023// gettin in the way [walking the yard remix]

[felinemystique]

I'm told the Wilderness has turned into an enormous mall, full of stores. It's the perfect opportunity to restock, but I'll need some extra hands. Anyone interested in some temporary work? Depending on how much response I get, it'll be a few hours a day for as long as the Wilderness stays this way--likely the next couple of weeks

Comments

[weaver_girl]

I'll come if you still need help, Miss Bastet. I would like to finally meet you, anyway.

[felinemystique]

Come by the clothing shop tomorrow, then, kiddo. We can talk then.

[weaver_girl]

Yes ma'am! You're in the Bazaar, right? I'm sure I bought something from the shop before.

quicklog?

[felinemystique]

That's right. *directions go here* Anytime after noon is fine.

quicklog.

[weaver_girl]

I'll come by mid-afternoon, then. I look forward to it.

[After finishing her work on Monday, Kagerou set her course for Bastet's clothing stall. She was still, noticeably, wearing only thing printed with images of the angry penguin, as it was christened. (If one had met Nova, she looked the same, save perhaps for the pragmatic hairstyle and something older and more weathered in both her face and her reiatsu.)

She stepped briskly into the shop and glanced around.]

Hello? I'm looking for Miss Bastet? It's Kagerou.

quicklog.

[felinemystique]

[Bastet felt a faintly familiar reiatsu approaching just before the front door opened; she came out of the storeroom in the back to greet the new arrival.]

...well, now. [Her face broke into a warm smile, and she moved towards Kagerou, her eyes noting the small changes in appearance from the girl she'd last seen more than a year ago.]

It's good to see you, kiddo.

(ooc: Here's the layout of the shop, for reference.)

quicklog.

[weaver_girl]

[Kagerou wasn't sure what she had expected; Bastet seemed sharp and canny in... writing, but the smile that spread over her face unwound something in Kagerou's chest. That was a smile you gave someone you'd missed.

Even if she couldn't remember this woman for the life of her, she came forward without pause, smiling back.]

Thank you. I... It's good to meet you, finally.

[With a beat of hesitation, she held out her hands, wanting to somehow affirm that she returned the warm sentiment.]

quicklog.

[felinemystique]

[Bastet noted the hesitation, and with none of her own, took Kagerou's hands in her own, squeezing them firmly.]

I'm sorry we didn't manage it sooner. It's good to find someone else from home.

[She didn't see any recognition in the girl's eyes, but that was all right. She still didn't really know how close they had been at home.]

quicklog.

[weaver_girl]

Home? [Kagerou tasted the word for a second or two.] I suppose so. I haven't really thought of it that way, but... have you been here long? If you remember more, maybe it makes more sense.

[She shrugged out of her coat and folded it on her arm, looking around with animated curiosity.]

I was right, I was here before! I didn't see you, though. I'm sure I would remember.

quicklog.

[felinemystique]

I've been here for a year and a half. But [She shrugged] I've never thought of this place as home.

[From the moment she'd hatched, Bastet had known she belonged in another place, with other people. She moved over to the counter, perching on the edge and crossing her arms over her chest.]

I have an assistant, Maxim. Big guy, bald, quiet? It must have been him working the last time you were here.

quicklog.

[weaver_girl]

[That was the problem, wasn't it? Kagerou had precious little idea how her life had been before Edensphere, but the small snippets didn't point to a very happy existence. The bright moments seemed overshadowed by the danger and confusion.]

Yes, I think I met him! And... I might have sensed you a couple of times, too. Toushi told me you have been teaching him to... detect the energy we all seem to have. I can sort of do that, but I don't know what else there could be.

He seemed to think the swords were very important. I can't remember having one, though, and I don't think I could even use one.

quicklog.

[felinemystique]

You probably did. [Bastet usually kept her reiatsu suppressed, but there were enough times when she relaxed her hold to the point where others could sense.]

I've seen quite a few swords in my memory. I used one when I was younger, but I seem to get along fine without it now. I don't remember you using one before...maybe you never did.

quicklog. durr durr sorry for the edits

[weaver_girl]

[Kagerou set her bundled coat down on the counter, dropping her hat and scarf on top of it.

Despite herself, her eyes went large as Bastet turned to conversation to her, well, previous self. She had got to thinking Nova and Kagerou were somehow two people, but obviously they shared a common origin.]

You used to know me before, right? Before... I went away. Do you know what happened? And... maybe I shouldn't ask, but what was she like? [Her voice fell towards the end, but remained clear and earnest.]

Re: quicklog. lol, no worries

[felinemystique]

[Bastet gave a faint shake of her head, a small crease in her brow.]

I don't know exactly what happened--just that you disappeared one day. It's just that fast. [Her eyes darkened, remembering how Sniper was gone mid-conversation.] No one knows how or why.

[She met Kagerou's eyes calmly.]

You--she--was a cheerful girl. Friendly and always willing to give someone a hand. [She chuckled.] She had strange taste in food...and she was always so much stronger than she believed herself to be.

quicklog.

[weaver_girl]

[Kagerou gave a faint gasp at the description of people vanishing, but thought better of asking about the matter. The shadow on Bastet's face told her enough.]

That sounds a little familiar. Helping people... I hope I am somewhat like that. I've received so much help ever since I came here. [She cast a quick look to the side.] Well, my housemate complains about my tastes sometimes, but I haven't had any dinner guests yet, so I wouldn't know?

Mmm, maybe I can't help trying to see if I'm different or the same as her. It's like... I have to reach out for anything familiar.

quicklog.

[felinemystique]

[Bastet reached out, laying a brief, sisterly hand on Kagerou's head, just as she often had with Nova.]

Give it time, kiddo. You're still figuring out who you are, so try not to worry so much about how you acted before. You are who you are--just do what comes naturally.