And to answer your unspoken question, yes, I have a comma fetish.
Samanda
Lullaby Of Flowers
Chapter Five: More Questions
Written By:
Samanda Hime-sama
"Miss Washuu?" Ayeka called from the doorway of the eccentric scientist's lab.
Taking a deep breath and holding tight to her courage, the Juraian princess ventured further into the dark tunnel before her. Lights suddenly blinked to life, illuminating her way. Ayeka blinked owlishly then followed the trail that led (she hoped) to her quarry.
Ayeka called again. "Miss Washuu?"
"Here." Washuu responded as Ayeka turned the corner and saw Washuu typing on her holo keyboard. "Do you need something, Lady Ayeka?"
Ayeka's smile held a hint of irony. "Besides my memories? Very little, I imagine."
"Touche." Washuu responded. "Hardly anyone braves my lab without wanting something or an emergency of some kind. So I tend to be up front about things."
Ayeka shook her head. "I don't need anything. I just came for the peace and quiet. This seems to be the only place in the house that has any left."
"This place is not so quiet at times either." Washuu pointed out with a smile.
Ayeka turned back to look at Washuu. "It is right now. Oh and when its convenient, Miss Washuu, Lord Kasuhito would like you to set up another copy of the house. Satoshi has blown up the kitchen and the backyard."
"Before dinner then." Miss Washuu murmured distractedly as her eyes strayed to the data in front of her.
Ayeka nodded. "Yes, if you please."
"Is that all?" Washuu was impatient to go back to work.
Ayeka smoothed the front of her silky, lavender shirt. "Would you answer a question, if you will?"
"Shoot." Washuu turned her attention back to Ayeka.
"I have been remembering tiny bits and pieces of the past. It all seems so strange to me. Was I ever really happy here? The way Sasami is?"
Washuu frowned. "In some ways you were, Lady Ayeka."
"What do you mean?" Ayeka wanted to know.
"I mean." Washuu began and tried to find the right words. "In some ways, you were happier than, I surmise, you have ever been. Here, there were no censorious eyes, no courtiers to gossip or scheme. There were no sudden coup d'etat to worry about and no soldiers following your every move."
Ayeka was silent for a moment, accepting that. "I see."
"You were thrust into a simpler frame of life." Washuu continued. "Totally unlike what a princess would live like. Because of your honest desire to help and repay those who took you in, you cleaned and did what you could. But you were not always so kind and generous."
Ayeka's head came up. She sputtered indignantly. "How dare you-"
"You were snobby, stuck up, arrogant, hard to get along with, discriminating and possessive at times. Not that Ryoko was any better." Washuu added. "The two of you were very volatile mix when added into the same environment. But despite it all, you were learning to get along. I had high hopes for the two of you. An alliance between the two of you would have made either of you unstoppable."
"So in all that time, there are only terrible things in my memories." Ayeka spoke softly to herself.
Washuu snorted. "The fact you remember some of it can tell you that not all of it was bad. Meeting Tenchi was a crossroad for you. You went down that road and all the experiences that followed matured you and made you a better person."
Ayeka was silent. She turned and walked away. Washuu sighed and let her go. "Better give her time to work it all out."
After Ayeka had attempted to drown herself in the lake she was put on a twenty-four hour suicide watch by Washuu. Two cameras watched her all the time.
At first Ayeka wept at the fact she was still alive. "Why wouldn't you let me find the peace I sought?" She spoke quietly.
"Suicide is not the answer." Was the only answer she received from Washuu.
Tenchi, Washuu, Sasami, Ryoko and Katsuhito all took turns talking to Ayeka but she refused to speak of anything but mundane subjects. She withdrew from Tenchi and Ryoko completely. Her enthusiasm for her garden became an obsession and she spent most of her time there when she was done with her chores.
She did not attempt suicide again but spent her time coping with the reality that had been thrust upon her. At first she took her meals in her room but started taking her meals with the rest of the family when she could no longer hide.
She kept quiet and offered no opinions; instead simply preferring to be as invisible as possible. She spoke only when necessary to either Tenchi or Ryoko and tried hard to forget they were near if possible. Which wasn't often because she was dependant upon their charity until she was recalled to Jurai.
And Ayeka knew that wouldn't be anytime soon.
Washuu had reported Ayeka's fragile mental health to her parents. Misaki had fussed and worried tearfully over her 'baby.' Azusa had blustered, threatened and shouted but in the end had decided to keep her on Earth to see if Washuu could help her regain a stable frame of mind. Funaho was worried but in the end persuaded Azusa to let Ayeka stay on Earth.
Funaho knew that if Azusa ordered Ayeka back to Jurai in the condition that she was in now she would be ruled unfit to govern by the Royal Councillors. A ruler had to be strong of mind and of body before he could be considered as Heir.
And on Earth, out of the eyes of prying, scheming Jurians; Ayeka had a chance at least to become well enough to continue her father's dynasty. And if anyone could help her it would be the great scientific mind, Washuu, who's own loyalty to Jurai was unquestioned.