personavelvetroomdr | 🌒 [Open]

... ... ... ... ?

What is...?

I shouldn't... be awake...

[In the Velvet Room...]

[It's courteous of whatever's going on with Igor's plan here that Hamuko is dressed. She probably shouldn't even have a body... whatever she has going on now... did her body fall comatose without her? Did it die? If it was alive, she surely should be much older. ... ... ... Maybe that all doesn't really matter, right now. She's here, gifted a chance to be around others again. The pinboard catches her attention first, of course. Signs of other people... so many little notes, talking about multiple versions of the same person running around. That's... that's charming... that's fun. ...Even if the notes about Ken Amadas make her sad...]

Hmm... I don't see any other 'me' off the bat...

[She'll take a few minutes once given a pen and some pink paper to doodle a little version of herself, signed with her name and phone number, and add it to the corner of the pinboard.]

[Inaba, Central Shopping District]

[What a fun little town! A charming place... hey, isn't this the town she went to for the volleyball camp? She loved the accommodations, but it's so nice to actually wander the streets and see the little shops. This place is SO rural, Hamuko had never really visited a place this remote, even when jumping between foster homes.] Let's see... what's the good spot for the locals? [No point being a complete tourist shmuck!!]

[Shibuya, Underground Mall]

[Well, since nothing costs anything here... might as well get some cute new clothes, right? Who knows how long she'll be around here, and 'dreaming up' new outfits didn't seem to be a thing. No lucid dreaming here - somehow, Hamuko felt a lot happier with that in mind. Still... the fashion is so different!!]

I just want one cute orange top...!! Is orange out of style? Dang it...

[Iwatodai Dorms]

[Of all of the places she's been having fun goofing off and exploring in, the dorms... she couldn't quite get the courage to open the front. Not just yet.]

Not even Koromaru is out front right now. ...I've gotta apologize...

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[Nearby, a deep voice laughs. A moment later, the source--a Joker in his early twenties, dressed as if he'd just stepped off the set of some swashbuckler film--emerges from the men's clothing racks to grin at her.]

I'm afraid I wouldn't know. If anything, I'm more lost than you are.

[He plucks at his gray vest for emphasis, hoping to make her laugh.]

[???? Is that-- is that a pirate? And he looks like one of the 'aki-rens', just... a bit older.

And a pirate.

???????]

Wow. It looks so authentic...

It is. If I'd known I was about to be flung into the future, I would have packed a few extra shirts.

[He's been getting that startled reaction a lot. He still looks rather pleased about it, though.]

I'm Captain Kurusu, of the pirate sloop Phantom--or I was, until a few days ago. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss...?

[He tilts his head expectantly. This girl looks just like a younger Kotone, but he's learned not to assume anyone's name.]

Arisato is fine!

[Just. Whoa. An actual pirate........ she'd gotten the impression that they were only young, handsome, dashing, or whatever in movies? But here he was...]

Well... I guess it shouldn't be too hard to find another blouse to match your vest?

It's a pleasure to meet you, Arisato.

[Another name incongruity, then. Interesting. Akira looks at the button-down shirt in his hands, cheerfully contemplative.]

I suppose the question I'm struggling with is whether to go on dressing as close as I can to what's familiar or try to blend in with the times. There's something to be said for blending in, but with my luck, I might just make myself look ridiculous.

"Well...! I might be a few years behind what's trendy, but I bet I can help you get some kind of wardrobe together! Then you can pick and choose how you feel any given day," she offered, as the idea of a literal pirate talking to her settled a little more easily.

Akira perks up at the offer. "I would appreciate the help," he says. "And in return, I'll keep an eye out for anything--orange, right? I'm sure there must be something, if we look hard enough."

"Orange and cute! Here, let's check out this section..." Hamuko nodded, going to the section of clothing that would actually fit this pirate guy. "Having dark hair and eyes does mean it's gonna be really easy to find stuff that matches you nicely!"

Hmmm... she pulled off of the rack a turtleneck, one with a nice simple beige pattern and warm tones. "Since it's a bit chilly, this ought to be perfect for right now!"

The fabric is unfamiliar to him, but he accepts her judgment without question. "It looks very comfortable. Should I try it on?"

"Hmm... does this place have a changing room? Let's see!" Hamuko draped the turtleneck and a few other shirts on her arm before looking further in for a spot to change. There's not much, but there's a couple of doors that close where customers can try out the clothes!

"Here we go! Here, try these all on - you can come back out wearing one of these if you want an opinion but we gotta make sure they fit, first!"

Amused, Akira heads obediently into the changing room. None of the shirts have fastenings, but the fabric is stretchy enough to make up for it. Soon, he walks out to show her the beige sweater, which fits him pretty much perfectly.

"Is it supposed to be this snug to the skin?" he asks, tugging on one of the sleeves. "Not that I'm complaining; it's quite comfortable. It's just a little strange."

"Yep! Form-fitting but stretchy so it's not too restrictive," she affirmed with a big smile. "Turtlenecks like that are great for cold weather. And since it's January, it's perfect for it."

Akira holds his arms out in front of him, checking that the sleeve length is correct, then nods in satisfaction. "I think it fits correctly, then. The real question is, how does it look? Being cold is tolerable, but being laughed at would be another beast entirely."

He says this as if it were a joke, mostly to hide the fact it isn't.

She gives a little applause! She's collected a few things for herself, including a cute orange ascot, draped over her arm.

"It looks handsome! And since it's a simple design, it should be easy to add coats on top of, or use scarfs, and still look nice. Give the other shirts a try! Then we can try out pants. That way you've always got something to wear on laundry day, eheh."

Right. Laundry. He should really find a way to do that. Akira gives her an amused salute and retreats back into the changing room, continuing the conversation from behind the door.

"That's a point I hadn't considered. Walking around shirtless is one thing; walking around without trousers might raise a few eyebrows." To say the least. "You're very kind to step in and help a stranger like this, you know. I can't imagine you had 'tell a grown man to put pants on' on your plan for the day."

"I mean, the circumstances kind of explain themselves? You're from whenever pirates were a Thing for your world! So naturally, you'd need a little help understanding what technology and stuff is available! I've read some novels with the same premise," she teased. It wasn't really reading isekais that made things less Weird - they were decidedly very weird already. But she's been served well by rolling with the punches.

"Don't worry too much about it. I'm happy to help."

"Maybe so, but recognizing a problem and stepping in to help don't always go hand in hand. I appreciate the latter. That's all I meant."

He comes out still wearing one of the sweaters, carrying the others draped haphazardly over his arm. This is clearly not a man who worries about wrinkles. "How long have you been here, by the way? I forgot to ask."

"Just woke up today!" she answered with a giggle. "And with nothing costing anything, well... looks like I get to go a little ham making a whole new wardrobe!"

"Nothing ever costs anything if you're stealthy enough," he jokes. "But it is a nice change of pace. It's been a long time since I had the chance to go ashore and wander like this, let alone do my own shopping."

Five finger discount!! She hadn't participated in that, herself, but a small part of her always was tempted. Just a tiny bit.

"You really are a bona fide pirate... that's really cool," she admitted with a snicker. Sure, it probably had its own realities that made the day-by-day a slog, but come on. "What's it like, spending most of your time on the ocean?"

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