[OPEN LOG]

[nukeoleptic]

Who: Jade + literally anyone
What: Jade bribing people into her restaurant with free things.
When: Day 355.
Where: The Highwind, in Heimdall's district.
Rating: PG-13 for language at most!

EDITED TO ADD: Also, totally feel free to threadjack and use this as a mingle log IF YOU WOULD LIKE ♥

[ It had worked once before, back in the heat of late summer in Asgard, so Jade was trying it again. She had dragged the sign out to the front of the store, right in the middle of the sidewalk, and written in huge letters:

free hot chocolate! :D
just come inside ♥

The temperature hadn't broken the sixty degree mark today - it was getting chilly fast. Both Orihime and Annabeth were gone, and the store was oddly quiet. Jade will be found keeping herself busy throughout the day with odd little chores when it's completely empty of customers - sweeping, dusting, and occasionally dozing in a booth near the door when the boredom becomes too much to bear. ]

Comments

[realmenknitplushies]

[...She likes it? She's not going to start calling him things for it? Holy crap! A little nervous, he ventures on-]

Well, some of the stuff I'd need a machine for, but I ain't got one yet. Yeah, needle 'n thread. I do a lot of knittin' and crochet, too.

[lethechained]

[She seems quite interested indeed, as if it doesn't occur to her that this is weird in any way, shape, or form.]

It's a shame you weren't here sooner...! I had a friend-- [... Well, she'd still like to think of her as a friend, but,] -- who really liked to sew, too. She worked at one of the shops for that. I would have liked to introduce you...! [But spilt milk, and all that, and it wouldn't pay to linger on the subject.] I've done a little knitting myself, but nothing complicated. [Come to think of it--] I've got plenty of extra yarn I could spare. Would you like some?

[realmenknitplushies]

[... Kanji is now officially more interested in this than the free chocolate.]

Would I...?! Damn! Seriously, if you've got anythin', that'd be - that'd be great.

[lethechained]

I'd be happy to share some with you. [She seems happy enough just from that reaction.]

What colors do you like? I've got several, so I can see if I have anything that would suit you.

[realmenknitplushies]

I - man. I can use just about anything. Kinda stuff I do, though, maybe more bright colours?

[lethechained]

[Nod!] I'll definitely keep that in mind. I've always liked the bright ones, too.

[...!] Actually, if you wouldn't mind, we can stop by my house when we go to the library. They're in the same district.

[realmenknitplushies]

[Better and better!]

Yeah, sure. Works for me.

[lethechained]

Good. I thought it might be convenient.

[Hee.]

So what sort of things do you like to make?

[realmenknitplushies]

Eh...

[Well, he's owned up to half of it so far. Still not quite looking at Naminé as he says-]

Cute shit, mostly. Dolls, puppets, plushies. That kinda crap. Clothes, sometimes, but they ain't my main thing.

[lethechained]

...!

[This one seems to surprise her - but in a good sort of way.]

Huh...! I don't think I've ever met anyone who could make those before...! They're so-- [Well, cute, but he said that.] ... fun. May I see some, when you've made them?

[realmenknitplushies]

[At her surprise, he outwardly shifts into a defensive mode - shouldn't have said it, shouldn't have said it, such a dumbass...

He pretty much only breathes when she starts talking on.]

...You ain't? Yeah. Sure. [And he's relaxing again, smiling...]

[lethechained]

No. My friend was more interested in clothing, herself.

[She takes a moment further to consider this--]

That's so cool.

[Or you know, she thinks that's about the right word for the sentiment she's attempting to express. 'Cool' is a bit hazy, for her. She'll be excited when she finds out Dirk makes puppets, even if it'll prove her mistaken.]

[But don't think she didn't notice that, Kanji, because she did. After a moment, she sobers to ask,]

I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?

[realmenknitplushies]

Did you say somethin' wrong?... [He blinks for a moment, looking surprised.] Hell no, you didn't say anythin' wrong! It's great you like this stuff!

[After a moment, he adds-]

... I was just worried you weren't gonna.

[lethechained]

[She starts to smile again at that first part, quietly relieved - but at the second, the smile ebbs away again. It's not replaced by a frown, but there's some suggestion of the beginning of one.]

Why wouldn't I?

[--Well,]

I mean, everyone has their own interests. But....

[But it had seemed like more than that. ... Perhaps she's only seeing things. She shakes her head slightly.]

Anyway, yeah. I like that stuff. I've had a few stuffed animals since almost the beginning of my time in the city. They've... been good company. [Inasmuch as inanimate objects can be.]

[realmenknitplushies]

[She doesn't know why? Damn... he jumps on the slight change of topic anyway, though.]

Yeah, I think I get what ya mean. They're always there, huh?

[lethechained]

Exactly.

[It's a little sad, but there's a smile.]

They've been with me the whole time, and unless something happens, I know they will be until I go. I know it's not the same thing as a friend, but-- it's sort of nice, anyway. They were gifts, so... that's even better.

[realmenknitplushies]

[He nods along.]

That's always somethin' good, yeah.

[lethechained]

I'm glad you don't think that's weird.

[Here, have a smile.]

So-- why do you like them?

[Actual question, no derision in it.]

[realmenknitplushies]

Why?

[He blinks. How to put this...]

...I just always have done, y'know? My folks run a textile store back home. So it was kinda natural for me to get into makin' that sorta stuff. As to why it's the cute stuff I like in particular... [A shrug.] Ain't got a reason there 'cept it being cute.

[lethechained]

Oh...! That makes a lot of sense.

[Maybe she'd have taken up her parents' trade, if she'd had any. As for his reason - she considers it a moment, then nods.]

Sounds like a good enough reason to me. I guess it's just one of those things.

[realmenknitplushies]

Yeah. It's just the way this stuff's all worked out.

[He shrugs. Just how it's worked out, for all the trouble it's caused him in the past, all the confusion and dilemmas... but he's getting there now.]

[lethechained]

People just like what they like.

[Offhanded more than anything; she doesn't know to think anything amiss aside from in his reaction to her reaction, which didn't go unnoticed, exactly, but requires more information to be formulated into anything she'd be willing to mention.]

What's your favorite animal?

[In general or for plushies--]

[realmenknitplushies]

Huh? [He thinks for a moment-] Probably rabbits, actually. Ain't really thought about it before.

[lethechained]

[-- Hee. She brightens slightly, amused.]

I see...! That explains a lot.

[He did seem to like her choice of costume before, after all.]

I've always liked rabbits, too.

[realmenknitplushies]

[-ah, right, she did, didn't she? A spot more awkward on Kanji's part, here.]

Heh. I ... ain't surprised.