#voidandcircuitry

Thus, in a matter of seconds, she leapt toward the woman, attempting to immediately drag her tongue across her cheek. However, Ult was faster—he seized the back of her dress & yanked her toward him mid-lunge.

" Awww. . . I was almost there! " Umina whined, her feet barely brushing the ground as she dangled like a puppy caught by the scruff. " Umina. I have stated this approximately 17 times: do not lick strangers. Correction—do not lick anyone. "

He then set Umina down, & she immediately went limp, throwing herself dramatically onto the ground. Ah—a tantrum, quite common when she doesn't get her way. His gaze then redirected toward the woman. " Please excuse the disruption. Umina's social compliance module is still undergoing iterative refinement. "

She freezes in place; her blue eyes wide open. The external observes could probably assume it is because the situation that reveals in front of her eyes. But it is not why Nunnally is so astonished. It’s the feeling…she hasn’t had it for so long… For years…? No! but it feels like that. It’s familiar; and yet so odd that she doesn’t know what to do with it. No, she doesn’t like it; it’s like someone (something) trying to pry into her soul; bringing the memories (emotions) she’d like to forget. Yet, the feeling is oddly fascinating (warm). And Nunnally misses it sometimes.

But why has it come back? Why now?

The odd words spoken by the man bring Nunnally back to reality. The girl (she’s so pretty!) now lying on the ground; throwing a tantrum. Nunnally smiles. Her actions do not seem to work on the man. Umina. Oh, that’s a beautiful name! Nunnally likes unusual names. The boy. The man. He speaks so weirdly. As if he were not a human. Nunnally smiles; tantrums have never worked on her father, so she is going to ignore Umina as well. Her companion (are they siblings?) also do not seem surprised; like he is used to her odd behavior.

“So, did she want to lick me?” – she finally addresses the man – “But why? I am sure I am not tasty?” – that is a foolish joke. Nunnally has no sense of humour; they say. So, why does Nunnally still attempt to joke? – “But will she be all right?” – she should ignore Umina, but Nunnally has issues to do it. They are causing a commotion, and Nunnally hates bringing attention to herself. She likes being unnoticeable; almost invisible. That is what her life is all about, and she cannot say she’d like to change it.

“You…you don’t need to worry about…the disruption.” – Nunnally stands up – “After all you’ve…saved me…” – another poor joke – “Is it some kind of a game that you are playing…? You speak in such a…” – funny – “…unusual way…”

“Hi Umina…” – she finally gives up – “I am Nunnally.” – she knows she is making a mistake, but she truly cannot stand "the disruption" any more – “They serve a perfect cinnamon milk here….”

“Would that be okay, if I get her a glass?” – she looks at the man again; he seemed to be Umina’s guardian… Is that not so?

" Miss. Requesting your attenti— " He was cut off by Umina, who pressed a finger gently to his lips & whispered a soft: ' shhh ' . The woman was sleeping, after all. Resting against Ult's shoulder, of all people—something he hadn't expected in the least. He remained still, a touch uneasy. Mundane physical contact wasn't something he was used to. & yet. . . he didn't move. Ult was nothing if not polite. Not by choice, of course—he was engineered for it. Courtesy was a default setting.

" I wish she'd chosen my shoulder. . . " A soft, ( tinged with disappointment & perhaps, a little bit of jealousy ) sigh left her lips as she watched the woman with curious eyes. Then, she sat beside her, kicking her feet. " Trains aren't so bad, after all. Huh, Ult? "

Ult did not respond.

@voidandcircuitry

Unprompted

It was difficult to stay awake. The train car's serenity lulled Harmony to sleep. Her long lashes lowered as she drifted to sleep. She kept to herself for a while, except for the silent smile greeting the peculiar pair. Weary from the long day of travel, she relented.

'Perhaps a nap isn't a bad idea...' Harmony thought when she closed her eyes. Her body leaned to the side, unaware that she was nestled against someone's side. As the other two spoke, only soft snoring came from her. They're not loud enough to be heard unless someone leans close enough to hear. Time passes before she begins to wake up.

Suddenly, she flinches. One eye sleepily opens.

"Hm?" A soft groan before her eyes blink slowly at first, only to quicken in pace as she jolts upright from Ult's shoulder. "Oh, my gosh!" Wide eyes dart from Ult to Umina. "Did I-was I-" A wave of shock crashes against her before embarrassment washes over.

She leaned against Ult's shoulder as she slept. While she had no intention to invade anyone's personal space, that is exactly what she did.

'Oh no! No, no, no!' Ashamed, Harmony turns her head back to Ult, still horrified over her actions.

"I am so, so sorry!" She adds, "I didn't mean to do that!" A hand rises to touch her cheeks and chin. There's no damp spot in his sleeve, which is a relief. Still, she wants to be sure. "I-um, didn't drool on you or anything, right?" Her head turns to Umina, who has changed seats to sit next to her. "Miss? What about you? I didn't fall asleep on you either, did I? I'm sorry if I did!"

" Hello. " She peeked out from behind the man as she leaned in, appearing in his line of sight. Had he looked her way, she would've immediately vanished—only to reappear peeking from the other side, as if trying to confuse him on purpose. A giggle would leave her lips before she stepped forward. " I felt you call for me. Hm, or perhaps, I was the one calling for you? Who knows, really. "

Ult was in the background, analyzing the scene—his optics tracking every movement. He was waiting for the smallest indication of hostility. One twitch, one shift—that would be enough.

Umina tilted her head slightly as a small grin tugged at the corners of her lips. " Can I know your name? "

This place was peculiar, but is there anything that surprises him anymore? It could've been worse, such as the skies turning into a dark shade of olive green. He could feel the acid rain behind his skin that time, scratching it with his index finger before turning to that voice with the utmost confusion.

"What?" She wasn't there anymore until another voice was behind him. "You are calling out to my needs of escaping the more you start playing with me. And no, what is your name instead? " He inspected her from top to bottom. Everything about her screamed danger, a serpent disguised as a mouse. Then again, he was careful of the overly joyous ones.

It wouldn't hurt to share his name right? He couldn't find a reason as to why he shouldn't. If a landslide is bound to drown him with muck and debris, he is prepared to steady himself for that occurrence to happen. "Fine, you win. Gregory is my name. Happy now?"

He was uncomfortable last second. Best to play it safe for now.