[Midlandia] Just One Note

[gunslingerqueen]

[A series of events occurred which were incredibly important and ultimately life changing.

But frankly her attention span was always rather limited. What really mattered above all else was that she and Nathan were free, and it didn't require Vergil's scolding or leaving the country. They had been adopted into this pack with considerably minimal fuss. They had a roof, food, and a way to get to and from school. The best part was that there was no one to hit her anymore, no more getting thrown left and right into walls or furniture, and Nathan no longer had to hear all the yelling and insults. They could be living in a high class sewer and Nariko would still be happy.

And while she'd made her gratuity very clear to the Alpha she's been otherwise quite normal! Nariko had survived the state of things because she knew how to control herself, how to present properly. So ever since they'd been given their space she'd gone about meeting everyone she could, being both agreeable and fun, while Nathan clung to her side the whole time.

Lately, though, he's been feeling a little more like himself. On this particular day she's sprawled all over the couch while Nathan watches some movie directly in front of her. If she's supposed to give a single crap about her tiny shorts or tank top then ... Actually, no, why would she? It hasn't occurred to Nariko to dress or act differently, especially because there's so many women. Besides, she's kind of idly watching it with him or occasionally toying with her phone, and really she'd practically beg for something fun to do. Ugh.]

Comments

[gunslingerqueen]

Because I want you to?

[Does she need a really convoluted explanation for a simple desire?]

When I think about it I see you and not him.

[That's not any more or less helpful, but she's trying. And for the record it isn't that Masaomi isn't in this mental picture, he's there and off to the side making a comment or being himself! But once her hand is freed she just lets it hang there.

Fine then .... Just let go of her .... rude ....]

[masabros]

[ Hey he was surprised. And...

And he's still surprised, but all the same, that's the sort of selfish My Pace comment that he's used to from a lot of his pack/family and especially from his best bud, so he can't help but laugh a little at it under his breath in a strained. awkward sort of way. The young man looks her over again and then adjusts his collar before nodding. ]

Okay, th-then I guess I have to do it. Right?

[gunslingerqueen]

You don't have to do anything you don't want to.

[She becomes uncharacteristically serious about that.] No one should - That's not okay.

[ .... Her reaction doesn't fit the environment, but all she can do is pout at the ground.]

[masabros]

[ . . . Huh.

He reaches out now and then pulls the back of her head down, giving that expression and her demeanor he can't help but wonder if she's got something more serious on the mind? Like being abused or something to explain why she came to them in the first place. Still, pulling her down like that ]

I'm used to very "My Pace" people. I can keep up your pace, and I-- I want to.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Mikado, you're not supposed to guess it so easily, yeesh.

But in the moment she stops, because that's a normal thing to do when someone is touching your head and pulling it down a little bit. If she looks a bit chastised it's only because she's struggling to understand what he's trying to say, but she's emotionally aware enough to know that what he means is different from what she's afraid of.

It's also just a weirdly important feeling moment, so Nariko doesn't want to fuck it up.]

As long as it's a 'want'.

[Then she doesn't have any reason to argue it.] ... Sorry.

[masabros]

[ ... ] I barely know what I want a lot of the time. S-so... don't worry about it.

[ But he did agree to this date. And he did just pull her in closer, and doesn't really remove his hand so she can continue to keep herself obscured there and feel his fluttering heart if she wants. But. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[She doesn't say anything for a bit because she's actually rather comfortable, but ... When she does pull away it's to kiss him, short and sweet.]

I'll try not to.

[And Nariko will likely fail once or twice but that's why the effort has to count for something.]

[masabros]

[ this is where he should say something cool or something sincere, right? To his credit he doesn't turn into a stammering mess like he really and truly could right now... but he also doesn't pull off a cool or even sweet line, just blinks to find his lips lingering there in the air, trying to kiss a girl back who has pulled away, reacting way too late.

He...

He... ]

W-well, let's fine Masaomi...

[gunslingerqueen]

[... So cute ♥.]

Ah, I suppose that's a good idea!

[It is technically a three person date, and they're just two people!] He's not the kind of guy who should be left on his own for too long.

[masabros]

No, he's really not.

[ Mikado mutters that as much to himself as anyone else, and reaches out to take her hand again to lead her down the walking path to the planned spot. They probably have two more minutes which could either be quiet silence or her chiming in one last thing. But Mikado looks ahead, feeling...

Surprisingly confident. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[She laughs at that and takes his hand excitedly, even tries to ease her fingers between his!]

Oh, hey, do you think we'll be in the same classes? Do I need a uniform? I haven't looked at any of the stuff they gave me about school. I looked over Nathan's so he's all set - I'm so glad Vergil gave me his allergy sheet list. Mikado, can you remind me to pick up his inhaler, too? He's going to need one for school and then one more for home ... I might have to ask Mr. Basara for help with that I think his prescription is written for one, and he's not very good at keeping track of them ...

[... Clearly given the chance she will just go on and on.]

[generalflirt]

[ What was he fucking Mr. responsible over here??? He tries to keep track of that, surprised at this contrast from their comfortable silence until the park as compared to this, and within the time they talk (or well, she talks) he doesn't manage to answer anything before a party popper makes a loud bang to their left.

And then Masaomi leaps in front of them. ]

Miiiiiiiiikado! Nari-Nari-chaaan! So glad you could make it! But oh, oh, just look at those hands, that's scandalous if I'm not included!

[ And he grins, leaning in to take both of their free hands in both of his ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[The trick here is that she doesn't actually need anyone to remember anything, she's literally just spouting out whatever crosses her mind. If he gave it enough time she'd circle around to wanting donuts or a new set of shoes, and oh what about tap dancing lessons?? Of course that's very (blessedly) rudely interrupted by a very sudden noise which - she freezes a little and grips Mikado's hand too hard until she figures out it's Masaomi.]

Oh my god. [Her heart is about to leap out of her chest! She tries to breathe deeply, but it becomes a laugh easily enough.]

Isn't a three-way date kind of scandalous, too?

[generalflirt]

Ahahaha! No, no way! Come on, if something's that naughty, it just loops around to being virtuous, the same way that all those catholic priests could get away with-

[ And Mikado cuts off the laughing idiot with, ] Masaomi... that's a bad joke.

[ and Masaomi, of course, responds ever so wittily with, ] But so's your face!

[ Masaomi, for his part, was dressed more casually than either of them, but not so casually so as to just be the slouch here. He's taken off whatever rings or the like he might normally wear in favor of just two decidedly not-flashy earrings. He's also got on a collared shirt, even if it's very business casual. But then he's also got on a pair of skinny jeans. ]

okay drags self off to bed once and for all now

[gunslingerqueen]

[ .... Thank you Mikado. Thank you so much, please feel Nariko's gratitude from her little corner of the world.]

Anyway.

[This feels like a joke cyclone or something, so she's quick to pull at Masaomi's shirt so that she can get a kiss to his cheek.] Hello, by the way. You left Mikado to pick me up, Masa-Masa, you'd better have a good reason for it.

[What sort of date doesn't at least pick up the girl?? He's lost a half point for that alone!]

Oh haha good night!!

[generalflirt]

[ Heeeee. ] Nice to see you too. Come on, don't worry! I've got more than everything picked out here, Nari-Nari!

[ With a wide grin, he breaks their contact a bit to hop back a step and motion for the two to follow him. After all, he had planned this, mostly. Still... ] This way!

[ And all three will quickly find themselves...! At a picnic. he's laid out a mat there on the ground for them and then has several take out bags of what looks like a nice burger place. It's not immediately recognizable to her most likely, but Mikado's eyes widen a little, because that place was on the other side of town, it's a place they'd gone to a lot back when they were a little bit younger and were running errands over there with some or another adult. It's nostalgic in that sense. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Of course she has no idea what's up with the specific burger joint but, come on!! Burgers!!!!]

Did you ask Nathan what my favorite food is?!

[Because it is indeed delicious, clog-your-arteries, awful-for-you burgers. It's also chili cheese dogs and ice cream but that's beside the point, especially since (presumably) none of those other things are included in this set up.]

Man, this is actually really cute!

[Nice day, great food, two really cute guys all to herself! Alright, she won't doubt Masaomi's planning skills ever again.]

[generalflirt]

Nope! I was just banking on Nari-Nari being the All American Girl!

[ Even if she's now moved into a house still close to its somewhat older Japanese roots and she was out of the country for a while before this or something, right? He only listened in on the adults once, he's still not really clear on the details of her and Nathan's situation. Masaomi theatrically aims to pull both Nariko and Mikado down with him, holding both of their hands to get himself and them folded into a sitting position on the picnic blanket.

Mikado, for his part, makes to open the bags to check what all Masaomi got and how much of his pocket change is now gone. Which means he breaks the hand hold first, which Masaomi gives him a Look for ]

[gunslingerqueen]

That's such an ironic choice of words.

[But she's going to leave it at that without any direct, vaguely persistent questioning, though it is true that she lived out of the country for a bit, just not directly before she was dropped into the pack. Anyway, for all of Masaomi's dramatics she follows along rather easily, though arguably does him one better by leaning into his side and lifting his arm so that it ends up around her shoulders.]

But you were right, so that's all that counts!

[She is nowhere near as upset at Mikado breaking the hand holding chain, in part because she kisses Masaomi's cheek before looking for some fries.] Good job, Masa-Masa. You should know that swings are also on the itinerary, though.

[generalflirt]

But isn't it for the best! [ It's not a good response, though, and he laughs a little, winking at her before leaning against her briefly. But then just as quick he pulls her back in towards him, squeezing her and enjoy the body warmth against him. It's a whirlwind romance they're involved in here, and isn't that the best way to handle everything here? He laughs at the last part though. ]

Swings?! Pretty sure that's something easily met!

[ Mikado, for his part, hands off a bag of fries to Masaomi, who crumbles one of the bags after pouring out some burgers in wraps to set down their large fry to share there. Mikado, for his part, ]

Did you get cheese, Masaomi?

Yeah, it should be in one of those.

[gunslingerqueen]

There's cheese?!

[It is not at all proper to be this excited about food and possibly devouring it like a starved hyena, but this is basically her first attempt at such things, one can only hope that with time she learns to control herself. Or at least internalize it a little bit. Getting some fries means letting go of Masaomi's hand but she's apparently going to stay curled up against him so it's a decent trade, right? Of course anyone who looked at this setup might think they were on the date and Mikado was just tagging along. Oops.]

So ... What's with Mr. Basara?

[They're both here and they're not in the house so it feels safe enough to ask.]

[generalflirt]

[ Of course there's cheese, actually- ]

Of course there's cheese!

[ Said Masaomi with a laugh, even as Mikado sighed to collect the burgers he's dumped out before taking a plain fry and having the first bit of anyone. Or at least, that was his plan. The by in glasses rummages in the third of three bags to pull out... a small plastic saucer cup with ketchup and one with liquid nacho cheese. He sets both down next to the fries. But that question-? ]

Basara-nii? [ It seems Masaomi managed to ask first ]

What about him? He's our older brother?

[gunslingerqueen]

[She really should help Mikado arrange everything instead of being lazy. He's so responsible. But these fries are really good and she's looking for the napkins.]

Yeah, I'll come back to that 'brother' part in a minute. [They look about as related as Mikado and Masaomi do - so not at all, basically.]

I mean, he was watching us yesterday before dinner, after Nathan went back to studying. [And it wasn't like he was telling them to quiet down or whatever. It was like actual, full on staring.] I know you said it wasn't a problem but are you sure it was okay to mess around like that? Maybe we should have waited ...

[She's semi-convinced this Older Person is upset with her and isn't saying anything, which is really more than a little nerve-wracking.]

[generalflirt]

[ Napkins are in the same bag that the condiments were in! As are the milkshakes, of which there are three: a vanilla shake, a vanilla malt, and a chocolate shake. The malt is Masaomi's he's called dibs on it unless she up and takes it before he can vocalize it.

As for the staring...? Masaomi and Mikado look at each other, and they both shrug. Mikado is the one who speaks up first, laughing a little to himself. ]

Basara-nii's really... uhm... intense?

I'm pretty sure he's just a secret pervert! He was checking you out-- ooowww!

[ Mikado might have punched him lightly in the stomach. ]

D-don't confuse her like that! No-- it's not like that... He probably just didn't know what to do before dinner and wanted to talk with you or something...

Maaah, maaah. His lust for your body aside [ Masaomi says, picking up a fry and laughing even as Mikado gives him a baleful look ] My best bud here's probably right. We were just eating up too much of your time for him to get a proper introduction.

[gunslingerqueen]

[Luckily she isn't very fond of Vanilla as a flavor, which means that she goes straight for the chocolate shake without any regrets or second thoughts. While they both attempt to explain Basara, it's a bit of a rollercoaster and her eyebrows go up at the mention of him being a pervert.

Does one of these burgers have bacon on them? She tries to look through them.]

Why would he want to talk to me.

[And why would he feel the need to stare. That's just kind of weird.]

... Well, I guess it's fine as long as I'm not in trouble. It's not like he just couldn't say hello or something. [Poor Basara, she's already decided that he's incredibly weird.]