spring will come once more

[expiatrice]

Who: Ciel and headedforhope
When: Backdated to Sunday the 14th, before noon
Where: 1127 Taylor Road
What: Sakura has been permanently droned and Zelos has already been replaced. Now that Mami's snapped out of it, Ciel has something to give her before she loses the chance again.
Warnings: N/A, just famiry fluff

Comments

[headedforhope]

[There's a distant and vaguely displeased expression on her face before Ciel hails her over, lingering into the few private moments as she rounds the hallway corner and begins her descent. She had been droned for the first time, and for some time as well- stuck in that strange state where her body was not her own, like her mind was far away in some limbo of a dream. It bothers her deeply to be so vulnerable, all her precious control robbed in an instant with neither warning nor reason.

But then Ciel's voice breaks through the rift within her mind and Mami snaps back to reality, smiling automatically. It doesn't fade when she takes in how Ciel is standing, almost waiting there....just grows a touch tighter.]

Ah....good morning to you as well, Miss Ciel. [She reaches the bottom of the stairs, looking up into the older woman's face; Mami has always been small, for all that her maturity gave her something of a presence.] I slept just fine.

[expiatrice]

That's good to hear. How have you been? I know that it's been a few days already, but I haven't been able to ask until now. It was your first droning, wasn't it? [Nosy but laid-back and patient as always; she backs away a bit so Mami has room to head to wherever she wanted, but given that they're in the middle of a conversation right now, that was... probably unnecessary, but either way.]

[headedforhope]

I've been fine. [Not quite the truth- she's felt unsettled, not quite adjusted -but not exactly a lie, either. She's felt worse, so this isn't that big of a deal in the long run.] Yes, it was.

[Mami merely observes her backing away, not moving from her own spot.] I must say, it wasn't really what I had been expecting.

[expiatrice]

I don't think that any of us can expect it until we experience it, really. So please don't push yourself; it's still summer vacations, so you have plenty of time to rest and readjust. With a new "father" too, things are also bound to get lively again.

[She'll smile encouragingly, yeah so what if Vincent seemed clueless, most likely leaving the pants of this house to Ciel once again, but she's used to this by now anyway!]

That said, do you have a moment? [Her demeanor seems to have grown quieter...]

[headedforhope]

[The slightest raising of an eyebrow, but no real surprise. Ciel wouldn't be Ciel if she wasn't both nosy and almost frighteningly observant. Mami's response is calm, and yet almost wry: okay, Miss Ciel, whatever you say.] That's true.....he seems like a nice man, so I'm sure we'll get along.

[Her own demeanor quietens too, just for a moment. She had tried to use Zelos's- and Sakura's -disappearance to evoke a satisfied feeling. This was why she tried so hard to be distant, to let no one in. Because they would just vanish eventually, leaving painful feelings in their wake. And there is a pang of loss....but it's buried deep, mostly denied.]

Mm? Ah, I do. What do you need, Miss Ciel?

[expiatrice]

[Don't you miss when she got droned instead......]

A bit of a slouch, and he drinks at that. I'm sure that we'll be able to manage, but please let me know if he does anything silly or out of line, Tomoe-san. I don't think he's quite accepted his new reality just yet, so that carelessness can turn out badly if we don't watch out. [re: the trend of unreliable men continues...

mumi why]

Aha, I'm glad. Can you come to the living room with me? I'd like to give you something.

[headedforhope]

[hell yeah, one less batman mom to get her snoop on

a small shrug]

It could always be worse. I would much rather deal with someone that's troublesome in an ordinary way than something else. [dnw a cray-cray for a dad, mmkay??] But I'll of course let you know if he takes things too far. [maybe...]

...give me something? [uhhhh]

[expiatrice]

[you will have to learn to deal with it, young lady! mom'll even let you borrow her shades, okok]

Aha, that's true too, but seeing that we don't get a choice in the matter, let's just deal with things as they come. In any case, we should be able to handle it no matter what.

[Smile and nod! C'mon, you should be familiar with this. WHY FEEL UNSURE ABOUT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS DO YOURSELF?]

Yes. It's nothing big, but there is a small story behind it, if you wouldn't mind me telling it too. Would that be okay, Tomoe-san? [She'll turn towards the living room and take a step in that direction, while still looking at Mami. Why so suspicious...]

[headedforhope]

[naw that's cool, she already has a pair teehee

nodnod yes yes we handre everything because all the males in this household are forever and always U S E L E S S uwooo so gonna work on walking past you into the living room, mom]

Of course it is. I must say, you've certainly piqued my curiosity.

[always suspicious, sorry it's kinda built in by this point]

[expiatrice]

[Now we just need to get you a suit okok]

I'm glad to hear that. Please sit wherever you like!

[She'll sit down first herself. You're free to pick your spot next to her or on the couch on the other side of the table. She would expect Mami on the other side, but up to you! Going to now reach over to the lamp desk, pull open the drawer, and withdraw a small pouch that looks like it'd fit a hand mirror. So yes not very big as you can see... but that should give not!daughter the time to pick her spot and get comfortable, by the time she's closed the drawer and turned back to face her.]

[headedforhope]

[clearly the height of fashion!!

Mami does indeed chooses to sit on the other side of the table, watching Ciel with a guarded sort of interest. She's grown accustomed to thinking that the older woman rarely does things for no purpose, so she hadn't been lying about her curiosity being piqued; Mami would like to know what this is all about, although she's not very optimistic that it is anything good.

She's also grown accustomed to thinking of her relationship with Ciel as more professional than anything, so she's prepared for this to be potentially unpleasant. Because batmans gonna batman and not be moe okok.]

[expiatrice]

[

[headedforhope]

[She takes it, noting the color with an unbidden sort of approval- she has always liked soft pastels and shades of yellow -and slowly opens it. Her curiosity is a sharp ache now, because what could be inside a container this small, that Ciel would want her to have? Some powerful herb, a magic ring, a-

-keychain? Mami stares at it, feeling a creeping sense of unreality. Her other hand comes up to touch the flower pin tucked into her hair, the gesture obviously not one of a conscious decision.]

...it's very pretty, but I don't have anything to give you in return. [An awkward pause, scrambling back to herself; the hand lowers and settles in her lap.] Well, besides the return of your firearm, but I don't think that counts. [because she no longer needs it now, having returned from her droning to find that another piece of her power had been restored]

[expiatrice]

[She never said it was anything special. She did mention that it means something to her, but maybe Mami's general wariness towards her has ended up giving the younger girl an exaggerated impression.

She chuckles quietly.] They do say that nothing is free, and there's some truth to it despite how grim that statement is. But please believe me for this much, if nothing else; I'd just like for you to have it as it is. It's a plain keychain, nothing more and nothing less. [Saying that, she reaches for the pocket of her shirt, and pulls out one of identical design, but of a lavender and soft pink color scheme instead. Her house and office keys are attached to it, as well as those belonging to entrances at the Church - she actively uses it.] See, I have the same one. It's quite practical, and they match. [Will you use it... pretty please...]

[headedforhope]

[She's quiet for a long moment, weighing her options. She could pretend to accept this, but attach no real meaning to doing so - and continue on as she always had. Apart, alone, carefully maintaining a distance as painful as it was necessary.

Or that could change, inch by careful inch, beginning now. With this. Such a small, mundane thing, but nothing is ever just "nothing" with her and Ciel, Mami feels.]

I see.

[Her voice is a little subdued - the words come a touch more slowly than usual. The temptation is strong, and she's so lonely, and her control starts to slip; Mami's hand slowly curls around her own keychain.

It's a step. Not one Mami is entirely sure she can, or even wants to, take, but it's a step nonetheless.]

Thank you. I'll be sure to make good use of it.

[expiatrice]

[Mami's hesitation is almost palpable, but even taking notice of that, Ciel'll let it slide. Like with Sakura, she never asked her about her circumstances - just offered her a helping hand an attentive ear, the small and simple knowledge that if she needs help or wants someone to talk to for a bit, about anything at all, serious or casual, there's someone who'd be happy to assist and listen.

The same offer that she's already extended to Mami, and she won't push it. Right now, she's just genuinely glad that the blonde girl accepted, and her clear smile will reflect just as much of her thoughts.]

You're welcome, and I'm glad that you'll take it. Though if you must find a selfish reason for this, I suppose I have to admit that I do have one. [Closing both hands on her own, she'll look fondly down at the matching pink counterpart.] Do you remember the time back in June, when we were receiving things from home by the mail again? Matou-san startled the entire household with a loud scream, that really got me worried at first. [Well, it's