[In progress] Chado

[eightcircles]

WHO: Neji (eightcircles and Inara elegantthestars
WHAT: Early morning tea.
WHEN: Early morning (three- or four-ish), day 2 or 3
WHERE: The police station, I presume
WARNINGS: None as of yet.

Comments

[elegantthestars]

Sleep deprivation had taken its toll on Inara, and it showed in her less-than-graceful steps, dishevelled clothing and unkempt hair, though she still held herself with the poise and grace of a woman who thought herself above mere appearance. Quite frankly, she could be wearing a burlap sack and be covered in mud and she'd still act as if she were the most beautiful creature to grace the earth, and with zombies roving through the city and eating those who had once been classmates? Well, it took some strength to be able to hold her head up at all

[eightcircles]

Neji turned at the sound of another's voice, startled out of the half-reverie he had fallen into. It took him a moment to process what he was seeing: Inara, wrapped in a blanket, standing in the doorway of the tiny kitchenette. Not a zombie, not a family member. Not Tenten. He dispelled a twinge of disappointment at that last thought.

Wordlessly, he turned and found another mug, withdrew another teabag from the weathered cardboard box. After making sure the kettle's lid and spout cover were tightly affixed, hoping the water would boil quickly, he turned toward her, offered the mug. "We should sleep. But after a night like this... only a special kind of person could relax." His voice held just a tinge of bitterness, as if he regretted that he wasn't that special type of person.

He doubted they would be safe anywhere for long, though a childish part of him insisted that maybe, just maybe, the problem had been localized to the gym.

[elegantthestars]

"I don't know," she answered quietly after a while, taking a step into the kitchenette, glancing at everything Neji was doing. The tea smelled lovely and did wonders to calm the woman's nerves. "I think, at times like this...perhaps relaxing is what the normal people need more than the special ones. One can hardly think clearly if they're high-strung."

She smiled. "Is this a way to relax? If it is, I rather agree with it. Tea is always good for the nerves."

[eightcircles]

Neji gave her a rueful smile. It didn't last long, but it stayed on his face long enough to be noticed. For the Hyuuga, facial expressions were more billboard signs than a natural part of conversation.

"Actually, tea is the only caffeine I allow myself." He was tired, but too tightly wound to sleep. "I keep thinking this is all some sort of dream, that I need to wake up. You're... more than welcome to join me."