(no subject)

[ki2k]

KITT was paying attention, really. Michael was speaking to an informant about their latest case, looking for any leads, trying to find a way to crack it open. So KITT was of course paying attention, reading the man's body language, any nuances in the way the man phrased his statements, the word choices the man was making.

But in the midst of it all, something - someone - else was catching his attention, distracting him away from his duties to Michael. Not that he would shirk his responsibilities, never! But with one scanner still tracking Michael, he silently fired up his engine and rolled slowly over to observe more closely the person who had caught his eye.

It was a young woman in a nearby grocery parking lot. Dark haired, slim, attractive. It was only very recently that he'd begun to notice the physical attributes of humans - female or otherwise - in anything other than an academic sort of way. It surprised him that he would notice such things while in his current form, but he chalked that up to the reason he'd noticed her in the first place - she'd just managed to spill her groceries all over the parking lot after one of the bags broke. She looked flustered, tired, and thoroughly finished with her day.

KITT moved along, slipping behind some other cars, making certain there was no one around to see what he was doing, the change he was making. After, he cast a quick scan over to Michael, making sure he was still talking and that KITT was not needed, then he made his way as casually as he could over to where the young woman was angrily gathering up her dropped groceries.

"Ah, hello? Sorry, I don't mean to startle you, but I couldn't help noticing your predicament. Could you use any help with that?" He offered her what he hoped was a friendly smile.

Comments

[pyroknight]

It had been a long day at work. Three spills in the milk isle and more than a handful of reengage children pulling items off the lower shelves. She couldn't let herself leave until everything had been put back into order and then she had to do her own shopping. Her head was spinning and she was tired.

Then the bag broke. She was so close to the end of her shift and the bag broke. It was her fault really. She should have used a plastic bag instead of a paper one. Maybe this was karma's way of saying that things were going to smoothly.

Her head snapped up when she heard the voice speak above her. "Oh. Hello." Ruri stared for a second before snapping back to attention. "Sorry. I mean I could use help."

For a writer, she was certainty having a hard time figuring out what to say.

[ki2k]

Even without her okay, he'd already started gathering up some of the stray items, but his smile grew wider when she agreed. "You've certainly got your hands full, don't you?"

He looked around for a place to put the items, then paused. "Why don't I go get another bag for you? You know, you should get one of those canvas shopping bags." He nodded to let her know he'd only be a second, then jogged toward the store to ask for more bags, bringing them back out to her once he'd retrieved them.

"Do you live far?" He started rebagging everything, putting the heavier things on the bottom, making sure the bags would hold this time.

[pyroknight]

Reusable bag, she should have thought of that.

Ruri was about to respond to him when he went jogging off towards the store. She sighed to herself as she collected the rest of her items and put them in a neat little pile, all the while talking to herself. "That's what you need Ruri, some overly attractive guy watching you struggle with groceries." She groaned again. "Today sucks."

She turned when she heard his foot steps approaching. "Thanks." She smiled before filling the new bag with her groceries.

"Yeah. I live a few blocks away. It's not far." She always ended up working close to her house. "You really don't have to help me. You've been really nice already." She wasn't used to people being nice.

[ki2k]

KITT was practical like that.

And he wasn't judging, or feeling as though she was incompetent because she was having a bad day. He saw someone who needed help and offered, that was all.

"You're welcome." She had a pretty smile. He found himself staring for a moment before catching himself and helping her again.

He thought over her words, flicking a glance back over to Michael, who was still animatedly talking. They weren't discussing the case any longer, now they were more speaking like old friends. The fact that they'd known this particular informant for quite some time probably had something to do with it. KITT would still be in close enough range to monitor Michael while being able to help the young woman get her groceries safely home.

"I don't mind. Are we walking?" He reached over to heft up the heaviest of the bags into his arms, then remembered his manners. "My name is Kitt, by the way. This is no trouble at all, so don't worry about it."

[pyroknight]

"Yeah, walking." She realized that she was staring and shook her thoughts into order. "It's good for you."

Ruri took one of the two bags and looped it over her shoulder. "I'm Ruri. It's nice to meet you Kitt." She didn't remember seeing him around before but then Ruri didn't expect herself to remember everyone who lived in this area. She'd definitely remember Kitt. She was staring again...

"Thanks, again. I promise it's close."

Ruri hesitated before turning and heading off towards her house. A boy was following her home... that was new. "So um... do you live nearby?"

[ki2k]

"So I've heard." He fell into step beside her easily enough, oblivious to her staring. "Ruri, that's a nice name. Is it short for something?" He couldn't remember seeing her before either, but then this wasn't his normal part of town.

He smiled again at her worry. "I told you, it's fine." It hadn't occurred to him that she might be concerned about leading a stranger to her home. Women seemed to instinctively trust Michael; maybe some of that had rubbed off on him?

"No. Well, sort of. Really, I travel all over. I'm familiar with with this area, at least." It was true, he couldn't count the number of times he'd been there, even if he didn't know the people living there.

[pyroknight]

"No. It's Japanese though. It means lapis lazuli, like the stone, or genuine. I'm not sure why those two meanings aren't really related to one another." Her name was the only connection to her father that she had and during her younger years she'd been obsessed with it.

Her eyes flicked between the path in front of them and the man walking at her side. Ruri was trying to figure out how all of this came about but her thoughts were a little frazzled. It had been a very hectic day.

Ruri's lips parted as if he had given her the last piece of a puzzle. "I work at that grocery store. I thought it was odd that I hadn't ever seen you inside. I guess it makes sense if you travel a lot." She wondered where he lived though that felt like an odd question to ask, even if they were walking towards her house.

"Does Kitt stand for something?" Since he had asked about her name.

[ki2k]

"Well it's lovely either way. Is your family Japanese or did they just like the name?" No sense in making any assumptions.

Perhaps allowing him to help her would make her day just a bit less hectic, less frazzled?

"I usually wait in the car if we do stop anywhere. My partner does most of the talking. He's back there now, talking to someone." He smiled in a friendly manner. "He would be disappointed to know that he missed out on the chance to meet and help you." And knowing Michael, probably just a little envious as well. Ruri was quite attractive indeed.

The explanation was on the tip of his tongue, ready to spill out in a tumble of words, but he caught himself just in time, biting the inside of his cheek hard to keep from speaking, tasting the tang of blood on his tongue. "Ah, no. It's just Kitt. Just my name. Not short for anything." It didn't sound convincing even to his own ears. He'd said it too fast, too nervously. Too close.

[pyroknight]

"Thank you." How many times had she said that? Ruri chased away the thought with a shake of her head. She needed to stop spacing out. "My father was Japanese and my mother grew up here, on the west coast." She smiled though there was something wistful in her gaze when she mentioned her father.

"I don't usually drive." She admitted, "Work is close and gas is expensive." Those weren't the only reasons but they were the most reasonable that Ruri had.

Thin pale fingers tucked a bit of hair behind her ear as they walked. She didn't remember the walk home being this long. Maybe it was the company? She wasn't used to having people with her, even if they were only helping her carry her bags. "He sounds nice. I'm sorry I missed him." Except that she did need to get her groceries home.

"Okay." Ruri's smile widened a bit. "Just Kitt."

She was teasing, just a little bit.

"My house is around the next corner. I have to put the frozen foods away but if you'd like I can offer tea to say thank you for helping me carry my things home."

[ki2k]

KITT was familiar with that wistfulness, as he often saw the same sort of faraway look, and heard the same sort of distracted sigh in Michael's voice when he spoke of his lost family. He glanced at her sympathetically, but didn't ask, not yet. It didn't seem appropriate to go prying into her personal business so soon after meeting. "So you're a California girl?" Like in the horrible song his driver loved. He couldn't help a bit of a teasing smile as he asked it.

"No, I get it. You're right about gas. Best to save where you can." His feelings were biased, he knew, so it was better to agree with her - especially because she was right, when it came down to it. If he had to buy his own fuel, he might feel the same way. "And walking is not only healthier for you, but better for the environment." That was one thing he didn't feel quite so guilty about - although he could run on virtually any fuel, the mixture that Bonnie had concocted for him was environmentally friendlier than most.

"He'll get over it." He smiled again, enjoying the day, and the company. He didn't usually get to meet and spend time alone with people, and especially not like this. Michael and Bonnie tended to think he needed babysitting, as though he couldn't be trusted on his own. Then again, he'd just taken off with a strange woman and left Michael to his own devices. Maybe they had a point.

"Just Kitt," he agreed. His face had reddened, he could feel his skin flushing. He hoped she wouldn't notice. Maybe he could blame it on the temperature?

"Oh, ah, I probably shouldn't, it's nice of you to offer, I should probably get back..." He looked over his shoulder, to see if he could still catch a glimpse of his driver. But then, hadn't Michael often done this very thing, and left him waiting in the parking lot while he went off with his latest lady friend? He looked at Ruri again, making a decision. "On the other hand, I could stay to help you put everything away...?" Tea would be a bonus, but certainly not necessary. "I suppose a cup of tea wouldn't take too long." He smiled hopefully at her.

sorry for the delay

[pyroknight]

"Yeah, something like that." Ruri glanced over at Kitt with a warm smile. Any time she heard the phrase 'California girl', that stupid Beatles song played in her head. She didn't really care for the song or the group but it was hard to fight such a strong association when you lived in California.

She continued down the block and then turned down a smaller street that lead to her home. The area shifted from the city-eqsue feel to a homey small community kind of air. There were a few people outside and they all waved to Ruri as she walked by. Ruri didn't know anyone well but she'd lived in this house her whole life and she made sure to smile and wave at those who lived near her.

"It's just over here." She looked over at Kitt with another smile. Maybe she was smiling too much. "I'm glad. I mean, not that he'll get over it or that your friend is waiting but that you're going to stay for tea."

Ruri didn't usually have company.

She paused at her front gate and carefully flicked open the latch to let them inside. The house had mixed styles between Japanese and Western architecture. "If you don't mind taking off your shoes at the front door? My house is a little weird." She stepped inside and held the door open for Kitt. He'd be able to see tatami mats in the two main rooms and a few sliding paper doors as well as a few traditional wooden doors. The house was a mismatch of styles.

The family room had a couch as well as a kotasu table at it's center. There was a TV and a small draw beneath it that was filled with movies. In the corner of the room was a desk that was piled with papers around a small laptop.

"The kitchen is through here but it's kind of small. If you don't mind setting down the bags and waiting in the family room? I can get the tea started."

You're fine!

[ki2k]

"I figured as much." He knew from his own experiences that it was prevalent, particularly in this part of California. He shook his head in amusement at the thought, his hair falling into his eyes. It would need a trim soon.

It surprised him how quickly the city streets gave over to residential neighborhoods, but he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised with a grocery store nearby. He liked the atmosphere of this area, seemingly low-key and friendly, so unlike much of the city that he was already familiar with. Or maybe it was just that so many of the people he met weren't sterling examples of humanity, and he associated those areas they lived in as being the same by default?

Impossible. It was impossible for someone who had such a lovely smile as she to smile too much. He found himself returning it, with a bit of a blush. "Thank you for inviting me." It would be a new experience for him - no one had ever invited him to anything like this before. Then again, cars in general didn't get invited to many social functions. He could feel his blush deepening.

He looked down at his shoes with some surprise, but quickly kicked them off before following her inside. It felt weird entering her home in only his socks, but he knew it was part of Japanese culture. When in Rome? Or in this case, near-Japan? He noted the blend of styles, not quite harmonious but somehow seeming to work as he took in the living spaces with a nod of approval. Overall, her house had a comfortable, homey feel to it. "I like it. It's different, visually interesting, but still - and, dare I say it? Cozy. It's certainly not the kind of house you see every day." Not that he'd know?

He was curious to know what she was working on, all those papers piquing his interest, but he stopped himself from prying. It wasn't his business; after all, what had he done to deserve to know?

"No, that's fine. I'll get out of your way." He did as he was told, with another smile and a bit of maneuvering to make sure they didn't bump into one another as he set the things down and moved out of the kitchen. It would give him time to look more at some of her interesting knick knacks, as well as text Michael.

[pyroknight]

Ruri watched him move with growing curiosity. There was something different about Kitt though she couldn't put her finger on what that difference was.

"I'm glad that you like it. It's a little strange, even for this area. My mother did some work on it before she passed away but she couldn't choose a style. It switches between Western and Eastern with traits of both. All the bedrooms are carpeted but there are tatami mats in the family room and the small room that's at the end of the hall. It leads into the back yard." Which is very small and currently growing unruly blades of grass. "It was left to me by my mother so I'll probably never change it."

"Relax. I'll have tea ready soon. Do you have any preferences?"

Ruri set to work once Kitt was out of the kitchen. She set on the warm water and began to put away all of her grocery's. Luckily she had purchased more honey on this shopping trip. I was expensive but she liked the added sweetness to some of her teas.

She set up everything on a tray, uncertain of what he might like and then placed the tea bag in the steaming pot of hot water. If he answered, she didn't hear him and decided to come out holding the tray and all of the options that she had available for him.

"Here." A flush tinted her cheeks. "I hope you like it and thank you, for helping me today. I don't know if that's something you do often but you made this day a lot better."

[ki2k]

He was sure that he didn't know. He moved in the ways that came naturally to him, from years of experience of being larger than everyone around him, and having to be more careful of them and their fragilities as a result. Without realizing he was doing so, he gave the objects and people around him a wide berth.

Listening to her explain the house and its decor brought another smile to his face, the undercurrent of 'home' threaded throughout her voice. He was momentarily saddened to hear about her mother's passing, but as he continued to look around, he got the impression that the woman was still there in some form, watching over. "It would disturb the personality of the house if you did change too much, I think." But it was said more to himself than to Ruri.

Turning his head, he raised the volume of his voice so she could hear his answer. He'd only tried a handful of teas, and that was due to his employer's fondness for the beverage. Mint, chamomile, Devon's favorite, Earl Grey. Any of those would do, but he was open to trying something new as well. "Anything is fine." He was still distracted by the house itself.

As soon as she reappeared he became attentive once more, moving to take the tray from her gingerly so as not to spill anything before setting it down on the coffee table nearby. "This all looks lovely, thank you for making it." He flashed her a smile even as he damned his cheeks for warming at her words.

"I like helping people. It wasn't any trouble. I was glad to do it for you." They could have been twins, standing there thanking and blushing at each other while the tea cooled.

[pyroknight]

Ruri realized that they were both staring, smiling and blushing at each other. She had to force herself to look away and bite her lower lip to stifle her amusement. Apparently she wasn't the only one who wasn't used to talking to people like this. In a way, it came as a comfort. There were less ways for her to somehow mess this up and lose what might be a potential friend.

It's been a very long time since Ruri's had friends.

The tray was set gently down on the table. Ruri took a seat on the small couch and begin to pour them each a cup of tea. "This is a young green tea. I don't recommend adding milk or sugar to it but I brought them over just in case you had a preference." She wasn't sure what all encompassed the role of a host and she hoped that he was doing this right. "Um... let me know what you think."

The shopping bags had been put away and now Ruri wasn't sure what to do. She had a man in her home, drinking tea. This had never happened before and she wasn't sure if there were social rules or etiquette that she was missing.

She decided to focus on her cup of tea, wrapping her fingers around the warm cup. She took a sip and felt herself relaxing. "So, um... what is it that you do? I mean for work." Her life wasn't that exciting but she loved hearing stories about what other people did.

[ki2k]

Awkward. So awkward, he needed to look away, to look down, to do something. The car was so much easier - he could stare all he liked and no one took any notice of him. Thank goodness Ruri broke first, giving him an out as well. He wiped his palms on his black jeans and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well." Well. If anyone was going to mess this up he was sure it would be him, but it wouldn't be over this. Cautiously stumbling towards friendship was still a go. He joined her on the couch, watching her intently, hoping fervently not to mess up this first opportunity to be on his own around someone new. He took the cup from her, at her recommendation not adding milk or sugar, and took a tentative sip.

It was bitter, and he made a bit of a face, but decided he needed more data before announcing he didn't like it. Especially as he wanted to be a good guest as much as she did a host.

Taking another sip, he gave her a smile, but reached for the sugar with an apologetic nod of his head. "I'm sure it takes a bit of getting used to, that's all." It was probably good? Good enough to continue drinking, especially after an experimental taste with the added sugar. Much more palatable that way.

"Oh, ah, law enforcement." He frowned, his brow furrowing. "Sort of. It's more of a private investigative firm. The organization I work for gets called in when other law enforcement organizations have come up short. My partner was talking with an informant in the parking lot of the grocery store when I noticed your... difficulty." He grinned a little sheepishly as he looked up at her.

[pyroknight]

Ruri watched Kitt take his experimental sip over the rim of her cup.

Heat seeped through her fingers as the steam curled, rose and filled her nose with pleasant earthy aromas. She loved green tea but she knew that she was the exception and not the rule when it came to her culinary preferences. The tea wasn't bitter but it also wasn't sweet. It was honestly comparable to eating your vegetables which was why Ruri wasn't surprised when Kitt reached forward and added a bit of sugar.

She shook her head from left to right, her smile wide and warm. "Don't worry about it. I believe in the school of thought that, if you try something once, you can say that you don't like it." The rule being that you had to first try something in order to claim not to like it. "I hope you enjoy it. I wouldn't want to force you to drink something that you don't like. If you'd prefer something sweeter, I also have a lot of herbal teas." It was important to her that he didn't force himself to do more or less than he was comfortable with.

Ruri took a sip of her tea and then another. Warmth began to curl and stretch through her torso, spreading out in pleasant waves through her limbs. She felt herself relax and her muscles loosen as she listened to Kitt. His voice was smooth and rich. It captured her attention and held it without Ruri realizing how attentively she listened to him. She could listen to him talk for hours.

"That sounds amazing." She rested her cup in her lap while her usual smile returned to the lovely curve of her lips. "I hope that everything goes well for him while I have you here. I'd hate to make things difficult but I'd also love to hear more about it. My life isn't that exciting." It was a half lie since Ruri wasn't technically alive in the same sense that others were but she had just met Kitt and she didn't think that it was a good idea to jump in with the whole 'I am dead' thing, right away.

"I'm a writer, when I'm not making minimum wage at a grocery store." Her smile became a little bashful. "I'd love to write about something like a private investigator but I have no idea what it's like. I admit, I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes. Reading those as a kid made me want to be a writer." Her head canted thoughtfully to the side. "Among other things"