[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

[lethechained]

[Naminé watches her settle a moment before taking to her drink once again, making more careful work of the whipped cream, this time.]

You could, if you wanted to. Have Christmas, I mean. [Sip.] But the rest of it, too. I've never heard of that before. [Thanks for the tip, Jade.] Could you let me know if it works?

[... Huh. Come to think of it--]

I wonder if Utgard celebrates Christmas. They seem to have a lot of things Asgard doesn't.

[nukeoleptic]

It didn't last winter. I went around that time -- before I went gray, um, I went there to get some gifts and things.

[ And, impulsively, Jade turns to pour some a mug for herself. ]

But I don't mind. Mine and Dave's birthdays are in winter, too. -- well, technically fall, but I always sort of think of December as winter.

[lethechained]

Oh. [Pretty sympathetic 'oh'.] I see. Well-- that's a shame. I'm sorry that happened to you. Hopefully this time will be better, hm?

[--!!!!]

[!!!!!!!!]

[She perks noticeably at the mention of birthdays.] They are? I didn't know...! I'm sorry, Jade, I missed it last time, didn't I? [Gosh, now she feels bad.] What days?

[nukeoleptic]

What? Oh, gosh, no, um -- months don't work the way here that they do at home! Or... well, months don't actually work at all here, do they?

[ She's smiling too, still. ]

D'you think Dave would even want to celebrate?

[lethechained]

Well, yes, I know, but-- it would be nice to have something to at least try to estimate from, you know? [Or guesstimate. One of those.] No, they really don't. The best thing we have is to hope that some of the festivals and other things are similar to what we have in our worlds.

[Even if it's a hard guess to make, she can't help wanting to have all the information available. It's just in her nature to want the facts, whether they're relevant or not.]

I... hm. [Excuse her for a second, she has to give this some thought--] I don't know...! But... it couldn't hurt to ask him about it, or at least try to do something-- for both of you. It would be a shame not to. [This is Important, okay.]

[nukeoleptic]

I'll definitely ask! I think it could be nice.

[ It's difficult to make an approximation here, but - especially after her conversation with Stiles? - she's wanting to try. ]

Oh! Right, sorry, I'm being rude. Are you hungry?

[lethechained]

I'm glad. I'd like to know what the outcome is, if you don't mind. [Either way, they can both pretty much expect birthday presents.]

-- Oh. Mm-- [She shakes her head slightly, hands shifting the mug in them unconsciously.] Not too hungry. [Although-- now that she thinks of it,] But maybe it would be nice to order a snack. [Since she's getting free hot chocolate, and all. Not getting away with it that easily, Jade.]

[nukeoleptic]

Sure! I'll let you know as soon as I do. Buuuut.. pie? Does pie sound like a good snack?

[ She seems honestly thoughtful. ]

I'm not sure if it goes with hot chocolate.

[lethechained]

Pie?

[Slight head tilt... which straightens at that last part.]

Well, they're both good, aren't they? [Not that she doesn't understand that good things sometimes don't go together, but--] Since you don't know, I'll be your guinea pig. [That's the term, isn't it?] Sound alright?

[nukeoleptic]

That sounds fine to me!

[ And judging by her smile, she's being earnest. ]

I'll go get some to bring you.

[lethechained]

[Naminé smiles just as sincerely back, if perhaps with a little smaller a curve. It's no less meant.]

Okay. I can keep you company, if you want, but-- I'll wait. [Otherwise, that is.]

[Protip she's probably only letting Jade do it herself because it's her restaurant and she would hate to get in the way of someone else's Job.]

[nukeoleptic]

[ It's not as if it takes much effort! Jade just heads back to the display at front, retrieving a large wedge of cherry pie from beneath a glass display. ]

-- oh, umm, you're not allergic to anything, are you?

[lethechained]

[She opens her mouth to answer, pauses - her brow knits slightly, but she shakes her head.]

... Not that I know of?

[She's still working on the 'trying all the food there is to try' thing.]

[nukeoleptic]

Okay! That's a relief.

[ Try all the food! And Jade will help by handing her a that piece of pie with a huge smile. ]

[lethechained]

[All the food, all of it. She accepts the pie with a smile of her own and a,]

Thank you.

[She sets it down very neatly in front of her like a proper lady before picking up the fork.]

Here goes nothing?

[Not that she wants to wait long, because she sees that fruit there and those are always pretty tempting for her.]

[nukeoleptic]

[ Jade slides into a seat across from her, her smile wide. ]

Yes! Tell me what you think.

[lethechained]

[She nods, the smile still lingering on her lips even as she tries that first bite of pie-- contemplates it, takes a sip of hot chocolate, and--]

They're both very sweet. [Which she isn't really used to, but--] Not quite too sweet, though. I think I like it.

[She also may or may not be pretty okay with eating most things, but she actually does actively enjoy this one.]

[nukeoleptic]

I'm really glad you like it.

[ She swings her feet, her own expression pleasant but thoughtful. ]

Orihime did a lot of the cooking... we're still working to figure out what we wanna do with her gone.

[lethechained]

Thank you.

[And it's a warm enough smile, but it ebbs away a little at that last part.]

I'm... so sorry to hear that. It's bad enough when you're separated from a friend, but.... [... Head shake.] You don't know anyone you could hire?

[nukeoleptic]

[ She's gotten used to it. It still stings, but it doesn't trip her up so much anymore. ]

There've been a few people who've offered to day, actually. I think we'll be okay. I'm glad.

[lethechained]

[Naminé can attest to similar growth, but... it's still not something she's happy to be used to or to expect, and even less so to see in others.]

Oh...! That's good news. I'm glad, too. [... Hee.] This seems like a fun place to work. I'd be a little jealous if I didn't have a job of my own. [One she's pretty much married to, gosh.] I guess you being so nice paid off.

[nukeoleptic]

[ That last bit actually has her looking a little sheepish. ]

This isn't just me being really nice...

[lethechained]

[... Pardon her smile.]

What is it, then?

[nukeoleptic]

Um. I just felt like seeing a lot of people -- I thought this might be the best way to do it. Ehehe.

[lethechained]

Mm. Well, it was still very nice of you, no matter the reason. I hope people have been grateful. [Hee.] Maybe you'll strengthen some friendships and generate more business all at once.