[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]

It's easy to learn to play without sheet music, especially if you have a good memory.

[She opens the book to look over the complexity of the pieces.]

And to be fair he'd probably make a really good pimp, and it's important to do what you love.

[At least, someone told her that once.]

[generalflirt]

You want to be one of the ones working under me, NariNari?

[ He manages to say that with a smirk, even as Mikado elbows him in the stomach.

Rude. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

No.

[It ... Wasn't even difficult to answer. She's definitely getting Nathan this book, though.]

[generalflirt]

Isn't that denial too quick?!

[ SHUT UP OH MY GOD Mikado now makes to literally cover the other boy's mouth, pulling him back away from Nariko ]

[gunslingerqueen]

Nope.

[She closes the book.] Why would I want to be with that kind of man? That's not how I want to be treated when I'm an adult.

[Right now all this recklessness, refusing to become attached to anyone? That's fine. She's young and none of it matters, it's not supposed to! But even six years from now has to be completely different.]

[generalflirt]

[ Interesting qualifier.

But Masaomi while he notes that can't respond while Mkado is forcing his hands over his mouth. The boy in the glasses is struggling to hold him and probably making a little more of a scene than they might've made if Masaomi was talking, but.. You know ]

I-- I don't think most people would. He was just being silly...

[gunslingerqueen]

[Probably! But it just makes them funnier, so much that she lightens up the way she needs to. It's like it's impossible to be too upset around either of them!]

You never know, Mikado, awful perverts start young, good perverts take longer to find!

[What an incredibly weird statement.]

[generalflirt]

[ That is an incredibly weird statement, and as he tries to parse through it, his hands go slack enough on Masaomi's mouth that the other boy can yank his arms down and make him trip up. But Masaomi doesn't roar in triumph or anything, just ask Nariko, a bit confused- ]

What?

[ Mikado then pulls his arms in to squeeze Masaomi around the stomach ]

[gunslingerqueen]

Nothing, nothing.

[She waves a hand.]

Come on, I wanna buy this!

[Sometimes she's really bad at conveying her thoughts, and it's less embarrassing to scramble for the words than it is to just gently glaze over it.]

[generalflirt]

What're you buy--

[ Oooof. Mikado squeezed him again and cut him off, but the boy with the glasses gets out from behind his friend now, huffing a bit to complete the question, ]

Okay! Let's go. Just those books?

[gunslingerqueen]

[.... is it even a good idea to take them out into the public?

The answer is undoubtedly 'no'.

Mikado's question all but forces her to stare at the guitar of her dreams, and in that moment she looks so incredibly heart broken, as if her entire life has been ripped apart - again.]

... Yes. Nathan will like these.

[And she can afford it with her own cash, so it's alright.]

[generalflirt]

[ . . . Hmmmmm

Hmmmm.

... He can't afford that guitar either, Masaomi concludes. He wonders if Mikado was thinking the same thing. But he puts his hands in his pockets to follow her to the counter, shrugging and hefting the bag on his shoulder. Mikado, for his part, pats Nariko on the shoulder ]

S-so I guess it'll be gifts after this...

[gunslingerqueen]

[They're kids, there's no way any of them could afford it, and it wasn't as if Nariko expected anything. She just underestimated how much it would affect her, that was all. Besides, how long could it take to earn four hundred bucks? A month or two? That wasn't so bad.

Knowing that, she smiled at them both.]

That sounds good! Just don't laugh at what I got you guys!

[generalflirt]

It's not like we had any longer to plan something!

[ Mikado frowns, but he nods too. ] I don't think it's good to try to deflate expectations like that... but I guess so yeah.

[ Masaomi laughs at that, sliding ahead of them all to make sure they get their spot in line as next in line. So she can buy her stuff. ]

[gunslingerqueen]

I think we can all agree that there has to be a full week before anything else, right?

[Another week is certainly long enough to prepare for another date! Though, presumably, that one won't include more gifts. But the line ultimately isn't too long, she's already digging for her wallet in her purse.]

Oh, right, so Masaomi? I just got you both something separate sine there wasn't time to really decide on anything as pairs, so you're just going to have more stuff to carry home.

[Although she could definitely sell her gift that way! It could help him carry stuff back!]

[generalflirt]

Oh. Well I didn't confirm with you about getting one for Mikado and I don't think he had time to do the same for me, so it looks like we've got out joint one for you and then yours for each of us?

[ Mikado shrugs and sighs dramatically ] It's your fault for making it soun so confusing...

[gunslingerqueen]

I think it works out fine that way!

[So while Mikado is definitely right, there's no sense in worrying about it now! When they make it to the line she puts the book up and holds out the money, gets her change and all that. It doesn't take very long.]

Should we do it when we get back home, though? It'd be sort of weird to stand in the middle of the street, exchanging gifts.

[generalflirt]

[ The two boys look at each other. The hold it for a while, and then finally nod ]

Yeah, might as well! I don't think it'l be a huge issue with ours, but..

But no girl wants a gift in the middle of the street, so come on, we'll go home and do the exchange, and then maybe hang out a little more.

What, the date wasn't good enough?!

I- I didn't say that!

[gunslingerqueen]

[That's ... Did Mikado want to spent more time with her or be alone with her, or ... No, she was just overthinking it. They were just doing their funny brother exchange deal. Still, for a moment she looks incredibly thoughtful, but decides to keep her thoughts to herself.]

Ready!

[She's got her bag and everything, so they can zip home, now!]

[generalflirt]

Okay, we're go!

[ And Mikado this time reaches for Nariko's hand first. So surprised at that is Masaomi that he smirks and instead of Nariko in this middle, this time it's going to be Mikado in the Middle, so he grabs Mikado's other hand, making him yelp in surprise, but so it begins ]

okay just let me know if this isn't cool

[gunslingerqueen]

[You know it's really starting to feel like Mikado's getting bolder here, and while that's good it also seems sudden and she kind of wants to know what's caused it. Maybe he just feels comfortable in the situation, now? Either way she holds his hand firmly enough, and they begin their trek!

It's probably good that they're calling it an ending on this date, she's kind of tired and she wants to put eyes on Nathan again, even though he's probably just fine. She's sort of quiet on the way back, as a result, have genuinely out of it and half thoughtful about quite a few different things.

When the front of the house comes into view she stops really suddenly.]

One last thing, though, you can't end a fun date by just walking inside, there has to be a romantic kiss. Or at least borderline romantic.

[Because it really has been fun, so ... Mostly she just wants to do things right, whatever that means.]

Looks solid to me

[generalflirt]

[ The fact she's calling them out for this sort of romantic trope brings a swell to Masaomi's heart, it means this is really working, and his mad plan might just pay off. Mikado, for his part, looks more surprised than anything. While he had been bold in taking the hand first, being the middle really did make him flustered the whole way home. He doesn't ven speak up. But Masaomi, for his part, supplies, ]

Mmm, agreed. So how do the logistics work here, NariNari?

[gunslingerqueen]

Mm, you and I could go first, and then Mikado and I and then:

[She motions between the two of them] if you want to! I'm not suggesting anything.

[She did want to see them kiss, but that was already fulfilled so anything after this point isn't her business! She just wants them to know that if it does happen it won't upset the feeling she's going for here.]

[generalflirt]

Mmmmmm. Those would make more sense than my plan of us trying to kiss everyone at once with our heads together.

[ Mikado looks at him balefully, there's no way that would work? What, is she stupid? But Mikado tilts his head a little, looking over at Nariko and remembering that she was weird about them kissing before, like she mattered less. Is it right to end on them, therefore? Even if it was a little embarrassing to kiss Masaomi either way... ]

[gunslingerqueen]

That definitely wouldn't have worked, mouths aren't designed to kiss two people at once.

[Hey, he definitely doesn't have to kiss Masaomi if he doesn't want to! She just wanted to mention it.]

So ...

[She tugs on Masaomi's shirt, pulling him closer. Kiss time!]