Day 27: Lunch

[norainu]

Renji wasn't so certain what this grilled cheese thing was all about, but he liked the sound of some soup. Even if it was strange western soup, well... there wasn't anything bad people could do to soup, in his experience. His good mood was starting to fray at the edges, a little, from the strain of dealing with the Ichimaru issue, and even more from what had been on the bulletin board earlier.

He'd never had difficulty simply writing something before. But...

He shook his head as he entered the line. He didn't want to think about it. He wanted to hold on to the tenuous equilibrium he'd managed to find.

Renji got himself a large bowl of soup, water, and even one of those sandwiches, just to try it. Old habit, recently awakened, had him over to one side of the cafeteria, where the fewest people possible would have the chance to pass behind him. He sat there with his back toward the wall and started eating.

Comments

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

Yes, just come to my room. My roommate always leaves right after dinner. I'll set out a mage light for you so you can find it. It's what I did last night and Keman was able to follow my magic. And thank the ancestors for that. It saved a great deal of time.

But if you're going to test your magic, you shouldn't go out at night. If something happens, you won't have enough to defend yourself. I've made that mistake myself.

Not that he enjoyed admitting he'd made mistakes, but if he wanted Shana to listen, he figured that was the best way to go about it.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"Maybe I can wait till we reach your room, then?" she suggested, looking thoughtful. "If that's where we plan on staying at any rate. Unless you don't think we'll be safe there?" she asked worriedly, glancing over at him.

Was any place safe here in the dark?

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

Valyn paused for a moment, not sure how to answer. He could see himself in a very uncomfortable situation.

I was planning on staying in, he wrote, slowly. But Keman's well and uninjured, there'd be no point in him staying as well. And the rooms are perfectly safe.

He had the sinking feeling that Shana would use the excuse of having tested her magic to spend the night with him. And he couldn't do anything about it.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

She didn't miss the hesitancy in his expression, and her own expression dimmed somewhat as she chewed on her lower lip. "Would you rather I just stay in my own room and test my limits, then? I should be fine. Although Keman shouldn't wander by himself. Maybe I should just wait until you're better..."

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

Keman wouldn't agree to just leaving you in your room, he pointed out. And you do need to test your limits. It's important to know what you can and can't do so you don't find yourself in a bad position.

Valyn knew that the sensible thing would to have Shana stay with him so she could test her strength. But it was a rather awkward idea. He wasn't used to being alone with her. Come to think of it, he didn't think he'd ever really been alone with her, other than when he asked her to handfast with Shadow.

I don't know when I'll be better. It's fine, you can stay with me if you'd like.

Maybe he would take Keman's advice and talk to her....

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"I don't want to be in the way," she replied, suddenly remembering what Valyn had said about that Rain person coming to see him during the night.

"I can do it from my own room, really. I'll be careful. I learned my limitations the first time around all by myself. This shouldn't be too different. At least I know where to start now."

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

In the way of what? Valyn was honestly curious. It wasn't as though he could do much but sit in his chair or lie down on his bed. His roommate wasn't going to be around, and he honestly didn't think the man would care one or another. Of course he'd probably get the wrong idea, but Valyn was getting rather used to that when it came to the women in his life.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"Of... of anything," she stuttered, feeling her cheeks heat. "In case you got company. Or something.

Fire and Rain, she hated it that she couldn't hide her emotions as easily as other people.

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

I'm sure my thinking time would be so very hindered by your presence, Valyn wrote. I don't have company coming.

he took a deep breath and decided he really did need to end this now. He was flushing as he began to write. He couldn't help it, it was the one thing he'd never learned to control.

Shana, I know what you're implying. And you aren't the first person to imply it, though ancestors know why so many people seemed interested in the subject, but I do not have a lover. And I would prefer to never have to have anything resembling this conversation ever again. Or even to have to write that word again. To anyone. I don't have one here and I don't particularly want one.

There.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

She read his words with increasingly reddening cheeks, feeling embarrassed and awkward. "Umm. Okay," she mumbled, looking mortified. "Sorry."

Taking a deep breath and hoping he didn't now think her a complete idiot. Or rather, more of an idiot, she shot him a bashful glance and asked, "Tonight, then?"

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

You don't have to apologize, Valyn wrote, still flushing himself. As I said, it isn't only you who's made the assumption. But yes, tonight is fine. I'll post a message to Keman, to let him know what we've decided. I'm sure Renji will have a group for him to go with tonight.

And he imagined Keman would have some choice words about the situation.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"I can talk to him, if that's easier?" Shana offered, glancing over to where her brother sat. "Although I feel bad for leaving him to fend off things on his own. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

No, it's fine. It's easiest to just use notes during the day, honestly. And he wouldn't be fending for himself. I trust Renji with my life, Shana. Valyn wet his lips, trying to think of how to explain why he trusted Renji so much.

Shana was just going to have to take his word.

Besides, it's up to Keman. It isn't as though I'm going to force him.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"Alright," she acceded. Surprisingly, at the moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to spend an evening alone with Valyn just yet either. Things were still too overwhelming and awkward and she kept seeming to say the wrong things.

Besides, with him as injured as she was, her past plans for catching him alone were rather moot anyway...

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

I suppose I can work on the bestiary tonight, Valyn wrote. He may as well bring Shana up to date on what, exactly, they were doing.

We're making a list of the monsters we run into and jotting down notes about them. Where they seem to be the most, how they attack, their weaknesses....

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"There's a lot of them, aren't there?" she asked curiously, glancing over at him, a small frown on her lips as she mentally prepared herself for what was to come, going over again what she'd learned so far.

[notmyfather.livejournal.com]

There are. Valyn reached up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. And they're very dangerous and magic doesn't effect them all. Or doesn't seem to.

He'd encountered only a few of the beasts, but he knew enough of them to know each and every one was as dangerous as the next.

[hamenleai.livejournal.com]

"There's ones that magic doesn't affect?" she echoed, looking intrigued and leaning forward. "How is that possible? It doesn't connect or they're just immune to it? I've never heard of such things."