wandering around the ruins(for senna)

[Matana]

It was near evening by the long shadows dancing about the ruins. The ruins were deserted save for a single soul. A little shadow bobbed up and down in the dying light. It was a child about six years of age and it was crouched in the sand. The child appeared to be digging in judging by the way she was moving her hands.

Matana glanced up from her task to tuck her dark hair back behind her ear. She was worried about getting caught here, what reason could she give to make them believe her if she was asked what she was doing. she didn't usually risk coming here until later in the evenings when she was sure she would not be seen, but she was unsettle by her encounter with those tourist a month or so back. What if they had turned her into the police. or worse.

She shuddered at that thought and softly sang to herself a tune she knew well. It was a lullaby her mother sang when she couldn't get to sleep. It still comforted her when she at times regretted taking on her burden. Matana though mature for her age was still young.

Dressed in a long shirt that was much too big for her, she was still kneeling intent on her work. It reached her ankles and the sleeves had to be rolled up at least four times to give her the use of her hands. She wore it as a dress and actual had a dress in her bag but didn't wear it often. Matana only took that out when she went into Cairo to get more food or money.

Both of these things were kept in her bag long with some other things that Matana felt she needed. She had a small peeling knife and some fruits that she bought with stole money for her supper and perhaps breakfast too if she was careful. And she had Teddy, her stuffed bear one of the few items she took with her when she fled her home little more than a year ago. The bag was within arms reach and the knife was at the top of it.

[senna]

Senna wandered the ruins steadily and carefully, making sure not to slip on any of the remnants of… whatever had once been here. She enjoyed making the carefully planned motions with her feet as it was something else to focus on; something other than what would become of her when she returned back to her home in Japan. She could only stand staying at the estate for so long… too many memories, some unpleasant and some good. She wondered to herself why her family had moved out of the estate in the first place. While she figured it was because they wanted to be inside Cairo rather than on the outskirts, she quite preferred the spacious home to a home in the busy streets of Cairo.

This was her third trip to Egypt since she had left it behind in pursuit of other things. During her last one she had encountered a strange but enchanting young girl. Senna looked back on that visit now, trying to recall most of it. Had they shared fruit together? She thought they had but she wasn’t quite sure. All she really knew for certain was that that girl was wise beyond her years. It was sad she was but a street urchin, for Senna believed that perhaps that girl could offer the world something special. And in fact, maybe the girl would one day in penance for all that she had taken from people, even if it were for her to survive. Karma had a strange way of going about things at times.

Senna turned her thoughts back to her current hike, raising her leg to place her foot on a stone. But her footing fell short and she slid backward slightly, though she managed to swing back on her other leg and kept herself from falling into the dirt and sand of the ruins. That was what she got for zoning out, she supposed. She looked up, examining the sky, now wondering why she had come out to the ruins so late. She knew full well that they could get dangerous in the dark, and it was near evening already. She had no flashlight to guide her should night fall before she managed to get back. But while she knew it was unwise of her, she did not want to head back just yet. She loved it outside… being alone. No matter what ails may befall her she wanted to stay.

Senna stood in place, lowering her head and letting out a sigh that may have been a mix of tiredness and thankfulness – thankful for the fact that she hadn’t fallen. But while she stood there, a soft – was it a voice? – sound reached her ears and she looked around, trying to pinpoint the direction it was coming from. And finally she spotted what was likely the source. A lone figure, moving slightly in one position… was this person digging? It was strange to Senna, so she disregarded that thought. Perhaps the person was hurt instead and needed help.

“Hello?” she called out, “are you alright?” And Senna felt a draw to this person already. Almost as if it were the same girl from before… from when Senna had paraded about the market of Cairo dressed entirely in white. Well, she was dressed in darker clothing now, and wearing brown boots that she didn’t know the name of. All she knew was that the boots were durable, but not heavy enough to be called combat boots. And they had a decent grip… despite her almost mishap.

The young woman headed forth to the direction of the person. They weren’t too far away, for Senna could just catch the sound of the voice and it seemed they would be singing only softly to themselves.

(excuse fail post xD)

[Matana]

Matana's head jerked up in surprise when she heard the voice so close to her. She had heard it somewhere before hadn't she? Matana suddenly remember a meeting with a girl in white and talking to her. Saying goodbye to her and the girl nice good bye to herself before she ran off it this place. How did she find me here of all places. Her voice failed when the next verse was half finished. She reached for her bag, hand straying to the small sharp knife. Which she used for peeling fruit like the ones in her bag at that moment.

Think of her juicy fruit made her mouth water and her stomach growl. Dusting her left hand on her shirt and reached for a citrus fruit, remember it was one of the ones she had eaten that day. The day she had chosen to visit the ruin but had stopped to pick up breakfast before hand. She backed farther into the shadows and purposely kicked stand backwards into the hole she had recently dug. Hoping it would hide her work and what lay at the bottom of the hole. She sat back against the wall of the ruins and waited for the approach of Senna. She began to take the peel of her fruit releasing the lovely scent that fruits had.

“Hello Miss Senna. How are you this fine evening?” she called out by way of announcing her presence “OH! Be careful of the sand ahead of you there a little dip. I nearly fell into on my way here.” Matana was slight disconcerted that the woman had found her here but tried not to show it. “I can’t see you too well in this light but can you see me? What are you doing here at this late hour? I like the color of your clothing, its good cover.” She smiled in spite of her nervousness.

[senna]

Senna looked toward the shadow, the voice of the other person reaching her ears. She recognized it to be that of a child’s, and now Senna was certain that she had – however coincidentally – encountered the girl from her last visit. The oddity that they should meet in the ruins of all places struck the young red-head, and she shook her head slightly, the old-style cabbie hat on her head slid down as she did so and she then pushed it up. Yes, the hat was too big for her, but she appreciated the cover of larger items.

Unnerved that the girl knew it was her before she’d even approached her fully, Senna found herself nodding in the half-darkness at the girl’s greeting. “Matana? Is that really you?” Senna came closer, taking steady, long strides, her long legs leading her forward to someone she hadn’t seen in quite a while. “I wouldn’t expect to have found you here, of all places. I thought you preferred the more populated areas.” This was a reference to the girl’s being a pickpocket. Senna knew what the girl was, and did not silently scold her for it. If that was the way the girl had to live, so be it. Senna wouldn’t judge. In fact, morals were hardly something that she cared to deal with. They were so flexible, when she looked at it. Morality was truly a questionable concept to her, so she did what she wanted when she wanted, although she thought things through and didn’t just jump headfirst into anything by any means.

As Senna approached, she looked down at the ground, trying to keep an eye out for the dip the girl had – seemingly- kindly notified her of. The last thing Senna wanted was to bruise her pride in front of a child. It may have been odd that she was worried about what a child thought of her, but this was Senna, who had quite an ego. And she also knew that the young Matana was a different sort of child. Someone… perhaps special. And to make a fool of oneself in any circumstance didn’t settle right with Senna. It didn’t matter who it was, whether a bum on the street or a white-collar professional. She always tried to look put-together and confident.

“I’m afraid I could only see your shadow from where I was, but now that I’m closer I can see you a bit better.” Senna replied, “And your guess is as good as mine. I suppose I felt like I needed a hike, but now I’m wondering why I chose to come out so late.” And it was true. She didn’t know the ruins too well, so perhaps she’d made a stupid choice. But then again, the girl was also there. There was a chance that she may be able to get the girl to guide her back… maybe.

But then Senna looked at the girl, an almost suspicious look dancing across her features as she furrowed her brow, “and why are you here? Don’t you think the ruins are a bit dangerous at dark?” But Senna wasn’t stupid. She believed the girl had been here at this time many times before, and probably knew the ruins better than Senna ever would, especially because she didn’t make trips to Egypt too often.

“Good cover?” Senna chuckled lightly, “what do you mean by that?” A slight smile played on her face. It was amazing. Senna didn’t enjoy company very often, but this girl was something else.

(ooc: sorry, I couldn’t remember if Matana gave Senna her name or not. If she didn’t just let me know and I’ll edit my post. And again, not one of my best posts. My muse is so totally dead.)

[Matana]

The child stared up at the red hair young woman, studying her carefully for changes. Matana did like Senna's clothing it would make her harder to see as it got darker and would be good if some one came snooping. "You’re harder to spot in black than in white in the dark, blend in." And easier to hide if we have too, She added this part silently and just smiled shyly up at Senna.

Fate had tossed them together yet again seemingly by happenstance. Her eyes were filled with unnatural wisdom. Which some perceived as just an odd something , about her eyes others as knowledge that is incongruous to her young body.

Matana took a deep breathe and let it out slowly. This will take some explaining, she thought and it was best to start with the simple. “I live here, Senna.” Her voice was barely above a whisper and that was a simple as it got." they never know I’m here. I’m very careful that they never see me." by 'they' she meant the various teams that came through every so often and the tourists of course but those are less frequent at night and she isn't here during the day.

Matana heard her name and it took a moment to register what Senna had said. Her curious look turned to one of surprise then fear. “How did you learn of that name?" she voice had sharpened with a touch of fear. It was not a nice sound at all. Mumbling to her self, “I haven't heard that name in almost two years. Left it behind..." Her voice trailed of weakly. She hadn't told Senna her name the last time they had met. She had been careful about that hadn't she?

Matana repeat a question now, suspicions rising foremost above all other emotions outweighing even the fear of pursuit. "Why are you here?" She wished to trust Senna but, they were so close right now that she had to be sure of her intentions before acting.

Her run in with the man with the shiny sliver case had retightened her instinct to be wary.

(sorry for the long wait )