For a Quiet Place To Hide

[therewerefifty]

Who: The occupants and semi-regular houseguests of castle House #44
What: Conversation and tea! And maybe some other stuff.
When: Now-ish.
Where: House #44.
Summary: With the added houseguests taking refuge since the invasion, there's a lot of people under the same roof who haven't really met each other properly. Let's fix that.
Rating: G-PG I imagine.



[Way I figure it, throw up a tag of what your character might be doing when they run into someone else in the house. Others can react accordingly. \o/

Comments

And again, random house guest!

[tsunderebunny]

[It was only at Saori's suggestion that Barnaby stayed at house Castle 44 for the days and weeks following the invasion. It was a quiet place for him to begin sorting out his conflicting feelings that he held in the aftermath, and it was a safe reprieve from faceing the connections he had made during that time. Besides that, Saori needed him. He wasn't going to just turn her down.

Unfortunately, the fact that he needed to be around people as well never once occurred to him. Thus, he tried to keep his presence discreet, although he was almost certain that more than a few people knew he was under the roof.

But his anxieties had started to lessen over recent days. Although he still had his moments where he just wanted to lock himself away, he was venturing around the house in small degrees...even if it was just to poke around the kitchen in the middle of the night. He also rises early on any day, even after just a few hours of sleep (although he tends to take a nap later on), and has started to indulge in an idle habit he had picked up from both his friends and the scattered influences of the invasion:

Reading lurid romance novels and comic books. He'll be on the rooftop while he does so, because these are not details that he wishes to come out...but that one trashy book series is quite entertaining...]

Have a little sis~!

[twinlionfists]

[As discrete as Barnaby thought he was, he really wasn't up to the standards that Hinata was used to from her fellow shinobi. For a few days, she gives him space, since she herself wants it to get her head on correctly.

But, you know, she does her best thinking while she's practicing her taijutsu, and the roof is a nice place to do so. Oops?]

O-oh, Brooks-san, I did not know that you were up here. I...I will go down to the forest then.

pffft. this will be interesting~

[tsunderebunny]

--Hinata.

[Barnaby snapped his book shut with a start when he heard her voice. Her approach had been quiet enough to pass his notice-- or, perhaps, he was too distracted by the book that should look a little familiar to Hinata. It might be wise not to ask about where he got it.

Shoeless, without his jacket and with his curls tied back into a short tail, Barnaby felt underprepared to face anyone for the moment, but it was clear that fate had another idea. He stood and, brushing his pants off, started to backpedal.

He was only up there loafing anyway.]

You're fine. I can just...leave.

[He had known that she was around, but hesitated to interact because of his internal conflict. He still barely accepted his feelings for Saori, but his other sister?

There were still too many questions that needed answers and words that needed to be said. He wasn't unwilling...but, what was all of this supposed to mean?]

[twinlionfists]

[Even during the Shift, Hinata never saw Barnaby so relaxed. It's a bit startling to see, but nice nonetheless.]

Please, this area is large enough for us both to enjoy the fresh air in our personal endeavors. You do not need to leave.

[She gives him a smile that she normally saves just for her teammates and cousin. It's easier to be around the people in this house right now, especially Barnaby and Saori.]

[tsunderebunny]

[The 'relaxed' demeanor was the result of simply not caring-- he had remained holed up in his room for long enough that he simply didn't care about people. Not that he ever really did, because what was loneliness for a man that was accustomed to being alone. Even if the invasion changed things for him, some aspects would always remain the same.

It was only when he saw Hinata that he realized how lonely he was.

He briefly returned the smile, but was internally fighting off the uncertainty that had creeped into his mind. This was his little sister, in a way.

Barnaby knew for a fact that he was poor material to be a big brother.]

I'm just reading, Hinata. It's really no problem.

[Deflection. He didn't know what to say to her.]

[twinlionfists]

[Since the only person to ever take on a brother role in her life was Neji (Kiba and Shino didn't count as they were her contemporaries. It was totally different!), Barnaby was...something new. While her cousin's behavior sometimes rankled with the oppressive feeling that came with being a member of the Hyuuga clan, she had genuinely enjoyed having the other man to talk to about things.

To be honest, she missed it. A little.]

D-do you wish for me to leave you alone then? I can just as easily go outside, since you were here first.

[tsunderebunny]

[Barnaby looked away. As hard as it was for him to reconcile, he missed her too. She was family, after a fashion. It wasn't quite like how it was with Kotetsu, as his partner already had a family and daughter back in Oriental Town, but he knew in his heart that it was similar to what he hoped for.

If nothing more, a part of him wanted her trust.]

No, [his tone was soft as he tried to hide his hesitation,] it's fine.

...

It's good to see you.

[therewerefifty]

[Makie isn't surprised to find she has company on the roof when she comes up one sunset, shamisen in hand. She doesn't recognise Barnaby, though, having managed to miss him completely in the preceding days, and for a moment just stops in the doorway to the rooftop area, peering at him uncertainly.

Still. A man wouldn't sneak onto the property and read questionable books unless he was known to the people there. Perhaps this is another of the people Saori mentioned.

He does seem to be deep into his reading, so she doesn't interrupt, and instead crosses the roof quietly to take another seat and enjoy the sunset. But even if he doesn't see her, the click of her shoes across stone is not very quiet.]

[tsunderebunny]

[The clack of her shoes on the roof started him out of his reverie. Although he was in a safe location, old habits like his constant attention to his surroundings would take a long time to fade. He looked over his shoulder at the stranger, realizing that she must have been another resident-- and his inherent rudeness for not approaching the others and introducing himself sooner. He flipped the book shut and stood to rectify this error.]

Good evening, Miss.

[Smile. His city boy manners were played up to the hilt.]

[therewerefifty]

[...that was somewhat unexpected, given Hinata's much more shy nature. But he has a nice smile, and so Makie smiles back, offering him a small bow.]

Good evening. I... haven't seen you around before today.

My name is Makie Otono-Tachibana.

[tsunderebunny]

[Barnaby just knew how to work the crowd. It wasn't anything special.]

I've been keeping to myself, Miss Tachibana. Sorry that we didn't speak sooner.

My name is Barnaby Brooks Jr. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[therewerefifty]

[Hey, manners are pretty lacking in the general crowd she's used to running with. She'll take it.

Makie sits down.]

Likewise. I think we are much the same in that regard, Mr Brooks. I don't come out of my room very much. At least, not at the moment.

[tsunderebunny]

Hm. [It was a soft, thoughtful sound.] There seems to be a few of us doing that around here...

[folklorist]

[ Someone else is in the kitchen during the deeper darker hours of the night. Helios will rummaging around the closets for a snack to eat with his tea when Barnaby might walk in. He'll pause for a moment and then straighten with a smile. His arm still in its cast as he waves with his good one. ]

Barnaby, isn't it? I didn't even hear you come in! I was just making myself some tea, would you like some?

[ He may as well offer as a proper host! And beside he boiled far too much water. ]

[tsunderebunny]

[A proper host at this time at night was the last thing he expected, as the darkness deepend and the darker thoughts slipped into the foreground. Perhaps Helios was someone else to note in his 'insurance plan'? He couldn't tell for the moment.

He didn't have it in him to offer more than a small smile and fall back on his old habits.]

Mister Helios. [He discreetly paid no heed to the arm, but it did factor into his reply.] No thanks, you don't need to do that.

Actually, I feel like I should apologize for not approaching sooner. It was quite rude of me.

[It was easier to pretend that he was part of a televized interview. It was a nice, safe option.]

[folklorist]

[ Helios is a bit taken back by the formality of the reply. His own smile only brightens and softens into something friendly and entirely genuine. ] Please just call me Helios. No need to be so, ah, formal. Even if we only have met twice.

[ He'll bustle around the kitchen, getting the pot and water ready along with a teabag and mug. ] And it's quite alright. That shift was a bit of a shock for most people. It's understandable to want to have some privacy for your thoughts.

[ If Helios is one thing it's being understanding towards the aftermath of shifts. ]

[tsunderebunny]

Hm. That's what Saori thought.

[It was still an entirely foreign concept for him. He had always been alone with his laptop, his books, and his modern sensibilities.]

I'm afraid you'll have to forgive me for being polite. This is your home, and we do sitll barely know eachother. I wouldn't feel right otherwise.

[folklorist]

Great minds think alike I suppose.

[ He's just being silly, don't mind him. ]

Oh no! It's quite alright. Please do whatever makes you feel more comfortable then. I'm not about to force you to call me that or-or anything. But hopefully in the future you'll take up the offer.

[ He smiles genuine and cordial not really minding in the slightest. ]

[tsunderebunny]

Maybe in the future.

[He couldn't account for anything anymore. Something might happen tomorrow that flips their world over again--

He needed to stop thinking like that if he wanted to sleep at all.]

But. Thanks.

[He lapsed into silence, contemplating the prior offer of tea. Perhaps he should have some after all...

He didn't know what to say.]

[sun_showers]

[Yuuna's been in the kitchen a lot lately, cooking food for everyone so they didn't have to bother- it had been a rough few weeks, and with Saori being stuck in a wheelchair, she's been doing anything she can to help.

She's in the midst of making breakfast, pans littered everywhere as well as ingredients of every sort. She doesn't know what everyone likes, so she's just making...everything. And she's about nearly done, just a minute or two left on a few things and it'll be completely ready for anyone to dig in on.

Maybe a Barnaby would like some early helpings...?]

[tsunderebunny]

[The amount of people injured and psychologically torn in the building only drove Barnaby further inward, although he knew that he needed to help out more. It was only proper as a guest...but he didn't have many smiles to offer for the time being. He hadn't expected the smell of food wafting through the halls as he slipped downstairs very early in the morning, running on little sleep and his keen attention to details.

The birds chattering about breakfast outside hadn't helped the situation.

Curious, he peeked into the kitchen and was taken aback by the sheer amount of food that Yuuna had made. He wasn't very hungry at that point, (indeed, he wasn't sure that he could handle it so early,) but he couldn't resist stepping inside as quietly as he could manage.]

That's quite a feast, Miss Yuuna. Are you preparing for a party?

[Snark, snark. It was too early in the morning.]

[sun_showers]

[Turning, she only smiles at his snark. She knew it was early, and she herself isn't the most cheerful for at least the first two minutes she's awake. Laughing, she inclines her head to invite him in farther than he'd already stepped in.]

Well, Mr. Brooks, we do have enough residents at the moment that we could have a backyard barbecue anytime we wanted. [Her intent and tone only indicate teasing, friendly and kind. But still just for his own remark.]

[tsunderebunny]

[He hummed thoughtfully at her reply.]

That's true. We should start planning one soon if that's the case, because it looks like we're running out of time.

[Summer was drawing to a close after all. And, the snark was just an easy cover and way to start conversation. Thanks to the dream, he knew enough of Yuuna to know that she would play along.]

[sun_showers]

That's not an awful idea. I'd be willing to have one for anyone in Luceti who'd want to come. It's always nice to meet new people. [But really, onto more important things.]

How have you been? It's nice that you've been staying with us, but I haven't seen you much. [Not that she's blaming him. It was hard.]

[tsunderebunny]

[Please. Don't take his snark literally. He'd rather die than have a party right now.]

I've just been taking advantage of the quiet. It's my fault; I should have spoken up more.

[He's aware that he's been a horribly rude houseguest. He simply didn't have the drive to be around people, and no energy to put up any mask.]