A/N: Okay, I know that about a billion people saw that coming… but hey, the story would not be so fun if it was anyone else! As for Ayeka's mightier-than-thou attitude, I think I expressed it pretty well. I mean, her and Ryoko aren't exactly buddy-buddy with each other, right? I know I portrayed Ayeka as a "shrew", but given the circumstances, I think the reaction was normal and maybe even acceptable. Anyway…
Roughing It
With a smile no dimmer than the sun she was greeting, Ayeka stretched and smiled as the beginning of a new day washed over her tired body. By the time evening had came the other day, the mattress was not only dry but very warm, and Ayeka had slept like she hadn't slept in years. Now, in the early parts of the morn, she was completely refreshed and ready to start her day.
Ayeka first gobbled up a few berries from the bushes that were growing next to her cave, but made a note to not eat too much. She justified her reasons for eating so much, claiming to need the strength to survive these first few days. Later on, she would have to find more fulfilling meals, and a steadier supply of water than the tiny creek she had found. She would also need tools, and fire, and……
Humming a song to herself, Ayeka journeyed away from her cave. She needed to wash her clothes out, for they were beginning to smell of sand and salt and sweat. For this task, she required two long poles, a line, some clips, and a wide open space. She had already done well in collecting firewood, and a pair of straight, dry branches would make do for a clothesline. Ayeka used her sash as a line, seeing as how she wouldn't need it much anyway. The only thing left was to find a carrying device.
Amazed at her resourcefulness, Ayeka had transformed the chest that she found the other day into a sort of primitive pail. It was in this box where she transported water from the creek to the grasslands, and it was in these empty fields where she began washing her outfit.
Being alone on an island had several obvious advantages. Ayeka could disrobe and nobody would be around to see her; for that matter, she could have wandered around in the nude and nobody would care. But she would not lower herself to such barbaric standards--at least not if she could prevent it.
Ayeka knew nothing about washing clothes, having been brought up in royalty. She had learned a little while living in the Masaki house, but other than that, she was wet behind the ears. Still, she could improvise: dunk the robe in the box, soak it, knead it, squeeze it out, wash it again, hang to dry. Satisfied, Ayeka sat down on the grass, watching her royal outfit dry out in the sun. Her undergarments would get stained by the grass, so they too would need to be washed after awhile.
Ayeka scoured the immediate area for water while waiting for her clothes to dry. She didn't venture too far for fear of wild animals stealing her things, so she wasn't able to find anything. Once the hour was up, she'd be free to explore at her leisure, providing she packed enough provisions with her.
Ayeka used the remainder of the water to give herself a brief shower. Stripping down to nothing, she overturned the box and dumped the leftover water on her exposed body. It wasn't as cold as she thought, and after drying herself off on her clothes, she dressed and set out to find some water.
Walking through the grasslands, Ayeka stumbled across a lone banana tree standing in the middle of the plains. Somewhat tired from her chore, she opted to rest under the shade and write in her diary. To her great joy, one banana had fallen out of the tree, and other than a slight bruise, it was in perfect edible condition.
Diary of Ayeka, Princess of Jurai
Sixth of May
I am getting used to living on my island now. I have a small supply of food near my home and plenty of fruit trees just begging to be harvested. I have yet to find a large quantity of drinking water, but I suppose the tiny creek I have found shall make do.
Washing clothes is more of a chore than I imagined. I have no idea how Sasami or Kiyone does it; perhaps, if I am lucky, I shall discover this someday. But I will not rest on laurels; I should be able to teach myself these things. After all, I must depend on myself from now on. Needless to say, this will be a very big change from what I am used to but I am sure that I will be able to cope.
There is nothing else of interest that I can express, except to say that I will have much to do in these next few days. It will be hard, but I am certain that I can manage by myself. I will have no need of that wretch Ryoko!!!
Speaking of which, I wonder if I should really let her stay there on those rocks. Yes, I know it is not like me to pity her, but still… A princess should extend mercy and grace to all living creatures, even wicked space pirates. Perhaps it would be best to relocate her elsewhere, where she is not so exposed to the elements. I'm sure she didn't sleep well last night, what with the waves at her feet and the wind on her back. The weather was warm, but I'm sure she must be frozen stiff.
Perhaps I shall rescue her in time, but for now, I will leave her there to rot a little more. What more just punishment can I possibly exact!! HA! Besides, I know that if I help her, she'll only laze around and steal all my food. She certainly won't contribute anything either. I'll hold her destiny in my hands for a little while longer, then we'll see what happens.
Faithfully yours,
Ayeka
Night waned, and Ayeka's throat became dry and crusty. She had all but emptied the tiny creek earlier that day, and was desperate for water. If it wasn't so salty, or filled with questionable forms of life, then the princess would have drank the entire sea. She was that thirsty.
Ayeka also grew cold. Her heavy princess robe shielded her from the brunt of the cool night, but she needed the warmth of a fire to invigorate her bones. She would have returned to the cave hours ago, but she decided to burn the midnight oil searching for natural tools and more water. Now the day turned dark, and shockingly cold, and the princess had neither tool not water nor flame to boast about.
Quivering, Ayeka returned "home" in defeat, carrying no more than the box she had discovered her diary in. She had hoped to fill it with foodstuffs and items, but so far it remained empty. Snacking on the dwindling supply of berries didn't help her either, and seeing their number grow smaller only dampened her spirits.
The only comfort she really had was the bed. As usual, she had left it out in the sun to warm up, and the feel of the heated cotton was like sleeping inside a warm loaf of bread. The princess sighed as she plopped down on the mattress, and squealed in content as the warmth of the bed beneath her carried her off to Slumberland.
I wonder how that wretch is faring.
Hm, probably shivering cold.
Maybe I should go out and save her. Yes, it would be the proper thing to do.
…………
…Nah. I'll do it tomorrow. I'm so tired… and hungry… and thirsty… and cold…
………
I hate admitting it, but I might need help.
I might need… Ryoko's help.
D'GAHH!!!! What am I thinking?! I, need HER help??!? Preposterous!!
……
Oh, but I am feeling lonely… And I cannot handle this by myself for long…
I still have so much to do…
Curse that woman!!!!! If it had been anybody else, I would not be so loathe to help! Anyone, anyone at all! Oh, why did it have to be her…?
Hahaha… how ironic… Ugh, how disgusting…
I shall worry about that tomorrow. Sleep…