2/27/2003
04:09
PM
Logfile
from Ichijin.
Empty
Room [GRP 1]
Generally
speaking, it is nothing more than one of those places where one can go inside
and take part is sports that are generally reserved for being outside to do.
There is a wall, one very large wall that extends up quite some distance, but
it has been covered to look like rock, covered with all kinds of handholds and
footholds perfect for those that wish to climb it.
Ichijin
Long
and svelte, fair and lean, aquiline features attend the almost aristocratic
line of cheekbones and the rebellious tilt of his nose. Mouth is but a tinted
slash above a rather strong jaw. Cracked moonlight and shadow have their way
with his eyes, dappling irises of malachite with indolent abandon. Brooding rebellion:
an ever wayward lock frequently seems to manage to escape the loose plait his
long ash-blonde hair is often bound within as a forelock falls negligently over
his brow while the rest of his hair descends down to mid-back.
No
suits or finely tailored clothes. No, he is in more serviceable wear that
doesn't drape or fold with with deliberate elegance. Pants are form-fitting, a
dark khaki, and descend to a pair of well-used boots. The shirt he wears is
fits close as well, white and short-sleeved. His hair is bound back into that
braid of his.
Ichijin
appears to be 25 years, 2 months, and 24 days old.
He is
awake and looks alert.
Sebastian
begins to dial his phone.
Kourin
answers her phone.
<Phone>
Kourin says, ""Kourin here," she answers, perhaps a little
breathless. That's what a martial arts workout will do for you."
<Phone>
"Kourin here," she answers, perhaps a little breathless. That's what
a martial arts workout will do for you.
<Phone>
"Ah, Kourin. It's Sebastian." As if his accented voice alone couldn't
be enough to figure out who it is. "I'm not calling you at a bad time am
I?" Breathless voice? Oh my.
<Phone>
Kourin chuckles, "Nope. I had just walked out of the dojo actually. Still
catching my wind after my workup. What's up, Sebastian?" There's a pause
as if some internal debate is being held for a handful of seconds. Then she
says warmly, "It's good to hear from you."
<Phone>
"And delightful to hear your voice as well." A breath, "Ahhhh,
not too winded, I trust? And here I was going to offer you another sort of work
out, although not quite along that mien. Dash, there goes all of my carefully
wrought plans," Seb drawls, deliberate in his 'dramatic' disappointment.
<Phone>
Sebastian can't see Kourin's eyes narrow though her voice is tighter when it
speaks again, "Workout? Do tell, Sebastian. I'm awfully resilient afterall
and it doesn't a lot to truly wind me."
<Phone>
Sebastian chuckles softly in response. "Oh, you protest? Somehow I should
not be surprised. Alright, Kourin... if you feel you still have a bit of spice
left in you, I'd like to you meet me. And hopefully you don't have a fear of
heights."
<Phone>
Kourin is chuckling again, "Heights? Can't say I do, but it would help if
you gave me some idea where to meet you, Sebastian? Then I'll be glad to
demonstrate what spice I might have in me still."
<Phone>
"Absolutely." Seb rattles off an address. "But I'll have a car
waiting at your place if you would prefer that. I'll be waiting."
<Phone>
Kourin knows she should say she'll get there on her own, but she doesn't.
"Alright, I'll take the car you send. That'll give me a chance to
change." She doesn't bother to ask how he knows where she lives.
Of
course Seb knows where she lives. That's what all that money and those
well-payed minions are for. He has more uses than being just a pretty face. He
is settled on a bench just shy of the climbing wall, fingers tugging on the
various straps and buckles upon a harness to make sure all is right.
Kourin
is dropped at the place and recognizes it, though she's never been in side.
When she enters, she's carrying a duffel bag, but at least she's managed to
change. "Of course I'm not sure why I bothered to change," she
comments upon seeing both Sebastian and the wall. "You do enjoy surprising
me, ne?"
Sebastian
is still plucking at a strap as she speaks. He blinks, looking back up to her
and grinning faintly. "What? You expected me to take you out to the Tavern
on the Green or something? A champagne cruise? Maybe a little nefarious
kidnapping. No... do you climb?"
Kourin
grins, "Actually, I think I'd prefer this sort of situation more than
those others. Those others sound a lot like a real date." Her eyes drift
up to the wall and she nods, "I can, I'd imagine. Or at least give it a
try. Oh, and hey, I have something to give you." She sets her bag next to
him on the bench and the thug it makes is odd, considering it /looks/ light the
way she carries it. Unzipping the thing slighty, she pulls out a small plastic
bag with the unmistakable words 'The Disney Store' written across it. The bag and whatever is inside is passed to
Sebastian. Depending on how brave he's feeling, inside he'll find a Pumba
plushie. "I saw it and couldn't resist," she claims.
Sebastian
doesn't think he has ever passed into The Disney Store in his life. In fact, he
has more than likely never breathed air in a Walmart for that matter. He blinks
at the plushie, blinks again, and then actually chuckles as he sets it upon the
bench. "Cute." Shaking his head from side to side, he moves to stand,
flickering her a wry grin. "I think I'll be sure to set it on my chairs.
I'm sure my housemates will enjoy it as well." And somewhere on high
Homasubi is cringing. "You've never climbed before? I used to spend quite
a good deal of time doing it back at home... Alas, it seems as though a faux
cliff will have to do for the city."
Kourin
gives Sebastian the once over, eyeing him more critically than she has before.
"Not just a pretty face then. That'll get you extra points. I should get
myself some equipment, ne? Or I could sit here and watch you have at it. Admire
the view and such."
Sebastian
responds to her look with a challenging grin. "Ah, people like me can use
all the help we can get... point-wise." He lifts the blue harness,
motioning towards her, "This is for safety, to make sure that incase you
do manage to miss a hold, you won't fall." He crouches to spread it on the
floor, "Just step into it and I'll fix it for you. And yes... you /will/
be joining me."
Kourin
doesn't look like she's about to debate that particular command, though she is
decidely amused at the command given to her. Considering she could easily pick
him up and throw him to the top of the wall, she's more than willing to step
into the harness as indicated. "Alright then, fix it up for me."
Sebastian
bends over to pull up the harness around her waist. Yes, reaching around her to
make sure all he belts and braces are where they are supposed to be. He moves
infront of her, flashing her a knowing grin, before reaching down once more to
give the belt a strong pull. "There, all set." He then takes a step
away to straighten out his own harness.
Kourin
hardly seems bothered by his arms around her or adjusting or whatever they do.
It's not as if he's copping a feel. She would notice that. Her own hands give
the harness an experimental tug and then she smiles, watching him,
"Alright then."
Sebastian
smiles and then extends a hand, gesturing to the side and towards the wall. He
moves over, attaching a safety rope to his belt, and then another to her's.
"Try not to exert too much... strength when you climb. I'd sure hate to
have to explain things to the proprietor later." He indicates the wall.
Yes, he picked the novice area, just in case. Long fingers curl upon one of the
faux ripples in the 'stone' before levering himself up.
Kourin
is nodding back to him even as he begins climbing. Stepping forward, she puts a
hand on one of the 'rocks', tugging on it carefully. She chuckles, finding it
not about to fall off in her hand and pulls herself upwards. So far, so good.
"It's not as if I am that strong all the time," she says, once she
gains her first foothold. "It's part of my power and requires use of my
chi. Though, it does come quickly should I need it. I do, however, possess a
decent amount of self-control. More so than my male counterpart I believe. He
used to go around hugging and punching people to pieces."
Sebastian
chuckles wryly, easily pulling himself up. He glances across to her, "No?
Well, control is good." As he very well knows. "But I still had to
make sure. You never quite know with seishi." Foot finds something of a
hold as he climbs up a little higher, "Well, let me say now that while a
man doesn't mind a good hug now and again, at least I won't have to worry too
much should I ask you to dance."
Kourin
chuckles as she continues her climb, not really finding much trouble to getting
from here to there along the hand and foot holds. "Never know about us
seishi? Come now, I've seen what you can do and the glee with which you did it.
Not to mention that other useful talent of yours. I would say that you could be
just as unpredictable and deadly as any seishi I may know. More so, because as
an oni of a god I know little about, you have an advantage. Us seishi are
always willing, it seems, to give info about ourselves, our lives, and our
gods."
Sebastian
glances over at her and smiles faintly, "I'm not sure I've ever heard the
word 'glee' used to describe an action of mine. That's rather...
different." He reaches higher, again easily pulling himself up.
"Extroverts? The lot of you? And that is something I find fascinating in
itself." He watches her, curious as to her progress. "And no, I'm not
one to boast of my talents or bore you to tears about childhood mishaps or my
latest business conquest. Mystery, my dear Kourin. Mystery."
"I
think I'm beyond wanting to know. Or rather, beyond wanting to repeately ask.
Hai, that's more of what I mean. If you ever decided to tell me, I would
listen," Kourin says, making her way up the wall. Slower than Sebastian,
considering her lack of experience, but she's surefooted at least and her hands
seems to be dextrous. Not surprise really. She was never a clutz. That was
Miaka. "I can be extroverted enough for both of us, Sebastian."
[
Sebastian
clings by fingers and one foothold, turning to the side to look back at Kourin.
He grins softly, "I'll be sure to remember that." Although the
likelihood of that ever happening is slim to none. Well, unless he feels that
different interests would cause him say such. Yeah... "Good. I will enjoy
listening to more on your past experiences with the /male/ point of view."
Another grin and he is drawing up higher.
2/27/2003
11:54
PM
Logfile
from Ichijin.
"I
think I'm beyond wanting to know. Or rather, beyond wanting to repeately ask.
Hai, that's more of what I mean. If you ever decided to tell me, I would
listen," Kourin says, making her way up the wall. Slower than Sebastian,
considering her lack of experience, but she's surefooted at least and her hands
seems to be dextrous. Not surprise really. She was never a clutz. That was
Miaka. "I can be extroverted enough for both of us, Sebastian."
Sebastian
clings by fingers and one foothold, turning to the side to look back at Kourin.
He grins softly, "I'll be sure to remember that." Although the
likelihood of that ever happening is slim to none. Well, unless he feels that
different interests would cause him say such. Yeah... "Good. I will enjoy
listening to more on your past experiences with the /male/ point of view."
Another grin and he is drawing up higher.
Kourin
watches him and, on her next set of hand holds, pulls herself up without using
the foot ones. Just a little bit of her strength added in. She doesn't want to
pull the wall down on either of them after all. "Hmm, I'll tell you
anything you want to know about my past life. I was an interesting male.
More... feminine than I am now actually. It's been odd."
Sebastian
blinks down at her, chuckling softly. Now, being buried in a pile of rubble
would not be fun at all. In fact, he is pretty sure it'll hurt quite a bit.
"Odd? I suppose I'd have to take your word for that, not having been
reborn or anything of the kind." It isn't all that much further to the
top. He looks back at his own progress, scans for another acceptable hold, and
pulls up a little higher.
Kourin
concentrates on climbing without cheating and finds herself nearly slipping off
the wall. "Shit," she mutters, watching where her fingers actually go
this next time. "See, the last time I was pretending to be a woman for a
long time. I was part of the Emperor's harem actually and I had the same name.
Kourin. Though my birth name was Ryuuen."
Sebastian
blinks at the curse, hesitating to glance back down at her. He watches her for
a moment until she does get her hold once more. "Oh? A harem?
Interesting," he drawls slowly. No sound of sarcasm or anything but true
interest. "And as a... man? However did you manage that?" He blinks,
chuckles again and then finally reaches the top.
Kourin
glances upwards, smiling, "How about I tell you all about it when I finish
this and we can get back down to the ground? This was a good idea though. I'd
like to keep coming here and doing this." She ducks her head back down and
goes about making her way to the top. It doesn't take her that much longer and
she's good about finishing using only her strength and not her powers.
"There. So, do we just hop on down?"
"Rappel,"
Seb responds, the safety rope will take you down at a slower pace. He shoots
her a grin, "Next time... we'll try you on the slightly more advanced
wall. And then, if you show to be rather proficient then that, I'll have to
take you out to this delightful little rock down in North Carolina for an
afternoon." He nods his head and then releases his hold to bounce down
slowly to the floor.
Kourin
actually looks a little more unsure about this rappeling thing. She'd almost
prefer just to jump down all at once. With a sigh she follows suit and although
she manages to do it without mishap, she's not at all comfortable. "I like
down better than up, I think," she comments once her feet are on the
ground again. "North Carolina? I've never been there."
Sebastian
tilts his head up to watch as she comes back down, eyes following her movements
'til she reaches the flooring once more. He greets her with an amused smile,
"Most people do. Ah, I was there once last summer. Simply beautiful day.
One day I plan on making my way to Devil's Tower... it is in... Wyoming, I
believe. A unique climb that would be." A breath, "I'm happy that you
at least enjoyed yourself."
Kourin
smiles in return, inclining her head in a polite gesture, "Thank you for
inviting me and for sharing this with me. I've learned something new about you
today and I like that actually. Less mystery, but I think you're still far from
being boring, Sebastian. Not to mention I don't think I could find you less
attractive."
Sebastian
reaches a hand down to remove the safety rope and clip it to a ring along the
wall. Fingers continue to work at the belt, removing the safety harness. He
smiles at her once more. "Ah, my affinity for climbing? One of the rare
enjoyments I get out of life. And... Kourin, you are a shameless flatterer.
Continue with that and you might just turn my head." He takes a moment to stretch, looking back
at Kourin. "Need help getting out of that?"
"Ah,
but what would I do if I did turn that head? Even if I've been told I'm welcome
to bring you home to my bed." Kourin winks back at him, her lips quirking
into an implish grin as she works the buckles on the harness and gets herself
out from its clutches. "I admit, I enjoy teasing you. More than I
should."
Sebastian
is actually left to blink at her, and then a grin broadens upon his features.
"You've been told..." He laughs softly, lowly. "Dare I ask who
you talked to about such a thing? Or is this a continuation of our last
discussion?" He reaches over to take her harness as well, stepping over to
stow it away upon a shelf.
Kourin
is chuckling, "No, this one was a new conversation when I tried to explain
to Hiro-kun that I was not sleeping with you. His reply was along the lines
that it was my life and if I wanted to, he wouldn't object. We keep having the
most interesting conversations." The remainder of the talk flashes into
memory and she's suddenly frowning, hands balling into fists a moment before
she forces herself to relax again. "Damnit."
Sebastian
blinks and then blinks again, "Hiro... Hiroshi?" He nods his head
slowly, "The teenager?" His grin is wry, "And you discuss these
sorts of things with the others. My." He slowly shakes his head from side
to side, only to frown slightly to her, "A problem, lady? I haven't kept
you overlong, have I?"
Kourin
is actually blushing, which is quite the feat. "No, I don't discuss those
sorts of things with the others. Not usually with Hiroshi, but he's been upset
over things lately and he wanted to make sure he knew how I felt. It's an odd
logic, coming from him. He's been rather blunt. We aren't sleeping together and
I didn't want him to worry about me and well.. oh hell... How
embarrassing." She sits down on the bench and puts her head in her hands,
shaking it. When at last she can look up without glowing scarlet she says,
"No, it's that... Look, it seems Lexie talked to Trevor and brought you up
in the conversation. From what Hiroshi said and didn't say, it seems she
implied to Trevor that you and I /are/ having sex and that he should warn me away
from you because you're just using me. Which is such a joke, considering we
aren't f... er.. having sex and what would you use me for? Information? I don't
have anything worth knowing. It's not like I want to redeem you."
As
Kourin moves to sit, Seb shifts so that he stands before her. Head cocking to
the side, he looks down at the woman, those cultivated features of his drawing
into his emotionless stare. He listens quietly, waiting until she is through
before answering. "You've no need to be embarrassed, Kourin." He
pushes his braid from his shoulder and to his back. "They endeavor to
meddle, don't they?" He frowns, and then draws over to take a seat upon
the bench next to her, "Clearly this distresses you, Kourin."
Kourin
brings her smile back to the forefront, straightening her shoulders. "I'll
be fine. You don't need to hear about my problems, Sebastian, gomen. It's
something that makes me either want to scream or to laugh. The fact is I don't
give a damn if you want to use me. Hell, if you wanted to sleep with me you
need only ask. It's just... it's just childish. I figure she didn't know that
he and I are already finished. I think I'm more pissed off by the fact that
Trevor thought /she/ was telling him the truth. Baka. I miss the man he once
was. I am sorry. I know you don't care about this shit."
Sebastian
frowns at her as he listens. He reaches over as if to take her chin in his
hand, making sure she doesn't turn away as he speaks to her, "No, Kourin.
I don't mind at all that you tell me the things that are clearly troubling you,
or the things that concern you, or anything else. As I have told you before, I
actually enjoy spending time with you, even if you are a seishi." He ends
that last with a wink.
Kourin
gazes back at Sebastian, her dark gaze narrowing for a brief moment as if she's
debating some inner thought or action. She places a hand gently against his
shoulder, leaning forward slightly, head tilting and she appears to be about to
kiss the man even to the point when her eyes closed. Before contact is made,
she stops, eyes opening once more. "Gomen," is said in a whisper.
"I'm taking liberties."
Sebastian's
own eyes are searching as he watches for her response. He smiles softly, sighs,
and reaches over as if to press a finger to her lips, "No, you are not,
Kourin. Nor do you need to apologize." Finger removes as he closes the
distance with the intent to meet his lips with hers.
Kourin
doesn't draw away from the contact but leans forward to meet his lips with her
own. Her gaze is once more hidden by closed lids as she savors the contact, the
hand at his shoulder brushing upwards to the nape of his neck, resting beneath
the weight of his braided hair.
Sebastian
smiles softly against her mouth as he pulls back, gently rubbing his fingers
over her cheek. "Thank you for accepting me. And for not allowing the
gossip of others to disrupt things. I trust all is well then? Or is there
something that you require of me?"
"Something
I require of you? I'm not sure I understand the nature of the question,"
she says in return, her fingers finding the line of his braid and brushing
along its length. "I had long hair before," Kourin suddenly muses,
her gaze drifting to the blonde hair falling from his head. "I had a braid
like this one, but I cut it off. I cut it off when I decided to live as a man
again. Strange the things that will trigger memories."
Sebastian
nods his head slowly, "To make things easier for you, Kourin. If your
companions have problems with my visiting with you, I do not wish to make
things worse. I know well how difficult it can be to get along with your
peers." He reaches over as if to take her hand from his hair and hold it
before him. He listens to her once more, a quirk to his lips.
Kourin
watches the movement of her hand into his, watches the way her fingers curl
over his skin. "It is Hiroshi's opinion that matters to me. He doesn't
have a problem with it. He does not question my loyalty. Sebastian?" Her
gaze lifts away from their joined hands, settling on his face, eyes unblinking.
"Hypothetically speaking, what would happened if I ever asked you into my
bed? Since the subject has been brooched and since it's something others are
already certain has happened, I'm curious to know."
Sebastian
listens and nods his head, "That is understandable. I can tell that the
young man clearly means quite a deal to you. As I'm sure you do to him."
At her second statement, he frowns for a moment before offering her but the
ghost of a smile to his lips. "I would certainly take you up on it,
Kourin. You are a beautiful, engaging young woman. A pleasure to be
around." His head cocks to the side, "Does that satisfy you?"
Kourin
reaches out a finger to touch his mouth, casting her eyes downward to watch her
own movements as if she's only a secondhand observer. "You frowned again
before saying that. Just like you did that time you kissed me at the club. Tell
me why?" Her eyes are upon his again, straightforward in their regard.
"Hai, Sebastian. That answer does satisfy me."
Sebastian
blinks at her in confusion for a moment, gaze slipping away. In the next breath
though he is looking back at her, smile returning, "I suppose I am
hesitant to say and do these things to you, Kourin. I do not wish to cause
problems with you." Again, he watches her searchingly.
"Wouldn't
it cause problems with you too? Hasn't it already?" Kourin asks, her voice
growing softer, more quiet as she speaks. "Does it bother you that you
find yourself not wishing to cause me any trouble? I've watched you, you know.
You don't let much slip without a reason. Tell me to butt out if you
want." She pauses then, a slow smile starting. "Tell me to just take
you home with me." A wink follows, but the words were said nonetheless.
Sebastian
grins wryly. Oh no, the problems will start when he does get home and finds the
miko. But, he does shake his head from side to side, "Problems? No."
Answered simply. He blinks while he watches Kourin, "As for it bothering
me... again, no." But it is at her last words that a smile appears,
"Now, that would make for an interesting possibility... to take me home
with you."
"Interesting
possibility," she echos, laughing delightedly. "That's one way to
phrase it, I suppose. There is of
course the possibility that you would just be using me, but I suspect it would
be mutual. I haven't... I've slept with one man in the months since I quit my
former occupation, Sebastian. Granted, you've never treated me like a whore,
but considering the things I said to you in the warehouse, I wanted you to know
that. I'm not sure why."
Sebastian
responds to her laugh with something of an amused smirk, "You were only
doing then what you thought you needed to do, Kourin. I well understand that,
and you need not have to explain anything of the sort to me. I accept you as
you are." But, naturally, he makes absolutely no mention of himself.
"But, again, I appreciate you actually telling me, as I'm sure it matters
to you."
Kourin
nods, "Hai, did does and I seem more than willing in saying all sorts of
things about myself. You on the other hand... I don't mind that I know little
to nothing about you. I'm not sure why. Hmm, actually I suspect it's because I
find it easier to keep things on a easy level this way. Less complicated.
Though I suspose discussing sex could make it complicated. Who knows for sure.
Though," Again a pause as her gaze meets his, a mischievous smile turning
up the corners of her mouth. "What kind of lover are you?"
Sebastian
follows along with her conversation quite readily, nodding now and again,
offering a low smile. But, you know, at that last part, he blinks and then
laughs in response. "My, we do get right down to the basics now, don't
we?" Yes, the royal 'we'. "The kind that would like to hope that his
partner won't be disappointed afterwards?" No, no blushes. Heck, the idea
of Seb blushing is almost taboo.
Sebastian
blushing would likely send Kourin running for the hills. "So modest. Is it
all an act, she wonders?" Always fun to discuss yourself in the third
person. "Now I have to decide, ne? If I should ask you home or not. It's
very tempting. You're handsome and charming, in a vague sort of way. You are
intelligent and talking to you is easy. Despite the lack of person information
provided."
Well,
considering the last time Seb's face was a little flushed, he came /extremely/
close to leveling the Elizabeth; So, running for the hills would probably be an
advisable thing. "Again with the flattery, Kourin." He follows with a
wink, "Grant me one boon and then I shall make a decision for the both of
us."
...
both of us?"
Kourin
arches both eyebrows at him, though her following laughter suggests she's
highly amused at the man who would make her decisions. Oh why the hell not, she
thinks, nodding her head to him. "Very well. What would you ask of
me?" What indeed.
Sebastian
grins at her laugher, but waits for her response. Once the okay is given, head
heavily bobs before he is reaching over once more, with the intent to take her
head in his hands. His kiss this time isn't quite as soft as before, nor
devouring, but with a good bit more attention than his previous ones -if you
really want to get technical about it. Or, one could just say that his intent
here is to leave Kourin with a smooch with heat to it.
Kourin's
response has a touch of heat in it as well, responding readily to the embrace
Sebastian offers. Part of her mind finds it odd in fact; there's been no
denying her attraction to the man, but until this moment the consideration of
something more intimate has only been fleeting. Always there is the question of
compatibility, of shared desire. Seems her question has been answered.
Sebastian
gently though, he pulls away, fingers brushing her hair. "And this is
where I leave you, dear Kourin." Yes, you heard that right. "There
will be no taking of anyone home this day. Well, that is unless you'd like to
try out kidnapping. Having had plenty of experience in that, I would wish you
all the luck in getting it to work out." Of course, technically, carried
out the kidnapping act, but it is amazing what you get sucked into when you
have the profound pleasure of being an oni. He draws up to stand, smiling
pleasantly down at her.
Bah.
... technically, he never carried out... o.o
Kourin
mmms back at him, not making any move to stand. "Ah yes, a very smart
man," she replies, her lips curling upwards. "I think that is the
best decision. Perhaps one day, but no, not today." At least she's not
feeling rejected. If anything, she looks decidedly relieved. "And as
pleasurable as it might be to have you tied to my bed, I think I'll leave off
with the kidnapping. I would much prefer to have you come to me
willingly."
Sebastian
blinks at her, and then chuckles. He offers her a hand to rise, "Smart?
I'm not so sure about that at this present moment, so I suppose I'll just have
to humor you in that." Moving as if to take her hand, his intention would
be to kisse the back of it in what could probably be considered a rather old
and courtly gesture, but would be releasing it just as quickly. "I'll be
happy to drop you off wherever you need to go. Alright?"
Kourin
watches every moment of that gesture from the way his hand holds hers to the
way his lips brush against the sensitive flesh. Nothing about it goes
unnoticed. If the man offers you nothing verbally, study his actions. "One
day," is all she says at first, only nodding to his offer of a ride. At
last she smiles, offering, "Home. Thank you."