(Open) Come on, choose one. You mustn't be afraid.

[faithfulflame]

Who: Rei Hino faithfulflame & You! This is open!
When: 2/1-2/6 (7/10-7/18)
Where: All over Cerealia. Entertainment District, Shopping District, Residential District, Research District
What: Rei goes out to check on some people, take care of some business/be social, and spend time with various people.
Rating/Warning: None save maybe language? Will update as needed.

---

I. Residential District:

[Today there's a young woman walking rather briskly through the winding streets of the residential areas. She's got something on her mind, a focus and more than a few worries weighing on her of late. There are questions she has, and people she needs to talk to. If it happens that she brushes past you on the street, there may even be a palpable sense of heat following her despite the chill. Her control is slipping, and she needs to get answers and information.

She's heading for specific apartments, preceded by a simple text message request to speak. Athena Cykes, Nonon Jakuzure, Simon Blackquill and England can all expect to hear from Rei at some point, but there are other people she's checking up on. CR can assume they're on this list, I cannot list all of you!


II. CERES Gym:

[Rei's kendo training is coming along well, and she's showing up at the gym even when she doesn't have classes with Sousei to practice both that and her archery, sometimes late into the evening. Her hands are steady as she holds the shinai, and her eyes are focused on each target she looses an arrow at. To an experienced observer she's much more comfortable with the bow, but she's seemingly taking to the bamboo sword rather quickly. Sweat and hard work may not be particularly dignified, but given how insane everything's been lately? She's willing to just give up on that for now.

Hard at work, she may not notice observers until she pauses, or practically sinks down next to a water cooler. Grab her however!]


III. Research District:

[Realizing that her control is in fact slipping and has for a day or so, Rei makes her way to the hospital to get a quick checkup. It's not that she's worried she's overdoing it...but she is, and she's hardly foolish enough to let the signs of stress go unanswered.

After her checkup, she heads out of the medical facility wearing a very severe frown, looking around and hoping she's not going to run into anyone she knows. That's probably not the case, knowing her luck, but she can hope, right?]


IV. Shopping District/Auto Shop:

[This is a bit of a whim of hers, but one she's decided to indulge. It's not like she can't afford something nice, and after the scare with the buses and trains recently it has a bit more practical application. So, here she is, browsing the selection of motor-bikes available. She's actually considering it seriously, simply to have an alternate way to work.

Look out roads...]


V. Closed to Minako Aino:

[The Shopping District was something alright. The selection of things to eye-shop and possibly by rivaled and probably exceeded downtown Tokyo, but Rei'd never quite admit it. She'd also never admit to Minako that she was letting all this stress and worry get to her, but it seemed the blonde had picked up on that without prompting. At least, that was what the raven-haired priestess had assumed when she'd been told that they were going out that evening for shopping and dinner, so that Rei could 'Loosen up a bit!'

And with no choice in it and the matter settled, here they were, outside a large department store. Just before Valentine's Day...]

Comments

[faithfulflame]

[So very.]

Well, I wanted to ask you for some advice. Because you've done this a lot more than me.

[She frowns, not really sure how to just ask this. But part of this is for Nonon's ego, so that she and Rei can get on better at Ryuko's request.]

What would you get someone you cared about for Valentine's?

[shikisha]

[ She looks up from her cookie, assuming the question has to be about music, or fighting or...

Love advice was definitely not what she was thinking, her brow raising at the question. ]

Chocolate of course. I can't imagine a girl like you hasn't gotten Valentine's chocolates before. Though I know how much of a pain that can be, with everyone expecting you to return the favor on White Day. Eventually I just had to give up and buy all my girls chocolate as a group because I couldn't remember who had given me some.

[ Wasn't she supposed to talk about someone she cared about? ]

But anyways, something homemade is what you want. It may be cliche, but that doesn't mean that you can't make something that puts your feelings into words for you. Sometimes the littlest gift can make the biggest bang.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei nods along with all of that, amused that Nonon assumes she likes a girl. She's not wrong, but it's still an interesting thing.]

Something homemade, then. Homemade chocolate might be more trouble than it's worth, since she'll know. [Living with her and all.]

But what makes you think that whoever I like has been given chocolates before? [Almost like she's implying something there. And as far as she knows, Minako's never been involved with anyone.]

[shikisha]

[ Oh, she had assumed it was a boy honestly. That's why she said she was confused she didn't get chocolates. But it seemed like Rei wanted to GIVE a gift instead of receive one after all.

Because when Rei says 'she' Nonon's interest level goes up. ]

Oho, just who is this girl? Maybe I know her.

[ That question makes her shake her head. ]

I never said she had. But giving chocolate for Valentine's is obviously a well worn cliche, for better or worse.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's face turns even redder at the renewed scrutiny. She was fairly sure Nonon didn't know Minako, but...she's misheard something ]

Minako Aino, a friend from home. [Moving past the slip...]

But I haven't accepted gifts for Valentine's day before either.

[Rei, who went to an all girl's private school, presented herself as an icy person? Yeah, no. Despite her good looks.]

[shikisha]

[ Okay, that's kinda cute. Nonon can't help but smile at seeing that look. That same look that Nonon has definitely made before when thinking about Ryuko. ]

I'm sad to say I don't know here. But I imagine she must be here if you are planning to give her a present.

[ She shrugs, but her interest level is definitely high. Girls who like girls... it's something new to her. ]

At all? It's rude not to accept them at all. [ The question of whether Rei was offered them at all is really no question at all, of course she did. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei simply shrugs in reply, offering a fairly icy tone at the comment.]

It's more rude for a boy to offer them to someone they don't know at all. I accept gifts other times, but not holiday candies. There's a certain expectation there.

[shikisha]

Who said anything about boys?

[ Not that Nonon wouldn't accept it all, because she fucking loves candy. But it's not likely that she ever gave anything back to them. She's just a heartbreaker~. ]

Well, you that expectation with your friend don't you?

[faithfulflame]

I...[Rei shakes her head.] It was always boys offering me things.

[Because she is extremely good looking. She knows this, and Takeuchi states it once an issue...]

But you know? I don't know if I expect anything more than a thank you. And a lot of squealing. That's really what I want out of this, I want to see her happy. IF we end up officially becoming a couple? Then that would be a nice bonus.

[shikisha]

Boys are obnoxious. [ She just shrugs, as if that explains all her feelings on them, and why she's gay. ]

Well, I'm certain whatever you do it will be better than how Ryuko told me she liked me. Anyone is more romantic than her.

[ And yet she really likes this girl?! ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei won't say a word about boys. She's not got any reason to say they're obnoxious, but rather untrustworthy. She'd also profess to be not entirely devoid of affection for them. She had fallen for one, once, years ago. But after that betrayal, never again.]

She knows. I kissed her. It's just figuring out the next step. We're both new at this, and teammates. It could be complicated. So there's a lot to consider.

[shikisha]

[ Oh, they kissed? Nonon grins just a little at that. ]

Well, you're already doing better than we did. Just don't tell anyone that. But it sounds like she's not completely ignoring you after you kissed, so that's a pretty good start.

[faithfulflame]

It would be rather difficult to ignore me. I have been taking care of her, you know.

[Another sip of wine and Rei sets down her glass.]

That's not all I came her to ask about, though. We keep skirting around the topic a bit, but is there anything I can do for you while Ryuko is unavailable?

[shikisha]

What, did she break her leg or something?

[ Rei made it sound like she's an invalid! ]

I don't see what you think you could do for me? [ She narrows her eyes, a little confused, a little mad as she realizes... ]

Did you already go see her?

[faithfulflame]

No. I just...make a lot more money.

[Like, significantly more.]

I could cook, and just check in on you? She suggested maybe playing music together?

[A pause.]

And yes, why wouldn't I?

[shikisha]

Oh, that makes sense then.

[ Nonon herself makes more money than Ryuko, and takes care of her there too, constantly giving her some... ]

Because I don't need her checking up on me when she's in jail!! I don't need anyone to take care of me!

[ So yeah, she's a little pissed at the moment, not realizing that Ryuko is just trying to do her best for her girlfriend when she can't be there in person. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei doesn't move or react beyond sipping her drink quite calmly, draining the glass, and setting it down.

For a long moment she's completely silent, letting Nonon get all that out.]

Nonon-chan. I'm not offering to take care of you. I'm trying to follow her suggestion and get to know you better. You mean something to her. Which means that, as her friend? I should try and learn more about you. To be friendly with you. Because that's part of being a friend to someone with a significant other. You try and get to know both people and become friends. That way everyone understands everyone else better, and benefits from an expanded circle of friends.

[Frank, matter of fact.]

I know I might seem curt, but I do like talking to you. Ryuko suggested classical music might be common ground is all.

[shikisha]

[ This isn't normal for Nonon. She's never even needed friends aside from Satsuki. And now when she finally found someone to trust unconditionally... she's just gone, out of reach, stuck in jail and Nonon can't do anything about it. So it definitely pisses her off a little. But she holds back her temper for now. ]

...I didn't realize you liked classical music.

[ Hey, it's a start. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Nonon isn't alone there. Rei'd spent 7 years without any friends that weren't birds, and then just when she'd gotten really used to certain people, she was whisked off here...with Minako for company and nobody else.

Rei smiles and nods at the statement.]

I do. I've actually played the piano on a professional level. And one of my best friends is a violin virtuoso. Music is...well, it's really important.

[shikisha]

Another pianist? I feel like I've never seen so many in one place.

[ Nonon is smiling though, reaching for more snacks. That basket really needs to get away from her or else she's going to go through all of it in an hour. ]

Somehow I expected you to be a shamisen player or something. But if you want, you should come play with my orchestra sometime. I'll tell Bunny Boy to take the night off.

[faithfulflame]

[The basket can stay. It's not like she can't make more.]

I...can play? A bit, but I prefer the piano. And if you need a pianist, I could play from time to time. I wouldn't even charge for it. [Wink!]

[shikisha]

[ When Nonon gains twenty pounds and Ryuko breaks up with her when she finally gets out, it's all Rei's fault!! ]

It's fine, I prefer the piano anyway. Western orchestras are my forte after all, especially Eastern European composers. Pieces with a cheery bass and a jaunty tune. Marches especially.

[ She loves to talk about herself and her skills, but damn if that wink doesn't catch her a little off guard, making her blush a tiny bit. ]

Well, thanks for the sweets. I'm sure I'll be fine without or without my idiot of a girlfriend.

[faithfulflame]

I'm sure you will.

[Rei rises, and dips her head once in a not quite bow.]

I'll be in touch, alright? And if you would like to go out for hot chocolate or something sometime, just let me know.

[That's what normal people do, right? Even with their friend's tiny troll of a girlfriend]

[shikisha]

[ Nonon watches her, nodding back in reply. She's never been one for too much formality in her life. ]

Yeah, we can do that. Thanks again for coming over I guess. I feel a little better.