshi-related news like I do...so she may not draw the connection but..."
Natsume thinks for a moment. Despite that, it would probably still be too risky...
"What about that wormhole thing you did?" she asks. "That doesn't have much to do with your senshi powers, does it?"
Ami hedges. "Mm...My subspace pocket might...but will he believe it? You did say you were learning from me..." Ami replies uneasily.
"Well, I'm sure he'll understand that such a technique won't be easy to learn," Natsume says. "Being able to reach one's hand into somewhere else won't be nearly as simple as making a ki sword."
"Ironically..." Ami admits sheepishly, "It is rather simple. I can do it with no effort at all. But, be that as it may...won't he eventually expect you to be able to do it?"
"Well," Natsume says smiling. "We'll just have to hope you're as good at teaching as you are at blushing."
Ami immediately proves her proficiency at the latter, her cheeks turning rosy at the comment. "I-I'm not fully certain I can teach it." Ami warns shyly, stammering slightly.
"Don't underestimate by ability to comprehend the extremely weird," Natsume advises. "But, regardless, if it comes to that I'm sure grandfather will understand that there are just certain techniques that are outside my realm of understanding."
Yeah right, as if he's ever been that forgiving.
Ami nods dubiously, uncertain, but deciding to accept Natsume's word on the matter. "A-All right." she replies tentatively. "I'll follow your lead." she agreed.
Natsume returns from the kitchen with Ami in tow.
"Sorry for the delay, Ami was feeling a bit nervous. She doesn't do too well in front of a crowd it seems," Natsume explains. "Anyway, on with the show!"
Ami sweatdrops at Natsume's introduction, blushing a little more as she follows the taller girl out into the living room. "It's really not impressive enough to be called a 'show'..." she protests quietly, turning crimson.
"Oh don't be so modest," Natsume chides. "Why don't we let our wonderful audience decide that?"
Ami smiles nervously. "If you say so." she agrees shyly. "Can you find me something to demonstrate with?"
The other two members of Ami's family wait and watch expectantly. "Go ahead, Ami," Natsume's grandfather nods gravely.
"Something to demonstrate with..." Natsume repeats as she thinks. She then glances down at the mochi still left on the table, mostly the burnt variety. "Here, you can use one of these."
If they were not good for eating, than they could at least be good enough to warp between dimensions.
Ami sweatdrops, and accepts the desert with an embarrassed smile, then nods, looking to Natsume's grandfather, to make sure she has his attention...
He simply nods, waiting still with his full attention on you.
Ami simply puts the mochi into her subspace pocket, careful not to get food onto her computer, then removes her hand, looking to Grandfather, shrugging. "It's that simple, really." she supplies embarrassedly.
After waiting a moment, she moves he hand, and retrieves the pastry, displaying it for the older man.
Nodding sagely, "Most impressive," he agrees, clapping once in appreciation. "That is quite the talent indeed. If I may ask, whom taught you such a skill?"
Who did...? Ami bit her lip. I....did anyone teach me? Well...I guess Luna did, sort of.
"The mentor and advisor to Usagi-chan taught me to use this." Ami confessed carefully. "Her name is Luna."
"Luna, eh," he replies thoughtfully, while nodding. "Yes, I'll remember that name - she must be talented."
Ami fights to restrain a giggle. "She is, to a certain degree, but her talents lie in teaching and guidance." Ami agrees, wondering if she's slaughtering her karma by bending the truth so much.
Going on with another nod, "Perhaps I could meet this Luna," he asks. "I'd be interested to see her abilities myself, if she is indeed that endowed."
Ami sweatdropped. Endowed....? "Uhm, I can only get in touch with her through Usagi-chan." Ami explained. "She'd be a better person to arrange introductions..."
He nods gravely. "Indeed. Has she taught you more of her abilities," he goes on, curious. "I am always interested in the new techquinces that are developed."
Ami fidgets. "No..." Did I say she taught me her abilities? I don't think so...I hope not. "My general abilities differ from hers. That was the only talent she could explain to me."
"That was a wonderful show Ami," Natsume says, breaking into the conversation. "Having unlimited closet space must be incredibly convienient."
Ami giggles, a bit nervously. "I've never really tried that, but it's convienient for moving heavy things." she admits.
As you chat, you have to suppress a sudden yawn. Sleepines must be catching up to you from your injury.
Nodding to the two of you, "If you excuse me," Grandfather says, quietly excusing himself to go upstairs.
"Oh, yeah, it is getting pretty late," Natsume recalls. "Do you have anyway of getting home?"
Ami nods and smiles warmly to Natsume, rubbing her eyes to dispel the worst of the weariness. "Un, I have the money for the bus." she agrees. "I'm sorry to put a damper on things."
"You didn't put a damper on anything, in fact you made it quite entertaining," Natsume assures her. "I would offer to walk you home, but making that kind of trek would be more trouble than its worth I imagine..."
"Well, at the very least, I could escort you to the bus stop," she continues. "If that's alright with you."
Ami blushes, nodding and folding her hands together shyly in front of her skirt as she agrees. "I-I'd like that..."
"Well, we'd better get going then," Natsume says as she goes to fetch a jacket. She comes back before long, hoping it is enough to resist the cold. "I'll be back soon Kurumi."
While Natsume informs her sister of her whereabouts, Ami reassmbles her outfit for the inclement weather, preparing to leave the house, and waiting for Natsume by the door, her collar pulled up high, obscuring her jaw and mouth, and the small smile she wears as she absently considers the evening...
"Ah, I really wish winter would end already, I've never been good with cold weather," Natsume says with a shiver after closing the door behind them. She makes a mental note to buy a thicker jacket as she zips up the one she is wearing now. "It doesn't seem to bother you much, Ami-chan. Does having ice powers make you immune to it as well?"
Ami blinks, looking askance at Natsumi, blushing slightly at the '-chan'. "I've never been particularly immune, except recently, when I wore my talisman." she observes. "But I'm really not that cold tonight..."
"Oh, I imagine not, seeing how red your face is," Natsume says with a smile.
Ami flinches, turning an even deeper red. "Uh...uhm..." she stammers, shrinking back into the flipped up collar of her coat.
"Really Ami, you have to learn to relax more. You get embarrassed way too easily," Natsume says after a short laugh. "But...I guess that's what's so cute about you."
Ami's eyes widen slightly, and her blush shifts in hue from red to pink. C-Cute...she called -me- cute? Am I dreaming again? After looking at Natsume in silence for a long moment, she snaps out of the stunned gaze. "A-Ah...Un..." she agrees embarrassedly, nodding and smiling back sheepishly. What do I do? What do I say?
"Ah, here I am talking about being relaxed. Not too long ago I was always so serious, and could think of nothing but beating down miscreants with my bokken," Natsume recalls. "Now its like I'm a totally different person. I guess meeting you and the senshi changed me alot more than I realized..."
"M-Meeting the senshi can change virtually everyone." Ami manages shyly as she reboots her brain. "Before I met Usagi-chan, virtually all I did was study, and plan for the future." She sighs a little.
"Being unable to deal with people...and later, my friends, when I finally made some, made me miss opportunities and cost me dearly." she sighed. Why am I pouring this out now? Ami wondered, with distant, mortified incredulity. "But, I feel useful now...and that's better than being alone." she finished, smiling up at Natsume.
"Not being able to communicate with people, I had that problem. I was so caught up in upholding my own ideals..." Natsume mused. "But I think now...I'm beginning to realize that being a samurai is more than swinging a sword and being righteous."
It felt...odd, to be saying such things, but it at the same time each word came with a wave of relief. Like they very much needed to be said...
"Its also about being honest. Both with the people around you and with yourself," she continues. "Speaking of which, I really have a hard time believing you had never felt useful until now. I'm sure you were always useful, you just didn't know it yourself."
Ami's cheeks flushed a bit more, and she shrugged meekly. "Perhaps, but...I never had the opportunity to find out. Without my father, Mother works hard to support us, so I was home alone a great deal...and...having a reputation as being stuck up kept me isolated from everyone at school...until I transferred to Juuban, where I met Usagi-chan." Ami sighed a bit tremulously.
"What about you, though?" She asked curiously. "I can't imagine you as any less than I know you as now..."
"Before I met Anne, I had never known defeat," Natsume explained. "Besides grandfather, I would easily beat anyone I went up against, in both official tournaments and at school. Because of that I had a very high opinion of myself, and felt it was my right to impose my sense of morality on everyone."
She had never realized what an ass she had been until now. It was almost funny...
"Thats not to say I threatened innocent people. Most of the people I beat over the head deserved it in one way or another, but regardless, it wasn't my place to choose. I realize that now," she continues. "When I fought...no...when I was beaten by Anne, I realized just how small I was...how much I didn't know. I realized just how little by swordsmanship meant in the real world..."
It had been quite a while since she had seen Anne, come to think of it...
"Well, in any case, I'd like to think I've grown from all that," she says with a smile now. "Otherwise I don't think you'd have anything to do with me."
Ami smiles and shrugs as they approach the bus stop. "I wouldn't say it means little." she offers. "Your talents define you, and help you to grow. Life is all about learn to fit what we already know into a larger framework. I'm glad you've taken steps into a larger world."
Ami ducks her head, blushing a little. "I'm glad I met you, too." she murmurs in a tiny voice.
"I'm...glad I got to spend tonight with you, though it was pretty uneventful," Natsume says, it being her turn to blush in embarrass. "I...hope we get to do it again sometime...soon..."
Ami nodded. Even though she was weary, she couldn't stop the sunny smile spreading across her face. I wonder if it's possible to capture feelings like this in a bottle, somehow... "I'd be happy to...A-any time." she replies softly, almost beaming.
"Maybe next time we'll go to someplace more lively," Natsume suggests. "I hear shy people always have a wild side thats just waiting to explode. I wonder if you're the same, Ami-chan."
Ami giggles nervously, shaking her head as they come to the bus stop. "Not that I've noticed." she blushes. "You can ask Usagi-chan, or any of the others...I'm almost boring, really."
Natsume stops as they come upon the bus stop. It looks like it might be a few minutes before it arrives.
"Hmmm, maybe" she says. "I suppose that's something I'll have to find out on my own, but if its there, I'll do everything I can to bring it out."
Ami blushes a little darker. "It couldn't hurt...?" she stumbles a little, unsure how to reply, and simply enjoying the warm feeling of being noticed.
As you chat, you notice the bus is coming. Early for a change, as if a kami above is mocking you slightly.
Figures, but at least it's not late.
"Who knows," Natsume starts while leaning closer to Ami. "I might just find something about myself that I never knew existed. Wouldn't that be interesting?"
Ami blinks, considering. "Possibly." she muses, taking the suggestion seriously. "It depends on what it is...things I find out about myself aren't always pleasant..."
She glances at the bus, and sighs softly. It figures...
"It looks like this is where we part," Natsume says. "Really, it was wonderful having you over, Ami-chan."
Ami nods, smiling wistfully and folding her hands in front of her. "Thank you...for everything. "I was really nervous, but I had a wonderful time..."
"Take good care of that bokken," Natsume says. "She likes to be polished at least once every other day."
Ami nods and giggles a little. "I will." she promises with a smile. Or I'll learn, anyhow. "When you need it, just remove the top of the lightsaber, and replace the diamond with the crystal I gave you, and it should improve the blade strength." she reminds in parting.
"I'll see you again..."
Ami gets onto the bus, going back to her life...
And for now, leaving Natsume behind to return to hers.
OOC - New threads for both of you.