The Takekuro girl approached the porch of the Chien Hotel. . . and to the likely surprise of anyone who knew her personally, was coming from the wrong direction! On any other given day, Orin would have emerged from within the pack’s common rooms, coming out into the sunlight for the first time that day or, possibly, the first time in several days. But today she approached from outside the gates. There was a light squeak of old hinges as she pulled the wrought-iron gate open and slipped her thin frame through, being sure to latch it properly behind her. As always, she had a bright, cheerful expression painted on her visage, and also a leather-bound tome tucked under one arm – today she had gone out without the sack she typically carried her supplies in.
She noticed her brother on the porch immediately and offered a smile that could shame sunshine. Crossing the garden was quick work for her, and she didn’t seem to stop long enough to be perturbed by the garden’s disarray as her brother had. Of course it could be more beautiful, but this was the only state Orin had ever known this garden to be in. Well, this or covered with snow, which wasn’t a bad alternative. Anyway, she had little to no talent for botany, and wasn’t about to start now. This place was changing her a lot, and for the better, but yard work was still something that hadn’t yet peaked her interest.
Prancing up to her brother, she bounded up the steps onto the porch and propped her book up on the boards against the railing. “Hey,” her voice was as sickeningly cheery as ever. “Shouldn’t you be out doing something? You’re too lazy.” She raised an eyebrow, but was clearly joking. It was just a role reversal, for once, him being back at the Hotel while she had been out all morning.