005 ✝ fifth step [written/action]

[manmade_angel]

[Now that the truth has finally come out about Badou and Haine's pranks, Nill is one angry little angel. How could they lie to her like that? Nill spent hours hiding Badou's cigarettes all over the house, and days making those clothes for Haine. They just let her do that to get back at the other

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[entaiho]

[Rokuta is in a rather less than stellar mood with all the draft stuff going on, but he hasn't forgotten about Nill. And when he hears that message, he can't help but worry -- something's wrong? And knowing her she could get into trouble if she's out wandering around by herself, especially in this weather.

Rikaku can move faster than he can, and knows the girl, so Rokuta sends the shirei off to go look for her. Accordingly, Nill, the next time you look around there'll be the top half of a wolf head peeking up out of the ground in your shadow. Hopefully he doesn't scare you.]

[manmade_angel]

[Nill is still wandering the plaza, looking to see if she can catch sight of Rokuta. She's starting to feel a little disheartened though. At this rate, she'll probably have to go back home without Badou and Haine doing anything. The cold will start to set in once the sun goes down.]

[She sighs and turns around, getting ready to swallow her pride and go home, when she notices the ground has grown a furry spot. With eyes and ears.]

[If she could make any sounds, there would be a yelp here. But Nill only starts and jumps back, raising her fists to her mouth to protect herself (from what, the world may never know). After a moment, though, she realizes that she's seen those ears and eyes before. Maybe. Is it really Rikaku? She extends a hand warily, trying to reach down so she can pat the shirei's head.]

[entaiho]

[Rikaku rises up a little higher, emerging from the ground as a swimmer might from water, and allows the pat with grave dignity.]

You are all right? The Taiho was concerned.

[manmade_angel]

[The taiho? Oh! Maybe he meant Rokuta. Who else would send Rikaku after her, after all?]

[Nill nods as she pats him, though she still looks a little discouraged. She may be fine (maybe a little cold), but she's going to have to go home unless she figure out where Rokuta is.]

[She straightens up, looks around, and points to where she and Rokuta used to live. It's a bit of a stretch, but maybe he'll understand...?]

[entaiho]

[Rikaku rumbles quietly, deep in his throat.]

You were seeking him? He lives elsewhere, now.

[And he'll pause for a moment; there was nothing in his orders beyond 'find her and make certain she's all right' but he's fairly certain the Taiho wouldn't mind. And so he lifts fully from concealment and crouches in front of the girl.]

I can take you to him.

[manmade_angel]

[Oh, thank goodness. Saved by Rikaku again. Nill gives him another thank-you hug and gets up on his back. It's a good thing nobody she knows is around, otherwise they might have a heart attack seeing Nill get up on a giant wolf's back.]

[entaiho]

[The shirei waits until she's well settled on his back before moving, but still keeps to a much slower speed than he's capable of going (and stays on the ground) as he heads through the village to House 31. Guess what, Nill, you're going to the house across the street from your own... but Rikaku is big enough to shield the girl from view, at least? He comes to a halt outside the door and looks from her to the house.]

Inside there.

/threadjacks

[king_en]

[Shouryuu glances over to the door when he hears that sounds like Rikaku's voice, but there's no sign of Enki with him. Curious as to who Rikaku's talking to, he makes for the door and opens it --

To find a cute girl standing outside. He raises an eyebrow. What's his kirin's shirei doing bringing home girls?]

Hello there.

/o/

[manmade_angel]

[Nill gives Rikaku another thank-you hug before approaching the house--warily. This is the house right across the street from her house. Did Rikaku mean to bring her here, or bring her home? 'In there' should mean 'Rokuta is in that house there', right?]

[She walks up to the door, starting a little when it opens. ...That isn't Rokuta.]

[Nill's wings shake a little and she brings her hands up to her collarbone in apprehension. She looks back at Rikaku, then at the strange man. Was she in the right place...?]

[king_en]

Don't look so worried, I don't bite.

[He looks at Rikaku before his gaze goes to the girl again. If Rikaku's brought her here, he guesses that's what Enki wants.]

Rokuta's most likely on his way home if he sent Rikaku to find you.

[entaiho]

Huh, anyone would be scared of a face like yours.

[And here comes Rokuta himself, sauntering up to join them right on cue. He glances from Shouryuu to Nill to Rikaku and back to the girl, brows lifting curiously.]

S'going on? I just told him to check on you, not subject you to Shouryuu's attempts at flirtation.

[manmade_angel]

[Nill's very relieved to see Rokuta, though the teasing is familiar enough to help her realize the other man is Rokuta's friend. Though the comment about 'flirtation' gets a surprised and embarrassed blush out of her.]

[So to distract from her flustered reaction, she digs through her pillowcase and produces her journal so she can explain. After a moment of writing, she holds it out to Rokuta.]

Haine and Badou tricked me into helping them play pranks on each other, so I ran away until they can get along. Can I stay here?

[king_en]

Flirtation? I'm not flirting! [Hey, he's going to defend himself. He was just saying hello!

He looks over Rokuta to read the writing before glancing at the house across the street. What better place to hide than right across the road from your own house, after all?

He gives her a grin and ushers both the girl and the kirin inside.]

[entaiho]

[Rokuta just gives a dubious snort in response before likewise reading over what she has to say. He's good with it, certainly, but it seems the king is as well; he just gives a mental shrug and follows the others inside as Rikaku slides back into hiding in his shadow once more.]

We do have extra room, so I guess... they won't worry about you while you're gone?

[manmade_angel]

[Nill pauses, but ultimately decides to tell the truth. Yes, they're going to worry about her, but they did something mean so she has to put her foot down somehow. Making them cook, clean, and do laundry for themselves until they can get along seems like a good enough punishment.]

[She walks into the house--it looks really similar in structure, so this shouldn't be difficult to navigate at least. And maybe while she's here, she can cook a little to thank Rokuta and Shouryuu. That was his name, right?]

[Hesitantly, she moves a little towards the kitchen, pointing at it awkwardly as though to ask permission to enter.]

[king_en]

Uh. Sure.

[She's going to be a little shocked. They don't cook much. Food is kind of a second thought for them, and it's mostly stocked with fruit. It's also something of a mess from whenever they have attempted to cook something - but after not cooking for 500 or so years, you get a little out of practice.]