Even if I'm said to be "generally adequate" [open]

[bluepoppyfields]

Characters: Clarice and open
Content: The doctor goes for some introspection. Perhaps she'll meet someone new?
Setting: Around town, she's walking.
Time: Late afternoon, day after Lunasa
Warnings: Nothing for now?

Comments

[alastinglight]

Takasugi happened to be wandering around town at that moment, smoking through the hashish in his pipe, watching the people around him. The Amestris held very little appeal for him, and the network was hardly entertaining.

He had never been to Hanami before. His parents had never found the time to take him, and the Bydan rebellion had ended with him leaving his hometown in chains. The bandaged man took his time with his walk, absorbing the sights and the sounds, avoiding the larger crowds of people.

[bluepoppyfields]

The man caught her attention as she drew closer. She'd seen him at the meeting, that was undeniable. Unless, of course, someone else wore bandages like that, happened to be that handsome, and smoked from a pipe. He was a Vohemar diplomat, from her ship. She didn't have time to run throuhg any more information than that before getting close enough to speak, and if she had, he would notice the way her eyes lingered, analyzing him.

Ah well. It was worth it to attempt to speak. "Hanami makes this place beautiful, doesn't it?" Her voice was soft, matched with a mask of calm. He could ignore her if he wished.

Hee, Denouement people represent!

[alastinglight]

The voice caught his attention, if only because there was little else of interest at the moment. Takasugi cocked his head, surveying the speaker for a moment before recognizing her, as well.

"It does. I doubt it would be a place of any importance without it."

\o/

[bluepoppyfields]

"I have to agree there. It would be plainer, and unremarkable."

So, her gamble was paying off. It was better than remaining in silent, bitter watching.

[handsomest]

It was hard not to ignore that sullen face past the falling petals of the sakura. Curious, if not a bit concerned, Tamaki walked towards the good doctor of the ship, taking a young bud of white rose with him.

As soon as she was in front of her, he kneeled out of courtesy.

"May I cheer this wonderful lady with some company and a lovely stem of rose?" It wasn't much, but he knew how every lady loved attention.

[bluepoppyfields]

Oh, it was Count Suoh. She hadn't noticed him, being lost in her thoughts. The offer for company was well appreciated, she'd rather not stay in depression for long. It was distracting.

"If it wouldn't be an impostion, I'd like to accept," she replied.

[handsomest]

"Then it would be my honor to be by your side." He raised the rose further, hoping the good lady would take it.

[bluepoppyfields]

She did accept the rose, smelling it and appreciating the fresh scent. It brought a small smile to her features.

"I would think you would have your time taken up today by those who could not spend Lunasa with you, Count." Her tone was near teasing, the man was charming enough to have girls sighing over him left and right.

[highflyinhero]

The festival brought back conflicting memories for Alfred as well, and as the festivities died down, he tried to milk every last moment he could before he was to return to the Convoy. It reminded him of his family, of the fleeting moments he had with his family before they died, and the mixed feelings of living with Arthur's family.

He did his best to shove those thoughts out of his mind. It was better to focus on the now, on the remains of the festival, on what it meant for everyone else. He smiled lightly, though it was vaguely more pensive than his usual expressions, watching the remaining children play nearby.

[bluepoppyfields]

Eventually she settled down near where there were children playing. The laughing innocence of them was painfully sweet. Had Mar-Beth had her child yet? None of the pictures had clued her in, and there had been no note of it in the letter, so she would assume for now Beth was still carrying the child. That brought back again the thoughts of them, the very thing she was trying to avoid.

Glancing over, she saw a thoughtful young man, blond with glasses. No one from her ship, or if he was she hadn't seen him. Should she speak, or leave him to his thoughts?

[highflyinhero]

As if sensing her eyes on him, Alfred turned just enough to glance toward her, and smiled. Someone he didn't recognize either, but at least it might be good to redirect his thoughts for the moment?

"Hey, there!" If he appeared to be thoughtful and pensive just a moment before, his voice conveyed the complete opposite. "Enjoying the weather today?"

[bluepoppyfields]

"Yes, it's rather lovely. What about you?"

Ah, his voice suggested someone energetic, certainly not the pensive type she'd thought of.

[flower_of_war]

Rangiku was engaging in one of her favorite pass times, window shopping. After Lunasa, there were usually all kinds of sales to be had as merchants unloaded the excess things that hadn't been bought as presents that year. As she did every year, Rangiku went nosing through it all, with the same old thought running through her head. If only I could just be patient enough to keep them for a year, she thought. I could get really good presents cheaply! But oh, I already spent enough money on presents just now, how will I get the things I want if I don't spend what money I have left on myself?

Rangiku was on her way out of one shop, bag in hand, when she happened across a familiar face. Well, not too familiar, but the woman was definitely a co-worker!

"Oh, hello...Doctor!" Rangiku greeted cheerfully, for she couldn't quite bring the other woman's name to the tip of her tongue. "Taking advantage of the sales?"

Maybe there were some normal people on the ship after all.

[bluepoppyfields]

At the woman's greeting, Clarice instantly straightened up, with a peaceful smile on. She was one of the boatswains, though her rank escaped the doctor at the moment. Inwardly she berated herself for not studying who was on the ship more closely, if she was called for information she should be able to give names, ranks, positions.

"Definitely considering it, I've been looking for a good new dress," she lied easily. Nothing in her body language would give her away, and it was true about the dress, she did want one. Something flattering and good for the upcoming autumn. "Are you?"

[flower_of_war]

"Of course!" Rangiku smiled and lifted her bag triumphantly. Post-holiday sales were one of the big points of the holidays for her. After all, holidays are celebrated a little differently by orphans, especially orphans who grew up in a part of the Badlands where many people didn't have two coins to rub together. There was only one person, maybe two she might look forward to seeing again at such a time, but she knew in all probability she'd never see either one of them again.

"I could use another dress..." Rangiku mused. It was a scarf and gloves in her bag, as well as a necklace.

"Would you like to come along with me?" she asked. Rangiku was not always the nicest to other women, but in this case, it seemed natural to ask, though she couldn't put her finger on why.

[bluepoppyfields]

If she had been home, it would have been a time to indulge the children, utterly rest, and go out for picnics or whatever else people did. Here it was more of a self-indulgence, indulging to forget. If she didn't have to work soon, she would have been sleeping off a hangover from all the alcohol she received as a present and perhaps blacking out these negative thoughts.

At the question, Clarice brightened and nodded. "I would like to, please." Dress shopping was always better with someone else anyway.