I think if we go late enough, it should be alright. It was open late enough before. Would that be a problem? Otherwise I could see what I can find to use as one.
Here, I'll send a map. { he'll attach a pin on a map to around the corner from where they'll be going. not wanting it to be right outside. } Meet me at 9pm?
{ he bids her farewell, and even if he is a lot more prepared about returning to that place, there are some memories of it that are embarrassing and he hopes the store clerk does not remember him from before. it's been a couple of weeks now, and it isn't like he's returned since.
he is actually on time today, dressed in his casual clothes of grey trousers and a lilac turtleneck today with a light white jacket pulled on top. }
Ah, good evening. { if he feels nervous or awkward about this, it doesn't seem obvious at the moment. }
[ Lumine wasn't quite sure what to expect when she strolled up. Ayato is generally a master of composure. But even he had sounded flustered when he had reached out to her on the phone--or at least as flustered as she'd ever heard. So she wouldn't have been entirely surprised if she had to give him something of a pep talk.
But Ayato looks entirely self-assured. Which is something of a relief! If he was completely falling apart with nervousness, she's not sure she'd know what to do. If she didn't know any better, she'd assume he was just heading home from a late day at work or from a nice restaurant.
For her part, Lumine is dressed in a white, lightweight blouse with fluttery short sleeves, a navy blue, knee-length skirt, and a loose pair of black booties. ]
No need to be so formal. It's good to see you, too.
{ he's had time to prepare himself, and really if she knew what he'd gone through with kaveh maybe it would make more sense. as it is, he's here for sensible things.
he has even made sure he has his phone and the bag he'd take on quests with him, as that should hopefully give them something to hide some purchases in. it wasn't that big, but at least it was opaque. }
It's a force of habit. But you as well, I hope you have been doing well? Though, ah, we should probably get moving, even this area is a little... questionable.
[ She raises an eyebrow. Yes, there were more than its fair share of bars in this part of the city, not to mention a strip club at the end of the street. But they were far enough away from the truly lurid elements and conservatively dressed enough so as to not seem "questionable." ]
I think you might be a little over-sensitive about that. But all right.
Probably so, but I'm still conscious of the fact that even here I have a reputation to uphold. Why else would I ask for company to somewhere like this?
{ but it's really only his words that give it away, along with the pause before, that he doesn't want to be seen by someone else he knows here. }
What have you been busy with?
{ it's nice calming idle conversation, they'll turn the corner and just ahead is their destination. }
Technically, in this place, you're not the Commissioner anymore. Technically, here--you could be anyone you wanted. Including just a regular man who has regular needs.
[ She knows he won't take her up on her suggestion because that's the sort of man he is--but it deserves to be said. If he ever did want the chance at an ordinary life, now's the time to grasp for it. ]
I've been running errands, quests--the usual. You?
Perhaps not, but I'm still working for the government here. You may have missed it, but I've been assigned a post under the title 'Otherworldly Ambassador' in an attempt to smooth over relations between us and the locals here. There's a lot of work to be done if anyone is to return home and this world is to be made a safe space. { but it really is the case, he'll always be too selfless to take the route that may give him happiness, if it means risking the happiness of countless others. he'll work himself to death first, and they both know that. }
Quite similar, though a lot of negotiations into securing that title along with networking took a lot of my time. I think we'll be looking to move in the coming weeks too.
{ he'll take a turn, leading them towards a door that he opens for her, and that slightly anxious air returns as he glances back--as if to check no one has seen. }
[ She does remember that post--it was quite the long one--but she has to wonder about the sincerity of Ellipsa's ruling class's gesture. Even so, ]
Ellipsa's not Inazuma, though. The culture's quite different. I don't think anyone's going to care if you're going in and out of sex shops--well. Most anyone. Ayaka and Thoma would probably be pretty shocked.
[ On that note, ]
Where are you all planning to move to? Have you found a place?
{ if it leads them closer to actually having people working together, he'll be bait. he doesn't think he'll be caught out, considering he's awfully careful about what he discusses there, but sitll. }
I would prefer if Ayaka didn't know about this, though I shouldn't have to say that. As for Thoma... { he'll wait until they're inside, and he shuts the door behind them both. he's still holding the handle when this admittance comes: } as shocked as he may be, part of this is a surprise for him.
Regarding the house, I'm leaving those choices to Ayaka and Cloud. Ayaka has certain preferences while I have none. As long as it's big enough or can be expanded to fit an office.
{ don't sandwich that big news in the middle of all that??? }
[ She raises an eyebrow. The part about Thoma isn't wholly a surprise. Plenty of boys pick on their objects of affection, and if Ayato doesn't constantly gently bully the Kamisato housekeeper, she's not sure what you'd call it. ]
Well, I'm not going to tell her. But if you wanted it kept secret, I'm not sure visiting this place the first time with Kaveh was the best choice.
[ Kaveh has many good qualities. Unfortunately, discrete is... not exactly amongst them. ]
What exactly made you choose him to take you in the first place anyway? I didn't realize you two were that close.
{ he makes a small noise in the back of his throat, realising he may actually have to say it clearly. }
We're dating. Besides, I think Thoma would likely struggle to come to a place like this.
{ that he shouldn't have to explain.
but it looks like he's going to have to explain the situation with kaveh. }
Well, it wasn't the intention. The thing was- { now he remembers there is no safe place to look in this store. } -something happened on our quest together and he was upset about it, so we went for drinks. In my attempts to ensure he stayed safe I was dragged here.
[ She stops dead in her tracks, having come to a completely wrong conclusion (I think) based on the way that information was all presented to her just now. ]
I'm sorry--you're dating Kaveh?
[ KAVEH? WHAT HAPPENED TO ALHAITHAM? Is Ayato your rebound guy now?? how is she so far out of the loop!?! ]
{ for a second he looks confused, then his fingers move to press against his forehead. }
I suppose this is my fault for trying to explain two things at once. No. I'm dating Thoma. I very much doubt Kaveh would end things with Alhaitham, no matter how he is when drunk.
{ what happened in the back of the sex toy store stays in the back of the sex toy store. }
In fact when I dropped him off at his apartment I had the discomfort of seeing that for myself.
{ sorry for dropping all this on you at once, lumine, clearly it's been a while since their catch up and he can't be left alone for that long- }
Can you blame me? He makes the most wonderful faces when I tease him. { and as much as that may be an amused smile at first, his expression does soften. } But obviously it isn't just about that. Which is why we're... here.
There are certain things I imagine he was probably more educational about, but nothing I would consider at this stage.
Speaking of which... { okay, they actually need to. look at things. in the store. he'll pick up a basket at least, before tilting his head to indicate towards a wall fairly open in the store. that sure is a whole wall of lube bottles. } I noticed last time there was a lot more choice than I'd expected.
It may take me some time to read these.
{ lumine please don't judge him for how many bottles he will buy today- }
[ she will. Try not to. Honestly even for her it's kind of interesting. Imeeji had these kinds of things, but it's not like she really went "shopping" for any herself. She picks up a pink bottle and examines the label. ]
Strawberry flavored... I hope they didn't use actual strawberries.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sssh sssh life is more important!!! dw <3
I think if we go late enough, it should be alright. It was open late enough before. Would that be a problem? Otherwise I could see what I can find to use as one.
Re: sssh sssh life is more important!!! dw <3
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Fast forward?
Fast forward! -> action
he is actually on time today, dressed in his casual clothes of grey trousers and a lilac turtleneck today with a light white jacket pulled on top. }
Ah, good evening. { if he feels nervous or awkward about this, it doesn't seem obvious at the moment. }
Re: Fast forward! -> action
But Ayato looks entirely self-assured. Which is something of a relief! If he was completely falling apart with nervousness, she's not sure she'd know what to do. If she didn't know any better, she'd assume he was just heading home from a late day at work or from a nice restaurant.
For her part, Lumine is dressed in a white, lightweight blouse with fluttery short sleeves, a navy blue, knee-length skirt, and a loose pair of black booties. ]
No need to be so formal. It's good to see you, too.
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he has even made sure he has his phone and the bag he'd take on quests with him, as that should hopefully give them something to hide some purchases in. it wasn't that big, but at least it was opaque. }
It's a force of habit. But you as well, I hope you have been doing well? Though, ah, we should probably get moving, even this area is a little... questionable.
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I think you might be a little over-sensitive about that. But all right.
She starts walking.
I'm fine. Busy, but that's how I like it.
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Probably so, but I'm still conscious of the fact that even here I have a reputation to uphold. Why else would I ask for company to somewhere like this?
{ but it's really only his words that give it away, along with the pause before, that he doesn't want to be seen by someone else he knows here. }
What have you been busy with?
{ it's nice calming idle conversation, they'll turn the corner and just ahead is their destination. }
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[ She knows he won't take her up on her suggestion because that's the sort of man he is--but it deserves to be said. If he ever did want the chance at an ordinary life, now's the time to grasp for it. ]
I've been running errands, quests--the usual. You?
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Quite similar, though a lot of negotiations into securing that title along with networking took a lot of my time. I think we'll be looking to move in the coming weeks too.
{ he'll take a turn, leading them towards a door that he opens for her, and that slightly anxious air returns as he glances back--as if to check no one has seen. }
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Ellipsa's not Inazuma, though. The culture's quite different. I don't think anyone's going to care if you're going in and out of sex shops--well. Most anyone. Ayaka and Thoma would probably be pretty shocked.
[ On that note, ]
Where are you all planning to move to? Have you found a place?
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I would prefer if Ayaka didn't know about this, though I shouldn't have to say that. As for Thoma... { he'll wait until they're inside, and he shuts the door behind them both. he's still holding the handle when this admittance comes: } as shocked as he may be, part of this is a surprise for him.
Regarding the house, I'm leaving those choices to Ayaka and Cloud. Ayaka has certain preferences while I have none. As long as it's big enough or can be expanded to fit an office.
{ don't sandwich that big news in the middle of all that??? }
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Well, I'm not going to tell her. But if you wanted it kept secret, I'm not sure visiting this place the first time with Kaveh was the best choice.
[ Kaveh has many good qualities. Unfortunately, discrete is... not exactly amongst them. ]
What exactly made you choose him to take you in the first place anyway? I didn't realize you two were that close.
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We're dating. Besides, I think Thoma would likely struggle to come to a place like this.
{ that he shouldn't have to explain.
but it looks like he's going to have to explain the situation with kaveh. }
Well, it wasn't the intention. The thing was- { now he remembers there is no safe place to look in this store. } -something happened on our quest together and he was upset about it, so we went for drinks. In my attempts to ensure he stayed safe I was dragged here.
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I'm sorry--you're dating Kaveh?
[ KAVEH? WHAT HAPPENED TO ALHAITHAM? Is Ayato your rebound guy now?? how is she so far out of the loop!?! ]
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I suppose this is my fault for trying to explain two things at once. No. I'm dating Thoma. I very much doubt Kaveh would end things with Alhaitham, no matter how he is when drunk.
{ what happened in the back of the sex toy store stays in the back of the sex toy store. }
In fact when I dropped him off at his apartment I had the discomfort of seeing that for myself.
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I knew it. You are the kind of boy who bullies the person he likes the most.
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Can you blame me? He makes the most wonderful faces when I tease him. { and as much as that may be an amused smile at first, his expression does soften. } But obviously it isn't just about that. Which is why we're... here.
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There are certain things I imagine he was probably more educational about, but nothing I would consider at this stage.
Speaking of which... { okay, they actually need to. look at things. in the store. he'll pick up a basket at least, before tilting his head to indicate towards a wall fairly open in the store. that sure is a whole wall of lube bottles. } I noticed last time there was a lot more choice than I'd expected.
It may take me some time to read these.
{ lumine please don't judge him for how many bottles he will buy today- }
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Strawberry flavored... I hope they didn't use actual strawberries.
[ That's just asking for infection. ]
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Why would you want it to be flavoured anyway?
{ sorry lumine... }
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[ sorry ayato....!!!! ]
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betterworse from here- }Oh, I can probably skip that one then. I don't need it.
{ which can definitely been seen either of two ways... }
This one sounds different. 'Tingle'?
{ and now he's lifting a bottle up to read the back }
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