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[ring ring! she picks it up on the third vibration, having had to roll off her bed to retrieve the phone. there's the sound of a cat yowling in protest in the background, but otherwise everything seems peaceful.]

Hello?

[From his end, the ambiance of the subway echoes through the receiver, a voice over the intercom reminding people that the last train of the evening will be departing shortly while a group of elementary school kids run around the platform playing an impromptu game of tag.

When he speaks, Kurama's voice is light and pleasant, as if the partial Awakening of the night prior and that morning's disturbance at his dorm hadn't taken such a monumental toll on him.]

Emily? This is Kit Florentine from school.

[He wanted to be careful, in case her family or anyone else happened to be listening. Probably, with as sharp as she was, she would have recognized his voice instantly upon hearing it. She would know he was Kurama, just as he knew her real name was Reimi.]

I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I have a favor to ask...

[she indeed recognized him at once, as well as the preventative 'game' he was playing. Reimi slides into it easily, making a dismissive sound in the back of her throat.]

You don't have to apologize, Bowie and I are the only ones up right now anyway. What's up?

[it's her subtle way of saying that should her presence be required somewhere other than her bedroom, she could easily make her way there will little impediment. who knew she'd become so skilled at talking without talking?]

[Having heard a petulant yowl in the background when Reimi answered the phone, Kurama concluded that Bowie was likely her cat. Meaning that her family had either just turned in for the night or they were already asleep.

That complicated things.]

I am in need of a place to stay for tonight, but I do not wish to disturb you or your parents if they are sleeping.

[it didn't seem to complicate anything for Reimi, who just let out a fluttery laugh. had that been all?]

You don't have to worry about that. My dad always forgets to take a glass of water in with him, so he should be up again in a couple minutes.

[he was so predictable in that way. she or her mother really ought to be kind and start providing him with his overnight beverage, but they both found it far too amusing to interfere. this was a kind family.]

You can start heading over now while I wait. They don't usually say no to stuff like that.

You're certain it won't be a problem?

[A flicker of real concern was apparent in his voice. He'd been enough of a burden already to one friend, he didn't wish to cause trouble for anyone else. Least of all the sort that might arise at a young woman asking her parents for a boy to stay the night.

But he didn't have anyone else to ask who understood who he was, had seen it for herself, and had been there when he'd Awakened.]

Absolutely. I'm a good girl, unlike some people.

[she's teasing him with that last bit, but Reimi is completely sincere in her statement. she was exceedingly lucky that she'd been a trustworthy person in her false life, and that she'd been gifted with such phenomenally understanding parents. if she told them that it was completely innocent, they'd believe her.

the thought makes her heart ache just a little bit.]

I can't be a good girl if I'm not a girl at all.

[He's not sensitive about that. He's absolutely not. But even if he was, it seemed his statement was made with as much humor as Reimi's had been, and no bitterness at all. She was fortunate to have parents like hers, and he was very fortunate to have her for a friend.]

In any case...I will try to arrive as soon as possible. Thank you, Emily.

[With a polite goodbye, Kurama ended the call. The final boarding announcement was made and, picking up his backpack, he hurried onto the train. It would be nearly an hour before he reached Upper Marcy, and a little bit longer after that (and after curfew) when he finally made it from the station to Reimi's home.

Standing before the front door, he knocked gently to announce his presence hoping that by now she had spoken with her parents and his arrival wasn't going to alarm anyone...]

You'd be surprised.

[buuuut she's willing to continue pretending to be that 'good girl' and let that rest in peace with one final comment. she bids Kurama an equal polite goodbye and then sets about getting things prepared for his arrival after hanging up.

it's actually pretty convenient that his arrival took such a long time. everything had been not only approved but set up by the time Reimi hears the telltale knock on her door. she hops off the couch and opens it in good time, grinning up at him.]

There you are! I thought you got lost.

[she steps out of the doorway so that he can enter...or at least, as much as one can enter smoothly after having a snuggie thrown at their face.]

I'm sorry about that, the way here from...!

[Abruptly silenced by the snuggie, Kurama laughed softly into the warm fabric before pulling it away from his face. He hadn't expected to receive anything quite so flamboyant as this for comfort, but he was nevertheless grateful for Reimi's thoughtfulness.

With an appreciative nod, he stepped inside off the front porch and proceeded to remove his shoes, expertly juggling the warm bundle and his backpack.]

As I was saying, I was required to take three trains to get here from Green Valley. I suppose next time I'll have to leave a little earlier or text you midway.

[Not that there would ever be a next time, or so he hoped. At least...not for the same reasons.]

Geez, no kidding. I've had to get that trip down to a science for school.

[she closes the door behind him with a small laugh, watching attentively in case he decided to hand over any of his burdens to make things a little easier. it's a doubtful thought, but Reimi preferred to remain on hand just in case.]

I'm not allowed to let you stay in the house unless you wear that, just so you know. My parents are worried that none of my dad's smaller pajamas are thick enough for this weather.

[for the moment she was just going to keep it to herself that the snuggie was her mother's. Kurama's probably suffered enough pain these past couple days without that knowledge.]

[With a look down at the bundle in his arms, and then a glance back in Reimi's direction, it seemed Kurama had his suspicions about the snuggie's origins. He even fixed his host with a tiny and knowing smile, but unlike his other self, he was easy to get along with.]

I'll have to thank your father for his generosity.

[Regardless of whom the warm bundle truly belonged to, it looked like it would fit him and it would certainly beat sleeping in his clothes as he would have done otherwise. He hadn't brought much with him in his backpack, just a couple sets of day wear, his uniform for school, and his books. Pajamas were a luxury he hadn't even considered in the event the only place he found to stay was some out of the way sheltered stop at a station or park.]

As soon as I get settled I can change.

[um, no need to cast those silent accusations! she is being perfectly truthful, thank you very much, Kurama!! put those judgey eyeballs away.]

Sure! Come on upstairs.

[pausing just to make sure that he had everything well in hand and wouldn't trip or drop something, Reimi turns smartly on her heel and begins the ascent up the stairs and towards her bedroom. her voice lowers out of courtesy for her once again sleeping parents, but it's still loud enough to carry behind her.]

He said he stuck a shirt and pants in there, so be careful when you unroll it.

I will, but...

[As he followed after Reimi, seeming to have no trouble with the bundle in his arms or the bag slung over his shoulder, Kurama cast a glance around them as if looking for...well, anywhere else that wasn't her bedroom. Some things it seemed wouldn't change with Awakening, but fortunately for everyone there was no window nearby for Kurama to go throwing himself out of.]

The couch would be more than adequate.

[Although he supposed if he slept on the couch they wouldn't have the same opportunity to speak, and this really was the first time since the other night that they'd been alone together. They wouldn't get another chance like this too soon.]

Not really. We already dumped all the blankets in my room.

[and as comfortable as that snuggie was, Reimi's pretty sure that Kurama would require at least a couple extra blankets to comfortably get through this chilly autumn weather. at least in this case she knew if he disappeared overnight he'd just be downstairs instead of in her backyard.

they reach her bedroom door in short order, which she nudges open gently with her hip. true to her word, it seems as if every single blanket in the Sugimoto household has been thrown into a haphazard nest on her floor along with a wayward sleeping bag. the change in environment seems to have greatly perturbed the endearingly ugly gray cat sitting on her bed, who lets out an irritated maow upon the return of his owner.]

[...even if Kurama wanted to protest further, the very idea of doing so died when he saw the miserable gray cat in Reimi's room.

Proceeding inside and setting his bundle and bag down next to the nest that was made on the floor for him, he made a beeline for the cat. He wasn't as excessively fond of them as Kuwabara, but he had a soft spot for almost all animals, particularly those with such obvious personality. Crouching down at Reimi's bedside and holding out his hand, he allowed the cat to investigate his scent if he was so inclined.

Kit didn't have any of his own pets, but he did have a wide variety of plants and Kurama smelled just as strongly of them as his other self would have.]

This must be Bowie. I regret that I didn't bring any cat grass...

[Reimi laughs behind the pair of them, clearly entertained as Bowie dutifully gives the stranger's hand a few cursory sniffs before staring at him expectantly. alright, walking garden. get on with it.]

Aw, don't worry. He'll forgive you so long as you give him enough attention.

[to underscore this, the cat chooses just then to let out another offended yowl over Kurama's complete lack of affectionate gestures. what even was the point if he was going to just crouch there??

the whole thing makes his owner laugh all over again.]

He likes to have his chin rubbed.

That won't be a problem.

[Not only did Bowie get exactly what he wanted in the form of chin rubs, but he would also find himself scooped up into Kurama's arms. But whether the gesture was a preemptive attempt meant to keep the cat from having anything else to yowl about or to keep Kurama from having to put on a ladies snuggie was anyone's guess.

In any case, he took a seat on the edge of the blankets on the floor, dutifully stroking the cat's chin and cheeks and occasionally brushing a finger gently down the bridge of Bowie's nose.]

I'm terribly sorry that this was such short notice, but I cannot thank you enough for letting me stay here tonight, Reimi.

[the noise that Bowie makes is undoubtedly supposed to be purring, but what it ends up sounding most like is a clogged drain vigorously trying to unstick itself. still, he clearly appreciates the attention, making his strange sound of happiness without cessation and rubbing his head all over every inch of Kurama he can reach.

Reimi, for her part, smiles warmly at her friends getting along so well before taking her cat's former position on the bed. curling her legs up neatly beneath her, she leans forward slightly to better talk to her temporary roommate.]

I already told you it's not a problem, right? This isn't even the the hardest thing I've done with you.

[It was a charming sound despite being unusual, but then, Kurama wasn't one to judge animals. He continued to dote upon the cat as Reimi folded herself into Bowie's previous position on the bed, seeming almost as if he had nothing to say in response to such a remark until...]

I know.

[He looked from the cat to her then, his expression serious and gaze apologetic.]

I have been nothing but trouble, haven't I? Every single time we've spoken or met it seems I have done nothing but inconvenience you in some way.

If this is the most inconvenient you're ever going to be, I'm not really worried.

[up close and without the flutter of activity Kurama's arrival had afforded, a sharp eye might notice that Reimi appears to be a bit paler and more strained than usual in appearance. it does nothing to inhibit her warm smile, however.]

All my friends have been pretty troublesome. I think it's why I like them so much.

I would say you need better friends, but most of mine are just as troublesome.

[Even Reimi, in her own way, had the same stubborn streak as Kurama's friends from home. Like her, that spirit was part of what he found so endearing about them. Somehow, such people seemed larger than life.

Even when it was clear that the night of this world had stolen their life away from them.

She was pale, even in the warm light of her home. Paler than she looked during the day at school. Kurama couldn't help thinking that was an effect of Awakening, especially after recalling how she'd looked the same way in the dream they had shared. But she never let that consume her. She had a strength and a way about her that Kit really should have paid closer attention to. He might have learned something.]

Even so, I'll endeavor not to be such a burden in the future. I hope you won't like me any less for that.

[it wasn't even the sudden cessation of her heart that caused her such strain these days. it was, and perhaps always would be, the blossoming of wounds across her back over and over with every sunset. it had been difficult enough to withstand them the first time; each new experience, despite the fact they no longer dripped or stained, was harder to swallow.

but almost none of that shows in her face. death had nothing to do with her life - not in Morioh and certainly not here.]

Mmm, I can't say for sure. I'll have to see how boring you are in action before rendering judgement.

Terribly boring, I promise.

[He was teasing, naturally. As much as Kurama was content to lead a life of mundane and peaceful comforts, the strife of his old life always found its way back to him like some kind of lost animal. Perhaps it was his scent. Or perhaps it was because he had never really quit his ways. In any case, excitement seemed to inevitably rear its head whether or not he wanted it to. As such, he had learned to be prepared for the worst, so that even if he was caught unawares, he wouldn't be without a plan.

He couldn't say the same for Kit, however. That was how he'd wound up here. But...there were worse fates. Reimi's company, and Bowie's, were both enjoyable.]

Then I've got some really bad news for you.

[she giggles, reaching out to give him a teasingly light bop on the head. there was no way in any universe that she could ever believe someone wearing Kurama's face would ever be able to allow himself to become truly boring. that would kill him faster than any trouble he felt the need to instigate.

that was more than welcome. the heart of her very town had never been anything less than truly bizarre. even now, it was the only way that she knew how to live.]

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what the fuck is a reimi tag can i eat it