ii.

[revolutes]

[ around the streets of boston, connor wanders-- hood up and alert ( always alert ), bow fastened against his back by the line across his chest, bobbing occasionally from side to side. he had to run a few errands at the time for not only the old man, but for himself ( shopping for weapons, goods, scouting for information, seeing a few people and the like. ) the bustling streets were of no news to him, children laughing-- the occasional remark there, a group chatting it up there . . . and those who were simply doing what he was doing. running errands. would he, by chance, run into someone today? he ran into a few people daily-- those he recruited to the homestead, for example.

he was told not to be a stranger-- and he never really was.

a dog-- eager and large barks as connor passes, beginning to follow with padding tacks of claws against stone ground. the man always felt a strong calmness from the creatures around him. nature, in general. the loyalty a dog offers, and the simple happiness received from just a little well meant attention was admirable, as was the natural milk and meat cows livestock offered, the eggs ( and meat ) that chicken gave-- even the wild deer, a wolf pack, all of them-- predator or prey, they were familiar, and familiarity brought a sort of comfort.

at this moment, connor takes from the middle of the street to the side, closer to shops and out of the way of other passerbys ( in turn, the persistent pup follows ). eager wags of the animal's tail follows as it sits, connor extending his arm and petting the dog. a few moments wouldn't hurt. ]

Comments

[cagedmemories]

[Her first step into town was a lesson. Her clothes, her appearance, her being is strange to them in a way that must be difficult to pin. Since then she has learned to change her clothing, to pretend to be one of them, but it is difficult. Namine finishes what she needs as quickly as possible before returning 'home', careful of the time, the paths that she takes. She is always very, very careful.

However being left alone in Castle Oblivion was a form of torture inflicted upon her. With all of her not-heart Namine had loathed that silence, the plan walls, and nothing but the sound of her crayons and pencils against paper. To subject herself to the same treatment in a different setting was just as torturous and so she lingers a while longer for now. The previous unfortunate event is still fresh in her mind and so she bows her head to those men in their uniforms, makes herself as small and unknown as possible. Difficult to do with her hair, but not impossible.

She catches sight of him briefly, and had he been moving Namine would have lost him entirely. Instead he pets an animal, one of those large ones that still intimidates her. She can't help but smile, finds herself moving in his direction before too long.

But the dog. Namine keeps an amount of distance between them, but doesn't hesitate to address Connor soft and respectfully.]

Hello.

[Is she happy? Relieved? Nervous? It's impossible to know. She thinks it must be nice to see him again either way. The only other being she knows in this world. A little less lonely. But her eyes look to the animal and Namine fails to hide her apprehension. It looks peaceful with him, even a bit cute.]

It likes you.

[revolutes]

[ the voice prompts him to turn his head in her direction, the dog now pleased and ready to sit, stay, and go on with his own merry canine way. connor greats namine with a slow, respectful bow of the head, hands now retreating to his sides.

another look at the dog, and his expression is an even softer one. ]

I like them. [ though he's not blinded enough to overlook the fact that she was pensive about the dog's presence. ]

They mean no harm.

[cagedmemories]

[She still eyes it a bit, not necessarily hostile but certainly a bit doubtful.]

I am not used to animals, unfortunately. There seems to be many of them here.

[In town and around her house, some of them more fearsome and terrifying than others.

Her expression shifts to one of curiosity. Maybe she should at least try to pet one ...?]

[revolutes]

They offer many things to us.

[ he takes the slightest of steps away to give room, snapping his fingers at the dog to get his attention before waiting, slightly gesturing namine to it. you should start getting used to them! ]

[cagedmemories]

You have a good point.

[She should and yet there is a measure of hesitancy, still. Visibly, Namine works up courage, bracing herself as one hand comes to rest on the animals head. It merely looks at her, and she can find it in her to kneel slowly, putting herself level to the dog.]

It's ... Sort of cute!

[And therefore less intimidating. But something does occur to her, and Namine looks back up at him, petting behind the dogs ears.]

Do you know someone who could fix a roof?

[revolutes]

There aren't many where you're from?

[ there's a small smile pulling at his lips, and when namine speaks once more, he pays attention. ]

What has happened?

[cagedmemories]

There aren't any at all.

[Aside from the Heartless and Nobodies. Maybe there were other creatures as well but Namine would have never obtained the chance to see them. For a moment she looks pained before the look morphs into exasperation - mostly at herself.]

There is a hole in it, right on top of where I usually eat. I think the wood rotted.

[Which isn't any sizable amount of ground, anyway. Her house is tiny and just enough for her, but that means even the slightest of malfunctions tends to affect everything else over time. It's been very annoying and her whole purpose for coming into town today was to find someone she could hire to fix it.]

[revolutes]

Do you have extra wood?

[ they'll buy some here, if the case were no ]

[cagedmemories]

[Briefly, she thinks back to the pathetic, unevenly split logs she had tried to cut herself.

It had really only ended in pain and humiliation.]

No, unfortunately.

[revolutes]

[ after a moment of thought-- the things he does for everyone! ]

We can purchase some. [ in other words-- i'll help you with your roof! ]

[cagedmemories]

[But - But he doesn't have to! Surely he has other issues, more important matters than helping her with a roof of all things. Namine looks as though she might try to argue or insist that she can do it on her own, or hire someone else.

But she does not know anyone else, and she certainly doesn't know how to fix a roof, either.]

I do not want to take up all of your time.

[And yet her voice wavers slightly, she truly needs the help, after all ...]

[revolutes]

[ well-- it was an offer that stood! ]

Are you sure?

[cagedmemories]

[And a good one. She would be stupid to give it up too quickly.

So Namine must think for an extra handful of seconds before the solution occurs to her.]

I will return the favor, somehow. [She has learned to sew and cook, and while he may not need either service, Namine will not allow herself to be useless. That does not seem to be the way of this world, something that she loves about it, despite the problems.] On that condition, I'm very grateful for the help.