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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She can always start bad rumours about them! Destroy their lives before anyone ever even meets them.]

Oh, so like...an applied skill or something, right?

[Shiho is insistent because she knows what it feels like to think that you can't do anything right, and she gives her support in any way that she can.]

That's great. You were brought here by CERES, right?

[Admittedly, Naminé could give her plenty of wholly truthful information for that purpose, but would she? Probably not. Not unless it was for everyone's safety.]

'Applied skill'...? I'm-- not sure what that is.

[She's only just started going to school, Shiho, be gentle with her. Really, though, she does have a tendency to be overly conscious of her own perceived failings. In any case, she blinks at the question, straightening a little.]

Yes, I think so. [That is what it's called, isn't it?] Were you?

It's like a transferable skill? Like how you can draw and you applied that to latte art.

[She's being super gentle with her, especially because she suspects this girl was bullied. But then again, despite how venomous she can be sometimes, she's not really an unkind person.]

Yeah, I was brought here a few months ago. I'm Shiho, by the way. What about you?

Oh. [It doesn't take her long to comprehend it; she's a sharp girl, but occasionally uninformed.] Sure-- that could be it. It would make sense.

[Naminé would appreciate it all the more if she were able to compare this to 'not being gentle'. As it is, she's glad enough to be treated well in any sense.]

That's quite a while...! [At least by comparison.] I've only been here for a few days. [The introduction seems to prompt her to offer a smile, after an odd little moment of surprise. It's a bit shy, but sincere.] It's nice to meet you, Shiho. My name is Naminé.

So you're new, then. [Shiho kind of guessed since she doesn't remember seeing her around before.]

It's nice to meet you too, Naminé.

[Her expression is relaxed and gentle because she isn't a bad person, really. It's just difficult to get out of her habit of being simultaneously defensive as well as on the offensive, looking out for people who would try to hurt her.]

I bet Kaoru-chan would love this place. [She says this to herself more than anything before she turns to smile at the other girl again.]

Especially with such cute lattes. What do you think? Maybe I'll bring her with me next time. [Because if there was anyone who could make the most hopeless people feel loved and wanted, it was her best friend through sheer stubborn will and a heart full of such brightness that even Shiho had trouble believing she was real sometimes.]

[A nod is her response, hands folding together. It's not an anxious gesture, but there is some aspect of self-comfort in it.]

[Not that she needs it too badly, really, because when her eyes search the other girl's face, the expression she finds there is a welcome enough one, and her own shoulders subtly lower. It's hard to get less intimidating at first glance than Naminé is - tiny thing that she happens to be, body language careful and every movement delicate, right down to the curves of her fingers.]

[Her head tilts a few degrees at the unfamiliar name, but straightens once more as she's smiled at. The gesture is one she returns, just a little uncertain but genuine enough, and understanding dawns at the question. A friend, she assumes - good. Despite her own hardships in that area, she's always quietly pleased to see other people not having to be alone.]

Well, I... can't say. I've never met her. [An honest answer, as is her,] But if you think she'd like it, I'm sure she would. [Since they're friends, after all, wouldn't Shiho know? Still, as if recognizing the need for some personal input, she adds after the barest hint of a hesitation,] I've liked it here, so far. [Of course, that's not the same thing when one's working there, but details.] And-- I'd be happy to make something special for her, if you'd like to make a request for next time.

[A specific design, she means.]

I'm glad you like it. [Really, she is. Even if Namine might be biased because she's working there.]

And any request?

[The curve in Shiho's smile is just a bit teasing.]

What about drawing a person? It doesn't have to be realistic or anything, I think she'll get it as long as the hairstyle and the glasses are there. [Also she's sure that Kaoru would enjoy a latte with Minamoto's face on it.]

[Her mouth raises at the corners, sweet and a little shy; she can't help but be glad to have made someone else glad, whether it was intentional or not. She blinks, however, at that teasing, mouth momentarily shaping into an 'o'. It's clear she didn't expect it, but she recovers quickly enough, lips a smidgeon higher on one side than the other in some quiet amusement.]

Within reason, of course.

[That's almost teasing in and of itself, albeit subtly. Humming at the request,]

I think I can manage that. [Especially if it's not realistic. It feels like there's some joke she's not privy to going on here, but she hardly objects to participating in it. Her enjoyment of the prospect seems to linger, as there's something more relaxed about her, now.] I assume you mean someone specific...? It would help if I had a description - or a picture.

[Maybe it's because Shiho has seen too many people (often espers) her age and younger who had lost their smiles, but being able to make Namine smile still feels like an accomplishment.]

Hey, I'm nothing if not reasonable. [She isn't at all, actually. Especially not if Minamoto were asked for his opinion.]

I have-

[Wait, she doesn't have a picture....except for that one where they photoshopped his face onto a swimsuit model's body. And a whole bunch of others that they took sneakily.]

-uh...I think I must have one? [That's not questionable.]

[It is something of an accomplishment, considering how rarely it happened before she ended up in Cerealia. There's a part of her - and that part tends to lurk quietly in the corners of her expression and behind her eyes - that is always sad, maybe always will be sad. She needs all the smiles she can get; perhaps the irony of it is that they're that much more sincere for it. Joy, for a girl like her, is something to be savored.]

I wouldn't say otherwise.

[Or she hasn't had any proper proof to suggest it, so far. It remains to be seen. Her brows do raise at the pause, a pair of short blinks the outward sign of her recognition that Shiho cut herself off, but Naminé's expression eases again readily enough. Shiho probably just remembered something, right? Good thing Naminé doesn't know what.]

Well, that's alright if you don't...! Or if you'd just like to bring one next time. You can describe them to me instead, if that's not too much trouble...? [-- Ah, perhaps she should ask,] Are they someone who's in the city, or--?

[Precious, pure Naminé, please don't ever find out what Shiho remembered. (Though if Kaoru came, it was only a matter of time...)]

I know.

[The only one who ever told her she was unreasonable was Kaneda. Okay, and Kasshu. And maybe a whole slew of other people. But she really wasn't that unreasonable!! She just had exacting interests. And bad habits from acting out constantly as a kid, testing people to see whether they really did care as much as they claimed to or if they were there just to use her and her friends like every other person they'd met.]

I should have one...

[Found it! And it's even one with his cute dog augh...Shiho lingers just a little bit, a fond smile before she presents the picture to Naminé.]

-Here! He isn't...in the city right now. Ah, but I think as long as you get the hair and the glasses right, Kaoru-chan should be able to figure it out no problem.

[He wasn't here but because Kaoru was, Shiho could believe that he was fine and that he'd be here in no time at all.]

[Fortunately for all parties involved, Naminé is not at all inclined to use her powers with any degree of regularity. All Shiho's dark secrets are safe - for the time being.]

[Regardless, there's a little smile on her lips that sticks around as she waits for Shiho to find the picture in question, and it grows in strength once the item is found purely because of the look on the other girl's face. When the picture is offered to her, Naminé leans in to peer at it, not reaching to take it herself. With a note of pleasant surprise,]

Wow...! That's really sweet. [The dog seems to have made quite the impression on her, by all appearances, or at least the interaction going on there. Studying the picture, she tucks it away into her memory, where it remains with far more clarity than would be possible for a normal person's recollection. Straightening,]

I'm sure I'll be able to manage something. Thank you. [Her eyes flick once between Shiho and the picture before curiosity wins out. (She's trying to decide whether or not there are sympathies to express that this fellow isn't around.)] Is he-- another friend of yours? Or your friend's?

That's awesome. I should be the one thanking you. [Despite the fact that Minamoto isn't here though, Shiho is still smiling on being asked about him (probably because she doesn't tend to get asked about him a lot).]

He's not really our friend. [He's more like their supervisor but that never fails to sound weird.] But he's been taking care of us since we were little and he's amazing.

...He really is. [Shiho looks down for a moment, embarrassed at saying it out loud before she looks back up and gives Naminé a sheepish little smile.] I mean, he's a genius and a government worker and he cooks and cleans like someone's talented old grandma, he's kind to little kids and animals. What isn't amazing about that, right?

[But more importantly, he treated Shiho like an actual person and not like a monster. He accepted their level 7 powers and he held her hand. He reached out and held her hand and this was something that still soothes some dark, wounded part of her heart every single time.]

[She shakes her head slightly, upturn to the corners of her mouth still there.] I'm grateful for the inspiration, and for the chance to help out. It's nice of you to do something for your friend.

[And that's something she's glad to encourage. Expression bordering on curious, she listens to the explanation, and it isn't lost on her how Shiho smiles about it. As the other girl looks down, Naminé tucks her own head slightly in some sympathy for that embarrassment, but her eyes are bright with a quietly amused sort of joy. No matter how lonely her own life has been, it always makes her so truly and honestly happy to know that other people have relationships that are important to them.]

Nothing. [Isn't amazing, that is.] He sounds like a really wonderful person...!

[And the implications of that description don't go over her head, either, but for the time being, she focuses on the positive aspects of it. (It's probably a bit like how she'd sound if she talked about Sora, who was kind to her even when she didn't deserve it, who was the inspiration for so many of the choices in her own life that she's made since then. But it's a little more bittersweet, perhaps, that in the end he still left her behind; there is a deeply scarred portion of her own heart dedicated to that decision in and of itself, even for all the good he did, and there is no soothing in that. It doesn't make her care for him any less.)]

Like a superhero, but-- normal. [For a given value of 'normal'. Her smile rises a tick more for a moment; 'superhero' is a relatively new term for her, one she's been mulling over and is glad for the opportunity to use it.] So he's not your friend, but he's... special to you. Now that I know, I'm a little sad for the two of you that he isn't here.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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)

[Shiho can kind of guess where that tone comes from, but sympathy isn't something she's used to (and cannot entirely enjoy because it feels too much like indulging in weakness when she promised herself that she was strong).]

I know. [She's taking a chance, something she doesn't like to do, but a part of her sympathizes with Naminé, and so she gives her a small smile right back, even if it almost turns into a pout.]

And well...good. It's embarrassing.

[But there's no bite in her words at all.]

You and Kaoru-chan are probably going to get along way too well. I'm actually kind of scared now to see what'll happen when you two meet.

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