The Boat (Open)

[Youkai Chi]

The young woman slowly made her way down the street, her hazel eyes both unable and not even attempting to focus on something other than foreword. The faint sound of ambulance sirens didn't even grab her attention as they normally would. The speeding ambulance sped by her, her hair being picked up with the resulting wind. It skid to a halt a few yards in front of her, the men inside rushing inside the apartment building they had stopped in front of, the sirens still blaring, the lights still flashing, either as a warning to other drivers, or that they were in too much of a hurry to turn it off, or both.
She stopped as they came out, an unmoving man on a stretcher, what appeared to be his girl friend or wife, crying and chasing after the men taking him toward the ambulance. Her heart sank, but she somehow felt calmed by an icy breeze that swirled around her, lifting up her hair and such, though no one even noticed or was effected by the unusual breeze.

Ambulance Sirens and
Men in White
I feel you squeeze my hand
Your grip is tight

After I'll fall asleep
I'll leave this place
But I will be back here soon
To keep you safe

And you feel the room get cold
But it's just me watching over you
And I'll guide you like the lighthouse guides the boat
Never be alone

She looked up the the soft blue sky, a clouds moving overhead, darkness on the surround horizon. she continued to feel cold as the strange breeze seemed to continued to circle her. The woman climbed into he back of the ambulance as they sped away, the sirens slowly fading into the many other sounds of the city. The dark clouds that seemed to distant slowly, or so it seemed, everything around Chi not properly registering in her mind at the moment. The storm crept up, in actuality, rather quickly, the many people around her barely noticing the clouds over head in time to take shelter. She stood there, even as the rain poured, her whole body drenched in rain water. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the darkness brought on by the clouds.
Thunder clapped, some of the things around her shaking ever so slightly, the tiny trinkets within store windows threatening to fall over and break in the vibrations. The slowly gather her senses, escaping from her memories. Chi slowly began to walk down the sidewalk, water splashing up with every step the took.
She finally came to a street corner, the only thing showing life was the people moving around inside the cafe and the occasional car to go past her, always splashing up water and soaking her more, none even slowing the smalled bit to try and help the girl. She turned and looked into the cafe, no one even seeing the drenched girl standing outside. She forced herself to walk foreword and pushed the door open, the soft dinging of the bell alerting a server that someone new had come in.
The woman came up to her, and tried to converse with Chi, them being long standing friends, but Chi only said a quick "Hey" to her friend before going back to the corner booth, ignoring the stares people had, mostly of the state she was in. Her clothes, her hair, her messenger bag, all soaked, black streaks streaming down her face from her eye make up. She ignored it all, the rain and the fact her hair continued to send water down her face and the already smeared makeup made it undetectable that most of the water dripping off her chin was tears.

[Ketsueki]

Ketsueki found herself walking down the side of the street, actually amongst those who she so silently stalked, prepared to out them to Kira. “Hehe, you can run but you sure as hell can’t hide from me…” Though it was not the company that normally kept her off of the streets, it was the sun. Ket absolutely hated the sunlight; it only being a reminder of what she once loved and cared for. She had to force herself to keep from grimacing at the thought of what had transpired over five years ago. Today was today, and today the sun and its harshness was blocked out by heavy storm clouds, making it a perfect day for a venture from the alleys.

Her garb was slightly different today. She wore a sort, cut-off denim skirt, but had traded in her spandex shorts for dark blue leggings that were tucked into her normal pair of worn, combat boots. Also, rather than the tight tank top she would have worn, she opted for a loose, black button down T-shirt, a tube top style bra matching the leggings visible beneath it. Her vermilion tresses were worn up today, bunched atop her head, held in place by a pair of black, lacquered chopsticks. She scowled a bit heavier than usual as a stray strand came down and caught against the surface piercings on her cheekbone. “F**king wind….” Tugging the long lock of hair free, she noticed that it had begun to rain. She paused and looked up into the sky, letting the heavy droplets fall onto her face. A vague smile could be seen through her scowl, if one were to be so inclined to look, at the sigh of the lightening and sound of the heavy thunder. “Now this is my type of day.”

Figuring she should get inside before becoming completely waterlogged, she headed to a nearby café, a place she knew she could get coffee for cheap. Stepping inside, she shook her head so that any loose water would be tossed free, and then wiped the running eyeliner from her cheeks. Nodding to the familiar woman behind the counter, Ket stepped up, her usual indifference showing on her face as she paid for her usual drink. Turning, she leaned against the counter, surveying the room.

Her eyes settled on a girl about her age with a quite impressive head of multi colored hair, and a nice set of piercings on her. Taking an actual look at the girl rather then a quick survey, Ket noted that she was obviously distressed. She wore enough eyeliner to know that it took more than just rainwater to make it fall that far down one’s face. Ketsueki was slightly reminded of herself on the last day she had let herself cry… The day her parents were murdered. “To cry is to be alive…But my tears dried up 5 years ago.” Shaking her head, her expression softened only slightly, but enough that it was detectable, as she continued to look at the girl. Sighing softly, she figured that the girl needed the coffee she held in her hand more than she did.

Ket walked over and placed the steaming cup on the table, offering a rare smile. “You seem like you could use a pick-me-up…” And with that, she began to turn to leave the girl, not wishing to intrude where she was not wanted.

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[Youkai Chi]

Chi had tried to close her eyes, the though of everything in her past too much to even look at the world right now.
It's not real...
It can't be real she said over and over in her mind It can't hurt htis much... Death... Love... None of it can hurt this much....
She had just found out her first love, a free spiritied American boy by the name of Dakota, wanted to be with erh once more. Over the phone she was crying, though it wasn't heard to him, the sound of his voice alone making her want him back, but the second she saw those blueish green eyes again, she jumped into hsi arms.
He had told her he was stupid for even thinking that he loved her best friend. He had promised they would be together...
He had promised her eternity...
But...
It had been... only a few days ago... That they were in the wreck.
She was able to walk away with few scratches and bruises, he couldn't even live long enough to be taken to the hospital . He had swore to her he would watch over her....
Yesterday had been the funeral and now she finally wore the ring he had gave her around her neck next to the golden locket he had gave her when they had first started dating.
"Why did I even let him back into my life?" she muttered, and looked up to see the girl setting the coffee on the table.
She watched the girl for a while, her hands tightly holding the ring and locket that hung ont he thin chain.
"Thanks,"she whispered, but human interaction and sympathy was te last thing she wanted. She got enough of that at the funeral yesterday.

<<Yeah yeah... imma add taht to her history because 1.it would kinda fit in 2.i just hink i should XD or should i leave it be... just kinda have it as a new, side personal semi plot thing?>>

[Ketsueki]

Feelings awkward, having heard the girl’s muttered words that she was sure were meant for nobody but herself, Ket turned back and smiled again before returning to the counter only a few steps away. The woman behind the counter looked at her questioningly, knowing Ket was not one to share her rarely enjoyed coffee, but she only waved a hand at her. She hadn’t the money to buy another, a cost of living on the streets, and would not accept a free one. She believed in earning things, hating the thought of charity. Despite not having anything to constitute her being a customer, she figured it would be alright to stay until the rain had passed.

Staring at nothing in particular, her thoughts drifted off, occasionally turning back to the girl in the corner booth. Who was this he that had made her so upset? Not that it was her business anyway. But Ket could not help but wonder, as it was her job to find things out about people, the truths in their lives. But this girl was not her job… But Ket was also naturally curious. She swiveled the stool to face into the café, indifference showing on her face as always, as she leaned her elbows back on the counter.

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[Youkai Chi]

"The girl sighed and let her head hit the table and didn't move for a few moments. hs slowly tilted her head up and dlankly gazed at the cup of coffee infront of her.
That was honestly the nicest thing a stranger had ever done for her. Sh tilted her head up more, leaving a small puddle of black tears where her face had been, her hazel eyes slowly fixing on the woman who had given her the warm beverage.
She only watched on in silence before pusing herself up into a somewhat propper sitting position before she hesitantly reached out and took the cup in her hand. She gazed down into the steaming brown liqid, grateful she couldn't see her reflection, to see the horrid state she was in.
She finally put it to her lips and took a grateful sip of it. Sweet and not too bold. It was wonderful to actually find someone else who fized coffee in a similar way as her. She took another sup before finally pushing herself up to her feet, a few people staring at her as she walked over to the girl, the cup in her hand. A person that had sit by the kind stranger had moved as Chi approached, and she took the seat next to her, only looking up at her as she sat, slouched over.
"Love seriously sucks ass, huh?" she said, staring intot he coffee before taking a drink, it warming her blood that seemed to sit in her veins like ice.

[Ketsueki]

Ket kept silent as the girl she had given her coffee to stood and sat beside her. She continued to look out into the café, her gaze flicking to the scattering of customers present, most of whom were just taking shelter until the storm has passed. Before she could look to the door to check the progress of the storm, a loud clap of thunder met her still-forming inquisition. Mentally shrugging, she figured she had nowhere to go, and was now presented with a form of company.

With that thought, she glanced back at the teary-eyed girl beside her. Ket was never one for making other’s feel better, but she guessed she could give it a shot. Plucking a napkin form a nearby dispenser, she offered it to her companion with a soft smile just after she had spoke. Love? Sorry babe, I left that behind a long time ago… In truth, while Ket would indulge in brief affairs, and that is all they would be… She had once had all she had loved torn from her, as cliché and melodramatic as that sounds… She did not plan on that happening again, and took the unhappiness that came with such an outlook in stride. But that unhappiness was not suited for everyone… Some people simply needed “tender loving care”, and this girl looked like she could use a bit of TLC herself.

“That’s how I felt the last time I encountered it.” She kept her tone soft as she normally would, the deepness of her voice having a bit of a calm effect. Feeling a bit unsure of what to do unnerved Ket, as she simply had to be in control at all times. When she was not, she became unhappy, and when she was unhappy….bad things tended to happen. But for the sake of this girl, for some unknown reason, she would rein in her need for control for just a bit.

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[Youkai Chi]

Chi blankly stared foreward as the girl spoke, thinking, her mind easily drifting off as always.
What was love?
Honestly?
Was it that little flutter in your stomach, the spring in your step, that twinkle in your eye, or was that all that the media played it out to be...?
No...

Love was so much more...

It was that feeling, or in the early stages at the least, that their touch made your heart skip a beat. That the warm taste of their lips on yours automatically made you, or made you want to at the least, wrap your arms aroudn them and hodl them close. That the site of their tears can bring on your own more often than not, and...

Her mind was already sick with the though, and it couldn't stay concetrated on it very long. She looked over to the girl a few moments after she stopped talking.
"I hate men," she mumbled, and leaned back agains the counter, looking out the window of the cafe onto the streets, rain still pouring.
She finally lifted her hand and used her sleeve to wipe away the black smudges that stained her pale cheeks.
"Let me get you a coffee," she said, "It's the least I can do."

[Ketsueki]

She gazed at the girl curiously as she sat in silence for a few moments. Just what was she thinking about? Shrugging, she figured it was none of her business anyway. As the minutes went on, Ket felt a bit awkward. Unsure of what to do, she picked at the hem of her skirt. When the girl moved to wipe the makeup from her face, she turned her head towards her to hear her speak.

”You hate men, eh? she chuckled ever so slightly at the thought. Looking back out into the café, Ket stretched out her arms. “Men can be….frustrating. Though I tend to concern myself with women more anyway…” She let her voice drift off, knowing most people took that sort of sentence to be a bit odd. Damn people and their social norms… Watching the rain fall, she vaguely processed the girl’s offer.

“Oh, uhm sure.” Normally she wouldn’t accept ‘charity’ from others, but technically she had given this girl her initial coffee…and she wouldn’t want to offend her. Okay, she was rationalizing… And she really wanted a coffee. She managed a smile as she looked back to the girl. “Thanks.”

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[Youkai Chi]

She had closed her eyes for a moment before pushing herself up and going over to the nearby booth, grabbing the still wet, black and grey messanger bag she used as a purse, her eyes stilll alert and listening to the girl. She wasn't really shocked at what the girl said about her sexuality, and she was far from one of the people disgusted by it. She had quite a few bi and gay friends, and loved them all to death, even if a few of them were convinced that she herself were bi, but she had no intrest in other women and girls other than friendship.

She smiled when the girl accepted her offer for the coffee, but she honestly owed the girl so much more for her kindness. It was honest to say that it was rare to find someone who was nice enough to go to a complete stranger and offer them something. And it didn't really matter what it was, it was how the girl showed the compassion to a clearly hurting girl she had never met.
"What kind do you like?" she asked, pulling her wallet out, the side that had been facing up being damp from what had gotten through the bag, but she money was stilll safe, dry, and crinckled up inside from simply being shoved in as it normally was, exccept for when she too the occasional few moments to straighten out the cash and organise it by amount, and putting the change into the small pocket, though it was always to small a pocket with too many coins.

[Ketsueki]

Ket watched after the girl as she went to retrieve her bag. Because of her usual lack of contact with others, she was a bit unsure of how to act, but shrugged. It isn’t like she had a specific need to impress this girl or something…but still. This was a new experience for her; randomly offering kindness to others. But then, there was such a heartbreaking feeling in watching someone look so hurt… But then, when had she ever cared so much? Hmm, maybe it would be nice to have regular human contact, and….friends? “Now that would be a new experience“. She almost felt the urge to chuckle at that thought. Almost…

“What kind do I like???” That was a good question… “Uhm, I usually just take it regular, black. I… I can never really afford any of that other, flavored type.” She did chuckle then, though it was almost a sad sound, as though it echoed an inner sorrow from living the way she did. She shrugged then, pushing those feelings back. One couldn’t afford to feel such a way in her lifestyle.

Briefly her gaze drifted to the girl’s wallet, then forced herself to look away, back out into the rain. Not that she particularly longed for money, but it was nice to have a little every now and then… Shaking her head slightly, she turned back to the girl, realizing she hadn’t introduced herself. “Stupid lack of manners….”

Looking back to the girl, she extended her hand in what she hoped was a friendly manner. “I… I’m Ketsueki by the way…Uhm, Ket for short.”

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[Youkai Chi]

She smiled weakly at the girl, though it faded for a split second. Chi quickly replaced the soft smile and turned toward the woman behind the counter, "Feel free to get whatever you want," she said, smiling, "The coconut Dopio freeze is good. great for summer to cool off. Not too great for night like this though," she chuckled lightly.

"Ket is it?" she asked, and took her place back on the stool by the girl, leaning back onto the counter once more, "I'm Chi," she said, looking down at the girl's hand, and taking it, shaking it up and down slightly before turning back toward the person behind the counter. "So, what do ou want?" she asked, smiling over at the girl, her eyes turned over to her, her eyes darker and softer, the brown in the center seeming to take over more of the catlike yellow that dominated the edges.

[Ketsueki]

She watched as the girl’s smile faltered for but a split second, and fought to keep her own smile in place. If Ket hated anything more than criminals, it was sympathy. It was not something she needed or wanted. Sympathy wasn’t what kept her alive all these years; sympathy wasn’t what drove her to do what she did. It was raw, pure determination. Mentally shaking herself as the girl offered a suggestion. Pausing, she thought of the drink. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t been curious as to the taste, having watched countless people drink them during the hot days. Turning to the girl, she smiled brightly. It wouldn’t kill her to accept an offer of kindness from someone she herself had helped, right?

“Actually, that sounds great…I’ve uhm, I’ve wanted to try one of those for a while…” She gave a light chuckle, and nodded as the girl repeated her name. “Chi. Nice to meet you.” Ket’s words were spoken in a rather forced manner, as she was so unused to casual, civilized conversation with others. “I would like one of those freeze drinks.. If you wouldn’t mind.” She looked at the floor then, the request making her feel a bit uncomfortable, vaguely avoiding Chi’s gaze.

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[Youkai Chi]

Sad hazel eyes watched her as she tried to look at least a little happier to be in someone’s company. And she certainly was. She hated being alone, despite the circumstances. Chi has been known to tag along to random people just so that she doesn’t feel alone, and later turn right around when she has people around her, she will attempt to escape them. The corner of her upper lip twitched slightly as she heard the shrill voice of a young gossiper from someplace in the café. The voice was like fingernails to a chalkboard to her, a shiver running down her spine.

She didn’t bother looking back to see the voice of the girl. It would only end up irritating her to where she, at the least, would confront the girl. She looked back to Ket before ordering two of the frozen coffees. The song that had been in her mind earlier drifted back into her head.

Waiting for good news now
But it won’t come
Life is the darkest cloud
And you’re the sun

And you feel the room get cold
But it’s just me watching over you
And I’ll guide you like the light house guides the boat
Never be alone….

She shook her head quickly as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes and her eyes and throat began to burn. She bit her bottom lip, her teeth pinching a bit of skin before pulling it a bit, the taste of blood ever so slightly calming. She sucked gently on it, trying to pull the metallic taste into her mouth. Even after it stopped, the taste lingered as the woman behind the counter set down the two cups with a rounded lid. The clear plastic of both showed the brown drink with a mountain of whipped cream piled on top.

She picked up one before setting it right down to pull the money out of her wallet. She handed the money to the woman and told her to keep the change as a tip. She turned to Ket after replacing the wallet into her oversized bag. “A toast?” she asked, picking up her drink, before continuing, “To men. They get what they want and only end up hurting you… Best of luck to the little fuckers,” she said, holding up her cup before putting the tip of the straw into her mouth and taking a long drink.

The cold drink certainly felt good on her sore throat as the tears were slowly pushed further and further away. She drink always seemed to calm her, as did the taste of blood, but the cool, sweet liquid had a longer effect, more than likely because it was from a basically endless source, if she wished. She pulled the drink away and sighed, her eyes closed.

[Ketsueki]

Noticing a sheen come into Chi’s eyes, Ket became rather uncomfortable. It was well established that she was a stranger to regular human contact, let alone contact with an upset human… There was never a more strange moment for her at that moment. Though she kept her face impassive, her mind raced for a logical course of action.

As she wondered whether or not she should ask her new companion what was wrong with her in order to somehow comfort her, she was distracted by the large mounds of whipped topping sitting over a brown slush-like beverage. Hesitantly reaching out for the serving Chi had not, she felt a small wave of gratitude. This girl was being so nice, yet barely knew Ket. Clearing her throat, she smiled. “Thanks.” She kept her voice low, green hues seeking those of Chi to let her know how grateful she was.

She raised her cup in a salute to her friend’s toast, chuckling a bit at her well-wishing. “Indeed, though I doubt they actually deserve it.” Taking a sip in unison with Chi, she closed her eyes and let out and audible “Mmmmmhhhhmm.” The cold drink was sweet yet still held the bitterness of a usual coffee. It was great! Perhaps she could rustle up some more money to purchase one of there every now and then…

At the sound of a sigh, her mind went back to her previous thoughts of possibly inquiring as to the source of Chi’s sorrows… Perhaps it would help… It was the least she could do in return. Thinking for a moment, she spoke in a low, gently voice, “So… may I inquire as to what has fueled your… dislike of men?” She held and easy half-smile, hoping she wouldn’t further upset the girl with her questions… This was, after all, a learning experience for Ketsueki.