soul_campaign | 005 || text || April 23

No, Zaki. Even if it was a lie, no one had the right to tease you like that. [It's bad enough when the Madness hits a person; no one needs something like teasing to play ona fear.]

And I won't be hurt, okay? And neither will you. No one's coming here to get you or me.

[Her eyes widen at the sudden topic change and she chuckles.]

Yeah, you'll be fine. [She kisses his cheek before standing.] What would you like?

If someone is silly he deserves to be mocked.

[Sheena must be right. No crazy doctors, no sadists, nothing dangerous lurks at the door. Now back to the interesting things, like Sheena herself or stalking Sheena cooking in the kitchen.]

I'd like something hot.

[For him, hot means hot. Nothing more.]

What if it's over something he considers normal or serious?

[Like the bow of her obi. It's pretty big, but it's something she considers normal.]

Hot, huh? [Which she takes to mean as in the temperature, not spicy.] Let's see what I can make for you. I've been looking over a cookbook I bought several weeks ago [she heads into the kitchen area and pulls out a large volume from its space by the refrigerator], and I think they have something in here...

How does a "grilled cheese" sandwich and soup sound?

[Yamazaki frowns as he tries to concentrate on what Sheena just said.]

Do you think I shouldn't worry so much over my thinking abilities or mental state? How different were things the way people lived their daily lives in your world compared to this?

[He'd really like to know. It's a shame he still barely knows anything about the world Sheena was created by. And as he thinks this he sneaks closer to the cooking place hoping that Sheena would not notice him.]

Grilled cheese sounds hot enough [says the oven to Sheena on Zaki's voice.] Besides...do you know how this cheese is made of?

That's exactly what I'm saying! They're perfectly fine as far as I can tell, so you shouldn't worry about them. Or let people try to tell you otherwise, okay?

[She looks around her apartment.]

Very different. No television, no refrigerator, stoves that burned wood, lights that were from candles; I'm still getting used to all of it.

[She buries her nose in the book, trying to find something else in case he doesn't want what she had suggested, only marginally aware of his movement around the kitchen. When she looks up, he's nowhere in sight, and she's turning just as the oven "speaks".

She steps back in shock at first before laughing.]

Okay. Grilled cheese it is. And I'm pretty sure no one's ever had a talking oven before. [She stops getting the supplies to look at the cheese she just grabbed.]

No, I don't. We really didn't eat a lot of cheese in my village.

You're so smart...and cheerful, and calm. And that world...sounds like a nice place with the candles and the oven. Next time when I come over I'll bring some candles, I'd like to see you in the light of candles.

[He's very calm and content himself as he gives up on his hiding place and takes a look at the book over into the book over Sheena's shoulder, giving a kiss to the girl's cheek.]

We had television and all kind of modern stuff, but they were brought by the Amanto...aliens. Strange people who came from the universe. Like...do you know Keroro-san, my boss at Hikan Cafe? Some of them were like him. I guess they liked to eat cheese and all kind of weird things. Apropos, Keroro-san...did you know there are people who like to eat the thighs of frogs?

[She looks in his direction, her cheeks flaming.] I-- I'm not smart, Zaki. I just say what I feel. That's all.

[A soft smile curls her lips and she looks at him fondly as he joins her.] An evening by candlelight? I'd like that. I really would. Thank you. [She leans up and kisses his cheek in gratitude--and with a touch of something more.]

You had people from another world come to yours, too? Elves came to mine and brought mana with them. [Her smile grows wide.] Yes, I know Keroro--and Eve. I consider them friends. You don't think the--Amanto(?)--are related to him, do you? Or are his race? [Suddenly, her smile disappears and she looks a little upset at the image he just presented, since she's now picturing Keroro being eaten.]

People... People eat the body parts of frogs?

Your...your feelings are very smart, then. But these feelings are yours, so you are who is smart. Or am I...wrong? Again?

[He grins at Sheena as he blackmails her hoping that the girl finally agrees on her own smartness with Zaki's opinion. He wraps an arm around Sheena's waist and holds her close to him, looking at the girl's face.] Yes, I'll bring those candles, if...if you tell me when I'm allowed to bring them.

[He's ready to tell a long story about how the Amanto invaded his world, but Sheena's shocked face after that unfortunate thought on Keroro's being edible makes him worried again.]

I don't! I never ate frogs! And I'd never eat a bit of Keroro-san, I swear! I just...heard that some people do that...but I am sure they are all perverted and sick. Don't worry, if Keroro-san is such a good friend of yours I won't let anyone harm him.

[Who would give him his payment if Keroro was eaten???]

[Sheena chuckles as she shakes her head. He's using logic on her: no fair. Snuggling closer to him as he holds her, she looks up at him.] All right! You win! I have smart feelings. [Which may be true anyway, since they've led to some good conclusions on her part.]

And you can bring those candles any time, Zaki. You don't have to wait for permission.

[She places her hands on his arms and squeezes gently.]

I didn't say you did, and I don't think you ever would. I've just never heard of anyone eating something like that. [She pauses.] Then again, I guess I surprise people with some of the things I like, too.

Either way, though, if anyone tries to hurt Keroro for any reason, they'll have me to answer to as well.

[Did he use logic? It was a lucky accident...´

With those smart feeling of yours you should know that...huhhh...I do need a permission if I want to...bring candles to your home. A candlelit date is not something we can take so easily...

[All the stamina runs out of his legs as the girl comes closer and closer. Is this normal? Isn't this against the unwritten rules of relationships?]

Sheena...you're right. We can never left Keroro-san to be harmed, never. But if I tell him we're his guardians he'll think I do it for the money [it's 50% for the money, though]...so would you tell him that he doesn't have to worry for being eaten, no matter what? I think it would comfort him.

[Lucky accident or not, that's what he used.]

Well, if you think you need permission, then let me put it this way: You have my permission to bring candles here anytime you'd like. Whether they're for a candlelit dinner or just to give the room a certain atmosphere. Okay?

[It feels normal to Sheena, so it must be in those rules somewhere, since her legs are a little wobbly, too, just by being with him.]

I don't think you have to worry about that. I think I told him I'm pretty protective of my friends--and he's one of my friends. [She's already helped Keroro before when he was upset, so she's pretty certain he knows either way.] He knows I'll help him if I can.

Yes, my Lady. From now on I'll feel free to bring candles to your place whenever I want to, because I got your permission to do so.

[Yamazaki grins at Sheena to hide how confused he is. It's not a bad feeling though...He'd like to be confused like this in his whole life.]

And...how did it happen that you and Keroro-san became friends? It's...kind of hard to be on good terms with him.

Good. It'll save time later. [She chuckles warmly and snuggles closer to him.

His question has her thinking about how she and the alien had met.]

I met Keroro shortly after I started here. I had met Eve first, and she had mentioned the shop they co-owned. Then he had a special with keychains. [She stops and turns to him.]

Were you here when he had that?

I don't know how to say...but if you come any closer I'll have to run and buy those candles right now.

[Wow, Sheena is SO amazing, she had a conversation with Miss Eve! Yamazaki doubts he could do that.]

I...I guess I was, but I didn't work for them back then. Or maybe I did but I was kind of terrorized by someone who went home soon afterward. Hikan Cafe looks like a nice place when you're a guest there, but in the moment you start working for them you have to fight for your life with everything you have!

Edited 2013-03-01 08:53 (UTC)

[Sheena doesn't seem to move, but he'll feel her embrace tighten just ever so slightly...]

I won't mind if you do, Zaki.

[She's used to speaking to a quiet person like Eve. She and Presea would probably get along pretty well.

Her brows knit in concern at the word "terrorize" and the way he phrased it.]

Zaki, was the person who terrorized you someone you knew from back home?

And what do you mean you have to fight at the Cafe? Have you been having problems there?

Huh...Sheena. We should wait with those candles.

[Have a witty speech from Zaki when adult stuff pops up. On top of that, he's a bit frightened of the girl when she goes angry.]

Yes, he was...but he did it to everyone, it was not his fault, and I have to fight at the Cafe because I'm the worst bus boy I've ever seen. You...

[Zaki wants to laugh and tell Sheena she takes too seriously everything about him, but he just smiles at her instead.]

Thank you. I'm afraid of nothing when you're with me. Except that you leave me.

We can always turn off most of the lights for practice, though.

[See Sheena still offer a suggestion that's honest and flirty at the same time. But, she won't be angry if he says no, just a little disappointed.]

You...Have to fight because you're bad at your job? I don't get it.

[He's fighting, and maybe getting hurt. Of course she's going to take it seriously. Just like she's taking his last comment seriously.]

I won't leave you if I can help it, Zaki.

Why not? I go and turn them off...Aren't you scared in the darkness?

[Yamazaki goes to turn off the lights but somehow he finds himself in the kitchen. As he hears Sheena's question he shakes his head...it can't be seen, though, cause he turned off the lights.]

No, I didn't mean it literally...I have to fight myself not to run away when the girls go angry or Keroro-san doesn't let me play with the merchs. This is what I thought of.

[And he can't say anything when he hears Sheena's comment on not leaving him, because he knows she would do and she had the right to do so.]

[Sheena waits until her eyes adjust to the darkness, pierced only by the dim light coming through the closed curtains, before answering him.]

I'm a ninja, Zaki, we're trained to use the darkness to move in. [To show him, she moves slowly, actually making sounds so he can know she's approaching, before stopping in front of him.] See?

It's good that you stay, even when the girls get mad, Zaki, but why do they? [He had mentioned not being good at his job, but getting angry isn't the way to help someone... Yes, Sheena's thinking this.]

And I can understand Keroro not wanting you to bother the things he sells. He may not be able to sell them then.

[She's quiet then, wondering why he's suddenly grown quiet.]

I...[small laugh] Since I1m here I often forget I was a ninja at home...but you're right. It's nice of you to find me in this darkness. You're an excellent ninja.

[If only Zaki knew how he manages to make the girls angry all the time he talks to them!]

The girls...I really don't know, maybe you hould ask them about why are they angry of me when I try to start a conversation with them...I could do it myself, too, though.

And Keroro-san plays with the merchs all the time...

He mutters and his voice is a bit offended.

I don't know why the girls get mad at you, Zaki. Maybe they're just tired? I know that people react differently after working all day; some get pretty grumpy.

But Keroro plays with them all the time? Hmmm. The only thing I can think of is that he's willing to take the responsibility of replacing things if they break accidentally, but doesn't want to do the same thing to you.

[Sheena smiles in delight.]

You're a ninja, too? Zaki, why didn't you tell me?!

[So excited is Sheena that she doesn't hear the bell on the kitten's collar as she comes barreling into the kitchen, making the ninja take a misstep and stumble--right into Zaki.]

Damn!

[Whoops.]

I guess I wouldn't like to meet you when you're grumpy...Did you know you have a quite frightening aura around you when you're angry or upset? Hm, maybe that's why other girls look scary sometimes, too...

[Yamazaki curiously looks at the girl when she asks him about him being a ninja.]

Didn't I tell you? I was...well, I was more like a spy, but it was a bit ninja-like, yeah. But I was not cool at all like the ninjas in movies...What?

[He shouts when Sheena stumbles and catches the girl but there's something else what grabs his attention. They're only two of them in the apartment...]

Didn't you just hear something odd sound? It was like a bell...

[Sheena chuckles sheepishly.]

Yeah, I've been told that quite a few times, so it's nothing new to me. [Although, it may be frightening to some, but not others. Like a certain red-head.]

No, you didn't. But, to be honest, that's what we were in my village, too. We gathered information for the Chief or the King... Oh! Sorry!

[She also shouts out in surprise, as she fumbles to find handholds on his arms to right herself. When she does, her tone becomes wry.]

Yeah, I did. That was the cat's bell on her collar. Now, where did she run off to?

[Yep. Seeing a black cat in a completely dark apartment will be EASY.]

So it was the cat...She still doesn't have a name does she? So...

[Looking for a black cat in a dark room is a bit hard...It would be easier if the lights were turned on, maybe?]

Did you close the door when I came in? What's with the windows? Are they closed?

[Looking for a cat in a whole city was even more difficult!]

No, sad to say, I haven't named her yet... Although "Speedy" seems to be good for the moment.

[With a grunt of frustration, she stands, and tries to let her eyes readjust to the dim lighting again.]

Yeah, the door's closed, and so are the windows. We can always turn on the lights, but without being able to see her, we might step on her.

[So now what do they do? Go "Here, kitty, kitty?"]

005 || text || April 23

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This is actually kind of cute. :D

Yes, it is. And the cat found them :D

Yes, she did. And Sheena's falling asleep right there. :P

Good idea :D