[Day: Valentine's Day! Friday, February 14th. Time: 4:00 p.m.] [Weather: Same as last time. Cold, with overcast sky, but little chance of snow or rain.] [After a chocolate-filled afternoon, a lot of stuff happened that made some people happy, some people sad, and some people very very angry. Kaede and Katie, who both left early, albeit in opposite directions, meet on the street as Kaede's riding his bike and Katie's walking.] [Mini Start!] * Kaede pumps his legs, keeping his speed down to avoid the slick streets. His kaban bounces in the little bin attached to his bike for carrying school supplies along with the chocolate boxes. * Katie walks slowly. Her hands are stuffed in her pockets and her eyes, which usually have a faraway look to them, are downcast instead. * Kaede starts to slow his bike as he puts his hand up over his eyes to see out, then after a bit, his eyes look up with recognition. "Katie!" * Katie starts and looks over at Kaede. She blinks. "Oh, hi." * Kaede stops his bike and puts his foot down on the pavement to balance and his voice suddenly goes low and hesitant. "I...um.." * Katie stops, too, and just looks at Kaede. You what? Well..as long as I caught you..I was thinking of visiting Remi after school one last time before she got out of the hospital..would you like to come? * Katie blinks again. You're going to visit Remi? If...you're not busy that is... Oh. Well... * Katie looks off in the direction she was going, pauses, then shakes her head. "No, I'm not busy." Good..but first..do you know any good flower shops around here? Flower shops? Um. * Katie thinks about that for a moment, then nods. "Sure. Follow me." * Katie goes back to walking. * Kaede steps off his bike and walks along behind her, trying to keep a bit of distance still. [And off they go for the flowershop.] * Katie keeps going, and when the silence is almost deafening, she... speaks up. Quietly, but still. * Kaede keeps his head looking off to the side, looking at the cityscape as he walks. So, why are you visiting her now? Doesn't she get out tomorrow? * Kaede doesn't answer for a while, seeming to look off to the distance. Because..everyone comes to visit when you just get out... * Kaede opens the door to the flowershop and walks inside. * Katie smiles a little as she steps in after him. "So you want to beat rush hour?" [Inside, they sell flowers. I'm not gonna describe it, really.] * Kaede just silently shakes his head and looks around for the shopkeeper. * Katie shrugs and decides to busy herself by looking at the flowers. * Kaede walks up to the counter. "Excuse me..I'm looking for some blue crysanthemums..13 if you have them.." Thirteen? Certainly. * Katie quirks an eyebrow. * Kaede nods slightly, and lets out a deep breath, without turning back around. "Katie, I'm sorry." You have nothing to be sorry about. * FlowershopOwner gathers 13 blue chrysanthemums. For reference, she's a lady in her early 60s with a kind face. * Kaede shakes his head slightly. "You're wrong..I have plenty to..." * Kaede looks up at the flowers. "How much?" 2500 yen, dearie. * Kaede searches through his pockets and counts out the money. It looks like he has just barely enough. Would wrapping a ribbon or something to hold them together cost extra? Not at all! Why, you want this in a bouquet, don't you? We can't have your lucky girlfriend thinking you don't care, after all. I...don't have a girlfriend. Oh? That's a shame. A handsome devil like you? * FlowershopOwner grins merrily. "Your time will come, sonny." * Katie smiles faintly. * Kaede turns his head to the side and grumbles a little, then rubs his head. "It must be this odd day..anyhow, thank you." * FlowershopOwner nods. "Certainly. Good luck, dearie!" * Kaede takes the flowers and bows in thanks before turning around to Katie. "Did you want anything?" * Katie shakes her head. "No, that's fine." * Kaede nods his head and looks over his shoulder back at the shop owner. "You have a pleasant day." * Kaede heads out. You too, dearie! Ah, young love.... * FlowershopOwner smiles dreamily at Kaede's back. * Katie chuckles and heads out, too. * Kaede sets the flowers carefully on top of the candy boxes and starts walking his bike towards the hospital. * Katie walks with him, a bit less depressed now. "So what are you sorry about?" Do you know why... * Kaede blinks and chuckles slightly, rubbing the back of his head. "And you say you're not a mind reader when you know what I'm going to ask about.." * Katie shrugs. "I'm not. Last I checked, anyway." You seem it, Katie Andrews.. But...I suppose not entirely. And neither am I. Oh, I think anyone can seem that way. * Kaede takes a deep breath as he stops, looking down the road away from her. "I'm sorry..I jumped to conclusions earlier today at the gym." * Katie blinks and stops, too. "Wait, jumped to conclusions? You mean with Ta-" She stops. But..you don't need to tell me what happened..because..that's your business. * Kaede looks down the road. "Let's get these to Remi..it's cold still..I don't want the poor flowers to suffer." * Katie looks down and draws a shaky breath, then looks up at Kaede again. "No. I would have come to the same conclusion." * Kaede turns around and smiles shakily. "Well I guess you're more confident than I am.." Mmm. Maybe. * Katie goes back to walking, talking as she does. "Ken's a jerk. Taro's my..." She laughs shortly. "Of course you thought that." * Kaede shakes his head. "But you're right..that's still no excuse." Excuse for what? I can't say..as I said, I really have no idea what really happened. Well. You still have nothing to be sorry about. If you keep this up, I'll just have to accept your apology and forgive you. * Kaede frowns slightly. "But, I can't just rescind an apology can I?" * Katie grins. Fine. I accept your apology and forgive you. * Kaede gives a bit of an awkward smile. Oh... * Kaede searches his pockets for a while and takes out the small note he found in the box. * Katie flicks her eyes to the note, but doesn't give any other sign she's noticed. For next time, I..wouldn't mind something more that would remind me of you... I mean..everyone gives candy that reminds you of yourself..but you're reminded of yourself every day... Hmm. Did you eat the chocolate yet, Kaede? * Kaede turns around and lets out a slight hmmph. "I couldn't let all your hard work go to waste, could I?" * Katie laughs and continues, in a teasing tone now, "I'm not a mind reader. Yes or no?" * Kaede starts walking towards the hospital again at a quick pace. [And they walk! Let's look at the lovely scenery for a while. They pass, um... a deli! and a coffee shop! and a playground, and... uh...] (playground! Wai!) (It's not my fault Kaede won't say anything. ;P) [There's lotsa snow on the ground.] * Katie walks through snow! [Make awareness checks! :P] 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Katie (2d6-4) and gets 5. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Kaede (2d6) and gets 9. * Katie stops and looks over at the playground, attempting to get a better look. * Kaede keeps walking a ways but slows down when he notices Katie's not quite behind him. * Katie tilts her head. "Someone's over there," she comments. "And... I'm going to take a look." * Kaede turns around. "What? Where..?" * Kaede looks for a fence or something to lean his bike against. At the swings. * Katie goes to do as she said. [Kaede finds a convenient place to put his bike.] * Kaede conveniently places the bike in the convenient place and rushes after Katie. "Hey, wait a moment!" * Katie blinks and stops, looking over at Kaede. * Kaede catches up next to her, slowing down and looking over at the swings. [As they get closer, Katie finally recognizes the girl. Surprisingly, it's Eriko. She's pushing herself absent-mindedly, and staring down at a package in her hands with a rather melancholy expression. Kaede, however, isn't as aware. He just sees a girl in a Sakuragaoka uniform :P] [She hasn't noticed you yet.] * Kaede hasn't much noticed her yet either but doesn't want to admit it :P * Katie walks over to her. "Is something wrong?" she asks softly. * Eriko looks up, startled. For a minute, it looks like she can't decide whether to be angry or not. * Kaede walks slower behind Katie, looking at the girl carefully, still trying to see who it is, putting his hands in his jacket pockets. * Eriko ultimately decides to shrug. "Isn't there always?" [Kaede eventually gets close enough :P] Point. You just seem... well, not okay. What's wrong? * Kaede stops suddenly as soon as he recognizes her, turning his head away. * Eriko opens her mouth to say something when she notices Kaede. Then stops to consider. She decides on, "It's nothing. Not really." Don't mind me..I just.. * Kaede looks back up. "If something's on your mind, say it." * Katie nods. * Eriko shakes her head. "No, it's nothing. It's just..." She sighs and looks at the box wrapped in red with a silver trim on her lap. "I really hate this day." * Katie goes to take a seat on the swing next to Eriko. She looks over at the box. "Really? Why?" * Kaede decides, given his opinion on the day, he should remain quiet. :P * Eriko looks from Kaede to Katie. "What's it like? Being normal, I mean." * Kaede blinks and looks up suddenly. "Normal? Us?" I don't see anyone else around here. * Katie laughs. Aren't you supposed to be the normal one? No spooky powers, right? * Eriko shakes her head. "It's not the same." Well, even powers aside, I'd hardly call us "normal"..at least not me.. And Katie...well..I wouldn't call her "normal" really..it's a perspective thing I suppose.. * Eriko looks down again. "I suppose." It's all perspective. * Kaede tilts his head to the side. "So I guess the real question is..what makes you think you're not?" I'm not like you. You guys... You've got friends, you went to the dance, Chikako tells me you're going to be doing something for the Festival... Bet you'll probably go off to college after high school, too. * Katie blinks. "You think you're not going to get into college?" And... you have friends, right? Chikako's your friend, I thought. And I'm willing to be, if you'd let me. * Kaede thinks for a second and just shakes his head. "You're wrong there..I didn't go to the dance..I..didn't really think of friends before this whole mess...as for college..." * Kaede frowns but doesn't say anything. * Eriko shakes her head. "It's different. Chikako and I... I guess were friends, but it seems distant. It's not like you two." She nods to Katie. It's... Eriko, for the longest time, Chikako was my only friend here. I didn't have anybody else. I didn't go to dances, I didn't go to festivals. Getting into college... it's a given, because I threw myself into schoolwork. At least there, I didn't have to deal with not being normal. But still. So..you're not normal..do you want to do something about that? But still nothing. I said I'm willing to be your friend, and I am. If you want help with homework so you can get into college, I'll give it to you. You're smart. You shouldn't have a problem. There's more to it than that. Besides, I'm not even sure that's what I want. So be yourself for the time being. I do. That doesn't make it any easier Well..we're talking to you right now..Katie wouldn't have come out here if it didn't matter... * Katie mmms and kicks some snow around. "What about Ryuji and Saki, Eriko?" They're... They're a special case. 'Sides, Saki has her reputation, and Ryuji... Well, he's Ryuji. * Kaede sits on the seesaw and lets out a deep breath. * Eriko pulls out a cigarette and lights it up. But anyhow... It's still different. I'm far removed from the other students. Even with what you've said, you were basically ignored. You can still get to know them, but me... * Kaede closes his eyes slightly. "Why does that matter? You pay attention to the students who are important.." * Eriko puffs on the cigarette. "Well, I've got a reputation. And it's not all bad, but I guess I get a bit lonely sometimes." * Katie mmms. "Well," she begins, then pauses and tries again, this time in a stronger voice: "Well, I say to hell with reputation." Why do you care? If you want to go to a dance, go, have fun. If you want to be friends with somebody, be friends. If you're lonely, *do* something about it. It's not like you don't have people who are willing to spend time with you, given the chance. * Eriko shakes her head. "It's... It's more complicated than that." How? I don't think so.. (There are people not willing to, too. =P) (Shaddup. :P) (Just going to watch for a bit. Got another round of errands to run. ^^) (Same thing with Kyon though ^_~ Hiya Moti ^^) What would I say? 'Hi, you don't know me, but do you want a cigarette? I'm gonna go beat up some people later. Wanna join?' Don't you have other interests besides smoking and beating people up? Like what? * Katie snickers despite herself. "You have to do something besides sleep, eat, go to school, smoke, and beat people up." * Kaede looks up and pushes his glasses. "Sometimes..things simply have to happen..you can't force them. I say if you haven't found friends, then no one's worthy enough to be friends with." It's not that I don't. It's just... You don't have to look inside the school either... * Kaede quiets down and looks up at Eriko, picking himself up off the seesaw. * Eriko shakes her head. "It's not that big of a deal, really. Just depressing sometimes." You wouldn't be out here in the freezing cold if it weren't, Eriko... * Katie nods. * Eriko chuckles. "I'm not so sure of that." * Eriko holds out the box to Kaede. "Here. You might as well have this." * Kaede blinks slightly and looks at the box, then back at Eriko. "Was it meant for me?" Much as I'd like to say yes... Sorry. * Kaede shakes his head slightly and sighs. "It should really go to who you made it for..." * Eriko shakes her head. "It won't. I just can't... Not today." * Kaede tilts his head. "Then give it tomorrow." Why is Valentine's the only day you have to give a gift...? * Eriko chuckles dryly. "Gonna need longer than that." * Katie lets curiosity get the better of her and just asks, "If you don't mind telling us, who is it for?" * Eriko shakes her head. "Let's just say, someone I've known for a long time." So..why can't you give it to them..? * Katie nods. "All right, then." * Eriko shrugs at Kaede. "Dunno." * Kaede looks slightly at the box in confusion. "If there's no reason though, why not just go ahead...?" * Eriko eyes Kaede. "If it were that simple, I would. It's complicated." * Kaede looks evenly at Eriko, pushing up his glasses. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you're simply making it complicated when it's easy.." Sometimes, people make things complicated. But it's still not easy. Even a girl like me has feelings. Guess you wouldn't understand. * Kaede lets out a little slight tsh sound. 'Yes, I'm a heartless monster myself, I know." * Katie nudges at the snow with her shoe, eyes sad, but she still half-jokes, "And I read minds." * Kaede turns around slowly. "But people..won't understand if you don't trust them anyways.." * Eriko blinks. "Really?" She blushes quite a bit. * Katie laughs and looks over at Eriko. "No, not really." * Kaede nods his head a little. "Let's go Katie..the flowers can't really take the cold like this..." * Eriko sighs in relief. "Oh." Fine. Eriko, do you want to come with us? We're going to visit Remi. Who? Mmm, that's right. You just missed her. It was her friend that was being held in that small mansion. Same one with the drugs. Oh. Yes, I remember now. Barely. * Katie nods and stands. "We'll get going. But Eriko..." I do like you. And I would like to be your friend. If, of course, it's not too big of a smear on your reputation. No, but now that you mention it... Don't tell anyone about this talk, ok? I'm supposed to be strong. This talk doesn't make you any less strong in my eyes.. * Kaede shrugs slightly. "But if that's what you want." * Eriko takes another puff on the cigarette. "Well, believe it or not, having people fear you does have its usefulness." * Katie nods, the smile not quite fading, but her eyes become hard. "Sure, if that's what you want. We should get going." See you around, Eriko. * Kaede goes back to pick his bike up from the..convenient place! * Eriko nods. * Katie waves and walks after Kaede. [So, off they go towards the hospital again!] [They arrive at the hospital. Time: 5:15 p.m.] * Katie walks in, tapping the snow off her boots. [The hospital is pretty much like it always is. Quiet, with not many people in the halls.] * Kaede dittos Katie, cradling the flowers in his arm. * Katie heads over to Remi's room! * Kaede follows Katie (Hey, wasn't this HIS idea?) [In Remi's room is Remi! Nobody else is there, but there's plenty of flowers.] * Kaede knocks on the door and peeks in. "Remi?" * Remi is watching old Marmalade Boy episodes on TV when you knock. "Meiko, how can you be so cruel?" She looks over as Kaede knocks. "Oh, hey." * Kaede steps inside slowly. "Are you busy?" * Remi shakes her head. "No, just passing the time until tomorrow." * Katie darts in after Kaede. She waves at Remi. * Kaede smiles slightly. "Yeah..I heard you were getting out. Congratulations on your recovery." * Remi sighs. "At noon. You'd think they'd let me out in time for school, at least." I'm sure they figured everyone would be too excited to see you and couldn't concentrate on school. * Kaede adjusts his glasses and clears his throat, holding out the bouquet. "These are for you." Thanks. * Remi takes them. As she does, something crosses her mind. "Today's Valentine's Day, right? Did Eiko give you the chocolates?" * Kaede nods slightly. "Yes..I wanted to come to thank you for those..you..really didn't have to you know." 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Katie (2d6-4) and gets -2, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "I'm a child of extremes. Have a crit, and a nice day to go with it." * Katie blinks. * Katie looks around and frowns slightly. "Huh. That's odd." What is? * Kaede looks around at Katie. "What?" Kaede, how many flowers are in that bouquet? * Kaede blinks a bit. "What..?" * Remi counts them. "Twelve, it seems." * Kaede turns his head to the side, but you can just catch a shade of red. "What..?" Like I said, odd. ( Poor Katie. 12 is an EVEN number. ) How many are there supposed to be? (*boots Demota in the head*) * Kaede turns around suddenly and shakes his hand quickly in a shhsing motion at Katie. * Katie shrugs. * Remi searches the floor. "Did you lose some?" * Kaede shakes his head a bit too eager. "No no..it's fine. Is there a vase or somewhere I can put them?" * Remi gives Kaede a puzzled look, but doesn't persue the matter. Instead she scouts around. "Ummm.... There's one." she points at an empty vase on the counter. * Kaede takes the flowers and walks carefully over to the vase to put the flowers in. When you get better, we'd still like to hear from you, you know that right? * Remi nods. "I'll keep in touch." * Katie grins. "You'd better." * Kaede turns around and pushes the glasses up his nose, keeping a straight face. "Or we'll get Eiko to gang up on you with us.." * Remi pouts. "That's not fair." Who said we play fair? Neither is not staying in touch now is it? Don't make me regret getting better. * Katie snickers. * Kaede walks up next to Remi and pats her on the shoulder. "Poor thing.." * Remi yawns. "Can't believe it's only 5:30." You still look tired..although I guess it could be boredom. Very. If people lived on entertainment instead of food, I'd be dead. * Kaede frowns a little. "Entertainment's a bit overrated..but if you wanted something to do you should have asked.." * Remi shrugs. "There's not much to do when you've got to sit in a bed all day." You could read...or I suppose you could have asked if they could hook a computer up in here.. * Kaede looks pointedly at the television. "It's not so good when they only show such old anime like this.." Well, no... But I don't have any books, so... And you didn't want to bother anyone by asking for some right..? * Katie just watches the exchange. * Remi chuckles. "Well, that and I didn't really think of it." * Kaede closes his eyes and leans against the wall. "Well I don't know if it'd help now..I suppose you'd be bored for one more day.." * Remi nods. "Don't trouble yourself. By now, I might as well wait." * Kaede gives a glance at Katie, then lets out a deep sigh, looking slightly awkward. "I guess..that's it..I just..I wouldn't know what to say with everyone else here..and.." I just don't want to get lost in the crowd..I'm sorry. * Kaede bows deeply by Remi's bedside. * Remi smiles a bit. "Oh. I appreciate the thought." * Katie looks over at Kaede and nods. "I'm going to visit Meimi. Want me to come back when I'm done, Kaede?" I'll...go with you. It's alright. If you're sure. You didn't really know her. * Katie chuckles. "Then again, I wonder if I did." Yes..I know..but... * Kaede turns around towards Remi as he walks towards the door. "Say hi to all your friends for us when you get back, okay?" So, if you wanted to keep Remi company while I do this, that's fine. Sure. * Katie blinks as Kaede does that. "Or not." She waves at Remi and grins. "Glad you're getting out. Talk to you later." * Remi returns the wave. "Bye." * Katie heads out, keeping an eye for stray blue crysanthemums on the way. * Kaede steps out and walks hurried down the hall, staying next to Katie. Something wrong? * Kaede stops suddenly, looking down at the floor. "You..weren't supposed to notice..." Ah, well. Thirteen is an unlucky number and all. So what did you do with it? * Kaede shakes his head and lets out a deep breath, sighing then opening up his coat. "I guess it's no use now..here." * Kaede holds the crysanthemum out to Katie. * Katie blinks in surprise, and just... stares at the flower. "Wait, what?" I said here... * Katie takes it numbly. "Um. Why?" It's..it's my grandfather's favorite..and actually...you've done a lot for me lately... You probably don't even realize it... I'm glad, but... you don't have to give me anything for it. Plus..well, you seemed like you needed a little cheering up...but also, well some time alone..but I'm glad you came along.. You didn't have to give me candy either did you? * Katie blinks again, then smiles. "Thanks." No, I suppose I didn't. Speaking of which. * Kaede lets out just a slight smile back, then blinks curiously. "What is it?" * Katie tucks the flower behind one ear and opens her satchel, digging through it. * Kaede blinks and tries hard not to watch her dig through. * Katie pulls out a bundle and starts unwrapping it, eventually getting to the swallow carving in the center. "This is yours. It's not done yet." She points out a few of the unfinished spots. It's..what? Why? What do you mean, why? I mean..why are you making all these? * Katie grins. "Can't a girl have a hobby?" I didn't mean that, but you said it was mine too... You said you wanted something to remind you of me, right? A work in progress is the best you're going to get. Yeah..but..who were you carving it for? * Katie sets it in Kaede's hand. "Besides, there's no point in making them if you don't share." Whoever wanted it. * Kaede looks down at it for a second and just..stares. I...don't know what to say... Thank you works. Th-thank you, Katie... * Katie nods. "You're welcome." * Kaede pushes his glasses back up his face, still...staring. * Kaede snaps out of it for a second. "Oh..Meimi." * Katie nods, satisfied that Kaede can work himself out of that trance, and heads off to Meimi's room again. * Kaede walks quickly down the hall. It's surprising the heat from his cheeks doesn't melt the chocolate. [Amazingly, nobody else is in Meimi's room when you enter.] * Katie breathes a sigh, probably of relief, and pulls a chair next to Meimi's bed. She sits down. "Afternoon, Meimi." * Kaede sets the swallow down on a table near the back and leans against it. It's his turn to just watch the exchange now. Kaede wanted to visit Remi, so I figured I'll swing by and talk to you while we're at it. He's here too, by the way. Just in case you didn't know. Today's Valentine's Day. A lot of crazy stuff happened, and... you know, the funniest part is that it has nothing to do with Arcana. Nothing at all. But I can't help but feel lost because of it. Taro... remember him? He's the one you, well, fake-you helped me ask to the dance? He's... I went and gave Ken some chocolate, just to see what he'd do. You would have been proud; it's just the kind of thing *you* would do. Anyway, Taro showed up and threatened Ken. He said - and this is the scary part - he said that I'm his. And if Ken touches me, he'll kill him. * Kaede frowns suddenly at that and hangs his head a bit. * Katie pauses, gathering her thoughts. "It's... I don't know what to think. He was so angry. He wouldn't stop fighting, not for anything, until Kyon finally grabbed him and held him back. He- he scares me. One of the few things I thought was good and normal, and someone I was starting to really..." * Katie shakes her head. ( What about Chikako? ;_; ) Anyway. I miss you, Meimi, and not just so I could rant about my problems. Not everything's bad, after all. (She didn't say 'only', did she? ^^) (Chikako? Normal? :P) * Katie touches the flower in her hair. "So that's the way things are going now, pretty much. Try to get better, please." * Katie squeezes Meimi's hand. "I'll be back later." She stands and walks out. * Kaede takes a few steps forward, adjusting his glasses as he does. "Meimi..?" I..um..I know I don't really know you..well either side of you..from what I've heard, you've actually caused quite a lot of trouble... But..at the same token, you have all these people who want to see you..so..I'm not really sure what to think.. * Kaede comes up and kneels down next to the bed. "But..if Katie decides to confide all that to you, she must think you're a good person..and..I'm trying to trust her judgment.." So...I guess if you can talk to me, then..I don't know if I'd mind it so much...perhaps not. But I can't really know without knowing you. I...kind of have to give up on having a normal life anymore anyways... * Kaede stands up slowly and lets out a deep breath, muttering quietly. "Though I wish I didn't have to.." * Kaede turns around and picks up the swallow, walking out of the room. [Mini end]