[open] yarrrrrrrr

[psycholawgy]

Who: Athena Cykes (psycholawgy) & you!
When: Icly 11/09 (or any other day!)
Where: Various places (Cosplay cafe, and around the residential district)
What: You can be accosted by her, or watch her accost someone. Your choice.
Rating/Warning: Will update as needed.

---

a
[ Athena had a shift today at the cosplay cafe, and she was really excited about it! It was always fun being there, since she gets to meet a lot of people. Free food was also involved sometimes, and that was the best part.

…

But today was a bust.

She was even excited to talk to customers with a pirate accent, since that was what she was cosplaying as today. A pirate! You just can't have it all.

Instead of just waiting inside for people to come in, she goes out into the street just by the cafe. She wasn't finishing her work today without showing off her cute costume. Holding out her fake sword and pointing it at any person who passes by, she exclaims: ]

It's into the cafe or Davy Jones' Locker, ye knave!

[ Marketing strategies!

Of course, anyone who works at the cosplay cafe is also free to stop her from possibly embarrassing herself and the establishment. ]



b
[ It wasn't even that late! It was just an hour or so before sundown, but a police officer robot thing approaches Athena and tells her to go home. She's not even sure why she's being told to do so, when she's not even a minor. Was it because she was little? Whatever the reason, she felt very insulted by this. ]

I'm on my way to buy some food!

[ But the officer seemed very insistent that she should go home before sundown since it wasn't safe. "Look, kid. You better head home before dark, or else you could get in trouble." ]

I'm not a kid!

[ And if it wasn't her stating that she wants to buy food that could catch someone's attention, it's her yelling that she's not a kid, because she can be loud. Now is one of those times.

Again, the officer continues to believe in its own opinion that Athena is much younger than she truly is, and decides to walk her home that very instant, grabbing her by the wrist. But Athena doesn't take kindly to people giving her unwanted physical contact. She quickly grabs the officer's wrist then moves to turn, her back facing the cop, then she crouches as she pulls its arm to throw him to the ground.

… But she may have thrown her a bit too far. The officer probably hits an innocent passer-by or the space very close to said passer-by.

Oops? ]



c
[ Or just tag with whatever! ]


[ Obligatory permissions post because Athena is a human lie detector. ]

Comments

[souredsweet]

[This is the weirdest fashion subculture from the future that Kaoru's seen yet. There's definitely a look of confusion present as Athena scrolls through row after row of people who are INDECENTLY DRESSED!! and also badly dressed. What's up with all these bright, clashing colors? The stupid logos?? And everyone gave the Shinsengumi shit for having sky-blue uniforms...]

Some of them seem to match... Is this a warrior's uniform of a sort?

[The most important question here is what kind of warrior would go out in public dressed like that, honestly.]

[psycholawgy]

Hey, it's something like that.

[ No, Athena, it's not. ]

They fight criminals and other bad guys, but they're usually not affiliated with the police or anything.

[ And if she knew anything about the fictional superheroes in her version of America, she would totally show Kaoru the Steel Samurai. Maybe that would be something of his interest. BUT ALAS. She mostly just knows the more popular superheroes like that one mutant in a wheelchair, or that other one with a metal helmet. ]

I don't know why they dress up that way, but some superheroes have aliases. This guy's name is probably "Birdman".

[ Conveniently points to an image with a man dressed up in an orange spandex suit, black underwear, black boots, and a detailed bird mask (beak included), and black wings. ]

[souredsweet]

[SEEMS LEGIT ENOUGH TO KAORU. There are plenty of weirdos who aren't affiliated with the police but still dress up to fight bad guys in 1860s-era Edo, even though Kaoru still struggles to see the point of such weird spandex tomfoolery.]

I'm a little surprised that such eccentric people are allowed to operate without repercussion... It seems a little dangerous, doesn't it? [Glancing at the supposed "Birdman" with a look of mild concern.]

If someone dressed like that tried to save me, I might mistake them for a criminal at first, to be honest.

[#sane reactions to superheroes]

[psycholawgy]

You would?

[ Maybe it's just that Kaoru's from a different time... Athena is just a wee bit concerned over the strange costumes, when she works with a high school student who actually dresses up like a magician at all times. Stuff like superhero costumes aren't so weird when people seem to wear unusual clothes every day.

Then she thinks of Ryuko, whom she shares a flat with. Her clothes can apparently talk. That's pretty much her benchmark for strange and suspicious. Not what Birdman's wearing. ]

What's so scary about it? Is it the beak?

[ BECAUSE THERE IS CLEARLY NOTHING WRONG WITH PEOPLE SWOPPING IN IN COSTUMES. Absolutely nothing! ]

[souredsweet]

The beak is certainly a little bizarre... The fact that he's covering his face at all is suspicious, too. Where I come from, such an act is largely reserved for bandits and ninja.

[NOT TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE AT ALL. If Kaoru ever came across some person dressed up like a leotard-wearing animal with their face partially obscured, there would definitely be some immediate bailing happening...]

Likewise, the spandex material is... certainly very revealing, isn't it? Without being aware ahead of time that such a person was on my side, I think it would be natural to assume the worst.

[So it's definitely a time difference thing, but these are also truly valid points...]

[psycholawgy]

But- [ She wags a finger at Kaoru. ] But, but! Now that you know that they save people and don't mean to scare anyone, you wouldn't be scared anymore, right?

I mean, if it happens here!

[souredsweet]

[WELL... THEY'D PROBABLY STILL BE A LITTLE ALARMING. Kaoru's gaze drifts up toward the ceiling briefly, and a thoughtful hum follows.]

Mm... Well, I might still be a little startled at first, but I would certainly be more at ease knowing what I know now. Perhaps I should thank you, then? If that ever happened here, I would be able to handle the situation with greater ease because of Athena-san.

[psycholawgy]

I think I'll call you or something if the cafe does a superhero theme.

[ She laughs. It'd be amusing to see Kaoru surrounded by a bunch of people in spandex. ]

[souredsweet]

[ATHENA DON'T DO THIS.]

Please do. I would be interested to see what an entire group of people like that would look like all in one space.

[Hilarious, probably.]

[psycholawgy]

[ I CAN SHOW YOU THE WORLD, KAORU. SHINING, SHIMMERING, SPANDEX. ]

Great! [ That gets her so pumped up, she starts swaying forwards then backwards like an eager little girl who just got a balloon. ] I'll hold you to that.

[souredsweet]

[THE WORLD CAN KEEP ITS SPANDEX?!! But oh good lord, she sure is easy to get hyped up, isn't she? Kaoru raises a hand, gently covering a laugh, and nods.]

Then I won't let you down. [Kaoru has just signed up for a day in hell.

THAT SAID, finally picking up the menu again!] Ah, by the way... What things would you suggest here? Are there any teas or dishes that you prefer?

[psycholawgy]

[ All the hype for awful and embarrassing ideas!! ]

Oh, the food! [ She totally forgot about it now. Good job, waitress. ] The sandwiches are great. You should try either the chicken BLT salad sandwich, or if you don't want meat, try the roasted tomato and mozzarella panini. They'd go well with earl grey tea, or something equally as citrusy.

[ This is the first time someone's actually asked for her suggestion ever since she started working. FEELS GOOD. ]

[souredsweet]

[MOVING UP IN THE WORLD OF COSPLAY CAFE SERVICE.

Kaoru seems to be contemplating the choices given, though. None of the suggested items are things that Kaoru would normally select, but they don't sound bad, either.]

—Then, the panini sounds delightful. If you suggest earl grey, I'll take that as well.

[psycholawgy]

You got it! You won't be disappointed!

[ She turns to walk to the kitchen to place Kaoru's orders, but stops midway to look back at Kaoru. ]

It's gonna be really good!

[ And then she's off to harass the chef to add a lot of stuff in it to make it more flavourful. CAN'T DISAPPOINT HER FRIEND AFTER ALL!!

She comes back a couple minutes later with a tray, carrying Kaoru's orders. ]

I hope you didn't wait long?

[souredsweet]

[KAORU IS RESTING REASSURED, and is just sort of people-watching through the cafe's window when Athena comes back with the tray. It's a pretty cozy place here - almost surprisingly so. While it wouldn't be the first choice for ambiance, it's quaint and pleasant and there are plenty of people walking by on the streetside to give off more of a lively air.

The people inside are pretty lively too, though...

Looking up once she speaks!]

Oh— No, not at all - that was very quick. [A smile! Kaoru claps both hands together gently in a gesture of quiet excitement.] What a lovely smell.

[psycholawgy]

[ Athena serves the tea first, and then the sandwich. Then she heads over to the counter to grab some honey, milk, and sugar in case Kaoru might want to put those in the tea. When she gets back, she bows her head and smiles. ]

I hope you enjoy the food! It's really good, I promise! [ She already said that, but she can't help but say it again. ]

[souredsweet]

[A return bow of gratitude is given before Kaoru's attention shifts to the food.]

The fantastic service will make it taste even better, I'm sure. [SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM...

But then, picking the sandwich up! Somehow, despite how notoriously messy paninis can be, Kaoru manages to take a small bite in as elegant a manner as physically possible. NOT EVEN STRINGY CHEESE CAN STOP THE PRINCESS TRAIN. A hand is held up to cover Kaoru's mouth while chewing too, but the expression present seems to speak good things already. After swallowing:]

—You weren't exaggerating in the least, were you? This has a wonderful taste.

[psycholawgy]

[ Wow, Kaoru. YOU ARE SO DEMURE. There's some wonder in her eyes as she watches Kaoru eat.

And she's filled with happiness when Kaoru agrees with her suggestion on what she should eat. There's a lot that can make her happy, but affirmation is always the best. ]

I'm glad you like it! It's what I eat here, too.

[souredsweet]

[IT'S A LONG-PRACTICED SKILL...]

Ah, is it? [For some reason, Kaoru doesn't seem surprised... Enthusiasm of those heights usually happens for a reason, after all!] You have impeccable taste, in that case.

[psycholawgy]

Aw!

[ She turns a bit red, flattered. And what does she do when she feels good about herself? Play with her hair. ]

You're too nice.

[souredsweet]

[What a cute trait, gosh!! Kaoru sure looks endeared, anyway.]

It's simply truthful. I'll certainly have to take your recommendations again the next time I visit.

[On superhero day...]

[psycholawgy]

[ Superhero day is going to be great. Just you wait! ]

Bring your friends next time, too!

[ BRING EVERYONE YOU KNOW. ]

[souredsweet]

Ah, would that be all right?

[KAORU WILL SPREAD THE WORD. Superhero day will be packed...]

[psycholawgy]

[ Lets out a "pfft" sound. ]

As if you need to ask!

[ Seriously!!! ]

[souredsweet]

[Smiling!]

Then I'll spread the word as well as I'm able and bring more people with me the next time.

[Sharing the glory of paninis one person at a time...]

I'm already looking forward to it. Ah— and thank you for being such a hospitable host, as well.