onepassingnight | [007 ☿] Dream a little dream

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[007 ☿] Dream a little dream

[It's been a rainy dream, as Mizuno Ami (aged seven) walks home. Her backpack looks quite plump and full, probably due to the extra books she brings to have something to focus on during lunch.

Some things distract even her.

Ami hops across a few small puddles then, after a quick thought to decide it's alright, she hops across a much larger one. She sails through the air- and clears her target! All dry. She giggles in satisfaction.

The rain has stopped by now and there's a playground nearby, where the ground and equipment are somehow dry enough to use. Ami has a long time before Mama will be home, and she knows the people who live around here and play at this spot.

She can finish her homework after dinner (and she really will). Right now, she really wants to play. She climbs carefully into the seat of one of the swings, which turns out to be a touch too high for her and she pumps her legs but barely gets up momentum.

She might need a little help. She could also use a friend to play with.]

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One more time.

[he'll set her down gently, waiting until he's sure she's steady on her feet before letting go. Once she does, he'll take just a minute to watch her before smiling softly and moving back to his position at the swing. Even after everything he's been through, all the growing up he's done in the recent years, Cloud still always feels closer to children than adults, as if the understanding between them is clearer. He'll wait until she's settled, drawing it out just a moment to let her anticipate and then he'll take the chains of the swing in his hands again and ask:]

Ready?

[Ami grabs on tightly enough to leave an imprint on her hand before giving the go-ahead.]

Ready!

[his smile grows and, sure that she's hanging on, he again repeats the process, pulling the swing back and back and back before letting it fall forward and wing it's way upward. A few easy pushes let her soar even higher.]

[Higher, higher; it seems important to get away, to soar, to fly. Of course, it isn't flight; but it's as close as she can come, and she loves it for that.

She loves it more for what's about to happen next. When she reaches as high as she's comfortable with, she calls out for Cloud.]

I'm jumping, I'm jumping!

[her little voice is like music and he relaxes, already shifted into position and waiting for her. He opens his arms for her.]

I'm here.

[She jumps right into Cloud's arms again and laughs. This is the best. She's not in any hurry to be put down, so she doesn't wiggle at all, half-afraid he'll put her down if she does.]

Got you.

[he catches her easily, she's even aiming for him this time, and wraps her close in his arms again. Even now, so far along in his life, he still has issues with touch, both craving it and shying away from it. But he's never had any barriers when it comes to children and this one is precious to him. So he holds her cradled against him as if he can keep out the entire world with the barrier of his arms and he doesn't move to set her down if she doesn't indicate that's what she wants. Instead he briefly tucks his face to rest his chin against the top of her head for just a moment before straightening and turning so they can both see the empty swing still swaying.]

You got pretty high that time.

[She won't be the same until later, when she'll be just as shy of touch at her best and when uninvited touch will be almost guaranteed to make her lash out still later. It's hard to let someone close enough to do it.

Right now, though, it's much easier to accept. She may not be the most huggable still, but she can accept it as something pleasant, without stiffening or flinching. She looks back at the swing.]

Did I go even higher than last time? [She thinks she did, but she needs outside confirmation! Rigorous testing and all that.]

[with a thoughtful noise Cloud will tuck one arm so that it supports her and walk over to the swing. With his free hand he'll measure a point on the pole of the swingset and then again another that's a bit higher up on it. Brows down at the seriousness of it, he'll nod.]

Almost a whole hand higher the second time. You must have lost weight between the first and the second try if you got that much higher.

People can't lose weight that quickly! [But she laughs at the silliness instead of making the objection serious.] Besides, I'm growing. I have to eat good, healthy foods so I grow up tall and healthy.

[his own smile comes back easily at the sound of her laughter and his chin will dip in a nod. Somehow he's not surprised at all that she's interested in facts and logic as a child, though it's good to see that none of that gets in the way of her being a child.]

You're right. That is important. Good food will make sure you grow up strong.

[he'll pause and look around the playground]

Are your parents going to miss you if you stay longer?

Mama and Papa are working. [She smiles as she says this despite the rather dim prospect of being home alone for the evening again.] But I need to start my homework soon so I can finish it before dinner. Then I'll have extra time to read a book.

[a little, he's reminded of Marlene and her diligence. As well as her self-sufficiency. Kids are surprisingly good at taking care of themselves. It's just hard that they have to in the first place so often.

He can't speak though. He's spent more time being away from home than available, especially when he was first figuring out what 'family' meant. He's still learning.]

Well, why don't I take you home and if you want I can wait with you until your parents get back.

Can you put me down, please? [The question is rather matter-of-fact; it'll be easier to walk together, and she'll probably hold his hand.] Then we go together. [Though the dream will probably end soon, once they're situated there; Mama and Papa wouldn't be back for awhile.]

[he'll set her on her feet in answer, though he'll automatically offer his hand. This is her dream and so he'll trust her to lead. Not to mention, he's curious as to what her childhood home looks like. He'd offer to carry the backpack but he suspects it's a part of her being self-sufficient.]

Okay. Let's go.

[Ami holds Cloud's hand carefully, fingers curled around his palm. It's very close, only a minute or three away.

When they arrive, Ami produces her key and methodically unlocks the door, to re-lock it behind them. The apartment (http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/5885/image5ii.jpg) is airy and bright, fitted with very modern conveniences, and quite upper-class (http://7.p.s.mfcdn.net/store/manga/203/02-011.0/compressed/g013.jpg). Ami turns out to come from quite a wealthy background (http://6.p.s.mfcdn.net/store/manga/203/02-011.0/compressed/g014.jpg). She seems quite at-home with it.]

Please sit down. We can have tea.

Edited 2011-06-12 21:49 (UTC)

[it's a much nicer way than 'sit down and drink your goddamn tea!' but the similarity still makes the edges of Cloud's lips shift into a smile as he settles down at one of the chairs at the table. It's a nice place, clean and open and full of expensive things. It doesn't leave a lot of room for a child to run wild and he understands just a little bit more about Ami in looking around her childhood home. Watching her curiously, he asks:]

Can I help?

You can heat the water, please. [It's better if he does it; less chance of anyone scalded or burned.] Thank you for offering.

[The teapot turns out to be right nearby. Ami draws up a stool for height, and picks out the teacups.]

I like helping you, Ami.

[and he hates just sitting there when most people are working. So he'll move into the kitchen and fill the kettle to the right level. He can make tea. Now. He's still pretty hopeless with anything complex but he can scramble eggs or reheat a casserole without setting the entire bar on fire. In fact he hasn't started any kitchen fires in months. Boiling water he can do without worry though and so the kettle goes on the stove and he set the heat. He'll also keep half an eye on the little girl climbing so competently around the kitchen. He promised he'd catch her if she fell after all. He's not about to stop just because it's not on a swing set anymore.]

[Maybe on some level she feels it, the security, someone watching out for her. Maybe right now, accustomed to the loving concern of her parents even if they aren't always here, she takes it for granted. Maybe.

The only certainty is that Ami quite prefers having tea with a guest to doing her homework alone.]

We're all set now. I'll pour it if you want.

[he takes the water off the stove when it's warm enough, not about to let it get as hot as usual. He doesn't doubt that Ami's smart enough to deal with hot tea but there's no reason to risk anything spilling that might burn. Warm is good enough. Competent, he'll pour it in the tea pot she picked and carry it over to where she's got the cups set. He'll put it in front of her and then take the nearby chair. With a soft sound and a single nod, he'll let her take over the role of hostess.]

[Ami carefully pours the tea, concentration evident in the tension of her arm and the way she brings her other hand over to steady her grip and manage the teapot's awkward weight.]

[he watches her and, again, it has his lips softening into a smile. She's so intent on doing things 'just so'. It's a trait he knows she doesn't lose as she gets older. It's obvious it's taking effort for her but he doesn't make a move to take the job away from her and do it himself. She knows what she's doing and this is her opportunity to take care of someone else. He understands how important that is - even and perhaps especially - in the little things. Instead he stays silent and only shifts the cups for her so the next one is in easy range once the first one is full]

[Ami fills the second cup just like the first, except a little lower. She gives the fuller glass to Cloud, and takes the smaller one for herself before sitting back in her seat.]

Thank you.

[he'll take the cup and give her a nod to accompany the thanks.]

You're very good at this. Do you have people over often?

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sdkkjlds this girl needs cloud in her life like whoa. the end. XD

awww, careful - he's got a habit of adopting little kids ;)

she'd love to be adopted XD y'know, as long as she can still be mama's

definitely think Cloud could handle that lol

Hey, no one messes with her being Mama's. Ever. Not even evil energy and brainwashing bad guys.

good girl!