(open) help out a newbie

[reloves]

🧙 WHO: Minako Aino and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: Minako is new to town, so it's time to explore.
🕒 WHEN: Mid-July
🗺️ WHERE: Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: Should be none, will edit if that changes!


(a. at the senshi (and friends!) house)

[ Minako's arrival hadn't exactly been.. pleasant. Somewhere between everything being so chaotic back home right before she showed up here instead, then suddenly being dropped into the water out of nowhere, and then getting covered in gross jelly stuff didn't exactly make it the most fun course of events.

But at least Makoto helped her over to the house, and now Minako has been able to bathe and get all that junk out of her hair, things are starting to look up a little more. Or at least, Minako thinks she looks presentable enough to be seen by others.

Which means she starts wandering the house, peeking her head into all the rooms so she can greet people with a: ]

Hi! [ You know, casual. Just showed up here. No biggie. ]

(b. on the streets of camelot)

[ If you just happen to be calmly walking along the city streets, your moment of relative peace and quiet gets interrupted really, really quickly.

Because you might suddenly feel something jumping on you. It happens so fast that you can't even see what it is, other than that there's a sudden pressure on your head, like something is clinging on for dear life up there. If you try to remove it - which is possible if you put some effort into it - you'll find it's a cat. A kind of.. odd-looking cat, since it's a little too big for your usual cat, but it's still definitely a cat.

Or even if you don't manage to remove it, there's suddenly a blonde girl outright charging at you, yelling out-- ]

Wait!

[ What do you do. Do you run. Do you stay. Do you ponder why your life suddenly turned out like this? ]

(c. outside a bakery)

[ After having managed to recover her familiar, Minako is making sure to tightly hold it to her chest, not wantin to start an entire chase scene all over again.

Which means things are a little bit calmer right now. Instead you might find the blonde girl standing outside a bakery, staring at the delicious goods inside, looking like she's about to drool right over them. ]

Ahh, it looks so good, right? [ She squeezes the cat-like creature a little. ] Maybe you were just hungry too.. Rough is the fate of those who don't have money.. [ Please, Minako. You literally have a house full of friends you're staying with. Cut down on the melodramatics.

Still, her stomach growls. Loudly. That chase must have taken some energy. Do you help out this poor blonde girl. ]

(d. on the streets of camelot, less chaos edition)

[ Or maybe you, very simply, just find the girl walking up to you on the middle of the streets. Do you know her? Probably not! And yet she talks to you so casually, as if you're not total strangers. Welcome to the power of an extreme extrovert. ]

Hey! Sooo.. if someone wanted to practice these new powers everyone's talking about, where do they do that? Won't you help a cute girl out?

[ Look at her batting those doe eyes at you! You're locked into this fate now. It's inescapable. ]

(ooc: as a note for those who have threaded with me on the tdm, i am more than willing to carry those over as in-game canon, so feel free to assume those interactions happened! c: )

Comments

[reloves]

[ At least that stops the shaking. Though the weird thing is that the cat doesn't look disturbed by it at all. If anything, it just.. constantly seems the same, like it's weirdly - and lazily - grinning in all situations, its eyes closed. ]

How am I treating it badly? I just took it along for a walk! I even carried it because it didn't want to walk by itself! Why else would it run a--

[ Suddenly Minako stops talking.

But it's since the cat in her arms pipes up, with a low and lazy voice. ]

It's since I saw a good snack.

[ ...

She's stunned into silence.

(Apparently airhead Minako just got paired up with an airhead familiar.) ]

[divinereaper]

You gotta let a cat do it’s own thing, thoug—

[ naoto stares at the cat for a moment after it spoke, only to bark in laughter. ah, that explains everything. naoto, having seen talking animals before, doesn’t even flinch and starts scratching the familiar’s ears, just like any normal cat. ]

If it’s the snacks in my bag, don’t try. That’s for taste testing for a new recipe.

[ a curse of using a clear bag. ]

[reloves]

[ The cat seems to turn its head a little, spotting the snacks Naoto is talking about.. and does start wriggling in Minako's arms a little, as if it's trying to get out and take the bag. Thankfully Minako is holding on a little too tightly for him to be able to do that, which means the cat just ends up wriggling in her arms like an unruly toddler. ]

Ah-- Hey! You can't just take someone else's snacks! [ Please, cat. Don't make this even harder. ] I'm sure he paid for those!

[divinereaper]

They ain’t familiar-safe either, so stop trying!!

[ the lack of an arm made it even harder to pet while still keeping his snacks safe, so he decides to pull away his hand. he sighs and decides on a different approach. ]

How about I take you both to my cafe and get snacks appropriate for you, okay? I have to open up today, anyways.

[reloves]

Snacks?

[ The cat in Minako's arms says, immediately perking up. He even stops wriggling, instead just staring at Naoto. ]

.. well, I guess we can't turn down some snacks.. [ See. For once Minako is the moderate one. And it takes a lot to outdo Minako. She even feels bad enough about having wrangled the other guy into this situation to kind of politely add: ] If you don't mind.

[divinereaper]

I wouldn’t offer if I did mind, so let’s go!

[ naoto seemed to be in a much chipper mood, now that his snacks are safe and sound. he motioned minako to follow as he spoke. ]

What kinda snacks are you both in the mood for today?

[reloves]

Sweet! [ She says.

But almost in exact sync with her, the cat replies: ] Salty!

[ This may turn out a little more complicated than Naoto anticipated after all. ]

[divinereaper]

[ naoto started giggling at the dual response, nodding as tries to calm down in order to talk again. ]

I can definitely do both! Come on, I’ll show you where Magnolia Cafe is. [ might as well spoil them both. ]

[reloves]

[ Well, at least Minako and the cat are being obedient enough to just follow him, rather than getting distracted along the way. Maybe it's just since they're promised snacks, but you know, they're doing it all the same!

Though there may be some stomach growling going on as they walk further and further. ]

.. Do we need to go much further?

[ She's trying to not have too much of a whining tone over here, since he's nice enough to treat them, but it's hard when her stomach is like this right now. ]

[divinereaper]

No, not much farther.

[ he’s surprised they’ve made it that far, but at least they’re still with him. it could’ve ended with him chasing them both around with his own snacks instead. that would’ve been a tragedy.

however, true to naoto’s word, magnolia cafe is just around the bend, and he pushes the door open, standing aside to let them in first. ]

After you!

[reloves]

[ No need to tell her twice! Minako is already walking into the cafe, letting out a sigh. ]

Phew, I thought I wasn't going to make it!

[ Hush, Minako, you're not exactly starving.. ]

Thanks for letting us come here!

[divinereaper]

No problem. Now sit tight, I’ll get some tea brewing.

[ naoto’s familiar, upon seeing him, let out a noise as if saying hello, to which he just smiles and gives it a pet as he passes by to access the selection of sweets on display. from macarons and cookies to small cakes and tarts, it seems naoto had it all. ]

Any snacks that catch your eye?

[reloves]

[ Talk about a selection! Minako - and honestly, her familiar as well - seems to have a hard time even deciding on what to have here, considering there's just so many options out here. Her eyes keep glancing back and forth over the selection, before she points at one of the small cakes. ]

How about that strawberry shortcake?

[ The familiar doesn't speak up, but Minako sure notices where the cat keeps staring, until she just picks him up to move him into an actual seat. Please be polite around Naoto, dude. ]

I think he wants the macarons.

[divinereaper]

[ naoto nods, taking out the desired treats and setting them in front of the waiting guests. He decides to brew a black tea for himself afterwards, silently hoping the desserts came out alright— yes, makoto already told him they were perfect, but it was different with others. ]

There you guys are! Enjoy!

[reloves]

Thanks for the meal!

[ Apparently Minako has found enough politeness in herself to at least say that before she starts eating. Her familiar, on the other hand, is just digging right in. Though he's not quite eating like a typical cat would. Rather than just using his mouth, he's picking each macaron up with his front paws, eating more the way a squirrel might eat a nut.

Minako doesn't seem to notice though. She's way too busy digging into her own meal, capturing a bite of the cake with her fork and raising it to her mouth to eat it.

There's a moment of silence, like she's trying it out, tasting it..

But then Minako just beams. ]

Oh, it's so good..! It's all creamy and sweet!

[divinereaper]

[ because of course no familiar is normal in this world. he has to stop himself from laughing at her cat familiar, knowing that he's never going to get that picture out of his head.

but when minako starts praising his shortcake, naoto sighs internally in relief. ]

That's good to hear! I honestly thought I overdid it on the whipped cream this time. But its good to see both of you enjoying it!

[reloves]

[ She shakes her head. ]

No way! How can anyone ever overdo whipped cream? You can pour on any amount, and it'd still be tasty! [ Okay, that last part might be a tad of an exaggeration in reality - or perhaps Minako being overconfident in how much whipped cream she could tolerate. But she does sound confident and genuine about it. ]

No wonder you have a cafe like this.. You're really good at making sweets.

[ .. there's a slight pause, and then she sighs. ]

Mako-chan sure is lucky...

[divinereaper]

Yeah, but that's only if it's store bought! This one's homemade!

[ he doesn't want to be liable for a heart attack, thank you very much! but the compliment had him rubbing the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. ]

Ahaha, thank you. It took a lot of practice.

[ he blinks at the comment about mako-chan. ah, right, the challenge... what an embarrassment, but also.... ]

Y'know, I was surprised she accepted. I asked her out of nowhere, after all...

[reloves]

[ Out of nowhere?!

Please, Naoto, you have to plan these things! You need to make a big spectacle about it! But then again, he is giving her cake right now, so Minako supposes she can't complain.. Especially since Makoto seems happy. ]

How is that surprising? You know how Mako-chan is. [ If they're close enough to be dating, anyway. ] She's such a sweet person. She wouldn't just turn down someone so easily! Especially not when it seems like she really likes you.

[divinereaper]

[ .................... does he ruin the fact that it was because of a magic mask and he didn't want makoto to feel so bad and it was probably only their second meeting?

he almost blurts it out before he remembers that the angry friend was a very common trope, and he knows better than to tempt fate. so all he does is laugh lightly as he takes a sip of the tea he's brewed for himself. ]

She really is super sweet. Always looks out for me, and makes sure I'm not pushing myself... if anyone got lucky, it's me. I would've thought my scars alone would be enough to push people away...

[ just going to ignore the self deprecation in favor of loving makoto. ]

[reloves]

[ .. oh god, Makoto is dating one of those people, isn't she. Minako should have known. Of course she'd fold her motherly wings around someone with self-deprecating issues! ]

Hey!

[ Whoops, maybe he's getting a scoop of angry friend anyone. Though Minako seems more passionate than angry here. ]

Don't just say stuff like that about yourself! After all.. Mako-chan chose you! If you say stuff like that, you're making it sound like she's got poor taste, so be more confident in yourself!

[divinereaper]

[ naoto blinks, taken aback by minako's straightforward attack towards him. he was about to fight back, but remembers that this was makoto's friend. he can't make bad impressions, or else it might sour her opinion of him. he might as well be dancing on eggshells. but he doesn't voice it as he laughs lightly. ]

I'd had a lot more confidence if I had at least a fake arm to hide this thing. [ he waves his stump of a right arm. ] But thanks... I guess? [ he's not sure if she really meant it to cheer him up or it was just a jump to defend her friend. ]

[reloves]

[ Hey, who says it isn't a little of column A and a little of column B? Minako's a multitasker!

And a problem solver. Or at least, she aims to be. It's why she hums as she fully sits back down, staring at him for a moment. ]

.. you don't think someone in this place could make one? [ There's people from all over gathered here, after all. That's a lot of different knowledge from a lot of different worlds. ] Or have you already asked around?

[divinereaper]

That alone sounds like a headache... [ he sighs. ] But I guess it could be possible? I do know this blacksmith....

[ maybe darin could replicate the prosthetic with his other hand as a base using avalon's technology? then again, given it was relius' work, it would be impossible. anything with relius's name made it hard to do anything. he mumbles to himself as he thinks about the implications about getting another arm here in avalon.

somehow, he just hasn't thought of it. but then it hits him as to why he hasn't done so. ]

... I don't want to go under the knife again....

[ bad memories. ]

[reloves]

I can imagine.

[ At least she sounds sympathetic when she says that. Not that Minako really knows what it's like - she never had surgery, after all - but she can imagine it's not exactly something people like the idea of.

Let alone doing it multiple times. ]

So.. I'm not saying you have to do anything. [ Please, she doesn't even know Naoto all that well! And while Minako may seem bossy, it's not like she'd be that about any actual serious topic. ] But it's kind of worth thinking about, you know? If it'd make you feel better in the long run, then isn't one moment of discomfort better than a long time of misery..?

[ Though when it comes down to it, she thinks he should just do what feels best to him. ]