Sunday 1.19: Moving Pictures

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

[7bladed...remind me if Ran returns to his room later and doesn't comment on Aya's letter. I can be ditzy]

****

Ran had been so intent on not having to speak to Yohji again that he'd left without demanding where they were going. It irritated that he'd been so irresponsible, but they had their phones. If something came up, they could be reached.

He'd left the address of the theater on the table on a small yellow slip of paper, but nothing else.

The car ride to United Cinemas was tense, to say the least. Ran insisted on driving, Aya-chan in the front seat. Ran spent the ride stiffly straight, focused only on the road, even despite the voice nagging him to make the night pleasant for his sister's sake.

The theater was crowded. Once they got there Ran stood silently but a foot back from the others to have a better view of the passers-by, waiting for the younger two to make their selection.

[as a note, I took United Cinemas from Wiki.]

Comments

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi didn't dare talk during the car ride. It wouldn't have been so tense if, well, Ran hadn't been so tense. Had he made him too paranoid? He'd only thought it fair to give Ran the chance to come along. He hadn't meant for this to explode into some bodyguard project. Just... a precaution, like the tracking device. Brother and sister up front, and him alone in the back.

He didn't mind that much. If only it weren't like they were all waiting for a bomb to explode.

He was glad when they'd arrived. Just getting out of the car felt better to Omi. Ran needed to loosen up some, at least right now. How was his sister going to enjoy herself if she was too busy feeling nervous?

Right then. He'd just have to take charge and make up for Ran being like a cat dangled over a tank of water. Smile: on.

"It looks like a good variety this week. What do you think, Aya-chan? Do you like thrillers, or would you rather see a comedy?"

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

The car ride was awkward to say the least. Aya-Chan wasn't sure if the edginess coming from her brother was due to the fact that he was annoyed she hadn't asked him first - which, now thinking about it, she probably should have - annoyed after reading her letter and was reminded by the day's earlier events - if he'd read it at all? - or annoyed at something completely different. Still, she wasn't sure she wanted to ask.

"It looks like a good variety this week. What do you think, Aya-chan? Do you like thrillers, or would you rather see a comedy?"

Oh, gosh, no thrillers please. Not only had she never really liked thrillers, it was probably not a good movie to watch with an angry Ran sitting anywhere near her. "Uhn... a comedy sounds nice," she replied, glancing nervously from Omi to Ran and then back to Omi. "Was there one you" - and at the word 'you', she switched glances again just to make sure they knew the word referred to both of them - "wanted to watch?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran shifted his glance sideways, making it abundantly clear he had no opinion on the subject.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi sighed to himself. Typical Ran. Omi was quite certain that somewhere down there he -did- have an opinion. He just refused to voice it. The same way Omi refused to voice his bit of disappointment that Aya wasn't interested in the thriller. That probably would have been his first choice.

Maybe Ken would see it with him.

"I heard 'Catch a Cab' was good. My classmates were talking about how funny it was last week."

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

Aya nodded a little, still making worried glances towards Ran. "That sounds fine if everyone agrees?" A pause. "Or, we could stand outside and Oniichan could be the thriller?" Bad joke. Definitely wrong time. Still, the old Ran would've cracked a smile, maybe even shot back a joke.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran's hackles rose almost visibly, sending his sister a sharp look. Was she picking on him? What exactly was she implying?!

But there was a slight lightness to her tone and face.

Yes, he realized she was teasing him.

...and it was what younger sisters did.

The thought settled on him and left him a bit unbalanced, but it also lifted the weight, and his face settled into something softer. "What exactly are you implying?" He asked. It surprised him to feel his mouth quirk, if imperceptibly enough.

This is for her, he reminded himself. It's not good for her if you make her worried.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi joined in on the teasing and pivoted around with his hands clasped behind his back, addressing Aya-chan with a smile.

"I don't know... Aya-kun isn't being very thrilling right now. Besides, I think a comedy is a good idea. We've had enough excitement for one day, don't you think? Let's go get our tickets."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran's head snapped towards Omi, alarmed and caught between offense, surprise, and irritation. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but it felt like mutiny.

But Omi pivoted toward his sister before Ran could respond.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

At least Ran wasn't looking as scary as before. That was definitely an improvement. Still, he looked... somewhat irritated maybe? Or perhaps she was just reading him wrong.

She nodded at Omi. "Sure," then looked up at Ran and gave him a small, almost tentative smile. "This'll be fun." If its not, she'll have to make it fun.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi busied himself buying the tickets to give the siblings a moment to talk together. Ran had given him a look after his comment. He hadn't thought he'd done anything wrong. Nice little avoidance buffer the separation would be. Then they could both go on like nothing had happened.

He really needed to loosen up a little. Security issues were serious, but that didn't mean he had to possess the social value of a wooden board.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran stared at Omi's back a second longer, bemused, then turned a softer look on his sister.

It was strange how much easier it was for him to smile when it was just the two of them, unobserved.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

If only he'd look like that more often. Then, maybe Ran wouldn't seem like so much of a stranger. Aya-Chan put on a serious face and looked up at her brother. "Its a good thing you're good looking enough to attract some girls. Though, if you keep frowning like that, it'll be glued permanently to your face. And then you'll scare off all potential wives."

Still feeling a bit uneasy about joking around like they used to, she quickly gave Ran a nudge before he had the chance to reply, pulling him towards Omi. "C'mon, we'll be late for the movie."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

...girls?

...good looking?!

She almost sounded as bad as Yohji! Mentally, he spluttered. What was going on here?!

Aya tugged him by the hand before Ran could organize a suitable response. Stumbling after her, he blinked at her swishing hair.

That was how it had always been, wasn't it? Aya a few steps ahead of him? At least then he could tease her back.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

It was a bit unsettling that he didn't have any return comments; it reinforced the fact that their relationship was not what it used to be. But Aya-Chan pushed the thought away impatiently. They were out to have fun, that was progress, wasn't it? She remained silent as they approached Omi. Definitely out to have fun... that was the goal.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi handed a ticket to each of the Fujimiya siblings, pausing with Ran's just for a brief look at him. He seemed different. Maybe Aya had said something to relax him. Omi hoped so. He smiled.

"Do you want any popcorn? I'll buy some snacks for everyone if you'll save me a seat."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," Ran said.

Two hours of...he didn't even know what this movie was about. He could think of mission strategies, perhaps, or work on the one problem he'd been having lately with his footwork. It wouldn't be so bad. It would make his sister happy.

And Omi, Ran mused. It was strange of him to think of Omi as a teenager, but that is what he was. A skilled, deadly, and very bright teenager with more responsibility than Ran would give him had he the choice. But a teenager nonetheless.

He identified with Omi on some level, he supposed. Their situations, while not identical, had similar results. It was because of this Ran sometimes forgot that Omi could do what he could not.

Be happy.

Their youngest member, he reflected, deserved a respite.

He just hoped that it didn't come with a price.


"Do you want any popcorn? I'll buy some snacks for everyone if you'll save me a seat." Omi suggested.

"I don't eat that popcorn." Ran stated automatically.

It was true. He was slightly incredulous that anyone did. It had more chemicals in it than most of Omi's darts, he was sure, not to mention a week's quota of fat needed for the average human's diet.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan smiled and shook her head. "I don't eat much popcorn either," then, not wanting to sound mean. "But if you want, we can share one."

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Neither of them ate popcorn at the movies? Omi thought it was something of a necessity. For a moment, he looked uncomfortable.

"U...Un. Then, I'll just get some for myself. It looks like a short line, so it shouldn't take long."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Even if this was Omi's idea and he didn't especially want to be there, Ran stepped forward. He already felt uncomfortable that the short blonde had bought his ticket, but he'd been preoccupied at the time. "Omi. I'll get it." He nodded towards them both, indicating that they go on.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi's eyes widened briefly before a blink. What? "But you didn't want any, right? Why are you..." Omi had thought it would be nice for Ran and Aya to have a few extra minutes together. They were the siblings.

He did recognize the futility of arguing, however, and surrendered it without further protest. "Could you get extra butter on mine?" And then another idea hit him, and he perked. "And that sour apple candy! And a medium coke?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

The thought made Ran both nauseous and incredulous. His mouth turned down slightly in disapproval, but he gave a short nod. He turned to his sister, too disgusted to manage a smile. "Do you want anything?"

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan shook her head. "No thanks, I'm good." She couldn't help but giggle a bit at Ran's reaction. "Though, I'm tempted to order something just to watch you turn greener."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran rolled his eyes, an automatic response, and then nodded to the door. He turned and went to stand in line.

A small voice worried in the back of his mind that maybe he should have let Omi get the concessions, but he (he had to remind himself) trusted Omi and it was just for a moment.

You can't even let her go for five minutes.

Because when you do, catastrophies like this morning happen.

With Omi and Aya-chan out of his vision, his mind was flooded again.

He clamped down on his thoughts. Not now.

For now he'd just have to be alert.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi bit down his smile at Aya's joke until Ran had turned and gone for the concessions.

"I guess we should get our seats, shouldn't we? Do you like the back or the front?"

As he walked her towards the theater, he made a mental note to next time ask for extra butter in the coke, too.

The thought triggered an eruption of giggles.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

"Mmm... I like the back." But before Aya had the chance to complete her sentence, Omi had burst into laughter. Though a bit confused, Aya couldn't help but smile a little; laughter was contagious, it seemed.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi nodded. "Me too." He turned long enough to call out to the Fujimiya brother that they'd be in the back, then led Aya into the darkened room. He took a brief scan of the interior before heading into one of the emptier rows in the rear. No tall people in front: good.

Not being an extraordinarily talkative person, once they'd chosen their seats Omi had little more to say. It seemed awkward sitting there with nothing to say, but his mind was blank of matters that could be discussed with her. Thinking about his teammates, the run-in that morning, wondering when they'd get their next mission, and occasionally surveying the theater for potential trouble. It wasn't likely, but then, he wouldn't have thought any potential harm in a trip to the store either.

[Making the thread posts bigger...]

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

This was a bad idea, Ran thought sourly as he was jostled for what had to be the tenth time. If one more person...

He shot the "one more person" his perfected narrow-eyed glare, who to his chagrin turned out to be a grandmotherly old woman. She scurried off to another line, looking worried.

Ran ducked his head.

He should have tailed Omi and Aya-chan to the theatre, rather than joining them. Then, at least, he could have brought his katana.

How long did it take to serve one tub of grease and a cup of chemicals?!

Ran resisted the urge to tap his foot impatiently and scanned the room.

Teenagers, teenagers, a couple parents, pairs of women and a family, who he could only assume to whom the grandmother belonged. And a single man in the corner, in a long dark trench coat.

Ran blinked, then turned to look directly at the man. He was scruffy with some stubble and mussed hair. He hadn't noticed Ran yet, staring at a group of teenage girls instead.

After a moment, the man looked up, and did a double-take.

What was he...

The man winked.

And slid his hands down the front of his jacket.

And slowly opened...

Ran took one step away from his well-earned place in line with a look that made the five-year old behind him begin to cry.

He was going to kill that...

The man, finally registering just why Ran was coming towards him, widened his eyes and fled, terrified, out the doors.

Omi and Aya-chan were the only things stopping him from following the flasher out to the streets.

That, and his order was called. He turned back to take it just in time to see the mother of the crying five year old take his concessions. She gave him a sweet smile and ushered her child away.

Ran twitched.

And went to stand in the back of the line.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

[gah, sorry... I could've sworn I replied to this already.]

Aya-Chan took a seat next to Omi. She didn't really mind the silence that much, but it almost felt as if both Ran and Omi had been way too alert; like what happened that morning was expected to happen again. The thought of having something like that occur again - and so soon, at that - sent a small shiver down Aya-Chan's spine.

She turned to Omi. Perhaps conversation would get her mind off that morning. "How did your math homework go, Omi-Kun?"

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Aya's question disrupted Omi from his thoughts, not that they'd been particularly fascinating. He turned towards her with a blink. The homework? Eheh.

In truth, the math homework was not quite done, not counting the problems he was simply skipping for lack of brain power and time. What had been done was tedious and mind-numbing. He smiled. "Ah. It went fine. I'll be glad when the semester is over, though. It's hectic trying to keep up school on top of everything else."

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

'Glad' wouldn't have been the word Aya-Chan chose to describe her feelings towards the end of semester. 'Overjoyed' might've fit better. It had somehow become so hard to concentrate on school; it was a new feeling, and Aya-Chan wasn't sure she liked it.

She nodded a little. "Hmm... I admire you, because you can keep up with so many things at once and still remain so under control." Things like what happened that morning...

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi was glad the theater was dimly lit. It made the faint blush dusting his cheeks barely noticeable. "It... It's not that much." A flat lie, but immodesty wasn't polite. He smiled and ducked his head. "And it's good to stay busy. I like having things to do. Do you think you have trouble juggling everything in your life? You seem to be doing fine to me."

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan leaned back in her seat, staring at the screen flashing advertisements before them. "I wouldn't call it juggling... or like, adjusting." she let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "I guess I'm still not really used to all this yet."

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi's smile slipped away. He sat up and turned bodily towards Aya. "I'm sure you just need a little more time. You shouldn't get discouraged with yourself. It might be hard but... anyone who has the will to wake up even after two years of being asleep must be a strong person at heart. I don't think that happened for nothing."

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan smiled at Omi. "Mmm... I'm sure I'll be able to adjust, I just wish it'd speed up a little." She paused, looking back towards the screen. "But, thank you. For agreeing to come, and all."

[pichi.livejournal.com]

"Hm?" Omi was a little surprised to be getting thanks just for agreeing to come along. It seemed a little curious, since he didn't think he was doing anything in the way of a great favor. "I don't mind." He smiled. "I like the movies."

And absolutely no way he was going to decline knowing at least one of Schwarz was interested in her. The more eyes on her safety, the better.

"I wish your brother would speed up a little too... My stomach is growling."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

[allrighty...haha. I was waiting, but I guess we all are now...]

When Ran finally did show up, it was with a dark scowl and silence, making his way to his seat without accomodation for the toes he might be stepping on.

He thrust the concessions at Omi and sat by his sister, after dismissing making Omi move so he could sit between them. It would only irritate his sister.

He should have killed the flasher, he reflected. It would have been a better use of his time than wasting it in line.

"Enjoy," he said dryly.

He'd better.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Well, speak of the devil. Though he seemed to be in quite a foul mood. Omi wasn't oblivious to how forcefully he pushed the purchase at him, and for a moment, Omi wondered if he'd done something, somehow, to upset him. Did he think something had happened while he and Aya were alone? Surely he didn't...

The almost sarcastic way that he spoke to him didn't help Omi's worry. He sunk in his seat. "Un... Arigatou."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran let out a small puff of breath. His eyes flicked sideways, across his sister, to where Omi was sitting. Neck stiff, he said curtly, "I was flashed. And lost my place in line."

It felt like admitting that cost him a bit of dignity. He blamed the concern for his youngest teammate on his sister's presence.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

The phrase, 'was it at least worth the time?' came to mind, but Aya-Chan kept her mouth shut. She sent a wary glance towards her brother, wondering what she could possibly say in a situation like this - finding things to say had never been a problem before. Finally, she just decided that the best thing to do right then was to keep her mouth shut. Omi seemed to know Ran better than she did and was less likely to make an erroneous remark.

[pichi.livejournal.com]

Omi's eyes grew huge. "You what? In the middle of the lobby?!" Holy cow! Omi already knew Tokyo was crawling with criminals, but it was just -sad- when you couldn't even go see a movie without...

Well, no wonder Aya was irritated. Probably embarrassed, too. He reconsidered the rest of Aya's explanation. Lost his place in line. Oh no. "Did you chase after them?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

The theater dimmed just as Omi finished his question, masking Ran's look of disgust - he should know Ran took his duty as Weiss and as his sister's bodyguard seriously - and saving him from answering with more than a curt "No."

Ran couldn't even remember what they'd decided on. Instead, he scanned the theater, rows of faceless people illuminated by the flickering light.

It was so loud. Ran couldn't remember the last time he'd been to a movie.

[7bladed.livejournal.com]

[OOC: My bad... I've been stressing over exams and my mother lately. Should we just skip the movie and move on to after the movie? o_O]

[pichi.livejournal.com]

(I was just wondering that a few minutes ago. I think so. GL, if it's all right with you, I'll just shift the next post to the return to Koneko where that guy is waiting)

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sure beans ^^