estoria | [ OPEN ]

Entry tags:

[ OPEN ]

Who:

lethechained and OPEN to passersby/latte lovers/coffee buffs/just about anyone, really
When: Any day (or multiple days!) between or including IC date 6/11 to 6/16
Where: A coffee shop in the Shopping District
What: Latte foam art and coffee shop AU shenanigans, mostly. Someone’s gotta keep Naminé busy at her new job, right? Feel free to request specific subjects for said art or let her think of something on her own.
Rating/Warning: None!

[ A. ]

[The shop is cute, cozy and pleasant with the smell of coffee so thick in the air that it’s nearly enough to give one a caffeine high all on its own. The sign says there's a special on lattes with a little side note about them including custom art, whatever that means, and plenty of space to sit and wait should one decide to order said beverages – or any other, for that matter. There’s a young blonde girl who can’t be much more than five feet tall bustling around behind the counter, so surely it won’t be long before--]

[Ah, there we go, she’s turned to read off the name of the owner of the most recently made drink. Her voice might be a little quiet for it, but surely one would recognize their own name, right? (Or whichever one they happened to give.)]

[ B. ]

[It’s gotten a bit slow lately, so instead of wandering around in the other part of the work area, that same blonde girl is at the register, regarding anyone who looks even remotely likely to come and order something with a passive sort of interest, whether they’re inside the shop or outside of it.]

[At least she’s attentive? Even if she might be staring a little. (A lot.)]

[ C. ]

[Everyone’s gotta take a break, right? That’s what this young lady seems to be doing – she’s still dressed for work – while sitting at one of the tables, sketchbook laid out in front of her as she draws away with a set of colored pencils. She might, in fact, happen to be sketching several of the customers. She also appears to have an only lightly sipped at drink in front of her, and it’s… actually water, ironically enough.]

[ D. WILDCARD ]
[Choose your own (coffee-related) adventure?]

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[ still weird still weird still weird ]

Ye-- ha... h-hang on, is that a trick question?

[Shiho doesn't tell Naminé that Kaoru has done so much for her that latte art seems like such a little thing in comparison. (Though she also knows that Kaoru would be ecstatic about it because she was the kind of person who got incredibly excited about even the littlest things). She wouldn't be here as she is right now without Kaoru who taught her to believe in people and Minamoto who taught her how to trust.]

He is pretty much a normal, everyday super hero. [And also a Normal which is what they call people who don't have esper powers, so Shiho laughs mostly to herself at the pun she inadvertently made.]

He wouldn't want us to be sad. I'm sure of it.

[Besides, a lot of what she does and says are things he would have done. And a lot of what she doesn't do (take over the world, let people get away with bullying) comes from knowing that he would have disapproved.]

I mean, he's not exactly the brightest about this sort of thing but even he knows you shouldn't make cute girls sad about you when you're not even there.

Ice scr-- cream?

[Genuinely surprised - but it's progress, and she's not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.]

... Sure. If that's what you want. [And actually,] I'd like that, too.

[The expression she gives him is a thoroughly bewildered one.]

How would that be a trick? [But it occurs to her not a moment later that it is the sort of thing she could see someone like, say, Larxene using to make fun of someone. In retrospect, she feels a little bad - so she's quick to explain, frowning apologetically,] I've just... never met very many people who really wanted to be my friend. So-- I thought I should ask. [Her hands curl together.] I don't want you to feel-- obligated, just because I want to be friends.

[But it's the thought that counts, isn't it? To Naminé, it really means something that Shiho would think of her friend at all, that she would even try to do a nice thing for her, no matter what it was. Small kindnesses have for so long not been a part of Naminé life, and she, at least, appreciates them greatly. All the better if she can encourage them.]

[There's a little catch of a laugh in her breath despite her lack of awareness of the pun, purely out of gladness for the other girl having laughed first.] Lucky for you that you had someone like that around while you were growing up. I'm starting to think we could all use a superhero or two.

[And there's something bittersweet in realizing her own misstep, by claiming sadness. It's a reflex, a figure of speech, almost, and yet when she recognizes it, it still tinges her smile with something that is not happiness. The upturn to her mouth lingers all the same, and she says,] No-- I'm sure he wouldn't.

[In her own experience, that sort of person wouldn't. Sora asked her to smile, after all, and she still does, to this day. (And she knows he would disapprove, too, if she were to do anything similar, were to conquer worlds like her own powers could be made to afford her the chance to. Good thing for the universe that the two of them had people to keep them in check.)]

[Hiding a surprised giggle behind her hand, she warms again.] Ah, that's right! That is a good rule, isn't it. [Hee.] Especially not when they're as pretty as you.

Okay, it's a date...

[ And she slowly sinks through the counter to the floor. ]

[Well-- that's one way to put it, and she's about to respond, smiling a little, when... that happens. It's understandably perplexing, ghost or no ghost.]

Sirena--?

[Is she gone? Goodness--]

I don't.

...

[ wait, he better clear that up ]

I mean... I don't feel obligated, heh. I don't know how I can paint the picture for you more clearly-- oh.

Hang on.

[ Man, even he can tell that this girl is more socially awkward than him-- or even Ruby! At least Ruby could make friends with her weapon?? But Jaune pulls his drawing back, quickly scribbling more on his masterpiece before sliding it back to Namine again. ]

How about this?

[She doesn't have time to wilt before he clarifies, though she contemplates him in silence as he messes with the drawing with a minor, lingering sort of perplexity. Well, he did say he didn't feel obligated, and although Naminé knows not to always take someone at their word, he seemed pretty sure about it to her. Still, she 'hangs on' as asked, patiently refraining from interrupting him.]

[When the drawing is shown to her again, her reaction is not as obvious as the first time, but it seems to be in the same vein, and she gasps out a catching sort of laugh. Unable to keep from smiling, she shakes her head at him.]

That's not a painting...!

[A joke, for once, and even as she calms, the upturn lingers at the corners of her mouth and her eyes are warm.]

But-- yes, I understand, now. Thank you, that was very helpful.

[Sobering, her cheeks relax out of the smile, but she looks a little less serious than before.]

Well, in that case... how could I say no? [Perhaps she should, for his sake - but that option feels lost to her, now. It's written down on paper and everything, and if it's what he really wants-- she takes a slightly deeper breath than she probably needs before speaking again.] Let's be friends.

Yeah...?

[ She's certainly inside the counter, at least. ]

[mutual being at ease makes this a really pleasant reunion. it blows the one between him and roxas out of the water. then again, topping their initial animosity would be hard to do. maybe things will get less pleasant soon enough when they start to chat about more serious topics, but this momentary niceness beats none at all.

her hesitating doesn't bother riku at all. the hesitation makes sense since she probably can't just run off without talking to someone first. being at work means communicating with superiors. the last thing she needs is a reprimand from walking off with some weirdo in a wig (red really is not his color. really).]

All right. I'll be by the door whenever you're ready.

[true to that word, riku makes his way over to the exit while sipping at his latte. he'll stand off to the side so not to block the exit. rude may be his middle name, but even that rudeness has its limits.]

[Shiho knows that she really is lucky. She isn't an abandoned PANDRA kid, picked up from war-torn countries where they used espers, even little ones, even seven year olds like weapons. She isn't a Black Phantom kid, picked up from places that they would have ripped from them, everything warped and wiped away by a highly skilled hypno user, knowing nothing but darkness and the implanted suggestion to die if needed to protect the organization's secrets.

Luckier than Naminé who tells her how lucky she is to have had someone like Minamoto around while she was growing up. She lightly runs her thumb along the lip of the cup holding her latte because the most precious thing he ever gave them was so much more than just a hero when they were growing up.

It's the desire to be the same for those who had never had one, to give them the strength to never be afraid again.]

We will. We do. [You do.

When she was little, Shiho's mouth would have turned down on seeing that little tinge of something that she can see in Naminé's smile, she would have prompted and poked.

But thank goodness Naminé smiles and Shiho lets her own expression relax again as she tilts her head teasingly.]

Hey, we're talking about you here, not me, you flatterer.

You--

[Actually. You know what, that's... probably the best place for her, if it's comfortable enough. Surely she wouldn't hang around down there if it was a problem for her, right?]

... Nevermind. Have a nice nap, Sirena.

[Less pleasant things might be, should the topic change, but that will do nothing to negate her feelings - or whatever word she might see fit to replace that with - about his presence. It won't be the first time they've had to discuss a hard subject.]

[And the last thing she needs is a reprimand, indeed, which is why she nods at his words, a slightly relieved smile flickering on her lips. Her eyes follow him part of his walk to the door before she pulls them away; even now, there's some part of her that can't quite believe he's really here, that she is really so lucky as to be less alone than she thought. Stepping back from the counter, she goes in search of her supervisor.]

[It isn't long before she finds her way toward where he's standing, having received leave and made use of it. All over again she has to get used to the strangeness of his wig, but the humor of it is not lost on her, and it adds just a little fuel to the smile she offers with her,]

Shall we?

[The unfortunate fact of the matter is that it's unlikely that anything could keep Naminé from being afraid.]

[Fear, abject and mortal, has been a part of her life from the beginning. Safety is something she has never truly known, and it's laced into the deepest parts of her psyche to be perpetually expecting the worst, forever waiting for some unseen predator to finally see fit to strike her down. It's a hard habit to break, and it might be one she'll never be able to free herself from.]

[So, yes. She will always need a hero - for what good it can do her. But there are degrees to the amount of sway her fear holds over her, and for now, her concerns remain in the back of her mind, lurking 'round the edges of her smile but not out in the open. (And maybe she could be her own hero, but it isn't her way to fight, to conquer; she has given up these things, and holds herself back from her whole potential in her desire not use it for the wrong purposes. Perhaps more than anything or anyone else, she fears herself.)]

[But there's genuine, embarrassed gladness in the way her cheeks color at the compliment, cheeks rising unbidden with the corners of her mouth.] Me--? But-- [Maybe a few days ago it wouldn't have been her reaction, yet now she laughs brightly, tossing back a slightly catching,] -- you're the one being a flatterer. You're much prettier than I am...! When I saw you, I thought you were beautiful - that's why I wanted to draw something for you that was beautiful, too.

Shanks, cutie-pie...

[ And then she's silently snoring. Just loud enough to be a bit confusing for new customers, but not loud enough to hear if you're not standing by the counter. ]

Mmhm.

[Naminé, for her part, just sort of... smiles her way through the odd looks from customers both new and old, casually refraining from addressing the noise unless necessary. Because clearly the best way to cover for it is to act like it's not happening at all, right? Right. So you enjoy that nap, mermaid-ghost ~~friend~~ acquaintance, she's got your back.]

Edited 2016-04-25 23:18 (UTC)

[The younger Shiho knew that feeling all too well, unfortunately. It's in the way she hid her hands to seem inoffensive, in the way her first thought was to stand tall and stand hard, to push people away first before she inevitably scared them away later.

And it's in how relieved she feels knowing that if her powers do go out of control, the only person who gets hurt is her. But she doesn't know that Namine feels the same way and gets flustered instead.]

Wh-

[Pretty she can deal with. Beautiful......not so much. No one ever tells her that she's beautiful.]

I'm pretty sure that's classic flatterer behaviour that you're exhibiting right here!

[Fortunately, Naminé has not developed a habit of consciously pushing people away, although it has crossed her mind that perhaps she ought to. And-- she does not have the same comfort, in regard to her powers. If she were to go out of control... well. No one would enjoy that very much, least of all her.]

[But that couldn't be farther from her mind, happily, and Shiho's flustering is cute. Maybe she ought to lighten up, Naminé thinks, but it's a good problem to have. She's recently become familiar with how nice it is even when compliments turn her pink, and if the other girl feels the same way, then it's hard to be ashamed of herself for causing a similar reaction.]

It's not flattery if it's true, is it...? [Smiling broadly, she looks thoroughly unrepentant.] Besides - I really like your hair. It would be a shame not to be able to tell you.

Edited 2016-04-27 03:35 (UTC)

[Shiho isn't sure what it is with people and flustering her (and more importantly what it is with her and her inability to stop being flustered...she is the cute and cool one here, flustering is not part of her character!)

She tucks her hair behind her ear, looking anywhere but at Namine and seemingly thinking very hard about whether or not she should make a hasty retreat and save herself the embarrassment, or remember her manners...]

Th-...Thanks.

[She does have to put a lot of effort in her hair so it's fluffy but not completely out of control and it's nice to hear that someone likes it.]

[Ah, Naminé knows the look of someone who wants to run - she's seen it on someone else and felt it for herself enough times - but rather than helping with that wished for escape, she feels the need to assuage whatever discomfort might be causing it. She still smiles, but she bows her head slightly, eyes politely on her hands, and says in a gentle voice,]

... Sorry. If that was too much, I mean.

[It seems she thinks she has more to be contrite about than that, however, judging by how somber her tone gets - in direct contradiction to the shape of her mouth.]

I don't-- talk to people very often. [Or she didn't, rather. The change is one she still hasn't adjusted to.] So if I do something wrong, all you have to do is tell me and I'll apologize.

[Shiho immediately looks back at Naminé on hearing that tone and then seeing the way she almost droops.]

No-

[It's more her fault than anything, if she had to name it. The part of her that remembers fumbling with her hairclip with the tiny, uncoordinated fingers of a five year old because no one would help her, afraid that she would touch them and read all their secrets. The way they recoiled away from her if she so much as moved in their direction. Her first thought all the time, despite eleven years of love is always to look for an ulterior motive.]

You don't have to apologize. It's just...

[She flusters again but drags her eyes back to Naminé's.]

It's just...no one ever tells me I'm beautiful, that's all. [Her face is burning red and she can feel it.]

....I'm...I'm really happy. I mean, if I didn't like it, I'd definitely tell you. I would!

...Really. Thank you.

[There are some reflexes that are hard - if not impossible - to unlearn, and Naminé has her share of them. Her own version of that is to think the kindness of others offered to her is unwarranted, born out of ignorance or their own folly. And maybe she doesn't know enough about Shiho to know the real reason for her reaction, but that won't stop her from her quiet sympathy.]

You're welcome.

[It's a soft little thing, and by her tone it's likely she only says it because that's what one is meant to say in response to thanks, not because she thinks she deserves that thanks. Smile more sincere now, she still hesitates, but sees fit to add an,]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it.

[Just in case Shiho had any doubts.]

But I-- believe you. That you'd tell me, I mean. And I'm glad that you would. [There's a hint of mischief in the upturn of her mouth for an instant or two, like she's debating with herself on whether to make a joke. Apparently she does see fit to try, though it's a little stilted, a little shy. The limits are ones she's still feeling out, now that she's begun to try to figure out how to have normal conversations.] I could-- keep saying nice things to see where you stop me, but... that would be mean, wouldn't it? So I won't.

Edited 2016-04-30 03:39 (UTC)

[This person in particular is very much alive and very prone to fidgeting, often times unable to really hold still. It’s a miracle that this is all he’s doing seeing how he’s much more interested in watching her. There’s only a small noise of acknowledgement then. Two heads are better than one. He doesn’t have much he wishes he were better at, but the things he does wish for are pretty big on their own.

So he remains quiet, though his expression says enough. He agrees enough, and though he appears to be more focused on the rose he’s nodding along.]

Maybe someday it’ll be a lot easier to figure out how to keep that balance, huh? [It’s all he says on the matter even if he seems to want to ask more. But instead, he smiles briefly as he examines the rose, standing on his toes to see a little better.]

The fact that you did all of that while talking is really what impresses me. Thanks a lot. [He pauses for a moment, fishing his CereVice out of his pocket and turning on the camera to take a picture of it.] Kinda seems like a shame to drink it now.

[That, and he wants to show Ruby when she comes back. (If she comes back.)]

Maybe you should start giving advice as a side-business, too.

Maybe. [Lightly, which also describes what follows it.] I guess it's something that could be learned.

[As bittersweet an idea it is to put into practice. She's had more experience with the application of that theory of hurt versus learning than she'd care to admit, and so she keeps mum on the subject, content enough to let it pass. Another person would probably lean on the counter, but she only rests her hands lightly on it, back remaining upright as she considers the rose from her position, which makes it appear upside-down.]

You learn to multitask in a place like this. There's always something going on. [Except she learned to multitask before, when her mind was busy prying into the depths of hearts while her hands occupied themselves with drawing what she saw there. It wasn't a conscious thing, not at all, and thus she seeks some more recent explanation for it.] It's never as quiet as I'm used to. [Although it actually is at the moment, which she realizes a moment late. Casting a glance around, she takes note that it is awfully calm, for once. There's still no one clamoring for a drink.] Or it... isn't, most of the time.

... But you're welcome. [Settling again, she blinks at the appearance of his CereVice, at first not realizing his intention. Once she does, it brings a smile to her face, one that blossoms quickly and lingers.] Oh, it's alright. I can always make you another.

[Even though truthfully, that's always been something of a sticking point for her, too. It's a bit sad, seeing something created only to disappear so quickly. (Reminds her too much of herself.) Part of her's always wanted to be remembered, and creating something that will outlive her, something that's real, has always been one of the things that actually did appeal to her emotionally about drawing. It's surprisingly comforting to think that there'll be a picture of that rose, now, rather than this one being destroyed and forgotten like the other artwork that makes its way onto peoples lattes.]

[Her shoulders jump with her surprised laugh at his suggestion, incredulous but delighted.] Advice? [Ironically, for all that she tries her best to guide others, it's always been a component of her nature or else a matter of necessity. No one's called attention to it before, and so she's hardly ever had cause to think of herself as an advisor. So she can ask with sincerity,] What would I give advice about?

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