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placeholder once i have this organized...

[ They've survived a week without personalization in their room just for this exact day. It's time to visit the Nihoncha and then check out some more house decor. Akira is dressed well, actually wearing the shoes that came in the box from Retrospec, but... He's starting to wonder if this is too casual for a tea ceremony?

Whatever. They're at the storefront and he takes a moment to really give the place a good look. It's really nice, but it also makes him feel like it doesn't suit him at all. Despite that, he's still anticipating the event and it's conveyed in his thought bubble as little sparkles. Quiet enthusiasm. ]

Ready?

[ After that Retrospec post, he has been worried for his friends and how much the truth weighs on their minds. It's true that they need to know, but he was hoping it could be eased in. Either way, what's done is done and he's waiting for Haru at the cafe. It's only several minutes before closing (only a couple of the cats are out) and he's left to close shop (he's a rebel and already switched the sign to closed), so it's perfect to talk about Recolle's strange wonders while they study the art of coffee.

For now, he's keeping himself busy by organizing the coffee beans they'll be using. The thought bubbles only display the different combinations and acidity predictions for each. ]

[ This was his first bundle of new Retrospec users, but he's doing his best helping them get situated and being friendly. To be told what they knew is suddenly strange, that they'll regain strange memories, powers, and maybe physical appearances is a lot for someone to stomach. He remembers several people asking if they can just ignore it, to shut their ears and close their eyes...

But he hopes that with the bad, they'll find good with their new awareness. So here he is! Visiting someone he just met so they could make some cheesecake, but he does stop along the way to bring some kind of housewarming gift alongside his little bag of cake decor. It doesn't take too long before he's in front of Kouhei's apartment door, knocking on it.

... Then checking if this is the right place. Okay. It is. We got this. ]

[ He knows his underclassmen doesn't really get to go out a lot with all that art (he's making assumptions)... But he imagines he takes care of himself more than Yusuke. That doesn't stop Akira from inviting Daisuke to relax at the cat cafe after all that has been going on, hoping it'll take his mind off of things. It even comes free. Yes. Senpai is covering the fees this time.

Other than the cats hogging Daisuke's laps, Akira is also trying to entertain the young master in his butler get up with some magic tricks (wrong theme, but it won't stop him). ]

Pick a card. Any card. Just not this card. Kidding. Really, any card.

[It doesn't take long for Haru to show up. She's pretty tired; it's a Saturday, so she had to spend a few hours at the farmer's market, and on top of not getting much sleep in general due to all the heavy news, and the weird dream she had about some fireworks festival...

When she arrives, she hesitates from the closed sign, but still slowly pulls the door open. Like always, Haru looks for the cats first, and she gives a big smile and a "hello!" when she finds them. There's also a heart that floats from her as she says it, though she doesn't seem to notice as she's bending down to greet the cats.

Next, the boy. She looks up to find him by the coffee beans, then gives a wave while still staying knelt on the floor.]

Hello, A... [That sure is a thought bubble. Haru's seen a few around, but not quite up close like this.] - ki?

Edited 2017-09-12 07:22 (UTC)

[ He's ready, but. He's also incredibly endeared by that little thought bubble with the ... sparkles. A simple, yet effective way to convey excitement and enthusiasm in a specific scenario.

Yusuke has maybe a little more of an idea of what to expect from this tea shop visit, but it doesn't stop him from looking forward to it as well. And, y'know, the chance to buy all those plants they've been considering or the past week or so. ]

I'm ready when you are.

[ Tea, and shopping. A pleasant way to spend the day.

Although for they way they're treating it, you'd think they were psyching each other up to go and get tattoos not... ... drink tea. ]

[ He swears it's just the bad luck that makes him seem poorer than he is--no who is he kidding he's always poor. He also can't say no if it's free and maybe he'll get to learn more about Akira. He never had a reason to come here because it seemed like a luxury to him, tbh...

But it's nice here. The atmosphere is welcoming, the cats are cute, and it's a pleasant new thing to experience. He's okay with this. He can't help but notice Akira's attire though.

Nevertheless, he plucks a random card from the middle area and puts it face down on the table after seeing what card it is--two of clubs. It's a card that he sees often for some reason... ]

Would you ever work as an entertainer?

[ He's curious because Akira seems so different than when he saw him in school. But then again, a lot of things changed around here for the most part... ]

[ The coffee beans disappear in his bubble as Haru speaks to him. Oh... She's here. That's good. The cats have gathered around her, tails upright and eyes inquisitive. Some are even curious about her hair, trying to reach for it with their little paws though there are many retractions. They are unsure if it's worth risking for a touch.

Akira only chuckles as he takes a short break from his preparation, giving her a small wave himself. ]

Hey. [ His thought bubble reappears, now showing a little sheep because that's what her hair reminds him of. ] How was your day?

[ While he's curious as to what she might have remembered over the couple of days, they should start off light... He's almost done setting up the coffee station, so he'll stall till then. ]

[Another thought bubble... Haru tilts her head, both to regard the thought bubble and to offer the cats a chance to bat at her hair. As if in response to Akira's, a bubble of her own pops up, this one of a question mark.]

Um... Sheepish? [More importantly:] What is that? Or am I just tired? [She rubs at an eye - That could be valid and all.]

[ Stop checking out his thoughts without his permissions, pervert. Akira is also looking forward to the plants. He was never a botanist, but with Haru's consulting, they've been able to narrow down what their first few purchases should be.

... Weird. He has never been excited about greens. Tea he usually looks forward to if it's being paid for. ]

After you, my liege.

[ When fall officially hits, these nicknames of royalty will stop. For now, he opens the door for them and they're met by some employees, asking what they'd like to do. Akira asks about tea sampling and they're directed to the area where they get to watch

the grand tea ceremony.

Except it's time to sit the seiza. ]

... I haven't done this in years.

[ PLEASE, HELP. ]

[ The thought bubble disappears by the time she points it out, but his eyes kind of widen when she calls out his thoughts. Quickly, he swats the next one that tries to spawn with how hard it has been living withe the bubbles conveying his thoughts during inopportune times. ]

What are you talking about?

[ Nervous... Laugh. No. It's too obvious. ]

I actually don't like the limelight, so...

[ No, he would never. Only for private audiences or under a mask it sounds like. It's weird since even if he was put in that position, he would do well either way. Anyway. He takes Daisuke's card before shuffling it back into the deck and splaying it onto the table again. ]

Do you see your card?

[ It doesn't seem to be there right now. ]

[ Daisuke understands that feeling of not wanting to be in the spotlight, so he quietly agrees with that sentiment.

He looks down at the table and skims all the cards. ]

I don't see it.

[ Though he's staring at Akira's hands now to see what they'll do. ]

[You are?? Literally broadcasting them for him to see? What's he supposed to do not look at you ever until the thought bubbles go away for good?]

Thank you.

[Well, to make things fair, almost as soon as they enter the shop, Yusuke's thoughts go into overdrive. He's got a running commentary on the décor of the place going on inside the thought bubbles - the authenticity of the style and the little cups on display with their delicate paint work and colours, even if they are somewhat marred by the lack of certain colours available to their sight, and the hanging tapestries with their delicately depicted scenes and the love and devotion that went into each one--

Oh. Right. Tea ceremony.]

Sitting this way?

[Says Yusuke, sitting in seiza happily.]

We had a low table at home, so sitting in this manner was often the only way to actually sit at the table. I don't think they'll frown on you if you sit cross-legged though.

[ His gloved hands seem free of cards, nothing sticking out all, so he strokes his chin to pretend like he has no clue where it went. ]

I'm sure it's here somewhere... Let's ask our cat friends?

[ With three clicks of the tongue, a cat with a yellow bandanna approaches and meows at Daisuke, pawing his thigh for pets. It also looks like there's a card under the cloth around the cat's neck, too. ]

[ IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO SEE!!!

But that would be hypocritical because Akira was watching Yusuke's bubble in between the guide's instructions and hospitality. So this is what the mind of an artist is like... How meticulous? It's endearing, unlike the seiza. ]

No, it's fine. It's just been a while. [ He'll assume the position, hands on his thighs and his back straight. It's a little uncomfortable, unfortunately. ] That's nice. I kind of miss low tables... My family switched when we moved here.

[ ... Maybe they should get a low table for the house? It would save them money on chairs. But it's time to bow almost every time someone comes in? Akira is looking over to the others hoping this would help them on cues. First the biscuits come out before the rest of the utensils and tools.

Akira is holding well! Unfortunately, he can feel his legs falling asleep as they watch their host clean and prepare the tools for the ceremony. Quietly, he whispers to Yusuke: ]

I didn't ask, but how long are tea ceremonies usually?

[ Whoa, it's a cat from completely out of left field! Daisuke looks at the cat for a bit before petting it. He notices the card under the bandanna and pulls it out.

Is he prepared to be amazed?! ]

[So go hermit yourself indoors, because those thoughts are all over the place.

Fancy that. Hypocritikira.]

... [Every inch of you screams "uncomfortable", Akira.] Low tables are quite pleasant. Aesthetically, especially. But it does mean a lot of seiza.

[He's very proud of you for lasting as long as you have been Akira. He leans a little to the side so that he can whisper back:]

They can be fairly long, but given the cost I expect this will be a little shorter than the kinds you may traditionally get back in Japan. [Pause.] Maybe.

[Haru squints a little at that. Her question mark bubble changes into a different one: a fluffy black cat swatting at a bubble, because that's exactly what she thought of when Akira waved his own away.]

That, ah... thought bubble? [Best way she can describe it.] It was over your head...

[ Goddamnit, he hopes that she would have caught his drift that he wanted her to play it off! But, oh, that bubble is really endearing. It's too bad he doesn't equate that to himself for some reason. The cats that surrounded Haru dispersed to do their own things, though one of them does sit by the bar area. ]

Well, you have one, too. [ He's glad he isn't alone on this; it actually calms his nerves a bit. ] Are you ready to take this dangerous journey of coffee while guarding your thoughts?

I imagine we don't always have to sit seiza if it's at home...

[ Let him dream? And sit cross-legged, but he perseveres with letting his shoulders slump at Yusuke's reply. Christ. What if this takes an hour?! "A little shorter" isn't descriptive at all.

Akira only takes a deep breath since he's getting used to it. It looks like they're whisking the matcha tea right now. Since the fine powder is from actual tea leaves, it's a vibrant green. Here's a cup for Yusuke! Then Akira. He bows to show reverence before holding the cup. ]

Bottoms up.

[ Eloquent. ]

Is that your card, young master?

[ If Akira did not fuck this up, it should be... And luckily, it is. The cat raises its paw, gently batting at the card that Daisuke holds. Where you get that from, son? ]

Huh?

[She looks up, and - What do you know, there is a thought bubble! With the cats moving away, Haru stands back up while waving away the bubble. She didn't think she herself had one...!]

I'm, ah, not very good at guarding my thoughts, but I'll try? [With that said, Haru makes her way to the bar. She's supposed to go behind it, right? It feels strange, going to a place where only employees go when she doesn't work here. Because of that, she hesitates a little before moving back to join Akira.]

No, you wouldn't. No one will judge your sitting style at home.

[He's facilitating your dream, Akira. He can sit cross legged if he wants, Yusuke won't judge him. And he's fairly sure the focus here is the tea, and the ceremony part is likely for show, so he shouldn't have too much longer to suffer seiza style.

He takes the tea and examines the contents thoughtfully. The rise of the steam, the heat of the cup against his fingers. The fragrant, bitter scent of the tea.]

Yes, as you said.

[Very eloquent. The tea is warm and rich as he sips it, pooling down into his stomach and warming him from the inside out. When he goes to set the cup down, there's a selection of pretty and delicate that have been placed on their table while they were drinking.

Can you see the sparkles in his eye? Can you? Because these are very pretty, artistically delicate sweets they have here.]

( SEMI-CLOSED ) optimizing team purrformance

INTERVIEWS

YUSUKE TEA CEREMONY AND FURNITURE SHOPPING

HARU, COFFEE, AND THE FATED DECISION

CHEESECAKE WITH KOUHEI

ROLL THE DAISUKE

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holy crap that cat gif

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meow gif

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why are you like this

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ask yourself that

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i'm asking YOU

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i'm just me

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thank goodness