#ichi:post

[ichi-peachy]

"Ignore the noise."

"The boys are playing outside."

Elizabeth was sat comfortably on Ichi's couch, leaning back with her legs crossed. A pleasant smile was tossed to the analyst who was sitting right across.

She... thought Ichi would be afraid, nervous, angry even. Yet, their body language looked just as relaxed as the living nuclear bomb before them. Those mismatched eyes just stared at Elizabeth with a tired acceptance.

A brief moment of silence was shared between the two, where the only sounds that could be heard were the violent smashing and slamming from outside. Ah, such barbaric violence.

"I've come here to announce my arrival, and let you know I have no interest in speaking with you anymore than I have to. I didn't want you to freak out seeing me walking around the area. I know how you can get when you see me or Jay, ahaha."

"Then why are you here?"

It sort of... irked Elizabeth? No aversion of their eyes, no tense body language, not even a slight stutter to indicate their fear. They looked so calm. So apathetic.

"To see my sister. I know she fled here alongside you. I know you're probably looking after her. Weird, since I can't sense anybody else but you and me inside this house."

"Are you hiding her?"

The slight furrow in Ichi's eyebrows told her everything she needed to know. That was okay, she understood their relationship was a little strained. Her long fingers strummed along her thighs.

"Don't answer that. I think that time is better spent finding an agreement between the two of us. I have no intentions of taking her from you, just to see how she is doing. I'm sure there must be something you'd like from me."

"Think on it."

[ichi-peachy]

"God, it's hot..."

"...is reading all you're going to do? We're at a beach, doesn't it kinda defeat the purpose to just sit down and read the whole day?"

The babysitter glanced over at the novel Ichi held, which she was already halfway through. The analyst was relaxing on a lounging chair, beneath a very big umbrella. Alexis was sitting on a towel right by her friend's leg.

With a smile, Ichi put the book down and moved her sunglasses to rest at the top of her head.

"I don't see the problem, I'm enjoying myself. Besides, this was mostly for the little three to have some fun for the day. Give them a change of scenery. Plus, I get to enjoy some sunlight and the ocean view."

The "little three" were playing in the ocean, splashing water about and diving down only to reappear moments later. It was mostly thanks to Nezumi that Ichi felt comfortable leaving the children to do as they pleased in the ocean. If anything happened to Lily or Imani, Nezumi would be there to save them.

"Your hair looks good like that, you should let it down more."

It was such a sudden compliment that Alexis couldn't help but suddenly turn away, attempting to hide a flustered expression. Ichi was about to raised the book back into view, but Alexis gently put her hand at the top of it to stop her.

"W-wait. I was going to ask... if you wanted to play volleyball."

It didn't seem like either of them were going to get in the water, but they could at least play in the sand with the beachball they had. At the very least, it was something to do between them.

There was a momentary silence between the two while Ichi thought it over. Well, it didn't hurt to play out in the sun for a while. She owed Alexis some time between them as well. So she shut the book closed, and put it down.

"Sure! I'd love to."

[ichi-peachy]

Game night.

Ichi: "I think you're exaggerating, Alexis."

Alexis: "You don't understand, SHE waited for the turns to be reversed before dropping a +6 on me. She's out to get me."

Ichi turned to look at her little sister, who looked back at her big sister with eyes full of innocence and naivety. Which meant Lily was definitely guilty.

Ichi: "Whatever the case, you three finish up the game. Me and Nezumi are going to make popcorn."

Scooping up the little mouse girl in one arm, Ichi picked them both up and made her way to the kitchen. Rummaging through the cabinets with one hand to find what she was looking for.

Ichi made it a habit to host game nights every Friday. They played two different games, and everybody got a turn on which game was picked. Tonight Alexis picked Uno, and now she was suffering the consequences of her actions.

With a pleasant hum, the popcorn bag was tossed into the microwave. Soon, the sound of popping could be heard as the smell of fresh popcorn filled the room. It was a nice distraction from the bickering between the teenager and child. Enough of a distraction to allow her to drift off into her thoughts.

Nezumi: "What are you thinking about?"

The small girl tilted her head, staring right at the dazed analyst. Focusing back on the android, Ichi placed her free hand on their head. Petting their head and making sure to scratch behind their ears.

Ichi: "Just how lucky I am to have you all."

[ichi-peachy]

"Happy Birthday..."

"...uh, you sure you don't want to put something else on first?"

Ichi didn't quite see what the problem was. A white tank top and shorts wasn't her first choice for something she'd wear outside, but it was comfortable to wear at home. Really, she didn't feel like going through all the effort of digging around in her wardrobe for a proper outfit. So she shrugged her shoulders.

"I mean, I can if it bothers you, but-"

"No! No! It's fine, you don't gotta. Just... came by to say Happy Birthday. I got something for you."

The boxer held out a plastic bag with white boxes inside. The transparent top allowed the analyst to peer in, where her eyes were greeted with some very well made pastries.

"Oh, t-thank you. You didn't need to, ᴵ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵒⁿˡʸ ᵃᶜᵠᵘᵃᶦⁿᵗᵃⁿᶜᵉˢ ᵃᵗ ᵇᵉˢᵗ."

It was a surprise, but not an unwelcomed one. Her eyes looked hungrily at the treats inside the bag. Sure Ichi could make them herself, but he certainly saved her the trouble of all the cooking and cleaning.

"Well, if that's it then-"

"Wait! I don't want to eat these alone, y'know? Would you like to come in? Do you prefer coffee or tea?"

[ichi-peachy]

Prompt Game

It was hard taking Lily anywhere. Not because of the protruding wings stretching out her back, most people simple assume it's an extension of her shirt. Rather, it seemed Lily lacked any real form of self restraint. Walking up to a stranger's table introducing herself, walking in circles around the street light, jumping up and down to reach the streamers above. If Ichi took her eyes off of them for a few seconds, the little guardian could very well end up across the room talking up a storm to whatever poor waiter had to listen to her animal facts. 

Hard as it was, she figured someday Lily was going to have to go out and about herself. Either as a teenager with friends, or an adult with responsibilities. So for the sake of her future, she tried to expose them more to the outside world. Ichi might've finally gotten them in their seat, but she hardly managed to get Lily to sit down. Rather, she was kneeling on the chair while rocking from side to side, holding onto the bottom. Making the chair tilt left and right, and dangerously so. Despite the threat of potentially falling over, Lily didn't seem bothered. And used to her antics, neither did Ichi. 

"Is something wrong, Lily?" 

Luckily, it seemed she wasn't capable of thinking of an answer and moving around. So she settled on staying still to answer her sister. A little trick that saved Ichi quite a bit of energy. 

"No! I was just thinking about Nezumi. For example, does she use her human ears or mouse ears to listen?" 

Ah, that was actually a good question. Well, given they were basically a robot Ichi hardly thought it mattered. But if entertaining the thought meant keeping Lily from once again learning that actions had consequences, then she'd gladly do so. 

"I'm not sure, which one do you think she uses?" 

"Well, mouse ears are more sensitive than human ears. Maybe I should make really quite sounds and see if Nezumi notices." 

 A harmless little experiment to get an answer was Lily's favorite pastime. Though sometimes it wasn't harmless, this time it was. Whatever the case, it seemed to be her preferred method of learning so Ichi let such behaviors slide. 

Coffee and sushi weren't the best paring, but Ichi enjoyed both enough to ignore the raised eyebrows. Orange juice and sushi weren't much better, but nobody expected anything more from a child. And while Ichi picked up her chopsticks, Lily began eating it with her bare hands. It was hard taking Lily anywhere, but she just had to remember how important it was getting them more accustomed to other places.

[ichi-peachy]

Who's gonna tell her :/

What was there to say?

Kuma gave an honest answer, one she could tell was the truth. The question needed to be asked, but she wished he could've lied to her. Anything to keep the dying hope Airi might still be out there, anything to be able to persist in finding a way to bring them back.

There wasn't.

The memories she so desperately clung onto. The fluttery feeling she wished to feel once again. How happy she'd always be to see Airi smile at her. How comfortable it felt to share each others warmth. The rare invaluable moments they could truly spend with just each other.

None of it would be felt again.

To lose the final person who could truly understand her, to lose the final person who she had grown to rely on so much for support. To lose the first person ever made her feel love, who will never see her grow to become the better person they believed she could be.

Why?

It wasn't fair. Why couldn't they just live happily together? Why did it all have to fall apart? After finding the one person that truly made her happy, why did it have to be taken away? All she wanted was to share her joy.

Karma

It felt like divine retribution for all the horrible things she's done. For all the people she'd hurt, left behind, or forgotten about. It felt like the ultimate price for the fresh start she so desperately craved. Having nothing, nobody from when it all started. She thought it would've been a blessing, but she'd never felt more lonely.

Despite feeling like she deserved all of it, she let herself cry. Silent weeping under the covers of her bed to avoid alerting anybody. To avoid worrying her sister that something might be wrong. Because right now, she didn't think she could feign a smile

All she could feel was grief. A sinking feeling in her stomach and a dizzying sensation. Not only over her loss of Airi, but over everybody else. Hachirou, Amai, Fujio, Robin, Akira, Jay. Everybody who once played an important role in her development.

It was only until nothing remained that she realized how much she had lost.

[ichi-peachy]

“Sorry!”

“Sorry, I’m a bit late on your gift. I honestly couldn’t think of anything physical to give you, and I really still can’t. You’ve been here for three years, so I wanted to make it a little significant.”

Despite being an uninvited guest, Kuma had no problem making himself at home. Moving the pillows on the sofa to one side as he sat on the opposite end, but holding one in his arms. A teapot was placed on a nearby table, a cup of hot green tea already poured in a cup. It was a complete surprise to Ichi, who didn’t expect any surprise guests after her birthday. That aside, she refused to take a seat. Something about his presence made her antsy, and she opted to lean on a nearby wall instead.

“Here I believed you were simply ensuring you’ve made your annual appearance.”

“Did I fill that quota? Ah, I suppose I have just somewhere else. Whatever, I thought the most valuable thing I could give you for your three years, were three questions. Answered honestly with no strings attached. Not that I’m one for deception anyways. Ask what you wish, just be wise with your inquiries. Entiendes?”

Ichi wanted to tell him off, tell him she didn’t need his help or pity. Because they both knew what this was about, they both knew exactly what Ichi would ask for one of those questions. And unfortunately, she couldn’t turn down an opportunity for an answer she had been searching for so desperately. 

But the fear paralyzed her, so she asked something else first.

“Two. Two hasn’t been doing anything that could jeopardize Lily’s safety here, has she?”

Through her words, Kuma sipped on the tea while pondering the question. However, even when he had an answer he took a moment to formulate the words. Half preoccupied over how Ichi’s question was phrased. 

“No, Two isn’t concerned about either of you. Frankly, as it stands she doesn’t even have it in her to turn off the simulation herself if she wanted to. There’s no need to worry about interference from the outside. Nothing out there can harm you here.”

That last bit was emphasized rather strongly, and that strong certainty was unusually comforting. So there really wasn’t anything she needed to worry about in the “real” world. She could live peacefully here.

“You. You don’t have any sort of plans to send everything crumbling down, do you?”

Huh, that was an interesting one. Fair though, a few select individuals had given Ichi quite a bit of trauma over this sort of stuff. This time, the tea was quickly drained, leaving but a small puddle inside.

“Neh. Sorry, I mean no. I don’t see any point in doing so. Whether or not the simulation dissipates has nothing to do with me, but you should still be careful to not have it destroyed on your end. You never know what could happen. Some third party on a high horse could always try to tear everything down.”

A silence. The tension in the room was felt by one, but left the other unaffected. As smart as those questions were, in the end they were just filler to avoid the one she needed to know the answer to the most.

It was the one she had been saving for last, because the answer terrified her. 

The empty cup was slammed onto the table right as he heard those nervous words leave her lips.

“What happened to Airi?”

[ichi-peachy]

3rd Birthday

There was nothing special about today, there wasn’t supposed to be. Maybe do a little less work and spend more time doing chores. It’d be nice to not spend the whole day seated after all, and maybe she could make a game of it to get Lily to help.

Hearing the door to her room open, Ichi tried not to sigh. It couldn’t have been anybody else but Lily, and that begged the question whether she wanted to spend some time or needed help cleaning something she broke. Trying to hide the strain behind her smile, glanced over to her sister.

Lily was holding a box. It looked like it was supposed to be a present, but the gift wrapper and ribbon were drawn in crayon. It was still a rather charming attempt, and it eased her smile as the box was plopped onto her lap.

“Happy Birthday!”

Ah, so that was what this was for. The box was pushed onto one knee as Lily was lifted onto the other. To be honest, she wasn’t entirely sure how to open it. The top had a ribbon drawn on it, and she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to ignore it or do something with it..?

“How about you open if for me Lily? So I can see what’s inside.”

Not one to pass down an opportunity to do something she wanted with her sister’s approval, the box was opened right away. Inside, was the fabled decorated blanket. A very familiar garden was painted on it, with a large oak tree in the center. The sky above was a dark blue however, casting a darker shade upon everything else. Fitting from something used more commonly at night. 

After Ichi took the blanket, the box was tossed aside by her sister. Who then stood up and dragged her to the living room couch. Despite her wariness about getting comfortable when there were still things to be done, she let it happen. Rocket had already taken his seat on the other side with Bean atop his head. The raccoon had been guarding a few more gifts, those of which had proper wrapping.

From Masuyo, a plush white rabbit with beady red eyes. Jay gave a camera with plenty of film. Jace clearly had no idea what to go for, so vials of acid she received. Takuto was more reasonable with a cat LED light, which was rather cute. Keiko gifted a simple leather journal.

What a surprise, Ichi had forgotten about her own birthday. She hardly expected anybody to remember it, let alone the friends she’d been neglecting for quite a while now. Just as she was about to get up, Lily clung to her side adamantly refusing to let her anywhere near her laptop.

“No! You’re going to stay with me.”