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[hatesthefood]

The Koneko wasn't open for business, per se, but the door was unlocked and open in case anyone needed anything. If anyone looked hard enough, they'd see a trail of dirt and tiiiny puddles leady back to the back room, and through a door in said room. Through the door was the Koneko's greenhouse, and working on a tray of seedlings was one Ken Hidaka, humming softly as he gently brushed soil from the roots of a seedling he was busy replanting.

Comments

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

"Mostly for me, I think, but he's still got the safety of the City at heart."

Ken was more than sensitive to the cold now and he felt as if the temperature dropped a good five degrees then. Without pause, he reached to touch Umi's shoulder, squeezing it gently.

"The suspect we took in wasn't in his right mind. He said he found the... bodies and ate them. We were already dead, so he says. Right now, there's no evidence otherwise."

[soulofocean.livejournal.com]

The nausea threatened to return to haunt her at hearing that. It took a great effort to overcome it. Focusing on the reassuring touch of Ken's hand on her shoulder helped Umi realize she might have well been too obvious in her little slip. What would Clef say...

She bit her lip and willed herself steady. This had happened once before, when Hikaru had left. It wouldn't happen again.

"That's what he says. Does anyone believe that?? Someone needs to keep an eye on that freak..."

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

"We are, and no, not too many believed him. We still couldn't hold him with no evidence, though."

Sighing, he slid his hand down her arm, pulling her along as he made his way out of the greenhouse.

"... come on. Let's grab a snack or something. My treat."

[soulofocean.livejournal.com]

Umi nodded silently, letting Ken steer her out of the place without much of a complaint. Listless as she seemed, her mind and anger were seething inside her, lively, alert. That was reassuring to know, the surveillance. Not that she didn't plan to keep a good eye on that creeper HERSELF. After what had happened there was no denying she'd been too leisurely in watching out for those she loved. It wouldn't happen again. Not if she could help it.

But it was a good idea to keep this quiet. Going by Ken's reaction he'd only worry if she let him perceive how hellbent on this she was.

So he wanted to grab a meal...? That meant... All that time he hadn't been eating....

She bit her lip harder. "So you're okay with food now. I should've known..."

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

Ken glanced around for a moment, his wariness showing at being around people he didn't know. They still hadn't figured everything out, so the killers could still be anyone as far as he knew. His hands back in his pockets, he shrugged a little.

"... still not great with it, but I know I have to eat."

[soulofocean.livejournal.com]

"You don't need it anymore." Just like Mister Lockon. Just like Aya had been...

Umi had never learned the extents of the City Dead condition all too well ---truth be told, it still disturbed her a little, and that wasn't about to change after what had happened to one of her best friends. But now she was trying to get a grip, the Water Knight could at least feel grateful for the chance to still have Ken around... despite the fact he was no longer alive.

She followed him on short yet determined steps. "But it's still something you can learn to enjoy again, right?"

[bladed-siberian.livejournal.com]

The brunette sighed and glanced away. He really hadn't had a desire to eat since he came back to himself, and honestly, he'd been eating what he did mostly to humor Mamoru, but every time he forced himself to eat, his stomach was uneasy at best.

"... I dunno. There's something... weird about it. I get all stressed when I try to eat."