View source for 2014-05-18 - Diner's Dead, Conspiracies Are Alive

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! style="background:#CC6699; border: 2px #CC0033 solid; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="2" | '''Title: Diner's Dead, Conspiracies Are Alive'''
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|'''Summary''':<br>
''Akane drops by the Linden Baum to try to get caught up with Mai.  The two of them get caught up in a plan to secretly help with Infinity's upcoming dance party.''
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| '''Who:'''<br>
[[Akane Hino]], [[Mai Tokiha]]
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| '''Where:'''<br>
Linden Baum Diner
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| '''OOC - IC Date:'''<br>
15 January 2014 - 5/18/14
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 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.


	You know who hasn't actually followed up on her social commitments for about two weeks? Akane Hino.

	You know who has been too embarrassed to follow up on her social commitments for two weeks and a day? Akane Hino.

You know who felt her pride and honor mortally threatened when Yayoi mentioned offhandedly about Mai Tokiha, and it became extremely important to shed that stupid embarrassment because it runs contrary to her morals? Yep, it's her!

	And that's why she... ...has gone to the Linden Baum, because Akane has... no idea how to contact Mai otherwise. She doesn't have her cellphone number, and it's kind of hard to fish around the Ohtori campus just... hoping she finds her. So she has to go here.

	It's still embarrassing. Deal with it, spatula girl.


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	The Linden Baum is fairly quiet today. It's after school on a Wednesday, so there aren't really any families coming in for dinner, study groups seem to have gone elsewhere, and that one frequent couple is still banned for another two days. There's still the looming promise of a potential supper rush, so no one's been sent home, but it's largely busywork for the waitstaff.

	This means that Mai's going from table to table, wiping them down in an endless routine, while her fellow waitress chats with the cook. They make a nice pair, and Mai glances back to that budding romance occasionally, but she keeps her distance. Frankly, the jingle of the door comes as a welcome distraction from - well, everything, really. Seconds from Akane's entry, Mai has made her way to the door.

	"Welcome to Linden Baum! Will anyone be joining you today?" Mai trails off as familiarity sinks in. This girl seems familiar, but where does she know her from- Oh. Right. That. Hopefully there isn't a problem with...well, anything really. So, just smile. "...um, right! Would you like a table or a booth today...Hino-san, right?"


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.


	Funnily enough, the fact that it's after school on a wednesday is also the reason why Akane's not at her namesake restaurant. She does have her phone in case she needs to be called in for emergency support, or evil clown attack, but she hopes neither will happen. Maybe those rotten fairytale villains got scared since we all did a home invasion. Yeah!!!

	On the other hand, that means she has to focus on going back to school. Boo.

	Akane walks in, and those tables are surely so clean you could eat off them without a plate. In fact, she quickly checks her face in one to make sure she's presentable- wait, why is she worrying about that? 

	And why does she jump a bit when Mai comes over? "Ah, hiii!" she chirps, all smiles in an instant. "Sorry it took so long to meet you again!"

She considers making something up about wolves, witches or giants, but then decides 'eh'. Well, no, actually that's not true, it's more 'her train of thought is derailed by the fact that she was going to just say 'Mai-senpai', but let's say it was the tall tales.


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	Meet again?....oh. Oh no. "No, no, my own fault - I meant to stop by sometime, but things got....busy." Between school, work, Hokkaido, invading the Bad End Realm, and all of the drama surrounding just about every close friend she has... 'busy' seems the operative word. "Sorry about that! With the holidays and everything...anyway, nice to see you again!"

	Mai casts her gaze around for a moment. It's not like there's a lack of clean tables. Her section today includes a few seats with relative privacy, including the freshly cleaned seats of a regular customer's booth... "Would you like to take a seat? It's quiet enough that I can chat for a bit."


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.

	There's probably a story about that isn't there? Banned for another two days, indeed...

	"Thank you!" Akane says- wow, just as chirpy- and finds somewhere comfortable for both of them to sit down. Pick of the tables, indeed. Flomp.

	If Akane knew about the interpersonal drama- and she may- something interesting may come of it and her questionable advice. Those crazy Ohtori kids though.

	"We got there eventually, anyway. It's no good just meeting up when we're both in busy situations and we don't have proper time to talk, after all!" Because we're fighting evil by moonlight.


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	As it happens, Mai's about to tell that story. Old habits die hard, and she does snag a menu on the way to that table. "I hear you there. You kind of lucked out here - it's normally busier, but a couple of our regular couples have been banned for a few days. Relationship drama turning into a food fight leaving pineapple syrup ''everywhere''..." Mai shakes her head, then gives a grin. "On that note, if you happen to want a sundae I can offer any flavor except pineapple."

	Mai does glance back to the kitchen - but those two are still talking and she really doesn't want to interrupt just yet. Better to take a seat across from Akane; she stays close to the edge so she can get up in a hurry, and she does at least have a decent view of the rest of the empty restaurant. "But sheesh, these past few weeks - oh! I forgot to say, but thanks for the help at Hokkaido."


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.

	Akane's eyes follow Mai's to the kitchen, and she makes this sort of 'ohhhh' thing, getting the picture. It's the one time you go to a restaurant and you don't want to order something to eat. She can't help but grin. Like a secret shared.

	"Things have just been way too hectic recently, haven't they?" she says with a shrug. "I'm almost wishing for school to be my biggest worry for a while. Ha ha no, school still sucks. Although there is a school dance soon..."

	"That's at Infinity! Did I tell you I go to Infinity? I can't remember. You go to Ohtori, right?"


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	Mai grins back. Another glance to those two, and she leans in to whisper conspiratorially to Akane. "I know, right? If you want a coffee or something I can probably just grab that myself, without bothering them, but things have been busy enough here that I'm not begrudging them today."

	As for worries... "Eugh. I know what you mean. Though all things considered I wouldn't object if working here was the biggest thing I had to worry about, lunch rushes and hot fudge fights and all. As things stand, I think it's the least stressful thing going on..." Mai nods. "Ohtori, yeah. I think I heard something about the dance but didn't pay close attention - is it open to students from other schools?"


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.

	It would be rude to come here without buying something, right? "Sure! Can I have three sugars?" Akane asks.

	"Uhm..." she taps her chin as she thinks about what was planned out. "Yeah, it's for everyone! It's a sister schools thing, not just Infinity. I don't know but I think a lot of our clubs will be doing the support and the catering and it'll be at Infinity, but everyone is invited."

	She hmms. "I'm not sure how I'm going to get involved. One of my friends came up with the idea, and I should, but uh... I don't know... I'm not good at that sort of thing. Not my speciality."


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	Coffee's easy, and Mai stands up. "Three sugars, sure." She glances to the door, but there's no sign of another jingle...or even anyone approaching. Today is dead.

	As for the dance...she's tempted. "I'll at least think about it - that is, assuming I'm not working here that night. It does sound fun..." She taps her chin for a moment. "I'll just grab that coffee."

	Mai darts off towards the coffee machine. It's within earshot of her coworker and her boyfriend (?), and a few words carry back towards the one occupied table. "No, no, friend of mine, I'll let you know if she needs anything from you, carry on." Before long, she returns with a tray, containing a single steaming mug...and one carryout cup.

	Once Mai's seated again, she smiles. "Closing shift, and I've got a personal discount on coffee. I think Akane's - sorry, my coworker Akane - is on ice cream, but I'm not sure. Anyway, dance preparations...well, what do you like to do?"


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.


	"That's just it," Akane says, hand on her chin. "I'm not very good at making stuff or organizing people... I'm more of a team player, you know? Literally, really. I play lots of sports! Volleyball, and stuff... cheering people..."


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	Mai takes a sip from her own coffee - black. That does make things trickier. "Nothing obvious to volunteer for, then. That said, I know that there's usually two groups of people needed for this kind of thing. One's organizers, like you mentioned - people who think of what the catering should be, or where the decorations should go, or the other logistics. The other is just, well, the workforce. If you want to help, maybe the easiest way is to just ask whoever's in charge where you're needed - moving furniture out of the way, or putting up banners, or just setting up bowls and stuff."

	Mai looks back into the restaurant. "There's a lot of work that needs doing, but doesn't really need someone to have it as their specialty - just energy and willingness to put in the effort."


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.

	"Works for me!" Akane says, pumping a fist. "Ahh, but you know what I bet'll happen? Yayoi will just get all flustered and she'll be all like, oh no, you don't have to do that, or do all of the menial stuff, and she'll try and hide the stapler and the paper cups from me or something."

	"I mean, it's good that she is organizing this! She needs the confidence boost, but... uh... she'll have to hold fast. She'll be too embarrassed to tell me what to do, I bet..."


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	Mai giggles. "That sounds like trouble... She's a friend of yours, I'm guessing?" She takes a sip from her coffee cup, considering how to proceed. A friend who insists on doing everything herself, to avoid troubling others? Sounds like she might be hard to help...

	Ignoring her internal hypocrisy, Mai sets down her coffee. "Well, there's two ways you could go about it, depending on how bold you are. Option one is to confront her about it - insist on helping, tell her that it isn't trouble." A mischievous look burns in her eyes for a moment. "Option two is to sneak after her, find out what she needs doing, and stealthily do it for her without letting on." She grins.


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.

	Akane's hand drifts to the bag at her side, the one with her Smile Pact in there. "We're... more than that, if you know what I mean."

	"I think it's more that she's really timid," she says, drumming her hands on the lid of it through the fabric. "If I said I would be happy doing all sorts of simple things, she'd think that I should be doing something more important even if I'm no good for it. I guess that would make the second idea the better course of action!" Oh, no. "She can't make a fuss if I take the initiative!"


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	More than friends, eh? There's a couple of ways that could be interpreted. Mai's answering smile is bright. "In that case, you probably want to make sure she doesn't overtax herself, right?" The waitress's hands tap against the table for a moment as she considers it. "You could try being up front about things first, I guess - tell her that you don't need to be in charge, that you just need to be told where to go and what to do...but I kind of know her type."

	More accurately, Mai ''is'' that type. "She would probably just say to not worry about things, or worse yet she might just find some busywork thing for you to do. So taking the initiative yourself might be the way to go. Have you got a plan for figuring out what she might need done?" She takes a sip of her coffee.


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.


	"...."

	Akane's face is completely blank for a few seconds. Quick, think! Uh... think of... dances. Elementary prom? Did she even have an elementary prom?!

	"Ah... let's thinkkkk... Stapling things up. Paper cups for... punch? Making punch? Tables to put the punch on?"

	"OH, I KNOW! Making sure monsters don't crash the party! Or bad guys! Or troublemakers! Or that the party supplies don't get turned into a monster!"


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	Mai's nodding along with those things - frankly all those things sound reasonable up until the last one. Mai blinks, holds up a finger to object.

	Stops, mouth-half-open. Considers a moment longer.

	"...I hadn't thought of it, but that actually seems like a legitimate concern. Maybe you should look into arranging for some sort of security." Mai sighs, and takes another sip of her coffee.

	"Aside from that...you've hit on the major things. Also arranging for snacks, and getting the dancing area set up. If it's a gym, equipment might have to be moved, maybe even put in some kind of dance floor. ...or does Infinity have some kind of permanent dancing area?"


 <Pose Tracker> Akane Hino [Infinity Institute (7)] has posed.


	"Nah, it's gonna be in the gym, and I know that gym pretty well! I know where I can move things, at least. Ooh, I've got a plan!" Akane starts to say, a conspiratorial joy creeping into her voice.

	And then a conspiratorial gurgle creeps up from her stomach.

	"...oh, that's right, I came out here instead of getting any dinner. Y'know, Mai, I think it's time I ordered something to eat..."


 <Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.

	 Mai finishes the last of her coffee, and puts the empty cup back on the tray as she gets up. "Well, I'm being paid to serve you!" She's blazing quick in getting a menu for Akane, glancing to the kitchen. "I should probably make Kazu actually do something, Akane can keep talking to him while he cooks... Anyway! Today's specials are..."

[[Category:Logs]]