recolle | (no subject)

(no subject)

WHO: Cleo, Minako, Ryoji
WHERE: Starting from Cleo's apartment
WHEN: 6/1 backdated
WHAT: Cleo attempts to deal with her new ears by having friends. She's not good at either part.

[After talking to Minako and Ryoji both, and possibly accidentally causing Ryoji's death, Cleo has sent her address to Minako, with the promise to meet and go somewhere, in hopes Cleo can get used to her new, bizarre ears.

When Minako arrives, Cleo's apartment is rather... bizarre. Aesthetically confused, to be polite about it. She has fuzzy carpets, a soft couch, a coffee table shaped like a cat's paw, her cat-eared motorcycle helmet on a stand near the doorway, and her apartment for the most part looks like a very comfortable, cute apartment. It also has things like weights scattered about, a pull-up bar in one of the doorways, a treadmill in the corner, and so on. A cat-loving cute musclehead's apartment, basically.

At the very least, by the time she's arrived, Cleo's set out a cup of tea for her as well. Though she seems to have relaxed somewhat after earlier, her ears tell a different story, curled forward and drooping in worry and nervousness.]

It's nice to meet you in person, Minako.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Minako is very polite and thus makes no comments on the decor, only to think once again that Cleo would be good friends Yu and Souji, before sitting down in a free spot and giving the other woman a smile. Now that she's seeing her ears in person and not on just a still photo, Minako is much more aware of how expressive they are, just like a real cat's would be. It's kind of mesmerizing, actually.]

Nice to meet you too! I was hoping we would eventually. You said you wanted help getting used to the changes?

[ If anybody can help, it's Minako, Ryoji is sure of it as he shifts on the couch to make some room for her. He'd gone and sat right in the middle, settling comfortably in between the two of them and close enough to bump shoulders with either of them if he turns to talk.

Not now, though, holding a throw pillow on his lap and leaning back so Cleo and Minako can talk over him.

Right to business. It makes him smile at Minako, fond. ]

[To business right away, then. Cleo nods, her ears picking up slightly as she has something to focus on other than how shitty the situation is.

Admittedly, that something is just focusing on how to deal with that situation, but it's better than moping.]

I had hoped the same. Thank you again for your help with my questions when I first was brought onto Retrospec.

That's right. I think that... Well, one person is more noticeable than three. If any do notice my ears, it would be far more likely for comments or harassment to occur alone than if I have company.

[As much as she wants to tackle Ryoji into a hug right now, Cleo is the one asking for their help, so it will have to wait. She still shoots him a little smile back, though, happy to see him after being gone for so long.

It probably doesn't help the fact that Cleo thinks they're dating. She'll have to find a good time to correct her about that.

But back to the problem at hand! Minako claps decisively, nodding in complete agreement.]

Of course! In my case I didn't get any harassment, but the stares and the whispering behind your back can get pretty bad. It took me a while to get used to them. Spending time with other Retrospeccers can definitely help you feel less isolated, though. And I wouldn't mind doing that at all to help you. Strength in numbers and all that!

[ Hearing all over again what Minako had to endure, so cheerily saying stares and whispering aren't harassment, makes Ryoji shift uncomfortably where he sits, leaning his weight against Minako even as he turns his head to Cleo. ]

We'll both help. And if you don't want to be the only one drawing attention with ears, we can share that too.

[ Lifting a hand, he points to the cat-eared motorcycle helmet. He's been eyeing that ever since he'd gotten to her apartment, please let him try it on someday. There's some sort of solidarity in his request, but mostly... the helmet is cool. ]

If it is only stares and whispers... I cannot say I like them, but I am used to them.

[She gestures to her eyes.]

I did not expect anything good to come from Retrospec, but I am quite glad I was able to meet such kind people from it.

[But then she follows Ryoji's pointing to her helmet, and. Her ears stand fully upright, twitching a bit in surprise, swiveling to point at Ryoji.]

If... you would like to, I would not mind lending it to you. I have another similar... Ah, one moment.

[She stands up for a moment, stepping into another room before returning carrying... look, are you really surprised by this point?]

Though I must warn you, it is June. The helmet will likely become rather stuffy before long.

[Minako makes a soft, sympathetic sound before her lips pull up in an encouraging smile.]

Despite what I said, there's many more kind people in this city, Retrospec or no. I hope you can meet them too.

[The helmet gets a curious glance over from her, as well as an mental attempt to picture Ryoji sitting astride a motorcycle wearing it-- definitely a picture she'd have to snap for his mom. But then that line of thought is promptly tossed out the window at the sight of the headphones, her eyes lighting up like stars.]

Oh my god, they're so cute.

Maybe Ryoji and I could switch off wearing these and the helmet? --oh, and speaking of which! Where should we go for our first outing?

[ yesssssssss

He would look so silly wearing the helmet, but at least no one can see his face or know it's him, unless his mannerisms give him away, as his hand gestures tend to do. The headphones though, ]

They'd look really cute on you, Minako. I'll be fine with the helmet. [ Do Shadows need to breathe? Artistic license says no, he'll just be very uncomfortable before long, but he won't suffocate. Just in case, though- ]

Why don't we stop by Expressive? It's a bit of a stereotype, but coffee shops tend to attract a more eccentric crowd, and we might not stand out as much. It's also air conditioned.

[ also, he wants to see bartender minato..... ]

[She glances at the headphones a bit wistfully, thinking about when she got them. She did really love those headphones, but... As she was now, she couldn't really wear them, could she?

She holds them out to Minako with a small smile.]

If you want them, they are yours.

[Ryoji's suggestion caught her by surprise, though, but she nods.]

I don't know where Expressive is, but it's a good idea. Is it in walking distance?

[Oh, she wants to see barista Minato too...!]

It's only about a ten minute walk away, but I could drive us there too...more importantly! [Minako immediately starts flailing her hands in front of her like a rapidly bobbleheading shield.] Cleo, I couldn't, those must've been so expensive!

[ Ryoji bites his bottom lip to keep from laughing at Minako's reaction, and goes ahead and slides that motorcycle helmet over his head so he can laugh silently inside without her seeing. ]

I can drive myself, if we need to.

[She nods at the helmet Ryoji's now wearing, with a small laugh.]

They were, but it's all right. I can't wear them nor use them, so it's better that they go to someone who can.

[Her politeness is at war with her love of headphones, but once she tells herself it'd be impolite to refuse a gift she nods with resignation, reaching out to accept them.]

Well...if you insist. But at least let me buy you a coffee at Expressive to try and make up for it. It can be a commemoration of the start of our friendship!

[She heads to the door-- and then pinches Ryoji's side in mild but playful reproach. Don't think she didn't notice you earlier, mister.]

My car can fit four, no worries. Shall we?

[ !!

Ryoji jumps slightly at that well-deserved pinch, but that's also with a laugh as his hand finds Minako's before she can pull it completely away. ]

Walk me to your car? Down a road would be no problem, but it's hard to see the ground at my feet, wearing this helmet. [ half explanation, half excuse. but then, excited and hopeful- ]

Do you have a motorcycle, Cleo? Can you fit three people on it?

[Cleo can already tell there's no way to talk Minako out of it.]

... Very well. A commemoration it is. Perhaps some good will come out of these ears after all.

[She's never had friends before... But she shouldn't say that out loud. She knows better than that. So instead, she just smiles to herself, content.]

I do have a motorcycle, yes. It wasn't intended to fit two people, though, much less three. Do you want to see it?

[she has also named her bike, but she will not mention that part. let her keep some dignity.]

[Cleo you are wise for thinking so, because Minako would've fought tooth and nail for it. She might fight tooth and nail to buy Cleo two coffees, really.]

I wanna see it!

[She pumps her and Ryoji's joined hands into the air with a laugh.]

I need to get a picture of Ryoji on it with this helmet on.

I'd love to see too! I wonder if it'll be enough to convince my mother I could get a bike.

[ Because if Minako's taking a picture, it's going to find its way into his mother's hands someday, it always does, and Ryoji laughs at this, one hand in the air in Minako's and the other reaching for Cleo's. ]

I think Minako has more pictures of me from this year than from my entire life traveling.

[Ryoji will find he can take her hand rather easily, but on the other hand (get it), Cleo looks rather bewildered. She doesn't say anything, though. Is this what friends do? ???? Contact is weird but okay.]

Bikes are quite responsible, actually. They cost less than a car, and use less gas, so for a student's budget, they're far better. Saddlebags are easy to find, as well.

You traveled?

Lies, you took thousands of pictures while you were traveling.

[She knows because she's seen them all! Minako grins at Cleo.]

He's pretty much a bona-fide globetrotter.

[And then scans the parking lot for the motorcycle so Ryoji can explain more.]

[ He won't get lost, hand in hand with Cleo and Minako, but it sure is hard to get through doorways and hallways without pressing in close to either of them. Which is exactly what he does. ]

All around the world! I never liked sitting still when there is so much out there. Birds look different in different countries, the cats meow differently- I wish I'd taken videos instead of just pictures.

That's amazing... I've never left Recolle. I'd love to see those pictures sometime.

[She sounds genuine. She has never left the city, after all, so she doesn't know what lies out there. It sounds fun, amazing, fascinating... But not somewhere she can go.

Ryoji's pressing close to her confuses her, a lot, but she lets it go wordlessly. Even so, the aura of confusion around them is palpable, until she leads them to... well, a really cool bike.]

This is my bike, St- [she almost names it, but she catches herself at the last second, face flushing slightly.] M- My bike.

[Sorry Cleo, you're along for the proverbial ride now. As for the literal one, Minako immediately (one-handedly) pulls out her phone from her purse and snaps a picture of it. SHE'S ASSUMING IT'S OKAY since Cleo hadn't objected to the idea of Ryoji taking a picture on it.]

I don't know anything about bikes but it's a really nice looking one even so. How fast have you ever gone on it?

[ IT'S SO COOL. SO, SO COOL.

Ryoji's eyes shine as he lets go of both their hands, caught in the moment that wipes away whatever fears or worries that have been simmering the past few weeks, everything forgotten as he lifts the helmet off his head so he can give the bike a proper look over, hair sticking up like cat ears themselves where he doesn't flatten the locks back down. ]

It would be amazing, to be able to travel the world on this bike...!

[ If he had a bike like this, he imagines he'd have foregone plane rides and gone on road trips across the country instead, getting to know the world on a much closer level than just isolated points in space. ]

[The friendship ride is a wild ride.

She's watching Ryoji with amusement, but still a careful eye, because, while she trusts him, that bike is her baby.]

This is a sport bike. To travel, you'd want a touring bike- Higher windshields, larger gas tanks, and more space to hold things.

[She's pretty amused, and more than a little pleased to have apparently converted more people to the majesty of motorcycles.]

As for how fast I've gone? I obey the traffic laws and speed limits, of course.

[Read: She has absolutely gunned it to see how fast she can go, but she's never, ever going to admit to it. Her ears, turns back a little in embarrassment, make the lie a bit more obvious, however.]

[Minako starts snapping pictures a mile a minute of Ryoji inspecting the bike, but she keeps chatting with Cleo as if she's not doing it at all, grinning knowingly at her.]

Right. Of course. I don't doubt you for a moment.