crimsonmischief | 001 || Of Arrivals and Introductions

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001 || Of Arrivals and Introductions

[The handwriting appearing across the page was a messy scrawl, one that you would perhaps see from a scientist, if said scientist was forced to take up calligraphy lessons because someone had gotten tired of trying to decipher his illegible scribbles. The lessons were perhaps not a success in the conventional sense as the handwriting was far from elegant, but at least people could now actually read what was being written.]

I must say that hatching out of a cocoon is not something I’ve ever experienced before, or at least, it’s not something I think I’ve ever experienced before~! I’m not sure if I would ever want to be born in such a way again. Once makes for an interesting experience, more than that makes for…

[Some ink splotches appeared on the page as the writer tapped the pen absent-mindedly while searching for the phrase he wanted.]

A bad habit! And one must be careful not to accumulate too many of them~

To the dearest Dash-kun who was there to greet the newborn me and explain this extraordinary world, you have Crimson’s thanks~♥! As for the rest of you... Won’t you come introduce yourself to your newest neighbor~?

Assuming of course, that this journal does really work as it's been said to work.

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The tug only caused him to deepen the pout, a hand rising up to pat it back into place before the silliness faded away in the face of her seriousness. Gently pulling her into a hug, he sighed into her hair, a small frown appearing on his own face.

"What happened to the me that was here before?"

Bastet stiffened a moment in surprise, then let him pull her against him, slipping her own arms around his waist as she leaned her head against his chest. It seemed that even without memories, he wouldn't let her get away with pretending nothing was wrong.

"There was an earthquake--about two years ago now. I went to check on you afterward, and you weren't there."

She paused. "I got confirmation later that you'd disappeared. I can't prove it, but I know you'd been poking into things beforehand, so," she shrugs, "I couldn't help but think that had something to do with it. Especially with everything I've seen since then."

His arms automatically tightened slightly around her in response to the tone of her voice.

"Was I very public in my search or with my results?"

Because he knew himself well enough to know that despite everything, he'd probably still search for answers. His was a nature too curious for its own good and he needed to know what he had done wrong last time in order to prevent making the same mistakes again.

She shook her head. "Not very public, from what I remember--but certainly a few people knew." Most of whom were gone now, to her knowledge; Honest had only been here a few months.

A frown creased her brow as she thought. "Like I said, I could be wrong. I didn't see you much while you were here...we didn't really know each other well at all." In fact, her visit hadn't just been to check on him after the earthquake, but to tell him that she'd remembered him--that there really was a reason they felt so familiar to each other.

"I don't know what you discovered...if anything." Now that she'd said it out loud, it was almost embarrassing to admit to having been so worried based on so little information.

There was a small huff of irritation from Crimson at how limited the amount of knowledge he was allowed to have seemed to be. What was the point of being dumped in a completely different world than the one one was probably more used to if one couldn't study it without dying or worrying about dying?

"Is there someone specific behind these deaths or disappearances?"

She pulled away from him, running her hands through her hair as she blew out a sigh. "If anyone knows, they're not telling." Her voice was mild, and even, but her eyes were hard and fixed on his.

Not here. It's not safe.

Deliberately breaking the mood, she pulled his shirt over her head, tossing it back at him. "Here," she said, heading for her bedroom. "I'm going to put on some clothes. Have a seat; I'll be right back."

Somehow, he got the message loud and clear, and while he may not have understood why she didn't feel secure in her own home, he swiftly changed gears as he caught the shirt, eyes drifting over her body again.

"I don't get to watch~?"

She threw a smirk over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "And why would I let you do that?"

She didn't pause on her way, but kept the bedroom door open so they could call back and forth to each other as she dressed.

"Why wouldn't you~?" He moved so that he could see through the open doorway, but didn't enter her room, not daring to violate that much of her privacy. Yet. "I assure you, I'd be very appreciative~♥!"

"You really want something you could get that easily?" she called, over by the window. She could tell by the sound of his voice that he was just outside her door, but he hadn't tried to come in, or even catch sight of her...which were big points in his favor.

She pulled on a pair of shorts, then dug around for a tank top. Once dressed, she came back into view, looking up at him with that same faint smirk as she brushed past him on the way back to the living room.

"People appreciate things more when they have to work for them."

She got a sigh and mock pout from under the hat, even as he nudged her slightly as she brushed past him.

"Making me do work... How mean~!"

At his words, she paused, turning to face him with a pout of her own. Her eyes were wide, her mouth curved downward, and she looked...far more upset than the situation merited, really.

"Well," she murmured, a falsely mournful note to her voice. "If you don't think I'm worth the effort..."

Her tone and expression threw him for a moment and he wondered if he had gone too far, if maybe his dreams and instincts had been wrong and they weren't really as close as he thought they were. He had been ready to drop that pout and step forward to apologize before--

No.

The woman in his dream was strong, both physically and emotionally, yet he had been the one who saw past that mask of unwavering strength. If she really was hurt, she wouldn't show it.

And so the worried look morphed into a smirk as he leaned forward to twirl a strand of hair around his finger.

"It'd hardly be fair if I was the only one doing the work~!"

She held her false expression even as he faltered, worry clear on his face. But he recovered quickly enough, wrapping a piece of her hair around his finger.

Her own fake upset was dropped in favor of a grin and a short chuckle. "And now you're calling me lazy? Really now. How rude."

She had no illusions about this being easy; she'd had two years to get used to being without him, and rebuilding and rediscovering their relationship would take considerable effort. But it was nothing she wasn't willing to do.

"Ah! It wasn't my intention, but you have my apologies anyways~♥"

Part of him was frustrated even as he was elated about having read her correctly. How else could he describe that feeling of vexation coiling in the pit of his stomach whenever he responded to her without even realizing why he was doing so? When he felt such a strong bond between them but didn't have the memories that lead to it? She was familiar, yet unfamiliar and he greatly disliked that feeling.

"I suppose I can forgive you," she said, still smiling up at him. It was the oddest thing; part of her wanting to latch onto him even as the rest insisted on keeping him at arm's length while she accustomed herself to his being there.

Odd, yes, but not completely unfamiliar. She'd adjust, as she always did.

"By the way," she said, as the thought suddenly occurred to her. "I don't publicize my transformation ability, so keep it to yourself. Only a few other people know about it."

Unsurprised by her request, Crimson merely pulled the brim of his hat down over his eyes and smirked at her.

"Ah, Bastet-san wounds me with such unfavorable thoughts of my discretion!"

She smirked right back at him, raising an eyebrow. "Who knew you were so easily wounded?" she drawled. "Maybe I overestimated your fortitude."

"They can be rather fragile, especially when faced with a beautiful woman~♥"

"Are you sure you want to share your weak spots like that?" she asked. "Some people aren't above taking advantage."

Edited 2010-08-02 19:27 (UTC)

"Oh, I don't think I'd mind being taken advantage of by beautiful women~!"

Quite the opposite really.

"I'll remind you of that the first time you complain," she replied, amused.

Her expression faded to something pensive, and she hesitated before speaking next. "You're welcome over here whenever you like," she said. "My roommate," her eyes darkened briefly, "disappeared about a month ago so you don't have to worry about bothering anyone else."

Part of her wondered why she wasn't just moving him in outright...but that old wariness wouldn't allow it, using distance to keep herself safe. It's not that she didn't trust him...she just needed time to adjust.

The silly grin didn't falter, but he did briefly cup her face with one hand, a silent form of comfort as he seemed to automatically pick up on her look and brief flash of worry and sadness.

"And I'll remind you of your generous invitation when you decide to kick me out for visiting one too many times~!"

The brief touch was reassuring, and her smile steadied. "Try to give me at least a week or so before I regret it, hm?"

Once again he'd read her, effortlessly; this was really going to take some getting used to.

"A whole week?!" He looked aghast at the thought. "What a cruel mistress to deprive me of your company..."

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