Celebration

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

Most don't know the significance of the day - and of the few that do, fewer still see it as cause for celebration.

Shiva Wusan's birthday.

Richard Dragon's a little different than most people in that regard. There's an ornately carved wooden case tucked under his arm as he knocks on the door of the apartment that she sometimes occupies.

Comments

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"She hates me."

There is nothing attached to the words. A complete blankness.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

"Like I said, a devil's bargain."

There's no use dwelling on the point, now.

"If she's willing to train with me, I will teach her everything I can."

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

And those two words with no emotion attached to them should convey how very much there really is beneath it all.

She prepares the tea, distinct motions avoiding ceremony simply in the fact that she is not enacting a specific one, avoiding the meanings in them.

[uncommon-sensei.livejournal.com]

Dragon smiles a little. "Happy birthday, Sandra."

[shiva-wusan.livejournal.com]

She turns and offers him a cup.

"Thank you Richard."

He, more than any one else, causes emotions to stir in her and it is hard to keep them quiet. The physical memory, the instinctual reactions and the emotions that follow are always in the waiting. Instead she sips at her tea.