2024-02-13: Housewarming Gift
- Log: 2024-02-13- Housewarming Gift
- Cast: Akane Shinjo, Sayla Mass
- Where: Nouvelle Tokyo - Takarada/Shinjo Apartment
- OOC - IC Date: 0098-07-22
- Summary: Sayla stops by the apartment while Akane's recovering -- a first since Akane moved out. The two of them talk about how things are going, how Leina's doing, and play a little Kanji Fighter.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Post-surgical recovery has been a little imperfect for Akane, but not that bad -- in large part because of the fairly high-dose painkillers, but hey! That's why they give you the high-dose painkillers.
Unsatisfied with the cushion provided by the hospital, she's jury-rigged one she personally finds more comfortable by stapling together travel neck pillows -- and is presently sitting on it, on the couch. Rikka is out getting groceries for the moment; Akane's just finished yesterday's dishes, meanwhile, and is now settling in to play video games. Surprisingly, this one isn't Taraba-themed in the least; Akane's picking up Kanji Fighter.
She's got a bottle of vegetable juice -- her second in not too long, judging from the empty one on the table -- and a protein box from Starbows as a snack. She reaches for a cube of cheese -- pauses, adjusts the cushion, then reaches again.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
Sayla is, at least, generally not the sort to drop in on someone recovering without warning- but the removal of free travel has rather made exactly when she'd be arriving today a little up in the air.
So, when she rings the bell for the little loft apartment, it is just as Akane's settling down- hopefully the process of being buzzed in doesn't require too much movement.
Either way, when Sayla's let in, she has a freezer bag slung under one arm, her handbag on the same shoulder. It's the first time she's seeing the new place- and it's been a few months since she's seen Akane in person.
"It's good to see you again," Sayla starts, a smile on her face. "It looks like you've really gotten settled in."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane does need to get up, but she's not so bad off that that's extremely onerous to do on occasion; she'd have trouble if she needed to walk back and forth a few dozen times, but... she's fine. Once Sayla enters, Akane gives her a brief hug -- and then returns to the couch.
"It took a bit, but yeah. A ton of my stuff's still in storage... I think I was a little too optimistic about how much you could fit in here," she admits, with a slightly lopsided grin and a nervous-sounding laugh. "It's fine. We'll figure it out... or we'll, uh, pick up a bigger apartment next time." ... They could buy a house, she reflects. They do have steady income and even some assets they could sell... ... it's kind of a passing 'whatever' sort of thought, at this point, though.
"Oh, right -- that's food, right? Thanks -- we could definitely use some nights where neither of us have to cook," Akane enthuses, as she gets settled in on the cushion again. "How've you been?"
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
When Akane initiates the hug, Sayla hugs back with her free arm. It's a little thing, but nice nonetheless. "I can imagine." Sayla responds, looking around. "Still, it's yours and Rikka's. That would count for a lot I suspect." Admittedly, Sayla never exactly had the normal apartment experience. She's guessing a little bit, honestly. She's either been travelling light, or moving into big spaces. Or both.
"Bingo." Sayla responds. "Even though you're recovering well, I figured you'd be having nights where you wanted to take it easy." She places the bag on the counter. "There's also a little housewarming gift in there, for you and Rikka. I hope you like it."
Sayla takes a beat. "Busy, mostly." Sayla admits. "The foundation's been having to renegotiate with NUNE and the OCU and OAC, trying to get temporary arrangement's permanent, that sort of thing. Still, I'm trying to keep to a 9 to 5 at the moment, and hoping the people I've hired can handle it without me hovering." Trying is a step up.
"How about you? Nouvelle Tech treating you well?" Sayla's happy to move to the couch once everything's away- she can get the grand tour (such as it is) another time.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"It does," Akane agrees, with a small smile. "It's... something I don't think I ever could have dreamed of before." She lets out a contented sigh, looking around the apartment. ... It's definitely a little small. A 1LDK is the sort of thing that just barely accommodates a couple. But...
... it's not lonely, and that's what matters.
"I can imagine... all that stuff is a mess. I can't keep up with all the stuff that's changing. Sometimes I forget we're back to the yen," she says, rubbing at the back of her head.
College talk is easier -- and more relatable. "Yeah. The first term went okay. I got my grades back and they're mostly pretty good... I have one class that's just okay, but it's not, like..." She gestures vaguely. She opens her mouth as if to take a second crack at it, but settles for, "Yeah."
... She's a little sedated.
"It's nice to go out on campus, too... I was kinda scared to at first, but people here are pretty nice. I'm pretty glad I stuck with a Japanese university..." ... She thinks about Marusan drunk-texting her midway through the term, 'This is so much!' in the dead of Japanese night. ... Yeah, she doesn't regret staying semi-local at all.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
"I'm glad, it's really good to see that you're happy here." It's always a little bittersweet, seeing people grow up- but but the sweet seems to outflavour the bitter more and more.
"It's going to be a very different time," Sayla agrees. "Not least of which for accountants." She doesn't press on the topic further, for now. "Sounds like you're handling things well enough, then. A few just okay classes won't hurt."
So says the chronic overachiever.
"You've gotten braver," Sayla says, without any sarcasm. "Have you joined any university clubs, or are you focusing on your studies for now?"
After a moment, Sayla's eyes cut to the screen briefly. A pause. "Kanji Fighter, isn't it?" She says, once regonition comes to her eyes. "How's it working as a convalescence game?"
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
It's been kind to Akane, on the whole -- once she managed to balance treasuring the present moment and looking forward to the next one. "It's... still some effort, but I think it's going okay," Akane answers, as far as happiness goes.
"Right now, just studying... I'm kinda thinking of finding an art circle or something though." She hasn't actually looked that close, but she doesn't want to tell Sayla that. "I think I wanted to get more, like, situated before doing anything like that?"
... a cosplay circle might be kind of fun to look into, too, now that she's thinking about it... She lets the thought float, though, because she's got Kanji Fighter to talk about.
"It's not bad. I'm kinda surprised that I don't end up on tilt all the time," Akane says, rubbing at the back of her head. "Even when I put up like six Ls in a row I don't get as mad lately..."
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
There's a slow nod at Akane's words. "It can be," Sayla agrees. "But it's worth it, I think. It's supposed to get easier as you go, too." Admittedly, Sayla's own path on that has hardly been a straight and clear one.
"An art circle? I can see that working out for you, when you're up to it." She can sense a little fluctuation in Akane's emotions, but again, she doesn't push. What Akane chooses to do or not do is up to her. "That's reasonable, I think. The jump to Monserrat was probably dropping you in the deep end a bit, and you're only in the first term. You've got years of college to go, you can take your time and feel it out."
She does smirk a bit about Akane not getting as mad. "...Well. Your painkillers might be playing a part there. I say take advantage of the effect while you can, though. Maybe try some things you found frustrating- if not too technically demanding."
She looks back at the screen. "I've played a little of this, actually. I can't say I'm good at it, but I had a very good player showing me the ropes when I started." She looks over to Akane. "I could try a few rounds, if you want a local opponent."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Ahahah, yeah... man, I guess I've been pretty much all over the place as far as school goes," Akane muses. Montserrat was definitely different -- and it really gave her French a workout...
"It's been kinda weird, though. I keep meeting people who don't know a thing about how anything went in Tsutsujidai except what's on the news. ... It's kind of nice, but it does feel weird, too." For a while there, it felt like it was her entire life; now, it's... just a thing and she doesn't even necessarily have to disclose it? The whole thing is odd. The world really is bigger...
She lets out a content sigh, and giggles at the mention of her painkillers. "... Yeah, you're probably right. Sure, though -- uh, I think the second controller is... under the table?" She gestures to it, then says, "Or, uh -- wait, is it?"
(It is.)
"I didn't realize you played," she adds, after a second. "When'd you pick it up?"
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
"It can be a bit of an experience, moving from place to place so much. It's kind of hard to adapt to, in my somewhat distant experience." From Munzo tutors to Spanish public schools to a girls school in Loum to Medical School- it was a lot back then.
"I see. Well for a long time you were mostly seeing people who were involved in some capacity or another, so I can see why it might take a little getting used to." It's been a long time since Sayla's had that sort of anonymity. "Maybe it's just going to be the nice kind of weird?"
"Got it," Sayla responds, leaning down to grab the controller, and pick it up. It's a... little different than the one she tried on the Nadesico. Hmmm. She can work it out.
"Well, someone I met at one of the Foundation events reached out afterwards wanting to talk to me. I made some time and met her, and after the talk she invited me to play. It's been a while since we met up, though." Sayla pokes around, working out what maps to what with... a little difficulty. "Hopefully I'll be a little better against you."
Sayla's... definitely a beginner. She's capable of some of the inputs, and her fundamentals are getting there. Really, her strongest point is her reaction speed, and she's got a bit of a knack for reading Akane-
But that, perhaps, is an edge that's a little unfair given where she gets it from.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Ehe... yeah. I've moved around a bunch too, though I don't think any of them was as far as some of yours..." ... well, other than the one to outside reality, but that kind of sucks to linger on. "Oh, uh -- feel free to remap the controls? I don't mind." Akane is no stranger to button checks, and in her present state she can be pretty patient.
Taking a moment to stretch as Sayla gets set up, Akane replies, "Ehehehe, so you got creamed, huh," she teases, at 'hopefully I'll be a little better against you.' "Happens. I've never been, like, serious about the game? Not the way some people are."
Akane's a high-intermediate player with good spacing, and the gulf between beginner and intermediate is significant. Once she realizes the extent to which she's getting read, she spends much less time at mid-range; the adjustment probably pays off.
"How's Leina doing?" she asks, after a little bit. She hasn't talked to the Ashta girl quite as much as she'd like, lately.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
"I think you're on track for a much better college experience, at least." Both better than the many moves, and better than Sayla's, really. "Oh, I think I should be okay to work it out?"
Sayla's a Zentie, Akane, she doesn't know how to remap controller buttons.
"Oh, decisively." Sayla admits to the teasing. "But by the end of the session I could throw a fireball at least." She nods as Akane talks about not being as serious. "Well, that's good to know. I might have a chance, then."
As it turns out, not really. Fortunately, Sayla's not too competitive about it. She seems to learn a bit from the experience, but once Akane makes her adjustments, Sayla's having a much harder time.
"...Up and down. She ended up at Asticassia, thanks to her CO." Sayla sighs. "I think she's pushing herself a bit hard, as usual. She tries to make it home a couple of times a month, and whenever my travel schedule lines up I try and visit her up on the ring. We've made more than a few trips to Neo-Broadway and the like. "
Sayla sighs a little. "We're still working things out with going forward, but we're getting there. It's a little weird not having her around the house all the time, I won't lie." She shrugs. "But that's just what happens when people grow up, isn't it?"
Another clean KO for Akane, as Sayla's kanji slow mo bounces off the ground. "Things have been quieter than they have been for a long time, it's taking some getting used to." Sayla leans back on the couch. "Maybe it's time for another whirlwind affair or something like that. A little controlled excitement. That or pick up a hobby."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane catches herself leaning forward a bit too much while playing; with a wince and a screwing-shut of her right eye, she leans back with a slightly ragged breath. ... It kind of sucks, but sometimes you have to get through the part that sucks. It does cost her a round, though, and she needs to say, "Uh -- give me a sec," before proceeding.
She seems more interested in Leina than in playing at particularly high levels, anyway. "Asticassia -- jeez. I can't imagine she's having a good time there. Doesn't seem like her vibe... then again, she's probably still doing pretty good." She smiles at that thought, at least.
"... Yeah, it is. Apparently Rikka's mom was pretty broken up about her moving out too. Maybe you two should hang out if you're both feeling kind of bored." Laughing lightly, she adds, "You could do a lot worse than picking up a hobby. Any ideas where you'd wanna start?"
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
A momentary look of concern crosses Sayla's face. She can imagine what happened. "Sure." She says, glancing. "Just say if you need me to get you anything." Yes she's a guest, but, well...
It wasn't uncommon to be around surgery patients in the past, really.
"...Yeah. It seems pretty intense up there, and given the trouble she had with some of the teachers at Montserrat early on, I wouldn't be surprised if she's running into similar problems up in a school like that. But it's been a rough few months for her, honestly." Sayla's fingers drum on the controller. "...She'll probably be a bit more upfront with you on the college front, at least. You can commisserate together." Sayla's definitely a little worried, but... She can't be Leina's only support, and trying to do so will be worse in the long run.
Sayla turns to Akane at her suggestion. "I think you might be on to something there, actually. Next time I'm in Tsutsujidai, I might give her a call. I've been trying to catch up with some old friends, lately. It wouldn't hurt to catch up with Orie either."
Any ideas on where she wants to start...? "...You know, honestly, it's been so long since I've given myself time to really have a hobby. I can remember the things I got up to as a kid, but it's probably bad form to be trying to put curses on people as an adult." She thinks for a bit. "It's been a while since I went riding, honestly? That might be something to do."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane opens her mouth to start with 'no, I'm fine,' then pauses for a moment and thinks better of it. Instead, she says, "There's, uh -- a cold pack in the freezer. It's a little too cold for me on its own but there's a hand towel on the counter next to the freezer?"
She gives Sayla a little time to go get that; she doesn't want to just bull rush over her, and doesn't really want to start shouting either. She waits until Sayla gets back before continuing about -- well, anything.
"I should bother her on VERTEX or something," Akane eventually says, once she gets situated a second time. "... and honestly I kinda need to send something to Orie, too... I already sent her a thank-you card for helping get the apartment set up, but..." It still doesn't feel like enough, she thinks but doesn't say. ... Then again, her hanging out with Sayla might help with that, too.
Hobbies ultimately prove the easiest topic. "... I'm not even gonna ask about the curses," Akane says -- she thinks she has enough context on Sayla to know, anyway. "What about writing? I think I'm... okay. Rikka and Utsumi are both definitely way better than I am, but I've been kinda working on it lately..."
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
"No problem," Sayla says, getting up. It only takes a few moments to sort things out, returning with the ice pack wrapped appropriately and carefully, handing it to Akane to put in place.
"I think she'd like that. It's no harm to send her a message." Sayla looks a touch awkward, for once. Maybe a lesson hard learned. "Oh? Trying to find a gift or something?"
"Spoilsport," Sayla's response is good humoured, at least. "...Writing, huh?" She muses. "As in caligraphy, or writing fiction or something?" She drums her fingers on her thigh. "Hmm. Perhaps. I'm not sure what I'd write about, admittedly."
She also has a bit of an act to follow there, not to mention what Edouard has been doing in his spare time.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Shifting on the cushion a few times to get herself situated with the cold pack in her lap, Akane nods. "And -- hmm, yeah, a gift would probably do it. Maybe chocolates... I don't want it to be, like, a huge thing? Just..."
She gestures vaguely. "Something to show her that I'm still thinking about her," she says, with a content little smile. She leans back a bit, letting herself relax.
As she gets comfortable, Akane says, "I kinda started with journaling? Then I started doing companion pieces for art stuff..." She seems like she's coming down from whatever pinched nerve or pulled skin she hit a bit ago. "It's kinda up to you? It's a good way to get the feelings out sometimes when you don't have anything else to do with them, but in a different kind of way from, like, drawing or sculpting. You don't have to really start with, like, a goal in mind or anything, either..."
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
That much makes sense. "Something little like that, hm? I wonder..." One thing comes to mind immediately. "...you know what might work, actually?" Sayla muses, after a moment. "People don't get physical letters much these days, really. Maybe just a letter every so often, letting her know how things are going? It's a little archaic, sure, but that's part of what makes it matter. It's simultaneously a small gesture but one you can see the effort behind."
It segues well with what Akane says about journalling. "Huh. I can give it a try for myself. Worst case, well, if it's not for me, the only thing I lose is a bit of time." It's something to do with her spare time- and maybe it will be good to have something to look back on. "I can always just write down my thoughts on the immortality of the crab, if nothing else."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Huh, yeah..." Akane would probably end up drawing something for her, too, if she were working with a physical letter... the idea seems fun to her, and it gets a small smile on her face. "Once I feel a little more up to stuff, that sounds like a pretty good idea." Postage probably won't be cheap, but that, too, might be part of the point. If nothing else, it's a good reminder that Tsutsujidai has a chance to just... be a part of the world, like anything.
The topic of journaling, though -- gets her to burst out laughing at 'the immortality of the crab.' After a few moments, though, something seems to click and she murmurs, "Is that why Tarabaman's like that..." before scooting a bit closer to Sayla. "You've got pretty much all your secrets out there, as far as I know, so it's not like it's incriminating or anything at this point."
She finally remembers she was eating a little while ago, and reaches out to snag some pepperoni from her protein box. "Oh, this is really good. I think they might have changed meat suppliers or something because this feels, like... I don't know about more expensive meat, but definitely different?" Her brow furrows a bit.
"You wanna try?" There's still a few more slices, at least...
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
It seems like Sayla's onto something there, and Akane seems to like it. "Sounds like you have a plan, then."
The laughter gets a smile out of Sayla too. "Now that I couldn't tell you. More has come from less, I suppose." The little comment on her secrets, though... "Well. All the big ones at least. And the ones I have left are definitely the ones I keep for others my own age over brunch."
"I won't say no." The offer of some pepperoni is taken up, Sayla reaching over and taking a slice for herself, popping it in her mouth and chewing thoughtfully. "...I think you're right. Better than the last time I had one of these."
Certainly, Sayla's tastes are still bougie, of course. Maybe it's not the meat so much as the different context they're eating it in.
But the context they're in is nice all the same.