ribbonbon | Appointments/Voicemail post!

((continued from here!))

It sure looks that way. I mean, I'm glad to be left out of it, but I still have no idea what I'm supposed to do about it.

[Wait, he remembers! He blinks at Paschal, though, confused. ...something is not right. 8|]

I guess the most anybody can do is wait and hope that it ends soon. Maybe try to stay outta the way or something, you know?

[Paschal takes note of his neighbor's expression and frowns a little.]

Uh...Something up?

N-no, no, not at all! [He quickly shakes his head. Totally not suspicious or anything!] I-I was just... thinking about something, that's all! You're probably right, though. It might be for the best to just stay out of the way, haha...

Yeah. Let yourself get in the middleand you end up getting dragged into it. ...Then again, with these experiments you'll probably end up getting dragged in anyway. I guess there really is like, no best way to handle it.

I think all we can do is try. It's better than just avoiding it all together. [Oh, if only he realized the irony in what he was saying. Normally, that was exactly how Shinji would handle it.] I would feel bad if I let my friends get into too much trouble.

I guess you, like, have a point. And it would be like, totally rotten to just leave your friends to deal with it alone.

Can't imagine how it must feel to have someone you don't even know thinking they're your family or whatever. I've actually had the opposite problem. The last couple days some of my friends like, don't even know who I am! Can you believe it?

O-oh, um... really? That's really strange. [He would feel bad being one of those people, so he pretends to be surprised. Sob.] It must be even worse if people don't recognize you at all...

Strange is like, a total understatement! I don't know what those dumb scientists could possibly get out of some dumb memory shift.

...It is kind of a downer, though. I've been trying so hard to get to know people and then they can't even remember my name. It's like, kind of a bummer.

Getting to know people is pretty hard by itself. [So he could only imagine how he felt right now.] But at least it'll be over eventually. They'll remember your name sooner or later, I'm sure of it.

[Huh. The guy makes a good point. Paschal cracks a smile.]

Yeah, I bet you're right! I mean, a shift can't last forever, huh? And I'm sure your roomies will be right back to normal, soon, too!

Yeah, I'm sure they will. [Normally, he would have doubted that, despite his own words of encouragement. Definitely not now, though.] All we have to do is wait.

[He turns to head down the hallway now.]

I shouldn't keep you, though. I think I'm gonna get going.

[Paschal begins to head off in the other direction, and waves, giving Shinji a friendly grin.]

Okay! I'll, like, see you later, man!

[Shinji also waves back with a smile.]

See ya!

[Pilouette! That's who it was!]

((continued from here!))

[ He'll give Paschal an encouraging smile. ] No need to thank me. I, ah, completely understand how hard it is. M-Maybe not as much this day and age but I do have students who are like you. Especially when they're new and have transferred from another school. It doesn't help when they're away from home either. I suppose trying to find people who like similar things as you helps make it a bit easier.

Liking the same stuff really does help a lot. I seem to run into people around the bakery pretty often!

And I guess it helps that the village isn't all that big. You end up meeting people even when you're not trying sometimes.

It might sound a bit silly but, well, food does have a way of bringing people together that you'd never suspect would. The bakery is as good a place as any to find people. I do enjoy the cakes and cookies they have there. [ A shame Regal had left though. However the new baker was, indeed, living up to filling the other man's shoes whoever they were. ]

You do meet people when new feathers drop in too. Perhaps you could work in the Welcome Center? It's a good place to be if you're looking to meet new people.

That doesn't sound silly at all, Mr. Sprensonne! Just a little while ago, I cooked with a friend I made here and we talked for a really long time. And the stuff at the bakery is really great. I mean, I only wish I could bake that well...

...I never thought about working at the Welcome Center, though...Hey, that's a great idea! And I'd be doing something useful while I was at it, too!

Who says you can't learn to cook that well? [ A smile bearing sharper and pointer eye teeth. ] I-I have a housemate who said she couldn't cook without blowing up the kitchen or poisoning someone with her cooking. But we've been practicing and, well, it's been going rather well. If you w-want...I wouldn't mind helping you learn how to cook. [ He should start up his own cooking show, you know? ]

I think you'd work rather well there, actually. You're quite open to the idea of meeting new people. I-I don't see why the Welcome Center would be bad either.

[Paschal's breath briefly catches in his throat. Yeah, he knows Helios, but those teeth are a little unnerving. However, he can't help but smile at Helios's offer.]

Really?! W-Well, I am taking lessons with Mr. Sanji...but it can't hurt to learn from more than one person, right? Are you like, sure it's not too much trouble?

And the Welcome Center probably always needs more people to help out the New Feathers and stuff...Yeah! I'll have to figure out who to talk to about that, though...

Ah yes Sanji. He's an excellent cook, I-I think you're in rather good hands then if he's the one whose been helping you along. But I wouldn't mind if you'd like. I do have free time what with school ending. [ Helios was no master chef like the other man so he wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes and the like. He'll pause, and think. ]

Rydia was...usually the one who started it all. I-I'm not sure there's really any one person to talk to. I-I mean as long as you greet and help people arriving I don't think there's any formal invitation for it.

Yeah! That would be like, totally great! I mean, learning from different people means I'll be learning different stuff! Mr. Sanji tends to be like, kind of specific, I think So, if you could like teach me some general stuff, maybe...?

I'll still probably talk to someone just so I can make sure I do stuff right. This will probably keep me busy over summer, too...it's like, three birds with one stone or something.

General things, hm? What sort of things have you already learned? Or, ah, better yet! What sorts of things do you want to learn? Perhaps a specific country or world or something like that. [ There's so many possibilities when it came to cooking and culinary endeavors in general.

Helios laughs a little at that his tail flicking back and forth as he nods. ] Yes you'll be keeping busy this month for certain. Though having a little break every once in awhile isn't too bad either. What with all the hardwork students do in the school, I think a break is nice at times. [ Even as a headmaster he tried to facility giving his students time off and breaks. Because having no time to rest and overworking people wasn't productive either. ]

[Very few people ask Paschal what he wants to do. Or rather, when they do, he usually just does whatever the other party wants. However, it would seem that option may not be applicable here.]

Well, I'm not really sure. I mean, even with Mr. Sanji's help the most I can do is easy stuff like spaghetti or meatloaf...And um, I don't really know much about foods from other worlds yet, so, um, really anything would be great!

[Or maybe it is.]

And having a break is nice, but...Around here, it's nice to have stuff to do, you know?

[ Helios will pause then tapping a finger again pursed lips, his tail swaying slightly as he thinks. ] Ah! I know. How about you go through some cookbooks and find recipes that you'd like to try and do? They can be from any country or world you want. It'll make it more exciting and fun at least. French. Italian, American. anything you want.

[ A smile. Helios couldn't agree more to that, Paschal. ] And this will also give you something to do, hm?

Y-Yeah! That's a great idea! [After a second, though, he clicks his tongue.] And to think I've got all those cookbooks back home that I never got around to looking at...!

Yeah! I'll like, totally go see about helping out at the welcome center the first chance I get...!

The best way to get really good at something is trying things. Starting with simple recipes and then working your way up to harder and more complex ones is how I-I learned. And my mother taught me as well.

[ He smiles, forgetting that he has fangs, whoops. ] It also helps you keep busy and who knows? Perhaps one day you can even start teaching people as well.

Yeah...I guess that makes sense. That's how people learn other stuff, right? Even grandma taught me a couple easy things. We never got to the hard stuff, though...

[An uneasy smile. Those teeth...!]

Teach?! W-Well, I don't know about that! I mean...It's just like...See, I'm...Um.

[Try as he might, Paschal can't think og a less pathetic way of saying "I don't think I'm smart enough for that."]

[So the draft is done, and while Roji is still pretty sore and tired from battles, all he wants to do is go searching for stuff from home. Something to get away from thinking about the horrors that went on, in Luceti and out in space.]

Hey, Pilouette? It's Roji. Are you still free for checking out the item shop?

[Having spent the last week or so shut up in her apartment worry about friends on the draft, worrying about the flood and the raid on the village...and even finding a friend gone, Pilouette is more than willing to have a distraction. Thus, she's quite happy when Roji contacts her.]

Oh! Like, totally! Did you want to meet up in a little bit?

That'd be great. Where do you live? We can meet up halfway or at the shop, depending.

I live in Community House Four, so it's not all that far...what about you?

Community House Seven for me. Hey, we're pretty close to each other.

Yeah, you're right! Hey, since we live so near each other, I could wait for you and we could walk to the item shop together if you want!

Sounds good to me! I'll head out in a few minutes then?

That sounds great! I'll see you in a bit, then!

[Just a little while later, Pilouette is waiting for Roji outside Community House 4. Just the idea of finding things from home is incredibly exciting and a welcome distraction.]

[And he's off! It won't take very long to make it over to CH4 since it's only a few blocks away.]

((ooc: would you rather I post the log or would you prefer to?))

[[OOC: We could have it start with Pilouette waiting for Roji if you're cool with that. Seems like a good starting comment.]]

((ooc: Cool! I'll get to posting that log in a bit, then. ))

[[OOC: Thank you! C:]]

[[OOC: Right Right here! :D ]]

[Well he'd cried and generally done his... well, dealing this Precis's departure as well as he could handle something like that. It's three days later when he decides, in the midst of thinking about how to handle Shiemi's birthday, he ought to do something else important here. so-]

Oi... Pils-- Pilouette, actually. You free?

[Pilouette hasn't been doing quite so well. The first day, after recieving Precis' letter, she had shut herself in her apartment and cried her eyes out until she couldn't cry anymore. The past two days, she's been unfocused and more withdrawn than usual. She doesn't have the best track record when it comes to dealing with being separated from people she's close to.

She's kind of surprised when Rin contacts her. When she responds, she's tired, her voice quieter than normal.]

Oh, um...y-yeah. What's up?

You free enough to want to... come over to my place? Or I could go to yours. Or somethin'.

[She doesn't feel like leaving her apartment. Or being around people. Or doing anything. But maybe it would be nice to talk to someone for a while.]

You, um...you can come over here. If you want.

Alright, I'll come on over. [A beat] ...You want somethin' to eat? I could make something quick.

O-Oh...No. Um, that's okay. You don't have to do that. I'm...I'm not really that hungry.

I'll, um, see you in a little bit, I guess.

[He frowns at that. He would make something for her anyway, but if he's honest with himself, he really doesn't even know for sure what she likes outside of sugar. With that in mind, though, he heads to the bakery before heading over there, getting her a muffin because coming totally empty-handed just seems rude.

And he'll be by after that. With a knock]

[Pilouette cracks the door a few inches, peeking out to see who's there before opening it entirely.]

Oh. Um...Hi, Rin. Come on in, I guess.

[She's not looking her best. Her ponytail is a little messier, her shirt is untucked...She didn't even bother with shoes since she wasn't planning on leaving the apartment anyway. Speaking of her apartment, it's not as clean as usual, though with the way she usually cleans, this really just means it's kind of dusty.]

[His sympathy wells up as soon as he sets in. He's been feeling it too, but clearly it hit Pilouette harder... or something. Actually, he's just been pissed and morose for a while, but she's still going through it. His tail curls behind him as he comes in, and then sets the box with the muffin in it on a table before turning to face her.]

Thanks for havin' me over. Sorry if I'm being a hassle.

O-Oh, no! It...It's no trouble, really.

[Part of her worries about the way she's presenting herself right now. She's never really been this way in front of anyone besides her dad before and she's feeling kind of embarrassed. What kind of adult acts like this? But at the same time, she's too depressed to try and correct herself. Besides, he was nice enough to come over.]

I should probably be the one apologizing, making you come all the way over here.

Hey, don't worry. [And finally, he comes to a conclusion about how he ought to handle this. HE smiles in what he copes comes out as a reassuring way for her, and reaches out to touch her arm. They aren't close, and honestly he's not that sure they're friends as much as they had a mutual friend, but-]

I invited myself over, I just wanted to make sure you were doin' okay.

[She does her best to force a weak kind of smile, but shrinks back just a little when Rin touches her arm, not out of any kind of offense or discomfort, but more to kind of close herself off a little more. She's been depressed for the last few days and doesn't want to lose it in front of someone she's not even especially close to.]

I'm...I'm okay. I guess? I mean, sort of? I guess I'm just kind of...out of it?

Edited 2013-03-15 06:07 (UTC)

Yeah, I feel that. [She's been out of it, he's been out of it too. And he sighs, retracting his hand and going to itch at his arm.] ...I brought you a muffin.

[She looks over at the box Rin set down earlier and manages a weak smile.]

Thanks. I know I said I wasn't hungry, but now that I think about it...I should probably be eating...stuff.

[The smile quickly fades from her face as her gaze moves toward the floor.]

...I keep reading the letter she left over and over. I mean, I always knew that we would have to go our separate ways eventually but, I always kind of hoped that like...we'd get to say goodbye first.

[ ... Yeah ]

I thought I might get that too. [Wit ha frown as he looks over at the ground and shakes his head. He's getting distracted from his objective here but... that's not bad]

[Her voice wavers a bit as she speaks.]

It's...It's good that she's gone though, right? I mean, it's better for her to be at home than to be here, isn't it?

[After all, that's the way a grown up thinks. That's what a grown up would say. As much as she would like to see Precis again, only a selfish child would wish for someone to come back to this place...right?]

It is, yeah. [Resolutely. But then he's saying that more to convince himself than anything. It's something he believes on principle: people don't belong here. People are better off at home. He wants to be home, and he wants Shiemi, Izumo, and all his other friends to be home. He sorts of glares at nothing in particular, not really looking at Pilouette for a moment.] She's better off there.

[And then he exhales, shaking his head and pushing the muffin in her direction. More to fill space and have something to do with his hands.]

But I miss her already, honestly.

I miss her, too. She probably has a ton of important stuff to do there. I don't think I ever got to ask her just what she was up to there besides building stuff, but knowing Precis, I bet it's something big, huh?

[She lets out a sort of awkward chuckling before taking a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady, idly staring at the muffin instead of actually eating it.]

...It never really stops feeling weird, you know? Someone being gone and knowing that even though you remember them...

["They've forgotten all about you," is what she thinks as she trails off. "I'll never forget you," is what Precis had written in her letter. But how could she not? That's just what happened when people went home, wasn't it?]

[Come to think of it, he doesn't know too much either. he knows she was involved with helping out the world, and he knows about her dad. But he doesn't know too much about her whole agenda... somehow, that makes him even more sad. His tail droops, but he tries his best to keep a resolute face.]

Yeah. That is weird... [And he doesn't have a good answer for it either, not one he can totally believe after all] But I figure it's good we remember 'em.

Yeah. It's...It's definitely good that we remember. B-Because as long as we remember, that...

[She sniffles a little, and she grips the hem of her untucked shirt tightly trying to keep it together, but it's getting harder and harder. This is the first time she's really talked about this kind of thing and the fact that she may never see Precis again makes it that much harder. For the first time, the fact there will come a day when that all the friends she makes in Luceti, all the people she's met will forget her and she'll forget them really hits her. She's always known it, but until now none of those people have been especially close. However, now it's really sunk in.

And it feels terrible.].

...That means that we're still friends with her, right? At least until...until we...!

[He listens to that and frowns further. He sort of wnats to cry too - scratch that, he would cry if he wasn't trying to be strong for Pilouette. As it is, he just feels this surreal sense of the fact he won't see Precis again, and once he goes home (again) he won't remember all the others (again). Perhaps unbidden, what comes out of his mouth is something a bit off the cuff] Hey, Pillouette. Do you have some kinda reason you'd want to be here and not back home?

[She looks up at him, surprised, before answering him, spitting out her answer as if not wanting to hesitate too long.]

OF COURSE NOT!

...Well...I don't think so. Maybe? I mean, of course I want to go home. Ever since the day I got here, all I wanted was to go home and see my family and my friends and everyone again. I'll always miss home, no matter how long I'm here! But...if I leave, I forget everyone here. I'll forget everyone I met and everything I've done...even if I haven't done much at all.

[Choosing between Luceti and home should be a snap. However, the idea of forgetting it all scares her and whenever she realizes that she has sometimes found herself enjoying her time here, she feels guilty, like just thinking about not wanting to go home quite yet is a betrayal to everyone back home.]

But it's not like it matters much where I am. I'm not much use either way.

[Not much use? That's not right. He takes a step towards her again and shakes his head] You're not useless, Pilouette. Anyone who's tryin' and who's tryin' to have friends isn't useless, you know.

[He's got more to say and more to respond to there, but that is what comes out first]

You think so? ...That's easy for you to say. You can do all sorts of things. But I feel like no matter how hard I try, it'll never be enough to help anyone. And I'm...

[She takes a breath, swallowing hard.]

I'm no good on my own. Even back home, I always just...did what other people wanted. Even here, when I started learning first aid? I did it because Precis though it would be a good idea! I mean, it's not that I don't want to do it, but...!

[She sighs. She's never told anyone any of this before, but with the sadness of Precis' departure and the frustration she feels toward herself and Luceti as a whole, it's all coming out. She feels bad about it, as if she's burdening another person with all her problems.]

I...I'm sorry. I just- sorry...!

[Oh.

...Oh. The idea of comparing him to her is strange, and with this to focus on- He reaches a hand out and palms the top of her head, jerking her head a little to look at him-] Pilouette, I've never held a job more than a day, 'til the Boss here decided he wanted to give me a shot, you know that?

[She flinches just a little when Rin moves her head, but she doesn't pull away.]

...Really?

Really, really. I'm really no good at anything but fighting. [Well, and cooking, but sometimes it felt like that didn't matter, and it reinforces his point here to stick to that] If Mephisto hadn't told me I had to when I became an exorcist, there's no way I would've even gone to high school.

[And he brushes on her head a little more, easing up the pressure, but smiling]

And if you're saying someone like me can make a difference, then I'm sure you can make a lotta difference too, Pilouette.

Edited 2013-03-28 01:36 (UTC)

[She feels a bit childish with his hand on her head like that. But thinking about it, she's probably been pretty childish anyway, moping around like she has been. Though, Pilouette gets what Rin is saying, she still isn't completely convinced that she can be much use. But...

Well, perhaps it would be better for her to keep trying, even if she had do her best to stand on her own.

She smiles, just a little, and nods, sniffling a little before she responds.]

Okay. I, um...I'll do my best! ...Besides, I bet Precis wouldn't like it if she knew I'd just been sitting around crying, huh?

Probably. [And he says this easily, but lowers his hands to his side and tries to clear his thoughts and his throat. Don't choke or anything-]

But Pilouette, I've got somethin' else to say. You should be trying you best but here on - I'm gonna be looking after you, alright?

[She stares him for a moment, not quite understanding. What did he just say?]

L...Looking after me?

Yeah, looking after you.

But, um...but why?

[They're not especially close after all. Does she need looking after? Maybe she does. After all, by herself she more or less lacks direction. She told him as much. Did he just decide this on his own? Even if she's not saying much, a lot is going through her head.]

Two reasons, actually. First one is 'cus I think we could be friends! [Ye...h. and he smiles at that, briefly. A big flashy smile. But then more seriously, and a little more soberly] The other's that Precis asked me to, and I owe that to her.

[She lets out a self-deprecating little chuckle.]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Precis would worry about me a little...!

[So Precis asked him to...Her feelings on that are a little mixed. It does make sense. After all, she relied more on Precis than she realized and wonders now if Precis knew it. However, it makes her wonder if it's even possible for her to stand completely on her own and if she'll always need someone to support her and look after her. After all, her best friend felt she needed to ask someone to take care of her.

She doesn't want to say any of this right now. She smiles just a little and nods.]

I...I think I'd really like to be friends, though.

Yeah. I'd wanna be your friend too. [In fact, getting his gusto back, he even holds out a fist for a fist bump. Which. He isn't sure she knows, but oh well]

Just call me if you ever got problems too.

[She knows fist bumps, all right. She's ever actually done it, but...she kind of awkwardly bumps her own fist against his with a little smile.]

Okay. Thanks. A-And um...! If you ever need me to help you, just um, ask! Okay?

You got it, Pilouette! We can count on each other from here on! [The bumped fist he throws up into the air for a little woop before bringing it down-- and whiping off his eyes. For some reason, despite still grinning, this made him more missing Precis he's been in the last two or so days. He got a little misty]

[Pilouette laughs just a little, the first time she has in the last few days. She's starting to tear up again, though this time a smile accompanies the tears.]

H-hey, don't start crying or you're gonna get me going again, too...!

It's not like I was trying for that or anything! [sniffle. Oh well :T :T :T ]

[Even if he wasn't trying, it's too late. She's happy to have a friend and to be reminded, even a little bit of Precis, who had similarly suggested that they were friends before Pilouette was even sure.

She starts bawling and laughing all at once. Even with that smile, her crying is of the gross variety. Sorry, Rin.]

[It's cool his deal probably isn't much better. He's not exactly to sobbing, but with the sniffle fixed and his bit of tearing up mostly over, he was going to stop - until he saw her crying more and he gets caught up in it a little but not without the comment-] You look so silly right now.

[He said as blue flames started to pop up a little, unbidden, around his eyebrows and cheeks and such]

You look, like, way sillier than I do!

[She starts wiping her eyes, still laughing and sniffling, then points at his flames.]

Hey, like, don't go burning up my floor again, okay?

I'm not gonna burn it up again! There was a reason for that! [Though now he sounds sort of stuffed up]

I know, I know...

[She finally manages to dry her eyes, though she can't help but keep sniffling a little.]

Um. Th-thanks. For coming to talk to me. I think that I feel a little bit better now.

O--of course. [And his tail curls behind him as his checks also flush up a little more in spite of himself] I mean, you're welcome.

[From here!]

"Expected", huh? Yes, please tell me more about how you think I'm a uncouth waste of space. You wouldn't be the first one.

[The sarcasm was genuine in every sense of the word, but...well. By this point there were certainly other emotions at play then just anger.]

I never said you were a waste! After all, people like you do lots of important things. Like...like cleaning. Or collecting garbage.

But...well, I can't say you're wrong about the uncouth part. You practically RAMMED into me when I was just minding my own business and you have the nerve to say it's my fault. How awful~!

[Important things? That got her to look over her shoulder at least, but if the look on her face was any indication, she had different opinions on that matter.]

Well, I just thought that if you were fine with refusing my help, then you were fine without an apology too.

Hmph!

[She hates to admit it, but that was a pretty good comeback...Instead of going for an intelligent response, Pilouette decides to crank up the meanness.]

An apology probably wouldn't mean much from you anyway. It would be like asking for an apology from a guinea pig!

["Guinea pig." She didn't understand why, but something about that made her blood boil. In fact, if she had taken just a little longer to think and ask herself why that was, she probably would have gone through with that slap instead of stopping herself halfway and holding her head.

Why? Why had an insult like that angered her so? Something didn't feel right.]

[mumbles:] I don't...feel well.

[Pilouette squeaks and stumbles back a little bit when she sees Jane go for that slap, her eyes wide. When Jane stops, Pilouette holds her breath for a second. She takes another small step back; Pilouette may be arrogant, but she at least knows better than to risk the possibility of getting into a real fight.

Still, she keeps up that snotty attitude, seemingly unconcerned about whether Jane feels well or not.]

W-Well! Maybe we should leave this alone for now before you do something you regret!

Fine...whatever. [She seemed very lethargic all of a sudden, although she had to be to let that parting shot roll off her back. Maybe she just needed some fresh air, or even a nap or something.]

Excuse me.

[...well, she almost let it roll of her back.]

D-daddy would never be mad at you, Pillo! You're his perfect little angel, you know that!

[Think quick...pass the buck...]

The architect I hired insisted it was a dangerous idea, so I had to fire her and hire a new one...that's all, really! I didn't want you to know because it's all business-talk. This new one is already planning how the elevator is going to fit in, I promise! I wanted an elevator from the very beginning!

[Congrats, Pilouette, someone just lost her job because of you.]

[Jobs? Pillo has no need to think of jobs! She's rich! As long as she doesn't need one, she doesn't even care. Instead, she lets out another childish squeal and hops up and down a bit.]

Yaa~aay~! Oh, Daddy, I love you~! ...But if my closet is being expanded, I'll have to buy things to put in it...There's nothing sadder than an empty closet!! [Even if that defeats the purpose of expanding the closet, but...]

Oh! And I still need to buy my dress...! And my extra dress! And shoes and a necklace and...

[The list goes on...]

[Pilouette will have to get a "job" someday, because someone has to take over Panda's empire...! But he has other people doing most of the work for him already.]

Of course, of course...! I was thinking we could have a big shopping spree with all of your siblings to help fill up the house a little more. It's starting to look a bit lacking, don't you think? Especially if we're going to expand soon.

[But he nudges her and winks.]

We'll make an extra trip or two just for you, don't worry.

[Pilouette first, family second.]

[She'll just make Tsuna take on the job and sponge off his hard work. Much like she does now.]

Ooooh, shopping for the whole house~?! Yaaaaay! We can get new curtains and couches and rugs and...and everything~! I'm sure it'll liven up the house just fine~!

[She giggles as she starts looking through more dresses.]

I know we will. I always have so much fun shopping with you, Daddy. It's my most favorite thing in the world~!

[She always has fun shopping, regardless. But she finds it's always more enjoyable with her father. He never complains about what she's getting or that she already has enough of something...but besides that, she genuinely enjoys spending time with him. It's nice to have a special bond with her dad, different than the ones her siblings do.]

That's right, that's right...! It'll be fall soon, and we'll need an entire new color scheme to match the leaves! I'll be counting on you, my little Pillo.

[And this is the life of a family who knows nothing of wanting. Redecorating parts of their house every few months? Sure, why not!]

It's my favorite thing, too! Just remember that in a few years, alright? Don't try telling me you've outgrown it later!

Oh, Daddy, don't be silly~! I could never outgrow spending time with you! You'll always be my daddy!

~~[HAH]~~

And I'll alway- [She stops short. All the warm, squishy feelings in that moment are temporarily forgotten as a flash of pink and red catches her eye among the pile of dresses, prompting her to tear through the pile at an amazing pace. After a few moments, she pulls out a red and pink dress, with gold accents. It has her favorite colors. It's classy but still hip and cute. Most of all...it's so ridiculously expensive that the likelihood of someone else getting the same dress is slim to none. She holds it up in front of herself, turning back to Panda.]

Daddy! DADDY! LOOKLOOKLOOK!!

~~[Horrible]~~

Ahh, it's words like that make your daddy so happy, Pillo...! You'll always be daddy's little princess, don't you ever worry, alright?

[It's okay, he'll continue for her as he follows her over to this new section of dresses. He sees it, too. Flashes of gold...pink, red...oh. He drops his wallet and places his hands on his face, his signature "freaking out" face.]

Aaaaah! That...that's so perfect! You have to wear it, Pillo! I've never seen such an expensive dress before...!

I know! Isn't it just perfect!?

[She's hopping up and down excitedly, just short of screaming.]

With a dress like this, no one will be able to resist looking at me at the dance! Daddy, we have to buy it right away before someone else does! If someone else gets it, I'll just die!

Ahh...! We can't have that, we can't have that!

[He hurriedly picks up his wallet...a hundred dollar bill slips out, so he has to grab that, too. Life is so much easier now that he has pockets to wear.]

Hurry, hurry...! We have to find a sales representative!

[Haha! Such a silly father joking around like that! ...Right? Fortunately, there's a cashier peeking out from behind the already large pile of dresses on the counter. Pilouette rushes over and leans heavily on the counter, the the dress in hand.]

DADDY! OVER HERE!

[Huff, huff! He can't see the cashier because he's too short, so he just follows after Pilouette waving his Platinum Gold Silver Extreme X (or other appropriately named) card over his head.]

W-we'll...we'll take all of them! Every single one of these!

[The poor cashier sighs because...well, she sees these two all too often in this store. She's not even going to ask and just runs Panda's card without question. The faster these two are out the better.

Pilouette doesn't pick up on that, of course. Instead she goes into a little giggle fit, taking Panda's ~~paws~~ hands, because why would he have paws her father certainly isn't a bear, and does a childish little dance.]

Ohhhh, thank you, Daddy! With this dress, I'm sure no one will stand out more than I will!

((Continued from here!))

Exactly! What do they expect us to do, fork some over at them? That'd be such a waste of our money and time! It's even worse when they beg...

Too true! I'm sure Daddy didn't beg for his money! And besides! If people just went around giving away money, wouldn't the economy collapse or something?

Really, it's better for everyone this way, isn't it?

Much better! We earned our wages and have no reason to be forking it over to those who don't even deserve such a luxury.

[Pilouette didn't earn jack, but her dad did so...that counts, right?]

Exactly! Besides, we're the ones who give people like them jobs. It's because we have so much money that they're able to work at all. They should be grateful for people like us!

[From here!]

--Wait, is that what he does?

[He honestly didn't know until now. He'd grown up under the impression that they just existed rich because Pandad never seemed to do anything. Anything work related, anyway.

He eyes Pilouette as she hugs him.]

You know, we wouldn't think any less of you. If, er, if you aren't perfect all the time. You don't have to try so hard. [Though, personally, he thinks their dad should try a bit harder.] Eccentric is putting it nicely. I don't really want to go to him or anyone with my problems. I'm okay just, kind of, uh, ignoring them after they happen.

[She lets out a dramatic siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. She's not trying hard just for the family; really, she's trying hard for her own reputation, too.]

Oh, Tsuna. You're such a nice little brother. It's no wonder that people are able to pick on you. [Sorry, Tsuna, big sis is rude.] People with good reputations get respect! And when you get respect, you have sway in society! And when you have sway you have success! Even if you all won't look down on me, it's about more than that!

And you can't just ignore your problems, Tsuna! ...Maybe big sister can take care of it for you...!

[Pilouette is clearly overestimating how much influence she has.]

[When he and Doc had found themselves circled by angry chain-wielding bikers in the streets of Tokyo, he had been scared to say the least. Not the sweaty palms sort of scared but the full-blown jelly-kneed, bathed-in-heavy-sweats sort of scared, which is what not most people might imagine of someone who had committing themselves to an act of selfless heroism. (Or suicide, one might think to call it.) It was fight or flight and his body was ready, so ready to choose flight. But the fear of leaving Doc behind – his family behind - to be injured or worse was far greater than the fear of pain. He stayed because he had to. And he wishes he could say the same of about Pilouette in the building.

Uncertainty and guilt have been haunting him ever since and he can’t rest in good conscience until he knows what happened after the cultists had closed in on them. Even if he's feeling a little queasy with anticipation.]

Yo Pils? It's Mac. [He glances aside, rubbing at his neck.] ...When you got a moment, call me back, okay? Thanks.

Edited (WELP forgot deets) 2014-06-04 04:04 (UTC)

[It's not until several days later that Pilouette answers. For a moment, she stares at the journal in her hands nervously. Mac was the last person she remembers being with and she's a little anxious over what she might or might not find out if she starts asking questions. After a few more moments, she sets the journal on the table and begins.]

Um, h-hey, Mac. I'm just...returning your message. [She reaches up and nervously tugs at her ponytail.] ...Sorry it took so long.

[She knows it couldn't be helped, but she feels like she should apologize anyway.]

Pils! [Relief swells inside him at the sound of her voice -- so does nausea. His pulse thuds, cold and thready, in the pit of his stomach and for a moment he can only stare and breathe through a deepening sense of sickness rolling over him. God, he'd hug her if he could.] ...You ok?

[He knows from the moment it leaves him that it's a damn poor choice of words. How could anyone be okay after slogging through mud and gore, surrounded by the dead and hostiles at every turn?]

Y-Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay.

[As okay as one can be given the circumstances. Having just returned, she's still not sure what else is in store for her. She's pretty shaken by the whole thing, but...well, she's sure her friends have worried enough. She's alive. That should be enough for her...right? She smiles a little in an effort to seem more at ease.]

I, um, I guess I'm just trying to settle down a little bit, you know?

[Her smile seems weary and pale to him.]

Yeah... I hear ya on that one. [He manages, swallowing past a catch in his throat.] Look, if... y’wanna rest or somethin', I don’ wanna hold you back. We can always talk another time.

No! I...I mean, no, that's okay.

[After being gone so long, in both a literal and figurative sense, talking to people is bringing her a little bit of comfort.]

I can totally talk if you want.

[The answer is met with a sharp lurch of his stomach like he’s placing his foot onto something expecting support to be there, only for his foot to fall through. Of course there’s a part of him that’s squirming and looking for any way it can to weasel its way out of being put through an emotional wringer. But he needs to do this. He's been agonizing over her absence -- and like all things he commits himself to he has to see it through to the end.

Maybe it won't be as bad as he expects. The possibility offers some cold comfort]

Look, I... I need t'talk t'you about what happened. [His throat tightens on him, making it that much harder to swallow.] Thing is, I don' 'member much about what went down... so I was hopin' you could fill me in. A bunch a' cultists had broken through the door an' were comin' at us... an' then, the next thing I know, I'm outside an' feelin' like I was hit by a truck. I wanted t'find you, honest... but Steve had t'take me to some healers an' I couldn't go lookin' for you no more.

O-Oh...

[So he doesn't remember, either. Her shoulders slump a little as she lets out a quiet sigh. She had been hoping he could give her some answers; hearing that he was hoping to get the same from her is...just a tiny bit disheartening for more reasons than one.]

Um, actually, I can't really remember much either. The last thing I remember is hiding under that desk and...and then I remember hearing the cultists busting in, but...well, after that my memory gets all fuzzy.

[Actuall, there's more than that. She remembers feeling scared. She remembers blood and screaming, but she can't quite remember whose. She remembers feeling trapped. However, the specifics escape her. It's a frightening blur of vague sounds and images...but she figures that at the moment, it's nothing that helps either of them.]

Oh.

[It's really not the answer he was expecting -- but he doesn't know what he had expected other than to be emotionally gutted. At least in that there'd have been some sense of closure, he thinks. But neither he nor her are any closer to unraveling the mystery and maybe these moments they've shared are lost forever in the past. That's a whole other thing to have to come to terms with.]

Well... I'm jus' glad you're back with us now.

Y-Yeah. I'm glad to be back, too!

[She wants to feel better. She wants to make him feel better. So, she does her best to smile and sound positive, even if she's not really feeling it. She's quiet for a moment, briefly glancing off to the side before looking back to him.]

I...I'm sure I'll remember something soon. We'll figure it out eventually. Y-you know?

[She's trying to convince herself as much as she's trying to convince him.]

[He's never been the brightest kid, but he knows what this is and what she's trying to. And it's all he can do to nod and try to make himself believe, as he has so many times before, in the smallest hope.]

Yeah. [He smiles distractedly, faintly.] Sure.

[She's not sure what she can say and starts to feel a little awkward. They were both hoping to answers from the other only to find that no answers were to be had; she can't imagine he feels any better about it than she does.

Maybe it would be better to talk about something else. After all, if neither of them can remember, it probably doesn't help to dwell on it.]

Um...H-Hey, so, how are your arms? They were pretty torn up before, right?

[He blinks distractedly, flicking a glance to his arm -- both of which have healed without scarring.]

Yeah -- between you patchin' 'em up an' me gettin' healed up with some magic, they're good as new. [He tests them, tendons and muscle rippling under his skin as his hands curl into fists.] I was able to get right back into trainin', pretty much. [A weak chuckle escapes him.] ...Don' know what I'd do if I couldn't.

Edited 2014-06-24 15:17 (UTC)

[She smiles a little and lets out a quiet sigh.]

That's good. I'm still not great at like, the whole first aid thing, so I was a little worried... [Especially after those cultists burst in on them.] Oh! Um, while I was...gone...did I miss anything?

Not much, I don' think. But I ain't really been payin' close attention these days.

[Beyond reaching out to a small handful of people in the draft's wake, he has been keeping his use of the journal to a minimum in favour of distracting himself in more effective ways until he's more willing to talk. He knows he has to force himself, though, or he'll be stuck in a rut for longer than he realizes.]

O-Oh. Well, i-it's good to know that I didn't miss anything.

[There's a brief pause. After facing what they did in Zompania, suddenly being back in the relative peace of Luceti almost feels a little strange. Plus, there's still something else she wants to say.]

Also. Um...thanks. For what you did back in Zompania.

[She may have died, but...Mac still risked his life against those cultists while telling her to hide. She's not sure how many people would have done that.]

[It takes him a while to understand what she means, but when he connects the dots and does - with an 'oh', blinking back at her - he softly shakes his head.]

Don' mention it. I had t'do somethin'... I had t'try stoppin' 'em, and I know you'd a' done the same thing. Besides, you'd already helped me out an' other people were gonna need you to patch 'em up.

[Actually, she's not sure she would have done the same thing. She's not sure she would have been able to if she wanted to. It makes her feel kin of guilty thinking about it...]

W-Well, like I said, I really appreciate it. I guess the important thing is we're both okay now.

[Though, likely more okay in some ways than others.]

Yeah... [He swallows against a lump rising into his throat, willing a faint smile.] ...We're okay.

[Pilouette can tell how hard he's trying to smile. It's something she's done too many times to count. She doesn't want to force him to talk to her if he's not feeling it, but she doesn't want to say anything directly...

Pilouette tries to smile a little, too.]

H...Hey, um, you sound a little tired. If you need to like, rest or whatever, we can talk some other time...you know?

Maybe I jus' need a little rest. I ain't been sleepin' too great lately. [Beyond that he doesn't mean to elaborate at the moment. But it's telling enough.]

[She can't imagine anyone could be sleeping too well after Zompania.]

Well, try to get some rest, then. Maybe I should get some rest, too, while I get my head together or...whatever.

Oi, Pilouette. Did I miss you or somethin'?

[ No answer... he makes to check the Med Center today, to see if she isn't held up there ]

You didn't get kidnapped or nothin', right?

[ By now, he probably has missed her at school. He also hasn't really seen her around. And she still isn't answering. He may or may not have tried to remember what her apartment was to knock on it ]

I still dunno where you are... Uh. Hope you find me.

[Pilouette can't help but feel bad. Really bad. It's been over a week since he left this message and she can only imagine how worried he might be. Even if she couldn't do anything about it...well.]

Um...Hey. I-It's Pilouette. I, um, just got back, so...just letting you know.

Pil-- Pilouette?! You're back?!

[ It's probably like... a few hours later ]

Y-Yeah. Um, I just got back earlier today.

[There's a brief pause as she tries to figure out what to say to him. From the messages she's gotten, she figures that most people weren't even aware she had died. She wonders if it's obvious now or if anyone even needs to know. She exhales.]

Um...S-Sorry for worrying you.

Why're you apologizing to me?! We've been worried about you and friends just do that!

[She can't help but flinch a bit. Part of her thinks that maybe...just maybe if she had been a little more careful or done something different, she wouldn't have died and her friends wouldn't have had to wonder where she was or if she was alright.]

I-I know. I just...I just hate to make people worry about me, you know?

If we're worried about you then we're worried about you! That probably just means you were in trouble and so we ought'a have...!

[ Does that even make sense hoops ]

I...I know!

[She hadn't meant to raise her voice like that, but she knows how serious he is about making sure she's okay. After all, Precis asked him to. What is she even supposed to say? When she replies, she speaks quietly and lets out shaky breath.]

...No one could have done anything.

Y-...yeah?

[ No could have done anything. Ugh. Ugh ]

Yeah. It was totally crazy out there. It all just kind of...happened.

[Now, if she could just remember exactly what it was that no one could have stopped. Her memory is still fuzzy.]

You... I'm sorry.

[ That's so lame. This is lame. He should have known what to say here... ]

You don't have anything to be sorry for. Really.

[She's not sure what to say either and it feels awful.]

You-- ... So are you okay now?

...Yeah.

Yeah, I think I'm okay. I'm just getting my head together, I guess.

Di...d. Did you get messed with?

Messed with...?

[Kidnapped and experimented on, she assumes. She was gone for a while, so she can't guarantee that they didn't do some experimenting before John managed to bring her back to life (however he does that), but...]

No. Or, well, I don't remember anything between the draft and waking up in the forest, so...I don't think so.

You sure? Like... you know who your dad is, s'right?

Who my...?

[Oh. That was Precis' penalty.... Is that what he meant?]

No. My memory is still a little jumbled up, but I don't think I forgot anything else. ...I do feel a little off, though, but I can't really figure out why.

Well... well if you work out why, you oughta tell me, so I can help you out with it.

I will. I mean, I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. I'll let you know when I get it sorted out.

[Maybe. After all, maybe it won't be anything big. ...Or maybe it won't be anything that can be helped.]

I'm serious though! So.... so you better!

[ That's selfish? Who knows. He still feels like an ass about the whole Precis fiasco, and now he has it thrown in his face with her friend ]

O-okay, okay! I will! I totally promise!

[Now she feels a little guilty for even considering hiding it from him...whatever "it" turns out to be. She knows he worries about her and that he's just trying to help.]

Good!

[ That was definitely too harsh. But now he can't manage it into a backpedal. ]

[Pilouette can't help but flinch a little bit. She almost feels like a kid being scolded by an older brother or something. She knows it's just because he's worried, but...well, she's got some mixed feelings. Her voice is soft when she speaks.]

...I think I just need some time to like, get my head together.

Yeah we...ll.... 'course you would. That's fine. [ He feels a little bad now, because that was scolding her. And that was also probably unfair. But he didn't want confusion again! But ugh, how can be be nice to her later? ]

I-I think I'm just...gonna try and rest for a while.

[After all, she's feeling a lot of things after what happened, even more now.]

...I'll talk to you later, okay?

Y...yeah. I'm pretty gonna rest soon enough too, but you oughta go now.

WAIT, Wait, Pilouette! Pilouette?! It's not your birthday, right?!

[ He looked at the calendar today and it seemed. About right. Oops ]

My birthday...?

[He's right, it's not. Still, she's surprised. No one's ever asked before and she kind of wonders where this is coming from.]

No, my birthday was...last week. Oh, it was during that weird shift, too, huh...?

Last week? Really? I didn't know that! [ A beat ] Did I?

Uh...I-I don't think you knew that. Actually, like, I don't think anyone does.

Like, why did you ask, anyway?

Because I looked at the calendar and I thought it was your birthday-- wait, so no one knows?!

As far as I know, no one does. I mean, I don't remember telling anyone and I don't think anyone's ever asked until now.

Wow, really? So you didn't even have any cake or nothing all this time?

Well, like, I got myself some cake from the bakery, but...Yeah, that's it, I guess. [She pauses, briefly.] ...But, you know, it's not really like, a big deal or whatever.

I... guess not, but it seems kinda sad. Like you should do some stuff with friends, right?

I don't if it's sad. I've never done anything for my birthday, anyway. I mean, back home my friend and I might go a movie or whatever, but...it wasn't like, birthday stuff. Not really.

[Even if they did it on her birthday.]

Oh man, really? The Old Man always made sure we had a big Christmas cake for our birthday.

A Christmas cake, huh...?

[She supposes any kind of cake is nice for a birthday, really...]

Daddy was usually too busy with work to plan birthday parties or whatever so I just figured it wasn't a big deal. I guess I just kinda got used to it.

Eh...hehe. I don't know, maybe that is normal. In my case it's like the Old Man liked to show off for stuff like that, and the rest of the church pitched in. Later on, I ended up being the guy makin' the cakes too...

Heehee. It sounds like it was a lot of fun, though, having so many people pitching in and celebrating. Plus, making your own cake isn't so bad. You can make it however you want.

[She can't help but smile a little bit. She has to admit it sounds kind of nice to spend one's birthday openly doing birthday things. Still...she never wanted to make people bother about it.]

Yeah... it was pretty great. [ However he wants... of course ] I could even decorate 'em up all cool.

Yeah! And you could make any flavor or size... [She thinks for a second.] Maybe sometime we could make a cake together. Just to see how you do it.

[She's made cakes on her own before, of course, but maybe he does it differently. Maybe the way he does it is better. After all, he cooks for lots of people every day. Plus, it might be nice to know what kind of cakes Rin likes.]

[ Make a cake together....? Oh! ] Sure! If you want and got time, we could even make your birthday cake today or tomorrow or somethin'. I guess it'd be late, but it might be fun. [ Baking's never been his forte, but he is used to going big with it. Some for the whole church, after all ]

[She hadn't intended to call it a birthday cake, but...she supposes there's no need to fuss about not calling it one. Besides if he's wants to do it, she guesses that means it's not really a bother...It makes her feel pretty happy. She smiles brightly.]

Okay! That sounds like it would be really nice! And I definitely have lots of time... Aside from first aid stuff, I've mostly just kind of been doing whatever since I finished school. But whenever you want to, I'll be there!!

Okay! Silver probably wants me to work with him a little more, but I'd love to do it tomorrow! I'll break out even if I have to beat him up! [ Thumbs up! They can totally do it! ]

That sounds great! [She returns the thumbs up with a nervous little smile.] But, um, don't beat anyone up over it...! Like, it can always wait until you're not busy, you know?

No way! I want to spend time with you, and he doesn't get to hold my entire life just 'cus he has to help me out. We're friends, but he's stubborn, so I just might need to smack him.

W-Well, but...! [She hates to admit it, but it makes her the tiniest bit happy that someone would want to put other plans on hold the sake of hanging out with her. Still, though...] I guess don't be too harsh or whatever if he get mad or whatever.

Oh! Or um, m-maybe he could come along and hang out with us if he wanted to...! [Though she wonders if that would be weird since she doesn't know him, even if Rin is a mutual friend.]

Silver can't bake.

[ DUH ]

Yeah, but he can eat, right? It's not like we can eat a whole cake ourselves!

[Actually, they might. She probably can, anyway.]

[ HMMM ] If I bring Skarmy, I bet we could.

If you brought Skarmy along, we could probably eat a lot more than cake.

[She can't help but imagine that a giant murderbird could eat a large amount of a lot of things.]

Hahaha, yeah, probably. Don't worry though, we can get her to stop if there's a problem.

[ Thumbs up, even ] So we'll do it tomorrow?

[He's actually bringing the murderbird. Rin please. Still, maybe it won't be as scary since Rin will be there...

She grins, and flashes a thumbs up in return.]

Okay! Tomorrow it is! I'll totally make sure and have all the ingredients ready! Should we meet at my place or yours?

Yours! ... Right? I mean, you have a kitchen, we could use mine but it would be a problem because there's so many other people there.

Yeah, that sounds great! I mean, there's that little kitchenette in my apartment, but the shared kitchen on my floor is usually pretty empty since I don't have many neighbors, so we'll be just fine!

Makes sense! [ Mind you Skarmy won't fit there... up the stairs. But he can just put her in that ball thing and it should work fine right? Or he could not bring her, but ] It'll be a nice break for me, so I'm really lookin' forward to it! And I can even bring candles!

Candles, huh? Maybe only bring a few...It might be too much to put a whole ninteen on there, you know? It would end up being like, more candle than cake...

[She laughs a little bit. It's really been a while since she's been excited for something like this.]

Appointments/Voicemail post!

may 29, total recall event cont.!

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action | would you like to do a log for the action stuff?

action | Sounds good!

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