A Stroll Through Gardens of a Pale Grey...

She sighed softly, walking along in what was once most assuredly a garden of astonishing beauty. Hitomi could see the vibrant colors in her mind's eye; greens and blues, reds and purples, yellows and oranges all existing in a sort of harmony that she envied. To be without conflict with one's surroundings... It must have been nice.

Even now, the garden was of the most curious uniform grey, the entire place silent and still. Her footsteps light, she made hardly a sound as she strode forward, wearing a loose shift of white linen, bound in place with a belt of dark cloth. The ash barely stirred as she passed, though she felt awful for intruding in the first place. Something about this place... Was it warning her back?

Nonsense,

She thought, looking about for a moment, her eyes finding nothing but a field of endless white-ish grey,

What could be out there?

Across the way, Grim could be seen slowly traversing the flowers and such, seeming to be off to another location... He was hungry, no less, but had to be patient until he could find a decent meal. "Dear me... What elusive vermin infest this planet... Ah, but that is the sport of the game, non? It is improper etiquette to play with one's food... But this is a hunt. And surely, I can comply with the sport of the hunted..."

"These are amazing, I've never seen such sad flowers..."

Tatsui was around the same area that Hitomi was. Her bright clothing, her crimson hair and her bright green eyes stood out in the blacks and greys of the garden. She had read somewhere in the Shrewish library about this garden. The living planets in the area were a mystery to why they had such a dull color to them all around. She came to investigate the silent garden herself.

It had such an eerie feel to it though, that before she set her foot in the garden, she had chills as if there was a warning. But the plants seemed quiet and docile, so Tatsui figured it must have only been her.

The sound of movement made her head raise from the broad leaf that could have concealed her.

"Hmm?"

Seeing Hitomi not too far off, she gave a small shout, a bright smile and a wave, just to make sure it wasn't her imagination; she swore she was alone when she went through it.

"Hey!! I didn't think many people came through here!"

Now that, certainly, could not have been the wind.

She turned as she noticed Tatsui, a friendly smile playing across her lips. Waving calmly, she took a few paces toward the girl,


"Well hello... I didn't think so either... But alas, I suppose we were both wrong?"

She laughed lightly, coming close enough for them to speak comfortably at a normal volume.

"I'm Hitomi... You are...?"

Her golden gaze was curious, her cat-like gaze studying Tatsui carefully.

Tatsui stood up to greet the other girl, samples of plants pressed against her chest with one hand. Her green eyes looked at her with surprise, seeing that her intuition was right afterall. Then she smiled again, happy to meet someone else out in this gray place.

"I'm Tatsui! Tatsui Suou, pleased ta meet you! What brings you to this drab place, Hitomi?"

Grimnyzmal suddenly noticed the two girls interacting in the distance. Hmm... Perhaps they would be a good meal? Or, perhaps they would just be a good conversation... Knowing Grim, they could damn well be both. Grim slowly walked toward them both, bowing politely and saying to them in a respectful tone "Good day, ladies. What brings you both about on this fine day, might I ask?"

Tatsui turned to Grimnyzmal in surprise. His appearance gave her a little bit of shock, but because of his tone of voice, her fear faded then disappeared. Giving a smile to Grimnyzmal, Tatsui gave a slight wave with her free hand.

"Hello there. I was just here to examine the plants of this garden. A little bit of studying that's all. And you? What brings both of you to this odd, colorless garden?"

Hitomi turned politely to the newcomer with a slight curtsy, keeping her gaze lowered until Tatsui finished speaking,

"I fancied a stroll through gardens pale... While it is true I found myself lodgings in the Sunlit Kingdom, I don't truly feel as if I belong there; for what is home if not for family and friends? When a place is lacking severely in both, one no longer can feel at ease."

Silently cursing herself for her tendency to speak far too much of what she was thinking aloud, a faint blush appeared on her high cheekbones,

"Forgive me, I mean not to ramble. And you, sir? What brings you here this afternoon?"

Grim quirked a brow "No family? Hm. How familiar. Ahh, but if only I could have a family... World Eater, Alticord and Lordemeire are my only family, now. Cruel, cruel fate... How delicious you shall taste."

Grim, too, had begun to ramble, but he caught himself "Ah, but I digress... I am here to see the flowers, as well... They remind me of the flowers that populate my realm.. Yet, these flowers have too much life to be those. How dreary... It makes me ever so happy." Grim then realized that he had not formally introduced himself, and so began to, saying "Oh, how rude of me.. Not introducing myself to you fine ladies.. I am Grimnyzmal, the Devouring Archcount." He tipped his top hat to them, bowing, and the top hat would smile with wicked, pointed teeth. "And you two are...?"

"Oh, what a curious hat you have..."

Blinking Tatsui looked at it a little while longer before responding to Grimnyzmal's question.

"M'name's Tatsui!"

The crimson haired girl said, holding out a delicate ivory hand to shake. Her smile was bright like sunshine, perhaps giving some life to the garden afterall. Her green eyes gave genuine friendliness.

"Nice ta meet ya!"

His choice of words... How extremely odd. 'How delicious you shall taste'? 'The Devouring Archcount'? He seemed like the polite gentleman, but what was with --

Just then she caught sight of his tophat. Oh, dear, such sharp teeth! And that grin... It sent shivers down her spine. She forced herself not to react very strongly to the sudden fear she felt, and to focus on his words. What was his name again? Didn't he say it was.. Grim... Grimnyzmal?

She returned his bow with a curtsy, bowing her head, keeping her gaze downcast.

"A pleasure to meet you, Grimnyzmal, sir. I go by Hitomi."

She straightened a bit after he himself did, looking a tad more nervous than she had been before.

Tatsui didn't seem to notice it, yet at the same time she took a mental note in her head...there was something odd, as if there was a restrained malicious intent. But that's what Tatsui had looked for: restrained. Perhaps Grimnyzmal just wanted to talk a little?

Tatsui pocketed her specimens in a yellow mustard bag at her side. Then with a small smile, she said to her party,

"Want to explore the garden with me? I'm sure it'll be fun."

Grim politely put his tophat back on, twirled his mouthed cane, Lordemeire, then immediately tapped it on the ground "Ah, yes. That would be.. Wonderful. Well then, madams Hitomi and Tatsui... Let us be off." Grimnyzmal would await Tatsui's order, for he had no real lead in this group.

"Oh, here is a minute thought... How about a little bit of music whilst we stroll? Would it not be divine, ladies?" Grim would wait for their word, in which he would summon Alticord, his floating, materializing piano.

Looking to Hitomi, she gave a small smile. Her expression showed she was absolutely oblivious of Grimnyzmal's intentions.

"Piano music..? I don't mind hearing it, how about you?"

It was then a loud snoring erupted in her ears. Her whole body shook as the katana at her waist was pressing against her side, where a small slip of bare skin touched the capped end of the handle. Quickly Tatsui swatted it away; Kaza was sleeping, and for some reason he was exceptionally loud at this moment.

"Ah well..I'm just glad he's with me. You never know what might try to attack us!"

She thought happily, thinking about the protection of this small, inner party...