compnetwork | (video post)

Entry tags:

(video post)

[He looks... like he's been a little exhausted lately. He's been pushing himself and staying busy, and it's beginning to wear him down, leaving faint circles under his eyes. Which means he hasn't been quite as particular about how he presents himself; there's a few stray curly strands of hair that've almost escaped his usually tight little ponytail, and he... looks like he's wearing eye makeup. ~~Which, ironically, is because he's neglected to put any on.~~

He's frowning faintly, confused, and taking his time to pick his words carefully.]

Let me see if I understand this correctly... there's a night and day of festivities here, not long from now... for celebrating dead people? And much of the revelry involves dressing up as something or someone that you aren't, giving and receiving sweets, and eating as much of them as you please?

[He may be confused, but he's obviously very hopeful for someone to confirm this for him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"That's Halloween, yeah."

Kotoha pauses, peering at the video feed in worry.

"Um...are you alright, Boss?"

"Mm... I'm fine." He offers her more of a smile, shrugging it off. He's in a good mood, really! And her agreeing about the holiday is only helping add to it. "What else is there about Halloween that I might want to know? I mean... what's usually involved, besides the sweets and dressing up?"

"Well...I'm still young enough to go trick or treating, but adults usually go to parties on Halloween - the food's usually prepared to look 'spooky' or whatever."

Slight pause.

"Back home, there's kind of this tradition among Trainers to spend Halloween having a trade meeting - all the Trainers in the area would get together and trade Ghost-types and tell spooky stories."

"Oh." There was a subtle change to his expression, almost a lessening of his smile -- spooky stories? Oh, he could tell a few! And... ghosts? -- but he was still interested. He shifted a little, wherever he was, his wings still blocking out the view of the location behind him, and held the comm a little closer. "And... trick-or-treating is... what? Do you know if there's a party this year as well? Or... should we throw one?"

Maybe that's what this was about, given that look in his eyes? He hadn't ever given much indication that he was much for parties before; he'd usually been rather quiet, shy. But the idea seemed to appeal to him now.

Kotoha thinks that over for a few seconds.

"...well, trick-or-treating is the thing where you get dressed up and go out collecting candy. Hm. We probably could throw a party, but I don't think we should use the apartments for it."

There's a slight pause as she remembers something.

"Oh, uh, by the way - thanks to that new ordinance I'm going to attending school a bit earlier than I planned, so my weekday hours are gonna be kind of limited now."

He gave her a nod. "That's all right. Write down when you start school, and when you are going to be available, and I'll take care of the schedule changes?" It wasn't like he couldn't hire some more of the residents, after all. Or more of the other Visitors, if they wanted to come help out too.

And he was quiet a moment after that, again trying to figure out how to ask something. "How old does one have to be, before they shouldn't join the others in dressing up? And... are the costumes only for the trick-or-treating, or do the adults dress up for their parties as well, like... like a masquerade of some sort? I was thinking we could have a party in the plaza outside the store, if people were interested." He gave a smile that was half sheepish and half devious, somehow. "I ought to check with the other store owners in the area, if they're giving out sweets as well, but I figured it would be a fair excuse to try joining in on it... and perhaps attract some more attention for the shop, all at once."

Ice cream again? He really loved the stuff... but he had a point; if they could get a big enough crowd there with it, that was advertising. And sure to be fun, too, right? A costume party right outside the store? How could this possibly go wrong?

....No, don't answer that hypothetical. He's been relatively lucky so far, and his mun hasn't decided on anything concretely yet, past what costume he'll want to make for himself.

"Well, I'm on the high end of the scale, really - a couple more years and I'll be too old for it, but pretty much everyone dresses up, yeah. So if you really do want to organize a block party, I'm in. And, uh, as soon as I get my school schedule I'll send you a copy."

Another nod. "I think I'd love to. I admit to wondering whether I could pass for your age, in human terms... but I think I'll stay myself and opt for the party instead. Would you... be willing to advise me, as I planned it, as to what all might be involved, in a party suitable for this occasion? Besides offering refreshments, and dressing up? I wouldn't want the party to be... inappropriate, somehow. We have a harvest feast and a holiday in tribute to the guards and fallen hunters, but... I'm fairly certain neither have the same sense as this one."

A decisive nod.

"Sure thing!"

"Thank you. So you'll be dressing up this year? ....May I ask what as? Or... who?" He has an idea for his own costume already, but it's nice to hear about others', right?

"I'm not sure, really - I still have a few of my movie outfits with me, so I've got a few different choices. I think I might go with the ninja one, since it's easy to move in."

A slight pause. "I've heard the reference a few times now, but... what's a ninja?"

Anyone else, Kotoha would be surprised by the question, but Avitus she knows. Plus he's a big blue bird person, so...you know.

"They're, uh, kind of stealthy martial arts experts from Japan, basically. Movies and TV shows give 'em magical powers, too, but that's just creative license most of the time."

"Oh... so they're fighters who rely on sneaking around unseen?" She said stealthy, and... well, it isn't as though he knew nothing of fighting, in theory. He'd spent how long living among hunters?

"Yeah, that's about right. The only time I ever wore the ninja outfit was for the Full Metal Cop films, so it's in pretty good shape, too!"

Kotoha seems oddly proud of herself for that.

"Oh. Well, that's good to hear."

He has no idea what the Full Metal Cop thing is, or films, overall, but keeping something in good condition is always a thing to be pleased with, right?

"I think I'll be making my own costume. But... to do what I want to do, I'll need to find quite a lot of makeup. I do hope I can manage."

[She saw his message, of course, but she has things she'd rather discuss with him in person. Most importantly...]

Avitus? Are you alright? You look tired.

Ah.... [He pauses, looking over at her, and gives her a sheepish smile.] I am. ....I mean, I'm all right. Even if I am a bit tired.

[Deflection time!] And how are you doing? [There, subtle topic shift. He'd take fussing over others, over fussing over himself, any day.]

[Oh, no. You aren't distracting her that easily.]

But you look exhausted. Maybe you should take a break...?

[He sighs, blushing a little more purple, not quite meeting her gaze.]

I wasn't intending to make a habit of staying up all night reading, I assure you. [Oops? ...Maybe that's all it is, him getting sucked into reading a good book. She's surely spotted him reading stuff from the library before anyway; it's entirely plausible!

More quietly,] I'm nearly done with the book I've got right now.

[She purses her lips, albeit only briefly.]

In that case, please make sure to go to sleep early tonight. You need your rest.

[It's not chiding in any way. Rather, she's asking him to take care of himself.]

[A little nod; he probably won't manage to stay up too late tonight anyway, worn out as he is.] As soon as I finish it. Honest.

Is it that important to you to finish it first...?

[He blinked at her, wings sinking an inch.] Two chapters won't take but a few minutes.

[He'd just... passed out before he could finish that last little bit, apparently. It wasn't the whole reason he was tired, if he was honest about it (pff, when was he?) but it was part of it.]

Just... make sure to take care of yourself, alright?

I... worry a little, sometimes.

I will. I--

[Wait, what?

He paused, whatever he'd been about to say suddenly cut off, and he looked back up at her again, as though she'd just told him something a little mind-breaking. His wings sank down a couple more inches, and he absently crossed their bottom ends behind his heels, keeping the black feathers off te floor, though barely.]

Why would you?

Because you're my friend. I... want to make sure you're okay.

[...Says the girl who somewhat recently was hospitalized for a while along with their roommate because of reckless, if righteously fueled decision making.]

[And he'd have been waiting on them and fussing over them like always, though moreso given they were in the hospital for it.

He looks amused at that, though.]

If my physiology didn't make me quite so resilient, I would wonder how I've been so well for as long as I have. I'll be fine, I promise.

...As long as you're sure.

[But she'll be keeping her eye on you, mister!!]

I am.

[Translation: he'll keep staying up, because he's basically a stubborn kid with little concern for himself, so long as he thinks he can get away with it. He'll just be more mindful about being discreet about it.]

And how are you?

[Topic switch! And he hasn't any idea she's seen his post yet, hah.]

((sorry for late!))

[She'll allow the topic change... This time, at least.]

Well... Lately, I've been wondering about costumes for Halloween.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(video post)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]

[Action; Misato House]