|
|
Post by fryn on Oct 31, 2009 3:46:09 GMT -5
Lunch.
Finally.
The morning had dragged on endlessly to Takumi... Or so it had felt. To be truthful, he couldn't even remember what the lessons had contained as he'd been thinking about that kiss. Plural.
The lunch bell finally sounded and he scooped up his books and bolted for the door before the echoes of the bell had even dissipated. The books were thrown into the bottom of his locker and grabbing his Bento he headed outside and to the big tree where he said he'd meet Izzy.
She wasn't there yet but he'd expected that as she'd said she had to do something first.
He dropped down and crossed his legs, the rough bark of the tree to his back. He'd wait before he started to eat. After all, there was little fun to be found in eating alone...
He waved to a familiar face as they wandered nearby and while he also sought out Evan and Dare - to tell them what had happened, of course - he could see neither of them in the immediate area. Takumi would catch up with them later and share his news - and also ask them if they were sure it was ok to also ask out Lia. He still didn't feel that was right but then agtain, he was from a toptally different kind of culture and what was right back home might not be right here... and vice versa.
He hummed a tune softly to himself as he waited, all the while on the alert for anyone else he knew.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lia Juarez on Nov 1, 2009 18:05:52 GMT -5
Lia discovered that the smell of the cafeteria's daily offering killed her appetite so she decided to take a walk and find a place to be miserable by herself. She dropped off a couple of pain killers to Mike on her way out in case he needed them. She wandered aimlessly for a while and then saw Taki waving to a friend.
Lia sighed and headed towards the fish pond figuring she could toss them crumbs from the sandwich in her bag. She thought it was strange that she felt so heavy, like she was carrying a weight much too large for her delicate frame. She sat beneath a willow tree that had just started growing soft fronds to hang down and hopefully start making young willows.
She pulled out a book on making charms and began to read it, though she wasn't sure she would still make permanent ones for Taki and Izzy now. It seemed presumptuous when she really wasn't anything to either one of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by fryn on Nov 2, 2009 3:10:55 GMT -5
Takumi eyes his bento for the third time in as many minutes. He'd give Izzy 5 more and then start his lunch without her. There was a good possibility she'd been caught up in something else and it would be foolish of him to wait endlessly.
He tore his attention away from the food and looked for a distraction... and saw one immediately, over by the pond. With a smile he scrambled to his feet and jogged over.
"Lia-chan!" he greeted with a bright smile. "I am so happy to see you!" he added with a slight dip of his head. To some that may have seemed formal but it was just his normal way. "How are you? And your brothers...? They are well?" He peered down at the book she held. "More omamori," he said with a smile. "You have a gift for keeping people safe," he added with a wry smile. Some might call it supersticion but Takumi knew Lia's herbal necklace had protected him. He probably owed her his life.
"Lia-chan, may I sit with you?" he asked. "I was to meet Izzy but she looks to have been called off somewhere else. Unless... you would prefer to be on your own... Am I interrupting your thoughts?" He hoped that wasn't the case as he really liked Lia and wanted to spend some time with her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lia Juarez on Nov 2, 2009 4:44:03 GMT -5
Lia looked up and smiled instinctively, "Oh hi Taki," she said, then remembered, her eyes dimming somewhat. "Of course you can wait with me." She liked them both over and above her crush on Taki and she was going to have to get used to this. "No I was just reading, nothing important really. "
She reached into her bag and pulled out her sandwich and turned the bread into crumbs, throwing them to the fish. "The boys are doing well. Jandro is... well Jandro. Saint is learning to cope with his blindness and has found a boyfriend I think. I hope it goes well. I think now may be a too vulnerable time for him." She looked down at her feet as she talked thinking that they were too long and thin, ugly really. It made her want to cry.
"My mother is going to allow me to go to the Spring equinox festival at Antelope Valley. I get to stay the whole weekend," Lia said trying to sound excited as she would have before. Do they have any spring festivals in Japan?
|
|
|
|
Post by fryn on Nov 2, 2009 4:55:57 GMT -5
"I am happy to know both Saint and Jandro are well," he replied as he dropped down next to her. Takumi placed his bento on the grass beside him and watched as she fed the fish. The hint of a puzzled frown slid onto his face, though. Lia had answered him about her brothers but not his enquiry after her own self. Was something wrong? Maybe she felt unwell... He shot her a sideways glance as she continued speaking, asking him about spring festivals back home.
"Oh indeed!" he enthused. "Spring is a very important part of the year in Japan and we have many festivals to celebrate her arrival. Two of the biggest are Hina Matsuri and Hanami. Hina Matsuri is a doll festival. Dolls are given for good luck but centuries ago those dolls would have been thrown into a river to dispose of any bad luck. Today, though, they are kept and you can see huge displays during the festivals. My favourite, though, is Hanami. Viewing of sakura blossoms. Aah.. cherry blossoms. A very happy time in Japan as it is the start of spring. It is also sad, though, as no sooner have the blossoms fallen than they vanish once more. It is said to represent the shortness of youth and life itself."
He paused and hooked his arms around his knees. "Your festival sounds interesting... What is to to celebrate?" He half smiled at her. "And you also didn't tell me how you are," he added. "You look well and I hope that is the case!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lia Juarez on Nov 2, 2009 10:08:13 GMT -5
Lia nodded. "I'm fine. Just a little tired. There has been a lot to do helping Saint to adjust to being blind. I haven't had any time to myself. But I am looking forward to the festival. I just hope I don't sleep the whole weekend. The festival is to celebrate the renewing of life. It is a fertility feast originally intended to thank the god and goddess for getting us safely though the winter and asking for their blessing on the sowing of the crops.
"There will be dancing and feasting and ritual sacrifices, but only representative items," she told her friend, not really too sure what would happen as this was the first time she had attended. She had been sick for the Winter Solstice festival.
|
|
|
|
Post by fryn on Nov 2, 2009 10:33:18 GMT -5
"Lia-chan, you must make some time," he said in a soft voice. Takumi covered her hand with his. "I am sure your brother would hate to think you are giving up so much to help him and your health is very important." He listened closely as she explained what the festival was about. "Sacrifices? Sugoi!" he exclaimed. "At least, I think it is awesome..." he added uncertainly. Surely they wouldn't kill anything living... would they? Had he known the meaning of 'representative items' his worries would have been put to rest.
"Renewing of life," he repeated. "It sounds...ah... interesting and I am sure you will have fun," he added.
Takumi frowned when his phone chirped and he rummaged in his pocket. "Gomen nasai," he apologised as he quickly read the message. It was from Izzy...
'Hey, sorry can't make it....got caught up with editor of paper. meet me after school at pier? Iz'
He'd reply to her later and he threw Lia a bright smile. "Looks like you are stuck with me for the rest of lunch," he said with a short laugh. "And now that you have fed all your food to the fish would you like to share mine? My mother always packs me far too much... unless... Do you like Japanese food, Lia?" he asked. It wasn't, after all, to everyone's tastes. "Oh, I almost forgot!" Takumi delved into his pocket once more. "I have something for you... ya know... to thank you for the charm you made for me." He handed her a small oblong of cloth. Bright red silk and embroidered with gold and green thread. Tag shaped in design it was tied at one end with a white cord. "It is a Kanai Anzen omamori. For good health and help with illness. Inside is a Shinto prayer that translates as... um..." Takumi thought hard to try and work out what it meant in English. "... ah... kanai anzen... It means 'please keep my family from harm'." He threw her another bright smile. "It seems it was a good choice as you are feeling tired."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lia Juarez on Nov 2, 2009 14:14:41 GMT -5
"I would love to share your lunch, Taki. After all you tried a Calzone for me. That isn't technically my cuisine, but I still would love to learn about Japanese food," Lia said glad for the chance to learn more about his culture. Maybe someday she would make him Paella from her father's side or Pasta with Smoked Salmon and Saffron Sauce from her mother's side of the family. Of course it probably wouldn't be right to invite him to dinner now that he was dating Izzy, unless she invited both of them.
She smiled as he handed her the beautiful silk omamori. "Oh Taki, this is beautiful. Did you bring this from Japan? Do you wear it or hang it somewhere in the home? The embroidery is gorgeous. I wish I could make something so beautiful. I must practice my hand stitching I think."
|
|
|
|
Post by fryn on Nov 3, 2009 2:45:18 GMT -5
"Hai... from Osaka," he replied, pleased she liked the gift. "They are made in all sizes and colours with different prayers inside but this one seemed right for you." He drew his lunch towards him and placed the cloth-encased box on the grass between them before unwrapping it. He peered inside. "The only thing I think you should perhaps avoid is that," he said, tapping a rice and seaweed wrapped roll with the tip of his chopsticks. "It is... ah... ika... Squid."
He reached for another sushi and expertly scooped it up and offering it to Lia. "This is cucumber with umboshi... a sort of plum sauce that isn't sweet. I think you would prefer that to squid," he said with a wink.
Takumi held it towards her, his own mouth opening somewhat comically as she did the same. The sushi roll was popped inside. "You like it?" he asked in hope, taking the squid one for himself. If he could spot Evan then the last squid one would be saved for him but so far he hadn't caught a single glimse of his friend.
"I am thinking of exploring the bay to the south on Sunday. Would you like to come? It would only be on my scooter but.... I don't feel ready to try and learn to drive a car yet. You drive on the wrong side of the road here!" he said on a laugh.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lia Juarez on Nov 3, 2009 14:31:35 GMT -5
Lia chuckled. "I think you're right, though maybe someday when I am feeling more adventurous I might try the squid. Her eyes couldn't help lingering on his lips. Closing her eyes, she took the cucumber one and bit into it experimentally. "Ohh, this is good. I like it very much!" She loved trying new foods and she wondered if she could learn to make this. "Does your mother make the sushi for your lunch? I have heard it is hard to make."
Lia was a bit taken aback when Taki asked her to explore the bay with him on Sunday. He didn't say it was a date or that she would be a special anything though so she figured it was just as friends and it wouldn't be betraying Izzy to go. "I would enjoy that Taki. Can I bring anything? Maybe a picnic lunch? I could carry it in my backpack," she offered, excited about riding on the scooter. She was thinking of asking her mother for one as it would be easier to get around then on her unmotorized bike.
|
|
