* @Haruko's room is now pretty thoroughly unpacked. She has a fairly dated computer on her desk, a few shelves of books including a psychology text and Kyon's novels. At present, lying futon side, she has a bookmarked copy of Emma. There's an empty hook over the futon. * Kyon steps in and looks around. "Feel good to have your own space?" * Katie walks in behind the other two, holding the painting with both hands. She spots Emma. Huh. * @Haruko nods. "It does make some things simpler. Although it's also different from college in that the house shrine isn't right here. So some things feel more intimate, and some more shared." * Kyon nods back, looking around for a good place to sit. "How it goes. At least it's not hard to get there." You excited to have roommates? It looks like more space, but also more people. * @Haruko pulls out her chair and also lays out a few pillows. She kneels down on one. "Yeah, it helps that it's Maki and two of the book club girls, Suzume and Chidori." She lets out a breath, "I kind of like it. And there's always the roof if I need some alone time out of my room. I set the chips out up there, along with some soda by the way." * Katie tilts her head. "I might check it out." She steps over and hands Haruko her wrapped painting. * @Haruko bows again and takes it in both hands, "I've never really had anything like this before, I..." Haruko looks down and braces herself, she asked for honesty. "Should I open it now?" * Kyon settles himself on one of the pillows, curling his legs beneath him. * Katie moves back a bit and holds one hand with the other. "If you want to." * @Haruko hesitates just a moment more before carefully unwrapping it. [Underneath is a picture of a Haruko-like girl in a turquoise dress on a wooden, European-style ship. Her hair is undone and blowing in the wind, and she's holding a knife. She looks like she's about to plunge herself into the angry ocean below. The cabin behind her has a window and a couple of figures are in the bed, but they're impossible to really make out. The sun is setting in the distance, and there are a couple of girls calling to her in the waves, one with brown hair and the other with red. The Haruko analogue's hand is bleeding, but as the blood falls it transforms into sea foam. It's a mixed media work - watercolor for the setting sun, sky, ocean, girls in the water, and foam; colored pencil for Haruko, the ship, the cabin and what's inside, and her blood.] * @Haruko breathes slowly, saying nothing for a moment. After a pause that extends a few long slow breaths she says quietly, "It's beautiful." * Katie smiles, kind of nervously. "Thanks." * @Haruko after another few breaths stands to hang it on the wall, in case Kyon has not seen it yet. * Kyon looks it over, his eyes darting over it. "Don't think I saw it since you put in the finishing touches. Really striking." * @Haruko kneels down again, she looks closer at the girls in the water first. It's my first time trying mixed media. It's harder than it looks! But watercolor just seemed right for the subject matter, so... * Katie seems to be relaxing a little, now that she's talking shop. * @Haruko comments evenly, "It doesn't even look easy." So harder than that, I guess. * Kyon gives her a look with eyebrows raised that's got a lot of pride in it. * @Haruko just replies to that with a quiet, "Oh." * Katie catches that look from Kyon, and now she blushes slightly. She shifts her weight to her other foot. * Kyon looks back at the painting now. "You have people in mind for the other characters?" Me and Taki, sort of. * Katie makes a so-so gesture. In the water, I mean. On the ship... nope. <@Haruko> And the cabin? Family, comfort, normalacy? * @Haruko frowns, "Sorry, I'm probably being too literal." * @Haruko keeps staring at the painting, transfixed. * Katie nods, warming up again. "It could be, yeah. But it's also a fairy tale. You know which one." <@Haruko> Little Mermaid. Which means the home may be in the sea. * Katie shrugs. "Maybe." * @Haruko keeps staring at the painting on the wall and speaks very quietly, barely moving her lips. "Are hugs okay? You don't have to. I'd understand." * Katie blinks. This is not what she expected. Hugs are okay. * Kyon blinks as well, surprised, and shifts his weight, rolling back to rest his weight on his arm, still sitting on the cushion. * @Haruko fluidly twists herself towards Katie almost unnaturally fast, as if afraid the opportunity will pass. She wraps her arms around the girl and Katie can hear a few droplets fall to the floor, and a couple more roll down Haruko's cheeks and fall only to fall warmly on Katie's. "Thank you for the warn-- for the story." * Katie starts slightly, then hugs Haruko back. "Just be careful what you sacrifice for and how, okay?" she tells her, softly. * Kyon looks a little bit uncomfortable, and looks at the picture again, focusing on different details. * @Haruko nods and doesn't say anything for a while. After a minute or so, assuming Katie hasn't pulled away, she lets go. "I guess we should go back to the party." * Katie makes a face. <@Haruko> Do you want to stay here? I could send people to you. Or up to the roof. I'm not stealing your room. ... Might hide on the roof though, thanks. * Kyon looks back over at them from the floor. "I can make the rounds if you want. Give you some cover to get through." <@Haruko> I'd say what's a little theft between friends, but that's a whole nother painting. * Katie snerks. "Yeah, it is." To Kyon, she says, "Are you sure?" * @Haruko slowly stands up, glancing back at the painting one last time. * Kyon smirks. "I can flip into fan mode. You take care of yourself. I can catch up soon." * Katie hesitates, then nods. "Okay." <@Haruko> I'll make sure we don't keep him too long. * Kyon nods, unfolds himself from the floor, stretches, then checks that his shirt is properly tucked in place, that his armwarmers cover everything that should be covered. * Katie lets out a small laugh. "Good luck." * Kyon nods to her quickly, and resolutely opens the door and makes his way out.