I'll be there shortly, Ren-kun. Just give me time to get ready!
[She takes a little time to make herself presentable. She doesn't have a big wardrobe here, but she showers, she applies a little makeup-- again, not having a huge selection, but enough.
Part of it is that she wants to look a little nicer for Ren. Part of it is that she's buying herself time, putting things off.
No, she needs to be bold. She takes a breath and tries to tap in to Astarte, to Milady. Even if she's not rebelling against anything here, it's still a boost to her nerve.
She texts Ren that she's on her way, and before too long, there's a knock at his door.]
[She's not the only one trying to bide their time; honestly Ren felt a pang of confusion about all of this, each spin of the spoon leaving him wondering how his life had ended up like this.
When he finally gets the text, he's glad for the brief distraction, finishing the touches of the steaming rice and coffee by the time he hears a knock on the door.
When he opens up, he's all smiles, his own issues neatly filed away in his brain like he tends to do, wanting to take care more of others before his own problems.]
Haru. I'm so glad that you're here. [Here being his home or this place left open, just like the door as he indicated her to walk in. The apartment is a mixture of what he could find around that felt Japanese inspired; a Kotatsu facsimile, but also more modern twists that were uniquely from this world. The globe he had gotten from the warewolf shop was currently turned off for now.
It is the a surprising amount of knickknacks he has gotten from others that quickly draw the eye instead; Ren had lined them up as a display in a cupboard, along with multiple cat posters. It was a reminder of his old attic room, but with a much more dignified twist.]
It's not the first time she's seen him since coming here, of course; they met at the tree. But it is her first time since learning some... things that she's still not quite sure how to emotionally process.]
Thank you for inviting me. May I come in?
[Even after his invitation, it only seems proper.
She follows him inside, slipping her loafers off in the process and looking around. It reminds her of the attic.]
It's quite cozy here! You've certainly made it your own, haven't you?
[It's going to be a long evening. Which is why the had insisted on Coffee...
(Actually no, he would have offered coffee anyway, Ren had been won over by it ever since he stepped into LeBlanc). He nods at her question with a smile, because that is, well so the type of thing Haru would do. So proper.]
I have, thank you. It's been coming well since I've arrived close to five months ago.
[He then points to the globe.]
We can use this to change the setting around too as if we're somewhere else like the bottom of the ocean or in the skies.
[He then goes to the kitchen and returns with two coffee cups and bowls of curry. He had time to finish it with the both of them hesitating on their sides.]
What do you think of this world so far?
[Akechi aside, he does want to see how she's doing too. He really cares about his teammates.]
Five months... that's so unbelievable, honestly. I'd just seen you at home before coming here! [It kind of hurts her brain to try and wrap itself around, but she just has to roll with it.] Oh, that's amazing! You'll have to show me some of your favorites later.
[She looks around as he leaves for the kitchen, and then decides to clasp her hands behind her, gently rocking back and forth from heel to toe. If he has a place he'd like her to sit, he'll say... maybe at the kotatsu?]
It's quite exciting, isn't it? I never knew a place like this could exist outside of fiction!
[There's a slight pause.] Some of the things we're supposed to do are a little, um, embarrassing, but that's a really little complaint.
It as just myself and Hifumi for the first month. [Believe him, if he knew she was trying to do mental gymnastics about it, he'd tell her he had tried and still hadn't found a proper answer. Still holding the plates, he does indeed beacon her tot he kotatsu, placing both plates and the coffee cups on top of it.]
That was my thought as well...especially after meeting others from different worlds. [He then nods, but mostly to himself.] If it helps you don't have to go...the entire way. Just holding someone's hand or being close is enough.
[Ah, a kotatsu... if only it were really the season to turn it on.
She still sits on the floor next to it, kneeling politely and taking the cup in her hands.
She takes a long inhale.] Oh, this smells delightful. [She murmurs softly, because it's a nice distraction.
She does take her time before she answers, her ears a little pink.] Y-yes, I've heard that, of course. I'm glad they do give us other options. But I've also heard that, um, the people who run this place... [She pauses again, working out how to say this] ...incentivize it?
That it's difficult to avoid, unless one is very determined.
[Distractions is something he is really good at, after all. He lets Haru take her own time on it since...it is quite a heavy subject.]
They do encourage it a lot and you do get...payment more than just holding hands its true...but I know some people who haven't done it at all the time they've been here. They don't force you into it. [At least compared to what he's heard from Ryuji and Ann.]
[The embarrassment, that is. Ren might be mostly comfortable in his sexuality, but he's extremely understanding for others. When it comes to speaking about it to his close friends however...he shuffles a bit before answering.]
I have. Both by choice and...highly encouraged during the moons.
[Of course he has. She doesn't even know why she'd asked. He's charming and handsome and a natural people person. There'd be no way he wouldn't have. She shouldn't feel jealous.
It hurts a little, even if she knows it shouldn't.] Well, knowing you, I'm certain that whomever you chose must've been a wonderful person! [She says with a slightly brittle smile.]
[While she doesn't say it, Ren is observant. The little bit of hesitation. Maybe it's just his imagination, however. He has to bite his tongue when she mentions a 'wonderful' person. He wouldn't call of them like that.]
Hifumi is wonderful, yes...but not the only one.
[He looks down at his own coffee and smiles.]
Thank you. Coming from you, it is a high compliment.
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[She takes a little time to make herself presentable. She doesn't have a big wardrobe here, but she showers, she applies a little makeup-- again, not having a huge selection, but enough.
Part of it is that she wants to look a little nicer for Ren. Part of it is that she's buying herself time, putting things off.
No, she needs to be bold. She takes a breath and tries to tap in to Astarte, to Milady. Even if she's not rebelling against anything here, it's still a boost to her nerve.
She texts Ren that she's on her way, and before too long, there's a knock at his door.]
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When he finally gets the text, he's glad for the brief distraction, finishing the touches of the steaming rice and coffee by the time he hears a knock on the door.
When he opens up, he's all smiles, his own issues neatly filed away in his brain like he tends to do, wanting to take care more of others before his own problems.]
Haru. I'm so glad that you're here. [Here being his home or this place left open, just like the door as he indicated her to walk in. The apartment is a mixture of what he could find around that felt Japanese inspired; a Kotatsu facsimile, but also more modern twists that were uniquely from this world. The globe he had gotten from the warewolf shop was currently turned off for now.
It is the a surprising amount of knickknacks he has gotten from others that quickly draw the eye instead; Ren had lined them up as a display in a cupboard, along with multiple cat posters. It was a reminder of his old attic room, but with a much more dignified twist.]
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It's not the first time she's seen him since coming here, of course; they met at the tree. But it is her first time since learning some... things that she's still not quite sure how to emotionally process.]
Thank you for inviting me. May I come in?
[Even after his invitation, it only seems proper.
She follows him inside, slipping her loafers off in the process and looking around. It reminds her of the attic.]
It's quite cozy here! You've certainly made it your own, haven't you?
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(Actually no, he would have offered coffee anyway, Ren had been won over by it ever since he stepped into LeBlanc). He nods at her question with a smile, because that is, well so the type of thing Haru would do. So proper.]
I have, thank you. It's been coming well since I've arrived close to five months ago.
[He then points to the globe.]
We can use this to change the setting around too as if we're somewhere else like the bottom of the ocean or in the skies.
[He then goes to the kitchen and returns with two coffee cups and bowls of curry. He had time to finish it with the both of them hesitating on their sides.]
What do you think of this world so far?
[Akechi aside, he does want to see how she's doing too. He really cares about his teammates.]
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[She looks around as he leaves for the kitchen, and then decides to clasp her hands behind her, gently rocking back and forth from heel to toe. If he has a place he'd like her to sit, he'll say... maybe at the kotatsu?]
It's quite exciting, isn't it? I never knew a place like this could exist outside of fiction!
[There's a slight pause.] Some of the things we're supposed to do are a little, um, embarrassing, but that's a really little complaint.
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That was my thought as well...especially after meeting others from different worlds. [He then nods, but mostly to himself.] If it helps you don't have to go...the entire way. Just holding someone's hand or being close is enough.
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She still sits on the floor next to it, kneeling politely and taking the cup in her hands.
She takes a long inhale.] Oh, this smells delightful. [She murmurs softly, because it's a nice distraction.
She does take her time before she answers, her ears a little pink.] Y-yes, I've heard that, of course. I'm glad they do give us other options. But I've also heard that, um, the people who run this place... [She pauses again, working out how to say this] ...incentivize it?
That it's difficult to avoid, unless one is very determined.
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Insert joke about turning things on here.]Thank you.
[Distractions is something he is really good at, after all. He lets Haru take her own time on it since...it is quite a heavy subject.]
They do encourage it a lot and you do get...payment more than just holding hands its true...but I know some people who haven't done it at all the time they've been here. They don't force you into it. [At least compared to what he's heard from Ryuji and Ann.]
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As always, Ren's coffee is incredible.] I'm glad to hear that, then. N, not that I'm embarrassed or anything! It's just that I'm.
[A beat.] ...okay, I'm a little embarrassed. [And not entirely comfortable having her sexuality out of her control.
There's a pause before she adds.]
Have you...?
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[The embarrassment, that is. Ren might be mostly comfortable in his sexuality, but he's extremely understanding for others. When it comes to speaking about it to his close friends however...he shuffles a bit before answering.]
I have. Both by choice and...highly encouraged during the moons.
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It hurts a little, even if she knows it shouldn't.] Well, knowing you, I'm certain that whomever you chose must've been a wonderful person! [She says with a slightly brittle smile.]
This coffee is splendid, by the way.
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Hifumi is wonderful, yes...but not the only one.
[He looks down at his own coffee and smiles.]
Thank you. Coming from you, it is a high compliment.
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She does seem sweet. It's not a lie. But what does she have that Haru doesn't?
Haru feels guilty for even briefly considering that. Hifumi's kind. She shouldn't be jealous.]
How long did you brew it for?