Returning to normality....? (Haruka thread)

[Anastasia]

"Feh," he snorts. "You think you know everything at 16," he retorts, stopping as you leave - seeing Viluy and seeming to strike up a conversation, going into his more charming social host mode.

[Liddo-kun]

"Keep your paws off of her, Old Man," Haruka warns from the kitchen, "or I'm taking you out back and drowning ya!"  The water now boiled she gathers up the tea set and enters the living room to join Viluy and her father, the snake oil salesman.

[Anastasia]

He's chatting up Viluy with a cocky smile as you enter. "Y'know, Haruka," he calls as you enter. "I appreciate you bringing over a date for me." That gets your girlfriend to blush like she was just exposed in public, nude and horny, humiliation flowering - almost. "But I don't need your handouts, 'ruka."

[Liddo-kun]

"Shrivel up and die," is Haruka's succinct reply, said with a completely serene expression that would make one stop short and wonder if they'd heard right.  She sets the tea and snacks out then promptly drags Viluy to sit on the couch facing opposite her father.

[Anastasia]

He simply chuckles, waving his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes. Your old man has embarrssed you in front of your friend period is over," he smiles. "So...what's the point of this get together," he asks, as tea is handed out.

Viluy just stays mute, still broadsided by the last few commentaries.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka sighs, hating having to deflate the happy balloon with this, but... "I want to know about Mother," she tells him bluntly.

[Anastasia]

Father's eyes tighten at this, his smile vanishing like a pretty melody marred by a sour note. "Haruka," he begins, voice low. "This is rather sudden. Why the friend with it?"

Viluy recovers enough to turn her attention to the two of you, but lets this family matter stay between daughter andf ather for now. Her gaze is supportive to you, though.

[Liddo-kun]

"Security blanket," Haruka replies with a weak smirk as she squeezes Viluy's hand.  Her father's voice, lacking the usual cheer; however, sends a defeatist quiver through her spine.

"I've asked you this before," she begins slowly.  Her tongue was like sandpaper with her mouth having gone dry.  "And I've always let it drop because I didn't like how sad you'd get, but I want to know.  No, I *need* to know.  I really do..." Haruka trails off, dropping her gaze to the tabletop.

[Anastasia]

"And you should let the past stay dropped," he says gruffly, turning away. HIs own voice is lacking his normal cheer, but also lacking any real force He turns into himself, "Haruka...don't. Be happy with what you have."

Viluy squeezes your hand back, "So? If your daughter wants to meet her mother," she points out, "Why should you get in the way? Haruka deserves to meet her!" she adds with just a touch of convinction fueled heat.

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka smiles at the words of her fiery pepper pot as she gathers her courage to face her father.  With her head raised back up high now she looks across at the one person she so respects with eyes that clearly show that she didn't intend to back down this time.

"The past makes up who we are, and there's a big part of my past that's missing - a part of me that's missing because of it."  She softens her stance and manner, now smiling at the man, "Even if what I find isn't what I like, I still have a right to know, don't I?"

[Anastasia]

"........Damn it," he sighs in annoyance. "You really have it in your head to find your mother, don't you?" Running a hand through his mop of blonde strands, "Just can't leave good enough alone, you have to go like a bat out of hell after this."

Turning to you, "If you really want to know...fine."

[Liddo-kun]

Haruka let out a long, relieved breath and collapses back onto the cushions of the couch as the stress began to bleed out of her.

[Anastasia]

"Her name is..." he begins gruffly, though his voice melts as her pronouces her name. "Megumi." Eyeing you, "Megumi, ffom the recording studio where I made my first cassette..." He smiles distantly at that, as if it stirred up great memories.

[Liddo-kun]

"Do you know how I can get in touch with her?" Haruka asks, trying not to throttle the man for being so stingy and vague on the details.

[Anastasia]

"No, but...her name is Megumi Kushui," he goes on. "We haven't seen each other in a very long time, so the rest is up to you." Rising abruptly, "There isn't much else to tell....that should be enough to find your mother, anything else is simply an old story."