4th Conviction [Action/Voice]

[cry_camellia]

[Today (i.e. yesterday) Tsubaki does what she always does: not much. She's still adjusting to being blind and it's slow-going. She sits outside House 48 for most of the day, mostly just listening. If you walk past and it looks like she's giving you a dirty look, feel free to take offense and rage or something.

But ugh this can't go on. She needs

Comments

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Somebody has been keeping an eye on you from the house, Tsubaki. Shaking her head and gathering up a couple things, Litchi heads outside and gently taps the girl's shoulder to get her attention.]

It's awfully cold today to be outside so long, don't you think?

[Here, Tsubaki. Have a nice warm cup of tea pressed into your hands.]

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

I suppose you're right, but I didn't realize that I'd been out for long at all. [It's so much harder to keep track of the time these days... Though the warmth of that tea is definitely drawing her attention to the fact that she really must have been out in the cold for no inconsiderable amount of time.]

Huh? Oh, thank you, Litchi. This is just what I needed.

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

Any time, Tsubaki. I can't have you getting sick now, can I? [Because seriously, what kind of doctor would she be if she let her housemates fall ill?

Litchi settles in beside her comfortably, tugging her jacket closer around herself. Ever since her own slow recovery, it seems her tolerance for cold has weakened.] Do you need anything else? If you're hungry, I can bring you something to eat.

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

No, I'm fine. I know the weather could be better, but I'm so tired of being indoors all the time.

And, u-um, Litchi?

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

I suppose I can't blame you for that.

[She glances over at Tsubaki curiously. What in the world...?] ...Yes?

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

It's just that I'm so grateful for all the help you've given me since... well, since what happened. But I don't know what I can do for you in return. And I feel terrible about it.

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[She gives a soft, almost inaudible chuckle. And wraps an arm around Tsubaki's shoulders for a gentle hug.] Oh, Tsubaki...

You know, I felt the same way when David was helping me recover a few months ago. But there isn't any debt to repay or anything to feel bad about; we stayed by you because we wanted to. [She smiles warmly. Even though Tsubaki can't see that, she's bound to hear it.] Just seeing you out and about again is thanks enough.

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

[She shakes her head.] I really appreciate your saying so, but in a way, the same goes for me. Rather than thinking of it as a debt, I want to do something to make it up to you. Especially since I don't know how much longer things are going to be like this...

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

To be honest, there really isn't anything I can think of... [Lies. LIES. Some little voice in the back of her head is telling Litchi that this is a prime opportunity to demand Dress Up Time, but she's trying to ignore it.]

...Unless I can ask that you just continue to stay with us? I have to admit, I've gotten rather used to our little "family" here.

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

[Oh you. Tsubaki wouldn't even know how how scandalous she'd look in your questionable costumes!]

[Family...] It really does feel that way, doesn't it? I'd love to stay. In fact, I can hardly imagine how I'd get on without all of you. [Except the goddamn panda, of course.]

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Just think of the potential! She wouldn't even have to use Peking duck as an excuse!]

I'm glad... To be honest, I'm not sure where I would be either without you and Tao and David. [She chuckles quietly.] We've been through a lot together now, haven't we?

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

[Christmas dinner. It's gonna be... uh, interesting. |D]

We certainly have. This family... I think it's the one thing that I'll actually miss about this place when my time here comes to an end.

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Litchi goes quiet for a moment, eyes drifting down to her feet. When their time here comes to an end, huh...? She keeps trying to forget about that possibility.]

...I'm not sure I want it to ever come to an end.

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

[Tsubaki's still somewhat undecided on the matter. On one hand, there's a lot of misfortune waiting for her back home, but... she has duties to attend to that she can't just ignore forever.]

But... don't you have a family waiting for you at home, too?

[Action]

[not_meatbuns]

[Half sigh, half laugh.] I do miss Linhua terribly, but... I don't have anything back in Kagutsuchi quite like the home I have here. Linhua and Tao were like little sisters, but they were really all I had in the way of "family."

[Not to mention that she knows full well that she's dying back home. The erosion has stopped here, finally, and is slowly healing, but back there...? It almost hurts to think of it.]

[Action]

[cry_camellia]

[This strikes Tsubaki as being kind of a shame. Litchi's probably the most nurturing person she knows. If only she hadn't missed Bang's beautiful propoooosal...]

I can see how that would make being away from home easier. But Kagutsuchi seemed so lively when I was there. [Even though she was only there on srs bsns.]

Actually, that reminds me of something...