Welcome Home Carnival?

[chihiro]

Chi hadn't disappeared, exactly. She had simply taken a break at her parents request. They had found the blood she hadn't managed to wash off the night she had taken care of Aureus, and after snooping, they had found her clothes and supplies missing from the first aide kit. When unable to come up with a sane excuse, her parents feared for her sanity and sent her off her her aunts house in Seattle for a few weeks, hoping the change of scene would be a breath of fresh air for the Junior. But she had school to attend to and tests to take, so after her little respit, the darked haired girl returned to Long beach, California. She had been walked down the boardwalk after returning home when colorful flyers and odd looking trucks caught her sight. A carnival? Coming here?

With a grin, she flipped open her new cell phone (a gift from her parents after they had realized hers had been 'stolen') and dialed a number she knew all too well. What was Aureus up to?

[Aureus]

Unfortunately Chihiro hadn't had time to tell Aureus where she was going, her parents hadn't let her, and so he had to find out from them first hand. It was the first time he had actually sat down and had a discussion with them, if you could call it that. Suffice to say, they didn't really like him. Even so, he had at least been able to find out she was on a little vacation. The blood stains, etc. It was his fault really, but she would be home soon. It was unnerving, getting back together and having her shipped off the next day.

Summer was getting closer and closer, though it didn't matter much to the Pillar. He didn't have any friends to spend time with, and no vacation plans. The only interesting event that had happened in recent memory was the little meeting with Kazahana, but even that was a one shot. Work and guitar were the only things he cared for anymore.

In his room, Aureus did push up after push up, sit up after sit up. He had just finished reading Fight Club again, and needed something to occupy the time. Grah! When his Chi coming back?! That carnival thing is in town, it'd be fun to go with her. I know she'd love it. Blah, blah, blah...

Then, much to his enjoyment, the boy's cell phone rang. It could only be one person. "Chi?!" he yelled into the blood red phone after whipping it open.

[chihiro]

The asian girl blinked, holding her phone a little away from her ear with an odd look on her face before bringing it back to her ear. "Ai?!...Aureus?" She asked, a little shocked at the loud sound. As the emotion wore off, it was replaced by excitement, and a grin grew across her face. "Guess where I am."

She reached out, fiddling with one of the brightly colored flyers. A pink, neon green and tangerine one were all stapled to the same post. Someone was obviously really excited about this event.

[Aureus]

He had obviously startled her with his exclamation, but he was excited. Spending time with her was one of the things he lived for. Switching the phone to his other hand, he replied. "Outside my house?" He asked with a chuckle, moving to the window and peering through the blinds just in case.

[chihiro]

"Ehhh, no. But close." She laughed, cradling the phone in the nook of her shoulder as she took the pink flyer from the post and examined it. "I'm back in Long Beach." She paused, letting him react before asking him about the carnival, which by the way it was advertised, she was certain he already knew about. She heard the slight sound of blind movement, and she smirked as she realized he had been looking out for her. She was certain he could probably hear the sound of hustle and bustle about the boardwalk, as all of the stores along this stretch got a lot of business.

[Aureus]

"Awesome, let's meet up, eh?" he said, pausing for a moment. It was then he noticed the sound in the background of the call. "You're at the boardwalk, aren't you?...Carnival?" He asked, certain she was there. Pulling off his sweat stained undershirt, he slipped a white T on and began walking downstairs.

[chihiro]

"Heh..you read my mind." She grinned, flipping over the flyer in her hand even though she knew it had nothing on the other side, but it was just an idle habit that most curious humans tended to have anyway. "Well its not going to start for a few hours yet, theyre still setting up by the looks of it, want to meet down by the beach until it starts, maybe grab a corndog?"

She flipped the flyer over again, this time regretting taking it off the post, now she didnt really want it. folding it into a neat square she stuck it in her pocket to deal with later, and most likely just throw away.

[Aureus]

"Chi's back!" Aureus excitedly yelled away from the phone at Ashley to let her know where he was going. "Sounds fun, I'm on my way. See ya in a few, beautiful," he said, waiting for her reply before closing the phone and sticking it in his pocket. He would run all the way to the beach. It wasn't much of a feat either, running and walking was somethin' he did all the time. Maybe I should join track...

After twenty minutes the teen arrived at the beach next to the boardwalk, his dark eyes scanning the area for Chi. It was hard to find her, the place being as crowded as it was, but eventually he managed. Slipping off his shoes, he jogged over to the spot she was sitting at. "It's nice to see you," he said, plopping down next to her.

[chihiro]

She pulled the phone away form her ear once more, though she couldn't help but grin. "Alright, I'll be right down on the beach. See you." She clicked her phone shut and slipped it into her opposite pocket, the one that didnt have the flyer in it. She couldn't wait to see her boyfriend again, her parents had been so paranoid about her wellbeing that she hadn't even been able to say goodbye.

Slowly, she made her way down to the beach. It would take Aureus a few minutes to get here so she could take her time. She eventually found a place to sit near the water's edge, her toes dipping into the water as the waves rose and fell on the shore. Soon enough a plop of someone sitting next to her woke her from her dazing state. "Aureus." She smiled, hugging him around the neck in greeting. "It's nice to see you too." She added in reply, her voice was soft, and you could tell by the warmness in her tone that she was smiling.

[Aureus]

God it feels so good to feel her again. The Pillar thought, hugging the raven haired girl back. "I missed you," he said, looking deep into her chocolate brown eyes. They were one of her best features. After leaning in for a quick kiss, he pulled back slightly. "How was Seattle?"

[chihiro]

"Beautiful as always...it didn't rain as much when I was there though, which was good." She replied, smiled glued on her face as she pulled away from his kiss. The whole wonderful feeling of being with him again was coming back, and she couldn't shake it even if she wanted to.

She leaned back on her elbows, wriggling her toes at the lapping water. "Mom and dad want to send my back in a week or so once school ends, they say I need to clear my head." She frowned, kickinga t the water slightly. On one hand it was nice to escape the calamity that had become her life and to visit family, but it meant that she would be away from Aureus, which was something she didn't want to do.

[Aureus]

"Well, I'm glad you had a good time, but even happier that you're back. We've got a lotta time to make up for, ya know?" He said, already imagining all the fun they'd have at the carnival. Now that he thought about it, he'd never been to one. Chi would probably get a kick outta that.

"What? Clear your head of what? That's just not fair," Aureus protested, even though he knew it wasn't really up to her. "We've been apart long enough..."

[chihiro]

Chi frowned. "I know, believe me...but it's my parents. They're idiots." She shook her head, biting her bottom lip angrily. She didn't want to go away again but she knew that if she refused her parents wishes it would only make things worse. "I guess we'll just have to make the most of the time that we have, ni?" She moved her hand to place it on top of his and she smiled.

She glanced over at the boardwalk again, the lights were beginning to light up against the slowly darkening sky. "I think its almost ready." She comented, anxious for it to start.

[Aureus]

Damnit! Aureus yelled mentally, grabbing a fist full of sand in his right hand. It always seemed like things were working against him, but at least she wasn't avoiding him like before. Just have to appreciate the few good things I suppose. "Yeah, you're right. I can wait for you if that's how it's gotta be, but we have right now, so that's all that matters," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from in front of her face.

Casting a glance at the brightly lit farris wheel, he fell onto his back and looked up at Chi. "Ya know, I've never actually been to a carnival before."

[chihiro]

Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at him. "Really?" Chi's voice held a note of 'no way-ness.' "How come you've never been to a carnival? They're here almost every summer.." She smirked burhsing a hand across his cheek before jumping up and taking his hands to pull him up.

"Well, what are we waiting for, lets go!" She pulled slightly on his hands to urge him to his feet. If he had never been to a carnival before, she was going to make sure he experienced everything. "You have no entered Chi's Carnivalle 101 course. Beginning now." She grinned, waiting for him to join her.