Family Matters

[Guest]

Xing. A country she had only visited once when she was a child, and that was for the same reason as today. Family business. At least back then she had been too young to truly know better (though her senses of right and wrong were still rather sharp even back then), and so she hadn't questioned the scary men in nice suits or the pretty ladies in their dresses with bodyguards all around the room. She hadn't quite understood until her father explained to her years later just who those people had been. The Xingese mob as it were. He was just a minor lieutenant, but still important enough to have to return to the homeland for business. Oh, and maybe getting to see a distant relative or two.

Lisbeth stood out, however, in a crowd. What with her pale skin that lacked the tan tint that the Xingese or Aerugese seemed to possess, blue eyes, and tall stature. She was a giant compared to the people that she did claim some heritage to. No matter, she didn't really mind the random stares and whispers that followed her every step. In fact, she was rather used to it in some form or another. She merely smirked to herself as she walked at a leisurely pace through the streets of the ancient city, the sandals on her feet barely making a sound against the pavement. Her long black hair flowed free behind her, per usual, a hand coming up to touch the ring dangling from the necklace about her pretty neck. Martin... They had wanted to come here together to explore, to see the sights, to... Her steps slowed to a halt beside a book store, her lips pursing together against the pain that still lingered within her chest. She was here now, no matter the purpose, and by god she would enjoy it.

So with a confident smirk, she straightened up, glancing over her form in the glass of that shop. She had chosen a crimson button up top that was a V neck of sorts, showing off the cleavage that she couldn't really help to hide. The fabric was silky but rather sheer on the arms and ripply frills that followed the neckline. The body of it, on the other hand, was solid enough so as not to reveal anything she didn't want to. A bright white skirt covered her legs with a long slit up the left side, revealing her long and slender legs. The sandals were black and matched the purse that hung over her shoulder. Simply put, she was dressed to kill. People underestimated the power of simplicity when it came to fashion. But no matter, it was time to continue.

She felt a vibration in her purse and sighed lightly, pulling it out to check via caller ID whom it was. Her father, of course. "Yes baba? Yes, I remember. Don't worry, I'll represent you perfectly. You know how I am." Her voice was smooth, tinged with her amusement. "Remind me again why you couldn't come yourself? They don't bite. Heh, not like I do anyways." The last statement was more for herself, a personal joke that her father was undoubtedly rolling his eyes at. "I know, I know. You have to keep an eye on the business happening there. I'm just giving you a hard time." Her footsteps slowed to a stop as she strolled by one of the many parks that seemed to be widely scattered about. For a country separated from the rest by a desert, there was an awful lot of vegetation. That made her happy.

"Love you too. Kiss mom for me. Oh, and say hi to Jay and Yue for me. Bye." And with that she hung up the phone, her pretty lips raising in a smile. Besides, she had to thank her fathers connections for aiding her in her errand a couple of years before. It was better to do those sort of things in person. Snapping the purse shut, Lisbeth judged that she had some time to spare, deciding to take one of the paths through this particular park before heading off to the meeting of gangsters.

[Guest]

Lucrezia was a girl in her own world. Even as she sat, bruised a bit and bleeding from her right arm, she still remained with a bright smile on her face. Like a jester, she always seemed to be grinning one ear to the other. Was it stupidity, ignorance or just some unknown power? It was a rather interesting thought. However, Lucrezia wasn't unhappy at the moment. Her eyes upon the previous target. A small girl barely five had been sitting there crying. Oh the story the injuries told on Lucrezia.

Having seen the little girl bullied, Lu had rushed over to her rescue. The pacifist had then tried to make everyone friends. It didn't work at all. The three eight year old then proceeded to beat up the twenty-eight year old girl.. yeah Lu was sure a tough girl. Afterwards they felt so much pity and little pleasure from the girl.. then embarrassed when she began crying worse than the five year old; they just left. It was humiliating.. they felt bad to look at her.

With her face showing a smile, her hand rested on the girl's head. "Are you okay, little one? I hope they didn't rough you up too bad!" Her voice was one soothing though a bit high pitched. Her age obviously did not show. Hair almost silver lilac with eyes of a gorgeous blue, the woman sat cross legged. Her fair skin was a bit butchered at the time, but still kept its color rather well. Her outfit a baggy shirt that drooped low on one side and sort of slanted the whole of it. Beneath the dark gray was another top but it was a tight black camisole. Her skirt was a reddish pink, pleaded over her lap. Her legs today had leggings under the boots of white with red straps. A strapped silk necklace around her neck.

The little girl there, a small brunette with a pink dress hopped up, nodded then ran off. Lu then sat there alone, smiling and oblivious to the world. What was she supposed to be doing? Was she supposed to be doing something? Looking through her bag, she found she had lost it. Well that didn't work. As she stumbled to her feet, she looked around with a paranoid confusion, that silken hair like a waterfall to her lower back. "Now if I were a planner.. where would I be?"

[Guest]

A young child ran past Lisbeth, the lingering signs of tears on her cheeks causing the woman to wonder what in the world had happened. Guess she still had her motherly instincts after all. But it didn't appear she was still crying so there was no cause for immediate action then. Nonetheless... She couldn't help but wonder what had happened. Probably some sort of street brawl. She remembered the stories her father told her from when he had been a child here and how he had gotten picked on for being as mixed as he was. A Xingese-Aerugese-Gelemortian child was not very welcome apparently. At least... until he was a part of the mob. Then he had made enough of a name for himself to live comfortably. Oh life... how funny you could be when it came to the series of coincidences that traced back...

Shckff.

Now that wasn't pure pavement. Lisbeth slowed in her steps and lifted her foot, noticing a simple yet pretty planner lying on the ground. Well now, where had you come from hm? Smirking softly to herself, she bent down and picked it up, brushing off the dirt and dust that had accumulated from less observant passerby's. She had noticed how a man walking past had glanced to her shirt since... bending caused some things to become more noticeable. Pig. But no matter. If only she had figured out how more of her snake abilities worked... then she could do that tongue thing and have an amazing sense of smell/taste. She would just have to do this the ol' fashioned way then. Who would she ask though? She didn't know how things were handled here. A couple of about high school age was passing by her so she stepped up to them, "Excuse me, where would I turn this in..." She drifted off as a flash of silver caught her eye. The couple quickly scurried past before she could finish her question, but she wasn't paying attention to them anymore.

No, she was more focused upon the girl who looked about as out of place as she did. Maybe even moreso. She seemed to be searching for something, muttering to herself as she moved. "Now if I were a planner.. where would I be?" She heard her words as she drew closer to the girl, clearing her throat in the hopes of grabbing her attention. "Excuse me, is this yours?" Lisbeth raised her voice ever so slightly, offering the planner with an easy smile that seemed to have a mischievous tint to it. It was just how she smiled. Some peoples laughs sounded evil no matter what they did.

[Guest]

Where could it be? Luc had checked her bag and yet there was not a trace there. It made her almost panic. She didn't know her plans anymore! She was without a real answer or guide. She was simply in a world foreign without any mapping ability. Far from the world and yet all within its capabilities. She could be hurt and she wouldn't even realize it. Those blue eyes desperate to find the place she wanted; that item-matic ideal. The goal in question. That darn handbook! She needed it.. wanted it. SHe was just about to cry when a woman approached her.

What a beauty she was. Her hair fine, her body much more mature than Lucrezia's, it was almost intimidating. If Lucrezia was the type to be intimidated, she might have been. Instead, she stared in awestruck wonder. "Oh hi, Miss! Thank you so much!" She'd quickly snatch the planner and flip through the pages. "Let's see what am I supposed to do... AHA! Eat.. Lunch.." It seemed for a moment she was silent. Lucrezia held a wild smile on her face, sweet and wide as she reread the words as if retasting a sweet flavor.

"AH! Good! I'm hungry!" Lucrezia would pull from her pocket a wrapped piece of food that she then proceeded to offer to the lady. She deserved it! A taste of Luc's homemade, though slightly questionable meal. What it was? Not even she remembered as her memory was a faulty one. Any other day her memory would have left her feeling sick, having forgotten to eat. She had been blessed to have such a wonderful woman to be here and help her in her time of need.

[Guest]

Oh my... The girl really did seem so distraught over the loss of her planner. If Lisbeth ever lost her planner it would hardly be the end of the world. It would just mean she might be a little late to something or not know a specific address. Other than that? She would be fine. Though she was so very adorable, the way she was looking up at her. "Oh hi, Miss! Thank you so much!" Oh good. It was what she was looking for. Now she would hopefully be alright which caused her great relief. She hated to see anyone, especially a child, fret so. At least... if she was a child. Sometimes the Xingese were good at hiding how old they were, not that this girl looked particularly Xingese.... But in any case, she straightened up, brushing her hair back now that her mission was complete. "Let's see what am I supposed to do... AHA! Eat.. Lunch.."

What an interesting girl she was as she stood there staring at the page with such clear delight. Did she have memory problems of some sort? Was that why she had been so frantic before? "AH! Good! I'm hungry!" Heh... Yes. She would be alright now. "Do be careful you don't lose that again hm?" She spoke smoothly, gently, much as a mother might remind their child of a small detail. She started to turn to leave until she saw the girl offer her a bit of her lunch, her eyes widening slightly at the sweet gesture. "For me?" She murmured, blinking before her expression softened and she moved her hand to slide it back to Lucrezia. "You eat it first. I can always buy something to eat." Now hold on... "Would you care to join me? I have some time before my meeting." She asked her, tilting her head slightly as her blue eyes examined the silvery haired youth before her. "I'm Lisbeth, whats your name?"

[Sorry derp post is derp >>]

[Guest]

Halfway through the woman's first sentence, Lucrezia was munching upon the questionable and unknown food she had packed. Could Luc even cook...? Well probably not. She was about as adept in a kitchen as a caterpillar at times and yet she loved the taste of this foreign and rather odd meal she had concocted. She was still alive, so that was the plus. At least she wasn't in danger of dying at that point of time. Her mouth worked quickly to down half the meal before waiting like a well-trained dog to see if this woman wanted some. She seemed a bit hesitant and then soon she spoke such odd words. An invitation?! Luc was rarely ever invited to stuff!

An excitement crossed her face and she hopped to her feet; over enthused about that kind gesture. How happy she felt. Her body could not contain and she'd jump up and down twice before twirling swiftly. "Hmm~? Oh thank you Lady Lisbeth! Oh and my name is Lucrezia! It's nice to meet you! Where can we go?" She asked in an over eager tone. Of course Lucrezia was overly happy. She always had a warm glow about her, but invited to go somewhere?! Oh her heart skipped a beat for joy. She had never been more happy than this moment. Well.. there were times but they didn't matter. Instead she would simply begin walking then stop. "Wait.. maybe you should lead. I'm not good with directions.."

(lol it's fine mine's not so great either >w<' )

[Guest]

Lisbeth couldn't help it, she was genuinely curious about this child with her bubbly nature and apparent forgetfulness. It... It made think about how her child would have turned out. Before all of that shit happened. We would have made a beautiful baby. She thought to herself with a soft smile as she watched the silver haired girl eat away at her lunch. She was so adorable! She probably brightened any room she walked into. "Hmm~? Oh thank you Lady Lisbeth! Oh and my name is Lucrezia! It's nice to meet you! Where can we go?" Lisbeth had to chuckle, glancing about where they were for ideas. This was Xing. There was always a plethora of excellent food about. She paused to focus her blue eyes upon Lucrezia with a soft smile, "A pleasure Lucrezia. I know a few good places nearby." She might as well get somewhat close to where she needed to be hm? Her father would kill her if she was late, but seriously, she had a couple of hours free.

She began to walk alongside the charming girl until she paused, slowing in her step to match hers as Lucrezia spoke, "Wait.. maybe you should lead. I'm not good with directions.." Oh my, she was really too endearing. Laughing brightly, Lisbeth beckoned with a hand, ignoring the stares of a couple of men that walked by them in the park. "Very well, if you say so. I'll be honest, I haven't been to this country for a very long time so my directions may be a bit rusty. Worst comes to worst, we will simply get lost together hm?" She winked to Lucrezia, starting off with a purpose out of the park and further into the city of Xi'an, remembering a particularly delicious bistro place that was a few blocks from the palace. And it was all of... what... a five minute walk from here? At least if her memory served.

[INSERT TIME SKIP OF SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE]

As expected, five minutes later, the odd pair arrived at the bistro that looked quite fancy and yet modest in comparison to the neighborhood they were in. "Now, Lucrezia," She turned and crouched so she was on the same level as the girl, bracing her hands on her knees to help keep herself balanced. Her gaze was serious, yet gentle and she still wore her soft smile. "I don't want you to look at the prices in this place ok? Just get whatever your heart desires." Oh they would recognize her, or they would recognize her maiden name for sure. Heh... She had no doubts that knowledge of her father possibly being in town or at least his representative (yay her!) would have alerted certain restaurants to their presence. Discounts and extra good food would be a certainty. With a soft chuckle, she straightened up and headed inside, managing to twist her smirk at the waiters reaction into a confident sort of smile. "Ah! Good afternoon ladies, table for 2?" "Yes, I believe the table by the window...?" The man blushed and nodded, gathering up two menus before gesturing for them to follow him up the stairs to the main floor.

It opened into an expansive room with richly colored table clothes and exquisite ornamentation on the various decorations about the room. There were stairs that led up to a third floor off to the right hand side of the room, a chord blocking off the area. Yes, VIP only folks~ Lisbeth inwardly chuckled as the boy led them to the corner table that had windows on both sides and some privacy from the rest, pulling out their chairs respectively for them. He placed the menus down on the plates in front of them, "I'll leave you two ladies alone for a moment and come back to take your drink orders." Lisbeth held up a hand to pause him, "Some lychee sake for me please and a pot of peach tea." It was never too early to drink a little. He bowed his head and was off, leaving Lisbeth and Lucrezia alone.

Turning her gaze back to her young compatriot, she smiled sweetly and folded her napkin in her lap. "So Lucrezia, forgive me if this seems rude, but are you from here?"

[Guest]

This woman was purely beautiful. Lucrezia was almost jealous if she cared more about looks that was. The woman had a big heart too, or at least that was what she believed. Her eyes flickered, those blue orbs that were almost a pastel used upon the sky while she seemed to think. Her brow furrowed and Lucrezia tried to remember. What was the restaurants around there like? She couldn't really recalled. It was an assumption that they had Xingese type foods, but what WERE Xingese foods? Lucrezia only knew about the food she made, otherwise it didn't make sense. What did that make her food? Lucrezian? That sounded so silly. Oh how thoughts would relate and the woman would laugh softly. She seemed almost to laugh at her new friend and yet she wasn't. How quickly Lucrezia derailed from her track.

Blinking a bit, she would nod. Where-ever this woman wanted to take her was where she wanted to be. A smile of ear to ear upon her cheeky face made her seem overly jovial as per usual. What happiness was upon her face that gave her a sort of lit up appearance. This woman was paying attention to Luc! So she in turn would do her best to make her happy. That was after all, Lucrezia's goal in life. She liked to see a smile, a laugh or a giggle. That shine in a person's eyes that they were enjoying life.

------------LE TIME SKIP-------------------

The walk there had filled Luc with glee. Not that it wasn't anything she hadn't seen before, but that she couldn't remember seeing any of it so therefore it was new. Her eyes were wide and exploring; gathering this and that as she cooed softly, her enjoyment. A giggle here, a pointed finger there. Why was it like she wasn't here before? She could have sworn she was around these parts all the time and yet.. she couldn't recall. Familiar faces had no names and her mind was a mass tsunami of nothing in her head. Why did nothing ring a bell.

Was this establishment new? She didn't see it before in her life and yet she was there in an anniversary at some time. How sad she couldn't recall a thing half of the time. Yet she was having the time of her life. She seemed to adore the glorious look of the place and as they walked, she was in awe at how fancy some of the places even were. A menu handed to her and luckily she had memory issues, she forgot the prices only a few seconds of looking at them.

A kind man had pulled out her seat and for a moment, she missed Ururi. He did things like that once in a while. Then again, Ururi was special altogether. Even thinking about him made her cheeks blush a bit before she recalled she was eating. Her eyes set on the woman and Luc would smile brightly. An odd question, but it deserved an answer. "Uh? Is it that obvious? No, I'm originally from Ro-" She caught herself. Uru had mentioned to not say anything about that place, so she would quickly cut herself off and continue. "Gelemorte!" She would sing-song before continuing, "I've lived in Xing for the most of my life though! What about you, Lady Lisbeth? You seem much too pretty to be from Xing."

[Guest]

She had never seen a person so full of life, not for a very long time. It was... refreshing. Lucrezia was bouncing around like a child and Lisbeth merely walked alongside her with a smile of content upon her lips. It was as if Lucrezia were only six years old and ready to explore the world for the first time. Just how old was she in any case? It was hard to tell with her youthful demeanor and appearance, and lord knows Lisbeth didn't want to offend her by treating her too much like a child. She didn't seem to mind so far which was good, but she couldn't help but wonder. She couldn't imagine a teenager wandering around in such a state (unless under the influence of something), and certainly not a child. Or at least, not unaccompanied. So how much older was Lucrezia from how she acted hm?

Her eyes followed the girl as she sat down and glanced all about, noting the flush that had taken over her cheeks for a moment. Whom was she thinking of hm? A friend? Relative? Significant other? Hehe, but now she was getting too intrusive. Far too much so! "Uh? Is it that obvious? No, I'm originally from Ro-" Ro? Ro... Was that a city name or.... "Gelemorte!" Lisbeth merely smiled in recognition at the country, chuckling softly as she folded her hands in her lap. "I've lived in Xing for the most of my life though! What about you, Lady Lisbeth? You seem much too pretty to be from Xing." Ahhh... Must have moved here when she was young then. But from where in Gelemorte? Was there a Ro place except for... Inwardly she shook her head, merely looking up as her drinks arrived, the pot getting placed in the center of the table.

She poured herself a glass with soft chuckle, a modest smile finding its way to her lips. "Oh well thank you, thats very sweet of you." Lifting the pot, she then poured Lucrezia a glassful of the peach tea, placing the porcelain back onto the table as her eyes raised to meet the gaze of the young girl. "I'm actually from Creta. Though my father was from this country, so he took us here to visit before when I was much younger." Nodding her head slowly, she decided to leave out all of the details since they were unnecessary at this point since she had just met the girl. No need to overwhelm her with information. Now she sipped quietly at her tea, humming in pleasure at the taste. Perfection. "So Gelemorte, what brought you here? That is quite a distance to travel!" She asked softly, taking one last glance over the menu before she placed it down. She knew what she would get.

[Guest]

Lucrezia was having such a difficult time picking out what she wanted and of course when she decided it was.. hardly dinner food. But SWEETS! Maybe she could get away with it. Ururi occasionally let her! That meant there was nothing wrong with it, right? Or was it that there was and she was bad for making him let her? She couldn't recall. A rather confused look on her face, she debated this thought a good couple of minutes. Her mouth pulled into a bit of a pout and her brow furrowed as deep thought was being reached and yet it wasn't. Trying to hold it in she would suddenly shout out. "SHORTCAKE!" She would state in her chipper voice. "I want some berry shortcake!" Lucrezia would sing a bit before continuing.

"OH! And ice cream! I want a triple scoop of strawberry and sprinkles!" Sometimes Lucrezia could seem a whole lot younger than she actually was. This was one of those few cases before she looked at Lisbeth again. A question asked and Lucrezia had no idea how to answer.

Her face was blank a moment as she tried to think. Oh crap! Why HAD she left Rouen? There was a fight? She wasn't supposed to mention that. Oh no! She didn't want Ururi mad at her so she would quickly reply to the first thing on mind. "CIRCUS! My parents were in a circus!" She would lie with a smile. It was okay to lie sometimes and this was one of them.. right? Suddenly Lucrezia felt confused all over again. Why was she allowed to talk about her parents or her old home? It wasn't like she was lying if that was what people thought!

"But my parents died in a freak elephant accident." She would shrug before the question happened. She was about to add twenty years ago.. but that wouldn't end well, would it? Lucrezia was so confused and was already lost in her own lies. Wait elephants? Why elephants? "They were working at the zoo that day.." Elephants were in a zoo! That was right. that's where the elephants were from. She knew that, didn't she. Oh the zoo was fun.

Her wandering mind. "And they were attacked by monkeys!" Haha.. monkeys were cute. "Wait.. what was I talking about?" Lucrezia suddenly asked as she realized she had no clue where she was coming from. Her blue eyes were wide and staring at Lisbeth blankly. This topic.. why was she talking about monkeys? She honestly couldn't remember. A quick couple of blinks and she forgot the faulty memory and went back to the menu. Did she order already? "What's Creta like? I hear it's pretty!"

[Guest]

A waitress had come over with one of those easy smiles, making Lisbeth wonder how sincere it really was. Or was she hiding nervousness from being in her presence? So it was rather hilarious when she asked what they wanted to eat, and Lucrezia bursted out with, "SHORTCAKE!" It made the waitresses eyes widen, though Lisbeth only chuckled in her amusement. Oh dear... she really was so very childish... It was terribly endearing. "I want some berry shortcake!" The waitress nodded and was about to turn to the older woman of the pair when Lucrezia continued. "OH! And ice cream! I want a triple scoop of strawberry and sprinkles!" Now it was time for the 2nd in command of South to raise an eyebrow, tilting her head downward as if to stare at her over the rim of glasses that she didn't wear. "Yes ma'am. And for you?" Lisbeth smiled easily and replied, "Steamed chasu bao, chao fun, shark fun soup, aaaand.... thats it. Thank you."

The waitress nodded one last time and left them be, and now it was time to return to her previous question. It was rather odd for a girl such as her to be so far from home (if it was even her home at all), and in a place such as Xing. Amestris or Creta wouldn't have been as odd, but Xing? That was one helluva journey, and she could only guess at how old she must have been when that happened. "CIRCUS! My parents were in a circus!" Blinking, Lisbeths eyebrows raised in her surprise, part of her finding it rather hard to believe that that was the truth. But strange things did happen in the world, so maybe she shouldn't be so quick to discredit her answer. "But my parents died in a freak elephant accident. They were working at the zoo that day.." Oh dear. "I'm so sorry, thats terrible!" She interjected, soon getting cut off as the story seemed to grow and grow. "And they were attacked by monkeys!" ... Monkeys eh? Lisbeth now smiled easily, inwardly chuckling at how crazy this had gotten. Aye... she was young and most likely fed a story that she didn't really know fully herself. Or her memory didn't permit her to know.

"Wait.. what was I talking about?" There we go. Lisbeth sipped her tea and refilled her glass, the picture of a prim woman. "We were speaking about your reasoning for moving from Gelemorte. But it is no matter. I'm glad I could meet you here." She answered gently, raising her eyes as the next question came at her. "What's Creta like? I hear it's pretty!" Ah, now it was her turn. How in the world did she describe New Orleans? Placing the teapot down softly, the cup found its way back to her hand, pausing as she sat there thoughtfully. "Well... Creta is usually very gorgeous. Each city has its own flavor, personality, and different qualities. I'm from New Orleans, and a diversity of culture is one of the things its best known for. London is very prim and proper considering its the capital, Oxford has its prestigious college, Philly has got its attitude that is very attractive in itself, and so many more. Various landscapes, an excellent military.. Aye, it was an amazing place to live with amazing people." She smiled warmly at the memories that arose, though... it faltered as she remembered one thing that always caused her such pain.

One of her hands lowered to the chain about her neck with its ring upon it, a sadness taking over her features. Martin... His smile as he'd brush her hair back, the way his eyes sparkled when they spoke about literature or one of his cases, the warmth that filled her when he embraced her. And it was gone forever. Biting her lower lip, she could feel the excess moisture now in her eyes and it was by sheer force of will that the tears did not fall. Sipping her tea, she cleared her throat and cleared her throat, calling up a smile for little Lucrezia. "Do forgive me. Many memories are tied to there and West City."

[Guest]

Lucrezia could relate to memories if only in her heart. Th ememory of her parents burned in her head and yet no faces were there. It hurt to know that she knew names and figures but they were only dancing shadows on the edge of her mind. She knew they were happy though. They had died but they had fulfilled their duties. Though they left Luc all alone, she found new family with their passing. In a way she could learn more in their death even if they weren't really teaching her. A silent smile on her face. The way they had hugged her. The feel of a story read to her before bed. A friend by her side and the giggling sleep overs she had once in a while. She drove to step in her mother's footsteps. A guiding light in night like a firefly.

Her name was Claire and Luc wanted to be just like that woman. A lone Doctor in a land where few lived. They helped even stragglers they didn't know. How happy her parents seemed in their jobs and she knew just their happiness alone was the most infectious disease that spread through the air without a breath. The comfort of feeling wanted, the warmth of being cared for. Some children didn't get that at all in their lives. Lucrezia could remember far into her times in the orphanage. There had been days when she saw children crying in the dark. Yet no one talked to them. A laugh could cure almost any pain and though the people of Xing practically hated her, she still tried. The boy pushed her away, but Lucrezia didn't mind.

Her happiness was from that of others. A single smile made her day even though her memory was failing. SHe couldn't remember some of the more important people half of the time. Some days she thought she forgot who Ururi was or even worse the fear of thinking it might happen some day. Her heart literally broke at the thought and her hand would clutch at her heart. Those dainty fingers pulling at fabric.

"It.. hurts.." She would whisper softly before taking a shaky breath. A weak smile on her face as she looked up. Realizing Lisbeth was still there, she suddenly looked alert. Luc jumped in her seat and wiped her teary stained eyes. "A-AHh! Sorry!" She would shout in surprise and laugh softly. "S-sorry Lady Lisbeth.. I-I just.. I miss them a lot.. the people back home." She sighed as she kicked her feet a bit freely and pressed her hands hard in her lap. "Sometimes I wish I could go back.. but I-I can't remember for the life of me where I lived.. or even their names haha.." An admittance that was bittersweet while she blinked away the last clear pearls. "But enough sadness! Ice cream cures everything!"

[Guest]

Lisbeth was noticing a change in the air, as if it weren't quite as bright around their little table than it had been before. It became obvious as she watched the young girl begin to clutch at her chest, her brows furrowing as she grew a little more serious than before. "It.. hurts.." Lisbeth reached hand across the table to hold one of Lucrezia's hands if she so chose to take that reach out, her features relaxing a little so as not to cause the girl greater worry. "What hurts dear?" She asked very softly, straightening up as Lucrezia startled out of her trance. Oh she knew that trance.... it was very akin to the one she had just fallen into. Poor thing...

"A-AHh! Sorry!" Lisbeth just merely shook her head very slightly in a dismissive sort of way, her smile growing as she took another sip of her tea. [i]"S-sorry Lady Lisbeth.. I-I just.. I miss them a lot.. the people back home." "It's alright darling. I know how that feels. There is someone I miss very terribly too." Her one hand had still been holding the ring about her neck, its grip tightening ever so slightly as she fell silent. "Sometimes I wish I could go back.. but I-I can't remember for the life of me where I lived.. or even their names haha.." Oh baby.... As if Lisbeth's motherly instincts weren't screaming already, they may as well have been a banshee at this point (minus the scary and dying parts). "But enough sadness! Ice cream cures everything!"

Lisbeth couldn't let it go without saying something. She just... couldn't. "Sometimes that happens. They are always with you, within your heart, within your memories... They'd understand. We just have to push forward no matter what." Her voice was soft, inwardly shuddering at the memory of that first year without him. It was now two years, and it still hurt like bloody hell. "But yes, ice creams does cure everything!" She chuckled and straightened up, the first waves of their food coming in. It was rather amusing to see the desserts go to one side of the table, and the real food to the other. But who cared? Food was food, and food was love. Oh, and ice cream solved everything. She did not hesitate to bite into one of those juicy white buns, the swirling taste of meat and sauces greeting her in its center. Mmmm.... so good....

[Guest]

"What hurts?" My heart.. it aches.. I miss them. Her mind whirred and yet she couldn't remember what they looked like. The warmth of being home was long gone. Her mother would never be there again and though it happened twenty years ago, the pain still sat as a thorn that continued to sink further into the heart of a woman with the heart of a child. Lucrezia was a wild and accepting woman who still had such innocence despite the fact she was the same age as this woman, even if she didn't act. Age was just a number after all.

The soft comfort of a hand was upon hers and Luc would blush a bit. Her mind had a different person in mind, it'd been a while since she had someone's hand even near hers. Slowly her mind pieced back together and the petite woman would look over at the woman curiously. The pain in her eyes. "It's alright darling. I know how that feels. There is someone I miss very terribly too." That was no good! She was sad! Lucrezia felt terrible when people weren't happy. The whole of her heart seemed to pound in a sad way. Like a metronome in her chest that spoke of a sad bitter tear that would streak her face. This woman.. what hurt her so bad? Such a beautiful ring and just a general beautiful woman in general. In some cases the look in her eyes.. she sort of remembered her own mother.

Suddenly the mood changed. Ice cream. That always brightened her mood. The sugary sweets before her like a sacrifice to kill the god of bad mood. She quickly took a spoon and scooped out her first bite and from there she was happy. The taste of heaven on her tongue and she was lost on cloud nine. A wonderful feeling that simply sparked all over her tongue. From first bite she was in love. It seemed she would suddenly ask a question that would likely hurt the woman, but Lucrezia didn't know that. "You remind me a lot of my mother. I'm sure if she were still around, she would be just like you!" Lucrezia sung out softly before fading into a soft hum and scooping out her next bite. A swift swallow that made her grimace as she was already eating too fast and brainfreeze was no fun to deal with. "OWOWOWOWWWW!" Her voice yelped as her hands dropped the spoon and her hands went to her temples. Massage away the pain!

[Guest]

It seemed like the contact was helpful to the young girl or at least caused a reaction that wasn't inherently negative for her cheeks were tinted ever so slightly rosy in color. Or maybe not, since she saw a lone tear trickle its way down. Hopefully that ice cream would help indeed. She didn't have to wait long to see that they did, chuckling even as she chewed and swallowed at how happy she was at just one bite. What would she do after she ate the rest? Explode like a firework into sparkles of joy? Oh the image was too adorable. She truly had no idea that the adorable girl in front of her was really the same age.

So she was rather startled at the next words that came out of Lucrezia's mouth, managing to catch herself before she risked spitting out the fresh biteful of chasu-bao. "You remind me a lot of my mother. I'm sure if she were still around, she would be just like you!" She... I.... wh-wh.... Lisbeth was at a complete loss, freezing for a moment as she stared distantly just past where she was reaching. Her.... mother..... Her hand slowly picked up her cup of tea, but it was shaking ever so slightly. It was harder to swallow as old conversations swam by her ear, the faces that went with them "Can you imagine a little carbon replica of us? Running around, wreaking havoc..." "Hardly. I bet they'd try to be Batman." "Oh? That so? Hahaha, yeah I'd suppose so. Wait, thats still wreaking havoc! Ah Lizzie, we'd have beautiful kids..." Oh Martin.... She had to close her eyes as she tried washing down her food with a sip of her tea, switching quickly to sake as her teacup was replaced on the table. Don't cry. Don't. Cry.

Her eyes shut tighter, but her lip was already trembling and that lump was only growing, three tears falling despite all her willpower. "OWOWOWOWWWW!" Lisbeth startled, not realizing how tightly she was now clutching at her necklace, quickly wiping away those blasted tears and downing that first little cup of lychee sake. The burn was a small comfort, as was this little girls expression as she fought against the brain freeze. "Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth. It'll help." She spoke in a cracked voice, chuckling as she sniffled a bit, forcing her other hand to let go of her necklace and remain in her lap. Another cup, another gulp. Just don't get too drunk. "I think I would have loved to have had a daughter like you." She murmured softly, taking one last bite into that particular chasu-bao.

[Guest]

Sadness. It clung on the air. Lucrezia had hurt this woman though she didn't know. Her mind was ablaze with the brain injury she had. This time a frozen pain in her mind. BRAIN FREEEZEEE. It hurt and yet the woman's advice. It had helped. Her tongue to the roof of her mouth and the pain slowly was beaten away. Her blue eyes would be upon the woman with sweet and kind thanks. Gratitude for the advice.. the dinner, everything. Lucrezia couldn't think of better company than this wonderful woman before her. This kind and sweet lady who bought her all sorts of yummy foods!

Her eyes would turn up to close as she hummed softly. The woman wiped her cheeks and Luc cocked her head. Sadness? There was no need for that. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Instantly, she grabbed her spoon and took a scoop, her body quickly moving forward with the ice cream in her hand. Her hand spooning towards Lisbeth's mouth. "Ice cream makes everything better Lady Lisbeth! Here take a bite!" She didn't jab it into the woman's teeth luckily. Instead she let the metal linger there as Lucrezia smiled that dumb smile of hers. Whens he was sad.. she ate ice cream too. That was the world-wide cure for everything! Or so she had proclaimed.

With a soft giggle, she opened her mouth and spoke once more. "Open your mouth and say 'Aaa'!"

[Guest]

It was good to see that the brain freeze had finally faded away, but then again, that did allow Lucrezia to place her full focus upon Lisbeth. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!" She started to shake her head, but the girl was already moving, scooping up that ice cream faster than one could say the very word, offering it out to her. It was touching her lips, cool and wet with a hint of its sweetness in its smell (yes, ice cream can have a smell). Strawberries. CONTAIN IT. You had for two years, don't stop now. She couldn't hide the sadness from her eyes anymore, quickly filling her whole expression as she listened to the young girl. "Ice cream makes everything better Lady Lisbeth! Here take a bite!"

Swallowing that bit of chasu-bao with a renewed bout of difficulty, it was the kindness of this girl who was so desperate to put a smile back on her lips that was touching her so. A couple more tears rolled down her cheeks as something between a choked back sob and laugh escaped her. God.... She was still such a mess... "Open your mouth and say 'Aaa'!" Parting her lips, she did indeed say, "Aaaah~" before closing her mouth about that spoon full of the sweet dessert. Strawberries. Closing her eyes as she pulled back, Lisbeth took a shuddering breath and swallowed, the taste still lingering in her throat even as she took another small cup full of that lychee sake. "Thank you Lucrezia... I do apologize I just... " She wiped away those god forsaken tears she hated so much and smiled sadly at the young girl, "I lost my husband two years ago and I still...miss him so much. We never got a chance to have kids, but.... if we had..." She reached out across the table and cupped the girls cheek in her hand, her thumb stroking her skin softly, tenderly. "I would hope they would have been like you." She pulled back and let her hand lower back to the table, the other already snaking up to touch her necklace again. She didn't bother trying to tell it no. "Lord, I've gone and made this such a serious dinner now. Do forgive me. Please, dig in. Just be careful of those brain freezes hm?" She tried to push on, to lighten the heaviness somehow, a small smile spreading across her lips.

[Guest]

"I lost my husband two years ago and I still...miss him so much. We never got a chance to have kids, but.... if we had...I would hope they would have been like you." Lucrezia's heart was breaking! The feel of her hand on her cheek, the warm touch. Her heart ached for this woman. To lose a lover! If only Lucrezia knew how that felt! Her heart beat sadly while tears began to flood down her cheek. Her hands hiding her face while she began to sob.. The tears starting and then without time to stop. Her hands pressed tight to her face. An odd feeling of almost sweating all over her. Her voice letting off soft sobs.

"Wahhhh that's so sadd... nyyaahhhhh..." Her voice shook with bitter tears. Her lips parted as she could no longer breathe through her mouth. The delicate cries of her sadness. This woman lost her husband.. her lover and had no children! Nothing to keep his bloodline going? It was so sad! Her eyes were closed while she sobbed more. Her words at a loss. Her hands pulling away as she rubber her wrists at her eyes.

"I-I'm s-so sorry! Th-That must hurt so mucchhh... nyyaahhhhhhh." Lucrezia continued while her lip curled and her mouth left off the soft sniffles of her sadness. Her body dove forward and for a minute she forgot the table was there. Instead her foot slipped and her whole seat shifted. Lucrezia would tumble backwards and knock her head off her chair. A soft 'thud' hitting the atmosphere while she whimpered on the ground, a bit dazed and disoriented.

[Guest]

She should have known from her childish demeanor what effect such a heavy subject would have upon the young girl, her brows bending as she bit her lower lip at the sight of those tears. "Wahhhh that's so sadd... nyyaahhhhh..." Lisbeth had to swallow her sadness, this wouldn't do. She brought down an entire room and ruined a perfectly good dinner with this simple fact. She had to move on. No matter how difficult, how painful, she had to. Besides, Martin wouldn't want her like this. "Oh Lucrezia sweetie..." She murmured softly, dabbing her cheeks and lips with her napkin before placing it on the table, starting to rise.

"I-I'm s-so sorry! Th-That must hurt so mucchhh... nyyaahhhhhhh." The chair was tipping. "Lucrezia!" She cried, leaping forward to catch her, but she still smacked into the ground. Immediately she was crouching at the girls side, a hand touching her shoulder gently. "Oh honey..." She murmured, carefully looking over her head for any signs of blood. None, that was good. "Are you alright? Do you feel nauseous or light-headed?" She asked, more worried about a possible concussion than anything else. First thing about medicine in the military, you do not move an injured person. But it was probably nothing as serious as those wounds.... Some of the wait staff came over, but she raised a hand to tell them to stay back. They left the two alone for the moment, letting Lisbeth take care of the young girl.

[Guest]

Lucrezia rubbed at her head after Lisbeth had checked it. A soft groan and whimper of pain falling from her slightly pouting lips. The floor had hurt! Her whole body hurt from falling such a distance, even if it wasn't that great of a distance. More than anything she had felt winded. Her hands didn't know where to go and in a frantic moment of panic, she pat her whole body before plopping backwards and yelping. Her eyes looked sweetly up at the woman who had checked on her. Her left hand waving for a moment while she gave a shy and swift laugh. Though slightly forced, it was a smile that sat on her lips. Not long after though, a genuine grin had replaced it. "See! I'm okay! Already forgot how much it hurt!"

Hopping to her feet, she swayed a bit. Her body wiggling as she faced one direction, then she looked around swiftly with an apology to everyone. Spinning swiftly, she would apologize to Lisbeth, but her body disobeyed. A sudden wave of dizziness took over her body and she fell on her locked knees. A shy smile on her face as she giggled. "Aha! S-Sorry I made myself dizzy!" Her voice cheered a moment while she struggled to her feet again. "Hehe. I diagnose myself with jell-o legs! Hehe!" Her eyes hinted a bit of sadness. Her mom.. she had made people better... Her mom had been a doctor and Luc still aspired to be like them.

[Guest]

If she weren't in complete mother worry mode, Lisbeth probably would have found it rather adorable how the girl patted herself down as if to check her whole body for its wellness even though the worst was certainly that bump to her head. Wincing at the yelp, it was more instinctual and empathetic than a physical pain, kneeling fully upon the ground next to the girl. She did not believe that laugh in the least bit, she clearly was still in some pain. "See! I'm okay! Already forgot how much it hurt!" Lisbeth's blue gaze was searching Lucrezia's very carefully, still not quite fully believing that sweet grin and bright response.

She started to rise with the young girl, ready to catch her in case she fell again and she was not disappointed. Moving forward, she caught most of the girls weight as she fell to her knees, for once glad that she had such... great tracks of land. They did make such excellent pillows in situations like this. "Aha! S-Sorry I made myself dizzy!" Chuckling softly, she leaned a bit back as the girl moved, wanting to make sure she could breath and didn't get lost in her boobs. "Hehe. I diagnose myself with jell-o legs! Hehe!" Smiling gently, Lisbeth slid her hands underneath Lucrezia's armpits and gently, carefully hoisted her back to her feet, keeping an arm around her to ensure she remained upright. "You do indeed! Come, lets just take one more bite and be on our way hm? Maybe have someone look at that little bump on your head." She offered, helping Lucrezia to her own chair as she beckoned one of the wait staff over.

Leaning close to his ear, she asked for boxes for her own food, watching as her plates were whisked away. That would do her fine for at least another day in the hotel, she wouldn't have to spend anymore money. Leaning over the table a bit, she got another small spoonful of the ice cream and took her turn guiding it to Lucrezia's mouth, currently kneeling in front of the young girl. "Say Ahhhh~" She giggled, tilting her head ever so slightly. No sadness. No tears. This was a day to realize what she had, what she still could have if she just took that step. She had... to let go.

[Guest]

Luc could feel her body pulled towards this woman. A sort of sensation washed over her and suddenly... suddenly Luc was crying again. Was it bad to miss her mom after so many years? Once they started they wouldn't stop, again. The faucets of her eyes continues silently, while she clung onto this woman a moment. She prayed silently to her ancestors, her mother deserved to be happy. Where was that woman? Was she in some sort of heaven? Luc couldn't hold back her emotions, she wasn't one to. After a moment of quiet sobs, she managed to regain control of her mentality. Though silver streams decorated her cheeks, she knew she couldn't remain sad. Her parents would want for her to be happy right? Raise a family and be like them. Raise a family? Lucrezia suddenly turned scarlet and she hit the side of her head, letting that thought escape her head. Uru wasn't into her like that. Not that she knew anyways.

"You do indeed! Come, lets just take one more bite and be on our way hm? Maybe have someone look at that little bump on your head." She was upon her feet again. Lucrezia couldn't help but smile at the woman, wiping her eyes carefully. Tears be gone. I will be happy to make others happy! Her heart skipped merrily while she guided her eyes to this woman's. She had lost someone too. This woman.. was hurting like all the others in the world. Lucrezia wished she could house all the pain in the world. She wanted to shield others from it, she'd forget it after all, due to her memory. While her mind raced, something cold was to her lips and her mind focused back.

"Say Ahhhh~" Lucrezia's heart stopped. For a moment, she was unsure how to respond. As a tear fell down her cheek, she couldn't help but smile, "Ahh~" Her voice trilled while she opened her mouth and closed it upon the spoon. Sugary delight. A sweetness that killed the bitterness. Lucrezoa remembered why she loved sweets so much, then. With a racing heart, she moved swiftly to hug the woman, finally. Adoration in her being. "You would make a wonderful mother." Lucrezia whispered upon the air. She would back up and twirl to face the exit of the returaunt. "Ah~! I think, I will go this way!" Her hand slid to Lisbeth's, squeezing gently. "Will you come with me, Lady Lisbeth?"

[Guest]

As Lisbeth was moving the girl towards her chair, she suddenly was clung to as tears began to fall from Lucrezia's eyes, surprising the older woman entirely. But she did as any would do, she held the girl close as she sobbed for a few moments. She did not say anything for what could really be said? They would just be words that sounded hollow upon delivery in any case. Her hand gently ran in circles along the smaller girls back in a comforting sort of motion. Poor girl, what had affected her so? Lisbeth was not one to ask since she had learned that lesson with her mother. Here's a helpful hint; never ask the Madam of a Fetish house why she randomly laughs, smiles, and turns away. Not unless you think you are really prepared for the answer and even then you are probably not.

As Lucrezia began to calm, Lisbeth pulled back and gave her a warm smile before moving her the rest of the way to her chair. The young girl perked up as if on a mood swing, but Lisbeth was not fooled. Perhaps it was genuine, but the timing of the switch leaned towards false in her mind. She was not judging, not by a long shot. If that was how this girl chose to live her life and portray herself, then that was her business. She had no right to come in and try to change that. If it were something that would change, in any case, it was something the Lucrezia would just have to realize and do on her own. After all, the hardest thing to change is people. You can change yourself before you can change them. So she held up her own smile as she offered the spoonful of ice cream to the girl, her bags of food getting placed next to her chair as she crouched there. "Ahh~" Her smile grew as she saw how happy Lucrezia was to eat that sweet little spoonful, accepting the hug that followed with a soft chuckle. That, was genuine happiness.

"You would make a wonderful mother." Lisbeth had to keep herself from freezing up, taking a deep breath as sadness leaked into her features, hiding in the back of her blue eyes. As they separated, she placed the spoon down upon her empty plate, picking up the bags of food as Lucrezia bounced away. "Ah~! I think, I will go this way!" Another chuckle escaped her as she slowly caught up to her, trying to not think of the inevitable sadness. She still had business she had to attend to in this country, the whole reason why she was here and not in her home country. Feeling that little hand slid into her own made her smile softly as they went down the stairs. "Will you come with me, Lady Lisbeth?" She was never going to tire of hearing that nickname. "I can only follow you for a little longer I'm afraid sweetie." She answered with a sad expression, walking with her out of the restaurant.

It had come to this, bending down so she could kiss Lucrezia's forehead. "I have to meet with some important people I'm afraid, so here we must part ways." Placing her bags of food back down, she reached into her purse and pulled out a pen and a business card. She wrote down her number on the back of it and handed it to Lucrezia, replacing the pen into her purse. "If you ever want to talk to me, you call that number, alright? I'm afraid I'm unsure how often I'll be able to visit, but if I am in Xing, then I will try to find you." She hugged the young girl one more time, ignoring how it was hurting her to do this. Lord she wanted to adopt this girl so badly. Picking up her bags one more time, she gave one little wave before she started to walk down the street, repeating one simple line in her head. Don't look back. If she were to do that, she knew that tears would pop up into her eyes and she couldn't have that. Not on her way to a business meeting with a branch of the Triads.

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