New Arrival [Takeru]

"Oh? Why don't you, if you don't mind me asking." Takeru said politely.
"Mmm... you sure that's a good idea? I'm pretty sure there is a reason why she doesn't have one." Twelve said.
"Oh yeah? Well, let me tell you something: curiosity killed the cat. Satisfaction... brought it back." He said.

    Usually guests left it at that. They didn't bother to pry. Other times they just went right onro a different topic, eager for answers and knowledge she possessed. To hear this boy want more on that subject...well, it was unexpected.

    Lifting her head, Paige looked up at the boy, watching him for a moment. A small smile then appeared across her face, softening her expression. "I was unfit to serve guests like yourself. As such, the Master took mine away."

"Oh. That's... too bad. I was hoping I could see yours... do you remembered what it looked like?" Takeru asked her.
"... what happened to your curiosity?  I would think you would've asked the more obvious question: why?" Twelve said.
"... that's exactly it. There's a reason why. And I do want to ask it first... but I'm trying not to be as... blunt ad I usually am." Takeru responded.
"Ooh... don't tell me.. you're beginning to-" Twelve began.
"Shut. Up." He said, cutting off twelve. "And don't me make ask how to shut you up." He added.

    "Oh, quite. It was a tome about..." She held her hands about ten inches apart, "-this tall, and about this wide." She then held up two fingers bout three inches apart to show the rough dimensions. "It was quite an old book; there was even an old fashioned latch on the binding for me to secure it when traveling was a must. And on the front-" Paige's smile grew wider as she recounted what her compendium looked like, a pleased pink tinge entering her cheeks, "-there was quite the ferocious beast embossed."

    Her recounting over, Paige sighed softly and looked back at Takeru with a small smile. "My apologies for becoming so worked up. But that is what my compendium was like." Now only if she hadn't been so foolish as to get it taken away...

"Wow! That's pretty good! You musn't have seen it for a while, yet you can recall that much?! I wish I had a memory like you did. Mine is... patchy. At some points." He said, with a slight smile and weary look on his face.
"Oh, absolutely.  You need that kind of memory. Lately, you'be had the memory of an old man lately. My kind of memory." Twelve said.
"Auuuugh! Shut! UP! I swear, one more comment like that outta you, and I WILL ask her to shut you up!" Takeru said.
"So, uh... may I ask why it was taken away?" He said, asking her with a polite, curious tone.

    Paige smiled knowingly as Takeru spoke. Indeed, her memory was quite impressive. It was a feature Master had put special care into creating when she was born. One of her finer points, if she was being honest. But there was no reason to bring it up at the moment. A lady did not gloat, after all.

    Her smile stayed as she nodded slightly in response. "You may ask whatever you like, Takeru. My compendium...I lost it due to folly." She glanced away for a moment, thinking back, before blinking and looking back at the boy.

    "It is nothing extraordinary, I'm afraid. Please, forgive me."

"No, no. Um... how do I put this... uh..." Takeru began, stammering a bit.
"Ooh. Tough one. Either the scar, or further inquisition in the book. Tough choice, lad. She's probably going to not be too happy if you ask either one." Twelve said.
"Umm... does it have anything to do with your scar?" He asked her.
"... are you crazy? That's it. Don't blame for whatever happens next. Goodbye." Said twelve, immediately going silent.

    "Oh..." Almost absentmindedly, one of her hands trailed up to her neck, fingertips brushing across the scar that wrapped around her neck. No doubt he meant the much more apparent one on her face, but that one was a flesh wound in comparison to the memories the one on her neck brought back.

    She sat quietly for a moment, taking a breath. She'd told other guests about it before. It must be because visitors had been scarce for such a long time. That was the only reason she could think of that this would be even somewhat difficult now. She'd grown rusty; disgraceful.

    "Pardon...yes, in a way." She said at last. She was no fool; other conversations had gone this way. Why not answer his upcoming questions now? "I was involved in an...accident. It, nor I, was a very pretty sight. Were I human, I would not be alive to tell this. ...Regardless, it occurred the first time I left this room. Not exactly the best way to begin learning about your world, unfortunately. Since then, I...I have been unable to leave this room without becoming...incapacitated, if you will. Which was no such way for an attendant to serve their valued guests. The Master saw this and revoked my compendium."

"Oh. Oh my. I'm... sorry if that brought back any... painful memories. " Said takeru, gasping lightly. 
"That might explain why her skin is so pale. She hasn't been out for so long..." Twelve muttered.
"And I don't blame her either. I would'be been scared to death to go outside as well." Takeru said, as the room suddenly deemed to grow heavy.
"So, er... uh... I assume that you haven't gone out since..." he said. "Not that I blame you of course, I would'be done the same..." Takeru said.
"It's a shame, really. I'm good at the piano, and I was hoping I could show you myself... guess not. I'm not going to try and force you outside. That's your choice." He said, almost offhandedly, but still serious all the same.

    Without a word, Paige rested one hand on the boy's knee, giving him a soft smile. "Please, do not fret. The pain has long since passed. You have done nothing wrong." She smiled at him for a few seconds longer before returning her hand to her lap, listening to him with her head tilted to the side.

    She offered a small shake of her head towards him in response to his question. "Ah, no, I have left this room on occasion. However, the experiences have not all been exactly...delightful." She glanced away for a moment, focusing the disgust in her eyes somewhere where Takeru could not see it. The outside world...she did not despise it, but it made her so...anxious. On edge. Every sound, every smell, every touch drove her mad. Who could enjoy a place, no matter how interesting, in such a state?

    "Thank you, Takeru." She focused her gold eyes on him, a smile lighting up her face once more. "Perhaps I can persuade the Master to bring a piano to this room. No doubt my brother can procure one. Should this come to pass, you could play here as often and as long as you wish."

"Thank you." Said Takeru.
"I'd love to talk more... but I think I should go now. Do you know where the exit is?" Takeru asked her.

    He was leaving? So soon? ...Well, she could hardly blame him. She was not exactly the cheeriest of company, nor was this place the most delightful to be in. Without a word she stood, smoothing over her skirts before handing Takeru's key back to him.

    "You leave with this. Just think of your world and wish to go there; this key shall take care of the rest." Once the key had been transferred, Paige curtsied gracefull once more to the boy. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Takeru. Please, if you ever have more questions, do not hesitate to visit again." With that she gave him a smile, waiting until he left before she would resume her seat in the chair, awaiting her sisters' return.

"Alright. Thank you for answering my questions. Goodbye!" Takeru said with a cheerful wave as he exited.
"Certainly someone interesting. You think there might be a piano next time?" Twelve remarked.
"Who knows? I wouldn't put it past the old man. You know how he is. Great sense of style, though. I like it".Takeru said.
Mission accomplished.  Grade: S+! Congratulations!