jigokucho | (post-mingle) text; un: UEHARA

Good morning, everyone. I hope you're well.

[read: he hopes that you're not too hungover and that none of you died out there last night.]

Despite the different clans to which we've been assigned, we all find ourselves in strange territory in Jigoku-cho. It may look close to what several of us recognize as Japan, but as you might've already discovered, familiarity does not guarantee similarity. The other day, I met a man who could have easily been from my world, perhaps even my continent or country-- only to discover he hailed from a completely different planet.

So, I'd like to begin gathering information. [He's no Sutoku, but this is important to all of them, and-- as he's been taught-- there are no shortcuts when it comes to investigation.] The more that we know about our fellow lost souls, the more we will have to work from as we learn more about this place and why we're here. We can start with something simple. If you would like, please share where, and when, you are from.

I'll start. I am from Tokyo's 25th Ward, in Japan, on Earth, in the year 2005.

(ooc: feel free to threadjack around! ✌️)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Right away, miss! chirps their barista as she starts to ring them up-- the obvious assumption is that they were going to be having drinks together, right?]

Well...

[Right. Kamui was just taking her here and showing her how Starbucks worked, he totally didn't sign up for this. He glances at the kitsune behind the counter, then back at the table, before conceding:]

You're right, it is more fun. I can stay.

[And because he's a ~gentleman~ he's buying Aerith's drink too.]

[ Ahh, paying for drinks, now? Admittedly, she's twisted his arm into it, depending on who asks. But Aerith only thinks to herself, with a cheeky smile, that she hadn't expected to be on a date today. ]

You know, [ Wandering over to an empty set of seats, she lets him handle the drink fetching, too. ] I usually charge for dates. But I think a mini date is enough payment for a Starbucks drink, right?

[ Her question is punctuated by a wink, and Aerith's hands come to rest gently in her lap. She can't help but tease. (It does, to be fair, usually get her what she wants.) ]

[Kamui doesn't think twice about taking both drinks and bringing them over to the table, or about the fact that she's just assumed he's going to do it. Aerith, he's hopeless, what have you done.]

This is a date? [he replies, with genuine confusion: even the barista's snickering at him from across the room. He's not missing a beat, though, setting their drinks down on the tabletop as he takes a seat.

...No, wait. She's making fun of him. That makes more sense.]

It wasn't supposed to be, but I think it's probably fair. Drink add-ons do cost a little bit more.

[ Oh, he's funny-funny. The drinks he brings over hold her attention for how bright they are; you don't get stuff like this in the slums often. Reaching out to take one, she gives him an appreciative smile. ]

So, this is like... custom, then? Or maybe you're just coming up with an excuse to draw your date out. Hmmm! [ She has no idea what that means, but feeling like there's a kernel of truth to his words. Of course, a date with a cute girl is always worth extra drink add-ons! Or something like that, at least.

Tucking in, if he's waiting for her approval, it comes in the form of... still slurping it down moments later. She's going to get a brain freeze at this rate. ]

[Her grin's infectious, even on Kamui. He offers up a slightly dubious smile as he takes a sip of the chocolate minty drink: it's typical for him, only a touch better than it'd be back on Earth, but company always makes everything taste just a little bit sweeter.]

No tricks or customs. I was just being nice, if you could believe it.

[What he can't believe is how quickly she's slurping the frap down... Aerith, chill (ba-dum-tssh). Kamui watches her with mild amusement for a moment or two before he continues--]

Well? Was it worth the trip? I'm sure there's even better things to try in this city, but a Starbucks in Hell is pretty novel, too... especially if you've never had it before.

[ An appreciative smile blooms across Aerith's face, easy as pie. A giggle, too, but it's clear that believes him. Kamui was, indeed, just being nice. ]

Yep! Most of this kind of stuff you see Topside where I'm from, but to be honest, I think the company made it that much more enjoyable. Thanks, Kamui.

[ She still hasn't given him her name. Oops. ]

I'm glad you asked me to take you, um...

[Oops. He just remembered she hasn't, too.]

It isn't really 'flowery', is it? I'm sure it's not.

Nope! What tipped you off?

[ She's ribbing him. ]

Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Aerith. Aerith Gainsborough, local florist and newly appointed Starbucks aficionado.

Just a hunch?

[He smiles, less hesitant now. Look, Aerith, he's catching up!!!]

Then it's nice to officially meet you, Aerith. [Kamui fiddles with the petals of that synthetic flower she's given him.] Are there many flowers in hell to sell? Everything seems very, um, urban. I've barely seen any trees around.

Nope. Not yet, at least. [ Apparently, she intends to change that. ]

If it was up to me... I'd really want to see this whole place in bloom. [ Leaning back, she drinks in the image of shop go-ers living busily: From the customers to the employees, it seems like life is in full swing in Hell. ] What's your favorite flower, Kamui?

That sounds beautiful. It'd make our stay here much more pleasant, that's for sure.

And my favorite flower... mm. [He takes a thoughtful slurp of his drink.]

Ayame, probably. They're a kind of Japanese iris: they're this really vibrant blue-violet color. [It's a woman's name too, of course. His thoughts even drift toward a particular Ayame in his mind as he builds the image of the flower in his head.] They grow wild in Japan in some places, but... not the area I'm from. It's about as bare as it is here in the 25th Ward.

[ The thoughtful slurp is noted, as Aerith listens intently. He has her full attention for several moments, and when he speaks, she hangs off his every word. ]

Irises, huh... You know, they used to give bright blue irises like that to people celebrating their birthdays or, to welcome in big, great news. Interesting, huh?

[ Aerith mimics him, taking a thoughtful slurp of own drink. ]

So? Did you have something to celebrate?

No holidays or occasions for me. However...

[He stirs the whipped cream topping down into the rest of his drink as he considers the question. Kamui isn't really the celebratory type, but it has been a very big few days for him-- even before waking up in hell.]

Finding a new lease on life, maybe? Kind of ironic, seeing as we're here, but I've been seeing things very differently lately.

(post-mingle) text; un: UEHARA

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