[MINGLE] chocolate and roses

[vrdr_mods]

It's Valentine's Day, and that means just one thing for the inhabitants of the Velvet Room: chaos.

And chocolate, possibly. Or even something else? Or perhaps you're spending the holiday entirely by yourself?

[[ooc: just a quick catchall post for any toplevels or threads people might want to make for the holiday! Feel free to make inbox or journal posts as well.]]

Comments

[lostgemini]

"Gross," Kou agrees with Kira, shaking his head at Hamuko. "They should at least be a little more modest in public."

... Maybe his perspective is a bit colored from his experiences in life, but sue him. Seeing happy couples managed to sour his mood in the past, and nowadays, it only sours his mood more. Do these cognitions have to act like that? They're not even real people, and they don't have real emotions, either.

He wrinkles his nose, inhaling smoke.

"You two go in. I'm gonna finish..." he holds up his cigarette, "... this first."

[linkclickakira]

"Eyyy you get me. Atleast the hotel I live in have sound-proof walls," he fingerguns Kou then throws a twitching smile at Hamuko, as if he couldn’t help himself. "You really are a romantic at heart, aren't you?"

He remembers hearing the same words from his own Akechi and he might have even agreed in a heartbeat back then.

Now?

He's pulled away by his thoughts through Corvus's voice. He blinks, staring away from Hamuko to look ahead at the cafe. Ah, yet again- he's going to see more couples.

"Fair enough," he shrugs. "Don't take too long brooding or we will just have to drag you back you in-! And coffee sucks when it just goes cold, I would know."

[wipingallout]

"Yeah! Only that last one, Corvus, or you're gonna sound like a gravely old grandpa and you won't get to appreciate the coffee, chocolate or cookies!" Hamuko joined in the teasing, pointing at where he'd held onto his goodies.

But with that, she turned to Kira, grinning in amusement. "I'll just have to be your date for now!"

[lostgemini]

"You've clearly never had iced coffee. It's nice enough," Kou snorts. Mostly, he's saying this to rile Kira up... he knows how coffee enthusiasts feel about iced coffee. Not like he wouldn't drink any slop that passes for coffee if it means an energy boost. He purposely drops his voice a little for his next words; "And don't you worry, Hamuko-san, I'm already there."

He's always happily eaten everything. Enjoyment has always been secondary, as well, though obviously he'd rather go for something he enjoys better.

Though he does wrinkle his nose at Hamuko's comment.

"Ugh, don't. He doesn't need an ego boost," he teases- actually teases, taking a drag of his cigarette with the hint of a barely-hidden smile of amusement.

1/2

[linkclickakira]

Kira made a sharp tsk with his tongue, narrowing his eyes at Kou with an exaggerated look of betrayal. "Oh, I see what you’re doing," he accused, pointing a finger as if Kou had just committed a grave sin. Trying to bait him into a long-winded rant about how most iced coffee tastes like factory-produced garbage—because it does—and how the moment you add sugar, it turns into some sickly-sweet abomination that’s neither coffee nor a milkshake, but something much, much worse.

His glare was playful but intense, like a man holding himself back from launching into a passionate TED Talk. He took a deep breath. "But I won’t fall for it. Not today."

What he does fall for is Hamuko's comment as he turns to throw her a very coy smirk. “Oh?” he mused, tapping a finger against his chin. “My date, huh? My, my, what a lucky man I am.” His tone was all teasing, but the grin on his face had a mischievous little edge to it.

2/2 (i am sorry for this little troll)

[linkclickakira]

Then came Corvus’ quip, and Kira, as if on instinct, had a perfect Wildcard Moment™. One he wasn't even aware of. He turned on his heel, eyes gleaming, and leveled Kou with an infuriatingly amused look.

"Wait a minute," he said, slowly, like he was unraveling a grand conspiracy. “Are you... jealous, Corvus?”

The words dripped with playful challenge, but Kira didn’t stop there. No, he leaned in slightly, his grin widening into something downright devilish.

“Don’t be shy,” he added, wiggling his fingers playfully. "I have two hands.”

[wipingallout]

"You could also take mine, if you're so inclined," Hamuko shamelessly winked, laughed, then looped an arm through Kira's to drag him off.

"Come on, let's get a good seat before they're all taken!"

[lostgemini]

Kou gives them both a neutral stare, slowly blinking. Then, he goes to take a drag of his cigarette...

... only to lean forward, breathe out a firm, "not a chance," and sending a puff of smoke their way.

Then, he leans back, and gives them a far-too-pleasant smile.

"Enjoy your coffee."

[linkclickakira]

Kira grinned ear to ear as Hamuko fully leaned into his little ploy- in a true Valentine's day fashion swooping in to steal Kou's heart.

He shook his head at the little puff of smoke and blows a raspberry at him.

One day...

"Cool, yea we totally should-" he didn't dissuade Hamuko’s hold as he throws Kou a two fingered salute. "Roger that. I will wait it out and brew you a good one too."

A silent promise, the same earnest smile. Even if he was a little spiteful, he was- so goddamn tired of being alone here.

And with that, he allowed Hamuko to drag him in. Phew-! She sure had the energy, huh?

And this place did too. He clicked his tongue, watching the crowd of cognitions walking around. God. Couples, man.

"I kinda miss my cat," he mutters. "Didn't exactly talk to me like the other universes but he knew me really well. I would have told him to harass Corvus just in case he had an idea of leaving or changing his mind."

[wipingallout]

"Wait-- other yous can talk to their cats? Amazing!! I guess my friends and I were lucky that Aigis could understand our dog, Koromaru... but being able to talk directly sounds amazing."

She would ADORE that...

"Okay okay-- claiming a booth before we lose a chance. I'm off!"

[lostgemini]

Meanwhile, Kou sighs, leaning against the wall outside the cafe, cigarette still dangling from his mouth. His face isn't visible to the other two from this angle, but to anyone passing by he looks... pensive.

... Seems he isn't quite done smoking yet.

[linkclickakira]

"Right? Maybe I would finally understand what my Morgana kept meowing about when shoving my face into my pillow. Swear I thought he was trying to kill me at some point," his expression droops with a mock bitterness- like he was recounting one of the more traumatic memories in his life.

As soon as she's off, Akira follows quickly- glancing at the counter. This was still one of the more rundown cafes, thankfully which meant that there was still plenty of space to weave around one of the cognition-being?? baristas?? and brew a few cups to steadfast their day forward. Should they find an open booth, Akira's lips would quirk up, commenting- "Also do you know you can just shoo off any of the cognitions here to get the seat that you want? Maybe shooing is a bit harsh, they just part like the Red Sea honestly."

[wipingallout]

"I don't know if I can handle that yet...... it still feels too rude," Hamuko laughed awkwardly, settling in and relaxing for the moment. The atmosphere at the cafe was pretty busy... but it was warm, pleasant enough.

[lostgemini]

Taking his final drag, Kou crushes his cigarette under his heel, exhaling. He glances inside, feeling the impulse to leave for a moment.

Sigh. No, no, Kira saved his life. The least he can do is show the bare minimum of respect, and sit with them for a bit. So, he pushes open the door, quickly spotting the duo.

"No coffee yet? Hm, how slow..." he comments, settling across Hamuko.

[linkclickakira]

"Hm, technically we are making use of their services and items for free," he shrugs at Hamuko's statement. "I think that is more rude then getting your own space-" As he's talking he cuts himself off when he finds Corvus on the way. He perks up, unsure on which side Corvus was going to sit since Akira had settled across as well-

He scoots further in, eyes darting back and forth before he grins. "I guess since there's like...three people working at the counter and dealing with the customers, its probably going to take some time."

Placing the chocolate basket on the table, his foot taps against the ground. Since its an independent cafe the coffee really shouldn't be a problem. "You were pretty quick though, like five minutes ish? I was tempted to train a cat to harass you into coming here if you took too long. I mentioned it to Hamuko."

[wipingallout]

"I've had more practice with dogs, but it would've been a purrfect plan."

Hamuko laughed a bit, gesturing for Corvus to sit. Welcome!!

"At least sitting out in the cold will make the hot coffee even nicer to drink. You've got that going in your favor!"

[lostgemini]

"I would've definitely left in that case," he deadpans, giving them both an unimpressed stare. He rolls his eyes at Hamuko's pun. "Actually- maybe I should anyway."

He doesn't, though, staying put regardless of his words.

"Speaking of hot coffee," he turns to Kira, raising an eyebrow. "You still haven't made any? And here I thought you were some kind of expert... perhaps I was mistaken after all."

A small smile tugs at his lips despite his words.

[linkclickakira]

"Don't think I will not tackle you down," he bites back just as quickly at the deadpan before...oh shit, right.

His eyes widen as he releases a quick click of a tongue. It totally slipped his mind. Better get to it then, he can get something sorted. "Okay okay, someone's really eager. How about you have that chocolate in the meantime then-? Or oh- maybe even pouring coffee on chocolate...hm, I think there's a french hot chocolate variant of that-!" With that, he gets up and shuffles across Corvus and hums, scratching his chin before leaning forward and grabbing his basket.

"While I make the coffee I am gonna go ahead and torment some of the couples' here," he grins. "See you guys in a bit!"

And with that, he's already off. Valentine's day is over people.

[wipingallout]

Hamuko just giggles at their banter and Kira's antics, watching him meander off and cause just a little bit of ruckus before turning her attention back to Kou.

"He sure brings a lot of energy wherever he goes!" she remarked, fishing for Kou's thoughts.

[lostgemini]

"He's a nuisance wherever he goes," Kou snorts, but from his tone, it's clear he doesn't mind as much as he's saying. "Honestly... he could stand to learn some restraint. Not everyone is happy to have someone poking their nose into your business."

Kou sighs, leaning on his elbow as he watches Kira work behind the bar.

"... But perhaps it's not so bad," he murmurs, mostly to himself. He does have Kira to thank for helping to escape Maruki. There were many points where he could've left Kou behind, or used him as a meat shield, but he didn't. How sentimental.

It almost reminds him of-

-well, nevermind. Amamiya isn't here to fuck things up more.

[wipingallout]

"It can be nice to have the change of pace. How'd you guys meet?" Hamuko asked, leaning on her elbow like Kou and smiling.

[lostgemini]

"He came in while I was having a smoke in Tokyo's most expensive sushi restaurant," Kou deadpans.

[wipingallout]

"Pff, hahaha! Can't catch a break, everyone keeps interrupting your smoke break, huh?"

[lostgemini]

"Something like that," Kou sighs. Though, he supposes he smokes more often than he doesn't. Which is probably a bad thing, but Kou can't bring up the energy to care; smoking's one of the few things that sort of helps.

[wipingallout]

"You'll just have to find a perfect way to pester him back, right?" she chuckled.