Chapter 291 - Interlude 4 - Kaori, The Actress, Part 8

The next day, the group took a moment out of the morning to go through the screenplay they'd be adapting. The four of them were sitting in their room, holding their respective scripts in their hands as they read their lines aloud.

"Ah, but, my dear Lucy, how is Lydia meant to see the truth with tainted eyes? Surely, a cleansing is needed first?" Vermia asked, sitting at the edge of the bed with her legs crossed and her back straight, in a fairly proud position. 

Yumi, who was playing Lucy, and was sitting next to her, replied: 

"I disagree that they're tainted in the first place. If anything, your poison-covered words are what I grow concerned over." 

"Poison? I promise you, my darling if my words could heal both your souls I would have them do so in an instant." 

"Lydia, please, tell this insufferable woman that her presence is not needed." 

Yumi addressed Kaori then, as the woman was playing Lydia, but, unfortunately, the blonde's mind was elsewhere at the moment. Keiko's slightly guilty expression, Caroline's disinterested look, and really, that entire situation played out several times in her mind. 

I really am this unlucky?  Kaori thought.  I find the girl who I once believed to be the love of my life and she's with someone else? I can't be mad at her, but... It still sucks. 

In the middle of it, other memories surrounding that same girl played out as well. The kisses they'd shared, the times Kaori visited her home, though it seemed like her parents forgot all about her though. The times Kaori and Keiko would spend their nights laying down and looking up at the stars, as Kaori genuinely wondered if their relationship would last for much, much longer than it actually did. 

She felt stupid, thinking about it now.

"Kaori." 

Someone tugged on her sleeve, and Kaori was pulled back to the present. 

"Hm?" 

"Kaori," Yumi said. "Are you okay?" 

"Y-Yeah," Kaori smiled back at her. "Sorry, where were we?" 

Their session continued after that, without another daydream from the blonde. However, as they hammered home their lines and mostly committed them to memory, other parts of the process began to rear their heads into the conversation. 

"We need to get some props," Vermia told them all, in between sessions. "Nothing too extravagant, but just enough for the audience to visualize what is happening." 

"Carry a bunch of stuff?" Sinneah asked, grinning. "That's what I was made for. I'll do that."

"Well, you'll need to buy everything first, can't forget about that part of the process or you'll get us thrown in the dungeons," Vermia replied. 

"I know, I know. But, I'll handle it."

"Agreed. You can get that done soon," Yumi waved a hand. "I would say that the more important thing is solidifying a date for our play. I will need to speak to the theatre's owners themselves about that. You are welcome to accompany me, should you wish. I'm sure you could scare them into getting us in early." 

"Pfft," Vermia scoffed, though she smiled when she heard that. "Is that all I am to you? Just a frightful face?" 

"It is a memorable trait to have, my dear," Yumi replied. 

"I suppose so." 

"Anyway, in addition, we will likely also need to do some promotion. Just put some fliers up around town." 

"I guess I'll do it," Kaori pitched in. "But, where would I go?" 

"I don't know where to buy the props either," Sinneah interjected. 

"Then, I suppose we'll have to take up the Saviors on their offer, earlier," Vermia replied. 

Hearing that, Kaori's eyes widened a little. And, for just a second, she allowed herself to get distracted. 

"I'll do it," she suggested. "I can head over to their house right now, and ask." 

"That eager, are you?" Vermia crossed her arms and Kaori narrowed her eyes a little. 

"It's just to ask for some directions, right? It'll be quick." 

"Oh, I bet." 

"What are you implying?" 

"Do I sound like I am implying something? If so, I do apologize." 

Rolling her eyes, Kaori stood up and walked over to the door. 

"So," she turned toward Yumi. "We wanna know where we can buy some props and where we can put up fliers?" 

"Yes," Yumi nodded. "Thank you." 

"Alright, I'll be right back!" Kaori replied, skipping out through the door then. As she made her way down the stairs, she saw both Keiko and Caroline to her right, at the end of the room. The two of them were just working, but that sight alone was enough to make Kaori turn away quickly. 

Just focus, it happened, get it out of your head. 

And, on that note, she walked out of the inn, pacing through the beautiful streets of Pearl, on her way to Kasumi's house. During the short trip, she did her best to push the thoughts of her ex-girlfriend out of her mind and focused only on this current little mission of hers. 

It started to work, only just a tad though, as she eventually reached one home that looked noticeably larger than the others around it. 

This must be it,  she thought, as she stood outside. Taking a deep breath, she nodded to herself and walked forward. Then, tapping her knuckles against the wooden door, she straightened up and waited outside. 

"Ash, can you get it?" She heard Kasumi ask from behind. 

"Yeah," she heard the half-demon reply, and Kaori inhaled sharply, as she paused. Then, the door opened, and the half-demon appeared on the other side. 

Only, this time, she wasn't wearing her armor. Instead, she had on a sleeveless black shirt that showed off her strong arms, some black gloves, and black pants. Her hair looked slightly humid, and the skin on her arms had a bit of a shine to it, as though she'd just finished taking a bath. 

She smelled wonderful too, holding a scent akin to lavender that made focusing on her task difficult. 

Still, Kaori smiled and bowed a little. 

"Hi." 

"You again," Ash replied, and Kaori smirked a little. 

"Are you disappointed to see me? I didn't think I made that bad of an impression," Kaori said, and the half-demon blinked a bit. 

"No, I was just surprised. What's up?" Ash asked. 

"Well," Kaori put her hands on her hips, pushing her chest out in a show of confidence. "I wanted to see if you could show me around, a bit." 

"What?" 

What?  Kaori asked herself.  Where did that come from? You just need to ask where the stores are and where you can put up those fliers. 

Pushing that dumb, rational part of herself out of her brain, she continued. 

"Well? Didn't Kasumi say you could show me what the city's like? I wanted to take you up on that offer. See the sights, get to know the stores and stuff. What do you think?" 

... Well, depending on her answer, I might not be coming back anywhere near as soon as I said I would. Sorry, everyone,  she apologized to her troupe in her thoughts. 

Ash looked away, trying to consider this. 

Before she could, however, Kasumi walked up. Placing a hand on Ash's shoulder, the half-demon flinched a little as she asked: 

"Oh, Kaori. What can we do for you?" 

"I was just asking Ash if she could show me around town." 

"Oh. Cool. Go ahead," Kasumi told the half-demon, and she pushed her forward. 

Ash stumbled, nearly falling on top of Kaori before she turned around, with a strangely flushed face. 

"Kasumi!?" 

"Have fun!" The other woman replied before hastily closing the door. 

"Ugh," Ash said, turning around. When she did, both of them realized that little shove had left them quite close. 

At this distance, Ash's violet eyes felt like they were pulling Kaori in. She had to force herself to look away, just to try not to be too obvious. Ash, however, just looked at her openly, and plainly, as she said: 

"Sorry about that, Kasumi can be... Pushy." 

"Pfft," Kaori chuckled, snorting as Ash raised a brow. "What? That wasn't intentional?" 

"Huh? What do you mean?" Ash asked. 

"Pushy. You know, cause she shoved you. I didn't take you to be a fan of puns, Ash." 

"I'm not," the half-demon plainly replied. 

"Whatever you say. Now, I know though," Kaori shrugged. Sighing, Ash ignored that and asked: 

"Are we doing this now?" 

"Yes," Kaori replied with a smile. "Unless there's something else you want to do with me?" 

"..." Ash pulled back. 

Wait...  Kaori thought.  I totally did not mean for that to sound like it did. 

"I mean," she tried to clarify, "if you, I don't know, wanna go have a meal together, or something. You know?" 

"... Right," Ash replied. "Whatever. I guess we're doing this now. Come on. I'll take you around this place." 

"Okay," Kaori said, as she couldn't help but grin a bit.. "Right behind you," Kaori replied, smiling up at her.