A visitor at home [Tagging Hotaru]

[bestdadinamestris]

After the epic boss battle in the Nexus, Hughes had earned a few well-deserved days off from his duties at Central HQ. True, it was largely due to the number of injuries he'd sustained during said battle, but he wasn't one to complain. A few days of R&R with his family would be nice, especially with the added bonus of a guest.

Hughes had managed to find someone in the Nexus who would take a trade of some of his silver Amestrian cenz and all of the brass from the decommissioned uniform he wore while fighting demons in exchange for a new outfit for Hotaru. They'd found a lovely violet skirt and matching sweater and a pastel purple shirt that went nicely with the set. Hotaru had been ecstatic about the update in wardrobe and Hughes had been only too happy to provide. Dad Mode was active with this one and he was definitely in his happy place.

When the two had arrived in Amestris, after a very tight squeeze in the phone booth portal to get there, he opened his arms wide to the large city of Central, which spread out in every direction around them. The sun was high in the blue sky and the smell of Autumn tinged the warm air. With the military HQ behind him, Hughes - who was not wearing his military uniform for once - turned to Hotaru with a large smile on his face.

"Welcome to Amestris, specifically, the city of Central. Would you care for a tour?"

Comments

[silentasthe_glaive]

It's a LOT to take in at first glance. Very much like Tokyo with how big it is, but also very different too. Aside from something big in the center of the town, the buildings aren't as tall as she's used to; the city sprawls instead of towering overhead.

"That... that sounds like a good idea." Hotaru manages at last, tugging her sweater a little to make sure it fits around her just right. She also takes in an experimental breath... and her lungs still aren't complaining. In all honesty, it feels a bit weird that she's been holding up so well.

"If there isn't any running involved, I think I can manage that."

[bestdadinamestris]

The experimental breath has him wondering about her health, but he isn't going to mention it. Instead he'll offer Hotaru a hand and a smile. "No running necessary. We have all afternoon to get back to the house."

Once he's sure she's okay, Hughes will begin leading the way through Central. He stays along the main canals as he leads her through the city, partly because there are a lot of shops to see and partly because the air always seems fresher coming off the water. Any time he points out any interesting buildings or places that Hotaru shows interest in, he'll make a point to stop. They really are in no hurry and he always love re-exploring his home town with a fresh set of eyes.

After they've been walking around for a good hour or two, he'll stop in front of an ice cream shop and give her a small grin. "Care for an afternoon snack?"

[silentasthe_glaive]

"What sort of ice cream do they have?" Turns out Hotaru isn't out of questions yet; she's learned a lot about the canals, some of the local sights, and a small amount of city history. That ice cream just raises some new topics, though... and another check on how her body is holding up.

Turns out that even though it does have milk in it, she does have a craving for ice cream. Maybe it's just the warm weather, but Hotaru feels ready enough to try some out.

"And... yes, I think I am. Though you've already done a lot, as is."

[bestdadinamestris]

"They have your basic flavors - chocolate, vanilla, strawberry - and a few more interesting ones, like mint or coffee. They also have sorbet, which isn't technically ice cream and is all fruit flavors, but equally as good if you're up for that. And don't worry about the cost - with how busy I've been recently, I've managed to save up a lot of money for my snack fund."

There's waffle cones, too, if Hotaru decides she wants one of those. And a few varieties of nuts to go on top. Whatever she wants, she can have. For himself, Hughes is grabbing a waffle cone with mint ice cream. There's always treats at home, but sometimes it's nice to try something new. Besides, he has a guest and that in and of itself demands treats and on a day like this? Ice cream is the perfect fit.

Once they've got their ice cream, he'll lead her to a bench under a small patch of trees that looks out over the low wall onto one of the many canals. It's a very peaceful spot, one where he doesn't mind taking a rest for a bit while they enjoy their treats. "Have you been enjoying the day so far?"

[silentasthe_glaive]

Sorbet? Sorbet sounds even better, so Hotaru opts for that. Blueberry is her choice, and she watches as it gets scooped out and added to a cone. (She also finds herself stealing a few glances at other people, to see how much they're enjoying their snacks.) She gives a small nod at Hughes' assurance, accepting the cone... still, it wouldn't be such a bad thing to do something for him in return, wouldn't it?

She follows him out, taking a seat when it's offered.

"Well... I think I'm enjoying today a lot. This city is really different from Tokyo, but it's also really nice. We don't have canals over there, and I like seeing them here. And I don't have to worry about finding a place to sleep in the Nexus, which is good. Their couches are nice, but I'm not sure I'd want to sleep on one overnight." Hang on, she needs to have some sorbet before it melts. Then she continues, "I'll probably rest easier since I have a roof over my head and not have any strange dreams."

[bestdadinamestris]

It's adorable how worried she is about giving him something in return. She doesn't seem to realize that, for him, her company is all the reward he needs. Helping to nurture and foster wayward teens and preteens is a habit he doesn't mind keeping, especially when they don't seem to have any real parent-figures in their life. They all need guidance and as someone who was that age not all that long ago, he's happy to oblige.

"For as long as you need, my home is your home." Again, it's not the first time he's taken in wayward souls about her age. And she seems much more down to earth than the last visitors he had in his home.

The part about dreams makes him worry a bit, though. "Strange dreams?" He doesn't want to pry, but it seems like something he should know about so he can give a simple explanation if Gracia asks.

[silentasthe_glaive]

"Mmm... yes it's been a little odd." Hotaru focuses on the sorbet as she talks, like it'll make discussing things easier. "When I shut my eyes on one of the couches, I started having some strange dreams. Maybe it was just an effect from being in the Nexus?” At least, that’s what she wants to believe. “I dreamed about these incredibly starry skies, like being in space. Along with purple sparks of… something. Whatever it was felt really powerful, if that makes sense?”

It was one of those weird, dream-things, thinking back on it. Just somehow knowing that she was looking at things stronger than what she was used to.

"Sorry, it's a weird thing to talk about when it's so nice out, and the ice cream-sorbet tastes good."

[bestdadinamestris]

None of that really registers with Hughes. Then again, he's never been one who was good at dreams. He rarely has any these days. Still, he's learned not to discount anything that people in the Nexus say about what they feel or say. The people he meets there come from many worlds, each with its own unique qualities. It could very well be that Hotaru's dreams mean something, even if he understands nothing about it.

"There's no need to apologize. I was the one to ask, after all. But I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." He takes a moment to eat more of his cone so he can get to more of the ice cream inside of it.

"If you ever feel the need to talk about in the future, don't hesitate to let me know. I may not be an expert in these things, but I'll do my best." He smiles down at Hotaru before he finishes his cone. Yup, that definitely hit the spot on an afternoon like this.

[silentasthe_glaive]

"Thank you... I will." Or at least keep that in mind. "Though I sort of hope it's nothing. I'd be alright with it just being an odd dream."

That said? Finishing her treat sounds like a good idea and she does just that.

"Can I ask what's next? Do we get to see your home?" Hard not to be a little curious about it, after all the different buildings she's seen.

[bestdadinamestris]

Once she's all set he'll nod. "Home is the next stop. Gracia and Elysia are waiting for us there." He smiles at her and then stands, offering her a hand as he does so. He knows it's not necessary for guiding her through Central, but he rather likes it.

He doesn't rush getting back home. He'll take Hotaru the long way home so she can see more of the city. A little over halfway through the afternoon, they arrive at a rather unassuming building. Hughes leads her up the stairs to his second floor apartment. Before opening the door, he smiles down at her. "Ready?" When she nods, he opens the door and steps inside. "Gracia! Elicia? I'm home! And I've brought a guest!"

The entryway and living room are modest. A couch and a few chairs sit in the seating area with a radio on top of a small desk in the corner. The floor, although carpeted, has a few rugs in the more trafficked areas. There's a few lamps set up for light. Through a large, broad archway, Hotaru can see into the dining room, which is already set for the evening meal. A short hallway separates the living room from two bedrooms and a bathroom and the kitchen is hidden out of Hotaru's line of sight as she steps in the door. It's not all that big, but it's cozy.

From around the corner comes a small girl with her light brown hair tied up in pigtails. When Hughes spots her, he crouches down and opens his arms to her. The small child flies into them with amazing speed, giggling the whole time.

"Daddy! You're home!" She hugs her father tightly, obviously quite excited by this.

"I am, princess." Hughes gives her a great big hug back before shifting so that the girl is now facing Hotaru. "Elicia, this is Hotaru. She's the girl I told you about - the one who will be staying with us for a while. So be nice to her, okay?"

Elicia gapes up at the tall, slender girl. "Wow, you're so pretty! I've always wanted an older sister like that!"

Hughes chuckles at his daughter's antics. "Hotaru, this is Elicia. She'll be your constant companion while you're here, I can assure you of that."

When the main commotion dies down a bit, a woman with chin length light brown hair and the kindest smile on her face enters from the hallway. Hughes stands and offers her one of his hands, leaving the other to Elicia.

"Welcome home, sweetie," she says softly. She gives Hughes a kiss on the cheek before turning to Hotaru. "And who might this young lady be?"

"This is Hotaru, the young girl I told you about." He smiles at Hotaru. "Hotaru, this is my wife Gracia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, dear." She inclines her head and shoulders in a slight bow, a gesture Hotaru will likely recognize from home. "I hope you like quiche. I'm afraid I didn't know in advance what you might like so I had to make do with what I had already planned. I'll be happy to work with you to plan future meals, though." She smiles broadly at Hotaru, hoping she isn't going too overboard with her.

[silentasthe_glaive]

Hotaru blinks in surprise as she glances around. Compared to her own home, this place is so small... but at the same time it also feels a lot more comforting, warm, and all around lived in. She could grow to like this, and that's before se gets rushed by the rest of the family.

Pardon the astonished almost-deer-in-the-headlights look; it melts away after a heartbeat or two and gets traded out for a small smile.

"Th-Thank you," she manages. "I'm... honored? Pleased?" Those don't feel like quite the right words so she tries out one more. "Happy to be here. Mister Hughes has told me a lot about this place, too.

And quiche sounds nice. I don't think I've ever had it before."

But the person who made it seems so nice, so that has to translate to the food. Maybe. It makes a certain amount of sense to her.

[bestdadinamestris]

"You're in luck, then, because everything Gracia makes is amazing!" Hughes is positively beaming right now. Wide grin on his face, love in his eyes. This is definitely where he feels most comfortable.

"Now Maes," Gracia chides, "no need to oversell me. Hotaru will get the chance to decide for herself whether she likes the meal or not."

"All right, all right." He chuckles and turns to Hotaru. "Shall I show you to the room you'll be staying in?"

A tug on his hand from below gets his attention. "Daddy, Daddy!" Elicia's all but jumping up and down with excitement as she pulls on his arm. "Can I show her? Pleeeeease?" Hughes nods and chuckles, letting go of her hand. Now free, Elicia immediately attaches herself to Hotaru's right arm, smiling up at her. "Come with me!"

She doesn't quite pull Hotaru down the hall, but the urge to do so is obvious. The first door on the left, which she leads Hotaru into, is marked with a little sign that reads 'Elicia's Room.' It's a relatively small room, but that might be in large part because of how much stuff is in it. There's a small bed obviously sized for Elicia, a small storage bench, a matching dresser, and another, regular sized bed opposite the small one. Several tall and short lamps decorate the room, all of which match the bright blue and pink decor.

"This is my room!" Elicia lets go of Hotaru's hand as she takes in the room and gestures around with wide arms. "But while you're here, it's your room, too!" She gives her older sister new friend a chance to get a good lay of the land before asking, "What do you think?"

[silentasthe_glaive]

It doesn't take too much coaxing to lead Hotaru down the hallway. She's more than a little curious to see what else is in this house; it helps that it's just... inviting, for back of a better word. The people here are friendly, nice, and as much of a polar opposite as it's possible to have with her old home.

As she looks around the new room, she brightens up more, managing a quick nod... though right after that, a question occurs to her.

"You don't mind that I'm going to be here too, though?" Not that she's complaining at all; this room is very sweet looking and pretty. "I don't want to take up too much room, or intrude..."

Though her thoughts remind Hotaru that a quick duck back into the Nexus might help with that. A good house guest shouldn't intrude too much on her hosts, right?

"I... think i like it though?" She gives it another quick look over, before adding. "Actually, I'm really sure I like it. It's pink." And pink is a wonderful color, going by past experiences.

[bestdadinamestris]

Elicia giggles at Hotaru's question. "Why would I mind sharing my room with my new sister?" She obviously doesn't quite understand that Hotaru is just a guest for the time being, despite it being explained several times now. Her enthusiasm for sharing her room can't be slowed down at all. "It's big enough for the both of us, promise!"

Once Hotaru admits to liking the room, Elicia's eyes widen and a big smile crosses her face. "Yay! I'm so glad!" She hugs the older girl tightly. "We're going to have lots of fun here, I promise!"

As the little girl opens her mouth to ask if Hotaru wants to play with some of her toys, Hughes appears in the doorway. "Dinner's ready, girls. Come on out and join us." He smiles then disappears from view again.

With an excited giggle, Elicia grabs Hoatru's hand and leads her out to the dining room, where the table is set for four. Glasses of water stand at the ready for everyone, with a second glass set up alongside that. A delightful smelling quiche is set in the center of the table, with some other steamed vegetables in dishes set up around it. Elicia lets go of Hotaru's hand and jumps into the seat Hughes has held out for her, then turns and motions for Hotaru to take the seat next to her.

Gracia appears from the kitchen beyond the dining room and smiles at the scene of Hughes helping Hotaru into her seat. "Hotaru, dear, would you prefer milk or juice to go with dinner?" She already knows Elicia's answer, so she feels no need to excite the little girl any more than necessary right before dinner.