[closed]

[wordcarvings]

WHO: Ainsley & Koutarou
WHERE: A pasta restaurant
WHEN: 4/11
WHAT: Coworkers having dinner.
WARNINGS: n/a at the moment


When Ainsley suggested that they go out and have a meal together, Koutarou didn't really see any reason to say no. He likes getting to know people a lot. So, after deciding on a time and place, they have, today, ended up in a restaurant that specializes in pasta. It's pretty cozy and welcoming.

They have ordered and are waiting for their meals (Koutarou's being a seafood pasta that he's already forgotten the name of) at one of the small two-person tables.

"Have you been here before, Menodora-san?" He's curious, because he has not. Even though it's not all that far from his atelier.

Comments

[caelestialis]

"I have! My parents and I came here during their wedding anniversary some time ago." Perhaps it explains why she has such fondness for this place and why it was her first suggestion when discussing this with Koutarou. "I hope you like it! This has the best seafood in town."

She was relieved they got a moment of some peace after all that's been going down. It's been easier to keep her 'abilities' in check, allowing her to go out for occasions like these with some confidence. "So- How have you been? I hope you've been doing well."

[wordcarvings]

"Oh. That sounds nice." His family never did that, so he can't help but be a little jealous. But it's been a long time now, and he knows to hide that feeling well. "If you say so then it must be. I look forward to trying it out." While he eats plenty of fish, it's usually just fried salmon, or things like that.

She may have noticed that he was a little distracted during last week's lesson, though he did his best to not let it get in the way. But he's much better now. "I have. I've had a lot to do, too. How have you been doing?"

[caelestialis]

She has noticed how he seems to be distracted lately and wanted to ask him what was wrong but didn't want to seem too snoopy. Last thing she wanted to do was come off as needling. Maybe she could try and be... subtle?

(Yes yes- She knows how that sounds impossible for her but she can try...!)

"I've been great, more or less." It could have been much worse for her after all. There's always a silver lining to look for, no matter what happens. "Admittedly, I really haven't been on my A-game, so to speak, thanks to personal issues coming up. They've been pretty annoying."

[wordcarvings]

He nods slowly. More or less is good enough these days, honestly.

"I hope they are getting better for you." He wonders what kind of personal issues, but he's not one to pry, so he doesn't ask.

Personal issues that relates to family was done and over with last month for him, this time it's all Retrospec's fault. (At least that is what he's assuming, but they can't be sure it's Retrospec's fault that they have visions, though it's the only obvious connection between all of them.)

[caelestialis]

"They are! Thank goodness for that too. Earlier in school during the PTA meeting, Mrs. Charlotte-" Ainsley jumps suddenly and looks down at her lap in surprise for some reason. Then it's revealed she's checking her purse that she always keeps her purse on her lap when sitting down for some reason. Even when she eats because...?

Actually. The more one doesn't think about it, the better it probably is. Thankfully she continues to talk so that strange fact isn't dwelled on anymore. "Oh... Sorry about that. Just my mom texting me about something. I guess my nerves with this silly app are finally getting the better of me. I'm starting to dread notifications these days."

Siiiigh. Which is a shame too. She loves to send messages and e-mails to everyone if she can, always wanting to brighten their day a little bit with silly photos and heartwarming quotes.

[wordcarvings]

Koutarou frowns in confusion when she startles. Because he doesn't have many devices, and because he often doesn't notice his phone buzzing or ringing because he's often distracted, he doesn't have the same problems as others do. He does, he gets tons of notifications too, but since he doesn't notice them he's not bothered by them. "That sounds very troublesome. Hopefully they will stop eventually." He can't offer any advice on what to do to prevent notifications, since he's terrible with technology.

"What were you going to say about Mrs. Charlotte?" A diversion seems to be in order, and he is curious, too.

[caelestialis]

"Mrs. Charlotte?" Oh! Right! That kind of dampens her spirits and it's shown in the way she briefly puffs out one of her cheeks. But he did ask and it would be rude to not answer. "She's been making comments is all. Finds my way of teaching 'disappointing' since I take the time to tutor other students but not her son. Max has been doing very well in his grades, great even, so I feel like I should focus first on those who need.

"What's baffling is that she never brings it up with me. She'll bring it up with the other teachers and the other parents but never to my face. I only learned about it now since Ms. Kelin felt bad and pulled me aside to let me know. Gosh!"

Oh no. That became a rant.

Siiigh. She may adore her students with all her heart and then some, the parents sometimes are whole other story.

"I'm so sorry for that." She smiles sheepishly at him, shaking her head in disapproval at her own behaviour. "That wasn't right for me to do. It's her right to want the best for Max and... I guess with everything that's been happening and all, my nerves are getting rather frazzled from it all. But it's not right to take it out on her."

[wordcarvings]

While he didn't mean to upset her, he thinks that it's something that might be important to talk about. Probably more with someone who can actually be of some help, but he'll none the less listen. At least he can do something like that.

"No, you don't need to be sorry." Anyone need to let off some steam once in a while. Koutarou rants to Togusa, or once in a while, spars with Chuuya, to get his mind off of things. Ainsley needs to be allowed to rant too. "Although she likely has good intentions toward her child, but she should speak to you directly instead of going behind your back if she has any issues. Though if Max has good grades already, I don't see why she would need to worry in the first place. The kids like you, so surely there's nothing wrong with the way you teach them."