The home that belonged to both Rhyme and myself was a cozy one. There was a fireplace and hardwood floors. Rhyme preferred buffing the floors regularly. He would always say that one day we would be visited by the mayor and he would want the house to be in tip top shape. I never thought Rhyme would be one for appearances, but I was a pretty messy person and he was already used to cleaning up after everyone else at the orphanage.
Still, I did feel some pity when I'd watch him on his hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor until there was nothing left but foundation.
Upon entering the house, Rhyme immediately started to empty the grocery bags into our starving cabinets. I hadn't had the money to spend on good food for a while so our cabinets were pretty vacant. This small amount of food was enough to have Rhyme doing cartwheels.
While Rhyme kept himself busy straightening up, I started to prepare dinner. He and I had much talking to do at the dinner table and I knew he wouldn't like what would have to be said. I decided to brown nose and create his favourite dish, pot roast. How could he be mad when he was biting into a tender piece of beef?
Quickly, I diced tomatoes and potatoes and threw them all into a large cooking pot, allowing them to simmer a bit over the fireplace. By this time, Rhyme was already getting a bath. Night was fast approaching. I felt a lump form in my throat and I figured that I must have been a little nervous about telling Rhyme what was to come. Nonetheless, I had to do just that. We had to leave Iselia the next morning and journey toward Mizuho, the information capital of the new world. I had to find Dad's killer and I would need my Godmother's help to do so. We had no more time to screw around here.
At about quarter of eight, Rhyme padded across the living room slowly, as if he were trying to savor every moment before we talked. As if he already knew what I was going to say.
"C'mon Rhyme," I coaxed him, "I've made your favourite meal tonight and it's getting colder as every second passes." I wafted the steam from the roast toward him, but it was a waster effort. Rhyme was the only kid I knew who could be mad when he was biting into a tender piece of beef. And boy, was he mad.
"But I haven't even said what I wanted to say yet," I protested. He was shaking his head negatively and I was pouting at him. Even puppy-dog eyes wouldn't break this boy's front.
"Save it."Rhyme swallowed some more roast and I wanted to take the bowl from him. But, I examined his figure and sighed in defeat.
"We're leaving in the morning," I told him. I didn't leave any room for objection. "We're going to Mizuho to find Sheena. I'm going to have her help me find my Dad's murderer." My head was down, but I couldn't help it when I peeked up to look at his reaction. Dagger eyes. I groaned. He was making this harder than it needed to be.
"You know, Mizuho is the information capital. They might even know something about you." I had him interested now. The spoon he was grasping seconds ago slid from his hand into his bowl and he leaned in closer to me.
"So, you think they'll know something about my brother?" Rhyme was obviously excited about the trip. I had to suppress a smirk. I definitely had him interested.
"Yes, I promise they will." Along with my promise I included a reassuring smile. It was believable and it was enough for Rhyme. He stood up and pushed his chair in.
"I'll go pack," He said to me as he dropped his dish in the sink. He turned on his heel and headed out of our small kitchen. I watched him with weary eyes and was surprised to see a delay in his haste. He stopped at the kitchen's doorway and I waited.
"You're the best." And Rhyme hurried to his room. He caused a warm smile to play on my face. Caught up in the touching moment, I didn't notice how I was stabbing at my bowl for more meat. All that was left in it was broth. There was always an abundance of broth. I sighed and rose from my seat, pushing it in just as Rhyme had done. I dropped my plate on top of his and from the kitchen to his room I beckoned, "We're leaving at dawn!"