seiriald | ✿ Thirteenth Bud [action/backdated to the 5th]

[It's been some time since everyone returned from the battle, only to find out that the village had been damaged greatly once they were back. Kaori hadn't been able to tell right away until she began to feel unexpectedly tired, and no matter where she went it felt wet. It was only then that she realized the extent of the storm people had talked about.

It meant that there was a lot of damage control to be done, but she's not thinking buildings. What mattered to her was what the plants and flower beds throughout the village had suffered. Thanks to the efforts of her housemates her own garden had been mostly unscathed, but that didn't stop her from mourning what had been died. So she'd finally had enough of seeing them that way. Today was going to be dedicated to replanting what seedlings she'd found in the flower shop and sowing new seeds throughout the village. It didn't matter where, she just didn't want for there to be a lack of one of the few things that made this place remotely like home.

Eventually she does address the village at large, though her voice is rather solemn.]

I know that there's supposed to be a Memory Garden for the village... Can someone tell me what's going on with it? I'd kind of like to plant something there if it's okay to.

[Daisies. She'd already given them their place in House 11's garden, but with the memory of the person they were dedicated to, Kaori felt it best to scatter them as far as she could. Selphie had always seemed like such a free spirit, after all.]

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[With the repairs finally finished, the flower shop has finally been put back in order as well, that muddy swampy smell is gone, and the bug infestation dealt with.

There's yet another party to attend this evening, which prompts an earlier than usual visit to the shop from Raine. Mostly for her own peace of mind, as the plants have been doing better.]

[At first Kaori doesn't really notice Raine nearby. It had been a long time since they'd come into contact for a significant amount of time with one another, and her mind was too preoccupied with other things anyway. It's why she almost bumps into her as she happens to make her way around the shop.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to – !

[The unexpected bumping nearly makes Raine drop the tray in her hands, but she keeps it steady. That voice, that girl, it was - hm.] -- It's no trouble. Are you all right?

[It's Raine speaking that tips Kaori off on who it is, and right away her expression hardens. Stupid, she'd been doing such a good job of avoiding her...]

I'll be okay, I just didn't notice you there.

All right. Was there anything you needed, since you're over here? With the big mess earlier this week, some of the items might have gotten displaced.

Yeah, I know that they're displaced. [It's why there's no set pattern to the seedlings she does have in her arms, Kaori just grabbed what she could feel around for and thought would be strong enough to endure the still rough conditions for plant life.]

... Why are you here?

Hm? I have plans for the evening, so I decided to come in early.

[Okay, so she wasn't going to stick around. In her mind that was kind of a good thing as she nods in acknowledgement, though she still seems somewhat distracted.

There were so many questions she had for this woman, now that she was actually face-to-face with her...] You're the schoolteacher, right?

Yes, that's correct. Was there something you needed help with?

[The question wasn't expected, but her tone is friendly. Even if the girl had been going out of her way to avoid her for so long, since that incident.]

Not exactly. [It just really puts into perspective how utterly screwed she can be if it ever got out that she attacked the schoolteacher. Not that she really regretted what she did back then.]

Just kinda curious, you'd have to know a lot of people with that position.

I taught a school at home, so it was something I thought I'd pick up here, as well. Having a lot of students coming from different backgrounds is an interesting opportunity; in order to teach them, I need to learn more as well.

I guess that makes sense... A lot of people must like you, huh?

Hm? [What a thing to say. She's a little wary, but continues speaking.] I haven't had trouble getting along with others.

How lucky for you. [Except it wasn't the kind of answer she was looking for, and she may have already missed her chance to find out more information about her without as much guard.]

But you still have enemies anyway, right? [Everyone has them, she hadn't observed one exception yet.]

[She has to think about that. Most of the prevalent dangers to her in Luceti had long since been sent home- Kadaj, Yuber, Aku, and she had avoided most direct interactions with others.

... Of course, there were still Mithos and perhaps to a lesser extent, the threat of Ratatosk, but even then, enemy felt too strong of a word, in the kind of world that Luceti was.]

Not everyone can always get along, even in a place like this. At the very least, it's been a while since I've been directly antagonized by anyone here.

Really. I hear a lot of people insisting that everyone gets along anyway. [She'd like to see it herself, but the more bitter side of her mind makes it so that every time someone said Luceti was a fresh start of sorts she has to laugh inside.]

You try your best to stay out of the way, right?

Most people do; it isn't an exaggeration. Then there are those who have difficulty getting along despite the circumstances. Or perhaps in spite of them.

[There's a considering pause before her next answer.] To an extent, yes. I don't go looking for trouble, but I also realize there are times I need to take chances if I want to see results.

Take chances? How do you do that? [Better yet, what results was she looking for? Except asking that outright would make navigating this conversation more difficult than she had already made it to be.]

✿ Thirteenth Bud [action/backdated to the 5th]

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