2013-10-09 - The 100% Genuine Magical Apparatus & Doodad Boutique

Title: The 100% Genuine Magical Apparatus & Doodad Boutique
Summary: Ren finds a senpai at the exact same time Daichi finds a Kouhai (batteries not included). Daichi then proceeds to spend the rest of his life trying to get rid of her again.
Who: Ren Aizawa, Daichi Daigo, Special Guest Star Shiguchi Takahata, NPC Esquire
Where: Shibuya Shopping Ward
OOC Date: 9/10/2013

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Meet Shiguchi Takahata.

A lover. A dreamer. A street vendor.

After dark Shiguchi similarly has been moonlighting as a bartender at the Banana No Banana Na Bar (more of a nighclub, really), with all proceeds going to Shiguchi Takahata's one true passion: rock music. Or was it punk music? Rock? Punk? Ehh, whatever, Shiguchi didn't know which was which, he just knew that /one/ of them was his ONE TRUE PASSION.

Unfortunately there was far more rock (or was it punk) music out there than Shiguchi had money to spend on. And with winter drawing ever closer, Shiguchi knew his days of street vendoring were limited. All too soon the days would get far too cold and he would not be able to loiter outside, merchandizing his wares. And /then/ he would not be able to afford his punk (or was it rock) music anymore! Oh no!

For that reason, every single workday now counted more than ever.

Standing behind his '100% Genuine Magical Apparatus & Doodad Boutique' (more of a folding table with cardboard signs), Shiguchi spied every single person who walked by with a critical eye. With his large jacket draped across his shoulders and his afro of spiky unruly hair, the young man looked more like a hippy hobo who was also a hobo hippy than a respectable member of society. Not even his crossed arms and his solemn expression could redeem his look, and many self-respecting businessmen and women marched on past the 'boutique' with nary a glance.

But that was okay. They weren't Shiguchi's target audience anyway. Shiguchi's traget audience had to be younger. More girly. Moe, yet also kawaii. Someone like... someone like...

Ren Aizawa has posed:

...Someone like Ren? Oh no! Indeed, Ren is present within the shopping district. Which isn't a typical hangout for her all things considered. But when there may be a youma or other big bad lurking about in the shadows, she can make exceptions.

"Souverain Heraut... do you sense anything?" She quietly asks the ornate silver ring hanging from the chain around her neck. The golden stone on the band lights up as a reply comes.

<NO YOUR MAJESTY. PERHAPS WE SHOULD WIDEN OUR SEARCH. IT MAY HAVE MOVED ON.>

"Ah, I was afraid you would say something like that..." Ren sighs with a shake of her head. "Alright then. I suppose it can't be helped." Such is the life of a magical girl dedicated to striking down the forces of evil! Manga and anime always makes it seem more glamorous, eh?

She starts to move past Shiguchi and his table, unaware of his plans...

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Shiguchi peers at Ren with a single open eye, a finger tapping at his chin.

Moe? Check.

Kawaii? Check.

Sugoi desu? Check and check!

Eager to spend money? DAMN WELL BETTER BE CHECK!!

Snapping both eyes wide open, the vendor springs into action. Removing his finger from his chin, he whips his hand around and points at Ren most dramatically. "You! Yes, you! GIRL." For the sake of our viewers at home, Shiguchi's tendency to speak in awful Engrish will be conveyed through the use of fully-capitalized words. "I knew I sensed something special about you the moment you passed by. MAGNIFICENT. Yes, kawaii sugoi desu chan, there is definitely something ~magical~ about you. Ahh, I knew I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? HOME STRIKE." That should have been Home Run. Please don't judge him, he is just a simple Nihon-jin.

"Ahh, little girl," Shiguchi continues, "please don't be shy, you have caught my attention as well as my heart. OH, but it is not /my/ heart you seek, is it BABY? A girl as innocent as you, yours beats for a PURE LOVER. Who is it? A teacher? A classmate? Dare I say it... a CE-LE-BU-RI-TY? With my authentic 100% genuine magical charms, your wish can come /true/. OH YEAH."

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Ren freezes. Her eyes widen. And she pretty much resembles a deer caught in the headlights of a very swiftly approaching 18-wheeler. Though in this case the aforementioned vehicle is some overly-enthusiastic street salesman. Which is /just/ as deadly.

The language he uses is bold and exiciting. Or at least it's supposed to be. Ren just finds it to be overbearing. And that Engrish? Not endearing at all, sorry! "Lo...ver?" Ren repeats as if it's the most ridiculous thing she's ever heard. She doesn't have a secret crush! Shaking her head she starts to back away, waving her hands in front of her in what's know as the universal gesture for 'NOPE NOPE NOPE'.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

All the while Ren waves her arms 'NOPE NOPE NOPE', Shiguchi is nodding his head 'YUP YUP YUP'.

"COME ON, GIRL, don't you want a chance at love?! Of course you do, they all do!"

Leaning over his table, the vendor reaches out and pulls Ren back in, exhibiting what has to be some kind of freaky street vendor magic all of his own, what with his long reach. "Look here, we have magical charms, magical incense, magical keychains, magical origami paper -- just write your wish on it and fold it and POOF -- magical water -- taken from the magical spring of Buddha's private summer shrine -- magical plushies -- watch out, they squeak!" Shiguchi nabs one and squeezes it in Ren's face to demonstrate.

squeak

"CUH-YOOT, LADY. And we also have the ever popular magical High School Level Crush charm, they've been selling like hot cakes. OOH, HAWT."

Said High School Level Crush charm looks more like a tiny figurine made of small sticks tied up with a string to resemble a humanoid shape. For something that was selling like hot cakes, there sure were still a whole lot of them on sale.

"What will it be, BABY? Trust me, money is not an issue!" Whoa, shouldn't the customer be the one to decide that? "Tell me which you want and make /your/ wish come true. Love's first KISSU could be yours by morning, na-nana-nana-naaaa~"

Shiguchi riffs on an air guitar in his enthusiasm.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

"Ahh!" Ren is pulled back over to the table before she can fully react. "H-Hey!" She wrenches her hand away, rubbing her arm slightly where the vendor's grip was before. What nerve! She furrows her brows, though that doesn't even begin to make her look upset. Shiguichi launches into an explanation on his wares, explaining how each and every one is MAGICAL. MAGICAL this. MAGICAL that. Simply MAGICAL! Ren, however, knows better than to fall for /that/ load of garbage. When the plushie is shoved into her face she recoils.

"I d-don't really like plush toys." She says softly, remembering a certain incident with DARK PLUSHIES that is still very fresh on her mind. "I really don't want anything you're selling..."

Daichi Daigo has posed:

"Are are," Shiguchi waves his hand dismissively, "you knock it, you buy it, AH HA HA HA." The man clutches at his stomach as he laughs uproariously, drowning Ren's feeble protests with his overbearing personality.

"But HEY, we're not done! If these aren't to your liking we also have magical candy, magical tarot cards, magical yoga manuals, magical candles..."

MEANWHILE, WALKING DOWN THE EXACT SAME STREET.

Daichi trudges through the shopping district with two packed plastic bags dangling from each hand. The spiritual form of Sora is floating behind him, naturally not holding anything at all. What started as Daichi venturing onto the mainland in order to renew his school supply of general hygiene and manly care products all too soon devolved into a full-blown shopping spree courtesy of Sora.

"What's that?" She would ask Daichi in her bland voice, pointing at a package of something or other on a store shelf.

"Kch," Daichi would spit, before glancing left and right and answering in a growled whisper, "It /says/ what it is on the /front/."

Sora, unfazed, would nod her head. "Mm," she would consider his words and then drone with the same neutral expression, "Add it to the cart."

"What?!"

And so the cycle would repeat, with Daichi putting up a hissy fit all through Sora getting her way.

Now that they were done shopping, Daichi is making his way to the train station, an ugly scowl on his features. The only thing keeping the dark clouds above him at bay is the knowledge that today's shopping spree has finally come to an end. OR HAS IT?

Sora, maintaining her apathetic expression all throughout, catches wind of an enthusiastic street vendor exalting the virtues of his magical wares.

"Daichi," the spirit's soft voice makes Daichi freeze. He slowly creaks his neck around to glare daggers at his ghostly compatriot. Said compatriot, not intimidated, points at Shiguchi. "What's that?"

At the sound of the question, Daichi nearly shoots steam out of his nostrils. OH NO SHE ISN'T!!

"Na-nana-na-naaa~, BABY," Shiguchi air guitars again at his stand. "I think I know what the problem is. You like so much of my stuff, you can't pick which to buy. Is that it? Is that it? AW YEAH, IT'S A BINGO. Tell you what, I will sell you /everything/. Bargain price."

Oh no! Was this it? Was this the end of our intrepid heroine, Ren Aizawa? Was this... how the story ends?

Ren Aizawa has posed:

WHY WON'T HE JUST SHUT UP AND LEAVE HER ALONE?! Ren feels as though she's being held prisoner. Which is ridiculous! She can walk away anytime! But... but...

She covers her ears and winces when he air guitars some more. Why does he keep doing that? It's not funny! How does he hope to sell anything?! Ever?! It's so puzzling! He's /so/ bad at this that it's almost sad enough for her to want to buy- NO! WHAT?! GASP! What if that's his plan?! Being so terrible at pitching his fake magical items that people feel sorry for him and buy them?!

Daichi Daigo has posed:

"Here," Shiguchi helpfully begins piling up his merchandise at the center of the table in preparation of wrapping it up for Ren. "I'll write up a nice receipt for the lovely LADY and--"

Who knows how much worse this situation would have gotten if not for the timely intervention of a shadow falling over Shiguchi's 'boutique'. The vendor's speech cuts off and he looks up, his heart skipping a beat as he finds himself staring straight into the face of one Daichi Daigo. One very pissed off Daichi Daigo.

Of course Sora had her way in the end. Poor Daichi only wasted his breath when he entered a one-sided heated debate with the girl, trying to put his foot down and refusing to buy any kind of craptacular 'magical' item.

And now here he is, going to buy one anyway.

And it makes him /mad/.

"I heard you were selling 'magical' items," Daichi intones, the aggression very clearly bubbling behind the scenes. Even the sun seems to choose that moment to hide behind a cloud, its warming rays blotted from view. The world is thrust into dramatic shadows as a cold wind breezes past. "If you like selling them so much," Daichi continues, letting go of one of the plastic bags and having it drop to the pavement with a crunch. "Then why don't you," he reaches for his pocket, and Shiguchi swears Daichi is going to pull a weapon on him. "SELL ME ONE OF YOUR GODDAMNED CHARMS?!" Daichi roars that last bit, whipping his fist high out of his pocket and slamming it down on the table, a yen bill under his now open palm.

"KYAAAAAAAAAA," Shiguchi squeals like a moe and kawaii schoolgirl, freaking the hell out to the point of forgetting to speak in awful Engrish. "OF-OF COURSE, TAKE IT, TAKE IT ALL, FREE ON THE HOUSE, JUST PLEASE DON'T KILL ME, HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"

And then Shiguchi flees down the street with tears at the corners of his eyes. Why, his feet are moving so fast, they are little more than a flailing mass of chibi circles! Daichi and Sora stare after the sobbing vendor. What the hell is /his/ problem?

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Oh no. He's just assuming she's going to buy all of that?! Ren watches in horror as the salesman piles up a variety of "magical" items and talks of ringing her up for them. And that's when the reality hits her. For as brave as she is as a magical girl... she's still very much the quiet little wallflower she's always been when she's not beating up monsters. It's a crushing thought, really, and she all but deflates right there on the spot. "Sir..."

Though she, like Shiguichi, has what she's going to say cut off by the sudden shallow the befalls the immediate vicinity of the table. A half-turn to the side reveals the distinctly masculine form of a boy who appears to be around her age -- maybe a year or two older at most. The expression he's wearing looks serious; almost bordering on scary. And then he speaks, clearly putting fear into the formerly jubilant vendor. Ren brings a hand up to her mouth when the boy goes for his pocket. Oh no! He can't be pulling out... money? The way he shouts and pounds the bill onto the table is so overly dramatic that Ren very nearly falls over backwards. A sweatdrop is running down the back of her head for sure though in typical anime fashion.

Shiguichi folds /completely/ and runs for the hills, and as he's kicking up a dust cloud in his wake Ren realizes what this means. SHE'S FREE! Without even thinking she jumps up and wraps her arms around the neck of her mysterious savior. "THANKYOUSOMUCHHEWOULDN'TLEAVEMEALONEANDITWASGETTINGREALLY-" She doesn't finish that giant run-on sentence. Because her brain /just/ manages to alert her to the fact that she's all up in the personal space of a ocmplete stranger. "Ehhhhhhhhhhh?!?!?!" She jumps back at lightning speed, cheeks red and eyes completely averted to the sidewalk. OHGODOHGODOHGOD.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

"Hmph," is Daichi's final conclusion once the vendor's gone. Perhaps there is a silver lining to this little confrontation after all - Daichi may be getting a stupid charm, but he sure as hell is not going to spend any money on it now! Stuffing the bill back in his pocket, the young man plucks one of the matchstick figurines out of the pile intended for Ren, picks up his plastic bag off the pavement and prepares to depart the same way he came.

He gets about half-a-step away, body in mid-turn when out of nowhere moe kawaii desu in his face.

"GHK!" The delinquent sputters, gritting his teeth when he is assaulted by the smaller girl. His fingers jerk open in surprise, letting /both/ plastic bags fall to the pavement with a crunch, and the Ohtori student himself very nearly falls over from sheer unpreparedness. Seriously, the delinquent hasn't registered Ren even once in all of this.

"Daichi," Sora remarks matter-of-factly. "You have a little something, there, right there." She points at Ren.

The spirit's words are like a red cloth being waved in front of Daichi's face. "THE HELL?!" He explodes, and it's a good thing Ren releases him, otherwise the older man would have thrown her down.

"What is wrong with you?! Hugging people who are minding their own business? You-- you-- Gragh!!"

Daichi throws his arms up in aggravation before gathering his bags and hurrying away from the little freak girl. He doesn't have the fuel to maintain a long-winded expletive-ridden rant at Ren. Most of his energies were spent on his lost battles with Sora. Right now he just wants to get back to his dorm and lock himself in his room for the rest of the day.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Daichi freaks out. Which... is perfectly acceptable. Ren winces, shutting her eyes and going into a quick bow. "Forgive me! It's just that he was really coming on too strong and I was being forced into buying those ridiculous charms and-" She opens her eyes as she stands back up to see her rescuer's retreating back. Oh. She blinks and watches him quickly putting distance between them. /Great./ He probably thinks she's some weirdo who hugs random people on the street! Maybe she should just turn around and run the other way immediately.

...But that's /not/ what she does. "Hey! HEY!" She gives chase, desperately waving her arms like a maniac. "I WAS TRYING TO APOLOGIZE!"

>:|! That's her angry face right there.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Sora looks almost bored as she observes the interaction between Daichi and the little school girl that could.

Daichi, on the other hand, is as far from bored as possible.

"/Apologize?/" He snaps at Ren as she gives chase, irritated to no small degree about how the stranger was persisting instead of leaving him alone. "You call this apologizing? After the day I had? Go find some /other/ way to apologize! Away from ME."

"From us," Sora says helpfully.

"From US," Daichi repeats automatically.

Wait.

"KEH! From /me/. ME. I meant from me! Ahh, godDAMNIT."

Sora would have smirked if she remembered how.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Ok he's back to being a little scary. Ren stops in her tracks, arms folded behind her in an attempt to look non-threatening. "S-Sorry." She says again, unable to stop. "But I'm really thankful for you coming along and scaring off that guy. He was a real pain."

And... us? Ren tilts her head at that. What does he mean by /us/? Passively, the ring from before glitters. Hmm.

"I'm sorry you're having a bad day but it's not reason to yell at someone who wants to express their gratitude." Her boldness comes back then, brows furrowed. How dare this jerk try to not accept her thanks! Who does he think he is?!

Daichi Daigo has posed:

"You know," Sora says, idly rolling onto her back in mid-air, "the quicker you accept this, the quicker it will be over with."

Not that Sora has any stock in this situation one way or the other. As amusing as it is to see Daichi squirm, Ren was of no consequence to the magical girl. Whether the female student manages to convey the full depth of her gratitude or fails at it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Daichi, of course, feels like he has plenty of stock. If it were up to him, Ren wouldn't be conveying anything, ever. But she was, and is. UGH. Why were people so... so... /uncooperative/?

Having already stopped dead in his tracks, the male student from Ohtori was now openly looking from Ren to Sora and back again, his expression twisted into one of intense concentration. He was so exhausted after today. Mulling over Sora's words, he had to admit that there was some wisdom to them. Daichi may have been quick to trigger, but he wasn't stupid.

"Gnmrfl," the older student finally vocalizes, tone disgruntled. "Fine. Express it."

The quicker she does, the quicker this ends. Right? /Right/?!

Ren Aizawa has posed:

What's this? Ren's words seem to have gotten through to him! He certainly looks as if he's considering them. She's never seen herself as a convincing person so...

"Really?" She asks in response to his asserition that she "express it". "It" being her gratitude. Yay! Ren beams brightly with an enthusiastic nod. "Thank you! Of course! Umm... I can buy you something? How about lunch? Food is always a good thing to treat someone to in thanks. There's a ramen place around here that's supposed to be good! Would... you like that?"

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Food.

Sora's interest is immediately piqued and she rolls right back to her feet.

"No," Daichi says.

"Yes," Sora interjects.

"Yes," Daichi repeats. "--wait, /no/."

"Yes," Sora insists. She indicates with her head in Ren's direction, dry expression full of meaning.

Daichi's eye twitches. "...yes..." he ultimately grunts.

"A to-go bag," Sora continues once that's settled. "You will need a to-go bag. For everything."

Ren Aizawa has posed:

No? Yes? YES? YES!

"Perfect!" Ren clasps her hands together in front of her now, an adorable smile overtaking her face. One that cannot be resisted. Hah.

"Come on!"

A short ways down from their current location is the previously mentioned ramen shop. It isn't much of a walk thankfully. "Here it is! I've never tried it before so don't get angry if it's not as good as people have said, ok?" Ok! She goes right up to the counter and begins to place her order.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Daichi puffs up with indignation when Ren admits to never having eaten at the ramen place before. Yet she deigns to inflict this untested ramen on /him/? How DARE she?

Before he can go on a tirade relating to this subject, the girl and the annoying smile that overtook her face scamper off to make an order. "Cute," Sora deadpans, using her ~special~ ghost powers to cut ahead in line and peer at the menu hanging above the counter. Decisions, decisions.

Once it's Daichi's turn, the young man steps up, takes a deep breath... and with his lips curled into a frown, awaits Sora to dictate to him his-- their-- her order.

As he feared, when Sora begins listing her desires it becomes clear just how many spicy additions she wants. Daichi hates spicy food. Fucking hell.

"And this is all to-go," the Ohtori student concludes the order, indicating he has no plans to eat it there with Ren.

(If anyone wants to get technical, Daichi isn't going to be eating it at all. Sora will be the one eating it, and Daichi is the one who will be stuck with the after-taste once Sora undoes her transformation, but that is neither here nor there.)

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Ren nods, order complete, and steps back to let Daichi place his. And... oh my. He sure does like his spicy items, doesn't he? She supposes it fits him, given how he looks and acts. 'I bet he isn't even that tough!' Ren thinks to herself, having to stiffle a snort.

"To go?" She snaps out of her thoughts when he says that last part. "Oh! Me too!" Yeah he's not going to just get his food and ditch her here to eat all by her lonesome like the jerk he's portraying himself to be.

Oh right. She should make conversation while they wait.

"I'm Ren Aizawa." She starts, giving him a small wave of hello. Introductions are key! Even if he obviously doesn't care to know anything at all about her she's still going to tell him some things! "I attend the Infinity Institute. How about you?"

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Is she seriously telling him her name? Daichi doesn't care! He's just gonna keep staring straight ahead with a frown and--

KER-RECORD SCRATCH.

Infinity Institute?! Daichi's head jerks at Ren so quickly, it's a wonder his neck doesn't snap. It is a well-known fact among Ohtori students that Infinity students are all dicks, and that they should go eat a dick. Yes! Infinity students should all go eat themselves. And now this girl... she's...

"Who says I attend school at all?" Is the snappy, almost automatic response. "But you do," Sora drones. "Shut up," Daichi bites at her, though it may as well have been said to Ren, since clearly there was no one else there for Daichi to speak at /except/ Ren.

But then Daichi smells an opportunity. No sooner had he finished snapping at Sora that he addresses Ren proper with: "Ohtori Academy."

Yeah, if nothing else, perhaps THIS will get Ren off his back.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Well /excuse/ her. Ren frowns, crossing her arms over her chest. He /totally/ goes to school. He's just keeping up the jerk act, clearly.

And then he tells her to shut up. Wha? >:0

Yeah, he's doing himself no favors at all! Ren is about to give him a piece of her mind when he outs himself as an Ohtori student.

Oh. OH. OOOOOOOOH. That explains /everything/.

"You mean that school of snobs?" It comes out before she can censor herself -- not that she truly wants to anyway! "You're doing a bang-up job representing them, by the way." ZING. She is on /fiyah/ right now!

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Ren's words hit Daichi right in the spot. Yeah, /the/ spot. He stares at the girl for a moment longer, his overcast face growing stormy. And then he swivels on his heels and marches right out.

Or he would have. As it is, he only manages to reach the door before Sora calls out, "Daichi. Food."

The young man halts, grinds his teeth, and marches back to where Ren is waiting for their orders. And he stands there, pointedly ignoring the Infinity brat and boring holes in the wall opposite him with his eyes.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Not so talkative now are we? Ren grins widely, satisfied with herself for shutting Daichi up. The silence between them persists... which unfortunately gives Ren enough time to start feeling guilty.

Damn!

She tentatively starts to move closer to him -- much like an easily spooked animal sniffing out the potential for peril. By the time she's comfortable her position is fairly near to him now. Then she sighs.

"I don't suppose you would accept another apology from me?" The look she has on is KAWAII. Because he's been so unable to resist that so far, right? "...But you still have to admit you're being difficult."

THUNK. That was the sound of some of the sincerity she was trying to utilize hitting the floor. Ren giggles.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Daichi doesn't believe his ears. "I'm. Being. Difficult?!" Every word is punctuated by a slight turn of his head, until the male student's gaze is once again fully focused on the girl by his side. Oh, if only looks could kill - then Daichi's look would... actually not kill Ren at all, as he appeared more incredulous than anything else.

But his hands around her neck as he strangled the life out of her sure would kill her!

Except for the fact that Daichi's hands were full with shopping bags. Also self-restraint. Can't forget self-restraint.

"/You're/ the one forcing yourself on ME," the delinquent accused the girl. "Feh! Typical of a meddlesome Infinity brat." And unlike Ren, Daichi doesn't seem nearly as smug about this counter-zing. Merely frustrated.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

"I'm not some meddlesome Infinity brat!" Ren counters huffily. "I'll have you know I attended Juuban up until I was recruited!" So HAH! Take that Mr. Snob!

Wait. She was supposed to be making amends. Ugggggh! Ren's body language softens and her expression turns sheepish. "I... didn't even /want/ to go to Infinity." Though she doesn't mention the positives that came out of becoming a student at the famous charter school.

The ring subtly glitters again.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

Finally, Ren does something right as some of the fire inside Daichi diminishes at the sound of her final words. Didn't want to go to Infinity? Then why is she? Bah, whatever.

"Sucks to be you," is Daichi's blunt remark following the girl's confession.

This, however, is promptly amended with Daichi's own attempt to make amends - or perhaps he was just being introspective. Whichever the case, he offers his own gruff admission, saying, "I didn't want to go to Ohtori either."

And Sora... she would have made a dry comment at that point about the tender moment that was developing between Ren and Daichi, except her attention was caught by the glint of the ring. She only gave it a cursory glance at first, no more than an instictive look. But then her eyes narrowed, her gaze focused, and--

DING

Everyone gets interrupted by the man at the counter announcing their orders. It was time to pay and go.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

"Yeah. Thanks." It /does/ kind of suck to be Ren in some ways. Given her whole family situation and how she grew up feeling about her own self-worth. But now with Souverain Heraut by her side and the world of magic opened to her, things are certainly looking up!

She doesn't say that out loud though because secret identities and all that. Can't go around talking about magic and devices and everything else included. Plus Daichi probably wouldn't get it.

Hah. Hah hah hah. Oh boy, if Ren /only/ knew, huh?

"Eh? You didn't want to go to Ohtori?" Her eyes focus in on Daichi as if he's become the most interesting person in the room. Kindred spirits?!

DING

Oh right! The food! Ren rushes to the counter, fishing out her wallet to fork over the right amount for both of their orders. "Thank you!"

Daichi Daigo has posed:

With everything said and done, Daichi reaches over Ren's head and plucks his order off the counter while she pays. Yet another bag added to his haul. Yipee.

"Say thank you to the nice girl, Daichi," Sora instructs.

Daichi makes a sour face and says nothing.

Sora sighs and floats close to Ren, leaning her face right next to the girl's ear. "Daichi says thank you," she says oh-so-dryly.

The male student's eyes narrow. "Did you hear that?" He asks Ren, the question probably sounding as if it came out of nowhere.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Manners, Daichi. You need them. Like, badly. Ren doesn't pester him though. If he wants to be that way he certainly-

<YOUR MAJESTY. THERE'S... SOMEONE.> Souverain Heraut telepathically sends into his master's mind. Oh, she knows that /now/ of course. Because while Sora has been pretty undetected by the young mage due to the spirit keeping her distance, there's no way coming in that close to whisper thanks on behalf of Daichi would fly under Ren's magical radar.

She rounds to throw a shocked look over at the Ohtori student. "Yes." She answers, head tilting quizzically. "Who was that?" Whoever it was, they were familiar with Daichi -- enough to speak on his behalf.

Daichi Daigo has posed:

There was a plan in Daichi's head. The plan went a little something like this:

"Did you hear that?" Daichi asks.

"No," Ren replies, shocked at his sudden question.

"Good," Daichi says, before turning around and making for the door with deliberate steps. At the very last moment, right before he will have disappeared into the night (because in Daichi's fantasy it was now nighttime instead of the middle of the afternoon), he may or may not have stopped in his tracks to say, "That was the sound of me saying thank you."

And then the young delinquent would vanish, disappearing out of Ren's life forever. Or more precisely, Ren disappearing out of /his/ life forever.

WELL, SO MUCH FOR THAT PLAN NOW.

Instead of making his smooth exit, Daichi blurts a most undignified, "GNH!", recoiling from Ren in a panic at her words. And yes, Daichi /is/ panicking. This was no longer the aggressive and scary Daichi from before, but more of a cornered animal. His eyes darting left and right in their sockets -- perhaps checking if anyone else heard Sora, or perhaps in an attempt to find the nearest exit -- Daichi never answers Ren's own question. Instead, he bolts. The sound of the door being thrown wide open is the last sound he makes, accompanied by his retreating footsteps.

Sora, likewise, only has enough time to lean back from Ren, put a hand to her chin and exhale a subdued (if thoughtful) "Huh," before Daichi's increasing distance begins tugging on her.

"Oh, that's rude," she remarks in her usual soft voice as her body floats away of its own accord, pulled by her bond with Daichi. Just as she finished speaing, her body phases through the wall and out of sight. Not that she was really /in/ sight to begin with, but...

She didn't even get a chance to inspect that ring again.

Ren Aizawa has posed:

Yeah, so much for that plan. What did Daichi expect her to do? Shout out whatever secret it was she'd only just stumbled upon? And by the way he's reacting, /this/ is something major.

<THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE A THREAT.> Well, Souverain Heraut seems to be alright with Daichi and whatever it was he had going on with him. Ren nods, casting a curious glance at the older boy. Within the very next instant he's traveled from the counter, to the exit, and through the door leading back outside.

Wow. Is he on the track team or something? Impressive!

Ren grabs her food, bows to the server, and then gives chase!