Ruarc tilted his head back and laughed heartily. "See? We aren't even there yet an' we're already havin' a blast," Ruarc joked as he watched the infant sneeze with humorous effect. It seemed as though everyone was looking forward to the trip, and he was very glad to see that.
"Don't mind Geoffrey, Miller, he hasn't said a word in all the months Ah have been at Raiko's. So don't take it personally," Ruarc said in response to the silence that met Miller after he attempted communication with the silent butler.
From his position in the focal center of the vehicle Ruarc panned around through the conversations in order to address the others when it was needed. "Oh, t'is notta problem Duncan, you'n Coco are still a part of this group," Ruarc said as he nodded to the yank, meaning what he said even if his original invitation was mostly aimed at Coco.
As he continued his survey, the Irishman gave a rather doting smile towards the child that Percy was holding, thinking that now that they weren't a risky situation the kid was actually pretty adorable; that and he was sure Raiko would be happy to see the kid as well, to an extent. Of course, he was also happy to see that Percy was able to come along as the boy needed the fresh air.
To that extent he was also glad to see that Miyuki had decided to join the outing.Even if just by a little, he was happy that the anonymity between him and the Japanese girl had faded somewhat; even if the main reason she was tagging along was because of Raiko, and probably Percy as well.
Seeing Sakura resting peacefully against Riley, Ruarc began to feel a little tired himself, and he remembered that he had missed out on a lot of sleep due to staying awake most of the night making sure everything was ready. The energy fading slightly, the Irishman rested his chin on his chest as a content smile persisted, and before he realized it he had nodded off into light slumber.
***
When next Ruarc came to it was to the limo begin to slow as it pulled up to the reception area of the Kokoro family's hot springs. Stretching in his seat he let out a slightly exaggerated groan as he looked around to see that the others had settled into their own ways of passing time, whether that be by sleeping, talking, reading, or otherwise. "Alrighty gang, looks like we're here!" Ruarc said as he no longer felt tired and began to fidget slightly in his seat.
Once the butler had parked the limo Ruarc was the first to get out so he could help welcome the others to their destination. Waiting at the door was a young girl no older than fourteen clad in an ornate kimono, and her snow white hair and pale complexion made her look decidedly European. She was standing patiently for the others to climb out she broke her stoic pose as she gave an excited smile and seemed to bounce slightly in her sandles. She seemed very glad to see them, or at least most of them, for as Ruarc approached her she tensed up and seemed somewhat irritated.
"You are late! You dawdled to much didn't you?" the girl snapped as she braced her arms against her hips. Catching herself however, the greeter turned to the others filing out of the limo and brought back her welcoming smile. "The ride wasn't too long, I hope?"
[Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
During the drive to the house, a bat had followed the limo pretty close behind, it wasn't a real bat - at least - not one that had been born naturally anyway.. it was a familiar and that was obvious by how it wasn't getting tired with its long distance flying. Every now and again, the bat would stop and perch itself upsidedown on a tree-branch and watch the limo as it either drove by or would disappear briefly out of sight, but this wasn't much of an issue as the bat was able to keep tabs on the limo.
When the limo had arrived at its destination, the bat made itself at home in a nearby tree; landing on a branch once again upsidedown and watching the young girl and those who would be coming out.
***
Sakura had slept through the entire drive, only to wake up when she felt the limo starting to come to a stop. The young, eleven year old girl let out a tiny yawn as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, completely unaware of the writing on her face. "We there....?" she said with a look of sleepiness on her face.
When the limo had arrived at its destination, the bat made itself at home in a nearby tree; landing on a branch once again upsidedown and watching the young girl and those who would be coming out.
***
Sakura had slept through the entire drive, only to wake up when she felt the limo starting to come to a stop. The young, eleven year old girl let out a tiny yawn as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, completely unaware of the writing on her face. "We there....?" she said with a look of sleepiness on her face.
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
Duncan chuckled at Percy's reply, but snorted as he desperately tried to hold back a laugh when the magical baby tried to copy him.
"She's really lively, that's for sure," the American boy replied, now descending back into the backpack to put on something less showy. "If you want, could help out," his voice offered from inside the bag. Without seeing him, they could all imagine the sly, sarcastic grin he'd have on his face. "It'd be really interesting to have her around, that's for sure - it's not every day you get a baby that can sneeze fire and ice at the same time," he added, emerging with a Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts. "It'd be very interesting."
The sunglasses stayed on.
"Oh, that'd be great!" Coco added. "I'd be like having a little sister!" the little girl cheered. "Thing's would liven up a lot!" Despite the cheer, it seemed like she suddenly came to a realization over something, and briefly put a finger to her lip as her eyes went to the floor in thought. "Liven up," she muttered, glancing at Duncan. This didn't last long however, as she went right back to it! "Percy, pleaaaaaase? We'd take really good care of you, wouldn't we?" the little lich asked, turning her attention to the baby.
Standing out in the fresh air, Duncan stretched. "Thanks for it Ruarc, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be with her along," he replied to the Druid, pointing a thumb at Percy and the bouncing bundle of joy.
"She's really lively, that's for sure," the American boy replied, now descending back into the backpack to put on something less showy. "If you want, could help out," his voice offered from inside the bag. Without seeing him, they could all imagine the sly, sarcastic grin he'd have on his face. "It'd be really interesting to have her around, that's for sure - it's not every day you get a baby that can sneeze fire and ice at the same time," he added, emerging with a Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts. "It'd be very interesting."
The sunglasses stayed on.
"Oh, that'd be great!" Coco added. "I'd be like having a little sister!" the little girl cheered. "Thing's would liven up a lot!" Despite the cheer, it seemed like she suddenly came to a realization over something, and briefly put a finger to her lip as her eyes went to the floor in thought. "Liven up," she muttered, glancing at Duncan. This didn't last long however, as she went right back to it! "Percy, pleaaaaaase? We'd take really good care of you, wouldn't we?" the little lich asked, turning her attention to the baby.
Standing out in the fresh air, Duncan stretched. "Thanks for it Ruarc, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be with her along," he replied to the Druid, pointing a thumb at Percy and the bouncing bundle of joy.
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
Despite all those aboard, even Miyuki succumbed to the lull of the vehicle gently swaying as it passed down the road, and fell asleep before the end of it. She was awoken, less than gently, by Adrienne tapping her in the shins with a foot. as Miyuki startled awake, the Chaperone chuckled, before getting out of the car and helping the others out. The butler was swift as well, going to the trunk and extricating everyone's luggage by the time they had all exited the vehicle. Miyuki and Adrienne picked up theirs and walked toward Ruarc and this unknown girl, whom seemed quite familiar with the irishman.
"Is this a sister or cousin or something?" Miyuki asked, curious.
"Ah, I know who it is." Adrienne responded, keeping the secret to herself with a grin however. "So that's what she did with that Pendant Mealla bought from me," the frenchwoman continued, seeming amused by the whole situation. "How are you holding up, little one?" She asked of the fair newcomer.
"Is this a sister or cousin or something?" Miyuki asked, curious.
"Ah, I know who it is." Adrienne responded, keeping the secret to herself with a grin however. "So that's what she did with that Pendant Mealla bought from me," the frenchwoman continued, seeming amused by the whole situation. "How are you holding up, little one?" She asked of the fair newcomer.
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
Mr. Miller was sitting with his back to the mayhem going on around them - kids were kids after all, and Adrienne was there to ensure that they didn't get too out of control and end the trip prematurely. "If the kids get too out of hand, maybe threaten to turn the limo around," Miller joked with the silent butler. But the butler was completely focussed on driving, completely engrossed in their driving impassionately. Miller raised an eyebrow, the butler's focus was positively supernatural.
He was trying to mull over what the butler could be. Human was definitely ruled out. He had a long trip to consider the possibilities - but as long as it remained on their side, Miller was willing to let his imagination and what he knew from his experiences with the kids. Angels, devils, demons, who knew? He started to fall asleep as the possibilities danced across his dreams.
-
Then the car finally started rolling to a stop and he could hear the kids starting to rouse and rabble again, waking him up. The Kokoro Family's hot springs. He tried letting himself out of the car but the Butler opened the door for him. If nothing else, the Butler was polite and punctual. He walked to the back of the limousine to retrieve his effects.
"Ah, not at all, ma'am," he replied to the girl as he lifted his equipment from the vehicle, the suitcase carrying all of his belongings and the massive sword that defied the suitcase. He was carrying the large suitcase in one hand comfortably, and he rested the sheathed blade against his shoulder, carrying it by the point. "There was some beautiful scenery on the way. Makes me wish I bought a camera if I'd stayed awake."
He was trying to mull over what the butler could be. Human was definitely ruled out. He had a long trip to consider the possibilities - but as long as it remained on their side, Miller was willing to let his imagination and what he knew from his experiences with the kids. Angels, devils, demons, who knew? He started to fall asleep as the possibilities danced across his dreams.
-
Then the car finally started rolling to a stop and he could hear the kids starting to rouse and rabble again, waking him up. The Kokoro Family's hot springs. He tried letting himself out of the car but the Butler opened the door for him. If nothing else, the Butler was polite and punctual. He walked to the back of the limousine to retrieve his effects.
"Ah, not at all, ma'am," he replied to the girl as he lifted his equipment from the vehicle, the suitcase carrying all of his belongings and the massive sword that defied the suitcase. He was carrying the large suitcase in one hand comfortably, and he rested the sheathed blade against his shoulder, carrying it by the point. "There was some beautiful scenery on the way. Makes me wish I bought a camera if I'd stayed awake."
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
The child was definitely taking a liking to Duncan and his little sister. She started to work towards them, not very shy to these strangers. When she almost managed to loose herself, the girl was wrangled back under Percy's grip. She didn't seem to like that one bit, being limited, that was, and began to pout, threatening tears. Percy, on the other hand, was eyes-forward, and not paying attention to the antics of either American. Instead, he offered them an answer about as icy as his shoulder.
"No."
And that was all he seemed to have to say on the matter.
As he climbed out of the limo after Miyuki, also shooing Riley out with him, the small child worked its way around onto Percival's back. She nestled her chin on his shoulder, and seemed to hold tightly to his coat with little issue. She waved excitedly at Duncan when he seemed to call her out, and smiled warmly.
Percy, on the other hand, was already looking tired. In fact, he seemed more like he had walked the whole way instead of riding with everyone else.
"That squawking..." mused Percy quietly, referring to the greeting Ruarc's friend had given the druid. He gave her an questionable gaze under that darkening stare, his lip curling in a thoughtful way. Instead of pursuing that line, or apologizing for it for that matter, he approached her, and held out his only hand for a shake. "There was plenty of excitement to occupy us on the way up. Percival Caxton."
"Auw. Ah ah ah!" the little girl began patting firmly on Percy's shoulder, dissatisfied with his greeting. He cast a tired gaze at her, which regarded her in silence. She began tugging on his cheek, threatening to throw a fit.
"And this is Tegwyn. Though she's also known to answer to Tiwlip sometimes," explained Percy, much to the delight of Tegwyn.
"No."
And that was all he seemed to have to say on the matter.
As he climbed out of the limo after Miyuki, also shooing Riley out with him, the small child worked its way around onto Percival's back. She nestled her chin on his shoulder, and seemed to hold tightly to his coat with little issue. She waved excitedly at Duncan when he seemed to call her out, and smiled warmly.
Percy, on the other hand, was already looking tired. In fact, he seemed more like he had walked the whole way instead of riding with everyone else.
"That squawking..." mused Percy quietly, referring to the greeting Ruarc's friend had given the druid. He gave her an questionable gaze under that darkening stare, his lip curling in a thoughtful way. Instead of pursuing that line, or apologizing for it for that matter, he approached her, and held out his only hand for a shake. "There was plenty of excitement to occupy us on the way up. Percival Caxton."
"Auw. Ah ah ah!" the little girl began patting firmly on Percy's shoulder, dissatisfied with his greeting. He cast a tired gaze at her, which regarded her in silence. She began tugging on his cheek, threatening to throw a fit.
"And this is Tegwyn. Though she's also known to answer to Tiwlip sometimes," explained Percy, much to the delight of Tegwyn.
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
Sakura didn't seem to be bothered by no one really responding to her question, then again, it was a rhetorical one. Leaning over to grab her bag, she stepped out of the limo and looked about the area with a smile on her face.
This had been the first time she had left Osaka, or at least, that's the feeling she was getting - something tugged on the back of her mind that she had been outside of Osaka before but she couldn't place when or where... or if it was just her mind playing tricks on her, she didn't know which it was.
"Beautiful...." she muttered.
Above them, in a nearby tree, the Bat continued to watch Sakura; its wings shimmered slightly in the light giving off the appearance that it was more than it seemed. When the wings stopped shimmering, they folded around itself and turned the bat from being something that could be physically seen, to being transparent and matching the branches appearance.
This had been the first time she had left Osaka, or at least, that's the feeling she was getting - something tugged on the back of her mind that she had been outside of Osaka before but she couldn't place when or where... or if it was just her mind playing tricks on her, she didn't know which it was.
"Beautiful...." she muttered.
Above them, in a nearby tree, the Bat continued to watch Sakura; its wings shimmered slightly in the light giving off the appearance that it was more than it seemed. When the wings stopped shimmering, they folded around itself and turned the bat from being something that could be physically seen, to being transparent and matching the branches appearance.
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Gwathdraug
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:48 am
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
Riley, grinning as she hopped out of the car, called out after Sakura, “If'n yah need your face back to normal jus' give me a shout!”
Then, walking to the back of the vehicle the young stage magician went and – butler or no butler – got her own bag. Opening the backpack and peaking inside to see a pile of skillfully folded clothes that she definitely didn't recognize the young girl sighed and never-the-less slung the bag behind her shoulders.
Shoving her gloved hands into the pockets of her shorts and swishing her mouth back and forth morosely Riley walked up to the rest of the group. Finally looking up as she reached everyone the stage magician looked back and forth between Ruarc and the woman who had come out to meet them all.
Turning her head to the side and squinting as she took the sight in before her Riley finally blinked, straightened herself, and came up and poked Ruarc in the spine.
“What'd yah do with Blueberry's wings?”
Then, walking to the back of the vehicle the young stage magician went and – butler or no butler – got her own bag. Opening the backpack and peaking inside to see a pile of skillfully folded clothes that she definitely didn't recognize the young girl sighed and never-the-less slung the bag behind her shoulders.
Shoving her gloved hands into the pockets of her shorts and swishing her mouth back and forth morosely Riley walked up to the rest of the group. Finally looking up as she reached everyone the stage magician looked back and forth between Ruarc and the woman who had come out to meet them all.
Turning her head to the side and squinting as she took the sight in before her Riley finally blinked, straightened herself, and came up and poked Ruarc in the spine.
“What'd yah do with Blueberry's wings?”
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
The white haired maiden gave a cheerful smile as Percy introduced himself. With youthful exuberance she daintily took the boy's hand and shook it. After shaking for the proper amount of time she released his hand and did a couple of hops off to the side so that she was standing directly next to Ruarc and within view of everyone. Then she smiled coyly as she struck a pose to show off her ornate kimono as well as her cute figure. "Aw, are you saying you don't remember me?" the girl said as she exaggerated a hurt frown.
"Well tha's because ye haven't exactly been in a position to do tha'," Ruarc replied as he gave the girl a solid prod on the shoulder, causing her to lose her balance for a moment. Regaining herself, the girl stomped firmly down on Ruarc's foot with her wooden sandal before straightening her kimono and once more looking rather graceful.
"Ahem, anyway, allow me to properly introduce myself," the girl went on as she glared slightly towards Riley before bowing politely. "My name is Laoise, the dove, and it is a pleasure to finally speak with you all."
Ruarc chuckled lightly to himself but figured he would let Laoise have her moment, so with a smile he watched the young girl finally introduce herself to the others that she had been so near to and yet so far from. As she spoke he looked between her, the traditional Japanese inn, and the rolling mountainsides accented with light February snow. "Take your time, Ah'm jus' gonna go let Raiko know tha' we're 'ere," Ruarc said lightly as he turned to walk with a slight limp through the sliding paper front doors.
"Well tha's because ye haven't exactly been in a position to do tha'," Ruarc replied as he gave the girl a solid prod on the shoulder, causing her to lose her balance for a moment. Regaining herself, the girl stomped firmly down on Ruarc's foot with her wooden sandal before straightening her kimono and once more looking rather graceful.
"Ahem, anyway, allow me to properly introduce myself," the girl went on as she glared slightly towards Riley before bowing politely. "My name is Laoise, the dove, and it is a pleasure to finally speak with you all."
Ruarc chuckled lightly to himself but figured he would let Laoise have her moment, so with a smile he watched the young girl finally introduce herself to the others that she had been so near to and yet so far from. As she spoke he looked between her, the traditional Japanese inn, and the rolling mountainsides accented with light February snow. "Take your time, Ah'm jus' gonna go let Raiko know tha' we're 'ere," Ruarc said lightly as he turned to walk with a slight limp through the sliding paper front doors.
Re: [Episode 5] The Warrior, The Wolf, and the Way Back Home
"My.... face?" Sakura blinked as she looked into the limo's windows to see her faces reflection. There, right on her face, was probably what Riley was referring to and in fact it was when Sakura noticed that it was strange shapes that were around her face and such. "Da...da.da...da..da...." she stammered as she blinked in surprise and then slowly head turned toward Riley. "R-RILEY!" she shouted