Wounded

Karasu made her way down the alley only to pause at the end of it and fix her hair slightly. People passed her by, many looked, but none spoke to her. After looking from side to side and seeing an opening in the traffic, she crossed the street and entered the establishment in which she would find sustinance.

The little old man that served as proprietor saw her and motioned, taking her to her usual place to sit. Most of the tables were in the open but there was this one cubby hole which was created due to an unsanctioned remodel that almost caused the man to lose his license. The little spot was not only cozy but beautiful. There was an open window where various hanging flower pots were overflowing with delicate blossoms that scented the whole area. There was a small, private patio on the other side of the window that also contained a fountain and when she paid close enough attention, the voices faded away and only the water could be heard.

The man's wife appeared with a large glass of water and asked if she would like the usual, to which Karasu simply replied,

"Hai"

Xeph could faintly smell that familiar jasmine as he walked down the alley. There was no one in the alley to add any of their own preference of perfumes and so he could smell if very clearly, though he could see the busy street ahead and knew that there it would be long gone.

Suddenly he stopped. A strange scent hit his nose, completely blocking the sweet scent that had been there moments before. It was a hot iron scent coming from a direction he had never been. It frightened and dissoriented him.

He began walking again, but faster, away from that scent. As soon as he hit the street he could smell it no longer, the mix of car fumes, sweat, and food overpowered it. He sighed in relief and then remember what he was doing. He stopped to regain his composure then made his way across the street and into the restaurant.

Once inside he looked around. There was no way he could follow that jasmine scent in a place like this, the smells of food and people would obliterate it. He couldn't see her, he didn't know her name, and he would look suspicious walking around aimlessly.

As his eyes wandered the room, he noticed something in the back corner. A small nook, possibly the way to the bathroom, but she did say she could find privacy here so it was worth a shot. He made his way across the room, pretending not to hear the owner call out to him. When he rounded the corner he saw a familiar face and smiled.

"Mind if I sit," he said before the owner could get close enough to protest.

Her elbows were on the table, her face resting within her hands. She heard his voice and her fingers spread quickly, letting her eyes peek through. The boy came into her full vision and she just merely looked back at him. The expression on her face could not be ascertained due to the fact of her hands covering her face but she made him stand there and didn't speak to him. Not only did she not speak, she actually closed her fingers where she couldn't see him any more. She remained that way until she heard the owner start harassing Xeph. Just when he was on the verge of getting tossed out on his bum, she let her hands drop. There was more that a bit of mirth in her voice as she spoke, stating.

"Let him stay."

A second later he was sitting with a smile, waiting for someone to take his order. He didn't speak. He just sat there, back straight, hands in his lap, not looking at anything in particular. He could say something, he could wait for her to speak, but either way he didn't expect much conversation.

Once his order had been taken, the house special, he waited patiently. What was he waiting for? Was it that he waiting for her to speak, or for a genious idea to form in his head that would instantly win this girl over? No, he was waiting for his food, because, truthfully, he was also starved. He hadn't realized it until he sat down and took in the air. Smelled the rich bouquet of the food being prepared and eatin. Saw the other patrons, or at least remembered seeing them, enjoying their dishes. Yes, he was very hungry and now all that he could really think of, or wanted to think of, was food.

Karasu wasn't one to talk much about herself and she just simply stared at Xepher for a while, listening to the faint sound of the water in the private patio on the other side of the wall. Soon, her eyed did find a point of interest. She felt she should engage him in conversation before he started talking to her and asking her questions.

"What happened to your eye? How did it become injured?"

Soon after she spoke, someone appeared with a small pickled cucumber salad and miso soup, which came with most dinners. She nodded and picked up her chopstick, lifting a cucumber to her mouth and eating it. Perhaps he wouldn't even talk at all now, seeing that there was food here.

"I don't really know," was his only reply until he had taken a few bites of his salad. Once his immediate hunger had been satisfied he looked up from his bowl and continued, "I was running through downtown and the next thing I know I'm outside of town with mud covering half of my face."

He took another bite of his salad and then looked back to his dining partner, saying, "it's weird, they say I was lying in the grass, no mud around, face up."

Xephyr could recall everything he had done that day. Could see it all so clearly. He knew exactly where he was and what he was doing. Then there was blackness. He could half remember being found unconcious on the edge of town. Could remember the voices as they all rushed for help. But if you asked him how it had happened, he really couldn't tell you. He just couldn't remember. It was all totally black.