002 ~*~ Sprucing things up a little

[not_so_great_wall]

Flandre was right: the houses all look the same and it's rather dull. She's used to living somewhere that stands out from the rest of the world, so it was time to make this place a little more like home!

[Action : Johnathon's Tools]
[ Meiling is just picking up a 'few' supplies for her home landscaping projects. Hoes, spades, buckets, etc. You would think she couldn't carry this all by herself, but she's stronger than she looks. Just... don't be behind her when she turns around or you just might get a face full of a shovel or a rake!

Poke her? Help her shop? Wonder why the shopkeeper is giving her the cold shoulder after noticing the star on her hat,? ]

[Action : 340 Brady Lane]
[ In front of the house, Meiling is busy laying some stone for a new pathway, boxes for flowers, new wooden borders for the bushes, and in general working hard at tearing up the yard. (She already napped at work, hence all the energy!) She's wearing a pair of overalls, heavy gloves, a plaid shirt, and enough dirt to need three showers later.

Bother her? Help out? She'll be at this for a few days. Weekend taggers have the added chance of catching her taking a rest at midday~ ]

Comments

[not_so_great_wall]

Okay! [ There's not much to work with, but he's welcome to the shovel being tossed his way. ]

This would be going a lot easier if I still had my body. [ A sigh. Just when she got used to it that one time, it was all gone again. Oh well. At least she has her hat. ]

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

[He snatches it out of the air and starts to draw a line in the ground with it.]

How big are we doing this? And your body?

[not_so_great_wall]

Well, the bushes will be over there-- [ She gestures at the scored patches of grass near the sidewalk. ] --and then flower beds on all three other sides, even in front of the porch! That leaves just enough room to sit or play in the center of it all.

[ She stands to her full height and nods. ] Mm, that's right. Just like I was back when I found all of you in the Dairy. [ No, there really is no visible difference from then to now. ]

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

[He takes his time marking out the areas. If he's going to help, he's going to do it properly.]

Yeah...you don't look any different.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ She scratches her hair below her cap. ] Aheh, a human might not be able to tell, but as a youkai I definitely feel the difference. [ Meiling takes a deep breath and stretches her arms above her head. ] I can't fly or use my qi or anything like this. Wounds don't heal as fast, either. [ Gesturing emphatically with her hand. ] My wrist is still pretty sore from that battle...

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

Oh. [He looks pretty unimpressed but then again, he's a little busy.] I guess I'm a youkai too.

[not_so_great_wall]

Really? [ Invading his personal space, now, peering curiously. ] No one told me! You don't look that familiar, either. You're not from Gensokyo, are you?

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

[LEAAAAAAAAAAN]

No, I'm not. I'd like to go there but I'm definitely not from there.

[not_so_great_wall]

Ah. [ Backs off just a tiny bit. ] Youkai are from all over, so I shouldn't really be surprised, but things tend to be less tense in Gensokyo. Safer. [ Well, when people aren't stirring things up... ]

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm normally not one but Alice made me one. It's a long story.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Staring. ] She... did?

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

I certainly didn't say that for my health.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Meiling glances away. ] Mm, well, I won't ask why... I know making that sort of decision is usually very personal. It's been a long time since I met someone who was new to all of this. [ Furrowing her brow, she gives him an even look for a moment, before that carefree smile returned. ] ...I just hope you don't regret that choice. It wouldn't be good, since there's no turning back!

[ Then she flexes her hand and laughs sheepishly. ] Well, almost.

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

[He looked up at Meiling with a smile.]

Don't worry. I never regret a choice I make. Besides, living as a human would have probably been impossible for me.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ That earns him another curious look. ] --I don't get it. Weren't you human before? [ She might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he didn't say anything about continuing to live as a human... ]

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was.

[not_so_great_wall]

I-- [ Okay, something got lost in translation here, she feels. But it's not really important. She just laughs it off. ] Okay then!

What brings you by this side of town? [ She's used to asking why people were approaching her gate; it's not like it was close to a major road or anything, and old habits die hard. ]

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

There's nothing else to do so wandering around helps with the boredom.

[not_so_great_wall]

Ahh, I can understand that. [ She nods. ] I admit work tires me out pretty good, as does walking to and from the school, so I don't do a lot of extra walking myself.

But it seems that others are trying to find ways to make things more interesting for everyone.

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

I sleep in school so it balances out.

What do you mean?

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Headscratch. ] Aheh, if only I could get away with that... [ Sigh. ] Siestas are not in my work schedule.

Oh, well, it seems someone's organizing a dance of some kind, soon. A ... "prom", I think it's called?

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

Oh, right. Alice and I are going to that together.

[not_so_great_wall]

That's wonderful! [ She beams, then looks back over her shoulder at the house. ] I wonder if that's the sort of thing she would enjoy...

If we were back home, it'd be an easy answer, but it seems she does get out more here in Mayfield.

[artwithknives.livejournal.com]

I make her get out of the house. It's better for her that way.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Leaning over again. ] --you don't push her too much though, right? There's her health to worry about.