estoria | [closed] catch-all log

[Shinji's finally somewhat gotten used to having a semi-permanent residence over the past four months. An apartment isn't something he would've proactively gone searching for himself, but there's no point in not taking advantage of the scant facilities offered by an apartment with electricity.

Namely, the tiny kitchenette he spends most of his time in when he's actually in his apartment.

He's had to leave his apartment today though to restock his fridge. There isn't much in it most days anyway, his schedule erratic enough that stocking ingredients for more than two meals would be a waste, but he isn't feeling another round of ramen so off to the local grocery store it is.

Pan-fried noodles sounds nice, and he makes his way to the open chilled section to find one last package of flat noodles. Looks like he got here just in time. Shinjiro reaches out to grab it—

—and smacks hands with a fellow store patron. Ah.]

Sorry. You take it.

[He can figure out something else to make for dinner.]

[Everything about this is absolute bullshit.

He isn't cut out for dancing, isn't really cut out for any sort of physical activity that requires more grace and coordination than a fist to the face. But pressure (and some not-so-subtle threats) had been pressed firmly against his shoulders and since Shinjiro doesn't have any sort of immediate death wish - long-term negotiable - he's found himself in an open dance studio with his coat dumped on the floor and the sweet strains of orchestral music slowly giving him a headache.

His entire posture screams reluctance, from the way his shoulders are hunched up to the way he's staring at the designated DJ robot in the corner with barely concealed hostility.]

Do we seriously have to do this?

Ah...

[Ai had been pondering over what her meal tonight would be. Nothing extravagant of course, but something flavorful, but light... Her thoughts were interrupted by the stranger who accidentally bumped into her.

"Sorry. You take it."

Those words make her blink before it registers and she shakes her head.]

No, I apologize for being in your way! And I haven't made up my mind yet, so you're free to take those if you wish!

[... Her voice sounds familiar... Less... Drunk you could say...]

[Maybe it's the fact that she reminds him a bit of Fuuka - why is there something familiar about here? - that makes him gesture towards the noodles again and then back at her. What if she's an awful cook? What if removing a key ingredient from a recipe means she has nothing to eat the rest of the evening? (Never mind that she'd already stated she hadn't yet decided on a meal.)]

It's fine, you can take them. I can make something up.

[Not like he doesn't do it often enough already. And, because he's still trying to puzzle out why he feels like he ought to recognize her, he follows up with a question:]

You work here?

[He usually frequents this grocery store. Could be it.]

[Ai Thao's first impression of this young man was that he's... Scary? No, that's too strong of a word. If that were the case, any person she's met up to this point would fall under that label and that's just because she was new to the constant flow of social interaction with people outside of her group. Maybe it was better to say that there's some sort of gut feeling she's having right now and she can't identify the reason why.

At his question, she shakes her head.]

No. Right now, I'm working somewhere else, but I'm hoping to switch up my occupation later.

As for the noodles... I'm thinking of using udon noodles, actually, not the kind you were reaching for.

[ if shinji isn't cut out for dancing, fuuka definitely isn't either. the only coordination and grace she possess are completely confined to her hands, which does jack on the dance floor. still, mitsuru asked (coerced) and who are they to refuse a directive from their fearless leader?

so here she is, dressed down in ankle-length jeans and an over-sized sweater, trying not to sneak too many glances at the door they came in from. shinjiro himself is intimidating enough when he isn't annoyed, and despite the fact that they've talked a couple times since arriving in cerealia, she's no minako. she's not lively or passionate, nor is she nearly as active.

but they're already here, right? no point in turning back now. she clears her throat a little and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. ]

... S-Sorry about this, senpai. Maybe we can just try it for a little? For Mitsuru-senpai?

[ at least they can tell her they tried, if nothing else. ]

Edited 2015-04-08 08:21 (UTC)

[If Fuuka weren't right here next to him, he probably would've walked right out and never looked back.

As it is, she doesn't deserve to be cooped up with his irritable self, particularly since she'd done absolutely nothing wrong, and Shinjiro blows out one last sigh before turning to face her and trying to tame the scowl on his face. (It doesn't work very well, but A for effort right?)]

It ain't your fault.

[It's neither of their faults that they can't dance. Who even fancy dances in this day and age? He reaches up to rub at the back of his head.]

Sorry you got stuck with me though. I'll try not to step on your feet.

[A promise he isn't sure if he can even keep, quite honestly.]

[Not that? He'll have to do some digging then. (He really ought to just let this go like he usually does but for some reason it's really bothering him right about now.) Unfortunately for her, his digging mostly consists of staring at her, one arm hooked around his shopping basket as he tries to puzzle out just why she's familiar.

And then it hits him, and his head jerks back a little in surprise as he asks:]

Wait, did you call me the other day?

[Give Ai a moment. Initially, she's understandably confused and it shows. Had she made any calls in the past few days...?

But then it dawns on her, slowly, but surely. She recalls Ryuko giving her a dare, how she sloppily dialed a random number and then...

Look, she left an apology text and decided to think to think nothing of it, but here they are and as luck would have it, Ai's facing the person who's first impression of her was probably a dumb drunkard. Her face turns, RED...]

Oh... Oh no...!!

[Feeling her cheeks go warm, Ai Thao's hands fly up to cover her face, but her embarrassment seems to radiate through her fingers.]

That... That was you?? Oh, no I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!!

[ he's trying and so does she, laughing a little at his apology as she shakes her head. ]

No, it's okay. Actually, I think I should be the one saying that... I wasn't very good at P.E. and I'm kind of clumsy.

[ she belongs in a computer lab, not on a football field. ]

But I'll do my best! Thank you for your patience, senpai.

[Honestly, this ball thing is beginning to be a lot more trouble than it's worth. First the dancing lessons and now he has to find clothes and because he's so tall but lanky, nothing in the shops fits him right. He half-suggests just going in his usual outfit but a particularly frosty response from Natalia has him backtracking and rethinking his decision.

So here he is, texting the one person he figures probably won't make too much of a fuss over this.]

You're good at fixing up clothes right?

[Save him, Vietnam.]

[Whoop! A message from Shinjiro! Though it seemed unexpected, this kind of request. She hasn't made the connection that he could be talking about the ball.]

Hello, Shinjiro! And yes I am, what is that you need me to help with?

[FEAR NOT, SHINJI, SHE'S HERE FOR YOU.]

[UGHHHH he can't believe he's had to resort to asking someone for help. This is the worst. May he never have to do it again.]

I need an outfit for Natalia's party.

[It's okay, she won't tell anyone about his moment of weakness.]

I see! Are you asking me to alter one for you, or make a new one? I can do either one you choose.

I don't have anything.

[There are literally no nice clothes in his closet, it's terrible. But since he likes Vietnam and he wouldn't want to make too much extra work for her, he quickly types out another message.]

Is it easier for me to buy something first?

[Though he might go and pick out the ugliest suit alive, do you really trust him to pick out something nice?]

[Thanks to the wonders of text, she can't even tell that he's having a polite crisis right now! All she knows is that he's starting from scratch.]

Oh! Yes that would be easier, I can go with you if you like. If we're lucky, you can find something that doesn't need a lot of alteration.

[Thankfully since this is for another (him), for an important party, she's going to make sure he gets the nicest suit there! HE'S GOING TO BE HANDSOME OKAY.]

[BLESS U VIETNAM.....]

When are you free?

[Might as well get a head start on this.]

[Neither of them belong here and yet here they are. The robotic DJ seems to sense their tired defeat and immediately cues up the next song, hitting pause so it can zoom over and start blaring out instructions. Probably for the best, since Shinji has absolutely no idea where any of his body parts are supposed to go right now.]

PLEASE GET CLOSE TOGETHER. YOU [pointing at Shinji] PUT YOUR HAND ON HER WAIST. YOU [now pointing at Fuuka] PUT YOUR HAND ON HIS ARM.

[Honestly this feels like invasion of personal space to him and he takes the tiniest step forward, arm stretched out so his hand's about three inches away from her side. This, apparently, is unsatisfactory to their robotic instructor, who promptly zooms around and shoves Shinji forward, a move that causes him to yelp and clamp down on Fuuka's midsection as he lurches forward and tries not to fall.

Sorry, Fuuka.]

[ she nearly jumps when the robot zooms over, also stepping forward to attempt to find the least awkward spot on his arm to place her hand on (hint: the whole thing is awkward). she ends up going for his bicep (that's safe, right?), but hesitates in touching him, fingers only lightly skimming the fabric of his sleeve.

she's about to ask him if this would be okay until she feels him lurch forward, her hands immediately grabbing his arm and shoulder in an attempt to support him while preventing herself from being crushed. a vague stab of pain rushes up from her side beneath his hand, but she ignores it in favor of checking on him instead, leaning back in an attempt to look at his face. ]

A-Are you alright?

[Whoa, that sure is some emphatic apologizing going on there, enough for Shinji to take a step back in surprise and raise his hand in a please calm down motion.]

It's fine. [Sure it'd been weird but that's all it had been: weird, nothing more than a small blip in his otherwise straightforward day and easily brushed to the side.] You didn't say anything offensive.

[Though, since he isn't sure why she'd done it in the first place, he follows up with a question:] Were you actually looking for a high school friend of yours?

[SHE TRIES, REALLY.]

I am currently free! What of yourself? I will match your schedule.

[The sooner the better. Straightaway, even better.]

I-It was just a dare so... Yes, it could have been worse.

[She lowers her hands, but her cheeks are still visibly red.]

I never went to high school.

[Nothing like the present indeed....! Plus the less time he has to spend worrying about this the better.]

Now is fine. Where should I meet you?

[Not even five minutes into this and he's already fucked things up. Truly amazing.

He lets go of Fuuka's side as soon as he realizes what he's done, arm jerking backwards as he tries to right himself and move himself away from her personal space bubble.]

Fine. Sorry about that.

[With any luck it won't happen again, but just to make sure, he stands right where he is, arms held out in the proper position.]step

Maybe you should step towards me in case the stupid robot pushes me forward again.

[closed] catch-all log

AI THAO

FUUKA

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a million years later (i'm so sorry augh. also hope this is ok)

no you're perfect!

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1/2

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VIETNAM

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