[Open] Celebrate Halloween at the Cosplay Cafe

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Who: Yuzu and OPEN
Where: The Cosplay Cafe
What: The cafe is doing a theme week for Halloween, and Yuzu is dressed as an 'adult' version of Little Red Riding Hood.
Warnings: Skimpy costumes

[Hinoto-ri is a city with a lot of nice features. Not the least of which is a very nice shopping district where the fashionable girl can supply herself with all the pretty clothes and accessories she wants. Provided she can afford them. So Yuzu needed a job.

The cosplay cafe wasn't her first choice, but they were hiring, and the tips are pretty good. Dressing in school girl outfits and maid uniforms is embarrassing, but she'll live.

But to celebrate Halloween, they've decided to do something a little different. The theme for this week is classic characters from books and fairy tales. Which would be fine, except that these costumes are embarrassing in a different way.

If you're there early enough, you may hear her in the back arguing with her manager.]

Yeah, okay, but that totally does not look like any 'Little Red Riding Hood' that I've ever heard of. Don't you have anything else?

..........

Okay, gimme Red.

[Her other choice was the white rabbit. At least this costume doesn't have bunny ears or a little tail. So she'll come to your table wearing a smile that only looks slightly forced.]

Hi, what can I get for you today?

Comments

[otakuro]

[Here is Atsuro walking down the street
He doesn't usually visit the cosplay cafe as a customer but he knows it exists, at least, and it doesn't hurt to take a few glances through the window as he passes
It was purely to judge the quality of their cosplay ok
Little Red Riding Hood is a new one he hasn't seen that before
gosh the back is to him but that red hair sure is famili --

............]

Y-Yuzu?!

[prettytamer]

Welllll, I was thinking I'd start off with a soda...

[Sorry, Yuzu, Midori thinks your costume is adorable.]

You look good in that!

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[Yuzu turns slowly, only half sure she heard her name from outside. Then nearly drops the tray she's holding.]

Atsuro?!?

[The red springs to her cheeks immediately, and in a panic she dodges to one side of the window. Because hiding now will completely work. ]

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

What kind?

[She's slightly less embarrassed for Midori to see her like this than certain other friends, but she still feels silly.]

Thanks, but... red isn't really my color. And this skirt is just...

[She tugs at the hem a little, trying to get it to cover up even slightly more of her, but it's a lost cause.

[prettytamer]

I'll have a [whatever Sprite rip-off they have in Hinoto-Ri].

If anybody flips your skirt do you get to punch them, or is that against employee rules?

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

I think I'd probably get fired after I punched them.

[And she would punch them. A lot.]

But there is a 'no touching' rule.

[She points at a sign on the wall which basically says that if customers get grabby with the waitresses, the cafe will throw them out.]

[prettytamer]

Well, I'm sure most of the people... and demons... are law-abiding citizens who won't get touchy.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

So far no one has. I've only been working here a couple of weeks though.

Hang on, I'll go grab your soda.

[otakuro]

...Yuzu?!

[is all that Atsuro can manage to repeat for the moment as he gapes at her in surprise.]

W-What are you doing?

[as if the answer weren't obvious.]

[all_wound_up]

[Nano quit this job a while ago - half because of her new responsibilities at the market and the inn, and half because of... well... pretty much exactly what Yuzu is having a problem with. She does come back every so often to eat some cake, though, as the sweets they serve here are actually pretty good.]

O-oh... um... what kind of cake do you have today?

[Nano feels your pain, Yuzu. So much so that she's sympathy-blushing and trying to avert her eyes from that costume.]

[prettytamer]

Thanks, Yuzu.

[Patiently waiting like a good customer!]

[plunderbunny]

[Elaine is just here checking out the competition and wow that is a short skirt.]

I'm all for expressing oneself however you please, but don't you think that's a little out of season for this time of year?

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[She sighs and steps back out from her hiding place with as much dignity as she can muster. Which isn't much, given what she's wearing.]

C-can't you tell? I'm working.

[Her attempt to say that with total nonchalance would be so much more convincing if she wasn't blushing.]

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

For Halloween, we have a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, and an apple bundt cake with caramel drizzle.

[Nano's reaction is at least easy to deal with. Pointedly ignoring the outfit is better than having to talk about it, in Yuzu's book.]

The apple one is really good.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[Yuzu blushes in embarrassment and tugs ineffectually at the hem of her skirt for about the hundredth time that day.]

Th- this wasn't my idea!

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[She returns with the soda. The straw is decorated with one of those little plastic spider rings. For Halloween. The coaster is similarly festive.]

Here you go! Was there anything else? The parfaits are pretty good.

[prettytamer]

I'll have a parfait! And I'll give you a really big tip for the good advice~

[And not 'cause they're friends of course not.]

[otakuro]

As... Little Red Riding Hood?

[...Pause.]

Well, I guess 'red' is appropriate. This was the best job you could find around here?

[all_wound_up]

They both sound so good... how should I choose?

[plunderbunny]

What? Someone forced you into that getup?

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Well it....

[She shrugs.]

...kind of comes with the job.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

I guess that depends on whether you like apple or pumpkin more.

[all_wound_up]

I think I'll try the apple cake, then, since you recommended it earlier.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[Of course not.]

Thanks! I appreciate it~

[She'll be back shortly with that parfait.]

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Great! I'll be right back with that~

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

I didn't pick the costume. The manager did.

[Her irritated tone says exactly what she thinks of the choice.]

And yes. It does happen to be the best job I could find.

[The tips are surprisingly good.]

[otakuro]

...I could teach you something about computers if you want to spend all day with me want to try something else.

[all_wound_up]

Thank you!

[Nano politely bows her head with a smile as Yuzu heads off, humming to herself and looking around at the cafe's holiday decorations to pass the time. Yuzu may notice when she returns (if she hasn't already) that Nano is sitting sideways in the chair because of the key in her back.]

[prettytamer]

[Midori will just wait patiently, checking out the other clientele to make sure they don't look seedy.]

[plunderbunny]

Really. Well, in that case I have a few choice words for your employer.

[Elaine please don't start a fight.]

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Believe me, so do I.

[So many choice words. But then she sighs and shakes her head.]

I do need the job though. So I guess it could be worse.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[Yuzu returns swiftly with the cake. It's on a little plate that is decorated with pictures of cheerful ghosts.]

And there you are~

[She smiles at the wind up key. It looks so realistic.]

That's a super cute costume you have. Did you make it yourself?

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

[It's true that many of them are enjoying the view, but for now everyone is keeping their hands to themselves.

Although there is one guy who conveniently drops his fork just as she's walking by his table. That's okay though, he'll get it. And maybe also get a better view of Yuzu's 'assets' from that angle. He clearly appreciates the shorter skirt on this costume.

Luckily for his continued existence, she doesn't notice the ogling. ]

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Are you kidding? That stuff is way too hard. I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

[Besides, texting and online shopping are the only things computers are any good for amirite?

But then she smiles.]

But thanks for the offer. I'll figure out something else eventually.

[all_wound_up]

Costume?

[It actually takes her a moment to realize what Yuzu is talking about. And once she does, she actually giggles for a moment. It's ironic - she used to work in this very same place, telling people the key was part of her cosplay to try to hide who she was. Thinking back, it all seems so silly. Nano simply shakes her head.]

Actually, no, this is real!

[prettytamer]

[That guy is gonna get glared at so hard from Midori's seat. She's watching you, ogling guy. Midori's watching you.]

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

No way! Seriously?

[She leans in for a better look.]

Um, don't take this the wrong way, but.... why would you need a big wind up key?

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

And here you go, one parfait. Enjoy~!

[But then she notices Midori's expression and frowns.]

What's wrong?

[Ogling guy has also noticed. And is doing his very best to look innocent.]

[otakuro]

Ahaha...

[A slight pause.]

Not, er, that there's anything wrong with this job. ...Girl... power and all of that kind of thing, right?

[Atsuro is not a Feminist.]

[all_wound_up]

[Yup, that thing is 100% genuine. Nano does look a little sheepish at that next question, though.]

U-um... because it was cute.

[prettytamer]

The guy who dropped his fork looked up your skirt.

[She gestures in his direction.

No sympathy!]