Ten'jou Manor - Guest Room

Utena opens the door slightly and peeks in, the edge of a tray visible in
her free hand. "... Ryoko? I thought I'd check in..." Smiles a little.

Ryoko is sitting up in bed with her sword out, still mostly undressed.  
She hasn't obviously been crying, but her eyes are suspiciously bright,
and she seems to be looking at a not-empty space suspiciously.

Utena blinks, large blue eyes shifting from 'calm hostess' to 'tense and
alert houseowner anxiously looking out for trouble' as she catches that
look; she moves fully into the room, setting the tray (which is revealed
to be a tea tray) on the top of a dresser. "Is something wrong..?" she
asks softly.

Ryoko takes a shaky breath, and then lowers her sword, looking embarrased
and a little shaky.  "....I thougt I saw someone I knew.  I guess it was a
dream..."

Utena nods, exhaling a little. She takes a step back, and asks softly,
"Are you going to be okay? I brought up some tea, in case you're thirsty
or anything. I usually make dinner around this time, but I wanted to see
how you were doing before I started that."

Ryoko takes a deep breath and rubs sleep out of her eyes.  "I'll be fine I
think.  I was just.....never mind.  I'd like dinner, though.  Um....Thank
you, Utena-san, for your hospitality.  And I think I'd like that tea."

Utena smiles warmly. "It's not a problem. Would you like the tea I brought
up, or would you like to join me downstairs? I'll be a little busy in the
kitchen, but I can talk, and there's still a lot of hot water down there."

Ryoko smiles a bit, almost completely at odds with her normal rather
fierce demeanor.  "....I'"

Ryoko says, "I'd like that....I don't get a lot of chances to talk to
people."

Washuu just floats up at the celing, unseen.  She regards the pink-haired
girl.  . o O ( I'd do something, but this /is/ her house.... )

Utena nods again, and wedges the room door open wider with her foot, so
she can take the tray up again (no point in leaving it here.) "I think
Seiji's in the library, I'm gonna see if he wants anything too. C'mon
along..."

Ryoko pauses to quickly dress, clothes a little rumpled.

Utena wanders out of the guest room, Ryoko in tow behind her, a tea tray
in her hands.

Washuu beams invisably at the little ride.

Utena spots Seiji and Lai and smiles. "Oh, good timing. I was about to
head downstairs and start dinner... you two want anything?"

Seiji is standing JUST outside the library. He'll just make sure he leaves
enough room for Utena and Ryoko. "Good evening. Oh, I'm fine, but thank
you for asking."

Utena mms. "Okay, but I was gonna cook a glazed ham specially... your
loss." She grins a little and starts downstairs.

Washuu pikupiku's, again, invisably.  . o O ( ..Hey.. I want some glazed
ham... )

Utena ahs, "Here we go." in an idle comment to Ryoko as she gestures at
the small woodstove radiating heat in one part of the kitchen, with a
kettle just beside it on the fired-ceramic counter. "There's tons of hot
water, the cups are here..." she pulls open a wooden cupboard, revealing
several different polished wood canisters. "Tea. Just pick the kind you
want.. honey's in that cupboard over there.." Then she picks up an apron
and starts producing pans and obscure looking devices from various other
drawers.

Ryoko is looking around in wonder at the house, as if enchanted.  
"Mou...It's so pretty here."

Ryoko quietly makes herself a cup of orange tea, picking a kind she
recognizes.

Utena nods, a hint of wistfulness in the smile. "It is. It's really too
big for just me and mine... that's why we opened it up to everyone to
begin with. For just me, it's way too extravagant." . o O ( Even if I
earned every inch of it...) She chooses not to ask Ryoko about her home,
since what little she picked up last night suggests it's not a good topic
of conversation. Instead she busies herself pulling a large, pink ham from
the cold room (how DO they manage THAT? Must be some magic at work here..)
and puts it in a roasting pan.

Washuu ponders doing the same as Ryoko, but... decides against it.  She
looks back and forth between Ryoko and Utena, and then suddenly.. there's
a knock at the door.

Ryoko is gazing around trying to look at everything.  "I never did manage
to live for long on land.  It must be nice to have so much space...most of
the time all I had was a cabin. "  She then turns to look to the door that
was knocked on.

Utena blinks and was in the middle of getting out some spices.. she moves
over to the kitchen door and turns the knob, peering out... "Hello?"
Funny, usually people come in the front way..

Washuu-chan beams, waving.  "Hello!  I'm here for Ryoko!" n.n

Utena blinks a little, and looks back over her shoulder toward Ryoko to
see what HER reaction is to that. "... Uhm, and you are?" She's not
hostile, but as far as she's concerned, at the moment Ryoko is under her
protection...

Ryoko inhales her tea a the voice and the coughs violently.

Washuu-chan continues beaming, her hands behind her back now.  "The
greatest scientific genius in the /world!/"

Utena o.O; and takes it that's not NECESSARILY a good sign. She brushes
her hands off on her apron and appraises the figure in the door a moment,
as if trying to interpret something only she can see. And calls out
softly, sideways, "Ryoko, is this person someone you know?" She explains
toward Washuu, "She's been in some trouble, so I hope you understand I
don't want people just marching in here bothering her, miss..."

Ryoko says, "...<cogh>....<hack>...Not a dream!  Kissama!  What do you
want with me?  And Don't lie this time!"

Washuu-chan just stands there, the beam still on her face.  "I understand
completely!"  She then addresses Ryoko, though she doesn't look in.  "I
heard you were in town, so I came to visit you!" n.n

Ryoko's hair stirs as if brushed by wind...dispite the utter stillnes of
the kitchen, and she looks more than a little disturbed.

Washuu-chan says, "(OOC) Why do I do that to /everyone/? n.n"

Utena isn't sure what to make of this, but it's all keyed on Ryoko,
really. If she tells her she doesn't want this person around, Utena will
ask her to leave.. but if she doesn't... "Ryoko, when you're here, it's as
if this is your home. What do you want me to do about this? Do I let her
in or do I ask her to leave?" She looks to the girl for her decision.

Ryoko says, "....ie.  I don't know her.  I don't -".o0( Dream
washuu:*Ryoko-chan, it's time to sleep* Mama?)0o."....Remember..."  She
trails off.

Washuu-chan doesn't change her expression in the least.  Rather unnerving.

Ryoko looks troubled, but suddenly changes that to determined.  "Let her
in, Utena-san.  I want to know what she wants.  But I don't trust her at
all.  She was in my room but vanished when you came in."

Utena takes her cue from the nervous sort of unfinished way that Ryoko
speaks, and looks back to Washuu with an apologetic look... about to ask
her to leave... then frowns as she hears this new information. But she
nods. "Okay, Ryoko..." She steps aside to let the little pink-haired girl
in. "Please come in." Very polite, for all that, good manners. "Would you
like tea?"

Ryoko Takes a stand up against a wall where she can watch Washuu, and
Ryoko gets somemore tea from the stove.  Both of her (?!!!) make sure to
keep an eye on Washuu.

Utena doesn't blink. She split herself in half once. It's actually REALLY
hard to throw Utena when she's engaged to Xelloss and all.. ^_^

Washuu-chan doesn't even wait for the door to open, she just suddenly
appears next to the Ryoko on the wall, the beam still on her face.  "No,
thank you, I'm fine." n.n

Utena DOES watch Wasyuu out of the corner of her eye though as she turns
to get back to preparing the ham, prodding at it a little, pouring a
little amount of spice over it and getting a brush for the honey. "How do
you know Ryoko?" she asks casually while doing this..

Ryoko glares at the little crab-haired (she should talk!) lady, in sterio.

Washuu-chan states, simply, and very plainly, "I'm her mother!" n.n She
doesn't even flinch at the dual glares.

Utena gazes at Wasyuu, turning a little. She was about to say "You're too
young!" but... hell, Xel looks like he's about 20 and he's, what,
thousands? No comment. She kinda reminds Utena of him, actually, which
makes her all the more... carefully observant.

Ryoko Explodes at that comment, yelling, "You keep saying that!  Stopit!  
You aren't my mother!  My mother wouldn't have left me with him!"  In fact
she's so agitated that she's gone back to being one person.  She then
looks mortified that she's yelling.

Utena winces at the raised voice, but for the moment keeps her quiet, just
observing as she slathers the small ham in glaze. She really hopes this
won't get ugly. She'd hate to have to draw out the house defenses.

Washuu-chan sighs slightly, but doesn't stop grinning.  She is, however,
taller.. "Ryoko-chan.  I couldn't do much to stop him.  Even a genius has
her bad days."

Utena continues to listen in. Listen when one doesn't know something, and
you learn. She's been hanging around Akio and Xelloss too long... puts
another glaze coat on the ham. Hm. Almost time to fire up the oven...

Ryoko turns away from Washuu and faces out the window, suppressing tears.  
"Just leave me alone.  I can't beleive you.  I wont."

Washuu doesn't make any moves.  "My gems look very becoming on you,
Ryoko-chan." n.n

Utena frowns quietly at the situation, while crossing the room with the
ham tray in her hands, nudging it into a pre-warmed kiln-like stove. With
this part of the task done, she now has more energy to devote to watching
the newcomer... but isn't able to tell whether she's being sincere,
aggressive, threatening, or just... tricksterish.

Ryoko stiffens, rasing a hand to look down at the gem embedded in her
wrist.  As she is facing out the window from Washuu, she probably doesn't
see the tear that slids down one side of her face.  .o0(....Moma gave me
my gems...only moma would know that.  Even daddy didn't know where I got
them...)0o.

Washuu beams wider, then, putting her hands on her hips.  "So you believe
me now, hmmmm?  Daddy /would/ sure love to know more about those precious
gems, wouldn't he?"

Ryoko is trying not to shake as she cries.  "Moma?" She whispers, trying
to convey that she has something to say to washuu.

Washuu clasps her hands at the small of her back, and quirks an eyebrow.  
"Yeeees, Ryoko-chan?"

Utena crosses her arms over her chest and says softly, "If by 'daddy' you
mean Kagato..." and her frown deepens to a scowl. She obviously has NO
liking for that man, or even that name.

Ryoko Swalows heavily and says.  "I hate you.  Leave me alone."  But
there's no real force behind the words.

Washuu doesn't seem very phased by that.  She just rocks back and forth on
her heels, also ignoring Utena as she does so.  "You don't reeeeally hate
me, little Ryoko!"

Ryoko says, "Just go away."  She still hasn't turned from the window, and
is hugging herself tightly as if cold.

Utena feels a momentary surge of annoyance- she doesn't get ignored in her
own HOUSE- but fights it down. The feeling's very familiar. Kind of the
'ignore an inconvenient question' which Xel used to pull on her.. which
makes her all the more suspicious. Especially if, as this person claims to
be Ryoko's 'mother'... then what's her relation to Kagato? At that
thought, Utena moves toward Ryoko, who is visibly hurting right now, and
touches her shoulder lightly. "I think you should go, miss," she addresses
Washuu. "That's what Ryoko wants right now."

Washuu hmm's, only now looking slightly annoyed.  "I get locked up for 742
years, and this is my welcome?"  She wags a finger in the the air.  "I
don't thiiink so."

Utena gives pause. "Locked up?" she asks cautiously.

Washuu beams, again, once more dodging the question.  She addresses Ryoko.  
"And dear Kagato's even got to see you, why can't I?" n.n

Utena frowns and instantly moves to intervene, the tone of that question,
and the phrasing... it's just too much. Blocks with her body, putting
herself between Ryoko and Washuu. "What's your connection to him?" she
glares, her eyes narrowing to icy blue lines. "He HURT her and kidnapped
ME... if you have anything to do with that..."

Ryoko Is as tense suspension bridge cable, except that we don't have that
yet.  He voice comes out as an emotionless, almost *humanityless* flat
tone as she responds to washuu.  "Why not?  I can't stop you, can I?  
Just like I can't stop him."

Washuu smirks at Utena.  "Honestly!  You should respect your elders, you
know."  She crosses her arms, choosing to let this confrontation last for
a few moments.  Her smirk widens.  "Just because I'm married to the
bastard doesn't mean I help him, ya know."  She then speaks around Utena,
to Ryoko, "Well, no.. you can't.  But if you reeeeally don't want to see
me, I'll leave."  . o O ( And come back later, little Ryoko. )

Utena's eyes flash for a moment. Respect my ELDERS? You can almost see the
rage move through her eyes.... my ELDERS? I'm the goddamn ex-avatar of
Balance, I went drinking with Death and Urd, and I died three times for
this world and you want to talk to me about ELDERS? She almost snorts
aloud, suppressing that with for her an extreme effort.

Ryoko doesn't say anything.  But she does think it.  Practically begging
it by thought, in fact.  It's almost more a prayer than a request.  
.o0(Please go away.  Please.)0o.

Washuu beams, then, ignoring Utena once more.  "Okay!"  She's suddenly not
there anymore, but a voice can be heard.  "Feel better now, Ryoko-chan!"

Utena frowns. "She wants you to leave her alone. Please LEAVE. NOW."

Ryoko . o O ( ...Kami-sama, please make her go away...I don't want her to
be my momma... )

Utena turns and puts her hands on Ryoko's shoulders. "Ryoko... are you
okay...?"

Ryoko Croaks, "...I allways knew my Okasan was comming to save me.  I was
sure of it.  For the longst time..  All I remember of her is her voice and
her hair, but she was allways so much smarter and stronger than me....."

Utena puts her arms around you if you let her, just to be comforting, a
light-as-air hug. "Yes...?" She encourages you to continue, but doesn't
push if you don't want to say more.

Ryoko says, "I figured she was just gathering her forces to take daddy
down, and if I could just find her, she'd keep me safe from
him....but...after a while, when she didn't ever find me....I thought she
had to be dead.  Someone else had killed her, before she could get daddy.  
I...I never thought she might just have failed...."

Utena nods, and reaches to try and hand you back your tea cup, with fresh
hot water. "Here... drink this..."

Ryoko says, "...I don't think I can forgive her for that." and gulps at
her tea.  Her next words start as an almost inaudible whisper but rise to
a strong growl at the end. "....she doesn't act like she loves me..and she
talks just like daddy.  No, like Kagato.  I won't call him daddy anymore."

Utena nods. "I understand. I really understand, Ryoko. You don't have to
accept either of them. But I know it hurts, too. It hurts not to have any
family."

Ryoko puts her face in her hands.  "It would be okay...if it weren't true.  
I- I've lived without a family for so long...and now..."  She shudders.  
"Daddy's evil.  Mommy acts Crazy.  I can't think when they're near, and I
start acting like a scared, weak little girl.  All I wan't to do is live.  
That's it.  Just live and laugh and not have to deal with them.  But he
won't go away and now she won't either."

Akio> Chichiri comes walking up the road, obviously heading towards the
Sanctuary, his staff in hand and kasa on head.  With his usual smile.

Akio> Akio glances at the newcomer a moment, sitting on the porch with an
expression that seems to indicate he has taken up the role of house guard.

Utena nods. "That's all you have to do for now. You're safe enough here,
no one can hurt you. And despite what she says, if I want to, I can make
her leave if she bothers you again." She squeezes your shoulder very
gently. "Why don't you just try to relax for now, dinner will be ready
soon... okay?"

Akio> Chichiri approaches the man and smiles, giving a curt nod.  "Good
evening no da.  Is Utena-san in no da?"

Ryoko nods slowly, looking miserable at the fact that she's been crying
all over your windowsill.  "....Yea.  I'd like that."  (her stomace
chooses that moment to growl loudly.  "Um...I'd like that a lot?"  She
tries (rather unsuccessfully) for a cute grin, but only winds up looking
pathetic and hungry.

Akio> Akio nods, simply. "She is. Are you someone that she knows?" Direct
and simply asked.

Utena smiles at the hungry look. "Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Smell the ham? It's nearly done... If you want to be a help, there are
plates and silverware in that cupboard next to you.."

Akio> Chichiri nods.  A direct and simple reply.

Ryoko nods thankfully, and gets up to get out plates and silverware.

Akio> Akio gestures. "She's in the kitchen. Please leave your shoes in the
foyer." And with those simple words he lets you pass by, before turning
his dark green gaze back to the front yard and road.

Akio> Chichiri nods and enters the house.

Chichiri has arrived.

Utena gestures to the table in the dining room visible through the door.
"If you can set us a couple of places, that'd be great. Then I can cut up
the ham and we'll be able to eat soon... oh, hi, Chichiri!" She breaks
into a smile. "Better make that three places, Ryoko.."

Chichiri steps into the kitchen, his kasa brushed back so it hangs at his
neck.  "Good evening no da.  I hope I'm not disturbing you na no da."

Ryoko sets the table, but, well, it's a little off.  She has plates (the
neatest looking ones, probably serving platters)  and Silverware (salad
fork and meat carving knife), as well as glasses for drinks (the engraved,
hideously fragile crystal ones) and the whole effect is somewhat
mismatched.

Utena says, "No, not at all!" Utena smiles. "I was just getting ready to
serve dinner- glazed ham." You can smell that, a rich odor of warm cooked
ham spreading through the kitchen and dining room. "Care to join us?"

Utena glances over, and smiles. At least she tried, right? Besides, a
plate is a plate, and Utena was never THAT big on formality. She just says
to Ryoko, "Why don't you go ahead and sit, I'll bring out the food in a
moment..."

Chichiri enhales the scent and tries not to look like a starved monk.  
But how can he say no?  "I would be honored no da."  He smiles and walks
into the kitchen, going over to the table.  "Is there anything I can help
with no da?"

Ryoko nods eagerly and sits, waiting for the food, and nodding to
Chichiri, though for a moment she looks a bit uncomphortable at his
presence, but she brightens back up (to an extent) fairly quickly.

Utena shakes her head. "I've got it." She turns to pull on
a pair of crude hotpad gloves and to reach for the ham in the stove..


Ten'jou Manor - Dining Hall

Chichiri goes to pull out two chairs for both Utena and Ryoko, giving a
slight bow and waiting for them to sit before he sits himself.

Ryoko sits in the time honored fashion of baditos everywhere: she throws
herself down in the chair as if testing it for stability.

Utena brings in the pot, containing a wonderfully browned honey-glazed
ham, and sets it on a raised metal cooling rack in the center of the
table, then produces a knife... "Here we go." She smiles at Chichiri, but
gestures for him to sit. "I've still got to get the drinks and make the
salad real quick... the ham needs time to cool." She scurries back into
the kitchen- chopping sounds heard, and a few minutes later three bowls of
mixed green salad are on the table next to the plates, and a chilled
bottle of red wine as well. Utena starts to carve up the ham and the
smell... ooh, it's so sweet and luscious it fills the entire dining
hall... "I hope no one has a thing against meat..."

Ryoko Just smiles at the food, her small fangs showing as she tries not to
drool (somewhat successfully).

Utena says, "Okay, plates!" She starts distributing thick slices of pink
ham around.

Chichiri nods and sits as Utena motions for him to.  Then gaps a bit at
the amount of food brought out.  o O (...Suzaku.  What a feast no da!)  
And watches as the food gets set before him.  o.o "I havn't seen this much
food in years no da."

Ryoko says, "Mou, Utena-sama, this is soooo good!" as she gobbles up
everything in range.  She's not as messy or as fast as Lina Inverse, but
she does eat.  And eat.  And eat.

Utena blinks at you both, but smiles. She's a really good cook,
fortunately, and the food is in large supply. "I'm glad you both like
it..." In truth, she looks relieved.. as well as pleased to not be eating
alone... She finally sits down and starts carving off a piece for herself,
after pouring everyone a glass of wine, and making sure her guests are
cared for. "Thank you... Feel free to eat as much as you like, I'm used to
cooking for big groups. n.n;"

Chichiri sweatdrops at Ryoko.  ^_^;  Then bows his head slightly, saying a
quiet prayer to Suzaku for his good fortune.  Before looking up again and
nodding to Utena.  "Arigato no da."  And takes up the silverware,
beginning to eat.

Akio wanders in, with the little girl Reiko beside him, grinning a dark
wry smile at Utena. "We smelled dinner..." He has a plate, and a knife,
and settles down next to her; she BLUSHES. "Oh god, I'm sorry. I was a
little distracted..." Hastily she gets up AGAIN, (she isn't going to get
any of her own food, is she?) and serves up more for her daughter and her
.. uhm, friend.

Ryoko is eating with Utena and Chichiri.  She has (predictably) the
manners of a pirate, snatching food for herself, chewing breifly and
swallowing noisily, etc...The fact that the table is set with serving
platters and the wrong silverware, and the most delicate, formal carved
crystal goblets in the house, is also a bit odd.

Akio smiles at Ryoko, a charming, rogueish smile. "I don't believe we've
been introduced, miss."

Reiko doesn't notice; she just wais! after hugging her mom in a BIG GLOMP!
and sitting down politely in her chair, waiting to be served. n.n Cheerful
little kid smile. n.n

Ryoko pauses to pour the entire contents of her goblet of wine down her
throat before answering Akio.  "Hi, I'm Ryoko.  Nice to meet you,
Miss..??"

Chichiri just pauses in his eating while everyone around him gets settled.  
Looking over to Reiko and smiling, giving a nod.

Akio looks at himself, and the smile gets even more crooked and dark. "The
last time I checked," he replies in a dark, honeyed voice, "I was male.
Although it wouldn't surprise me if that'd changed, around here."

Reiko giggles at Akio, and smiles cutely to Ryoko. "I'm Reiko! n.n Utena's
my mom! Are you her friends?"

Utena gives Akio a LOOK for a moment. And he looks right back at her...
then she pinkens and sits down quickly, looking away as if embarrassed or
nervous... starts to eat, while she has the moment to.

Ryoko Blinks, having not really listend to Akio, and realized she's
attempted to parrot his words back to him and commited quite a faux pass.  
"Er.....gomen.  Wasn't watching." She then turns to Reiko.  "Oh, hi there.  
^_^ I'm more or less just a guest right now.  I hope I can manage friends
though, with the way your mom cooks."

Chichiri smiles and continues eating.

Reiko nods, nods, the small gold star on her cheek glittering. "Mom cooks
really well! I want to cook like her, and fight like her, and maybe even
have a grownup affair someday!" n.n Cheerful, clueless.... Utena turns RED
at the child's words, coughs, and pretends to fidget with her salad...

Chichiri sweatdrops slightly and just stares at his food.  It sure is
interesting, yup.

Akio chuckles and ruffles the little girl's hair. "You've got her
bluntness." Before busying himself with his own food, probably the least
ruffled of anyone at the table, exuding this sense of superiority and
bemusement with everything around him.

Utena UHMS. "So, uhm, anyone need more ham?" n.n;;

Ryoko =^_^= "I'm sure you'll be just as good at it as she is." and
continues eating like a starved being.

Ryoko pauses as she realizes what she may have implied....five bites
later.  And turns a nice shade of fire engine red...

Akio smirks. . o O ( Couldn't be worse, considering. )

Chichiri isn't listening.  Nope, the monk just keeps on eating.

Reiko finishes eating n.n and looks at everyone. "Why are you all so red?"
she tilts her head mischieviously.

Ryoko Coughs and stutters, "Um....Took a bite that went down the wrong
way!  That's right!" before turning to her saviour: the art of stuffing
her face.

Chichiri isn't red!  Well, who knows what color his face is behind his
mask.  He just continues to eat his meal and take an occasional sip of his
wine.

Akio needles Utena a little. "By the way, how IS your current fiancee?"
Grinning shamelessly. Much the same way Reiko's grinning, in fact.

Utena flinches. "He's fine." Then she takes a decisive action, seeing that
Reiko's finished... leans over and (while GLARING at Akio) picks up the
girl. "Getting heavier, kiddo... I think it's time for little princesses
to be in bed now..."

Ryoko sits back in her chair, having filled her stomache (finally!) and
mmmmm's.  "That was delicious, Utena-sama.  Um...do you think I could use
your baths now, though?"  I just need for you to tell me where they
are...I havn't had a chance to clean up much since I got here..." 

Utena nods. "It's just upstairs, first door on the right, and don't worry
about the mess down here, I'll take care of it." She smiles quickly, a
little sweatbead running down her face from nervousness. "Be careful with
the water, it gets hot REAL fast."

Ryoko smiles as she gets up.  "Thank you!  I'll see you all later!"

Ryoko wanders off to the foyer.

Akio decides that he's humiliated Utena enough for one night, and stands
as well, to take the girl from her arms. "Here, I'll take her." He smiles,
that same maddeningly smirking and charming smile; Reiko glomps. "Read me
a story?" Akio wanders off with her, lanky and lazily murmuring, "As you
like," indulgent.. they disappear into the kitchen together.

Akio walks over to the kitchen.

Chichiri watches them leave, then looks back over to Utena.  "Thankyou for
the meal no da.  It was delicious no da."

Utena slumps vaguely, brushing her fingers through her hair and watching
the two of them for a moment with an unreadable expression, before turning
apologetically to Chichiri. "Sorry about that..." she sighs, and pours
herself a small further amount of wine. "I'm glad you liked it."

Chichiri smiles and nods.  "Very much no da."  The monk sits back in his
chair and sighs once, content after the heavy meal.  It having been a long
time since he ate ham.  Usually is diet consisting of whatever kind of
fish he manages to catch that day.  "I was just coming by to check on you
and Ryoko-san, it seems you are both well no da."

Utena swirls the remnants of the wine in her glass. "Well, you caught us
at a good time, but this woman came and really upset Ryoko, earlier."

Chichiri looks at Utena curiously, folding his hands and placing them on
the table.  "Oh?  What do you mean no da?"

Utena sighs. "I didn't find out her name, but she's... this obnoxious
short woman with spiky dark pink hair.. she calls herself Ryoko's mother."

Utena says, "She really upset Ryoko- she started crying and begged her to
go away. And whoever this woman was.. she said she was married to Kagato."

Utena spoons up a little more ham. "I'm glad she's gone. I couldn't seem
to convince her to leave on my own..."

Chichiri blinks behind his mask.  "Really no da.  I don't believe I've met
this woman no da.  Nani no da?  How did you get her to leave no da?"

Utena says, "She just... decided to leave." Utena sighs and leans her head
in one hand, elbow on table. "She's annoyingly like Xel-chan when Xel
decides to be obnoxious and irritating... just as hard to deal with, too."

Utena says, "Gave me this crack about 'respecting my elders'. I wanted to
scream at her. x.x"

Chichiri sweatdrops.  ^_^;  "Well, I think with people like that, if they
see you become angrier it just makes them become more annoying no da."

Utena sighs. "All too true. I knew that, and yet, I couldn't stop myself."
She grumbles a little. "Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the dinner." She eyes
the ham hungrily. "I didn't get to eat a lot of it.." Cuts herself another
slice and digs in. "Please excuse me for eating while I'm still talking
n.n; But we're all doing okay, I think, for now, at least. "

Chichiri smiles and nods.  Apparantly not minding at all.  "I'm glad to
hear that no da."  He looks off to where Ryoko exited.  "Though I'm not
sure if Ryoko-san felt comfortable with my being around no da.  And I
don't want her to feel uncomfortable, she's been through enough already no
da."  He sweatdrops.  ^_^;  "But at least she appears to have not lost her
appetite no da."

Utena says, "I think she was just still unsettled by that other woman and
wasn't quite prepared to be around someone else. But.. I'll talk to her
when I get the chance. It's probably just that. Plus, she was a little
crazy when you pulled her out of.. well, your hat. She might feel bad
about that, too. I would, if I were her."

Utena sighs, chewing on a bit of ham. "I need more cinnamon in the glaze
next time.." thoughtfully.

Chichiri smiles.  "You don't have to speak with her no da.  It's alright."  
He then sweatdrops again at the mention of his kasa and nods.  "Hai, I
suppose it may be a bit strange no da.  I hope it didn't frighten her too
much no da."  ^_^;  At least she didn't scream and cling to him afterwards
like Duplica did.

Utena says, "It's not strange to me, anyway. I think she'd be more
embarrassed that she came out of it fighting..." Utena sighs. "We have to
do something about Kagato, but I have no idea what..."

Chichiri nods.  "I just hope no one gets hurt in the process no da."

Utena says, "That's the tricky part, isn't it?" Utena smiles grimly,
finishing her food at last, with a final swallow of wine. "Would you like
any more to eat, or are you full?"

Chichiri smiles.  "I'm fine, thankyou no da."

Utena says, "Okay.." She rises and efficently sweeps up the table,
gathering a mass of plates and things to carry them into the kitchen.
"How's your friend doing, by the way..?" she asks, when she's finished
this task.

Chichiri smiles.  "She's well no da.  I told her to be wary of Kagato, but
she's rather stubborn at times no da.  She said she's delt with menacing
people before no da.  I don't know how much she listens to me at times na
no da."  ^_^;

Utena nods with a bit of a grin. "I certainly don"

Utena nods with a bit of a grin. "I certainly don't know ANYONE like
THAT..." she chuckles sadly. "Still..." She blinks, recalling something
now. "When we first met you said you were looking for Link. Did you ever
find him?"

Chichiri shakes his head.  "No, I havn't yet no da.  Though Aerith-san
seems to have taken a trip, so if I do find him I'll have to wait until
she gets back to tell her no da."

Utena mms. "That would explain why my greenhouse is starting to go wild
again." She pouts. "Aerith takes care of my garden for me."

Chichiri smiles.  "Ahh no da.  She left Jasmine-san in charge of the shop
while she's away."  ^_^;  "I just hope it's all still there when she comes
back no da."

Utena nods! "These days, you just don't know." She stands. "Care to move
to the parlor? It'd be more comfortable... I'll have Reiko-chan do the
dishes for me tomorrow morning."

Chichiri smiles and nods.  Though he doesn't mention that he's more
worried about Jasmine accidently breaking everything in the shop than he
is about bandits or anything along those lines.  ^_^;  He stands and
follows you into the parlor.

Utena sits down and relaxes in a soft chair, and smiles; a fire crackling
in the den's fireplace. "I'm glad you stopped by. I'm glad the place is
getting used again... I neglected it for a while, because of dealing with
Balance."

Chichiri walks over to a couch and sits, placing his things at his side.  
He smiles, "Well, I'm glad you've decided to once again keep the place up
no da.  It certainly is nice no da."

Utena says, "Thank you. Xel built it for me, by hand... Well, sort of.
This was before we were even engaged... I bullied it out of him, a little,
as payment for services rendered."

Chichiri looks at Utena curiously.  "Services rendered no da?"

Utena says, "I helped him with some things... see, when we first, he was
still a Mazoku, but he was trying to get out of it... and as we were
becoming friends, and I found out more about him... he recruited me to
help him get a spell that would help him get further away from them... I
went through a lot, got beaten up real bad, almost died... and then there
was other things too, a duel cycle he was partly responsible for putting
me through.. it was crazy. Anyway, as I figured it, he kinda owed me. This
house was his apology and payment, too."

Chichiri smiles.  "Sounds like you've been through a lot together no da."  
He looks around the parlor, "But he certainly did a nice job no da."

Utena nods, looking around too. "He did. There are so many memories in
this house..." Wistful smile. "It was hell to be away from it. It's just
good to be home now."

Chichiri smiles and nods.  Looking around the parlor again, his gaze
falling onto the fire.  He stares deeply into it, watching the flames
flicker.  o O (I wonder if I'll ever go home again no da....)

Utena rests her hands along her stomach, settling into her chair. Tired
body, tired mind. So much happened that even as she tries to recount it,
she finds herself missing portions, wondering if it was all a crazy
dream.. sometimes it feels like that to her. But the house is still here,
and that always grounds her, just as she needs it to do. As long as the
house is standing she knows the things she experienced were real, not in
her mind. Then, as she breathes in quietly, listening to the wood pop and
crackle in the fireplace, she notices your stare and watches for a few
moments. "You're originally from Chaijung, aren't you?"

Chichiri turns his head as you speak.  His thoughts moving away from him,
disappearing as his gaze leaves the fire.  "Oh, hai no da."  He smiles, "I
came here from Konan no da."

Utena says, "I've never been there, to that country." Utena says, leaning
forward now. "What's it like?"

Chichiri smiles and leans back comfortably.  "The country is beautiful no
da.  It's very large, and there are rivers and lakes all over, perfect for
fishing no da.  As well as a sea on the border no da.  It also has
mountains and a beautiful countryside no da."

Utena mms, picturing such in her mind. "A really varied place, so it's not
all one type, all desert or such.. is it hot? Cold?"

Chichiri smiles.  "It has many different kinds of landscapes no da.  
Although it can get cold in the winter at times, usually the weather's
very pleasant and warm no da."

Utena has to ask, "So what brought you here from there? It sounds like the
kind of place a person really wouldn't have any reason to leave.."

Chichiri Says, "Well, I left my village many years ago, and have been
wandering for a long time no da.  I've been all over Konan, and even
through the neighboring country of Kutou, so I thought I would come west
and see what I would find no da."

Utena nods. "So, just exploring then?" she asks. "Aren't you ever weary of
it? I would be, after a while. I ran all over the continent for a while,
and always.. after a little while, I just wanted to be home again. After
years..." She trails off. "I just couldn't do it."

Chichiri smiles warmly.  "So far I havn't become weary of it no da.  I've
been traveling for years, I enjoy it very much no da.  It gives me time to
think and reflect no da.  And I like seeing new places na no da."

Utena says, "As long as you enjoy it, hey, what the hell." Utena nods,
grinning gently. "Still, I couldn't do it. I need roots, or I start going
nuts after a while." Then she blinks, stretching her arms over her head,
yawning... Realizing she's tired. o.o "Will you be staying here tonight,
Chichiri?" She asks. "I have room in my guest house if you'd like."

Chichiri gives a bow with his head.  "Thankyou for the offer no da,
Utena-san.  But I won't impose on you no da.  I have a place I go to no
da."  He looks up and smiles, noting the yawn.  "Please go on to bed if
your tired no da."

Utena confesses, "I am starting to be tired. I think I will take up the
offer. But I'm glad you came to visit, and I hope you will check in on us
from time to time. It's nice to feel like there are people that think
about me in this world." She rises from her chair, smiling to you, and
doing her best to stifle another tired yawn. "Good night to you, and be
well..." She starts toward her bedroom, yawning widely and brushing her
fingers through her hair. z.z