This Winding Road We Walk

**Date Started:** March 30th, 2022
 **Date Completed**: TBA
**Previous Role-Play** N/A
**Next Role-Play:** TBA
**Users Involved:** User:Blackdagger01 & User:HoloArc
**Setting:** Ogonsekai
**Characters Involved:** Takanashi Kuromiya, Helen Magdalene, Lumi Nikko.

The oaken woods of Ogonsekai made for a pleasant view as the pair wandered. It had been three days of trecking through the land, something that wasn't much of a habit for the young woman. Helen tried her best to keep up with the pace of the more experienced man, but it was an arduous task. His more athletic build meant that he was far more capable at wandering these tracks than she was. She had traveled here before of course, that was how she knew the road, but she had only taken it by the aid of wagon or carriage before.

At the call of how she was going, almost as if in protest, Helen called back: "I'm fine! Just... These shoes were not meant for this kind of travel." She said as a straight up lie. While perhaps not the most optimal, they more than served the purpose needed for this trek. Even so, they soon reached the peak of the hill, looking over the landscape and the city below. Or rather, what was able to be seen. For a capitol city, it seemed rather miniscule in scale. Still, the pure and pristine look over the vast seas, the shoreline and the rather unique construct state of the city above was nothing short of a marvel.

Towering builings and grand towers made from some sort of blue and white stone, like an innately colored marble. Truly, and only from what was seen so far, the crownjewel of Ogonsekai. The seat of the largest government in the nation, people walking the streets and coming up the hill. Humans, Calco, Vart'hya and Yokai alike wandered the streets. Refugees, citizens, nobility and more walked about. And when they would walk into the city, they would not be able to find a single beggar.

Looking over all of this from their hill, Helen looked to Takanashi with a bit of a pleased look. "Quite the sight, isn't it? Makes everything kind of worth it, doesn't it?" she teased.

His eyes lit up at the sight before him, only another few hours walk away was the capital city of Ogonsekai. He'd been told of the city and its wonders by those back home and by Helen alike though to see it with his own eyes was a different sort of wonder indeed. A hung open mouth in awe of what he saw, he closed it as he turned to look to Helen with a warm and gentle smile on his features. "Indeed, if such sights are commonplace then I think I'm beginning to understand why so many choose to spend their lives traveling the lands." His tone was almost childish, one of wonder and curiosity.

"Thanks for bringing me here. Sure, I could have followed a map but it likely would have taken me on a longer route than this one. You're going to meet a friend, yeah? What're they like?" He asked, taking in the sight one more time before he began the trek down the hill toward the city, slowing down as not to leave the woman behind, pretending the slope was what slowed him.

Helen felt a bit of content in her heart as she looked over the city, along with the tower that led even further below the sea's surface. And who awaited here down below. When Takanashi spoke up, asking about her friend, she cautiously brightened up a bit. Even after their long journey so far, she felt a bit uncertain about him. Her performances had attracted enough of a crowd to gather together a couple of coins to sustain them on, and he seemed like a genuine and kind guy, but she was still unable to shake the feeling that there was some kind of thought in the corner of his mind that might be used against her some day. Even so, she couldn't help but feel happy that she was here.

"Yes, and I am looking forward to meeting her again," She spoke as she waved for him to follow her down the hills and towards the surface city. "Her name is Lumi Nikko. She's a Calco who was born and raised in Hino, although her mother's side of the family have roots outside of the nation. She's of noble birth, even if she's never really acted like it. She's..." She trailed off a bit as she reminisced on her time with her friend. "She's Lumi. Her name essentially means Bright Sunshine, and damn it if she doesn't live up that that." She chuckled. "She's kind, warm, her entering the room just excudes good vibes. She's a great cook, she's a pretty strong catalyzer, energetic... Oh, and she gives the best hugs."

"Quite the description, can't wait to meet her then." He responded, not having expected such a heartfelt description of this friend from Helen. "If you plan to travel with me until I head back to Hino then it'll probably be a while before you get to see her again. The both of you sound close, that's reason enough for me to be glad we decided to come here instead of heading straight for Tian." He gave the blonde a smile as he looked over his shoulder.

They'd reached the gates of the city about an hour after they'd crested the hill that gave them view of the grand city, having had his travel pass ready to show he was surprised not to have been asked for it upon entering the city. Though he'd not needed it in the small towns and villages he'd assumed that just like in his own home country a foreigner such as himself would be asked for it. Left curious indeed by it he turned to Helen, knowing that she was his well of knowledge when it came to Ogonsekai. "This place is quite different from Hino indeed." He remarked, looking around at the buildings of blue and white stone, such materials only used in the more ornate buildings in Hino, most structures being made of wood with thatch or straw rooftops, palaces sporting roofs made of ceramic.

"It's even more of a wonder up close though..." He said as he looked around before turning back to the woman, "I hope you have an idea of where Lumi lives? I don't think we'd have much hope if we go searching around."

Helen saw the way he was admiring the architecture, and frankly, she couldn't blame him. When she had first arrived, she was in the same boat, unable to comprehend how buildings like these were made. It was such a contrasting change that it almost felt absurd. She walked by his side now, able to rest up her legs in the walk while there were no more hills around them. "Of course I know where she is. We have a small house we shared together during our stay here. She should still be there. Still got the key and all." She said somewhat cheerily as she held up her copy of the key to the house. "Now here is to hoping that she won't be all that mad at me." She said, sounding a bit hesitant all of a sudden.

"We should probably look for her first. Best vantage point would be to find a place to stay during our visit before moving on. I'm sure she would love to have another mouth to feed. She used to say as a joke that I am easy to please when it comes to cooking. You might give her a challenge for once." Helen joked in regards to what she had seen him be able to cook and make during their journey here.

"Maybe you're right..." He responded to her suggestion they find a place to stay first, tapping his chin lightly as he looked about though he didn't know if there would be a place to stay on their budget. He certainly didn't want to be a burden on her friend either. "I'm sure there's a lodge around here somewhere, a place like this has to have plenty of travelers coming and going." He spoke what both of them already must have known, though it of course posed the question of where. Deciding that now would be a good time to use a tip his mother had given him before he set off. Spotting a vendor selling fruits and vegetables from a stall along the road he approached, eyeing the fruit before picking out one that looked interesting to him.

His presence at the stall had caught the vendor's attention, a short but stocky Vart'hya with ram horns, a pig nose, and a pot belly to match. "First time seeing one?" The Vart'hya man asked in a voice that matched his appearance one for one, throaty and gruff with a slight squeal at the end of every sentence.

Takanashi held the fruit that in his hands looked like a large and unbloomed flower, purple in color with white tips at the top of the "petals". He looked to the vendor and nodded his head, "It is, a fruit native to this country?" He asked politely, starting small talk witht the man.

"Dragon's Eggs, and they are. Grow about everywhere in Ogonsekai, trees, ground, even underwater. Each variant has a unique taste though. Got one from a tree in your hands now, sweet and savory with a bit of a watery aftertaste." He explained before getting down to business, "Interested?"

"Certainly, how much?" He responded quickly, things moving along as he'd figured they would.

The Vart'hya held up four fingers, "four copper piec-"

"Sounds like a deal." Takanashi spoke up before the man had even finished, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the pieces for him. "By the way, know of any lodging around here? We just got into town and are looking for a place to stay for a few days." He explained the situation to the man as the coins were handed over.

"Huh? Uh, yeah... Down the street from here there's a inn called the Mermaid's Tail. Got bunk for cheap for travelers." The Pig-man responded, counting the coin, looking up to see the pair gone.

Already halfway down the street Takanashi turned the oddly shaped fruit in his hands before looking over to Helen with a cheeky smile, "See? Got us directions and a snack. Mother told me people are more likely to be helpful when you're helpful first. A few copper to grease the wheels and now we're off. Pretty neat, huh?"

Helen couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Yeah, pretty neat. But why are we looking for a lodging? Surely we can just head to Lumi and have a place to stay right off? No need for spending our ever so important coin on a room when we can have a house waiting for us?" She asked out of curiosity. Then she got a bit of a mirthful content smile on her face. "Is the esteemed nobleman concerned about asking a stranger to stay the night? A bit afraid of intruding on our space?" She teased. "Seriously though, with how little coin we have and how much we will need to spend if we are to head where we are going, we will want to save up as much as we can. If you don't want to consider it, then I may just do so. Better to save some rather than save nothing, or am I wrong?"

He gently rolled the fruit in his hands, "It's not really concern so much as consideration. She's your friend and all, that's true and I've little doubt she'd mind. But as a stranger I don't want to be a burden on either of you." He explained his thought process on the whole thing, though he knew she was ultimately right about their money situation. "But... you are right regarding our situation, if all goes well with meeting her then maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask. I'm sure there's something I could do to earn my keep." He responded, looking down at the fruit in his hands. What had seemed a clever action at the time now only made him feel stupid, but what was the point of his pilgramage if not to learn these very lessons one way or another. Were he on his own he might not even have minded, but with someone else depending on him to be better he felt disappointed in himself.

"Alright then, where do you think we might find her?" He asked, the small smile on his face brightening when he turned his attention to Helen, gently and playfully tossing the fruit to her.

Helen clumsily caught the fruit when she was caught off guard with the toss. Once she properly held it in her hand, she took a bite out of it, finding the taste familiar. She had never eaten this fruit directly before, but she had tasted drinks with this very taste in the past. Add to it the chewiness of the fruit's pulp, and it was quite an enjoyable meal. "She lives closer to the end of the cityscape. Close to the tower that leads down. We were never able to reach below the sea's surface in terms of lodgings, but it makes for a very homey feeling all the same." Helen said with a bit of a pep in her step.

Soon enough, they got closer to the district in question. Talking all the while when getting there, Helen and Takanashi alike trying to fill the time with conversation. Soon enough they reached a building which Helen remember as her previous home. A pretty sizable home while still being humble. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, a common room, and more. Somewhat compact, but still enough space to not be felt like you were suffocating. "Come on. Let's see if she's home." She quipped as they got closer.

Close enough to be within arms reach, she knocked on the door, awaiting an answer. Waiting for a minute or so, she knocked again. When she still heard nothing, she began to look through her pockets, starting to look for her key when she then heard from within; "Hold on, hold on, I am coming." Came a bright, sweet and chipper voice. After some yank and yangling from behind the door, it swung open. "Hey, how can I-?".

The woman before them was dressed in a simple blue and black dress, her long and slender creamy and green colored tail, platina blonde hair which had been curled in such a way that made it seem as if she had taken clouds out of the sky and placed them on her head. Her tail which had been flicking back and forth stopped in its tracks. Her golden eyes which had been radiating a warmth went into a stunned state and lacking all comfort. She had tensed up. Her whole frame had flinched to a halt.

"Lumi! It's good to-" Helen began, seemingly ignorant to what was happening before her, that or forgetting about what this all meant. A mistake, as shortly after, a loud smack was heard across the area, Helen flinching to the side. Stunned, she looked back to a furious looking and slightly teary-eyed Calco woman, quivering.

"Five... Months..." She hissed.

"Lumi, I-"

"Five months!" She shouted out. "It has been five months since you went silent on me! I thought you might have been dead. Kidnapped or found out. Raided. Taken away. Gutted and bleeding out somewhere." She hissed as another slap came her way. "Do you have ANY idea what that kind of insequirty did to me!? What kind of life I was living in for weeks because of that? How afraid I was? How terrified it made me feel every day and night? How many hours I spent praying for you to come home! How much I... How much I..."

Helen didn't seem to quite know what to do about this situation, not even able to raise a hand to her cheeks to cover the burning sting there. "Lumi... I'm sorry, I-"

Lumi flung herself forward, but rather than hitting her of any kind, Lumi hugged the woman before parting from her and taking her head between her hands and kissing both her cheeks. "How much I've missed you." She let out, not quite crying, for she was not oblivious to their guest, but still letting out some emotion. Helen hugged her back. After a few seconds of that, Lumi parted from her and looked up to the taller man. "Are you the one I have to thank for bringing her here?" She said, sounding a bit more chipper again. "If so, I am thankful. Or maybe you are a companion of some sort? What is your name, sir?" Lumi asked.

Takanashi could only watch in shock of the two opposite emotions the woman had displayed in her greeting with Helen, unsure if there was any need nor if he had any right to step in with everything that was going on. When she addressed him, her voice sounded so sweet after having only moments ago contained such hurt, anger, and yet a deep sense of relief in it. All he could do for but a moment after her question was asked was stare wide-eyed at the short but fiery girl before him. Snapping out of his stupor he took in a sharp breath, "Oh! I'm Takanashi, Takanashi Kuromiya." He introduced himself, folding his hands in his lap and greeting the woman with a mid-bow, a greeting between equals. "Helen and I are just traveling companions, I only met her two weeks ago." He spoke, not sharing the details of their meeting as he did not know if Helen had told her of the trouble she'd been in or if she even wanted to.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lumi. Helen has spoken fondly of you. Forgive me for intruding on your reunion." He lowered his bow just a bit in asking forgiveness a position of humility in apologizing for ones actions.

Lumi appeared to be in a moment of shock. She had just assumed he was some companion who had decided to tag along. But not. He was a Kuromiya. A true blooded Kuromiya. NO Hinoan would dare to assume that name under false pretenses, and no outsider would be aware of that name. Lumi felt for just a fraction of a second to offer him due curtsy, but when she realized just how he had adressed her, she hesitated for but a moment. He didn't proclaim himself as a superior or any of the sort, but rather as if they were... equals? Or at the very least, he was indeed humbling himself before her.

She smiled softly at him, nodding her head at the man, both in confirmation of his words so well as a subtle way to pay respects to this man. While he held no authority here, it did not hurt, nor was it unfitting, to offer some level of respect to such a man. "And it pleases me to meet you as well, Takanashi. Or would you prefer to go by 'Lord'?" She subtly teased. Stepping to the side, she waved her hands to usher them inside. "You are quite welcome to come in, if you'd like, Takanashi."

"A-Am I-?" Helen was about to ask before Lumi raised a finger to interrupt her.

"Shhh... You might have hurt me, Helen, but this is still your home. Our home." She said with a sweet smile. "Please, come in. I was not doing much, but with you here, how about some lunch?" She offered.

He was a bit embarrassed at her mention of calling him Lord, the title was not one he'd never heard of been called before, rather it was the teasing nature of her tone that brought a hint of bashfullness to his features. Standing aside and allowing Helen to enter first he followed in after, closing the door behind him as his eyes wandered about the humble home that both Helen and Lumi once shared, and perhaps would soon share again if the woman decided to remain here. She was free to do so after all, he did not hold her responsible for his own actions in paying off her debt. It was his choice and he'd make it again were he given a second chance, one cannot regret doing the right thing after all.

Looking to his traveling companion he offered her a sympathetic smile, seeing the red still on her cheek from Lumi's slap. He did not know if it was deserved but based on Helen's reaction she either believed she did or did not want to cause further trouble by arguing with the Calco. Even so, to see the woman hurt saddened him, even if they were not friends they'd still traveled many kilometers together and shared a fire during the nights when lodging couldn't be found.

"Are you alright, Helen?" He quietly asked, concern in his tone.

Lumi had ventured deeper into the building, preparing to cook up some lunch, which left an opening where he and Helen could be offered some privacy. At his question, Helen took a few second before looking up at him. While fading, the red was still there on her cheeks. "I'm fine... Just surprised is all. I've... Never known Lumi to lash out like that... Though, I suppose with all that happened, that I can't and shall not blame her. I can see that she must have suffered greatly in my absense... Seems like I've made yet another mistake... Keeping quiet to save my own pride."

Before Takanashi had the chance to reply to that, Lumi came back out, tying an apron around herself, her hair tied back in a knot with a string and a tiara with what appeared to be three floating fiery clouds hovering above her head. Looking at the two of them, she clapped her hands together once and looked excited. "Some lunch then? Anything in particular that would be pleasing? Something local? Or maybe something from home?"

Takanashi looked to the Calco woman, seemingly no older than him, possibly even younger. At least as far as appearances went. "Oh! Well, I am not sure. How about something you think would be fitting? Want some help, perhaps?"

Lumi put on a wider smile and nodded. "Something of Hino then! We'll have to improvise some of the ingredients as they don't quite have everything. But I'm sure it will turn out great! Get an apron and let's get started! Helen, dear, take it easy for a bit. In about twenty minutes you can begin to set the table, okay?" She asked the other woman, who simply nodded with a half-smile.

"Come along, Takanashi." She said as the two of them went into the kitchen. Lumi began to take forth the pans and pots for what was going to be made. "Any prefered dish of your own? Maybe something a bit more luxurious? I can't imagine you've had too much taste of the more 'sophisticated' cuisine?"

With the apron tied around himself and hairband on his head to keep back his hair while they cooked he tapped his chin in thought, "It's been some weeks indeed since we've had a proper meal, I've made do with what we could gather on the road but nothing quite beats having a kitchen full of ingredints to play with." He stated in a cheerful tone, always finding his place in the kitchen. Perhaps it was being born on the island of Kojin that placed the art of cooking in his blood, or simply the way the heat of the stove and smell of fresh cooked food warmed his heart?

"If we have the means to make it, perhaps a vegetable tempura with a side of white rice, and... If we don't have miso paste perhaps we can substitue miso soup for something else? If not then the tempura and rice will be a fine enough meal, being from Hino yourself I'm sure you know how miso just brings it all together." He gave her his idea for the meal, remembering the taste of such things before he left Hino for Ogon, sure that Lumi and Helen would likely find the meal nostalgic as well.

Looking to the woman he smiled warmly at her, "And I must thank you for letting me help of course, it's truly the least I can offer in the face of your hospitality."

"Think nothing of it! A friend of Helen is a friend of mine." She said while offering an equally warm smile to him. "Miso? Well..." She said as she proceeded to rummage through her lockers until she found what she was after. "Can't go too long witout some." She said cheerily as she pulled out a container of Miso. "I can't exactly buy it locally, so I buy the ingredients that closely work on the same level and work from there. Behold!" She played it up as she put it down in front of him, some good amount of Miso paste. It would definitely look a bit different, but it was still unmistakably miso. "Your idea sounds great. So! Let's get to it."

The two of them proceeded to get to work with the meal. While doing all that was required, Takanashi would not take long to realize that there was no fire, steam or any of the sort when they were cooking. It was as if the stove worked it's wonders by magic. Which didn't quite line up, of course. Unless Lumi needed an oven-sized Catalyst to be dragged with her. "So tell me, Takanashi; How did you come to get to know my Helen? Did she capture your attention with her songs? Tends to be the case." She joked.

Takanashi worked, watching the stove with a curious look in his eye as he tried to figure out its inner workings without having to ask lest he feel foolish if it were something as simple as a flame somewhere he could not see. At her question however, he returned his attention to his cooking partner. "How I met Helen? Well, yes, actually. I'd stopped at an inn to find a place to rest the night and while I had dinner she appeared on stage. She has quite the voice, like nothing I'd ever heard. I suppose I stared too much as she approached me afterward, we spoke for some time until..." He stopped himself, "Well, I suppose until she ended up deciding to she wanted to travel with me. She was rather adament about it so I couldn't really object."

"Oh, don't get the wrong idea though. We're just traveling together, I don't intend to come between the two of you. I don't think I could if I wanted to anyhow, you should hear how Helen speaks of you. I'd half expected to greet a Goddess upon knocking on your door and though rays of light did to glow from your very being I'd be remiss to say you didn't make quite the first impression." He finished with a half chuckle, mixing the miso a bit before pulling the ladle from the pot and offering Lumi a taste test.

Lumi giggled in response to his remark of her leaving an impression. "Yeah, I can see that. Sorry about what happened. Just five months worth of tension and fear being let out in one moment." She said before looking to him and seeing him presenting the ladle. Leaning forward and taking a little sip, she smacked her lips a bit as nodded. "Tastes great! Just a little bit more miso in there, and I think we have a wonder on our hands." She said as she continued with her end of the work. "Speaks well of me, does she? Well, I am quite wonderful, aren't I?" She playfully said. "On a more serious note, I am grateful that you brought her back here. It's... It's good to see that she is well. I can only assume she got into some kind of trouble. If that is the case, then I will have to find some way to compensate you... Besides just offering you a place to rest at... Speaking of trouble, as so tends to happen on long treks, what brings you all the way out here, Kuromiya? Adventure? Pilgrimage? Just for the heck of it? And do you intend to bring Helen with you on that journey as well?" She asked. Even so, she didn't sound confrontational or suspicious. It sounded more like genuine curiosity mixed with some due caution. Still, she was maintaining her smile with the man.

Takanashi tasted the soup as well, nodding in agreement with the woman before adding a bit more paste to the soup and using the ladle to further mix it, using the moment to think. "Your offer is kind, Lumi, but please don't let it get to your head in thinking you owe me anything. It's true that she wasn't in the best spot when I met her but I didn't help hoping to be compensated for it... I'm just not the sort of person who can see someone suffering and do nothing about it. Good for goodness sake, yes, that's the jiggle they always play around Christmas time." He chuckled at his own joke before stifling it and clearing his throat.

"As for why I'm here, it's my pilgrimage, I arrived in Ogon a little less than a month ago and as for whether or not Helen will join me..." Takanashi hesitated, unsure of exactly what to say for a few moments as he further gathered his words. "If you truly wish to compensate me then you should try to convince her to remain here with you. She's got it in her head that she owes me something despite my protests. I could tell as we traveled here that she isn't used to it, I don't want her to get hurt following me from country to country because she thinks she's indebted to me. I'd much rather her remain here, happy with you."

"Having someone to talk to, knowing that when I wake up in the morning it won't be the only the sounds of the forest to greet me, it's been nice, a great comfort... But I won't selfishly drag her around just to stave off a bit of homesick lonliness. If anyone could convince her to stay then it has to be you."

She giggled at his joke. "Well, I'll count myself lucky that you were able to bring her back here, even if she was in a 'bad spot'. I am beyond happy to have her around again. And yes, I believe you that you didn't act that way to gain something, but now when something is being offered, do be a dear and accept it." She said sweetly. "And while I'd like for her to stay... She is a stubborn nut that one, see. If she has decided that she is gonna tag along to 'repay you', whatever that means... Then she is not going to give up just like that. But if it makes you feel better, then I'll do my best." She said, tapping his shoulder with her tail as her hands were preoccupied.

After a bit longer, the food was prepared and the two of them began to walk into the dining room to eat. She carried the pot, he carried the plates and utensils. Helen quickly sprung to action, as if jolted by lightning when she saw them and helped to set the table with all the necessities. "This... This smells great. Hinoan?" Helen asked, eyes looking dreamy at the prospect.

"Indeed! Takanashi's suggestion." Lumi chirped. They all sat down and began to pour their bowls with the soup. Once everyone had their meals in hand, Lumi, Takanashi and Helen all offered thanks for the food before eating. For a while, they simply sat there, savoring the meal. "How long do you mean to stay? If you want to see the city, truly see the city, I'd say a few days ought to be the bare minimum. Would you like to stay for that long, Takanashi?"

Thinking for a moment, as though trying to calculate the time they had as if his schedule was somehow tight, he finally answered the woman. The deciding factor not being time but rather letting Helen see her friend for longer if Lumi indeed could not convince her to stay. "A few days seems doable, a chance to rest and recuperate from the journey we made to get here. So long as you don't mind that is, I do not wish to overstay the welcome gifted to me." He responded, patiently waiting to hear the girls' thoughts on the matter while he ate.

"I don't mind in the slightest." Lumi replied simply, sipping on the soup. "I won't say that I owe you, but I feel like It isn't more than right to show kindness in return for what you have offered us. So... How about I and Helen show you around some of the places you can go and see? Ogonsekai's Aquarium of Depths is quite a marvel. For the very brave and daring, one can even get to swim among those grand and exotic animals. Not to mention the Theatre of Magnitudes. Or the sea-fields of Oshorou! That and more can be found here. This place is as much a spectacle as it is a city." Lumi quipped, clapping her hands together. "I have risen in the ranks around here a bit as of late as well, so I might be able to get us in on shorter notices than usually permitted! Just let me know when and where you'd like to go and I'll oblige! Or what do you think, Helen?"

Helen just cautiously smiled and nodded. "Indeed. Sounds splendid. If you want to do any of those things, that is." She said, looking to Takanashi. "Unless you'd rather just spend your time on a couch and recuperating? Prepare for when you take off? Must say, sound like a dull trek in that case." She teased the man.

Lumi spoke of names and places that had no meaning to the man yet all the same the energy in her words seemed to bring them to life, increasing his heartrate in excitement at the thought of seeing the place she spoke so highly of with his own eyes. "I don't think I'd be fulfilling the point of the pilgramage if I were to do that, visiting the places Lumi mentioned sounds like a wonderful and exciting time. I do not know when next I might return here so seeing what the city has to offer may very well be a once in a lifetime experience so I'd be happy to venture out at the earliest possible convience." A joyful chuckle ending his sentence, grateful to Lumi and Helen alike for the offer to show him the city, knowing that most in his position would not be blessed with guides.

"What is this 'Theatre or Magnitudes' you speak of? A place for plays and the like?" He'd asked, only ever having experienced theatre in that form, dances, plays, or comedy shows such as Rakugo. The name sounded intemidating however, as such, he did not know what sort of preformances one might find there, hoping it was not the gladiator fights he'd heard were common place in Ogon.

"It's a circus." Helen interjected. "Talentshows, animal performances, storytelling, public shows, the lot. They are quite spectacular as far as I've heard. Never had the chance to go though before I left... Wait, you mean to tell me you've gone there, Lumi?" Helen asked, a thought suddenly hitting her and feeling most intrigued.

"Actually, yes, I have. Had to work myself into it, but I've seen it. Quite something really. Fun, interractive, exciting, and quite classy for such a 'low-brow' form of entertainment. They love bringing the crowd into the show. It might get scary at first, but it quickly gives way to thrills and 'woahs'. It is just... Just... Woah." She chirped. "If you want to try and attend, I can try and snatch us a few good seats. Maybe they will make you a part of the spectacle. That would be something to see." Lumi said with a wink.

"A circus, you've definitely made it sound fascinating." He gently clapped his hands together, an almost child-like tone in his voice as he thought of what sorts of wonders such a place could hold. Looking to Helen he indeed smiled, and unlike the cheekiness of Lumi's words he spoke in complete sincerity, "If they do indeed involve the crowd in such performances it might very well be the place for you to break out into the more popular channels, yes? With a voice such as yours I'm sure people only need hear it to understand the talent you have." He spoke fondly of her singing, just as he had on the day the two had met. Though he was still getting to know the women behind it, it was clear that he admired her voice a great deal.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself he settled down a bit, "In should it take time to arrange such a visit then until such time, or if it turns out impossible, perhaps we can simply see the city in the meantime? Having never been here before I'm sure a place withs so much history holds many untold beauties beyond it's residence of course." He offered an alternative should they have to wait or be unable to visit the circus at all during their stay here.

"Why yes, of course! But since you seem interested, I'll see what I can do." Lumi said, excitement undeniable in her voice. "And yes, I'm quite sure that Helen could get a bit of a break if that were to happen." She said, looking to Helen with a bit of a teasing look. Helen responded with a slight kick to her shin. It wasn't enough to be painful, but enough of a hit to count as a 'Oh, shush you'. The two girls smiled at one another before looking back to Takanashi. "What about you, Takanashi? Got any impressive skills of your own?" Lumi asked. "If you were to be the one to get pulled up, could be interesting to see how you would go on to woo the crowd."

"Impressive skills of my own? No, no, I wouldn't really say so. Nothing that would be entertaining to watch that is. Most of my skills come from my upbrining, cooking is a hobby of mine I take a great deal of pride in... though..." He hesitated a bit, unsure if he would even really count it as a skill worth mentioning. "I've a wind catalyst myself so incorperating that into my swordsmanship I'd say I have some minor skill in acrobatics, likely nothing that could compare to any performers we might see of course." He explained, a bit bashful to talk about himself so openly. "And what of you, Lumi? Anything you're rather proud of? I've sensed you had a Catalyst from the moment we met, are you skilled with it?" He asked, remembering the stove and how it didn't seem to have fire, wondering if she indeed had something to do with that as he'd never found out what it was that made it work the way it did.

"Oh, this is gonna be good." Helen said with a teasing tone, backing away and giving Lumi a curious look, causing to the Calco woman to look at her with a confused expression. "Come on now, Lumi-hun. We both know what you are good at. How about a show?" She teased. Lumi blushed slightly at being called out this way.

"Well, I can cook up something in a spiffy if you are gonna put that gun to my head, altough it is gonna take a bit to-" Lumi said before being abruptly interrupted by Helen.

"We *both* *know* what you are good at. I bet you are a better chef any time of day, but that is not the skill we want to see. Come on. Don't leave our guest hanging." Helen teased.

"I-It's a bit awkward to-" Lumi was trying to dissuade before being given a look which Takanashi would have no idea how to interpret, but it seems that Lumi caught on rather quick to it. Sighing, she got down on all fours before them. Just a second later she would raise both her legs and pose them above her in the yoga Scorpion Position. Getting a bit of applause from Helen for doing so, Lumi seemed a bit encouraged by it. Her long green tail with its creamy belly stood at attention above her as she seemed to begin doing push-ups from her position. But those were only warm ups.

When she felt like she was in the groove of it, she threw herself up and did a full one and a half spin, landing on the tip of her tail to keep herself stable, throwing her legs and spread them forward in the Firefly Position. Sitting in that stable pose, she put the knuckles of her left hand under her chin as if to prop her head up and did the peace sign next to her with a blushing grin. "This is my little talent I suppose. Besides baking and cooking."

Takanashi watched with amazement as the woman put any acrobatics he might be able to show off to shame, causing a bit of red to appear on his cheeks, embarassed to have even brought it up as something he was capable of. However, when Lumi finished her pose, he could see that she too wore a blush on her face, clearly uncomfortable with the whole thing or at least just as embarassed as he was. So he decided to encourage her, bringing his hands together to clap lightly for the girl.

"Even more fluid than the wind, wonderful indeed." He smiled warmly, hoping to ease any tension the woman might be feeling after having been asked so suddenly to perform such feats in front of a complete stranger. "I'm glad I didn't show off anything I might be capable of or I'd have been put to shame." He chuckled slightly, putting himself down to bolster Lumi up, a bad habit of his to be too humble for his own good but it had its perks all the same.

"If you're the one to get pulled up there the crowd won't go without a satisfying show, that's for sure. Assuming you'd want to put one of course, I understand the stage can be quite frightening." He continued, not wanting to panic her at the thought of being the one asked to perform.

Lumi came down from her pose and shrugged her shoulders as if to shake off a tension she had with her. With a nervous giggle did she take a few steps back as if she needed distance from the man after that display. "W-Well, it is not like I have something against the stage. I've performed with Helen a few times. It's just... I feel a bit exposed when I do that. Its a bit of an awkward feeling to have someone stare then. A lot of spread legs, accentuated parts of the body and easily tippable. It is just feels a bit weird." She chuckled.

"She has. She's rather good at it too. You should see her dance when she really lets loose. She might act all sweet and softspoken, but she can be quite the party animal. Knows how to look sexy while doing it too." Helen teased, causing a flick of the tail to Helen's rear, making her jump a bit in surprise.

"Unfortunately it would seem so, but that is not something we should be talking about with our guest, now should we, Helen? Have some manners." She repirmanded. "How about some food and good residence until you are ready to head off again, lord? I promise it is gonna be better than any inn you will find around." She said brightly.

"Um, Lumi? Is that for the best? We could always-"

"I will hear no word to the contrary, Helen. He helped you, now I will help him in kind." She interjected. Looking to Takanashi, she bowed deeply. "Welcome to my home, Takanashi Kuromiya. I hope to play a good host for you." She spoke, straightening her back before speaking up again. "I will prepare the room you may stay in, sir. It won't be anything extravagant, but it will still have that homey and comforting feeling I am certain."

Though his blush deepened as Lumi spoke of her worries regarding wandering eyes as well as Helen's suggestion that Lumi could dance quite suggestively, he shook off the thoughts as he found the idea of having them about someone he just met to be rather rude, especially with someone who had been so kind and welcoming to him thus far. Knowing that Helen seemed to have her own reservations about him staying there, he thought of turning Lumi's offer down. But his weightlessness of his pockets and the deep bow that Lumi gave made saying no to the woman impossible.

"Your invitation into your lovely home honors me, Lumi. I graciously accept, I will treat you and your home with the utmost respect." He accepted her offer with the intention of paying her back, but he wouldn't sour the nature of her offer by making such a suggestion now after such a polite invitation by the woman.

"A-and please, just Takanashi is fine." He reiterated, sure that it would stick eventually.

"I know it is. All the same, my mother taught me manners when you ask someone of high stature to accept hospitality. I may not be back home, but I am still Hinoan and I don't intend on letting go on all those lessons." Lumi explained, wanting him to know that while there was no need for it, hospitality and manners were never misplaced. "So then, what would you like for your room?" She asked as she showed him the way.

Once there it was as she said. It was nothing luxurious, and it didn't even have a bed as such. Just enough space for a mattress and some adornments. It served as a bit of a 'office' where Lumi could handle tax papers and the like. With some help from Takanashi did she move the desk out of it so he would have some more space at hand. He had tried to protest about it, but she would have none of it.

Once it was all set up, she turned to look at the man with a bright smile. "I would ask if the two of you would be interested in seeing the city and its attractions for a bit, but I assume you might be a bit tired after your journey. If you'd rather rest, I will just go and fetch what is needed for your stay while the two of you rest up."

"Seeing the city would be wonderful, but you're not wrong about your assumption at least on my part." Takanashi responded, returning her bright smile with one of his own. In the back of his mind he still felt as though he was intruding on her and Helen's living space, but he knew by now that any protest would be shot down, even more so now that they'd gone through the trouble of clearing up space. "But tomorrow I'd love to see what Ogon's capital has to offer." He continued before Lumi left to gather the things he'd for the room beyond the meager supplies in his backpack.

Watching Lumi leave, as she disappeared out of sight Takanashi let out a content sigh before turning to Helen. "Lumi is nice, I can see why you spoke so highly about her before. I'll repay her for her kindness, don't worry, I'm not the type to let the cost of room and board go uncompensated," He promised the girl before he continued. "But more importantly, how are you feeling? It must be nice to be home again."

"Nice?" She asked with a chuckle. "She's amazing. Nothing short of. I thought she'd maybe be a bit more apprehensive, but... She seems to take to you really well... But she was always a people person. She likes to make new friends. 'Better a friend in the pocket than an enemy at your back.'" She said softly with a slight chuckle. "I wonder how she manages. She seems to have such an uncanny ability for it. It would have been one thing if it was just men. She's hot enough to bag any man she wants, but women all want a piece of her attention pie as well. She's... Quite something."

Takanashi seemed to think for a second in response to Helen's words. "As beautiful as she may be I don't think her appearance has anything to do with it. She comes off as a very kind and genuine person, I can understand why people radiate toward her in that way. She's a people magnet, my father was similar in that regard..." Takanashi seemed to catch himself, his smile fading away for a moment at the mention of his father before he brought it back to his face and chuckled a bit as if to wash away the heartache he'd brought upon himself.

"Anyway, you speak so highly of Lumi but you have your own good qualities as well. Not everyone is a magnet for people like she is but that doesn't make them lesser or anything. You're an assertive person, Helen. And the fact that you travelled all that way with me to here even though I told you that you didn't owe me anything tells me you're an honorable one as well." He continued, speaking highly of Helen just to get his mind off of his own father as where Lumi was similar, Helen was not quite so.

"All the same, I think you two belong together. Here that is, you're like two peas in a pod." He continued, trying to hint that she should stay here with Lumi rather than accompany him.

She let out a soft 'heh'. "You're not the first to have told me that. She is a real gem. I couldn't love her more for it. Being able to endure someone like me being a real pain sometimes... But I am not giving up just because of that." She said before looking up to Takanashi with a determined look. "I am still tagging along with you. I have a debt to repay and I'm not going to quit that just because you are having a guilty conscience about splitting us. You will be stuck with me a while longer, buddy."

Takanashi scratched the back of his head, his smile became a bit more lopsided and awakward. "I don't think of it as being stuck with you, I just thought you'd be happier here. That was my entire goal in doing what I did after all..." He rebutted, but knowing he wouldn't get anywhere with her, he left it up to Lumi to try to talk her into staying. She was likely the only person who could make the woman see reason, as much as he would miss hearing her sing, he knew this place was better for her. He just knew it in his heart.

"Well, this'll be the first time in a while we'll be sleeping with a roof over our heads. Gotta admit even if its only been a few weeks knowing neither of us have to worry about what goes bump in the night for now is a bit of a relief." He moved on from their semi-argument over her staying or going. "It feels like a luxury really, I want if this is the sort of thing the pilgrimage is supposed to be about. Realizing how nice even something like a roof to sleep under is, appreaciating it more, you know?"

Helen giggled a bit at that. "I wouldn't know, but I could very well see that being a thing. Pilgrimage wasn't really a thing, and I've only ever known safety in numbers, sleeping beneath a proper roof or at least having a well guarded campsite. A lot of this is new to me. You are giving me a whole lot of firsts right now." She spoke, admitting to her inability to relate to what he was saying. "But yes, I think I agree with you all the same. It is quite refreshing to be back to old habits again. Even if only temporary. We'll be on our way not too soon from now after all." She said with a fist bump to his chest.

Takanashi listened to what Helen was saying understanding the two came from very different backgrounds and how it might have sounded for him to talk about how the nobles had an entire ritual to teach their children the value of things so many might be going without.

So lost in his thoughts that her voice began to fade into the background until he felt her fist against his chest. Snapping back to the present moment he seemed surprised for a moment before his hearing caught up with him and he nodded his head. "R-right." He responded, stumbling over his own words.

His absentmindedness did not go unnoticed, but she was not about to press him on it. Soon after did Lumi return back up the stairs, carrying with her all the necessities for their stays. It was a lot. Blankets, pillows, covers, and more. A lot more than would fit in his room. "Uh, Lumi? What is all this?"

"What? Did you think I kept your room in order all this time just because? No no. You get to dress your room on your own, that is your punishment after leaving me to dry for so long." She said as she threw Helen's stuff at her. Helen looked confused and a little bit dismayed. "That hit wasn't punishment enough?" Helen asked. She had a rather large bed, and making it right tended to be quite the hassle when done alone.

Sighing, Helen took it and headed for her room to get everything in order, leaving Lumi and Takanashi behind. Starting to dress up the room for him too, working together to make it nice and neat, Lumi then extended her hands towards him, holding something in them. When Takanshi would look up, he would see a little box of incense. A luxurious product at that it would seem, the scent strong but not overwhelming and in a box with a brand that Takanashi would recognize as something used by the more esteemed of nobility. Pushing her hands forward a bit more, encouraging him to take it, she smiled. "For bringing her back. You strike me as a man who might find use of these."

Takanashi held the box in his hands, he didn't want to accept them. Not because she was wrong but because he didn't feel right accepting a gift for doing the right thing. "Lumi... I..." He thought about telling her that he couldn't accept such a pricy gift from her but when he looked into her face and saw the kind scincerity in her eyes he couldn't bring himself to turn the gift, nor her, away. He held the box to his chest and smiled, "Thank you, Lumi. Your kindness is more than I deserve." He spoke humbley before he bowed his head low to her, respecting her and her gift.

Lifting his head he stared back at Lumi. "I only wish I could convince her to stay. She's lucky to have someone like you. And I suppose, at the moment, so am I." He tired to lighten the mood, not wanting to keep things too serious.