masanari | [Futurelandia] The Thanksgiving and Early December Post

[Futurelandia] The Thanksgiving and Early December Post

[ It's been around a month since everything started to change. And frankly, a damn sure more things have changed even in that month. There's simplistic ones, such as Masaomi getting a vasectomy which even if he tried to keep it on the downlow, everyone found out about because of what a whiner he was for his week of medical abstinence and everyone felt after that for how he proceeded to fuck every relevant woman in the house and who would sleep with him out of the house into submission for the next two or three days. Everyone sort of had a rude awakening there.

But then, some changes were bigger and more serious. A new member joined there pack (Veroncia) not all that long ago, and it was much to everyone except some of the adult's surprise. Everyone had to learn their new pecking order and where she fit in with the rest of them. Masaomi and Nariko continued their rituals and continued their seeing other people, to mixed results from both. Audrey was hanging around the house more, though she hadn't had the recommended Talk with Masaomi about joining, despite making this something of a second home for her. And of course, Junko's training continued despite the week long hiatus from it.

Everyone was changing, and everyone was adapting. Yamato even had a sexy car now. And at the culmination of everything, a sort of milestone in the midst of everything, there was Thanksgiving, the lead up to it, and the follow up after it leading into December. A time when a lot of people hung out in one house, and then things got weirdly tense for a variety of reasons. God bess us, every one. ]

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[She looks up at him and then decides that, yes, she's being a little silly here. The bed's just fine so she gathers everything up and joins him there, putting his father's gift in her lap first. It comes in a lovely little case so that it won't be wrinkled. She's very good at wrapping so all of her motions are precise and easy.]

That's - [She feels her phone vibrate and holds the paper still while Ethan is meant to tape it shut. One look at the screen and she can't help smiling. Of course he needs help.] It's my brother.

["Meet me at the mall in forty-five, I'm across town so it's gonna be a bit. You're buying me dinner btw"]

[ And he tapes it! Honestly, he looks very excited to see her needing him like this, that they can have a couples moment like this. And then he looks up to see her smiling like that...

It really was a shame that her brother interrupted their happiness like this, when she was finally smiling like that for him (errr....) but he accepts it with a shake of his head ]

Ah, of course.

[ "fine fine ill buy you anything you want just help me" ]

["calm down I'll be there soon."

And then she puts her phone away and won't look at it again because it's rude to have it out when she's with someone else. If it was her parents or something that'd be different but Yamato could be reasonable and wait. She moves the gift in to get the one side, cutting the excess so Ethan can tape it again for her.

... But the thing is that she doesn't have a lot to say, and she's kind of lost in her own thoughts, not many of which are immediately positive.]

[ The punchline of this moment, as is many moments that she shares with Ethan... that Ethan assumes that this is a comfortable silence. He assumes that they are having a good time here as boyfriend and girlfriend, and they are simply moving through the motions of making these gifts for his - their - parents.

He tapes as she prompts him, and he smiles wide the whole time, grinning ear to ear and positively swimming with his pleasure from seeing her do this with him ]

Edited 2015-12-29 06:10 (UTC)

[They finish the one gift and then move onto the other without much issue. One thing that can be said is that they're both methodical people, they know how to move and answer each other in the right way. It's just a shame that doesn't translate into anything else that they do together. It's a shame she can't find anyone who can bring themselves to like every part of her. It sucks that her dad had told her to get out and experience more but mostly it's just been terrible and a lot of work.]

There.

[By the time she's finished, including adding hand curled ribbons into the bows, her scent is mostly under control.]

I think I can safely leave these with you, now!

[In other words, it's about time for her to go!]

Of course you can! [ A beat, and - ] Do you intend to stay for dinner. I could ask Mother, and you would be introduced.

[ Properly, that is. He holds the presents up to himself with a smile though, clearly proud of both of their efforts ]

Oh. [Considering that she's getting them gifts it actually wouldn't be a bad idea to stay, but ...] Yamato needs help with his Christmas shopping, he's probably waiting for me now. I'll meet them soon, promise.

[She actually does feel a little bad, though she's not quite sure why, either.]

But I'm glad we did this together! [Why can't she resist him when he looks like he's been kicked in the ribs?]

Ah.

[ That damned brother of hers again - ugh, and he was so often beside that skank... ]

I understand. [ No he doesn't. ] Such things are an inevitable burden to someone as great as you, Junko.

[ But all the same- he! ] I'm glad we did this too. It felt nice to be together like this.

[ And then he holds up his phone, handing one of the packages to her ... and then leans in to take a selfie of them both with them ]

Yamato isn't a burden.

[It comes out of her mouth before she can even think to stop it, though thankfully it's just a passing mutter that she hopes he might miss. And, okay, she had no idea they were taking a selfie but she manages to smile in time anyway! It's probably going to end up being a cute picture in some respects.

She waits until he's completely done, and then kisses his cheek.]

I'll see you soon, alright? I'll text you tomorrow!

[And he'll probably text her five hundred times before then, but that's fine. She's learning to live with her many notifications.]

[ Extremely cute - he's going to touch it up to high quality and frame it. Or make it his phone background. Or both. Either way, he does mercifully miss that mutter, and he smiles for her, standing to hug her before she goes ]

Yes! I will see you very soon, and I await that time with baited breath.

[ Because of course he does.

Yamato really needs help better hurry. Or tell him where to pick you up from. ~~and that could be threaded or remain unthreaded in lieu of just gift giving later~~ ]

Try to breathe a little before then, for my sake.

[He's got to even out one of these days, right? She gets her purse and waves, whether he chooses to walk her to the door or not she knows where to go. When she's made it to the bus stop she'll text Yamato to let him know she's on her way but he's definitely not going to pick her up.

Let the gift shopping begin, because clearly her day hadn't been long enough yet.]

[ Ethan does escort her to the door, who does she think he is? and she probably gets about five texts thanking her for coming and talking about how pleasant their time together was before they even make it to the bus stop. As for Yamato though - ]

You sure you're coming? I could pick you up, it's no problem or I could ask someone else or something

[ But Junko is the most reliable person he knows so. ]

[Well, just five is better than the possible twenty he could have sent. As usual she doesn't respond to those, engaging him would only make it worse. The bus chugs along, and while she doesn't like it nearly as much as riding with Yamato what can she do? He wouldn't know Ethan's house but he might be likely to connect the doubts and she couldn't have that.]

I'm five minutes away, I'm gonna come through the food court, where are you?

[And sure enough it only takes an extra few minutes to get to the mall bus stop. She gets off and adjusts her purse before making the trek across the parking lot to get to the mall. She probably passes his car along the way.]

[ Where indeed... ]

I'm at the book store but I'll come and meet you there or we can meet at the DQ

Just stand kinda close to the entrance and I'll find you.

[It's not like she doesn't know how to look for her brother, after all. When he's not slouching to hell and back he sticks out like an overgrown weed at times. She darts through the food court to make the correct turn and ... There's the bookstore.

If Yamato is looking for her she probably won't be hard to spot. She's getting more than enough looks for half the men that pass her, though she doesn't notice.

'Cause, y'know, Yamato.]

[ Junko stop being in love with your brother.

But it's true, he does look unassuming himself even if she was easy to spot. He was slouching - slouching and sort of leaning against the pillar nearest to the book store entrance with three bags under his arms, one of which is from said bookstore. He's just in some overcoat over a loose polo. So really, not that off from how his normal attire goes. Some combination of not standing out for his clothing choices and the positioning he had made him not get as many looks ]

[She's not in love with her goddamn brother shut the fuck up gosh.

Why does he dress like a confused homeless individual who had yet to realize that he actually had a home? But she's too cold to fuss with that, and instead walks right up to him.] Hey, sorry it took me a little while.

[She waves a little and then motions to what he's already got.] Okay, who've you already bought for?

[Might as well get right to it.]

[ Oh thank God Junko's here. Yamato all but lurches over to her, clasping her hand in his and holding it up to him like she's his lifeline. She is right now, honestly. So - ]

Ada, you - obviously - and Octavio. I think I have something for Veronica too? But I'm not sure what she really likes.

[ Might as well go right to business here-- oh wait- ] And h-hi. Thanks for -- coming. I mean.

What, did you think I wouldn't?

[She holds his hand, and uses her other to pat his.] Come on, if we move quickly we can probably be done in a few hours. We'll get Veronica some cute stationary and pens, I saw the set she brought with her when she moved in and she's running low. [So if nothing else it'd work for the time being.] We'll get Sullivan a dumb, funny mug, and Tom a manly but discreet watch.

[She gives him one more squeeze but then lets go of him and begins to head towards the nearest store. They need to get moving.] You haven't gotten anything for Koji and mom and dad?

[Their dad might be the worst to try and buy for but if he hadn't figured something out it was better to let her mull over it as soon as possible.]

I dunno, you might've messed with me.

[ Oh. Oh- ] Man then I'm way off base. The thing I figured for her was this. [ And rummages in one of the bags, producing...! A set of Christmas cookie cutters. Which if, of course, a really dumb gift to give when Christmas is Ending. But he doesn't recognize it because he's a horrible gift-giver. He puts it back in the bag anyway, and then jumps a little because he realizes Junko's gift is in one of these. He "slyly" slips the book bag into another bag. ]

Come on, you know dad's impossible to shop for. And as for mom... [ ... How does he put this. Um, - ] I wanted to get her something impressive.

[ Still, he falls into her pace easily. Those suggestions are pretty good as far as he's concerned. So let's get to the store ]

Edited 2015-12-29 08:10 (UTC)

[Well that's a little insulting but the worst he gets is a dour look. Thank you for your faith in her reliability, Yamato.

But his gift really isn't that bad. Veronica had made that intricate cake at Thanksgiving, and she talked about cooking and baking a lot. So he was on the right track, just slightly off the mark.] We'll exchange those and try to find her some unique ones that can be used year round.

[If he got them at the mall then she knows where to go and they'll probably have something else fun and he won't have wasted any money! She's a genius of efficiency.]

How impressive are you talking, though? Mom's kind of expensive. [She tried to hide it from most people but anyone who had a vague understanding of clothes or even jewelry would figure it out kind of quickly. And for their dad:] Get him a book of lame dad jokes so he can torture the rest of us until next Christmas. Easy.

[Their father was notoriously difficult to shop for in that while their mother was expensive their father was really kind of cheap in his own way. He didn't skimp on things that were necessary or mattered, but he wasn't exactly a man of excess, either.] Or you could go half with me on the tablet I was going to get him.

[ Hey that's got nothing to do with her reliability, it has to do with her playing a mean prank on him. Which yes, isn't necessarily in her character but he knows his bungling of gifts makes him an easy target. It always does. He swallows a little, shaking his head. Okay, so that's not the right gift but... he was close? Good. He knew he saw her baking around thanksgiving and even if Koji ate most of that cake and got a stomach ache, it was good, the piece of it he got.

Nod. He did indeed get them at the mall - all of his gifts except Ada's he's actually picked in the last few hours. ]

Man you're a lifesaver. [ He mutters that out first before he shakes his head. Expensive... yeah, mom probably was a little bit ritzy at her core ] I just... I mean. [ How does he... say this... he- ] I mean. [ He itches his nose and... ] I wanted to get a gift for you and Nari-- mom and Audrey which is all "thanks for the sex I really love you guys." And... like that. You know. One that- ... you know.

[ How the fuck would she know (what he's trying to say is a gift which'll make them so thankful that they get hot under the collar). But he groans a little, both from the stress and the ida of giving their dad more joke ammo but- ] Oh god. Half on the tablet. please. We'll both save money. [ . . . Okay he wouldn't, but he would save sanity ]

[She raises a brow at him because she does know what he's trying to say, she just doesn't really understand why she's on the list for that.] There's a really nice journal that Audrey's wanted at an antique shop, you can give that to her. [... Junko had already bought it and planned to give it to her friend, but Yamato can have it.] And I know what'll be perfect for mom, it's just going to burn holes in your pants. If you want to go full on 'thanks for the sex, I love you' that's one thing. But 'thanks for the sex and you're going to remember me for this' is another thing entirely, so pick which one you'd rather go with.

[Obviously the latter is going to be more expensive, but. If he really wanted to win himself a new plane of love ... You can't put a price on that, or sanity, as the case may be with either parent. ... God the mall is so fucking crowded! This is why he's not supposed to wait until Christmas Eve to go shopping! Augh. First they are getting Veronica's stationary, and then returning the cookie cutters to get new ones.]

[ Because Junko ushered him into this world of sex and right now while he might have fooled around with one or two other people basically all of his sex right now was with Audrey or Nariko or Junko, even if that last one had sort of trailed off as the month went on. Still, to have Junko point that out...

God.

He blushes something awful, and he itches his cheek as - ] I can't go with that one for Audrey. [ Because... it's her gift idea. It's Junko's gift for her friend, to take that wouldn't be right. He sounds surprisingly firm in saying that, because he can be such a stick about the most random things. ... Also wait are they getting her stationary and cookie cutters? Shit, he might need to get more for Octavio then. He's pretty confident in his Junko one. He'll just need to stay up all night too. ]

I've been working a part time job this last month. Think anyone noticed? I was trying to be all covert.

[ (that's where he got his money. . . ) Nariko, he can't know, has assumed he was out joy riding and banging bitches in his new car during that time. He doesn't know what anyone else assumed. Still... this mall is crowded. The taller brother slides into place next to Junko, getting into a space where he can protectively push people aside for her if needed. ]

[She looks up at him for that but ... Well, if Yamato can actually sound firm about something then there's no use in arguing with him. He'll stick to his idea no matter what happens. And yes, they're getting Veronica two things because she's new and needed to feel welcome. Octavio would be fine without getting just as much. But, what in the world -]

When did you even get a job? [It feels like she should have noticed that, but she'd been dedicated to studying and trying to fit in Ethan so, really, it makes sense that she wouldn't have really figured it out. It makes her feel like a bad sister, a horrible one as he (thankfully, since she's easily pushed around like this) helps shield her from all these people.] If I didn't notice I doubt anyone else did. Maybe dad.

[But only maybe since both their parents had been a little nonexistent.]

Go with your instincts friend

My instincts tell me it has to be the lesser sexual but it is a bit dull for this AU - we will see

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I took it to mean it was Yamato time.

What that might really mean is we all missed Yamato and needed him to return :P

Rofl well I know I did.

I did too so it all worked out just fine.

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