Received Heart:
Usako could see recall one partially piece of property or the estate her and husband owned in a private neighborhood. The place was made into a chef's paradise from massive basement for food storage. Large tanks that could hold all kinds of species of Marine Life that one can eat. Refrigerator that could be used to preserved all kinds of food from freshly butchered animals to harvested crops. Out door building that could be used to smoke of kinds of butchered to cured meats. To kitchen with modern appliances and marble counter tops a chef would die for. Had counters with granite or sandstone counter tops with a sizable butcher's block next to an island. A green house used to grow all kinds of flora that couldn't he grown in outside environment or conditions. Glass panes that made most of the inside allowed looking outside, but not inside. Had a built in watering system to water collection system for whenever it would rain. Outdoor garden can grow vegetables year round due to the way everything was set up. That weren't pumped full of growth hormones and chemicals to get their giant size. A large Orchard or grove of trees took up most of the front yard and surrounded the drive way. Some were mostly fruit related and came bared the juices produce one could sick their teeth into.
Actual house or mansion was a mixture of Traditional Japanese and Colonial American architecture from attic to basement. Interior and exterior was a pleasant balance of the two different cultural styles. Typified wooden structures, Sliding doors used for most of the walls though out most of the floors. Inner space divisions are fluid, and most room sizes can be modified through use of sliding doors. Clean wooden floors were polished to shine using an organic cleaning wax. While the outside was an ideally brick layer with a wooden trim, wooden columns painted white. Giving the house a box shaped appearance with a few chimneys made from brink stacks. From the large yards that was filled with sculptured bushes and scrubs among the plants. To the native cherry blossom trees that ranged from all types that had been imported from Japan. To iron rod benches that came in the same scrolling designs with an artistic flare (they were scattered through out the properties outside).
Anything else was a touch straight from the hands of Usako from furniture to the personal accessories inside and out.
Taken from Usako during her divorce by her ex when she was served with the papers of separation
Since she came to live with Ichiryuu and to start re-building her life when permanent splitting took place. She had developed a strange habit whenever she drove, walked to the bus stop, or was driven by. To stand outside her former property on baited breath and a head full of sorrowful memories. Just to stand outside the closed gates and admire what was a place she truly called her home. Only thing that made her smile was there never being a 'for sale' sign posted on the outer gate. Leaving her to take a picture and go on what had become her new life.
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Usako ended up looking at what was old article about her former propriety in an old edition of Home and Garden magazine. Photos of a formal sitting room and lively theater room were displayed. Others of chef kitchen and foyer set to a spring décor to match the season brought back wonderful memories. While the interview that starred her and her interior decoration skills. Made her remember how nervous she gotten when she met with who wrote this article.
"Cool place." Lexxion was looking over his Aunt's shoulder. "Eden."
Usako ended up reminding her nephew that reading over someone's shoulder wasn't a pleasant habit. Blaming Coco for teaching his son this form of stealthy maneuver despite what Sani had to say. She was going to have a stern lecture read for Coco when ever she was to meet up with him. Informing him of what his and Sani's son had picked up a nasty habit invaded one's personal space or privacy.
"Hasn't your parents ever told you sneaking up on people isn't nice." Usako put the magazine down to address Lexxion.
"Never bothered anyone before hand." He answered pulling him self up on table top to sit.
Got him a tap on the forehead by his Aunt telling him not everyone preferred his brand of bonding. Being that he was never given a chance to himself since he was raised in an abusive single parent household. He should know better, if he didn't want to end up in some reform school for misfits or military school.
"It bothers me, it puts me off." Usako huffed. "I thought you were spying on your grandfather and Uncle Midora?"
"Old timey ….love-dovey…. " Lexxion stopped right there.
Usako ended up sighing at what her nephew had to say about his grandfather and his love life. Wanting to point out that everyone had their own form of love and don't always express the emotion the same. Instead she was left to offer him in helping her frost a dozen carrot cake cupcake. She had the orange mini-cakes cooling on the near by counter on a metal rack upside down. Waiting to be coated in gluten and sugar free frosting that Usako had yet mix together.
"You're usually buzzing around this place." Lexxion spoke of Usako's usual behavior when in a kitchen.
"Something from my past slowed me down." She looked toward the old magazine entry. "I was so stupid back then…"
She never knew that her ex-husband would take what she built with him away from her by making property off limits. Even going at far as starting up rumors he may sale property when grew bored of the reminder. Possibly remodel the rest of the house to fit a more modern appeal if he ever sold the place.
"About marrying the guy?" Lexxion asked about what she met mistake.
"Pretty much." Usako closed the magazine.
She then places the reading material back in her idea binder before needing to return to her baking. Meaning an Ice Cream Cake using imported ice cream from some mountain range needed to be checked. A Spinach Dip with baked chips needed to be started before frosting over a dozen cookies. Plans to make bake or cook more from her collection of cook books before the dinner hours came.
"Can I help?" Lexxion asked wanting something to do.
"Yours parents didn't have any other place to put you besides Zebra's place." Usako looked him over. "You been practicing what I been teaching you?"
Led to Lexxion becoming his Aunt's assist in the as he helped her out in the kitchen with her numerous dishes. Not that he was bothered with the coloring or the strong feminine appearance as he chopped or cut. Being was put on what ever dish that Usako had lying around to be put in the oven, or top the stove. Filling the most of the first floor with the smells of whatever started to bake, or cook in the heat. On his back that Lexxion would get a pat from Usako for the good job he did with her. Teen in turn smiled at appreciative matter his aunt had given him as he was also rewarded.
Came to an end when the ringing of front door went off twice and had Usako yelling she was coming. This meant wiping her batter cover hands on her apron as she walked out of the kitchen in a huff. Wondering if some parent of her students found out where she lived to complain to her face. Not that Usako had a few choice words to say about how her students were always on point. Since she was getting sick of her students burning the dish of the day she provided in form of a recipe.
"Lexxy watch my buns and no snacking on those cupcakes." She knew Lexxion was eyeing them.
"Fine, doesn't mean I'll touch this veggie burger." He screamed back.
She ended up telling him until he can handle actual meat with out getting an upset stomach upon eating. Then he would give a sandwich of his choice with any fixings from any bread to any meat. Left Lexxion to become silent as Usako approached and stopped inches before the back of the door. To only look out the peep hole and see what looked a pizza delivery person stand there. To the knob she would reach and turning the metal object while pulling the door opens to turn the person away.
"Wrong house since we don't eat take out here." She clearly stated ordered out pizza isn't wanted here. "Go away!"
"Actually I was sent from the law offices of Smuiff and Ofens." This person lifts a large envelope before Usako's eyes. "Serenity Hall is being given back you."
Both the pizza box and the envelope were accepted by Usako while she backed into the building slowly, and slams the door on the person. She made sure to lock the door before returning to kitchen where Lexxion was found. Seems the teen had taken to munching down on the veggie burger she made for him. Being that the pickle jar, lettuce, and other fixings one puts in a burger. Usako ended up putting the pizza box down with the envelope still in her hand offering Lexxion contains.
"What toppings?" Lexxion asked after swallowing.
"Check it out since I only eat Italian based pizza." She would lay the box down.
That he did by opening the box and checking over the two worded message spread out on the dough. He read the phrase as 'forgive me' written out in a mixture of chopped bell peppers and pepperonis. Had the teen shrugging when he took a slice and started chewing on back piece. Noting the crust was stuffed with a cheesy filling that spilled out into his mouth after taking a bite. He enjoyed while eating away the slice that was currently eating after downing a whole vegan burger.
"NOWAY!" Usako's screaming left Lexxion to almost choke on his slice.
Within her hands were the land deed, mineral and water rights, and everything else needed to own the Serenity Hall (or Eden). Blueprints of the main building to electrical layout structures were at her hands.
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Usako approached Flourite on the school grounds with an offer that would more then his current job. Stating he wouldn't have as many restrictions then where he was currently working and get to use all his skills. Get free room and board without paying her cent for rent or the food bill.
"You get to be Lexxion openly with out the fear of being caught." She stated obvious point. "I've even relocate your tree house to my grounds….."
"Ok, Ok, you won me over." Flourite spoke to her from atop a ladder.
He was in the middle of hanging his classes' latest projects in the form of standard looking bird houses. Only the ones that had sturdy construction and good stain were being displayed in the open. Others that were done by those who didn't pay attention in class had to be redone completely (left Flourite to schedule another make up or refresher class).
"Goodie, see you this week end." Usako had some planning to do.
"WHAT?" Flourite asked climbing down from the ladder.
Usako stated she had air out the building from green house to the stables while unpacking the main house. Take an inventory of all the food that was left in long term storage and what furniture was left. Even possibly look into a rearranging or remodel sections of the grounds in the near future.
"So much to do, so little time." Usako couldn't help but be excited. "What a girl to do?"
"You already quit the teaching gig?" Flourite asked folding up the ladder.
"I am staying on as a teacher." Usako hissed at Flourite. "I am just looking into future career options."
She ended up handing a spare set of keys to her place and a remote to the access the security gates. Hinting he would make the right decision before turning her back and walking out of the school's courtyard. Leaving Flourite to think about making a choice that once more alters his life. Not knowing that someone had been watching his daughter and fellow school employee talk. Ended up giving his own form of advice when he revealed him self wearing that signature smirk. Saying how beautiful the birdhouses looked hanging from selected branches of the tree. Saying how hard it would be to look for a replacement that didn't have much of Flourite's talent. Didn't mean he wouldn't try to look while his daughter got a piece of her life back from her messed up marriage.
"Developing empty nest syndrome, knowing she's leaving again." Flourite spoke in a teasing matter.
"Has her mom's knack for décor and grandmother's talent in the kitchen." Ichiryuu spoke of Tekla and Froese. "I knew sooner or later she wasn't staying for long."
Flourite could attest too since he was there when Usako was privately divorced from her ex. Image of her with a trunk of her clothes and accessories a suit case or two with clothes on her back. In a pair last year's designer shoes with tear stained upon showing up on Ichiryuu's door step. Grasping her pocket book in both hands so strongly that she broke most of the sewn together fabric.
"Going to miss her cooking and Midora wouldn't have to put up with her homey touches to the place." Ichiryuu spoke of what he would miss. "No more interruptions when Midora are over."
Flourite couldn't agree with him more while both agreed they had work to get back to before catch. Just before going their separate ways before the first and second bell would ring to end 5th period. Flourite would take the Ichiryuu up on coming over for one of his poker nights or family dinners.
"You think she'll even host family night dinners at your anymore?" Flourite would ask knowing Usako.
That Ichiryuu couldn't predict since that very Sunday, at stroke of 6:00 PM Central Standard time, whole family was invited to a feast within the walls of Serenity Hall. They were allowed to tour the grounds before the meal even got started. To only he encouraged that they should inspect the newest additions to her property. By talking a stroll through the Grove or Orchard of trees in the backyard or check out the stables. Just watch out for the transplanted tree or two that held Flourite's place.