#2: Carnations and Family.

[sinistralofdeath]

(February 14th: Action / Erim’s Workplace / Around Mayfield, Technically? / Open to Residents)
[Erim had been wandering around when a woman had ushered her into a building; standing before her, she now demands to know why she’s late. The silver haired female hasn’t even the time to ask a question before she is seated in a chair at a desk in front of a mechanism.]

[Letters on raised metal circles, attached to small metal bars, go inside the black metal. They seem to beckon fingers to press them, and hesitantly she does. An a appears on the paper sticking out of the machine. Some form of magic? Spying notes on the desk, they read, “Rewrite the official schedule,” “Type out an abriged version of the Henderson report,” and other things that mean nothing to Erim.]

[So she begins to write. Anything, everything. Her past, the history of Estpolis—the world from where she originates. What else does she have to do today, anyhow? Taking occasional breaks when she sees others doing the same, someone even has the kindness to buy her lunch when he notices she didn’t bring her own.]

[At the end of the workday, she receives a bouquet of carnations, “For a job well done.” Apparently, what she writes doesn’t matter as long as she shows up.]

Lovely—perhaps being here isn’t entirely inconvenient.

[Stepping out the door of this place, the once-goddess gives the faintest smile and inhales deeply. Flowers have always been a favorite of Erim’s. A small weakness, if you will, ever since she named the priphea in the Gratze Empire.]

[If you’re below age eighteen, you will be treated to the utmost maternal love; if you’re eighteen or above, you will be treated like a dearly beloved sibling…]

[But of course, Erim won’t know why.]

Comments

[sinistralofdeath]

[Sure enough, there are stores of all kinds lined up. Restaurants, dress makers, groceries, curio shops, furniture stores…]

[But the selection isn’t nearly as impressive as the knowledge given by her little blond friend.]

How wonderful. Would you like to go shopping, Cain? I believe I have some sort of money on me… [Rooting around, the platinum haired woman comes up with a total of 30 in this world’s currency.]

Yes, this will do. Are you in need of anything? Anything at all.

[kinship]

[Awww she's so generous. Cain isn't sure what to do with such immediate affection - he dishes it out readily enough, but he's still getting used to it being reciprocated.]

No, I couldn't possibly take any of your money, you'll need it.

[He scrubs a hand through his hair, gesturing to the grocery store.]

Why don't we get you some dinner for tonight instead?

[sinistralofdeath]

Oh, such a kind boy. Dinner would be lovely; it’s a shame you couldn’t come home with me and help me make it. You’d do well at it, no doubt.

[Since when was cooking high-prority? She was once a goddess, after all…]

[But the carnations’ scent was just too enticing to have Erim critically think of that, and she again forgets all about it.]

We should hurry; it will be dark before soon, won’t it?

[kinship]

I do all the cooking in my house, so it's something I've got better at since getting here.

[Considering he'd done none at all back home.]

Would you like some help? I don't mind.

[sinistralofdeath]

[Is she seriously inviting a strange child into her home? Children are wonderful, yes, but this is a tad extreme.]

That would be delightful… but… [Erim slightly winces, shaking her head.]

I’m… not usually like this. I…

[kinship]

[Not usually like this..? He has no frame of reference, so he had assumed this was her normal personality.]

In what way, Miss Erim?

[sinistralofdeath]

I…

[Something inside the woman in black tells her that something isn’t right, yet at the same time another force seems to encourage her current behavior.]

Perhaps it’s just your adorable face, but I do not tend to gravitate toward people so easily.

[Even children.]

[kinship]

[He gives her a bright and beaming smile.]

It's natural to want to be with people when you're in a new situation, don't worry about it. And I promise I'll do all I can to help.

[sinistralofdeath]

How thoughtful you are. Do those you live with enjoy your presence? [And with that, everything is wiped away; all doubts and concerns for her well-being vanished, and she inhales the scent of the carnations again.]

Let's be on to the local market, then.

[kinship]

[He chuckles, shrugging his shoulders a little.]

I hope so, it would be a bit awkward if they hated me and we lived together, don't you think?

[sinistralofdeath]

You never can really tell with people; they may have had bad experiences with life, or they could be under the influence of something. It's hard to tell.

[If only she could realize the irony of her words.]

[kinship]

Ah, well please don't worry. I'm housed with my brother from home, Abel, and a girl called Rachel. We get along very well, I promise.

[Except for Rachel wanting to punt both him and Abel, but that's beside the point.]

[sinistralofdeath]

Good. It would be nice for us all to meet someday, wouldn’t it? We could all get together, perhaps make sense of this place and try a picnic.

[Of course, that relies on a number of uncertain and, well, unreliable factors.]

[kinship]

[He finds it a little strange she already wants to meet his family, but he nods nonetheless.]

Of course, I'm sure they'd both be pleased to meet you too. Miss Rachel might be a bit stoic at times, but she's nice underneath it all; and Abel will be friends with anyone who's my friend.

[sinistralofdeath]

What a kind brother - that's how everyone should act. Everyone should be friends, and treat each other like family.

[Before she knows it, they're already in front of the grocery.]

Shall we go in?

[kinship]

[That's not exactly how he remembers his family, but it's how it is here, so he'll just nod.]

Of course, it would be hard to get food for your dinner otherwise.

[sinistralofdeath]

[The store is nondescript and unnoteworthy, but as long as she could continue spending time with Cain, well, Erim would’ve gladly slopped through mud. “More compliments,” that little feeling seems to say.]

[Donning a face of uncertainty, the black-clad woman turns to her blond companion.]

So many things I could buy. Do you have any ideas, Cain?

[kinship]

Hm.

That depends, do you have any dietary requirements?

[He doesn't want to be feeding her meat if she's a vegetarian or causing allergic reactions.]

[sinistralofdeath]

[Even if she was either of those, she would likely eat them anyway. Erim, in her current state, would likely consume rotten squash or windowsill bugs if Cain suggested it.]

Oh, never, nothing - nothing at all like that! Anything you suggest will be mine and Felix's dinner.

[The silver haired woman frowns.] And the children, I suppose.

[Though she never cared for them in the first place, right now any other child in the world pales in comparison to Cain.]

[kinship]

You have a full household of regular residents? Or are some of them drones?

[He's just curious. A little worried that some of them might not be as helpful as he was, to put it mildly, and Erim seemed very trusting. She could get hurt...]

[sinistralofdeath]

Drones, you say. How wonderful—yes, the children are both drones. I’ve called them all “soulless” for so long but that seems to lack a bit of heart. [Even though it was unlikely Cain had invented the term in the first place, Erim decides to praise him for it anyway.]

[kinship]

I think they have souls, a lot of them used to be like you and me.

[A little frightening, to think he could become like that at any time.]

[sinistralofdeath]

[Instantly the once-goddess hates everything that's come out of her motuh.]

I - I suppose you're right - no, you are right, Cain. That was unforgivable of me to suspect in the beginning. Forgive me.

[kinship]

Don't be so hard on yourself, I'm sure they weren't offended.

[It's not like drones seemed to get offended. He's picking out a few things to make sausages, vegetables and potatoes.]

[sinistralofdeath]

If you’re so certain, Cain, then I will take your word for it.

[Looking at the food items he had picked out, the woman with argent hair smiles.]

What a delicious and hearty meal you’re choosing—it will be above all food I’ve ever made.

((OoC: I apologize for the delay.))

[kinship]

I think you might be exaggerating a bit there, Miss Erim.

[He chuckles, heading to the front of the store to pay for the food he's chosen. It should be nice, but definitely not above all other food.]

[sinistralofdeath]

And I'll maintain that I am not. Anything you picked out would be cooked with the utmost care. Oh, I'll need to bring you some when it's done.

[kinship]

I think you'll find your drone family might be too hungry for there to be any left over, they'll expect you to do all the cooking for them.

[sinistralofdeath]

[The notion seems to upset Erim slightly.] Yes, I suppose that’s true…

Then consider yourself invited for a future meal, then. [Smiling at this, the woman in black takes the food items Cain has picked out, and crisply walks to the checkout boy. Paying him the total, she becons the young blond that it’s time for them to go.]

Ah—I did not think, I apologize. Are those living with you going to be worried? It’s late now.

[kinship]

Mm, I probably should get back pretty soon.

[Regardless of if Abel were worrying about him (he would be, and would possibly even be stalking them right now at a distance), Cain missed his brother already.]

Abel will be waiting for me.

[sinistralofdeath]

[It’s almost like her world collapses, like someone is stealing away her newborn.]

[Of course, Erim doesn’t let the feeling show on her face, and a smile appears in its stead.]

Well, Cain, I thank you very much for all your help today. I’ll sorely miss you, however; if you ever need anything, please, feel free to come to 459 Stone Street, my home.

[kinship]

[The smile he gives in return is warm and genuine, reaching out to take her hand and squeeze it once.]

You too! I live at 1648 Albright Lane if you ever want anything, okay? You can stop by any time.

[sinistralofdeath]

[Her smile fades when he squeezes her hand, but keeps her tone even and amiable. The argent haired lady nods and squeezes back, then lets go.]

Thank you, Cain; I’ll take you up on that offer sometime.

[Hefting the groceries up, she turns and begins to walk in the direction of her home. Looking at the bouquet, which she had stored in an extra bag, Erim decides it will go in a vase in her room when she goes home.]

[Turning back to her blond companion, the pale female waves one last time before allowing the parting sorrow to show on her face.]