(no subject)

[empressive]

Who: Mitsuru Kirijo and OPEN
Where: All around Cancer and Virgo districts
Summary: Christmas shopping, basically. More like Mitsuru failing at Christmas shopping.
Warnings: NOPE


Christmas was never that popular or had the same sort of sentiments in Japan as the rest of the world. But without school here and the Group's projects to worry about, maybe she can relax. Maybe even treat Christmas the same way as others do.

After all, her friends and SEES deserve something. They've dealt with a lot and maybe a gift or two wouldn't be such a bad idea.

The problem is just a matter of what. A cookware set might be good for Shinjiro, and with Aki's obsession with protein powder, that would be simple enough. But it should also be something special, shouldn't it? And she doesn't exactly have the funds like she used to back home, so not everything was an option.

Why is this harder than it looks?


((OOC: Hey guys, I've been kinda MIA so this is me trying to get back into things! Old CR and new are more than welcome))

Comments

[second_destiny]

Asem was in the shopping district in his uniform from back home. He wasn't there shopping at the moment, though, but had just gotten off patrol duty. Most officers might have gone straight home, but Asem's heroic blood just runs too strong to do that, which is why he was taking the scenic route.

It also explains why he stopped when he saw a vaguely familiar face. Wasn't that the girl who had burned her dinner several weeks ago? And she looked troubled, so Asem decided to stop.

"Hey," he began, a look of curiosity on his face. "Is something wrong?"

[empressive]

Burned dinner, and nearly the whole building.

His voice pulls her out of her reverie, and she glances around until finding him. He was vaguely familiar to her as well, living in the same complex as her.

"Oh no," she smiles slightly, waving a hand as if to dispel the trouble on her face. At least there's no burning food this time. "There isn't anything wrong. I'm just... deciding on things."

[second_destiny]

"Oh. Okay." Well, that was good. Sort of. "Anything I could help with? Like, as a sounding board?"

[empressive]

A lot of analogies fly right over her head. This is one of them.

"I'm sorry, but... a sounding board?"

[second_destiny]

"It's...a second opinion. They listen and tell you what they think. Answer questions you're having a hard time with." Asem looks somewhat puzzled, himself. He wasn't expecting anyone to not know what he meant.

[gforceinmyfaaaace]

Perhaps sweets would be a good idea? Why not? Especially since she's been granted a divine clue in the form of an angel popping out the front door of Gabriel's sweets shop, engaged in a handheld game, and thus not noticing that he's about to bump right into Mitsuru.

[empressive]

That is certainly a big clue. Mitsuru's wrapped up in her thoughts that she doesn't hear or see Pit in front of her.

"I'm sorry. Please excuse me." How embarrassing, bumping into people on the street.

...Although she can't help but stare a little at the angel wings on his back. Huh.

[gforceinmyfaaaace]

"Oh nooo," whines the winged boy. "I was in first place, too!"

[empressive]

"Uh... oh, I-- uh..."

Games? Video games? She's never played one in her life before. How to handle this situation.

...And why would an angel be playing games anyways? She places a hand on his shoulder in comfort. "I'm sure you can achieve first place again."

[kagami_arrow]

No one in Hinoto-Ri quite demonstrated the truth of that first statement the way Torahime did. She'd never even heard of the thing, and had to look it up.

But she didn't really have anyone to give presents to... most of the people she had become acquainted with hadn't been seen for days, even months.

She was almost more lost than she was before, and she tried to get away from it all, simply walking in the heat around Virgo.

Of course, the robes were more than slightly conspicuous.

[empressive]

The heat was certainly strong, and catching someone wander around in feudal time robes made Mitsuru even warmer. It made sense that someone would be from that time with the different worlds theory, but it was still strange to see.

Especially since she didn't look too accustomed to the city.

"I beg your pardon, but are you alright?"

[ineedthemforanalyzing]

In the Cancer district, Mitsuru might run into a girl in an implausibly frilly dress on her way home from work and sweating a bit in the heat. She'd gotten used to the temperatures alternating - sort of - but it's still getting annoying.

Regardless, she had still stopped to do some window shopping near a video game store. Some of her friends here liked these, right...?

[empressive]

A few of her friends did like them, yes. Mostly that was Junpei's thing, but she knew that Minato was into online gaming as well.

Hmmm, maybe that could be an idea on something to get him. Mitsuru stops herself beside Latooni, hand cupping her chin in thought. The previews on the TV in the window looked interesting, but she had no idea what it meant or was about.

[ineedthemforanalyzing]

Latooni looked sideways at the taller girl. Her social perception still wasn't nearly as good as her ability to process information about giant robot weapons, but she can recognize someone who has no idea what she's looking at when she sees her.

"...are you Christmas shopping?" she asked, wondering if she could be helpful.

[empressive]

"Ah?" Was it obvious? Mitsuru gapes at the other girl for a moment before lowering her hand and crossing her arms over her chest in her normal pose. She really is kind of hopeless at this sort of thing.

"...Yes, actually I am. It's not quite as easy as I thought it would be."

[helenchanted]

Well she wasn't the only SEES member doing some shopping and when Miki spotted her, she ran up, giving her a wave.

"Senpai! I didn't think I'd see you here!"

[empressive]

Oh boy, it's one of the SEES members that she needs a present for, but has no idea. Maybe she can ask Akihiko for advice for a present for his sister.

"Good afternoon, Miki. I'm merely out for a little bit of shopping. What are you up to?"

[von_schweetz]

When you live in a world where candy grows on trees (and the trees are candy themselves), it's pretty mind boggling to be stuck in a world where it costs currency just to have a few shards of home. A little dark haired girl stands outside the candy shop in Mitsuru's path, looking through the window with a frown.

"Next thing you know they'll start charging for air." She mutters.

[empressive]

Don't mutter too loud there, Vanellope. Someone who was just passing by is listening to her.

Although, she is a little saddened that a young girl is stuck here. She should be in school, and with her parents, even if the candy in her hair is throwing the older teen off a little.

"Are you not used to this city's culture yet?"

[von_schweetz]

A president doesn't need those! Well, she's never had them either. She looks up and turns to Mitsuru, hands stuffed in the front pocket of her hooded sweatshirt and a frown on her face.

"They...sell candy." This is a strange culture all right.

[empressive]

Clearly to hear, this is a taboo thing. Mitsuru can't help but be curious. Did she come from a land where selling goods was a bad thing? Was there any kind of economy there?

"How is it distributed in your home?"

[risetocaesar]

Christmas shopping was a lot tougher than Akihiko first thought it would be. He had never taken part much back home, except for when he was young -- he and Shinji always made it a priority to make sure Miki had a nice Christmas. That was still a priority this year, as well, but there were other close friends he wanted to treat, as well. They had all been through a lot. Everyone deserved some recognition, to know that their friends were thinking about them and appreciated them.

He had just ducked into a store in the Virgo district when he spotted a familiar head of brilliantly red hair. He cleared his throat slightly to announce his presence behind her before speaking, carefully tapping her on the shoulder.

"H-hey, Mitsuru."

Well, that meant he couldn't buy her gift here, at least.

[empressive]

Sorry to ruin the shopping party, Akihiko.

Thankfully, Mitsuru isn't too stressed out or jumpy. Maybe she would be if the circumstances were different, but the holidays were supposed o be a joyous time, right?

She merely turns around and smiles slightly upon recognizing Akihiko. Was he out shopping as well?

"Good afternoon, Akihiko. Are you out looking for potential gifts as well?"

Damn, she'll have to go out and get something for him later if they decide to shop together.

[risetocaesar]

He nodded, giving her an easy smile in reply. "Yeah, that's about the size of it. I wanted to do something nice for everyone. It's been a hard year. So that's what you're out for, too? Any luck so far?"

[empressive]

"Mmm, yes. It has been. It would be nice to reward everyone with a gift. This is supposed to be the perfect time of year for that, in some parts of the world."

Not really Japan, and despite the Kirijo Group being known all over the world, they never had celebrated Christmas. Or... sadly, a lot of family holidays. Would her father even accept a small token of her appreciation?

"Yes, but, it's not proving to be easy. I was thinking of something cuisine related for Shinjiro. I know he would make use out of it, but I'm not sure if it would be the right thing to give."