Nutritious Encounter?

Continued from Here

As soon as they entered the mall, the grocery store would be directly to their left. Gemini took in the first floor of the place and was amazed at how crowded and loud it was. The smile that she had just been giving Ceo slowly fell as she became a little uncomfortable. Her gaze lingered on the many men walking about and a sense of uneasiness entered her. It wasn't with all of the men however, mostly just those that were wearing red-like colors. Because of this, she didn't observe as much as the mall as she wanted and instead made her way to the entrance of Mandrake Groceries while doing her best to avoid physical contact with the many people around her. She turned to see if Ceo was still with her and gave him a reassuring smile. She knew he would have noticed her sudden shift in behavior.

"Let's get whatever you want first." She said, her face and voice returning to neutral. One would wonder if the girl were truly bipolar with the way she switched moods and drawled out her words.

Ceodore followed behind Gemini's brisk pace. He was smiling a bit himself, glad that the young woman was enjoying herself so far. However, there was something amiss when Gemini started to look around. The smile that graced her lips so beautifully, had slowly faded away. Ceo himself felt uneasy as he tried to figure out what was bothering her. That was when Gemini turned around and gave him a reassuring smile. He returned it, smiling a bit brighter, but still worried about her well-being.

"You sure? I mean what I want is pretty easy to find. Your shopping could be done first for efficiency and we can make sure the meat won't spoil while I shop around for you." He said, smiling. Ceodore didn't want to bring up the sense of unease he was getting from Gemini. Not yet, at least. Right now, he'd just focus on spending time with her and saving the questions until they went back to their room.

Gemini shrugged at Ceo's words. It wasn't like she was going to buy out the store or anything. There was very little specific things that she ate and he had been the one to request lots of meat and sake. All she would really need to survive would be rice and vegetables. Her budget, even with the money the bank usually gives to upstart citizens, was not enough to just blow through without a job. So without questioning Ceo, she pulled out a shopping cart and began to peruse the aisles. She kept her head up at first, deciding it best to find the aisle with rice first.

In her musings, she almost rammed into a young man with dark blue hair. He was wearing a red wind breaker with dark blue pants and red shoes. Her eyes shot open wide and she looked away swiftly, her face draining of color to ashen almost immediately. She turned down the nearest aisle without so much as an apology to the man, even ignoring his own apologies for not paying attention to where he was going.

It had been another joke that she had missed. Ceodore chuckled to himself and shook his head. He followed behind the young woman and was taking in the sights of the store. The place was set up like a super store. The thing had everything from clothing on one side of the store, to food and drink on the other, and lastly furniture and kitchen ware all in another section of the store. People were a bit abundant inside as well; food, clothing, and other essentials were usually what the people filled in their carts. Ceo was so caught up in everything, that he bumped into Gemini by accident when she suddenly stopped.

"Whoa, sorry about that" He said softly and noticed that she was as pale as a ghost. At the same time, she was staring intently at the man wearing the red wind-breaker. The next moment, she was off and down the next aisle, not even giving the guy an apology for nearly ramming him. Ceodore apologized in her place and started off after her.

"Hey, hey. Slow down! What's gotten into you, Gemini? Are you okay? Did you know that guy?" He asked with concern filling his tone. The young man had wanted to hold off on asking questions, but this upstart in worry that he was feeling just couldn't help but force him to voice his concern.

"No I don't know him, however, for some reason the color red terrifies me so." She spoke truthfully, like always. However, for the first time, Gemini wished she could let go of her teachings for just a moment and shut her damn mouth. Why was she telling this stranger so many things about herself? Even in her fright, her voice had risen several decibels and her body visibly shook slightly. Taking a deep breath, she tried to regain her composure, only partly succeeding.

"It's...it's no use worrying for the moment. Food is still important. Our objective." Her last sentence was spoken like a whisper.

Lucky enough, they had entered the aisle with rice so Gemini quickly scooped up three five pound bags and dropped them into the cart. "I will get fruits and vegetables, then we can retrieve your meat and sake." Her voice was almost back to normal. She even tried to smile again, but her racing heart beat was taking just a tad bit longer to settle. Instead it came off as a tired smirk. "Is there anything else we should acquire, so we won't need to make another trip?"

"The color red...?" He asked himself, pulling at a couple of strands in his obvious red hair. Despite that, he could tell Gemini was shaken up drastically. She was acting completely unlike herself and was frightened totally. The young man didn't dare lay a hand on her, but he walked a bit ahead of her and briskly put out his hand.

"Gemini. Slow down. Listen, your psyche and everything else is out of whack right now. Slow down, take a deep breath, and calm yourself before you end up having a nervous breakdown. Look, there's nothing to worry about, alright? I'm right here, okay? You have nothing to worry about when I'm around, so don't freak out too much, okay?" He said softly, giving her a warming smile so that she could know that he was there for her and not just lecturing her. After he did so, he turned around to the rest of the aisles and put a hand onto his chin.

"Sever boxes of tea and a bag of tobacco. After that, we'll be set." He confirmed. After that, they shouldn't have to come back here for quite a while.

Gemini noticed Ceo touch his hair and couldn't help but smile genuinely sadly. "Red clothes, only. I won't freak out over an apple or anything."

Gemini was planning on holding back a retort to Ceo's declaration of always being there for her, but she still couldn't help it. She needed to know... "Why? Me and you have not even known each other for a day, yet you make claims that as long as you are here I have nothing to worry about. Ceo forgive me for saying this but...I think our relationship is really strange." She admitted. She was speaking clearly and monotonously again, showing she was already moving on from the red clothing incident. Showing how much she was already progressing again, she visibly scowled at Ceo's words.

"I should have destroyed that pipe but I don't know what type of sentimental value it may hold for you. However, for your own health, you should stop smoking. Unless it's medicinal marijuana." She headed into the next aisle to grab the tea. She picked up chamomile and black frost herbal before standing aside for Ceo to grab some as well.

"Oh, well that's good then." He said, laughing a little just to ease the tension. However, when Gemini ended up replying to his reassurance, the tension between them grew even more. Ceodore never needed a reason to protect anyone, he just did. That's how he always was. The young man cared about those who he felt needed an extra helping hand. Gemini, though, didn't understand this because he never told her. She said it herself, their relationship was strange. Ceodore looked down slightly, his smile fading into a blank look.

"Guess she's right. We are just still strangers, after all..." He said to himself, picking up several boxes of green tea and a box of rose tea. The young man hadn't even acknowledged or noticed Gemini's chastising for him smoking, he was just too shocked at how she reacted towards his kindness. Ceo went to pick up a bag of tobacco, tossing it into the basket, and looking towards the meat deli where they were going next. He walked silently, deep in thought about everything.

Gemini's doe like eyes became clouded with confusion and curiosity as Ceo didn't respond to her small taunt. It was meant to ease the tension between them more but seemed as if it hadn't worked. She certainly didn't have a clue as to why the older gentleman suddenly became just as introverted as herself and not for the first time, she felt herself worried for him. Had she said something wrong, just as he had incidentally before? She had thought when she spoke about them having a strange relationship Ceo would hear the humor in her voice. However, even Gemini had to admit her tone of speaking didn't really hint at whether she were joking or not sometimes.

"I'm sorry if I said something to offend you. If not me, then what else is the matter?" She asked and apologized directly. She pushed the buggy slowly, standing right next to Ceo and looking up at the taller man. Her face shown absolute concern as her heterochromic eyes were glued to Ceo's mask, trying to peak through the cracks to see any change within his own multi-colored irises.

Ceodore wondered if he were pushing too much, or if he made her uncomfortable at times. True enough they only knew each other for a few hours, but during the journey and exchange of personal stories, Ceo believed they had become a bit closer. Maybe Gemini didn't feel that way, but he sure did. Feelings, however, have to be mutual. That was something Ceo always knew and he figured that now he had to just wait until Gemini came out of her shell.

Ceodore could hear the apologetic tone in Gemini's voice and see the concern in her eyes. When their eyes met, she'd be able to see in his eyes the concern and over all care he had for the young woman, despite how different and how long they've known each other. A small smile formed on his lips as he looked back at her. He shook his head and continued to peer into her eyes.

"Don't worry about it, you didn't do anything wrong. I promise nothing else is the matter." He said confidently. After doing so, he'd place an order for several pounds of beef, pork, and chicken. "Time for that sake now!" He'd say with a big laugh, putting the pounds of meat into the basket, yawning a little.

Gemini couldn't deny that she was frightened by the care in Ceo's eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she thought about how it reminded her of how much she knew her mother cared. Just as fast, though, she tried to push those emotions down. "I can use some sake right about now." She joked as Ceo laughed loudly.

As they entered the alcohol aisle, she held back a blush at all the alcohol around them. Imported brands from Vale and some home brewed types were on display. She hadn't seen so much alcohol since she left Grande...though the monks island came close. "The monks..." She began. "Used to drink every Saturday. Mostly as enlightenment training and releasing the innner urges of ones soul. But most of the time master admitted to just wanting to have some fun from the usual tight assed days." She chuckled at the memory before grabbing not only several bottles of premium sake, but a few coolers and a bottle of Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey as well. "I'll grab some Red Bull for this."

When they were done with the alcohol, Gemini would urge them to head back towards the vegetables. She had decided to just follow Ceo as the tension rose but now that things seemed to be settling again, she wanted her mixed veggies. A shiver went down her spine though. She could have sworn she heard a bunch of children and the laughter of a witch chanting 'Down with Vegetables!'.

"There you go! Lighten up a bit!" He'd laugh along with her as she agreed to wanting some alcohol. However, when it came to him getting two bottles of sake, Gemini ended up getting bottles of all these different liquors. His eyes widened at her gusto with getting the stuff, but the history explaining a bit of her drinking days was pretty cool.

"Nice. That story reminds me of how the family and I would all just drink until we either passed out, or started to fight with one another." Ceo chuckled softly. He was soon heading towards the veggie aisle with Gemini, seeing the eagerness in her to go back and get something from the place. Along the way, he could have sworn he heard some form of chanting, but just dismissed the thought has his imagination acting up again.

Reaching the fruits and vegetable section, Gemini immediately went into picking up all types of fresh apples, oranges, berries, and vegetables. There were exotic types not usually found or grown in the most safe of places as well. Like the teardrop shaped Heckletear Fruit. It was a pinkish colored fruit, showing that it was most likely grown somewhere tropical. Of course it was shaped like a tear drop with the stem sticking out the tip like a pear, however the bottom was perfectly rounded. The outside skin was as thick as an orange, yet it was just as edible as the skin of an apple and tasted sweeter than the fruit itself. The inside was as green as a watermelon, oddly enough, yet as the color suggested, it was a very sour fruit. It was the size of a small grapefruit as well. Gemini grabbed a dozen of the fruits, being her most favorite delicacy in the entire world.

"So you're a violent drunk, huh?" She shot a withering smile at Ceo, hoping to poke some fun at him. It was still a little weird for her, but she wasn't so out of touch with humanity as to not know how to enjoy herself. Gemini was definitely getting comfortable around Ceo, and it was starting to show. She was starting to act how she did even before she went to Roku Island.

"We should have gone to Hot Topic first. The food will spoil if we don't head back right away and I doubt either of us know a refrigeration spell." She sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to get any clothes that she actually wanted during this outing.

"Those are some odd looking fruit, but they do look tasty." He said as he saw her pick up around a dozen. The enjoyment from before was picking back up in Ceo and he was smiling a bit brighter once more. This was fun over all, just a few bumps a long the way was all.

Gemini soon asked if he were a violent drunk, and he merely shook his head.

"No, but my dad was and so is my sister. I usually try to mind my own business in my drunken stupor." Ceodore chuckle a little to himself and wondered how everybody back home was doing. A thought crossed his mind on how happy his mother would be if he brought a girl like Gemini back with him. He blushed slightly and shook the thought from his head. A trip like that wouldn't be romantic, but just to show her the sights.

Anyways, Gemini was getting worried for the food. They had just recently bought it, but there wasn't any need to get worried about it spoiling. "Thought you weren't getting much." Ceo joked, chuckling and looking at the young woman. He grinned a little and patted the packets of meat. "I can always stasis it. You know, put it in some form of suspended animation in time to keep it from spoiling, if you want to continue shopping that is."

She didn't blush this time, but she did hug the Heckletear fruits to her chest protectively before glaring at Ceodore. "This isn't even half as many as I want!" She blurted out with in just a decibel higher than her monotone. The tomboyish side of her that was prevalent with her clothing seemed to shine through at that moment, but also the childish side of her that came with her size. However, the smile that she gave Ceo right after before tossing him the bagged fruits and starting to push the buggy some more was definitely testament to her maturing age.

"Stasis it! Stasis my babies!" Gemini said, turning to face him with a serious gaze as she looked at the fruit. However, she finally did blush this time as she realized how she was acting and cleared her throat before slowly returning to the good 'ol stoic Gemini and pushing the buggy with blank expression, though a small smirk kept tugging at the corner of her lips. With shopping just about done, they were heading towards the check-out line.

Ceodore was suddenly, yet comically, taken aback by Gemini's sudden change in tone and actions. She was acting too adorable for even him. She must have really loved those fruit to feel so strongly about them. The young man had no idea of how they tasted, so he was completely unaware of what it was that attracted Gemini to them. Ceo nonetheless caught the bag of fruits and smiled back at Gemini.

"Are you going to share any with me?" He asked, but a gulp soon took him as he realized that she may have been the violent type to defend her food to the death. Too late now, though, as he had already answered the question. But then, a window of opportunity. He could easily distract her by performing the temporal stasis field over the fruit, thereby dumbfounding her and taking her mind off of the question. Quickly, he held out the bag of fruit with his left hand, picked up his right, and aimed it towards the back. His hand would spark with a whitish-grayish energy, that seem to spit out a noise akin to a fart.

"O-Ouch!" Ceodore exclaimed, sucking in his teeth. His power had shortened on him, evidenced by the smoke whisps coming from his glove. Ceo shook out his right hand and held the fruit close to him again. "On second thought, we may need to get this all paid for and get out of here." He would claim, chuckling nervously and in embarrassment.

Hearing the sound of Ceodore failing his spell, Gemini's face set in a humorless neutral glare. "You derp!" She called and sighed as she knew she wouldn't be getting any clothes that day.

Lucky for them the line wasn't very long. As the tiny girl settled into line, she looked at Ceo with a calculating gaze. She had constantly been wondering just what happened to make the two get along so well in the short amount of time they had known each other. Gemini still didn't really understand why she helped Ceo in the first place. She could have just as easily just left him where he crash landed, yet she didn't. She put up with her own fear of physical contact just to bring him to a safe place, even when she assumed he could possibly be evil.

In the middle of her thoughts, Gemini noticed a DVD she hadn't seen in a long time. She blushed as she remembered the movie and put it in the basket too. "South Park: Bigger, Badder, and Uncut." She mumbled.

Ceodore stared at Gemini with a very confused look as she called him a "derp." He didn't know what that meant at all and was just perturbed by what it meant. Without much thought he settled into line with Gemini and started to ponder on that word. Ceo tilted his head and let out a puff of a sigh before deciding to ask the young woman.

"What's a derp?" He asked with an innocence and ignorance akin to that of a child. His smile remained the same, however, and he didn't mind one bit about being called the word. That may change if he found out the meaning of the word, but he doubt he'd be offended by much of anything. In the meanwhile that followed, Ceodore noticed that Gemini had picked up some box with a colorful design on it, and set it in the basket. He looked at Gemini and pointed it to it too, looking at her with the same curious gaze from before. Seems like Ceo didn't get out much often.

Gemini held back the urge to facepalm at Ceo and settled on ignoring his question and the innocent look he attempted to do behind his mask. When he also pointed at the DVD she almost pulled her hair out, yet on the outside the only visible change would be a twitching eye brow. "You...are truly a derp..." She whispered to herself this time. They were moving up in line and would be next up.

"It's a cartoon movie...we can watch it sometime...together." She blushed just a bit, thinking about curling up on the couch in a blanket while Ceo sat on the floor right in front of her and let her play with his silky looking hair. It wasn't truly physical contact, but it was the closes she would probably get, even within her own mind. She wouldn't deny herself the fact that she liked the thought, even though she did feel it was misplaced within the time frame of her meeting Ceo and actually getting to know him.

"You have to have a favorite movie. Everyone in the universe, including the 5000 year old ancients, have favorite movies."

"That sounds nice, actually. I would like that." He said in response to Gemini offering to watch the cartoon movie with him. Ceodore smiled at her, wondering why she was blushing, not really understanding what that encounter would mean for her. Once they had been up for checking out, they paid for their groceries then started on their way out the grocery store. Along the way, Gemini had mentioned that everyone should have had a favorite movie and mentioned something about 5,000 year old ancients.

"Well, I have no idea what a movie or a 5,000 year old ancient is, but I do know I love the plays that my clans usually perform. My favorite is called, 'The Wolf Who Ate the Moon.' It's a story on a very fat wolf who hate the moon that the rabbit had worked so hard on making perfectly circular. The play is like a children's story on why there are craters in the moon and it happens to be my favorite." Ceodore said, chuckling as he was remembering several scenes form the play. Those were good times indeed.

The fact that Ceodore wasn't from her world, she knew she shouldn't have expected him to know about the history or facts of their world. She sighed with and shook her head with a smile. "I suppose that counts. I've never heard of that play, but I'm sure we could go see it on the Vale Continent."

Grande and Malycio had plays of any and everything, including acts said to be from different worlds and dimensions. Gemini had only ever seen 1 play before, when she snuck into the Atrium des Theatres de Grande. It was a play about the fall of the Hyuga Clan, spurred by the Kusanagi Zaibatsu.

Gemini's smile began to fall. She sighed again, this time in exasperation. "We can discuss this all over lunch at the hotel. Unfortunately I doubt we'll have much time for a while. I have a few things I need to get started on."

Ceodore's eyes lit up with an excited glimmer as they were making their way out of the Mega Mall and back onto the path. Gemini had mentioned that it was entirely possible to re-watch the play on the Vale Continent. However, with how reclusive and secretive the clan was, he doubted they'd be able to capture the full motion and meaning behind the play's own theme. He left that one up to fate and see how it'd literally play out.

"If they do, I'd more than happy to see it with you. Maybe then you'd be able to get a good grasp on my culture." He'd say with a smile. Gemini on the other hand seemed to very on-edge at the moment. Ceo shot a worried glance in her direction, but figured that she was right and it was best to save the conversation until lunch time at the hotel.

"Guess we both have to get busy soon. Well, in that case, let's get going!" Ceodore exclaimed, carrying the bags into his arms, and taking off with an excited burst of speed towards the hotel once more. "Try to keep up, Gemini!"

Gemini wasn't prepared for Ceo to up and start running but she smiled anyway and began to follow at a more leisure pace. Though Gemini knew this type of unorthodox friendship was rare and few in between, she knew it also wouldn't last either. They didn't have much time to enjoy in the company of each other, but while they did, she would try to enjoy it to it's fullest.

To Be Continued...