2024-04-04: An Evening in Barcelona
- Log: 2024-04-06
- Cast: Leina Ashta, Kikka Kobayashi
- Where: Barcelona, AEU Spain
- OOC - IC Date: Late January 0099
- Summary: Leina and Kikka go out on a 'first date': shopping for clothes, stopping by a tapa bar and catching a movie. They both have a good time - and Leina takes a step in overcoming one of her major traumas.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"No."
"Nope."
"Eugh."
Leina grimaced a familiar grimace in her face, as she looked at herself in the mirror, miraculously she didn't feel a phantom pressure in her shoulder, but trying to go through her more traditionally feminine wardrobe was still always an adventure. Today it was even an exciting, exhilarating one - because, well, she had to admit her heart felt like it was beating a little quicker.
Her being a friend was both familiar ground, and new territory to navigate after years of dating Shiro, but Kikka had never dated before. It was different dating another girl. It was different. She had already mentally recited to herself, to keep it cool, to keep it casual, to keep it friendly. 'Friends first' had always been important to her.
If you don't like someone as a friend first, what's the point of dating them?
And she really liked Kikka as a friend first, she always had.
So back to her wardrobe, wherein the problem was not having nothing to wear, but option overload. Of all those cute options she picked up and wanted to try out over the years and never could bring herself to. It was never her splurging it was just - a thing built up with one purchase every few months - for years. And things accumulated.
"Come on Ashta, get it together." A silly smile hit her face again, "Eyes - right. Focus on the eyes." That caused her to bite her lip subtly, as she considered Kikka's words on how her look caused her eyes to pop out. "Simple - casual! Alright. You can do this. Campanella! Turn it up!"
At her prompting the Haro turned background music of Sagitarrius 9 PM Don't be Late started to grow in volume to such that she could hear the lyrics thrum across the room.
/o~ Carry me! Bring me on a date through the falling stars.
/o~ What a rare challenge this is for today's time, let's ignite our ecstasy!
/o~ Fly faster! At the speed that my feelings travel!
Back to her closet, as she pushed through, until, "Got it!" She spun around with the held up clothes and- "Nope. False alarm." That too went on the bed, "Just keep at it." And eventually... "This time?" She looked at herself in the mirror, "Going once - twice... alright!"
She smiled at herself proudly in celebration, before the smile faded and she exclaimed, "Makeup! Need to get started."
T-Minus 4 hours and 36 minutes before casual date hangout.
-=-=-
What Leina showed up in for the 'hangout' was a brown suede midi-skirt and black knee high boots for the weather. It was paired off with a denim jacket and a striped blouse, with a simple barrette on the side of her hair. Her makeup is what one might expect of a consummate theater kid, it's hard to tell that she was trying too hard hard, but one would find it difficult to claim she wasn't putting in any effort either.
Special attention was paid to the eyes though, just that little touch, that draws one eyes to that shade of sea green. Other than that, she has a nice tote bag at her side as a substitute for a purse, displaying the sock and buskin and the following words.
T Audition
H
E Rehearsal
A
T Tech Week
E
R Opening Night
L Lights Down
I
F Curtains Up
E
Cast Party
"Hey Kikka." There's that casual, friendly wink - low key flirtatious in that fun way - Leina's been doing it since they met, but perhaps it feels subtly different today, "Ready for our hang out?"
Since it was casual, she didn't make it her 'picking up' Kikka so much, it was just the two of them meeting at a Barcelona train station. That way there was less pressure if Kikka wanted to end it for any reason, she wouldn't be stranded because Leina was driving the car. Shopping trip at a local boutique, tapas bar after - maybe catch a late movie at a nice little Indie theater.
There was security around, unfortunately Leina couldn't get out of that - but they were at least keeping their distance. Mostly staying a half block away in multiple different directions, Kikka would notice them right away, it's probably one of the earliest tricks Kai taught about knowing when you're being tailed.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
Certainly, there's been many occasions where Kikka's invited Leina for a casual, friendly hangout - times to catch up or just unwind. This time, though... it feels different, like the very air of anticipation has changed.
Kikka can't help but keep going back to how she made that invitation, when she did. It's not at all that she isn't looking forward to it... but she doesn't really have the experience to distinguish 'friendly outing' from 'date' - while she knows Leina probably does at this point.
What she does know is that if there was anyone she'd want to try something like this with... it'd be Leina. Someone she'd cherish whether she's a friend as she's always been, or something beyond that.
Kikka normally isn't a heavy makeup person either, usually favouring a quick routine for the sake of her ever-so-busy schedule. Today though... she pays special attention to it, carefully applying some cute pink blush and even a hint of eyeliner.
She left for the station extra-early, on video-call on the train.
"Well, good luck Kikka. Let me know how it goes later, yeah?" Says Letz's grinning face, on the couch at home in Fujinomiya, holding the youngest Kobayashi sibling in his arms. "You just got to give me all the details!"
"Ha, sure thing. I mean... I think it'll be fun? It's Leina, not some rando, so it's not like I'm worried." Kikka answers him, as the train approaches the station. "Almost there, so I've got to go. See you later Letz!" She hangs up after goodbyes, picking up the pace to her meeting spot. Even if Leina's her friend, it would look SO bad if she was late.
"Heyy Leina," Kikka greets back, just as playful, though there's no denying the nerves in her tone. "Yeah! 'Course I'm ready." She put some effort into her own outfit - a dark green plaid jacket and matching skirt overtop a a mint-coloured shirt, with black tights to complete the look. Though she hasn't really decorated her hair in a long time, she added a butterfly hairclip to make it stand out this time.
But her attention is on what Leina's wearing, and perhaps as expected... her gaze immediately meets Leina's seagreen eyes. "Remember what I said last time? Definitely not taking that back." She winks. "Really though... this is such a cute look on you. Absolutely love the tote bag."
While she does indeed notice the security detail tailing them, she really tries not to call attention to it. Somehow, it's way more embarassing when you /don't have anything truly secretive to hide. Instead, she just focuses on the local shops they pass by until they reach the boutique. "So... is there anything you're looking to try in particular? I could probably use a new bag myself ahaha... mine's all beat-up."
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
Certainly Leina knows the difference, and has the experience. One just has to ask, is she in the right state for the lines not blurring? That is perhaps an open question - which this outing will answer.
"Great." She replies easily, with a burgeoning smile, "You look great, by the way." She tells her, with a hand floating by the side of her hair, just a subtle card through her hair, almost like she knew she was understating, on purpose.
However, when Kikka says she's not taking it back, her grin becomes a little lopsided, and it spills out anyway, "Well - I'm glad, because I have no intention of letting go of it."
The compliment, obviously, but she seems to take it as permission at least not to hold back so much, "Thanks - it's one of my faves ... Love your look myself. It's got that chic feel. You've always had this - very casual sense of style?"
Her eyelashes dip subtly, "Always admired that about you." As they walk together, Leina gives her just this little tour on the way, pointing out this place - and that.
Telling her what she enjoys about the Barcelona streets, but Kikka asked a question, "... well, I was thinking, a new dress actually. Something Spring." There's perhaps a hopeful feel in her voice there, "It's kind of a notable gap in my wardrobe."
After a moment, however, as they walk, she asks, "How about we work on that new bag first. Replacements come first right? Were you thinking like - day to day casual - or something stylish but practical?"
Because she notes after a moment, "I know a nice place on the way that sells messenger's bags for women - with everything a budding journalist truly needs."
She puts a hand on her arm, just a light touch, as she whispers, "Pockets. So many pockets." She says it almost like it's scandalous, the idea of women having pockets.
Because among the realest problems of the Universal Century is the continuing trend of there being so few as to be non existent in women's clothing.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
Kikka is certainly happy to take the compliment herself, noticing Leina put her hand through her hair. Kikka fidgets her own hands around that somewhat worn-out bag she carries. "Thanks!" she smiles, only emphasized by the blush worn on her cheeks. "I'm definitely not going to lie or play it down... I put a lot of effort into it today."
And Leina's comment about not taking back the compliment gets a laugh out of her. "Ahaha... I probably should've expected that, huh? That's... just like you to say." She flips back her hair, getting another close look at Leina.
"Ahh, you think so? I think it's... it's kind of like, I want to look /ood but I don't want to overdo it either? So I've always really liked chic streetwear and stuff like that." That's something Leina /admires/ about her, though? Kikka doesn't know what to make that, but there's no doubt a /real/ blush forms past her cheeks.
"I feel like what I like about yours is..." She eyes the barrette, and then back down to the blouse and skirt - certainly the makeup techniques, to "It's really different from what you've always been wearing before but it still feels like you? I can tell you put a lot of care in the expression of the look and honestly? That might just be the most important part of fashion."
"Hmm, what kind of snacks can we look forward to in Barcelona?" Kikka asks, just some idle chatter while they make their way to their destination. She was thinking of bringing some home with her.
But Leina brings up wearing a new dress and Kikka nods very thoughtfully. "I have to admit, I don't wear a ton myself... so maybe we could try some on together." She suggests, already thinking about colours. "Honestly I can imagine something purple looking stunning on you."
But bag shopping comes first, Kikka agrees. "Yeah, I think some emphasis on the practical is in order..." Kikka nods, sagging her shoulders. "There's so many papers and cards I have to carry around, let alone separating what's meant for school and what's meant for work..."
"Pockets. Too true." She answers, just a touch louder than Leina's whisper. Why should such a thing be scandalous! When they stop by the place, Kikka seems to find one she likes, a neutral beige with pink highlights - featuring plenty of compartments to boot. "What do you think?" She asks, swinging it around on her shoulder.
...And then she catches a glimpse at the price tag, heart sinking a little. "Oh geez you were right... the pocket tax is unreal." It's a good thing she saved her paycheck for this outing.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
A lot of effort huh?
Leina knows the feeling, given that she was getting ready almost six hours for a casual first date, "O-Oh... ...Well I'd be lying if I said I just threw any old thing on myself."
It's a little stammer in her speech, but she seems to recover pretty gracefully as well. There's just a touch less confidence than usual - perhaps it's because it's a first date - or perhaps it's because it's someone she's known for years.
Or perhaps it's just as simple as she's just come off of two breakups. It's certainly a good sign that she must really like her at least.
People don't get nervous about first dates with someone when they don't want it to work out.
"I think... you not trying to overdo it is what does it for me." Leina confides to her, "It's just how I grew up I guess?" She tells her with a smile, at that blush.
But she blushes herself, "Well - it's I guess it's because... it's like getting back on course? I've had this self image of how I'd like to present myself for years but I didn't feel comfortable trying-"
Kikka knows of course, why not, but Leina shifts subjects, "-but I do now." A hand through her hair again, "Right now I do." It's just this, smile at her.
Nervous for the date - but more comfortable looking like this, in her own skin.
Her question though prompts an easy answer. "Tapas... you can't come to Spain without snacking on Tapas with someone else. Taking a break out of your day - to talk, catch up. Everyone around here has their big social circles that meet out for that practically every day."
A tiny grin there, "I think we can make do with just the two of us though, don't you think?"
It's just idle talk on the way, but... "Sure. It's - well - I'd really value your opinion for that."
Dresses are perhaps the hardest things for her, especially when it's making up the majority of what she's wearing.
Someone in particular saw to that.
"Purple? You think?" She actually looks off to the distance, and for a moment it's hard to know what she's thinking, but she smiles again. "... Well now I'm excited."
When they reach the bag store, Leina is looking through them, "Hmm will this fit your laptop you think?" She asks of one option, before Kikka holds up a neutral beige with pink highlights.
Putting down hers, she goes over to give a onceover, "Mmm-hm Mm-hm Mm-hm!" Like she's taking in the details with both a serious eye and a playful tone.
"What do I think?" She says as she leans back, with a hand on the nearby table, "I think..." She drawls but then the look in her seagreen eyes turns more serious, "...it's the perfect option for future Pulitzer Prize winner, Kikka Kobayashi."
She lets that hang, for a few seconds, before adding, much more flippantly.
"Let's call that one a Newtype Prediction."
Leina does seem to catch sight of her looking at the price tag and does eventually murmur, "... I don't mind covering it, if you want. Like - don't feel pressured if you'd prefer for that not to be... part of this." Leina gives her a more serious look, "But you do deserve nice things, time to time - without worrying about paycheck to paycheck."
She fully understands the dynamics of doing such thing for her, what kind of problems it could introduce but... she means what she says.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
"Hehe, I thought so," Kikka grins, when Leina mentions her own effort. "You have a lot to be confident about, you know. Whether it's for me... or even just feeling good about yourself." She assures her, in that awkward sense of not really knowing what to actually say in a first date, except what first comes to mind. "I appreciate the former, of course." She adds, making her own feelings just as obvious.
"Ah, really?" She asks, in the sense of not overdoing it making it better - but when she adds that it's because of how she grew up, she nods in understanding. "It was just a surprise to hear, because I don't really get compliments like that. At least because I'm not really drawing attention to it. So... that means a lot, actually!" She really does sound... really happy to be complimented in a way where she can be absolutely sure it's genuine.
"I'm happy for you, too." She adds, seeing Leina look so... comfortable in what she's wearing. Kikka hates that such a thing was taken away from her by the hands of Neo-Zeon... and that man. "You've... come a really long way, Leina."
"Tapas, huh... I'm down for trying some of those after we're done here. And yeah... just the two of us is more than enough I feel."
She understands the significance of wearing a dress for Leina too, and... "Yeah. We can go over a few different styles, see what you find comfortable, and sort them through." Sometimes the hardest part of these boutiques is wading through decision paralysis. "And yeah! I can kind of picture it looking nice in my head? Honestly, something brighter like yellow might do it, too..." She holds off for now, but it's nice to see Leina excited about it.
"Hmm, that's a good fit, too..." Kikka comments, but waits for Leina's verdict on her own pick, with all the suspense it entails. "Gosh, that's a huge vote of confidence," Kikka flexes the bag across her shoulders. "But surely, I'm not one to doubt your senses." She brushes her hair back.
Leina does offer to cover the price, though... and Kikka hesitates. She understands that Leina can probably afford to shoulder it, but... "I appreciate the offer, I really do." She answers, just as seriously. "But I don't want to make you feel like you have to do this every time, even if it's not an obligation. Especially since I'm the one who invited you in the first place!" She fidgets with the bag a little. "I'm pretty good at budgeting so I know I'll be fine. Still... thanks. It's, well.. really kind of you." She nods her head, understanding Leina's intentions.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"Still can't believe that." She tells her of Kikka not getting compliments like that, "Said it before, and I'll say it again, but everyone on the moon must be crazy or blind."
In this moment, there's almost this touch of awe to her voice, like she really is incredulous, but then she takes on a serious look and says-
"Don't let anyone ever tell you you're not a catch Kikka." There's this dead seriousness to her tone, "Not ever."
There were definitely times back when she was dating Shiro - Banagher - Mineva - where she just couldn't believe that Kikka was still single.
She always figured it had to be because she was focusing on her studies - or that she just wasn't emotionally available.
There's an earnestness to her smile after, "You think? Well glad I got to here - I sure like where I am right now."
It feels at least like she's coming to be more and more relaxed as they go, throughout it, at least when it comes to showing confidence in that respect, trusting that she can just speak.
In the end, she puts that note in her head about something brighter - yellow being able to do it too.
"Honestly feels like a low hanging fruit - when I think of what you're capable of."
Kikka hesitates, and Leina of course understands, perhaps mentally kicking herself a little, but she tries to just take it gracefully, "Hey no worries - I promise I get it."
After all, she certainly understands pride when it comes to money, paying one's own way - being from where she's from, living with Judau - she gets that kind of pride, "Things like that - it's about what you're comfortable with... always is, okay? So please don't worry about offending me."
She almost talks about splitting the check for this time - or alternating, but she reminds herself there isn't necessarily a next time, and she doesn't want to have that conversation until she knows whether there will be.
There ARE circumstances where she would fight Kikka on such things (FOR EXAMPLE A CERTAIN IDIOT REFUSING MONEY FOR A MEAL WHEN HE'D HAD ONLY VENDING MACHINE FOOD FOR A WEEK) but not for this.
It's not long before they're at the boutique and - Leina's trying on options they've selected... she's been in the dressing room for a bit though.
"Just a second!"
-=-=-
Missing, the moment where Leina discreetly dry swallows a pill she palmed at the bag store.
-=-=-
And there's a nervous tension like she's psyching herself up. Eventually however, Leina steps out, she's in an off the shoulder knee length purple mini-dress.
It's got sheer overlayer on the hemline, and the same fabric tying a sash around the waist into a bow above her left hip.
The fabric is dotted all over in the same purple color as the rest of the dress, giving it more texture.
She looks at Kikka and - kind of - it takes her a second for her brain to catch up to being capable of words, "So uh..."
How do I look?
Would be the proper conclusion for that, but she never gets that out.
<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.
"I think at the time... I wasn't really trying to be noticed in that way. The attitudes of the average Von Braun student didn't really help those matters. Just kind of did what I needed to and went back to my dorm." Personally, she can't help but laugh about it, but seeing Leina so incredulous for her sake...
"At the time I didn't, at least. But right now... I just..." She goes quiet for a moment, not really sure where to find the words, only looking into Leina's eyes. "I couldn't be happier to hear it."
She wasn't sure when she'd ever feel ready - thinking maybe it'd feel like some Newtype connection when it hit. But right now, maybe it truly does feel right.
So she starts to gradually feel her nerves calm as their conversation goes on, too, feeling she can tell Leina what she really thinks.
"Honestly, I was wondering even if I put my heart into my writing if the judges would even consider it... just on the basis of it challenging such a common narrative in the Earth Sphere." Kikka admits, twisting her hair a little. "But I ended up deciding that I wouldn't just... let that stop me. I mean, hearing you think I'm capable of it means even more than that." She lets that confidence be her strength.
She's relieved that Leina took it well, though, even if she ultimately turned down her offer... but she didn't think Leina would push for it anyways. "Mmm... I get why you offered, too. I just didn't want you to worry about spending for more than one person either."
If there is a next time, she would be happy to discuss splitting or alternating the check on things, seeing it as a much more recipriocal thing. But for a first date... it's nice not to have that pressure on either end.
They finally make it to the boutique - and while Kikka's eyeing some of the blue dresses for herself, her attention is mostly on Leina, knowing how much pressure this must be for her. Kikka tries her best to be a patient, encouraging presence, giving her all the time she needs in the dressing room.
When she saw what Leina took into the dressing room, Kikka gave it an approving thumbs up and accompanying smile... but well, seeing Leina wearing it... is an entirely different story. Because while it was her strong-willed personality and charming wit that made her really like Leina, there's no denying that there's some attraction there too.
So she stumbles a little on how to answer the unspoken question, feeling almost any adjective she could think of wouldn't sound right. "I think... it looks beautiful on you. And... it suits you unimaginably well." She answers, putting her honest feelings forward. "But.. I also want to know. How do you feel wearing it?"
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
The incredulity is met by Kikka's explanation, and it does make sense. It does. Though - perhaps part of her wonders something...
... something about Kikka herself. Rather than try to sit there and work that out, however...
She just says how she feels because right now at least, Kikka's happy to heal it, "Then I couldn't be happier to say it." She winks at her, "Though - I'd say it anyway."
Later though, she's making a face at what Kikka says to what the judges might think, "Eughhhhh. What the types who are like - let's just tell the tale of Amuro the hero with no nuance?"
She's sure not thrilled about that kind of idea, for many of the reasons of how she sees Judau after the war, "I do. That and more. Like - hey - if you told me tomorrow you had to work - you had to eat - like - don't think I'd look down on you. Even if I'd be mad for you."
She confides to her, "But I still can't help but respect that you looked at yourself in the mirror and decided you wanted to put the truth to a page and damn what people thought - because it's what you know to be true." She smiles wider, "Respect the hell out of it."
The matter of the pay, she fortunately didn't have her pride hurt over someone's feelings on that, "Then... I won't. It's not about that for me, not really - it's just always been nice I suppose, after having been there being able in a place where I couldn't even afford milk every week to just."
She snaps her fingers, "Swipe a card, brighten someone's day, you know? That's... what having money really means to me. It's really the only thing it means to me."
She rubs the back of her head, grinning, "It's good to be told no on occasion? Like - I should be told no more, probably."
Once they're at the Boutique, Leina is sitting there, speechless, looking subtly at the ground as if - waiting - but Kikka's caught up too, stumbling and...
She looks back up, momentarily stunned by beautiful. The question...?
It takes her a bit to gather herself. "... That answer feels like it's a work in progress, I think." She murmurs, softly, "It's like - part of me remembers myself in one of those dresses he used to put me in. It's not the same."
He never dressed her in purple, for example - it was mostly pink, or red. In fancy things a ten-eleven year old should never really wear. They were always frillier things, that showed off far more than she ever felt comfortable with
In things that drew the gaze of older men who were already figuring out when she'd be marriageable.
"Hm. I." With her fingertips, she pinches the sheer overlay, then looks up at Kikka, and there's this tentative smile, like she's working up to saying something she knows is true, "Right now at least... I like you seeing me in it."
She tells her, after a moment, "I like your eyes on me. It's like when you said it looks beautiful on me..."
A beat.
"... that's a good feeling."
It feels different, from when most people would say it - after looking at her. It feels different.
Less like she's looking in a mirror, a supervised possession.