He nearly jumped out of his skin, the metal around his fingers morphing into protective daggers within the second, “W-Who’s there?” He called back nervously, shivering from both the cold and fear.
Kohaku was happy to hear from him— it hasn't even been a day and she already missed his voice. "I–It's Kohaku," She said cautiously. She still could smell the tinge of smoke, but she couldn't see him. "Where are you?"
“K-Kohaku?” A wave of relief washed through Rigel at her familiar voice, “I’m-I’m over here!” He called, wrapping his arms around himself in attempt to stop shivering. He was so dang cold… “Where are you?”
She frantically shuffled through the bushes, leaving the firewood behind on the ground. "Rigel!" Kohaku saw him under the tree, shivering like a sick, wet dog. "Rigel…." She came to him, sitting close to him. "You won't believe how much I missed you…"
Kohaku gave him a heat-inducing hug, arms tight around his neck– although he was nearly frozen and also soaked, she kept close to him. I can't believe you're living like this now…. It's not right. It's just not right.
Rigel hugged her tightly, her warmth so relieving and comforting that he found himself not letting go of the hug, “Gosh I missed you……” It was like she filled him with light, taking away the burden on his shoulders.
Her ears twitched at the coldness. "I can't believe you're living like this…. Out in the cold…" She nuzzled her nose against his pale neck. "I tried so hard to reason with Daichi, but his answer was always the same…" Humans will be humans… Kohaku dispised the stereotype. Rigel was absolutely nothing like history described humans. He'd never kill…
"….I just want you to come back…"
“I want to go home too…” Rigel confessed quietly as a tear slipped out of his eyes before he could stop it. “I missed you…” He savored the warmth she gave him, savored that feeling of being loved.
"I-I missed you too," Kohaku sighed, her tail flicking. There has to be a way to get him back in Naoki's house, or somewhere. I won't let him stay in the cold…
She curled up next to him, snuggling against his side warmly. "I don't want to ever have to leave you again…"
Just as she said that, a voice called out from the house, "Kohaku!! Where'd you go???"
Rigel tensed, not wanting to let go of Kohaku just yet, but he said anyways, “You need to go…” I need to go… “Besides, he’s somewhere out here you’re safer with everyone else.” Rigel pointed out as he peered through the woods as if Peter would jump out any second.
Kohaku sat up. "I know, but I don't want you to leave…"
"Kohaku?? Where are you??" By the sound of it, it sounded like Naoki was calling for her, which gave her a sigh of relief.
"Can you promise to stay near the village, though?" She took his cold hand. "Just so I can see you when I get the chance?"
“I…” I need to go, I really should, but… “Alright, I will.” He promised, nodding his head as if to affirm it. He gave her warm hand a squeeze, before pulling her into another hug. “Stay safe, okay?”
"I promise…." She touched noses with him– like a small canine kiss– and was on her way. Kohaku went back through the bushes where her wood was, and unexpextedly ran into Naoki.
She gasped. "Naoki!!"
"There you are," He nodded, "I was wondering where you went…." He glanced down at what she gathered. "That's very nice…."
He went on and on, and she glanced back, noticing that Rigel was gone.
Rigel was left breathless, something fluttering in his chest. He smiled to himself, her warmth lingering within him. He sniffed out his cigarette and slipped it into his pocket, new life breathed into him.
Naoki grinned sheepishly. "You didn't have to come all the way down here for wood– I was talking about the wood out by the back of the house."
Kohaku felt a bit stupid, but it was all worth it in the end. "Well, I'm sorry… I just needed to get out of the house anyway…."
He really had a good look at her expression, and he couldn't help but ask, "Is there something wrong?"
Rigel took a deep breath of fresh air, looking up at the sky. He couldn’t leave now, there wasn’t a chance- his heart wouldn’t let him. I love Kohaku… The thought shot him out of his bliss. What am I thinking?!? No, no, no, I meant it platonically… But his heart still fluttered in his chest.
"Rigel didn't have to leave us…." She frowned. "Daichi was just overreacting."
"Oh…" Naoki shook his head. "I see… But, I need to have a word with him."
Kohaku glared at him. "How come?"
"The guests aren't allowed to dismiss other guests– only the host is allowed to do that, and that's me."
Kohaku let the light of hope shine on her. Maybe he has a second chance at staying…
(Are they close enough for Rigel to overhear the conversation?)
(I mean I thought he moved on somewhere else, but sure. He is, I guess)
(Nah, let’s say he moved)
Rigel continued walking in between the trees, his metal levitating not much farther behind him. He still felt a tingle in his chest from when Kohaku had found him, from the memory of her arms hugging him… He tried to push away the thoughts, focusing on where he was going instead.
(Okay, that's fine too :) )
Naoki and Kohaku returned back to the house along with what wood she managed to get. Naoki invited Daichi to a secluded spot in the house, and Kohaku sat at the end of the table where her food was waiting.
She tore it in half, eating a piece. Does he really have a second chance???
Rigel decided he’d try to search for food when his stomach grumbled, but all he really was doing was wandering aimlessly. Crunch, crunch, crunch… The ground sounded beneath his feet, but as he listened closely, he heard another set of feet. He picked up his pace, but the second set mirrored his with precision. If Rigel hadn’t been listening, he wouldn’t have even known there was another person.
(Oof I'm finally back)
Kohaku ate the half of bread and drank most of her water, which had a tint of mint in it. It stung her teeth, but she didn't mind all that much.
I really hope Daichi will let Rigel come back…. He'd have at least more than his metal for protection..
(Yay! How’d it go?)
Rigel started to run, panic taking hold. But it wasn’t a few moments later before arms wrapped around him and tackled him to the ground, accidentally landing on top of his metal and pinning it beneath himself. He let out a noise of fear, but a hand quickly came over his mouth. Hot breath purred into his ear, “Why hello, Rigel.”
Kohaku's ears twitched irritably. She got a harsh feeling in her chest that something was wrong. ….I really hope Rigel's okay… She fingered with the last half of bread she intended on saving for him, wondering where he went.
(Oof i needa get to bed)
Rigel let out a whimper as Peter grazed his fingernails over Rigel’s face. He hauled Rigel to his feet, and Rigel didn’t dare attack with his metal in fear of how Peter would punish him. Because when Peter held him like that… Rigel was defenseless. Peter let out a chuckle and purred, “I’ve been looking for you, my little songbird,” Rigel started to cry, “I can’t wait to make you scream again.”
(Yyyeeech I can literally hear Peter's voice and it's so weeeeeiiiiirrrrrdddd.)
Kohaku's small dagger waggled a little, tingling against the table. …? She grabbed it and felt it trembling in her hand. What on earth??
Everyone else was off doing their own thing, and Daichi and Naoki were still discussing the dismissal of Rigel from the house. So no one was there to witness the strange activity of the dagger.
But Kohaku returned to her room with the bread chunk in one hand and the dagger in the other, still waving around a bit crazily. What is going on??? She reopened the window to be greeted with a gale of fresh air, blowing her back What the heck!?
The next thing Rigel knew, he was hauled of Peter’s shoulder. Tears dripped like waterfalls off his face, but he didn’t dare make a sound in fear of Peter. He just shook as he was carried further and further away from Kohaku and safety, and closer and closer to the room.
(Oof what am I supposed to do about that???)
(Maybe Kohaku senses something wrong and goes to find Rigel… or we could letit happen for a little bit and I can add another character to interact with?)
(Okay. Sounds legit.)
Kohaku glared out and sighed, her ears still flicking. Rigel… He was all that she could think about. She was a bit into deep thought when there was a soft knock on the door. "Kohaku?"
She glanced back to see Mamoru there. "We managed to talk to Daichi, and we were able to get him to agree that he wasn't allowed to send Rigel out of the house, and that he's allowed to come back."
Kohaku was happy to hear that, but there was one thing… "But he's out there all by himself… I– I talked to him when we crossed paths again, but he left and I–"
"Then let's go and find him."
