11: New Years clean up [action and audio]

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

[Action, forward dating to 12/29]

[Chances are if someone is on the first floor, they might notice one of the rooms is open. There's several items, including books, tins of tea and other trinkets left outside. They might even hear someone humming a certain song. Turns out it was Saori this whole time, cleaning her room. It's really not much of a mess inside, but she wants to make sure everything's properly cleaned before the new year.]

Now, I know I can arrange my bookshelf much better than this...Maybe I can organize it  by...ah, no that's not going to work.

[Audio]

This is more geared towards those who're going to the high school but I could use the feedback. Since I'm work at the cafeteria, I'm just wondering if you guys have any ideas for stuff we could serve up for variety. And of course, if you guys find me in the hotel kitchen, I'm happy to take requests.

Comments

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Seeing all the stuff around Saori's door, Kaiji will pop in to see what's up. He'll knock on the door frame to get her attention.]

Hey there.

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

[She turns around and she's a little surprised to see who was at the door. She comes over to him and lightly hugs him.]

Oh Kaiji. Almost scared me for a second. What brings you here?

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Yay hugs =D] I was headin' upstairs, but I saw all the stuff in the hallway. You should've said something, I could help.

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

[She laughs sheepishly.]

Well, I'm so used to doing my year end clean up by myself I guess it might've slipped my mind. Besides, I didn't want to burden you with something like this.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Nah, it's no big deal. I can help. Just let me know where to start. I don't wanna mess up what you're doing. [He should really focus on cleaning his *own* place, but that's another project for another time.]

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

Are you sure? Well, I just finished dusting all the furniture so it's a matter of purging a few things and bringing back my stuff in my room.

The books are going to be a problem. I think I'll donate some them to the library since I know a certain guy who owns the bookshop won't want them. Can't believe a jerk like him runs it.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Kaiji flexes an arm, smirking.] I think I can handle some books. You tell me what needs to be packed, and I'll get 'em.

Huh? Who runs the book store?

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

I guess we can start with the heavier books. They can go into that bottom shelf.

[Have fun Kaiji, she has a lot of books. If the hotel rooms were bigger, she'd have enough to cover an entire wall from floor to ceiling.]

Gilgamesh. The day he started there, he began chucking out any books he didn't have any value in his opinion. I don't care if he is the actual king from ancient times, you don't treat books like that for any reason.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Oh, that guy? Yeah, he's an ass. So he's at the bookstore now? He used to run the casino.

[needsteaplz]

[She goes through a stack of books, setting a few aside to donate to the library.]

Running a casino would be something he would do but a bookstore? There must be another reason why he'd do that.

Enough about him though. How are things at work?

[genius_idiot]

Maybe he's running a casino out of a back room or something.

It's going pretty good! I get to places much faster on that new bike. That's good for tips. [He grins.]

[needsteaplz]

Maybe. He's got to make some kind of income to keep the place he's staying along with those lion cubs.

I'm glad to hear that.

[She's finally done sorting through the books and points to a stack.]

This one can go into the bottom shelf.

[genius_idiot]

I guess so. Who has pet lions, anyway? Where's he gonna keep 'em when they get bigger?

Got it. [He'll look over the books as he puts them away to see what kind they all are.]

[needsteaplz]

I don't even know how he even managed to purchase them. What he plans to do with them when they're bigger is something he needs to find out.

[The books range from mythologies from different cultures to folklore anthologies. They're a mix of both old, browned pages and newly printed material. There's even a reference book for kanji characters and a English to Japanese dictionary.]

[genius_idiot]

Rich weirdos always seem to know where to get that kinda crap.

[Not so fond of rich weirdos, this guy.]

[Every once in awhile, Kaiji will stop to page through a book out of curiosity.]

[needsteaplz]

If you ever want to borrow one of these, you're more than welcome to.

[When he pauses to look through a book, she moves in closer. She can't help but be curious as to what he's reading. At the same time, she stares at his left hand. For some time, the scars on his fingers left a nagging question in her mind.]

Kaiji...how did you get these scars on your hand?

[genius_idiot]

...

[Kaiji had been losing some of his self-consciousness over the scars on his fingers since getting to Prospero, and wasn't wearing gloves all the time like back home. The question stops him dead for a second, as his expression turns grave. He continues on packing books, not looking at Saori.]

By making a stupid move.

[needsteaplz]

W-what do you mean by a stupid move?

[The sudden change of tone is too obvious for her to ignore.]

...Kaiji?

[genius_idiot]

I...

[He was really not looking forward to this day. He looks down at his hand, and flexes them. They often get sore and stiff, but he felt lucky to have them.]

I made some pretty bad mistakes, and this was... a result. [Certainly not the only sacrifice made that day, nor the worst.]

[needsteaplz]

[Quietly, she moves in to hug him from behind.]

Kaiji, if it's too painful for you to tell me everything about it, that's fine. I would never force you to tell me because I know you would do the same for me.

[genius_idiot]

[That sweet move surprise him a little, and brings him back to reality. He can't bring himself to turn around and face her yet, though.]

I'm just afraid of what you'll think of me.

[needsteaplz]

[She presses her forehead against his back and she doesn't let go just yet.]

What are you saying? I told you once before, I won't judge you for things you've done in the past.

[genius_idiot]

[He's quiet for a moment, trying to quietly pull himself together. He doesn't want to cry, not in front of Saori.]

I... I lost them. In a bet.

[needsteaplz]

[Saori is quiet for a moment. Anyone's first reaction to hearing that would be "what the fuck is wrong with you?" It's her turn to collect herself. Instead of sounding angry she sounded more.. confused. He must've had a good reason to do that, right?]

Why would you bet your fingers?

[genius_idiot]

... It was a long night. A-A lot of shit happened. And... I thought I had the guy. I knew I did...