With your baby's breath, breathe symphonies

[resoundingpledge]

WHO: Residents of Nonah #005, adopted members of Nonah #005, stray birds, stray cats, stray dogs, visitors to Nonah #005, neighbours of Nonah #005, people passing Nonah #005 on the street . . .
WHERE: Nonah #005
WHEN: Feb. 3
WHAT: Setsubun! Bean throwing!! Family dinner!!!
WARNINGS: Teenagers

[Demons outside!
Good fortune inside!

. . . or maybe just an excuse for not-at-all homesick teenagers to throw sweet-crunchy roasted soybeans around the rooms of the house (presumably to invite good fortune in and not just to make a mess), or at anyone who wants to play the part of a demon and be chased out. There's a few bowls of soybeans and paper oni masks around for those who want to join in on the fun.

Unfortunately, due to the absolutely deplorable state of the local supermarket, there's a decided lack of thick, unsliced sushi rolls. They tried, they really did. But as it turns out, defeat might not be a bad thing: instead of sushi, a large electric skillet and two platters dominate the dinner table. One is stacked high with sliced nappa cabbage, mushrooms, onion and cubes of firm tofu; the other has thin strips of beef, ready for the pan.

The first sizzle of cooking meat might just be enough to call out anyone still lingering away from the fun, but if not, at least two helpful birds will poke heads around doors. After that, it's an every-person-for-themselves battle of can you get that piece of meat just as it's finished cooking? Or will that mushroom be stolen just as the sweet soy sauce broth marinates it to perfection?

That's the fun of sukiyaki though, it's the best of family and celebratory meals. And there's been a lot worth celebrating.

Demons out. Good fortune in.]

Comments

[resoundingpledge]

Everything's ready.

[ Clench. Release. Breathe. ]

Um . . . Miss Maya?

[missleadingquestions]

--Hm?

[She's not used to actual teenagers using 'Miss Maya', so it surprises her-- but she's not against hearing it.]

What's the matter?

[resoundingpledge]

[ There's a shift in her. Not a big one; nothing more than her hands smoothing out, the way she stands a bit straighter, her feet steady. Grounded. ]

Yayoi-san and I planned this. And we wouldn't have . . . we don't expect anyone else to clean up after but us, either. And we will. We wouldn't have done any of this if we weren't going to.

And if something's not right, after . . . that's our responsibility too. It wouldn't be a good 'thank you' at all if we left someone here feeling hurt, or upset. It's your household. No one should . . .

[ She shakes her head. ]

You should be able to be happy here.

[missleadingquestions]

[Maya has to listen to Kururu's little speech with big, wide eyes, not expecting a single word of it. She'd never been mad, per se-- no, it was more like something would be pulling at the back of her mind, like every bean was a shadow in the corner of her vision.

Like if it didn't get cleaned up the minute the party was over, there would be a shadow behind her, making little 'tsk' noises and telling another medium what a shame it is Misty's daughter became so untidy, it's so disdainful--

But those thoughts melt away when she realises her hesitation has worried Kururu. She shakes her head, eyes still wide, and urges--]

No--- no! It's okay! I was never mad.

I-I know you guys would clean up! I'm not upset!

[resoundingpledge]

You should be able to be happy.

[ She reaches for one of the many (how did there even manage to be this many, they'd only roasted a few sheets) discarded beans, turning it over in her fingers. ]

Like Kaneda-san said . . .

[ And she reaches out, touching the bean softly to Maya's forehead. ]

Demons outside. Inside, only good things.

[missleadingquestions]

[It's a pretty strange emotion that wells up within Maya now-- something bittersweet. If she were a coffee-metaphor-loving, white-haired man, she might make some comparison about knives and scalpels and healing, but she isn't. Instead, the thought that comes to mind is one of warmth, like a fire lit inside her that, while being warm, still causes her eyes to glisten just slightly at the sight of it.

She gives Kururu a warm (but perhaps a little sad) smile in return.

You should be able to be happy.

But in the coming month, that would be the last thing on Maya's mind. Instead, all she can really think of is the woman who didn't even think she should be able to live.

Maya's shoulders shake a little from her giggling, but in the softest manner. Muted, like something a bit shier (and all that much more genuine) than her usual laugh.]

Is that what he said? Well, I guess he has a point. That's what today's all about, right?

[resoundingpledge]

Mm! It is.

[ There's a lot in that laugh. A whole story, probably . . . Kururu's eyes soften, and she lets her hand drop.

. . . almost impulsively, she reaches for Maya's hand, holding it in both of her own as she presses the bean into her palm, curling her fingers closed around it. Kururu's hands are rough with callouses, but her touch is soft, and her hands warm. ]

Keep this one? For luck.

[ For a reminder. ]

[missleadingquestions]

[Kururu's an actual darling. An angel, probably. Just, she's precious.

Maya takes the little bean and smiles at it.

It's funny; before they'd gone to Russia, Maya had charged numerous omamori to give to the others to keep them strong. She can't use them herself, so none of them had been kept for her. Still, this? This feels even luckier, and for once, it's for her.]

Definitely.

[She grins at Kururu.]

I think we should get started before the boys eat everything, though.

[resoundingpledge]

[ And just like that, whatever had shifted before shifts back again, and she's just a cheerfully smiling sixteen year old. ]

Mm, definitely!