Step and Slide

[Amoris]

The wind blew harshly, making windows rattle and tree branches bend. Buildings were positioned on every corner and every line. The streets were dark and as hard as rock. It was all such unfamiliar territory…

Amoris turned the map in another direction and squinted at the lettering. “Okay…I started here on Jeskara, went straight until there, headed north for awhile, and then turned west. I should be on Sensaforia now…Shouldn’t I?” the young man asked himself as a pale finger traced along the path he took. He shook his head and looked around the area again.

Everything remained the same as earlier - unfamiliar - and he had to sigh. The Jshiko was lost...Completely and utterly lost. It wouldn’t have been a problem for most people, but most people also had amazing AI computers to direct their ships. He was one of the very few people left in the galaxy who still had one of the old types.

The brown-haired man sighed again as he let his body slump to the ground. His eyes raised to look at the sky from behind dark lenses. He could just picture what the look on his Master’s face would be like when the boy told him of how he got lost. He was sure the elder man would be amused, to say the least.

It was supposed to be his vacation! He was not supposed to be stuck on…wherever he was.

Amoris put the map back into his coat pocket and began to think of what to do. The best plan of action would probably be to find a local resident and ask them where they were. Yes, that seemed to be an idea.

Now to just find said local…

[danicaloy]

"Hey Akia thanks a lot for staying late!"

The manager called from across coffeehouse to the young white haired youth scrubbing down the last few tables. The young man looked up curiously, brushing wild strands of hair from his cerulean blue gaze.

"Are you sure Rebecca? There still some work to be done in the back. I was planning on-"

He was stopped in mid-sentence by a arm curling around his shoulders. He turned his head to see Rebecca stare with all-knowing crimson eyes and wide smile.

"Oh Akia, you are sometimes too nice, and I love you that way don't ever change. But I do insist that my employees go home once in a while and sleep."

As she said this, Rebecca thrust a white envelope into Akia's hand and pushed him toward the door.

Akia just smiled, sometimes there was just no talking to Rebecca when she made up her mind. She can so stubborn sometimes, but then again so could he.

Pocketing the envelope, which he supposed contained his paycheck, Akia began his lonely walk home. But he was used to it, besides he wasn't entirely alone, the streets lamps glow illuminated his path. But still, he wish there was someone to talk to.

Akia was only about two blocks away from his house when he saw a lone figure on the ground looking like he was perhaps lost. Akia approached the brown haired man cautiously. He had never seen the man before and it was a rather small town, but he couldn't just leave without doing anything. Slowly, he stretched out a pale hand tapped the man on the shoulder.

Uh...Excuse me, can I help you?

[Amoris]

At the soft pressure on his shoulder and the lovely voice next to him, Amoris looked over from the point he was staring at. In front of him stood a boy with shining white hair and thee most amazing eyes...Well, it seemed finding the resident really hadn’t been that hard at all!

He pulled down his sunglasses to stare over the lens at the boy before him; not really knowing what he was looking for, but looking none the less. He felt satisfied with wht he saw and reached out to shake the other's hand. A smile began to creep over his face and he hoped he would find out where he was.

He brought his eyes back up to the boy’s face, smiling the entire time. “Why…Hello there!” he greeted, getting ready to stand. He pulled himself from on the ground until he stood straight up. It was then that he noticed that the other was a few inches shorter then him.

It didn’t make the other seem any less pretty though...

“Yeah, you just might be able to, cutie! Help me, that is. You wouldn’t happen to be a local…would you?” he asked. He gestured at all the stuff around them with a helpless, vague hand wave. “I’m a little bit lost, if you couldn’t tell. I’d much appreciate some help…”

[danicaloy]

Akia felt his cheeks burn softly as the other man took his hand in greeting. The man was very handsome, and he could feel his cat ears and tail twitch anxiously. Akia quickly supressed the features regaining a calm-state. He did not wish to frighten the beautiful man in front of him. He looked the other over quickly, and found he resembled Kale very much, except that Kale's hair was red and shorter.

At the man's words, Akia smiled warmly and bowed his head in respect. "Well then, welcome to Japan. My name's Akia Matsumi."

Just then, his stomach began growling loudly. Akia remembered that he skipped his lunch break earlier.

"I'm on my home now, you are welcome to come that is if you don't all ready have a place to stay."

Akia stretched out his hand offering to lead this mysterious young man to his home. 'Well at least the walk isn't lonely now.'

[Amoris]

Amoris nodded happily as he took Akia's hand. "Well, since I am lost, I think I will take you up on that offer. I mean, my ship isn't the most comfortable place to sleep..." A shudder ran through him at the thought of sleeping in that cold, cramped area when he didn't have to.

"My name is Amoris, by the way. Amoris Chilton," he said as he began to swing their hands between them. A few moments of silence passed and Amoris took the time to look around. Something was playing at te back of his mind, but he couldn't remember what it was. It hand to do with this place...This 'Japan'.

The brunette looked over at his host and decided to ask him. "Erm...Where exactly are we? I mean, I know you said Japan, but...I just know that it sounds really familiar; I just can't place why though."

[danicaloy]

Akia laughed a little, not only was the taller man funny with his peculiar way of speech, Americans sure did have strange names for things, especially their cars; but also it was the first time he didn't feel nervous talking to a complete stranger. Cerulean eyes glanced down at their joined hands, swinging back and forth, and he had to wonder if the rest of his touch was as warm and gentle.

After a few minutes of walking in a comfortable silence, Akia stopped near the front gate and tugged Amoris' toward a old style Japanese house that seemed almost too large for just one person, but to Akia it was home and he wasn't planning leaving for a long time.

Sliding the door open, the white-haired young man took off his shoes and placed them in the entryway, and noticed that Amoris mirrored his own movements.

“Are you hungry? I’ll go fix something quick.”

Akia had almost made it to the kitchen, when he remembered Amoris’ earlier question, and trying not to rude; he covered his mouth to hold back a fit of laughter.

“You Americans are so funny sometimes. You’re on Earth, of course, spaceman.”

Akia added jokingly, as he disappeared around the corner.

[Amoris]

Amoris tilted his head to the side as he watched as the other boy round the corner. 'What's an American?' he wondered.

It wasn't until that moment Akia's statement really hit him. 'Earth???' his thought process suddenly screamed. 'I'm on the back-water planet?! They're all...uncivilived and savages! The only thing good from here are the animals and some of the foods! Oh no...This is bad. Well, at least I know why it sounded familiar! After all those lessons Master Shibbs gave me, he'll be mad that I didn't recognize this place immediately. I can't believe it!'

At the very back of his mind, a small voice spoke up and he almost missed it with all his panicing. It was his inner voice, the one that was 50% consience and 50% instinct, the one that was always right. It said, 'That's not the only thing good about this place...Akia'a here, after all.'

He had to admit that his host had so far been very kind and polite, and there was just something else about him...

A few deep breaths and some pacing was required before he felt a bit calmer. The brunette then decided to see where the young man had headed off to. He vaguely remembered the other saying something about food, and he realized that he was indeed hungry. Following the path Akia had taken, he started towards the kitchen.

[danicaloy]

Humming a soft tune, Akia decided what he should fix for dinner. "Something light, I'm really not that hungry, but there is guest. I wonder what kind of food Amoris likes."

"Well, i hear Americans will eat just about anything, so I'll make my favorite, a ramen bowl along with a side of miso soup."

And so Akia continued his sweet humming melody, as he began work on dinner for the night.

He worked so diligently, delicately adding each ingredient making sure it would come out perfect. in fact Akia was so absorbing in his cooking that he failed to sense another presence enter the room.

(((Ramen is so good, I only tried it once though. And I wonder if miso soup is any good too? i want to try all Japanese dishes, they look so good!)))Sorry there was my little rant.

[Amoris]

Amoris stepped into the kitchen and stood at the door, watching as Akia moved about. He smiled, the silver-haired one looked so cute and at home there. And his voice...

"Do you sing?" he asked suddenly. The other's voice was just so...so...lovely that it would be a shock to find out he didn't. Perhaps the Jshiko would just have to convince his host to try it if he didn't. He found himself longing to hear such a thing.

He smiled sheepishly as the other started and looked at him. He hadn't meant to surprise Akia..."Sorry about that," he said as he rubbed the back of his head. "I thought you would've sensed me coming in..."

The brunette walked over to place the young man was working at and looked over the other's shoulder. "That smells interesting. What is it...?"

((You've only had ramen once??? There are so many different kinds that you need to try then! Miso soup is okay, but I don't like it that much. Udon's good too...Have you ever had pocky? Eh, it's all good.))

[danicaloy]

Akia could feel his heart rate quicken slightly, and he could only hope he could calm down fast enough so the other wouldn't see his ears peek through his thick hair. He usually was so alert at times, but Amoris had a way of just making him feeling so comfortable.

Akia could feel his heart beat quicken as the brunette leaned over his shoulder, a warm breath softly brushing his neck.

Taking a deep breath, Akia answered the man's question, "It's my favorite homecooked meal ramen and miso soup. I hope don't mind if it's made mostly of vegetables, I'm kind of a vegetarian."

As he spoke, Akia poured the ramen into two bowls and did the same for the soup, then set each on two pre-set wooden trays.

He gave one tray to Amoris and beckoned the man to follow him. They soon arrived in the den took a seat on the loveseat sofa and began to eat quietly. Akia looked up and smiled; he just had to ask out of curiosity, "you do know how to use chopsticks, don't you?" "If not, there is silverware."

A calm silence flooded the room again, Akia couldn't help but wonder of Amoris' earlier comment. He spoke to himself not realizing he was speaking aloud. "I love to sing, it's just when I do no one's ever been there to compliment or critique me before, I guess that's why I've been too shy to stand in front of an audience. I'm afraid they'll reject me." Akia blinked a small crystal tear floated down his cheek.

[Amoris]

Amoris was busy trying to see if he could work the chopsticks Akia had given him when he looked up to see the tear slip down his host's cheek. He stared for a moment, trying to figure out what to do. He always hated when people cried; he never knew how exactly to help.

Acting impulsively on the need to get Akia happier, the brunette quickly went over to the silver-haired one and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Please...don't cry," he softly requested. " You're too pretty to cry. No one in their right mind would reject you! I'm serious. I'd love for you to accompany me once. You're voice is perfect. So will you not cry anymore? Please?"

He hoped his words helped the the other. The other teen didn't look any better though, so he started searching in his pockets for a hankerchief. He found a blue silk one after searching for a bit and began to gently wipe Akia's cheek off. "Here," he said before he pulled back the cloth to look in to blue eyes.

Amoris noticed the small bit of distance between them, and though he didn't mind, he wasn't sure about his host. He slowly seperated himself by at least a meter to put some distance between them. Besides, this far, he could get a better overall look of the boy.

A small pause hung in the air before he asked, "Better?"

[danicaloy]

Akia too noticed the distance between him and Amoris lessen. However, when Amoris moved away Akia could still feel the burning sensation his gentle touches left on his skin. He couldn't breath or think straight, what would have happened if Amoris hadn't pulled away? Akia could feel his stomach twist into one big tight knot, making his breath quicken. 'Oh no, it's happening again!'

With that Akia jumped from his seat and dashed around the corner disappearing from Amoris' view. As he ran, he rushed past a mantle on the wall. On it were several pictures, his parents and Kale. All of sudden, they began to float few inches in the air before falling to the floor.

Akia sighed in relief that Amoris didn't follow him, as he looked down at himself. His tight black turtleneck shirt now fanned around him, covering his head like a dark cloak. He had taken the form of a small snow white kitten.

Akia curled up in his clothes, he never wanted to leave Amoris, he had been so kind and polite, but he also didn't want the man to see him and get freaked out. It'd be better if he just avoided Amoris until he changed back, and if the man left before that time, Akia would be okay with that, right?

More tears began to flow and mourning mewing cried out at the very thought of Amoris leaving.

[Amoris]

Amoris was surprised, to say the least, when Akia suddenly got up and shot out of the room. He sat in stunned silence for a few minutes before he heard the shattering of glass. He got up and peeked around the corner, looking to see what happened. He didn't see Akia, but he did see the broken pictures.

Thinking that if he had said or did something wrong it would be better to let his host have some time to himself, he bent down to pick up the pieces. He smiled at the pictures of what had to be the other young man's parents. They looked so happy together...He wondered about where they were now or when they would be home.

The next pictures he came across were of another young man. He had to admit that the young man was good-looking, but there was just something about him that the Jshiko found himself disliking. It was not really his place though, so he carefully put those pictures with the ones of Akia's parents.

All of a sudden, a loud mewing from a bit off startled the brunette and his finger slipped on a sliver of glass, cutting it. He slowly brought his finger up to his mouth and sucked lightly on the wound, trying to decide whether he should investigate or not. When the cries turned even more pitiful, he set down the glass he cradled in his hand and started down the hall.

As he passed a corner, he noticed a turtleneck laying on the ground. It wouldn't have really caught his eye except he also noticed that it was moving and the noise was coming from there. Slowly, he approached the shirt and crouched down next to it. He put a hand inside to pull out whatever was caught inside and blinked when out came a kitten.

Amoris stared at the snow white kitten for a second before he started laughing. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked as he gently pulled the feline to his body. He cuddled the small creature against his chest as he kept talking. "I'm Jshiko, too! Perhaps that's what attracted me to you in the first place. Birds of a feather and all that, after all...," he said, though somewhere deep down he knew it was more then that. A pause as he played with one of the cat's ears. "Or are you Zercan? No, all of them are those big cats. Nothing as small and cute as you, Akia." He continued to chuckle as he lightly petted the kitten between his ears.

[danicaloy]

'Jshiko? Zercan? what kind of names are those?'

Akia thought as he stared up at the now very tall Amoris. However, he found himself brushing the thought aside as cuddled his small body to Amoris warm chest. Akia could hear himself purring as Amoris began scratching his head and playing with his ears. He felt more at ease and happy, Amoris wasn't scared at all of him, in fact he was able to recognize Akia immediately and even said his was cute.

That made him smile.

Akia was so comfortable in the other man's arms that he almost fell asleep had it not been for a drop of blood landing his little white paw.

'Amoris is hurt! Is this my fault?'

Panicked Akia jumped from Amoris' grasp, stumbling a moment as he hit the floor, and rushed to a nearby cabinet. He struggled from a moment to get the door, then jumped inside. A few moments, Akia emerged and returned to Amoris with a small bottle of medicine ointment in his mouth. He placed the bottle on the ground next to Amoris injured hand, and went to the hard task of trying to unscrew the cap.

[Amoris]

Amoris looked down at the kitten and smiled. He gently nudged Akia away from the bottle, shaking his head. "Let me do it...We can't have you getting poisoned from ingesting a bit now, can we?"

He picked up the ointment and unscrewed it. Slowly, he dabbed a bit on his finger and hissed as the sting set in. A moment passed before he started searching through his pockets. Glancing back over at the small feline, the Jshiko said, "I think I have a wrapping for cuts or something like that. I swear, you wouldn't believe what's in this coat of mine. I think Master Shibbs gave it to me because I'm so scatterbrained and can never find something when I need it." He laughed as he pulled out a small gauze covering.

The brunette tied it around the cut on his finger. Satisfied with his work, he tapped his finger lightly against Akia's nose and smiled. "All better," he said as he started to screw the cap back on the ointment. He stood up and placed the cream back into the cabinet before picking up Akia.

He leaned down to grab the extra clothes on the floor and started walking towards the kitchen, still carrying the white kitten in his arms. When they reached the room, Amoris set the other down by his plate before sitting down on the other side. "Now, I thought you said you were hungry. Can you change back so we can talk a bit?" he asked hopefully. "Oh, and don't worry about the pictures that fell. I picked them up. I set them on a nearby table, so don't worry about it."

The Jshiko decided to use the silverware after he discovered he was hopeless at using chopsticks earlier. Carefully, he scooped up some noddles and took a bite as he watched Akia with a small smile.