Friends Are There When Times Are Dark [Private; Toshiko/Ehefra]

With the recent acceptance of a new role within the Wahrender, basically being contracted by the organization, Toshiko was operating upon something her daughter, Yumiko, had conveyed to her. Alastair was wondering about Ehefra. Yumiko didn’t know of her well, their families were never terribly close. However, Toshiko and her shared a hometown and they grew up together; somewhat at least. It was accurate to label them as friends, Toshiko would think.

However, recent events led to Toshiko visiting Ehefra rather suddenly. Not only was Alastair wondering about the woman, probably not a big concern, but Ehefra’s mother had recently passed away. She knew of the situation, not all the intimate details, but enough to feel for her friend.

Such reasons were why Toshiko went calling at Ehefra’s house. She was going to do her best to offer condolences. If possible, she wanted to also talk with Ehefra, try to help. However, she wasn’t quite sure if the woman was home… But with such traumatic events taking place, it was a good bet to think she could be home. Toshiko hoped she was at least… now of all times the woman could use a friend.

Once the door had opened before Toshiko, she was met with just the woman she desired to meet. Toshiko smiled gently as she saw Ehefra, but the smile was brief. The woman referred to her as Ms. Kamenashi, not by her first name. While that was understandable, it did bother the older woman quite a bit. Her mother was Ms. Kamenashi, then again… perhaps that matter was inevitable. Regardless, Toshiko smiled again and shrugged somewhat.

“Ehefra, you don’t have to call me Ms. Kamenashi. Toshiko is fine. And no, I actually came to see you; guess I still have some luck left.” Toshiko paused briefly, considering her options. “Just some tea is fine, I don’t want to trouble you too much.”

They weren’t too far apart in age, but perhaps that gap was enough for Ehefra to want to call her “Ms.” It didn’t bother Toshiko, but it just felt so odd! Regardless, once Ehefra allowed Toshiko to enter, the Quincy did so. After Toshiko had followed Ehefra to the kitchen, or wherever she was going to prepare the Tea, Toshiko leaned against the counter; from that position she gazed upon Ehefra.

She looked… different. Much different than Toshiko remembered when she last saw her. Perhaps that was the grief, then again the differences were quite large from when she last saw Ehefra as a teenager. Regardless, she was concerned for the woman; and wanted to help how she could.

“Ehefra… I heard about your mother, I’m really sorry… Is there anything I can do for you?”

Toshiko took the cup from Ehefra with a ‘thank you’ and a warm smile, a smile of one who had a bit too much charm to her name. While Ehefra spoke, Toshiko sipped the hot tea carefully. For the most part, she couldn’t drink it immediately, but a sip here and there was still doable.

Toshiko wasn’t too surprised to hear that Ehefra’s father was out, nor was she very surprised to know that it had just been Ehefra alone at the house. Frankly speaking, some people oft needed space in such emotional times. However… Toshiko wanted to give Ehefra some company, the company of an old friend. Toshiko reached out and very carefully gave Ehefra a gentle squeeze on the shoulder before withdrawing her hand.

“I’m sure it has been… from what I understand, a lot has happened in general.” Toshiko took a longer drink of her tea, able to handle the heat better now. While doing so, Ehefra asked Toshiko about… “My… hair?”

Toshiko had stared past Ehefra for a few moments, looking confused as she absentmindedly played with her locks of silver hair. Her hair had always been this color… except, yes. During her youth, Toshiko had taken to dying her hair brown instead of leaving it the natural color. Insecurities that are no longer an issue. Eventually, the woman smiled warmly at Ehefra, a tiny blush upon her cheeks. It was a bit embarrassing to admit!

“Oh! Right, I forgot… We saw each other last before I had left; and I think before you had too. I used to dye my hair brown, a silly thing really. Just insecurity about having hair this color despite my youth. What do you think? Silver suits me better, no?”

Toshiko smiled sheepishly before she took another drink of tea. It was perfectly true that her hair had been dyed often in her youth… well, younger youth. But her hair color being silver did help explain Yumiko’s hair. Albeit, Toshiko wasn’t sure if Ehefra knew of that particular connection of mother and daughter.

Toshiko was right to think that the sudden contact would cause Ehefra to be a bit sheepish and confused by it. Such a reason was why Toshiko didn’t go for something far more intense, like a tight hug. She just… Didn’t know what to do… aaaand Toshiko didn’t really want Ehefra to be shoved face first into a certain area. Not to mention, Ehefra’s reaction to her natural hair color wasn’t too surprising to the tall woman. It was a bit difficult for others to get used to those who had long seen Toshiko with a darker shade of hair. However, upon seeing Toshiko’s daughter, Yumiko, it made a bit more sense. After all, Yumiko’s hair color took after Toshiko’s own silvery hair.

“There is no need to preserve my feelings, Ehefra. But thank you.”

Toshiko gave Ehefra a warm smile before a large grin broke upon her face at Ehefra’s final comment as her eyes floated about Toshiko’s form. As it was, Toshiko had likely grown a bit ‘bigger’ through motherhood. While it wasn’t a problem, it certainly accented some of her assets. Ehefra’s comment was enough to get a hearty chuckle out of Toshiko, a proper and true one as well.

“People stare enough out here as well; I guess it would just be a bit more public out west, huh? Could be worse, I don’t mind too much.” Toshiko shrugged slightly, quietly noting Ehefra’s own potential interest; but she didn’t bring attention to it. “I suppose this top does kinda accent them a bit, huh? Think I should be just a bit more modest~?”

Toshiko took what Ehefra said to heart as she spoke about how different it was when it came to westerners and large bosoms. Frankly speaking, Toshiko had little idea of how it would be living in the far west, like America, but she could only imagine it wouldn’t be too bad. However, Toshiko didn’t dwell on the subject as the right now was a bit more important than the silly hypothetical. Instead, she gave Ehefra a wide grin when the woman commented upon her top, how it was quite revealing and she should flaunt it instead of not; additionally, saying that she was cheered up by talking about Toshiko’s chest.

It was hard for Toshiko not to grin as she adjusted her posture subtly, as if on accident, accenting the curve of her chest; and the rather ample amount of cleavage she was showing. However, that adjustment was like a brief tease before Toshiko righted herself as if nothing happened. She too poured herself some Lemonade, if Ehefra was alright with it, and took a sip of the tart drink.

“That is why we must enjoy our lives to the fullest. Some of us Quincy may have somewhat elongated lives compared to normal humans, but that doesn’t change how short life can be.” Toshiko looked towards Ehefra over her glass, her eyes full of a great deal of meaning. “Of course, it helps to have someone to enjoy life with; but that’s not always required.”

Toshiko drank a bit more of the liquid before she set it down carefully, a gentle smile upon her lips; her warm countenance hopefully welcome despite recent events. It was evident that Toshiko wasn’t quite the same woman that Ehefra had last seen, but she still showed as the supportive woman as before, changed by the years. And, of course, by the fact that Toshiko had a child.

“If talking about my chest helps you feel better, I don’t mind if we speak of it more~” Toshiko teased Ehefra gently, smiling softly. “But I worry about running out of material.”