20th Magic Bullet

[drank_the_milk]

[Action; Cosplay Cafe]

[Yuna's been laying a little low lately, what with having been part of the group that blew up the revival machine and all.  But today she's got a shiny new regain back in the mail and is finally starting to feel good about herself again, so she can be found at the cosplay cafe showing off her kimono from home (second from the right in the top panel).  It's a classy looking royal blue number, accented with white flowers along the bottom and an orange obi.  She's also got her hair tied up, and is wearing a few daisies in it to match the floral print on the kimono.]

Irasshaimase~!  Welcome!  What can I get you today?

[It's a little early in the season for kimonos, but hey, no reason she can't bounce around and act cute anyway.  After all, that's basically what cosplay cafes are for.  She'll be laying it on extra thick today, winking and bowing and feeding little pieces of cake to all of her lucky male customers.  And if your name happens to be Negi Springfield, you might even get a little special service.  Obvious perverts or people who are just plain unclassy about their staring will end up with cake or tea in their laps, depending on how much they piss her off.]

Comments

[answerer_sword]

[Bazett passes by the cosplay cafe. It still feels a little odd, to actually be moving again. She wonders if this is all a dream she has concocted while remaining with the void. (Then again, in the void, dreams had bled into reality to the point that she could not tell what was real and what was just her imagination.)]

[She passes by Yuna without seeming to recognize her. Whatever memory she had of the girl has been traded in at the post office for a needed regain.]

[drank_the_milk]

[Yuna smiles and waves.]

Hey! I remembered what that card does! Turns out you were right about it!

[headedforhope]

[Ah, yes, here's a familiar face that hasn't been seen for quite some time. It's not a very happy one; the smile is plastic, the gold eyes dull. It takes Mami a moment to respond, as if her mind is elsewhere - and it is, dwelling on thoughts best kept to herself.]

...hm? Oh. Just some tea, please.

[drank_the_milk]

[Similarly, Yuna puts on that smile she uses around Mami when she's trying to avoid the awkward air that's developed between the two since the Shootout at the Mayfield Corral.]

Tea, right! Is green okay? We've got a lot of that right now.

[answerer_sword]

[She looks blankly at the girl.]

I'm sorry. I believe you might be mistaking me for someone else.

[She does not remember meeting this girl before.]

[drank_the_milk]

Really? Are you sure? Hmm... oh well. Must be my mistake, I guess.

[headedforhope]

Green is quite all right.

[A pause, and Mami's voice briefly sharpens, sounds almost normal for just a moment.]

Ah - but no cake. [...but only for a moment.] Don't try to tempt me with any, I mean. I'm [an excuse, smoothly invented and delivered] on something of a diet, you understand.

[timeinhishands]

[Right when he seats himself, he'll turn to look at Yuna good and long to inspect her on something very crucial.

... and when that is over, he'll turn his head back to the menu and gives an approving nod.]

A good choice on your clothing, Yuna. Although it is quite different than the one you wore last time, if I remember correctly.

[drank_the_milk]

Really? That's too bad. We're running a special on the strawberry cake today. I think it's the best on the menu, personally.

[headedforhope]

[Her stomach churns.]

Is that so? ....all the same, I think I'll pass.

[drank_the_milk]

Tell you what, I'll bring out the slice, and if you don't want it, you can just leave it on the plate and I'll eat it on my break. That way it won't go to waste! It's buy one get one free with the tea anyway.

[Without even waiting for an answer, Yuna heads off to prepare the tea and cake, coming back out with both a few minutes later.]

Here you go! Enjoy!

[And now to pretend to busy herself with other things and see if Mami takes the bait.]

[drank_the_milk]

Do you like it?

[She winks and spins in place, holding the long sleeves out to the sides and one foot just off the ground. Girl has been practicing this pose.]

[timeinhishands]

I'd say it does suit you well, and the choice of color is indeed very nice. I would wear something like that myself if I were to find someone to make one for me here.

[He keeps an eye out on her with the spinning, making sure he ducks his head from any unintended smacks with her hands.]

And I see you are enjoying it well enough too. Special occasion, I'm assuming?

[drank_the_milk]

You should ask around! You'd look really good in one.

[She giggles a little, seeming amused with the idea.]

No particular reason, though. I just got it back from home, is all. It's still too early for any of the usual festivals I'd normally wear it for.

[timeinhishands]

You think so?

[He pauses in thought since this is something he is seriously considering.]

Washing the same robes daily can be quite a chore especially when it's preferred over the clothes this town gives. Perhaps I'll see what I can do then. In any case, this robe is used for a festive reason? What kind of festivals? Magic related, by chance?

[drank_the_milk]

Nah, nothing magical. Just stuff like viewing the cherry blossoms or Tanabata. There's legends and histories and stuff, but mostly they're just an excuse to eat festival food, play games, dress up, and watch fireworks.

[timeinhishands]

[Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurr.

He's trying to comprehend these terms and trying to think of the said histories and legend that involve the said festivities... but he is drawing a blank right now. And it's apparent on his face.]

What is a Tanabata?

[headedforhope]

[Yuna is gone and here and gone again before Mami can formulate any sort of protest; there's nothing else to do but tolerate the cake's presence. But such resignation doesn't keep Mami's mouth from going clammy - her guts from performing an unpleasant flip flop - her hands from curling into fists where they rest in her lap, hidden beneath the table.

She grits her teeth just slightly, trying to block out the faint, sweet scent of strawberry glaze and cake batter. Mami takes her tea in nerveless fingers and takes a deep sip - uncaring of how the hot tea burns her lips and tongue.]

[drank_the_milk]

[Eventually, Yuna comes back and sits herself down on the other side of Mami's table.]

Whew! Break time!

[Grinning, she reaches out to pull the plate with the slice of cake on it over to her.]

You don't mind, right? Or do you want to split it?

[drank_the_milk]

It's a festival that celebrates these two lovers that got separated by the heavens and the stars, and it's on the one day a year that they're allowed to meet and be together. Lots of couples go out to see the fireworks together, but I usually just go with my dad.

[timeinhishands]

... no, I can't say that even sounds remotely familiar at all where I am from. Perhaps it is more well known outside the Magic Kingdom's region... it sounds like the region of Kyo or Wakatu might be familiar with. Although, you've mentioned you spend time with your family than with someone else? I find that hard to believe.

[He'll also point to her what he is wanting on the menu. Same thing as before, dem milkshakes and dat cake.]

[answerer_sword]

I...cannot remember when I might have seen you.

[protectshisclass]

[Yuna, you realize you're corrupting a minor here?

...okay, fine, technically he doesn't need any corrupting. But, indeed, he's just here for the tea and cakes. And seeing his student in such a costume...well. Special service, indeed.

And that's such a waste of good tea, really.]

[nyanpire]

[Okay. Who let the kitten into the Cosplay Cafe? There he was on a chair, paws on the table to give himself a boost, a big change purse slung over his body.]

Nyaa! Yuna! Yuna! I want... I want... I want...

[He stops and he sits, realizing he doesn't know what he can get.]

...cake? Can I get cake? Red cake?

[yvnyet_uv_mekrdhehk]

[Cafe? She's so there--the cute costumes are just a bonus.

But hey, she knows that voice!]

Yuna! I didn't know you worked here!