[ Being largely bound to his room immediately following his return from Venera is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because he's no longer forced to tolerate the busy halls of the Citadel and worshipful eyes from servants who still try to cater to his every desire; a curse because it gives him far too much time to brood over everything that had happened in Venera.
Not the entity, though he'd spared some time to try to analyze what information they've gathered as best he could, but the delusions, the daydreams, the memories belonging to both himself and his fellow Kenoma. One in particular returns to his mind over and over again, belonging to a girl whose peppy attitude stands in complete contrast to the heavy loss she's suffered. She'll never have her family to go on outings with again but...maybe he can make sure she feels a little less alone here in Achamoth.
He waits until his hearing has mostly returned before reaching out to her. No doubt they've all needed the time to recover anyway. ]
[ It seems like the better part of everyone is keeping to themselves, once the Kenoma make their return from Venera— and Misa's fine with that. She has her own things to sort out and come to terms with, thoughts that need ruminating on. And she has her own pride and ego to nurse, too. For the first time since coming to Horos, she actually feels... well, lonely, a feeling born out of a combination of the memories she'd re-witnessed, and the fallout from what she'd seen in others.
That's why it's a welcome surprise when he comes ringing through Communion, and she picks up quickly: ]
Oh, Eustace! Just the person I was thinking of.
[ She's careful to maintain an upbeat voice, not wanting to allude to any of her serious feelings, or anything even remotely within the reach of their experiences in Venera if she can manage it. Even to his one, simple question, she chatters away idly, as if trying to fill the space. ]
I'm not busy. Not anymore, anyway. What's up? I know— you need my help with something?
[ Just the person she was thinking of....? Sounds fake, but he won't comment on it.
Technically he doesn't need her help with anything but he latches onto that question all the same, because it seems like an easier road to take than outright admitting his original purpose in communioning her, which was just to Hang Out. That's embarrassing. ]
Ah—yeah. Meteion told me about a bakery in town that's famous for its sweets. I was going to pick up something for Gray but I'm not sure what she would like.
Oh, well, usually I don't eat sweets, but if you're buying...
[ The teasing lilt to her voice carries well over the Communion connection, with Misa buying his excuse hook line and sinker. This makes sense in her mind. Eustace doesn't seem like the type of guy who has any clue what girls want.
A part of her acknowledges that probably has to do with... you know, everything that happened to him, especially with regards to the little sister he'd talked about. So she's willing to lend a hand, surprised as she is that Eustace would actually ever ask for her help with something. ]
Should I meet you there? I'm kinda already out here in the city.
[ Oh. That puts a wrench in his plans. Why drag her to a place she won't enjoy when the whole point was to fill her life with a little more joy and happiness? But they've already made it this far and he can't exactly just take back what he's said and do a complete 180. ]
Sure. I'll give you the name of the place.
[ Blah blah some more upscale bakery located in Y part of town, followed by a small visual map in case she needs help getting there. Too bad they don't have shard GPS yet. ]
Was there something you were picking up in town? I can walk you there.
[ Is this too obvious? He sure sounds a little more uncertain about this par, having absolutely no idea how to A) make any sort of smooth transition between topic A and topic B and B) hang out with someone who isn't a coworker. ]
[ Because she's not dumb enough to accidentally give Eustace a clue about the present she's worked so hard on by explaining what she'd been in town to get. Instead, she Communions him an image of where she is right then— including a clear view of the shop in front of her. ]
Just meet me here, okay? Let's go together.
[ And whenever he gets in the vicinity, he will be getting a big embarrassing wave from her from afar, about 80% to get his attention, and 20% to embarrass him. ]
But you know what, even if there's something embarrassing about being singled out so obviously in a crowd, there's something also endearing about it. To be able to see her happy and excited like this, even if it's all a front. (And surely part of it must be, considering how she'd acted before for so many months, as if her life had always been perfect rather than mercilessly ripped apart one ordinary day.)
Eustace doesn't wave back because he sucks, but he does give her a small nod of greeting as he comes to a stop a foot away. (Lame.) Behind him, his mysterious new tail wags ever so slightly at the tip. ]
[ She chirps, holding her purse's straps with both hands, swinging the bag slightly as she moves to be next to him. Truth be told, she's a little relieved to see Eustace looking pretty normal— or, normal by her standards, anyway. The same old gruffness, the same old serious expression, just the way he should be. Maybe she was worrying for nothing...
But she wouldn't miss that tail wag for the world. Unashamedly, she leans over to get a better look, ridiculously entertained. And, Eustace's adorableness factor just went up by 3 points in her head, and his intimidating factor just went down by the same. ]
Anyways, say, you didn't have this before, did you? You seem a lot cuter this way.
His eyes close every so briefly, a short sigh escaping him at the reminder of his new (unwanted) appendage, which reflects his emotions even now, the slow wag turning into a brief irritable flick. ]
No, I didn't. I woke up with it one morning.
[ After a particularly wistful dream about home and all that he'd lost. But no one needs to know that, least of all Misa who surely already has enough on her shoulders. ]
[ She blinks, surprised, watching it flick once or twice before returning her gaze forward so she doesn't walk right into a pole or something. The streets of Achamoth can be unforgiving, after all. ]
What, does it hurt or something from where it grew out? I kinda thought having a tail would be fun. [ because everyone likes dogboys and catgirls??? She continues filling the space with her inane chatter, already jumping to consider other theories about why having a tail might be such a predicament. ] I guess it might be annoying to get used to...
[ Rest assured, he will be more than happy to rattle off all the reasons why having a tail is so miserable. ]
It's hard to sleep on your back. You can't control what it does or how it moves. [ HOW is he supposed to conceal don't feel his emotions like this? ] It's a pain to have to modify all your pants.
[ All said in the tone of an aggrieved mother complaining about her unruly child (or in this case, unruly tail). But he's well aware that he didn't com here to moan about his personal problems. They are here to ensure that Misa has a good day and nothing else. ]
Yeah, I did! I can show you when we get there. Well, when we sit down there, I mean. I want to eat what I pick there, while it's fresh....
[ Ramble ramble ramble. Mostly as an effort to divert him from asking too much about what she'd been picking up. Her surprise for him that she worked so hard on! She can't have it getting revealed before its time comes. Actually, hearing him complain so much about his tail problems makes her start to wonder if he'll find her gift just another nuisance to add on top of everything else, but... too late. At least they're making good progress through the streets of Achamoth, with Misa keeping her eyes peeled for the storefront he'd Communion'd to her. Is that it on the horizon...??? ]
You haven't been modifying them yourself, have you? The pants.
With the subject of his newfound tail now buried in the past, the worst of his annoyance melts away. His conversational tone drops back to something more even and modulated, the minor wrinkles between his brows smoothing out. ]
Sure. I'd like to see it.
[ Even if he's bad at taking an interest in people normally, surely if he just applies some effort it'll get easier with time, right? Just like every other skill in the world.
As for his pants... ]
Not yet. But I did ask someone [ Ernesto ] for suggestions on how to modify them. It doesn't seem too difficult.
[ Even if he's never picked up a sewing needle in his life. It's fine. He'll figure it out. In the meantime the storefront looms closer, a surprisingly elegant-looking bakery quickly growing in size. (Unfortunately not very bright and welcoming, because they're still in Achamoth. But maybe they'll have something other than depression cupcakes....) ]
You know, I'm pretty good at that kind of thing. Modifying clothes. All you have to do is ask... if you end up having trouble.
[ The offer is quite nonchalant and rhetorical - mostly because Misa doesn't think it's a big deal. She modifies her own clothes all the time, especially ever since she came to Achamoth, whenever she finds clothes that don't fit her exact aesthetic. Distressing them, changing the length... how hard can cutting a little hole in pants be???
Anyway, once they come up on the storefront, Misa's eyes light up a little more at seeing the fancy interior, pushing open the front door of the establishment with lightly increased enthusiasm. The gloominess of the décor doesn't bother her in the least - actually, she fits right in. ]
Wow, this place is nice. No wonder...
[ No wonder he was coming here for a gift for miss Gray!! The range of items is impressive, from intricate pastries to more simple, down-to-earth things like coffee cakes - Misa wastes no time inspecting everything behind the glass cases. ]
This is the part where you say 'nothing over twenty jools' or something, right?
[ The offer takes him by surprise, less so because he doesn't expect her to hand out her help so easily but simply because he never imagined she would have any particular skill in the area of handicrafts and clothes alteration. Misa truly is more complex than she looks. ]
I'll think about it.
[ Truthfully he'd feel kind of bad foisting something meant to be his responsibility onto her, but maybe if she has free time and doesn't mind...?? Though she seems like quite the popular type, perhaps her free time is spent hanging out with all the other Kenoma.
He follows her inside quietly, more interested in the patrons of the store than its offerings, though his gaze follows Misa's to the sweets on display soon enough. At her comment, he almost cracks a smile. ]
There's no limit. Pick whatever you want.
[ It's not like he spends his monthly allowance on anything anyway.....may as well splurge here. ]
Haha, okay... I won't burn that big a hole in your wallet, I swear.
[ She says this with a light note of mischief, before turning her attentions back to the case. In reality, she's not planning on doing anything purposefully malicious at all - she's just trying to puzzle out what kind of things Gray likes. She seems quite innocent (fitting), so maybe she likes sweet sweets...? ]
If it's for Gray, then we should definitely go with this.
[ It doesn't end up taking that long for Misa to make a decision— she's quick about these kinds of things. Plus, it's not like she needs to ask Eustace's input, he said he had no idea, right? There's a short exchange where Misa calls over the attendant, tapping her nail on the glass to point out the macarons, ordering a box with a variety of flavors inside for Gray. It's a nice bakery, so she should get the chance to taste something fancy, right? And this way, at least she'll like one of the flavors. While the attendant is placing them in the box, Misa turns over to her companion, nudging him slightly with an elbow in case he's looking off somewhere else. ]
With that settled... what do you want, Eustace? Or shall I pick for you, too?
[ It's the Regent's wallet anyway, technically, so she can burn as big of a hole as she wants.
He expects her to take her time in front of the display case, hemming and hawing, but she makes her selection surprisingly quickly, already tapping on the glass to point at....macarons? He thinks the little round cookies are macarons. Ilsa used to buy them a lot, if he remembers correctly.
Truthfully he's not really paying attention to the other desserts in the display case because all of his focus is laser pointed on a selection of cute little animal cookies, their derpy little faces staring back at him. It's with some effort that he looks away when Misa addresses him, face about as impassive as usual.
Nothing can hide the slow tick-tock wave of his tail again, stirred back to life by the sight of those cookies. ]
You can pick.
[ He's not huge on sweets anyway, surely it'll taste about the same. ]
[ The slow wag of his tail tells her plenty— and, for a moment, she feels a little immature fondness for him. Is Eustace really so soft and cute underneath all that tough guy exterior, that he likes something so childish and adorable? It's enough for his image to become that much less intimidating to her - not that she was ever that scared of him to begin with. All she does is breathe out a little laugh, before turning back to the attendant and pointing out the cookies. I want a set of these too, she says, directing the attendant to pick out a nice variety of the little dogs, as well as a few other animals that are on display. ]
Now we can share, [ Similarly, she also doesn't commonly partake in eating sweets, so a simple cookie that goes well with something warm to drink is good enough for her. Speaking of: ] And look! They can make pictures on the drinks... how cute...
[ Latte art technology this advanced never existed in her time?! She orders a somewhat overpriced latte, honestly just wanting to provoke more of this hidden cute side out of her companion. After all's said and done, she puts a finger to her chin, looking quite pleased with herself as the cashier rings everything up for them. ]
[ —Ah, so he's been caught. It's really not a big deal for his secret appreciation of cute animals to be revealed like this but he feels a smidge of embarassment all the same, cheeks darkening briefly as he looks away. ]
If that's what you want.
[ Look at this guy, trying to play it cool but failing. It's especially hard to play it cool when Misa goes on the all-out attack and gets a matching latte.
Instead of indulging his desires, he asks for a cup of water for himself, dooming himself to a fate of simply sitting and being consumed with lust over Misa's cute dog latte whenever it comes out like a certified freak. ]
I'll get a table.
[ Preferably next to a window, so they can soak up a little bit of sun while he people watches (again, like a freak). ]
[ Mission success, she guesses, once she sees that faint little blush and the way he tries to coolly look away and detach from the situation. Misa does nothing but give him a little acknowledging wave while he goes to get the table, as she's busy finishing up receiving the boxes from the attendant.
It doesn't take all that long for her to meander over to the table Eustace has picked out, though, setting down their collection of treats first. ]
There we are.
[ She chirps, moving into her own seat - but she doesn't make any initial motions to drink out of her cup or even take one of those cute cookies for herself. No, the first thing she does when she gets to the table is start rummaging around her purse on her lap, the clinks of chain tingling as she moves different items around in there. ]
Before anything else, as promised, I'll tell you about what I was in town for. I worked really hard on it, so close your eyes... err, I mean eye.
[ With a short laugh, she then pulls out two matching doll keychains... that were clearly made by her, given the level of detail in them. They're a little cute, a little creepy, just like Misa herself. There's one that looks like her, dressed up in her typical lacy, gothic attire - and there's one of Eustace, too, with little tufts of fur sewn in so he still has his ears. Even his clothes are remarkably close to his usual fare, his expression in the doll a trademark neutral. Whenever Eustace actually opens his eye again, he'll see Misa putting the Eustace doll closer to his side of the table, an obvious offer for him to take it. ]
[ He's happy to let Misa take her time, snagging them a small booth by one window and people-watching through the glass before she makes her way over and sits down. The playful request earns her a momentary look of curiosity, but it seems harmless enough so he acquieses, dutifully closing his eyes and not opening them until the majority of the rustling and clinking stops.
When he does.....he definitely doesn't expect to see a tiny version of himself staring up at him from on top the table. He blinks a few times, taken aback both by the sight and the strange tangle of emotions that rise up within him unprompted. Surprise, distress, a brief spark of gratitude that she would even bother to make something like this for someone like him.
An old memory, faded at the edges, flickers into his mind: a little girl - his younger sister - thrusting a few poorly connected bundles of straw into his hands and loudly proclaiming she'd made him a doll. He'd taken it at the time but reluctantly, protesting the whole time about how boys don't play with dolls and how she should have made one for her friends instead.
She's dead now, of course, and the doll burned to ashes and buried under too many years' worth of snow.
One hand lifts up, the point of his index finger reaching out to carefully smooth the little tufts of fur on his tiny ears. ]
You made this?
[ His voice definitely doesn't sound quite the same as usual, the words caught in his throat and tugged out one by one. His expression isn't quite the same either, overly serious as he stares at the little doll on the table. ]
[ She nods once, a quiet mm-hmm coming from her closed lips. Delicately, she lifts up her own doll, smoothing out some of the fabric of the tiny dress she'd sewn, only flicking her eyes up once to make sure Eustace isn't like, completely displeased with the gift. ]
I used to make them all the time for my friends. [ A pause, as she hesitates on what to say next. ] My mom would always say, Misa, make one of me too! ... But I never really got around to it.
[ Back then, she'd been a self-absorbed high school student, always promising that she'd one day do it, but always getting caught up in other things like exams or parties with her friends. It wasn't until being reminded so vividly of her parents' passing that she's even begun to remember small things like this, small moments that she can never get back. Eustace is the only person she can think of that would understand that absence, that strange breed of regret.
But— it's not as if she did this to upset herself, or to intentionally upset him, either. There's a soft smile on her lips as she talks, as she threads her index finger through the clasp on the chain idly. ]
I can't give it to her anymore, but... I think if I had a big brother, I'd make him match with me with things like this. Right? Even if he found it embarrassing, I'd still do it. So don't even think of getting rid of it, or else.
[ She teases. Because in the end, he's missing something too, right? Misa never got to share her silly little crafts with her family, and Eustace never had a chance to receive such a thing from a family member. Misa thinks she remembers, vaguely, Eustace saying something about her and his little sister. It's sad, right? Never getting to express or receive love from people who are gone? Her hope is that this small gift can maybe, just maybe, mend a bit of that longing that will never leave them. ]
[ Strangely enough, the threat tacked on the end, playful and toothless, is enough to pull a quick smile out of him and pull him back out of his self-imposed grief. Truthfully, knick-knacks such as these aren't his usual style, Eustace preferring to stay far away from cutesy accessories that serve no greater purpose than to add a dash of color and pop to an ensemble.
But this one has meaning to it, and had been crafted and presented with their shared histories in mind. It's less of an accessory and more of a reminder that he isn't alone now, not completely.
Some of the tension evaporates from his shoulders and the rest of his fingers stretch out to close around the tiny little doll—with a surprising amount of care and grace despite his usual rough presentation. ]
Thanks. I won't get rid of it. [ Promise. ] It might take me awhile to find a place for it though.
[ They don't exactly have cell phones in ye olde Horos and he's pretty sure attaching it to any of his weapons would just result in disaster. But give him a few days and he'll find a suitable place for it, never fear.
In the meantime, he brings it a little closer to his face, mock frowning as he inspects it further. ]
Haven't you looked in a mirror recently? They're at least that big. Probably even bigger.
[ She teases right back, sticking her nose up proudly. The truth is, she wasn't really sure how he'd react to such a gift— it's certainly not something Misa even tended to do for others unless they were her very close friends. But... it's different, with Eustace. It'll be better for them both if they have each other so that they never dwell on what happened before, right? This is just her way of starting them off on that course. Besides, it's much more exhausting antagonizing him, so it'll be much more entertaining to be on friendly terms.
Reaching for one of the cookies in the laced bag she'd left in the center of the table, she leans back in her chair, tucking away the memory of his smile fondly. ]
I thought, should I have put them on folded down? Since you're always flicking them down when you're annoyed. [ She mock does the motion with her free hand, taking a bite into the cookie with the other. Her next words are said with her mouth half-full: ] Kinda like this. Maybe you don't ever see it.... it's pretty funny.
[ How can she be so callous as to mock the unconscious movements of his beautiful ears?
Though, actually, looking at her mimicking them now is a bit eye-opening to see. They do look kind of stupid all pressed up against his head, don't they? It's not like he spends much time staring at a mirror outside of his morning routine, and he's certainly never annoyed enough during that time to have his ears flat against his head. He says as much aloud as he reaches forward and takes a cookie. (It's a dog cookie, naturally.) ]
I'm not usually looking in the mirror when I'm annoyed.
[ Because he's usually looking at other people, see. Though right now he's looking at the dog cookie, with maybe a little more intensity than he ought to given that it's....well, a cookie he should be eating. Behind him, his tail shuffles slowly in his seat, the contented wag limited by the booth that surrounds him. ]
What else do you know how to make?
[ Not that he necessarily wants anything but, well, if she ends up giving him stuff, maybe he'll set up a little corner in his room or something. ]
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voice; like a few days after they all get back from venera
Not the entity, though he'd spared some time to try to analyze what information they've gathered as best he could, but the delusions, the daydreams, the memories belonging to both himself and his fellow Kenoma. One in particular returns to his mind over and over again, belonging to a girl whose peppy attitude stands in complete contrast to the heavy loss she's suffered. She'll never have her family to go on outings with again but...maybe he can make sure she feels a little less alone here in Achamoth.
He waits until his hearing has mostly returned before reaching out to her. No doubt they've all needed the time to recover anyway. ]
Misa. Are you busy?
no subject
That's why it's a welcome surprise when he comes ringing through Communion, and she picks up quickly: ]
Oh, Eustace! Just the person I was thinking of.
[ She's careful to maintain an upbeat voice, not wanting to allude to any of her serious feelings, or anything even remotely within the reach of their experiences in Venera if she can manage it. Even to his one, simple question, she chatters away idly, as if trying to fill the space. ]
I'm not busy. Not anymore, anyway. What's up? I know— you need my help with something?
no subject
Technically he doesn't need her help with anything but he latches onto that question all the same, because it seems like an easier road to take than outright admitting his original purpose in communioning her, which was just to Hang Out. That's embarrassing. ]
Ah—yeah. Meteion told me about a bakery in town that's famous for its sweets. I was going to pick up something for Gray but I'm not sure what she would like.
[ Guess Gray is getting free cake now. ]
You can pick out something too, if you come.
[ He will be the wallet today. ]
no subject
[ The teasing lilt to her voice carries well over the Communion connection, with Misa buying his excuse hook line and sinker. This makes sense in her mind. Eustace doesn't seem like the type of guy who has any clue what girls want.
A part of her acknowledges that probably has to do with... you know, everything that happened to him, especially with regards to the little sister he'd talked about. So she's willing to lend a hand, surprised as she is that Eustace would actually ever ask for her help with something. ]
Should I meet you there? I'm kinda already out here in the city.
no subject
Sure. I'll give you the name of the place.
[ Blah blah some more upscale bakery located in Y part of town, followed by a small visual map in case she needs help getting there. Too bad they don't have shard GPS yet. ]
Was there something you were picking up in town? I can walk you there.
[ Is this too obvious? He sure sounds a little more uncertain about this par, having absolutely no idea how to A) make any sort of smooth transition between topic A and topic B and B) hang out with someone who isn't a coworker. ]
no subject
[ Because she's not dumb enough to accidentally give Eustace a clue about the present she's worked so hard on by explaining what she'd been in town to get. Instead, she Communions him an image of where she is right then— including a clear view of the shop in front of her. ]
Just meet me here, okay? Let's go together.
[ And whenever he gets in the vicinity, he will be getting a big embarrassing wave from her from afar, about 80% to get his attention, and 20% to embarrass him. ]
no subject
But you know what, even if there's something embarrassing about being singled out so obviously in a crowd, there's something also endearing about it. To be able to see her happy and excited like this, even if it's all a front. (And surely part of it must be, considering how she'd acted before for so many months, as if her life had always been perfect rather than mercilessly ripped apart one ordinary day.)
Eustace doesn't wave back because he sucks, but he does give her a small nod of greeting as he comes to a stop a foot away. (Lame.) Behind him, his mysterious new tail wags ever so slightly at the tip. ]
Were you waiting long?
no subject
[ She chirps, holding her purse's straps with both hands, swinging the bag slightly as she moves to be next to him. Truth be told, she's a little relieved to see Eustace looking pretty normal— or, normal by her standards, anyway. The same old gruffness, the same old serious expression, just the way he should be. Maybe she was worrying for nothing...
But she wouldn't miss that tail wag for the world. Unashamedly, she leans over to get a better look, ridiculously entertained. And, Eustace's adorableness factor just went up by 3 points in her head, and his intimidating factor just went down by the same. ]
Anyways, say, you didn't have this before, did you? You seem a lot cuter this way.
[ calling eustace cute trial #1 ]
no subject
His eyes close every so briefly, a short sigh escaping him at the reminder of his new (unwanted) appendage, which reflects his emotions even now, the slow wag turning into a brief irritable flick. ]
No, I didn't. I woke up with it one morning.
[ After a particularly wistful dream about home and all that he'd lost. But no one needs to know that, least of all Misa who surely already has enough on her shoulders. ]
It's annoying.
[ Not cute!! ]
no subject
[ She blinks, surprised, watching it flick once or twice before returning her gaze forward so she doesn't walk right into a pole or something. The streets of Achamoth can be unforgiving, after all. ]
What, does it hurt or something from where it grew out? I kinda thought having a tail would be fun. [ because everyone likes dogboys and catgirls??? She continues filling the space with her inane chatter, already jumping to consider other theories about why having a tail might be such a predicament. ] I guess it might be annoying to get used to...
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It's hard to sleep on your back. You can't control what it does or how it moves. [ HOW is he supposed to conceal
don't feelhis emotions like this? ] It's a pain to have to modify all your pants.[ All said in the tone of an aggrieved mother complaining about her unruly child (or in this case, unruly tail). But he's well aware that he didn't com here to moan about his personal problems. They are here to ensure that Misa has a good day and nothing else. ]
Did you already pick up what you needed?
no subject
[ Ramble ramble ramble. Mostly as an effort to divert him from asking too much about what she'd been picking up. Her surprise for him that she worked so hard on! She can't have it getting revealed before its time comes. Actually, hearing him complain so much about his tail problems makes her start to wonder if he'll find her gift just another nuisance to add on top of everything else, but... too late. At least they're making good progress through the streets of Achamoth, with Misa keeping her eyes peeled for the storefront he'd Communion'd to her. Is that it on the horizon...??? ]
You haven't been modifying them yourself, have you? The pants.
no subject
With the subject of his newfound tail now buried in the past, the worst of his annoyance melts away. His conversational tone drops back to something more even and modulated, the minor wrinkles between his brows smoothing out. ]
Sure. I'd like to see it.
[ Even if he's bad at taking an interest in people normally, surely if he just applies some effort it'll get easier with time, right? Just like every other skill in the world.
As for his pants... ]
Not yet. But I did ask someone [ Ernesto ] for suggestions on how to modify them. It doesn't seem too difficult.
[ Even if he's never picked up a sewing needle in his life. It's fine. He'll figure it out. In the meantime the storefront looms closer, a surprisingly elegant-looking bakery quickly growing in size. (Unfortunately not very bright and welcoming, because they're still in Achamoth. But maybe they'll have something other than depression cupcakes....) ]
no subject
You know, I'm pretty good at that kind of thing. Modifying clothes. All you have to do is ask... if you end up having trouble.
[ The offer is quite nonchalant and rhetorical - mostly because Misa doesn't think it's a big deal. She modifies her own clothes all the time, especially ever since she came to Achamoth, whenever she finds clothes that don't fit her exact aesthetic. Distressing them, changing the length... how hard can cutting a little hole in pants be???
Anyway, once they come up on the storefront, Misa's eyes light up a little more at seeing the fancy interior, pushing open the front door of the establishment with lightly increased enthusiasm. The gloominess of the décor doesn't bother her in the least - actually, she fits right in. ]
Wow, this place is nice. No wonder...
[ No wonder he was coming here for a gift for miss Gray!! The range of items is impressive, from intricate pastries to more simple, down-to-earth things like coffee cakes - Misa wastes no time inspecting everything behind the glass cases. ]
This is the part where you say 'nothing over twenty jools' or something, right?
no subject
I'll think about it.
[ Truthfully he'd feel kind of bad foisting something meant to be his responsibility onto her, but maybe if she has free time and doesn't mind...?? Though she seems like quite the popular type, perhaps her free time is spent hanging out with all the other Kenoma.
He follows her inside quietly, more interested in the patrons of the store than its offerings, though his gaze follows Misa's to the sweets on display soon enough. At her comment, he almost cracks a smile. ]
There's no limit. Pick whatever you want.
[ It's not like he spends his monthly allowance on anything anyway.....may as well splurge here. ]
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[ She says this with a light note of mischief, before turning her attentions back to the case. In reality, she's not planning on doing anything purposefully malicious at all - she's just trying to puzzle out what kind of things Gray likes. She seems quite innocent (fitting), so maybe she likes sweet sweets...? ]
If it's for Gray, then we should definitely go with this.
[ It doesn't end up taking that long for Misa to make a decision— she's quick about these kinds of things. Plus, it's not like she needs to ask Eustace's input, he said he had no idea, right? There's a short exchange where Misa calls over the attendant, tapping her nail on the glass to point out the macarons, ordering a box with a variety of flavors inside for Gray. It's a nice bakery, so she should get the chance to taste something fancy, right? And this way, at least she'll like one of the flavors. While the attendant is placing them in the box, Misa turns over to her companion, nudging him slightly with an elbow in case he's looking off somewhere else. ]
With that settled... what do you want, Eustace? Or shall I pick for you, too?
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He expects her to take her time in front of the display case, hemming and hawing, but she makes her selection surprisingly quickly, already tapping on the glass to point at....macarons? He thinks the little round cookies are macarons. Ilsa used to buy them a lot, if he remembers correctly.
Truthfully he's not really paying attention to the other desserts in the display case because all of his focus is laser pointed on a selection of cute little animal cookies, their derpy little faces staring back at him. It's with some effort that he looks away when Misa addresses him, face about as impassive as usual.
Nothing can hide the slow tick-tock wave of his tail again, stirred back to life by the sight of those cookies. ]
You can pick.
[ He's not huge on sweets anyway, surely it'll taste about the same. ]
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Now we can share, [ Similarly, she also doesn't commonly partake in eating sweets, so a simple cookie that goes well with something warm to drink is good enough for her. Speaking of: ] And look! They can make pictures on the drinks... how cute...
[ Latte art technology this advanced never existed in her time?! She orders a somewhat overpriced latte, honestly just wanting to provoke more of this hidden cute side out of her companion. After all's said and done, she puts a finger to her chin, looking quite pleased with herself as the cashier rings everything up for them. ]
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If that's what you want.
[ Look at this guy, trying to play it cool but failing. It's especially hard to play it cool when Misa goes on the all-out attack and gets a matching latte.
Instead of indulging his desires, he asks for a cup of water for himself, dooming himself to a fate of simply sitting and being consumed with lust over Misa's cute dog latte whenever it comes out like a certified freak. ]
I'll get a table.
[ Preferably next to a window, so they can soak up a little bit of sun while he people watches (again, like a freak). ]
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It doesn't take all that long for her to meander over to the table Eustace has picked out, though, setting down their collection of treats first. ]
There we are.
[ She chirps, moving into her own seat - but she doesn't make any initial motions to drink out of her cup or even take one of those cute cookies for herself. No, the first thing she does when she gets to the table is start rummaging around her purse on her lap, the clinks of chain tingling as she moves different items around in there. ]
Before anything else, as promised, I'll tell you about what I was in town for. I worked really hard on it, so close your eyes... err, I mean eye.
[ With a short laugh, she then pulls out two matching doll keychains... that were clearly made by her, given the level of detail in them. They're a little cute, a little creepy, just like Misa herself. There's one that looks like her, dressed up in her typical lacy, gothic attire - and there's one of Eustace, too, with little tufts of fur sewn in so he still has his ears. Even his clothes are remarkably close to his usual fare, his expression in the doll a trademark neutral. Whenever Eustace actually opens his eye again, he'll see Misa putting the Eustace doll closer to his side of the table, an obvious offer for him to take it. ]
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When he does.....he definitely doesn't expect to see a tiny version of himself staring up at him from on top the table. He blinks a few times, taken aback both by the sight and the strange tangle of emotions that rise up within him unprompted. Surprise, distress, a brief spark of gratitude that she would even bother to make something like this for someone like him.
An old memory, faded at the edges, flickers into his mind: a little girl - his younger sister - thrusting a few poorly connected bundles of straw into his hands and loudly proclaiming she'd made him a doll. He'd taken it at the time but reluctantly, protesting the whole time about how boys don't play with dolls and how she should have made one for her friends instead.
She's dead now, of course, and the doll burned to ashes and buried under too many years' worth of snow.
One hand lifts up, the point of his index finger reaching out to carefully smooth the little tufts of fur on his tiny ears. ]
You made this?
[ His voice definitely doesn't sound quite the same as usual, the words caught in his throat and tugged out one by one. His expression isn't quite the same either, overly serious as he stares at the little doll on the table. ]
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I used to make them all the time for my friends. [ A pause, as she hesitates on what to say next. ] My mom would always say, Misa, make one of me too! ... But I never really got around to it.
[ Back then, she'd been a self-absorbed high school student, always promising that she'd one day do it, but always getting caught up in other things like exams or parties with her friends. It wasn't until being reminded so vividly of her parents' passing that she's even begun to remember small things like this, small moments that she can never get back. Eustace is the only person she can think of that would understand that absence, that strange breed of regret.
But— it's not as if she did this to upset herself, or to intentionally upset him, either. There's a soft smile on her lips as she talks, as she threads her index finger through the clasp on the chain idly. ]
I can't give it to her anymore, but... I think if I had a big brother, I'd make him match with me with things like this. Right? Even if he found it embarrassing, I'd still do it. So don't even think of getting rid of it, or else.
[ She teases. Because in the end, he's missing something too, right? Misa never got to share her silly little crafts with her family, and Eustace never had a chance to receive such a thing from a family member. Misa thinks she remembers, vaguely, Eustace saying something about her and his little sister. It's sad, right? Never getting to express or receive love from people who are gone? Her hope is that this small gift can maybe, just maybe, mend a bit of that longing that will never leave them. ]
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But this one has meaning to it, and had been crafted and presented with their shared histories in mind. It's less of an accessory and more of a reminder that he isn't alone now, not completely.
Some of the tension evaporates from his shoulders and the rest of his fingers stretch out to close around the tiny little doll—with a surprising amount of care and grace despite his usual rough presentation. ]
Thanks. I won't get rid of it. [ Promise. ] It might take me awhile to find a place for it though.
[ They don't exactly have cell phones in ye olde Horos and he's pretty sure attaching it to any of his weapons would just result in disaster. But give him a few days and he'll find a suitable place for it, never fear.
In the meantime, he brings it a little closer to his face, mock frowning as he inspects it further. ]
I didn't realize my ears were so big though.
[ He's joking. ]
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[ She teases right back, sticking her nose up proudly. The truth is, she wasn't really sure how he'd react to such a gift— it's certainly not something Misa even tended to do for others unless they were her very close friends. But... it's different, with Eustace. It'll be better for them both if they have each other so that they never dwell on what happened before, right? This is just her way of starting them off on that course. Besides, it's much more exhausting antagonizing him, so it'll be much more entertaining to be on friendly terms.
Reaching for one of the cookies in the laced bag she'd left in the center of the table, she leans back in her chair, tucking away the memory of his smile fondly. ]
I thought, should I have put them on folded down? Since you're always flicking them down when you're annoyed. [ She mock does the motion with her free hand, taking a bite into the cookie with the other. Her next words are said with her mouth half-full: ] Kinda like this. Maybe you don't ever see it.... it's pretty funny.
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Though, actually, looking at her mimicking them now is a bit eye-opening to see. They do look kind of stupid all pressed up against his head, don't they? It's not like he spends much time staring at a mirror outside of his morning routine, and he's certainly never annoyed enough during that time to have his ears flat against his head. He says as much aloud as he reaches forward and takes a cookie. (It's a dog cookie, naturally.) ]
I'm not usually looking in the mirror when I'm annoyed.
[ Because he's usually looking at other people, see. Though right now he's looking at the dog cookie, with maybe a little more intensity than he ought to given that it's....well, a cookie he should be eating. Behind him, his tail shuffles slowly in his seat, the contented wag limited by the booth that surrounds him. ]
What else do you know how to make?
[ Not that he necessarily wants anything but, well, if she ends up giving him stuff, maybe he'll set up a little corner in his room or something. ]
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