[closed] i thought i saw you in a dream.

[whatagoodgirl]

Who: Nakama and Nina Fortner
What: An unexpected meeting in Heimdall House.
When: Early morning, Day 64
Where: Heimdall House.
Rating: PG at most.


[Nakama isn't expecting any surprises when she heads down for breakfast that morning. Not an announcement from the gods, not one of the gates being opened, and certainly not finding the woman from the - no, the woman who looks like the woman from the dance - in her own house.

She pauses for a moment at the sight of that familiar head of blonde hair in the living room, startled half out of her wits before she remembers that, of course, it was all a trick of the gods. She's got a new theory about it, actually, and she'd like to share it, so it's not altogether a bad thing to see - Nina, was it? - standing here.

After a deep breath, she approaches Nina cautiously, swinging around to her side so that she's not sneaking up behind her.]

Nina, right?

Comments

[imhome]

[Nina notices Nakama approaching and turns her head at the sound of her name.

Instinctually, Nina's stomach turns a little upon remembering their conversation yesterday. She's still not quite sure what to think about Johan being here, but she gives Nakama a smile, not wanting to make her feel concerned. She pauses a little, trying to remember Nakama's name from her posts.]

Yes, that's right. And you're Nakama?

[whatagoodgirl]

[She bows, a small smile on her own lips when she rises again. They're not on terribly bad terms, then.] Mako Nakarai is my full name, but I mostly go by Nakama, yeah. I didn't realize we were in the same house... it's nice to meet you properly.

[imhome]

It's nice to meet you too. It's a pleasant surprise that we're both in the same house.

[OOC: I'm so sorry! I realized too late that Nakama was her nickname and not part of her full name, which would be the name that appears on her network posts and what Nina would have seen. D:]

[whatagoodgirl]

((ooc: instant retcon, that's what Nina said. BAM.))

[Her smile brightens a little in surprise.] Yeah - yeah, it is. Can I make you some coffee or tea or something? I still feel badly about scaring you like that yesterday...

[imhome]

[Nina smiles at Nakama's politeness.]

Please don't worry. You didn't do anything wrong.

And that's very nice of you to offer, but I can do it. [Nina was about to make some coffee, before Nakama arrived.] Would you like me to make you something?

[OOC: Thanks so much! :)]

[whatagoodgirl]

[Now how did she manage to turn the offer around like that? Nakama looks a bit baffled.]

N-No, that's okay. [She leads the way into the kitchen.] But it really wouldn't be a problem for me to do it all. I used to make coffee for my mom every morning before I left for school, so sometimes I catch myself halfway through making a pot here before I realize I don't know if anyone will be up to drink it. It's just automatic to me now, make a pot of coffee along with the tea.

[imhome]

[Nina follows her into the kitchen.

At the mention of Nakama's mother, a brief look of sadness flashes across Nina's face (she used to make coffee for her mother too, during the weekends before leaving for work), before she stops her drifting thoughts and smiles again.]

That was kind of you. I'm sure your mom appreciated it.

[She pauses a little when they're in the kitchen. She doesn't want Nakama to go to any trouble, but she also doesn't want to turn down her polite offer.]

How about we make something together? It sounds like you like tea?

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh... [She blushes a bit.] She worked late hours, so I just wanted to help out however I could. It was easy enough to do.

[Considering... that sounds fair enough to her.] Yeah, I usually have green tea. Do you like a big breakfast, or just a small one?

[imhome]

[Nina smiles when Nakama talks about her mother. She must miss her very much.]

Where did your mom work?

[Nina looks through a few cabinets to gather materials for making tea and coffee.] It depends, but I'm not feeling very hungry right now. [A pause, before she realizes that perhaps Namaka was hungry but wouldn't want to eat anything without Nina doing the same.] But, I could always go for a snack. Would you like something to eat?

1/2

[whatagoodgirl]

[She looks stricken at the question, and nearly drops the can full of coffee, but barely manages to gather herself.]

Oh, that's - that's complicated.

[Too early, it's too early to tell someone this.]

2/2

[whatagoodgirl]

[Then she pulls herself together completely, trying to work out what Nina said after that. Not feeling very hungry - a snack -]

I usually just have a piece of toast for breakfast. If that'd be okay for you, you could make that and I could make the drinks.

[It shows that she doesn't eat much, too - the scoop neck of her long-sleeved t-shirt reveals prominent collarbones, and a relatively small pair of jeans are quite loose on her. She's tall for her age, but very skinny.]

[imhome]

[Nina frowns immediately at Nakama's response, looking concerned.]

Ah, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pry.

[After sending her an apologetic look, Nina takes a slice of bread before silently heading over to the toaster.]

[whatagoodgirl]

No, no, it's okay - ! It was just... a sensitive topic back home.

[Don't say any more. Just start on the coffee.

No, wait, some elaboration might be a good cover.]

Everything was sensitive back home, because... you know, it was a small town. Everyone knew everyone's business, and thought it was theirs. That kind of thing.

[imhome]

[Nina nods.] I understand.

[She still feels badly for upsetting Nakama. While waiting for the toast, Nina will head toward the fridge. She'll be silent for a moment before tentatively asking:]

Would you like anything with your toast? Butter, jam, marmalade, or anything else?

[whatagoodgirl]

Just butter is fine, thanks. [Once the coffee's on and brewing, she puts on the kettle for tea. She appears to have composed herself completely now that no questions are coming, and she even manages a smile.]

I hope my coffee's alright. I was never around to hear how my mom's coffee was, and only one person's said it was okay here, so... I hope it's not too strong or anything.

[imhome]

[Nina grabs the butter from the fridge before going to collect the toast.]

I'm sure your coffee's great.

[Nina smiles in response to seeing Nakama smile, and she walks toward the cabinets looking for a plate.]

What other things do you like to eat or drink besides toast and green tea?

[whatagoodgirl]

Well... I don't really like candy and soda and the kinds of things most people my age usually like. I like - poached fish a lot, and miso ramen with a lot of vegetables. I mostly eat what's easiest to make, since I cook for myself a lot.

[She slips over to where Nina is standing and fishes out two plates, handing them to her.] Do you cook a lot? Some people suggested it to me as a hobby, but it's always just been... something I did to help out or when mom was out. I never thought of it that way.

[imhome]

[Nina takes the plates with a grateful smile.

She often cooked for herself when she was on her journey to stop Johan. She didn't eat a lot, only what she needed, due to how focused she was on her mission. When she drifted from place to place alone, she never really enjoyed eating much; she saw it only as something she had to do.

However, she remembers enjoying food the most when she spent time with others, like when she traveled around town with Dieter and Mr. Lipsky, eating ice cream and making happy memories. And when she was working for Mr. Rosso... he even taught her how to cook a little, though she was never as talented of a chef as he was. A thoughtful, nostalgic smile shows on her face. She missed him and how he always drank his coffee with five spoons of sugar.

Food was always more enjoyable when you had someone to share it with.]

Not a lot, but I can get by. I'm not very good at it though.

If people have suggested cooking to you as a hobby, you must be quite talented.

[whatagoodgirl]

Oh, no - it's nothing like that. I just put out a general request for hobby ideas, and some people said that.

[She blushes a little, as that must sound a bit strange.]

I'm used to just work and school, and without school there to take up most of my time, I'm not always sure what to do. And people are always telling me to relax and have fun, but... I'm not very good at that.

[imhome]

[A request for hobby ideas? That was certainly creative!

Nina inwardly frowns a bit when she hears Nakama talk about how busy she was. After a thoughtful pause, Nina asks:]

Are you still looking for ideas for a hobby?

[whatagoodgirl]

Well, my good friend Conan recommended me a ton of books, I'm still trying to get through them. They're mostly detective stories, which aren't my favourite, but they're good. And I'm going to be baking today with my new friend, Roxy, and Tokage.

But if you have any ideas... cream and sugar? [Heading toward the fridge just in case, because the coffee's almost done.]

[imhome]

[Nina shakes her head.]

I was going to ask what you like to do to try to come up with some ideas, but it sounds like you already have several. [Nina's glad to hear that Nakama has many friends here.]

What genre do you like most?

[Nina goes to retrieve Nakama's toast before placing it at their table. She looks to Nakama with a smile.]

Cream, please.

[whatagoodgirl]

I like boarding school stories. People going away from home and making friends and having adventures. [She blushes a little.] I guess that probably sounds childish, but I've always liked stories about people finding a home for themselves.

[She grabs the cream out of the fridge and sets it on the table, then pulls down a mug and fills it when she notices that the coffee has finished brewing. Her kettle will still be awhile, so she'll have to interrupt the meal to make her tea, but that's okay. It's just a snack, really.]

[imhome]

[Nina smiles brightly at her response.]

That doesn't sound childish at all.

[Once Nakama finishes pouring the coffee, Nina gratefully takes the cup and pours a little cream into her coffee.] Thank you.

[whatagoodgirl]

Thank you for the toast. [She bows her head and murmurs something in Japanese, then sits down and takes a bite, swallowing before speaking.]

I thought I was living one of those stories when I first came here. I didn't have my mom, but... there are never parents in those stories. It's always just friends, and I made so many friends here.

And then... [She takes another bite, chewing thoughtfully.] ... then it was all wrong.