betterplace | Log 1

[Hajime's not used to being called upon to be a creator rather than a destroyer. Between that and the feeling like the absolute worst of the fighting he'll do in his life is far behind him, he's a bit of a loss as to what he should do next.

Like now. He's looking at houses. He's not even sure he wants one; living in the basement of a restaurant was good enough back home. It could be good enough here. He could bring the place back...or he could try something new. For now, he's poking around a clearly unfinished house that could use a new wall or two.]

[One moment he's alone while inspecting that half finished house, and the next, there's Natalie, draped on a folding chair that had been abandoned in the not-quite-as-unfinished front room. She's smiling at him, curious and bemused.]

Checking out the real estate?

[Folding chairs of that size really weren't meant for draping on. It's kind of awkward. But she's giving off an air of tiredness, the sort that just calls for slouching around all cool-like.]

It needs work, it does, it does....

[Anyone else, he might have been a bit irritated with their just showing up unexpectedly like that, but her? She just gets a smile. He's seen firsthand how stealthily she can move around when she wants.]

I thought I might as well.

[He's rapping experimentally on one of the standing walls.]

This one's not as bad as some of the other ones I've seen--it's got a roof. Have you found anything yet?

It's faster and easier than building something from the ground up, I'll give it that much...

[She tries to mirror his smile. It winds up being thin and strained.]

No. Not yet. I suppose I should find somewhere to stay tonight, so I'm not all bundled up in Ilsa's trunk... Mnn... now that I'm not running... I think I finally have the time to be disappointed.

And I'd rather this than one of those houses that look just like the ones in Mayfield...this one can at least be something different.

It's got a basement if you need a place to stay. I found an air mattress in one of the bedrooms...

[He's taking a seat himself, albeit on the floor with his back against that wall.]

Disappointed?

Yes, true, it's got a basement...

[That was what her life had come down to, hadn't it? Entirely too much time spent in basements. She lets out a sad sort of laugh.]

I don't get to return to Harbourvale. I don't get to see any of my plans to their end, myself. I won't know, I won't know if we slay Ulric, I won't know if the Princes turn on each other, I won't know if Kyuss ever stops being a useless little worm, I won't...

[The more she says, the louder her volume grows. And her hands have balled into tight little fists.]

I hated it, I hated them, I hated so much of it, so.... so why do I want to go back to it!?

Edited 2012-12-08 04:45 (UTC)

Those other walls...when they go up, they don't need windows...

[It's an almost absentminded thought, for he's quickly distracted by what she's saying. He just looks uncomfortable for a moment. He'd been trying so hard not to think of home. He'd distracted himself with fighting his way out of Mayfield, with looking for a house...he's slowly shaking his head now, because he does not know how to answer that question.]

I always tried not to form attachments back home. To avoid that sort of thing. So I wouldn't wonder when I left. It...didn't work.

[And a thought occurs to him.]

...if you were to go back now, would you be wondering what happened here?

They... don't? Oh.

[She hears the words, but they don't sink in. She's too busy venting, too busy keeping her Beast's snarling in check. She's staring at the floor, not at Hajime... until that thought comes to him, and he voices it.]

I...

[She raises her head.]

...I would be wondering what happened here.

[It was the truth. It couldn't be covered up or stomped down. Her time here was... significant.]

I... I wasn't attached to anything at home. I didn't think I was. I didn't want to be. Here is... here is...

[She can't take her eyes off of Hajime, as much as she wants to.]

...different.

[He's nodding as he finds himself getting to his feet and taking a couple of steps in her direction.]

I had attachments back home, as much as I tried not to...but I've found attachments here, as well. People I'd...miss.

[She remains seated, watching him approach. Though she's not lounging anymore. There's quite a bit of stiffness to her spine, as she sits there.]

...I'd miss you. I'd miss you the most out of anyone here.

[What use was there in denying it or repressing it? It already had to be obvious by now.]

It's...I'd miss you the most, as well.

[He hesitates in his approach; she looks so stiff, and he is still not quite sure of what he's doing with this whole feelings thing. He doesn't want to accidentally do the wrong thing.]

[Even if it's something that you were sure was already true, it's a comfort to have it confirmed. To be really sure. Her expression doesn't immediately change, though.]

It's a good thing we're not going to have to miss each other, then.

[Ah. And there's the smile.]

[He returns that smile. Getting it out there...that felt good.]

It is.

[There's a pause, and he looks rather awkward.]

I...meant what I said earlier. When the house is repaired...it doesn't really need windows...

[He said that again. The thing about windows. Why would...

Oh.]

No... I suppose it doesn't. We can build houses however we want, here.

[Still smiling, she rises from the folding chair.]

I... don't suppose you'd want some help?

[Which is a roundabout way to eventually come around to the 'say, why don't we live together' question, but... these things are delicate. And unfamiliar.]

[He's very much unfamiliar with this sort of thing as well. Awkward, even. But he's giving her a genuine smile there.]

I'd very much like some help.

Then... I suppose I'd like to help.

[She does rub at her wrists and avert her eyes sort of awkwardly, though.]

I don't know much about construction... but I can certainly help make things.

[As long as they're both awkward about this, then. Hajime's now looking at the areas that need construction, partially to assess their condition and partially because just looking at the walls seems easier at this point. Walls don't do odd things to emotions.]

I think I know what I'm doing if it comes to construction...I learned a lot when I converted that bedroom into a darkroom. If you could help me with the materials themselves, that would work...or perhaps we could simply will the walls into existence...

[He has no idea where to start this. Destroying things is a little simpler than creating them.]

[Walls are very objective and academic and even slightly dull. This is good. This is very good.]

You did do a nice job converting that bedroom... I slept very soundly.

[She places a finger upon her lips and ponders.]

We could... but how good would they be? Would they be insulated? Would they have wiring? Would they be sound? Or just.... walls?

[A thought then occurs to her, and she spins about to face him and ask it.]

Does cold bother you much?

Thanks. I...had to be careful. When I first did it, I sort of needed the whole place to be somewhat bomb-proof. If I just build the walls here, it'll take a while, but at least we'd know they'd be as solid...

[There is no need to explain why. She'd been a neighbor. The explosions had been a regular thing for a while.

When she asks that last question, he seems surprised, and he'll turn to face her as well.]

No. Not really. Does it bother you?

Bomb-proof, of course... I sort of like the sound of that. Does that make me paranoid? But I like the idea of solid walls. I really do.

[Vampires were wise to cultivate paranoia when it came to establishing a haven. This... would just be a shared one. With someone that wasn't a vampire. But that would be fine, yes.

Hajime's answer to the question surprises Natalie.]

No. Not really. Though if you leave me out in the cold too long, I get a bit stiff. I suppose this means we'll save on heating in the winter?

[There's only a hint of laughter in her voice. It's a true enough statement.]

Edited 2012-12-13 03:40 (UTC)

[He shakes his head.]

I don't think so. Better to be prepared for something and not need it than to be caught off-guard.

[He seems amused, as well.]

I suppose we will.

Log 1

Homes

Homes

Homes

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject