Well Vacation time.

[Jovia]

Please, please forgive me, But I won't be home again.

The sun had not even risen from its slumber, several hours before even the sun would rise when a young white haired woman went and sat down at the pier to wait for the ferry. It was hours though and she started to shiver and hold her little cat closer to her for some warmth. Slowly, very slowly the time passed as she looked up at the sky that held the moon and the stars, it was kind of cloudy too, would probably rain knowing her luck. But eventually the sun started to rise and soon the Ferry showed up at the pier. When it was getting closer to the pier though Ayame stood up though and waited.

When it finally showed up she walked aboard and was asked if she was ready to go to the other port. "Yes I am ready, no worries." She handed over some of her money though to pay for the trip as she walked into the bowels of the ferry where there would be some chairs to sit down upon during the long sea trip back. Michie though looked up at her and meowed as she tried to curl up even more in her arms. "No worries Michie, we are going on a trip then will come back, no worries." She said with a soft smile and petted the little cat.

[Jovia]

Maybe someday you'll look up, And, barely conscious, you'll say to no one: "Isn't something missing?"

Slowly the ferry started to shift and sway now that finally the boat was on its way after waiting for any late people. Ayame was fast asleep on her chair with Michie asleep upon her lap, the bag of her clothes flopped over against her leg.

It seemed that a few hours went by, and by now the sun was high up in the sky staring down upon Ayame making it rather warm and uncomfortable. After a little bit of stirring Michie meowed and jumped off to explore the ship. The sense of the weight leaving and the sound of her cat caused the woman's Amethyst eyes to open up. Slowly her head turned this way and that as she stared out amongst the water. Where was she at? she frowned at that thought, what had happened to her shop.... As she slowly stood up to walk over to the edge of the deck and stare out. There was no land anywhere that she could see, was she kidnapped? Now she was starting to freak out she looked about the ship. But no... this was just a ferry... what... oh yeah that happened the letter then she ran for it.

Ayame had went back to her seat after she had stared across the sea for what seemed like an hours worth of time. Michie was having fun getting loves from the crewman, scaring any mice or other stowaways, and even getting a fish from a nice fisherman. Ayame just leaned back in her chair though and let her eyes slowly close, she was going to need her strength for whatever mind happen now.

[Jovia]

The kisses of the sun - Were sweet I didn't blink

A jarring motion and then shaking made the white haired female slowly open her eyes and wake up. "Come on miss wake up, we made port time for you to get off." Ayame gave a slow nod as she started to stretch and yawn. The sun was still bright as she placed a hand over the top of her eyes as she reached down to get her bag. This was a different port then the one she had left from to go to Conamu... the town was HUGE, with tall buildings to rival the mountains... wait is this one of those city things she kept hearing about? "Michie come on time to go." the cat came running up to Ayame who proceeded to pick up her cat in her arms.

She frowned at the cast on her right hand, she had forgotten about it... if it rained it would have gotten ruined and then her hand would need a new cast and she would have had to go back to the clinic... She shook her head, oh well she had some money she could get something, she didn't even bring her umbrella.... "Let us see what happens here huh Michie?" she said softly to her purring cat. Yes as long as she had Michie she would be fine, Ishio had offered to come with or at least let wolf go with her, but she shook her head and said Michie was coming. Her cute little cat could protect her... right?

Slowly she moved from the ferry to the dock, yeah it was a dock... not a pier like the village she had just left. Her eyes just went wide as she looked up and stared at the city. "Michie... if anything bad happens to me get back to Conamu promise me...." Michie meowed in annoyance and just snuggled closer into Ayame's arms. Slowly her brown booted feet took her further from the dock and towards the city. It was mid day and there wasn't that many people out and about other then kids and one of their parents, the little kids that didn't have daycare or school and the parents who didn't have jobs. She just kind of frowned though, it was so big where was all the people... was it abandoned and gaining more like Conamu?

[Jovia]

I let it in my eyes - Like an exotic drink

A soft gulp moved Ayame's throat as her feet slowly took her deeper and deeper into the city with all those tall buildings. They started to block out the sun, which looked like it started to dull and darken? why was that with no cloud in the sky and why did it feel hotter here when it was fall so close to winter? How strange.... and where were all the people? Slowly though as she continued her walk more and more people would come out of the buildings, either to go back in after awhile or rush off towards other buildings. She heard so many different languages her head started to spin when she tried to listen and make sense.

Wait a second, where were all the plants? the animals? Ayame started to breathe harsher now as she glanced around trying to search for something, anything with plants.... There was something some trees and grass. She started to run as her breathing turned into hyperventilating, almost there... almost... Her vision started to dim and gray from all the hustle and bustle as she tried to push her way through the suddenly crowded streets... no the trees... trees...

"OW" Ayama blinked a few times as suddenly her vision cleared and she looked down to see Michie had clamped her teeth down on Ayame's arm hard, and punctured the skin a little bit too. "Thanks Michie...." and she pushed her way through and stopped when she stepped upon the grass. Slowly after she let her breathing slow down and leaned against a tree she started to look around. It seemed many people were around here and this place was artificially planted... a park? that is what she heard someone nearby call it when they mentioned the crazy young white haired girl who ran and stopped at the park. Slowly she glanced about and it was true, she had gotten some attention and rather unwanted at her little panic attack.

[Jovia]

The radio playing songs - That I have never heard

Ayame started to fidget under the gaze of so many people, a lot of them looked like men old enough to be her father... and the looks they were giving her seemed a lot like Jowy's looks to Keeran. Now that was a rather unsettling thought as she started to walk further into the park.... Maybe coming here was a big mistake she thought with a little grimace. She did not like those looks... and apparently her walking away only tempted a few of them to follow her... Crap what was she going to do now? maybe... maybe... maybe... She quickly looked around and then just took off on a dead run down one of the streets.

Looking back she saw that the older of her followers had stopped and walked off while the younger ones seemed to run after her with a grin. Michie meowed in annoyance "Shush Michie we need to get away from these people" She managed to say as she kept on running. She couldn't think herself enough for not wearing any of her kimonos and just her normal every day farming outfit. That way she wouldn't trip over her own kimono and could actually run as fast as she can. But apparently it wasn't fast enough as they slowly started to close the gap between her and them.

Suddenly she went around a corner and found herself in front of a Cafe, interesting it had a bunch of bushes and trees so she practically skidded to run towards the Door and inside. Quickly she went and hid in one of the booths and peered out the walls of glass window in the front to see the men run past with a sigh of relief. Slowly she started to stand up as she kept her gaze out of the cafe, she hears some music she didn't know or understand drifting through the cafe but currently she was more concerned about her safety from the men outside then anything.

[Jovia]

I don't know what to say - Oh not another word

"Excuse me, Miss, are you here to hide and scare my customers or are you here to order?"

A soft voice spoke up behind Ayame which made her jump and she turned around to look at the man, he looked to be about half a foot taller then her. His narrow and intense blue eyes just stared down at her above a small frown. He also had brown hair with the bangs that just almost hid his eyes and most of his face almost while the rest of his hair was pulled back into a braid that was apparently down to his knees?

"Oh and miss, Cats and any animals that don't help those disabled are not allowed in here either. I am very sorry..... miss?"

Ayame just started to tremble, she tried to open her mouth but nothing came out of it. So she slowly shook her head and walked back towards the door. Slowly she opened it up and glanced around carefully, thankful she didn't see any of those guys anymore but they might still be in the area. Though her cat Michie was not allowed inside this place... well it was a food place so yeah that was understandable at least. Slowly she moved her way out to sit behind on the ground of one of the bushes so she was hidden from the street and anybody walking past.

[Jovia]

Just - la la la la la - It goes around the world

Ayame's eyes slowly started to close as she gently leaned into the bushes. What a tiring day it was with that running and her hand in a cast, at least she didn't lose her bag of clothes that was for sure.... wait. She stood straight up and glanced about and found her bag though it was opened and all but one of her kimono's was still left in it. Tears started to spring up into her eyes as she realized that it was her only kimono with the different layers she used separately... thankfully she didn't lose that but she lost all her other clothes... and her shoes... She was going to have to go shopping or go back home then shop... She make sure it was closed better before she leaned into the bushes and hid her face amongst her hair that had come lose from her braid.

"Miss, you have been out here for three hours and the Cafe just closed... are you lost? do you need some help?"

Ayame blinked a few times and looked up with her tear stained face. She didn't know how long she was there for or how she didn't realize how much time had passed. But apparently that guy from before had noticed and had outstretched his hand towards her to help her up it looked like. Slowly she started to reach up with her hand that was in the cast before she realized she couldn't get up by that one so she reached her other hand out. And with the guy's help she slowly stood up, and heard Michie meow and come out from amongst the bush.

"Miss, are you okay? lost? do you need any help?"

The guy repeated his questions as she went to look back up at him with her amethyst eyes. "Yes... I am sorry my name is Ayame... I am lost I have never been here before, I live over the sea and... those guys.... they were looking at me like a local home pervert looked at the tavern woman and I just... I ran and they followed and I hid here... now most of my clothes are lost... Do you know where an Inn is?"

"Inn? oh you come from a village... no we have hotels but they are very expensive and around these parts guys like that hang around them waiting for someone such as yourself to show up before they pounce... and your clothes... I know this may be odd and all but you are welcome to come to my place. My sister wouldn't mind the company and she should have extra clothes and we don't have a bed or anything but you could use mine or hers, I could sleep on the couch, and then one of you could take my bed. My name is Learon by the way."

[Jovia]

Just - la la la la la - It's all around the world

Ayame just looked down at the ground and over at Michie "She is Michie.... is she allowed to come with me?" is all she could say, really how could she respond to hearing about hotels, not inns, and how he so easily understood she was from a village no less... and about those guys waiting at a hotel. That thought sent shivers down her spine as she reached down to pick up her cat and hold her close. He had a sister? so he was like her brother... and he seemed nice... and offering to help... and he wasn't like those other guys. Nevermind he didn't seem to think she or her cat could protect her from running so that was a good thing.

"Yes she can come too, my sister has a little cat herself, though it is a pain scratching at my door every hour wanting inside."

Slowly Ayame glanced up at this Learon guy, and apparently he was smiling a little bit and she just got the feeling she could trust him. After all he had a sister and she had a brother, that was something similar... nevermind he reminded her of someone... "Okay... very well then I will come with you... thank you." She managed to say softly and he started to walk around the Cafe to a place behind it that held a bike, not a two seater though that he went over to. "Sorry but I usually ride my bike here, if you want though you can try to sit on the handlebars while I go if you want."

Ayame frowned a little bit at the bike then gave a little nod, it would be faster that was for sure. So after several minutes she finally was able to get up on the handlebars with his help as he started to slowly pedal his way out and go along the street. They passed some of the guys who had chased her earlier, who only gave her a glance as she passed before they went back to talking. Relief filled her as it looked like now that she was around someone they were not going to come back after her.

[Jovia]

Just - la la la la la - And everybody's singing

Ayame tried to keep her healthy hand and her cast hand in front of her to hold onto Michie as she tried to keep her body balanced on the handlebars of this guys bike. Thankfully Learon was going slow and steady trying to make it so she didn't fall off or anything and knew the way to keep the ride as smooth as possible in the city. Her amethyst gaze kept on glancing around as they went through the city and finally slowed down to a stop in front of a rather tall building with a bunch of small balconies it looked like. "You live here? wow it had to be expensive...." She managed to say as she slowly slid from the handlebars.

He just chuckled softly and shook his head. "I do not own the entire building, just one part of it up there in the sky, no worries its bigger then it sounds." Ayame gave a slow nod as she followed him to where some bikes were already put. He took out a lock that she recognized as what he had before to lock it back into place before he started to walk up. Slowly she followed him though as she glanced around. There was a lot of young people around here, some singing in their own languages with each other, others working on pieces of paper, and yet others just hanging around watching what little sky they could while smoke drifted away from them.

She didn't stop to gawk at all though as she followed Learon into the building and up several flights of stairs. All that running, so little sleep, sea travel and just everything started to get to her as she started to get slow and sluggish. "Here we are, no worries my sister should be home." He said as he opened the door, and true enough the lights were on and someone was inside listening to a radio and softly singing with it with a truly splendid voice. "Hey sis, I got a stray she is new in town on vacation and lost most of her clothes, wanna help her?"

[Jovia]

La la la la la - And now the bells are ringing

Brilliant green eyes surrounded by a mass of light brown ringlets that bounce popped her head out from the kitchen to the front area. A huge welcoming smile upon her face. "Hey bro welcome home, And sure come on, I just finished making sandwiches lets get you out of those dreary clothes and into something special." Suddenly She ran forward and grabbed Ayame's hand and lead the white haired girl through the house to a bedroom off the side of the hallway and closed the door behind her. "Okay my name is Ria, well short for Rhianna, and I will be your dresser for this evening." she couldn't help but giggle when she said that apparently. Ayame just kind of slinked back a little bit trying to reach for the door before Ria grabbed her hand and practically dragged her over to the closet.

Learon chuckled and went into the kitchen to grab a sandwich and bit into it before he walked over to the balcony glass doors to gaze out over the city. He heard very weird noises though coming from his sisters room. He heard Ayame clearly say stuff like "Hey watch it!?" or "No I can dress myself!!" He even chuckled when he heard her start to speak in another language out of fear or anger he didn't know though. Eventually though the door opened and he turned around, only to blink several times and feel the heat rise in his cheeks as there stood Ayame in a dress of his sisters. It was a lavender in color and seemed to have an empire waist and the sleeves were off the shoulder. It was a simple dress, and Ria just grinned behind Ayame with a brush to start brushing the other woman's hair "See that wasn't so bad silly modesty who needs such a thing." Ayame just pouts a little bit and tries to cover her chest with her hands. "Hey I am used to Kimonos..."

Ria giggled and dragged Ayame over to a chair and sat her down as she started to brush the white hair. "Oh live a little, your in the city if you wore such clothes guys would look at you more then now. What did you do to your hair by the way? is it normally this color?" Ayame just sighed softly, letting the other woman brush her hair and talk. "I bleached it white, I am a farmer pretty much and having dark purple almost black hair in the sun overheats so figured white would help and it does." "Oh a farmer? where are you from, what village? I wanna come visit you and see all your clothes and buy your vegetables then. Did you know I like to eat healthy? well I do and well I work at a club as a singer but yeah."

Ayame winced a little bit, this woman liked to talk alot, but as she looked around it seemed only her and her brother lived here... Maybe she is just starved for female company much like herself? "Conamu Village actually, I just moved there pretty much at the start of Fall. I needed a vacation though...." "Vacation? when you already showed up? How come too tough for you?" "No not too tough, I have grown crops all my life and lived far to the east in Yanagi Village, Japanese mind you. Just.... needed some time to clear my head." Ria giggled and bent down around to look at Ayame with a quick glance at her brother who seemed to be just staring with his sandwich forgotten. "Well I wouldn't stay here long, seems my brother has taken a liking to you and might very well keep you here." At those words though Learon coughed and turned around to look back out as he finished his sandwich "No such thing, just didn't want her to run into any trouble."

[Jovia]

La la la la la - la la la la la la la - la la la la la - la la la la la la la

Learon had excused himself from the room to go get sleep since he had work again the next day, though he did speak of something beforehand. "If you wanna go and explore the city just let us know okay? Ria and I would go with you too if you want or you are welcome to just head on out and go where you want but you are welcome to stay the night. I will sleep in on the balcony." He went to his room and grabbed some pillows and blankets only to go back out to the balcony and lay down on the hammock out there with a pillow under his head and blankets over him. Ria giggled softly as she looked down at Ayame. "So you want to sleep in his bed or my bed?" Ayame just went bright red and shook her head. "I do not wish to put you guys out... but seems he already did... I don't know..." is all she could say.

Ria grinned a little bit and took this opportunity to get Ayame up from the chair and lead her to another bedroom and opened up the door. "Then you can sleep in my brothers room, no worries you can lock it from the inside let me just grab his clothes for tomorrow." And before Ayame could even really speak out after the shock went away Ria had grabbed some clothes and ran out before closing the door on Ayame. A soft sigh escaped her as she looked around the odd room, it was bigger then her room in either her home village or her shop.... She shook her head and walked over to the bed to pull some of the blankets around her to curl up and try to get some sleep. She blinked a few times though as she thought she smelt what Learon smelled like... well it wasn't that bad of a smell so she could sleep.

The morning came rather fast and the first person awake in the apartment building was Ayame, soon as the sun hit her face through the window she slowly sat up and looked around... where was she? Oh yeah.... all that... She was lucky to have met so many nice people in her life that didn't take advantage of her... She heard some sounds outside of the walls, as Learon had gotten up and got ready then left for work. Then a soft knock on the door and the voice of Ria was heard "Hey Ayame, I don't know if your awake or not but Learon just went to work, and I gotta go to work now too, If you head out though try to lock the door and take care, My room is open if you want other clothes too."

Slowly Ayame stood up as she heard Ria had left the apartment as well before she went and slowly opened up the door to peer out into the rest of the apartment. They were trusting her to stay here alone? that was odd as well... but also comforting she thought with a little smile. She wanted to return their kindness but it looked like they didn't need any money but it did look like cleaning wouldn't be amiss either. She went into Ria's room and changed into her clothes from before before she started to try to clean the place with her right hand in its cast. Several hours passed and she finally made it so the entire place was spotless, most of their dirty laundry was done, and things kind of organized instead of sprawled out on tables. After that she went and took a shower, after finding a plastic back for her cast. She had chosen a thicker dress this time that was essentially the most modest she could find as well. Apparently though it was a long sleeved long nightgown, a little smile crossed her lips, that would do even though it wasn't with the other clothes.

[Jovia]

Inside an empty room - My inspiration flows

Ayame looked up and saw a clock, it was late in the afternoon apparently. Slowly she walked over to the doors to the balcony and open it up to look out amongst the sky. Yeah it was late in the afternoon.... her thoughts started to drift back to her home in Conamu, what was her brother doing, hopefully he was working on her plants like she told him to... and what about Irbe? hopefully she didn't worry or cause him too much trouble... Tears started to roll down her cheeks as she turned away from the balcony and shook her head.

She hurriedly went inside and into Ria's room to change into her kimono very slowly. Wait a second that reminded her where did Michie run off to? "Michie?" Ayame called out softly and heard the cat meow from a pile of clothes. The woman giggled softly as she saw her Ayame curled up with Ria's little kitten as well looked like Michie was getting along with the little one. "It is okay, just wanted to know where you went." With that Ayame turned to look in the mirror with a soft sigh, her Kimono... last time she wore it was at the Festival....

[Jovia]

Now wait to hear the tune - Around my head it goes

The little white haired female was lost in her thoughts as she stared at her kimono she was now wearing in front of the mirror. She was so lost in her memories and thoughts as she slowly twisted and turned, her mind drifted back to Irbe. What was he doing now? Did he get her letter? Did he hate her?.... She couldn't know, didn't know... All she could hope was that he didn't hate her and that her brother was taking good care of her crops as Winter slowly approached. She didn't mind to put him in charge before her charges went to rest. It usually took him several days to kill off plants anyways, and by then it would be winter and she could not sell any vegetables anyways.... She should stock seeds for spring then and possibly try to aim for a greenhouse her next winter.

So now her thoughts went back to Irbe, she had known him for what practically a season and now she couldn't stop thinking about him? How absurd she shouldn't be like this. She shouldn't fall for any guy just because they were nice to her... was nice to be around... worried so much and helped... heck If she did that and made more and more friends it would just be the same falling for them each and every time now wouldn't it. She took this vacation anyways to forget about those feelings and become like a sister to him anyways. She gave a definite nod, yes just friends and family nothing more.

She didn't seem to hear that apparently Learon had returned from his job, it didn't seem as late as it was the previous day but then again he didn't have Ayame to slow him down. He called out to see if she was around but shrugged when he heard no response. She must be out he figured so he slowly walked into the main living area and sat down in front of the simple piano him and his sister had. His fingers started to dance over the ivory keys dotted with the black zebra stripes set against the dark mahogany piano.

The music seemed to pierced Ayame's thoughts slowly as she blinked a few times. Slowly she turned towards the door and opened it up a crack. To her surprised Learon was there sitting at the piano lost in the music his fingers were creating. Her eyes closed slowly as her mind started to drift with the music as it swept through her. It felt calming and serene, and helped her calm her nerves, her thoughts, and her emotions. A little smile spread across her lips.

[Jovia]

The magic melody - You want to sing with me

Slowly noise comes from Ayame's lips as she started to softly sing with the music, though in her own language. It caused Learon to get shocked and kind of jump and look back only to see Ayame slowly walking over in her Kimono softly singing to the song. He couldn't help but stare and forget he was even playing on the Piano. But Ayame didn't even pause in her song.

She spent the rest of her vacation with Learon and his sister, going out into the city on their few days off that showed up as well. Though it wasn't all fun and rainbows with the toilet overflowing... the huge spider in the shower... It was fun and it helped Ayame get her rest and figure out things in her mind. Though the unexpected kiss the night before she was ready to leave was not helpful though. But it didn't really matter, she liked him actually and he liked her apparently. But she had to go back to Conamu village, but left him the address if he wanted to come visit or write a letter. His sister even took her clothes shopping a little bit before she headed back on the ferry back to the village on the 28th of fall. Taking with her Michie, new clothes, and fond memories.