So Close, So Far
A collection of Pyron/Jun vignettes by JSF
Quotable quotes: "K-Kodomo?"-Lee Pyron stuttering out the Japanese word for "children", Shaman King Ep. 46
JSF: It sounds much funnier in Japanese, ne? ^_^ It's not every day the "White Dragon" gets his butt whooped by a couple of kids. Hee hee. =p
Pyron: I didn't get "whooped."
JSF: No, but you almost did.
Author's note: This vignette has been on my mind ever since I saw that cute scene when Tamao and Jun are shopping in Patch Village and Pyron's carrying all their stuff. He was Jun's personal bagboy!! I actually squealed with delight at how adorable it was. I had to write this down. ^_________^
Pyron: That smile means I'm going to be embarassed in this chapter doesn't it?
JSF: Yes you are, but it's only a little bit.
Vignette #6: Laughter
Shopping is horribly dull. We just make it to Patch Village, barely unpack, and then Jun suggests that the pink haired girl, Tamao, and she go shopping together. Naturally her friend accepts the offer to unwind and I come along too in case any favors are needed. Alright, alright, I just want to be near Jun and do something fun with her. However, I forgot that shopping is about as fun to me as kissing a cactus.
It's not as though I hate carrying all these boxes. I actually enjoy doing that because I make a little game of seeing how fast I can walk without the miniature cardboard skyscraper wobbling. Call it crazy, but this game prevents me from being bored a tiny bit. The packages almost topple a few times but I steady myself and now I'm improving by the hour. Yes, I said hour.
Oh dear God it's been a bucketful of hours! In fact it's nearly been a day! Does Jun never get tired? How many shoes, nightgowns, earrings, souvenirs, and cosmetics must a woman own?! I love her dearly but…oh…who am I kidding? All she has to do is hand me the newest thing she's bought, say thank you, and I turn into a total sucker.
As the sun sets we make our last stop at a perfume store. Tamao and Jun walk in, happily scout all the shelves, and test multiple scents. I am just content to follow them, carefully set down everything on the floor, and sit in a chair and wait. The only other customer in the shop is a grumpy looking lady shaman who seems to be about fifty years old.
She's not a pleasant person to look at. Rail thin; this woman's skin is the color of leather. Her mousy unkempt hair is a depressing shade of gray and her lips are in a constant pout or frown. I wonder if she uses a bad artificial tanner. The old walking stick turns her head in Jun's direction and sneers silently.
I automatically feel defensive. What did Jun do? She is only talking and laughing with her friend. Oh, forgive her for being so noisy and doing what anybody does! Yes, yes, she doesn't know any better.
"Oh Pyron," Jun says to me, "We're ready to go. I'll pay for this and then we'll go home and have dinner." My bad mood vanishes. I can't be in a bad mood when she speaks.
I stand behind my dear priestess as she buys a small bottle of a perfume. The saleslady is trying to convince her to buy the larger bottle but Jun knows what she wants. She's too smart to be caught in any kind of trap.
"Are you sure? It's the same as if you bought two small bottles. In fact, one large one would be cheaper ma'am," the saleslady persists.
"Thank you. I'm quite satisfied," Jun replies in a polite but firm tone.
"Please just consider it ma'am. Here, I'll show you the advantages," the pushy employee says. She takes out a large bottle from under the counter and proceeds to spritz her but Jun quickly ducks down. That leaves me wide open so I get sprayed instead.
"Pyron-san! Are you alright?" Tamao exclaims worriedly. Jun gasps and puts her hands on my face.
"I'm fine. I was only caught off guard. My eyes can't get irritated by it," I answer blinking a little. Both girls suddenly sweatdrop.
"What is it?" I ask stupidly.
"You…uh…smell like gardenias…" Jun tells me.
"I do?" I ask. Being dead, I have no sense of smell so I wouldn't know at all. I, Lee Pyron, smell like a pretty perfume… It's…so…hilarious! I burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Jun asks me. I stop my chortling for a minute.
" It's just…me! Imagine me…wearing women's perfume! I have to laugh!" I explain. I crack up some more and everyone else by me does too. I suppose laughter really is contagious. I playfully take Jun's own perfume and spray it all over myself. They are practically out of breath with guffawing as I strike a few silly poses.
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," I joke. I love doing this. It feels good for this old actor to have an audience again.
Suddenly the grumpy looking woman from across the store shuffles over to us scowling. One by one we stop what we are doing and look at her. Her sour face has ruined the mood. She snorts disgustedly.
"Honestly," grumbles the woman, "Don't shamans these days know enough not to play with their mochirei as if it were a toy? A spirit cannot be efficient if it is treated like that." The whole room grows silent.
Tamao stares at the floor. The saleslady gives an awkward smile. Jun glares at the old woman. I turn my head away and roll my eyes to the ceiling. The laughter seems to just evaporate.
Suddenly Jun walks toward the old lady confidently, stops right in front of her, looks her square in the eyes, and casually flips her off.
"Jun-san!" Tamao shouts, shocked. The old woman's jaw drops. She mutters something under her breath and storms out. I smile.
"Thank you Tao Jun," I say a little shyly. She smirks back at me.
"It's the truth. You're not a toy," is all she says.
Pyron: You just had to make me smell like gardenias didn't you?
JSF: ^_^ Yep! Gardenias are one of the nicest smelling flowers ever.
Pyron: You couldn't resist making me smell extra feminine could you?
JSF: Nope! ^_^ Wait, how would you know what makes something "extra feminine?"
Pyron: Ummmm…
JSF: That's what I thought. (Turns to her dear readers) I shouldn't have to keep begging you for reviews, should I? Good. You know what to do. Ja ne!