(no subject)

[onthetrail]

[You can smell smoke.

This is not usually a good development, so it's natural that no matter where you are in the mansion, you'd stop what you're doing and look around. Maybe glance towards the open window and catch sight of a plume of grey smoke in the distance. Glancing out of the window, you can see that there is a small -- shed? shack? At this distance it's hard to tell -- building erected on the lawn.

In front of it a small campfire is burning brightly. There's no sign of anyone tending it. Do you invest--

Sorry. Silly question! Forgot who I was talking to a moment there.

Of course you investigate.]

Comments

[orchid_below]

I suppose you can think of it that way, yes.

[onthetrail]

Maybe it's better if Ran-neechan does it and I watch?

[orchid_below]

Would you like to see it now or after we've finished with the food?

[onthetrail]

Um. It's better to secure the food first.

[orchid_below]

Then let's do that.

[and since he has the pot and owns the rabbit, he can lead the way]

[onthetrail]

[Conan can do that. There's a short delay where he tries to work out if he can hold Ran's hand and the pot at the same time, but he's rather concerned about his rabbit himself and leads the way back to his hut.]

It's probably okay to leave it cook. It takes a long time, you know.

[orchid_below]

Longer than rat, I imagine.

[following!]

[onthetrail]

But it tastes better than rat.

[orchid_below]

Does it? I'll have to try some sometime.

[onthetrail]

There'll be enough for two. When it's done, I mean.

[So hopeful!]

[orchid_below]

Oh, I couldn't. That's for you.

[onthetrail]

I don't mind. And Ran-neechan showed me where to find the pot.

[orchid_below]

If you're certain you don't mind...

[makes a mental note to catch another rabbit for him later, anyway. It certainly can't be harder than hunting wolves]

[onthetrail]

I don't mind! I haven't seen Kaa-chan for a really long time, and I haven't seen Ran-neechan at all so I have a lot of things I want to ask her.

because I am OCD about leaving threads hanging on my turn

[orchid_below]

Then I'll gladly accept your offer. [ smiles ]

May I ask why you call her "Kaa-chan"...? I don't believe I've heard the term before.

Re: because I am OCD about leaving threads hanging on my turn

[onthetrail]

It's cuter than 'Kaa-san'.

[orchid_below]

I'm afraid I don't know that one either.

[onthetrail]

You don't know 'mother'?

[orchid_below]

Ah, is that what it is? I'm not familiar with the language...

[onthetrail]

That's cause you look like her, but you're not Kaa-chan, right?

[orchid_below]

[ takes a seat on the barrel outside the hut, gracefully sweeping her skirts out of the way as she does so ]

That's right. I certainly don't have any children.

[ may be blushing faintly at the thought, but, well. She's already met her pregnant Japanese counterpart.

...And now that she thinks on it, Conan certainly does look quite a bit like Shinichi... ]

I do hope this isn't too forward, but... may I ask if you have a father?

[onthetrail]

A father? No ... I mean, there's Mouri-ojichan, but he's Kaa-chan's father, not mine!

[orchid_below]

Mouri-ojichan... eh?

[ rolls the pronunciation over her tongue, surprised. She hasn't remembered much of her life before the Neath, only a few extremely faded impressions of being energetic and happy, or sometimes lonely. The thought of having a father of her own is a strange one ]

Ah, that is— did your mother raise you herself? Aside from... Mr. Mouri.

[onthetrail]

Mm! Kaa-chan took really good care of me!

[orchid_below]

[ smiles a little sadly ]

And how old are you now?