It was back to the normal. She was glad for that, because it meant that she could go back to that familiar, SOLITARY rhythm she had for years. Home, school, sometimes work, and back home again. With the only one she ever fully trusted with her life. Though it was a tad odd to trust a dog with your life, with her condition, it was a warranted oddity.

She loved writing assignments, as much as she did the topic of writing itself. Words fascinated her, always had since she was a teenager. They were all she HAD really, something she came to judge with fairly good accuracy.

And writer's block was always the worst thing to plague her when it struck.

There was an assignment due in a week, and she had two pages of the traditional eight done. But that was it. She was on a blank and in her mind's eye, she thought darkness as much as she saw it when her eyes were open. It sucked big time. Nothing frustrated her more.

Not even going over old stories saved on her hard drive helped any. Every story was special and though she could pull inspiration from that, it was always minimal. She created each to be original and unique; she NEVER pulled words from old stories...ever.

'It's just as well.' She sullenly thought, taking a right. 'I guess that suggestion that I 'get some fresh air' every so often from Epiphany-san is a wise one. The weather is brisk for January, but not something to let into my room. Wouldn't want otou-san mad at me for raising the electric bills.'

Dog nails clicked as Beethoven guided them over the rise on a wooden bridge and entered the park they were both in not too long ago. She decided to come here and listen to nature for inspiration, since the paper was about nature. What better source? If she was lucky, maybe she could work in another mythological figure in with it. Being her major, it would be prudent to get used to it. All she had to figure out was which one to USE.

Sounds and smells from both people and the earth greeted her senses. One in particular barely reached her nose, but she felt a small stirring to seek it out, if not for a small hello. She felt little qualms about being a TAD friendly to one of Mia's friends. At least he was polite and more traditional than the others. She knew by the way he carried himself. They hadn't talked much, but there was a small question burning in the back of her brain that she might as well get answered while they were both here.

She stopped her eyes and let him take in the sights as she waited for the wind to strike back up. It wasn't very windy and she had to wait a good few minutes before finding a direction to follow. She kept Beethoven's pace slow to check for changes, but slowly continued on. As good as a bloodhound, her nose led her straight to him and she stopped a little before the bench. "Konnichi wa." She quietly murmured.

"K...konnichi...wa... What're you doing here? I think that's the first time you've bothered to even say hello to me."

A small smirk appeared as she carefully located the bench and gracefully sat. "That's a fine 'hajimemashite'." Her hand absently petted that sleek fur as she stared up to the afternoon sun with no trouble. "I should ask YOU that question. I was unaware you resided in Tokyo."

"I live in Toyama actually." He corrected. "There was a lot on my mind recently and I needed to get away. I just...got into my car and drove. And ended up here."

"Then...it's quite interesting that we should meet here, now."

A brow cocked. "Maybe... Why is that?" He slowly queried, intense eyes studying her face. She gave away little emotion, if any at all. It almost reminded him of himself in a way.

Gray looked to the horizon, not seeing anything. "There was a question I wanted to ask you Date-san, about some advice I gave for the first time. About Epiphany-san's departure back to her home country."

Violet went wide as a brow rose even higher to that blond hairline. "Advice..." He dumbly repeated, his hand crinkling a piece of paper that'd been idly sitting in his hand for what seemed forever. "You gave Epi-chan advice...on what?"

Even though she couldn't see Sage, she almost refused to look to his general direction. "The day she left, just hours before meeting with you at the airport, she asked me how to go about telling a man you loved him."

Sage's eyes went wide, then quickly narrowed in thought as he stared at the paper in one hand. His lips pursed as he pondered those words. "Why are you asking me about that? It's a touchy subject. I don't even know you."

"And I don't know Epiphany-san, and I don't know you either...and I'd never given advice out before, ever, and said it mostly to get her to stop rambling to me. I've never dated before in my life, so I was unaware it actually worked. I was just curious at what her letter said. If what I said had any bearing on her writing."

Sage's gaze shot to her profile and his eyes narrowed in suspicion and partial dislike at her attitude. Some part of his mind was trying to figure out her reasons. So maybe not everyone liked Epiphany...he didn't, but it took HIM time to get over it. It seemed Kimon was having no problem about disliking her and saying it publicly. And she was supposed to be polite? "How did you know she gave me a letter?"

That did get her to look to his face. She pinpointed his height from the volume of his voice and stared into his eyes. "I'm blind Sage-san. I hear you were the one to point that out to the others. You should know that blind people have exceptional hearing and smell. I heard what she told you and what she slipped into your hand, even around all that noise. It's easy to tune out one noise and focus on another when you've had so much practice. So...did my advice affect anything?"

Sage leaned against the wooden bench and stared into the sky, the light rarely hurting his eyes. On cloudless days like these, he was glad to be the bearer of Halo and look into them without pain.

He gave a quiet sigh and unfolded the letter. For being so shy and quiet, Kimon sure was persistent. It was two pages long, front and back, and shocked him beyond any other thing he could probably imagine. He was used to girls liking him and having crushes on him and swarming around him. He managed to tune most of that out as soon as the war was over and he went back to high school. But reading about such devoted, innocent love took his ability of speech. "I'm not sure." He finally answered, dully staring at her handwriting.

She looked away and bit her tongue. Though polite and often timid, there was a small side of her that was often impulsive. She managed to squash that urge almost all the time, but it was hard to kill entirely. She figured every person was like that, that had two different sides in their personality.

The hand petting her dog went to scratch him behind the ears in a small fidget. It wasn't her place, her mind was harshly reminding. The question was stupid, if not out of the blue. She should've just let the matter pass, as she had for the past week. It was a possibility that if she wanted to seek out Sage, that she could always give Mia a call. Since when did she become so outward with questions and emotions?

"I don't want you to end up like I was. Dead inside. I'd give anything for anyone to keep from feeling that. Why do you shut yourself up anyway? Being blind is no excuse because you've mastered getting around that. People could hardly know from looking at you if they watched you move around your home."

Her lips pursed almost in a scowl. Those thoughts were always with her anymore it seemed. Whenever she had a free moment, it would come back and get stuck in her head. She would always review those words, trying to find a reason for their depth and sudden caring. She was always at a loss about that, and it frustrated her to no end. She would never understand someone that kind. No one had bothered to be so kind before to her.

"What are you holding back? Your face is thoughtful."

She blinked and gray shifted for a second before going back to the scenery. "......I was just wondering...what it said. But it's not my place to know, that's your letter and not-"

"It was quite a shock." Sage quietly mused, a small smile on his face. "Still is. She's expecting a letter back, though she told me if I never wanted to write to her again, she wouldn't think less of me." A quiet snort sounded. "But she finally told me outright that she loved me. But was unable to at the airport with the others around."

She snorted. "So she kissed you instead. Nice percussions." She blinked. "Matte. What do you mean by FINALLY?" Wait.

"When she was here, I found out she was in love with me. I thought it was a crush, since I am prone to them all the time. She never made any other mention of it till now, so I forgot about it. I treated her as a good friend and nothing else."

Her hand itched. These were one of the times she wished she could see and she wasn't shy, because she wanted to ask to read it herself. Even hearing that part about Epiphany loving Sage would be okay. But, she reminded, this was extremely rude and brash and wrong and not her and... Oh heck with it. What was it about curiosity?? A hand covered part of her mouth. "Where does it say that...about her loving you?"

He should've felt the invasion of privacy about something he never talked about with the guys or even Mia. Sure he talked to Mia more than the guys, but it still paled in comparison to what he was sharing with Kimon. But, it was different in a way, not having to hide his face to keep from showing emotion. Kimon didn't do that at all anyway, and not just because she was blind. She was worse than he was. He understood why Epiphany wanted to befriend her. Kimon reminded him of the girl he first met so long ago.

His eyes went to the direct paragraph. "...We've been friends for over two years and that's been the best two years of my life. I lived to get letters from you, and I still have all of them. ...You know what happened between us in the past. I don't know whether I'll do it or not, but I wanted to kiss you goodbye at the airport if I had the guts. I had a lot of good advice by a bunch of wise people from different places and I know what I need to do, but I'm just too scared to do it. Whether or not I do kiss you is uncertain. I finally came face to face with an ultimatum; that one day you would find someone in your own hometown and I'd be forever your friend. Knowing that brought unnamable fear to my heart and it made me even more afraid to know that I'd blow any chance with you. The time in Toyama again has been the best. I've missed your face a lot. And seeing you brought back such emotion I thought I suppressed. But it didn't and though I'm chicken to not say this to your face... Date Sage-kun...I love you."

He refolded the note and slipped it into his shirt pocket for safekeeping. Violet stared at his open, empty hands, as if they'd have the answers for him. He wasn't about to stop responding to her letters, as he also enjoyed getting them, but didn't know what to say or where to BEGIN.

He had a nice voice. She had to give him that. Her eyes remained lowered to the ground in thought long after he finished. So timid, yet so passionate. Epiphany had a small gift for words it seemed. Now that her question was answered, there was no more reason for her to stay. In a way, she had helped in this odd situation. She gave a mental snort. Wise...Epiphany saw her as WISE? The words she said to quiet the girl were actually THOUGHT about.

She felt a little awkward by just standing and leaving Sage as he was when she arrived, but she rationalized, this whole THING was stupid and she should never have bothered. So, what part of her mind was the one in charge of being so nosy? She originally came to find inspiration for her story and ended up having a talk about someone she rarely knew with someone she knew NOTHING about.

Her story prodded her to finally get moving. The afternoon was still early and if she was lucky, maybe the walk back would help her. She reached for the harness and stood, turning to Sage and giving a small bow. "Arigatou Sage-san. Though I pried, and gomen for that, you answered my question. Sorry to have bothered you."

"Matte." She got a few steps before turning and giving Sage her attention again. "Why do you hate her so bad? All she's done is tried to be your friend. I haven't seen you be very appreciative of all she's done for you the short time I've known you."

Her head tilted a little as she regarded the question. Hate was such a strong thing... "Maybe not HATE." She murmured. "She invaded my privacy without asking. I don't know her very well. The only one who can 'barge' into my life like that and get away with it is Mia-chan. Had she stayed around and maybe been a little less abrupt, I might have been a little less cold around her."

Sage had to smirk at her words. "You sounded like I did when I first met her. And though it's been years, I've changed my mind. Maybe give her a chance and don't think so harshly about her."

She snorted, but gave a patronizing nod and turned to leave again. What point was that advice when she doubted she'd ever see the girl again, let alone TALK to her?

"You know that Cye is back in school again. ...He'll most likely need help with writing. His grade still isn't what it should be for him to pass that class. I don't know if he's talked to you yet, or if someone from the English department has contacted you, but he still needs a tutor."

Once again, she turned around and looked in his general vicinity. "I would've assumed that the small bit I did to help him before Christmas break would've been enough of a jumpstart for him to work on his own."

Sage gave a small, wry smile. "Unless it has to do with water or fish, Cye doesn't really have much inspiration to write. It's not a subject he's really good at." The smile melted from his face as Sage gave a serious look to Kimon. "Do you mind helping him? He could use it."

Once again, she went into her mind and thought about this change. Why was this person asking such a question? If ANYONE should, it would be Cye or one of the teachers. Not one of Cye's friends. And here was another intrusion into her life. Why couldn't she just have it the way it WAS? Did Kami-sama intend on doing something to make sure she could NEVER have peace and quiet again? "I don't mind helping people with a subject like that...for those that need it." She finally conceded. "Have him contact me if he needs help again." With that, she turned and finally left the way she came through the park.

Sage watched Kimon until she faded from view. How odd of a conversation, yet not totally unpleasant. He didn't expect her to come here, since he knew she rarely did public places. Still, she wasn't as bad as the first judgment he passed on her after their initial meeting. She was mellow and highly shy, but there was a small spark inside that she apparently let out from time to time. Though, if he had to call nudging those questions about Epiphany out of her a spark, then he should get his head examined.

With a snort, his eyes closed as his head leaned against the top of the bench. Even with this sudden conversation from someone who gave Epiphany inspiration for that letter, he still had no clue how to go about giving an answer. He had so many mixed emotions and he couldn't say either yes or no about his decision of what he wanted to say. 'Maybe I should meditate on this...maybe it'll help me find a decision.' He pondered. After a minute, he stood and started for the bridge to the exit, heaving a sigh. 'Epi-kun, what have you started here? And why do I feel like this isn't a bad thing?'

~*~*~

Sometime shortly after dinner, the call came. As expected. She shortly forgot about it, as she was currently doing the writing assignment at the time, trying to get farther in it. At the rate she was going, with her high restrictions and all, she'd be lucky to be done by the hand-in date.

"Musume, you have a call." Daughter.

"Hai otousan." She quietly answered through the door. She stopped writing and took the ever-present ear bud from a lobe and carefully stood, mentally positioning everything for when she returned. After skillfully making her way to the phone, she felt around for a split second before finding it. "Moshi moshi."

"Kimon-san?"

"Hai...this is Cye-san I take it?"

He had to smile, almost sheepishly. "Hai... I heard from Sage that you two talked today, and that you were willing to continue helping me with my class."

"I have no problem helping out one of Mia-chan's friends if they need it. So long as you are in true need of help and not using me as a crutch." She evenly explained, her free ear listening to her father putter around the house.

"No! No...no, I'd never do that to you." He almost hastily reassured. "Heh...if you want proof, just read my past papers and then you'd know what sorry shape I'm in."

"Hmm. Well, aside from that, when do you want to meet at school and work on your paper? If your class is anything like my deadlines, which is possible, then you have one due in a week. And I assume you've barely started?"

"It's a little sooner than that. And, I have a few ideas, but about school-"

"School is no problem. I'm always in my normal spot after classes, so you'll have no trouble finding me."

"Actually...I was hoping to do something for you in return for all your help."

She blinked. Did she HEAR right?? Someone wanted to do something for her in return?? Not possible. "There is no need. You already gave me that batch of tea and those cookies. I still have the tea, and I do not require payment of-"

"This is my way of saying thank you, and a peace offering, since you apparently don't like having anyone intrude on your life very much. My friend is like that, so I can see your side of it all. So this is kind of my way of making it up to you."

Raven brows rose to her hairline. This didn't make sense. Why would someone she basically didn't know, other than a possessing serious English deficit, want to do something in return for her amateur teachings? Granted she was only going off her OWN harsh stipulations involving writing, but she doubted it was any reason to pay her back. Even if he DID make her rearrange a schedule she knew like the back of her hand.

Still, part of her felt inclined, if not intrigued, to see what this Cye had in mind. He was already generous enough in making her food and buying her something for Christmas, a perfect stranger almost. The tone in his voice was heartfelt as it was genuine and she felt herself waver. He WAS asking for HER help after all...why not let him make it up to her? "You are a little dynamic in your request, but I will do as you wish. What do you have planned?"

Cye had to smile, if not for the fact that this strict, hard-willed girl let herself be swayed with the promise of getting something back out of this. She really wasn't like most girls he knew. "I don't have a lot of money to take us anywhere for food, but I'm a pretty good cook and figured I could make you something in payment. You need a good meal, you're far too thin."

She blinked at his playful assumption of her physical stature, and her mouth pursed in defiance. She LIKED her body structure as it was actually; if she was even ten pounds heavier, she'd feel too weighed down and whatnot. This suited her fine. But, this person wasn't going to give up without a fight...and she wasn't about to argue with her chichi in hearing range. She had always appeared the polite, silent daughter in his eyes, and she wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that. "Your weight comment aside, I don't think it's such a good idea. I don't know you that well enough to go into your house, even on invitation."

"I swear nothing will happen to you. And I'll make sure to get you anything you want so you don't have to get up and possibly hurt yourself." He assured.

There was almost a patronizing sound to his voice and the remark about her blindness stung. She felt pride rear up, and was silent for a few minutes as she internally calmed herself. Who was THIS person to make such loose remarks about her disease??

But he made a good argument about every doubt she had. The only problem she had was his family, if there was one at all. She wasn't comfortable around complete strangers, especially by herself. The only reason she wasn't outright saying no was because she was already introduced to Cye and had identified him with her senses. Her eyes looked to the counter her arms rested on as her lips pursed. Nothing good could really come of this...but... "When do you intend on doing this?"

Cye smiled again and leaned against the wall, idly staring across the room. "Do you mind tomorrow?"

Her eyes widened. There was school, and work tomorrow. It couldn't possibly happen then. "I have work from five thirty to seven thirty. There's no way it would work."

"Can't we do it after you work?"

Her lips pursed. That was a big interruption of her schedule, and who knew when she'd get to bed?? Ten was her limit and after that, she didn't know if she'd be of much help. "Why can't we do it at a time when I don't have work?"

"Well...I'm sort of arranging my time as well to do this. I have a family business to attend to, as much as you have work. I'm thinking of both things here."

She gripped the phone in frustration. Rats...she hadn't considered him having a job, let alone a business he was in charge of. That made for a more excellent point than hers. So far, she had committed herself to another tutor session, and was agreeing to let him make her something...so why was she being so lenient with her schedule? This was something she'd lived with since before high school. Who knew what the consequences would be if she fell out of that? But why did she feel inclined to give a reluctant 'yes'?

'Probably due to all his good points.' She almost sourly mused.

"...Tomorrow then...but I don't intend on doing this 'dinner' thing more than once. Wakarimasu?" You understand?

Though her tone was brusque, she accepted. Cye had to smirk. She was a thorn with a rose on it. Some part of him didn't mind it if he didn't have to talk to her again, since she was ruder than she was polite, but there was a mystery about her that he found intriguing. He also wondered what Mia saw in her that made them such good friends. "Wakaru." He answered. "To do my part since I'm 'interrupting' even more, I'll pick you up at your job. That is, if you don't mind? It'll save time and I can bring you home afterwards. And you won't have to have your father drive all over the place."

Her lips pursed. Yet ANOTHER good argument. She didn't want otousan trying to figure where Cye lived in the dark and have them get lost. He'd be the only one to look for the house anyway. And the time saver issue was a must, since they could get more work in. If not for knowing that Cye would know where she worked. Not that it was such a bad place to begin with...at least her job was a good one and paid sort of enough for her needs. "Agreed." She finally answered.