damned_institute | Day 35: Twin Pines Restaurant

Country fried steak? She couldn't tell much from glancing over the articles taped to the windows, but that seemed to be what the restaurant was known for. Hanyuu resisted the urge to sigh. She was sure it was good--most of the food in Landel's was--but she wished they'd sometimes serve food she was more used to.

Speaking of what she wished they'd have, she wondered if Doyleton had any places like Angel Mort... Hanyuu really would've liked to have one (preferably more) of their desserts right about now.

Her stomach seemed to agree with that thought and it gave another low rumble, causing the girl to blush yet again. "Auauu," she murmured shifting from one foot to the other. Even if the food wasn't like Angel Mort’s desserts, she hoped they were able to eat soon. That was embarrassing...

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/446999.html?thread=36557335#t36557335)]

Celes found herself surprisingly pleased as she walked into the small family restaurant. By now, many seats had been taken and, as loathe as she was to admit it, Celes didn't wish to wait for it to clear out - who knew how long that would be? She scanned the restaurant and found a small head she recognized (and thank the Triad). One of Mion's friends, and she knew she'd heard her name at least once or twice.

Hannah?

Hahyu..?

Hahn-you?

Hahn-you. Yes, that sounded right. Miss Hahn-you. Celes politely ahemed to get the younger girl's attention. "Hello, Miss Hahn-you. Would you be adverse to my joining you and your companion?"

Ducking his head towards his friend, Archer teasingly whispered to Hanyuu, "It sounds like you have a little dinosaur in there."

Noticing someone's approach, the stranger's presence brought him out of his humor, changing to a more reserved one. Partly because she was a stranger, and he noticed that she was particularly beautiful. It was mostly the latter. Luckily, Archer had enough experience with beautiful women not to look like some spellbound idiot. Rin's vicious teasing was the best medicine for that.

Obviously, she knew Hanyuu, since she called her name, even if she butchered it. At best, he suspected they were acquaintances. Her formal demeanor served as further evidence. You didn't attach "miss" to a friend or someone you were close to. Sharing a look with his friend, he wondered what her reply would be. "Hanyuu, I'm fine with it, but it's up to you."

Given the spirit's recent emotional outburst, Archer wasn't sure if she wanted extra company, and he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Hanyuu ducked her head, mumbling another round of, "Auau," at Archer's teasing.

She didn't readily notice the woman's approach, mostly due to keeping her gaze on the ground, but she managed to keep herself from jumping once she spoke. Instead, the spirit's slight surprise was shown through a few rapid blinks, and then a confused stare as she tried to place the woman. She knew her name, which meant they'd likely meant before, so where..?

"Ah!" Realization dawned, and Hanyuu smiled. "You're Mion's roommate!" Right, she'd met her the night Mion had...

Considering what had happened prior to coming to the restaurant, it was probably better if she didn't think about the circumstances surrounding their meeting. She quickly pushed that memory out of her mind and offered a quick nod, relieved that Archer hadn't objected.

"Of course! I mean, no. I mean... I don't mind." Hanyuu shifted nervously again. She really did need to work on her conversational skills, at least when she was talking to people other than Archer or Arlene. "I-it's nice to meet you again. I'm afraid I never found out your name, though..."

Celes waved her hand dismissively. "I'm afraid we were more than a little preoccupied the night we left. I am Celes Chere, Miss Hahn-you," she smiled gently, feeling as though she needed to calm the girl from being so terribly anxious.

Celes slid into her seat and folded her hands on the table. "I am pleased to see you are well." Well, for the most part.

"I'm Archer. Nice to meet you, Chere-san," he said, introducing himself in a polite manner. In that moment, he realized he had reverted to Emiya Shirou's personality: polite, weak, overly concerned for others. His conversation with Sheena earlier was proof enough, trying to comfort her without seeing her skills, but he only seemed to be realizing it now.

Losing his connection to Gaia had stripped him of something vital, his sense of reassurance, and now he was tip toeing around these people, suppressing his realist and cynical nature. He knew he couldn't do his job alone this time, but it was a pain watching what he said. Glancing at Hanyuu for a moment, he decided being nice wasn't such a bad thing. Shaking these troublesome thoughts from his mind, he returned to the present.

"Obviously, you've already met Hanyuu," he said, trying to place a subtle emphasis on his pronunciation of the little spirit's name. He didn't want to come off like a jerk, but hearing Celes incorrectly say Hanyuu's name was like listening to fingernails scratch a chalkboard. At least, that's how it sounded to Archer's sensitive, Japanese ears.

Now that he had a chance, he took in Celes' appearance, trying not to seem like he was checking her out, which he wasn't. At least not this time. The way she carried herself spoke volumes, seeming like someone used to being in charge, perhaps a leader of some sort? And while beautiful, her physique indicated that she definitely wasn't a delicate wall flower. She was similar to Saber in that aspect.

It was strange how things such as shyness were pushed aside in the face of an emergency. It had been slightly easier to talk to the woman--Celes--when they had first met; any stuttering she had done at that time had been a result of fear.

Then again, it wasn't too difficult trying to talk know, even if Hanyuu stumbled over her words. Celes had taken a part in rescuing Mion, which meant a lot as far as the spirit was concerned. Plus Archer was there, which helped make things easier.

"I'm glad you're okay too," she said, before glancing to Archer and adding, "We met a few nights ago." She wanted to thank the woman for what she'd done that night, but she wasn't sure whether or not that was a good idea. She didn't want to risk bringing the mood down again.

"So, um..." Unfortunately, she wasn't sure what else to say at the moment. "Wh-what have you been doing lately?"

Celes smiled, the motion a little chilly and attempting to thaw. The General did not usually have many reasons to smile. "Unfortunately, not as much as I'd like to, Miss Hanyuu. Yesterday a companion and I made it outside the gates, but naught came of it." It wasn't as though she and Luxord were trying particularly hard than to do little more than enjoy the evening.

"And you both? I hope that your endeavors are more successful than mine appear to be," she said easily. It was all anyone could do. She needed to find a proper way to that place below, and see what interesting things were held there.

Jackie, the teenage waitress, eagerly returned with Hanyuu and Archer's meals and drinks. Leaning over the table, she gave Archer a clear view of her assets, but unfortunately, he hardly paid any attention to her, aside from a polite "thank you." There were far more important things at stake, and Archer's indifference caused her to leave disappointed.

"Well that depends on your definition of success," he replied, taking time to sip his drink.

Celes seemed like a capable individual, and she appeared to be on Hanyuu's good side, which was a plus. He wasn't sure exactly what had happened between the two, but noting Hanyuu's demeanor, he decided not to bring it up. Nevertheless, her association with the little spirit indicated she was a trustworthy person, to an extent. Hanyuu may have been child-like, but Archer knew she was much sharper than she appeared. Still, he hesitated to make Celes part of his plans because he wasn't really familiar with her, although he'd very much like to be.

"Lately, we've been exploring the basement area. It seems to be pretty large area down there," Archer said, baiting the general. He didn't reveal who they were or what they'd done; Archer needed to protect the secrecy of the Arts and Crafts group after all. However, he also wanted to see if Celes was interested; he could use some help since he probably wouldn't be able to get in touch with the other Arts and Crafts members today.

As Celes and Archer mentioned what they had been doing, Hanyuu found herself shrinking down in her seat slightly. It sounded as though both had been able to accomplish certain things; even if neither seemed to think much of it, it was still a lot more than she had done. All she'd been able to do lately was get attacked by a giant scorpion.

Of course, that wasn't something she wanted to say out loud. And having to say she hadn't done anything else didn't sound much better. Thankfully the meals had arrived, and Hanyuu all but pounced on hers, taking a few quick bites. Hopefully taking time to eat would provide a decent enough excuse for not giving an answer of her own.

"My definition of success is a clear-cut victory, unfortunately, that seems long in coming." Celes shrugged and managed to look amused. "If you're going to go to the basement, might I accompany you? Obviously, if one can't go out, and accomplish anything worth noting, one might as well go down."

It seemed like a sound plan to her, after all. That was, of course, if this Archer would have her.

He gave Hanyuu a small, encouraging smile, showing he remembered her presence but acknowledged that this conversation shifted away from her. This was between Celes and him, and hopefully this would give Hanyuu a chance to relax, after that emotional outburst earlier.

"I feel the same," Archer replied. When she asked to join his team, for a moment, he tried to gage her reaction. There was no valid or significant reason to reject her, but he still had some questions. "That's fine. Your assistance would be welcome. You seem like a warrior yourself. Could you tell me a little about your training or experience?"

Hanyuu didn't mind not taking part in the conversation--she was relieved, actually. It kept her from having to answer the earlier question, at the very least. And, to be quite honest, it was what she was used to. Of course, both Archer and Celes knew she was there, so there was no need for her to feel guilty about listening to them talk.

So, she merely took the time to eat her lunch, listening to the two all the while.

Celes straightened another modicum. "I was the second General in the Imperial Army of Gestahl. I never lost a battle from my time as a chocobo knight up until my arrival here.

"Before this place, I used a wide variety of magic and strategy to get to my goal. Now, I've only a few paltry ice spells and the ability to heal. My swordsmanship has not suffered, thankfully." And she still needed to see if she could absorb a magical attack. The inability to would be extremely damaging.

Whoa. A general? She really was used to being in charge. With that little tidbit, everything seemed to fall into place.

Her flawless battle record seemed very impressive, but there was one thing he was concerned with. Chocobos... They don't sound like any creature I'm familiar with, but I know I've heard of them somewhere before...

"That's good to know. You're more than qualified to join my team tonight," Archer earnestly replied. As far as he was concerned, he'd hit the jackpot. She had brains, beauty, and brawn. What more could a guy possibly ask for? "The team will be meeting in the West Wing, North Hallway, right outside the men's dormitory, before we proceed to the basement."

Celes was a General? Wow... Hanyuu couldn't help but wonder how Landel's was to someone who was used to fighting, but she opted not to voice that question. There was no need to interrupt the conversation, and she didn't want to risk sounding rude or anything like that.

When Archer mentioned that he--and possibly Celes as well--was planning to go back to the basement, however, the spirit frowned slightly. Every place was dangerous come nightfall, but the basement was supposedly more so. Hanyuu had already accepted that they were all going to die, but that didn't mean she wanted to lose more people so soon... Hopefully they would both be all right...

The only thing a man could possibly ask for in Celes was for the gods to thaw her chilly personality. "Excellent. I'll meet you directly after they release us." Celes earnestly hoped that Hanyuu would not be joining them. It was hard enough to protect the other members of the team when her natural instinct was to protect the civilian.

Day 35: Twin Pines Restaurant

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