It was an oddity, a peculiar situation to be explaining. No one would really believe such a story as she wished to tell, likely due to his fascination with fantasy and fables.
She carefully packed a few things into a bag, stuffing a blanket in to cushion them. Throwing the strap of the bag over her shoulder and making her way downstairs, she stopped to say “I'm going on a picnic with a friend, papa. I'll be back before nightfall.” Only the response of drunken, incoherent mumbling was given. She shook her head, thinking to herself ‘This is why Edgar left us.’
She was beginning to think that the bumbling oaf on the sofa was nothing short of the devil himself. How could one be so cruel as to chase off such an innocent person?
She opened the front door to start venturing out to that same path as before, only now being guided by the warm daylight. Fairy gently closed the door, walking out towards the woods near the house. She spotted a deep footprint in the dirt left behind due to the impact of being hit, seeing a cobblestone path leading through the direction it faced. She hummed quietly to herself, cautiously following the path and being sure to observe any familiarities. It wasn't so frightening in the morning, unlike whatever night terrors it was before.
As she made her way into the clearing, she began to realize that she must've been right a few nights prior. It truly was much prettier in the daylight. Lovely flowers, greenery, it seemed very calm. The trees provided a nice shade, not directly in the sunlight, but not too dark either. She began to understand why this particular spot was a favorite of that very girl.
Fairy carefully set her bag down, opening it to pull out the blanket and set it on a flat rock between a few others. She had packed a set of teacups and a pot, along with a container of the tea itself that had retained some of its heat. She poured the tea into the pot, thinking the container was much less flattering. After she finished her little setup, she began looking around, thinking to herself.
“How would I get her to come back..” She murmured, trying to recall how it happened in the first place. What was it again? Crying, curling up in a ball, speaking very negatively.
So, in a completely reasonable and totally sensible manner, she sat down on a cleaner rock and began to fake cry, saying things such as “I'm so lost” and “I'm gonna die out here.” However, she eventually stopped when someone tapped her shoulder.
“You could have just said my name.” The spirit muttered, “Or, you could at least attempt to brush up your acting.”
Fairy flinched, then awkwardly looked up. “O- oh, my apologies! I just wasn't quite sure how to get your attention, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to sit with me for a while?” She offered a small smile, hoping that her friendliness would be reciprocated. She found it that she must've been easy to get along with, considering many people were willing to be her friend. She only struggled with some of the more dark and brooding people she'd come across.
The other seemed to ponder for a moment, then sighed quietly. “I suppose. I don't think I have much else to do, other than continue my search for a prized possession from before the modern era.” She took a seat parallel to Fairy at the makeshift table, folding her hands together on her lap. “Tea party?”
“Yeah.. I thought it would be okay for a hangout. I like them very much.” Fairy nodded, taking the teapot and carefully pouring a cup for the other, then for herself. “Do you like tea parties, Kochou?”
“They're alright.” She seemed very indifferent to everything that she answered, though Fairy could slightly make out a few emotions. She managed to pinpoint a bit of equanimity, peacefulness. So personally, she assumed that Kochou must've been enjoying it so far.
“Ah. They're very calming.” Fairy took a small sip of her tea, watching Kochou stare blankly before doing the same. She wasn't too sure of what to say, but she really didn't want the ghost to leave just yet. “What do you like to do in your free time?”
Kochou stared endlessly at the liquid in the cup. Fairy thought she was very mysterious, very interesting. She'd never met someone so vague and unemotional, it made her wonder what was truly beneath that exterior. “I wander around a bit, torment a particular soul. Atleast, he thinks I am tormenting him. I just want something back, is all, though he's too quick to jump to conclusions about the meaning behind my visits.” She paused to drink her tea. “He has something very special of mine.”
“Oh? Would it be too much to ask what it is..?” Fairy questioned, hoping that she didn't seem too pushy.
“It's merely something small..” Kochou seemed mildly upset for a moment, then returned to the typical state of neutrality. “A doll, I guess. He found it after my passing and kept it to remember, I believe. Though, I would appreciate it if I could have it back in my possession, even if I do appreciate that he has kept it safe.”
Fairy wanted to ask who “he” was, yet it seemed a bit personal if the other was not mentioning it. She propped her head up on her hand, taking in the information before smiling warmly. “I'm sure you'll get it back someday.” Kochou nodded in response, and Fairy gave them a moment of silence before asking another small question or two. She took it as a moment to get to know her better. If she asked something, Kochou would answer, but would hardly ask her anything in return. She tried offering a few comments here and there about herself, wanting it to seem like a friendly exchange of basic information.
Soon, she wished she had come out earlier, rather than waiting until afternoon. Time certainly does seem to fly when you're having fun, and the supply of tea is never infinite. Any plan of staying much longer was thrown overboard like those crates in a much more historical tea party at the words that signified the end of their outing.
“It's a bit dark outside. I think that you should return home before you can't see the path any longer.” Kochou stood, carefully moving to grab Fairy's bag for her, setting aside the glass to fold the blanket up. Fairy was appreciative of the help, packing the rest of her belongings back up and stalling for a moment longer. She wanted to give her a little hug before she left, but she figured that it would be too soon, and that they weren't close enough yet. She would rather take things slow and give her time.
“See you soon?” She asked, turning back to Kochou before she left.
“Perhaps.” The ghost hummed.
Fairy nodded, giving a bit of a melancholic smile before she began to follow the same path as she took before, making her way back to the lonely little house she called home.
“Soon enough,” she whispered to herself.
“Very, very soon.”