You ignore the vague smugness you feel poking at the edge of your mind and set the book in his lap, waiting for him to sit up before you speak. "Keep to your word, my likeness alone, and you have my permission." He smiles at you, bowing again and squireling the book back into his bag.
"Thank you very much." He pauses for a moment, hand digging though his bag for a few seconds, handing you a slightly crumpled card. "Contact information, so that you may remain informed if you so choose."
Oh, yeah. You take it, sliding it into a pocket with a small nod.
"I hope your... work goes well." You feel a little awkward now, having just signed your likeness over, but it's more of a 'I don't know what to say' than a bad feeling. Thankfully, he just smiles, bowing again.
"I thank you for your blessing." He pauses for a moment, looking slightly nervous. "If it does not cause offence, would this one be willing to part with a name?"
Ignoring the slightly odd wording, you mull the thought over for a while, the man sweating slightly before you slowly nod.
My transformation name should do. "I am known as Ignition Knight."
He quickly nods, reciting something in Japanese quietly to himself as he bows,
again. What is it with these people and bowing? "I do not have the words for my appreciation My Lady, thank you for your blessing." Something tickles the edge of your mind, like a fly landing on your leg.
[Hmm] "If I may take my leave, I do not wish to bother you." You catch his glance around the room, the other Asian people quickly looking away from him, an odd mixture of envy and pity in their eyes.
"You may go." He calmly stands, gathers his things and leaves, ascending the stairs at the end of the corridor. As he leaves, the odd niggling feeling fades, but the impression it leaves behind doesn't.
[Hmmmm] This, was really strange. You turn back to your seat, the eyes of the room avoiding yours, and sit next to Gaia, an amused light dancing in her eye as she nibbles on a bit of popcorn. "What?" You cross your arms as you get comfortable.
Her smile just grows larger. "Oh, nothing." She looks back at her food, giggling slightly. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, it's happened before." Quietly humming to herself, she completely ignores your questions for the rest of the journey, just looking somewhat self-satisfied when you eventually give up and move to talking to your sister. She's been reading a Manga that you are
sure you didn't get her, and was currently trying her best to get you to read it while complaining about all of the 'inaccuracies' the Magical Girls in it have.
The silently amused gazes of the rest of your group follow you when you stand up, the loudspeaker proclaiming that they may now de-embark in three different languages.
Finally. Your sister and her quiet partner in crime are barely a step behind you, your sister's complaints becoming a running commentary of everything you see. "Ooh, a bird, and a big wooden boat, and more boats, and a big parade and-" You tune her out as your eyes turn to said 'parade', a large group of people in suits standing near the end of the docks, their eyes firmly locked on your group.
Gaia, problem? [No]
Her words stay your hand when you reach the end of the docks, a short woman in a Kimono stepping away forwards, graceful steps crossing the distance quickly.
Blank grey eyes look over you with a cold, predatory hunger, then turn to the resident planet. "Why are you here?" You blink in shock, but she just stands there, waiting for Gaia to respond.
"Just stopping by for a vacation." She smiles, as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. "Not going to start any trouble."
The woman frowns, crossing her arms. "A likely story." Her eyes move past you, head tilting to the side as she stares at Willow. "You are literally incapable of restraining yourself from meddling where you aren't welcome." A small flicker of magic tickles you as her eyes flash through a multitude of colours, settling back to their normal grey after a moment. "I hope you don't think that sympathy will win me over."
Gaia pauses for a moment, shifting her gaze to Willow before shrugging. "Not really, it'll be taken care of." The woman just nods, going back to staring at Gaia. "
I, am here as a chaperone for these darlings." She sets a hand on your shoulder. "They've just been so busy lately, I thought that it would be good to let them have a few days off, see the sights." The woman looks at you again, eyes moving to the rest of your group in quick order.
"Busy killing our allies for your schemes?" The woman doesn't look bothered by the statement, using it more as a lever than an actual emotional response. "I don't want any of you here, but I'm not going to get my way." Shrugging, she looks back to Gaia. "I want you gone in five days, Card Captor Sakura will be cancelled if you overstay."
Gaia grumbles quietly to herself, but nods. "You are cruel woman Tsukihime "
The woman- Tsukihime smiles, turning her back on you. "That's a compliment coming from you." She passes into the crowd of suited people and vanishes from sight, the group quickly dispersing in every direction.
Huh. You look at Gaia, the rest of your group similarly confused. "Is she going to be a problem?"
She sighs but shakes her head, beckoning you to follow her away from the dock. "No, don't cause any trouble and we won't be bothered." She starts up the stairs, waiting for everyone to climb the flood wall. "We'll be leaving in five days, not counting today. So..." She crosses her arms, looking around expectantly.
A few awkward minutes of silence later, she turns to you, frustration visible on her face. "So, I had a ride planned, but evidently a certain
someone decided to be annoying."
Your sister pipes up. "We have to
walk?" She sounds like she's been given a death march.
Resisting the urge to bitch at Gaia verbally, you make sure she knows you are thinking it and pat Una's head. "It's alright, it'll give us a chance to see the city." She makes a protesting sound and you tap her head. "Besides, you're getting a little fat anyway, you could use the exercise." Sharing an amused glance with your partner at her gasp of horror, you mentally nudge Gaia to lead you on. "It'll be good for you."
/LINE BREAK\
Ok, so- You lean back on the sofa, huffing lightly.
It was a bit more of a walk than I thought it would be. Your sister glares up at you from her place on the floor, little legs worn out from your trek. "See..." You take a deep breath. "Good exercise." Her adorable attempt at melting you with her eyes just makes you laugh, turning your eyes to the massive window across the far wall.
Now that, is one hell of a view. You aren't sure how high up the mountain you are, but the window lets you see far below you, the sprawling city below creeping well over the horizon.
In the end, you'd given up and caught a bus, taking you half-way to your final destination. You'll be staying here as a stop-over for the night, in this fancy house half-way up Mount Tsukuba. It really is quite nice, everything inside is very modern and fancy, well kept with barely a speck of dust to be found.
Say Gaia, how much does a place like this cost for a night? Morbid curiosity pushed you to ask the question, but her sudden awkward jolt she tells you everything you need to know. Tiredly rubbing your face, you get comfortable.
Who's house are we 'borrowing' then?
[Well, since little miss shiny eyes decided to be annoying and cancel our car, I decided to be annoying and borrow one of her vacation homes.] You look around, suddenly more interested in your temporary abode.
[Don't bother, she doesn't keep anything here.] A lewd giggle pokes at your brain and you sigh.
[Unless you want to see her panties~] Oh yeah. Standing up, you walk towards the master bedroom, experience guiding you through the unfamiliar halls and into the clothing drawers.
Need some spares since you didn't let me take any. [H-hey wait! You're supposed to be embarrassed and blush and-] She cuts herself off with a disappointed sigh.
[You're no fun Cerys.]
Unfortunately she isn't your size, but a few of her panties are tight enough to fit you anyway.
Interesting taste. You've seen a lot of other peoples underwear in your life, so it's nothing surprising, but it always amuses you how much underwear says about someone.
Though, to be fair, it makes sense to have a dozen sets of 'fuck me' lingerie in a vacation home. You pick a few of the best fitting pairs, ignoring the bras for now, while also ignoring Gaia's depressed mumbling.
[Never go along with anything I set up-] [-why did I have to get the Tsukkomi-] [-so many missed opportunities...]
Dropping your new clothing on a bedside cabinet, you walk back into the living room, catching sight of someone in the kitchen as you pass.
Actually... Changing direction, you step into the kitchen, enjoying the feeling of the heated floor on your tired feet. "What are you making?"
Cuifen looks away from the pot in front of her, passing you the wooden spoon as you approach. "Can you stir that for a minute? I need to check on something." You nod, starting to stir the pot of... rice?
Something local tonight? She stops rummaging through one of the cupboards, setting a few different pots of herbs next to you, gently coaxing the spoon back into her hand. "I am trying to make a Chinese Recipe, but I do not have all of the pieces, so am Improvising."
Dropping a sprinkling of herbs into the other pot, she takes a quick sniff, nodding to herself in satisfaction. "Should be done in..." A glance at the clock on the oven. "Ten minutes? The carrots need to be softer than usual."
Nodding, you turn your head to the living room and call out. "Dinner in ten, Una set the table!" She calls back a tired 'Alright' and you turn back to your food, glancing over at the other pot.
Carrot, peas... onion? I think. The soup she has going smells lovely, but you
do remember that Chinese rice goes well with egg. "No egg?"
She shakes her head, pointing over her shoulder at the enormous fridge. "They expired last week, will have to make do without." You hum in agreement, helping her dish up the plates and carry it in, pleased to see that the table has been set and everything is in place.
Huh, this is pretty good. The meal isn't exactly perfect, slapdash with the ingredients as you were, but it's still perfectly edible.
No Ketchup though, disappointing. The meal mostly passes in silence, only speaking to request a condiment. When everyone is finished, you stack the plates and carry them back to the sink, smiling when Willow and your sister start drying them for you. "Thanks." They smile back, having some kind of competition to see who can dry the most things the fastest.
Everything put away and the table cleared, you look outside, noting the somewhat sudden disappearance of the sun.
We have a busy day tomorrow, we should get an early night. And so with much reluctance, you usher the kids to bed in one of the spare rooms, claiming the main room for yourself and Daiyu.
Finders Keepers, hope you enjoy the sofa Gaia. This time, Sabina made sure that she got a bed, a look of dark satisfaction on her face as she condemns Gaia to a night of twisting and turning to get comfortable.
Stripping for bed, you get comfortable in Daiyu's embrace, quickly falling asleep to the soft sound of her breathing.
/LINE BREAK\
Smirking internally, you watch the kids sleepily get their things together, almost forgetting something more than once.
That's what you get for staying up all night and reading Manga.
When everyone has gathered in the living room, you look around, nodding and poking Gaia awake with your foot. "Time to go." She sleepily clambers to her feet, muttering uncomplimentary things about 'this squishy flesh-sack' that she's occupying and pulls on the rest of her clothes. "Alright." You wait for everyone to look at you. "We'll be taking a bus from the start today." Your sister lets out a quiet
yesss, and you continue. "We should get there by..." You glance at Gaia.
Lunch? She nods. "Lunch, which means we'll be eating when we get there."
You smile as your sister pauses, getting the message. "Feel free to grab whatever food left here, I'm sure it's expensive."
Departing fifteen minutes later, stomach filled with what was probably very expensive sweets and snacks, you climb aboard the bus, the driver sleepily taking your money before you move to the back.
/LINE BREAK\
Traffic was good, so you've arrived a little early, the bus letting your group exit into an abandoned mountaintop, barely anyone in sight.
Gaia, this is your doing? [I just wanted some peace and quiet, but don't worry, I didn't actually evict anyone. The shrine maidens are still here.] Rolling your eyes, you walk down the street, passing a few people who barely even glance at you and-
The fuck is that? Some sort of fat caterpillar dragon is quietly worming its way down the street, the people passing by it doing nothing more than stepping out of its way.
[Oh, that? Just some random weak Youkai, don't bother with it.]
You keep an eye on it, regardless of Gaia's dismissal, noticing it occasionally glancing towards your group and worming faster.
Hmm. You approach a corner, turning right and moving further into the village, the odd... Youkai moving away from you at a much more relaxed pace.
Weird. You reach back and poke Sabina, pulling her eyes away from the poor thing. "Leave it." With a pout she turns away, letting Gaia lead you to a fairly average looking house.
"Welcome, to Mount Akagi, I hope you enjoy your stay." With those words, she pushes open the door, walking into your new home for a few days. You move into the living room and drop the carrier bag you took from your last home, spare clothing safely nestled inside. Everyone else looks in before starting to disperse, looking around the house.
I should, but- Your stomach reminds you that it's been a few hours since you ate.
Man, am I spoilt now, it wouldn't have bothered me a few months ago...
You don't notice Gaia's narrowed eyes, contemplation dancing through them.
Pick two
[] Look around the village, you think you saw a sign about a shrine?
[] Play with Una and Willow for a bit
[] Feed The Beast
-[] Food in the house?
-[] Go out for food