Chapter Text
A stray feeling of incongruence stirs Satori from a deep slumber. Maybe it was the all-too-still air around her, or the clambering of someone downstairs, or the absence of a familiar form on her chest. Regardless, the disturbance was enough to make her eyes flutter open. Her face scrunches up into a sour expression as vacant lilac eyes slowly focus on the ceiling far above them.
She grunts as the dryness of her throat becomes impossible to ignore. A hand stiffly moves to her chest, anticipating her feline companion that often slept there. Normally, Orin would have sprung up at even the slightest suggestion of movement from her lady, greeting her with soothing purrs and kneading paws. But alas, Satori's fingers merely brush against herself. A dull sense of disappointment washes over her.
Squinted eyes search the bedroom, before landing on an old grandfather clock across from her. As suspected, it’s still rather early in the morning, just a bit before she would typically be awake. Now what could Orin possibly be up to this early in the morning? Satori thinks groggily to herself.
Satori decides to allow herself some extra time before she forces herself to rise. She rolls onto her side, resting her head upon her hands as she languidly allows her mind to wander off.
Today will be quite the departure from her typical routine. Satori much prefers to keep to herself, staying deep beneath the ground in the comfortable confines of her palace. People disliked her for her abilities, and she disliked being around them just as much in turn. Busy minds in large numbers were unavoidable up on the surface, and their company was seldom worth more than a headache.
Today, however, a certain suitor had managed to coax her out. Or rather, Satori had failed to coax her out, and resolved that she would go out herself. Besides, Satori won’t complain about a change of scenery. It might be nice to get out of the palace without work weighing on her for once.
It had been nearly a decade since last they’d met in person, but they’d been in regular correspondence by letter ever since. It started as concise exchanges: a book request, a research inquiry, an update on a case from the surface. Over time, however, it gradually blossomed into something more. From strictly professional correspondence to gossip and philosophical discussions. Letters that had once been so mundane, now carried far more weight in her heart than the paper on which they were written. Not that Satori minded, of course. She’s not the type to dwell on it, but she’s long since come to terms with the fact that she had started to take quite a liking to her.
She’s witty and well-read, ever passionate and always having insightful things to say about any given book, which contrasted amusingly with the often snarky commentary given when discussing things outside the realm of fiction.
Satori hears another thud downstairs, snapping her away from her thoughts and bringing her back into the present moment. She should go see what Orin is up to downstairs.
But first, she really had ought to get dressed. As curious as she was, she knew all too well that she would be even less motivated to get dressed after she had partaken in breakfast and the idle conversations that often come with it.
She listens to the loud tell-tale sounds of Okuu blazing into the kitchen to have breakfast. While she can't quite make it out, she can hear her enthusiastically shouting her praises. Even without being there, it's more than obvious that Okuu is ecstatic about whatever Orin had decided to whip up for this morning.
Now feeling even more keen on going downstairs, she's given the final push she needs to gather what little motivation she can muster. She makes her way to her old dresser and gathers up her day clothes. After stealing a quick glance to ensure she has everything she needs, she quietly makes her way to the washroom across the hall.
The door is firmly shut behind her, and she locks it to ensure she doesn't have any unexpected visitors while she tidies up. Much as she loves her pets, she was not fond of their habit of barging into rooms when they were not wanted. Even with how cute their excitability could be, their charm had hard limits.
With the proper precautions set into place, she tosses her clothes onto the counter and addresses the washing basin set upon it. It was a simple little thing, a bowl and a pitcher of water that Orin had helpfully heated up for her at some point before she had awoken.
While simple, the porcelain pieces themselves were designed with intricate flower patterns, vines and leaves and flowers all intertwining with one one another. She was quite fond of it.
Cupping the pitcher in unsteady hands, she carefully pours a bit of water into the bowl itself, setting the pitcher back down when she's done and picking up a coarse cloth that had been laid down beside it. She allows it to soak in the water before wringing it out and bringing it to her face. Slowly but steadily, she scrubs away the morning grime with a begrudging sense of obligation.
Water ripples at her wrist as she submerges the cloth once more, giving it a firm squeeze before lifting it to her face again, wiping away at the corners of her face in a final pat down before she's satisfied. She squeezes the washcloth a final time before setting back onto the counter.
Appreciating the feeling of a clean face, Satori moves her attention to her next task. Cooly, she begins to unwind the scarlet tendrils that connect her to her third eye. After spending a little too long untangling them and moving them out of the way, her focus shifts to the buttons of her sleepwear. Stiff fingers clumsily unbutton her shirt, and she allows the article to slide past her shoulders and fall to the floor with a quiet whisper.
Next, she fumbles with her day shirt. She slides her arms into her sleeves before stubby fingers awkwardly coax each button into place.
Her pajama pants are the next to go, dropping to the floor as Satori reaches for her skirt. She inspects it in her hands for a moment, taking the time to appreciate its fetching flower pattern, before stepping into it and pulling it to her waist.
She takes a look in the mirror across from her. Watching herself through its lens as she begins to wrap a tendril across her torso, using it much like one would use a belt. Another end is methodically tied into a neat little noose—unnecessary, sure—but Satori likes to think it adds an intimidating touch to her charm.
All-in-all, it doesn't take much for her to prepare for the day. But that's how Satori prefers it. After all, there’s no need to complicate things, especially for something so simple as a small trip to the surface. Especially if it’s not work related.
Feeling satisfied with the time spent, she shuffles over to slide her slippers on once again before making her way through the hall and down the stairs. Her hand glides down the banister, as she ponders what all the commotion had been about. Knowing Okuu, she would give as much of an uproar for boiled eggs as she would for a hand-made five course meal, so the mystery dish in question could be just about anything.
Orin hears her as she's coming down, giving out an enthused chirp that carries down the hall with little issue.
"Oh, oh! Good morning Lady Satori. Come here, quickly! I made a special breakfast today and I think you're just going to love it."
Satori can't help but give a small smile at that. As she enters the dining room, she tries to guess what the so-called ‘special breakfast’ could possibly be. She always does love a little game of deduction.
Perhaps a pot pie? It certainly smelled like it. That, or perhaps a sort of roast fixed up with some vegetables.
Ordinarily, Satori would have known from the moment she had awoken, but Orin’s kept herself out of her powers' reach all morning, always just one step ahead of her. Whether this had been a conscious decision on Orin's part or not, it made for a fun guessing game all the same.
But, with little fanfare, the answer to her question is finally revealed as she walks through the doorway, greeted with the sight of her pet fussing over a partially eaten shepherd's pie.
The table had been set for four, Okuu's displaced chair and dirty plate is enough to tell her that the hell raven has already had her share and rushed off long before she had managed to make her way down.
Koishi's chair, on the other hand, had yet to be used today. The cutlery undisturbed, her place neatly set.
"Shepherd's pie, huh?" Satori questions, taking a seat after Orin pulls her chair out for her and gestures for her to do so.
That's right, shepherd's pie! Rin thinks to her mistress, dark ears twitching from her excitement.
"What’s the occasion?" While there wasn't anything wrong with the meal, it felt like an odd time to serve it.
The shepherd from the village kicked the bucket last night! Stampeded by his own flock. Rin informs her, clearly all-too amused by the irony. You can't say no to that, can you? She shoots back as she serves Satori a generous portion and sets the plate in front of her. Orin always did have a habit of giving her too much.
Satori gives a thoughtful hum in response, much to the amusement of her pet. "Well, I suppose you can't. Thank you very much for the meal, Orin."
Rin's ears perk up as she flashes Satori a bright smile. Why, of course. I hope you find it to your liking!
Her pet's attention is momentarily diverted as she carefully sets aside a portion for herself, before sitting beside her mistress.
She doesn't take a bite yet though, intensely watching Satori until she's taken her first one herself. It's always cute how she does that. Satori thinks, meeting Rin’s expectant gaze and taking the hint.
She takes her first bite, giving a pleased hum as she does so. It's quite flavourful, the potatoes are well seasoned and the meat is tender.
"This is wonderful, Orin. I think you've outdone yourself."
The kasha perks up, chest puffing out at the praise. Thank you, Lady Satori! Satisfied with her lady's appraisal, she eagerly begins to dig into her own meal as well.
They eat in silence at first, the only thing breaking the quiet being the sound of cutlery scraping against porcelain and Rin's teeth scraping against metal when she accidently bites into her spoon. Rin's thoughts are firmly focused on the meal at first, but eventually they drift off as she begins to pepper her lady with questions.
Sooo, what are your plans for the day? She thinks, briefly glancing at Satori before focusing back onto her meal.
Satori doesn't respond right away. Carefully calculating her response as she continues to indulge in her meal. Orin is a nosey little thing, and Satori would like to keep her from pressing about today's matters all too much if possible.
"Oh, I'll just be going out for a little while." Her answer is given curtly between bites, a conscious effort is given to appear uninteresting.
More detective work? Rin thinks, her form stills a moment as her head cocks ever so slightly to the side to punctuate her inquiry.
Satori supplies a dismissive hum in response. "Oh, nothing that exciting, really."
Satori's curt answer serves only to rile up her pet more. Satori can see the gears turning in her pet’s head. Watching the thought process in real time as she forms her conclusion.
Shooting her a knowing look, the answer dawns on her much more quickly than Satori had hoped it would. It's the person you've been writing letters to, isn't it?
Unfortunately, the kasha was right. But Satori didn't plan on giving in so easily. "Well now, I do wonder." She replies airily, keeping her gaze focused on her plate.
With the clatter of silverware, Rin jumps up and slams her hands down on the table. "I knew it, I knew it!" She exclaims much too loudly, her voice ringing throughout the room for the first time since Satori had sat down.
Before she's given a chance to respond, Rin suddenly clutches her face in a dramatic act of despair. "Hold on, now just you wait a minute, don't you tell me that you were planning on going out dressed up like that ."
Oh, bother. Satori internally groans. Perhaps I should have skipped breakfast altogether. She laments. Though, deep down, she suspects that this interaction would have been all but inevitable. "What, is there something wrong with my outfit now?" She inquires, feeling obligated to humor her pet.
Rin's tails bristle, crimson eyes widening in complete shock. "What in Hell do you mean? Of course there is! Oh, just look at you, it's like you've just went and rolled out of bed. No, this just won't do. This won't do at all." Rin's tone is uncharacteristically firm with her."If my mistress is going to go out on a date, she's going to go out looking stunning. She's going to be the talk of the whole town. She is not going to be going out with a rats' nest and pajamas on, you hear?"
Before Satori can get a word in edgewise, the kasha circles around the table, all but pulling her out of her chair. "We are going to get you looking presentable, no, perfect, right this instant! I cannot let this stand. I will not let this stand. I cannot believe you were really thinking of going out on a date like this. For shame, Lady Satori. For shame!"
It's hopeless, and Satori knows as much. "Fine, fine." She grumbles, holding an arm out to indicate a desire for space. "I'll humor you shortly, but can't I at least finish my breakfast in peace?"
Rin's ears flatten alongside a sharp narrowing of her eyes. But after a tense moment, she relents. "Fine, but you'd better come up the second you've finished. I'll go draw a bath, so please come up as soon as you're done."
Satori could also read that she had a full intention of coming back down if she took too long.
Before she can respond, the kasha has already turned around in a huff and is rushing up the stairs with such urgency that one might have thought someone's life was on the line. Knowing she didn't have long, Satori focuses on finishing her meal in what little peace the moment affords her.