I'm a bit disappointed in this chapter. I guess when I originally wrote it I was full of energy and stuff, but now I...don't feel anything.
Also, does anyone particularly care if I use "Donii" as opposed to "Donny"? ...Yeah, that's what I thought. And thank you very much for the reviews!
Chapter Five: First Phase of the Moon
From the British Library Donii and Yomiko took a bus to a small hotel she had been staying at since her arrival to Britain. After collecting her things, it was another bus ride to the edge of the city, then a ten-minute walk through the countryside. The trip itself was long, but Donii and Yomiko passed the time with conversation. Namely, books.
Donii abruptly pointed down the worn path they were walking. "That's where I live," he said.
What Yomiko saw was a low white house, sprawled over the green grass. It only had one floor and looked a bit squashed - was the roof sagging? The wide front porch had two wrought-iron chairs and a small table. To the casual observer it looked lonely and abandoned, but in Yomiko's eyes it was the perfect place for a bibliophile to hide and read. Donii led the girl up the steps to the front door, a dull but solid and serviceable affair of oak.
"Someone lost the key a long time ago," Donii explained as he drew out a slip of paper from his breast pocket. "The lock's so old that no keymaker can make a working key, but no one's ever bothered to get it changed.
"Not as though we need to." The slip in his hand suddenly shaped itself into a fine, twisted lockpick. Yomiko gaped as Donii jammed the pick into the keyhold, gave it a quick twist, then pushed the door open and walked in. "Coming?"
Yomiko quickly nodded and followed Donii in. Inside, the house was decorated in a light, airy fashion - open rooms, wood floors and simple furniture. But to the young girl, something seemed missing.
"The closet's here," Donii said, tapping a wooden folding door. He took off his shoes; Yomiko did the same. He pointed at each room as they made their way down the narrow hall. "Sitting room, kitchen, pantry..." At the end of the hall he opened a door.
"This is your bedroom," Donii said. Yomiko entered. It was fairly large, compared to her room back in Japan, or maybe it was just the lack ofbooks that normally cluttered up her space. Inside was a bed, dresser, desk and chair, all in plain hardwood and the upholstery in white. The fanciest object was a cute lamp sitting on the bedside table. A folding door nearby was open to show an empty closet.
"Is it all right?" Donii asked, concerned.
"It's fine," Yomiko said, sitting down on the bed. Clutched in her arms was the book she had brought with her and purse; these she placed on the dresser.
Donii frowned. "You look unhappy."
"Ano..." Now she knew what was missing. "Donii-san, where are your books?" Yomiko asked.
"Downstairs," answered Donii. "Would you like to see them?" Yomiko nodded eagerly, and Donii led her to a small door. Opening it, they then descended a small staircase and under a small archway.
Donii turned on the lights and Yomiko gasped. There was an expansive underground library before her, with shelves lined with books spread out on both sides. At the end of the aisle was a fireplace; in front of it was a low round table, surrounded by three plush chairs.
"Aah!" Yomiko wailed. Donii looked shocked, then confused as the girl began to dance around the shelves in ecstasy.
"Uh, Yomiko?"
"Aah..."
Donii continued to watched Yomiko waltz to herself around the library for several minutes. He had never known of anyone who could be so enamoured by books. Well, there was a first for everything.
"I'm going to make something for dinner," Donii said, knowing full well that Yomiko hadn't heard him. He went back upstairs, leaving Yomiko to bury herself in literature.
Dinner consisted, not surprisingly, of rice and a dish of sliced chicken and vegetables. Donii had allowed Yomiko to bring one book from the library, and now she was absorbed in it rather than eating her meal. By the time Donii was finished and had his dishes washed, Yomiko had hardly touched her food.
"Yomiko, your food is getting cold," Donii said, sitting back down in front of the book after putting his dishes in the sink.
"Mm." Yomiko turned a page.
Donii didn't wait with a second warning. He reached over and took away the book. Yomiko gave a cry of dismay and tried to grab it back, but the table prevented her from leaning too far forward.
"Donii-san!" Yomiko wailed.
"We aren't going to get anywhere if you keep this up," Donii said sternly. He got to his feet. "Finish your dinner."
In record time Yomiko had finished her meal, but as she was eating Donii had left with the book and returned with several sheets of paper. Yomiko looked distressed.
"My book!" she wailed. She jumped to her feet and ran out in search of her book.
"My book," Donii corrected after her. "And please sit down - you won't be able to do any training while reading."
"Training for what?" asked Yomiko. She reappeared, and at the sight of Donii's disappointed face she looked embarassed. "Ano...right." She sat down.
"I'm aware that you showed power when your book was stolen in Japan?" Donii asked. When Yomiko nodded, Donii asked, "How did you do it?"
"Ano...I called for help," Yomiko explained haltingly. "I needed help...and they came, so I threw them..."
"Like a friend coming to help you?" prompted Donii.
"Mm-hmm." Yomiko nodded.
Donii smiled. "Good." He took up a piece of paper. "Fold this."
Yomiko, confused, took the paper and folded it in half with her fingers. Seeing Donii give her a look, Yomiko blinked. "What?"
"Using your powers," Donii amended, still dealing the girl the look.
"Ano...how?" Yomiko asked.
Donii fell over, completely winded by Yomiko's ignorance. "It's going to be a long night."
After several hours of paper manipulation Donii allowed Yomiko to return to the basement library, where they passed away the rest of the evening. When a clock in the corner softly chimed midnight, Donii got up and stretched.
"Time to get some sleep, Yomiko," he said; without waiting he took Yomiko's book from her hands.
"Donii-san!" Yomiko wailed. She lunged after the book, only to miscalculate her momentum and instead smash into Donii's chest. They were both sent sprawling onto the carpet, Yomiko landing on top of Donii.
"...Ano?" It took the girl a moment to figure out what had just happened, and she quickly got off of Donii's chest and bowed in apology. "Sorry, Donii-san!"
The Paper, however, was having a harder time recuperating. He sat up, coughing, with his and Yomiko's books in his hands.
"Just...go to bed," he finally instructed, picking himself up.
Yomiko nodded. She was about to leave when she saw Donii return to the shelves. "Ano, shouldn't you be getting some sleep too?" she asked.
"I have to put away these books first," Donii answered patiently. "If I don't, then I won't be able to find them again."
"You mean you can't hear them?"
Donii's head snapped up. "Hear what?" At Yomiko's hesitant look, Donii asked, "Yomiko, please tell me what you hear."
"Ano...I hear books," Yomiko said guiltily. "I call for them, and they answer." From under her blouse she revealed the book Donii had taken from her at dinner. Apparently her plan had been to sneak it back upstairs; Donii had forgotten about it. "I found it in a small hole - it was well-hidden!" she quickly added, as though it would make amends.
Yomiko gave the book back to Donii, who studied it carefully. Finally he said, "Please go to bed, Yomiko."
Yomiko gulped, then scurried upstairs.
Donii ran a long finger down the spine of the book, frowning. He could tell what sort of book it was, but talking to him? The Paper couldn't hear a thing.
"Perhaps she will be the greatest of us all," Donii mused to himself as he shelved the book.
A note: Ever wonder how Yomiko can seem to always keep track of a book and tell if it's authentic? Well, now ya know.
Another note: I'm a bit confused as to when one is referred to as a Paper Master, since I've been poking around translations. Anyway, the categories I've separated anyone with paper manipulation abilities:
Paper Manipulators/Paper Users/Special Ability Users: Anyone with basic paper abilities, such as Read or Dream's Anita. Not necessarily has to be good at it, but can recognize the fact that they have some sort of talent. Generally untrained and develop on their own - it's a vague category for this group. All users start at this level but usually move up pretty quickly.
Paper Masters: Trained Paper Manipulators, usually trained by another Paper Master. There are more Paper Masters than general small-ability Paper Users because most are found and trained; long-time Paper Users are rare, but just as rare are self-trained Paper Masters, like Michelle and Maggie. Usually has a wide range of abilities, passed down from teacher to student. Self-trained Paper Masters usually face a disadvantage because they will only develop one major skill rather than many. Even if one loses abilities or doesn't use them, after attaining the level of Paper Master a person is always known as one after that.
However, finding a Paper Master who isn't involved in the British Library is rare. The Paper Sisters (and Wong) from Read or Die TV are exceptions for spoilery reasons. There aren't that many people with paper manipulation powers to begin with, and most are taken into the service of the British Library. There may be others, but they likely work for other organizations and won't be as, shall we say, flamboyant with his/her powers.
The Paper: Undisputed Paper Master of Paper Masters - he or she is considered the strongest one of them all. This title is given to the Paper Master who is The Paper's student when he or she succeeds him. Usually under the service of the British Library and (coincidentally) usually Japanese. Donii Nakajima is the current Paper. Also known as the Paper Master (as opposed to a Paper Master).
...Of course, these are my explanations to explain my AU world. Just setting the record straight and setting it up for future chapters. And please review! Review! Review! Rev -
*gets mobbed by her class of grade 4 students*
Also, does anyone particularly care if I use "Donii" as opposed to "Donny"? ...Yeah, that's what I thought. And thank you very much for the reviews!
Chapter Five: First Phase of the Moon
From the British Library Donii and Yomiko took a bus to a small hotel she had been staying at since her arrival to Britain. After collecting her things, it was another bus ride to the edge of the city, then a ten-minute walk through the countryside. The trip itself was long, but Donii and Yomiko passed the time with conversation. Namely, books.
Donii abruptly pointed down the worn path they were walking. "That's where I live," he said.
What Yomiko saw was a low white house, sprawled over the green grass. It only had one floor and looked a bit squashed - was the roof sagging? The wide front porch had two wrought-iron chairs and a small table. To the casual observer it looked lonely and abandoned, but in Yomiko's eyes it was the perfect place for a bibliophile to hide and read. Donii led the girl up the steps to the front door, a dull but solid and serviceable affair of oak.
"Someone lost the key a long time ago," Donii explained as he drew out a slip of paper from his breast pocket. "The lock's so old that no keymaker can make a working key, but no one's ever bothered to get it changed.
"Not as though we need to." The slip in his hand suddenly shaped itself into a fine, twisted lockpick. Yomiko gaped as Donii jammed the pick into the keyhold, gave it a quick twist, then pushed the door open and walked in. "Coming?"
Yomiko quickly nodded and followed Donii in. Inside, the house was decorated in a light, airy fashion - open rooms, wood floors and simple furniture. But to the young girl, something seemed missing.
"The closet's here," Donii said, tapping a wooden folding door. He took off his shoes; Yomiko did the same. He pointed at each room as they made their way down the narrow hall. "Sitting room, kitchen, pantry..." At the end of the hall he opened a door.
"This is your bedroom," Donii said. Yomiko entered. It was fairly large, compared to her room back in Japan, or maybe it was just the lack ofbooks that normally cluttered up her space. Inside was a bed, dresser, desk and chair, all in plain hardwood and the upholstery in white. The fanciest object was a cute lamp sitting on the bedside table. A folding door nearby was open to show an empty closet.
"Is it all right?" Donii asked, concerned.
"It's fine," Yomiko said, sitting down on the bed. Clutched in her arms was the book she had brought with her and purse; these she placed on the dresser.
Donii frowned. "You look unhappy."
"Ano..." Now she knew what was missing. "Donii-san, where are your books?" Yomiko asked.
"Downstairs," answered Donii. "Would you like to see them?" Yomiko nodded eagerly, and Donii led her to a small door. Opening it, they then descended a small staircase and under a small archway.
Donii turned on the lights and Yomiko gasped. There was an expansive underground library before her, with shelves lined with books spread out on both sides. At the end of the aisle was a fireplace; in front of it was a low round table, surrounded by three plush chairs.
"Aah!" Yomiko wailed. Donii looked shocked, then confused as the girl began to dance around the shelves in ecstasy.
"Uh, Yomiko?"
"Aah..."
Donii continued to watched Yomiko waltz to herself around the library for several minutes. He had never known of anyone who could be so enamoured by books. Well, there was a first for everything.
"I'm going to make something for dinner," Donii said, knowing full well that Yomiko hadn't heard him. He went back upstairs, leaving Yomiko to bury herself in literature.
Dinner consisted, not surprisingly, of rice and a dish of sliced chicken and vegetables. Donii had allowed Yomiko to bring one book from the library, and now she was absorbed in it rather than eating her meal. By the time Donii was finished and had his dishes washed, Yomiko had hardly touched her food.
"Yomiko, your food is getting cold," Donii said, sitting back down in front of the book after putting his dishes in the sink.
"Mm." Yomiko turned a page.
Donii didn't wait with a second warning. He reached over and took away the book. Yomiko gave a cry of dismay and tried to grab it back, but the table prevented her from leaning too far forward.
"Donii-san!" Yomiko wailed.
"We aren't going to get anywhere if you keep this up," Donii said sternly. He got to his feet. "Finish your dinner."
In record time Yomiko had finished her meal, but as she was eating Donii had left with the book and returned with several sheets of paper. Yomiko looked distressed.
"My book!" she wailed. She jumped to her feet and ran out in search of her book.
"My book," Donii corrected after her. "And please sit down - you won't be able to do any training while reading."
"Training for what?" asked Yomiko. She reappeared, and at the sight of Donii's disappointed face she looked embarassed. "Ano...right." She sat down.
"I'm aware that you showed power when your book was stolen in Japan?" Donii asked. When Yomiko nodded, Donii asked, "How did you do it?"
"Ano...I called for help," Yomiko explained haltingly. "I needed help...and they came, so I threw them..."
"Like a friend coming to help you?" prompted Donii.
"Mm-hmm." Yomiko nodded.
Donii smiled. "Good." He took up a piece of paper. "Fold this."
Yomiko, confused, took the paper and folded it in half with her fingers. Seeing Donii give her a look, Yomiko blinked. "What?"
"Using your powers," Donii amended, still dealing the girl the look.
"Ano...how?" Yomiko asked.
Donii fell over, completely winded by Yomiko's ignorance. "It's going to be a long night."
After several hours of paper manipulation Donii allowed Yomiko to return to the basement library, where they passed away the rest of the evening. When a clock in the corner softly chimed midnight, Donii got up and stretched.
"Time to get some sleep, Yomiko," he said; without waiting he took Yomiko's book from her hands.
"Donii-san!" Yomiko wailed. She lunged after the book, only to miscalculate her momentum and instead smash into Donii's chest. They were both sent sprawling onto the carpet, Yomiko landing on top of Donii.
"...Ano?" It took the girl a moment to figure out what had just happened, and she quickly got off of Donii's chest and bowed in apology. "Sorry, Donii-san!"
The Paper, however, was having a harder time recuperating. He sat up, coughing, with his and Yomiko's books in his hands.
"Just...go to bed," he finally instructed, picking himself up.
Yomiko nodded. She was about to leave when she saw Donii return to the shelves. "Ano, shouldn't you be getting some sleep too?" she asked.
"I have to put away these books first," Donii answered patiently. "If I don't, then I won't be able to find them again."
"You mean you can't hear them?"
Donii's head snapped up. "Hear what?" At Yomiko's hesitant look, Donii asked, "Yomiko, please tell me what you hear."
"Ano...I hear books," Yomiko said guiltily. "I call for them, and they answer." From under her blouse she revealed the book Donii had taken from her at dinner. Apparently her plan had been to sneak it back upstairs; Donii had forgotten about it. "I found it in a small hole - it was well-hidden!" she quickly added, as though it would make amends.
Yomiko gave the book back to Donii, who studied it carefully. Finally he said, "Please go to bed, Yomiko."
Yomiko gulped, then scurried upstairs.
Donii ran a long finger down the spine of the book, frowning. He could tell what sort of book it was, but talking to him? The Paper couldn't hear a thing.
"Perhaps she will be the greatest of us all," Donii mused to himself as he shelved the book.
A note: Ever wonder how Yomiko can seem to always keep track of a book and tell if it's authentic? Well, now ya know.
Another note: I'm a bit confused as to when one is referred to as a Paper Master, since I've been poking around translations. Anyway, the categories I've separated anyone with paper manipulation abilities:
Paper Manipulators/Paper Users/Special Ability Users: Anyone with basic paper abilities, such as Read or Dream's Anita. Not necessarily has to be good at it, but can recognize the fact that they have some sort of talent. Generally untrained and develop on their own - it's a vague category for this group. All users start at this level but usually move up pretty quickly.
Paper Masters: Trained Paper Manipulators, usually trained by another Paper Master. There are more Paper Masters than general small-ability Paper Users because most are found and trained; long-time Paper Users are rare, but just as rare are self-trained Paper Masters, like Michelle and Maggie. Usually has a wide range of abilities, passed down from teacher to student. Self-trained Paper Masters usually face a disadvantage because they will only develop one major skill rather than many. Even if one loses abilities or doesn't use them, after attaining the level of Paper Master a person is always known as one after that.
However, finding a Paper Master who isn't involved in the British Library is rare. The Paper Sisters (and Wong) from Read or Die TV are exceptions for spoilery reasons. There aren't that many people with paper manipulation powers to begin with, and most are taken into the service of the British Library. There may be others, but they likely work for other organizations and won't be as, shall we say, flamboyant with his/her powers.
The Paper: Undisputed Paper Master of Paper Masters - he or she is considered the strongest one of them all. This title is given to the Paper Master who is The Paper's student when he or she succeeds him. Usually under the service of the British Library and (coincidentally) usually Japanese. Donii Nakajima is the current Paper. Also known as the Paper Master (as opposed to a Paper Master).
...Of course, these are my explanations to explain my AU world. Just setting the record straight and setting it up for future chapters. And please review! Review! Review! Rev -
*gets mobbed by her class of grade 4 students*