Tohru Honda (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
breakthecurse) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
entranceway2013-09-03 11:57 am
breakthecurse) wrote in entranceway2013-09-03 11:57 am
Accidental Video
[Poor Tohru's been working incredible amounts of overtime lately.
Aerith vanished not long after Ruby did - and Tohru is sad, of course, and she will always miss them both, but she's barely had any time to grieve. She just launched herself right back into her work, because if she didn't, then who would run the diner?!
She knows without another cook or two that the diner can't possibly survive much longer, but she's barely had a minute to even think about that. For the last several weeks she's practically lived in the diner, and when the diner had moments of slowness she's had her nose in books, trying to teach herself some of the recipes that Ruby had never gotten the chance to. She's doing everything she can, and she's appreciated all of the help she's received, even if all of her offers have been for waiting tables and washing dishes.
Very early this morning, the camera catches Tohru...sleeping. She's sitting in one of the booths with a rag in her hand and her head resting on her arm. It's entirely obvious what happened - she was cleaning up and closing when she just started to nod off, exhausted from her long days. She might have thought that she'd just rest her eyes for just a minute or two, and then just...accidentally fell asleep there for the night.
And that's it. That's the video. Just a small glimpse at how tired she's been. First person to turn up gets to wake her up, everyone else still gets a mortified Tohru who is super embarrassed that the network caught her sleeping that way, oh no!]
Aerith vanished not long after Ruby did - and Tohru is sad, of course, and she will always miss them both, but she's barely had any time to grieve. She just launched herself right back into her work, because if she didn't, then who would run the diner?!
She knows without another cook or two that the diner can't possibly survive much longer, but she's barely had a minute to even think about that. For the last several weeks she's practically lived in the diner, and when the diner had moments of slowness she's had her nose in books, trying to teach herself some of the recipes that Ruby had never gotten the chance to. She's doing everything she can, and she's appreciated all of the help she's received, even if all of her offers have been for waiting tables and washing dishes.
Very early this morning, the camera catches Tohru...sleeping. She's sitting in one of the booths with a rag in her hand and her head resting on her arm. It's entirely obvious what happened - she was cleaning up and closing when she just started to nod off, exhausted from her long days. She might have thought that she'd just rest her eyes for just a minute or two, and then just...accidentally fell asleep there for the night.
And that's it. That's the video. Just a small glimpse at how tired she's been. First person to turn up gets to wake her up, everyone else still gets a mortified Tohru who is super embarrassed that the network caught her sleeping that way, oh no!]
[Action]
[Jo raises an eyebrow before shaking her head. How can she think that?]
Just by running this place, you do a hell of a lot for the people who live here and you don't even ask for anything in return. It's not like you're making a profit.
[She can tell that Tohru is having a little trouble accepting her help, but even if she were to say no, Jo would probably have to stand firm on this.]
I'd like to help. [She nods.] And in the meantime, I can help you find other people to lend a hand. Someone else around here must be able to cook.
[Action]
[She smiles a little. How can she fight such a kind offer like that? And she really does need the help. She eases just a little bit.]
...I suppose it's settled then! Thank you very much, Jo! It means a lot to me.
[And Tohru makes a mental note that she should find something nice to do for Jo in return, when the opportunity presents itself.]
[Action]
[Somehow, she doubts Tohru will ever see it that way, since she seems to love what she does and shies away from asking for help or even the occasional complaint, but Jo smiles all the same.]
Why don't you take a break, okay? You clearly need to catch up on some sleep. I can get things in order and look after the place while you relax for a little while.
[Action]
Tohru doesn't seem to know what to do with that suggestion though.]
...I-I. Um. Are you sure? I don't want to leave you stranded here doing my work for me...
[Action]
[She smiles, confident. It might not be a good idea to argue with her on this one, Tohru.]
I'm sure I can handle it. Compared to a vampire nest, what's running a diner for a few hours? I grew up helping my mom run our family's Roadhouse, did a little bit of everything there. I'm not worried. You shouldn't be, either.
[Action]
[Oops. Maybe that's something she shouldn't be admitting out loud.]
B-But I wasn't worried or anything! I just didn't want to shove all of my responsibilities on someone else, that's all! I'm sure you're more than capable. I just, um...
[Well, there's not much that she can say that hasn't been said, is there? It seems pretty settled, so she bows her head.]
Err. Thank you for taking care of me. I really appreciate it.
[Action]
[She can only hope that's as reassuring as she meant it to be.]
I mean, you've been doing a great job -- it's just easy to see that you've been working way too hard.
[She smiles to herself when Tohru finally concedes. Victory.]
It's the least I can do. Besides, we have to stick together around here, don't we? We're all in the same boat. Now, go get some real rest. When you get back, I'll help you out with finding some more long-term help.
[Action]
[It's more of a formality at this point than a real protest. She actually gets up from her seat to take her leave.
...But first she takes her plate and glass into the kitchen, because there's no need to make Jo clean up her mess when she's going to be watching the diner for her! She smiles a little sheepishly when she comes back out.]
Really, thank you very much, Jo. ...You're right. I could really use the rest. B-But if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me, okay? I know you're doing me a favor, so I can get some rest, but please don't let that stop you if it gets busy and you need some back-up!
[Action]
[Jo smiles knowingly. It's obviously hard for her to leave the place in the care of someone else, but she stands firm, making a shooing motion with both hands.]
Now go. I'll see you later, okay?
[Action]
[She says sorry, but she's smiling - she knows there's no ill will meant by the gesture. And she bows at Jo one last time, entirely out of polite habit.]
Um, well. I'll leave it to you then! Thank you, Jo.
[And then, finally, she takes her leave. A nap sounds really nice right about now...]