estoria | [open] Ain't it great, how we met each other

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[open] Ain't it great, how we met each other

Who: Rise Kujikawa and YOU! Yes, even you.
When: 6/1
Where: Lots of locations, CYA, etc etc.
What: Rise's getting back out in the colony and dragging people along for the ride with her daily routine.
Rating/Warning: Probably not yet.

[Even if by Cerealia standards it's her birthday, Rise doesn't think anything of it. Things are different here and she has a long day ahead of her. But at least it's nice to be on some kind of schedule again and get back to the way things were.]

A.) Catch a glimpse of the hollow world;

[The morning starts early for Rise Kujikawa with a bright and early call for a photoshoot. She never realized that a "sunglasses model" could be a real job but here she is bright and early when the sun is just perfect to capture the product without the glare effect. Did you happen to stumble onto the scene of this shoot? You might find Rise perusing a table of glasses that she's meant to put on her face and she'll turn with a small grin on her face.]

Which one do you think I should start with first?

[Alternatively, later in the shoot she's put on a pair that's a liiiiittle too dark and it makes it hard to see. Sorry if she happens to bump into you on her way to put them back.]

Sorry! Geez, these are way too effective…

B.) Turning misery into meaningfulness;

[Later in the day she's in front of a storefront in the shopping district with a plate of tofu samples. This feels a little more like home, weirdly enough, and even if she's dressed down in a work smock she seems oddly relaxed. She won't hesitate to stop anybody who wanders by, maybe even tapping the shoulder of the person if it's someone she knows (hell, maybe even the people she doesn't know.)]

Free sample? It's fresh…they're trying a new recipe in there. [She has opinions on said-tofu, but collecting information and backing said-opinions is never a bad thing.]

C.) Gaze in fascination so hard;

[Regardless, even if she has a busy busy day she's going to take time for herself even if it kills her. That's what this is about, isn't it? Relaxing, getting back to a normal life after the trauma that came from that weird, dark area. After her shift at the tofu shop she'll even text a few friends.]

Weather's great! Wanna come up?

[Friends who text back will get an answer, but for anybody who…happens…to be prone to being on rooftops they'll find that Rise's dragged a couple of chairs up to the roof of her apartment building, an umbrella tilted just enough for the slightest amount of shade and sprawled out in one of the lounge chairs dressed in a bikini with yet another pair of sunglasses on.]

It's perfect, isn't it?

D.) You know the stake in high stardom is near;

[And so the sun sets. The day goes on, and there's one more shift to take care of in her day before she's satisfied. Anyone in the Entertainment District may find that several colonists are heading for one particular karaoke bar. Entering the bar, you'll find that Rise is at the mic and it's here she's in her most natural environment as she continues her performance. When she finishes the song and the applause dies, she peers around before her eyes land on you, a playful smirk on her face as she speaks into the mic.]

I think it's your turn to sing a song for us! What do you say?

[Looks like the crowd agrees.]

[Or maybe you find yourself at the bar later and she finishes another song. No matter who it is, she'll slide into the seat next to you and she doesn't even appear winded as she speaks up.]

Who knew aliens liked music so much?

E.) Looking so different glaring street light;

[Or you can wildcard her! She can be found anywhere in the above locations, wandering the colony, or maybe you're a friend who happens to bump into her. Bring it on.]

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[ Don't laugh, Rise... this is harder than it looks!! Though he's a little surprise she'd request something like that. ]

I'll tell you. [ Or rather, his face while he's chewing probably will. ]

Though I don't really know what tofu is. What do you normally eat it with?

You can make it with vegetables or salads or soup. The best thing about tofu is that it's really versatile and can replace meat in pretty much any dish you want. And since it doesn't have too much flavoring by itself it soaks up the flavors of everything you're mixing it with. That's why it's so good!

[Convinced yet, Merlin?]

Why would you want to replace meat? [ Rise, what kind of thing is this? ] Can't you have both?

[ ... that was totally just a question, though really he probably needs more fat on him, so it's fine. ]

But you already convinced me to try it, you don't have to try and sell it anymore.

I mean you could probably do that but it sort of takes away from the whole thing. It doesn't seem that weird though.

[Come along, Merlin. They have a bit of a walk ahead of them.] Am I really trying to sell it? [She laughs.] Sorry...I guess I'm just really used to it. Part of my job, you know? Selling everything. [Tofu. Products. Music. Emotions. She sells everything and makes it believable, and she knows it.]

I'm not exactly used to getting much of either. [ It's why he's such a noodle, really. ] So I'd rather not miss out on one just because of some weird reasoning for it--unless it tastes bad together.

[ He walks along with her anyway, trusting her to lead the way. ]

You don't need to, I'm already here after all.

[ She didn't have to sell any of that either, go her! ]

...they don't starve you where you're from, do they? That just seems totally mean. [Merlin Rise doesn't approve of your noodle-esque figure. It's good for idols, not so much for her friends. At least the walk is short as she brushes past people in a crowd to get to her shop.]

They don't taste bad together, by the way. Do you know how to cook for yourself?

Not intentionally, it's just... being poor. [ He shrugs his shoulders. ] Things are a lot different to how they are here. We have it some days, but...

[ He follows her easily enough, making sure he keeps close as to not lose her. ]

I could cook before, but some of the newer appliances are more difficult to use. If it's just an oven or a fire though, I can.

[ He means on the cooker....... ]

Oh. You don't really strike me as being poor. [Thanks Rise...it's hard to imagine though and she's going to mull over that on their way to the shop.] Fires are pretty easy to cook with, and once you get used to a stove it's not so bad! But Senpai does most of the cooking in our apartment so I don't touch the stuff most of the time. I don't really mind but I've been thinking about maybe learning some more for myself just in case.

[ He laughs. ] Don't let these clothes fool you. Mine at home were much more different. [ Though it's true... fires are pretty good to use, only not when the fire is coming from the microwave. (This is why Shigeru won't let him use it now) ]

"Senpai"? [ It's hard to get used to that. ] Though it makes things easier. Sometimes Shigeru does the cooking for the both of us because he doesn't trust me with the modern equipment. [ Though of course he won't say that. ]

You mean like...rattier? [SHE HAS TO ASK.] I mean it's okay, really! I bet they weren't so bad.

[...Rise stop.] Yu-senpai. I've gotten so used to calling him Senpai I keep forgetting other people don't know him as that. But who's Shigeru and does he have a really good reason not to trust you?

[ Rise?! ] Not exactly... The material wasn't as good I suppose? It was a lot simpler than the designs you have too. Comfier though, honestly. Do you know how much denim scratches?

Ah... They don't, I suppose. [ Is this a local nickname for him or something?? He has no idea. ] Shigeru is the person I live with here. And... I set the microwave on fire. Well. It was partly Rapunzel's fault

Clothes in our time are kind of overcomplicated but they always look really nice. [Also have you seen some of her costumes? Because those are sometimes a nightmare and a half.] You'll get used to it and start finding out that some qualities of the same fabric are better than others.

...anyway, he's Senpai because he's older than me. He, Yosuke-senpai, Chie-senpai, and Yukiko-senpai are all in the grade above me. [It's a respect thing, Merlin, roll with it.] But it doesn't make a lot of sense for people here, I know. I don't think I've ever met Shigeru but maybe I'll make sure to now. [She giggles though because Rapunzel...she definitely knows Rapunzel.] Partly, huh? Should I be asking her about this too?

[But at least the shop is right ahead of them now. That was fast.]

Really bright as well. I'm used to cloth and leather with fairly dark colours, but some of the clothes here are really bright. [ Neon... he's talking about neon... ] Someone helped me out before, now I tend to just let the sales assistants pick everything out.

[ Well... it's a gamble but-- ]

So it's a school thing? [ Was Yu still at school? He doesn't really know how school works considering it didn't exist in his time. Not like it is now, anyway. ] Just be gentle with him, he's a little shy. [ So how did he end up living with Merlin, honestly??? ]

She'll probably deny it if you ask her.

[Merlin...] That's probably for the best so you have one less thing to worry about.

[Ah, here they are. Tofu it is and she immediately moves to grab some for him to sample even as she's still talking.] It's sort of a school thing but also just a respect thing. Even if I met someone who didn't go to our school and they were older, they would still be senpai as a sign of respect. Like a mentor. [She looks up from her tofu gathering to give Merlin a level gaze.] You say that like I'm going to scare him away.

[...considering Rise's personality, that's entirely possible. She doesn't comment about Rapunzel, laughing instead before she turns and hands Merlin what looks like a small plate with a lightly grilled ang flavored white squishy block.] Here.

[ It's the lazy route...

Once they're inside he looks a little bewildered by the different types they seem to have going on. It's so tempting to just reach out and take an extra wiggly looking piece of tofu that's in a packet to the side, but he restrains himself and follows Rise along.

Though he gives her a wide smile at what she says. ]

I didn't realise. Though... [ His smile only widens. ] Even I scare him away sometimes and he's used to me, so it isn't difficult.

[ A little white lie, he doesn't but he could if he truly wanted to.

He takes the plate with both hands, and it's like his earlier wish has come true as he holds the plate up to eye level and... pokes at the tofu so it wobbles. ]

It's like jelly?! [ Why does he sound so excited???? Because jelly is just as new to him, sadly. ]

I am not scary though. [The point.

Rise. But she can't help but grin because that's also a white lie on her part. She's more delighted with his reaction, giggling as he forces the tofu to wiggle on the plate.] It's not as sweet as jelly, but that kind isn't as firm as others can be! The consistency is pretty soft to cut through and it's malleable like jelly. It doesn't spread as easy though. I think you're the first person who's ever compared it that way. [Oops give her a second. She'll retrieve...a fork. Because she doubts Merlin's used chopsticks before in his life.]

Not scary in the sense you're thinking of. Personal bubbles are a huge thing for him, that's all.

[ Though really it's a bit surprising no one else has thought of comparing it to jelly either. It wiggles in a similar enough way. ]

Do I just eat it like this?

Ooh...[Yeah that she can't help. Whoops.] Got it. [She holds the fork out to him though, watching the tofu gently sway.] With this one, yeah, you can eat it like that! It's already been grilled and seasoned, see? [She points out the light grill lines.] Unless there's another way you want it prepared. I can see what the chef can do.

[ Neither can he, so ... that's how he knows. ] Ah... I'm still getting used to grills and... microwaves. [ Microwaves... mystery of the century apparently. ]

I'll try this first anyway. [ He cuts a piece away with the fork then scoops it up. While looking at her he takes the bite. The look on his face isn't bad he's just confused as hell by the texture. That isn't like jelly considering it feels like it's melting in his mouth. ]

It's...? [ No... he can't think of another word for it so he keeps eating it piece by piece... ah ]

[She's not sure what to make of his reaction, seeing how there are no words but he continues eating anyway.]

It takes some getting used to. Some people think it's more solid than it really is but it's not like a liquid either. But it's not bad...right? [Please say yes or she's going to feel like she failed her job. That'd be tragic.]

[ Is he just hungry? Does he actually enjoy it? It'samystery.png

He pauses once his mouth is full again to chew slowly, licking his lips once it's eaten then offers: ] Definitely not bad. Just... strange? It's not really like anything I've tried before.

That really doesn't surprise me. [She's too amused at the moment, sorry Merlin.] You'll get used to it, and like I said it's better when it's mixed in with other stuff. Wanna take some with you to try it with something else?

[ He looks away, eyebrows raising. ] I've probably tried a lot worse.

[ Like rat. Beetle. ...Desperate times call for desperate measures. ]

I'll take some, just ... can you write a note on how to cook it as well? Shigeru might know but just in case.

Ew. Don't even tell me. [It's a teasing sort of "ew" though and she nods enthusiastically at his request.] I'll write out a couple of ways to cook it so you two can try it out. Trust me, even you can't mess it up!

[And that's what she'll do. Merlin will have a box of tofu and some instructions...and that was how they ranked up at least one social link that day.]

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[open] Ain't it great, how we met each other

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