[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]

[The name is damning but she really isn't Japanese in the slightest. There's undeniable proof to show for it.

And sorry Mikado but that explanation was only somewhat helpful because what the fuck is a washing away party? Does everyone wash each other? Is it ritualistic cleaning of the home??

Why isn't there a starter book that she can read.]

Are we supposed to know how to do all of that or is it going to be okay if we don't?

[It's going to be weird to know everyone is celebrating while they just stand off to the side.]

[masabros]

Maaka-san apparently didn't back when she joined either... but no, there's no way anyone would hold it against.

[ Masaomi, ahead of them, spins her finger in the air and grins a bit ]

Pluuuus, it's not like you can't learn or try to add or create you own little additions. I'll accept them.

[ But all the same, are they overwhelming her? they might be? Should he simplify that... ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Th-they are but she doesn't want to admit it. It's nice to hear Mikado talk so openly, and she doesn't want to look stupid in front of them either.]

Ah, you're the holiday judge, now? What a brutal critic.

[Of course she'll try to learn, though she's not a big morning person either so maybe that shrine thing won't happen anytime soon.]

[masabros]

No, he's just an idiot.

[ To which Masaomi huffs, and Mikado, showing more confidence than he had in a while, grins as they make a turn onto the street proper ] Anyway, I hope Nate-kun is having fun at home now, and he can make more friends than just me.

[ Was he dismissing the holiday talk? no, not really. But he was giving it a side-step if she wanted to take it, because he was genuinely a little concerned about Nathan, who was as much out of water as she was, but he was a little bit younger too. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

I'm sure he's alright, and I'm hoping for the same! He's so quiet and he lets himself blend into the background a lot. I understand why, but he'd be so much better off if he was a little more out there ...

[That's the extrovert making demands of the extreme introvert, though, and it's wrong of her whether Nariko knows it or not. Still, if Mikado wanted to win points then talking about her brother is the way to do it, because even as she's worried she smiles.]

Oh, that reminds me! Are there museums around here, too?

[Nariko has no idea how to cure her own confusion and displacement, but Nathan would feel better if she could make come up with some fun outing kind of day - and he loves museums.]

[masabros]

I'm sure one of the extroverted people could drag him along somewhere... like Linda or Haruki-nii or... Masaomi.

Hey, hey, don't make me sound like the bad guy here!

[ But Mikado also knows that Nathan should move at his own pace, particularly because f how young he is. Still, he does find himself secretly hoping he's not alone at that big house right now, that one of their siblings or one of the adults was looking after him, playing with him right now. It's a silly wish to have on a debate, but he has it all the same. He smiles a little. Museums...? ]

There's uh... two. No, three. But the third one's kind of silly, really...

[gunslingerqueen]

[He wasn't alone when Nariko checked on him this morning! He'd been reading a book and had a whole plan for the day, apparently, so it was probably all just fine. Which isn't to say that Nariko isn't concerned in her own way, more that if she thinks about it too much she'll just insist on going back home.

Thankfully, she's distracted again.]

How is there such a thing as a silly museum?

[masabros]

It's a uh, it's a, it's ... a toilet. Museum. About the history of toilets.

[ He doesn't get it either. It's small and weird and run by one 93 year old man. And it makes Masami laugh, clapping at Mikado needing to explain that ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[...]

... You're joking.

[Even though Masaomi is laughing and Mikado is as straightforward as any real human being could be she just ... Can't comprehend that he might be telling the absolute truth.]

[masabros]

I'm not! No, there's a natural history museum, and then there's a small art museum, and then there's... the toilet one.

[ But called on it like this his cheeks are growing more and more read because Masaomi is apparently steadfastly refusing to save him socially here, not giving him the least bit of credibility here which is rude ]

[gunslingerqueen]

What has the world come to.

[If it makes Mikado feel any better she's in so much dumbstruck awe that she's not even paying attention to his mild humiliation here.]

Why in the world?! Who needs that! Who asked for it!

[She's actually just talking to herself here, but they can interject if they'd like!]

[masabros]

A ninety three year old man named Chek!

[ Which was Masaomi finally answering it between snickering at this whole thing. They're very nearly there, and Mikado is grumbling to himself a little at this pint. Rude. Rudest ever. But at least Masaomi wasn't making lame jokes or strange insinuations or... whatever. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

I'm so disturbed by this.

[But ... Mikado seems a little down now, so she reaches over to take his arm, tugging him a little closer even as they keep going.] Come on, though! You can still tell me about the others! Where's the natural history one? And you should already expect to take me to the art one!

[She looks at Masaomi in a sort of 'you'd better help me' kind of way.]

[masabros]

The natural history one's way on the west side, so we'd probably take a bus...

[ That said, yes, being tugged on like this was heartening, and it was just as much heartening for Masaomi to wheel around and walk backwards so he can keep his eye on the both of them. Mikado adjusts his glasses... art museum, huh? ]

You like the art museum?

[ Masaomi nods and snaps his fingers ] Then that'll be yet another date spot for us! Hell, we're lining them up!

[gunslingerqueen]

Mmhm, it was right down the street from school, so Lena would drag me there a lot for some exhibit or whatever. It was really boring at first but there's cool stuff there - some of it's still really weird, though.

[Thinking about her best friend is awful for one long second, but she puts on a smile either way.] It'd be nice to see another one from a completely different place! And it would make a fun date.

[masabros]

Then--- then we should do it! That'll be... the plan!

[ Lena, huh? Masaomi appraises that response in a variety of ways, still walking backwards but putting his hand in his pocket and somewhat surprisingly nimbly shifting how he walked to get out of the way of someone ahead of them on the sidewalk. Apparently he's good at spacial awareness. But he also hums a bit. Really weird, huh? ]

The stylings of our city might even be attractive, we could be profoundly touched or usher Nate-kun onto puberty or whatever else!

[gunslingerqueen]

[Is that some kind of almost superhero talent? Nariko would be smacking into people left and right if she tried to walk backwards. Mikado's enthusiasm makes her grin, though, and suddenly she's looking forward to another date even though she'd been dedicated to that whole 'hard to get' attitude earlier in the day.

She blinks at Masaomi, though, more curious than truly confounded.]

You kind of lost me again.

[But whatever he meant to say sounded great!]

[generalflirt]

The art, the art, of course!

[ Mikado looks at his (boy?)friend balefully now, leaning in on Nariko in a moment of genuine boldness born mostly out of not really being aware what he was doing. And he responds, just as flatly, ]

Don't worry, no one knows what he's saying.

Hey, hey, no! I'm brilliant, blessed, the light, the air, the sound and the thunder, not to mention!

[ Dramatic pause, shift left hard, and opening the door to the music store for them - ]

Getting the door for you.

[gunslingerqueen]

[What is art supposed to do in regards to puberty??? Not that it really counts, she ends up grinning anyway, edging into Mikado's lean in order to kiss his cheek.] At least I'm not the only confused one.

[But for all of his confusion and dramatics Masaomi really did parlay that into a smooth move and she looks way more impressed than she means to allow!]

Ah, look at that, you made it work for you!

[..... Actually it was really cool ... Still, Nariko steps inside and immediately lights up, eyes wide and lips parted. It's a pretty big store with well organized sections.] Oh man. [It's all so beautiful!! She immediately zips to the back of the store, towards the six string, acoustic guitars.]

[generalflirt]

Oh wow, it's bigger on the inside.

[ Mikado looks around with some sense of awe, stepping into the shop after Nariko. He blushed a bit at the kiss, but that made him feel pretty good, pretty vindicated. Masaomi too snorts and shuts the door after them both, stepping up to follow her back towards the guitar ]

Of course! I am that sort of man.

[ Both boys, actually, get in step. Though Mikado's eyes linger at a keyboard over yonder up for display ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[Nariko doesn't see anything but those instruments, no offense to either of them and whatever level of attraction swells and falls between the trio. She makes it to her goal and reaches up to touch one - a gorgeous CEO-7.]

It looks exactly like Sally!

[Geez, how long has it been since she's even thought about that thing?] That's actually kind of impressive, you don't find these things in just any store ...

[But this is a three thousand dollar instrument she's vaguely touching, which is probably why the store associate is glaring at her a little. Nariko moves off to the side and tilts her head back a little as if that might get rid of her dumb tears. It sort of works.]

Oh, this one is pink! Oh, but the black one is cool, too!

[Why can't she have them all ...]

[generalflirt]

[ Sally???

But all the same, Masaomi slides up next to her. And he'll go and watch everything she's touching, looking at... ]

Well, there is a local band scene, could be they get it here.

[ But Mikado isn't there to respond, instead looking over a keyboard over here. Still, both boys are clearly out of their element. Oh well ]

[gunslingerqueen]

Oh, that makes more sense, then!

[She stops at one in particular, and turns over the price tag.] ... Shit.

[Yeah let's not look at that too hard. It'll only pain her. Three hundred dollars, ugh.]

Hey, no one's going to mind if I get a job or something, right? I'm not allowed to use the credit card unless it's an emergency.

[And this probably doesn't qualify.]

[generalflirt]

Technically it's against the school's rules, but I don't think anyone'll mind.

[ That said, he didn't have one. Nor did Mikado. Maybe he should though, he is getting older after all! But all the same, the credit card? So she has a cash line? Huh ]

[gunslingerqueen]

[She kind of expected that Ms. Yori or someone else might disapprove rather than the school, but that makes it even better that she asked.

And, well, it's Vergil's credit card, and while the limit on it is really very high, he's going to know the second she uses it. In the last few weeks before The Event that brought her to Masaomi's pack, it was mostly used for buying Nathan and herself food, clothes, anything else they might need in order to function correctly. The one time she used it to take them both to a movie he did that creepy, stern ghost voice and she still has nightmares about it.

But that blue guitar is fucking gorgeous and she wants it.]

Okay.

[... It's better to just earn the money, because if Nathan really did need something or whatever, she'd loathe not having it, and never forgive herself.]

Sorry, this is probably kind of boring for you. I just, y'know. It was all so sudden and I don't miss my mom or whatever but I do feel kind of homesick, maybe?

[She's babbling.]