genessia | Tanabata Wish

[She forgot all about Tanabata on the actual day it would have taken place. It doesn't look like people here know about it enough to celebrate, but honestly, Orihime is okay with that. Considering she shares a name with the goddess in the legend, it can be a little embarrassing! Still, she liked celebrating Tanabata with her brother when she was little, and Tatsuki's company always made things fun when she was older. It can't hurt to go to the shrine and make a wish. After she's closed up the bakery for the night, she washes up and exchanges her clothes for the yukata in her closet. It doesn't really see much use, but she likes wearing it when she gets the chance. Like tonight!]

[The cotton fabric is light and soft, with pink and purple chrysanthemums on a white field. She pins up the sides of her hair into a clip, then settles down on her knees with a strip of paper and a pen so she can write down her wish in neat kanji. Her pen touches the paper, then stops. For a long moment she's still, thinking about her wish. She knows what she wanted to write, but her fingers don't seem to want to move that way. After several moments of quiet introspection, the ink flows much more freely and she's able to smile. She knows exactly what she wants.]

[Orihime doesn't have far to go to the shrine itself. Honestly she should come here more often and show a little patriotism, but she seldom has the time, and doesn't really remember if she's being truthful with herself. She finds a tree and ties the strip of paper to one of the branches then claps her palms together.]

...It's a little funny. I don't know who I'm praying to anymore. I've seen heaven, and I guess there is a god who rules Soul Society. But I got the impression he doesn't really govern prayers or fate, ne? And he definitely isn't here, so... So I don't think I'm being heard. But just in case! ...Just in case...

[She bows her head for a moment, eyes closed. After several seconds her lashes part again and her smile quiets into something small and subdued.]

I thought a long time about my wish. That I wanted to become the Guardian of a city, and protect the people I care about. But I don't need an official position to do that. I need to become stronger, and more experienced. And there are a lot of people I owe my thanks to, for helping me pick myself up and extending my reach.

[Her eyes close again as her expression warms.]

Haller-san gave me a chance to really try, and to learn about what it takes to be a Guardian. All the other Guardians have been really nice to me too, and helpful! I loved spending a day with them. There's a lot of paperwork, but secretly, I had fun doing that too. The reports are interesting, and there are so many talented people here working hard for the sake of others!

[Orihime's smile widens.]

And I'm getting more battle experience thanks to my teachers and sparring partners! Bulla-chan, Bakugou-san, Aizawa-sensei, Sun Spear-san, Spector-sensei... I know I don't have as much experience or natural talent for combat as they do, but they're patient with me, and I'm learning a lot! Really, the lessons I get to learn with them make me very happy. Even when I'm bruised and beat up and my muscles are yelling 'Stop stop!' it's the best!

[Her shoulders hitch as she grins.]

And the people here who care about me and protect me... Ford-san who puts my safety before his financial security, Ted-san who trusts me enough to invite me on missions... Kurosaki-kun...

[Orihime says nothing for a long moment, then finally exhales.]

I can't really help my feelings. I'm happy he's here, even though I know I shouldn't be glad about that. There are also the friends who left, that I miss very much. They helped me too! Dorothy-chan was so patient with me and taught me to think carefully about my words and actions. And Shinjiro-san helped me to realize my dream of having a cake shop before I even graduated high school, ha ha! There's also Scott-san, and Maribelle-chan, and Ishida-kun...

...

[She's silent, the pang of regret thudding dully in her heart.]

...I'll make it up to him. Someday! It might take a while before I see him again, but I'll express all of my gratitude. Even if I die, I won't give up any of my memories for him to live! So...

[Her fingers clasp tightly together, then relax.]

...So I guess...I wanted to come here and make a promise, not a wish, to cross the bridge of own inhibitions, and fears, and lack of confidence. I have the support of so many good people. If I keep them firmly in my heart, I won't falter or lose faith in myself. I'll work harder than ever. Okay? By this time next year, I'll come back and report on my progress.

Thank you.

[She bows, then turns to hurry away. The strip of paper tied to the branch lifts and spins in the summer breeze:]

"No more wishes and daydreams. I'm doing okay!"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Roland is still learning his way around the city. He's just spotted a cute little shrine he'd like to take a look at, and is turning 'round a tree toward it when something heavy thuds against his chest, knocking him backward. He stumbles back a few steps, trying to regain his balance, but ends up losing the fight with gravity, though thankfully lands on his bottom instead of knocking his head on anything. He slowly looks up, one hand rubbing his chest while the other supports his weight, to see what hit him.]

[Surprise! It's an Orihime. It seems like she should have been knocked backward instead, but this isn't the first time her granite skull has caused someone else harm.]

Ah! Sorry!

[Make a not-wish, then run someone over. Just another day in the life of a derp, apparently.]

Are you okay? Did I break anything?

[Her hands are on her knees as she leans over, but as soon as it looks like he wants to stand up, she'll reach to grasp his arm and tug him upright.]

[Once he realizes it was just an accident, Roland's expression visibly lightens; he even laughs a little.]

It's fine! Everything's fine, I'm okay.

[He was just going to get up by himself, but is briefly surprised when the girl tugs him up. She's stronger than she looks -- but then that makes sense, considering why he was on the ground in the first place.]

You've got quite the tackle, young lady.

[...Said the "young" man who looked no more than a few years older than her.]

[It's a little strange to hear, but she supposes someone who looks young could easily be hundreds of years old, much like the shinigami she knew back home. She opens her spiritual senses, to see if there's anything unusually strong about his soul.]

Hee hee... I've been told something like that before.

[Her hand finds the back of her head once he's up on his feet. At least she didn't bust his nose. She wasn't kidding when she said this happened previously.]

Anou...are you new to Genessia? I don't think we've met. Orihime Inoue, I'm the Cake Town owner.

[His soul is on the strong side, though not inhumanly so. He does have an exceptionally pure heart, though, if her spiritual senses can detect that kind of thing.]

That's right. I'm Roland, I just got here yesterday.

[He tilts his head in curiosity.]

What's "Cake Town"?

[Nope! Just spiritual strength, and general variance. Human souls feel different from a shinigami's, and a Hollow feels weirdly tainted. Once she's got a general idea of his own spiritual strength, she allows her senses to relax. His terminology is a little strange, but that's about all, she decides.]

It's a bakery. It's not too far from the Bay, so I get to meet a lot of new people that way. I guess you probably walked in a different direction!

Oh? I'll have to stop by sometime.

[Now that he's young again, he can eat all the carbs he wants without worrying about diabetes! That's how it works, right?]

I'm still exploring the city, so I would have found it eventually.

Ah ha ha, that's true! We're open pretty early, so please come by during daylight hours. The first order is on the house for new arrivals!

[She bobs a polite bow.]

I'd better get going since I usually wake up early to get everything ready. Was there anything you needed before I go?

[He doesn't exactly bow back, but he does give a deep nod.]

No, I don't think so, thank you.

[After a good few moments, likely after they've put some distance between them, something occurs to him.]

Oh, wait!

[Orihime stumbles slightly, surprised by the sudden call. She turns halfway back, one hand raised to keep her hair out of her face.]

Heh? What is it?

[After a quick jog-skip thing, he's caught up to her again.]

Let me walk you home, at least.

[He rubs the back of his head, with a bit of a bashful smile.]

A pretty young lady walking alone at night? It's not safe.

[Believe it or not, he's not flirting.]

Ah ha ha, that's all right! I have supernatural powers, and I know some karate. So I'll be okay!

[She still feels a little embarrassed when guys offer to walk her home. It seems that hasn't changed. Still walking, she holds her hands in front of her.]

But thank you for offering. It's nice of you!

Oh?

[He can't help but be a little disappointed at her refusal; he scratches at the back of his head in embarrassment.]

If you're sure, I won't force it. Just be careful out there, alright? Stay alert.

Yes! You too!

[She whips back around to start heading home to hide the fact that she feels a little bad for rejecting his kindness. She couldn't let Ichigo walk her home either, and kicked herself silently for it. She rubs the back of her head. She really needs to work on not getting so flustered over things like that.]

[He watches until she's out of sight, then turns to go back to his own home. It's getting late; he can check out the shrine tomorrow.]

Edited (wrong format) 2018-09-27 03:06 (UTC)

Tanabata Wish

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