Love of the Forgotten:
A strange rain poured over Crystal Tokyo when announcements of the first Princess' engagement made the front page. Somehow the mood wasn't quite right when this bit of news spread through Japan. Since droplets of water dampen citizens' mood toward celebration. Leaving a strange impression as the day went on for them. Who seemed to turn a blind eye to a girl around 16 or so in a yellow gown with frills running down it. Her back length, Starkiss hair had a yellow bow and a rose, she also wore a choker that was tied in a ribbon at the back. She also wore yellow, one inch pumps in place of heels. All drenched by the rain she had run through with tears in her Sky blue eyes. Not paying attention to where she turned or the place she passed.
When she came to a stop, her eyes were bloodshot and dried out as she stood before a train station. Feeling of being a fool with a cent on her to pay for a ticket overcame her. Along with the fact she didn't have her phone either after running away from her father. She could still hear his voice and the anger that it held when he addressed her. The bend in his eyebrows and hardened state with fisted gloved hands. She shook her head to dismiss the further memory of why she was here. Not paying attention to someone approaching her from the side in those passing seconds.
"Everything alright?" A baritone with a smooth undertone asked her, "You don't seem dressed for the weather."
"No!" She spoke with a hoarse voice, "I just ran away after my father called me an immature brat during an event with his friends. Now I don't have a yen to get a simple ticket to see my brother."
"Why don't you come home with me? My family would adore the extra guest," This stranger made an offer, "I know a second hand store for a change of clothes for you."
She couldn't say anything else to a form of kindness when she noticed the rain had stopped. Had her looking around to find she was now under the cover of a blank umbrella. Before she noticed the person holding the handle was a rather handsome young man. Tousled cut in which he wore his ash blonde tresses and those sparkling sky blue eyes. Went side by side with the smile he wore when he looked at her. Wearing a uniform of a waiter without the apron and a platinum tie clip with Amber stone. In one of his arms was a brown bag of take out he just bought. Up she looked since he was a good foot or so taller than her.
"…" She ended up blushing when words were caught in her throat.
"Cat got your tongue?" He joked.
Being reminded of a certain Mau Alien made her break her silence at the reveal of her rescuer's face. Laughter on her face lit up her sorrow filled eyes and frown disappeared completely. The compliment was her best feature which made her smile.
"Do you have a name?" He requested what to call her by.
"I want yours in return." She spoke through her laughs.
"Dann." He nods his head to her.
"Ok... just Dann," She curtsy to him, "I am Mina Aino, Only daughter of Soldier of Love and Beauty & Knight of Purity and Affection, sister to squire and diplomat Enstatite Aino."
"That is a mouthful of an introduction," Dann didn't know where to begin, "How about just Mina?"
"Works for me." She liked it better.
She ended up allowing him to escort her away from the train station's entrance to further down the street. Turned a few corners until they came to an opened store with no people. Inside was set up like a regular clothing shop with racks full of sorted clothes. Attached to them were colored tags with digital codes on one side. Locked and secure vending machines held jewelry besides designer brands. Where one had to type in a code to open an individual slot on a keypad to access it. With posters on how to pay near the entrance/ exit way of the building. Which had Mina looking to Dann when he stopped at the doorless entrance.
"Coming?" He looked at her.
"What is this place?" She asked, following him in.
"Automatically stores that don't need humans," He hands over his phone to her, "You pick what you want from the racks and vending machine. Pay using your phone when you check out with self checkout."
"Sweet." She was excited.
She ended up putting her natural fashion skills to work by picking out an outfit for herself. Which didn't have her relying on her father's credit card or her mother's stylist.
8*8
Being taken to a cafe that was off the beaten path of tourists and everyday people of the capital. Alleyway a few away from the Main street and away from the modern buildings. One that still carried the old world touches of terracotta roof tiles paired with straight line predominates. Had the name Opal Moon painted on the main display window in a whimsical front. Just outside of the 2 story building Dann and her walked up too. Since they went in through a side door, that led into the kitchen when Damn used his keys.
"This belongs to your family?" She guessed looking around the cooking area.
"Humble start up," He watched her, "Through hard work and elbow grease, we were able to get where we are."
"Beats being told to smile for the camera your whole life while you're dressed like a doll." Mina sadly answered.
"Sounds bad?" He asked, closing and securing the door.
"Yea," She propped herself up on a counter, "An event, I was forced to attend for the good of planetary relations. Not allowed to speak freely and have to be on my best behavior."
"Does it have to do with the Gala being held at the palace in honor of the first Princess' engagement?" He guessed.
Pint up angry she suppressed until he asked that quickly to surface, and she was ready to unleash it. Upon turning around to find him holding that morning's paper front page, where the announcement was found. Making her feel silly since he figured that way the moment she ran from.
"Princess Usagi is around the same age as my friends and I," Mina shrugged, "Just has her own senshi team and soon her life."
She would have gone on about her dad, if it wasn't for her empty stomach starting to growl. Made Dann laugh when he placed the newspaper down and made his way back to a fridge.
"Phone to call your brother right over there," He pointed, "Why don't you call him for a ride?"
He pointed toward a rotary Phone with Black and Brass details on a neatly organized desk. Which surprised Mina when she looked over the anilong piece of technology. Which she never used and was quite intrigued over it. Lingering in placing her hands all over a piece of technology.
"Need some help?" She was asked by Dann.
Way she nodded her head without moving her eyes when he approached her was quite amused. Ended up showing her how to use it to call the brother she was talking about. Making sure to write down the address of the place where were for her to be found. Which she did while he returned to putting away his extra take out. He left out on the counter for her and him to start eating when she was done. Wooden chopsticks were left out for her as he placed two plates and napkins down. Plugging in an electric kettle after putting in a fresh amount of water for tea.
"Done," She announced, "My brother and his fiancée are on their way over."
"Then let's eat." He offered.
She popped on a seat next to him while grabbing sticks to break and start to eat. Liking her options over in opened containers then over gourmet food she usually ate. Dann was amused when she said thank you to whatever god got her here. Before she arranged her meal on her empty end started to stuff her face in an unlady- like way. Stopping every few mouthfuls she happily savored the flavor.
"You ok?" He asked her.
"Just making future plans to come back here," She spoke with a mouthful of food, "Tell me details."
"This place is run by my family with my brothers doing most of the roles despite still trying to hire," Dann explained, "We get our produce from urban farms and cultivated meat grown in the lab."
"May I work here?" She asked, "Imam a people person and help design waitress uniforms."
"Come by whenever for an interview," He liked the idea, "My brothers would love seeing a breath of fresh air."
"How many brothers do you have? What are they like?," She was excited by this news, "Tell me."
"Six in total and actually my half brothers since my dad slept with their mothers around the same time," Dann explained, "My mom adopted each one of them despite having me and my baby brother."
"Awww," Mina couldn't help but imagine this little brother and be reminded, "How old is this little brother?"
"8," Dann had a single eyebrow go up, "Why?"
"The second princess," She grinned, "Kousagi Tsukino can be his perfect playmate."
8*8
Dan gave Mina a parting gift before her brother showed up on a vintage motorcycle. Tell her he hand made the hair accessory from recycled metal and polished glass. How it would look better on her than a dye ribbon made of silk with a rose. Which stayed on her mind long after her brother drove to his place. After being let off the back seat he pulled into the garage. When rattling off the metal door closing behind them was the only sound. Filling the void of silence forming between the two neither wanted to break.
Someone was pure six feet of a mesomorph body type with casual attire, Ash tresses in a semi-bob and a deep undercut with house slippers on. Welcomed them from the house entrance way into the garage with an apron hanging from his crossed arms.
"Welcome Mina," He looked at her helmet, "Glad to know you're still driving your dad crazy."
"Uncle Anil." She happily ran toward him.
She ran right into his arms when her brother turned and dismounted his cycle. Off went his helmet when he stood at his full height. A few inches shorter than this Anil embracing his sister. Placing the head wear where Mina put her own as he walked around his cycle. Undoing and pulling off the leather jacket with his gloves he wore. He dumped beside his helmet as he ran a bare hand through back length Platinum Blond.
"You can call Otōsan tomorrow morning," He sighed, "Since he already knows you're here."
"Thanks Triphane," Mina's voice grew quiet, "You're the coolest brother ever."
No further words were discussed when he pulled a brown bag full of her formal wear. From his side car as Anil directed Mina inside when she started to cry. Neither of the two were going to push the topic of why she was with them.