((for orchidsblood))

[lefthertainted]

Mio is feeling sorry for herself. She hates being a cat. Actually, hates might be putting it a little bit mildly. Mio absolutely detests being a cat. For one thing, her clothes, wallet, and schoolbag all disappeared off to somewhere when she got transformed. This means she had no access to her money or her credit cards in the Nexus.

Being flat broke for the first time in her life was not a pleasant experience. Mio was uses to the softest feather beds and the highest quality gourmet food. She had neither of these in the Nexus. Sleeping under bushes, in boxes, and behind dumpsters was not only horribly uncomfortable, it was unsanitary, and she kept having to defend her territory from other cats as well, meaning that she had not gotten anything near an uninterrupted night's sleep for the entire time she had been in the Nexus. On top of that, scrounging for food was demeaning. She was not going to beg for food, begging was not something a daughter of the Hongo family would ever consider. Unfortunately for her, Mio was not very good at scrounging, which led to her going hungry most nights.

Interrupting herself from her internal complaints, Mio goes to check around the Nexus Conroys to see if the old lady who runs this flowershop has put out any food today. The obaa-san is a little bit senile and often forgets, but Mio always comes by to check every day just in case she has put something out.

Comments

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"That's neat! I wonder how ice cream would be different..."

[lefthertainted]

"I am not sure if I would want to try, because I have noticed my tongue is much more sensitive to temperature."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that's too bad. It's practically a tradition for new friends to go out for ice cream." Ran is disappointed.

Then she perks up, "But there's always next time I see you."

[lefthertainted]

Mio's brain breaks. She and Fujimiya-san are friends now? Mio's never had friends before. She's not quite sure what to make of the idea.

"I suppose...I think I might like that."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Great! We can do it to celebrate the LOL wearing off." Dealing with Cranky People 101: declare you are friends before they have a chance to deny it.

[lefthertainted]

Mio nods, still slightly dazed by Ran's sudden pronouncement of friendship.

While she is still staring at Ran, Mio notices for the first time that Ran is carrying a katana. "Are you a student of kenjutsu, Fujimiya-san?"

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

Ran smiles. She enjoys sword work, in addition to the practical uses she has for it. "Yes. There's a temple in the Nexus where I practice. The monks are kind enough to let me join them." And then she totally kicks their asses. It's fun!

[lefthertainted]

Mio likes swords too. In addition to being beautiful, they're sharp and pointy and good for killing people with! Mio might want to come watch sometime.

"Do you have any other hobbies?"

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"I work parttime in a flower shop, but I consider ikebana a hobby. Most of what we sell is more western looking."

[lefthertainted]

Mio likes flowers too, especially roses. They're elegant and beautiful to look at but will prick you if you're not careful. Just like Mio. ^.~

"I studied ikebana a little bit when I was younger; it was very interesting."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Which parts did you like best?"

[lefthertainted]

"It is a very solitary activity. Nothing except myself and the flowers matter when I am doing ikebana."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Mmmm, I like that part, too. I also like creating something beautiful."

[lefthertainted]

Unfortunately, Mio's too cynical to take much enjoyment out of creating beautiful things.

Mio licks up the last few grains of rice from her plate.

"Gochisousama deshita. Thank you very much for the food, Fujimiya-san."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome. Um, Hongo-san? If I gave you my cellnumber, would you have a way to keep it until you change back?"

[lefthertainted]

"If you told me the number, I would remember it. I have a good memory."

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Okay. It's a bit long since it's a Nexus area code." Ran rattles it off.

[lefthertainted]

Mio repeats the number back to Ran.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Yep. You're really good!"

[lefthertainted]

Mio smiles. She is proud of her good memory.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

Ran's phone beeps. "Oh, pardon me." She checks the text message. "Oh no! It's my night to make dinner, and I still need to shop. I'm sorry, Hongo-san, but I really need to get going. I'll see you around!" Ran digs some money out of her pocket to cover the bill.

[lefthertainted]

"Thank you again for the food." Mio makes a kitty-bow. "I will be looking forward to seeing you again." If for nothing else, Mio will want to repay Ran for the the lunch.

[orchidsblood.livejournal.com]

"Me too! Later!" Ran scampers off to finish acquiring a PINpoint.