First Chime - [Action]

[forgetfulchime]

[Leaning up against the fountain in the plaza is a girl, a new feather if you will, which is pretty obvious by looking at the white dress she has on.  There's no telling how long she's been out here exactly, but it's been a while considering the fact that she's soaked.  Her blonde hair is sticking to her cheeks and neck, her white wings are slightly darker and heavier from the water and her dress is practically clinging onto her thin legs.

And what's strange is...

...She doesn't appear to be moving.  She doesn't stir nor does she open her eyes.  No matter how long you may stare at her, she just stays like that; sitting on the cold ground, holding something loosely in her hands while the rain pelts her continuously.  Is she sleeping?]

Comments

[so_shik]

You're not intruding at all, and you should know that. [Hair-ruffle get.] Haruhi might give you some funny looks, but that's normal.

[forgetfulchime]

[Rhyme just laughs] Does she give funny looks to everyone?

[so_shik]

[...] Yeah, kinda! Haruhi's just a funny person. [Maybe not really, but someone's pretty biased.] Just don't mind if she starts yelling orders. And don't mind the tiki heads. Or the room of costumes...or the rooster.

[forgetfulchime]

The... rooster? [w h a t]

[so_shik]

His name's Sekai. He's nice enough, but he has his own room so don't go in there and disturb him. Haruhi's had him for a while.

[forgetfulchime]

Does he get angry if you go into his room?

[so_shik]

Not really, but he might try to peck at you. Besides it's kind of messy with the hay and stuff, I'd just avoid it all together. You can hang out downstairs with me. The boys have rooms on the second floor.

[forgetfulchime]

[It's so weird imagining a rooster living in a house with a room all it's own. But she giggles at the image nonetheless]

Okay! Thank you, Shiki.

[so_shik]

Sure. [Walking, walking.] When you're more settled, we can take you over to the school and see if we should enroll you in classes before summer break starts. Even outside of school there's a lot you can do around here. I spend a lot of my time at the shop sewing.

[forgetfulchime]

[Well school isn't the most exciting thing but she does need a good education! On Earth or not. But before she can ask what the school is like, she blinks, stares then-] You have your own shop here??

[so_shik]

..yeah, I do. I'm a designer here.

[forgetfulchime]

That's awesome, Shiki!

[so_shik]

Thanks. A few friends and I set up the shop years ago...it's just me now, but it's been going strong. When you're more settled, I'll get you set up with a new spring wardrobe, okay?

[forgetfulchime]

Promise? [Holding out her pinky with a grin]

[so_shik]

[Ahaha. Returning the gesture and locking their pinkies together.] Promise. [She lets go a moment later, pointing at a building ahead.] That's our house, see? [It's a fairly nice home. Rhyme will notice the porch and the stepladder on it that leads to the roof first.]

[forgetfulchime]

[She moves her gaze towards the house] It's really nice! Do you guys go up to the roof a lot?

[skaterbrain]

[Yes, they do, but some people shouldn't. Some people meaning Beat because right now, Beat is on the roof trying to chase a squirrel off and he misses a step--

Teeters on the edge of the roof for a moment--

And promptly crashes to the ground into one of the bushes.]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH--- [thud]

[so_shik]

Well, somet--[And she's suddenly cuts herself off with a yell as Beat comes tumbling down and flops in the bushes. She's grabbing Rhyme's hand again and pulling her toward the bush to check it out.] Beat!

[forgetfulchime]

[At first, Shiki's dragging Rhyme but the moment she calls out the other's name, she speeds up and ends up dragging Shiki]

Beat!!!

[skaterbrain]

[Good thing the ground broke his fall---- Wait, that isn't a good thing. He sits up in the bush, rubbing his head, cricket bat still clutched firmly in his other hand.]

Nngh...stupid fugrats....

[Oh hey, people are calling his name. He cracks one eye open, waving the cricket bat as the girls get closer.]

I'm aight! I jus---

[Wait. One of them is familiar. One is really familiar. Familiar enough to wake him up and stop him dead in his tracks.]

R-Rhyme--?!

[so_shik]

Whoa! [As soon as Rhyme starts to drag her, she stumbles a bit to keep up.]

Yeahh, we're definitely going to talk about what you were doing up there later...but look who I found in the village today. [She almost has a sad sort of smile on her face, but she's using her hand to remove from Rhyme's grip and push her gently forward.]

[forgetfulchime]

[Oh, was she holding her hand that tightly? She looks back at Shiki to give her an apologetic look then takes a step forward with the help of that little push. Now looking at Beat with a worried look]

Are you sure you're okay, Beat?? What were you doing up there--especially out in this weather?

[skaterbrain]

[She's...alright? And she's talking to him. What does she remember though? The look on Shiki's face isn't a good one, but Rhyme is here and she's safe and it doesn't matter. She's-- Oh, she's asking him a question. He should probably stop staring at her dumbfounded like he's just been shot through the heart.]

H-huh?

Uh... Y-yeah! I'm fine! Jus' fine, yo! Got some fugly rats up on the roof makin' noise, so I went up to kick 'em off, tha's all.

[Time to attempt and fail to crawl out of his bush. Awkward.]

[so_shik]

[...w t f.

...rats. On the roof. ...sure, Beat! Awkward grin is a go, and she still has a hand on Rhyme's back as she's using her other hand to hold the umbrella above them. The look she's giving Beat is one that's trying to tell him that the little girl barely remembers anything, but she's not sure he'll understand.]

It couldn't have waited? Really?

[forgetfulchime]

She's right, Beat! You could've waited at least until the rain stopped...

[It looks like she's going to have to keep a closer eye on him to make sure he stays safe. She steps out from under the umbrella and walks over to him, helping him up then dusting off any dirt or leaves that happened to stick to his arms.]