Delicate Love

Shiori turned down the offer with a shake of her head. After all, they were eating basically the same thing so there was no point. Time went on, and the more time Shiori spent with Penny, the more she didn't want to leave her presence. Everything was simpler and nicer when Penny was around. Everything glowed with warmth, but none more so than Penny. This was a feeling that Shiori didn't recognise, but she didn't shun it.

There was not much time left in the day so Shiori had no more plans to attend to. "This was what I was doin'," she said. Suddenly her tough countenance softened with a shy look. "B-but if you wanna hang out more, I'm down."

"Yeah!" It was out of her mouth before Shiori realised how childish and uncool she sounded, being this excited. "Uh, yeah, I mean if you're okay with that."

"Shit," Shiori grunted, putting her arm protectively in front of Penny. "Stay here." Her voice was much more aggressive than usual, even a little scary. She was pissed and herself a little scared. Who could have done this to Penny? Sweet Penny. If something had happened to her lovely house, Shiori didn't want her to see it and get sad. "Stay here," she said again, more softly, before tiptoeing over to Penny's door.

Shiori's lip curled. She felt the deepest, most primal feeling of dread and disgust looking around at the carnage in Penny's home. Jesus Christ... Even Shiori's place would be safer than this. Shiori returned outside to Penny, and asked, "ya got anyone ya can stay with to be safe?" She wouldn't go putting Penny in more danger by taking her to her place, so they may as well inform one of Penny's friends or family members.

Shiori was taken aback. "Ya don't have no one at all to stay with?" she asked her in disbelief, forgetting for a moment that Penny's home, Penny's life, had been invaded and messed up. "Y-ya must do. Friends? Family? Anyone?" It sounded like Shiori really didn't want to have to let Penny stay at her place - but why?

"No!" Shiori snapped, gripping Penny's arm and stopping her from going into her house. She had surprising strength for someone so tiny. "I-I'll get ya important stuff, just stay here. We... We'll figure somethin' out." She turned and went back into Penny's house to find her documents, and get a bag packed with her clothes. She couldn't find any underwear whatsoever, which made her feel sick to her stomach. What was just as worrying was that Penny might have to find out how Shiori lived.

Shiori was back in a few minutes, with a few items of salvaged clothing and a mobile phone charger, and her passport, which had thankfully been left alone. Shiori assumed Penny kept all of her cards and other ID in her purse on her. Because Shiori didn't have much of her own at her own place, she also picked up some shampoo and soap. "W-we gonna call the police," she said. Shiori didn't trust the police as far as they could throw tear gas, but Penny needed more help than Shiori could give.

[Oh okay never mind my mini idea for the police.] Shiori suggested that there was a creep who was hanging around Penny a lot at the library, whom Penny had inexplicably forgotten about. From Shiori's perspective, he was the only one it could be. The police didn't take note of that though, as they were in and out so fast. Probably took one look at Shiori and decided it wasn't worth sticking around for. Grunting, Shiori hoisted Penny's bag of stuff over her shoulder and made her way down the street. "Ya can stay at mine," she said reluctantly.

"Would ya feel safe there?" Shiori asked incredulously. Penny obviously didn't believe Shiori when she said she thought it was the guy from the library either. "Look, ya'd probably be comfier 'n just as safe at the library as at ma house. But ya shouldn't be alone right now, 'specially not there... Ma place ain't nice," she added, stopping short and looking at Penny imploringly. "Please don't judge me for it. It ain't safe 'n it ain't pretty, but I'mma protect ya, Penny. I wanna keep ya safe, even if it means draggin' ya through the mud to ma level."

Shiori returned the brief smile, then took Penny's hand and led her off. After a few moments, Shiori regretted the decision to hold Penny's hand because it was a bit awkward. But then as time went on and they got used to it, it was the most comfortable thing in the world. Holding Penny's hand was the warmest sensation... They were walking through some really rough neighbourhoods when they got to Shiori's dwelling. It didn't look hospitable at all, it leered down at them and from inside they could hear shouting and banging. "Here," Shiori put her jacket over Penny's head. "No one bothers me but if someone catches wind of a cutie like you..." She trailed off and led Penny into her abysmal abode.

Inside Shiori's small apartment building, it smelled of damp and cigarettes. Penny was led up some creaky stairs that had a few people sleeping on them. Behind doors were all sorts of noises of discontent. This would be what hell looked like. Shiori hurriedly took Penny up a couple of flights and along a narrow corridor to a door that looked flimsy. Shiori's key got stuck and she had to shove it with all her tiny might before it would open. At least, once inside Shiori's apartment, things seemed a little cleaner, but it was so cold and bare, with only minimal furnishings. The walls were covered with all manners of posters, newspaper clippings, anything to do with boxing and pro-fighting. Beyond that, this place was lifeless and bleak. "Sorry," Shiori blurted out, looking down in shame.