memoryboxes | 12th Memory [March 15th, daytime][Action/Voice]

[Sayo hadn't been getting out as much as usual, of course.

It was a simple pattern for her. She would nod off silently at her loom, and then wake up with a crippling jolt that left her unable to get up for a few minutes—she didn't want to bring them up, those remaining, fractured memories, even though the plagued her so. Nami had helped to distill a little bit of her pains by easing her guilt, but it didn't fix the waking nightmares she'd had recently, and while she would never admit it she'd fallen into a small depression that was hard to break free from. Loneliness, sudden panic, the desire to simply sit and wait for a new day...

This wasn't usual. This was irregular, and she hated it.

She goes to work and keeps up her cheery look, but she feels sluggish and tired so often lately that she wishes she could sleep it away. It's not right, she tells herself, for you to feel like this... Why is the draft still bothering her? The others—they're strong, and they got over it, so she needed to, too. Remember? You'd done well, there. So why now—

She's been going for late night walks at 12, 1, 2 in the morning, on the bridge near her housing. This particular night, she finds herself watching the stars a little earlier than she usual has been--is it really only 8?--and recalls her conversation with Ginko, the night she'd learned of her husband. And before she knew it, she was leaned over the railing, hands clasped tightly, crying her eyes out.

It's so difficult.

Why won't I forget what I want to forget?

. . .

The next morning, on her way to work, she she hears a little shuffling noise behind her—followed by quiet chirps. When she turns to look at them, she finds four baby... quails? They were quails, but she didn't know what they were at all. All she did know was that they were babies.]

...Oh, dear...

[She walks clear across the village with them trailing her, and finally she stops... and despite her worry for where the heck their mother is, an appreciative smile breaks across her face. A little while later, she breaks the depressed routine of sitting and hoping for something good to happen, she asks a question to the public:]

[Voice]

...What sort of creatures do you have in your world?

In mine, we have little creatures that not everyone can see with their eye... They're called mushi, and they cover the forests from top to bottom. I've heard they have many roles and different ways of living... but I've admittedly never been able to see them. I wish I could, though... I think such types of life would be amazing to see.

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Ah, yes! I've been waiting for Spring! It's my favorite season, you know.

[And she's been having trouble keeping the months in memory, so seasons'll do. |D;;]

Ah, I want to apologize, too. I'm normally much earlier, but I had a few things to do around the house. I hope you don't mind...

Never~! We didn't get many people in this morning, anyway. [And he might've hoped you'd take it easy for a while, too.

But he doesn't say that ~~just yet.~~ Maybe a bit of conversation will relax her. And Sanji doesn't mind talk of spring in the air]

Is it? I prefer summer the most.

Oh, Summer's more like a continuing of Spring to me, personally. I just prefer the start of it... With everything growing in around now, it almost feels like it's a new little start for everyone...

[And you can put the bad things behind you, renewed.

That's what she was hoping Spring would do for her.]

A new little start...

... I admit, I never thought about it that way. [It's an interesting take on the seasons. Very rarely do people think of them as continuations of each other - no, there's a line they draw between one season and the next, as if they can somehow stiffly regulate what makes up each]

[She beams a little.]

Yes... I've spent a lot of time watching them turn into each other, so I've always looked at each year as... having a lifespan you can read in the weather. Something like that, I think.

[and a little laugh]

Though I've never been able to keep track of how many years I've personally seen.

[He echos her laugh with a chuckle] Heh, that sounds like something Ginko would say.

And even so, at least the weather let's you that life goes on. [Even if you can't remember. Time keeps moving]

[Her smile falters a little at that last part, but she turns toward the kitchen to mask whatever uncertainties she may have.]

Ah, we should probably be getting ready, right?

[And she unconsciously sweeps her hand across the arm under her sleeve, feeling a rough line of skin on her forearm that would probably become a scar. Life goes on... she'd been telling herself that a lot, lately, but it's not helping her along as well as she would have hoped.]

... Actually. [Sanji doesn't move from his spot, and his gaze is pointed at the wall] Sayo-san. I was wondering if you'd prefer the day off.

[Even before she can no doubt decline his offer, he looks up, and there's more than casual worry in the way he looks at her] You still look so tired, is all I mean. [Among other things, maybe, but he isn't sure, and for all his concern, Sanji doesn't pry without a proper reason.]

[...]

[She smiles. Always a little, quiet smile. It's instinctual by now.]

No, I'm fine; I'd rather be working than waiting around at home, anyway. I—I like to pass the time like this...

[Home hasn't been as comfortable as it used to be, prior to the draft. It's a lonely place made lonelier by all these horrible images she can't let go of.]

[Sanji nods, and doesn't press the issue for reasons close to Sayo's. If anything, she'd be happy with a distraction. It's not like she can go home, crash into bed, and dream the hours away]

In that case -- [Just like that, he's all smiles again]

I'm in need of a favor, if you don't mind~!

[Blink, blink. And a smile again.]

Ah, yes?

Well, you see. Sometimes I cook dinner for Ginko, him being the lazy bastard he is. But he's not all that good for company.

[a pause. For some reason, he feels almost... nervous] So why don't you drop by later tonight for dinner?

I'd be honored to cook for you.

[... That.

Is one of the nicest things she's ever been offered. It's almost too nice for all the turmoil she's been forcing her way through in her own mind, and for a moment she just stands there, looking... wibbly. She bows her head (maybe to mask some happy tears, cough, cough V_V), but she sounds extremely relieved and happy.]

Dinner sounds nice...

[At that, his shoulders sag in relief - good, it worked - and then bounce back with enthusiasm]

Wonderful~! I'll make sure Ginko's on is best behavior. [He teases, he teases. But it's refreshing seeing her so happy]

[Sniff, sniffle, oh, she has to turn around and go toward the kitchen like it's nothing at all, because it's so embarrassing of her to be this teary over something so simple as a dinner. She's missed home's dinners so much, and god knows the draft didn't help things and--]

We should probably get ready! It'll be busy soon, won't it?

[A beat, before she seems to notice something:]

Ah! Sanji-san, there's a weird round light glowing on the kitchen ceiling!

[...

Same ol' same ol'.]

Edited 2011-03-20 02:19 (UTC)

[alksdja;fshialskdfhio Dear God, Sanji nearly facepalms]

That's...

Sayo-san, I'll make sure to explain it after you serve out the first round of drinks.

A-ah! Right! I'll get right on that!

[Just tea and water exist, right? So this'll totally be a piece of cake like usual. :|b]

12th Memory [March 15th, daytime][Action/Voice]

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Re: [Action] ;~; s-so nice

[Action] It's in his blood 8|

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[Action] stfu BE THANKFUL 1/2

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