#lily:post

[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]

Prompt Game

Today was another day, in which Lily took off to explore the ever changing forest while her sister stayed home to work endlessly. Somedays it was lonely, but somedays she didn't mind. Today was one of those days, in which she was left to wander alone. Rocket had no desire to follow her around, more content lazing around in their bed. It was fine, she didn't always need Rocket by her side. In fact, he was missing out! 

Today's find was incredible! An old, rundown building in the middle of the fields. Plant life had attempted to take whatever part of it they could for themselves, for what they didn't decayed. The floorboards beneath creaked with uncertainty, she had to make sure she walked with caution. Worst case scenario, she fell into the basement and sprained her ankle. So with careful steps, she made way to the flowery window. A chunk of it already torn from the elements. Once she reached the staircase, she sprinted upwards to the center. The wood was much more stable, able to hold her even as she made such rapid movements. Finally at the end of her long hike, she plopped down so she could open her bag. 

Fruits, snacks, juice. The usual feast she had whenever at the break point. As she sat so eat, time passed evermore. The sun marching on until it reached perfectly behind the window. Bright and unobscured by clouds. It's warmth was a welcome sensation to Lily, who shifted her position so it could properly greet her wings. Stretching both her wings and arms to absorb as much of the solar energy as possible. Content with her meal and moment of rest, she packed up the remaining trash back into her bag. Getting up once more to return from whence she came. Retracing her exact steps to avoid falling through the crevasses. 

At last, two pairs of eyes watched her leave through the door she entered.

[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.”

[ichi-peachy]

Egg.

Lily knew Ichi wouldn’t be happy having to take care of another pet, especially since they now had a total of 3 in their house with varying levels of care they needed to be given. That’s why she didn’t tell her older sister about the egg, whatever was inside Lily was sure she could probably figure out how to care for it herself until she eased Ichi into the idea.

It was why the incubator was safely hidden away in her room, to hide the egg from Ichi.

Well, now there was a problem.

After finally being able to return to her room after Ichi’s tutoring, Lily was not greeted by the incubator underneath a mountain of pillows, but rather shattered metal and a very clearly hatched egg. The pillows have been flung to the side and the creature was nowhere to be found. 

Oh... poggers.

[ichi-peachy]

Christmas.

“Are you sure you don’t want to play outside?”

“Positive!”

The first time Harley had been greeted with a child who disliked snow, or who watched the snow so intently without the desire to play in it. Rocket seemed to be having a blast however, rolling around in the white fluff that had fallen onto the balcony. Lily seemed more entranced simply watching it flutter and fall onto the floor. The way it stuck to Rocket’s fur as he played in it.

Ichi had also decided to enjoy the snow, sitting outside and watching Rocket sprint around. It was beautiful, even after exhaling she was greeted with frosty vapor. The sky above was a foggy white, and so were the buildings in the distance. 

Harley herself was stationed in front of a stone fireplace, enjoying the radiating warmth on a comfortable couch. A warm cup of tea in one hand, a book in the other. It was a magnificent spot to be relaxing in, also having Lily within her line of sight. The little guardian had laid down on the carpet, disinterested in her drawings after it began snowing. Both of them were pretty comfortable, warm and cozy inside. Ichi found comfort in the beauty of the outside, being able to look down at so far and only be able to see a foggy white sky. 

The actress hoped her protégé wouldn’t catch a cold, though she also had faith the analytic wouldn’t foolishly stick around outside long enough to get sick. Sure enough, Ichi moved back into the living room after a few minutes, Rocket in tow. The trash panda immediately dove at Lily, who began flailing at the sudden sensation of icy fur. 

“You aren’t cold?”

“Only a little, it was actually quite nice to enjoy being outside for a moment. Lily didn’t want to come outside?”

“No, I had asked her already.”

A bit of a shame to Ichi, but her little sister was never fond of the cold. That was okay, at least they seemed to be having a good time here. Trying to wrangle off the frigid raccoon who craved affection. 

The analytic tossed a glance to the large tree, decorated from top to bottom with various glittering orbs.

Why did this specific decoration always bring back memories? Memories of previous years she spent near this tree surrounded by others. Memories she found comfort in.

“Are you curious about the presents?”

The sound of presents cause Lily to perk up, paying more attention to their conversation rather than the raccoon she held at arm’s length. 

“I thought they were empty.”

“No dear, they aren’t empty. However, it is just about time to open them. Are you curious what’s inside?”

[ichi-peachy]

"I like this, cuddling with you."

Whenever Ichi had a moment to spare, she did her best to share it with her sister. It was getting a little harder with Miss Harley's testing, testing to see what Ichi could and couldn't do.

Assuming she couldn't tag along with Ichi, Lily occupied herself by playing with the staff. Each day a different person that seemed at least willing to talk to her. Her favorite was the chef, who had the same knack for making sweets that Ichi did.

Usually by the time nightfall arrived, both were fairly tired. This didn't stop Lily from burying herself in Ichi's arms however, remaining warm and comfortable with her older sister until she could sleep.

But today neither seemed particularly tired, instead using the time of day as an excuse to be close together, relaxing comfortably in the extremely large but soft bed.

Ichi still felt like she was standing on a house of cards, in a new place with different experiences. Though the analytic was picking up on the language quickly, it was still unusual hearing a different language constantly being spoken.

Lily's tired words did stop the analytic, though she held her sister a little tighter afterwards. Everything here was new, but if nothing else her chaotic little sister ironically presented a sense of stability. A sense that, as long as Lily was in her arms, everything was fine.

[ichi-peachy]

Unease.

Ichi’s previous experiences with traveling hadn’t been good ones, which is why she initially refused the entertainer’s offer. She just didn’t want to be away from the comfort of her home, thrusted into an entirely different place with a new culture and way of life. Moreover, she wanted to maintain the stability she craved so desperately that a home provided

Now though? It didn’t feel like she had much of a choice. One of her friends had been attacked, and she had been warned about somebody targeting her sister. If she stayed at home, it only would’ve been a matter of time until disaster struck. No, that simply wasn’t an option anymore.

Suitcase in hand, she pulled it along onto the plane. No, calling this a plane would’ve been wrong. This was a jet. Though Jace, Lily, and Keiko each had relatively different levels of excitement, both Ichi and Jay had some level of dread looking upon it. Funny how they were both in a similar circumstance, and they tried to reassure each other with a smile.

Lily was oblivious to everything, only aware of the fact they were going somewhere else. While they waited to take off, she was showing the tricks she teached her raccoon to Jace, who was amazed by how many the little guy learned. The toxicologist had prepared a couple spare consoles to kill some time later during the travel, “I spy” would be pretty boring once they were above the clouds.

Keiko stuck close to Jay, hoping her presence would be enough to comfort him. The entertainer seemed to be lost in thought when they weren’t talking, so Keiko constantly tried to have something to say to prevent Jay from spiraling. It was a huge relief when he finally fell asleep.

Ichi herself seemed to be constantly thinking too, though Keiko couldn’t figure out about what specifically. The analytic seemed to be in a state of both calm and stress at the same time. Occasionally relaxing before tensing up moments later. 

Their talks were short lived, since the analytic seemed to constantly get distracted. Ichi was given a brief moment to breath, but nothing was guaranteed until they landed. Including their safety. In the meanwhile, she had to think of a way to dispose of the key and/or lock.

Wait a minute.

They were flying over a large body of water.

[ichi-peachy]

Stare.

Lily could stare at Ichi’s eyes for ages.

Either switching her glance from the usual black and yellow eyes or watching in amazement as they changed from green, to orange, to pink. The analytic had grown used to Mochi staring at her from afar, Lily staring at her eyes from her lap wasn’t much different. If anything, it was perfect. The little ultimate was perfectly still, incapable of destruction while mesmerized with her eyes. Their little fingers played with her hair, occasionally shifting their attention to it when it untangled itself from her fingers. At least this way, Ichi could read a book in peace without having to worry about Lily’s whereabouts. 

Being able to move her hair normally (normally to her,) and having her eyes shift color. It felt like a doomsday signal, like everything was going to go wrong soon. But everything was still perfectly fine, peachy even. The ability to process and learn at an inhuman accelerated pace was a welcome return, and she’d taken the liberty of learning a few things in a few hours. 

There was only one more thing that needed fixing right now. Ironically, Ichi was much happier when the person who was supposed to bring her joy was out of her mind. Not that she could push Airi out forever though, sooner or later Ichi would have to confront the dollmaker, along with her feelings. Right now though, she just wanted to enjoy a book in the company of her sister. Airi could wait a little longer.