Come Dreamwalk With Me 5 (Open Log)

[curious_copycat]

Who: Polly (curious_copycat) and anyone who feels like it.
What: Nocturnal Telepathic Shenanigans, Random CR, Drama, Exposition, Crack, Surreal Shite, Whatever You Want.
Where: In Your Head, or Polly's
When: Tonight. (But latecomers are always welcome.)
Warnings: A few of Polly's memories might come with her, and there are monsters in that thar head. Beyond that

Comments

[congenialsinner]

[There's a beaten dirt road in the middle of a forest - follow it for long enough and a faint path will branch off and disappear into the woods. If one were to follow that, one would soon come upon a house, little more than a shack, in the middle of a largeish but unremarkable clearing.

At first glance it's clear that the entire building has seen better days - but upon closer inspection it's possible to see careful repairs made to roof and walls, which, while not doing much for the overall appearance of the structure, more than make up for their lack of elegance by keeping the elements firmly outside where they belong.

The sun is shining warmly, and there's a gentle breeze. It's possible to catch a glimpse of laundry hung to dry at the back of the house, sheets and shirts and jeans and underthings all lined up in neat rows on the clotheslines.

The windows are open, to let in the warm air, and it's impossible to miss the faint smell of something cooking, onions and spices all blended together, possibly simmering in a frying pan or stewing in a pot.

If one were to ascend to the porch and knock on the front door...well. There's no guarantee what will happen after that.]

[curious_copycat]

[Polly followed the road curiously. The path, when she comes to it, just seems to... stand out, strangely. As if it were somehow brighter than the rest of the surroundings. She knows instinctively that this is the way she's supposed to go.]

[She approaches the little house with wide eyes, and a slight frission up her spine. The scent draws her in. An Eternal didn't need food, true, but this particular one had learned that she certainly liked it. And it smelled wonderful.]

[She only hesitates slightly before stepping up to the threshold and tapping lightly on the door.]

[congenialsinner]

[Alone in the middle of the day, with his books for company and the anticipation of a good evening meal heightened by the smell of simmering onions, the last thing Hakkai was expecting was a knock at the front door - much less a polite one. His usual visitors never knocked, and it would be kind of ridiculous for his roommate to.

He was further perplexed upon opening the door to reveal a young woman; one who looked familiar to him for some reason, but who he couldn't immediately place why.]

...Ah, yes? Can I help you?

[curious_copycat]

[As soon as she recognizes him, Polly's face lights up with a grin.]

Mr. Hakkai!

[It was only a split second later that she realized that he didn't recognize her. Oh...]

[She holds out a hand.]

I'm... I'm Polly.

[congenialsinner]

[Her delight and immediate recognition is both puzzling as well as familiar, and the way she addresses him strikes him as simultaneously odd and normal; people either call him Hakkai or Mr. Cho, but Mr. Hakkai doesn't seem as out of place as it should.

As soon as she says her name, though, he remembers her, in the way that often happens in dreams, and suddenly it makes perfect sense that Polly should be knocking on the door of the house he shares with Gojyo.]

Polly! What are you doing here? Please come in.

[And he opens the door further and steps back, so that she may do so.]

[curious_copycat]

[Polly beams. This is the first time she's gone from not recognized to recognized so quickly!]

I was walking and I found a road--it led me here!

[She steps over the threshold, taking in the interior of the little house.]

I'm... not quite sure where here is, though.

[congenialsinner]

[The house is, for lack of a better word, sparse. The kitchen table is actually a collapsible card table, edged on opposing sides by a pair of folding chairs. The hardwood floor is swept and polished, though, and the table itself is clutter-free, save for a book and small bowl of fresh-cut flowers. On the other side of the main room that serves as kitchen/dining/living space is a grey couch that might have started life as a different color, though what color would be open to speculation. The coffee table in front of it is in better condition, as are the end tables and lamps on either side. The bookshelf on the far wall, in contrast, looks almost new, though the books lining its shelves range in age from 'gently used' to three rereads away from falling apart.

Despite the overall run-down feel of the room, everything is neat, clean, and as pristine as a very determined housewife man can make it. It's Hakkai's home, and he works hard to make it feel like a home, though he doesn't have much to work with and he's got a lot of obstacles in his way.]

Ah, really? [Dream logic makes this easy to accept.] We're just outside of Chang'An, in Togenkyo. Please have a seat, Polly. Can I get you anything? I'm afraid the soup needs several hours left to simmer, but I can find something else if you're hungry.

[Even as he makes these offers, he's moving into the kitchen to put the kettle on; because no matter what she answers on the topic of food, she will at least be getting a cup of tea.]

[curious_copycat]

[Polly walks a small circle around the place, taking it in. The obvious care that's been taken with the place makes her smile a little, and relax. She wonders, though, why Mr. Hakkai would have so little to work with, or why there would be obstacles. He is a very smart man and a very good teacher.]

Outside of where...?

[She brightens pulling one of the chairs and a plopping down in it.]

It's alright, Mr. Hakkai. I can wait.

[The sight of the kettle, however, is very welcome.]

[congenialsinner]

The city's name is Chang'An.

[Two cups are produced along with a pair of strainers and the tea leaves, to wait for the water to heat.]

Ah...will you be staying for dinner, then?

[he turns to smile at her, oddly happy at the idea of an unexpected but not unwelcome guest.]

[curious_copycat]

[She answers his smile with one of her own--made all the brighter by the invitation and the prospect of tea--even if it was just dream tea. Maybe that would make it even better.]

Okay!

[She looks around, taking in the spotless-if-run-down place.]

I like your house. But why is it so far away from everything?

[congenialsinner]

Ah, thank you. It's not really that far from town, though. It's only about a thirty minute walk.

[Even when he's dreaming he won't give a straight answer. >.>]

[curious_copycat]

Well, yes but...

[She puzzled a moment, trying to think of the best way to phrase it.]

It's hidden almost. If the path hadn't been brighter, I wouldn't have noticed it to take it...

[Glances at him with just a little edge of concern hiding behind that trademark curiosity.]

Are you hiding from something...?

[congenialsinner]

[He's touched by her concern, even as he's amused by her curiosity.]

Gojyo might have been at one time. I've simply grown rather fond of the privacy.

[curious_copycat]

Oh, Gojyo's here, too?

[She looks around almost as if she expects him to pop out of the woodwork. She's only spoken to him maybe once, but she knows he and Hakkai are close.]

[She smiles, some of her concern melting away.]

Well, at least then you're not lonely!

[congenialsinner]

Yes, he lives here as well. [He pauses, then elaborates when he sees her looking around as though she expects the man to appear any minute now that he's been mentioned.] He went into town a while ago. He should be back for dinner, though.

[He starts to smile at her remark about his not being lonely, then turns thoughtful as conflicting memories begin to slide up as a result of that remark. His latest memories of Gojyo don't match up with the setting he's in currently; but the thought is fleeting, and he dismisses it almost before it's even fully formed, the peace of the dream (which is rare enough on its own), kitchen, and company (despite her similar anachronistic presence) overriding logic. For the moment.]

No, I certainly am not that!

[curious_copycat]

[Polly clocks that flicker of memory, wondering what it signifies. She tries to brighten when it passes, but she's instinctively watching for more, just in case.]

Oh, alright! How long have you been living here?