don't stop believing (closed, complete.)

[libraria]

Characters: libraria and likeagoodson
Setting/Location: Third Floor
Date & Time: Day Five
Warnings: None!
Summary: Nodoka and Charley are going on an adventure to find empty rooms.

Comments

[likeagoodson]

Hardly pressed with any other prior engagements, Charley did not linger or hesitate to rendezvous with Nodoka. His roommate never seemed bothered by his coming and going; granted, that was quite often considering the schedule he'd made for himself. And as many people as there were aboard the Caravan, he couldn't quite get the same serenity he could being along in the room he'd been assigned. It was convenient for reading - how many times had he reread those familiar passages already in just five short days? - and also, praying.

As if for reassurance, Charley took his rosary with him and tucked it into the pocket of the jacket he wore. He rarely went anywhere without it anyway--one of the few things that had traveled with him from home. Sacra, however insistent the dog seemed to be at first, was left behind. (Perhaps, much later was his initial thought, Nodoka would be interested in meeting the automaton.) And it was a quick journey after that: he'd gotten and memorized a majority of the layout by simply wandering around. Simple to find the Laundry room, more than easy to locate the person waiting for him there.

She appeared young. Not that a physical embodiment meant anything. He was a perfect example of that specifically, Master as well. If he included all those he'd defeated in his line of work under the Vatican, Charley suspected he could have been an expert in the matter. But it wasn't polite to assume or stare, disliking the thought of scaring her away. His expression remained passive as he approached her.

"Miss...Nodoka?" A pause, giving her a hesitant smile. "It's Charley. I hope you weren't waiting very long."

[libraria]

Nodoka looked up when she heard someone closer, followed with a hesitant question of her own name. She blinked, staring at the figure for a moment. He was tall, but, then again, most people were tall in comparison to her tiny five feet. He didn't look how she had imagined him; it wasn't fair to make a comparison between mind and truth, however. He looked kinder than she had thought but, either way, appearance didn't matter. From their conversation earlier Nodoka knew he was kind: that's what was important.

It was only after a moment that Nodoka realised she had been staring. Cheeks flushing, her eyes widened and she bowed quickly if only to take her eyes off Charley. "Yes, t-that's right! It's nice to see you, Charley-san!" She stood up, a soft smile worming it's way onto her lips. Hopefully he wouldn't be too bothered by her mistake. "I wasn't waiting long at all, really! Thank you for coming to meet me!" Adjusting her backpack she let her smile grow.

"Um, the rooms," She began quickly. "They're here, just opposite the Laundry room! I don't know if they'd be big enough or right for what you need, but I think they're alright!" Nodoka motioned towards the four spare rooms across from her. As far as she was aware each had some chairs in it; if Charley-san needed to change things would they need to talk to Cid-sama? That wasn't something Nodoka particularly wanted to think about.

[likeagoodson]

Her initial reaction both confused and warmed him. Even more, it was almost refreshing to be in a presence like hers. Nodoka, in a way, reminded him of the young Harold who had been in his care before finding himself here and on the Caravan. Both young and slightly outspoken, easy to open up to--then again, Charley was only assuming (once again) those similarities. The blush and smile were a comforting change to the usual company he kept though, and he couldn't help smiling in return.

A slight nod. "It doesn't have to be very big. In fact, the smallest one would be suitable enough."

He took a step back, tilting his head a little to observe the doors from across where they stood. It was never the size that concerned him; only if it would become an inconvenience to anyone else or was already taken for some other purpose. Charley glanced at Nodoka, clearly curious.

"Have you been in any of them? Which would you suggest?"

[libraria]

Nodoka looked over at the rooms again. She hadn't been in any of them, really, just glanced through the door one day when she had been waiting for her overcoat to wash. Sure was sure there'd be no problem with going in and looking at all the rooms, though. Even if she had been in the rooms before perhaps what Charley-san wanted would be different to the room she had suggested: it was probably a good idea to go and look at them either way.

"I think the smallest one is at the front here," Nodoka said gently. "I haven't been in any of the rooms, but from the way the doors are spread out I think the one in front of us is the smallest, with two larger ones at the back." She paused, glancing down a thin hallway to the side of the room. "If something more private would be nice, there's a room down this hallway? I-It might offer a little more privacy and protection from noise..."

Nodoka was making assumptions, she knew, but she was trying her best to work out what sort of room Charley-san would want. Stepping to the side, out of the way of the doors, she smiled up at him. She just hoped that her comments weren't a bother; guessing at the rooms probably wasn't much help but at least she had been able to show him to some space he could use. That was an achievement.

"I-I'm not too sure what would be appropriate, Charley-san."

[likeagoodson]

That surprised him; at least her honesty was something he could relate to. Unlike a certain someone, such direct responses were easier to interpret and answer without assuming or making a decision that would, later, appear rash and not well-thought out. Granted, it was only a place to congregate and worship, but Charley took those things rather seriously. He did not wish to slight God anymore than he already had.

"Have you never been to church before, Miss Nodoka?" He asked politely, not wanting to offend her either. "Most are a quiet, private affair open to anyone. Would you mind showing me the room you just mentioned?"

It would make sense to have something out of the way but with access for those who sought a more peaceful area to gather their thoughts. He would like such a place to exist; escaping this chaotic place from time to time was easier said than done. Charley patiently waited for Nodoka to show him the way--he had never thought to look into seeing if there were spare rooms aside from those used as personal quarters.

He gave her a smile. "It sounds like it will be more than appropriate."

[libraria]

"Um, I-I go to shrines at New Year in order to pray but I've never been to a Church," Nodoka replied quietly. Spending nearly all year in a boarding school and then being carted off in a journey into a magical world (all before being stuck on a caravan in another alternate world) left little room for visiting places she'd like to go. She had read about the places of worship, however, especially Western churches.

Nodoka jumped out of her slight reverie at his question. Her eyes turned to him again and she nodded, doing her best to push the blush off her cheeks. "Of course! It's right down here, I believe." Pushing open a door to the side, Nodoka wandered down the hallway, waiting at the end for Charley to follow her.

Opening the further door Nodoka stepped into the room, looking around. The room was in an odd L-shape but it was quiet, a few chairs scattered around. Turning back and holding the door open for Charley she grinned. "I-It seems nice, doesn't it?" She asked quickly. "I think because it's at the back and can only be reached from the hallway it might be the quietest..."

[likeagoodson]

Shrines. Charley had certainly seen enough of those in his trips to other countries to understand just what it was she meant. Her name - as did a few of the others he'd heard across the network - did sound foreign; still, it pleased him to know someone, even this shy girl, was interested in learning more about God and the ways of the Catholic Church. His desire to be a priest had gotten him this far, no matter how peculiar it was for someone not entirely human to have such goals.

He followed Nodoka quietly, nodding a little as she spoke. Even then, with the way she held the door open for him, it wasn't so difficult to see the layout of the room. It wasn't very big, though the design of it seemed more than perfect--the back corner could be sectioned off and made into an appropriate space for a confessional. What little furniture there was could be used until they happened to procure more; the chairs, especially, would not do for kneeling and praying. Charley frowned a little, not so much worried about his own body as he would be for potential people of the church. Nodoka, too. They would have to find padding for the knees, but other than that... Charley considered it a rather decent room for the purpose he'd had in mind.

"Yes," he answered after a moment, still examining it and thinking. "This will work best for what we intend to use it for." A pause, and he glanced at Nodoka, finally walking into the room so she didn't have to stand there with the door open. "As long as too many people aren't in here at one time, I think this will make a nice church."

He smiled at her, quick to give a brief explanation of the ideas he'd just had: confessional included. "We may a few things, but you found a good place, Miss Nodoka."

[libraria]

Nodoka looked around the room as Charley did, glancing at the corners and the few chairs scattered around. It seems nice and quiet, certainly a place where people could find a private moment if they needed it. She knew what was needed at a Japanese shrine but she had little clue as to what Charley would want. Of course, she promised herself quietly, I'll help Charley-san gather the things he needs too. Stepping away from the door as he walked in she watched him for a moment, a smile on her lips.

"I-I'm glad it's suitable!" Nodoka replied cheerfully. "I'll help you gather the things you need, Charley-san, I promise. It shouldn't be too hard once we start stopping at villages, right? I... Hopefully we'll get it right soon!" Listening to the explanation Charley gave Nodoka began to think. Perhaps there was a store of cushions they could use for padding to kneel somewhere on the Caravan? They all had pillows for their beds, so it was possible. She knew a pillow might be far too big and feathery, however, so she kept that to herself for now: she didn't want to look foolish in front of her new friend, of that she was certain.

"Um... I-I'm not sure about where we'll be able to find the things, though," She told Charley gently. She'd only ever lived in the sheltered world of a boarding school. Going out into markets and finding things for building and creating things had never been something she had thought to learn about. "But I'm sure we can find something, right?" It couldn't be too hard; she'd have to do her best.

But still, she was pleased. The room was right and it had the beginnings of being what Charley-san wanted, and that was what they had been after on their mini-adventure. She could be proud of the fact that she had been able to guide him to a room that was suitable.

[likeagoodson]

Maybe this was all for the best. With Master being...himself, and their schedules varying greatly due to circumstances they could do nothing about - mostly, he'd admit to himself, it was the nocturnal predicament that left them apart during daylight hours - there was little for him to accomplish thus far. They were still traveling, and as Nodoka had mentioned, they had yet to make any stops along the way. Charley's nose scrunched just a fraction at the thought of sending the young girl out and about all on her own; of course, he nodded and gave her a quick smile seconds later.

"Whenever the Caravan reaches its first destination, I'm certain there will be plenty of opportunities to find everything." Charley paused, pushing his glasses up further onto the bridge of his nose. "We'll need to make a list of items, but we can do that at a later time."

He took another look around the small room, mentally tallying just what it was and how much of each they were going to need. More chairs, another table, a curtain and all the necessities - makeshift or not - that would be a confessional, a crucifix or two. There weren't many things, but depending on the places they encountered, their existence might be a rarity. Besides, the rosary in his pocket and the Bible in his room would not suffice for even a small congregation. Charley sighed.

"We can meet elsewhere for it, if you're not busy, Miss Nodoka. I wouldn't want something to happen to you on my account."

[libraria]

The idea of planning and creating something that would hold such meaning was amazing in Nodoka's eyes; that people would come here to connect with a being far greater than her mind could wrap itself around stunned her. She was determined to do everything within her power to help make sure that this was success, both for Charley and the people that might want to use a place like this. Lifting her eyes to his face she paused, but returned his smile wholeheartedly. It couldn't be long until they stopped and then - then Charley-san could get the things that were needed.

"I hope so! I... I'd like this place to be ready so that people can use it as soon as possible. I think it's something that must be very important." Nodoka said quietly. She couldn't totally relate the importance these things must hold for others, but she would at least like to learn - perhaps then she could understand and embrace it herself.

Some of the things Charley-san had described needing were foreign to Nodoka, despite the books she had read. Still, there were some things she knew (surely they would need more chairs, those were easy enough to find) and that was how she was determined to be of help. Searching the caravan could lead to her finding all sorts of things that might be useful, and Nodoka didn't want to be a bother when she only wanted to help. Jumping slightly when Charley spoke she shook herself out of her thoughts.

"Oh, I-I can look after myself, really," She returned with a bright smile. "I'll be happy to help any time you want me to, Charley-san."