Included: Fresia, Xio, Tanner, Shola, Estelle, Patrick, Arc, Hon
Mentioned: Zashi, Aberius, Raine
Time: Before the festival?
“How long did you know I was there?” I asked the Luxray with somewhat of a start. I hadn’t realized he had already known… I covered my mouth with my sleeve as to hide my surprise but I’m sure that he had already noticed. “Since you entered the forest. You need to work on your emotions as well, since when you got nervous your blood flow picked up. I could sense those little triggers.” He told me as he stood up. “Is everyone alright?” I asked him with worry as I looked over the two passed out on the ground. “Do they look alright woman?” He spat out. “Honestly, the Ralts girl exhausted herself from healing Aberius and myself. And he passed out from being so weak. Obviously they aren’t fine.”
“My apologies,” I slightly blushed, embarrassed. “Umm I know this isn’t the best time but my name is Fresia the Froslass. I don’t think we have properly met?” He stood there for a moment and looked at me. He then smiled and said “The name’s Xio, it’s a pleasure Fresia. Please excuse me if I seem rude, I am just rather irritated from this fight my dear.” I took note of his attitude and then rushed to the young Ralts female. I accessed her wounds and responded to Xio “Her wounds aren’t too bad but they need some rest. Can I assist you in anyway Mr. Xio?”
“Ahhh? Mr. Xio? Please, I am not that old, Xio is fine.” He walked over to me and stood “You think you can carry one of them?” I looked back at him and blinked a few times. I decided that she couldn’t be all that heavy as I am stronger than I look. I lifted her carefully into my arms and he took Aberius within his.
“Xio, I know you can run pretty fast from what I witnessed earlier but for me to keep up and to keep these two in stable condition I will create a path with my ice.” I felt my eyes focus and a path of ice formed quicker than imaginable. I had grown accustomed to controlling ice with no problem at all, seeing as how my father insisted I battle since a young age to prepare myself. I turned to look at his face. “Coming?” I asked. “That’s rather impressive if I do say so my dear.” He smiled at me and I was rather impressed that he softened so… “So it’s like a never ending ice rink?”
I set the pace for the return, gliding so gracefully and easily. He took a bit to keep up but I made sure to clear the path of any obstructions. “You could say that but there is an end, believe me. It’s the mansion.” I giggled quietly at his remark. “Of course.” He responded.
There was silence between us as we both concentrated on the pathway back to the mansion. Finally, as we had it in sight I forced the ice to shatter and let it melt away. We stepped onto solid ground and placed the two we were carrying down gently. My ears caught words I didn’t want to hear and I panicked. “Where is Tanner?!?” I didn’t know what I was going to do but I knew I had to find him. He was somewhere around here and I would find him. He was so gracious to me; I had to make sure that he was okay.
I took off at full speed, my long legs carrying me and the ice beneath my feet adding to what some thought inhuman. Well, of course it was inhuman… "Tanner?!" I called aloud. Shola running with me she added in "How can we be sure it was Tanner that yelled out? It could've been anybody that dealt with that Aberius guy last night." I heard a muffled voice, not quite a call for help but desperation.
"I am pretty sure that was Tanner this time, Shola," I said as we hurried through the trees. I saw Tanner and rushed to his side. He was so banged up and bloodied. I bit back my tears, forcing that ice through my veins again. My grandmothers caretaker took over in me and I knew what I needed to do to help. We helped him up and took it slow back towards the mansion so that he could keep pace. I being taller than Shola took more of the weight and though I was thin and frail looking, I could take more than most assumed with all of the training my father had put me through.
"These injuries are very bad, Tanner. We need to get you to the infirmary." I pointed out to him, though I was sure he realized that by the way he moved and the way I was sure he felt. Shola and I took him to where the infirmary was supposed to be but the doctor wasn’t in. I felt Tanner sway beneath my grip and I shifted my weight so that I could support him a bit better.
I needed to do something and quickly. I know my mother helped me pack, which meant everything she could possibly think of was in my room. I made a comment to Shola and she took his weight. She was pretty strong herself and luckily there wasn’t much further to go. I ran off to my room in a slight panic to try to find those bandages. "Oh my, oh my, oh my!" I panicked as I tried to keep calm and find the things my mother packed for me.
I knew where Tanner’s room was and hurried back as soon as I had the bandages in hand. He was lying on the bed and trying to help us remove the shredded cloth. Oh, how I wanted to swat away his hands and take care of it myself but I didn’t want him to feel any worse than he already did. He wanted to help and so I let him. We all pitched in to clean and dress the wounds, which I tried to be as careful as possible seeing how he moaned and groaned as we did so. I made my introduction to this short Espeon girl. She was fairly cute and so kind. I think I’ll get along with her just fine; which is nice because I haven’t really met any of the others around here. Under these conditions how was one to take the time to make friends? We were all thrown into a situation and it felt like Do or Die…
As all of the blood was cleaned away and Tanner began to settle down I watched as his eyes grew heavy with sleep. I wasn’t worried so much anymore, I knew that he’d make it. I felt like I owed the two girls next to me a definite thank you and I’d have to see what I could cook up later as food was often a welcomed thanks. “Thank you… Sorry about being pathetic enough to not even be able to help you beautiful girls with myself…” He gave a slight laugh and started to drift away.
Shola retorted with “Tanner, you idiot. You think you’re pathetic? You were able to last through the whole night with these wounds. That's not pathetic.” I saw that she tried to fight a blush with either frustration or aggravation. I watched as the others spoke, I didn’t feel the need to say much but I felt as though I would just watch over Tanner for now and make sure that he was stable. Thank you grandmother, for the nature you have blessed me with…
Tanner, in his passing out phase managed to ask the Espeon her name. They exchanged words and then Tanner finally drifted off.
Estelle, her name was… for being so short she was really cute. I was very pleased with her manners as well. Her and Shola exchanged a few more words but I was slightly upset at her mentioning the possibility of Tanner dying. I’m not sure how I could handle that and I’m so very glad that we found him when we did. I really feel like… I need to watch over him. Something isn’t right and I have this deep need to be here for him. After all, he is the first Gijinka that I met when I got here and he was so very pleasant to me.
“Where is the doctor? Why is he not here?” I asked Estelle. Perhaps she knew considering she has lived here longer. Estelle’s lips slowly sunk into a frown. “Zaishi-kun... He had other matters to attend to elsewhere. He won't be with us anymore.. Besides, the Gijinka I know in this house have extraordinary medical skills.. We really didn’t need a doctor after all ..." She said.
Estelle got up, we all had heard Tanner groan in his sleep and Shola spit out a question before I could think to react. “Where are you going?” I gave a slight nod in agreement. "I'm going to get something from the kitchen so that Tanner-san may eat when he is awake. He would probably be hungry." She said. “Please look over him until I return. I sure you guys won't let me down, ne?" She winked and I blushed. She headed out the door and shut it quietly behind her.
Sometime later…
“Hey, wake up! Tanner’s awake!” I spat out in a flurry. I had completely forgotten my manners in my frantic excitement with Tanner’s waking. The girls shifted and all looked over. Shola and I remained on the right side of the bed and let Estelle take lead. She seemed to be more adept of a healer than Shola or I. It seemed that Tanner noticed the new child in the room, who had been fairly upset about the blood but he didn’t seem to be bothered by his presence.
I watched quietly as Estelle and Tanner exchanged words and she brought him a bowl of ramen. I kept a small smile across my lips at to encourage Tanner. I hoped that he would make a full recovery and not feel terrible about whatever had happened.
“Yes. We have been waiting for a while, Tanner.” I finally said. I was glad that he was awake and eating normally. He smiled back at me and I blushed slightly.
I watched as Tanner tried to comfort the child and as he seemed to be holding a conversation of his own now. I had been so worried about him though I hadn’t known him for very long…
Shola got up and told Tanner she was happy that he was feeling better. I got the hint that she wanted me to go with her and leave these two alone so I smiled at Tanner once again, hiding what I really felt deep down inside and got up. I wanted to stay and take care of him, see that he was feeling better all the way… but I knew that there was a thing that quietly sparked between Estelle and Tanner. I suppose I should just let it go as she seems better for him anyway...
I went downstairs to eat with Shola and Patrick. I was fairly quiet, muddling over what Tanner really meant to me. I hadn’t known him all that long but how could I not care? He was the first person in the mansion to show me manners and friendship. I had to be there for him even if it meant getting my feelings hurt, even if it meant I had to watch him care for someone else. No, I didn’t know him all that well but I wanted too… I had daydreamed my lunch away and Shola suggested we return to check up on Tanner. I smiled at her and felt eager to return to see his condition.
Shola and I returned to Tanners room, Patrick seemed hesitant and ran off when he saw some of the other kids playing. I supposed that was a better place for him than up here where there was blood and bandages all over.
“You look a lot better, Tanner! How are you feeling?” I said as I stepped in the door way. I suppose I was a bit more cheerful than normal because I was excited to see him again. He was sitting up in his bed and looked a lot better off. “I’m feeling good, thanks to Estelle.” He smiled at her and I ran ice through my veins as I normally do when I don’t want to deal with something…
There was various talk about the Festival coming up and Kimonos to get. Estelle mentioned that she was going into town to pick one up and that Tanner was going to go along too. I let that ice from a few moments ago thaw out and I smiled as we positioned ourselves to help Tanner to his feet. He took a few steps by himself and then we left him to get dressed.
When Tanner finally came out he looked as if he felt better already. I smiled and hid my blush as we started towards the main door. Estelle asked a loud Lopunny if she wanted to go but she said no and ranted for a minute. I was bit… frightened of her… but I dipped out the door as fast a possible before she could talk any louder. We made our way to town and I enjoyed the greenery all around. Of course, it wasn’t as cold as it was at home but it was a beautiful sight.
Estelle asked Tanner a question about his hair. I only paid attention because I wanted to know more about him… and so I decided I’d be brave and ask him something too. “Oh, Tanner?” I said in a graceful tone and I smiled as he looked at me. “Why don’t you cut your hair? Is it a tradition of some sort?” His smile faded only slightly before he explained. “It’s a tradition in my clan of Tangrowths and Tangelas to keep your hair long. If you cut it, you lose the ability to move your hair to your own ability and it’s a dishonor and disgrace to your family. Nobody’s cut their hair in years and I don’t plan to cut mine soon.” He let out a small chuckle of amusement and I was happy to know I had made him laugh. We then finally found the shop we were looking for.
Tanner seemed a bit embarrassed to be here with us but I guess he didn’t realize that he was with three beautiful women and it made him look a lot more like a ladies’ man than he should be embarrassed about. I found it funny myself. I almost wished it was just me and him but then I would be even more embarrassed and talk less as I usually do... It takes me a bit to get comfortable enough to talk to anyone, a whole conversation.... But once I do I am always checking up on them and seeing how they are doing, cheering them up and trying to make them smile.
We all scurried about; grabbing various things we wanted to try on. I knew I’d have to make alterations to mine because I, like my mother, am picky about details.
“I guess I’m judging.” I heard Tanner say from the bench and we all giggled. I really hoped he liked what I picked out. I wondered what he would think of it once I finished the alterations and the traditional mask I usually wore for my family… I didn’t bring my robes from home as I didn’t suspect I’d need them but I knew what I needed to do to get them the way I wanted them.
I took my time changing but as I was slipping into the robes I heard Tanner speaking to someone. I paused to listen in for a bit, curious as to who it was. I heard the other man, Arc, converse with Tanner as they talked about Shupple and their connections between each other. I decided I’d intrude as I finished. Seems as though the other girls were finished about the same time as I was. “Ready?” Tanners face crawled into a smile and I blushed, smiling back.
I tried not to blush too much as Tanner and Arc watched us all model our new outfits. The other two girls had really nice kimonos too but I liked mine the best. Once I changed a few things up it was going to be wonderful. Tanner’s face lit up after each one of us was done and he seemed to really be impressed. I hoped that he would like it when I was actually at the festival. Shola made a comment about hers and I just smiled at her. She was fairly pretty in hers too. I wondered if she wanted me to make a few alterations to hers as well? I talked to her for a little while as the others were locked in conversation.
I noticed that Arc had finally introduced himself and I was glad to actually know him rather than just know his name. I wondered where he was from and if he was going to be staying at the mansion too? Estelle spoke up, mentioning that it was Tanners turn to get a kimono as well. Guys usually hated clothes shopping and especially with women but he needed to get ready for the festival too! We all dragged him off and I tried to find something suitable as well and not too unmanly… after a bit of nit-picking he was shoved towards the dressing rooms to try on what we piled up in his arms. I caught his look at Arc in almost a pouting sort of way and I hid my laughter. Arc grinned in a laughable way and I smiled.
I suppose all of the ones I had chosen for him were a bit too flashy... He chose one that suited him fairly well and it was rather dark but it looked good on him. I tried not to smile too hard but I was excited that he looked so good in it. I was about to say something to him when I heard our stomachs growl in unison. Oh my! That was embarrassing. “All of the kimonos are on me, and so is lunch!” Tanner laughed and we all cheered. I would definitely have to figure out how to repay him. I know that he was more interested in Estelle but I tried to keep my emotions to myself… as I had been known for back home.
I decided that I’d distract myself in between Shola and Arc. I knew Shola well enough now but Arc I wasn’t so familiar with. Shola is rough around the edges but she’s a good person. As far as Arc, he seems almost… distant or stuck in his own head. He was nice but I’m not really sure what’s going on upstairs. He seems… damaged?
We finally found a small place to eat at and Shola and I looked over all of the different foods, eager to pick something delicious! Arc was still kind of stand offish and so I made space for him to look over the counter as well. We made our choices and I giggled as Arc got his food. He looked at me funny for a moment but then I waved it away as if to ignore me… Oh my…..
We went back to the table. Tanner and Estelle looked rather awkward at that moment. "It appears you two were engaged in quite an conversation by the way your visage. Yes, it does look quite interesting. Might I ask what is the problem?" I looked as though I had ruined something but part of me didn’t much care. I knew that was wrong but I mentally sighed at how Tanner kept looking at Estelle. Well, it’s not like I was going to make any moves myself and I would just have to admire him from afar.
"Well, Tanner-san and I were speaking of the festival. And how wonderful it would be if they had cotton candy." I felt like something else had been going on but I smiled and went along with Estelles' comment, happy enough that they weren’t talking about anything serious at that moment with us around. I really didn’t want to hear if and how much Tanner had it for Estelle or if she thought the same… I have no issues with Estelle, it just feels like wrong place wrong time as far as my emotions go. There’s that ice running though my veins again. "Wouldn't it be great if cotton candy were selling at the stands?" Estelle said. I smiled and turned towards Shola as I had nothing else to really say to her falsities. I tried to keep my conversation occupied with Shola and spoke of the upcoming festival and other such things I wanted to do while I was there. Shola didn’t seem like she wanted to talk about it but I didn’t feel like sitting there thinking about my negative emotions…
It caught me off guard but Estelle had turned to Tanner and told him she would go to the festival with her. I kept that ice running through my veins and I looked over at Tanner. I almost bit my lip and got up to walk away but I decided to freeze the tears that were forming and turn away to continue the conversation I had had before. I tried to ignore them as much as possible, turning my attention to Shola and Arc.
“Estella!” I heard a voice call. We all looked over and it was a young houndoom. He sat at our table and introduced himself. He was from the mansion too? I hadn’t seen him yet…
Not trying to be rude I waited a bit and then Arc began to talk to us again. At least the company and conversations were well worth the trip today. Even though I felt like a small piece of my cold heart’s hopes had shattered I suppose I fall way too quickly. I will never impose on dear Tanner and I will watch over him but I’m not going to get in the way of a relationship he wants…
The guys ended up getting dessert and we talked some more. Hon seemed pretty energetic and he was adorable but he seemed a bit young. He talked to Shola and I for awhile as Arc was dragged into what looked like an unwilling conversation with Tanner. They knew something I didn’t apparently… about Shupple?
It was getting dark out and Estelle made a comment to Tanner that we should all get going. I’d beed to work on my new outfit for a few hours to get it just right, like the traditional one I have back home. As we gathered our things and left I walked along side of Arc and Shola didn’t seem to want to talk much anymore. I didn’t blame her, I almost didn’t want to either but I thought I needed too… I didn’t want to be upset about the two walking behind us.
We made our way just fine, said our good byes and good nights to each other and I turned away as Tanner walked Estelle to her room. I was much taller and so walked faster… I shut my door and sighed heavily. I turned on some Reiki music on my little purple stereo and got all of my sewing things out so that I could change up my outfit that Tanner had bought me. It was going to be beautiful! I really wanted to catch his eye even if I wasn’t going with him. Actually… I wasn’t even sure who I could go with… I’d hate to show up by myself but at this point the Festival was too close. Who could I even ask? I hardly knew anyone else in the mansion…
I worked hard on my new outfit to make it as breathtaking as possible. I knew it was dark when I started but it wouldn’t take me but a few hours to get it just right. I had plenty of beads from my hair pins and ribbons from my kit. Though I didn’t wear a lot of stuff in my hair normally I did when it came to ceremonies or special occasions. It was just something my grandmother always enjoyed and I grew accustomed to it.
After I was to the point of where I liked what I saw… for the most part, I decided to take a break. I walked slowly down the stairs, my hands still somewhat in pain from all of the hand sewing I had done. I went down to the kitchen and foraged through the fridge until I finally just grabbed some cherry blossom ice cream from the freezer. “Good enough I suppose. How could you go wrong with ice cream?” I said to myself aloud, thinking that everyone else was asleep. I grabbed an extra long sundae spoon and padded in bare feet across the cool tiles. It felt so good, I was almost tempted to sit on the kitchen floor and eat. I decided that was improper and walked into the living room quietly, eating as I walked.
I seated myself on the fluffy couch which was well worn. It was apparent that it had been here for quite some time… I turned on the tv and turned the volume to where it was almost muted. I watched some cooking show for awhile, set the ice cream on my stomach and ate slowly. Every time I thought the ice cream started to melt I’d add a little freeze touch to the bottom. I sighed heavily and felt almost pathetic for still being up and still being down about Tanner being taken for the festival. I didn’t really want to ask a stranger and I didn’t really know anyone else. Well, Tanner spent money on me for the festival so I would go have fun at the very least….
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Sorry it took so long to get this together guys!!!!!
I really had to sift through 12 pages of posts to get caught up!! OMG!
I really hope that someone doesn’t let Fresia go to the Festival by herself :3 *HINT HINT!!!*
There might be some errors as I had to do this as quickly as possible X_X I wanted to get it up before the deadline and I'm ALMOST finished Fresia's costume for the Festival!!! YAY!
So happy Kro is back too :P
