Face to Face

After what was a rather pleasant train ride, Adam exited the station and hailed a taxi , Koemi's home it's destination. Even though he was here, in the cab, mere moments from being there he couldn't believe he was here...Had always been this simple? A train, and a taxi ride away? Had he never truly realize that she was this close all along?

It had been some time since his last trip to Kyoto, the last time being with his Father as a boy. A vacation filled with festivals and good times, Kyoto was a place of magic to him as a boy, and to be here now on his way to meet Melodia he was feeling that same magic all over again. He started to wonder if she was there, in the crowd at the festival so long ago, he wondered if she knew then that one day that little boy would one day stop it nothing to come and visit her...It was a silly thought, he knew that but...it brought a smile to his face, freeing him from his nervousness

As the cab pulled up to her yard, Adam quickly got out and paid for it's services, though he sort of wished that cab would of taken a longer way toward getting here...but no...putting it off would make it no better, he had after all come this far already.

Adjusting to fix his backpack, he made his way up to her door, taking a deep breath before giving it four loud knocks.....now if only someone answered.

Oh, someone was on her way. With a serious of loud crashes, curses, and a plethora of groaning, Koemi slowly limped her way to the door. Fantastic, her glasses were cracked now too? Another ten hours work down the drain. Between her clumsiness and her extremely expensive gaming habits, she was broke more often than not. A big brown eye appeared in the peephole, blinking once or twice as she gulped. Yeah, that was Ryilin alright. Drawing herself up to her full height at 5'3", the girl dusted herself off and put on her bravest face, even if her new bruises had started to ache like no one's business, and swung open the door.

"Adam?"

Oh. Oh, this wasn't going to do. Those freckles! That hair! Koemi found heat rising to her cheeks, but she stamped down on her emotions hard. They had their fair share of... stuff... happen on Ardermina, but this was real! Right now! But her Ryilin had just come over for a study session. Breathe, girl!

"My parents went to visit my grandma this afternoon, and let the house to us. Would you like to come in?"

She stood aside, eyes downcast, doing anything to keep her cool. Even if she had to be so formal and polite it hurt, darn it, she wouldn't fall for this. While he looked a bit more... Mature... In game, offline, Ryilin still had his charm.

Just what was happening inside there? The sound of things falling over and breaking, was a bit disheartening to hear, and he quickly became worried as to just what he'd be shown when that door open, but as the locked turned and the door began to open, his heart sank into his chest as he gasped for air, so nervous he was ready to jump out of his own skin.

"Koemi?"

He asked, in a more of a worried tone, before he noticed anything else he noticed her bruises and cracked glasses and without him realizing he acted before he even thought to think about his actions.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

He asked, tossing his book bag down upon the porch and rushed to her side. Was all the noise her heard earlier her falling down? His hand brushed against her soft cheek, as he touched her, checking to see just as bad her injuries where...but he quickly realized that...

Well Koemi was a rather beautiful young lady, in fact she was stunning, her deep brown eyes, and her flowing brown hair, her smooth skin, she was more than he was expecting, who would of thought that behind the powerful persona of Melodia would be such a cute young women...and h-he just touch her...QUICKLY he retracted his hand, a flush of red rose to his cheeks as he stepped back to pick up his bag.

"Y-yes, t-thank you."

He squeamishly accepted her invitation inside, moving past her and into her home, trying his hardest not to make eye contact, he didn't want her to see his blushing face..

Alright Adam...all ready off to a good start >>

Of course she wasn't going to let him know that she was in so much pain, and so she wouldn't comment as he inquired after her. In an effort to make herself seem as carefree as possible, she slid her eyes away from him to slow her racing pulse at his touch, almost lazy in her dismissal of his care. She was slipping into her role now, having always been a leader when she was Melodia. It wasn't too hard to seem rock-steady and dependable now to ease his anxiety... Well, except for the throbbing pain beneath her bruises. And how attractive he was... Yeah. Okay, so it was a little difficult.

Closing the door behind him, she took a moment to let Adam look around the front entryway of her home, a narrow hallway that led to a small dining room with traditional low seating and table and moderate kitchen where a pleasant aroma bubbled from the broth on the stovetop. A couple pots and pans lay strewn across the kitchen floor, where evidently a cupboard boobytrap had been set and sprung. Toward the entry-side of the hallway, a steep set of stairs lead upward to three small bedrooms and a bathroom, all tastefully furnished to allow for a homely and yet as spacious of a feeling as could be afforded in the small space of the townhouse. The basement was Koemi's haven of gaming, and while one end was entirely storage packed in neat little blue bins, her technical setup and study cove was rather impressive. Of course, he'd see that later, as the front hall was the only thing available for his viewing pleasure at the moment.

"Can I take your coat? We'll be heading downstairs as soon as lunch is ready."

It was a well put together home, it's humble outer exterior was put to shame by its clearly homely design. Adam could tell that there was much love and laughter in this home, and it warmed him to be welcomed here.

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

He said, casting off his jacket for Koemi to take. He moved to the side, as to give her room to walk by as he took off his shoes, setting them aside what he could only assume to be Koemi's shoes by the front door. Slinging his book bag over his right shoulder, he started to wonder up the hallway, admiring her lovely home, yet still he didn't want to get to far ahead of himself, so he waited for Komei before his rather adventures spirit took him over.

"So, are we going up stairs or down?"

He asked, coming upon the two sets of stairways. He looked to her with a smile, the situation having overjoyed, he still couldn't really belieave he was here, in Melodia's actual home.

Taking hold of his jacket, she neatly hung it upon a bamboo hanger and stored it in a rather bare hall closet just off to the side of the door. Because her family had lived in this small home since she was little, they had learned to use the space they had with utmost efficiency, never being overzealous with their item acquisition.

"No problem."

She then moved down the hall and into the kitchen to turn down the heat on the simmering soup. She also had dumplings sizzling in a pan, and neat bento boxes with rolls and rice that she'd premade. All in all, pretty scrumptious.

"Downstairs, remember? I just said that."

Of course she said it with a smile, but she did find it rather amusing that he had forgotten in the five seconds that she took his coat.

"Right.."

He said with a smile, had he been so wrapped in the situation that he didn't even hear her? Get it together Adam, he thought as he headed down the steps. He's senses truly weren't in check since his little incident with Koemi at the door, because he just now noticed the smell of something lovely in the kitchen. Had she done all this for him? NO! NO, stop it!!

Shaking his head, as to free himself from these perpetual thoughts he came upon something truly breath taking. The hums of hardrives, the sound of whirling fans...so this is where the Great Melodia commanded her Knights. He couldn't help but admire her set up, as he began to explore around a bit in the basement, it wasn't too different from his own.

Once again it occurred him that this all...was real, he was truly here, in a cherished friend's home. For so long he thought such things only possible in a game, but...here he was. He could help but smile as his hand brushed along side the basement walls.

...Dad.

She was only a few minutes in preparing the boxes, tea, and soup. While pretty confident in her cooking skills (so long as she had a recipe, she could make something delicious), she hoped that he didn't mind the traditional cuisine. I mean, sure, he lived in Japan, but whenever they were gaming, he'd only stop playing for pizza or other typically american-style food deliveries. She didn't really have a backup in case he didn't enjoy her cooking...

Oh well, fingers crossed.

Thankfully, because she'd been so distracted on her journey down the steps, she didn't stumble, and managed to set the tray she'd used to carry everything on one of her worktables. She'd already planned ahead enough to set her notes on a different table while they ate.

"Hope you're hungry."

She spoke as she found him brushing the unpainted drywall of the basement. Only a thin carpet laid beneath their sock feet, though the underpadding allowed it to be comfortable enough. Koemi managed to procure another rolling chair, evidently in much better shape than the well-worn seat at her desk. Rolling the new chair into place at the worktable for him, she gestured to his portion of lunch even while taking her own portion over to her trio of monitors and quietly humming machines a few paces away.

"Let me know if you need anything else. It's just green tea, but I can get you a can of pop or something if you want it."

Everything looked so good, as he offered his thanks to her for doing this. Even though Adam lived in Tokyo, rarely did he eat Japanese cuisine. Without even knowing it she had done him a greater kindness, by changing up his routine of pizza and other fast foods.

Taking his seat, he placed his hands together with a clap to give grace..

"Itadakimasu~"

And with he quickly found his chopsticks, eager to try Melodia's dishes outside of AO. Just how did her genius in a kitchen transfer from the game to real life? In AO, she had a reputation as one of the greatest chiefs in all the nations, people used to come from all over to try her recipes which were still sell for high prices on the market.

Taking a sample of his noodles, Adam had become shocked to find, that Koemi was an even greater cook outside of AO. Quickly he found himself taking another bite, and then another, and then another! It was just sooo good...

"Koemi...this is amazing!"

His complement was well deserved, and Adam was truly grateful for her taking the time to make a lunch for them to share. Oh how her Knights would flip if Rylin where to show up, singing praises of his meeting with their Captain on the other side. Of how their cute IRL leader, made him such a delicious lunch...they'd surely try and have him executed out of jealousy.

A started laughing a bit at his rather goofy thoughts, before looking over at Koemi. He was a bit sad that they couldn't sit together but..this was alright. That unreal feeling came upon him again, as if he was still trying to convince himself that this was all really happening.

He truly wished that this was no dream...for he was having a wonderful time here...with her.

"So this is Melodia's base of operations huh? I gotta say, I was expecting walls covered in the heads of her slain enemies."

He said jokingly, trying to spark a friendly conversation. He was never a fan of eating in silence...when he could help it.

Already with a roll deposited upon her tongue, her eyes widened a little at his praise. Wait, the American liked it? Shit! He really liked it! After a few well-placed bites, she was able to grin, waving her chopsticks in a small circle as she inclined her head ever so slightly.

"Thank you, thank you. You're too kind."

Digging in in earnest now that the nerves knotting her stomach has dissipated, Koemi settled into a state of perfect calm. She felt comfortable in Adam's presence, even if the awkward tension from earlier seemed to linger. Their meetings were often like this on AO, considering the events on and off the battlefield had brought them far closer than any leader and her right hand man ought to be, some might say.

She'd finished the majority of the rolls and was sipping her soup quietly when he asked after her setup, leaving her to peer at him over the rim of her bowl.

"Mm? Nah, I use the blood of the fallen to cool my CPU."

Setting the bowl down, she stared at him in all seriousness, even if she was cracking up on the inside. Koemi leaned forward to retrieve her chopsticks and the small box filled with assorted goodies, picking out her absolute favourites to consume first. She cracked a smile then, just before she popped a delicious pan-fried red bean fritter into her mouth.

Nervously he laughed, as it was a funny remark, yet Koemi looked very serious about it, yet right at the end he saw her smile and a light tint of red came to his face. He couldn't get a final peg on her which made him only want to get to know her more. He wondered if she felt the same why as he took a another bite of his delicious meal, while at the same time trying to had his rather goofy expression.

He couldn't help but wonder if she was as intrigued in him as he was in her...Koemi had turned out to be far more than he expected...he just hoped he was living up to the Ryilin Ouse name..

"I'm glad you let me come over Koemi, I really wanted to meet you.."