The Typhoon
SoS:3oT Domestic Fluff (Lisette/Siluka)
Warnings: Mild suggestive humor
Rough summary: Siluka gets caught in Westown in a typhoon, and knows exactly who she wants to spend the storm with.
Words: 4k
Illustrations: 0
See AO3 Version for more specific tagging
Fic below the cut
It was a dreary afternoon in the three towns. There was rain pouring, wind howling, and everybody wanting to get inside if they weren’t.
All-in-all, a day where Siluka didn’t want to be out getting groceries. But there were ingredients she needed that she could only get elsewhere, so as she would every month, she went to go get them.
Walking into the wholesale store, she took a deep sigh, holding her arms. She was shivering, drenched, and wishing she’d brought a coat with her. Then, she looked up at the room.
Everyone was very colorful that day. She could see anxious purples in everybody’s auras, a slight angry red in the manager’s, and the little girl in the back was noticeably blue. It made her slightly happier to see the dots of loving pink in the married couple’s auras, something she had seen every time without fail, no matter the weather or day.
Walking up to the grocery counter, she pulled out a paper list. “Welcome to Ra-Man’s. What can I get for you today?” The man greeted her.
“Aloha.” Siluka said plainly, “I need three pounds of ice, two pounds of seaweed, a pound of salt…” She listed off her groceries, focused on her list, and tried to block out the world around her. Poor weather itself did not make her anxious, but the discomfort of being cold and wet was making her antsy, and a little annoyed.
“Here it is.” A bag was placed on the counter. “That’ll be-“
She had already placed a bag of gold on the table. “We do this every month. I know.” Taking the bag, she turned around, but immediately felt bad at the pinch of blue she saw as she left. Being angry didn’t feel good.
Leaving the wholesale store, her empathy left her, sent back out into the rain. Her pigtails whipped in the harsh weather, getting all over her face, and as tempted as she was to run, god forbid she fall into the mud. Clutching her bag, she held a steady pace as she made her way out of Tyusukusa, taking the path into Westown.
Siluka didn’t like Westown’s architecture. Too many stairs, too much effort, and too much risk when it was wet. If she didn’t have to, she wouldn’t go into Westown at all, if it weren’t for two things she would never miss out on.
With her nose scrunched, she followed the many stairs up to the highest stores, walking into the general store. “Oh! Welcome to Straw Market, what can I get for ya?” The lady greeted her, smiling brightly. Her aura was, like others, anxiously purple, but also happily yellow at the same time.
How could she smile so brightly on a day like that? “Aloha.” She again let out flatly, pulling out her list. “I need… Ugh.”
It had gotten wet from the rain, smudging. If she could see her own aura in that moment, she’d bet it was blue. Or red. Or both.
“Ah, roughed up list? I’ve gotcha. I do my best to remember the lists of the regulars!” The shopkeeper laughed, then walked behind the counter.
“…Mahalo.” Siluka thanked, but was now more annoyed. It was hard to distract herself when she couldn’t focus on her words or her writing.
A bag was placed on the counter. “Here it is! That’ll be-“
“Take it.” Another bag of gold as she snatched the groceries away. “I-“
Thunder echoed through the building, lightning coming through the windows at the same moment.
“…Damnit.” She hissed under her breath.
“Oh, dear, looks like a typhoon is rolling in out there. I’m sorry, it seems like you might have to stay here a while longer.”
It definitely sounded like a typhoon. The rain slammed onto the windows, they could hear trees rustling, and thunder crackling near and far. Siluka didn’t want to go all the way back to Lulukoko in that abominable weather, but she didn’t want to stay in that shop either.
A thought occurred to her, a small idea. “…Mahalo for the groceries. I need to go next door.” Turning around, she held the bags tight, knowing what she was going into.
“Ah-?! Wait, you can’t just-“
The door was already opened then closed behind her, and immediately, the wind blew into her face. It was harsh enough that she could barely keep her eyes open, freezing every piece of skin that she had exposed, and the heavy rain dampening her clothes. Supporting herself with a hand against the shops, she fought the wind to make it to the shop next door.
Grabbing the door knob, she took a quick breath. Throwing it open, she practically threw herself inside, slamming it behind her as she fell ungracefully to the floor. “What in- Siluka!?” A sweet, warm voice reached her, footsteps running up immediately.
Looking up, barely peeking through her wet hair, she smiled at a freckled face. “Aloha, Lisette.” She said calmly, though a bit displeased at the aura in front of her. Fearfully purple, and worriedly blue, with a refreshing spot of pink.
“Siluka, what are you doin’ this far out here?! They just issued a typhoon warnin’!” Taking her hands, Lisette picked her up, confused by the gentle smile the other was holding.
“I know. I was just getting groceries when it started.” Siluka picked the bags up, “Can I stay for a while?”
“Ah… Mmhm!” The florist nodded and stepped past her, flipping the open sign in the window to closed. “Your bags can go in the fridge upstairs, I gotta tidy up a little down here, but you make yourself at home!”
“Mahalo.” Already much more comfortable, she made her way upstairs, doing as she was told. Yawning, she sat down into a dining chair, folding her arms on the table.
She glanced at the clock. It was about time for her afternoon nap, but there was no sun, and she wasn’t warm, and she wasn’t dry… But she felt comfortable anyway. The room smelled really nice too. She knew Lisette wouldn’t mind if she slept for just a little while, putting her head into her arms, and getting comfortable right there at the table.
Within moments, she was asleep. If she dried, she didn’t notice. If she warmed up, she didn’t notice. It was her favorite way to pass the time, just to sleep, and dream. It usually smelled like salt in her dreams, but this time, it didn’t. Not at all.
“…-uka..! Siiiluuukaaa..!”
“Mmh… Hm?” Siluka opened her eyes, looking over.
Lisette’s smiling face and pink-yellow aura greeted her. “Did you have sweet dreams? I just made dinner!”
“Ah… Yes. I did.” She picked herself up, glancing at the window. It was still storming, and as she acknowledged it, she could hear the thunder rumbling outside. “It smelled like flowers in my dreams.” She blushed softly.
“Ah, hehe~! That's lovely!” The florist giggled, “I hope you don’t mind mimosa salad. I saw you sleeping up here once I finished cleaning, and I couldn’t bring myself to wake you up, so I made what I’d usually have.”
“Mimosa salad is okay.” A bowl was slid to her side of the table, “How long will it be storming for?”
“Mmm, I muted the radio to let you sleep. But by the looks of it? Well into the night, I don’t think you can go home any time soon.” Lisette looked out the window, eating her first bite of salad. “It’s already dark.”
“…That’s okay.” Siluka smiled, turning to face her. “Iluka will understand. She’d rather I stay here than go in the storm.”
“Do you reckon she’ll come lookin’ for you herself in the mornin’?”
“Maybe.” The priestess shrugged, “She knows exactly where to look, though.”
The florist didn’t hide a pleasant giggle. “I’m glad she does~! If you don't mind nightgowns, I’ll lend you a dry one to sleep in, and I could brush your hair!”
Siluka hadn’t even noticed that her thick hair was still drenched, her clothes still damp as well. “Hm… Usually, I wouldn’t let anyone but Iluka touch my hair…” She pulled a wet strand of it out of her face, “…But, you can be the exception. Mahalo.”
“Ohh, it’s like a slumber party~! I never got to have them when I was little!” Lisette happily flapped her free hand, “Once dinner is done, do you have any dessert preferences?” With that, she pushed a forkful of salad into her mouth.
“The desserts I know are all from Lulukoko, I don’t think you’d have any of those… I’d like something warm.” When she thought about her temperature, she could feel a chill run up her spine.
“How does peach pie sound? I baked it the other day, it just needs to be heated back up!”
Siluka looked up at the other, wondering if it sounded good or not. But that bright, beautiful, pink and yellow aura was too much to decline. “Peach pie sounds good.” She looked away, blushing softly.
A couple minutes later, they had finished their salads.
Lisette pointed across the room. “My nightgowns are in the bottom drawer of that dresser, they should all fit you fine, so just take the one you like the look of! I’ll go heat up that pie.” She stood up, taking the bowls with her.
Siluka nodded, getting up and walking across the room. As she opened up the drawer, she felt flustered by the contents, quick to pick out a nightgown without looking at the other side. Unfolding it, she looked it over.
It was very different to what she’d see in Lulukoko every day. Tailored from thicker cloth, and with less geometric patterns, not to mention being long-sleeved. Glancing across the room to see the florist in the kitchen, she knew she had nothing to worry about as she got changed.
It was a very comfortable nightgown. Soft, and a little big on her, but the best part was the smell. It smelled like flowers… and it smelled like Lisette.
“Get ‘er while she’s hot!” She heard as two plates were placed on the dining table. Walking back over, she watched Lisette’s aura get pinker. “Oh, you look so cute in my nightgown! You get started, I should also get changed.”
“Mmhm. Mahalo.” The smell of peaches was irresistible, a dash of whipped cream in the center of the slice, with a cut strawberry in the cream. Looking over at the other’s slice, it had cream on it, but no fruit. “…Hmph.” Picking the strawberry off of hers, she cut it in half, then reached across the table to place half on Lisette’s slice. “That’s better.”
“Hm? Did you say somethin’?” The florist came up behind her, now in a nightgown of her own. “Ah… You didn’t have to split your strawberry, Siluka!” She noticed the modification made to her slice.
“I wanted to. It’s fair that way.” Siluka started digging into her own slice. The peaches were sweet and juicy, and the crust wasn’t crumbling apart, making it easier to eat. ‘…I love it.’ She thought, her mouth too full to say.
“That’s wonderfully kind of you. I guess that growin’ up with siblings would make you care about fairness!” Lisette sat down, happy to have her own slice.
“…I hadn’t thought of that.” The priestess realized, “I guess I didn’t spend much time alone growing up. If I wasn’t with Iluka, I was with Ludus, and if I wasn’t with anyone, someone was looking for me. Anything I did was shared with someone else… Any family meal we’d have, we’d get the same portions…” She started to twirl her hair, thinking.
“Wouldya have wanted anythin’ to yourself?”
“…No.” She smiled, “I like it this way. I can’t imagine being an only child.”
“Well, as an only child, I try to be as generous as possible after somethin’ that happened a few years back. Growin’ up alone, I guess I got used to havin’ things to ma’self… I’ve accidentally been selfish a couple times.” Lisette glanced away, “I don’t know whether havin’ a sibling woulda made the spoiling worse or not, though.”
“You’re not a selfish person. It’s not your nature. I can tell. A selfish person wouldn’t give me a nap, shelter, dinner, dessert, and a dress.” Siluka hummed happily, “You haven’t hesitated to give me those things. Your aura hasn’t changed colors once… It makes me very happy.”
“…Hehe.” She was blushing a bright pink. “You make me happy too, Siluka. Do you like the pie?”
“I love the pie.” She replied without hesitation. “It’s good. The cream and strawberry make it even better. Mahalo.” She was timely in putting another bite in her mouth, almost done with her slice.
Lisette didn’t reply, but smiled, turning to look out the window. “The storm is still ragin’ hard… Ah, I can’t stand to look out at that darkness.” Standing up, she walked over, pulling the curtains. “I know I live on the second floor, but dark windows still scare me. Too many horror stories about seein’ silhouettes in them.”
“I didn’t think you liked horror stories.”
“I don’t.” She sighed, walking back over. “But, you always end up hearin’ spooky tales one way or another.” Picking up the pie crust, she finished off her dessert.
“Yeah… I heard a lot of tales and warnings from my Gram. I believe most of what she tells me.” Finishing her slice, Siluka picked up her empty plate. “I’ll put these in the sink. You’ll brush my hair, right?”
“Oh, yes! Thank you, I’ll go get the hairbrush and bands.” Lisette was happy to oblige, handing over her plate then walking away.
Once they were done, they walked over to the bed. The priestess was already carefully undoing her hairstyle, being gentle with the flowers and leaves as she removed them. Once undone, her hair went down past her hips.
“I can’t imagine all the effort you go through, putting that all together every morning.” The florist said kindly, sitting on her bed. “Your hair is so long and beautiful, up or down.”
“…If I tell you something, you won’t be grossed out?” She started, getting a surprised look. “I sleep in late enough that I don’t have the time to wash my hair every morning. It stays styled like this until Iluka and I have a day off, and then I wash it, she styles it, and it stays like that until our next day off.”
“Oh!” Lisette looked surprised, “I wouldn’t have been able to tell if you hadn’t told me! Now, wouldya sit on the floor here?”
“…You’re not upset or something?” Siluka questioned, sitting on the floor in front of the bed.
“Mmm… No. You said it’s because you sleep in too much, and if it’s part of your disordered sleepin’, then it ain’t my place to judge. Have you tried washin’ it at night as an alternative?” Picking up a handful of thick hair, she started to gently brush it, running her fingers through it as well.
“…I’m too tired to do my hair at night. Maybe I should look into mixing my own dry shampoo…” She started to think about that, wondering what herbs could do it.
“That’s a start, but- and I’m sorry if ya hear this a lot- you really should see Ford about your oversleepin’.” Lisette sighed, “But, I’m not here to nag you. I’m here to do your hair, and I can’t do your usual hairstyle, so what would you like instead?”
“High pigtails is fine.”
“High pigtails it is!” She put the smile back on her face, picking up a hair band. Her strokes were soft and smooth as she brushed the incredibly long hair into two parts, careful not to pull or tug.
“Mmmh…” Siluka hummed, blinking tiredly. “You’re much gentler with my hair than Iluka. It’s making me sleepy…”
“We’ll be goin’ to bed in a few minutes, but try to hold your head up right now, I wouldn’t want you fallin’ over on me!” Putting up the first pigtail, she could feel the girl below her jolt.
“Ow.” The priestess said flatly, “That woke me up…”
“Ah, I- I didn’t mean it! I am a bit rough on my own hair, puttin’ it up so quickly, I might pull it when I’m tying it up.”
“You should be gentle with yourself. Is your hair as soft as it looks?” Siluka took a handful of her made pigtail, twirling her hair.
“Hm…” Lisette quickly bounced one of her pigtails, “Yes! But if you want to feel it, I’ll let you.” At that, she was done doing the other’s hair.
The priestess stood up, turning around. “Mahalo.” She felt both of her pigtails, running her fingers through her untangled and dried hair.
“You’re welcome~! And, um, now that that’s all done…” The florist got up as well, “Th-the couch is a little slim for either of us to sleep on, and I don’t exactly have another bed, so-“
“I’ll sleep with you.”
“..!?”
“In your bed.” Siluka flushed red, “I’ve shared beds with others my whole life. The one I know might be big enough for two, but I don’t think I’ll mind this.”
“…Um, well, that solves that, haha~!” Lisette was blushing too, quickly stepping past the other. “I need to turn the kitchen light off, but I’ll be right with you.”
“Okay.”
She took a long look at the florist’s bedspread. The quilt had flowery patterns sewn into it, her bedsheet had a more abstract pattern of rose bushes, and the pillow… was a standard white pillow. Tucked beside the bed, sitting against the wall, was a little teddy bear.
Sitting down on the bed, looking at the bedside table, it was everything she’d expect out of Lisette. An alarm clock with a cartoon flower on the back, a lamp with a floral printed lampshade, and a small, paperback book. “Princess Adeline and The Princess Switch…” She mumbled aloud, seeing the illustration of two princesses on the cover. One was dressed in blue, the other in yellow.
“That book is a wonderful one.”
“-!” Siluka was startled by her return.
“When I first saw it, I thought Princess Adeline was going to fall for the other princess! But, um… She didn’t. They were just really good friends, and then they both marry princes in the next book.” There was disappointment in her voice as she spoke.
“They always marry the prince.” The priestess got under the blankets, letting the other take her place sitting on the bed.
“Or a knight.” She shrugged, putting her hands together. “Oh lovely Gaia, tonight my prayers reach you in good will…”
The bed was warm and relaxing, a comforting reprieve from the sound of the ongoing storm outside. Siluka watched Lisette as she prayed, realizing that she had never gone to the ruins to dance for the spirits that day, and making a mental note to put her all into it tomorrow. She wondered how much more comfortable that bed could get with both of them in it.
The lamp was clicked off, leaving her to only see the faint silhouette of someone else getting under the covers. They both let out a small grumble as they bumped into each other, but then, their position came together naturally. Siluka put her arms around the other’s waist, resting her head into her collar, and Lisette put her hands by Siluka’s head and on her back, closing the distance between them.
“…Heehee. Through all the books I’ve read, I’ve wanted to be the princess, but holdin’ you… It makes me feel like you’re the princess.” The florist whispered, closing her eyes.
“Mmh… I think we’re both princesses...”
“I like the sound of that. I think I’d be a princess of flowers… What would you be a princess of?”
“…”
“Siluka?”
A gentle snoring.
“Oh..! Goodnight, sleep tight…”
~~~~~~
Birds chirped as the sun came through the window, beaming into the upstairs of the building, warmly landing on Siluka’s back. With a stir, she woke up, blinking a couple times. She was alone in bed, as she always was when she’d wake up. But this morning, her mind felt light and airy.
Across the room, in the kitchen, she could hear Lisette humming a tune, and see her working by the stove. With a tired grumble, she got up, walking into the kitchen.
“What’s for breakfast?” She asked, noticing the other jump.
“Ah-! I didn’t hear you wake up!” The florist looked over her shoulder, her aura getting pinker when her gaze landed on the other. “I’m makin’ omelets, Westown’s top breakfast! Y’ever had one?”
“I’ve heard of them, and I know what they are. Never had one.” She sat down at the dining table, looking at the window. “…Is that my dress?”
“Oh, yeah, I hung your dress over the sill to dry when I woke up. It might not end up completely dry, but it should get better than it was last night!”
“Mahalo. You’re very-“
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
“Hm-?” Lisette turned around, confused. “The closed sign is still up, who could that be?”
“…I think I know.” Siluka got up, “I’ll come back up for breakfast.”
Going downstairs without another word, she could already see who was at the door through the windows. Pulling it open, it was as she expected.
“Siluka!” Iluka put her hands on her hips, her aura both red and a relieved green. “Having a good time with your girlfriend, hm? Leaving me home alone in a typhoon?”
“I fell asleep here and then I woke up when it was dark. Lisette let me stay since it was late.” Siluka winced at the bright sun, “I want to stay for breakfast. Can you wait?”
“Wait?! I came all the way out here to get you!”
“Then go see Wayne.” She said bluntly, watching her twin blush. “He’s always talking to you when he’s in Lulukoko. I’m sure he’ll like it if you do it instead.”
“Ah- fine!” She turned away, “You’re lucky it’s our day off… AND I’m glad that you’re okay!”
“Mmhm. I’m glad too.” Siluka smiled reassuringly, then turned around.
“I could hear Iluka from the window. Was she mad?” A voice asked as she got upstairs.
“Not more than usual. She’s going to see Wayne while we eat.” She sat back down at the dining table, “Is it done?”
“Almost.” Lisette plated what was in the frying pan, “Would you like anything specific on yours? I’ve got salt, pepper, butter, or cheese.”
“Plain is fine.” Being catered to made her feel appreciated, and she wondered what she could do in return. “You should come eat at the Carosello someday. I can’t give you a discount at work, but I can serve you extra nicely.”
“That’d be lovely, but I get so lost in the other towns. I’d have to ask Wayne if I could tag along while he’s on his mail route.” She looked remorseful as she came to the table, putting down a plate and a mug, then going back to get her own.
“He comes to the Carosello anyway when he finishes delivering mail. He says it’s because he can’t resist Iluka’s beauty, but I can sense the truth. He gets too hot in Lulukoko.” Siluka picked up the mug, smelling it and looking in. “This is… lemon tea?”
“Mmhm! If it’s too sour, I’ve got honey.” Lisette sat down with her own plate and mug, “Now, an important question, what would you be the princess of?”
“Hm…Natural medicines. Herbal remedies? Maybe just herbs…” She twirled her hair, thinking about it.
“The princess of flowers and the princess of herbs… Plants, that’s our kingdom, heehee.” The florist giggled and blushed as she pictured it.
“Would our people be plants too?”
“Hm… Two princesses, magical enough to have sentient plants as their kingdom’s people… I wonder if that’s a book.” Cutting into her food, she couldn’t get her mind off of the idea.
“It should be.” Siluka smiled.
“Oh, but I don’t know any writers, and I don’t read enough adult books to be good at writing.”
“Then write a children's book. Kids can read about two princesses.”
“…You’re right, Siluka. Thank you for the inspiration… teehee~!”
